cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactions between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the TRKB receptor. Identification of two ligand binding domains in soluble TRKB by affinity separation and chemical cross-linking.

The extracellular domain of the human neurotrophin TRKB receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells is a highly glycosylated protein, possessing binding ability for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Two distinct ligand binding domains of TRKB were isolated from proteolytic digests of the receptor by affinity separation on immobilized BDNF. One of these domains consists of amino acid residues 103–181 and contains both the third leucine-rich motif and the second cysteine cluster domain. The second domain is close to the second immunoglobulin-like domain (amino acid residues 342–394). Each of these two domains can bind BDNF independently. Disulfide linkages present in the first domain are necessary for BDNF binding, probably because of preservation of the native conformation. To study the second domain in greater detail, a truncated form of TRKB containing the second immunoglobulin-like domain (residues 248–398) was expressed in Escherichia coli. This domain was cross-linked to BDNF through a 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide coupling reaction. Several synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid residues 343–379 were able to bind immobilized BDNF. Amino acid substitution and cross-linking analysis indicated that amino acids Phe347, Asp354, and Tyr361 are intimately involved in BDNF binding. These results, obtained from a variety of experimental techniques, highlight the importance of two distinct regions of the extracellular domain of the TRKB receptor in binding BDNF.
Electronic band structure calculations for biaxially strained Si, Ge, and III-V semiconductors

Electronic band structure and effective masses for relaxed and biaxially strained Si, Ge, III–V compound semiconductors (GaAs, GaSb, InAs, InSb, InP) and their alloys (InxGa1−xAs, InxGa1−xSb) on different interface orientations, (001), (110), and (111), are calculated using nonlocal empirical pseudopotential with spin-orbit interaction. Local and nonlocal pseudopotential parameters are obtained by fitting transport-relevant quantities, such as band gap and deformation potentials, to available experimental data. A cubic-spline interpolation is used to extend local form factors to arbitrary q and to obtain correct workfunctions. The nonlocal and spin-orbit terms are linearly interpolated between anions and cations for III–V semiconductors. The virtual crystal approximation is employed for the InxGa1−xAs and InxGa1−xSb alloys and deformation potentials are determined using linear deformation-potential theory. Band gap bowing parameters are extracted using least-square fitting for relaxed alloys and for strai...
Tris(pentafluorophenyl) Borane as an Additive to Improve the Power Capabilities of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane (TPFPB) was investigated as an electrolyte additive to improve the power capabilities of lithium-ion batteries. As discussed here, TPFPB is adopted as an anion receptor to dissolve the LiF in passivation films, which create transport problems for both electrons and lithium ions. We found that the power capabilities of lithium-ion batteries could be dramatically improved by adding a controlled amount of TPFPB. Moreover, the addition of TPFPB also improves the cycling performance of graphite/Li 1.1 [Ni 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 ] 0.9 O 2 lithium-ion cells. Although the use of TPFPB as an anion receptor has been reported to improve the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte, we demonstrate that excessive TPFPB also significantly raises the interfacial impedance of lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, high TPFPB concentrations are not recommended for high-power lithium-ion batteries.
Successful excision of a large immature teratoma involving the cranial base: Report of a case with long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Massive congenital intracranial teratomas with extracranial extension are rare. The prognosis in these cases has been poor, with stillbirth or immediate postpartum death as the usual outcome. With recent advances in fetal monitoring, neonatal care, and surgical techniques used for the management of complex tumors of the cranial base, some of these lesions may now be amenable to radical surgical resection and then immediate craniofacial reconstruction. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A neonate with a large congenital immature teratoma involving the entire left side of the cranium and face was evaluated at our institution 1 day after birth. INTERVENTION: Total resection of the mass and then immediate reconstruction of the deformed orbit, maxilla, and mandible were performed at 9 days of age. Additional operations on the midface and mandible to allow for a functional bite were subsequently required as the child developed during the next 2 years. Four years after resection, the patient exhibited a reasonable cosmetic result and only mild developmental delay. CONCLUSION: We conclude that acceptable functional and cosmetic outcomes can be achieved by early intervention, consisting of radical resection and immediate craniofacial reconstruction, in some neonates with massive congenital craniofacial teratomas.
Atherosclerotic risks from chemicals: part I. Toxicological observations and mechanisms of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a common disease, primarily of the large arteries, that begins in childhood and progresses with advancing age. Atherosclerosis leads to coronary heart disease, the major cause of death in the United States. Several risk factors affect atherosclerosis, but high LDL cholesterol is the most important risk factor. In addition, high levels of lipoprotein (a) appear to be associated with increased atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. The level of lipoprotein (a) is genetically determined and is not affected by diet or exercise. Studies on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis suggest that several steps are involved, including endothelial injury, increased arterial permeability to plasma lipoproteins, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and platelet aggregation. Atherosclerotic plaques are benign neoplasms of the arterial wall that result from the monoclonal proliferation of a single mutated smooth muscle cell. Abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells is the key event in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Endothelial injury is another major contributory factor. Many factors associated with an increased risk of cancer are also associated with atherosclerosis. Cancer and atherosclerosis go through the same stages of initiation, promotion, and complication. Both inflammatory and immune reactions play important roles in the progressions of the two diseases. Smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells produce and respond to several cytokines and growth factors, which may influence the initiation, progression, and complication of the atherosclerotic lesions. Many studies have shown that the production of nitric oxide is decreased in atherosclerosis-reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide in the arterial wall may lead to leukocyte adhesion and platelet aggregation. It should be noted additionally, nitric oxide is a mutagenic agent involved in the origin of neoplastic diseases. Atherosclerotic plaques express genes for products not found in the normal arterial wall. As with carcinogenesis, there may be more than one mechanism that promotes atherosclerotic lesions and there may be common mechanistic similarities between the two diseases. The purpose of this study is to establish an exploratory scientific hypothesis that will permit the use of standardized toxicological test data to evaluate different chemicals. The companion paper that follows will use a method of relative toxicological potencies to develop tentative risk coefficients based on relative potency. These papers, in combination, provide both a conceptual and a quantitative hypothesis that can be tested with data from forthcoming epidemiological studies or animal test models.
A suggestion for another statistical interpretation of the fundamental equations of the mathematical biophysics of the central nervous system.

In a preceding paper an interpretation of the e andj factors has been given in terms of an average effect of a large number of interneurons. In the present paper, a different interpretation is given in terms of the probability of a sufficient number of afferents to fire within the period of latent addition of the efferent. From this interpretation it follows that the old equations for e andj are only first linear approximations to more complicated equations, the nature of which is suggested by this interpretation.
Self‐disclosure and reciprocity in short‐and long‐term relationships: An experimental study of evaluational and attributional consequences

This study investigates the role of self‐disclosure and reciprocity in simulated interactions between friends and acquaintances. Subjects made evaluations and attributions of a second speaker when he reciprocated or failed to reciprocate intimacy levels of an acquaintance or a friend. Results indicate that evaluations of communicative competence are related to reciprocity, while evaluations of personality traits are not. Evaluations of predictability and attributions of trust are related to the speaker's level of intimacy. Attributions of typical disclosure behavior are affected by both the relationship and the speaker's level of intimacy. These results indicate that norms regulating self‐disclosure per se may be more salient than the general norm of reciprocity.
Modulation of Th1 Activation and Inflammation by the NF-κB Repressor Foxj1

Forkhead transcription factors play key roles in the regulation of immune responses. Here, we identify a role for one member of this family, Foxj1, in the regulation of T cell activation and autoreactivity. Foxj1 deficiency resulted in multiorgan systemic inflammation, exaggerated Th1 cytokine production, and T cell proliferation in autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions. Foxj1 suppressed NF-κB transcription activity in vitro, and Foxj1-deficient T cells possessed increased NF-κB activity in vivo, correlating with the ability of Foxj1 to regulate IκB proteins, particularly IκBβ. Thus, Foxj1 likely modulates inflammatory reactions and prevents autoimmunity by antagonizing proinflammatory transcriptional activities. These results suggest a potentially general role for forkhead genes in the enforcement of lymphocyte quiescence.
The Liberalization of Retail Services in India

Summary Despite the recent controversy about opening up the distribution sector to foreign retailers, there is political will that remains in favor of pushing through reforms in India. In this paper, we quantify the economic impact of the removal of barriers to foreign investment in multi-brand retailing on different stakeholders using a newly developed general equilibrium model. The model accounts explicitly for both foreign direct investment and the activities of foreign affiliates using heterogeneous production technologies. We find that the unilateral reduction of barriers to FDI in distribution services in India benefits the economy as a whole, consumers, and foreign producers but hurts domestic distributors. Nevertheless, when we consider the associated productivity improvements documented in the literature to downstream and upstream industries, we find that domestic producers are expected to benefit from the liberalization of the distribution sector as well.
THE CRYSTAL, MOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND LIGAND BONDING IN TETRAKIS (N,N′-DIMETHYLTHIOUREA) NICKEL (II) BROMIDE DIHYDRATE

Abstract The crystal structure of tetrakis(N,N′-dimethylthiourea)nickel(II) bromide dihydrate has been determined by three-dimensional x-ray diffraction from 1916 counter-data reflections collected at room temperature. The structure consists of Ni[SC(NH)2(CH3)2]2+ 4 molecular ions, Br− ions and waters of hydration. The nickel is located on a center of symmetry and is coordinated to four sulfur atoms in a square planar configuration. The waters of hydration and the bromide ions are involved in hydrogen bonding to the N,N′-dimethylthiourea (dmtu) groups. The orientation of the dmtu groups is such that two bond through the sulfur sp2 orbital and the others bond through the π-orbitals of the dmtu group. The Ni-S distances are 2.204 ± 0.002 A and 2.230 ± 0.002 A, and the Ni-S-C angles are 106.2 ± 0.2A and 110.3 ± 0.3°. The dmtu groups are planar except for methyl hydrogens. The crystals are monoclinic, P21/a with a = 13.424 ± 0.002 A, b = 12.321 ± 0.005 A, c = 8.460 ± 0.008 A β = 107.07 ± 0.05°, ρ0 = 1.67 g cm...
Linear stability and shape analysis of spinning three-craft Coulomb formations

This paper describes the discovery of families of multiple invariant shape solutions for collinear three-craft Coulomb formations with set charges, as well as the results of linear stability analysis on such formations. The charged spacecraft are assumed to be spinning about each other in deep space without relevant gravitational forces present. Up to three invariant shape solutions are possible for a single set of craft charges. This behavior, only speculated in previous work, is confirmed through analysis and numerical simulation examples. In fact, distinct regions are analytically described where two or three invariant shape solutions exist for a single charge set. These regions are analyzed to determine what range of trajectories are possible. Linear stability analysis for circular trajectories yields the first examples of marginally stable three-craft invariant shape formations. Linearly stable behavior is only observed when two invariant shape solutions result for one set of charges, where one shape will be unstable and the other marginally stable. Numerical simulation illustrates stability for ten orbital periods when perturbations are confined to the orbital plane. When out of plane motion is considered the shapes are found to be weakly unstable, though the out of plane motion appears to be decoupled from in plane motion to first order.
Senile Nephrosclerosis – Does It Explain the Decline in Glomerular Filtration Rate with Aging?

Nephrosclerosis can be defined by the presence of glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and arteriosclerosis on renal biopsy. Chronic kidney disease is identified clinically by a reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and has been characterized histologically by nephrosclerosis. Many relatively healthy older adults have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease because of a decline in GFR with normal aging. Recent data show that in healthy adults (living kidney donors), nephrosclerosis on renal biopsy does not associate with GFR independent of age. This may be explained by the decline in GFR and nephrosclerosis being universal with aging (i.e. senescence), by structural changes in the kidney other than nephrosclerosis impacting GFR, or by extrarenal factors affecting GFR decline with age. However, the argument that the age-related decline in GFR can be fully explained by the development of nephrosclerosis in a subset of older adults is not supported by existing data.
Positron-emission computed tomography of the pancreas: a preliminary study.

Twenty-seven patients with suspected pancreatic disease were examined with emission computed tomography (ECT) with 11C-labeled amino acids. Of 24 patients with known clinical outcome, there were 1 false positive and 2 false negative results. One finding of interest was the increased concentration of radiopharmaceutical that accurately delineated the presence and extent of 4 pancreatic carcinomas and 1 lymphoma. In the normal subjects, ECT reliably identified the pancreas. Disadvantages of ECT include the need for a cyclotron and high-quality hot chemistry laboratory, and the relatively long scanning time. The advantage of ECT is that it offers a unique opportunity to image biologic activity of the pancreas.
An individual-based evolutionary dynamics model for networked social behaviors

In this paper, an evolutionary dynamics model over a graph of connected individuals choosing between multiple behaviors is developed. This model emphasizes the individuality of the nodes, which arrive at individual behavioral choices primarily based on subjective individual preferences as well as individual mutation characteristics. We use the replicator-mutator dynamical equations to model the process of building individual behavioral inclinations. A dynamic graph, whose vertices are the individual members of society, is then constructed and the weighted adjacency matrix and individual fitness parameters are used to effect a social interaction model that is itself modeled based on the replicator-mutator dynamical equations. A notion of social diversity is defined for this individual-based social choice model. The individual-based social evolutionary model presented here relates to and generalizes three previous models appearing in the literature: the replicator-mutator social choice model, consensus algorithms, and an evolutionary dynamic model on graphs. The basic properties and conditions for the emergence of an absolutely dominant behavior over the social network are derived, and how the proposed model generalizes and relates to other work is also discussed.
Does Lapatinib Work against HER2-negative Breast Cancers?

Aberrant growth factor receptor signaling can augment or suppress estrogen receptor (ER) function in hormone-dependent breast cancer cells and lead to escape from anti-estrogen therapy. Interruption of HER2/ER cross-talk with lapatinib can restore sensitivity to anti-estrogens and thus, should be investigated in combination with endocrine therapy in patients with ER+/HER2-negative breast cancers.
Metabolism gets lucky

Mol Syst Biol. 6: 439 Not all enzymes are one‐reaction wonders. Indeed, secondary capabilities of enzymes can make metabolism a lot more adaptable than previously thought. Enzymes are usually thought of as specific catalysts of biochemical reactions. Enzyme A acts on substrate B to produce product C. It is, however, becoming increasingly clear that some enzymes are ‘promiscuous’, able to act on alternative substrates to catalyze secondary reactions. A recent study by Kim et al (2010) demonstrates that promiscuity of individual enzymes might be just the tip of the iceberg. Metabolism is a complex network of chemical reactions through which ‘food’ is converted into the many compounds necessary for life. Removal of the enzyme catalyzing a given reaction will break the corresponding metabolic link. Sometimes this will be of no consequence—a similar enzyme might catalyze the same reaction or an alternative route to a downstream product may be present among the established reactions. Kim et al (2010) demonstrate a third possibility. New pathways can be constructed by patching together secondary capabilities of enzymes. Kim et al (2010) start with a bacterium, Escherichia coli , that can produce all of the compounds necessary for growth in a ‘minimal’ medium consisting of …
Performance characteristics of electrochromic displays

Several different types of electrochromic display devices are discussed. Their electrooptical properties and device characteristics are investigated and compared. Performance parameters for these devices are discussed in terms of their applicability to information display. It is concluded that electrochromism is best suited for direct-addressed displays.
'He was Our Child from the Moment We Walked in that Room': Entrance Stories of Adoptive Parents

Adoptive parents engage in a complicated process of weaving entrance stories that construct the meaning of how their children were born, separated from birth parents, and integrated into their adoptive families. To understand adoptive parents' entrance stories, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 adoptive parents. Thematic analysis revealed five interactive themes that resonate in the entrance stories told by adoptive parents: dialectical tensions, destiny, compelling connection, rescue, and legitimacy. In concert, these themes create coherent accounts that affirm adopted children and adoption as a valid way of enlarging families.
Delayed Light Emission as an Indicator of Peach Maturity

Delayed Light Emission as an Indicator of Peach Maturity. W. R. Forbus, Jr. and G. G. Dull. USDA-ARS, Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 5677, Athens, GA 30613. Keystone, Loring, and Nectar peaches were evaluated to determine relationships between delayed light emission (DLE) and physical and chemical properties that have been shown to be related to peach maturity. Results showed that DLE was highly correlated with average maturity rank (r = 0.96) for all three cultivars. DLE can provide an effective, nondestructive technique for measuring peach maturity.
On the provision of prioritization and soft qos in dynamically reconfigurable shared data-centers over infiniband

In the past few years several researchers have proposed and configured data-centers providing multiple independent services, known as shared data-centers. For example, several ISPs and other Web service providers host multiple unrelated Web-sites on their data-centers allowing potential differentiation in the service provided to each of them. Such differentiation becomes essential in several scenarios in a shared data-center environment. In this paper, we extend our previously proposed scheme on dynamic re-configurability to allow service differentiation in the shared data-center environment. In particular, we point out the issues associated with the basic dynamic configurability scheme and propose two extensions to it, namely (i) dynamic reconfiguration with prioritization and (ii) dynamic reconfiguration with prioritization and QoS. Our experimental results show that our extensions can allow the dynamic reconfigurability scheme to attain a performance improvement of up to five times for high priority Web sites irrespective of any background low priority requests. Also, these extensions are able to significantly improve the performance of low priority requests when there are minimal or no high priority requests in the system. Further, they can achieve a similar performance as a static scheme with up to 43% lesser nodes in some cases
Introduction to the First IEEE Workshop on Face Processing in Video

Since video-cameras became affordable and computers became powerful enough to process video in real-time, we have started to see a tremendous interest from both academia and industry to the vision-based human-oriented applications. These applications include public surveillance, information security, biometrics, computer-human interaction, multi-media, immersive and collaborative environments, video conferencing, video coding and annotation, computer games, entertainment, to name a few.
Integration of a multimode interference coupler with a corrugated sidewall Bragg grating in planar polymer waveguides

We demonstrate the integration of a 3-dB multimode interference coupler with a corrugated sidewall Bragg grating in planar polymer waveguides by direct electron beam writing. Both transmission and reflection spectra of the Bragg grating are measured through this integrated device directly. We use the thermooptic effect to tune the integrated waveguide grating, achieving a tuning range of 6.2 nm and a bandwidth variation of 0.3 nm within a temperature change of 62/spl deg/C.
Effects of polyvalent cations on the folding of an rRNA three-way junction and binding of ribosomal protein S15.

The Bacillus stearothermophilus ribosomal protein S15 binds to a phylogenetically conserved three-way junction formed by the intersection of helices 20, 21, and 22 of eubacterial 16S ribosomal RNA, inducing a large conformational change in the RNA. Like many RNA structures, this three-way junction can also be folded by the addition of polyvalent cations such as magnesium, as demonstrated by comparing the mobilities of the wild-type and mutant junctions in the absence and presence of polyvalent cations in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels. Using a modification interference assay, critical nucleotides for folding have been identified as the phylogenetically conserved nucleotides in the three-way junction. NMR spectroscopy of the junction reveals that the conformations induced by the addition of magnesium or S15 are extremely similar. Thus, the folding of the junction is determined entirely by RNA elements within the phylogenetically conserved junction core, and the role of Mg 2+ and S15 is to stabilize this intrinsically unstable structure. The organization of the junction by Mg 2+ significantly enhances the bimolecular association rate (kon) of S15 binding, suggesting that S15 binds specifically to the folded form of the three-way junction via a tertiary structure capture mechanism.
The R ole of Identity in Intra- and Inter-Group Bargaining in the Ultimatum Game

This paper investigates the role of intraand inter-group effects on the ultimatum game. The paper presents the identity theory as a framework for analyzing intraand intergroup bargaining behavior on the ultimatum game. An experimental ultimatum game was conducted between participants from Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute. The results presented shows evidence of ultimatum bargaining behavior being influenced by in-group favoritism, along with some evidence of out-group hostility. The results also provide possible implications of the effect of testosterone levels. This article is available in Undergraduate Economic Review: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol4/iss1/6 1 Undergraduate Economic Review A Publication of Illinois Wesleyan University
A matter of fried onions

In the 1946 film 'A Matter of Life and Death', complex partial seizures were portrayed in detail and with surprising accuracy. This study was conducted to determine the nature of the medical collaboration in the preparation of the film as well as the reasons why the creative team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger included these details, but elected to make them invisible to all but those with medical educations.
Models for Building and Changing Organizations

When we set out to build an organization, we have in mind a theoretical model of that organization. When we set out to change an organization, we have in mind a theoretical model of what the reorganized structure shoulld resemble. A man of action may deny that he is guided by any theoretical model. That is only to say that his assumptions about organizations remain implicit and are thus not available for conscious analysis and evaluation. This article is based on the assumption that man can act more effectively if he recognizes the organization models he carries around in his head and tests them against the realities of experience.
In-system programmability-the third wave of programmability

Possibly the most significant element of design flexibility in CMOS PLDs is the concept of in-system programmable and reprogrammable (ISP) PLDs. This concept is being pioneered primarily with High-Density PLDs and FPGAs. This paper is devoted to discussing the various design issues associated with in-system reprogrammable FPGAs.
Nuclear Spectroscopy in Cr 52 , Cr 53 , and Cr 54 by the ( p , d ), ( p , t ), and ( p , p ′ ) Reactions

The ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}(p,d)$ and ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}(p,t)$, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}(p,d)$ and ($p,t$), ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}(p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}})$, and ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}(p,t)$ reactions were studied with 17.5-MeV protons from the Princeton FM cyclotron. Thin, essentially self supported, isotopic chromium foils were used in these experiments, the deuterons and tritons being identified by a $\frac{\mathrm{dE}}{\mathrm{dx}}\ensuremath{-}E$ solid-state-detector telescope. The total experimental resolution of this system for the various deuteron and triton groups was between 55 and 70 keV. Angular distributions for many ($p,d$), ($p,t$), and ($p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) transitions were obtained from 15\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Spectroscopic factors were determined for ${l}_{n}=0,1,2,\mathrm{and} 3$ ($p,d$) transitions, using distorted-wave Born-approximation calculations which included both finite-range and nonlocal effects. In the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}(p,d)$ reaction, both the ${0}^{+}$ ground state and the 1.434-MeV ${2}^{+}$ level in ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ were excited by ${l}_{n}=1$ transitions, showing admixture in the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}$ ground state of the configuration ${{{({\mathrm{Cr}}^{52} 1.434 \mathrm{MeV})}^{{2}^{+}}2{p}_{\frac{3}{2}}}}^{\frac{3}{2}}$. Levels in ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ and ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}$ were strongly, excited in the ($p,d$) reaction with ${l}_{n}=3$ angular distributions, and these transitions are ascribed to $1{f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$ pickup. In the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}(p,d){\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}$ reaction, definite $J$ dependence was observed in both ${l}_{n}=1$ ($J=\frac{1}{2} or \frac{3}{2}$) and ${l}_{n}=3$ ($J=\frac{5}{2} or \frac{7}{2}$) transitions. A single ${l}_{n}=0$ transition was found in the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}(p,d)$ reaction which seems to exhaust most of the ${T}_{l}$ spectroscopic strength. The ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54,53,52}(p,t)$ experiments along with the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}(p,d)$ work indicate that a large component of the 2.648-MeV ${0}^{+}$ level in ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ is a two-particle-two-hole neutron configuration. In the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}(p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ reaction, the 0.563-MeV ${\mathrm{\textonehalf{}}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, 1.001-MeV ${\frac{5}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, 1.284-MeV ${\frac{7}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and 1.967-MeV levels were strongly excited, and their angular distributions are similar to that of the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}(p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}}){\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ 1.434-MeV ${2}^{+}$ transition. The results of the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}(p,d)$, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}(p,d)$, and ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}(p,{p}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ experiments are used in conjunction with the weak-coupling model and the theoretical model calculations of Maxwell and Parkinson and of Ramavataram to discuss the structure of the low-lying levels of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}$.
Validation of a migraine interview for children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To date there are no structured interviews to ascertain the diagnostic criteria for headache in children. The objective of this study was to assess the validity of the Diagnostic Interview of Headache Syndromes–Child Version (DIHS-C), which was developed at the National Institute of Mental Health for a community-based family study of headache syndromes and comorbid disorders. METHODS: The DIHS-C is a fully structured diagnostic interview composed of an open-ended clinical history, modules with key symptoms for each of the major headache subtypes, and associated impairment, duration, frequency, course, and treatment. This article presents the validation of the interview in a sample of 104 children evaluated as part of a community-based family study of migraine. RESULTS: The sensitivity of interview diagnosis compared with an expert neurologist’s diagnosis of migraine was 98%, and the specificity was 61%. Similar levels of sensitivity and specificity were found by gender and age of the children. CONCLUSIONS: The DIHS-C provides a new tool that can enhance the reliability of pediatric diagnoses in both clinical and community settings.
Identifying new lignin bioengineering targets: 1. Monolignol-substitute impacts on lignin formation and cell wall fermentability

Recent discoveries highlighting the metabolic malleability of plant lignification indicate that lignin can be engineered to dramatically alter its composition and properties. Current plant biotechnology efforts are primarily aimed at manipulating the biosynthesis of normal monolignols, but in the future apoplastic targeting of phenolics from other metabolic pathways may provide new approaches for designing lignins that are less inhibitory toward the enzymatic hydrolysis of structural polysaccharides, both with and without biomass pretreatment. To identify promising new avenues for lignin bioengineering, we artificially lignified cell walls from maize cell suspensions with various combinations of normal monolignols (coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols) plus a variety of phenolic monolignol substitutes. Cell walls were then incubated in vitro with anaerobic rumen microflora to assess the potential impact of lignin modifications on the enzymatic degradability of fibrous crops used for ruminant livestock or biofuel production. In the absence of anatomical constraints to digestion, lignification with normal monolignols hindered both the rate and extent of cell wall hydrolysis by rumen microflora. Inclusion of methyl caffeate, caffeoylquinic acid, or feruloylquinic acid with monolignols considerably depressed lignin formation and strikingly improved the degradability of cell walls. In contrast, dihydroconiferyl alcohol, guaiacyl glycerol, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate readily formed copolymer-lignins with normal monolignols; cell wall degradability was moderately enhanced by greater hydroxylation or 1,2,3-triol functionality. Mono- or diferuloyl esters with various aliphatic or polyol groups readily copolymerized with monolignols, but in some cases they accelerated inactivation of wall-bound peroxidase and reduced lignification; cell wall degradability was influenced by lignin content and the degree of ester group hydroxylation. Overall, monolignol substitutes improved the inherent degradability of non-pretreated cell walls by restricting lignification or possibly by reducing lignin hydrophobicity or cross-linking to structural polysaccharides. Furthermore some monolignol substitutes, chiefly readily cleaved bi-phenolic conjugates like epigallocatechin gallate or diferuloyl polyol esters, are expected to greatly boost the enzymatic degradability of cell walls following chemical pretreatment. In ongoing work, we are characterizing the enzymatic saccharification of intact and chemically pretreated cell walls lignified by these and other monolignol substitutes to identify promising genetic engineering targets for improving plant fiber utilization.
In vivo endotoxin and IL-1 potentiate insulin secretion in pancreatic islets

This study evaluated the in vivo effects of endotoxin and interleukin 1 (IL-1) on in vitro insulin secretion from perfused rat pancreases and isolated pancreatic islets. Glucose-induced insulin secretion was potentiated in pancreases obtained from rats 3 h after endotoxin or 30 min after IL-1. Studies using isolated pancreatic islets indicated that islet sensitivity to glucose was increased by either endotoxin or IL-1 to a similar extent, but there was no effect of endotoxin or IL-1 on the maximal insulin secretory response of islets to glucose. Insulin secretion was not potentiated in perfused pancreases obtained from rats only 30 min after treatment with endotoxin. These results suggest that in vivo treatment with either endotoxin or IL-1 potentiates insulin secretion by increasing islet sensitivity to glucose. In addition, because endotoxin is known to potently stimulate the production and secretion of IL-1 in vivo, the results lend support to the hypothesis that the effects of endotoxin on insulin secretion may be mediated partially by IL-1.
Evolutionary Genetics of the Andean Lizard Genus Pholidobolus (Sauria: Gymnophthalmidae): Phylogeny, Biogeography, and a Comparison of Tree Construction Techniques

Electrophoretic examination of the products of 29 gene loci in the five species of Pholidobolus and three species of Proctoporus largely substantiates the taxonomic arrangement that was based on earlier morphological work. The electrophoretic data are used to construct a phylogeny of the species and the morphological data are reanalyzed for comparison; these data sets are largely consistent. The hypothesized phylogeny places Ph. affinis as the sister species to the other Pholidobolus, Ph. macbrydei as the sister species to the remaining taxa, and the two populations referred to Ph. prefrontalis as the sister species to Ph. montium plus Ph. annectens. Because of the small size of the genus Pholidobolus and the concomitant small number of possible phylogenetic hypotheses, comparisons among various methods of constructing phylogenetic trees from electrophoretic data are facilitated. All 105 possible bifurcating unrooted trees were examined for each of 13 goodness-of-fit statistics; three similar trees were consistently favored by all criteria. If outgroup rooting is used, the most favored of these trees is identical to the most parsimonious cladogram. However, with midpoint rooting, almost all phylogenetic infor- mation is lost and the resulting tree is identical to the UPGMA phenogram. The midpoint- rooting option of distance trees reinvokes an assumption (equal rates of change) that the distance methods are supposed to avoid. This assumption is clearly not met for the genus Pholidobolus. Biogeographic analysis of the species of Pholidobolus with respect to the hypothesized phylog- eny of the genus reveals that no contact zones of this parapatric complex involve two sister species. This emphasizes the need for phylogenetic reconstruction as the first step in the ex- amination of speciation mechanisms. This finding also suggests that competing species, rather than geographic barriers, may at times serve to isolate differentiating populations. (Evolutionary genetics; phylogeny; biogeography; speciation; genetic distances; network rooting; Pholidobolus; Proctoporus.)
Macrophage-mediated tumoricidal activity generated by human C-reactive protein (CRP) encapsulated in liposomes is complement-dependent.

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) incorporated into multilamellar vesicles (CRP-MLV) has been shown to activate peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) to inhibit tumors. This activity is comparable to that of another macrophage-activating agent, liposomal muramyl- tripeptide (MTP-MLV). The present study shows that the complement system is involved in the CRP-MLV-induced tumoricidal response. Normal mice were depleted of complement and treated with CRP-MLV or MTP-MLV. PECs were later harvested and mixed with T241 tumor cells. After incubation, this mixture was injected into the footpads of normal mice. Sacrificed animals were evaluated for tumor growth and lung metastases. These were significantly inhibited in mice injected with T241 tumor cells mixed with PECs from donors treated with CRP-MLV, but this antitumor activity was lost in mice that received a mixture of tumor cells and PECs from donors depleted of complement before the treatment. Complement depletion, however, had no effect on the antitumor activity of MTP-MLV-induced PECs.
Effects of Pix, a Plant Growth Regulator, on Allelochemical Content of Cotton and Growth of Tobacco Budworm Larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

In 1982, second-instar tobacco budworms, Heliothis virescens (F.), were fed leaves, bracts, and squares without bracts (buds) of ‘Stoneville 213’ cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., treated with PIX (1,1-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride). PIX was applied at rates 0.0, 0.4, 1.3, and 3.9 liters/ha. Two applications of PIX were made 2 weeks apart. Plant tissues were analyzed for allelochemicals. Relative growth rate (RGR), relative consumption rate (RCR), and efficiency of conversion of ingested food to body tissue (ECI) were measured. Gossypol in buds and leaves was increased by the application of PIX; however, anthocyanin in buds and tannin and total flavonoids in leaves were decreased. Treatment with PIX did not decrease the nutritional indices of larvae. Other than an increase in larval RGR on leaves, PIX had no major effects on nutritional indices. The increase in RGR on leaves possibly was due to decreases in tannin and total flavonoids and possible increases in percentage nitrogen. RGR was greatest on buds while ECI was greatest on leaves. In a test of ’Stoneville 213’ bud parts, anthers were more nutritious than petals or calyx.
What's in a Name?: Developing a Conceptual Framework for the Study of Party Brand

Historically great emphasis has been placed on political parties’ ability to redefine their image in the eyes of the American electorate (e.g. New Deal Democratic Party, etc.) and the modern-day Republican Party’s struggle to remain electorally viable has reignited interest in the concept of party brand. Although this term is often used in political science, the extant literature lacks a unified understanding of what brand is, as well as how and why it changes across time. Arguably, this gap is an artifact of political scientists’ desire to recognize parties as multifaceted actors, which led to the compartmentalization of party-studies using the party-in-electorate, -in-government, and -as organization framework. While such demarcation allows for tidy analysis, it has stymied our understanding of parties as producers of brand names as it largely restricts analysis within one of the three components. Borrowing from business-marketing literature, I develop a theoretical model of party-as-firm, which emphasizes brand construction is a dynamic process in which each party component plays an integral, yet distinct role. Changes to party brand identity, position, and image are traced and explained in subsequent chapters, with specific attention paid to how, why, and in what patterns brand typically evolves.This chapter is the conceptual framework of my dissertation and, when coupled with the party-as-firm theoretical contribution, provides the foundation to analyze how and why brand has changed across time and how the electorate responds to these changes by modifying their party image. Descriptive explanation as to how both major parties’ brands have evolved will be included in the presentation at the 2014 meeting of the American Political Science Association.
The Ste20 Kinases SPAK and OSR1 Travel Between Cells Through Exosomes

Proteomics studies have identified Ste20-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) and oxidative stress response 1 (OSR1) in exosomes isolated from body fluids such as blood, saliva, and urine. Because proteomics studies likely overestimate the number of exosome proteins, we sought to confirm and extend this observation using traditional biochemical and cell biology methods. We utilized HEK293 cells in culture to verify the packaging of these Ste20 kinases in exosomes. Using a series of centrifugation and filtration steps of conditioned culture medium isolated from HEK293 cells, we isolated nanovesicles in the range of 40-100 nm. We show that these small vesicles express the tetraspanin protein CD63 and lack endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi markers, consistent with these being exosomes. We show by Western blot and immunogold analyses that these exosomes express SPAK, OSR1, and Na-K-Cl cotransporter 1 (NKCC1). We show that exosomes are not only secreted by cells, but also accumulated by adjacent cells. Indeed, exposing cultured cells to exosomes produced by other cells expressing a fluorescently labeled kinase resulted in the kinase finding its way into the cytoplasm of these cells, consistent with the idea of exosomes serving as cell-to-cell communication vessels. Similarly, coculturing cells expressing different fluorescently tagged proteins resulted in the exchange of proteins between cells. In addition, we show that both SPAK and OSR1 kinases entering cells through exosomes are preferentially expressed at the plasma membrane and that the kinases in exosomes are functional and maintain NKCC1 in a phosphorylated state.
Formation of Corrosion-Resistant Surface Alloys by Implantation of Low-Energy Nickel and Chromium Ions into Polycrystalline Iron

The depth profiles for 25-keV nickel ions implanted into polycrystalline iron samples to a dose of 3 x 1016 ions/cm2 have been determined using proton-excited X-ray analysis (PEX) combined with 1-keV argon-ion sputtering. Profiles obtained for the implanted samples were compared to profiles calculated on the basis of the theory of Lindhard, Scharff, and Schiott (LSS) and were found to substantially disagree with their theory. The method of using LSS theory was modified to more accurately take into account the sputtering of the iron by the incident 25-keV nickel ion beam. This resulted in good agreement between the experimental results and LSS theory.
Chapter 14 – Binding and Dissociation Kinetic Using Fractals: An Analysis of Electrostatic Effects and Randomly Coupled and Oriented Coupled Receptors on Biosensor Surface

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a fractal analysis to delineate the influence of electrostatic interactions on binding and dissociation rate coefficients for antibodies HH8, HHIO, and HH26 in solution to hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL) immobilized on a sensor chip surface, and the binding and dissociation of recombinant Fab in solution to random NHS-coupled Cys-HEL and oriented thiol-coupled Cys-HEL immobilized on a sensor chip surface. Values of the binding and the dissociation rate coefficients and their corresponding fractal dimensions are provided in the chapter. Predictive relations for the binding and the dissociation rate coefficients as a function of the degree of heterogeneity on the surface are presented in the chapter. Because these relations provide a means by which the surface of the sensor chip may be changed to manipulate the affinity and the equilibrium ratio in desired directions, they, especially for the affinity and the equilibrium ratio, are of special importance. The chapter attempts to analyze the influence of and correlate the effect of various parameters—such as sensitivity, stability, response time, and regenerability—on binding and dissociation rate coefficients.
Genetically engineered mouse models for studying radiation biology

Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) are valuable research tools that have transformed our understanding of cancer. The first GEMMs generated in the 1980s and 1990s were knock-in and knock-out models of single oncogenes or tumor suppressors. The advances that made these models possible catalyzed both technological and conceptual shifts in the way cancer research was conducted. As a result, dozens of mouse models of cancer exist today, covering nearly every tissue type. The advantages inherent to GEMMs compared to in vitro and in vivo transplant models are compounded in preclinical radiobiology research for several reasons. First, they accurately and robustly recapitulate primary cancers anatomically, histopathologically, and genetically. Reliable models are a prerequisite for predictive preclinical studies. Second, they preserve the tumor microenvironment, including the immune, vascular, and stromal compartments, which enables the study of radiobiology at a systems biology level. Third, they provide exquisite control over the genetics and kinetics of tumor initiation, which enables the study of specific gene mutations on radiation response and functional genomics in vivo. Taken together, these facets allow researchers to utilize GEMMs for rigorous and reproducible preclinical research. In the three decades since the generation of the first GEMMs of cancer, advancements in modeling approaches have rapidly progressed and expanded the mouse modeling toolbox with techniques such as in vivo short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown, inducible gene expression, site-specific recombinases, and dual recombinase systems. Our lab and many others have utilized these tools to study cancer and radiobiology. Recent advances in genome engineering with CRISPR/Cas9 technology have made GEMMs even more accessible to researchers. Here, we review current and future approaches to mouse modeling with a focus on applications in preclinical radiobiology research.