cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attenuation of Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Viruses Encoding Mutant Glycoproteins Demonstrate a Critical Role for Maintaining a High pH Threshold for Membrane Fusion in Viral Fitness

A plasmid-based recovery system was used to generate four unique vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mutants that encode glycoproteins (G proteins) with single or double amino acid substitutions in two conserved acidic residues adjacent to the putative G protein fusion domain. Previously we demonstrated that three of the mutant G proteins (D137-L, E139-L, and DE-SS) have slightly reduced pH thresholds for membrane fusion activity. In this report we show that even though the viruses encoding D137-L, E139-L, and DE-SS were recovered with high efficiency, these mutants were attenuated for growth in cell culture. Plaque formation was significantly delayed with these mutants and the plaques were smaller and more diffuse than those produced by wild type VSV. In addition, cells infected with these mutants produced approximately 5- to 10-fold less infectious virus than cells infected with a similarly recovered VSV encoding the wild-type G protein. Using R18-labeled virus we found that the mutant G proteins had approximately 50% of the fusion activity of wild-type G at pH 6.3 and only 75% activity at pH 5.8. We also show that the mutant viruses were more sensitive to chloroquine inhibition of infection than either wild-type VSV or the mutant E139-T, which has a fusion phenotype similar to wild-type G protein. Reduced fusion activity and attenuation of infectivity was not due to differences in the amount of G protein incorporated into virions, nor to differences in the amount of virus binding to cells at physiological pH. Although infectivity was assayed at neutral pH, we observed an increase in virus binding with both mutant and wild-type virions as the pH was lowered, and the increase in binding occurred near the pH threshold for membrane fusion activity. From these data we propose a model in which VSV entry involves an increase in virus binding to the inner leaflet of the endosomal membrane during endosome acidification. Concomitant with this higher affinity binding, G protein becomes primed to initiate fusion of the viral envelope with the endosomal membrane. Viruses with mutations that delay the onset of increased binding and fusion lag behind wild-type VSV in their ability to initiate a productive infection, potentially because the location within the cytoplasm where these viruses ultimately fuse is not optimal for either virus uncoating or replication of the viral genome.
Testing statistical self‐similarity in the topology of river networks

[1] Recent work has demonstrated that the topological properties of real river networks deviate significantly from predictions of Shreve's random model. At the same time the property of mean self-similarity postulated by Tokunaga's model is well supported by data. Recently, a new class of network model called random self-similar networks (RSN) that combines self-similarity and randomness has been introduced to replicate important topological features observed in real river networks. We investigate if the hypothesis of statistical self-similarity in the RSN model is supported by data on a set of 30 basins located across the continental United States that encompass a wide range of hydroclimatic variability. We demonstrate that the generators of the RSN model obey a geometric distribution, and self-similarity holds in a statistical sense in 26 of these 30 basins. The parameters describing the distribution of interior and exterior generators are tested to be statistically different and the difference is shown to produce the well-known Hack's law. The inter-basin variability of RSN parameters is found to be statistically significant. We also test generator dependence on two climatic indices, mean annual precipitation and radiative index of dryness. Some indication of climatic influence on the generators is detected, but this influence is not statistically significant with the sample size available. Finally, two key applications of the RSN model to hydrology and geomorphology are briefly discussed.
A high-level synthesis and verification tool for fixed to floating point conversion

A flexible and efficient fixed to floating point conversion tool is presented for digital signal processing and communication systems. Fixed point numbers are heavily used in digital systems because they require less hardware, verification time and design effort compared to floating point number systems. However, floating point numbers offer better precision. Some digital designs may use a hybrid number system wherein fixed and floating point numbers can be used together to improve accuracy. The proposed design tool converts fixed-point numbers to floating-point numbers, including IEEE-754 floating point number standard. This tool generates Verilog RTL code and its testbench that can be implemented in FPGA and VLSI systems. The proposed design tool can increase productivity by reducing the design and verification time. The generated design has been implemented on Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGAs and compared to conventional fixed to floating conversion tools.
Canonical Conformal Anomalies

We discuss the anomalies present in Ward identities for the conformal current assuming tha products of hardronic currents have a canonical cal conformal s involving two or three currents. Those associated with leading short- distance singularities can be represented by an anomalous term in the divergence of the conformal current Kαμ /(x): δ mu /Kαμ/(x) = 2xαθμ anomalousμ (x), where θmu anomalousμ (x) also generates the canonical anomalies in trace identities.
Electrocardiographic Axis Deviation in Navajo and Apache Indians

It has been our clinical impression that the range of the mean frontal-plane electrocardiographic QRS axis was greater than might have been anticipated in healthy Navajo and Apache Indians. To determine whether this clinical impression was correct, electrocardiograms were obtained from 146 Navajo, 144 Apache, and 159 non-Navajo non-Apache schoolchildren with normal findings on cardiovascular examinations. A mean frontal-plane QRS axis between −1° and −90° was present in 19 percent of the Navajo, 12 percent of the Apache, and 2 percent of the control schoolchildren. A mean frontal-plane QRS axis between +91° and +180° was present in 18 percent of the Navajo, 19 percent of the Apache, and 5 percent of the control schoolchildren. There is a high Incidence of electrocardiographic mean frontal-plane QRS axis deviation in healthy Navajo and Apache schoolchildren.
The Pitfalls and Promise of Focus Groups as a Data Collection Method

Online First Version of Record - Feb. 5, 2015 / Version of Record Apr. 10, 2016 / SAGE Green Route - Once the article has been accepted for publication, you may post the accepted version (version 2) of the article on your own personal website, your department’s website or the repository of your institution without any restrictions.
Under the Volcano: Revolution in a Sicilian Town

Bronte is a small rural town in Eastern Sicily, located on the slopes of Mount Etna just under its active volcano. There, in August 1860 – so starts Lucy Riall's excellently and beautifully written...
A Longitudinal Examination of Life Choices of Gifted and Talented Young Women 1

The present study examines the reported achievements of 126 gifted and talented young women approximately 14 years after being identified by Project CHOICE staff. The examination is undertaken from an ipsative as well as a nomothetic perspective. The results indicate that (a) the educational and career attainment of these young women compare quite favorably both with other cohorts of gifted women and with criteria reflecting social expectation; (b) personal and relational accomplishments are identified almost as frequently as educational and career accomplishments as being their "greatest achievements"; and (c) a substantial number of these young women at age 29 have yet to achieve the educational, career, and lifestyle aspirations they identified in adolescence. Implications for counseling gifted young women are discussed.
Factors affecting the introduction of new vaccines to poor nations: a comparative study of the Haemophilus influenzae type B and hepatitis B vaccines.

Background A major effort to introduce new vaccines into poor nations of the world was initiated in recent years with the help of the GAVI alliance. The first vaccines introduced have been the Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and the hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccines. The introduction of these vaccines during the first phase of GAVI's operations demonstrated considerable variability. We set out to study the factors affecting the introduction of these vaccines. The African Region (AFRO), where new vaccines were introduced to a substantial number of countries during the first phase of GAVI's funding, was selected for this study. Methodology/Principal Findings GAVI-eligible AFRO countries with a population of 0.5 million or more were included in the study. Countries were analyzed and compared for new vaccine introduction, healthcare indicators, financial indicators related to healthcare and country-level Governance Indicators, using One Way ANOVA, correlation analysis and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Introduction of new vaccines into AFRO nations was associated primarily with high country-level Governance Indicator scores. The use of individual Governance Indicator scores, as well as a combined Governance Indicator score we developed, demonstrated similar results. Conclusions/Significance Our study results indicate that good country-level governance is an imperative pre-requisite for the successful early introduction of new vaccines into poor African nations. Enhanced support measures may be required to effectively introduce new vaccines to countries with low governance scores. The combined governance score we developed may thus constitute a useful tool for helping philanthropic organizations make decisions regarding the type of support needed by different countries to achieve success.
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor–Mediated Control of Neurotransmitter Release

Presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulate the release of transmitter from most central synapses. However, difficulties in recording from presynaptic structures has lead to an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying these fundamental processes. By recording directly from presynaptic reticulospinal axons and postsynaptic motoneurons of the lamprey spinal cord, we have obtained electrophysiological and optical evidence that vertebrate presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors modulate neurotransmitter release at this synapse through two distinct mechanisms: (1) mGluR activation in the presynaptic terminal depresses transmitter release by activating a presynaptic K+ current, and (2) mGluR activation enhances transmitter release by amplifying the action potential-evoked presynaptic Ca2+ signal by rapidly releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Furthermore, this effect is mediated by physiological release of glutamate from the presynaptic terminals. These autoreceptor-mediated processes are likely to generate complex effects on transmitter release evoked by repetitive stimulation.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: effects on family members

A study of 225 family members of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder explored the greatest concerns of family members, examining the extent to which they found different kinds of OCD-linked behavior disturbing, and various resources helpful. Services to enhance family functioning are discussed.
Outpatient pelvic lymph node dissection.

AbstractPurpose: Staging pelvic lymph node dissection is an important part of the evaluation of most patients with prostatic carcinoma. While laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection provides an alternative to standard pelvic lymph node dissection, it has been associated with a significant learning curve, high major complication rate, frequent hospitalization and greater expense. We sought to modify the technique of pelvic lymph node dissection to allow its performance as an outpatient procedure.Materials and Methods: Pelvic lymph node dissection was performed through bilateral 3 cm. incisions overlying the obturator fossa in 11 patients.Results: Nodes sampled ranged from 5 to 26 per patient that differed insignificantly from those undergoing standard pelvic lymph node dissection. Four patients had lymph node metastases. Nine procedures were performed entirely on an outpatient basis. One complication (external vein injury) was repaired with a single suture after extending the incision to 6 cm.Conclusions...
Breaking the Cycle of Sisyphus: Social Education and the Acquisition of Critical Sociocultural Knowledge about Race and Racism in the United States.

Using Lani Guinier's notion of “racial literacy” and the findings from a study that analyzed how recent K-12 social studies textbooks portray racial violence against African Americans, I argue in this article that students come to teacher education programs possessing a limited understanding of racism as a historically situated, institutionalized practice. I consider the implications this gap has on preservice teacher education and offer suggestions on how social education might assist K-12 students and later preservice teacher candidates develop critical racial literacy.
Developmental differences in the expression and modulation of extracellular matrix proteases and inhibitors in mouse skin fibroblasts

To investigate developmental differences in the wound repair process between fetal and adult skin fibroblasts, we studied the expression of plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor, matrix metalloproteinase, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase in E-15, E-17, newborn and adult mouse skin fibroblasts cultured within three dimensional matrices of either collagen or fibrin. Fibrin overlay and reverse overlay analyses revealed that mouse skin fibroblasts secreted tissue plasminogen activator and type1 plasminogen activator inhibitor. However, only E-15 and E-17 fibroblasts secreted the active form of tissue plasminogen activator, while in newborn and adult fibroblasts tissue plasminogen activator was conjugated to type1 plasminogen activator inhibitor. Only adult fibroblasts expressed a high level of active type1 plasminogen activator inhibitor. Gelatin zymography revealed that the predominant matrix metalloproteinase secreted by all the mouse fibroblasts was gelatinase A (matrix metalloproteinase -2). Matrix metalloproteinase -2 was partially activated in the adult fibroblasts cultured within a collagen matrix. The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 was expressed by all fibroblasts, but levels were highest in the newborn and adult fibroblasts. When E-15 fibroblasts were cultured within a fibrin matrix, tissue plasminogen activator was downregulated. Transforming growth factor-betadownregulated tissue plasminogen activator while upregulating type1 plasminogen activator inhibitor, and platelet-derived growth factor enhanced tissue plasminogen activator expression in E-15 fibroblasts. Therefore, plasminogen activator and its inhibitor, and matrix metalloproteinase and its associated tissue inhibitor are differentially expressed in fetal and adult fibroblasts, and their expression is controlled by extracellular matrix components and growth factors present in wounds.
NEONATAL THYROID FUNCTION AND ANAESTHESIA

Thyroid function in the neonate and its response to hexobarbitone anaesthesia were studied in newborn Wistar rats between 24 h and 42 days old. 14 C-labelled mixed with unlabelled hexobarbitone was injected i.p. in anaesthetic concentrations. Serum T3, reverse T3 (rT3) and T4 and senun and whole brain hexobarbitone concentrations were measured on wakening. A decrease in serum T3 and rT3 and an increase in T4 concentrations were observed after hexobarbitone at 21 and 30 days. This appears to be a critical period in the neonatal rat. A significant negative correlation was found between the changes in serum thyroid hormone concentrations and whole-brain concentrations of hexobarbitone in 30-day-old male rats. It is suggested that similar effects may occur in the human fetus or neonate subjected to anaesthesia.
Outcomes of revision total knee arthroplasty after methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Background The incidence of infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is becoming a more frequent concern, as increased morbidity following TKA has been reported for infections by resistant organisms. This study investigates whether MRSA infections are associated with decreased functional scores.
Advances and applications of DuPont holographic photopolymers

High performance holographic photopolymer films have been developed to record reflection and transmission holograms. Recent advances in DuPont OmniDexTM materials, imaging and processing are discussed. A mechanism for holographic recording is presented along with a description of physical properties and holographic performance. Several applications including holographic optical elements are mentioned which can utilize the unique properties of these materials.
XENOSTEGIA, A NEW GENUS OF CONVOLVULACEAE

Stigma anatomy, pollen morphology, cotyledon structure and other traits suggest that two species formerly considered members ofMerremia fall outside an acceptable range of variation for that genus. A new genus,Xenostegia, is proposed for these two species.
Genetic analysis of sexual dimorphism in serum apo AI and HDL-C concentrations in baboons.

Sexual dimorphism is evident in many quantitative genetic traits, and there has been much speculation on the evolution of primate sexual dimorphism. Morphological characters have been the main focus of attention, while sexual dimorphism in physiological quantitative traits has been neglected. In either case, the genetic basis of primate sexual dimorphism has received little attention. This study characterizes genotype by sex (GxS) interactions in two physiological traits, serum apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations, in baboons fed two different diets, a basal diet and a high cholesterol saturated fat (HCSF) diet. A GxS interaction effect on a trait indicates a heritable component of male/female differences in that trait. Using maximum likelihood methods, eight different quantitative genetic models were evaluated. Significant GxS interactions were found for serum apo AI and HDL-C concentrations on the basal diet. GxS interactions were suggested for serum apo AI and HDL-C concentrations on the HCSF diet, but they were not statistically significant. These results reveal that sexual dimorphisms in serum apo AI and HDL-C concentrations in baboons are heritable, with heritabilities that are influenced by diet. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Panic disorder in cardiology patients: a review of the Missouri Panic/Cardiology Project

This paper reviews current evidence from several cardiology populations that suggests that panic disorder is prevalent and underdiagnosed. Cardiology patients with atypical angina, and no heart disease have a high likelihood of having panic disorder, as suggested by studies of two separate cardiology populations. That they resemble psychiatric populations with panic is suggested by their positive response to alprazolam. A panic disorder subtype, called non-fear panic disorder also appeared in about one-third of these cardiology panic patients. These patients have most of the panic symptoms but do not report fear during their episodes.
Truncal Ataxia, Hypotonia, and Motor Delay With Isolated Rhombencephalosynapsis

We report on a 16-month-old girl with developmental motor delay, microcephaly, and mild truncal ataxia who was revealed to have rhombencephalosynapsis on magnetic resonance imaging. The child was nonsyndromic and exhibited normal cognitive and social abilities for her age, despite neuroimaging findings. As this case demonstrates, motor skills in children with isolated rhombencephalosynapsis may be relatively mildly affected, and cognition may be normal despite the presence of a major central nervous system anomaly. Neuroimaging may be helpful in defining the nature of a child's deficits at an early age, particularly when associated with microcephaly and abnormalities on neurologic examination.
Development of nuclear gene-derived molecular markers linked to legume genetic maps

The systematic identification of the orthologous features of related organisms greatly facilitates comparative genomics, including research on genome evolution and comparative genetic mapping. In this study, we selected 274 unique gene sequences for the development of PCR-based genetic markers across fifteen legume genomes, representing six crop or model legume species from the phaseoloid and inverted repeat loss clades (IRLC). DNA sequence analysis demonstrated that 129 of the amplified fragments represented single copy loci across most target diploid genomes. The majority of these markers are intron-spanning (70.5%) and linked to legume genetic maps (85.3%). The markers were grouped into four main categories: (1) intron-spanning relatively conserved, (2) intron-spanning diverged, (3) exon-derived conserved, and (4) exon-derived diverged. The extent of sequence divergence within each category indicates that the corresponding markers may have utility for assessing phylogenetic relationships at different, but overlapping, taxonomic levels. We tested marker performance on genomes that had not been previously sampled, representing 95 different species that span the diversity of the Fabaceae. Phylogenetic analyses support the orthology of amplified sequences, with the notable exception of an ambiguous affiliation of Lotus relative to the IRLC and phaseoloid clades.
Calculating the Distribution of the Serial Correlation Estimator by Saddlepoint Integration

The efficient method of numerical saddlepoint integration is described and applied to calculating the probability distribution of the maximum likelihood and Yule-Walker estimators of the correlation coefficient a of a first-order autoregressive normal time series with initial value either zero or nonzero when a finite number n of data are at hand. Stationary time series of the same type are also treated. Significance points are computed in a number of examples to show how, as n increases, the finite-sample distributions approach the asymptotic distributions that have appeared in the literature.
EPR studies of higher plant mitochondria I. Ubisemiquinone and its relation to alternative respiratory oxidations

Abstract An EPR investigation of the region of the higher plant respiratory chain involving ubiquinone and Center S-3 of succinate dehydrogenase is reported. At temperatures close to those of liquid helium, first derivative spectra corresponding to Center S-3 (gmax = 2.017) and a signal split around g = 2.00 (major features of peaks and troughs at g values of 2.045, 2.03, 1.985, 1.97 and 1.96) were observed in mung bean (Phaseolus aureus), Arum maculatum spadix, Sauromatum guttatum spadix and tulip bulb (Tulipa gesnerana) mitochondria. The split signal was small or absent in potato tuber and Symplocarpus foetidus spadix mitochondria. The redox behavior of these signals in mung bean mitochondria in a variety of respiratory steady-state conditions suggested that the components giving rise to them were an integral part of the respiratory chain and were located on the substrate side of coupling Site II. The split signal could be removed by addition of hydroxamic acids in all tissues tested, although the Ks of this effect was an order of magnitude higher than the Ki of inhibition of the alternative respiratory pathway in mung bean and Sauromatum guttatum spadix mitochondria. The results are discussed in relation to the current ideas on the ordering of components in the region around the classical Site II of the respiratory chain and in relation to the location of the alternative respiratory oxidase pathway of higher plants.
Assessing The Cognitive Abilities That Differentiate Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease From Normals: Single And Multiple Factor Models

Background Understanding the structure of cognitive abilities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has considerable practical and theoretical importance. Some investigators have argued that a single cognitive process underlies the deficits seen in AD, while others have argued for multiple cognitive processes. As deficits in cognitive abilities may reflect the pathological process or processes occurring in AD, determination of the structure of abilities in AD is important. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of single and multiple ability factor models in differentiating patients with AD from normals. Results Findings show that although a single factor model accounts for a large part of the variability of a battery of measures used to differentiate patients and normals, a multiple factor model performed substantially better based on multiple fit criteria. Conclusions At least in this sample, a multiple ability factor model of cognitive abilities fit data better than a single factor model in differentiating patients with AD from normals. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An introduction to Lyapunov's second method

A general procedure for investigating stability of many sorts of dynamic systems is the second method of Lyapunov, which uses only the form of equations describing the system, without requiring explicit knowledge of their solutions. Its application to a given system requires determination of a special Lyapunov function which, for a stable system, is itself positive but has a negative time-derivative. This function also may yield certain information regarding the transient response. Discussion of the basic principle of the method is given, along with illustrative applications to a few simple cases.
Navier-Stokes Simulations of Blade-Vortex Interaction Using High-Order-Accurate Upwind Schemes

Conventional second-order-accurate finite-difference schemes are much too dissipative for computations involving vortices that travel large distances (relative to some measure of the size of the vortex). This study uses a fifth-order-accurate upwind-biased scheme that preserves vortex structure much longer than second-order-accurate, central or upwind difference schemes. Vortex computations demonstrating this aspect of the fifth-order scheme are presented. The method is then applied to a blade-vortex interaction problem. The computed results are in good agreement with earlier numerical computations that required a priori information regarding vortex structure and position throughout the interaction period in order to sustain the vortex. High-order-accurate methods such as the one used in this study may prove essential to computing both nearfield aerodynamics and farfield acoustics associated with blade-vortex interactions as well as other acoustical phenomena.
Soundscape as Interface: The Threshold Project

ABSTRACT The author discusses his sound installation Threshold as a system to explore an evolving acoustic ecology. For the purpose of this brief examination, the author observes how the soundscape...
Mechanisms of Subcellular mRNA Localization

Localization of RNA is a widespread and efficient way to target gene products to a specific region of a cell or embryo. This strategy of posttranscriptional gene regulation utilizes a variety of distinct mechanisms to regulate the movement and anchoring of different transcripts.
Value Analysis in Talmudic Literature in the Light of Modern Economics

It is by now a foregone conclusion that the Talmudic sages possessed a remarkable knowledge and understanding of highly sophisticated economic laws and practices. In fact, as far back as 1911, the eminent economist and scholar, Werner Sombart, had expressed his deep admiration for their high degree of economic sophistication and keen insight when he wrote:
Another look at the cross-section and time-series of stock returns: 1951 to 2011

Abstract We first provide a cleaner and comprehensive out-of-sample test of three competing asset-pricing models. Our results suggest that the value and momentum factors have pervasive pricing power. Motivated by Garlappi and Yan (2011) , we then examine if there is a unifying risk-based explanation for the value and momentum effects. Different from previous studies, we utilize two aggregate indexes from the Federal Reserve Bank Chicago, which not only cover much broader sets of macroeconomic and financial variables but also capture their common movements. Empirically, we find stronger evidence that both value and momentum effects are in part explained by innovations in future macroeconomic conditions.
Drugs for Disorders of Bone: Pharmacological and Clinical Considerations

The drug therapy of disorders of mineral metabolism has been a neglected field, partly because of a lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of metabolic bone disease. With the recent advances in knowledge of the physiological regulation of calcium metabolism and of the factors influencing bone resorption and bone formation, a number of new drugs are being developed for these disorders. The three major hormones that regulate calcium metabolism — parathyroid hormone, the active forms of vitamin D, and calcitonin — may all be used as therapeutic agents. In Paget’s disease of bone, calcitonin has been found effective and remarkably non-toxic. Calcitonin has been less useful in hypercalcaemia and ineffective in osteoporosis. The clinical use of parathyroid hormone preparations and active vitamin D metabolites is limited at present, but synthetic, biologically active parathyroid hormone fragments and active vitamin D metabolites have considerable potential as therapeutic agents. Steroid hormones are widely used in metabolic bone disease. Glucocorticosteroids are useful in some forms of hypercalcaemia, but the efficacy of sex hormones in osteoporosis has not been established, despite 30 years of use. Mithramycin is an antitumour antibiotic that inhibits DNA-directed RNA synthesis and causes a reduction in serum calcium in both normocalcaemic and hypercalcaemic patients. It is a toxic drug and is probably overused at present. Phosphate therapy is effective in hypercalcaemia, nephrolithiasis, and some phosphatelosing renal tubular disorders. Diphosphonates, which are pyrophosphate analogues, may be useful in the therapy of Paget’s disease, but their mode of action is unclear. Although fluoride may increase bone mass in osteoporosis, its efficacy has not been established. Similarly, calcium infusions, which in early studies seemed promising, are now considered of doubtful benefit in the treatment of osteoporosis. Nevertheless, patients with osteoporosis should receive an adequate intake of calcium, as well as vitamin D. The diuretics have differing effects on calcium metabolism which vary with their site of action on the renal tubules. Frusemide and ethacrynic acid, which produce hypercalciuria and a fall in serum calcium, are useful drugs in the emergency treatment of hypercalcaemia. The thiazide diuretics, on the other hand, lead to hypocalciuria and may potentiate hypercalcaemia in some patients, but they are effective drugs in idiopathic hypercalciuria.
Operative Management of Chest Wall Deformities in Children: Unique Contributions of Southern Thoracic Surgeons

I have been aware all year of the great honor bestowed on me as the 34th president of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, but I am acutely aware today of the awesome responsibility of trying to say something meaningful to so many good friends, colleagues, and teachers. As I try to do so, it seems particularly fitting at this time that we honor Dr. Mark Ravitch as a new honorary member of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association because he has made seminal contributions to our understanding and operative management of chest wall deformities [ 11. Since the late 15th century, congenital chest wall deformities have been described in children, but no reparative operative procedures were developed until 1911. Thereafter, only isolated cases were reported up until the 1930s. In the ensuing fifty years, numerous operations for a variety of chest wall deformities have been devised. The remarkable preponderance of these contributions by thoracic surgeons in the southern United States is the focus of my reflections. What conditions are properly included in a brief overview of major thoracic abnormalities? They are split or cleft sternum, Cantrell’s syndrome, Poland’s syndrome, pectus carinatum (pigeon breast), and pectus excavatum (funnel chest).
PHILOSOPHY AS PERPETUAL MOTION: PRAGMATISM MOVES ON

Two new books about the Pragmatist tradition, Richard Bernstein's The Pragmatic Turn and Colin Koopman's Pragmatism as Transition, represent respectively a summing up of the past half-century of the tradition's history and a possible program for its future development. Bernstein ecumenically considers the achievements of a wide range of thinkers from Peirce, Dewey, and James to Brandom, Putnam, and Rorty, drawing valuable lessons from each, while not sparing criticism of their flaws. Koopman also tries to bridge the gap between what he calls “classicopragmatism” and “neopragmatism,” although he finds more to admire in Rorty than in his predecessors. Whereas Bernstein attempts to supplement the pragmatist tradition by turning to Habermas, Koopman finds his inspiration in Foucault. Both authors emphasize the historicist, evolutionary, and transitionalist implications of pragmatism, paying as a result insufficient attention to the historical possibilities of repetition, rupture, discontinuity, and the unexpected event. In terms of the political implications they draw, Koopman advocates a meliorist incrementalism that lacks any real bite, while Bernstein expresses dissatisfaction with the democratic pieties of Rorty's final work, but doesn't really provide a sustained alternative.
Detection of copy number variations in rice using array-based comparative genomic hybridization

Copy number variations (CNVs) can create new genes, change gene dosage, reshape gene structures, and modify elements regulating gene expression. As with all types of genetic variation, CNVs may influence phenotypic variation and gene expression. CNVs are thus considered major sources of genetic variation. Little is known, however, about their contribution to genetic variation in rice. To detect CNVs, we used a set of NimbleGen whole-genome comparative genomic hybridization arrays containing 718,256 oligonucleotide probes with a median probe spacing of 500 bp. We compiled a high-resolution map of CNVs in the rice genome, showing 641 CNVs between the genomes of the rice cultivars 'Nipponbare' (from O. sativa ssp. japonica) and 'Guang-lu-ai 4' (from O. sativa ssp. indica). The CNVs identified vary in size from 1.1 kb to 180.7 kb, and encompass approximately 7.6 Mb of the rice genome. The largest regions showing copy gain and loss are of 37.4 kb on chromosome 4, and 180.7 kb on chromosome 8. In addition, 85 DNA segments were identified, including some genic sequences. Contracted genes greatly outnumbered duplicated ones. Many of the contracted genes corresponded to either the same genes or genes involved in the same biological processes; this was also the case for genes involved in disease and defense. We detected CNVs in rice by array-based comparative genomic hybridization. These CNVs contain known genes. Further discussion of CNVs is important, as they are linked to variation among rice varieties, and are likely to contribute to subspecific characteristics.
Structural Insight into the Mechanisms of Targeting and Signaling of Focal Adhesion Kinase

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase whose focal adhesion targeting (FAT) domain interacts with other focal adhesion molecules in integrin-mediated signaling. Localization of activated FAK to focal adhesions is indispensable for its function. Here we describe a solution structure of the FAT domain bound to a peptide derived from paxillin, a FAK-binding partner. The FAT domain is composed of four helices that form a “right-turn” elongated bundle; the globular fold is mainly maintained by hydrophobic interactions. The bound peptide further stabilizes the structure. Certain signaling events such as phosphorylation and molecule interplay may induce opening of the helix bundle. Such conformational change is proposed to precede departure of FAK from focal adhesions, which starts focal adhesion turnover.
Preservice teachers’ culturally responsive teaching self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs

Abstract Guided by the theoretical and empirical research on self-efficacy and outcome expectancy beliefs, and the Culturally Responsive Teaching Competencies [Siwatu, K.O. (2006a). The development of the culturally responsive teaching competencies: Implications for teacher education. Manuscript under review], two measures—the Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale (CRTSE) and the Culturally Responsive Teaching Outcome Expectancy (CRTOE) Scale—were developed and administered to a sample of preservice teachers in the Midwest. The findings from this study suggest that preservice teachers are more efficacious in their ability to help students feel like important members of the classroom and develop positive, personal relationships with their students, than they are in their ability to communicate with English Language Learners. Preservice teachers’ culturally responsive teaching outcome expectations was highest for the possibility that a positive teacher–student relationship can be established by building a sense of trust in their students. Item-specific means were lowest among the preservice teachers for the possibility that encouraging students to use their native language will help to maintain students’ cultural identity. The implications for these findings for both research and teacher education are discussed.
The jewish sound of things

ABSTRACTThe relationship between sound and material culture entails a variety of creative processes that illustrate how extensive the interface between the two can be. In this essay I explore three processes of Jewish sonic materialization: appropriation, sacralization, and play. Appropriation, or the process of imbuing common objects with the potential to produce sound that is understood as Jewish, manifests itself in Reform Jews' adoption of the guitar in liturgical and paraliturgical settings. Sacralization, or the act of creating musical material objects specifically to enhance Jewish religious rituals, will be discussed in reference to two twentieth-century attempts to modernize worship music through the use of recorded sound during services. Play, or the incorporation of sound-bearing objects into Jewish recreational activities, will be illustrated through a discussion of “singing” toys and Jewish music boxes. These case studies demonstrate the value of scrutinizing the interrelation of sound and ma...
The Inner, Initial, Magnetic Permeability of Iron and Nickel at Ultra-High Radiofrequencies

A new method for the measurement of the ultra-high frequency, initial, inner permeability of ferromagnetic materials has been developed which gives much greater accuracy and is much faster than the older methods. The probable error is under one percent at a frequency of 197 megacycles per second, as contrasted with previous methods in which the error is of the order of 10 to 20 percent. This improvement is due to three factors: (1) the use of a coaxial cable instead of Lecher wires, (2) the use of a fine central wire and (3) correction for the influence of the finite conductivity of the resonance system. The magnetic permeability of high purity, commercial iron wire was found to be 53.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 at 1.97\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ cycles per second, and 25\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. It was constant for all values of tension up to the breaking point of the wire at 980 grams force. It also remained constant for superimposed longitudinal magnetic fields up to 100 oersteds. The permeability of commercially pure nickel was found to be 3.61\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08 at the same frequency and temperature. As the temperature was raised the permeability increased to a value of 12.22 at 320\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, beyond which it dropped rapidly to unity at 370\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C.
Chemical address tags of fluorescent bioimaging probes

Chemical address tags can be defined as specific structural features shared by a set of bioimaging probes having a predictable influence on cell-associated visual signals obtained from these probes. Here, using a large image dataset acquired with a high content screening instrument, machine vision and cheminformatics analysis have been applied to reveal chemical address tags. With a combinatorial library of fluorescent molecules, fluorescence signal intensity, spectral, and spatial features characterizing each one of the probes’ visual signals were extracted from images acquired with the three different excitation and emission channels of the imaging instrument. With multivariate regression, the additive contribution from each one of the different building blocks of the bioimaging probes toward each measured, cell-associated image-based feature was calculated. In this manner, variations in the chemical features of the molecules were associated with the resulting staining patterns, facilitating quantitative, objective analysis of chemical address tags. Hierarchical clustering and paired imagecheminformatics analysis revealed key structure–property relationships amongst many building blocks of the fluorescent molecules. The results point to different chemical modifications of the bioimaging probes that can exert similar (or different) effects on the probes’ visual signals. Inspection of the clustered structures suggests intramolecular charge migration or partial charge distribution as potential mechanistic determinants of chemical address tag behavior. ' 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Ferromagnetic Anisotropy of Iron and Iron-Rich Silicon Alloys

The ferromagnetic anisotropy constant ${K}_{1}$ has been accurately measured by the magnetic torque method for a group of iron alloys containing up to 13.7 atomic percent silicon. The points fall on two intersecting straight lines given by the equations: ${{K}_{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}=5.29\ensuremath{-}0.279\mathrm{A} Al9.86}{{K}_{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}=4.43\ensuremath{-}0.1915\mathrm{A} Ag9.86}$ ${K}_{1}$ is expressed in ergs/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ and $A$ is the atomic percentage of silicon. The value for iron is considerably higher than the one due to Akulov which has often been quoted in the literature. It is shown that the latter is unreliable because it is an average value based on the highly discordant results of several investigators. Torque measurements were made on the identical ellipsoid of iron for which Piety measured the magnetization curves along the simple crystallographic directions and a large discrepancy was found between the values of ${K}_{1}$ calculated by these two methods. This leads to the belief that the present-day theory of ferromagnetic anisotropy is in need of some revision, possibly in connection with the higher order terms in the magnetic energy equation. When ${K}_{1}$ is plotted against the atomic percentage of silicon, the change in slope occurs at very nearly the same concentration as the similar change in slope found by Jette and Greiner for the lattice parameter ${a}_{0}$. An attempt is made to explain the occurrence of these breaks in terms of a change from a hypothetical superlattice with a silicon concentration of 3/32 to a partially formed ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$Si superlattice.
Effect of age on benzodiazepine-induced behavioural convulsions in rats

The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs used to alleviate anxiety. As such they constitute one of the most commonly prescribed compounds1, due in part to their efficacy and safety. The physiological effect of these drugs is probably through interactions with a low affinity benzodiazepine binding site2 and two (types 1 and 2) higher affinity sites3–8 . The ontogenesis of these latter two binding sites in the rat differs, with the type 2 binding site being predominant at birth and the type 1 binding site increasing in number after the second week after birth9. The differential development of these two receptor types is important because the immature organism may have different physiological and behavioural responses from the adult. Here we demonstrate an important difference: that a prototypic benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide, and a water-soluble benzodiazepine, flurazepam, produce behavioural convulsions in the preweanling rat. The convulsions are antagonized by the benzodiazepine blocker Ro-15-1788. The triazolopyridizine CL-218872, specific to the type 1 receptor, does not share this action. We suggest that this paradoxical convulsant effect of chlordiazepoxide and flurazepam is due to activation of the type 2 receptor in the absence of the type 1 receptor in the immature rat.
Protein Kinase D Mediates Mitogenic Signaling by Gq-coupled Receptors through Protein Kinase C-independent Regulation of Activation Loop Ser744 and Ser748 Phosphorylation

Rapid protein kinase D (PKD) activation and phosphorylation via protein kinase C (PKC) have been extensively documented in many cell types cells stimulated by multiple stimuli. In contrast, little is known about the role and mechanism(s) of a recently identified sustained phase of PKD activation in response to G protein-coupled receptor agonists. To elucidate the role of biphasic PKD activation, we used Swiss 3T3 cells because PKD expression in these cells potently enhanced duration of ERK activation and DNA synthesis in response to Gq-coupled receptor agonists. Cell treatment with the preferential PKC inhibitors GF109203X or Go6983 profoundly inhibited PKD activation induced by bombesin stimulation for 60 min). The existence of sequential PKC-dependent and PKC-independent PKD activation was demonstrated in 3T3 cells stimulated with various concentrations of bombesin (0.3–10 nm) or with vasopressin, a different Gq-coupled receptor agonist. To gain insight into the mechanisms involved, we determined the phosphorylation state of the activation loop residues Ser744 and Ser748. Transphosphorylation targeted Ser744, whereas autophosphorylation was the predominant mechanism for Ser748 in cells stimulated with Gq-coupled receptor agonists. We next determined which phase of PKD activation is responsible for promoting enhanced ERK activation and DNA synthesis in response to Gq-coupled receptor agonists. We show, for the first time, that the PKC-independent phase of PKD activation mediates prolonged ERK signaling and progression to DNA synthesis in response to bombesin or vasopressin through a pathway that requires epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase activity. Thus, our results identify a novel mechanism of Gq-coupled receptor-induced mitogenesis mediated by sustained PKD activation through a PKC-independent pathway.
‘Once upon a ribbit’: Stories narrated by autistic children

Ten autistic, 10 mentally retarded and 10 normal children, matched on verbal mental age, were asked to narrate a story from a wordless picture book. The narratives were coded on a range of measures tapping the following characteristics: story length and complexity, story structure, referential devices, and affective and social-cognitive narrative enrichment devices. The main findings were that, compared to both control groups, the autistic children produced significantly shorter stories and were less likely to include any causal statements to explain the relationship between events in the stories. For the autistic children, the use of a story schema, referential devices that took account of their listener's needs, and the frequency of enrichment devices were all significantly' correlated, suggesting that they reflect the same underlying knowledge. These findings are discussed in relation to the theory of mind hypothesis of autism