cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ARNT gene multiplicity in amphibians: characterization of ARNT2 from the frog Xenopus laevis.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is a member of the Per-ARNT-Sim (PAS) protein superfamily, transcription factors that mediate the cellular responses to various developmental signals and environmental conditions. A β-class (“partner”) PAS protein, ARNT exhibits the capacity to form transcriptionally active heterodimers with several α-class (“sensor”) proteins, including the aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs), the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), and the Single minded (Sim) proteins. Two genes encode different forms of ARNT in mammals: ARNT1, which is widely expressed, and ARNT2, which is limited to the brain and kidneys of adults and specific neural and branchial tissues of embryos. In contrast, fish apparently express only a single ARNT gene, although in different species, this may be either ARNT1 or ARNT2. In efforts to understand the evolution of ARNT proteins throughout the vertebrate lineage, we isolated an ARNT cDNA from early life stages of the amphibian Xenopus laevis. The encoded protein binds cognate DNA sequences in concert with mouse AHR. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that this sequence is orthologous to mammalian ARNT2 and paralogous to the recently reported X. laevis ARNT1. ARNT2 mRNA expression begins later than ARNT1 (stage 22 vs. stage 8), suggesting the two proteins play distinct roles during development. Hence, in the expression of two well-conserved ARNT paralogs with distinct expression patterns, X. laevis resembles mammals rather than fish. Diversity in the number and function of PAS proteins, including ARNT, may underlie significant species differences in developmental programming and biochemical response to environmental conditions. The identification of multiple amphibian ARNT paralogs represents an important step in the understanding of evolution and functional variation of ARNT in vertebrates. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 300B:48–57, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Engineering and reusing stable atomic knowledge (SAK) patterns

Reusing domain-independent knowledge might be hindered if such knowledge is presented as an integral part of domain specific components. This poster presents the concept of Stable Atomic Knowledge (SAK) patterns. A SAK pattern presents a domain-independent knowledge in such a way that makes this knowledge reusable whenever it is needed.
Calculation of the J =3 roton spectrum of solid hydrogen and deuterium

A model for collective rotational excitations (rotons) with angular momentumJ=3 in solid ortho-hydrogen and para-deuterium at low temperatures is proposed. The theory is an extension of previous Bloch-type models of librons in orthohydrogen and rotons in para-hydrogen. The present model gives fairly good agreement with the positions and relative intensities of the observed Raman lines. As is the case for the libron spectrum, a discrepancy between theory and experiment is found. Improvements of the theory, which may give better agreement with the observed Raman spectra, are discussed.
Mechanical property correlations for 214 Cr-1 Mo steel in support of nuclear reactor systems design

Abstract In recent years, 2 1 4 Cr-1 Mo steel has gained worldwide importance as a structural material for use in steam generators. Therefore, it is important that the mechanical properties of this material be understood in some detail. A large collection of mechanical properties data for this material has been compiled from the literature and from private sources. Analysis of these data has yielded mathematical descriptions of the tensile, creep, fatigue and impact properties of annealed and isothermally annealed 2 1 4 Cr-1 Mo steel. Where appropriate, statistical analysis has been performed to yield estimates of possible variations in behaviour. The final results represent a comprehensive description of the mechanical behaviour of the material. This description makes a substantial contribution to the characterisation required for use of 2 1 4 Cr-1 Mo steel in the construction of nuclear systems.
Finite Duration Impacts With External Forces

This work considers the effect of external forces during finite duration collisions using an incremental model of impact. The deformation of the rigid body is modeled through an elastic element and the time interval over which contact occurs is of finite duration. Moreover, the work done by the external forces is non-zero during the collision. This model allows for an equivalent coefficient of restitution e to be identified. In the presence of a constant external force the coefficient of restitution depends not only on the system parameters, but the initial relative velocity at the point of impact. For external forces which tend to bring the colliding bodies together, the colliding bodies remain in contact for sufficiently small impact velocities (e=0) while for larger in-coming speeds, the coefficient of restitution is positive. This state dependent restitution arises from the coupling of external forces to the collision model, and is not seen in more familiar models of impact. Finally, based on the results of the experimental system and the incremental model, the standard algebraic model of restitution is modified to include these finite duration effects.
Dynamic dendritic compartmentalization underlies stimulus-specific adaptation in an insect neuron

In many neural systems, repeated stimulation leads to stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA), with responses to repeated signals being reduced while responses to novel stimuli remain unaffected. The un...
Bionanoelectronic Devices Based on 1d-Lipid Bilayers on Nanotube and Nanowire Templates

Biological molecules perform sophisticated functions in living systems with complexity often far exceeding most of man-made devices and objects. Direct integration of biological components with electronic circuits could drastically increase their efficiency, complexity, and capabilities and result in novel sensing and signaling architectures. Yet, one of the obstacles for this vision of a bionanoelectronic circuit is the absence of a versatile interface that facilitates communication between biomolecules and electronic materials. We have been building platforms that integrates membrane proteins with one-dimensional inorganic materials such as carbon nanotubes and silicon nanowires. In our devices, a nanotube of nanowire is covered by a lipid bilayer that serves both as a universal membrane protein matrix and an insulating shield. I will discuss the fabrication and properties of these “shielded” nanowires and of their use in bionanoelectronic devices that incorporate working membrane proteins in an electronic circuit.
Amphetamine-induced increases in pineal gland N-acetyltransferase activity: effects of denervation and/or adrenalectomy.

Abstract 1. 1. d-Amphetamine injections in intact rats increase activity of the pineal gland enzyme, N-acetyltransferase (NAT). 2. 2. The NAT elevation may be mediated in part by the ability of amphetamine to enhance the release, and block the reuptake, of norepinephrine from post-ganglionic sympathetic nerves onto pineal gland β-noradrenoceptors. 3. 3. However, catacholamines released from cells other than those directly innervating the pineal gland may also increase NAT activity following systemic amphetamine injections, inasmuch as the enzyme responses of superior cervical ganglionectomized, adrenalectomized, or combined ganglionectomized-adrenalectomized animals were greatly potentiated following the drug.
Power Optimization for Photovoltaic Microconverters Using Multivariable Newton-Based Extremum Seeking

Extremum seeking (ES) is a real-time optimization technique that has been applied to maximum power point tracking (MPPT) design for photovoltaic (PV) microconverter systems, where each PV module is coupled with its own dc/dc converter. Most of the existing MPPT designs are scalar, i.e., employ one MPPT loop around each converter, and all designs, whether scalar or mutivariable, are gradient based. The convergence rate of gradient-based designs depends on the Hessian, which in turn is dependent on environmental conditions, such as irradiance and temperature. Therefore, when applied to large PV arrays, the variability in environmental conditions and/or PV module degradation results in nonuniform transients in the convergence to the maximum power point (MPP). Using a multivariable gradient-based ES algorithm for the entire system instead of a scalar one for each PV module, while decreasing the sensitivity to the Hessian, does not eliminate this dependence. We present a recently developed Newton-based ES algorithm that simultaneously employs estimates of the gradient and Hessian in the peak power tracking. The convergence rate of such a design to the MPP is independent of the Hessian, with tunable transient performance that is independent of environmental conditions. We present simulation as well as the experimental results that show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in comparison with the existing scalar designs, and also to multivariable gradient-based ES.
Development of an Instrument to Measure Internalized Stigma in Those with HIV/AIDS

Stigma has grave consequences for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Stigma hampers prevention of HIV transmission to sexual partners and to unborn babies, diagnosis, and early treatment, and negatively affects mental and physical health, quality of life, and life satisfaction. Internalized stigma of HIV/AIDS may have even more severe consequences than perceived or enacted stigma. The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to measure internalized stigma in those with HIV/AIDS. Data were drawn from the Rural Women's Health Project. Research assistants administered structured interviews at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Instruments used in these analyses included a demographic data form, the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Perceived Stigma Scale (PSS), and the Internalized Stigma of AIDS Tool (ISAT). Exploratory factor analysis confirmed that the ten items of the ISAT measure a single factor that explains 88% of the variance in the construct. Internal consistency was demonstrated by a Cronbach's alpha of .91 (Time 1), .92 (Time 2), and .92 (Time 3). Convergent validity was supported with significant positive correlations with the CES-D (rho = 0.33, p < 0.0001) and the PSS (rho = 0.56, < 0.0001). The Internalized Stigma of AIDS Tool appears to be a reliable and valid instrument to measure internalization of the stigma of HIV/AIDS. It may be of value in research and clinical assessment.
Development of Indicators to Assess Economic Vulnerabilities to Changes in Ecosystem Services: Case Study of Counties in Maryland, USA

We develop indicators showing the relative environmental burdens that human activities place on locales for a given level of economic benefits. The main purpose is to develop tools that allow us to examine the potential vulnerabilities within economies to changes in resource conditions. The indicators of pollution emission or resource consumption per job can be used to identify potential challenges to resource and industry managers and to compare areas in terms of their ability to adapt to change. For example, if a large number of area jobs are dependent on abundant water, this indicates a vulnerability to a reduction in water availability for industrial use. We develop a case study for 23 counties and 1 city in Maryland to examine the usefulness and limitations of the indicators. Our case study demonstrates that the indicators provide an informative view into patterns of local economic activity and use of an area’s environmental goods and services. In contrast to patterns for total environmental burdens (e.g., total SO2 emissions) that are typically reported, the rates of environmental burden per job are not simply correlated with high or low economic output. Thus, the indicators represent distinct patterns of environmental burdens per job that reflect reliance on environmental services. The indicators have some limitations when used at this fine scale because they can misrepresent conditions in counties in which economic sectors are dominated by one or a few businesses. For this reason, the indicators are best used as a regional screening tool.
PEDIATRIC SPEECH INTELLIGIBILITY TEST. I. GENERATION OF TEST MATERIALS

Abstract Normal children between 3 and 7 years of age generated word and sentence messages for use in a new speech intelligibility test. Word materials did not differ as a function of chronological age, vocabulary skills, or receptive language ability. Sentence materials, however, did reflect differences in chronological age, vocabulary skills, and receptive language skills. Older children, approximately 5–10 years, responded with complete, adult-like sentences. Younger children, approximately 3–10 years, responded with either a proform substituted for the noun phrase subject of a sentence or by omitting the auxiliary verb “be” in forming the present progressive verb tense of the sentence. To represent the differences in the children's responses, two different types of test sentences were formed. In one construction, the test sentence is composed of (noun phrase/verb-ing/noun phrase), preceded by the carrier phrase “show me”, e.g., “Show me a bear brushing his teeth”. In the other construction, the test sentence is composed of (noun phrase/ auxiliary verb-ing/noun phrase), e.g., “A bear is brushing his teeth”. The two different sentence forms are proposed as a means of equating differences in normal language development among children.
The characters of the wreath product group acting on the homology groups of the Dowling lattices

Abstract Let G be a finite group, n a positive integer, Q n ( G ) the Dowling lattice of rank n based on G and W n the wreath product group G wr S n . It is easily seen that W n acts as a group of automorphisms of Q n ( G ). This action lifts to a representation of W n on each homology group of Q n ( G ). The character values of these representations are computed. Let σ be an element of W n . Consider σ as an n × n permutation matrix σ whose nonzero entries have been replaced by elements of G . If C is a cycle of σ, the weight of C is the product of the elements of G which lie in the cycle C . The type of C is the conjugacy class of G containing the weight of C . Let c l , u denote the number of l -cycles of σ of type u . The conjugacy class of σ in W n depends only on the numbers c l , u . For each i = 0, 1,…, n − 1 let ( Q n ( G )) i be the geometric lattice obtained from Q n ( G ) by deleting ranks i + 1 through n − 1 (so ( Q n ( G )) n − 1 = Q n ( G )). Let β i denote the character of the representation of W n on the unique non-vanishing reduced homology group of Q n ( G )) i . For each σ ϵ W n , let B σ ( λ ) be the polynomial B σ ( λ ) = ∑ i = 0 n − 1 β i ( σ )) λ n − 1 − i . It is shown that B 0 (λ)=(−1) n ∏ l,u C l,u !(l|C G (u)|) cl,u λ+1 F(l,u, l) − C l,u F(l,u,−λ) where F(l, u, λ) = ( −1 l¦G¦ ) ∑ t¦l b(t,u) μ(t) λ l t , and where b(t, u) is the number of solutions h ϵ G to h t = u . The formula (∗) allows for the explicit computation of the characters β i . Using this information, several facts about the characters are deduced. For example, it is shown that the trivial character appears exactly once in each β i and it is shown that β n − 1 can be realized in a simple way as a sum of induced characters.
Against the Natural Consciousness of Time: Trauma and Ethics in Jean Améry's Beyond Guilt and Atonement

This essay argues that Jean Amery's essay collection, Beyond Guilt and Atonement (1965), must be read as an ethical expansion of Freud's Beyond the Pleasure Principle. Although Amery explicitly rejects the role of traumatized victim, his consideration of the possibility of ethical thought after the crimes of National Socialism is deeply informed by Freud's trauma theory. Freud describes the trauma as a wound that cannot heal because it has never become a physical wound. As Amery claims to have learned through consideration of his own torture by the Gestapo, the crime opens up just such a traumatic wound in the moral community that binds us together as human beings. Accepting this proposition, however, means rejecting ideas at the heart of different ethical philosophies—Christian ethics, Spinoza's immanent ethics, and Bentham's Utilitarianism—and rehabilitating the notion of an ideal human community that Kant places at the center of his ethical philosophy.
Exact controllability of partial differential equations by piecewise-constant controls

It is show how the solution u(x, t) to hyperbolic and parabolic initial-boundary-value problems can be forced from arbitrary initial conditions to arbitrary final conditions in arbitrary time by means of a control f(x, t)on the differential equation of appropriate form.
Haunted: Treatment of a Child Survivor of Human Trafficking

The current article examines challenges in the treatment of child survivors of human trafficking. Integrating psychoanalytic theory with models of self-development from the cognitive developmental psychology literature, the paper offers a clinical case presentation of an 11-year-old survivor.
Resection of neurogenic tumors in children: is thoracoscopy superior to thoracotomy?

Background Minimally invasive resection of solid tumors is controversial because of concerns of inadequate resection and local recurrence. Thoracoscopy has been used in the diagnosis of mediastinal tumors in children, but its role in resection is unproved. The purpose of this study was to compare thoracoscopic and open approaches to the resection of thoracic neurogenic tumors in children. Study design The tumor registry of a regional children's hospital was queried to identify patients who underwent resection of neurogenic tumors over a 6-year period. Thoracoscopic and open groups were compared for demographic, operative, oncologic, and outcomes characteristics. Results Seventeen children underwent resection of mediastinal neurogenic tumors (10 thoracoscopic resections, 7 open resections). Mean age was 4.7 years (range 6 months to 12 years). The thoracoscopic and open groups showed no difference in operative time or blood loss. Tumors in the two groups were comparable in size (5.2±2.2 cm versus 5.7±2.6 cm), histology, surgical margin, and stage. Hospital stay was shorter after thoracoscopic resection (1.9±0.7 days versus 4.1±2.5 days, p Conclusions Thoracoscopic resection of neurogenic tumors achieved similar local control and disease-free survival when compared with open resection in this preliminary series. These results were accompanied by a shorter hospital stay. These findings suggest that thoracoscopic resection of neurogenic tumors in children may offer advantages to open resection and should be studied in the context of a large, cooperative trial.
Retinal damage in pigmented and albino rats exposed to low levels of cyclic light following a single mydriatic treatment

The present study demonstrated that less than three days of exposure to low levels of normally cycled ambient illumination are sufficient to cause death to photoreceptor cells in adult pigmented and albino rat. Cyclic light levels as low as 133 and 320 lux were found to destroy photoreceptor cells. A single mydriatic treatment with atropine immediately preceding the three-day exposure was sufficient to permit the effect in pigmented rats. No mydriasis was required for albino rats. When pigmented rats were reared in either 3 lux or 100 lux, it was found that these different light histories did not significantly affect the rats' subsequent susceptibility, during mydriasis, to retinal damage by cyclic illumination.
Observation of electronic states confined in surface quantum wells and above quantum barriers with modulated reflectivity

Abstract The modulated reflectivity spectra of a surface quantum well, composed of vacuum- /GaAs/Al x Ga 1− x As, exhibit in a striking manner optical transitions associated with electronic states confined within the quantum well. The spectra reveal numerous distinct signatures of the transitions between quantum confined states in the GaAs surface layer, their energies demonstrably controlled by its width. Equally remarkable signatures appear, which can be traced to localized electronic levels above the Al x Ga 1− x As single quantum barrier formed by this structure.
Intensive chemotherapy for systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma in children and adolescents: Final results of children's cancer group study 5941

Background Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is characterized by advanced disease at presentation (70–80% of pediatric cases) and accounts for 10–15% of all childhood lymphomas. Treatment strategies for pediatric ALCL vary from short pulse B-NHL chemotherapy to prolonged leukemia like therapy. The optimal treatment strategy is unknown. Methods CCG-5941 used a compressed aggressive multiagent T-cell lineage chemotherapy regimen consisting of a 3-week induction therapy (vincristine, prednisone, cyclophosphamide, daunomycin, asparaginase) followed by a 3-week consolidation period (vincristine, prednisone, etoposide, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, asparaginase, methotrexate) followed by six courses of maintenance chemotherapy at 7-week intervals (cyclophosphamide, 6-thioguanine, vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin, asparaginase, methotrexate etoposide, cytarabine). Total therapy was 48 weeks. Results Eighty-six children (male 56%, female 44%) with non-localized ALCL (CD30+) were treated. The majority of tumors were positive for ALK (90%) and of T lineage (83%). Extranodal disease was common (mediastinum 35%, skin 15%, lung 14%, bone 12%, bone marrow 13%, liver 6%, and other viscera 17%). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 82% of patients. The 5-year EFS was 68% (95% CI of 57–78%) and the 5-year OS was 80% (95% CI of 69–87%). There were 21 relapses and 4 toxic deaths as first events. Relapse occurred early with 17 (81%) relapses occurring within 2 years of diagnosis and 12 (57%) while receiving therapy. Univariate analysis for risk factors only identified bone marrow involvement predicting lower EFS (P = 0.03). Conclusions CCG-5941 demonstrated efficacy similar to previously reported regimens but with significant hematologic toxicity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:335–339. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapy in the United States: a SEER analysis

Purpose Two randomized trials published in 2001 provided level 1 evidence for the use of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CyNx) for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, the regulatory approval of vascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKI) in 2005 has left an “evidence void” regarding the use of CyNx. We evaluated the patterns in the use of CyNx in the cytokine and VEGFR-TKI eras, and the patient characteristics associated with the use of CyNx.
Structure-Function of Synthetic Membrane-Sealant Copolymers for Dystrophic Muscle

Muscle membrane vulnerability is a hallmark of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked neuromuscular disease that results in progressive skeletal muscle weakness and significant cardiomyopathy. We propose the use of membrane-sealant copolymers as an innovative and unique potential therapeutic for DMD. The tri-block copolymer family comprises molecules made of a hydrophobic polypropylene oxide (PPO) core flanked bilaterally by linear chains of hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO) chemical moieties. Block copolymers exist at various molecular weights and PPO/PEO ratios and it is currently not known what structural properties confer membrane sealing capacity to copolymers of this family. We and other groups have shown that one such sealant, poloxamer P188, protects dystrophic hearts in vitro and in vivo in both small and large animal models of DMD but its apparent efficacy is significantly reduced in skeletal muscle in vivo. This underscores the importance of discovering more potent membrane sealants to treat all striated muscles in DMD. We have initiated a collaborative structure-function approach by implementing and refining an in vitro membrane injuring osmotic and shear stress assay to analyze the membrane sealing functions of these tri-block copolymer family members on dystrophic skeletal muscle to systematically determine the effects of PPO/PEO ratio and molecular weight on membrane protection. We will present progress on copolymer structure-function understanding and discuss how these new data will shed light into the structural requisite for more efficacious and potent membrane sealants.
Education for Chinese and Indochinese

The histories of the Chinese and the Indochinese go back at least two to three millenia. Recorded history for the Chinese began in the Shang Dynasty (17661123 B.C.), while recorded history for the Indochinese nations dates back about 2000 years. Their histories in America have been very recent when compared to their civilizations. The Chinese first arrived here in significant numbers in the mid1800s, while large numbers of Indochinese arrived as refugees in 1975. In order to work effectively in education with any American ethnic group, it is essential to understand the group's history, culture, and experiences. Given time and space constraints, this article will be divided into two parts: Part I will focus on the historical and contemporary picture of the diverse groups of Chinese in America; Part II will focus on the history and cultural values/traits of the various Indochinese peoples in America. It is readily recognized that such a brief article will run the danger of overgeneralization, oversimplification, and stereotyping. However, it is hoped that this presentation will aid the educator in planning, implementing, and evaluating quality multicultural educational programs with these groups, while helping to maintain their ethnic identities.
Femtosecond Relaxation Dynamics of Core and Surface Localized Electronic States in Au24PdL18

Femtosecond transient grating spectroscopies probe the relaxation dynamics of the monolayer protected clusters Au24Pd(SCH2CH2Ph)18and Au25(SCH2CH2Ph)18 -. The signals reveal an ultrafast internal conversion process between excited states spatially localized to the core and semiring moieties.
Designing swinglock partial dentures

Abstract The basic design principles of swinglock removable partial dentures including (1) even stress distribution, (2) control of rotational forces, (3) absence of D-E hinges, (4) rests, and (5) placement of the labial retentive fingers have been discussed. Special instructions to swinglock removable partial denture patients and recommendations for maintenance of the swinglock removable partial denture have been emphasized.
Spontaneous potentials from explants of embryo chick pons (myelencephalon) in culture

Vorkommen und Form spontaner Potentialen aus Myencephalon-Explantaten (Nuclei-Region der Kranialnerven 5–7) 11 Tage alter Huhnchenembryonen in Gewebekultur werden beschrieben. Die Registrierung erfolgte wahrend mehr als 120 h.
Optimizing Pharmacists’ Effectiveness as Medication Therapy Managers Through a Segmentation Approach

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether older persons could be segmented into meaningful subgroups that shared similar patterns in terms of self-assessments of medication-related knowledge, beliefs, and perceived abilities. Design Secondary analysis of data previously collected from a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Setting United States. Participants A total of 500 community-dwelling older persons, 65years and older, using at least one prescription medication. Intervention Mail survey. Main Outcome Measures Older persons' self-assessments of medicationrelated knowledge, beliefs, and perceived abilities, as well as perceptions of pharmacist–patient relationships. Results The data set contained usable responses from 330 respondents out of 496 surveys presumably delivered (66.5%). Cluster analysis revealed three groups of older persons who showed differences in terms of medication-related beliefs and perceived abilities. Older persons in group 1 reported worse health, used the most prescription medications, sought the most advice from pharmacists, and had the lowest perceived abilities. Older persons in group 2 reported good health, took the fewest medications, sought pharmacists' advice least frequently, and had the lowest beliefs and high perceived abilities. Older persons in group 3 reported the best health, had the highest beliefs, high perceived abilities, and the highest perceptions of pharmacist participative behavior, patient-centeredness, relationship quality, and commitment. Conclusion Pharmacists can use a segmentation approach to target those older persons who are most in need of medication therapy management.
A programmable TV sync signal generator

The author describes an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM)-based TV sync generator design method which provides both flexibility and low cost. The basic idea of the design is to prestore all of the designed sync waveforms in an EPROM and then generate these waveforms by using conventional digital circuits. The generated sync signals' parameters can be programmed easily by using the different prestore codes. The sync signals are so complicated that the EPROM's capacity must be very large if all lines of the waveforms are stored. In order to reduce the required memory space, an iterate-line method is introduced by using the relationships among the sync signals. >
ESCRT-Independent Budding of HIV-1 Gag Virus-Like Particles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Spheroplasts

Heterologous expression of HIV-1 Gag in a variety of host cells results in its packaging into virus-like particles (VLPs) that are subsequently released into the extracellular milieu. This phenomenon represents a useful tool for probing cellular factors required for viral budding and has contributed to the discovery of roles for ubiquitin ligases and the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRTs) in viral budding. These factors are highly conserved throughout eukaryotes and have been studied extensively in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a model eukaryote previously utilized as a host for the production of VLPs. We used heterologous expression of HIV Gag in yeast spheroplasts to examine the role of ESCRTs and associated factors (Rsp5, a HECT ubiquitin ligase of the Nedd4 family; Bro1, a homolog of Alix; and Vps4, the AAA-ATPase required for ESCRT function in all contexts/organisms investigated) in the generation of VLPs. Our data reveal: 1) characterized Gag-ESCRT interaction motifs (late domains) are not required for VLP budding, 2) loss of function alleles of the essential HECT ubiquitin ligase Rsp5 do not display defects in VLP formation, and 3) ESCRT function is not required for VLP formation from spheroplasts. These results suggest that the egress of HIV Gag from yeast cells is distinct from the most commonly described mode of exit from mammalian cells, instead mimicking ESCRT-independent VLP formation observed in a subset of mammalian cells. As such, budding of Gag from yeast cells appears to represent ESCRT-independent budding relevant to viral replication in at least some situations. Thus the myriad of genetic and biochemical tools available in the yeast system may be of utility in the study of this aspect of viral budding.
Do negative stimulant-related attitudes vary for prescription stimulants and cocaine among college students?

Abstract Nonmedical prescription stimulant use (NPS) has become an increasing problem for college students across the United States. Many engage in NPS due to the belief that their academic functioning will improve — a belief that rarely extends to other illicit stimulants. Because positive attitudes toward substances potentially predict the maintenance of current and future use, the aim of the current study was to directly compare attitudes toward different stimulants of abuse (prescription stimulants and cocaine) to ascertain whether attitudes were generally more positive as a function of both drug and drug user type. Ninety-one participants completed a brief attitudinal index assessing attitudes for both prescription stimulants and cocaine. Participants held stronger positive attitudes toward prescription stimulants than cocaine on a variety of items. NPS users reported more positive attitudes toward prescription stimulants than both nonusers and cocaine users. Nonusers reported more negative cocaine-related attitudes than cocaine users and polydrug users (users of both prescription stimulants and cocaine). Intervention programs may benefit from highlighting the negative consequences of NPS, particularly by way of comparisons to cocaine. Doing so may heighten awareness on the overlap of adverse outcomes resulting from use between these stimulants.
Craziness and criminal responsibility

This article addresses why mental disorder is relevant to criminal responsibility. It begins by considering the meaning of criminal responsibility because it is impossible to understand the relevance of mental disorder unless one understands responsibility clearly. The next section provides a theoretical account of responsibility and excuse in general and addresses common misconceptions about these topics. The third section examines in detail why mental disorder can sometimes produce either a complete or partial excusing condition, such as legal insanity or "partial responsibility," and whether the U.S. Constitution requires the provision of an excuse based on mental disorder. The section proposes that mental disorder should produce an excusing condition in appropriate cases. The next section considers the relation of mental disorder to mens rea, the mental state "element" that is a definitional criterion of most crimes, and whether the U.S. Constitution requires that defendants be permitted to use evidence of mental disorder to negate mental state elements of the crime charged. This section argues that mental disorder rarely negates mens rea, but in those cases in which a plausible claim for negation could be made, defendants should be allowed to make this claim.
Nonlinear cross-phase modulation microscopy using spectral shifting

Nonlinear phase contrast may be acquired by measuring spectral shifting of an ultrafast pulse due to cross phase modulation. This technique is used to obtain structural details in a pigmented cell from a melanoma biopsy.
First DNA Synthesis around Sterile and Crown Gall‐Inoculated Wounds in Vicia faba

DNA synthesis was measured during a 30 hour period in stem segments containing a wound — either sterile or inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens— and in control stems of Vicia faba. An identical series of experiments was conducted both on upper, still growing internodes and on lower, mature ones. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine was determined from extracted DNA with a liquid scintillation spectrometer. The results from the two internodes were fairly similar. DNA synthesis was not significantly different in the two types of wounds. It rose above control level at about 10 hours after wounding and reached its peak at about 19 hours. Roughly, this pattern of DNA synthesis seems to correspond to the minimum conditioning and transformation time as found in other plants. However, the decisive factor need not be DNA synthesis, but could be some other process coinciding with it.
Membrane potential transients and membrane time constant of motoneurons.

Abstract This paper is concerned with the interpretation of passive membrane potential transients produced in a neuron when intracellular microelectrodes are used to apply current across the soma membrane. It is also concerned with the specific problem of estimating the nerve membrane time constant from experimental transients in neurons having extensive dendritic trees. When this theory is applied to the most recent results published for cat motoneurons, the resulting membrane time constant estimates are significantly larger than the values estimated by Eccles and collaborators. The time course of soma membrane potential is solved for a variety of applied currents: current step, brief pulse of current, sinusoidal current, voltage clamping current, and a current of arbitrary time course. The sinusoidal case provides a theoretical basis for a purely electrophysiological method of estimating the fundamental ratio between combined dendritic input conductance and soma membrane conductance. Also included is the time course of passive decay to be expected to follow various somadendritic distributions of membrane depolarization or hyperpolarization. The discussion includes an assessment of the observations, hypotheses, and interpretations that have recently complicated our understanding of synaptic potentials in cat motoneurons. It appears that electrotonic spread between the dendrites and soma can account for the observations which led Eccles and collaborators to postulate a prolonged residual phase of synaptic current in cat motoneurons.
Automatic generation and fabrication of designs

A framework for the generation and fabrication of architectural massing designs is presented. The framework consists of a computer program, which generates designs based on shape grammars, and rapid prototyping technologies that produce physical models of generated designs. The goal is to illustrate how geometrically complex designs, difficult to produce by hand, can be generated based on a few basic shapes and rules. The software developed uses Java, Open Inventor and cutting-edge 3D graphics technology. The extension of the proposed framework to one using the World Wide Web is briefly discussed.
Binding of an SV40 T antigen-related protein to the DNA of SV40 regulatory mutants

When simian virus 40 (SV40) infects host cells, the viral genes are expressed in two phases. Early in infection, the virus genome is transcribed and translated to yield two related proteins, ‘large T’ and ‘small t’ antigens. Later the rate of synthesis of the early messenger RNA falls and the viral genes coding for the coat proteins are transcribed and translated. Early gene transcription is inhibited only when an active large T antigen is present in the cell (for review see ref. 1). These and other observations have led to the hypothesis that T antigen acts as a negative feedback repressor of its own RNA transcript2–4. The properties of SV40 tsA mutants, which produce temperature-sensitive T antigen, provide evidence for another role of T antigen—in the initiation of viral DNA replication5. Mutations around the origin of DNA replication in SV40 lead to a cis-acting defect in DNA replication6,7. These mutations fall outside the region of the A gene which codes for T antigen but within the region known to bind T antigen8 and the closely related and more easily prepared D2T protein9,10 which is synthesized by an adeno–SV40 hybrid virus Ad2D2 and seems to differ from SV40 T antigen only in its amino-terminal segment11. Revertants of origin-defective mutants have been isolated with second site mutations within the DNA A gene coding sequence12. These data support the view that T antigen modulates transcription and replication of SV40 DNA by binding to one or more sites in and around the viral origin of replication. We present here evidence to show that mutants of SV40 carrying constructed mutations in the regulatory region13 show reduced binding of D2T protein in vitro. This is the first demonstration in a eukaryote that a mutation in a regulatory DNA sequence alters the binding of a controlling protein in vitro.
Defeated Athletes, Abusive Mates? Examining Perceptions of Professional Athletes Who Batter

Judgments about athletes and nonathletes who batter were systematically analyzed in a multivariate design. Participants read scenarios about athletes who batter in which the severity of the assault, the type of sport played, the racial status of the athlete, and the relationship of the victim to the athlete were systematically varied. Judgments about males who commit similar assaults but who are not professional athletes were also obtained. Results revealed that males and females differed in blame attributions, and judgments about athletic and nonathletic batterers became increasingly similar as the victim's harm increased. Findings are discussed in terms of participants' perceptions about the role of drugs, alcohol, and the race of the athlete in determining blame attributions and penalty proscriptions.
Tissue culture of endod (Phytolacca dodecandra L'Herit): growth and production of ribosome-inactivating proteins.

Leaves and stems from endod (Phytolacca dodecandra L'Herit), known to produce the 29 kDa ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) dodecandrin, were initiated into tissue culture. Callus and suspension cultures were maintained on modified Murashige and Skoog medium plus 1.0 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Six callus and two suspension cell lines were screened for dodecandrin production by western blots with affinitypurified antiserum. Antiribosomal activity of culture extracts was tested by in vitro translation assays. One suspension cell line was found to be free of immunoreactive proteins and a ribosome inhibitor. All other cell lines contain a ribosome inhibitor, although only two callus cell lines show detectable amounts of immunoreactive proteins at the same Mr as dodecandrin. Other immuno-reactive proteins were detected in callus (Mr 31000, 33000, 41000 and 43000) and in suspension cells (Mr 23000 and ∼43000), and may be ribosome inhibitors related to dodecandrin—either other RIPs or dodecandrin at various stages of processing.
64 Predictors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among office and school workers

PURPOSE: The aim of this analysis was to identify predictors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in office and school workers, a subset of the population generally assumed to have a low prevalence of COPD and limited exposure to chemicals and dusts at work. METHODS: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data on 2486 US office workers were analyzed, using SUDAAN to estimate population prevalence of COPD. COPD was defined as FEV1/FVC<70% and FEV1<80% predicted. Based on the literature, risk factors evaluated for airflow obstruction included age, race, sex, body size, education, poverty/income ratio, smoking, alcohol, serum antioxidants, dietary fats, coffee, energy use during exercise, and employment duration. Logistic regression was used to develop a multivariate model to estimate risk of COPD. RESULTS: The population prevalence of COPD among US office and school workers was estimated at 4.7% compared with 8.1% in other US workers. As expected, current smoking was a strong predictor of COPD. After adjusting for age, race, sex, and current smoking, workers with COPD had significantly (p < 0.02) greater mean duration of employment, pack years, alcohol intake, body mass index (BMI), coffee consumption, and dietary fat and cholesterol. Workers with COPD had lower mean serum selenium and energy use during exercise. In multivariate modeling, employment duration, cigarette smoking, age, race, alcohol, use of propane fuel at home, serum antioxidant (selenium), BMI, and exercise were found to explain COPD risk. Compared to other sources of home heat, propane fuel was associated with a 4.2-fold risk of COPD (95% CI 1.2–15.1). Duration of employment as an office or school worker for more than 10 years (vs. < 10 years) was associated with a 1.8-fold (95% CI 1.0–3.3) excess risk of COPD. CONCLUSION: Multivariate modeling revealed several risk factors for COPD amenable to modification, including smoking, alcohol, and propane fuel. Selenium and exercise were found to be protective. The predictive model developed in multivariate logistic regression analysis suggests that, after controlling for other risk factors, working as an office or school worker for 45 years is associated with a 2.4-fold excess risk of COPD.
Temporal patterns of gene expression in developing maize endosperm identified through transcriptome sequencing

Endosperm is a filial structure resulting from a second fertilization event in angiosperms. As an absorptive storage organ, endosperm plays an essential role in support of embryo development and seedling germination. The accumulation of carbohydrate and protein storage products in cereal endosperm provides humanity with a major portion of its food, feed, and renewable resources. Little is known regarding the regulatory gene networks controlling endosperm proliferation and differentiation. As a first step toward understanding these networks, we profiled all mRNAs in the maize kernel and endosperm at eight successive stages during the first 12 d after pollination. Analysis of these gene sets identified temporal programs of gene expression, including hundreds of transcription-factor genes. We found a close correlation of the sequentially expressed gene sets with distinct cellular and metabolic programs in distinct compartments of the developing endosperm. The results constitute a preliminary atlas of spatiotemporal patterns of endosperm gene expression in support of future efforts for understanding the underlying mechanisms that control seed yield and quality.
Effects of medio-cortical frontal lesions on DRL performance in the rat

Damage to medial frontal cortex impaired the performance of rats during DRL 20 acquisition. This deficit was diminished when a feedback stimulus signaled the termination of the required delay. CRF response rates were not affected by frontal damage. It is noted that previous investigations have demonstrated DRL deficits following frontal damage in cat and monkey, but not in rat when frontal-polar cortex is removed. Our results, therefore, support the view that medial frontal cortex, rather than frontal-polar cortex, is the rat homologue to frontal association cortex of more advanced species. The relationship between fronto-limbic connections and response regulation is discussed.
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE OF THE PHOTOISOMERIZATION OF CIS-1-(2-ANTHRYL)-2-PHENYLETHENE. CONFORMER-SPECIFICITY, TORSIONAL ENERGETICS AND MECHANISM

Emission from cis-1-(2-anthryl)-2-phenylethene, c-APE*, in toluene is resolved into 1t-APEB* and 1c-APE* components at temperatures ranging between 4.3 and 59.3 °C. Decomposition of effective fluorescence quantum yields, φfc, into pure component fluorescence quantum yields, φft-B and φfc, shows that φft-B increases 24% with increasing temperature while φfc decreases more than 3-fold over this temperature range. On the basis of the fraction of molecules that escape the 1c-APE* potential energy minimum, 1 − φfc, the efficiency of adiabatic formation of 1t-APEB* remains remarkably temperature independent at 50.5 ± 0.7%. These results, together with photoisomerization quantum yields as a function of [c-APE] in degassed and air-saturated toluene, reveal a detailed photoisomerization mechanism. At infinite dilution and in the absence of molecular oxygen, photoisomerization of c-APE occurs predominantly via the adiabatic, conformer-specific 1c-APEB* → 1t-APEB* pathway. This torsional motion experiences a 4.44 ± ...