cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of neurotransmitter release.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the mechanism of neurotransmitter release. The primary form of intercellular communication within the nervous system is mediated by chemical transmission at synapses. Upon propagation of an action potential into the nerve terminal, there is an influx of Ca2+ through voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, which triggers the fusion of docked synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. Neurotransmitters are then released into the synaptic cleft and subsequently they bind to postsynaptic receptors. It has become evident that the molecular mechanisms of constitutive and regulated secretion are functionally and phylogenetically conserved. The identification of proteins altered by yeast secretory mutations revealed that many of these proteins have homologs present at synapses. These results suggest that neurotransmitter release shares many components with general cellular secretory processes such as vesicular trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus and from the Golgi to the plasma membrane. Biochemical experiments suggest a general mechanism of vesicle trafficking in which membrane proteins on the transport vesicle interact directly with proteins on the target membrane. These protein–protein interactions presumably ensure correct targeting of the vesicle to the fusion site and provide binding sites for cytosolic proteins that participate in membrane fusion. By integrating genetic, electrophysiological, and biochemical approaches, the processes underlying neurotransmitter release in vivo should be unraveled. It is clear that Drosophila biologists play an important role in the genetic dissection of neurotransmitter release.
Contending for the Cross: Black Theology and the Ghosts of Modernity

This article raises the question of what in the context of its practice in the United States lends the central symbol of the Christian faith for use by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. This essay explores the ways that Black theology has exposed these "conditions of use," and been a ground for the reconstruction of the faith in the face of this demonic idolatry.
Crystal structure of Marburg virus VP24

The VP24 protein plays an essential, albeit poorly understood role in the filovirus life cycle. VP24 is only 30% identical between Marburg virus and the ebolaviruses. Furthermore, VP24 from the ebolaviruses is immunosuppressive, while that of Marburg virus is not. The crystal structure of Marburg virus VP24, presented here, reveals that although the core is similar between the viral genera, Marburg VP24 is distinguished by a projecting β-shelf and an alternate conformation of the N-terminal polypeptide.
Nitrogen limitation of phytoplankton in a shallow embayment in northern Puget Sound

The effect of nutrient enrichments on natural phytoplankton assemblages was examined in six experiments conducted from June to October 1992. Short-term (4 d to 7 d) nutrient enrichment bioassays were incubated in situ in Padilla Bay, a slough-fed estuary in northern Puget Sound, Washington. Ammonium additions (15 μM) significantly (p<0.001) stimulated phytoplankton biomass accumulation during all six experiments. In two experiments, nitrate additions (15 μM) significantly stimulated accumulation of phytoplankton biomass during October, but not September. Addition of phosphate (1.0 μM) or silicate (15 μM) alone did not stimulate phytoplankton biomass accumulation during any of the experiments. In most experiments, phytoplankton response was greatest in combination treatments of ammonium and phosphate. Dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations in the containers decreased during all incubations, but showed the greatest reduction in treatments receiving nitrogen. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) to phosphate (PO4 3−) ratios were below 16∶1 during all experiments, suggesting the potential for nitrogen limitation. In three experiments, the response of photosynthetic nanoplankton (<20 μm) to ammonium additions was compared to that of the total phytoplankton assemblages. Accumulation of nanoplankton biomass exceeded that of the total phytoplankton during two experiments in August but showed no significant response to ammonium additions in October. Results from the bioassays, the low DIN∶PO4 3− ratios, and the reduction in nutrient concentrations in the containers provide evidence for potential nitrogen limitation of phytoplankton production during summer in Padilla Bay.
Comparative politics and environmental taxation

Abstract In this paper, we take a step towards understanding the role of democratic institutions on the level of pollution taxation. Persson et al. (J. Polit. Economy 108 (2000) 1121) argue that presidential–congressional regimes set lower taxes than parliamentary regimes. This conclusion results from the checks and balances built into the former, and the higher degree of legislative cohesion in the latter. We test this prediction on gasoline and diesel prices using the method of propensity score matching along with data from 86 democratic countries. The empirical evidence is consonant with the theory: we find that ceteris paribus the average price of super gasoline is $0.14–$0.20 less per liter in presidential–congressional systems; the average price of diesel gasoline is $0.11–$0.14 less per liter.
Diorganotin halide carboxylates, thiocarboxylates and halide haloacetates

Abstract Twenty-eight diorganotin halide acetates, thioacetates, haloacetates and carboxylates, eighteen not previously reported, have been synthesized by the reaction between the diorganotin oxides and acid halides, and by transacyloxylation reactions between diorganotin halide acetates and carboxylic acids. Infrared in the 2000—200 cm-1 range, proton and carbon-13 NMR and tin-119m Mossbauer data are interpreted in terms of acetoxy-bridged, trigonal bipyramidal tin in the solid phase with depolymerization occurring in solution where a dynamic equilibrium between diorganotin dihalide and dicarboxylate species is rapidly established. A new infrared absorption also appears at 100–125 cm-1 to higher frequency of the vasym(CO2) which disappears on heating. A dimeric structure based upon four-membered Sn2O2 or Sn2OX rings in which carboxylate group oxygen atoms bridge tin atoms of a second molecule leaving the CO group free is proposed. The halide thioacetates are associated in the solid state but are monomeric in solution.
Benefit-Cost Analysis of Infrastructure Improvement for Derailment Prevention

U.S. railroad accident rates have declined substantially since the 1980s; however, further improvement in train safety remains an important objective of the railroad industry. In this paper, we describe a framework developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of railroad infrastructure improvement to reduce railroad train accidents. Higher FRA track classes have been shown to be statistically correlated with lower accident rates, thereby indicating potential safety benefits. However, such infrastructure improvement also increases both capital and operating costs for track maintenance. We use accident data from the U.S. DOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) accident database and cost data from several recent U.S. railroad infrastructure maintenance projects presented in an FRA report to quantitatively evaluate the safety benefits and costs associated with infrastructure improvement decisions. Our model is intended to consider the trade-off between reduced accident rates and increased costs in evaluating railroad risk reduction strategies and operational decisions. The benefit-cost analysis framework is illustrated by considering the upgrade of track class 3 to class 4 in a hypothetical case study.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Dopamine D2 receptor-induced heterologous sensitization of adenylyl cyclase requires Gαs: Characterization of Gαs-insensitive mutants of adenylyl cyclase V

Whereas acute stimulation of Galphai/o-coupled receptors inhibits the activity of adenylyl cyclase, a delayed consequence of persistent activation of the receptors is heterologous sensitization, an enhanced responsiveness of adenylyl cyclase to activators such as forskolin or agonists of Galphas-coupled receptors. Galphas-insensitive mutants of adenylyl cyclase type V were used to test the hypothesis that heterologous sensitization requires Galphas-dependent activation of adenylyl cyclase. When adenylyl cyclase was stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells with the D2L dopamine receptor, basal, forskolin-stimulated, and isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation were all enhanced by 2-h pretreatment with the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole. Transient expression of wild-type adenylyl cyclase and three Galphas-insensitive mutants (F379L, R1021Q, and F1093S) in HEK293 cells stably expressing the D2L receptor demonstrated that all three mutants had little or no responsiveness to beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated activation of Galphas but that the mutants retained sensitivity to forskolin and to D2L receptor-mediated inhibition. Transiently expressed adenylyl cyclase V was robustly sensitized by 2-h pretreatment with quinpirole. In contrast, the Galphas-insensitive mutants displayed no sensitization of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation, indicating that responsiveness to Galphas is required for the expression of heterologous sensitization.
Functional Subsets of the VirB Type IV Transport Complex Proteins Involved in the Capacity of Agrobacterium tumefaciens To Serve as a Recipient in virB-Mediated Conjugal Transfer of Plasmid RSF1010

The virB-encoded type IV transport complex of Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediates the transfer of DNA and proteins into plant cells, as well as the conjugal transfer of IncQ plasmids, such as RSF1010, between Agrobacterium strains. While several studies have indicated that there are physical interactions among the 11 VirB proteins, the functional significance of the interactions has been difficult to establish since all of the proteins are required for substrate transfer. Our previous studies, however, indicated that although all of the VirB proteins are required for the capacity of a strain to serve as an RSF1010 donor, only a subset of these proteins in the recipient is necessary to increase the conjugal frequency by 3 to 4 logs. The roles of particular groups of VirB proteins in this increased recipient activity were examined in the study reported here. Examination of the expression of subgroups of virB genes revealed that translation of virB6 is necessary for expression of downstream open reading frames. Expression of limited subsets of the VirB proteins in a recipient strain lacking the Ti plasmid revealed that the VirB7 to VirB10 proteins yield a subcomplex that is functional in the recipient assay but that the VirB1 to VirB4 proteins, as a group, dramatically increase this activity in strains expressing VirB7 to VirB10. Finally, the membrane distribution and cross-linking patterns of VirB10, but not of VirB8 or VirB9, in a strain expressing only VirB7 to VirB10 are significantly altered compared to the patterns of the wild type. These characteristics are, however, restored to the wild-type status by coexpression of VirB1 to VirB3. Taken together, these results define subsets of type IV transport complex proteins that are critical in allowing a strain to participate as a recipient in virB-mediated conjugal RSF1010 transfer.
Evaluating the intersection of a regional wildlife connectivity network with highways

Reliable predictions of regional-scale population connectivity are needed to prioritize conservation actions. However, there have been few examples of regional connectivity models that are empirically derived and validated. The central goals of this paper were to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of factorial least cost path corridor mapping on an empirical resistance surface in reflecting the frequency of highway crossings by American black bear, (2) predict the location and predicted intensity of use of movement corridors for American black bear, and (3) identify where these corridors cross major highways and rank the intensity of these crossings. We used factorial least cost path modeling coupled with resistant kernel analysis to predict a network of movement corridors across a 30.2 million hectare analysis area in Montana and Idaho, USA. Factorial least cost path corridor mapping was associated with the locations of actual bear highway crossings. We identified corridor-highway intersections and ranked these based on corridor strength. We found that a major wildlife crossing overpass structure was located close to one of the most intense predicted corridors, and that the vast majority of the predicted corridor network was “protected” under federal management. However, narrow, linear corridors connecting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to the rest of the analysis area had limited protection by federal ownership, making these additionally vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation. Factorial least cost path modeling coupled with resistant kernel analysis provides detailed, synoptic information about connectivity across populations that vary in distribution and density in complex landscapes. Specifically, our results could be used to quantify the structure of the connectivity network, identify critical linkage nodes and core areas, map potential barriers and fracture zones, and prioritize locations for mitigation, restoration and conservation actions.
Neoplastic diseases of commercially important marine bivalves

This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the two primary proliferative diseases of commercially important marine bivalves. Disseminated neoplasia is characterized by the presence of large (2−4 times the diameter of normal hemocytes), anaplastic, circulating cells that have a hyperchromatic and often pleomorphic nucleus containing one or more prominent nucleoli. Prevalence exceeding 90% has been reported; the disease is pro- gressive and can result in significant mortality of affected populations. Softshell clams, Mya arenaria, and mussels, Mytilus trossulus, from the east and west coasts of North America, respectively, and cockles, Cerastoderma edule, from Ireland, appear to be especially susceptible. Disseminated neoplasia can be transmitted to uninfected individuals, indi- cating an infectious (perhaps viral) etiology, the expression of which may be aggravated by environmental degradation. Gonadal neoplasia consists of small, basophilic, undifferentiated cells that originate as small foci in gonadal follicles where they proliferate and eventually invade surrounding tissues. This disease primarily affects M. arenaria in Maine (USA) and Mercenaria spp. in Florida (USA) at prevalences up to 50%. Most affected individuals are female. Limited field studies to date indicate that the disease progresses slowly and mortality rates are low. The major impact is most likely a reduction in reproductive effort. The finding that prevalence of gonadal neoplasia is higher in hybrid Mercenaria spp. suggests a genetic etiology. Precise determination of the etiology and other aspects of both diseases will benefit greatly from future advances in cellular and molecular biological techniques.
Gravitational and magnetic field variations

The GRM Science Conference on regional and global variations in the gravitational and magnetic fields of the earth was held October 29- 31 , 1984 at the University of Maryland, College Park, under the sponsorship of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and AGU. The title of the conference (“GRM”) is derived from the Geopotential Research Mission, a satellite system proposed to determine variations in the gravitational and magnetic fields to a resolution of about 100 km.
Boredom Proneness, Social Connectedness, and Sexual Addiction Among Men Who Have Sex With Male Internet Users

The authors collected surveys from 517 men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited from Internet chat rooms to examine the relationships among boredom, social connectedness, and sexual addiction. The results provide addictions professionals psychosocial factors to assess when working with sexually addicted MSM.
Towards Co-Design of Business Processes and Information Systems Using Web Services

A variety of forces are constantly transforming enterprises, thus, requiring them to constantly adapt to changing business environment. This emergent state requires enterprises to dynamically adjust both business processes and information systems as the environment shifts. Co-design of business processes and information systems seems to provide a reasonable approach to meeting this need. This paper develops requirements for such an approach and assesses the applicability of Web services against those requirements. Assessment suggests that, although Web services facilitate co-design, they do not provide a comprehensive solution. Possible means to augment Web services technologies to support missing requirements are provided
European Integration, Public Opinion and Immigration Policy: Testing the Impact of National Identity

This article empirically investigates the effect of national identity on public opinion towards European Union (EU) control over immigration policy. The EU has recently gained some control over immigration policy, but has faced strong opposition from reluctant national politicians. This study argues that public opinion is an important factor in explaining such reluctance. I propose a hypothesis of national identity to explain public opinion, positing that those who identify with their nation-states (vis-a-vis Europe) are less likely to support EU control over immigration policy than are those who identify with ‘Europe’. Using logistic regression, this factor is shown to be stronger than support for European integration, opinions about immigrants themselves, and other variables such as economic calculation, political ideology, age and gender.
Brain Circuits for the Internal Monitoring of Movements

Each movement we make activates our own sensory receptors, thus causing a problem for the brain: the spurious, movement-related sensations must be discriminated from the sensory inputs that really matter, those representing our environment. Here we consider circuits for solving this problem in the primate brain. Such circuits convey a copy of each motor command, known as a corollary discharge (CD), to brain regions that use sensory input. In the visual system, CD signals may help to produce a stable visual percept from the jumpy images resulting from our rapid eye movements. A candidate pathway for providing CD for vision ascends from the superior colliculus to the frontal cortex in the primate brain. This circuit conveys warning signals about impending eye movements that are used for planning subsequent movements and analyzing the visual world. Identifying this circuit has provided a model for studying CD in other primate sensory systems and may lead to a better understanding of motor and mental disorders.
Programmable BiCMOS transconductor for capacitor-transconductor filters

A simple linear programmable BiCMOS transconductor is introduced. It mainly consists of an inverting amplifier with an emitter degeneration. The driver transistor is bipolar and the equivalent resistor is an MOS transistor operating in the linear region. This transconductor can be employed in high frequency continuous-time current-mode filters. Simulated and experimental results of filters show the validity of the proposed transconductor. >
LEVELS OF PROCESSING EFFECTS ON THE IMMEDIATE AND DELAYED RECALL OF PROSE

Levels of processing is an explanatory framework which postulates that differences in memorial processing quality and/or effort affect the duration of the memory trace. Using recall (immediate, one week, two week) for connected discourse processed under three semantic and three orthographic interference condi- tions as well as a "normal" control, hypotheses of superior delayed recall for seman- tic processing conditions and "reversals" from immediate to delayed recall were tested. Results were consistent with a semantic elaboration notion, but the reversals suggested by the other studies (e. g., Pellegrino, Siegel & Dhawan) were not found to be statistically reliable. Alternative hypotheses are considered.
Feasibility of delivering grid therapy using a multileaf collimator.

The feasibility of using a multileaf collimator(MLC) for grid therapy is demonstrated in this study. Grids with the projected field openings of 10 mm × 10 mm and 5 mm × 5 mm were created using multiple MLC-shaped fields. The deposited doses were measured with films at different depths in a solid water phantom and compared to those of Cerrobend grid collimators of similar hole sizes and hole separations. At the depth of maximum dose ( d max ) , the valley-to-peak dose ratios of the MLC grids were found to be about 11% and 19% for the respective 10 mm × 10 mm and 5 mm × 5 mm grid openings, and those of the corresponding grid blocks were about 15% and 20%. To quantify the dose contributed by transmission in the blocked areas due to the limited leaf thickness, Monte Carlo simulations (based on convolution/superposition method) were performed to calculate the doses in the solid water phantom using an ideal MLC with no leakage and perfect divergence in both the leaf end and side. About 7% reduction in the valley-to-peak dose ratio was found for both grid sizes at d max . The results clearly showed that MLCs can be used to provide grid treatments with at least as good dosimetric properties as those of the Cerrobend grid blocks, though the former would in general require a longer delivery time.
Progressive supranuclear palsy: A survey of the disease course

Background The most accurate knowledge about progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) comes from small sample studies that preclude precise estimation of the proportion of PSP patients affected with various symptoms and the examination of factors predicting survival time. Objectiue To describe the course of PSP in a large clinically diagnosed sample of PSP patients and to identify factors predicting survival time. Methods We surveyed the caregivers of 318 living and 119 deceased patients with progressive supranuclear palsy. The main outcome measures were a principal symptom severity questionnaire and a signs and symptoms questionnaire. Results The estimated age of PSP symptom onset depends critically on how symptom onset is defined, with estimates differing by as much as 1.5 years. Men and women were represented equally (51.6% versus 48.4%) in the living sample, but men formed 61.8% of the deceased sample. Men were diagnosed later than women following symptom onset (33.4 versus 24.1 months) and died earlier following the diagnosis (37.0 versus 47.6 months). Motor and visual symptoms appeared first, followed by emotional and personality problems, cognitive impairment, and sleep changes. Whereas motor symptoms eventually affected almost every patient, emotionallpersonality and cognitive symptoms did not. The early onset, presence of falls, slowness, and inability to move eyes downward early in the development of the disease predicted survival time. Conclusion PSP is a rapidly progressive disease dominated by motor symptoms, and it affects men more frequently than women.
EFFECT OF ELEVATION ON DISTRIBUTION OF FEMALE BATS IN THE BLACK HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA

Presumably, reproductive female bats are more constrained by thermoregulatory and energy needs than are males and nonreproductive females. Constraints imposed on reproductive females may limit their geographic distribution relative to other bats. Such constraints likely increase with latitude and elevation. Males of 11 bat species that inhabit the Black Hills were captured more frequently than females, and reproductive females typically were encountered at low-elevational sites. To investigate the relationship between female distribution and elevation, we fitted a logistic regression model to evaluate the probability of reproductive-female capture as a function of elevation. Mist-net data from 1,197 captures of 7 species revealed that 75% of all captures were males. We found a significant inverse relationship between elevation and relative abundance of reproductive females. Relative abundance of reproductive females decreased as elevation increased. Reproductive females may be constrained from roosting and foraging in high-elevational habitats that impose thermoregulatory costs and decrease foraging efficiency. Failure to account for sex differences in distributional patterns along elevational gradients may significantly bias estimates of population size.
GLP-1 mimetic drugs and the risk of exocrine pancreatic disease: Cell and animal studies

Abstract Background Glucagon Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) mimetic drugs or degradation inhibitors mimic the action of native GLP-1 as a incretin hormone and have become a common second line of therapy for Type 2 diabetes. However, an important clinical issue is whether these drugs increase the incidence of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Objective This paper reviews the physiology of GLP-1 including its synthesis, secretion and action of the peptide. Reported effects of the mimetic drugs on the exocrine pancreas in animal studies are also reviewed. Results GLP-1 is synthesized in a specific class of enteroendocrine cell, the L-cell, by post-translational processing of proglucagon. It is released in response to the presence of nutrients in the small intestine and stimulates vagal afferent nerve endings as well as entering the blood where it is rapidly degraded by dipeptidyl peptidase IV. Its actions are mediated by specific G-protein coupled receptors. The major target tissues are the pancreatic islet beta cells, the brain and the heart but GLP-1 also affects gastrointestinal motility and secretion including the exocrine pancreas where its major systemic action is to inhibit secretion. In some animal, as well as human studies, the GLP-1 mimetic drugs are associated with pancreatitis or precursor lessions to pancreatic cancer but a mechanism is not clear. The most common occurrence of pathology in rodents is when the drugs are combined with a high fat diet. Conclusions There is nothing in the physiology of GLP-1 or animal toxicology studies to support a mechanism of action or a major concern about the action of GLP-1 mimetic drugs on the exocrine pancreas. Further studies are warranted using animal models of disease and high fat diets.
The Ultrastructure and Synaptic Connections of Serotonin-Immunoreactive Terminals in Spinal Laminae I and II

In order to study the synaptic relationships of serotonin (5-HT)-containing axons, boutons in laminae I and II of the cat spinal cord were labeled for serotonin with peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemistry. Labeled boutons were examined with the light microscope and recut into serial ultrathin sections for examination with the electron microscope. Labeled axons exhibiting boutons were sagittally oriented, and were most numerous in lamina I and outer lamina II (Ho) and least numerous in inner lamina II (Hi). Two types of labeled boutons were observed ultrastructurally. A relatively rare, large, scalloped or egg-shaped bouton, which contained many mitochondria and dense core vesicles, was found in laminae I and IIo. A smaller dome-shaped bouton, which contained fewer dense core vesicles and round or pleomorphic, clear vesicles, was found throughout laminae I and II. Both types commonly established symmetrical synaptic contacts with the distal portion of a dendritic tree, rarely with proximal portions ...
The Future of P2P

The highlight of the summer season, at least for some law teachers, is the end of the U.S. Supreme Court term in late June. This year was particularly entertaining with the speculation about retirements from the court. But of greater substantive interest were the decisions the court releases at the end of the session, often the most compelling decisions of the year. This year was no exception as the Court’s decision in MGM v. Grokster, one of the most significant decisions to impact copyright law and the information industry, was released on the final day of the session.The Grokster case is the latest effort by major media copyright holders to address the problem of illegal downloading of copyrighted materials through peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks. Earlier lawsuits had shut down the original Napster file-sharing network in 2002.
Feasibility of using the computed tomography dose indices to estimate radiation dose to partially and fully irradiated brains in pediatric neuroradiology examinations

The purpose of this study was two-fold: (a) to measure the dose to the brain using clinical protocols at our institution, and (b) to develop a scanner-independent dosimetry method to estimate brain dose. Radiation dose was measured with a pediatric anthropomorphic phantom and MOSFET detectors. Six current neuroradiology protocols were used: brain, sinuses, facial bones, orbits, temporal bones, and craniofacial areas. Two different CT vendor scanners (scanner A and B) were used. Partial volume correction factors (PVCFs) were determined for the brain to account for differences between point doses measured by the MOSFETs and average organ dose. The CTDIvol and DLP for each protocol were recorded. The dose to the brain (mGy) for scanners A and B was 10.7 and 10.0 for the brain protocol, 7.8 and 3.2 for the sinus, 10.2 and 8.6 for the facial bones, 7.4 and 4.7 for the orbits and 1.6 and 1.9 for the temporal bones, respectively. On scanner A, the craniofacial protocol included a standard and high dose option; the dose measured for these exams was 3.9 and 16.9 mGy, respectively. There was only one craniofacial protocol on scanner B; the brain dose measured on this exam was 4.8 mGy. A linear correlation was found between DLP and brain dose with the conversion factors: 0.049 (R(2) = 0.87), 0.046 (R(2) = 0.89) for scanner A and B, and 0.048 (R(2) = 0.89) for both scanners. The range of dose observed was between 1.8 and 16.9 mGy per scan. This suggests that brain dose estimates may be made from DLP.
The Crystal Structure of the Ubiquitin-like Domain of Ribosome Assembly Factor Ytm1 and Characterization of Its Interaction with the AAA-ATPase Midasin.

The synthesis of eukaryotic ribosomes is a complex, energetically demanding process requiring the aid of numerous non-ribosomal factors, such as the PeBoW complex. The mammalian PeBoW complex, composed of Pes1, Bop1, and WDR12, is essential for the processing of the 32S preribosomal RNA. Previous work in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has shown that release of the homologous proteins in this complex (Nop7, Erb1, and Ytm1, respectively) from preribosomal particles requires Rea1 (midasin or MDN1 in humans), a large dynein-like protein. Midasin contains a C-terminal metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) domain that interacts with the N-terminal ubiquitin-like (UBL) domain of Ytm1/WDR12 as well as the UBL domain of Rsa4/Nle1 in a later step in the ribosome maturation pathway. Here we present the crystal structure of the UBL domain of the WDR12 homologue from S. cerevisiae at 1.7 A resolution and demonstrate that human midasin binds to WDR12 as well as Nle1 through their respective UBL domains. Midasin contains a well conserved extension region upstream of the MIDAS domain required for binding WDR12 and Nle1, and the interaction is dependent upon metal ion coordination because removal of the metal or mutation of residues that coordinate the metal ion diminishes the interaction. Mammalian WDR12 displays prominent nucleolar localization that is dependent upon active ribosomal RNA transcription. Based upon these results, we propose that release of the PeBoW complex and subsequent release of Nle1 by midasin is a well conserved step in the ribosome maturation pathway in both yeast and mammalian cells.
Probing the uniaxial strains in MoS 2 using polarized Raman spectroscopy: A first-principles study

Characterization of strain in two-dimensional (2D) crystals is important for understanding their properties and performance. Using first-principles calculations, we study the effects of uniaxial strain on the Raman-active modes in monolayer ${\text{MoS}}_{2}$. We show that the in-plane ${E}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mode at 384 ${\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and the out-of-plane ${A}_{1}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mode at 403 ${\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ can serve as fingerprints for the uniaxial strain in this 2D material. Specifically, under a uniaxial strain, the doubly degenerate ${E}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mode splits into two nondegenerate modes: one is the ${E}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mode in which atoms vibrate in parallel to the strain direction, and the other is the ${E}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mode in which atoms vibrate perpendicular to the strain direction. The frequency of the ${E}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mode blueshifts for a compressive strain, but redshifts for a tensile strain. In addition, due to the strain-induced anisotropy in the ${\text{MoS}}_{2}$ lattice, the polarized Raman spectra of the ${E}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ and ${E}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ modes exhibit distinct angular dependence for specific laser polarization setups, allowing for a precise determination of the direction of the uniaxial strain with respect to the crystallographic orientation. Furthermore, we find that the polarized Raman intensity of the ${A}_{1}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mode also shows evident dependence on the applied strain, providing additional effective clues for determining the direction of the strain even without knowledge of the crystallographic orientation. Thus, polarized Raman spectroscopy offers an efficient nondestructive way to characterize the uniaxial strains in monolayer ${\text{MoS}}_{2}$.
MODERNIZATION AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOVIET UNION

The article discusses the main structural and geographic features of the Soviet energy system and explores the prospects for the years ahead. It summarizes recent developments in consumption, demonstrating its close functional and spatial ties with the sinews of the economy and the priorities of the leadership. And it outlines the problems hindering the expansion of supply for major fuels and for primary electricity. Given the Soviet demand pattern, planners in the energy field are largely deprived of their traditional and easiest means of conserving scarce resources, namely tightening the belt of the consumer. They must try to force conservation in economic sectors that have strong vested interest and where continued growth in output is critical to the leadership itself. Despite the bias to increase supplies by a Soviet-type pressure campaign, already under way, the obstacles of geography and transport are shown to be too deep-seated and persistent to be conquered by such crash programs. The Soviet energ...
Precision Medicine Comes to Thyroidology.

Context: The broad spectrum of thyroid disease severity—from subclinical hypothyroidism to myxedema coma, subclinical thyrotoxicosis to thyroid storm, and microscopic papillary to anaplastic cancers—has always demanded that clinicians individualize their management of thyroid patients. Deepening knowledge of thyroid pathophysiology along with advances in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic technologies applicable to thyroid diseases position this field to ride the wave of precision medicine in the decade ahead.
Multilevel models for hierarchically nested data: potential applications in substance abuse prevention research.

This chapter reports on an application of a multilevel analysis. A multilevel analysis is a data analysis that uses variables that are measured at different levels of the hierarchy. A hierarchy can have many levels, such as student level, class level, school level, and State or country level, where students are nested within classes, classes are nested within schools or school districts, and school districts can be nested within towns, States, or countries. As soon as one pays attention, hierarchies are present in all data. In large-scale prevention research, researchers usually have information about two or more levels involved, for instance, variables describing individuals (such as achievement, drug use, gender, and measures of socioeconomic status or home environment); variables describing schools (such as school environment, urban versus rural, and type of treatment administered); and perhaps variables describing districts, States, or countries. It is well known that the analysis of variables (i.e., measures at different levels of the hierarchy) on any of these levels separately can be misleading, as will be shown in this chapter. It is more satisfactory to construct a model and technique that simultaneously take information on all levels into account. This chapter introduces such a multilevel model for hierarchically nested data by evaluating the effect of a drug prevention program, Normative Education (NORM), wherein data are collected on students nested within schools. The model is a linear regression model. The difference between this model and the traditional linear regression model is that it takes the intraclass correlation into account and treats variables measured at different levels of the hierarchy in a more appropriate way.
The effects of temperature and substrates on component reactions of the hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase.

The effects of temperature and substrates on components of the hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase have been investigated. Aminopyrine caused a 50-100% increase in cytochrome c reductase activity without affecting the apparent activation energy; other substrates of the mixed-function oxidase were without effect. Solubilization of the reductase by deoxycholate did not alter the apparent activation energy or remove the positive modifier action of aminopyrine. Substrates causing the type I spectral change caused a positive modifier effect on NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity without altering the apparent activation energy (12.7 ± 0.3 kcal/mole). Aniline, which causes a type II spectral change, exerted an apparent negative modifier effect, but also did not alter the apparent activation energy. Benzopyrene, which only causes a type I spectral change in microsomes of polycyclic hydrocarbon-treated animals, exerted a positive modifier action on P-450 reductase only with these microsomes. The rate of microsomal oxidation of aminopyrine (7 nmoles/min/mg at 37°)was the same as the rate of reduction of cytochrome P-450 in the presence of aminopyrine. The rates of oxidation of ethylmorphine (a type I substrate) and aniline were about 50% and 10% of that of aminopyrine, respectively. The activation energies for the three mixed-function oxidations were 12.8 ± 0.5 kcal/mole (aminopyrine), 16.9 ± 0.8 kcal/mole (ethylmorphine), and 20.9 ± 0.8 kcal/mole (aniline). These observations suggest that different steps are rate-limiting in the oxidations of aminopyrine, aniline, and ethylmorphine.
Effects of intravenous flecainide acetate in patients with concealed atrioventricular pathway with supraventricular tachycardia

The acute efficacy and electrophysiologic effects of intravenous flecainide acetate (1.5 mg/kg) on 10 patients with concealed AV pathway with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) by esophageal programmed electrical stimulation were evaluated. The results showed that: (1) the drug has marked depressing effects on the retrograde accessory pathway conduction and minimal effects on the antegrade AV nodal conduction; (2) there were no effects on the patients with normal sinus node function; (3) the drug has little side effects during the studies; (4) flecainide terminated induced SVT in 9 of 10 cases (90%), and prevented induced SVT in 7 of 9 cases (78%).
Revision of Strunian crinoids and blastoids from Germany

In 1930W.E. Schmidt described all known crinoids from the German Early Carboniferous, including the Etroeungt beds of Germany, which are now judged to be latest Devonian (Famennian) in age. On a global basis, Famennian camerate crinoids generally show a closer relationship to succeeding Early Carboniferous faunas than they do to older Frasnian or Middle Devonian crinoids, which also is the case for the Strunian fauna. Holdovers from older Devonian faunas include, among others,Adelocrinus, a descendant of olderArthroacantha, in England and Germany, andPetaloblastus, which is one of the youngest genera of the blastoid family Hyperoblastidae. Precursors of younger Early Carboniferous groups include platycrinoids, primitive actinocrinoids, dichocrinoids, and the blastoid genusDoryblastus, which is one of the oldest members of the family Orbitremitidae. All of these groups, which became important parts of the Early Carboniferous crinoid and blastoid radiation, give Famennian crinoid faunas much more of an Early Carboniferous than a Devonian aspect.
Automated image registration to 3-D scene models

This paper develops a technique for the registration of multi-sensor/multi-modality images to 3-D models utilizing the keyhole markup language (KML) encoding standard. Given the recent advancements in visualization of geographic information utilizing such software tools as Google earth, microsoft virtual earth, and NASA's Worldwind, it is becoming increasingly necessary to understand and utilize the capabilities of these impressive software tools in the field of remote sensing.
Comparing hydroxide and hydronium at the instantaneous air-water interface using polarizable multi-state empirical valence bond models

Abstract A new molecular model for the hydroxide anion was developed and its propensity for the air-water interface was compared with that of the hydronium ion. The multi-state empirical valence bond approach with polarizable potentials was used for both of these, allowing them to share their charge with adjacent water molecules. The hydroxide anion appeared to have a lower propensity for the air-water interface than that of hydronium when comparing its potential of mean force with respect to the Gibbs dividing surface. However, upon further inspection it was found that the hydroxide and hydronium ions had similar free energies at the instantaneous air-water interface. The reason for this discrepancy is that the hydroxide anion has a greater free energy when it was partially solvated. Or in other words, when the hydroxide anion is one molecular layer from the instantaneous air-water interface, but potentially still near the Gibbs dividing surface, it is less stable than the hydronium in a similar configuration. This shows that using the instantaneous interface can provide additional important insights.
International Human Rights Obligations within the States System: The Avoidance Account

Fil: Montero, Julio Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina
Patterns and timing of artificial urinary sphincter failure.

To assess population-based trends in artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement after prostatectomy and determine the effect of timing on device survival and complications. We identified patients who underwent prostatectomy and AUS placement in SEER-Medicare from 2002 to 2011. We analyzed factors affecting the time of reoperation from AUS implantation and prostatectomy using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. In total, 841 men underwent AUS placement at a median 23 months after prostatectomy. Patients who underwent reoperation (28.5%) had higher clinical stage, more likely underwent open prostatectomy, or had prior sling placement (p 0.15). Patients with AUS placement > 15 months after prostatectomy (75%) initially experienced less need for operative reinterventions. Patients with later AUS placement were significantly more likely to have received radiation therapy [22.9 vs. 3.8% (p < 0.01)]. Nonetheless, late implantation was confirmed to be protective on multivariate analysis during the first 5 years after AUS placement [HR 0.79 (95% CI 0.67–0.92); p < 0.01]. Factors independently associated with a shorter interval time until reoperation included history of radiation [HR 1.93 (95% CI 1.33–2.80); p < 0.01] and history of prior sling [HR 1.70 (95% CI 1.08–2.68); p = 0.02]. Even for patients who underwent radiation therapy, delayed AUS implantation reduced reoperative risk. Late AUS implantation in the Medicare population is associated with prolonged device survival initially, while radiation and prior sling surgery predict for earlier reoperation. Patients with delayed AUS implantation experience less immediate complications. Further work is required to identify patient-specific factors which may explain variability in timing for AUS.
The Student Should Help the Teacher: a View From 30 Years as an ABA Trainer.

I characterize my efforts to train graduate students in applied behavior analysis as a shaping process that involves closely monitoring their performance, providing numerous opportunities to respond in a variety of contexts, gradually shifting the reinforcement criterion, differentially reinforcing improvement, and providing instruction and error correction when necessary. In line with the old adage that "the student should help the teacher", I also discuss how students are responsible in part for their own learning. To illustrate the importance of the student helping the teacher, I present a simple mathematical model that shows how two equally talented students can master skills at dramatically different rates by how frequently they respond to learning opportunities and apply what they learn.
The Regulatory Role of Matrix Proteins in Mineralization of Bone

Abstract Bone formation and development is a dynamic process involving a series of precisely controlled, distinct, cellular and biochemical events. As bone matures, stage-specific, sequentially expressed bone matrix proteins and hydroxyapatite mineral crystals become incorporated into a collagen fibril-based infrastructure, leading to an organized, stabilized, mineralized matrix. Consequently, this final functional structure contains a variety of matrix proteins present in differential amounts. These include proteins containing: a) glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-bearing proteins – aggrecan, versican, decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin, etc., as well as the free GAG, hyaluronic acid. b) glycoproteins – alkaline phosphatase, osteonectin, tetranectin, thrombospondin (TSP), fibronectin, vitronectin, osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, bone acidic glycoprotein, fibrillin, and tenascin, c) γ-carboxy glutamic acid (Gla)-containing proteins – osteocalcin, and matrix Gla protein (MGP), and d) other proteins – proteolipids, collagen-degrading metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, bone morphogenetic proteins, growth factors, serum-derived proteins, and cell-binding proteins. Emerging new technologies in cell biology, mineral analyses, and transgenic and knockout models are defining the critical proteins and requirements for physiological mineralization.
Entrepreneurship as Social Construction: A Multilevel Evolutionary Approach

Organizations are social structures – patterned and relatively stable arrangements of roles and statuses – that constitute the building blocks of modern capitalist societies. Efforts to understand their emergence typically focus on the role of entrepreneurs and concentrate on the firm level. Such firm-level analyses make sense in already existing populations and communities, because most new firms follow the paths of their predecessors and survive by filling an existing niche. However, in the case of new ventures that are the first of their kind, the formation of a firm cannot be the final step. Entrepreneurs creating organizations that depart from the established order must not only create a coherent and self-sustaining entity, but must also organize with other entrepreneurs to build a new, more favorable context.