cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on Ribonucleic Acid Ligase CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE-INORGANIC PYROPHOSPHATE EXCHANGE REACTION AND DEMONSTRATION OF AN ENZYME-ADENYLATE COMPLEX WITH T4 BACTERIOPHAGE-INDUCED ENZYME

Abstract RNA ligase, isolated from bacteriophage T4-infected Escherichia coli, catalyzes the conversion of synthetic [5'-32P]polyribonucleotides to a form resistant to alkaline phosphatase. The reaction requires ATP and leads to the formation of AMP and PPi. The purification procedure for T4-induced RNA ligase has been modified to yield stable enzyme preparations. The influence of secondary structure on the RNA ligase reaction has been investigated with these fractions. The conversion of synthetic polynucleotides to complex secondary structures was either without effect or inhibitory in the RNA ligase system. Purified RNA ligase was shown to catalyze an exchange reaction between ATP and PPi, but not between ATP and AMP. The ATP-PPi exchange reaction occurred in the absence of a polyribonucleotide substrate. The formation of an RNA ligase-adenylate complex was demonstrated by gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and ultracentrifugation in a glycerol gradient. The complex was dissociated by 5'-P-poly(A) to yield AMP while ATP was generated in the presence of PPi. These findings suggest that an enzyme-AMP intermediate occurs during the course of the RNA ligase reaction. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of an RNA ligase activity in eukaryotic cells.
The electroencephalogram in minimal cerebral dysfunction.

I noted with interest the article by Drs. Capute, Niedermeyer, and Richardson, "The Electroencephalogram in Children with Minimal Cerebral Dysfunction," (Pediatrics, 41:1104, 1968). However, I disagree with their conclusion, "the EEC is a valuable diagnostic tool in minimal cerebral dysfunction." The authors rightly state that no specific findings can be expected from the EEC in large numbers of children with the minimal cerebral dysfunction syndrome, however vague and nonspecific the diagnostic criteria for this may be.
The Structure of F-actin: Results of Global Searches Using Data from Electron Microscopy and X-ray Crystallography

The structure of F-actin was investigated by fitting the crystallographically determined actin monomer structure to F-actin electron microscopy data sets obtained by a variety of methods. A reciprocal-space global search procedure to non-equatorial reciprocal-space amplitudes and phases of the microscopy data to locate minima. Fits were performed over a range of cross-sectional radii-of-gyration encompassing values obtained from X-ray solution scattering measurements. Five data sets from four laboratories were investigated: one from frozen-hydrated single filaments, three from negatively stained single filaments, and one from negatively stained single-layer paracrystals. In this last case the paracrystal data were straightened to improve resolution. The best fits nearly unanimously favored a monomer orientation having long-pitch connectivity that was close to that obtained by fitting X-ray fiber diffraction patterns. In certain cases where the resolving power was low, competitive fits were obtained with a quite different orientation, one having only protomer connectivity along the genetic helix. Using a running 10-residue deletion from the monomer in the Holmes-type orientation, subtle differences between the monomer structure and the protomer structure in F-actin could be detected. In particular, differences in the "DNase loop" (residues 41 to 50) and the "hydrophobic loop" (residues 264 to 273) were seen in single-filament data. In addition, a perturbation of the structure was seen in a region near residues 81 to 90. A rearrangement within the protomer structure reported in the literature did not produce fits as good as those obtained when using the undistorted monomer crystallographic structure without 10-residue deletions. These results, taken as a whole, provide strong support for a structure of Mg2+-ADP F-actin similar to that originally suggested by Holmes et al. but with alterations of the hydrophobic loop, the DNase loop and in the region near residues 81 to 90. These latter two regions have been proposed as secondary binding sites for myosin heads. The available evidence from electron microscopy and from other sources suggests that residues to 40 to 49 are disordered in Mg2+-ADP F-actin.
Single crystals of a chimeric T7/T3 RNA polymerase with T3 promoter specificity and a nonprocessive T7 RNAP mutant

Two RNA polymerases homologous to bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase, bacteriophage Sp6 and T3 RNA polymerases, were screened for crystallization under conditions identical or similar to those reported for the growth of large single crystals of T7 RNA polymerase (Sousa, R., Rose, J. P., Chung, Y. J., Lafer, E. M., and Wang, B.-C. (1989) Proteins 5, 266; Sousa, R., Lafer, E. M., and Wang, B.-C. (1990) J. Crystal Growth, in press; Sousa, R., and Lafer, E. M. (1990) Methods 1, in press). A number of mutant T7 RNAPs were also screened under these conditions as were three chimeric RNA polymerases consisting of T7 RNAP N-terminal and T3 RNAP C-terminal sequences. One chimeric polymerase and two mutant polymerases crystallized readily under T7 RNAP crystallization conditions. The chimeric polymerase crystallized in a space group different from T7 RNA polymerase: orthorombic with unit cell parameters a = 75 A, b = 98 A, c = 159 A; space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and 4 molecules/unit cell. This chimeric enzyme exhibits T3 promoter specificity and will make it possible to investigate how structural differences between the T3 and T7 RNA polymerase promoter recognition domains determine their different promoter specificities. One of the mutant polymerases successfully crystallized was an enzyme which can carry out promoter recognition and abortive transcription but cannot carry out processive transcription. Its structure may provide information on the nature of the conformational changes undergone by T7 RNAP in the abortive-processive switch. Crystals of the second mutant T7 RNA polymerase were unsuitable for x-ray analysis.
Photorespiration in diatoms: Mitochondrial glycolate dehydrogenase in Cylindrotheca fusiformis and Nitzschia alba

Abstract Glycolate dehydrogenase activity has been localized in the mitochondria of two marine diatoms. Polarographic data and difference spectra show that the enzyme is linked indirectly to oxygen via the electron transport system. The results presented indicate that the system responsible for the oxidation of glycolic acid in the diatom has evolved along lines distinctly different from glycolate oxidation in higher plants.
Runtime support for virtual BSP computer

Several computing environments including wide area networks and nondedicated networks of workstations are characterized by frequent unavailability of the participating machines. Parallel computations, with interdependencies among their component processes, can not make progress if some of the participating machines become unavailable during the computation. As a result, to deliver acceptable performance, the set of participating processors must be dynamically adjusted following the changes in computing environment. In this paper, we discuss the design of a run time system to support a Virtual BSP Computer that allows BSP programmers to treat a network of transient processors as a dedicated network. The Virtual BSP Computer enables parallel applications to remove computations from processors that become unavailable and thereby adapt to the changing computing environment. The run time system, which we refer to as adaptive replication system (ARS), uses replication of data and computations to keep current a mapping of a set of virtual processors to a subset of the available machines. ARS has been implemented and integrated with a message passing library for the Bulk-Synchronous Parallel (BSP) model. The extended library has been applied to two parallel applications with the aim of using idle machines in a network of workstations (NOW) for parallel computations. We present the performance results of ARS for these applications.
The H ii Regions of M31

The luminosity of the brightest H ii regions of M31 was determined with the NRAO 3-element interferometer at 3.7 cm and 11 cm wavelength. It is unlikely that M31 has any superbright Hn regions such as W51 or W49; our Galaxy has between 10 and 20 H ii regions that are more luminous than any in M31.
Motivational functionalism and urban conservation stewardship: implications for volunteer involvement

Conservation in urban areas faces growing financial challenges and inadequate stakeholder involvement. Conservation psychology can mitigate these challenges in many ways. One way is through conservation volunteerism, if we attend to and capitalize on volunteers’ motivations. Conservation volunteerism significantly contributes to ecological knowledge acquisition, and public education and awareness of conservation issues. In this study, we explored volunteers’ motivations and how those motivations influence frequency of participation in urban conservation activities. We found that volunteers’ frequency of participation is most motivated by personal and social benefits rather than by environment-related reasons. Environmental motivations, otherwise marginally significant, were more salient predictors of participation to the extent that personal and social motivations were met. We discuss how ecologically focused strategies are likely to be less effective for motivating more frequent participation than motivationally based appeals to personal and social motivations of urban conservation. We discuss implications for urban conservation stewardship initiatives and suggest ways that decision makers can harness volunteers’ personal and social motivations to meet urban conservation practice and policy goals.
The Effect of Methenamine Mandelate (Mandelamine) on Determination of Urinary Estriol

The administration of methenamine mandelate (Mandelamine) to pregnant women causesthe levelsof estriol in their urines to be unmeasurablylow when acid hydrolysis is used. When enzyme hydrolysisreplaces acid hydrolysis,normal estriol values are obtained. This result is attributed to the formaldehyde released by acid from hexamethylenetetramine, a constituent of the drug. The formaldehydereacts with estriol to prevent its determination. OR 5IVEIlAL YEARS, Urinary estriol determinations have beell studied in relation to placental function in complicated pregnancy (1, 2). Determinations of estriol in urine specimens from women to whom methenaniine mandelate (Mahldelamine*) was administered resulted in no colorimetric reaction when acid hydrolysis of the conjugates was perforlned. If enzyme hydrolysis was used, tile normal estriol result was obtained. The present paper shows that formaldehyde liberated from hexamethylenetetramme, a constituent of Mandelaniine, was the responsible agent causing the formation of a product which was nonreactive in the colorimetric procedure. Methods Ui.jiie specimells were collected for 24 hr. witll chloroform as preservative, refrigerated, and processed the following day. The estrogen conjugates in the urine were first hydrolyzed by refluxing with 15 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid per 100 ml. of spechnen for 15 miii., or by incubation with $-glucuronidase (Sigma Chemical Co.), 300 U./ml. at 370 for 18 hr. Routinely, 5-ml. aliquots from the 24-hr. volume were
Social and Clinical Determinants Influencing HIV Treatment Among Hoosiers

Indiana, with an estimated 9,282 persons living with HIV/AIDS in 2008, was selected to participate in the Medical Monitoring Project. The Medical Monitoring Project is a surveillance system designed to generate representative data on persons living with HIV/AIDS who are receiving care in Indiana. The authors sought to answer: What obstacles exist today among persons receiving HIV medical care? What impact do these have on treatment and services? Of 451 participants sampled, 349 reported at least one service need during the past year and 164 (47.0%) of those participants reported at least one service need was unmet. Overall, reported unmet needs was significantly associated (p < .034) with a lower likelihood of “always” taking HIV medications. The study results indicate that obstacles to treatment adherence involve unmet needs commonly found among HIV-infected persons receiving care. Interventions to improve treatment adherence involve community service assessments, client awareness, linkage to services, a...
COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION AND BEHAVIOR: APPLYING A MULTIPLE ACT CRITERIA1

Operating from a model derived from research on the attitude-behavior relationship, a conceptualization is presented which indicts current attempts to select a specific behavior and examine its relationship with a personality characteristic relevant to the field of communication. Evidence is presented demonstrating that the characteristic should predict well a multiple act criteria but not a single act criterion. In addition, an empirical distinction is predicted between apprehension and attitude and a comparison is made between three self-report measures of apprehension.
The surface expression of radiocarbon anomalies near Baja California during deglaciation

Abstract Periods of declining atmospheric radiocarbon activity ( Δ 14 C) during the Heinrich 1 (∼17.8–14.6 ka) and Younger Dryas (∼12.8–11.5 ka) stadials of the last deglaciation coincide with intervals of rising atmospheric CO2, as well as evidence of 14C-depleted carbon at intermediate ocean depths near Baja California, Mexico and in the Arabian Sea. The latter has been interpreted as the signature of aged carbon emerging through the intermediate ocean to the atmosphere from a previously isolated deep ocean reservoir. Here we report measurements from near Baja California that enable us to reconstruct the Δ 14 C of surface waters as recorded by three different species of planktonic foraminifera. We find that surface ocean Δ 14 C recorded by planktonic foraminifera was anomalously low relative to the coeval atmosphere during previously documented periods of low benthic Δ 14 C , consistent with upwelling and subsequent mixing and/or partial atmospheric equilibration of the intermediate-depth benthic signal. We also propose an oceanographic explanation for observed Δ 14 C differences between individual planktonic species during deglaciation at this location, based on seasonal growth habitats and a seasonal change in the source of coastal upwelling waters: from northern in the spring to southern in late summer, as the shelf-trapped poleward California Undercurrent strengthens. An analysis of the contemporary hydrography and planktic habitat preferences suggests that G. bulloides and G. sacculifer record primarily springtime conditions off Baja California, when the local influence of waters sourced from the surface of the North Pacific is greatest. This is supported by the strong resemblance of the Δ 14 C of those species and a recent record of planktic Δ 14 C from the Northeast Pacific during deglaciation. Lower Δ 14 C recorded by the late-summer species G. ruber suggests that locally upwelling waters carried 14C-depleted carbon that was proximately sourced from equatorial subsurface waters entrained by the California Undercurrent. Together with the benthic record, these observations are consistent with transport of an anomalous 14C-depletion signal carried primarily by Antarctic Intermediate Water from an ultimate source in the Southern Ocean.
Abstract A88: Ancestry informative markers associated with prostate cancer in African Americans

Purpose: Prostate cancer (Pca) is the most common cancer in US males. African American men have higher incidence and mortality rates than do their European American counterparts. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found to be associated with Pca after analyzing data from a Pca mapping by admixture linkage disequilibrium (MALD) study using several different genetic models. The SNPs genotyped have significant allele frequency differences between African Americans and European Americans and are referred to as ancestry informative markers (AIMs). We tested the hypothesis that AIM haplotypes were also associated with Pca risk. Design Methods: AIM haplotypes were inferred for 98 Pca patients and 140 controls. Binary logistic regression was used to test haplotypes for association with Pca. Results: We found that haplotypes 5 “GTCCC,” 9 “ATTCT,” and 11 “ACCCC” were associated with Pca risk (OR = 3.97 95% CI: 1.68–9.47, p = 0.0017; OR = 7.17 95% CI: 2.33–20.05, p = 0.0006; OR = 3.68 95% CI: 1.57–8.62, p = 0.0027, respectively). After adjusting for age and ancestry all three haplotypes remained associated with Pca (OR = 3.62 95% CI: 1.42–9.21, p = 0.0070; OR = 7.89 95% CI: 2.36–26.31, p = 0.0008; OR = 4.34 95% CI: 1.75–10.78, p = 0.0016, respectively). We show that AIM haplotypes are associated with PCa risk. This study also demonstrates the use of a simple model to test for the additive or multiplicative effects of SNPs weakly associated individually. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20(10 Suppl):A88.
Radiotherapy for regionally localized hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Purpose : Patients with regionally localized hormone refractory adenocarcinoma of the prostate are often referred for radiotherapy to relieve local symptoms, prevent further local progression, or prevent impending urinary tract obstruction. However, the merits of radiotherapy for this patient population have not been documented. In this retrospective series, the results of 29 such patients treated at our institution between 1987-1992 are reviewed. Methods and Materials : Prior to androgen ablation, the majority of these patients (79%) had Stage D0 or D1 disease. After androgen ablation, radiotherapy was given to 16 (55%) for progressive symptoms (mostly urinary obstructive), 11 (38%) for palpable local progression in the absence of symptoms, and 2 for a rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) profile without palpable disease. None of the patients had distant metastasis at the time of radiotherapy. The median dose to the prostate was 66 Gy and the median follow-up after radiotherapy was 43 months. Results : Following local-regional radiotherapy, the actuarial rate of local failure at 4 years was only 39%. However, 80% had disease progression or a rising PSA in this time period. The actuarial survival at 4 years following radiotherapy was 39%. Univariate analyses of potential prognostic factors revealed that preandrogen ablation Gleason score, preradiotherapy PSA, and preradiotherapy prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) were predictive of patient outcome. Most importantly, doses above 60 Gy to the prostate at standard fractionation were associated with symptom-free local control in 90% of patients at 3 years. The majority of the patients were treated using limited fields (n = 20). Conclusions : The regionally localized hormone refractory prostate cancer patients described benefited from high dose, continuous course, local radiotherapy in that excellent local control rates were obtained for an extended period. Because the majority of these patients fail with distant metastasis within 4 years, this treatment represents an aggressive approach to palliation that is justified by the maintenance of freedom from local symptoms.
REVERSIBLE COVALENT BINDING OF PEPTIDE NITRILES TO PAPAIN

The dissociation constants for reversible covalent binding of twelve peptide nitrile inhibitors to the active site of papain have been measured by means of fluorescence titration. The binding constants generally parallel the kinetic specificity constants (kcat/Km) for related papain substrates, supporting earlier suggestions that peptide nitriles behave as transition state analog inhibitors of papain. In ten cases the temperature dependence of binding was analyzed to determine the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the binding energy. A compensation plot of delta H vs. T delta S resulted in two parallel lines, one for 'specific' nitriles (i.e., N-Ac-L-aa-NHCH2CN; aa = Phe, Leu, Met) and the other for 'non-specific' nitriles (e.g., N-Ac-D-Phe-NHCH2CN, PhCH2CH2CONHCH2CN hippurylnitrile, etc.). For both specific and nonspecific nitriles representing an 1800-fold range of Kd values (0.27 microM-490 microM), the solvent deuterium isotope effect on binding (Kd(H2O)/Kd(D2O) = DKd) was very close to 2.0. This isotope effect could be accounted for entirely by the simple protonic change which occurs upon the reversible addition of the active site sulfhydryl of papain to the nitrile group of the peptide derivative to form a covalent thioimidate linkage. In contrast, six closely related non-nitrile ligands containing identical peptide side chains but having C-terminal groups incapable of binding covalently to papain had unmeasureably high dissociation constants. Collectively, these results indicate that strong binding of peptide nitrile substrate analogs to papain requires a combination of (1) hydrophobic interaction (especially at the P2 position), (2) specific intermolecular hydrogen bonding and (3) covalent interaction of the nitrile with the active site sulfhydryl group.
Synthesized standards in natural matrices

The problem of securing the most reliable standards for the accurate analysis of radionuclides is discussed in the paper and in the comment on the paper. It is contended in the paper that the best standards can be created by quantitative addition of accurately known spiking solutions into carefully selected natural matrices. On the other hand it is argued that many natural materials can be successfully standardized for numerous trace constituents. Both points of view are supported with examples.
A study of density fronts and their effects on coastal pollutants

Density fronts represent regions of extremely high gradient or discontinuity in various parameters of physical interest, the most important being the water velocity and density fields. Such fronts strongly influence pollutant dispersion, by capturing oil slicks and other pollutants concentrated in surface films and drawing them down into the water column. Satellites, aircraft and boats were used to study the behavior of different types of fronts in Delaware Bay and their effect on pollutants in order to provide a basis for improving an oil drift and spreading model. LANDSAT satellites provided the most effective means of determining the location and extent of frontal systems over all portions of the tidal cycle. Satellite observations of flood-associated fronts on the New Jersey side of the Bay and ebb-associated fronts on the Delaware side agreed with boat measurements and model predictions.
Scaling relations in the equation of state, thermal expansion, and melting of metals

A simple and yet quite accurate prediction of volume as a function of pressure for metals and alloys is presented. Thermal expansion coefficients and melting temperatures are predicted by simple, analytic expressions and results compare favorably with experiment for a broad range of metals. All of these predictions are made possible by the discovery of universality in binding energy relations for metals.
Thinking Out Loud about Teaching Bioethics: A Contribution from the Edge

. Teaching bioethics might be likened to a rollercoaster ride of twists, turns, and dips that invite teachers and students to experience something of their own edges of fear and comfort. Here the author provides readers with a glimpse into her distinctive approach to teaching bioethics that encourages students to move beyond boundaries of personal comfort zones by willfully transgressing traditional or comfortable boundaries. The essay describes how this is accomplished through a variety of methods – provocative readings, classroom discussion, student response papers, and student ethics committees. The author contends that teaching bioethics ought to include critical pedagogical methods and an alertness for real-life intersections of science and ethics. Teaching bioethics can be a subversive activity that encourages students and teachers to engage in making life morally livable.
Structural correlations with kinetic energy release during loss of chlorine from nineteen selected chlorinated biphenyls

Unimolecular and collision induced decompositions of the major ions of selected polychlorinated biphenyls in the field free region between the magnetic and electric sectors of a reversed Nier-Johnson instrument were studied. Loss of a single chlorine atom is associated with a wide range of kinetic energy releases but still can be correlated by a single reaction mechanism. Loss of two chlorines is interpreted as a rapid sequential loss from isomerized molecular ions for all but one compound. The decompositions which metastable ions undergo are not always the same as those of high energy ions in the source. Correlations between substituent positions and kinetic energy release can be made for the [M]+·[MCl]+ and [MCl2]+· processes.
Noise-induced transitions in human postural sway

Correlation functions with multiple scaling regions occur in the description of the fluctuations in the center of pressure during quiet standing. Postural sway is modeled as an inverted pendulum with a delayed feedback constructed such that for deviations beyond a spatial threshold a constant restoring force is engaged. In the absence of noise, two stable limit cycles coexist. The correlation function depends on the added noise intensity: at intermediate noise levels three scaling regions appear whereas only two occur for high noise levels. Our observations suggest that correlation functions with multiple scaling regions reflect noise-induced transitions in bistable dynamical systems.
Malate Dehydrogenases in the Rusted Bean Leaf

Rust growth in the bean leaf was accompanied by the appearance of one new malate dehydrogenase isozyme and continuation of one otherwise lost during the development of the healthy leaf. The new isozyme was contributed by the fungus, the other by the leaf. Both enzymes were cytoplasmic proteins. Rusting caused the loss of a mitochondrial isozyme.
Striatal Abnormalities and Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Non-Clinical Psychosis

Abstract Background Accumulating evidence suggests that individuals experiencing non-clinical psychosis (NCP) represent a critical group for improving understanding of etiological factors underlying the broader psychosis continuum. Although a wealth of evidence supports widespread neural dysfunction in formal psychosis, there has been little empirical evidence to inform our understanding of putative vulnerability markers or brain structure in NCP. In this study, we examined the neural correlates of spontaneous movement abnormalities, a biomarker previously detected in NCP that is linked to abnormalities in the striatal dopamine. Methods We screened a total of 1285 adolescents/young adults, and those scoring in the upper 15th percentile on a NCP scale were invited to participate; 20 of those invited agreed and these individuals were matched with healthy controls. Participants were administered a structural scan, clinical interviews, and an instrumental motor assessment. Results The NCP group showed elevated force variability and smaller putamen (but not caudate), and there was a significant relationship between motor dysfunction and striatal abnormalities for the sample. Elevated force variability was associated with both higher positive and negative symptoms, and there was a strong trend (p = .06) to suggest that smaller left putamen volumes were associated with elevated positive symptoms. Conclusions The results are among the first to suggest an association between neural structure and a risk marker in NCP. Findings indicate that vulnerabilities seen in schizophrenia also characterize the lower end of the psychosis spectrum.
Estimation of Quasi-Stiffness and Propulsive Work of the Human Ankle in the Stance Phase of Walking

Characterizing the quasi-stiffness and work of lower extremity joints is critical for evaluating human locomotion and designing assistive devices such as prostheses and orthoses intended to emulate the biological behavior of human legs. This work aims to establish statistical models that allow us to predict the ankle quasi-stiffness and net mechanical work for adults walking on level ground. During the stance phase of walking, the ankle joint propels the body through three distinctive phases of nearly constant stiffness known as the quasi-stiffness of each phase. Using a generic equation for the ankle moment obtained through an inverse dynamics analysis, we identify key independent parameters needed to predict ankle quasi-stiffness and propulsive work and also the functional form of each correlation. These parameters include gait speed, ankle excursion, and subject height and weight. Based on the identified form of the correlation and key variables, we applied linear regression on experimental walking data for 216 gait trials across 26 subjects (speeds from 0.75–2.63 m/s) to obtain statistical models of varying complexity. The most general forms of the statistical models include all the key parameters and have an R2 of 75% to 81% in the prediction of the ankle quasi-stiffnesses and propulsive work. The most specific models include only subject height and weight and could predict the ankle quasi-stiffnesses and work for optimal walking speed with average error of 13% to 30%. We discuss how these models provide a useful framework and foundation for designing subject- and gait-specific prosthetic and exoskeletal devices designed to emulate biological ankle function during level ground walking.
Hypertension and Medication-Related Renal Dysfunction in the HIV-Infected Patient

Given the improved life expectancy with highly active antiretroviral therapy among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection, the treatment of medical problems such as hypertension will become increasingly more important. Although HIV-infected patients are at increased risk for the development of pulmonary hypertension, there is little data to suggest they are at increased risk for systemic hypertenSion or secondary causes of hypertension. Multiple potential drug interactions exist between antiretroviral medications, particularly the protease inhibitors and antihypertensive medications. Additionally, certain antiretroviral medications have frequent and important side effects relating to the kidneys and urinary system. Knowledge of these interactions and side effects is essential toward caring for the patient with HIV-infection.
High-Resolution Multicolor Imaging of Dynamic Signaling Complexes in T Cells Stimulated by Planar Substrates

The dynamic visualization of developing immunological synapses has been hindered by the difficulty of imaging the contact between the T cell and the antigen-presenting cell (APC). Here, we describe a technique in which T cell responses are constrained to a planar stimulatory substrate. This approach, when used in conjunction with immunofluorescent staining procedures or fluorescent protein tags, greatly facilitates detection of the dynamic molecular rearrangements that accompany the formation of contacts and the initiation of signal transduction through the T cell receptor (TCR). Using this method, we have observed signaling complexes of dynamically varying compositions that possess distinct fates.
O ( 2 , 1 ) Decomposition of the Equal-Mass Multipheripheral Equation at t = 0

We extend the results of a group-theoretical analysis of the $tl0$ multiperipheral equation to the case $t=0$ for pairwise equal masses. Using variables discussed in a previous paper, we diagonalize the equation in the Bali-Chew-Pignotti (BCP) model with respect to the $O(2, 1)$ group and relate the solutions to the equation so obtained with the solutions obtained after diagonalization with respect to the $O(3, 1)$ group. Poles in the $O(3, 1)$ partial-wave amplitude give rise to the expected sequence of daughter poles in the $O(2, 1)$ partial-wave amplitude. At general momentum transfer, we establish factorization at the $O(1, 1)$ poles in the decomposition of the BCP amplitude, and present further simplifications to the diagonalized equations based upon this model.
159: Improved Survival after Heart Transplantation in Patients with Bridge to Transplant in Recent Era – The University of Wisconsin Experience

Purpose: It has been suggested that allowing organ recovery in the VAD-supported patient positively affects survival after heart transplantation. We sought to evaluate the influence of the duration of VAD support and of preoperative renal function on post-transplant survival at our institution. Methods and Materials: Retrospective analysis of hospital records between January 1996 and December 2006 yielded data on patients who were bridged-to-transplantation using VADs. Data was analyzed for duration of VAD support, i.e. 30 days and 30 to 60 days. Post-transplant survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Preoperative renal function was assessed by serum creatinine level. Results: There were 97 males (76%) and 31 females (24%) with mean ages 50 14 years and 35 18 years, respectively. The ethnic distribution was Caucasian (111 patients, 87%); African-American (13 patients, 10%). The predominant diagnoses were idiopathic (49 patients, 38.3%) and ischemic (48 patients, 37.5%) dilated cardiomyopathy. The Thoratec BiVAD, and Novacor, Thoratec and Heartmate LVADs were used in 48, 31, 22 and 22 patients respectively. Mean preoperative creatinine levels were 1.07 0.7; 1.0 0.4; and 0.95 0.4 mg/dl among patients who received support for 30 days, 30 to 60 days, 61 to 90 days, respectively. Thirty-day, 1-year and 5-year survival among patients who received support for 30 days was 91%, 75%, and 57% respectively: similarly, survival among patients who received support for 30 to 60 days was 92%, 77%, and 77%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between patients who were supported for 60 days versus 60 days (p 0.1). Conclusions: Heart transplantation should be performed as early as possible in the VAD-supported patient as acceptable long-term survival is achievable. Early transplantation may potentially reduce the risk of major complications associated with VAD use. Preoperative renal function as measured by serum creatinine in our patient cohort did not influence post-transplant survival.
Application of the ivv-w formalism to the continuum shell model☆

Energy-dependent radial functions vc and wc are employed to achieve good channel convergence in continuum shell-model calculations. All required many-body matrix elements are expressed with respect to standard shell-model basis states constructed from oscillator eigenfunctions. Target recoil and the Pauli principle are treated correctly. Test calculations for nucleon scattering from LS closed targets demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. Target recoil corrections are shown to have a significant effect on the calculated energies of single-particle bound states and resonances. Other calculations illustrate the use of a finite-range two-body spin-orbit (in addition to central) interaction and the influence of target recoil corrections on 16O + p and 40Ca + p scattering in the 40–50 MeV region.
Dielectric Response at THz Frequencies of Water Complexes of β-HMX Calculated by Density Functional Theory

The need for better detection of explosive devices has imposed a necessity for determining the dielectric response properties of energetic materials with respect to electromagnetic wave excitation. Among the range of different frequencies for electromagnetic excitation, the THz frequency range is of particular interest because of its nondestructive nature. The present study is based on significant progress in density functional theory (DFT), and associated software technology, which is sufficiently mature for the determination of dielectric response functions, and actually provides complementary information to that obtained from experiment. This point is further demonstrated in this study by calculations of ground state resonance structure associated with water complexes of the high explosive β-HMX using DFT, which is for the construction of parameterized dielectric response functions for excitation by electromagnetic waves at frequencies within the THz range. These dielectric functions provide for different types of analyses concerning the dielectric response of explosives. In particular, these dielectric response functions provide quantitative initial estimates of spectral response features for subsequent adjustment with respect to additional information such as laboratory measurements and other types of theory based calculations. With respect to qualitative analysis, these spectra provide for the molecular level interpretation of response structure. The DFT software GAUSSIAN was used for the calculations of ground state resonance structure presented here.
AXIAL MUSCULATURE IN THE DOLPHIN (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS): SOME ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

In view of the supposition that a dolphin can swim faster than would be predicted based on its physical features and presumed muscle power potential, studies were initiated to reevaluate the assumptions made in reaching these conclusions. Several previous studies have shown that the architectural and histochemical properties of a skeletal muscle dictate its force, velocity and displacement properties. This study examined the muscle fiber lengths and tendon arrangements of the dorsal and ventral axial muscles in dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Fiber type and fiber size distributions were determined to reflect the general biochemical characteristics of the musculature. The dorsal muscles had a higher mean fiber length (167 Vs. 90 mm) and the range within and across different dorsal muscles was less (141–199 vs. 37–185 mm) than in the ventral muscles. Both the dorsal and ventral muscles consisted of an overall mean of 50 percent slow twitch and 50 percent fast twitch fiber types. The fast twitch fibers were 67 percent larger (2,200 vs. 1,317 μm2) than the slow twitch fibers in the ventral and 38 percent larger (1,213 Vs. 879 μm2) in the dorsal muscles. In addition, the mean cross sectional area of the fibers in the ventral muscles was approximately 65 percent greater (1,750 vs. 1,072 μm2) than those in the dorsal muscles. The shorter, larger-diameter fibers of the ventral musculature give it a greater potential for force production for a given amount of muscle mass. In contrast, the dorsal muscles appear to be designed to optimize velocity and displacement, (i.e., longer fibers). These findings contribute to the information necessary for the determination of the power potential of the musculature of the dolphin.
Pseudo-rip: Cosmological models intermediate between the cosmological constant and the little rip

If we assume that the cosmic energy density will remain constant or strictly increase in the future, then the possible fates for the universe can be divided into four categories based on the time asymptotics of the Hubble parameter $H(t)$: the cosmological constant, for which $H(t)=\mathrm{\text{constant}}$, the big rip, for which $H(t)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ at finite time, the little rip, for which $H(t)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ as time goes to infinity, and the pseudo-rip, for which $H(t)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{\text{constant}}$ as time goes to infinity. Here we examine the last of these possibilities in more detail. We provide models that exemplify the pseudo-rip, which is an intermediate case between the cosmological constant and the little rip. Structure disintegration in the pseudo-rip depends on the model parameters. We show that pseudo-rip models for which the density and Hubble parameter increase monotonically can produce an inertial force which does not increase monotonically, but instead peaks at a particular future time and then decreases.
New paradigms for refugee health problems.

Two paradigms that have shaped our understanding of refugee health are indentified: the objectification of refugees as a political class of excess people, and the reduction of refugee health to disease or pathology. Alternative paradigms are recommended: one to take the polyvocality of refugees into account, and one to construe refugees as prototypes of resilience despite major losses and stressors. The article is organized into three sections, mirroring the life history of refugees from internal displacement in the country of origin to asylum in a second (usually neighboring) country, and for some, to permanent resettlement in a third country. In each of the three sections, the primary topics that are treated in the literature are identified, and key problems identified for discussion.
Decolonization and African Society: The Labor Question in French and British Africa

1. Introduction Part I. The Dangers of Expansion and the Dilemmas of Reform: 2. The labor question unposed 3. Reforming imperialism, 1935-40 4. Forced labor, strike movements, and the idea of development, 1940-45 Part II. Imperial Fantasies and Colonial Crises: 5. Imperial plans 6. Crises Part III. The Imagining of a Working Class: 7. The systematic approach: the French code du Travail 8. Family wages and industrial relations in British Africa 9. Internationalists, intellectuals, and the labor question Part IV. Devolving Power and Abdicating Responsibility: 10. The burden of declining empire 11. Delinking colony and metropole: French Africa in the 1950s Conclusion: 12. The wages of modernity and the price of sovereignty.
The blood volume of infants.

Summary The subjects of this study were 126normal full-term infants on whom 223 plasma volume determinations were made using a T-1824 dye dilution technique. Of these infants, 2 observations were made on 47, and 3 or more serial observations were made on 20. Total blood and erythrocyte volumesand total circulating hemoglobin mass values were calculated from the plasma volume, venous hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration. No reliable average blood volume could be observed in either the neonatal period or during the succeeding 11 months of life, owing to a wide range of values throughout the year. The average erythrocyte volume, circulating hemoglobin mass, and total hemoglobin iron values did not return to neonatal levels until 16 weeks after birth. Assessment of anemia in the infant from blood loss, iron deficiency, or other causes can be aided by the determination of the erythrocyte volume and hemoglobin mass. We believe that more reliance can be placed on these values than on those of the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit because of the considerable number of infants who demonstrate hypo- or hypervolemia. In these states paradoxical values of hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit are frequently encountered which yield misleading information.
A Co-Opted DEAD-Box RNA Helicase Enhances Tombusvirus Plus-Strand Synthesis

Replication of plus-strand RNA viruses depends on recruited host factors that aid several critical steps during replication. In this paper, we show that an essential translation factor, Ded1p DEAD-box RNA helicase of yeast, directly affects replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV). To separate the role of Ded1p in viral protein translation from its putative replication function, we utilized a cell-free TBSV replication assay and recombinant Ded1p. The in vitro data show that Ded1p plays a role in enhancing plus-strand synthesis by the viral replicase. We also find that Ded1p is a component of the tombusvirus replicase complex and Ded1p binds to the 3′-end of the viral minus-stranded RNA. The data obtained with wt and ATPase deficient Ded1p mutants support the model that Ded1p unwinds local structures at the 3′-end of the TBSV (−)RNA, rendering the RNA compatible for initiation of (+)-strand synthesis. Interestingly, we find that Ded1p and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which is another host factor for TBSV, play non-overlapping functions to enhance (+)-strand synthesis. Altogether, the two host factors enhance TBSV replication synergistically by interacting with the viral (−)RNA and the replication proteins. In addition, we have developed an in vitro assay for Flock house virus (FHV), a small RNA virus of insects, that also demonstrated positive effect on FHV replicase activity by the added Ded1p helicase. Thus, two small RNA viruses, which do not code for their own helicases, seems to recruit a host RNA helicase to aid their replication in infected cells.
A Collective Pursuit of Learning the Possibility to Be: The CAMP Experience Assisting Situationally Marginalized Mexican American Students to a Successful Student Identity

Many students of Mexican descent must learn how to be successful students. This study describes 5 students of Mexican descent from situationally marginalized lives who were a part of a support and retention scholarship program (College Assistance Migrant Program—CAMP). These case studies document how they perceived their learning and how they changed as students after their first college experience and involvement in CAMP. Through her involvement in CAMP, Laura, a high school dropout without a supportive home or school environment, came to see herself as a successful student. As an English Language Learner, Cristina felt ill-prepared to begin a college career; however, by experiencing successes in her first year of coursework and being involved in CAMP, she gained self-confidence. Maria, a teen mother with two children, saw college as the only way out of poverty. She exhibited resiliency and the desire to use the experience to gain insightful and practical knowledge about herself as a student and mother. ...
Mechanism of phosphoanhydride cleavage by baculovirus phosphatase.

Baculovirus phosphatase (BVP) is a member of the metazoan RNA triphosphatase enzyme family that includes the RNA triphosphatase component of the mRNA capping apparatus. BVP and other metazoan RNA triphosphatases belong to a superfamily of phosphatases that act via the formation and hydrolysis of a covalent cysteinyl-phosphate intermediate. Here we demonstrate the formation of a BVP phosphoenzyme upon reaction with [γ-32P]ATP and identify the linkage as a thiophosphate based on its chemical lability. We surmise that the phosphate is linked to Cys119 of BVP because replacement of Cys119 by alanine or serine abrogates phosphoenzyme formation and phosphohydrolase activity. The catalytic cysteine is situated within a conserved phosphate-binding loop (118HCTHGINRTGY128). We show that all of the non-aliphatic side chains of the phosphate-binding loop are functionally important, insofar as mutants H118A, H121A, N124A, R125A, T126A, and Y128A were inactive in γ phosphate hydrolysis and the T120A mutant was 7% as active as wild-type BVP. Structure-activity relationships at the essential positions of the phosphate-binding loop were elucidated by conservative substitutions. A conserved aspartic acid (Asp60) invoked as a candidate general acid catalyst was dispensable for phosphohydrolase activity and phosphoenzyme formation by BVP. We propose that the low pK a of the bridging oxygen of the β phosphate leaving group circumvents a requirement for expulsion by a proton donor during attack by cysteine on the γ phosphorus. In contrast, a conserved aspartic acid is essential for the phosphomonoesterase reactions catalyzed by protein phosphatases, where the serine or tyrosine leaving groups have a much higher pK a than does ADP.