Digital Commons Network^™

A Selective Gβγ-Linked Intracellular Mechanism For Modulation Of A Ligand-Gated Ion Channel By Ethanol, Gonzalo E. Yevenes, Gustavo Moraga-Cid, Robert W. Peoples, Günther Schmalzing, Luis G. Aguayo

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The current understanding about ethanol effects on the ligand-gated ion channel (LGIC) superfamily has been restricted to identify potential binding sites within transmembrane (TM) domains in the Cys-loop family. Here, we demonstrate a key role of the TM3–4 intracellular loop and Gβγ signaling for potentiation of glycine receptors (GlyRs) by ethanol. We discovered 2 motifs within the large intracellular loop of the GlyR α₁ subunit that are critical for the actions of pharmacological concentrations of ethanol. Significantly, the sites were ethanol-specific because they did not alter the sensitivity to general anesthetics, neurosteroids, or longer n-alcohols. Furthermore, Gβγ scavengers …

A Trust-Based Secure Service Discovery (Tssd) Model For Pervasive Computing, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, Moushumi Sharmin

Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

To cope with the challenges posed by device capacity and capability, and also the nature of ad hoc networks, a Service discovery model is needed that can resolve security and privacy issues with simple solutions. The use of complex algorithms and powerful fixed infrastructure is infeasible due to the volatile nature of pervasive environment and tiny pervasive devices. In this paper, we present a trust-based secure Service discovery model, TSSD (trust-based secure service discovery) for a truly pervasive environment. Our model is a hybrid one that allows both secure and non-secure discovery of services. This model allows Service discovery and …

Resonance Raman Characterization Of The Peroxo And Hydroperoxo Intermediates In Cytochrome P450, Ilia G. Denisov, Piotr J. Mak, Thomas M. Makris, Stephen G. Sligar, James R. Kincaid

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Resonance Raman (RR) studies of intermediates generated by cryoreduction of the oxyferrous complex of the D251N mutant of cytochrome P450_cam (CYP101) are reported. Owing to the fact that proton delivery to the active site is hindered in this mutant, the unprotonated peroxo-ferric intermediate is observed as the primary species after radiolytic reduction of the oxy-complex in frozen solutions at 77 K. In as much as previous EPR and ENDOR studies have shown that annealing of this species to ∼180 K results in protonation of the distal oxygen atom to form the hydroperoxo intermediate, this system has been exploited to …

Effective Basemetal Hedging: The Optimal Hedge Ratio And Hedging Horizon, Michael Dewally, Luke Marriott

Finance Faculty Research and Publications

This study investigates optimal hedge ratios in all base metal markets. Using recent hedging computation techniques, we find that 1) the short-run optimal hedging ratio is increasing in hedging horizon, 2) that the long-term horizon limit to the optimal hedging ratio is not converging to one but is slightly higher for most of these markets, and 3) that hedging effectiveness is also increasing in hedging horizon. When hedging with futures in these markets, one should hedge long-term at about 6 to 8 weeks with a slightly greater than one hedge ratio. These results are of interest to many purchasing departments …

Resonance Raman Interrogation Of The Consequences Of Heme Rotational Disorder In Myoglobin And Its Ligated Derivatives, Freeborn Rwere, Piotr J. Mak, James R. Kincaid

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Resonance Raman spectroscopy is employed to characterize heme site structural changes arising from conformational heterogeneity in deoxyMb and ligated derivatives, i.e., the ferrous CO (MbCO) and ferric cyanide (MbCN) complexes. The spectra for the reversed forms of these derivatives have been extracted from the spectra of reconstituted samples. Dramatic changes in the low-frequency spectra are observed, where newly observed RR modes of the reversed forms are assigned using protohemes that are selectively deuterated at the four methyl groups or at the four methine carbons. Interestingly, while substantial changes in the disposition of the peripheral vinyl and propionate groups can be …

Dependence Of The Performance Of Single Photon Avalanche Diodes On The Multiplication Region Width, David A. Ramirez, Majeed M. Hayat, Mark A. Itzler

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The dependence of the performance of separate-absorption-multiplication (SAM) single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) on the width of the multiplication region is theoretically investigated. The theory is applied to SAM SPADs with InP homojunction multiplication regions and InAlAs-InP heterojunction multiplication regions. In both cases the absorber layer is InGaAs. Two scenarios for the dark counts are considered: (i) low-temperature operation, when the number of dark carriers is dominated by field-assisted mechanisms of band-to-band tunneling and tunneling through defects; and (ii) room-temperature operation, when the number of dark carriers in the multiplication region is dominated by the generation/recombination mechanism. The analysis utilizes a …

A Reconfigurable Motor For Experimental Emulation Of Stator Winding Inter-Turn And Broken Bar Faults In Polyphase Induction Machines (Journal Article), Chia-Chou Yeh, Gennadi Y. Sizov, Ahmed Sayed-Ahmed, Nabeel Demerdash, Richard J. Povinelli, Edwin E. Yaz, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The benefits and drawbacks of a 5-hp reconfigurable induction motor, which was designed for experimental emulation of stator winding interturn and broken rotor bar faults, are presented in this paper. It was perceived that this motor had the potential of quick and easy reconfiguration to produce the desired stator and rotor faults in a variety of different fault combinations. Hence, this motor was anticipated to make a useful test bed for evaluation of the efficacy of existing and new motor fault diagnostics techniques and not the study of insulation failure mechanisms. Accordingly, it was anticipated that this reconfigurable motor would …

Analyzing The Catalytic Role Of Asp97 In The Methionine Aminopeptidase From Escherichia Coli, Sanghamitra Mitra, Kathleen M. Job, Lu Meng, Brian Bennett, Richard C. Holz

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

An active site aspartate residue, Asp97, in the methionine aminopeptidase (MetAPs) from Escherichia coli (EcMetAP-I) was mutated to alanine, glutamate, and asparagine. Asp97 is the lone carboxylate residue bound to the crystallographically determined second metal-binding site in EcMetAP-I. These mutant EcMetAP-I enzymes have been kinetically and spectroscopically characterized. Inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy analysis revealed that 1.0 ± 0.1 equivalents of cobalt were associated with each of the Asp97-mutated EcMetAP-Is. The effect on activity after altering Asp97 to alanine, glutamate or asparagine is, in general, due to a ∼ 9000-fold decrease in k_ca towards …

Fatigue Risks In The Connections Of Sign Support Structures: Phase 1, Christopher Foley, Baolin Wan, Mathew Weglarz, Matthew Hellenthal, Jordan Komp, Andrew Smith, Joseph Schmidt

Transportation Reports with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Wisconsin sought to assess the risk of fatigue-induced fracture in its existing sign support structures designed before the latest AASHTO specifications that included fatigue design. A framework for assessing fatigue-induced fracture risk is developed and detailed synthesis of fatigue testing of connections is conducted. Statistical analysis of tests conducted since 1970 is made and models for characterizing uncertainty in the fatigue life of these connections are proposed. Recommendations regarding further fatigue testing (specimen configuration, number and stress range) are given. Statistical models for wind speed and direction are developed using historical records obtained through the National Climatic Data Center for …

Emotional, Cognitive, And Family Systems Mediators Of Children's Adjustment To Interparental Conflict, Gregory M. Fosco, John H. Grych

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Emotional, cognitive, and family systems processes have been identified as mediators of the association between interparental conflict and children's adjustment. However, little is known about how they function in relation to one another because they have not all been assessed in the same study. This investigation examined the relations among children's exposure to parental conflict, their appraisals of threat and blame, their emotional reaction, and triangulation into parental disagreements. One hundred fifty ethnically diverse 8- to 12-year-old children and both of their parents participated in the study. Comparisons of 3 models proposing different relations among these processes indicated that they …

Promoting Hope: Suggestions For School Counselors, Jennifer Teramoto Pedrotti, Lisa Edwards, Shane J. Lopez

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

School counselors need multiple resources to assist today's students in developing to their fullest potential. This development might often be measured outwardly by academic success; however, psychological and emotional well-being of students is a large part of this success. The construct of hope is defined as a bidimensional characteristic consisting of an agency component (willpower to move toward one's goals) and a pathways component (ability to develop multiple routes to one's goals) and has been linked to academic success, athletic performance, psychological adjustment, and physical health in students (Snyder et al., 1991). Helping school counselors to enhance individual strengths through …

Who Could Best Complement A Team Of Family Business Researchers—Scholars Down The Hall Or In Another Building?, Alex Stewart

Management Faculty Research and Publications

This study explores which fields might potentially collaborate in family business research. It compares 14 research fields for their structure of topical attention. The most convenient collaborations, such as those between entrepreneurship, family business, and strategy researchers, prove to be the most appropriate for some research purposes. However, less common collaborations, particularly with scholars from law, history, and anthropology, appear to be the most appropriate for other projects. Family and marital therapy prove to be a less promising collaborator than one might expect because of their strong skewing to familial rather than commercial topics. Correspondingly, entrepreneurship also proves to be …

Review Of Sacramental Commons: Christian Ecological Ethics By John Hart, Jame Schaefer

Theology Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Nontraumatic Dental-Condition Visits To Emergency Departments And Physician Offices In The Wisconsin Medicaid Program, Christopher Okunseri, Nicholas M. Pajewski, David C. Brousseau, Sandy Tomany-Korman, Andrew Snyder, Glenn Flores

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Nontraumatic dental condition (NTDC) visits occur in emergency departments (EDs) and physician offices (POs), but little is known about factors associated with NTDC visit rates to EDs and POs.

Methods

The authors analyzed all Medicaid dental claims in Wisconsin from 2001 through 2003 to examine factors associated with NTDC visits to EDs and POs. They performed bivariate and multivariable analyses. The independent variables they examined included race/ethnicity, age, sex, dental health professional shortage area (DHPSA) designation and urban influence code for county of residence.

Results

The authors evaluated 956,774 NTDC visits made during 1,718,006 person-years; 4.3 percent of visits …

Adverse Effects Of Chronic Circadian Desynchronization In Animals In A "Challenging" Environment, Fabian Preuss, Tueming Tang, Aaron D. Laposky, Deanna M. Arble, Ali Keshavarzian, Fred W. Turek

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Continuous disruption of circadian rhythms, as seen in human shift workers, has been associated with the development of a number of adverse mental and physiological conditions. However, scientific evidence linking circadian disruption to overall health, particularly in animal models, is not well documented. In this study, we have demonstrated that exposing C57BL/6J mice to 12-h phase shifts every 5 days for 3 mo had no effect on body weight or intestinal physiology. However, when animals were further challenged with dextran sodium sulfate to induce colitis, chronic shifting of the light-dark cycle led to a dramatic increase in the progression of …

A Device For Noninvasive Assessment Of Vascular Impairment Risk In The Lower Extremity, Michael J. Hoffmann, Paul E. Knudson, M. Barbara Silver-Thorn

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The repeatability and resolution of the clinical gold standard of vascular assessment, the ankle-brachial index (ABI), was compared to that of a new device that dynamically assesses tissue perfusion during external loading utilizing laser Doppler flowmetry. Eight subjects of varying levels of vascular impairment were tested in successive weeks using two different sites on the subject's posterior calf. These new measures included the perfusion decrease as well as the unloading delay during cyclic loading. Some new dynamic tissue perfusion measures demonstrated comparable levels of reproducibility with the ABI (e.g., 10%-20%). Only the unloading delay showed potentially enhanced resolution over ABI …

Phylogeography Of The Bigeye Chub Hybopsis Amblops (Teleostei: Cypriniformes): Early Pleistocene Diversification And Post‐Glacial Range Expansion, Peter B. Berendzen, Tony Gamble, Andrew M. Simons

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The bigeye chub, Hybopsis amblops, is a member of the Central Highlands ichthyofauna of eastern North America. Phylogenetic analyses of the H. amblops species group based on a 1059 bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene did not recover a monophyletic group. The inclusion of Hybopsis hypsinotus in the species complex is questionable. Within H. amblops, five strongly supported clades were identified; two clades containing haplotypes from the Ozark Highlands and three clades containing haplotypes from the Eastern Highlands and previously glaciated regions of the Ohio and Wabash River drainages. Estimates of the timing of divergence …

A Method To Quantify Residents' Jargon Use During Counseling Of Standardized Patients About Cancer Screening, Lindsay Deuster, Stephanie Christopher, Jodi Donovan, Michael Farrell

College of Professional Studies Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Jargon is a barrier to effective patient-physician communication, especially when health literacy is low or the topic is complicated. Jargon is addressed by medical schools and residency programs, but reducing jargon usage by the many physicians already in practice may require the population-scale methods used in Quality Improvement.

Objective

To assess the amount of jargon used and explained during discussions about prostate or breast cancer screening. Effective communication is recommended before screening for prostate or breast cancer because of the large number of false-positive results and the possible complications from evaluation or treatment.

Participants

Primary care internal medicine residents. …

Kinetic And Spectroscopic Analysis Of The Catalytic Role Of H79 In The Methionine Aminopeptidase From Escherichia Coli, Sarah J. Watterson, Sanghamitra Mitra, Sabina I. Swierczek, Brian Bennett, Richard C. Holz

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

To gain insight into the role of the strictly conserved histidine residue, H79, in the reaction mechanism of the methionyl aminopeptidase from Escherichia coli (EcMetAP-I), the H79A mutated enzyme was prepared. Co(II)-loaded H79A exhibits an overall >7000-fold decrease in specific activity. The almost complete loss of activity is primarily due to a >6000-fold decrease in k_cat. Interestingly, the K_m value obtained for Co(II)-loaded H79A was approximately half the value observed for wild-type (WT) EcMetAP-I. Consequently, k_cat/K_m values decreased only 3000-fold. On the other hand, the observed specific activity of Mn(II)-loaded …

Ubi-App: A Ubiquitous Application For Universal Access From Handheld Devices, Shameem Ahmed, Moushumi Sharmin, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed

Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Universal access from a handheld device (such as a PDA, cell phone) at any time or anywhere is now a reality. Ubicomp Assistant (UA) (Sharmin et al. in Proceedings of the 21st annual ACM symposium on applied computing (ACM SAC 2006), Dijon, France, pp 1013–1017, 2006) is an integral service of MARKS (Sharmin et al. in Proceedings of the third international conference on information technology: new generations (ITNG 2006), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, pp 306–313, 2006). It is a middleware developed for handheld devices, and has been designed to accommodate different types of users (e.g., education, healthcare, marketing, or business). …

Trapping And Characterization Of A Reaction Intermediate In Carbapenem Hydrolysis By B. Cereus Metallo-Β-Lactamase, Mariana F. Tioni, Leticia L. Llarrull, Andrés A. Poeylaut-Palena, Marcelo A. Martí, Miguel Saggu, Gopal R. Periyannan, Ernesto G. Mata, Brian Bennett, Daniel H. Murgida, Alejandro J. Vila

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

Metallo-β-lactamases hydrolyze most β-lactam antibiotics. The lack of a successful inhibitor for them is related to the previous failure to characterize a reaction intermediate with a clinically useful substrate. Stopped-flow experiments together with rapid freeze−quench EPR and Raman spectroscopies were used to characterize the reaction of Co(II)−BcII with imipenem. These studies show that Co(II)−BcII is able to hydrolyze imipenem in both the mono- and dinuclear forms. In contrast to the situation met for penicillin, the species that accumulates during turnover is an enzyme−intermediate adduct in which the β-lactam bond has already been cleaved. This intermediate is a metal-bound anionic species …

There Is No Place Like Home: The Body As The Scene Of The Crime In Sexual Assault Intervention, Sameena A. Mulla

Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

"The body is the scene of the crime," is an oft-repeated phrase among nurses conducting sexual assault forensic examinations. This instruction reminds nurses that the object under scrutiny, the sexually violated body, is the location and source of establishing legal evidence. The nurses' interest lies in recovering evidentiary materials towards deriving a future juridical truth and providing a means for remedy or restitution. The constitution of truth obscures how the subject comes to be at home and dwell in a world where rape occurs. This article argues that regarding the body as a crime scene is more than a rhetorical …

Positive Affect And Adjustment To Perceived Racism, Anthony D. Ong, Lisa M. Edwards

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

This research provided the first empirical investigation of the role of positive affect in moderating the relationship between perceived racism and depressive symptoms. A sample of 215 racial and ethnic minority young adults completed measures of perceived racism, daily race–related stress, positive affect, optimism, and depressive symptoms. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that positive affect and perceived racism accounted for a significant portion of the variance in depressive symptoms. Most notably, above and beyond the effects of optimism, positive affect interacted with perceived racism to weaken its influence on depression. Implications for future research directions that build on these initial findings …

Compelling Intimacies: Domesticity, Sexuality, And Agency, Aaron Goodfellow, Sameena A. Mulla

Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

This introduction highlights what we call "Compelling Intimacies"—the multiple desires, affects, and affinities that arise at the intersection of institutions, actors, technologies, and ethical discourses to exert persuasive pressures on subjects. Each article animates different facets of the intensities born of intimacy as they operate across social and relational fields. The authors separate agency from intention in their efforts to identify the vitality of human and non-human relations. Together, the articles demonstrate how domesticities arise through diverse sets of circumstances, emerging in multiple incarnations—often in the same household—in such a way as to generate a wide range of affects and …

Coping Difficulties After Hospitalization, Judith Fitzgerald Miller, Linda Piacentine, Marianne Weiss

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Coping difficulties of 113 adults 3 weeks after hospital discharge were identified using the Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale and a brief focused telephone interview (11-item guide). Overall, low difficulty scores were reported (M = 23.9, SD = 18.2, range = 0 to 100). Qualitative data reveal specific coping difficulties in the categories of stressors, specific difficulties, caring for self, managing the condition, family, advice needed, contact with the health care system, and what they wished they knew before discharge. A core theme of biographical reconstruction emerged.

Altering Occlusal Vertical Dimension Provisionally With Base Metal Onlays: A Clinical Report, Soni Prasad, Jennifer Kuracina, Edward A. Monaco, Jr.

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

This article presents a method for altering occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) to restore dentitions with limited restorative space due to loss of tooth structure. A provisional increase in OVD is achieved using predominately base metal onlays, which offer advantages over conventional techniques. The onlays are resistant to wear, may be bonded well to nonrestored and restored tooth surfaces with resin cements, and provide a fairly reversible method of increasing OVD. A patient situation is presented which demonstrates the use of provisional base metal onlays in complete mouth rehabilitation.

Parenting Latino Toddlers And Preschoolers: Clinical And Nonclinical Samples, Marie E. Perez, Robert A. Fox

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Parenting practices contribute significantly to the social-emotional development of young children. There is limited literature that addresses the role of culture in parenting, particularly among Latino families who have very young children with significant behavior problems. The current study compared the parenting practices of 30 low-income Latino mothers whose young children had been referred for mental health services for their behavior problems with a similar group of 30 mothers of children without behavior problems. Results showed that mothers in the clinical sample nurtured their children less often and used more frequent verbal and corporal punishment as discipline than the nonclinical …

Introduction: Critical Studies In Romanticism Today, Diane Hoeveler

English Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Defining Resonance Raman Spectral Responses To Substrate Binding By Cytochrome P450 From Pseudomonas Putida, Piotr J. Mak, Daniel Kaluka, Munyaradzi Edith Manyumwa, Haiqing Zhang, Tianjing Deng, James R. Kincaid

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Resonance Raman spectra are reported for substrate-free and camphor-bound cytochrome P450cam and its isotopically labeled analogues that have been reconstituted with protoheme derivatives that bear -CD₃ groups at the 1, 3, 5, and 8-positions (d12-protoheme) or deuterated methine carbons (d4-protoheme). In agreement with previous studies of this and similar enzymes, substrate binding induces changes in the high frequency and low frequency spectral regions, with the most dramatic effect in the low frequency region being activation of a new mode near 367 cm⁻¹. This substrate-activated mode had been previously assigned as a second “propionate bending” mode (Chen et …

Analyzing The Catalytic Mechanism Of The Fe-Type Nitrile Hydratase From Comamonas Testosteroni Ni1, Saroja Rao, Richard C. Holz

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

In order to gain insight into the catalytic mechanism of Fe-type nitrile hydratases (NHase), the pH and temperature dependence of the kinetic parameters k_cat, K_m, and k_cat/K_m along with the solvent isotope effect were examined for the Fe-type NHase from Comamonas testosteroni Ni1 (CtNHase). CtNHase was found to exhibit a bell-shaped curve for plots of relative activity vs pH over pH values 4−10 for the hydration of acrylonitrile and was found to display maximal activity at pH ∼7.2. Fits of these data provided a pK_ES1 value of …