cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surimi-like products from mutton

Surimi-like mutton products were produced using hand boned meat (HBM) and mechanically separated meat (MSM). Washing increased moisture and decreased fat and protein in surimi-like products. Collagen solubility and water holding capacity were higher for surimi-like products from MSM when compared to those from HBM. Washing reduced bone content of MSM. Percentage of 14:0, 16:0, 18:0 and 18:1 fatty acids tended to decrease and percentage of polyunsat-urated fatty acids tended to increase with washing. Acceptable restructured beef steaks with reduced salt content were produced when washed HBM or washed MSM were included.
Resilience Analysis of Power Grids Under the Sequential Attack

The modern society increasingly relies on electrical service, which also brings risks of catastrophic consequences, e.g., large-scale blackouts. In the current literature, researchers reveal the vulnerability of power grids under the assumption that substations/transmission lines are removed or attacked synchronously. In reality, however, it is highly possible that such removals can be conducted sequentially. Motivated by this idea, we discover a new attack scenario, called the sequential attack, which assumes that substations/transmission lines can be removed sequentially, not synchronously. In particular, we find that the sequential attack can discover many combinations of substation whose failures can cause large blackout size. Previously, these combinations are ignored by the synchronous attack. In addition, we propose a new metric, called the sequential attack graph (SAG), and a practical attack strategy based on SAG. In simulations, we adopt three test benchmarks and five comparison schemes. Referring to simulation results and complexity analysis, we find that the proposed scheme has strong performance and low complexity.
The Infrared Spectra of Monosubstituted Biphenyls

As part of a study of the mechanism of free radical phenylation of aromatic compounds it was necessary to obtain analytically pure standards of several biphenyls which were expected products of the reactions being examined. While most of them could be purchased or readily synthesized by standard, unambiguous methods, two of them could not, these being 2-tert-butylbiphenyl and 3-tert-butylbiphenyl. These two standards were obtained via preparative-scale gas chromatographic separation of a mixture containing biphenyl and 2-, 3-, and 4-tert-butylbiphenyl. After ascertaining that each tert-butylbiphenyl fraction collected was pure, it was necessary to determine which isomeric structure belonged to each fraction. Infrared spectroscopy was chosen because of its simplicity, reliability, and the ready availability of spectra of model compounds.
Demonstrating Differential Reinforcement by Shaping Classroom Participation.

A classroom demonstration using differential reinforcement was devised to shape classroom participation of 14 students in an introductory psychology lab. Based on our observations and student comments, the technique was useful for illustrating how reinforcers shape behavior. The demonstration facilitated students' understanding of operant conditioning procedures and seemed to encourage a more equitable distribution of classroom participation for all students.
Castor diacylglycerol acyltransferase type 1 (DGAT1) displays greater activity with diricinolein than Arabidopsis DGAT1

Abstract Castor oil contains the hydroxy fatty acid ricinoleate as a major (90%) component. The diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) carries out the final reaction step in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol, the principal constituent of seed oil, and has been considered to be the step that controls the oil content of seeds. In order to better understand how castor is able to produce such an unusual oil, we have compared the substrate selectivity of the type 1 DGATs (DGAT1) from castor (RcDGAT1) and Arabidopsis thaliana (AtDGAT1). This comparison of DGATs indicates that RcDGAT1 is more active than AtDGAT1 when the substrate is diricinolein, the predominant substrate for DGAT in the castor seed, while both are similarly active with dipalmitolein. The approximate twofold preference of RcDGAT in using diricinolein explains part of the sixfold preference displayed by a castor in vitro system for incorporating ricinoleate into castor oil.
Hypercube-to-host sorting

This paper discusses sorting on a hypercube multicomputer, with the assumption that the data to be sorted is initially in the hypercube memory and the sorted data is to reside in the host memory. Three algorithms-heap-and-merge, cyclic merge, and embedded binary tree-are proposed. These are evaluated experimentally on an NCUBE/7 hypercube multicomputer. The cyclic merge algorithm is found to have the best performance.
Development of potent dopamine-norepinephrine uptake inhibitors (DNRIs) based on a (2S,4R,5R)-2-benzhydryl-5-((4-methoxybenzyl)amino)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ol molecular template.

Abstract Current therapy of depression is less than ideal with remission rates of only 25–35% and response rates of 45–60%. It has been hypothesized that a dysfunctional dopaminergic system in the mesocorticolimbic pathway in depressive disorder may lead to development of anhedonia associated with loss of pleasure and interest along with loss of motivation. The current antidepressants do not address dopamine dysfunction which might explain their low efficacy. In this report, we have described an SAR study on our pyran-based triple reuptake inhibitors (TRIs) which are being investigated as the next-generation antidepressants. In the present work we demonstrate that our lead TRIs can be modified with appropriate aromatic substitutions to display a highly potent SSRI profile for compounds 2a and 4a (Ki (SERT); 0.71 and 2.68 nM, respectively) or a potent DNRI profile for compounds 6b and 6h (Ki (DAT/NET); 8.94/4.76 and 13/7.37 nM, respectively). Compounds 4g–4i exhibited potencies at all three monoamine transporters. The results provide insights into the structural requirements for developing selective dual- and triple-uptake inhibitors from a unique pyran molecular template for an effective management of depression and related disorders.
A new approach to analysis of multilayer adsorption

A new approach to the analysis of vapor adsorption on solids is proposed. In this method the adsorption isotherm is represented as a(p) = f(p)/(1-p/ps)d where a(p) is the amount of vapor adsorbed, p is the pressure, ps is the saturation vapor pressure, f(p) is a function describing the adsorption in the first molecular layer, and d is an adjustable parameter. This model allows one to determine the specific surface area of disperse and porous materials in a way that is not limited by the functional form of the monolayer adsorption isotherm, f(p). In addition, this equation gives a new way to correlate adsorption data over the whole range of p /ps. Comparison is made with experimental data for the systems Ar-KCl, N2-KCl, O2-KCl, N2-SiO2, and N2-Al2O3.
Growth, processing and properties of CVD diamond for optical applications

Abstract In recent years there has been an increased need for optical materials for use in adverse chemical, thermal, abrasive, and/or radiation environments. Diamond is a natural candidate for many of these applications because of its radiation hardness, superb resistance to chemical attack and abrasive wear, high thermal conductivity, and low absorption coefficient throughout the visible and much of the infrared. The use of synthetic (high pressure-high temperature) and natural diamond in optical components has been limited by the size and shapesof available crystals, and the inability to coat optical elements. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of polycrystalline diamond does not suffer the same limitations, and is therefore the focus of an expanding worldwide research effort. CVD diamond is not without its own shortcomings, however, and in this paper a status report is given on the obstacles and current research related to using CVD diamond as an optical material. Natural diamond's relevant physical properties and the optical applications envisioned for CVD diamond are also discussed.
Sequential Femoro-Popliteal-Tibial Bypass Grafting: Operative Technique and Results

Abstract Sequential femoro-popliteal-tibia1 saphenous vein grafts were constructed in 25 patients for limb salvage. Angiographically, these patients had an isolated popliteal artery segment and at least one distal tibial or peroneal artery patent. In each case, two distal anastomoses were made: one side-to-side to the isolated popliteal segment and the other end-to-side to a tibial or peroneal artery. Twenty-three of 25 grafts were successful; there was an immediate increase in anklebrachial pressure index and limb salvage. Patency rates calculated by life table analysis were 90.2% at six months, 83.8% at one yearr and a stable interval patency thereafter. For comparison, 65 standard femoro-tibia1 or peroneal vein grafts performed during the same time interval by the same surgeons were analyzed. Each graft had one distal anastomosis to a tibial or peroneal artery. Graft patency was 75% at six months, 72.6% at one year, 54.5% at two yearsl and 49.7% at three years. The superior patency rate of the sequential grafts was statistically significant (p We conclude that the sequential vein graft technique may result in more complete extremity revascularization and increased graft flow, thereby improving patency rates. In selected patients with an isolated popliteal segment and a patent distal tibial or peroneal artery, the sequential graft technique should be considered.
The photometric properties of natural snow and of snow-covered planets

Using the white light measurements of Knowles Middleton and Mungall (1952), the Minnaert constants, k and B sub zero, are derived for six types of snow surfaces for phase angles up to 80 deg. The conclusion is that snow is in general a quasi-Lambert scatterer (k = 1.04 to 1.35). Even in an extreme case of specular reflection (a 'glazed rain crust'), k is less than 2 at these phase angles. The range in k and B sub zero suggested by these data are then used to estimate some fundamental photometric parameters of smooth snow-covered planets: geometric albedos, phase integrals, Bond albedos, and phase coefficients.
Exploring the role of large conformational changes in the fidelity of DNA polymerase β

The relationships between the conformational landscape, nucleotide insertion catalysis and fidelity of DNA polymerase β are explored by means of computational simulations. The simulations indicate that the transition states for incorporation of right (R) and wrong (W) nucleotides reside in substantially different protein conformations. The protein conformational changes that reproduce the experimentally observed fidelity are significantly larger than the small rearrangements that usually accompany motions from the reactant state to the transition state in common enzymatic reactions. Once substrate binding has occurred, different constraints imposed on the transition states for insertion of R and W nucleotides render it highly unlikely that both transition states can occur in the same closed structure, because the predicted fidelity would then be many orders of magnitude too large. Since the conformational changes reduce the transition state energy of W incorporation drastically they decrease fidelity rather than increase it. Overall, a better agreement with experimental data is attained when the R is incorporated through a transition state in a closed conformation and W is incorporated through a transition state in one or perhaps several partially open conformations. The generation of free energy surfaces for R and W also allow us to analyze proposals about the relationship between induced fit and fidelity.
On the Isolation and Characterization of the Alpha and Beta Subunits of Human Pituitary Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Highly purified hFSH (40S0 IU/ mg) was treated with 8M urea at pH 7.7, for 16 hr at 25 C and then chromatographed on DE-23 (Whatman) ion-exchanger, in 0.007M phosphate- 0.003M borate buffer, pH 8.0. The fraction unadsorbed on the exchanger (1661B1) showed a single band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis, had low biologic activity (less than 12 IU/mg), did not combine with the alpha subunit of bovine LH to give a hybrid with FSH activity, but did combine with the beta subunit of human LH to give a hybrid with significant LH activity. The protein adsorbed to the exchanger was eluted with 0.5M NaCl and showed three major components by acrylamide gel electrophoresis, having significantly different molecular weights (49,000, 44,000 and 24,000). The lowest molecular weight fraction (1679B2) was isolated by gel filtration through Sephadex G-100. It gave a single band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis and a single peak after gel filtration through Sephadex G-100. Fraction 1679B2 combined with bLH-α subunit to give...
Prediction of hydrogen flux through sulfur-tolerant binary alloy membranes

Metal membranes play a vital role in hydrogen purification. Defect-free membranes can exhibit effectively infinite selectivity but must also provide high fluxes, resistance to poisoning, long operational lifetimes, and low cost. Alloying offers one route to improve on membranes based on pure metals such as palladium. We show how ab initio calculations and coarse-grained modeling can accurately predict hydrogen fluxes through binary alloy membranes as functions of alloy composition, temperature, and pressure. Our approach, which requires no experimental input apart from knowledge of bulk crystal structures, is demonstrated for palladium-copper alloys, which show nontrivial behavior due to the existence of face-centered cubic and body-centered cubic crystal structures and have the potential to resist sulfur poisoning. The accuracy of our approach is examined by a comparison with extensive experiments using thick foils at elevated temperatures. Our experiments also demonstrate the ability of these membranes to resist poisoning by hydrogen sulfide.
Telematics and on‐line teacher training: the Polaris Project

The link between distance learning and telematics is becoming ever stronger, yielding new solutions to old problems, innovative educational resources and new teaching/learning models. One of the most innovative and promising fruits of this relationship is on-line education, notably a process whereby all the participants (teachers, tutors and students) are linked up in a computer network; the effect of this is the creation of a fully-fledged learning community in which all individuals take an active part and make a valuable contribution to the group. The aim of the paper is firstly to outline the distinctive characteristics of on-line education methodology and secondly to examine the POLARIS project, which proposes an experimental approach for in-service teacher training based on intensive use of computer mediated communication according to the principles of on-line education.
The mineral in bone, dentin and tooth enamel

Detailed knowledge about the constitution and the solubility behaviour of the mineral in calcified tissues is still lacking. This knowledge is important for the understanding of the behaviour of the mineral under physiological and pathological conditions. In this study literature data on the composition and particle size of the mineral are reviewed. Their predominantly apatitic nature goes back to hydroxyapatite as their prototype. However, other calcium phosphates, like whitlockite, are also important. The various analytical data on the content of Ca, P, Na, Mg and CO3 as the main components were analyzed for their consistency with a model of variable phase composition of the mineral. This analysis revealed that the probable phase composition of the mineral in dentin and bone is the same, but different from that in tooth enamel. Studies on the solubility behaviour indicate that near the physiological pH (7.4) all phases are solubility controlling simultaneously. This supports a physiological model according to which the body fluids are close to physicochemical equilibrium with bone mineral. Hence, changes in the chemical and phase composition of the mineral which occur under pathological conditions are related to changes in the activities of the relevant components in the surrounding body fluid. The latter depend mainly on cellular activity and organic transport activity. Attention is also paid to the anticariogenic effect of fluoride and the incorporation of that component in the mineral of fluorotic bone. This study is closed with some remarks about the use of synthetic analogues of biominerals as implants in dentistry and surgery.
Approximate methods in Bayesian point process spatial models

A range of point process models which are commonly used in spatial epidemiology applications for the increased incidence of disease are compared. The models considered vary from approximate methods to an exact method. The approximate methods include the Poisson process model and methods that are based on discretization of the study window. The exact method includes a marked point process model, i.e., the conditional logistic model. Apart from analyzing a real dataset (Lancashire larynx cancer data), a small simulation study is also carried out to examine the ability of these methods to recover known parameter values. The main results are as follows. In estimating the distance effect of larynx cancer incidences from the incinerator, the conditional logistic model and the binomial model for the discretized window perform relatively well. In explaining the spatial heterogeneity, the Poisson model (or the log Gaussian Cox process model) for the discretized window produces the best estimate.
Identifying the Critical Points of Skeleton-Based Convolution Surfaces for Conceptual Design

Skeletal modeling is an approach to creating solid models in which the engineer designs with lower dimensional primitives such as points, lines, and triangles. The skeleton is then “skinned over” to create the surfaces of the three dimensional object. Convolution surfaces are generated by convolving a kernel function with a geometric field function to create an implicit surface. Certain properties of convolution surfaces make them attractive for skeletal modeling, including: (1) providing analytic solutions for various geometry primitives (including points, line segments, and triangles); (2) generating smooth surfaces (3) and providing well-behaved blending. We assume that engineering designers expect the topology of a skeletal model to be identical to that of the underlying skeleton. However the topology of convolution surfaces can change arbitrarily, making it difficult to predict the topology of the generated surface from knowledge of the topology of the skeleton. To address this issue, we apply Morse theory to analyze the topology of convolution surfaces by detecting the critical points of the surface. We describe an efficient algorithm that we have developed to find the critical points by analyzing the skeleton. The intent is to couple this algorithm with appropriate heuristics for determining parameter values of the convolution surface that will force its topology to match that of the skeleton.© 2007 ASME
An ultraviolet spectrophotometric method for the determination of naphthalene and alkylnaphthalenes in the tissues of oil-contaminated marine animals.

The paper describes a direct UV spectrophotometric method for the semiquantitative determination of naphthalene, methylnaphthalenes and dimethylnaphthalenes in sea water and the tissues of marine animals.
A Comparison of Student Teacher and Supervisor Perceptions of Student Teaching

ABSTRACT This study compares the beliefs of prospective teachers about their capabilities in teaching, with the perceptions of their supervisors. Two groups of prospective teachers, undergraduates and graduate students, and their supervisory teachers are examined by questionnaire. The major difference between the undergraduate and graduate training programs is 400 hours of practical experience for the former. Student‐teachers were found to be confident before and after student‐teaching, but supervisors had differing perceptions of undergraduates and graduate students. Results are discussed both in terms of integration of theory and practice, and also the possible ambiguity and complexity of the ratings.
Valvular heart disease (aortic regurgitation and mitral valve prolapse) among institutionalized adults with Down's syndrome.

Abstract Congenital heart disease has long been recognized in children with Down's syndrome, but little is known about the manifestations of clinical heart disease in adults with this condition. Therefore, 131 adults with Down's syndrome were examined. Clinical heart disease was considered to be present when an abnormally split S2, systolic click, at least grade 3 6 systolic precordial murmur, or any diastolic precordial murmur was heard. Using these criteria, 38 patients had clinical heart disease and 93 did not. To confirm and evaluate the ausculatory findings, echocardiograms were recorded in 37 of the patients. Comparison between patients without clinical heart disease and those with clinical heart disease showed that neither age (39 ± 11 vs 40 ± 12 years, respectively) nor gender (60% vs 66% men, respectively) differed significantly. Eleven had clinical and echocardlographic findings consistent with atrial or ventricular septal defect. Findings consistent with aortic regurgitation were Identified In 8, and 18 had mitral valve prolapse. These results suggest that in addition to abial and ventricular septal defect (which have a well recognized association with Down's syndrome), 2 specific, usually asymptomatic, and heretofore unanticipated valvular cardiac abnormalities may be associated with Down's syndrome.
Effects of the structural layer in MEMS substrates on mechanical and electrical properties of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 films

Abstract In this paper, we describe the effects of the structural layer in substrates on the mechanical and electrical properties of Pb(Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 (PZT) films for MEMS applications. The PZT films were deposited by a sol–gel method on platinized silicon substrates where silicon nitride and silicon oxide were used as a structural layer. The mechanical properties of PZT films were characterized by nanoindentation. The ferroelectric and dielectric properties as a function of film thickness and layer material were investigated. Residual stresses in PZT films were also characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The measured mechanical properties of PZT films on two types of substrate indicate that the structural layer has significant influence on the obtained indentation moduli of PZT films. The PZT on SiN x -based substrates, i.e., PZT//SiN x /Si multilayer structure presented higher measured values than those of PZT on SiO 2 -based substrate, i.e., PZT//SiO 2 /Si multilayer structure throughout the whole indentation depth. The substrate effect on film hardness, however, was negligible since hardness value of around 8.8 GPa was measured for both PZT on SiN x and SiO 2 -based substrates. Significant influences of the film thickness and substrate type on the electrical properties were not observed for the investigated thickness range of the PZT films.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Spatial Audio Displays in a Simulated Airborne Command and Control Task

The effects of a spatial audio display on speech intelligibility were evaluated in a simulated Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) task environment. Ten trained Air Weapons Officers served as participants during a Close Air Support mission. Spatial audio, chatter level, and mission phase served as experimental factors and speech intelligibility was assessed using the Coordinate Response Measure. Results indicated that speech intelligibility was degraded during the most difficult mission segments, and that spatial audio alleviated, to a moderate extent, the degree of this degradation. In addition, spatial audio was associated with faster response times for correct identification of critical call signs. Overall ratings of perceived mental workload (NASA Task Load Index) indicated intermediate levels and failed to show an effect for the spatial audio manipulation. However, post-experimental questionnaires indicated that operators rated spatial audio technology as valuable for improving communications...
Evidence for a phosphorylation-independent role for Ser 32 and 36 in proteasome inhibitor-resistant (PIR) IκBα degradation in B cells

Constitutive NF-kappaB activity has emerged as an important cell survival regulator. Canonical inducible NF-kappaB activation involves IkappaB kinase (IKK)-dependent dual phosphorylation of Ser 32 and 36 of IkappaBalpha to cause its beta-TrCP-dependent ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. We recently reported that constitutive NF-kappaB (p50/c-Rel) activity in WEHI231 B cells is maintained through proteasome inhibitor-resistant (PIR) IkappaBalpha degradation in a manner that requires Ser 32 and 36, without the requirement of a direct interaction with beta-TrCP. Here we specifically examined whether dual phosphorylation of Ser 32 and 36 was required for PIR degradation. Through mutagenesis studies, we found that dual replacement of Ser 32 and 36 with Glu permitted beta-TrCP and proteasome-dependent, but not PIR, degradation. Moreover, single replacement of either Ser residue with Leu permitted PIR degradation in WEHI231 B cells. These results indicate that PIR degradation occurs in the absence of dual phosphorylation, thereby explaining the beta-TrCP-independent nature of the PIR pathway. Additionally, we found evidence that PIR IkappaBalpha degradation controls constitutive NF-kappaB activation in certain multiple myeloma cells. These results suggest that B lineage cells can differentiate between PIR and canonical IkappaBalpha degradation through the absence or presence of dually phosphorylated IkappaBalpha.
We contain multitudes: the protean face of retinoblastoma.

The precise cellular characteristics of retinoblastoma have long been debated. In this issue of Cancer Cell, McEvoy et al. reveal that retinoblastomas are highly homogeneous at the molecular level and coexpress genes characteristic of retinal progenitors and various different mature retinal cell types, while ultrastructurally resembling amacrine cells.
Using bond-length-dependent transferable force constants to predict vibrational entropies in Au-Cu, Au-Pd, and Cu-Pd alloys

A model is tested to rapidly evaluate the vibrational properties of alloys with site disorder. It is shown that length-dependent transferable force constants exist and can be used to accurately predict the vibrational entropy of substitutionally ordered and disordered structures in Au-Cu, Au-Pd, and Cu-Pd. For each relevant force constant, a length-dependent function is determined and fitted to force constants obtained from first-principles pseudopotential calculations. We show that these transferable force constants can accurately predict vibrational entropies of L12-ordered and disordered phases in Cu3Au, Au3Pd, Pd3Au, Cu3Pd, and Pd3Au. In addition, we calculate the vibrational entropy difference between L12-ordered and disordered phases of Au3Cu and Cu3Pt.
Quantitative structure-activity relationships for chemical toxicity to environmental bacteria.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) were developed for nonreactive chemical toxicity to each of four groups of bacteria of importance in environmental engineering: aerobic heterotrophs, methanogens, Nitrosomonas, and Microtox. The QSARs were based on chemicals covering a range of structures and including important environmental pollutants (i.e., chlorinated and other substituted benzenes, phenols, and aliphatic hydrocarbons). QSARs were developed for each chemical class and for combinations of chemical classes. Three QSAR methods (groups of chemical describing parameters) were evaluated for their accuracy and ease of use: log P, linear solvation energy relationships (LSER), and molecular connectivity. Successful QSARs were found for each group of bacteria and by each method, with correlation coefficients (adjusted r2) between 0.79 and 0.95. LSER QSARs incorporated the widest range of chemicals with the greatest accuracy. Log P and molecular connectivity QSARs are easier to use because their parameters are readily available. Outliers from the QSARs likely due to reactive toxicity included acryls, low pKa compounds, and aldehydes. Nitro compounds and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols showed enhanced toxicity to the methanogens only. Chemicals with low IC50 concentrations (log IC50 mumol/liter less than 1.5) were often outliers for Nitrosomonas. QSARs were validated statistically and with literature data. A suggested method is provided for use of the QSARs.
Nitrite production by Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosospira sp. AV in soils at different solution concentrations of ammonium

Abstract Although it remains unclear why NH3-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) of the genus Nitrosospira dominate soil environments, and why Nitrosomonas spp. are less common, virtually no studies have compared their behavior in soil. In this study, the NH3 oxidation rates of Nitrosomonas europaea (ATCC 19718) and Nitrosospira sp. AV were compared in three differently textured soils containing a range of extractable NH 4 + contents (2–11 μg NH 4 + – N g − 1 soil). Soils were adjusted to pH 7.0–7.4 with CaCO3 and sterilized with γ-radiation. Cell suspensions of each bacterium were inoculated into the soils to bring them to two-third of water-holding capacity and cell densities ∼2.5×106 g−1 soil. In virtually all cases, rates of NO 2 − production for both N. europaea and Nitrosospira sp. AV were linear over 48 h, and represented between 13 and 75%, respectively, of the maximum rates achieved in soil-free bacterial suspensions. Soil solution NH 4 + concentrations that supported these rates ranged between 0.2 and 1.5 mM. Addition of 21–36 μg NH 4 + – N g − 1 soil raised soil solution NH 4 + levels to 1.8–2.5 mM and stimulated NO 2 − production to a greater extent in N. europaea (3.3–6.6-fold) than in Nitrosospira sp. AV (1–2.1-fold). Maximum rates of NO 2 − production were obtained by raising soil solution NH 4 + levels to 3–4 mM with a supplement of ∼80–90 μg NH 4 + – N g − 1 soil. Ks values in soil for Nitrosospira sp. AV and N. europaea were estimated as 0.14 and 1.9 mM NH 4 + , respectively, and estimates of Vmax were about 3.5-times higher for N. europaea (0.007 pmol h−1 cell−1) than for Nitrosospira sp. AV (0.002 pmol h−1 cell−1). The cell density of N. europaea increased in sterile Steiwer soil independent of supplemental NH 4 + . In the case of treatments receiving supplemental NH 4 + , growth yields of N. europaea calculated from either NO 2 − produced or NH 4 + consumed were similar to those reported in literature (3.5×106–6×106 cells μmol−1 NH 4 + ). A higher growth yield was measured in the case of zero added NH 4 + (2.7×107 cells μmol−1 NH 4 + ), indicating that use of organic carbon compounds might have occurred and resulted in some energy sparing. Our results suggest that Nitrosospira spp. with a Ks similar to Nitrosospira sp. AV may have an advantage for survival in soil environments where soil solution NH 4 + levels are less than 1 mM. However, it is apparent that AOB like N. europaea are poised to take advantages of modest increases in extractable NH 4 + that raise soil solution NH 4 + levels to about 2.0–2.5 mM.
A thermoelectric probe for measuring solid-liquid interface velocities and temperatures☆

Abstract Experiments with two thermoelectric devices, one a single probe and the other a double probe, are described. The single probe device is shown to offer a sensitive technique for measuring the temperature and velocity of a moving solid-liquid interface in a pure material. The double probe device offers a simpler experimental technique for measuring interface velocity.
Multiple Sclerosis and Pain: A Medical Focus

Abstract About 65% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience a broad range of both acute and subacute painful syndromes. Acute conditions (eg, trigeminal neuralgia and Lhermitte's syndrome) cause intense, unrelenting pain that may worsen with age and disease progression. Chronic pain (eg, joint pain) is also a component of MS. Pain syndromes, including optic neuritis, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and other less well-known syndromes, may respond to a variety of pharmacologic, surgical, or alternative interventions. MS patients may also experience iatrogenic pain. Some successful drug treatments for pain that are used in combination or alone include anticonvulsants, tricyclics, methylprednisolone, and narcotics. Surgical interventions, percutaneous compression-balloons, and radiofrequency ablation are other viable options for some pain syndromes.
Foundations of Higher Education Law and Policy: Basic Legal Rules, Concepts, and Principles for Student Affairs

(2012). Foundations of Higher Education Law and Policy: Basic Legal Rules, Concepts, and Principles for Student Affairs. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice: Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 475-477.
Parametric modeling of protein-DNA binding kinetics: A discrete event based simulation approach

To understand the stochastic behavior of biological systems, we adopt an ''in silico'' stochastic event based simulation methodology that can determine the temporal dynamics of different molecules. The main requirement for this technique is the event execution time models for the different biological functions of the system. This paper presents a parametric model to determine the execution time of one such biological function: protein-DNA binding. This biological function is modeled as a combination of microlevel biological events using a coarse-grained probability measure to estimate the stochastic parameters of the function. Our model considers the actual binding mechanism along with some approximated protein and DNA structural information. We use a collision theory based approach to transform the thermal and concentration gradients of this biological function into their corresponding probability measure. This information theoretic approach significantly removes the complexity of the classical protein sliding along the DNA model, improves the speed of computation and can bypass the speed-stability paradox. This model can produce acceptable estimates of DNA-protein binding time necessary for our event based stochastic system simulator where the higher order (more than second order statistics) uncertainties can be ignored. The results show good correspondence with available experimental estimates. The model depends very little on experimentally generated rate constants and brings the important biological parameters and functions into consideration. We also present some ''in silico'' results showing the effects of protein-DNA binding on gene expression in prokaryotic cells.
Diversity of contralateral commissural projections in the embryonic rodent spinal cord.

In vertebrate embryos, the axons of spinal commissural neurons grow toward and across the floor plate, a specialized structure located at the ventral midline. Although the initial segment of this trajectory has been intensively studied, relatively little is known about commissural axon pathfinding on the contralateral side of the floor plate in higher vertebrates. We recently demonstrated that many embryonic mouse and chick spinal commissural axons follow a complex trajectory once they cross the ventral midline. Here we use focal applications of 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′ tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) to identify four different contralateral commissural trajectories, two of which have not previously been described in the embryonic rodent spinal cord. Intermediate longitudinal commissural (ILC) axons travel away from the floor plate along an arcuate trajectory into intermediate regions of the spinal cord. In contrast, medial longitudinal commissural (MLC) axons grow alongside the floor plate, projecting primarily in the rostral direction. Bifurcating longitudinal commissural (BLC) axons branch into rostrally and caudally directed projections. Forked transverse commissural (FTC) axons either execute two orthogonal turns before crossing the floor plate or extend directly across the floor plate. We also show a variation in the relative frequencies of individual contralateral commissural projections along the dorsoventral and anteroposterior axes of the spinal cord. In addition, using a novel culture system, we demonstrate that commissural axons elaborate ILC-, MLC-, BLC-, and FTC-like trajectories in vitro. These results provide a basis for examining the mechanisms that regulate commissural axon pathfinding on the contralateral side of the floor plate in the embryonic rodent spinal cord. J. Comp. Neurol. 472:411–422, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus (TBSV), A Versatile Platform for Polyvalent Display of Antigenic Epitopes and Vaccine Design

Viruses-like particles (VLPs) are frequently being used as platforms for polyvalent display of foreign epitopes of interest on their capsid surface to improve their presentation enhancing the antigenicity and host immune response. In the present study, we used the VLPs of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), an icosahedral plant virus, as a platform to display 180 copies of 16 amino acid epitopes of ricin toxin fused to the C-terminal end of a modified TBSV capsid protein (NDelta52). Expression of the chimeric recombinant protein in insect cells resulted in spontaneous assembly of VLPs displaying the ricin epitope. Cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction of the chimeric VLPs at 22 A resolution revealed the locations and orientation of the ricin epitope exposed on the TBSV capsid surface. Furthermore, injection of chimeric VLPs into mice generated antisera that detected the native ricin toxin. The ease of fusing of short peptides of 15-20 residues and their ability to form two kinds (T=1, T=3) of bio-nanoparticles that result in the display of 60 or 180 copies of less constrained and highly exposed antigenic epitopes makes TBSV an attractive and versatile display platform for vaccine design.
Integrating discourse pragmatics and propositional knowledge for multilingual natural language processing

We present an integrated knowledge representation system for natural language processing (NLP) whose main distinguishing feature is its emphasis on encoding not only the usual propositional structure of the utterances in the input text, but also capturing an entire complex of nonpropositional — discourse, attitudinal, and other pragmatic — meanings that NL texts always carry. The need for discourse pragmatics, together with generic semantic information, is demonstrated in the context of anaphoric and definite noun phrase resolution for accurate machine translation. The major types of requisite pragmatic knowledge are presented, and an extension of a frame-based formalism developed in the context of the TRANSLATOR system is proposed as a first-pass codification of the integrated knowledge base.
SIROLIMUS–FKBP12.6 IMPAIRS ENDOTHELIAL BARRIER FUNCTION THROUGH PKCALPHA ACTUATION AND DISRUPTION OF THE VE CADHERIN–P120 CATENIN INTERACTION

results: EBF, measured by transendothelial electrical resistance, was impaired in HAEC with SRL treatment or transfection with siRNA for FKBP12.6. This impairment was reversed when pretreated with ryanodine, a stabilizer of RyR2 Ca2+ release channels. Intracellular Ca2+ increased in HAEC treated with SRL and normalized with ryanodine. HAEC treated with SRL demonstrated increases in PKCalpha phosphorylation, a serine/threonine kinase important in VE cadherin barrier function through its interaction with p120-catenin. Immunostaining of both HAEC and MAE showed disruption of VE cadherin (green) and p120 (red) in cells/aortas treated with SRL (igure). SRL impairment of EBF was abolished by HAEC transfection with PKCalpha siRNA. Mice treated with SRL demonstrated increased MAE permeability measured by Evans blue.
Structures of the agouti signaling protein.

Expression of the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) during hair growth produces the red/yellow pigment pheomelanin. ASIP, and its neuropeptide homolog the agouti-related protein (AgRP) involved in energy balance, are novel, paracrine signaling molecules that act as inverse agonists at distinct subsets of melanocortin receptors. Ubiquitous ASIP expression in mice gives rise to a pleiotropic phenotype characterized by a uniform yellow coat color, obesity, overgrowth, and metabolic derangements similar to type II diabetes in humans. Here we report the synthesis and NMR structure of ASIP's active, cysteine-rich, C-terminal domain. ASIP adopts the inhibitor cystine knot fold and, along with AgRP, are the only known mammalian proteins in this structure class. Moreover, ASIP populates two distinct conformers resulting from a cis peptide bond at Pro102-Pro103 and a coexistence of cis/trans isomers of Ala104-Pro105. Pharmacologic studies of Pro→Ala mutants demonstrate that the minor conformation with two cis peptide bonds is responsible for activity at all MCRs. The loop containing the heterogeneous Ala-Pro peptide bond is conserved in mammals, and suggests that ASIP is either trapped by evolution in this unusual configuration or possesses function outside of strict MCR antagonism.
A multi-level satellite channel allocation algorithm for real-time VBR data

Integrated services over a shared satellite channel need a MAC protocol that is able to deal with real-time traffic without substantially affecting the efficiency of the shared medium. Because of its bursty nature, MPEG coded VBR video transmission is one of the most challenging real-time applications. In this paper we analyze the statistical performance of a simple allocation method for VBR traffic by using an accurate statistical model of an MPEG-2 VBR coded movie, whose traffic exhibits a peak to mean ratio of about 4. The results were obtained both analytically and by simulation, and show that our method is suitable for transmitting non-interactive video and best-effort t raffic on the same satellite link. The e fficiency o f the proposed method shows no dependency on the statistical properties of the input traffic.
Hindsight Bias and Strategic Choice: Some Problems in Learning From Experience

Knowing eventual outcomes often distorts later reevaluations of initial decisions. Does training in strategic decision making overcome such bias? In two experiments, advanced strategy students anal...
Targets and Intracellular Signaling Mechanisms for Deoxynivalenol-Induced Ribosomal RNA Cleavage

The trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), a known translational inhibitor, induces ribosomal RNA (rRNA) cleavage. Here, we characterized this process relative to (1) specific 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA cleavage sites and (2) identity of specific upstream signaling elements in this pathway. Capillary electrophoresis indicated that DON at concentrations as low as 200 ng/ml evoked selective rRNA cleavage after 6 h and that 1000 ng/ml caused cleavage within 2 h. Northern blot analysis revealed that DON exposure induced six rRNA cleavage fragments from 28S rRNA and five fragments from 18S rRNA. When selective kinase inhibitors were used to identify potential upstream signals, RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR), hematopoietic cell kinase (Hck), and p38 were found to be required for rRNA cleavage, whereas c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase were not. Furthermore, rRNA fragmentation was suppressed by the p53 inhibitors pifithrin-α and pifithrin-μ as well as the pan caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Concurrent apoptosis was confirmed by acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining and flow cytometry. DON activated caspases 3, 8, and 9, thus suggesting the possible coinvolvement of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in rRNA cleavage. Satratoxin G (SG), anisomycin, and ricin also induced specific rRNA cleavage profiles identical to those of DON, suggesting that ribotoxins might share a conserved rRNA cleavage mechanism. Taken together, DON-induced rRNA cleavage is likely to be closely linked to apoptosis activation and appears to involve the sequential activation of PKR/Hck →p38→p53→caspase 8/9→caspase 3.
Mutational Analysis of Conserved Domains within the Cytoplasmic Tail of gp41 from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1: Effects on Glycoprotein Incorporation and Infectivity

The transmembrane (TM) glycoprotein gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 possesses an unusually long ( approximately 150 amino acids) and highly conserved cytoplasmic region. Previous studies in which this cytoplasmic tail had been deleted partially or entirely have suggested that it is important for virus infectivity and incorporation of the gp120-gp41 glycoprotein complex into virions. To determine which regions of the conserved C-terminal domains are important for glycoprotein incorporation and infectivity, several small deletions and amino acid substitutions which modify highly conserved motifs were constructed in the infectious proviral background of NL4.3. The effects of these mutations on infectivity and glycoprotein incorporation into virions produced from transfected 293-T cells and infected H9 and CEMx174 cells were determined. With the exception of a mutation deleting amino acids QGL, all of the constructs resulted in decreased infectivity of the progeny virus both in a single-round infectivity assay and in a multiple-infection assay in H9 and CEMx174 cells. For most mutations, the decreased infectivity was correlated with a decreased incorporation of glycoprotein into virions. Substitution of the arginines (residues 839 and 846) with glutamates also reduced infectivity, but without a noticeable decrease in the amount of glycoprotein incorporated into virus produced from infected T cells. These results demonstrate that minor alterations in the conserved C-terminal region of the gp41 cytoplasmic tail can result in reductions in infectivity that correlate for most but not all constructs with a decrease in glycoprotein incorporation. Observed cell-dependent differences suggest the involvement of cellular factors in regulating glycoprotein incorporation and infectivity.
Evidence of Latent Varicella-Zoster Virus in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia

Latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was studied in ganglia of rats that had been inoculated subcutaneously with either a high-passaged wild-type, a low-passaged wild-type, or the vaccine strain of virus using in situ hybridization. Nine of 11 rats injected with virus and no control rats developed serum VZV antibodies as demonstrated by fluorescent antibody membrane antigen. Polymerase chain reaction 2 weeks following inoculation did not detect viremia in the rats. VZV was detected by in situ hybridization in ganglia of 10 of the 11 infected rats but not in ganglia of the control rats. The distribution of VZV DNA is identical to that seen in humans; satellite cells and neurons contain VZV DNA. Although all animals received unilateral injections of virus, VZV DNA was in ipsilateral and contralateral ganglia in 6 animals, suggesting that virus replication and viremia had occurred.
Antibiotic-associated hypoprothrombinaemia

Hypoprothrombinaemia is regarded as a serious adverse effect of antimicrobial therapy. This effect has commonly been attributed to the potential of these drugs to kill intestinal bacteria, a possible source of vitamin K, which is a necessary co-factor in the synthesis of four of the clotting factors. This review examines the evidence for and against this hypothesis, first in experimental animals, then in humans, and assesses the reports of antibiotic associated hypoprothrombinaemia in man, with particular attention to information about the mechanism. The hypothesis that it is the destruction of intestinal bacteria that ultimately results in hypoprothrombinaemia may not be justified. Certain antibiotics, which contain thiol-leaving groups, may produce hypoprothrombinaemia because the thiol group inhibits the vitamin K-dependent step in clotting factor synthesis.