cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DNA backbone conformation in AAF modified dCpdG: Variable conformational modes of achieving base displacement

Minimized conformational potential energy calculations were performed for the major adduct of dCpdG with AAF. The DNA backbone conformations that produce base displacement, about which no information was previously available, were ascertained. Five different combinations of DNA backbone torsions produce low energy conformers in which the AAF is coplanar with cytidine, and the guanine is syn and twisted nearly perpendicular to the AAF. The various modes of achieving base displacement may occur under differing circumstances. This could lead to differing degrees of distortion at the adjacent sites and varying extents of denaturation.
Structure in the luminescence emission of the S2-ion

Abstract Fine structure is observed at 4°K in the luminescence emission of S 2 -in alkali halides. Effects due to the isotope S 34 and due to lattice vibrations are seen in addition to the previously reported quanta of vibration of the S 2 - molecule.
Scholars and Patients: Academic Performance and Medical Help-Seeking

The purpose of this report is to show how disparities between people's actual performances and their expectations with respect to those performances help to account for their differential use of a professional help agency. More specifically, the study relates college students' academic performances to their use of medical clinic facilities, employing their scores on the College Entrance Examination Board verbal aptitude examination as an explanatory variable. These scores are available to the students and to the college administration before the students arrive at college. Their importance here is that they provide a standardized indication of the probability that certain students will perform well, and others poorly. The study's major assumption is that the students do use these scores as a standard against which to compare their subsequent academic performances. In apparent support of this assumption, the study shows that the disparity between verbal aptitude and academic performance predicts more accur...
Representation of pure fluid coexistence curves by series expansion

Abstract We give a systematic recipe for constructing the coexistence curve associated with a pure fluid described by an analytical equation of state. The novelty of our result lies not in its theoretical basis, which is well known, but in the high degree of accuracy that it will routinely yield over a broad range of density and temperature for a relatively modest expenditure of computing effort. Our results are quite general: they may be applied to any analytical equation of state. The effectiveness of our method is illustrated by applying our general solution to four widely known model equations of state: van der Waals, Dieterici, Soave-Redlich-Kwong, and Carnahan-Starling with van der Waals tail term. These models show a considerable diversity of coexistence curve shapes, and our method yields accurate representations for each model. An investigation is also initiated of the representation of experimental coexistence curves that exhibit pronounced “non-classical” behavior over an appreciable range of densities.
Informed consent: An overview

Over the past 25 years, obtaining informed consent for the performance of many medical procedures has become part of the practice of medicine. As opposed to the “duty to warn” that is enforced by the law, informed consent should be a cornerstone of a fully collaborative decision-making process, the elements of which are presented in this paper. The responsibility for this process rests upon health care institutions and financing arrangements, as well as upon physicians and courts. In response to emergencies, patient preferences, and public interests, the consent process is justifiably abbreviated. However, as presently articulated, the consent process treats communication too simplistically, is distorted by the way it is enforced in litigation, is inattentive to social justice issues, and is not integrated into the moral commitment of physicians.
The effect of Escherichia coli Uvr protein binding on the topology of supercoiled DNA

Abstract The effects of the binding of the E. coli UvrA and UvrB proteins on the linking number (delta L) of superhelical DNA has been measured. The effects of cofactor ATP structure on UvrAB-nucleoprotein complex formation revealed that nucleotide binding, not hydrolysis, is sufficient to locally unwind the DNA helix of both ultraviolet light-damaged as well as undamaged DNAs. The extent of this unwinding is of the same order of magnitude as the nucleotide distances of the double incision sites generated by the UvrABC endonucleolytic reaction.
Extracranial and digital vascular events: an analysis of methods in BVP amplitude and biofeedback research.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to assess and compare the effects of within and between-session exposure to environmental context on left temporal artery pulse amplitude, right temporal artery pulse amplitude, and left digital pulse amplitude. Subjects were individually tested for 20 min daily over a period of eight consecutive days. A significant interaction was found for Position × Interval. These results show that exposure to the experimental context occurs with diametrically opposite effects on temporalis and digital pulse amplitude within session. Moreover, these results would support the hypothesis that controversial findings within the headache and biofeedback literature may be partially attributable to methodological differences where, for example, different authors use different transducer locations and/or evaluate pulse amplitude at different points within or among sessions. Indeed, research on the effects or lack thereof of therapeutic manipulations may have little or nothing to do with the intervention or experimental manipulations themselves. These effects may be masked or augmented by subject and methodological confounds during baseline and testing conditions.
Reaktionen des Trimethylsilylsenföls Darstellung von Organoammoniumrhodaniden, Iminiumrhodaniden und 3.4‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrimidinthionen‐(2)

Trimethylsilylsenfol reagiert mit primaren Aminen zu Ammoniumrhodaniden (1). In Gegenwart von Ketonen bilden sich die Ketiminiumrhodanide (2), die mit demselben oder einem anderen Keton zu 3.4-Dihydro-1H-pyrimidinthionen-(2) (3) weiterreagieren konnen. Reactions of Trimethylsilyl Isothiocyanate. Synthesis of Organoammonium Thiocyanates, Iminium Thiocyanates and 3,4-Dihydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinethiones Trimethylsilyl isothiocyanate reacts with primary amines to form ammonium thiocyanates (1). In the presence of ketones ketiminium thiocyanates (2) are isolated which react with the same or another ketone to yield 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinethiones (3).
Characterization of the human very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase gene promoter region: a role for activator protein 2.

Abstract Very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) is one of a family of nuclear-encoded enzymes that catalyze the initial step in mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO). Previous studies have indicated that two other members of the AD gene family (medium-chain AD and long-chain AD) are controlled at the transcriptional level by nuclear hormone receptors. In this study, we have cloned and characterized the human VLCAD gene promoter region to identify cis -acting elements involved in its transcriptional control. VLCAD gene promoter-luciferase reporter (VLCAD-Luc) constructs were found to be transcriptionally active in a variety of mammalian cell lines and in primary rat cardiomyocytes when driven by varying lengths of the VLCAD promoter region. Removal of a 20-bp DNA segment of the proximal VLCAD gene promoter markedly reduced the transcriptional activity of VLCAD-Luc constructs. Gel mobility shift assays identified a DNA-binding activity in nuclear extracts prepared from human hepatoma G2 cells that interacted with the 20-bp regulatory region. Competition studies revealed that this DNA-binding activity could be abolished by a molar excess of unlabeled specific oligonucleotide as well as a DNA fragment containing an activator protein 2 (AP-2)-binding site but not by an unrelated nonspecific DNA fragment. These results provide an initial characterization of the human VLCAD gene promoter, identify AP-2 as a candidate activator of VLCAD gene transcription, and suggest that VLCAD gene transcription may be regulated by pathways distinct from that of other AD genes.
Non-conservative forces in optical tweezers and Brownian Vortexes

Mechanical equilibrium at zero temperature does not necessarily imply thermodynamic equilibrium at finite temperature for a particle confined by a static, but non-conservative force field. Instead, the diffusing particle can enter into a steady state characterized by toroidal circulation in the probability flux, which we call a Brownian vortex. The circulatory bias in the particle's thermally-driven trajectory is not simply a deterministic response to the solenoidal component of the force, but rather reflects an interplay between advection and diffusion in which thermal fluctuations extract work from the non-conservative force field. As an example of this previously unrecognized class of stochastic machines, we consider a colloidal sphere diffusing in a conventional optical tweezer. We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally that non-conservative optical forces bias the particle's fluctuations into toroidal vortexes whose circulation can reverse direction with temperature or laser power.
Measurement of the tau anomalous magnetic moment

We have analysed radiative e + e − → ττ(γ) events using 84 pb −1 of data collected by the L3 experiment during the 1992–1994 LEP runs at the Z resonance. The energy spectrum of the photons is compared to the predictions of QED including additional magnetic and electric dipole terms. No deviations from the standard model are observed so upper limits are set on the magnetic and electric dipole form factors of the tau.
Bacteroides: A cause of residual abscess?

Bacteroides fragilis as a cause of residual abscess has not been previously demonstrated. This clinical and bacteriologic study of 54 consecutive cases of appendectomy in children suggests that if B. fragilis is found in the peritoneal fluid at the time of operation there is a strong possibility of residual abscess development. Special collection and culture methods are necessary to obtain positive cultures of this strictly anaerobic organism.
Genetic Variation in the Marten, Martes americana

Starch gel electrophoresis was used to survey genetic variation of proteins from the blood and livers of 10 martens, Martes americana , captured in Wyoming. Twenty-four gene loci were surveyed, and genetic variation was detected at 33% of the loci. Average heterozygosity was estimated to be 17%. These values are above previously reported averages for terrestrial carnivores.
Use of a novel silk mesh for ventral midline hernioplasty in a mare

Background Ventral midline hernia formation following abdominal surgery in horses is an uncommon complication; however, it can have serious consequences leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Currently, mesh hernioplasty is the treatment of choice for large ventral midline hernias in horses to allow potential return to normal function. Complications following mesh hernioplasty using polypropylene or polyester mesh in horses can be serious and similar to complications seen in human patients, including persistent incisional drainage, mesh infection, hernia recurrence, intra-abdominal adhesions, mesh or body wall failure, recurrent abdominal pain (colic), and peritonitis. This report describes the use of a novel bioresorbable silk mesh for repair of a large ventral midline incisional hernia in a mature, 600-kg horse. To our knowledge, this is the first report of its kind in the literature.
Exact zero-momentum sum rules in d=3 gauge theory

We derive, for non-abelian pure gauge theory, an infinite set of sum rules for connected zero-momentum matrix elements of the condensate operator Σ(Gija)2(x) in d = 3; these are equivalent to an effective action for this operator. These sum rules are analogous to similar ones derived, at the one-loop level, for d = 4 gauge theory and predict a non-zero positive value of 〈Gij2〉 and a negative vacuum energy. Some applications to effective glueball couplings and approximations to the evaluation of 〈Gij2〉 are discussed.
Evolution of immune functions of the mammary gland and protection of the infant.

Abstract The evolution of immunological agents in milk is intertwined with the general aspects of the evolution of the mammary gland. In that respect, mammalian precursors emerged from basal amniotes some 300 million years ago. In contrast to the predominant dinosaurs, proto-mammals possessed a glandular skin. A secondary palate in the roof of the mouth that directed airflow from the nostrils to the oropharynx and thus allowed mammals to ingest and breathe simultaneously first appeared in cynodonts 230 million years ago. This set the stage for mammalian newborns to nurse from the future mammary gland. Interplays between environmental and genetic changes shaped mammalian evolution including the mammary gland from dermal glands some 160 millions of years ago. It is likely that secretions from early mammary glands provided nutrients and immunological agents for the infant. Natural selection culminated in milks uniquely suited to nourish and protect infants of each species. In human milk, antimicrobial, anti-...
Antenatal Steroids: Do They Affect Postnatal Blood Counts? † 1170

When given postnatally, corticosteroids are known to cause a leukocytosis. Corticosteroids are also used in the treatment of several immune mediated thrombocytopenias. However, little is known how prenatal steroids affect postnatal peripheral blood counts in preterm infants. Objective: to investigate the effect of prenatal steroids on postnatal blood counts. Methods: a retrospective analysis of very low birth weight infants(<1500 grams) born between 7/93 and 7/97 at a single level III NICU was performed. Peripheral blood counts of infants whose mothers received steroids(n= 147) were compared with a control group whose mothers did not receive steroids (n=127). Blood counts were compared on admission (within 1 hour of life) and on day of life 1-3. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc testing. Covariates used were gestational age, Apgar scores at 5 minutes, growth restriction and preeclampsia. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Results: Platelet counts were higher on admission and on each day from day 1 through 3, in the steroid group as compared to the control group (admission: 228±67 mm3 vs 200±73 mm3, p <.001; day 1: 222±73 mm3 vs 195±73mm3, p <.001,day 2: 219±85 mm3 vs 195±93 mm3, p=.002, and day 3: 231±151 mm3 vs 192±88, mm3 p <.001). There were no statistical differences in total white blood cell counts or absolute neutrophil counts between the groups on admission or at any time from day 1-3. However, nucleated red blood cell counts (per 100 wbc) were found to be higher in the control group as compared to the steroid group on admission and on days 1-3 (admission: 78±129 vs 40±83, p<.001, day 1: 58±146 vs 36±129, p=.007, day 2: 58±167 vs 31±119, p=.002, day 3: 49±139 vs 18±53, p=.002). Conclusions: In our population, prenatal steroids are associated with an elevation in platelet counts and a decrease in nucleated red blood cell counts at birth and during the first 72 hours of life in very low birth weight infants. However, prenatal steroids have no effect on total white blood cell counts and absolute neutrophil counts during this time period. Further investigation is needed to determine the significance of this association.
Model Parameter Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics Systems by Trajectory Pattern Method

In this paper, a new method is presented for model parameter identification of a large class of fully controlled nonlinear dynamics systems such as robot manipulators. The method uses trajectory patterns with feed-forward controls to identify model parameters of the system. The developed method ensures full system stability, does not require close initial estimated values for the parameters to be identified, and provides a systematic method of emphasizing on the estimation of the parameters associated with lower order terms of the system dynamics model and gradually upgrading the accuracy with which the model parameters, particularly those associated with the higher order terms of the system dynamics model are estimated. The developed method is based on Trajectory Pattern Method (TPM). In this method, for a pattern of motion the inverse dynamics model of the system is derived in algebraic form in terms of the trajectory pattern parameters. The system dynamics model parameters are then identified using a systematic algorithm which ensures system stability as well as accurate estimation of the model parameters associated with lower as well as higher order terms. Mathematical proof of convergence of the developed method and an example of its application are provided.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Comparative toxicity of dithiocarbamates and butadiene metabolites in human lymphoid and bone marrow cells.

Abstract Apparent differences in the pattern of leukemia risk have been observed between workers employed in 1,3-butadiene (BD) monomer production and those working in styrene-butadiene rubber production (SBR). There are a number of possible explanations for these discrepancies, including differences in disease classification and diagnosis as well as possible quantitative and qualitative differences in occupational exposure between these two industries. This led us to evaluate the possibility that the pattern of disease observed in SBR might be influenced by the presence of an important class of biologically reactive chemicals, dithiocarbamates (DTC), that were present in SBR but not BD monomer production. Therefore, we compared the immunotoxic and hematotoxic activities of DTC and BD metabolites in human immune and hematopoietic cells. Relative to the mouse, human CD34+ bone marrow cells are relatively resistant to the direct effects of BD metabolites, with only the bis -oxide producing any evidence of suppression of clonogenic response at concentrations between 1 and 10 μM. Similarly, treatment of human CD4+ lymphocytes with known (2,3-epoxybutene) and putative BD metabolites ( d,l -butane- bis -oxide, (2 S ,3 R )-3-epoxybutane-1,2-diol) does not result in appreciable T-cell toxicity at concentrations likely to be encountered in vivo. In contrast, treatment of human cells with DTC at concentrations as low as 100 nM results in significant suppression of hematopoietic clonogenic response and T-lymphocyte function. Additional studies in our laboratory and others suggest a role for copper in DTC toxicity in both human lymphocytes and bone marrow cells, although the pattern of altered transcriptional regulation observed is markedly different in these two cell populations. These results are consistent with the pattern of DTC toxicity previously observed in clinical and molecular studies.
Synthesis of Organic Bromides via Organotrifluoroborates

Organotrifluoroborates are rapidly converted into organic bromides under mild conditions, using sodium bromide in the presence of chloramine-T. The reactions are highly regioselective, are stereospecific, and proceed in excellent yields.
Sea-to-Air Transport of Surface Active Material

Fine platinum wires were used to collect airborne particulate matter along the shore in Hawaii. This matter was examined for surface active material and for sea salt. Droplets that rise from the sea in the surf zone appear to carry a highly compressed surface active film.
A new PNS code for three-dimensional chemically reacting flows

A new parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code has been developed to compute the hypersonic, viscous, chemically reacting flow fields around three-dimensional bodies. The flow medium is assumed to be a multicomponent mixture of thermally perfect but calorically imperfect gases. The new PNS code solves the gasdynamic and species conservation equations in a coupled manner using a noniterative, implicit, approximately-factored, finite-difference algorithm. The space-marching method is made well-posed by special treatment of the streamwise pressure gradient term. The code has been used to compute hypersonic laminar flow of chemically reacting air over cones at angles of attack. The results of the computations are compared with the results of reacting boundary-layer computations and show excellent agreement.
Analysis of regularized total variation penalty methods for denoising

The problem of recovering images with sharp edges by total variation denoising has recently received considerable attention in image processing. Numerical difficulties in implementing this nonlinear filter technique are partly due to the fact that it involves the stable evaluations of unbounded operators. To overcome that difficulty we propose to approximate the evaluation of the unbounded operator by a stable approximation. A convergence analysis for this regularized approach is presented.
Some melt flow properties of polypropylene

The ability to express laboratory melt flow data in generalized terms serves both the fabricator and the resin producer: the fabricator can reduce the relations to the particular conditions of his process; the resin producer can assess the effect of polymer composition and structure on melt flow properties. An empirical method of correlating and generalizing laboratory capillary viscometer data has been developed which allows prediction of pressure–output relations for any cylindrical orifice. It is based on the Rabinowitsch and Bagley methods of calculating the correct shear rate and shear stress. The pressure drop across a die is made up of two terms, the entry pressure and the land pressure. Each is a function of the shear rate, but only the latter is a function of the die dimensions. Six key rheological parameters are developed, using polypropylene as an illustrative example. The effect of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of polypropylene on the parameters is shown. In addition, some examples of practical uses of the generalized formulations are given. In the examples, the shear rate range of 10–1000 sec.−1 is covered, although the method could be applied to any experimentally attainable shear rates.
Image, Memory and Ritual: Re-viewing the Antecedents of Writing

This article addresses the visual culture of the Neolithic Near East, in particular that found on seals and sealings, objects often associated with information storage and administration. It considers the connection between those images and a broader Neolithic cosmology and, finally, the ways that both changed as cities replaced villages. The evidence is a set of imagery carved on small, portable objects such as palettes and seals, as well as their impressions on clay. By and large, seals have been studied as administrative and economic tools, part of a developing system of record-keeping in the millennia preceding the first writing. Their imagery, however, reveals elements of a basic cosmology, suggesting a religious context and meaning that precedes evidence of their use in administrative contexts. I posit that a) there are recurring motifs in the visual culture of the Neolithic Near East; and b) the subject matter of these motifs relates to religious beliefs and practices. I argue that to fully understand early seal use, we must proceed historically rather than ahistorically, first considering the primary association between these objects and cosmological concerns, and then broaden interpretations of later seal use, archive systems and ultimately writing, to consider how the content or meaning of the glyptic imagery may relate to those contexts.
Linkages of innate and adaptive immunity

Abstract The innate immune system is activate by pathogens or environmental antigens following their binding by recognition melocules such as mannan-binding lectin, C-reactive protein and the mannose receptor. Natural antibody, which represents a collection of germline-encoded antigen recognition molecules, is also important in recognition of pathogens and activation of the innate immune system via the classical pathway of complement activation. The major source of natural antibody is CD5 + B-1 cells which differ from conventional B cells (B-2 cells) firstly because they are thought to require contact with antigen for expansion and maintenance and secondly because in general they do not appear to undergo somatic hypermutation. We review results which support an important role for complement in maintenance of B-1 cells, the effect being mediated by B cell expression of complement receptors CD21 and CD35. We propose that complement and natural antibody are interdependent: clonal selection and expansion of CD5 + B-1 cells is dependent on contact with antigen coated by the complement component C3d, while efficient recognition of pathogens and activation of complement is dependent in a large part on natural antibody. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that mice deficient in CD21 and CD35 have a reduced number of CD5 + B-1 cells and are missing specificities for certain antigens commonly found in wild-type mice, such as lipopolysaccharide, Escherichia coli surface antigens and neoepitopes expressed on hypoxic intestinal endothelium
A Monte Carlo simulation model of supply chain risk due to natural disasters

In this paper we present a model that simulates the effects of natural disaster risks for a hypothetical three tier supply chain. Drawing on concepts from reliability theory and capacity analysis, the model is structured such that diminutions of service capacity at nodes lower in the supply chain can affect higher tier nodes. The model is used to examine various scenarios, including examining correlation among node locations; the effectiveness of disaster recovery plans; and dual sourcing. In addition, the size of the lower tier of the supply chain is expanded and the ensuing results are compared to those for leaner supply chains.
Growth and magnetic characterization of Mn films and superlattices on Ag(001)

We have grown single-crystal Mn films and coherent (Mn/Ag) superlattices on Ag(001) and characterized the magnetic behavior with temperature-dependent ferromagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. We find that the Mn films exhibit a 2.89-\AA{} square surface net identical to that of Ag(001), and a tetragonal structure similar to that of quenched $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-Mn. The (Mn/Ag) superlattices exhibit a well-defined high-angle x-ray-diffraction satellite structure. We detect no significant ferromagnetic contribution at temperatures down to 5 K, and conclude that the Mn is antiferromagnetically ordered.
Factors altering the secretion of LHRH from super-fused fragments of rat hypothalamus

This paper deals with the effect of temperature (t°), ions, prostaglandin (PGE2) and testosterone on the rate of release of LHRH from the superfused medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) of normal or castrated male rats in an effort to further validate the biological properties of this preparation. LHRH in the perfusate is nondetectable when the MBH is at 0 C, warming to 37 C produces a sharp rise in LHRH and then stabilization at a level at least threefold the one calculated for the 0 C experiment. Basal release rate of LHRH is t° and calcium dependent, as is the stimulatory action of potassium. Infusion of high K+ induces approximately a fivefold increase in the release rate of LHRH and stays at this high level for as long as the infusion lasts (50 min). LHRH stimulation by PGE2 (pulse) proceeds in the absence of external calcium, and the effect lasts longer than the potassium (pulse) action. Surprisingly, MBHs from long-term castrated males (60–90 days) release less LHRH per minute than intact male MBHs during the steady state phase of LHRH secretion; testosterone propionate (TP, 200 μg/100 g BW × 3 days) increases significantly the rate of release in castrate rats and is not related to the amount of LHRH assayed in the MBH. MBHs of untreated castrated rats or castrated rats treated with TP, show a reduced LHRH secretion in response to PGE2. It is concluded that this preparation can be used at advantage to study the rate of LHRH release in a variety of experimental paradigms.
Molecular aspects of diagnostic nucleolar and nuclear envelope changes in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is still diagnosed by pathologists based on subjective assessment of altered cell and tissue structure. The cellular-level structural changes diagnostic of some forms of cancer are known to be induced by cancer genes, but the relation between specific cellular-level structural features and cancer genes has not been explored in the prostate. Two important cell structural changes in prostate cancer—nucleolar enlargement and nuclear envelope (NE) irregularity—are discussed from the perspective that they should also relate to the function of the genes active in prostate cancer. Enlargement of the nucleolus is the key diagnostic feature of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), an early stage that appears to be the precursor to the majority of invasive prostate cancers. Nucleolar enlargement classically is associated with increased ribosome production, and production of new ribosomes appears essential for cell-cycle progression. Several cancer genes implicated in PIN are known (in other cell types) to augment ribosome production, including c-Myc, p27, retinoblastoma, p53, and growth factors that impact on ERK signaling. However, critical review of the available information suggests that increased ribosome production per se may be insufficient to explain nucleolar enlargement in PIN, and other newer functions of nucleoli may therefore need to be invoked. NE irregularity develops later in the clonal evolution of some prostate cancers, and it has adverse prognostic significance. Nuclear irregularity has recently been shown to develop dynamically during interphase following oncogene expression, without a requirement for post-mitotic NE reassembly. NE irregularity characteristic of some aggressive prostate cancers could reflect cytoskeletal forces exerted on the NE during active cell locomotion. NE irregularity could also promote chromosomal instability because it leads to chromosomal asymmetry in metaphase. Finally, NE irregularity could impact replication competence, transcriptional programming and nuclear pore function. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Solvable groups with cyclic relation module

If P is a group of operators on a group A, then we denote by dP(A) the minimal number of generatorsof A as a P-group. Suppose G is a group and F/N is a presentation of G. Then F acts on N by conjugation and induces an action of G on Nab. This ZG-module is called the relation module of the presentation F/N. A presentation F/N is an m-relator presentation if dF(N) = m; it is an almost m-relator presentation if dG(Nab) = m. It is an open problem whether every almost m-relator presentation is an m-relator presentation. This paper is part of a program to investigate this question when m = 1. We show that an almost one-relator presentation F/N is a one-relator presentation in case the group G = F/N is finitely generated and solvable.
Anthrax toxin fusion proteins for intracellular delivery of macromolecules

The dominant role played by the anthrax toxin in Bacillus anthracis pathogenesis shows that the toxin has evolved to be an efficient system for delivering its two catalytic protein components, oedema factor and lethal factor (LF), into the cytosol of host cells. This system involves binding of the protective antigen (PA) toxin component to a ubiquitous (and still unidentified) receptor, proteolytic activation at the cell surface, internalization by endocytosis and translocation through an early endosome membrane to the cytosol ( Leppla 1995). We and colleagues showed that the system can be exploited to deliver heterologous polypeptides to the cytosol ( Arora et al. 1992 ; Milne et al. 1995 ). This work used the catalytic domains of other toxins which are normally translocated across membranes ( Arora & Leppla 1994) . Immunity to intracellular pathogens depends on the cytosolic processing of antigens to produce peptides that are presented on the cell surface bound to MHC Class I molecules. The anthrax toxin delivery system provides a way to mimic this process. We made a fusion protein containing the (non-catalytic) amino terminal domain of LF and the gp120 envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1. Administration of this recombinant protein along with PA to antigen-presenting cells sensitized them to cytolysis by cytotoxic T-cells specific to gp120 peptides ( Goletz et al. 1997 ). Further exploitation of the anthrax toxin system as a cell-targeting reagent would be facilitated by achieving cell type specificity. The recent determination of the PA structure ( Petosa et al. 1997 ) allows rational engineering to modify or replace the receptor-binding domain with specific ligand structures. A model system was produced by fusing a c-Myc peptide to the carboxyl terminus of PA so as to target hybridoma cells expressing cell surface antibodies to this peptide. Killing of the hybridoma cells was shown to be specific by competition with the peptide and with non-toxic mutants of PA ( Varughese et al. 1998 ).
Stark shifts in molecular crystal spectra: Solution for the point-dipole approximation

The expression for the frequency shift of an optical transition of a polar guest in a polar host crystal in an external field is derived for the following model: Permanent and induced molecular dipoles are assumed to be point dipoles: local distortion of the lattice in the neighborhood of the guest is ignored; the difference between guest and host polarizabilities is taken into account. An exact solution (for the model) is found, giving local fields and induced dipole moments at all sites, as well as the energy as a function of the external field. To determine the ranges of parameter values for which certain approximations are valid, calculations were carried out for spherical molecules in a simple cubic lattice, both exactly and in a truncated series expansion.
Application of hypertext technology to assist maintenance on the shop floor

Abstract Hypertext is an effective way of organizing and presenting data or text for information retrieval. Computer based hypermedia tools have been successfully employed for training purposes. However, the manufacturing industry still continues to rely heavily on paper versions of technical manuals for troubleshooting, maintenance and calibration tasks. This paper reports the results of a study conducted to compare the effectiveness of a computer based hypermedia tool vs the paper version of the same manual to assist operators in a local manufacturing industry to perform complex maintenance and calibration tasks.
Dicentric isochromosome for the long arm of chromosome #17, dic i(17q), in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Cytogenetic studies in a 33-year-old male patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia of 7 years duration revealed a so-called i(17q) chromosome marker and other cytogenetic abnormalities during the early phase of blastic crisis which were not present at diagnosis. Careful morphologic examination of this marker using G- and C-banding techniques revealed it to be a dicentric chromosome with a very short intercentromeric area. The fact that the dicentric nature of this marker was not apparent with the conventional Giemsa stain emphasizes the usefulness of the C-banding technique in defining the origin of this important cytogenetic marker.
The Future of Computer-assisted Surgery (CAS) in Sports Medicine

Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) will become more common in orthopedics as the technology becomes more accessible. Over the next several years, demonstrated improvements in precision will result in improved clinical outcomes. The cost and time of CAS procedures will substantially decrease. The improv
Structure of an activity suppressing Fab fragment to cytochrome P450 aromatase: insights into the antibody-antigen interactions.

The crystal structure of a Fab fragment (Fab3-2C2) of a monoclonal antibody raised against aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom) has been determined at 3.0 A resolution. P450arom is a membrane bound enzyme responsible for the catalysis of androgens to estrogens, the process of aromatization, and hence has been implicated in hormone-dependent breast cancer. The Fab fragment of MAb3-2C2 IgG suppresses P450arom activity in a dose dependent manner. The Fab3-2C2 molecule crystallizes in the space group P212121 with a unit cell of a=154.89 A, b=73.51 A, and c=36.90 A. The crystal structure consists of a light and a heavy chain in the asymmetric unit, each characterized by the greek-key antiparallel beta barrel folding seen in all Fab structures. The average elbow angle between the two domains is 143°. Modeling of the interactions between the variable domains of the antibody and a known model of P450arom maps the epitope to a region of the enzyme that is consistent with the available biochemical data and the activity-suppressing function of the antibody. The epitope mapping result is further supported by the inability of MAb3-2C2 IgG to suppress the activity of, or to interact with placental porcine P450arom, which is 81% identical (86% similar) to human P450arom but has a few key substitutions in the putative epitope region.
More is not necessarily better: the impact of limiting and excessive nutrients on herbivore population growth rates

The body tissues of insect herbivores contain higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus than do their host plants, leading to an elemental mismatch that can limit herbivore growth, fecundity and ultimately influence population dynamics. While low nutrient availability can limit herbivore growth and reproduction, nutrient levels that exceed an organism's nutritional requirements, i.e. an organisms' threshold elemental ratio, can also decrease performance. 2. We conducted a laboratory experiment to examine the impacts of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on population growth rates of a phloem-feeding insect herbivore. 3. Herbivore per capita population growth rates were highest at intermediate foliar nitrogen concentrations, indicating a performance cost on the highest nitrogen foliage. While there was no direct effect of foliar phosphorus concentration on insect performance, there was a strong and unexpected indirect effect. High soil phosphorus availability increased both foliar nitrogen concentrations and aphid tissue nitrogen, resulting in low population growth rates when both soil nitrogen and phosphorus availabilities were high.
QuickDraw: improving drawing experience for geometric diagrams

We present QuickDraw, a prototype sketch-based drawing tool, that facilitates drawing of precise geometry diagrams that are often drawn by students and academics in several scientific disciplines. Quickdraw can recognize sketched diagrams containing components such as line segments and circles, infer geometric constraints relating recognized components, and use this information to beautify the sketched diagram. Beautification is based on a novel algorithm that iteratively computes various sub-components of the components using an extensible set of deductive rules. We conducted a user study comparing QuickDraw with four state-of-the-art diagramming tools: Microsoft PowerPoint, Cabri II Plus, Geometry Expressions and Geometer's SketchPad. Our study demonstrates a strong interest among participants for the use of sketch-based software for drawing geometric diagrams. We also found that QuickDraw enables users to draw precise diagrams faster than the majority of existing tools in some cases, while having them make fewer corrections.
Assessing the Readiness of Hospice Volunteers to Utilize Technology

Although hospice volunteer programs contribute to patient care, little is known about their utilization and adaptation of technology. A survey was posted to the Hospice Volunteer Association Web si...
Low-frequency “demon”-like excitations in small metal particles and their interaction with light

We consider collective excitations in microscopic metal particles containing two overlapping sets of electrons of different effective masses (e.g. transition-metal compounds). We show that a new ty...
FAST: an FPGA-based simulation testbed for ATM networks

Simulation of ATM switches and networks is a computationally demanding problem as compared to simulation of conventional packet-based networks, owing to the large number of cell events that need to be simulated in the former. To address this problem, we are developing a flexible hardware simulation testbed in the High-Speed Networks Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The testbed, called FAST (FPGA-based ATM simulation testbed), uses high-density field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to allow implementation of the key simulation components such as traffic generators, switching fabric, buffer management, traffic scheduling, congestion control mechanisms, and statistics recording in hardware. In the first version of the testbed (FAST-1), each board consists of 13 Altera FLEX devices (including 4 multichip modules), providing a total of 336,000 usable gates. Each board can be used to simulate an ATM switch. Multiple boards may be interconnected to simulate large ATM networks. Software tools are being developed for specifying the components of the underlying simulation model, such as the switch structure, traffic arrival process, traffic scheduling algorithm, and congestion control algorithm; synthesizing the specifications into the individual FPGAs; controlling and monitoring the simulation; and collecting and reporting statistics. The paper provides an overview of the architecture of the FAST-1 board, describes its key components, and discusses an example simulation of a traffic scheduling algorithm using the board.
Cerf Theory for Graphs

We develop a deformation theory for k-parameter families of pointed marked graphs with fixed fundamental group Fn. Applications include a simple geometric proof of stability of the rational homology of Aut(Fn), computations of the rational homology in small dimensions, proofs that various natural complexes of free factorizations of Fn are highly connected, and an improvement on the stability range for the integral homology of Aut(Fn).
Fraud and white‐collar crime: a Chinese perspective

Purpose – This paper sets out to discuss white‐collar crime and fraud in China and to draw implications for Western businesses wishing to enter the Chinese market.Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides examples of recent frauds committed in China and also provides a brief review of the literature. It traces the development of China's economy, describing China's modern‐day economy, and also looks at cultural issues and differences between Western and Chinese attitudes.Findings – Western businesses planning to enter the Chinese market need to do their due diligence before committing resources. What works in Western society may not work in another culture, like China's. However, gaining an understanding of the culture and general way of life will go a long way towards laying the groundwork for success.Research limitations/implications – Additional focus should be placed on examining how cultural differences affect judgments and behaviors.Originality/value – From a practical standpoint, the paper pr...
All Signals Lost

Inhibitors of bacterial histidine kinases that globally deactivate bacterial signaling may offer a new offensive against antibiotic resistance.
Steel forests or smoke stacks: the politics of visualisation in the Cape Wind controversy

While wind power is now considered both technologically mature and economically feasible, it faces bitter opposition from local communities on the grounds of visual pollution. The role that visual impact analyses play in policy debates about the siting of wind energy facilities is critically examined. The production of viewshed simulations and their reception by members of diverse publics are examined in the context of the Cape Wind project in the United States. The official public comments record for this project is used to explore how viewshed controversies challenge administrative politics. Some ways in which visual impact assessments can better register cultural rationality and enroll civic epistemologies are suggested.
Opportunities and challenges to unify workload, power, and cooling management in data centers

Independent optimization for workload and power management, and active cooling control have been studied extensively to improve data center energy efficiency. Recently, proposals have started to advocate unified workload, power, and cooling management for further energy savings. In this paper, we study this problem with the objectives of both saving energy and capping power. We present the detailed models derived in our previous work from experiments on an blade enclosure system that can be representative of a data center, discuss the optimization opportunities for coordinated power and cooling management, and the challenges for controller design. We then propose a few design principles and examples for unified workload management, power minimization, and power capping. Our simulation-based evaluation shows that the controllers can cap the total power consumption while maintaining the thermal conditions and improve the overall energy efficiency. We argue that the same opportunities, challenges, and designs are also generally applicable to data center level management.
Aging at the University of Minnesota's School of Social Work: Historiography of Gerontological Curriculum

With the dramatic shift in the population as the baby boom generation ages, education in gerontology is becoming an important component in schools of social work. Historically, gerontology has not been important in social work programs. This historical analysis examined the incorporation of aging related courses at the University of Minnesota's School of Social Work since its inception in 1918 through 1960. Historical research methods were utilized to obtain primary and secondary source data. It was determined that the School of Social Work's early curriculum development was influence by broader discourse concerning social work education and child welfare. Little discourse and curriculum related to aging was discovered. Implications for the profession of social work as they relate to demographic trends are included.
Scheduling flexible machining systems using mean value analysis

A Flexible Machining System (FMS) is aptly described as an automated job-shop. Machines are connected to one another by an automated material transporter and the system is intended to process a number of different kinds of parts. The system incorporates redundancy of function which allows the processing of parts even though machine failures may have occured. This research develops a method for scheduling parts that considers and, in fact, anticipates machine failure. The method relies on a recent technique from Networks of Queues Theory to characterize the behavior of FMS's. It is called Mean-Value Analysis.