cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy Distribution of Photoelectrons as a Function of the Thickness of a Potassium Film

Current-voltage curves were taken for photoelectrons ejected from thin potassium films of various thicknesses. The films were formed on a silvered glass surface at room temperature by means of a molecular beam. The condensing surface was a small sphere placed at the center of a large collecting sphere. The thickness of the potassium film was computed from the geometry of the photocell, the temperature and time of heating of the potassium reservoir, and data on the vapor pressure of potassium. The small inner sphere was connected to an electrometer which measured the photocurrent. The contact potential between the film and the silvered surface of the large sphere was determined from the values of the thresholds of the two surfaces. The form of the curves near the maximum retarding potential was approximately the same for each film thickness. The curves were analyzed by DuBridge's method and were in good agreement with the theory. For films less than 3 molecular layers corrections had to be made for a constant decrease in photocurrent after the formation of the film. However, for films of greater thickness the photocurrent was quite constant. The photocurrent for films less than 3 molecular layers failed to saturate for accelerating potentials up to 20 volts. As the film thickness increased the photocurrent began to saturate at lower voltages.
Cytotoxicity of Intracanal Bleaching Agents on Periodontal Ligament Cells In Vitro

Intracoronal bleaching of nonvital teeth is a simple and conservative procedure for esthetic restoration of discolored teeth. However it is possible that damage to the periodontal ligament may occur if the bleaching agents contact this tissue. The purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity of intracanal bleaching agents on human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells in vitro. Three bleaching agents, 30% hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), 2.0 g/ml sodium perborate (SP) solution, and 2.0 g/ml SP in H 2 O 2 , were diluted from 10 −3 to 10 −7 with Eagle’s minimal essential medium and incubated with PDL cells isolated and cultured from extracted teeth. Cytotoxicity was assessed quantitatively by determining the amount of lactic dehydrogenase activity released from the cells after exposure to the agents for 24 or 72 h. Dose-response curves were plotted, and TD 50 values (dilution causing the release of 50% of control lactate dehydrogenase activity) and 95% confidence limits determined. The rank order of the TD 50 values after exposure for 24 h was SP in H 2 O 2 (most toxic) > H 2 O 2 > SP solution (least toxic). After 72 h SP in H 2 O 2 still produced the greatest cytotoxic effect. However the SP solution was more cytotoxic than H 2 O 2 at this time point. It is concluded that the mixture of SP with H 2 O 2 was the most toxic to the PDL cells in vitro.
The preparation and properties of 14C-carboxamido-methylated subunits from A2/1957 influenza neuraminidase

Abstract A 2 /1957 influenza neuraminidase (mucopolysaccharide N -acetylneuraminylhydrolase, EC 3.2.1.18) was purified 15-fold from a recombinant virus, with about 25% overall yield of enzymic activity. Neuraminidase contained glucosamine, and a high proportion of serine and threonine. The partial specific volume was 0.713 cm 3 /g. Reduced neuraminidase was isotopically labeled in vitro by reaction with iodo[ 14 C]-acetamide. When carboxamidomethylated in the absence of urea, enzymically inactive labeled material was obtained with a maximum size similar to native neuraminidase. When carboxamidomethylated in the presence of 6 M urea, labeled, dissociated subunits were obtained that did not associate or regain enzymic activity on removal of urea. The molecular weight of dissociated subunits was determined by sedimentation-diffusion methods as 50 000–54 000, and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis as about 50 000. Thus native neuraminidase (mol. wt. about 200 000) is probably a tetramer. Neuraminidase contained about 21 cysteine residues per subunit. These appear to be present as disulfide bonds in the native enzyme.
The impact of multiple traumatic victimization on disclosure and coping mechanisms for black women

The experiences and impact of sexual victimization are often complex, with recent research suggesting the need for deeper consideration of how sexual assault coupled with additional stressors may a...
Planning Programs for Adults

This chapter outlines a holistic approach to higher education program planning for adults in which the potential and limitations of conventional universities to serve adults are considered.
Spherical coordinate automatic measurement (SCAM) system for robots' end-point sensing

Abstract To assess robots' end-point positioning accuracy and repeatability, a Spherical Coordinate Automatic Measurement (SCAM) system that is currently under development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) formerly the National Bureau of Standards—is presented. The system has been designed to be interfaced with a personal computer for on-line analysis of three-dimensional static, as well as kinematic, positioning performance. The SCAM system has a spherical work envelope that is monitored by a built-in linear transducer with a resolution of 2.5 μm and two angular optical encoders of 0.005 accuracy. The measurement device is inexpensive and well-suited for calibration and diagnosis of small or medium-sized robots. Tests have indicated that the measurement system can sense the robot end effector with 34 μm accuracy and 32 μm repeatability. The SCAM system, when affixed to the robot end effector for testing, exerts an external load on the end effector (nature of the contact-type measurement technique). Because of this drawback, its applicability is limited; specifically, when no-load test condition results are desired. However, its reliability and simplicity in design make it a powerful and economical tool for robot positioning testing.
A Model-Based Approach to Identify Binding Sites in CLIP-Seq Data

Cross-linking immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (CLIP-Seq) has made it possible to identify the targeting sites of RNA-binding proteins in various cell culture systems and tissue types on a genome-wide scale. Here we present a novel model-based approach (MiClip) to identify high-confidence protein-RNA binding sites from CLIP-seq datasets. This approach assigns a probability score for each potential binding site to help prioritize subsequent validation experiments. The MiClip algorithm has been tested in both HITS-CLIP and PAR-CLIP datasets. In the HITS-CLIP dataset, the signal/noise ratios of miRNA seed motif enrichment produced by the MiClip approach are between 17% and 301% higher than those by the ad hoc method for the top 10 most enriched miRNAs. In the PAR-CLIP dataset, the MiClip approach can identify ∼50% more validated binding targets than the original ad hoc method and two recently published methods. To facilitate the application of the algorithm, we have released an R package, MiClip (http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/MiClip/index.html), and a public web-based graphical user interface software (http://galaxy.qbrc.org/tool_runner?tool_id=mi_clip) for customized analysis.
Effects of amygdaloid lesions on gastric erosion formation during exposure to activity-stress

To examine the role of the amygdala in the production of gastric ulcers induced by activity-stress, electrolytic lesions were placed in the centromedial (CENT) and medial (MED) amygdaloid nuclei, as well as in the intra-amygdaloid division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). As compared to sham-operated controls (CONT), gastric ulceration was attenuated in rats with CENT lesions and exacerbated in rats with lesions located in the BNST or MED. Wheel running did not differ significantly between control animals and lesioned rats, but did differ within lesioned groups. Rats with MED lesions ran more than rats with CENT or BNST lesions. Results support the view that the integrity of the centromedial amygdala is critical for the maintenance of the viscera and demonstrate that neurogenic factors contribute to the development of gastric erosions during exposure to activity-stress.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors from avian retina and heart undergo different patterns of molecular maturation

: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) from the avian CNS exist in two molecular weight forms whose concentrations change during development. Here, we have compared the development of mAChRs from embryonic hearts with those of the CNS. Analysis of [3H]-propylbenzilylcholine mustard (PrBCM)-labeled retina and heart mAChRs by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed two atropine-sensitive peaks for each tissue. Apparent molecular masses of retina mAChRs, 86 ± 0.7 kilodaltons (kDa) and 72 ± 0.7 kDa, were different from those of heart mAChRs, 77 ± 1.0 kDa and 52 ± 0.9 kDa. During retina development, the major receptor type changed from 86 kDa to 72 kDa. No such change occurred during heart development. Furthermore, the 52-kDa species appeared to be generated by endogenous proteolysis, as prolonged incubation of heart membranes at 37°C increased the amount of 52-kDa peptide with a decrease of 77-kDa peptide. Protease inhibitors blocked this conversion. Incubation of retina membranes at 37°C did not result in a conversion of the 86-kDa peptide into the 72-kDa peptide, but it did cause the appearance of a minor amount of 52-kDa peptide. The proteolysis of retina mAChRs was not enhanced by cohomogenizing them with heart tissue, arguing against the presence of releasable proteases in heart. Membrane-bound retina and heart mAChRs displayed similar sensitivity to exogenous (Staphylococcus aureus V8) protease, indicating that heart receptors were not unusually susceptible to proteolytic attack; analysis of the labeled polypeptides with the V8 protease showed different patterns of digestion for the retina and heart receptors. Chronic treatment of embryos with a muscarinic agonist reduced the concentration of receptors, but the Mr profile remained unaffected. The fact that muscle mAChRs, unlike neural mAChRs, do not change molecular forms during development may reflect different mechanisms of synaptogenesis in CNS and PNS.
Differential sensitivity to cocaine in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats.

Physiological, pharmacological and toxicological responses to two regimens of cocaine administration were compared between spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. An initial experiment examined renal excretory and hemodynamic function in response to an acute volume load in anesthetized SHR and WKY following subacute cocaine treatment (20 mg/kg, s.c., twice a day for 9 days). Anticipated renal responses to volume loading were obtained but the responses of cocaine-treated SHR and WKY did not differ from vehicle-treated rats. A second group of experiments compared responses to continuous i.v. infusions of cocaine (1.25 mg/kg.min). In freely moving animals, no differences were noted between SHR and WKY in the increases in mean blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) produced during cocaine infusion. The elapsed time-to-onset of convulsions (Tc) elicited by cocaine was similar in both strains. However, when rats were subjected to restraint during the infusion period, pressor and tachycardic responses were observed to be significantly less in WKY than in SHR or in freely moving rats of either strain. Restraint also differentially affected rectal temperature (RT) responses to cocaine. Hypothermic responses to cocaine were observed in all WKY. Both hypothermic and hyperthermic responses were observed in SHR. A significant correlation was demonstrated between the Tc and the maximal change in RT produced during cocaine infusion. Division of SHR into two arbitrary groups was made, based on the direction of cocaine-induced change in RT. A significant (p less than 0.01) shortening of the Tc was obvious in SHR (8 of 15) in whom cocaine produced a hyperthermia. These animals were designated SHRH. The mean value for Tc in those SHR which demonstrated a lowering in RT (SHRL; 7 of 15) in response to cocaine was similar to that for WKY. Moreover, the SHRH evidenced significantly greater increases in HR, but not MBP, to cocaine infusion than did SHRL. The results indicate that restraint stress causes expression of a significant heterogeneity in the RT response of SHR to cocaine. The magnitude and direction of the RT responses are negatively correlated with sensitivity to the convulsive effects of cocaine in SHR. Stress may modify toxic responses to cocaine by interactions with body temperature homeostasis.
Norepinephrine Suppresses Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity in Rat Astroglial Cultures

Exposure of primary rat astrocyte cultures to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes expression of a Ca(2+)-independent form of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In these cells, the presence of norepinephrine (NE) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the LPS induction of NOS activity, with an IC50 value of 100 nM and significant suppression at 100 pM. Short incubations (5-40 min) with NE were as effective as 24-h continuous exposure, and inhibition was observed up to the longest incubation period measured (56 h). In contrast, previously induced NOS activity was not affected by exposure to NE. The effects of NE were mediated primarily by binding to beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) because (a) the beta-AR antagonist propranolol, but not the alpha-AR antagonist phentolamine, could reverse the effects of NE; (b) the beta-AR agonist isoproterenol, but not the alpha-AR agonist phenylephrine, was as effective as NE in blocking the effects of LPS; and (c) incubation with the cyclic AMP analogue dibutyryl cyclic AMP replicated the effects of NE. In contrast to astroglial cultures, LPS induction of NOS activity in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells was not affected by NE or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. These results indicate that in brain, inducible NOS in astrocytes can be regulated by neurotransmitter binding to glial receptors.
Use of X-band weather radar to support the terrain database integrity monitoring and terrain referenced navigation function

To enable safe use of Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) at lower altitudes, real-time sensor measurements are required to ensure the integrity of terrain and obstacle models stored in the onboard SVS and to detect hazards that may have been omitted from the stored models. This paper discusses various aspects of using X-band weather radar for terrain database integrity monitoring and terrain referenced navigation. Feature extraction methods will be addressed to support the correlation process between the weather radar measurements and the stored terrain databases. Furthermore, improved weather radar antenna models will be discussed to more reliably perform the shadow detection and extraction (SHADE) functionality. In support of the navigation function, methods will be introduced to estimate aircraft state information, such as velocity, from the geometrical changes in the observed terrain imagery. The outputs of these methods will be compared to the state estimates derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) measurements. All methods discussed in this paper will be evaluated using flight test data collected with a Gulfstream V in Reno, NV.
Detector response and exposure control of the RadioVisioGraphy system (RVG 32000 ZHR)

Abstract The RadioVisioGraphy system (RVG 32000 ZHR) was studied with respect to some physical properties including the precision and linearity of the exposure control and the detector response to x-rays. The x-ray unit was found to yield repetitive exposures that are precisely controlled by the CCX timer. A “preheat” and an “after exposure” period were noticed, and their resulting x-ray exposures were measured. Two RVG detectors were compared for their responses with x-rays. The differences between the detectors were insignificant. However, inhomogeneous detector responses were found in both of the detectors; with the same exposure, the central parts of the detectors yielded lower pixel values than the peripheral parts. A calibration equation was developed to correct for the inhomogeneity.
The Polycomb-associated protein Rybp is a ubiquitin binding protein

The Rybp protein has been promoted as a Polycomb group (PcG)-associated protein, but its molecular function has remained elusive. Here we show that Rybp is a novel ubiquitin binding protein and is itself ubiquitinated. The Rybp interacting PcG protein Ring1B, a known ubiquitin E3 ligase, promotes Rybp ubiquitination. Moreover, one target of Rybp's ubiquitin binding domain appears to be ubiquitinated histone H2A; this histone is a substrate for Ring1B's E3 ligase activity in association with gene silencing processes. These findings on Rybp provide a further link between the ubiquitination system and PcG transcriptional repressors.
Functional divergence after gene duplication and sequence-structure relationship: a case study of G-protein alpha subunits.

In this article, we use animal G-protein alpha subunit family as an example to illustrate a comprehensive analytical pipeline for detecting different types of functional divergence of protein families, which is phylogeny-dependent, combined with ancestral sequence inference and available protein structure information. In particular, we focus on (i) Type-I functional divergence, or site-specific rate shift, as typically exemplified by amino acid residue highly conserved in a subset of homologous genes but highly variable in a different subset of homologous genes, and (ii) Type-II functional divergence, or the shift of cluster-specific amino acid property, as exemplified by a radical shift of amino acid property between duplicate genes, which is otherwise evolutionally conserved. We utilized the software DIVERGE2 to carry out these analyses. In the case of G-protein alpha subunit gene family, we have predicted amino acid residues that are related to either Type-I or Type-II functional divergence. The inferred ancestral sequences for these sites are helpful to explore the trends of functional divergence. Finally, these predicted residues are mapped to the protein structures to test whether these residues may have 3D structure or solvent accessibility preference. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 306B, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Monitoring human behavior from video taken in an office environment

Abstract In this paper, we describe a system which automatically recognizes human actions from video sequences taken of a room. These actions include entering a room, using a computer terminal, opening a cabinet, picking up a phone, etc. Our system recognizes these actions by using prior knowledge about the layout of the room. In our system, action recognition is modeled by a state machine, which consists of ‘states’ and ‘transitions’ between states. The transitions from different states can be made based on a position of a person, scene change detection, or an object being tracked. In addition to generating textual description of recognized actions, the system is able to generate a set of key frames from video sequences, which is essentially content-based video compression. The system has been tested on several video sequences and has performed well. A representative set of results is presented in this paper. The ideas presented in this system are applicable to automated security.
Teaching the Middle East: Pedagogy in a Charged Classroom

Students in courses about the Middle East want to learn, and they crave discussion. Yet they enter the classroom with a set of beliefs about the region that interact with their fears of offending or contradicting their peers. Together, these can produce a classroom dynamic that ultimately stymies student learning. In this article, several strategies are described to ameliorate this concern. These range from short lessons that directly confront student biases about the Middle East, to close analysis of journal articles and empirical evidence, to structured debates and simulations, to specific classroom management techniques. Together, these strategies can promote engaged, lively debate; generate student self-awareness of their presuppositions; and enhance learning.
SREBP-1, a membrane-bound transcription factor released by sterol-regulated proteolysis

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), a member of the basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-ZIP) family of transcription factors, is synthesized as a 125 kd precursor that is attached to the nuclear envelope and endoplasmic reticulum. In sterol-depleted cells, the membrane-bound precursor is cleaved to generate a soluble NH2-terminal fragment (apparent molecular mass, 68 kd) that translocates to the nucleus. This fragment, which includes the bHLH-ZIP domain, activates transcription of the genes for the LDL receptor and HMG CoA synthase. Sterols inhibit the cleavage of SREBP-1, and the 68 kd nuclear form is rapidly catabolized, thereby reducing transcription. ALLN, an inhibitor of neutral cysteine proteases, blocks the breakdown of the 68 kd form and superinduces sterol-regulated genes. Sterol-regulated proteolysis of a membrane-bound transcription factor provides a novel mechanism by which transcription can be regulated by membrane lipids.
Proteomic profiling identifies breast tumor metastasis-associated factors in an isogenic model

A combination of LC and MS was applied to an isogenic breast tumor metastasis model to identify proteins associated with a cellular phenotype. Chromatofocusing followed by nonporous-RP-HPLC/ESI-TOF MS was applied to cell lysates of a pair of monoclonal cell lines from the human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-435 that have different metastatic phenotypes in immune-compromised mice. This method was developed to separate proteins based on pI and hydrophobicity. The high resolution and mass accuracy of ESI-TOF measurements provided a good correlation of theoretical MW and experimental Mr values of intact proteins measured in mass maps obtained in the pH range 3.8–6.4. The isolated proteins were digested by trypsin and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS, MALDI-QIT-TOF MS, and monolith-based HPLC/MS/MS. The unique combination of the techniques provided valuable information including quantitation and modification of proteins. We identified 89 selected proteins, of which 43 were confirmed as differentially expressed. Metastasis-associated proteins included galectin-1, whereas annexin I and annexin II were associated with the nonmetastatic phenotype. In this study, we demonstrate that combining a variety of MS tools with a multidimensional liquid-phase separation provides the ability to map cellular protein content, to search for modified proteins, and to correlate protein expression with cellular phenotype.
The pallial basal ganglia pathway modulates the behaviorally driven gene expression of the motor pathway

The discrete neural network for songbird vocal communication provides an effective system to study neural mechanisms of learned motor behaviors in vertebrates. This system consists of two pathways – a vocal motor pathway used to produce learned vocalizations and a vocal pallial basal ganglia loop used to learn and modify the vocalizations. However, it is not clear how the loop exerts control over the motor pathway. To study the mechanism, we used expression of the neural activity-induced gene ZENK (or egr-1), which shows singing-regulated expression in a social context-dependent manner: high levels in both pathways when singing undirected and low levels in the lateral part of the loop and in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) of the motor pathway when singing directed to another animal. Here, we show that there are two parallel interactive parts within the pallial basal ganglia loop, lateral and medial, which modulate singing-driven ZENK expression of the motor pathway nuclei RA and HVC, respectively. Within the loop, the striatal and pallial nuclei appear to have opposing roles; the striatal vocal nucleus lateral AreaX is required for high ZENK expression in its downstream nuclei, particularly during undirected singing, while the pallial vocal lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium is required for lower expression, particularly during directed singing. These results suggest a dynamic molecular interaction between the basal ganglia pathway and the motor pathway during production of a learned motor behavior.
Downregulation of liver X receptor-α in mouse kidney and HK-2 proximal tubular cells by LPS and cytokines

The acute-phase response (APR) suppresses type II nuclear hormone receptors and alters the expression of their target genes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver and heart. Therefore, we examined the expression of liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) and their target genes in kidney from mice treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in human proximal tubular HK-2 cells treated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). We found that LXRα and RXRα expression was suppressed by LPS in kidney and by IL-1β or TNF-α in HK-2 cells. The decrease in LXRα/RXRα expression was associated with a decrease in the expression of several LXRα target genes [apolipoprotein E (apoE), ABCA1, ABCG1, and sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c)] and a decrease in ligand-induced apoE expression. Moreover, IL-1β and TNF-α significantly reduced liver X receptor response element (LXRE)-driven transcription as measured by LXRE-linked luciferase activity. However, overexpression of LXRα/RXRα only partially restored the cytokine-mediated reduction in LXRE-linked luciferase activity. Additionally, expression of the LXR coactivators peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) and steroid receptor coactivator-2 (SRC-2) was decreased by IL-1β or TNF-α. We conclude that the APR suppresses the expression of both nuclear receptors LXRα/RXRα and several LXRα coactivators in kidney, which could be a mechanism for coordinately regulating the expression of multiple LXR target genes that play important roles in lipid metabolism in kidney during the APR.
Isolation of molecular markers from specific chromosomal intervals using DNA pools from existing mapping populations

We present a general method for isolating molecular markers specific to any region of a chromosome using existing mapping populations. Two pools of DNA from individuals homozygous for opposing alleles for a targeted chromosomal interval, defined by two or more linked RFLP markers, are constructed from members of an existing mapping population. The DNA pools are then screened for polymorphism using random oligonucleotide primers and PCR (1). Polymorphic DNA bands should represent DNA sequences within or adjacent to the selected interval. We tested this method in tomato using two genomic intervals containing genes responsible for regulating pedicle abscission (jointless) and fruit ripening (non-ripening). DNA pools containing 7 to 14 F2 individuals for each interval were screened with 200 random primers. Three polymorphic markers were thus identified, two of which were subsequently shown to be tightly linked to the selected intervals. The third marker mapped to the same chromosome (11) but 45 cM away from the selected interval. A particularly attractive attribute of this method is that a single mapping population can be used to target any interval in the genome. Although this method has been demonstrated in tomato, it should be applicable to any sexually reproducing organism for which segregating populations are being used to construct genetic linkage maps.
Synthesis and catalytic activity of poly-L-histidyl-L-aspartyl-L-seryl-glycine.

Poly(His-Asp-Ser-Gly) was synthesized from the fully protected tetrapeptide active ester hydrochloride, which was prepared by stepwise coupling, using pentachlorophenyl ester and mixed anhydride methods. Complete deprotection of the protected tetrapeptide polymer was achieved by using 90% trifluoroacetic acid. The free polymer was dialyzed for 24 hr using a membrane (which retains molecules with molecular weights > 5000). The catalytic activity was determined by studying the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate in 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37°. The catalytic coefficient of the dialyzed polymer was found to be 138 liters/mole/min.
Co‐option of endocytic functions of cellular caveolae by pathogens

It is increasingly becoming clear that various immune cells are infected by the very pathogens that they are supposed to attack. Although many mechanisms for microbial entry exist, it appears that a common route of entry shared by certain bacteria, viruses and parasites involves cellular lipid-rich microdomains sometimes called caveolae. These cellular entities, which are characterized by their preferential accumulation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored molecules, cholesterol and various glycolipids, and a distinct protein (caveolin), are present in many effector cells of the immune system including neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells and dendritic cells. These structures have an innate capacity to endocytoze various ligands and traffic them to different intracellular sites and sometimes, back to the extracellular cell surface. Because caveolae do not typically fuse with lysosomes, the ligands borne by caveolar vesicles are essentially intact, which is in marked contrast to ligands endocytozed via the classical endosome-lysosome pathway. A number of microbes or their exotoxins co-opt the unique features of caveolae to enter and traffic, without any apparent loss of viability and function, to different sites within immune and other host cells. In spite of their wide disparity in size and other structural attributes, we predict that a common feature among caveolae-utilizing pathogens and toxins is that their cognate receptor(s) are localized within plasmalemmal caveolae of the host cell.
Rapid Assays for Detection of Anti-islet Autoantibodies: Implications for Organ Donor Screening

Abstract The purpose of the current study was to develop and evaluate rapid assays for autoantibodies to GAD65 (GAA), ICA512bdc/IA-2 (ICA512AA), and insulin (microIAA, mIAA) as a potential tool for identification of cadaveric pancreas donors who were at high risk for developing diabetes. The study included 154 new onset diabetic, prediabetic, and healthy control subjects. Subjects were evaluated for all three autoantibodies in three separate assays: (1) standard (std) assay with a 24-h or 72-h incubation at 4°C (combined GAA/ICA512AA or mIAA, respectively), (2) rapid assay with 1-h room temperature (RT) incubation, and (3) rapid assay with 2-h RT incubation. The serum samples from 777 organ donors were also evaluated for all three autoantibodies and all the positive samples from standard assay evaluated with the 1-h incubation assay. Simple linear regression analyses revealed excellent correlation between the standard assay and the rapid assays for all three autoantibodies, as follows: (1) GAA: std vs . 1 h (R 2 =0.85) and std vs . 2 h (R 2 =0.83), (2) ICA512AA: std vs . 1 h (R 2 =0.85) and std vs . 2 h (R 2 =0.84), and (3) mIAA: std vs . 1 h (R 2 =0.70) and std vs . 2 h (R 2 =0.64). Comparison of assay correlation rates between subject cohorts revealed no significant differences. Compared to their respective standard assays, the 1-h RT GAA assay missed 3.2% and identified an additional 1.3% of samples, the 1-h RT ICA512AA assay had no discordant samples, and the 1-h RT mIAA assay missed 7.1% and identified an additional 5.8% of samples. We analysed a series of 777 stored serum samples from cadaveric donors. Two of 777 (0.25%) were positive for two autoantibodies (both GAA and ICA512AA) and 23 of 777 (3.0%) one autoantibody (11 IAA; 12 GAA). The rapid analysis for all three autoantibodies could be completed in less than 3 h with comparable concordance rates to the more time-consuming standard assays, making these assays an attractive option for organ donor screening to identify potential pancreata for immunopathogenetic research.
Generation of hydrogen peroxide directly from H2 and O2 using CO2 as the solvent

Hydrogen peroxide is a ‘green’ oxidant whose relatively high cost has prevented it from being applied to commodity chemical processing. In large part, those attributes of the current process (the anthraquinone route) that contribute to the cost of H2O2 also contribute to its non-sustainable features; by-product streams, energy input, and multiple required unit operations. We have explored the generation of hydrogen peroxide directly from hydrogen and oxygen using liquid CO2 as the solvent and a CO2-soluble palladium catalyst. Producing H2O2 directly from H2 and O2 eliminates unit operations and reduces raw material costs significantly. Further, homogeneous reaction in liquid CO2 allows for contact between significant concentrations of O2 and H2, high rate of reaction, and ready recovery of the product via stripping into water. Both Pd(II) and Pd(0) catalysts were explored for the reaction; our results suggest that future work should focus on optimization of a CO2-soluble or dispersible Pd(0) catalyst.
Thermal decomposition of palladium-n-alkyl complexes by hydrogen elimination

Abstract 1,1-Dideuterio-1-octyllithium and 2,2-dideuterio-1-octyllithium were allowed to react with palladium complexes of the type L2PdCl2 and L2PdCl4 (LPPh3, py; L2  bpy, dppe) to form the respective straight-chain alkylpalladate complexes. These complexes were then allowed to decompose thermally and the resulting 1-octene was analyzed. The 1,1-dilabeled alkyl ligand produced 1,1-dideuterio-1-octene, while the 2,2-dilaabeled ligand formed 2-deuterio-1-octene. These products indicate that β-hydrogen removal, rather than α-hydrogen removal, is the productive decomposition mode for these n-alkylpalladate complexes.
Effect of Impaired Mastication on the Health of Rats

Long-term ingestion of insufficiently masticated food, which resulted from extraction of posterior teeth, was especially detrimental to the health of old male rats. Although gastrointestinal pathology was not seen in most instances, the three rats that showed stomach ulcerations were the rats that had ingested the highest percentages of coarse particles.
Recognition of Interacting Turning Features for Mill/Turn Parts

This paper focuses on efficient automatic recognition algorithms for turning features. As with other domains, recognition of interacting features is a difficult issue, because feature interaction removes faces and alters the topology of the existing turned features. This paper presents a method for efficiently recognizing both isolated (without interaction with other features) and interacting rotational features from geometrical CAD model of mill/turn parts. Additionally, the method recognizes Transient Turned Features (TTFs) that are defined as maximal axisymmetric material volumes from a non-turning feature that can be removed by turning. A TTS may not share any faces with the finished part. First, the rotational faces on a solid model are explored to extract isolated rotational features and some of the interacting ones. Then portions of the 3D model where no rotational faces can be used to recognize turning features are cut out and processed by a novel algorithm for finding their transient turning features.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Twolcatheter technique for uterine fibroid embolisation

SummaryThis paper describes a method of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) using bilateral femoral artery punc tures and two separate catheters for selective catheterisation of the uterine arteries Bilateral uterine artery catheterisation was performed from the contralateral common femoral arteries The two catheters are placed within the uterine arteries prior to arteriography Simultaneous arteriography was performed before and after embolisation In some cases, simultaneous embolisation was performed by sepa rate physician operators To date, l 15 patients have been treated The first four had unilateral femoral puncture All the subsequent patients were treated with bilateral femoral puncture The emboltsation was successful bilat erally in 113 patients Unilateral embolisation was successful in one patient, with only one patent uterine vessel The procedure failed in one patient, despite patent uterine arteries bilaterally A total of 226 femoral punctures were used in this group of patients There were no punct...
PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHRONIC DISABILITY

: The prominence of chronic disabling diseases in present-day medical practice calls for an increase in social service work to help manage the associated psychosocial problems. The four stages of the social worker's in-hospital treatment for these patients are: 1) encouraging the patient to discuss his problems, 2) stimulating some understanding of how he may overcome these problems, 3) putting this perception into action, and 4) integrating the gains made by the patient. Work with the patient's family is inevitably involved. This kind of planning results increasingly in enabling mental hospitals to carry out their primary purpose of active treatment for the mentally ill and freeing them from the additional responsibilities of domiciliary and hospital care for chronic disease; permitting the chronically disabled to return to their own communities among familiar people and surroundings; and sometimes even accomplishing complete resocialization with return to a full and independent life. The alternative is an isolated, meaningless, dependent institutional life. Two illustrative case histories are presented.
A procedure for the rapid, quantitative N-acetylation of amino sugar methyl glycosides.

Abstract A rapid and quantitative procedure is described for the re- N -acetylation of amino sugar methyl glycosides prior to their analysis by gas-liquid chromatography. Two equivalents of pyridine are added to acidic methanolysates containing amino sugars, serving both to neutralize the acid and to act as a catalyst for the subsequent N -acetylation reaction with acetic anhydride. The N -acetylation is quantitative and complete within 10 min at ambient temperature. Excess acetic anhydride is destroyed by solvolysis with the methanolic solvent. The procedure has been used effectively for methanolysates containing 0.01–2.0 mg/ml glucosamine. The procedures utilizing ion-exchange columns and insoluble salts are thus circumvented and all reaction byproducts are volatile. The procedure is therefore ideally suited for the simultaneous workup of numerous samples for analytical procedures such as gas-liquid chromatography.
The Re-allocation of Monuments. The Meaning of Process Management

Large monuments, such as churches, chapels, seminaries, military defence buildings, factories, water towers, schools, and hospitals, often loose their function. Unoccupied monuments deteriorate. As a result, the cultural–historical value of the monument is at stake. There are several options for unoccupied monuments, or monuments that are on the verge of becoming vacant. An important, and often preferred option, is re-allocation. This option can take many forms. In this article an overview is given of factors leading to success and failure in the re-allocation of large monuments. Based on the Dutch experience, a model for the re-allocation as process management is elaborated. This model implies a ‘step-wise’ programme for re-allocation. The ten steps of the model are described and suggestions are given for local authorities to manage the process.
Repellency of shiso oil components against the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

The composition of shiso oil which showed strong repellency against the adult cigarette beetles was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Twelve components of shiso oil were identified. The repellency of the 12 components against the beetles was investigated with an olfactometer. α-Terpineol, linalool and (−)-perillaldehyde strongly repelled the beetles at a dose of 1 μl. However, they tended to attract the beetles at a ten or hundred fold lower dose. The mixture four major components of shiso oil, (−)-perillaldehyde (60.51%), (−)-limonene (14.42%), farnesene (11.26%) and β-caryophyllene (8.47%), exhibited a strong repellency against the beetles at a dose of 1 μl, but did not repel the beetles at a dose of 0.1 μl, and attracted them at a dose of 0.01 μl. The mixture repelled the beetles at a dose of 10 μl even in the presence of the cured tobacco odor. Also (−)-perillaldehyde and (−)-limonene being, in the ratio found in shiso oil, exhibited similar repellency and attractiveness against the beetles to the four components combined.
Optimum Simple Step-Stress Plans for Accelerated Life Testing

This paper presents optimum plans for simple (two stresses) step-stress tests where all units are run to failure. Such plans minimize the asymptotic variance of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of the mean life at a design stress. The life-test model consists of: 1) an exponential life distribution with 2) a mean that is a log-linear function of stress, and 3) a cumulative exposure model for the effect of changing stress. Two types of simple step-stress tests are considered: 1) a time-step test and 2) a failure-step test. A time-step test runs a specified time at the first stress, whereas, a failure-step test runs until a specified proportion of units fail at the first stress. New results include: 1) the optimum time at the first stress for time-step test and 2) the optimum proportion failing at the low stress for a failure-step test, and 3) the asymptotic variance of these optimum tests. Both the optimum time-step and failure-step tests have the same asymptotic variance as the corresponding optimum constant-stress test. Thus step-stress tests yield the same amount of information as constant-stress tests.
Tailoring Case Studies to Fit Early Childhood Teacher Candidates' Needs and Experiences.

Case-based methodology has been a staple of teacher education coursework for many years. However, commercial case studies do not always meet specific teacher candidates' needs or match their experiences in school settings. Teacher educators in an Early Childhood program in a midwestern university developed an innovative use of case-based methodology by writing case studies tailored for a specific group of students. Research was conducted to determine if these case studies, based upon preassessment information about teacher candidates' knowledge and experiences with a topic, along with common characteristics of area schools, would be more effective than commercial case studies. Analysis of the preservice teachers' case study responses showed a higher level of critical thinking skills and application of course concepts on the instructor-developed case studies than the commercial cases, suggesting this innovation may be a more effective approach in case-based methodology. Suggestions for teacher educators in...
Concurrent transcriptional profiling of Dirofilaria immitis and its Wolbachia endosymbiont throughout the nematode life cycle reveals coordinated gene expression

Dirofilaria immitis, or canine heartworm, is a filarial nematode parasite that infects dogs and other mammals worldwide. Current disease control relies on regular administration of anthelmintic preventives, however, relatively poor compliance and evidence of developing drug resistance could warrant alternative measures against D. immitis and related human filarial infections be taken. As with many other filarial nematodes, D. immitis contains Wolbachia, an obligate bacterial endosymbiont thought to be involved in providing certain critical metabolites to the nematode. Correlations between nematode and Wolbachia transcriptomes during development have not been examined. Therefore, we detailed the developmental transcriptome of both D. immitis and its Wolbachia (wDi) in order to gain a better understanding of parasite-endosymbiont interactions throughout the nematode life cycle. Over 215 million single-end 50 bp reads were generated from total RNA from D. immitis adult males and females, microfilariae (mf) and third and fourth-stage larvae (L3 and L4). We critically evaluated the transcriptomes of the various life cycle stages to reveal sex-biased transcriptional patterns, as well as transcriptional differences between larval stages that may be involved in larval maturation. Hierarchical clustering revealed both D. immitis and wDi transcriptional activity in the L3 stage is clearly distinct from other life cycle stages. Interestingly, a large proportion of both D. immitis and wDi genes display microfilarial-biased transcriptional patterns. Concurrent transcriptome sequencing identified potential molecular interactions between parasite and endosymbiont that are more prominent during certain life cycle stages. In support of metabolite provisioning between filarial nematodes and Wolbachia, the synthesis of the critical metabolite, heme, by wDi appears to be synchronized in a stage-specific manner (mf-specific) with the production of heme-binding proteins in D. immitis. Our integrated transcriptomic study has highlighted interesting correlations between Wolbachia and D. immitis transcription throughout the life cycle and provided a resource that may be used for the development of novel intervention strategies, not only for the treatment and prevention of D. immitis infections, but of other closely related human parasites as well.
Teaching networking and operating systems to information systems majors

Teaching networking and operating systems to information systems majors presents many challenges. Operating systems and networking tend to be taught in one of two ways. Either the material is non-technical, directed more toward the business information systems major, or the material is overly technical, equivalent of teaching a traditional computer science course. We have developed a model for teaching networking and operating systems to information systems majors that bridges that gap. The material is taught in the context of network administration, a topic well-suited to information systems majors. This paper describes our model, the curriculum we use, and the experience of students and faculty.
Threonine-Degrading Enzymes in the Chicken

Abstract Threonine dehydratase, threonine aldolase, and threonine dehydrogenase activities of liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, duodenum, heart, whole brain, and pancreas of the chick (Gallus domesticus) were determined. The highest activities of threonine dehydratase and threonine aldolase were found in liver and muscle and the highest threonine dehydrogenase in the pancreas. Threonine aldolase was more active than threonine dehydratase in all tissues except kidney and intestine, both of which had low activities of these enzymes. Chick liver threonine dehydratase and threonine dehydrogenase, but not threonine aldolase, activities varied significantly during a 24-hr period.
Managing campus-wide information systems: issues and problems

The spread of computer networks and microcomputers has lead to the rapid expansion of communication via computer conferencing, electronic mail, computer bulletin boards, and other forms of electronic communications such as on-line surveys. Many campuses have implemented or are in the process of implementing campus-wide information systems which make access to information services as easy as using the campus phone system.Lehigh has implemented an information system that has received wide acceptance by the campus community, as over 6000 individuals or 85% of the campus voluntarily opened accounts on the system. The following issues and problems related to the system's management are discussed: Information Management, Censorship, Special Requests, Security, Encouraging Innovative Uses, and Training.