cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On dynamic coupling effects between a spar and its mooring lines

The responses of a spar constrained by slack mooring lines to steep ocean waves and tensions in the mooring lines are simulated using two different numerical schemes: a quasi-static approach (SMACOS) and a coupled dynamic approach (COUPLE). The two approaches are the same in computing wave loads on the structure. Their difference is in modeling dynamic forces of mooring lines; that is the dynamic forces are included in the computation of COUPLE but neglected in SMACOS. The numerical simulation is examined against the laboratory measurements of the JIP Spar in a water depth of 318 m. The dynamic coupling effects between the JIP Spar and its mooring lines in different water depths (318, 618 and 1018 m) are investigated by the comparison of numerical simulations obtained using the quasi-static and coupled dynamic approaches. It is found that the damping of mooring lines reduces the slow-drift surge and pitch of the Spar, especially in deep water. The reduction in the amplitude of slow-drift surge can reach about 10% in a water depth of 1018 m. The tension in mooring lines may greatly increase in the wave frequency range when dynamic forces in mooring lines are considered. The mooring-line tension in the wave frequency range predicted by the coupled dynamic approach can be eight times as great as the corresponding prediction by the quasi-static approach in a water depth of 1018 m. This finding may have important implications for the estimation of the fatigue strength and life span of the mooring lines deployed in deep water oceans.
Stereo-specificity for pro-(R) hydrogen of NAD(P)H during enzyme-catalyzed hydride transfer to CL-20

A dehydrogenase from Clostridium sp. EDB2 and a diaphorase from Clostridium kluyveri were reacted with CL-20 to gain insights into the enzyme-catalyzed hydride transfer to CL-20, and the enzyme's stereo-specificity for either pro-R or pro-S hydrogens of NAD(P)H. Both enzymes biotransformed CL-20 at rates of 18.5 and 24nmol/h/mg protein, using NADH and NADPH as hydride-source, respectively, to produce a N-denitrohydrogenated product with a molecular weight of 393Da. In enzyme kinetics studies using reduced deuterated pyridine nucleotides, we found a kinetic deuterium isotopic effect of 2-fold on CL-20 biotransformation rate using dehydrogenase enzyme against (R)NADD as a hydride-source compared to either (S)NADD or NADH. Whereas, in case of diaphorase, the kinetic deuterium isotopic effect of about 1.5-fold was observed on CL-20 biotransformation rate using (R)NADPD as hydride-source. In a comparative study with LC-MS, using deuterated and non-deuterated NAD(P)H, we found a positive mass-shift of 1Da in the N-denitrohydrogenated product suggesting the involvement of a deuteride (D(-)) transfer from NAD(P)D. The present study thus revealed that both dehydrogenase and diaphorase enzymes from the two Clostridium species catalyzed a hydride transfer to CL-20 and showed stereo-specificity for pro-R hydrogen of NAD(P)H.
Localization and characterization of the human ADP-ribosylation factor 5 (ARF5) gene.

ADP-ribosylation factor 5 (ARF5) is a member of the ARF gene family. The ARF proteins stimulate the in vitro ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of cholera toxin and appear to play a role in vesicular trafficking in vivo. We have mapped ARF5, one of the six known mammalian ARF genes, to a well-defined yeast artificial chromosome contig on human chromosome 7q31.3. In addition, we have isolated and sequenced an {approximately}3.2-kb genomic segment that contains the entire ARF5 coding region, revealing the complete intron-exon structure of the gene. With six coding exons and five introns, the genomic structure of ARF5 is unique among the mammalian ARF genes and provides insight about the evolutionary history of this ancient gene family. 20 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
The Anisotropic Refractive Indices of Aligned MBBA Liquid Crystal Films

Abstract The anisotropic refractive indices of unidirectionally and horizontally aligned MBBA liquid crystal films were determined by means of polarimetry and transmission measurements in the wave length region 0.42 to 0.70μ at room temperature. The analyses show that absorption in this wave length region is negligibly small (k‖ ≅ k 1 ≅ 0.0005) and that n || decreases while n 1 increases with increasing wave length with the net result that the birefringence Δn(=n||- n⊥) decreases rapidly first from 1.06 at λ = 0.42 μ then slowly to 0.28 at λ = 0.70μ.
Effect of Visual Pattern Restriction in Early Life on Brain Enzyme, Body Weight and Learning in the Rat

VISUAL pattern restriction or enrichment in early life can induce significant differences in body weight gain, performance on a visual sensory reinforcement test and brain enzymatic activity in adult rats1. Rats raised in an enriched visual environment, however, perform better on the visual reinforcement test than rats raised in a restricted visual environment only when light-onset is used as reinforcement; if light-termination is used as reinforcement, performance differences are completely reversed2. Thus the effects of early visual experience may be beneficial only in some highly specific learning situations. Our experiments test the effect of visual input in early life on learning tests other than those previously used; we also looked at possible differences in body weight and brain enzymatic activity induced by early visual experience after a period of extensive handling, a food deprivation schedule and learning experience.
Myopathies in Search of a Name: Benign Congenital Forms

SUMMARY A six-year-old boy with a nonprogressive myopathy present from birth is reported. Muscle biopsy, electromyography and serum creatine phosphokinase established the myopathic nature of the disorder. No unique features of the myopathy were established. The subject of stationary congenital myopathies is reviewed and problems of classification discussed. RESUME Myopathies a la recherches d'un nom: formes congenitales benignes Le cas rapporte ici est celui d'un garcon de six ans atteint d'une myopathic non-progressive presente a la naissance. Biopsie musculaire, electromyographic et creatino-phosphokinase du serum ont fourni des renseignements sur la nature du desordre. Aucun trait unique de la myopathic n'a eteetabli. Le sujet des myopathies congenitales stationnaires est passe en revue et les problemes de classification discutes. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Myopathia! aufder Sauche nach einem Namen: Gutartige, kongenitale Formen Uber den fall eines sechsjahrigen Jungen mit nichtfortschreitender Myopathic wird berichtet. Muskel-Biopsie, Elektromyographie und Serum Kreatin Phosphokinase bestatigten die Art der Storung. Es wurden keine ausstehenden Merkmale der Myopathic gefunden. Uber den Gegenstand stationarer kongenitaler Myopathien wird berichtet und Probleme der Einstufung besprechen. RESUMEN Miopatias en busca de un nombre: formas congenitas benignas Se presenta un nino de seis anos que tiene una miopatia no progresiva desde el nacimiento. El caracter de la afeccion se diagnostico por medio de biopsia muscular, electromiografia, y suero creatina fosfoquinasa. No se establecieron ningunos rasgos singulares de la miopatia. Se pasa en revista el topico de las miopatias congenitas estacionarias, y se discuten los problemas de clasificarlas.
Assessing the Political Impact of Candidate Selection Rules: Britain in the 1990s

Abstract Do candidate selection rules affect political outcomes, and if so, in what ways? Despite widespread agreement that such rules matter, observers remain divided as to whether more inclusive rules should yield candidates who are closer to or further away from a party’s likely voters. This question has seldom been investigated outside of US primary elections. This paper aims to help fill this gap by investigating British parties’ experiences with various candidate selection rules. Using data from the 1992 and 1997 British election and candidate studies to map the distance between parties’ candidates and voters, it asks whether rule differences could explain the relative proximity of the two groups. Contrary to the fears of those who worry about unrepresentative or unstrategic member activists, it finds evidence that more inclusive selection procedures may result in a closer alignment between the views of party candidates and party voters.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of sunitinib-induced vascular changes to schedule chemotherapy in renal cell carcinoma xenograft tumors

In an attempt to develop better therapeutic approaches for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the combination of the antiangiogenic drug sunitinib with gemcitabine was studied. Using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), we have previously determined that a sunitinib dosage of 20 mg/kg per day increased kidney tumor perfusion and decreased vascular permeability in a preclinical murine RCC model. This sunitinib dosage causing regularization of tumor vessels was selected to improve delivery of gemcitabine to the tumor. DCE-MRI was used to monitor regularization of vasculature with sunitinib in kidney tumors to schedule gemcitabine. We established an effective and nontoxic schedule of sunitinib combined with gemcitabine consisting of pretreatment with sunitinib for 3 days followed by four treatments of gemcitabine at 20 mg/kg given 3 days apart while continuing daily sunitinib treatment. This treatment caused significant tumor growth inhibition resulting in small residual tumor nodules exhibiting giant tumor cells with degenerative changes, which were observed both in kidney tumors and in spontaneous lung metastases, suggesting a systemic antitumor response. The combined therapy caused a significant increase in mouse survival. DCE-MRI monitoring of vascular changes induced by sunitinib, gemcitabine, and both combined showed increased tumor perfusion and decreased vascular permeability in kidney tumors. These findings, confirmed histologically by thinning of tumor blood vessels, suggest that both sunitinib and gemcitabine exert antiangiogenic effects in addition to cytotoxic antitumor activity. These studies show that DCE-MRI can be used to select the dose and schedule of antiangiogenic drugs to schedule chemotherapy and improve its efficacy.
Phase equilibria and kinetics in the solid state reaction between silicon and NiCrAI

The result of the solid state reaction of silicon with a model superalloy consisting of 70 at. pct Ni, 20 at. pct Cr, and 10 at. pct Al at 900 °C is examined using light microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, and analytical electron microscopy. Extensive reaction is observed, with the formation of seven distinct reaction zones. The crystallography and chemistry of the phases present in each zone are determined using the analytical electron microscope. The reaction paths are described with reference to binary and ternary phase equilibrium diagrams. The kinetics of the reaction are presented. The nature and extent of the reaction are compared with previous experiments in which silicon carbide and reaction-bonded Si-SiC were reacted with the model superalloy.
Human erythroid porphobilinogen deaminase exists in 2 splice variants

Human porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) is, reportedly, encoded by 2 distinct messenger RNAs (mRNAs) transcribing from a single gene. The ubiquitous form of the PBGD gene product is often used as an endogenous reference in gene expression studies because it is pseudogene free and has minimal transcriptional variability among tissues. A distinct erythroid-specific gene product has also been described because of the alternate splicing of the gene. Here is reported the existence of an additional erythroid-specific isoform of PBGD mRNA in primary cells.
Mineralization dynamics in fallow dryland wheat plots, Colorado

There was a flush of mineralization in fallow wheat plots in the wet and warm summer of 1982 at Akron, Colorado. Peak mineralization rates and concentrations of N and P coincided with a 2.5-fold increase in protozoan biomass. No-till contained considerably more activity than stubble mulch plots, especially in the surface 2.5 cm and there was more water storage in no-till on all dates. Differential management of agricultural residues and the resultant effects upon the microbial community significantly altered patterns of nutrient cycling.
Phosphatidic acid as a precursor of phosphoinositide in the thyroid.

Previous reports on the incorporation of 32P into thyroid slice phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphoinositide (PI) have claimed that the specific activity (SA) of the PI is greater than that of the PA. This would be inconsistent with the generally accepted biosynthetic sequence in which PA is a precursor of PI. These results may have been due to errors inherent in the hydrolytic procedures used in those analyses. The present study avoids those procedures in favor of sensitive direct assays of fractionated phosphatides and demonstrates that in thyroid slices incubated with 32PO4 the SA of the PA is always greater than that of the PI which is consistent with the role of PA as a precursor of PI. (Endocrinology 91: 597, 1972)
Hydrogen passivation of shallow acceptors and donors in c-Si: Comparisons and trends.

The equilibrium geometries and electronic structures of hydrogen-passivated acceptors (B, Al, and Ga) and donors (P and As) in crystalline silicon are calculated in two clusters: X${\mathrm{HSi}}_{7}$${\mathrm{H}}_{18}$ and X${\mathrm{HSi}}_{34}$${\mathrm{H}}_{36}$, where X is the acceptor or donor. The results, obtained using the method of partial retention of diatomic differential overlap (PRDDO) and ab initio Hartree-Fock with various basis sets, show that all these complexes are metastable. In the case of passivated acceptors, the stable configuration corresponds to H close to the bond-centered site and the metastable one to H at the antibonding site of one of the Si atoms nearest to the acceptor. The configuration where H is antibonding to the acceptor is a saddle point of the energy. The effects of 〈111〉 uniaxial stress on the position of the H passivator are qualitatively analyzed. In the case of donors, the lowest-energy site for H is at the antibonding site to one of the Si atoms nearest to the donor. The configurations where H is at the bond-centered site or is antibonding to the donor are nearly energetically equivalent. The similarities and differences between the various complexes are discussed.
Inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type I integration.

Purpose of review The virally encoded enzyme integrase plays a critical role in HIV-1 replication and has long been considered a promising target for the development of agents to treat HIV-1 infection. It is only recently, however, that the efficacy of integrase inhibitors has been demonstrated in experimental animal model systems of retroviral infection, and in HIV-1 infected subjects. Several compounds that have shown potent efficacy in short-term monotherapy studies have initiated phase two and three clinical studies in 2006. Recent findings Although the first inhibitors in this new class of antiretroviral therapy are in the earliest stages of clinical development, the study of integrase function and inhibitor mechanism, as well as recent insights on resistance to prototypical inhibitors in vitro, have important implications for the discovery and development of these agents. Summary This review will summarize the role of integrase in HIV-1 infection, the mechanism of integrase inhibitors, and the results of resistance studies on preclinical compounds which suggest there may be multiple opportunities for developing inhibitors against this essential HIV-1 target.
Similarity estimation techniques from rounding algorithms

(MATH) A locality sensitive hashing scheme is a distribution on a family $\F$ of hash functions operating on a collection of objects, such that for two objects x,y, PrheF[h(x) = h(y)] = sim(x,y), where sim(x,y) e [0,1] is some similarity function defined on the collection of objects. Such a scheme leads to a compact representation of objects so that similarity of objects can be estimated from their compact sketches, and also leads to efficient algorithms for approximate nearest neighbor search and clustering. Min-wise independent permutations provide an elegant construction of such a locality sensitive hashing scheme for a collection of subsets with the set similarity measure sim(A,B) = \frac{|A ∩ B|}{|A ∪ B|}.(MATH) We show that rounding algorithms for LPs and SDPs used in the context of approximation algorithms can be viewed as locality sensitive hashing schemes for several interesting collections of objects. Based on this insight, we construct new locality sensitive hashing schemes for:A collection of vectors with the distance between → \over u and → \over v measured by O(→ \over u, → \over v)/π, where O(→ \over u, → \over v) is the angle between → \over u) and → \over v). This yields a sketching scheme for estimating the cosine similarity measure between two vectors, as well as a simple alternative to minwise independent permutations for estimating set similarity.A collection of distributions on n points in a metric space, with distance between distributions measured by the Earth Mover Distance (EMD), (a popular distance measure in graphics and vision). Our hash functions map distributions to points in the metric space such that, for distributions P and Q, EMD(P,Q) ≤ Ehe\F [d(h(P),h(Q))] ≤ O(log n log log n). EMD(P, Q).
Photoionization Analysis by Mass Spectroscopy

A vacuum ultraviolet monochromator has been combined with a mass spectrometer to study photoionization processes between 1570 and 430 A. Monochromatic photons were used to ionize, A, He, Ne, O2, N2, CO, NO, CO2, N2O, and NO2; and preliminary measurements of ion intensity as a function of photon energy have been obtained for the parent ions together with their fragments. The appearance of ionization and the structure of curves, in which ions per unit photon flux versus λ are plotted, will be related to previously reported energy levels, to photoionization cross sections, and to dissociative photoionization mechanisms.
Locomotor activity in the ischemic gerbil

Previous studies have shown that within 24 h after ischemic insult, gerbils exhibit an increase in locomotor activity. Because activity gradually diminishes to normal levels with repeated testing, it has been argued that this behavior represents a reversible or transient effect of ischemia. The present study challenged this notion by testing ischemic gerbils at a time when increased activity is not observed with repeated testing. Ischemic (5-min bilateral carotid occlusion) and sham gerbils were tested for 14 consecutive days after reperfusion in an open-field apparatus (n = 6/condition). As previously reported, ischemic gerbils exhibited a significant increase in activity (days 1 and 2) which returned to control levels with repeated testing (days 13 and 14). A second group of ischemic and sham gerbils (n = 6/condition) were tested only on days 13 and 14 after reperfusion. In contrast to those tested repeatedly, these ischemic gerbils displayed increased locomotor activity as compared with sham controls. In addition, gerbils in the repeated testing conditions were evaluated in a semi-novel testing environment on days 15 and 16 after surgery. The locomotor activity of ischemic gerbils significantly increased in response to the semi-novel environment. These results suggest that the effects of ischemia on locomotor activity are not limited to a brief period after occlusion and may represent a permanent deficit. In addition, as previously suggested, this behavior may represent a deficit in habituation or spatial mapping rather than motor hyperactivity.
A Continuous Spectrophotometric Assay for the Aminoacylation of Transfer RNA by Alanyl-Transfer RNA Synthetase

Abstract A continuous spectrophotometric assay is described for the aminoacylation reaction catalyzed by Escherichia coli alanyl-transfer RNA synthetase. The assay is based on coupling the alanyl-tRNA synthetase-dependent formation of AMP to the lactate dehydrogenase oxidation of NADH. Oxidation of NADH, as monitored at 340 nm, is shown to be stoichiometric with the formation of alanyl-tRNAAla. This assay will facilitate the rapid accumulation and analysis of kinetic data for alanyl-tRNA synthetase and should be applicable to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in general.
Measurement of severity in advanced Alzheimer's disease.

Background In late stages of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), most scales measuring only cognitive or functional deficits lose their sensitivity to detect further disease progression. Methods By combining ratings of cognitive (speech, eye contact) and functional deficits (dressing, eating, ambulation) with occurrence of pathological symptoms (sleep-wake cycle disturbance, muscle rigidity/contractures), a scale was developed (BANS-S) which does not lose its sensitivity until the patient reaches a vegetative state. BANS-S was tested on three Special Care Dementia Units. Results Data from 74 patients with the clinical diagnosis of DAT indicated that BANS-S has good reliability and reproducibility. BANS-S scores correlated with scores of Mini-Mental State Examination, Katz ADL, Test for Severe Impairment, and Language Assessment. In 25 patients with the diagnosis of DAT confirmed by autopsy, BANS-S scores determined within 3 months of death correlated with density of neurofibrillary tangles in CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus. Conclusion BANS-S may be a useful tool for the evaluation of different treatment strategies in severe DAT and for the correlation of clinical and pathological findings.
Strictureplasty is an effective option in the operative management of duodenal Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Duodenal Crohn's disease requiring surgery has traditionally been managed with a bypass procedure. We compared our experience with duodenal strictureplasty with this traditional approach. METHODS: Records of patients operated on for duodenal Crohn's disease since 1980 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients having strictureplasty or bypass were compared with regard to demographics, indications, complications, and outcome. RESULTS: Since 1980, 34 patients were operated on for duodenal Crohn's disease. Mean age was 38.9 (range, 16–68) years, and 20 of 34 patients were females, with no significant differences between operative groups. Obstruction was the presenting symptom in 33 of 34 patients, and all had strictures. The basis for diagnosis of duodenal Crohn's disease was macroscopic appearance and the presence of Crohn's elsewhere in 29 of 34 patients, with only 5 of 34 having either duodenal or contiguous antral granulomas. Thirty-seven strictures were present in the 34 patients; 24 were in the proximal duodenum (8 strictureplasty, 16 bypass), 9 were in the midduodenum (4 strictureplasty, 5 bypass), and 4 were in the distal duodenum (3 stricture-plasty, 1 bypass). Bypass was performed in 21 patients, with two operative complications, and at a mean follow-up of 8 years, 1 of 21 patients required reoperation for recurrent disease. Strictureplasty was performed in 13 patients, with two operative complication, and at a mean follow-up of 3.6 years, 1 patient required reoperation for recurrence also. Vagotomy was performed in 16 of 21 bypasses and 7 of 13 strictureplasties. CONCLUSIONS: Although follow-up is shorter, strictureplasty is a safe and effective operation for duodenal Crohn's disease and should be considered when feasible.
Spallation of Cu by 3.9-GeV N 14 ions and 3.9-GeV protons

Relative yields of 35 products extending from $^{3}\mathrm{H}$ to $^{76}\mathrm{Br}$ have been measurd for the interaction of 3.9-GeV (278-MeV/amu) $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ ions with copper. For purposes of comparison, cross sections of 54 nuclides produced by the irradiation of Cu with 3.9-GeV protons are also reported. Although the over-all patterns of yields for $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ ions and protons are qualitatively similar, there are significant differences. In the mass region $37\ensuremath{\le}A\ensuremath{\le}64$, the mass yield curve for $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ ions decreases more rapidly with decreasing $A$ than does the proton curve. No difference could be detected in the shapes of the charge dispersion curves. However, the data indicate a small shift ($l0.1Z$ unit) favoring neutron-deficient products near the target in the case of $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ ions. The mass yield curves appear to have similar shapes from $A\ensuremath{\approx}40$ down to $A\ensuremath{\approx}24$, but formation of the still lighter products, $^{7}\mathrm{Be}$ and particularly $^{3}\mathrm{H}$, is favored in the $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ irradiation. An observed enhancement of products such as $^{62}\mathrm{Zn}$, $^{66}\mathrm{Ga}$, and $^{69}\mathrm{Ge}$ is interpreted as arising largely from secondary reactions rather than from primary processes which add charge or mass from the $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ to the target nuclei. Some discussion of results from this and other experiments with high-energy protons and heavy ions with complex nuclei is presented in terms of the concepts of limiting fragmentation and factorization.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Cu($^{14}\mathrm{N}$, spallation), $E=3.9$ GeV; measured relative $\ensuremath{\sigma}(A,Z)$, 35 products $^{3}\mathrm{H}$-$^{76}\mathrm{Br}$. $\mathrm{Cu}(p, \mathrm{spallation})$, $E=3.9$ GeV; measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}(A,Z)$, 54 products $^{3}\mathrm{H}$-$^{69}\mathrm{Ge}$. Natural targets, Ge(Li), $\ensuremath{\beta}$ counting, radiochemistry.
Status of EOI-2 at the SSC EOI-2: Low Pt physics at the SSC an expression of interest

Abstract The goals are to measure (1) small angle elastic scattering into the coulomb region, (2)large angle elastic scattering, and (3) single diffraction dissociation. The small angle elastic scattering is used via the optical theorem to obtain σ t and the ρ-value. Beta at the interaction point must be ∼3 km in order to do the small angle elastic scattering . Such high beta is not needed at the detector positions. The intermediate beta region is well suited for the large angle elastic scattering and single diffraction scattering.
An inspection advisor for form error in cylindrical features

Due to inherent variability in even the so-called “high-precision” machines, the need for accurate, quick and economical inspection of tolerances of machined features has become very important. Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) are very popular in industry for inspection of components. In addition to hardware capabilities, some of the critical factors that affect the accuracy and precision of inspection using CMMs have been identified as sample size, sampling technique and form evaluation method. Selecting an optimal inspection plan for the CMM is vital to improve the quality of measurements while simultaneously minimizing inspection costs and time. The motivation behind this paper is to provide the user flexibility and control in choosing an optimal inspection plan for evaluation of form error in cylindrical features according to his/her specific needs in a practical manufacturing scenario. In view of this objective, a two-way relationship between the inspection strategy used and inspection performance metrics achieved has been established using multiple regression. The forward model is a plan evaluator that computes numerical estimates of the expected accuracy and precision for different inspection plans. The reverse model is a strategy designer that recommends the most economical inspection plan that can meet the acceptable quality criteria considering the user’s constraints and available resources. Both the models have been incorporated into a user-friendly inspection advisor with a graphical interface.
Rheological and mechanical properties of cross-linked fish gelatins

Gelatin was extracted from the skins of Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and Alaska pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Amino acid analysis and gel electrophoresis were used to determine their amino acid composition and molecular weight profiles, respectively. Dynamic rheology was also used to characterize the fish gelatins’ gelation and melting behavior as well as their cross-linking behavior upon adding genipin and glutaraldehyde. Pollock and salmon gelatin had lower gelation and melting temperatures than that of a commercial porcine gelatin. Both fish gelatins that contained genipin showed faster cross-linking rates for samples with higher pH values. However, salmon samples exhibited greater dependence on pH. Also, pollock gelatin cross-linked faster with glutaraldehyde than with genipin. After five days of cross-linking, all porcine samples had much greater gel strengths than pollock samples. In addition, porcine samples containing genipin had gel strengths several times greater than those containing glutaraldehyde.
Pathologic acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy and calcium phosphosphate deposition disease

Aim: To assess if acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joint findings share specificity with those of peripheral joints for distinguishing among the major forms of erosive arthritis. Methods: The clavicles from skeletons of 392 individuals with documented spondyloarthropathy, rheumatoid arthritis and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD) were macroscopically examined for erosion presence and character and for reactive new bone formation. Results: Examination of the bones of individuals with documented rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease revealed specificity of acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joint alterations for the underlying arthritis. Conclusions: Acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular erosions have equivalent diagnostic specificity to that of peripheral joints, facilitating diagnosis when erosions are not recognized in the latter. Such joint involvement was so common in individuals with other evidence of CPPD that its presence should suggest the likelihood of that diagnosis.
Labor market experience, work organization, gender inequalities and health status: results from a prospective analysis of US employed women

Abstract Women's labor force participation has increased dramatically over the past several decades. Although previous research has documented that a wide array of labor market characteristics affect health, more work is needed to understand how women are impacted by gender-specific employment patterns and exposures. We examine a cohort of 659 employed women from the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study in the USA. Baseline and follow-up data collected 13 years apart are used to identify associations between demographic, labor market, work organization, and occupational gender inequality with four health outcomes: generalized distress, depressive syndrome, anxiety and fair or poor health. We also use gender-specific data on the workplace to create indicators of occupational gender inequality. We found wide gender inequalities in terms of pay and power in this sample of employed women. Financial strain was associated with all of our mental health outcomes with those reporting financial strain having increased odds of distress, depressive syndrome and anxiety for the 13 years prior to the interview. Workplace factors that were found to be associated with the four outcomes included experiencing a promotion or demotion in the 13 years prior to the interview; working at a large firm; and being a professional. Occupations where women compared to men had lower levels of job strain—domestic workers in private households, machine operator and transportation—showed increased risk for anxiety or fair/poor health. Our findings suggest that measuring the complexities of employment including promotion or demotion history, firm characteristics and even occupational gender inequality can yield important information about associations with health among women.
Immunotherapy of inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system

Inflammatory demyelinating diseases comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect the peripheral and central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disease affecting the CNS white matter. Close similarities between MS and the animal model of the disease, experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE), have suggested that MS might be an autoimmune disease, which istriggered by an infectiousagent. Our laboratory hasdirected its effort in identifying and designing therapies that interfere with key signaling pathways that mediate CNS inflammation in experimental allergic encephalitis. These have included naturally occurring cytokines such as TGFβ and synthetic small molecules, lysofyline and tyrphostin, which inhibit the inflammatory response and prevent the development of EAE.
Gas-phase bioconjugation of peptides via ion/ion charge inversion: Schiff base formation on the conversion of cations to anions.

The selective covalent modification of singly protonated peptides in the gas-phase via ion/ion charge inversion reactions is demonstrated. Doubly deprotonated 4-formyl-1,3-benzene disulfonic acid serves as a reagent anion for forming a Schiff base via the reaction of a primary amine on the peptide and the aldehyde functionality of the reagent anion. The process is initiated by the formation of an ion/ion complex comprised of the two reactants. Ion trap collisional activation of the complex results in loss of water from the intermediate that gives rise to Schiff base formation. N-terminally acetylated peptides with no lysine residues do not undergo covalent bond formation upon reaction with the reagent anion. Rather, the adduct species simply loses the reagent either as a neutral species or as a deprotonated species. The ability to modify singly protonated peptide ions covalently and selectively opens up new possibilities for the analysis of peptides and, possibly, other analyte species with primary amine ...
Fanconi Anemia Repair Pathway Dysfunction, a Potential Therapeutic Target in Lung Cancer

The Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway is a major mechanism of homologous recombination DNA repair. The functional readout of the pathway is activation through mono-ubiquitination of FANCD2 leading to nuclear foci of repair. We have recently developed an FA triple staining immunofluorescence based method (FATSI) to evaluate FANCD2 foci formation in formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor samples. DNA repair deficiencies have been considered of interest in lung cancer prevention, given the persistence of damage produced by cigarette smoke in this setting, as well as in treatment, given potential increased efficacy of DNA damaging drugs. We screened 139 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCL) FFPE tumors for FANCD2 foci formation by FATSI analysis. Among 104 evaluable tumors, 23 (22%) were FANCD2 foci negative, thus repair deficient. To evaluate and compare novel targeted agents in the background of FA deficiency we utilized RNAi technology to render several lung cancer cell lines FANCD2 deficient. Successful FANCD2 knockdown was confirmed by reduction in the FANCD2 protein. Subsequently, we treated the FA defective H1299D2-down and A549D2-down non-small cell lung cancer cells and their FA competent counterparts (empty vector controls) with the PARP inhibitors veliparib (ABT-888) (5µM) and BMN673 (0.5µM), as well as the CHK1 inhibitor Arry-575 at a dose of 0.5M. We also treated the FA defective small cell lung cancer cell lines H719D2-down and H792D2-down and their controls with the BCL2/XL inhibitor ABT263 at dose of 2 M. The treated cells were harvested at 24, 48 and 72 hours post treatment. MTT cell viability analysis showed that each agent was more cytotoxic to the FANCD2 knock-down cells. In all tests, the FA defective lung cancer cells had less viable cells as comparing to controls 72 hours post treatment. Both MTT and clonogenic analyses comparing the two PARP inhibitors, showed that BMN673 was more potent compared to veliparib. Given that FA pathw
Absorption coefficient of pure water at 488 and 541.5 nm by adiabatic laser calorimetry

The absorption coefficient of pure water was found to be 0.00017 cm−1 at 488 nm and 0.00029 cm−1 at 541.5 nm using adiabatic laser calorimetric techniques. These values are in good agreement with the generally accepted long-path transmission spectra of Clarke and James.
Space-time correlation filters for human action detection

To automate video surveillance systems, algorithms must be developed to automatically detect and classify basic human actions. Many traditional approaches focus on the classification of actions, which usually assumes prior detection, tracking, and segmentation of the human figure from the original video. On the other hand, action detection is a more desirable paradigm, as it is capable of simultaneous localization and classification of the action. This means that no prior segmentation or tracking is required, and multiple action instances may be detected in the same video. Correlation filters have been traditionally applied for object detection in images. In this paper, we report the results of our investigation using correlation filters for human action detection in videos. Correlation filters have previously been explored for action classification, but this is the first time they are evaluated for the more difficult task of action detection. In addition, we investigate several practical implementation issues, including parameter selection, reducing computational time, and exploring the effects of preprocessing and temporal occlusion (i.e., loss of video frames) on performance.
Specificity space, the structure and evolution of metabolic pathways: Part II of a general theory

Biomolecular structures are interacting in terms of their force fields. These force fields define the specificity surfaces of the molecules. Specificity surfaces are represented by specificity vectors in a multidimensional specificity space. A quantitative analytical expression is developed for biochemical reactions and the evolution of metabolic pathways in the specificity space. This leads to detailed identification of various biomolecular processes with individual terms in the equation. This theoretical analysis permits defining detailed function and resolution requirement of enzymes, as well as, how these fit into the overall metabolic pattern of the cell. This paper is Part II of a general theory of the physical basis of the biological state of matter.
Influence of temperature and soil drying on respiration of individual roots in citrus: integrating greenhouse observations into a predictive model for the field

In citrus, the majority of fine roots are distributed near the soil surface – a region where conditions are frequently dry and temperatures fluctuate considerably. To develop a better understanding of the relationship between changes in soil conditions and a plant’s below-ground respiratory costs, the effects of temperature and soil drying on citrus root respiration were quantified in controlled greenhouse experiments. Chambers designed for measuring the respiration of individual roots were used. Under moist soil conditions, root respiration in citrus increased exponentially with changes in soil temperature (Q10 = 1·8–2·0), provided that the changes in temperature were short-term. However, when temperatures were held constant, root respiration did not increase exponentially with increasing temperatures. Instead, the roots acclimated to controlled temperatures above 23 °C, thereby reducing their metabolism in warmer soils. Under drying soil conditions, root respiration decreased gradually beginning at 6% soil water content and reached a minimum at <2% soil water content in sandy soil. A model was constructed from greenhouse data to predict diurnal patterns of fine root respiration based on temperature and soil water content. The model was then validated in the field using data obtained by CO2 trapping on root systems of mature citrus trees. The trees were grown at a site where the soil temperature and water content were manipulated. Respiration predicted by the model was in general agreement with observed rates, which indicates the model may be used to estimate entire root system respiration for citrus.
Is there a basis for novel pharmacotherapy of autism

No medication has yet been shown to consistently alter the symptoms or the course of autism in the majority of patients. The present pharmacotherapy is mainly palliative and sometimes effective in attenuating specific behaviors. The search for better treatment involves examination of the underlying pathophysiology, the genetic or environmental etiology (including possible iatrogenic causes), and assessment of the clinically-generated evidence of efficacy, including serendipitous or unexplained findings. Subtle neuroanatomic and neurochemical changes are being explored and there are anecdotal reports or limited clinical trials that suggest some therapy might be possible. Secretin is a surprising recent addition to the list of candidates. The pharmacologic mechanism by which these agents might provide such effect is not clear, but hypotheses are beginning to emerge. In addition, the prevention of some uncertain number of autism cases is being investigated by examination of certain vaccinations as putative causative or contributory factors. These topics are reviewed in this article, which has the additional purpose of stimulating novel drug discovery efforts for this enigmatic disorder.
Two-stage optics : high-acuity performance from low-acuity optical systems

The concept of two-stage optics, developed under a program to enhance the performance, lower the cost, and increase the reliability of the 20-m Large Deployable Telescope, is examined. The concept permits the large primary mirror to remain as deployed or as space-assembled, with phasing and subsequent control of the system done by a small fully assembled optical active element placed at an exit pupil. The technique is being applied to correction of the fabrication/testing error in the Hubble Space Telescope primary mirror. The advantages offered by this concept for very large space telescopes are discussed.
High temperature crack growth in copper under cyclic loading conditions

In the present work, the fatigue crack growth behavior of pure Cu at a high temperature has been characterized. The fatigue crack growth data have been analyzed using fracture mechanics parameters and the fatigue fracture surfaces were examined to relate the appearance of the fracture surface to the operative crack propagation mechanism
Clean energy: Revisiting the challenges of industrial policy

Abstract Large public investments in clean energy technology arguably constitute an industrial policy. One rationale points to market failures that have not been corrected by other policies, most notably greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on oil. Another inspiration for clean energy policy reflects economic arguments of the 1980s. It suggests strategic government investments would increase U.S. firms' market share of a growing industry and thus help American firms and workers. This paper examines the reasoning for clean energy policy and concludes that: • While a case can be made that subsidizing clean energy might help address market failures, the case may be narrower than some assert, and turning theory into sound practice is no simple feat. • An appropriate price on greenhouse gases is an essential precondition to ensuring efficient incentives to develop and deploy cost-effective emissions-abating technologies. However, efficient prices alone are unlikely to generate efficient levels of basic research and development by private firms. • Government investments in clean energy are unlikely to produce net increases in employment in the long run, in part because pushing home-grown technologies at taxpayers' expense offers no guarantee that the eventual products ultimately would not be manufactured somewhere else. • Spending on clean energy technologies is not well suited to fiscal stimulus. The authors recommend that: • Federal energy spending should invest in technologies with the lowest expected cost of abatement and highest probability of market penetration. • Funding decisions ought to be insulated – as much as possible – from rent-seeking by interest groups, purely political distortions, and the parochial preferences of legislators.
The Marketing Education Task in Third World Countries

Among marketers, there is a tendency to assume that essentially North American or Western European marketing ideas can be readily transplanted into the Third World environment. This article discusses the peculiar features of developing countries, stresses the need for modifications to marketing course content and makes recommendations to the educator.
Masking effects on linear regression in multi-class classification

The linear regression method belongs to the important class of linear methods for multi-class classification. Empirical evidences suggest that a masking problem occurs with the linear regression approach and it is especially prevalent when the number of classes is large. This paper provides an analytical study of this issue and explicitly explains why the linear discriminant analysis procedure removes this problem.
Automated segmentation of intraretinal layers from spectral-domain macular OCT: reproducibility of layer thickness measurements

Changes in intraretinal layer thickness occur in a variety of diseases such as glaucoma, macular edema and diabetes. To segment the intraretinal layers from macular spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) scans, we previously introduced an automated multiscale 3-D graph search method and validated its performance by computing unsigned border positioning differences when compared with human expert tracings. However, it is also important to study the reproducibility of resulting layer thickness measurements, as layer thickness is a commonly used clinical parameter. In this work, twenty eight (14 x 2) repeated macular OCT volumes were acquired from the right eyes of 14 normal subjects using two Zeiss-Cirrus SD-OCT scanners. After segmentation of 10 intraretinal layers and rigid registration of layer thickness maps from the repeated OCT scans, the thickness difference of each layer was calculated. The overall mean global and regional thickness differences of 10 intraretinal layers were 0.46 ± 0.25 μm (1.70 ± 0.72 %) and 1.16 ± 0.84 μm (4.03 ± 2.05 %), respectively. No specific local region showed a consistent thickness difference across the layers.
ROBEX: An expert system for robust control synthesis

Abstract ROBEX is an expert system which aids even novice users in designing controllers for processes for which only approximate models are available without expecting familiarity with the incorporated frequency domain design methods. This is done by quantifying the user's qualitative evaluation of simulation results. This paper describes the design methods and program structure which were implemented in the development of this project.
Activity based proteomic profiling of lysophosphatidic acid treated cancer cells

Ovarian cancer is a debilitating disease lacking effective treatments. A key feature of the disease is elevated levels of the mitogenic lipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) found in the ascities fluid surrounding tumors. LPA evokes a wide array of pro-tumorgenic effects in cells and was recently shown to stimulate the expression of a cancer-associated protease, urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA). To discern whether LPA treatment resulted in active uPA, I applied a novel proteomic technique, activity-based protein profiling (ABPP), that specifically monitors the amount of protein activity rather than abundance. I utilized ABPP to examine the effect of the bioactive lipid LPA on uPA in a human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3. To achieve this I first developed a new strategy for analysis of secreted proteins and then determined that treatment of SKOV-3 cells with LPA does indeed result in increases of active uPA. In addition to this finding, I also detected elevated uPA activity upon treatment of structurally distinct forms of LPA that vary in acyl chain length. This finding has not previously been reported and demonstrates the power of ABPP to identify changes in the functional state of low abundance enzyme activities.