cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Variations of Soil Fungi Isolated from the Rhizosphere of Liriodendron tulipifera L.

Seasonal variation exists among the variety of organisms within an ecosystem, but few studies show such variation among soil fungi, except for obvious structures like mushrooms. Soil fungi that are active during a particular season may not be active during other seasons. When unable to compete with other fungi or to adapt to soil conditions, many soil fungi form spores or other resistant structures that are capable of remaining dormant until conditions necessary for germination are present. To better understand the role of fungi in the soil, the presence or absence of seasonal variation should be determined. The present study was initiated to determine whether seasonal variation occurred among the fungi isolated from the soil surrounding two tulip poplars (Liriodendron tulipifera L., also called tulip tree and yellow poplar; see Chapters 4.4 and 5.2).
Pulsed NMR in He3 Adsorbed on Graphite Below 4.2K

Pulsed NMR experiments have been performed on He3 adsorbed on pyrolytic graphite. Most of the work has been done with Grafoil1 substrates, but Sterling FT2. has also been used in a few experiments. Submonolayer, monolayer, and multilayer coverages have been examined. The temperaure range of the experiments was from 0.35K to 4.2K. The results described here have not been reported previously.3
Separation of Powers and Turnout

Do separation of powers systems produce lower levels of voter turnout? We analyze this question by taking advantage of institutional variation across U.S. states. In some states, governors and legislatures share power roughly evenly, which creates a sharing of powers that approximates a classic separation of powers system. In other states, power is unequally distributed, thereby approximating a system in which powers are not shared. We find that turnout is lower in systems in which power is shared equally, indicating that separation of powers does indeed decrease turnout.
Cell envelope impermeability to daptomycin inPseudomonas aeruginosa andPasteurella multocida

The exclusively gram-positive antibacterial spectrum of the lipopeptide daptomycin (LY146032) suggests that the underlying basis for intrinsic resistance in gram-negative organisms involves envelope impermeability. This study was undertaken to determine whether the outer membranes ofPseudomonas aeruginosa andPasteurella multocida can be rendered permeable to daptomycin by experimental modifications that result in susceptibility of gram-negative bacteria to lipophilic molecules. Turbidimetric growth assays revealed sublethal concentrations of polymyxin B or ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) sensitized all strains examined to the hydrophobic antibiotic novobiocin. Neither permeabilizer renderedPs. aeruginosa or a hydrophilicPa. multocida variant susceptible to daptomycin; however, polymyxin B sensitized a hydrophobicPa. multocida variant, whereas EDTA did not. Cells cultured with sublethal concentrations of polymyxin B or EDTA retained negatively charged cell surfaces comparable to those of control cells. Growth ofPa. multocida strains in the presence of polymyxin B did not result in modification of cell envelope lipid composition. These findings indicate that the ability of the outer membrane to retard the diffusion of daptomycin does not require normally intact structure, thereby suggesting that the residual negative charge of the cell surface may preclude interaction with the acidic antibiotic owing to electrostatic repulsion.
Hemopoiesis in embryonic mouse liver tissue and cells in vitro. Monolayers, aggregates and organ cultures.

Abstract Embronic mouse liver was maintained in vitro under various culture conditions chosen in an attempt to favor the production of embryonic hemoglobin. Incorporation of 14C-amino acids into adult and fetal hemoglobin was measured. The data demonstrate that under all conditions tested, embryonic mouse liver synthesized only adult hemoglobin in significant amounts. The present findings support the suggestion that in situ mouse embryonic liver cells produce only adult hemoglobin.
Influence of Microstructure on the Mechanical Properties and Localized Corrosion of a Duplex Stainless Steel

The alloy studied, U50, is a ferritic-austenitic duplex stainless steel. In addition to the two major phases (that is, ferrite and austenite), several additional phases form during low and intermediate temperature aging, namely, M 7 C 3 , M 2 3 C 6 , σ, X, R, γ 2 , and a'. This study details the precipitation of these phases and their influence on the mechanical and localized corrosion properties. The sigma phase has the most deleterious influence on the impact properties. The α' produces the largest increase in the yield and ultimate tensile strength. The precipitation of M 2 3 C 6 and σ adversely affects the pitting resistance of U50 in 0.1NHCl because of the accompanying chromium and molybdenum depletion of the matrix. The formation of a' also severely reduces the chromium content of the ferrite phase and thereby inhibits its passivation. The large volume percent of ferrite in the alloy prevents intergranular corrosion that typically accompanies grain boundary precipitation of M 2 3 C 6 in single-phase stainless steels.
On the measurement of entropy production in living cells under an alternating electric field.

This commentary is on the concept used by Ding and Luo (2013) tomeasure the rate of entropyproduction innormal cell and cancerous cell lines under an alternating electric field. The authors placed the 96-well plate containing the cells (incubated for 60min in an incubator at 37 C) in the electric field for 300 s and recorded the change of temperature of cells and culture medium TF(t) (t1⁄4 0–300 s) with a transducer. The control group was placed in the same apparatus without electric field, and the change of temperature TC(t), was also recorded. The heat transfer rates of _ QC and _ QF without and with alternating electric fields (AEFs), respectively, from the cell to outward are calculated from Fourier’s law of heat conduction. The contribution of heat transfer from the medium was obtained and subtracted to determine the net heat transfer with or without (AEFs) from the cell only. The entropy change of a cell with or without AEFs is expressed by the entropy balance:
Influence of diet or intrarectal bile acid injections on colon epithelial cell proliferation in rats previously injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine

The effects of varying colon bile acid concentrations on rat colon epithelial cell proliferation were studied. Bile acid concentrations were altered by intrarectally injecting either deoxycholic or lithocholic acid for 4 weeks or by increasing the dietary fat or fiber (wheat bran, agar, or carrageenan) intake for 4 weeks. 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was s.c. injected into half of the rats 1 week before treatments began. Colon epithelial cell proliferation was measured by (/sup 3/H)thymidine autoradiography of colon crypts. Rats injected with DMH had more DNA-synthesizing cells per crypt. Neither bile acid injection nor any of the diets altered the number of DNA-synthesizing cells per crypt. DMH injections, deoxycholic and lithocholic acid intrarectal injections, and dietary agar and wheat bran all increased the total number of cells per crypt. High fat diets and dietary carrageenan did not affect cell number. All diets containing fiber lowered total fecal bile acid concentrations, but increasing the fat content of the diet did not affect them. These results indicate that the bile acid injections and dietary agar and wheat bran induce a slight hyperplasia in the colon.
An instrumental earthquake magnitude scale

In the course of historical or statistical study of earthquakes in any given region it is frequently desirable to have a scale for rating these shocks in terms of their original energy, independently of the effects which may be produced at any particular point of observation. On the suggestion of Mr. H. O. Wood, it is here proposed to refer to such a scale as a "magnitude" scale. This terminology is offered in distinction from the name "intensity" scale, now in general use for such scales as the Rossi-Forel and Mercalli-Cancani scales, which refer primarily to the local intensity of shock manifestation.
The interrelationship between body topology and body composition varies with age among women.

The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between age and the size and distribution of the fat and lean tissue compartments in a population-based sample of women. The study population consisted of the 875 women aged 18-94 y in the Iowa Bone Health Study who reported never smoking. Fat mass and lean mass were measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry. Hip and waist circumference and height were measured using standardized protocols. Regression was used to model the associations among age, composition and topology measures. When fat mass was modeled as a function of hip and waist circumference as well as age, age 2 and height, the age x height and age x waist circumference interaction terms remained in the fitted model and collectively accounted for 91 % of the variance. In contrast, the quadratic model of age alone accounted for 8% of the observed variance in fat mass. Lean mass was modeled in two segments, with age dichotomized at 58 y. Age alone did not predict lean mass in women <58 y but did predict lean mass in women ≥58 y, with the modeled relationship including interactions with waist circumference and height. These models accounted for 70% of observed variance in lean mass. Age is associated with body composition but explains <10% of variation. When measures of height and circumferences are available, amounts of lean and fat mass are highly predictable. This is particularly important for lean mass because no other surrogate measures exist for lean mass, whereas there are surrogates for fat mass, including body mass index.
Risk assessment of DNA-reactive carcinogens in food

Risk assessment of DNA-reactive carcinogens in food requires knowledge of the extent of DNA damage in the target organ which results from the competition between DNA adduct formation and repair. Estimates of DNA adduct levels can be made by direct measurement or indirectly as a consequence of their presence, for example, by tumor formation in animal models or exposed populations epidemiologically. Food-borne DNA-reactive carcinogens are present from a variety of sources. They are generally not intrinsically DNA-reactive but require bioactivation to DNA-reactive metabolites a process which may be modulated by the compound itself or the presence of other xenobiotics. A single DNA reactant may form several distinct DNA adducts each undergoing different rates of repair. Some DNA reactants may be photochemically activated or produce reactive oxygen species and thus indirect oxidative DNA damage. The levels of DNA adducts arising from exposures influenced by variations in the doses, the frequency with which an individual is exposed, and rates of DNA repair for specific adducts. Each adduct has a characteristic efficiency with which it induces mutations. Based on experience with the well-studied DNA-reactive food carcinogen aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)), a limit of 20 ppb or approximately 30 microg/day has been set and is considered a tolerable daily intake (TDI). Since AFB(1) is considered a potent carcinogen, doses of <1.5 microg of unknown compounds are considered TDIs. Most DNA-reactants, including acrylamide, heterocyclic amines, and alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl are below this value. Above that value, measurement of actual DNA adducts levels in either experimental animals with a risk assessment, or, when this occurs, exposed humans are needed. A number of approaches to undertake this are described including immunological, mass spectrometric and (32)P-postlabeling or the use of surrogates such as hemoglobin adducts, together with approaches to evaluate the results. A discussion of approaches to estimating possible threshold effects for DNA-reactive carcinogens is made.
Statistical analysis of DOE EML QAP data from 1982 to 1998.

The historical database from the Environmental Measurements Laboratory's Quality Assessment Program from 1982 to 1998 has been analyzed to determine control limits for future performance evaluations of the different laboratories contracted to the U.S. Department of Energy. Seventy-three radionuclides in four different matrices (air filter, soil, vegetation, and water) were analyzed. The evaluation criteria were established based on a z-score calculation.
Knight shifts of 51V and 55Mn in vanadium-manganese alloys

Abstract We have observed both 51 V and 55 Mn NMR in the vanadium b.c.c. solubility region in V-Mn alloys. We report resonance intensities, Knight shifts, and widths in samples with up to 50% Mn.
The preparation of Cu(II) complexes derived from a novel pyrazole containing dinucleating ligand

Abstract The synthesis of the new heptadentate dinucleating ligand 2,6-bis[(bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)amino) methyl]phenol (bpamp) ( 3 ) is described. The preparation of Cu(II) complexes of the form [Cu 2 (bpamp)X](BF 4 ) 2 where X=Cl ( 8 ) or N 3 ( 9 ) derived from this ligand is detailed. These complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results indicate that ligand 3 coordinates to Cu(II) in a dinuclear fashion with the ligand acting as an N 6 O donor set. These results are consistent with 8 and 9 existing as five-coordinate Cu(II) complexes each bound to three nitrogen atoms, an endogenous phenolate oxygen and an exogenous bridge. The spectroscopic data indicate that for 9 the azide bridges the coppers in a μ-1,1 fashion.
Reversible Monoubiquitination of PCNA: A Novel Slant on Regulating Translesion DNA Synthesis

Deubiquitination of monoubiquitinated proteins is effected by a large number of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that function as cysteine proteases in eukaryotic cells. Huang et al. (2006) report the regulation of monoubiquitination of PCNA by autocleavage of a DUB called USP1 in cells exposed to UV radiation.
Telomerase gene expression in the chicken: Telomerase RNA (TR) and reverse transcriptase (TERT) transcript profiles are tissue-specific and correlate with telomerase activity

Telomerase is the specialized enzyme which replicates the telomeres, thus maintaining the integrity of the chromosome ends; in absence of enzyme activity telomere lengths decrease, ultimately impacting genome stability. In this study, we examined the mRNA expression of both enzyme components, the RNA template (TR) and catalytic subunit (TERT) during growth and development of the chicken to better understand mechanisms which regulate telomerase activity in vertebrates. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to establish transcript profiles for six ages ranging from pre-blastula to two-year old adults. Organ-specific profiles were established for brain, heart, liver, intestine, spleen and gonad. The pre-blastula and gastrula stages exhibited very high transcript levels of both telomerase components; organs from the embryos and adult showed transcript levels either similar or down-regulated relative to the early differentiation embryo stages. Organs which are known to become negative for telomerase activity between the embryo and adult stages (brain, heart, liver) exhibited down-regulation of TR and either no change or an increase in TERT transcripts. Whereas, organs which maintain high telomerase activity even in adults (intestine, spleen, gonad), generally exhibited up-regulation of transcripts for both components. However, there were some tissue-specific differences between telomerase-positive tissues. These results show that TERT and TR transcript levels correlate with telomerase activity profiles and suggest that TR is the rate-limiting component in telomerase-negative tissues.
Schedule-calibrated occupant behavior simulation

Building performance simulation promises to reduce the future impact of buildings on the environment by helping architects predict the energy demand associated with different design options. We present a new method for simulating occupant behavior in buildings, a key phase in the prediction of energy use. Our method first inputs the recorded activities of actual building occupants, then randomly generates fictional schedules with similar behavioral patterns. The main contribution of this work is a mathematical technique in which an arbitrary set of factors can be used to select plausible activity types, durations, and numbers of participants during a simulation. A prototype model was implemented to test the method, and results obtained to date suggest that the generated occupant schedules are believable when compared both qualitatively and quantitatively to real occupant schedules.
Determination of electron beam mean incident energy from d50 (ionization) values

Depth‐ionization measurements have been obtained with an air‐filled Nordic Association of Clinical Physicists (NACP) design parallel‐plate ionization chamber in a water phantom for ten foil‐scattered electron beams from two different machines with nominal energies between 6 and 20 MeV and field sizes from 6×6 to 25×25 cm2. Depths of 50% ionization and practical range have been determined from least‐squares fits to both the raw data and values corrected to parallel‐beam geometry using measured virtual source distances. Depths of 50% dose have also been obtained from fits to divergence‐corrected depth‐dose measurments performed under identical conditions using, a p‐type silicon diode detector. Utilizing accepted conversion factors between mean incident energy (E0) and depth of 50% dose for parallel incident beams, and taking advantage of the fact that p‐type silicon diode detector readings are nearly directly indicative of relative dose, conversion factors between E0 and depth of 50% ionization for divergence‐corrected and raw, uncorrected finite source‐surface distance depth‐ionization data are empirically determined. Those values, obtained using the results of both ETRAN and EGS4 dose calculations as base lines, are compared to values currently recommended for use in clinical dosimetry.
A SR87M GENERATOR FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS.

A Sr87m generator for producing millicurie quantities of carrier-free, radiochemically pure Sr87m suitable for medical use is described. The parent activity Y87 was produced in the ORNL 86-in. cyclotron by the Sr87(p, n)Y87 reaction with a yield of 8.4 mc hr−1 at a beam current of 86 μA. The Y87 was isolated by carrying it with ferric hydroxide. The carrier-free Y87 in the carbonate form was adsorbed on an ion-exchange resin (Bio-Rad AG 1, X-10) and the Sr87m daughter activity eluted, as needed, by passing 0.01 M (NH4)2CO3 solution through the column. Carrier-free Sr87m, free of any other cationic species, was prepared by evaporating the ammonium carbonate. No radiocontaminants were detected in the Sr87m (limit: 5 × 10−5 μc, corresponding to 5 × 10−7 percent with a 10 mc generator). The general equations relating to the relative activities and the time required for the maximum growth of the daughter are also given.
Experiments to reproduce the pattern of Damascus steel blades

Abstract A brief review is presented of the microstructure of genuine Damascus blades and previous attempts to reproduce these blades in modern times. New experiments are presented that use two different methods to try to produce steel blades that match the surface patterns and microstructures of Damascus blades. The first method was designed after the proposed reconstruction of Wadsworth and Sherby. These experiments were not successful, and possible reasons for the lack of success are discussed. The second method utilized small steel ingots with compositions modeled after those of genuine blades. These ingots were extremely hot short and subject to graphitization during forging. Techniques were developed to overcome these problems, and the final forged blades show surface patterns and internal microstructures that closely match the genuine Damascus blades.
Performing Arts Medicine: The Musical Athlete

Musicians and dancers in the performing arts place abnormal stresses on their musculoskeletal systems, resulting in overuse injuries. The purpose of this paper is to address the factors contributing to musculoskeletal injuries sustained by musicians. Recommendations for evaluative procedures, treatment, and education in dealing with the needs of this population are discussed.
Regulation of α-fetoprotein and transferrin synthesis and secretion in mouse hepatoma cells

Abstract Significant differences in the glucocorticoid- and cyclic nucleotide-mediated regulation of the secretory glycoproteins, α-fetoprotein and transferrin, have been observed to develop in a mouse hepatoma cell line, Hepa-2, after many passages in culture. Treatment of low-passage cells with hydrocortisone (10 −6 m ), N 6 ,O 2 -dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10 −3 m ), or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (10 −3 m ) results in 1.5-, 2- to 4-, and 5.5- to 6-fold increases, respectively, in the rates of synthesis and secretion of α-fetoprotein. As expected of secretory proteins, the ratio of synthesis to secretion is 1 and remains unaltered when treatment with hydrocoritsone, N 6 ,O 2 -dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP causes a stimulation of synthesis and secretion. Similar studies showing that albumin and transferrin synthesis and secretion are also balanced in these low-passage cells have been published and indicate that the regulation of synthesis and secretion remains coupled in these low-passage cells. In high-passage Hepa-2 cells, however, we have shown that the relative rate of α-fetoprotein synthesis is higher than its rate of secretion and that the ratio of synthesis to secretion is 4. Similarly, the ratio of transferrin synthesis to secretion is 3.6, whereas it remains unaltered for albumin. When the high-passage cells are treated with N 6 ,O 2 -dibutyryl cyclic AMP, there is a greater increase in the rate of secretion for both glycoproteins, resulting in a reduction of the ratio of synthesis to secretion from 4 to 1.63 for α-fetoprotein and from 3.6 to 2.3 for transferrin. This effect on the secretion of α-fetoprotein and transferrin is specific for the cyclic nucleotides and occurs only in high-passage cells. Hydrocortisone treatment causes an increase in α-fetoprotein synthesis and secretion. However, the ratio of synthesis to secretion increases from 3.96 in control to 5.5 in treated cells. Our studies show, therefore, that there is an increase in this ratio because of a slightly greater effect on synthesis which is not reflected in secretion. Similarly, hydrocortisone exerts a greater increase in transferrin synthesis than secretion and causes the ratio of synthesis to secretion to increase from 3.6 to 6.2. We propose that during continued subculturing a Hepa-2 variant is selected in which the regulation of serum glycoprotein synthesis and secretion is uncoupled. Furthermore, this effect is specific for secretory glycoproteins since the regulation of albumin synthesis and secretion by hydrocortisone and cyclic nucleotides remained unaltered.
Effect of L-dopa on testosterone and luteinizing hormone production.

The effect of chronic l-DOPA therapy on testosterone production and plasma LH concentration was studied in seven male patients. No significant alterations were noted in plasma testosterone levels, metabolic clearance rates, or the metabolism of testosterone to androstenedione after 2–10 weeks of therapeutic doses of l-DOPA. Similarly, plasma LH concentrations remained unchanged during this time. Administration of HCG resulted in 2-fold increases in plasma testosterone both before and after l-DOPA. It is thus concluded that l-DOPA therapy is not associated with activation of the pituitary-Leydig cell axis.
Synthesis of clock tree topologies to implement nonzero clock skew schedule

Designing the topology of a clock distribution network is considered for a synchronous digital integrated circuit so as to satisfy a nonzero clock skew schedule. A methodology and related algorithms for synthesising the topology of the clock distribution network from a clock schedule derived from circuit timing information are presented. A new formulation of the problem of designing the clock distribution network is given as an efficiently solvable integer linear programming problem. The approach is demonstrated on the suite of ISCAS'89 benchmark circuits. Up to 64% performance improvement is attained on these circuits by exploiting nonzero clock skew throughout the synchronous system. Clock tree topologies that implement the nonzero clock skew schedule based on the synthesis algorithms presented are described for each of the benchmark circuits.
TCR signaling and environment affect vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor-1 (VPAC-1) expression in primary mouse CD4 T cells.

Strict regulation of T cell function is imperative to control adaptive immunity, and dysregulation of T cell activation can contribute to infectious and autoimmune diseases. Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor-1 (VPAC-1), an anti-inflammatory G-protein coupled receptor, has been reported to be downregulated during T cell activation. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling the expression of VPAC-1 in T cells are not well understood. Therefore, mouse splenic CD4 T cells were treated in complete media ± anti-CD3 for 24 h, total RNA isolated and VPAC-1 levels measured by qPCR. Surprisingly, we discovered that T cells incubated in complete media steadily upregulated VPAC-1 mRNA levels over time (24 h). Importantly, CD4 T cells isolated from blood also showed elevated VPAC-1 expression compared to splenic T cells. Collectively, these data support that the vascular environment positively influences VPAC-1 mRNA expression that is negatively regulated by TCR signaling. This research was supported by a national service award (1KO1 DK064828) to G.D., the Center for Protease Research (2P20RR015566), and INBRE (P20 RR016741).
Facilitating longer working lives: International evidence on why and how

The article advances the view that social and economic choices in societies can reasonably adjust as the age structure of the population changes; in particular, some of the bounty of longer lives can reasonably be allocated to prolonging the labor force participation of older workers. Data on reductions in mortality and, in some countries, declines in disability are presented in ways that help to clarify that prolonged working lives may be a natural concomitant of living longer. The article reviews the problems inherent in the combination of living longer and reducing labor force participation at older ages. It discusses two ways to facilitate longer working lives: (1) eliminating penalties on work at older ages—inherent in the provisions of the social security programs in many countries—that induce older persons to leave the labor force at younger ages; and (2) correcting a false rationale—the “boxed economy” view of the labor market—that is often used to support retention of the provisions that induce older persons to leave the labor force.
Physiological and metabolic aspects of experimental heterochrony in colonial hydroids

Hydractiniid hydroids display a range of morphological variation from sheet-like to runner-like forms, thus exemplifying the patterns of heterochrony found in many colonial animals. Experimental studies of clonal replicates of a Podocoryne carnea colony demonstrate a relationship between these heterochronic traits and physiological and metabolic factors. While colonies exposed to dilute solutions of 2, 4-dinitrophenol (an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation) for 4 hours per day show a strong dose-response relationship between within-colony gastrovascular flow rate and the timing of morphological development, colonies exposed for 20 hours per day fail to show this relationship. Spectrofluorometric measures of redox state suggest that the degree of “loose-coupling” of oxidative phosphorylation is proportional to the exposure time. Thus colonies exposed for 20 hours have significantly diminished ATP production relative to colonies exposed for 4 hours. Two underlying factors may be responsible for the breakdown of the dose-response relationship between flow rate and development: (1) colonies exposed to a high dose of uncoupler for 20 hours per day allocate a larger-than-normal share of their total energy budget into maintaining the minimal flow rate required physiologically, and (2) colonies' redox state has a direct effect on the timing of morphological development. The latter effect is particularly intriguing, given the extensive literature relating “metabolic activity” to development. In general, these results suggest a relationship between energy allocation, metabolism, and development in these hydroids, and these interrelationships may be central to the evolutionary process of heterochrony.
Stereoselective Interaction of 2-Halo-acyl-CoA Derivatives with Medium Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase from Pig Kidney

Several 2-halo-acyl-CoA derivatives have been synthesized to examine the interaction of these potential inhibitors of mitochondrial beta-oxidation with the purified medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from pig kidney. Racemic 2-bromo-, 2-chloro-, and 2-fluoro-octanoyl-CoA thioesters show 6.6, 33, and 3.5% of the activity of octanoyl-CoA in the standard assay system, respectively. Only the S-enantiomer of these 2-substituted analogues is a significant substrate of the dehydrogenase, with S-2-bromo-octanoyl-CoA showing a rate of 18% that of octanoyl-CoA, compared to about 1% for the R-isomer. The observations presented here suggest that a detailed understanding of the mode of action of 2-halo-fatty acids as inhibitors of mammalian beta-oxidation will require consideration of the metabolic fate and inhibitory effects of both enantiomers.
Calcitonin, zinc, and testicular function.

Recent studies demonstrating decreases in transport kinetics of zinc (Zn) in testis in response to calcitonin (CT) and the presence of CT receptors on Leydig cells has suggested a physiological interrelationship between CT and cellular Zn metabolism in the testis. The present studies were undertaken to evaluate the acute effects of human synthetic calcitonin (hCT) on testosterone (T) synthesis and on transmembrane Zn transport as measured in a closed two-compartment model system in Leydig cells isolated from intact and thyroparathyroldectomized (TPTX) rats. Leydig cells acutely exposed to 1 ng/mL equine luteinizing hormone (LH) in vitro had a fivefold increase in medium T concentration. Calcitonin at 42 micrograms/mL had no effect on the basal T synthesis and did not affect the increase seen after LH administration. Lower doses of LH demonstrated a dose response for T production, but no alteration in the pattern of response. In TPTX rats pretreated with 167 micrograms/d (25 MRC U/d) hCT subcutaneously (sc) for three days before they were killed, a reduction to 73% of the control value was observed in the in vitro Leydig cell fractional influx coefficient for Zn transport (P less than .02). No difference was observed in the fractional efflux coefficient. Fractional flux coefficients from intact rats demonstrated qualitatively similar, but more variable, changes. These data demonstrate that there is no acute effect of CT on T synthesis in the isolated Leydig cell. There does appear, nevertheless, to be a role for CT in the modulation of transmembrane Zn transport. Clinically important Zn-dependent alterations of T synthesis may require long-term changes in Zn metabolism before they become manifest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Optical comb and pulse generation from CW lightwave

Optical comb/pulse sources based on electro-optic modulation techniques are reviewed, where wideband comb and ultrashort pulse train are stably generated from a continuous-wave lightwave. Applications, challenges are discussed focusing on optical and microwave-photonic systems.
HBonanza: A computer algorithm for molecular-dynamics-trajectory hydrogen-bond analysis

In the current work, we present a hydrogen-bond analysis of 2673 ligand-receptor complexes that suggests the total number of hydrogen bonds formed between a ligand and its receptor is a poor predictor of ligand potency; furthermore, even that poor prediction does not suggest a statistically significant correlation between hydrogen-bond formation and potency. While we are not the first to suggest that hydrogen bonds on average do not generally contribute to ligand binding affinities, this additional evidence is nevertheless interesting. The primary role of hydrogen bonds may instead be to ensure specificity, to correctly position the ligand within the active site, and to hold the protein active site in a ligand-friendly conformation. We also present a new computer program called HBonanza (hydrogen-bond analyzer) that aids the analysis and visualization of hydrogen-bond networks. HBonanza, which can be used to analyze single structures or the many structures of a molecular dynamics trajectory, is open source and python implemented, making it easily editable, customizable, and platform independent. Unlike many other freely available hydrogen-bond analysis tools, HBonanza provides not only a text-based table describing the hydrogen-bond network, but also a Tcl script to facilitate visualization in VMD, a popular molecular visualization program. Visualization in other programs is also possible. A copy of HBonanza can be obtained free of charge from http://www.nbcr.net/hbonanza.
Peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes in patients with burns. I. Test parameters and clinical evaluation of the rosette assays

Abstract Rosetting techniques identifying receptors for sheep red blood cells, for Fc in antigen-antibody complexes (EA) and C 3 in antigen-antibody-complement complexes (EAC) were employed in the sequential evaluation of 10 normal individuals over an 8-week period and in the testing of burn patients' blood samples. Mean values with standard deviations were 59 ± 7 per cent or 959 ± 260 E rosettes, 34 ± 6 per cent or 500 ± 186 EA rosettes and 41 ± 7 or 657 ± 214 EAC rosettes. Variations in percentage results were attributed to the handling of rosetted cells for counting. Variations between samples from the same individual were similar to variations between samples from different individuals. Lymphocyte preparation of peripheral blood samples from burn patients resulted in red cell contamination of the separated lymphocytes. Ox red cell rosette assay and E and EAC percentages were used to evaluate samples from burn patients for non-rosetting cells or possible multiple reactive cells to explain diverse results obtained from these samples relative to normal control samples.
The trans‐inhibitory Rep78 protein of adeno‐associated virus binds to TAR region DNA of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat

The large rep gene products, Rep78 and Rep68, of adeno-associated virus (AAV) are pleiotropic effector proteins which are required for AAV DNA replication and the trans-regulation of AAV gene expression. Apart from these essential functions prerequisite for the life cycle of AAV, these rep products are able to inhibit the replication and gene expression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and a number of DNA viruses. Here, it is demonstrated that Rep78, as a chimeric with the maltose binding protein, directly binds the full-length HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR), and to a subset of these sequences containing the trans-activation response (TAR) sequence as DNA. These interactions, an effector protein physically binding a target promoter, suggest a direct mechanism of action for Rep78 inhibition. Furthermore, competitive binding studies between the TAR region and the full-length HIV-LTR, strongly suggested that another site(s) within the LTR was also bound by Rep78. Finally, as Rep78 binding is also believed to be affected by secondary structure within the DNA, it was found that Rep78 preferentially binds with HIV-LTR sequences with promoted secondary structure generated by heat denaturation and rapid cooling.
Thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) fumed silica nanocomposites: Experiments and molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fumed silica nanocomposites were prepared by twin-screw extruder. Thermal properties were investigated by experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used and 1.34 °C increase of the glass transition temperature (Tg) and 12 °C improvement of thermal stability were observed for PLA–silica nanocomposites as compared to neat PLA. Molecular dynamics simulations (NPT ensemble) were carried out using modified OPLS-AA force field, and Tg and root-mean-square radii of gyration (Rg) were calculated. A good agreement between the simulation results and experiments was obtained.
Band-structure calculations of noble-gas and alkali halide solids using accurate Kohn-Sham potentials with self-interaction correction

The optimized-effective-potential (OEP) method and a method developed recently by Krieger, Li, and Iafrate (KLI) are applied to the band-structure calculations of noble-gas and alkali halide solids employing the self-interaction-corrected (SIC) local-spin-density (LSD) approximation for the exchange-correlation energy functional. The resulting band gaps from both calculations are found to be in fair agreement with the experimental values. The discrepancies are typically within a few percent with results that are nearly the same as those of previously published orbital-dependent multipotential SIC calculations, whereas the LSD results underestimate the band gaps by as much as 40%. As in the LSD---and it is believed to be the case even for the exact Kohn-Sham potential---both the OEP and KLI predict valence-band widths which are narrower than those of experiment. In all cases, the KLI method yields essentially the same results as the OEP.
TH‐C‐L100J‐01: Investigation of Quantitative Cerebral Blood Flow Measurement From Dynamic‐Susceptibility Contrast Perfusion MR Imaging On 3T System

Purpose: To investigate what factors affect the quantitative CBV, CBF and MTT measurements from dynamic‐susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion imaging on 3T MR system. Different calculation methods were tested from healthy volunteers and critical issues were identified. Method and Materials: Single‐shot gradient echo EPI was used to acquire T2*‐weighted perfusion images from 3.0T scanner. A program was developed to interactively select the arterial input function (AIF) along with high resolution anatomic images. Perfusion data were fitted by gamma‐variate function. AIFs with different peak (P), time to bolus arrival (t0), time to peak (tmax), FWHM and area (A) under the curve were selected for perfusion calculations. Four methods were used to calculate CBV, CBF and MTT: (1) No deconvolution (No‐DECONV); (2) Inverse Fourier transform (IFT); (3) Singular value decomposition (SVD); (4) Block circular singular value decomposition (cSVD). Results: Inverse Fourier transform demonstrated most consistent results. SVD's result varied much, depending on preset threshold (0.45) to eliminate ill‐conditioned singular values. Although cSVD has improved AIF dispersion sensitivity, it also relied on a preset global threshold (0.04) to stop the residue function oscillation. Surprisingly, CBF from No‐DECONV was very close to the result from IFT. The selection of AIF was the most important factor that contributed to the final CBV, CBF. Since CBV is normalized by AIF, its area is more important than its peak. The t0 and tmax played less important role than A and P, especially for IFT method. Conclusions: With large enough SNR from 3T MR system, IFT is the most reliable method to calculate CBF and MTT. AIF selection is most important step to get accurate quantitative CBF. Venous output function (VOF) should be considered if it provides larger area than those from other AIFs. All the macro‐vessels should be removed so that the CBV and CBF are not overestimated.
Women with an avoidant attachment style show attenuated estradiol responses to emotionally intimate stimuli.

Abstract The current study examined neuroendocrine processes associated with emotional intimacy in humans. Despite the importance of this aspect of close relationships, emotional intimacy has received much less attention in neuroendocrine research compared to other aspects of close relationships. In this study, participants viewed movie clips depicting an emotionally intimate parent–child interaction or other, non-intimate themes, and we assessed whether depictions of emotional intimacy increased levels of estradiol, a steroid hormone associated with attachment and caregiving processes. We also examined whether estradiol responses were moderated by individual differences in attachment avoidance, or people's discomfort with closeness and intimacy. Our findings revealed that, among single participants, estradiol levels increased in response to the emotionally intimate clip, but this effect was not observed among currently partnered participants. Moreover, the effects of emotional intimacy were moderated by gender and attachment avoidance, such that highly avoidant women showed smaller increases in estradiol after watching the emotionally intimate clip. Women's avoidance was unrelated to estradiol responses in the non-intimate control conditions, however, suggesting that the effects of avoidance were specific to intimate contexts. Taken together, the current findings contribute to our understanding of the biological bases of attachment and caregiving processes. They also highlight the potential role of estradiol in avoidant individuals' regulation of closeness and intimacy.
Manipulation via Capacities in Two-Sided Matching Markets

Abstract We study manipulation of solutions by hospitals via underreporting their capacities in the context of centralized two-sided matching markets. We show that the solution that is used to match medical interns and hospitals in United States is manipulable in this way. Our main result is that there is no solution that isstableandnon-manipulable via capacities. Journal of Economic LiteratureClassification Numbers: C71, C78, D71 D78.
Statistics of the mesoscopic field.

Enhanced fluctuations and correlation of the local and spatially averaged electronic and electromagnetic flux in mesoscopic samples have been extensively studied in the last two decades [1, 2, 3]. Yet the impact of weak and strong localization upon the statistics of the field itself has not been investigated. The field at a point in a multiple-scattering medium is the superposition of partial waves associated with all wave trajectories or Feynman paths reaching that point. The changing distribution of paths with position produces a speckled intensity pattern which fluctuates on a scale of the wavelength, �. When a large number of statistically independent terms contribute to the field and the sample is far from the localization threshold so that long-range correlation is not substantial, the distribution of in- and out-of-phase components of the field is Gaussian [4]. This leads to a negative exponential distribution for the intensity of a polarized component of the field, which is widely observed in diffusive media. In mesoscopic samples, however, the crossing of Feynman paths gives rise to correlation in the intensity at distant points. This leads to enhanced fluctuations of intensity [5, 6, 7, 8], total transmission [9, 10, 11], and conductance [12, 13], with increasing variances as the localization threshold is approached. Since the statistics of transport in mesoscopic samples reflects the statistics of the underlying field, it is of interest to investigate field statistics in samples with increasing intensity correlation. In this Letter, we investigate the structure of the probability distribution and correlation of the mesoscopic field in both the frequency and time domain for diffusive and localized waves. We find that the distribution of the field in a given realization of a random quasi-1D sample and in the subset of realizations with the same value of total transmission is Gaussian, even for strongly localized waves. The field distribution in the random ensemble is therefore a mixture of Gaussian functions weighted by the distribution of total transmission. Thus the statistics of the total transmission can be obtained from the statistics of the field, as well as the reverse. When the field is normalized by the square root of the spatially averaged flux in each configuration, it becomes a Gaussian random process with position, polarization, frequency, and time. The statistical independence of the normalized Gaussian field and square root of the total transmission allows the field correlation function to be written as a product of their respective correlation functions. The field correlation function with frequency or time shift exhibits the impact of localization through the corresponding correlation function of the square root of the total transmission, while the field correlation function with displacement and polarization rotation has a simple universal form in both the frequency and time domain for diffusive and localized waves.
Estimating Mean Concentrations Under Transformation for Environmental Data With Detection Limits

The reporting procedures for potentially toxic pollutants are complicated by the fact that concentrations are measured using small samples that include a number of observations lying below some detection limit. Furthermore, there is often a small number of high concentrations observed in combination with a substantial number of low concentrations. This results in small, nonnormally distributed censored samples. This article presents maximum likelihood estimators for the mean of a population, based on censored samples that can be transformed to normality. The method estimates the optimal power transformation in the Box-Cox family by searching the censored-data likelihood. Maximum likelihood estimators for the mean in the transformed scale are calculated via the expectation-maximization algorithm. Estimates for the mean in the original scale are functions of the estimated mean and variance in the transformed population. Confidence intervals are computed using the delta method and the nonparametric percentil...
THE EXTRACTION OF LANTHANIDES WITH HALOGEN SUBSTITUTED 4-ACYL-PYRAZOLONES

ABSTRACT Equilibrium extraction behavior for a series of representative tervalent lanthanide ions, La, Pr, Eu, and Yb, using chloroform solutions containing halogenated derivatives of 4-acyl-l-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone have been studied. The results demonstrate that these lanthanides are extracted as simple chelates, LnL⊂3⊂. The equilibrium constants of these extraction reactions have been calculated. The relationships between the acid dissociation constants, K⊂a⊂, determined by a two-phase titration method, distribution constants, K⊂DR⊂, and the extraction equilibrium constants, K⊂ex⊂, discussed.
Platinum Group Thiophenoxyimine Complexes: Syntheses and Crystallographic/Computational Studies

Monomeric thiosalicylaldiminate complexes of rhodium(I) and iridium(I) were prepared by ligand transfer from the homoleptic zinc(II) species. In the presence of strongly donating ligands, the iridium complexes undergo insertion of the metal into the imine carbon−hydrogen bond. Thiophenoxyketimines were prepared by nontemplated reaction of o-mercaptoacetophenone with anilines and were complexed with rhodium(I), iridium(I), nickel(II), and platinum(II). X-ray crystallographic studies showed that while the thiosalicylaldiminate complexes display planar ligand conformations, those of the thiophenoxyketiminates are strongly distorted. Results of a computational study predicted that all synthetically accessible thiophenoxyketiminates will display distorted geometries.
Just-below pricing strategies in the music industry : empirical evidence

(2004). Just-below Princing Strategies in the Music Industry: Empirical Evidence. International Journal of the Economics of Business: Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 165-174.