cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transfiguration of the Deadbeat Dad and the Greedy Octogenarian: An Intratextualist Critique of Tax Refund Seizures

In light of the federal government's plenary collection powers, the states have, for several years, sought and, with the help of Congress, managed to secure the assistance of the United States in obtaining various forms of revenue. As early as 1975, Congress authorized the Department of the Treasury to collect past-due, child-support payments in the same manner in which it assessed and collected certain federal taxes under emergency or exigent circumstances (i.e., jeopardy assessment/collection). Because such collection procedures were often considered cumbersome and costly, however, Congress soon authorized the direct seizure of pending income tax refunds as a more efficient means of reaching the assets of deadbeat dads (or the occasional deadbeat mom). The result has been a smashing success. Child-support-related refund seizures have resulted in the collection of billions of dollars of revenue. In fiscal year 2004 alone, child-support offsets totaled $1.49 billion, and in 2003, the Treasury offset almost 24 million advance child-tax-credit payments, resulting in the collection of $14.2 billion. Given the success of this approach to revenue collection, its rapid deployment to other areas should come as no surprise. In the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 (DEFRA), Congress authorized the seizure of amounts due to federal agencies (e.g., student loan default amounts or overpayments of Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI or Social Security)). And more recently, in 1998, Congress authorized federal refund seizures to pay outstanding state income tax liabilities. In this Article, I argue that despite various protective measures, procedural improvements are needed to minimize or eradicate erroneous refund-based property deprivations as an initial matter, especially with respect to nonobligated spouses. I proceed to argue, based largely on an intratextualist reading of the Constitution's major tax provisions, that regardless of whatever procedural safeguards exist or happen to be put in place, refund seizures, as a class, are unjustified as a matter of substantive due process because both the Sixteenth Amendment and Article I, section 8 of the Constitution expressly limit Congress's income taxing powers. Federal courts have had no recent opportunity to address substantive due process issues because the governing statute itself serves as a bar to jurisdiction.
Tools of dermatology: A historical perspective

Dermatology is one of the few visual specialties; much can be seen with the naked eye, yet many tools and devices can facilitate the diagnosis of cutaneous maladies. There has been significant progress in diagnostic techniques in recent decades with the advent of artificial intelligence and teledermatology. Such advancements reflect principles of long-standing aids, whereas others embody novel techniques and concepts. These bedside tools range from simple magnifiers and binocular loupes to reflectance confocal microscopes and ultrasounds. The cornerstone diagnostic techniques, including the potassium hydroxide examination and the Tzanck smear, remain highly useful. Although visual examination often permits an accurate diagnosis of a skin disease, the clinician is now even further equipped. Just as the microscope did 4 centuries ago, newer advances will continue to revolutionize the practice of medicine.
Prediction of Esophageal Retention: A Study Comparing High-Resolution Manometry and Functional Luminal Imaging Probe Panometry.

Introduction High-resolution manometry (HRM) is generally considered the primary method to evaluate esophageal motility; functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) panometry represents a novel method to do so and is completed during sedated endoscopy. This study aimed to compare HRM and FLIP panometry in predicting esophageal retention on timed barium esophagram (TBE). Methods A total of 329 adult patients who completed FLIP, HRM, and TBE for primary esophageal motility evaluation were included. An abnormal TBE was defined by a 1-minute column height >5 cm or impaction of a 12.5-mm barium tablet. The integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) on HRM was assessed in the supine and upright patient positions. Esophagogastric junction (EGJ) opening was evaluated with 16-cm FLIP performed during sedated endoscopy through EGJ-distensibility index and maximum EGJ diameter. Results Receiver operating characteristic curves to identify an abnormal TBE demonstrated AUC (95% confidence interval) of 0.79 (0.75-0.84) for supine IRP, 0.79 (0.76-0.86) for upright IRP, 0.84 (0.79-0.88) for EGJ-distensibility index, and 0.88 (0.85-0.92) for maximum EGJ diameter. Logistic regression to predict abnormal TBE showed odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 1.8 (0.84-3.7) for consistent IRP elevation and 39.7 (16.4-96.2) for reduced EGJ opening on FLIP panometry. Of 40 patients with HRM-FLIP panometry discordance, HRM-IRP was consistent with TBE in 23% while FLIP panometry was consistent with TBE in 78%. Discussion FLIP panometry provided superior detection of esophageal retention over IRP on HRM. However, application of a complementary evaluation involving FLIP panometry, HRM, and TBE may be necessary to accurately diagnose esophageal motility disorders.
A Biodesign Approach to Designing, Packaging, and Scaling a Pediatric Weight Management Program: The Stanford CORD 3.0 Project.

Different frameworks and models exist for translating and disseminating public health policies, programs, and services. This article describes an approach, grounded in the Integrate, DEsign, Assess...
Ideology, Rhetoric, Aesthetics: For de Man

This title includes readings of de Man's critique of aesthetic ideology and the strange 'materiality' that emerges from it. This volume explicates Paul de Man's late project of a critique of aesthetic ideology and attempts to extend it in ways productive for critical thought. After a reading of de Man's work in all its rigour - and hence also the aesthetic theory of Kant, Schiller, and Hegel - the book goes on to uncover a 'material moment' in Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit that lives on in Marx and in the Marxist tradition. The book also elucidates de Man's critical reading of Heidegger on the example of Holderlin - a moment essential for de Man's shifts to the question of rhetoric and then to the question of ideology - and ends with a reading of Derrida's 'last' text on de Man and its uncanny self-inscription in Rousseau's episode of the stolen ribbon. Features: rigorous explications of Paul de Man's late work on aesthetic ideology and the political; and new readings of Kant, Schiller, and Hegel that extend de Man's project. It demonstrates how a certain already 'Marxian' self-undoing of Hegelian dialectics leaves traces in Kojeve and in Marxists like Lukacs and Jameson. It presents accounts of disagreements and altercations between de Man and Heidegger and de Man and Derrida.
Constituents of helenium species—XVI : The structures of flexuosin a and flexuosin B

Abstract Two sesquiterpene lactone constituents of Helenium flexuosum Raf., flexuosin A and flexuosin B, have formulae C17H24O6 and C20H28O6.H2O, respectively. Structures I and XX have been assigned to them.
Abstract 4252: Regulation of the oncogene ZNF217 by localization in breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Poor prognosis in breast cancer patients occurs when malignant tumors adapt to environmental insults, become resistant to chemotherapy, evade immune surveillance and metastasize to other tissues. Tumors are thought to arise from individual cells with multiple mutations, including amplification of genomic regions that provide a growth advantage. A region on human chromosome 20 called 20q13 is increased in ∼25% of early stage human breast cancers and correlates with poor prognosis in patients. We have studied a novel oncogene ZNF217 within this region. ZNF217 is key in promoting breast cancer: it is not only a prognostic indicator of breast cancer progression in patients who have the worst prognosis but also is itself a drug target and/or a marker of patient response to therapy. We find that ZNF217 protein is expressed most strongly in a small subset of cells within normal mammary epithelium and localizes predominantly in the nucleus of mammary epithelial cells. In contrast, the localization of ZNF217 is heterogeneous in breast tumors, with localization in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Moreover, a truncated form of the protein localizes exclusively in the cytoplasm. We hypothesize that ZNF217 cytoplasmic localization affects ZNF217 function during cancer progression and can be used to predict poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Thus, our first aim is to identify the regions of ZNF217 that are required for ZNF217 localization in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Second, we will utilize integrated biological approaches to determine the consequences of mislocalization of ZNF217 on cancer progression. We will determine which regions of ZNF217 are required for oncogenesis by overexpressing ZNF217 truncations in mammary epithelial cells and using these cells in a variety of assays that model steps in cancer progression_assays that have previously shown that ZNF217 promotes cancer progression. If our data shows that the cytoplasmic ZNF217 is implicated in oncogenesis, further studies will be required to identify the mechanisms by which ZNF217 is truncated in cells. Hopefully, this will aid in the development of innovative cancer diagnostics and therapeutics for breast cancer and other cancers. Citation Format: Matthew J. Messana, Chao Yang, Laurie E. Littlepage. Regulation of the oncogene ZNF217 by localization in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4252. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4252
The role of cytoreductive surgery in the management of progressive glioblastoma

Should patients with previously diagnosed malignant glioma who are suspected of experiencing progression of the neoplasm process undergo repeat open surgical resection? These recommendations apply to adults with previously diagnosed malignant glioma who are suspected of experiencing progression of the neoplastic process and are amenable to surgical resection. Repeat cytoreductive surgery is recommended in symptomatic patients with locally recurrent or progressive malignant glioma. The median survival in these patient diagnosed with glioblastoma is expected to range from 6 to 17 months following a second procedure. It is recommended that the following preoperative factors be considered when evaluating a patient for repeat operation: location of recurrence in eloquent/critical brain regions, Karnofsky Performance Status and tumor volume.
Least squares estimation and Kalman filter based dynamic state and parameter estimation

In this paper, two types of generator model state and parameter estimation methods via Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data are described. The first type is the least square errors estimation (LSE) for parameter estimation and the second type is Kalman filter based estimation for both parameters and states. For LSE-based method, with parameters estimated, states can be estimated via event playback. LSE-based estimation employs a window of time-series data, while Kalman filtering method conducts estimation at every time step. LSE, extended Kalman filter (EKF) and unscented Kalman filter (UKF)-based estimation approaches will be demonstrated through case studies.
Physical Health of African Americans

The United States is undergoing a demographic shift and the health profile of its citizens will largely reflect the health of minorities. African Americans represent the second largest minority group in the United States. This entry describes the health profile of African Americans using key health status indicators, discuss social determinants of health and how interventions might play a critical role in improving the health of African Americans, and conclude with recommendations. Keywords: disability; ethnicity; health psychology; race
Microtubule-associated motility in cytoplasmic extracts of sea urchin eggs.

We have developed a method for producing sea urchin egg cytoplasmic extracts which support substantial microtubule-associated motility, particularly minus end-directed motility characteristic of cytoplasmic dynein. Particles translocated along microtubules and axonemes predominantly in the minus end direction; microtubules and axonemes glided across the coverslip surface only in the plus end direction (as expected for a minus-end directed motor bound to the coverslip surface); and microtubules crosslinked into bundles in an antiparallel orientation. Velocities of particle and microtubule translocation were in the range of 0.5–1.8 μm/sec. Vanadate at 10 μM inhibited all gliding of the microtubules and axonemes, yet bidirectional particle transport persisted. Vanadate at concentrations of 25 μM and higher inhibited nearly all microtubule-based motility in the preparation and produced parallel bundling of the microtubules. Motility was slowed but not stopped in the presence of 5 mM AMP-PNP. Usually when a particle bound to a microtubule wall, it moved to the microtubule minus end. These particles often remained attached to the minus end. When a microtubule plus end in the shortening phase of dynamic instability reached a stationary particle on the microtubule, sometimes normal minus enddirected motility was activated, or at other times the particle remained attached to the shortening plus end. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Deformation state effects on the Jc of BSCCO tapes

Abstract Developing long-length, high- J c superconducting tapes has been a major world-wide effort in recent years because of their potential applications in power-transmission lines, motors, and other devices. The superconducting tape is usually produced by co-deforming a ductile silver sheath containing a superconducting oxide. Since the conventional thermomechanical process has failed to yield sufficient J c values for most liquid-nitrogen temperature applications, new approaches are needed to improve the criticalcurrent density, J c . This study investigated the feasibility of improving J c by increasing the shear and compressive stresses in the silver-sheathed Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10 + x (BSCCO-2223) tapes during the rolling. To investigate the effects on the J c of the stress state during rolling, specific stress states were imposed by rolling the BSCCO tapes embedded at different locations within thick steel blocks. Pure compression loading was achieved in the center plane of the blocks, while a combined compression-shear loading state was produced away from the center plane. Higher compressive hydrostatic stress at the tape edge was obtained by confining the tape width. Tapes deformed with a shear stress component exhibited higher J c values than tapes subjected to pure compression. In addition, the compressive hydrostatic stress reduced the porosity in the oxide near the tape edge and, as a consequence, increased the J c value.
STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, CONTRAST ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, AND TISSUE CHARACTERIZATION : Applications for the Future

During the last three decades the application of ultrasonography has expanded rapidly. The information available to the clinician from ultrasound imaging today is vastly more significant than it was in the early years of the development of this technology. In addition to automatic information, there is an increasing potential to provide functional, dynamic perfusion and even cellular information about the heart. This article attempts to summarize briefly the advances in these areas.
Effects of jet quenching on high p T hadron spectra in high-energy nuclear collisions

Since large-p{sub T} particles in high-energy hadronic or nuclear collisions come from jet fragmentation, jet quenching due to parton energy loss in dense matter will cause the suppression of large-p{sub T} hadron spectra in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. Assuming an effective energy loss dE/dx for the high-E{sub T} partons, effective jet fragmentation functions are constructed in which leading hadrons will be suppressed. Using such effective fragmentation functions, high-p{sub T} hadron spectra and particle suppression factors relative to pp collisions are estimated in central high-energy nuclear collisions with a given range of the assumed dE/dx. It is found that the suppression factors are very sensitive to the value of the effective energy loss. Systematic nuclear and flavor dependence of the hadron spectra are also studied. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Recombinant expression, purification and characterization of Kch, a putative Escherichia coli potassium channel protein.

The Escherichia coli gene kch, similar in primary structure to eukaryotic voltage-gated potassium channels, was cloned and overexpressed in E. coli. The protein was solubilized from the plasma membrane with dodecylmaltopyranoside, lauryldimethylamine oxide or N-laurylsarcosine and was purified in milligram amounts by imidazole elution from a nickel-chelate column. The molecular mass of the purified protein in a number of detergents with 12 carbon atom chains suggests that rKch forms primarily tetramers of the 50 kDa monomers. CD spectroscopy of the purified protein indicates a significant α-helical content that is preserved upon addition of SDS.
Necrotizing pneumonia after pharyngitis due to Fusobacterium necrophorum.

A case of necrotizing pneumonia secondary toFusobacterium necrophorum is reported. This anaerobic infection commonly originates in the upper respiratory tract and is often accompanied by multiple system disease due to hematogenous seeding. When the lungs are involved, diffuse necrotizing pneumonia with pleural effusions and cavitation results. The course is prolonged, and the diagnosis is frequently delayed. With appropriate antibiotics, the prognosis is good.
Automated authoring of coherent multimedia discourse in conversation systems

We are building a full-fledged multimedia conversation framework called Responsive Information Architect (RIA), using a combination of AI and multimedia techniques. Here we describe RIA's capability of automated authoring of a coherent multimedia discourse, which is used by RIA to express itself when conversing with a user. Specifically, we focus on explaining three unique features of our automated authoring approach: automated authoring of multimedia interaction acts, dynamic insertion of multimedia punctuation acts, and systematic design of cross-media acts.
Toxicity of Selected Insecticides to Catolaccus hunteri (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in the Laboratory

The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano, is a serious economic pest of cultivated Capsicum spp. peppers and is widely distrib uted throughout the southern United States (Elmore et al. 1934; Goff & Wilson 1937; Riley & King 1994), Mexico (Laborde & Pozo 1984), Central America (Andrews et al. 1986), and the Caribbean (Abreu & Cruz 1985). Eggs are de posited in flower buds and fruit, where larvae and pupae complete their development. In fested buds and fruit often abscise, but larvae and pupae can complete development if fallen buds and fruit do not desiccate. Yield losses can
Note on “an extreme null distribytion approach to the problem of paired comparisons” by Particia S. Costello and Douclas A. Wolfe

A suggestion mad in David (1963) has been partially misinterpreted by Castello and Wolfe (1987). Their proposed procedure is critically discussed. The general issue of what constitutes an appropriate test under possibly dependent observations is not confined to the method of paired comparisons.
Cardiovascular disease in women.

It is a pleasure to write an introduction to these articles concerning cardiovascular disease in women and note the many advances in this field over the last decade. The increased awareness of the ...
Drosophila Midgut Morphogenesis Requires the Function of the Segmentation Gene odd-paired

Development of the Drosophila embryonic midgut is dependent on a number of genes, including tinman and bagpipe, which are required for formation of the visceral mesoderm, and the homeotic genes and their targets, which act locally in the visceral mesoderm to direct formation of specific midgut constrictions. Here we report the identification and characterization of another gene, odd-paired (opa), required for normal midgut development. opa, first identified by its pair-rule mutant phenotype in the larval cuticle, encodes a protein containing putative DNA binding domains and other hallmarks of transcriptional regulators. We have positively identified the cloned gene as opa by mapping two null mutations to the open reading frame of the putative opa transcript; these mutations disrupt the open reading frame and generate predicted proteins lacking the DNA binding domain. We demonstrate that opa function is required for formation of the three characteristic midgut constrictions. To understand the mechanisms by which opa contributes to constriction formation, we have analyzed the expression and function of opa throughout midgut development. In the cellular blastoderm, opa is expressed ubiquitously in the ectoderm and mesoderm precursors throughout the presumptive segmented region. As development proceeds, opa expression ceases briefly both in the ectoderm and in the underlying mesodermal cells that later become the visceral mesoderm. We show that in opa mutants the visceral mesoderm is interrupted, evidently due to abnormal expression of bagpipe, a homeodomain gene required for the formation of the visceral mesoderm. At early stages of development in opa mutants, interruptions in the visceral mesoderm are observed at many positions along the anterior-posterior axis. As development proceeds, interruptions are less frequently observed; however, one interruption, coincident with the Antennapedia expression and variability of Ultrabithorax expression in opa mutants. From these observations, we infer that the loss of at least the first and second midgut constrictions in opa mutants is the result of defects first evident in the early stages of visceral mesoderm development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effects of hexoses on insulin biosynthesis, content, and release in channel catfish islets.

Abstract Catfish islets were incubated in the presence of glucose, mannose, fructose, or galactose at concentrations of 10, 40, or 200 mg/100 ml. Insulin biosynthesis was measured by the rate of incorporation of radiolabeled isoleucine into proinsulin and insulin; islet insulin content and secretion from islets were monitored by radioimmunoassay. The presence of 10 mg/100 ml of mannose, fructose, or galactose or the absence of hexose caused a significant decrease in incorporation when compared to that in control islets incubated in the presence of 40 mg/100 ml of glucose. This is the first demonstration that glucose can maintain insulin biosynthesis in piscine islets. Galactose at 40 or 200 mg/100 ml was also found to decrease incorporation. This sugar at all three concentrations evoked a significant increase of insulin release, which is the first demonstration that galactose can act as an insulin secretogogue. The only hexose to affect insulin content of islets over a 24-hr period was fructose, which caused a decrease of insulin retained in the islet tissue at all concentrations tested.
Abnormalities of interdigestive motility complex and increased duodenogastric reflux in gastric ulcer patients.

Just as cyclic changes in motility and secretions occur during fasting, recent evidence demonstrates that duodenogastric reflux during fasting is also cyclic and related to the motility and secretory variations. We investigated the characteristics of the migrating motility complex and duodenogastric reflux in 17 patients with gastric ulcer and compared these characteristics to those of 16 healthy subjects. We found three abnormalities of the complex in patients with gastric ulcer: (1) the antral motility was significantly decreased during the phase II of the complex (P<0.05) when compared to controls; (2) in about two thirds of them, the phase III of the complex was initiated at the duodenum or more distally; and (3) the mean bile salt concentration in the gastric aspirate was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the controls. We observed no relationship between the ulcer activity, the location of the crater, and the motility or reflux abnormalities.
Adenovirus-mediated hepatic gene transfer in mice: comparison of intravascular and biliary administration.

ABSTRACT Recombinant adenoviruses have received much attention as a potential vector for gene therapy because of their ability to transduce many cell types with high efficiencies in vivo. After intravenous infusion, the majority of the vector is found in hepatocytes, but vector DNA is found to varying degrees in other tissues. In an attempt to restrict adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to the liver, we developed a microsurgical method that allowed for vector administration directly into the biliary tract of a mouse. We demonstrate that gene transfer was 4- to 10-fold more restricted to the liver after biliary tract infusion than after intravascular infusion. Intravascular infusion of recombinant adenovirus elicits a powerful immune response that limits gene expression and the ability to readminister the vector. Biliary infusion resulted in a slightly lesser immune response as determined by the lower neutralizing antibody titers directed against the vector compared with animals treated by intravascular inf...
Ion-beam irradiation of Gd2Sn2O7 and Gd2Hf2O7 pyrochlore: Bond-type effect

Ceramics with III-IV pyrochlore compositions, A3+2B4+2O7 (A = Y and rare earth elements; B = Ti, Zr, Sn, or Hf), show a wide range of responses to ion-beam irradiation. To evaluate the role of the B-site cations on the radiation stability ofthe pyrochlore structure-type, Gd2Sn2O7 and Gd2Hf2O7 have been irradiated by1 MeV Kr+. The results are discussed in terms of the ionic size and type ofbonding of Sn4+ and Hf4+ and compared to previous results for titanate andzirconate pyrochlores. Gd2Sn2O7 is sensitive to ion beam–induced amorphizationwith a critical amorphization dose of approximately 3.4 displacements per atom(dpa) (2.62 × 1015 ions/cm2) at room temperature and a critical amorphization temperature of approximately 350 K. Gd2Hf2O7 does not become amorphous at adose of approximately 4.54 displacement per [lattice] atom (3.13 × 1015 ions/cm2) at room temperature, but instead is transformed to a disordered fluorite structure upon ion-beam irradiation. Although the radius ratio of the A- to B-site cations provides a general indication of the type of radiation response of different pyrochlore compositions, the results for Gd2Sn2O7 emphasize the importance of bond type, particularly the covalency of the 〈Sn–O〉 bond in determining the radiation response.
Thermolabile and thermostable human platelet phenol sulfotransferase. Substrate specificity and physical separation.

Human platelets contain at least two forms of phenol sulfotransferase (PST), a thermolabile (TL) form for which dopamine is a substrate and a thermostable (TS) form for which micromolar concentrations of phenol can serve as substrate. At higher concentrations phenol is also a substrate for the TL form. Studies of the regulation and the possible clinical value of measurements of platelet PST have been hampered because there is no specific substrate for the TS form of the enzyme. The purposes of these experiments were to determine whether there might be a better substrate than phenol for use in measurement of the activity of the TS form of platelet PST, and to attempt to physically separate the two forms of the platelet enzyme. The results of substrate kinetic, thermal stability, and inhibitor studies performed with platelet homogenates were all compatible with the conclusion that p-nitrophenol and 6-OH-melatonin were substrates for both the TS and TL forms of platelet PST. Norepinephrine, epinephrine and 5-OH-tryptamine were substrates for only the TL form. The apparent K m constants of the two forms of PST for p-nitrophenol differed by 7,100-fold when measured in platelet homogenates. This difference was 200 times greater than that which has been reported for phenol. Therefore, p-nitrophenol is the preferred substrate for measurement of the TS PST activity if interference by the TL activity is to be avoided. This information made it possible to use p-nitrophenol as a substrate in experiments designed to separate the two forms of platelet PST. The TS and TL forms of the platelet enzyme were separated by ion exchange chromatography. Experiments performed with the partially purified and separated forms confirmed that p-nitrophenol, phenol, 6-OH-melatonin and acetaminophen were substrates for both forms. Apparent K m constants of the two forms differed most for p-nitrophenol.
Merging microsecond mixing and time-correlated single-photon counting: using time-resolved FRET and time-resolved anisotropy to probe early events in protein folding

Obtaining geometric snapshots of a protein as it folds will yield insights into how proteins achieve their unique functional native 3-dimensional structure. Time-resolved FRET and time-resolved anisotropy are valuable tools toward obtaining information about site-specific distances and side-chain mobility of the transient structures formed within microseconds of initiating protein folding. To access this timescale we have merged dual-channel TCSPC detection with recently developed laser-micromachining based microsecond turbulent mixer technology to obtain site-specific distance information and rotational correlation times of protein folding intermediates in the 30 microsecond to seconds timescale. Application of this approach shows that chain collapse to globular structures can occur in the several microsecond timescale even for large proteins.
Immuno-EM localization of GFP-tagged yolk proteins in C. elegans using microwave fixation.

Because of the presence of a low-permeability cuticle covering the animal, fixation of C. elegans tissue for immunoelectron microscopy has proved very difficult. Here we applied a microwave fixation protocol to improve penetration of fixatives before postembedding immunogold labeling. Using this technique, we were able to successfully localize several components of yolk (YP170) trafficking in both wild-type and transgenic strains expressing a vitellogenin::green fluorescent protein fusion (YP170::GFP). Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its variants are commonly used as markers to localize proteins in transgenic C. elegans using fluorescence microscopy. We have developed a robust method to localize GFP at the EM level. This procedure is applicable to the characterization of transgenic strains in which GFP is used to mark particular proteins or cell types and will undoubtedly be very useful for high-resolution analysis of marked structures. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:949–956, 2001)
Study of charged-pseudoscalar-meson photoproduction from hydrogen and deuterium with 16-GeV linearly polarized photons

The asymmetries in forward $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}N$, $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Delta}$, and ${K}^{+}\ensuremath{-}(\ensuremath{\Lambda}+\ensuremath{\Sigma})$ photoproduction have been measured with a 16-GeV linearly polarized beam. The experimental method and the procedures for extracting cross sections and asymmetries from the data are discussed in detail. Information on the energy and momentum-transfer dependence of cross sections for natural- and unnatural-parity exchange, interference between exchanges of opposite $G$ parity, and vector-meson dominance is obtained and discussed.
Thermodynamic and Kinetic Characterization of Ligand Binding to the Purine Riboswitch Aptamer Domain

Riboswitches are cis-acting genetic regulatory elements found commonly in bacterial mRNAs that consist of a metabolite-responsive aptamer domain coupled to a regulatory switch. Purine riboswitches respond to intracellular concentrations of either adenine or guanine/hypoxanthine to control gene expression. The aptamer domain of the purine riboswitch contains a pyrimidine residue (Y74) that forms a Watson-Crick base-pairing interaction with the bound purine nucleobase ligand that discriminates between adenine and guanine. We sought to understand the structural basis of this specificity and the mechanism of ligand recognition by the purine riboswitch. Here, we present the 2,6-diaminopurine-bound structure of a C74U mutant of the xpt-pbuX guanine riboswitch, along with a detailed thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of nucleobase recognition by both the native and mutant riboswitches. These studies demonstrate clearly that the pyrimidine at position 74 is the sole determinant of purine riboswitch specificity. In addition, the mutant riboswitch binds adenine and adenine derivatives well compared with the guanine-responsive riboswitch. Under our experimental conditions, 2,6-diaminopurine binds the RNA with DeltaH=-40.3 kcal mol(-1), DeltaS=-97.6 cal mol(-1)K(-1), and DeltaG=-10.73 kcal mol(-1). A kinetic determination of the slow rate (0.15 x 10(5)M(-1)s(-1) and 2.1 x 10(5)mM(-1)s(-1) for 2-aminopurine binding the adenine-responsive mutant riboswitch and 7-deazaguanine-binding guanine riboswitch, respectively) of association under varying experimental conditions allowed us to propose a mechanism for ligand recognition by the purine riboswitch. A conformationally dynamic unliganded state for the binding pocket is stabilized first by the Watson-Crick base pairing between the ligand and Y74, and by the subsequent ordering of the J2/3 loop, enclosing the ligand within the three-way junction.
Selective Coronary Arteriography: Use of Judkins’ Catheters via the Brachial Artery

Evidence and accumulated experience are presented which indicate that the widely-used Judkins’ technique for the performance of selective coronary arteriography can be safely accomplished through the brachial artery. This modification eliminates the inconvenience caused by using separate sites (arm and leg) at any one sitting for routine cardiac catheterization and the additional performance of selective visualization of the coronary tree. It also allows for these studies in the patient with occlusive aorto-femoral disease in whom passage of catheters via the femoral artery is associated with high risk or cannot be accomplished. The variation is safe and as quick as other methods.
Impact of acid mine drainage on benthic communities in streams: the relative roles of substratum vs. aqueous effects.

Abstract Restoration of streams impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD) focuses on improving water quality, however precipitates of metals on the substrata can remain and adversely affect the benthos. To examine the effects of AMD precipitates independently of aqueous effects, four substrata treatments, clean sandstone, clean limestone, AMD precipitate-coated sandstone and coated limestone, were placed in a circumneutral stream of high water quality for 4 weeks. Iron and Al were the most abundant metals on rocks with AMD precipitate, and significantly decreased after the exposure. Precipitate on the substrata did not significantly affect macroinvertebrate or periphyton density and species composition. In an additional experiment, percent survival of caged live caddisflies was significantly lower when exposed in situ for 5 days in an AMD affected stream than in a reference stream. Caddisfly whole-body concentrations of all combined metals and Fe alone were significantly higher in the AMD stream. Whole-body metal concentrations were higher in killed caddisflies than in live, indicating the importance of passive uptake. The results suggest the aqueous chemical environment of AMD had a greater affect on organisms than a coating of recent AMD precipitate on the substrata (ca. 0.5 mm thick), and treatment that improves water quality in AMD impacted streams has the potential to aid in recovery of the abiotic and biotic benthic environment.
Valproate-induced neural tube defects in folate-binding protein-2 (Folbp2) knockout mice.

BACKGROUND Folate is an important B vitamin that is transported into cells by way of folate-binding proteins and transporters. Folate-binding protein-2 nullizygous (Folbp2−/−) mice develop normally; however, we have found them to be more susceptible to the teratogenic effects of arsenate exposure than wild-type control mice. METHODS In the current study, we wanted to extend our findings and test the hypothesis that Folbp2−/− mice are more susceptible to the teratogenic effects of valproic acid (VPA), a commonly used antiepileptic drug that is known to induce neural tube defects (NTDs) in both humans and laboratory animals. RESULTS Folbp2−/− mice had higher VPA-induced frequencies of embryonic lethality and exencephaly than did the wild-type control mice during folate supplementation and a control diet, respectively. All other differences in response between the two genotypes were short of reaching statistical significance. Folate supplementation of wild-type, but not Folbp2−/− dams reduced embryonic lethality of VPA-treated wild-type embryos compared to the folate-deficient diet. CONCLUSIONS Unlike our previous findings with arsenate, enhanced susceptibility of Folbp2−/− mice to in utero VPA exposure was demonstrated in some dietary folate regimens. Thus, our data indicate a relatively frail relationship between Folbp2 and VPA-induced NTDs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 67:000–000, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Low-frequency AC electrokinetics

Abstract By using a low-frequency AC method based on lock-in amplification, electrokinetic response in porous rock can be accurately measured with high sensitivity. With this method, we have measured streaming potentials as small as 300 nV and electroosmotic pressures as low as 10 Pa. We describe our technique, and discuss the results from a suite of 12 brine-saturated samples, consisting of six sandstones, two carbonates, and four fused glass bead specimens. We show that the permeability of the rock may be derived exactly from the electrokinetic transport coefficients and sample conductivity. This result is verified experimentally for all NaCl concentrations. The electrokinetic response as a function of concentration and temperature has been measured and is compared with predictions from the Debye–Huckel model and Helmholtz–Smoluchowski equation in the thin-layer limit.
Functional cloning of SPIN-2, a nuclear anti-apoptotic protein with roles in cell cycle progression

The balance between hematopoietic cell viability and apoptosis is regulated by exogenous growth factors, however, the molecular mechanisms by which these trophic factors exert their effects remain obscure. A functional retroviral cDNA library-based screen was employed to identify genes that prevent growth factor withdrawal-mediated apoptosis in the myeloid progenitor cell 32Dcl3. This approach identified three classes of genes: those with known roles in apoptosis (bcl-XL and ornithine decarboxylase); genes previously identified but not linked directly to apoptotic signaling (O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase); and a previously uncharacterized gene we termed SPIN-2. In 32Dcl3 cells, expression of exogenous SPIN-2 provides 25% protection from apoptosis following growth factor withdrawal compared to controls which show ∼1–2% survival. SPIN-2 overexpression slows cell growth rates and increases the percentage of cells in G2/M (32% vs control cells at 12%). Immunolocalization studies indicate that myc-epitope tagged SPIN-2 proteins, which retain their anti-apoptotic function, reside in the nucleus, whereas a C-terminal deletion mutant that loses its anti-apoptotic activity is located in the cytoplasm. These studies suggest that SPIN-2 is a novel nuclear protein that functions to regulate cell cycle progression and this activity is related to the inhibition of apoptosis following the removal of essential growth factors.
Photoelectric and Thermionic Properties of Palladium

The photoelectric and thermionic properties of pure palladium were studied during an extended outgassing in high vacuum. The threshold, obtained by extrapolation of spectral sensitivity curves, shifted from below 2300A to above 3000A and then back to a final value of 2486A as outgassing progressed. In the final state the photocurrents excited by monochromatic light increase with temperature, the relative increase being greater for the longer wave-lengths. At the higher temperatures the spectral sensitivity curves approach the axis asymptotically. The results are shown to be in excellent agreement with Fowler's recent theory and his method of analysis yields the value 4.97±0.01 volts for the true work function (2486A). The thermionic work function for the clean specimen was found to be 4.99±0.04 volts, and the value of the constant A is very close to 60 amp./cm2 deg2.
Ground-Based Implementation and Verification of Control Laws for Tethered Satellites

Davis and Banerjee (1990) have developed a tethered-spacecraft system model in which out-of-plane librations are damped, using a length-rate control after the tether has been deployed. Attention is presently given to the implementation of such control schemes to prototype hardware designed for space flight. A prototype reel mechanism has been constructed for use in the Getaway Tether Experiment; both the Davis and Banerjee control scheme and a converted tension-control law have been implemented with tether length and length rate available as feedback.
K-p0f: a high-throughput kernel passive OS fingerprinter

Most critical security vulnerabilities depend on the OS. If a hacker finds a machine with a vulnerable OS, then he can attack the system. Network administrators can defend against OS-specific attacks if they can find vulnerable machines before hackers do, but physically checking or actively scanning a large network can take time and resources. This paper describes a modification of p0f implemented in the Linux kernel, called k-p0f, which is a tool for this problem. This paper describes the design of k-p0f and compares its performance to p0f with both laboratory-generated and real-world traffic.
pH-Dependence of pesticide adsorption by wheat-residue-derived black carbon

The potential of black carbon as an adsorbent for pesticides in soils may be strongly influenced by the properties of the adsorbent and pesticides and by the environmental conditions. This study evaluated the effect of pH on the adsorption of diuron, bromoxynil, and ametryne by a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residue derived black carbon (WC) as compared to a commercial activated carbon (AC). The pH drift method indicated that WC had a point of zero charge of 4.2, much lower than that of 7.8 for AC. The density of oxygen-containing surface functional groups, measured by the Boehm titration, on WC was 5.4 times higher than that on AC, resulting in a pesticide adsorption by WC being 30-50% of that by AC, due to the blockage of WC surface by the waters associated with the functional groups. A small decrease (5.5%/unit pH) in diuron adsorption by WC with increase in pH resulted from increased deprotonation of surface functional groups at higher pH values. A much larger decrease (14-21%/unit pH) in bromoxynil adsorption by WC with increase in pH resulted from the deprotonation of both the adsorbate and surface functional groups of the adsorbent. The deprotonation reduced the adsorptive interaction between bromoxynil and the neutral carbon surface and increased the electrical repulsion between the negatively charged WC surface and bromoxynil anions. Deprotonation of ametryne with increase in pH over the low pH range increased its fraction of molecular form and thus adsorption on WC by 15%/unit pH. Further increase in pH resulted in a 20%/unit pH decrease in ametryne adsorption by WC due primarily to the development of a negative charge on the surface of WC. The pH-dependent adsorption of pesticides by black carbon may significantly influence their environmental fate in soils.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Biliary Conjugates of 3,4-Benzpyrene on Filter Paper

METABOLITES of numerous biologically active endogenous and exogenous organic compounds are excreted in bile and urine as glucuronic acid conjugates. In the course of studying the mechanism of action of carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons, we wished to identify the metabolites of certain of these agents. For this purpose, 14C-3,4-benzpyrene was injected into rats, and bile was collected by an indwelling cannula, utilizing a technique already described1. The bile fractions were collected in an automatic fraction collector, and enzymatic hydrolysis with β-glucuronidase was undertaken. Characterization of all the metabolites by this technique proved to be impossible because of the extreme instability of some of the hydrolysis products. We therefore attempted to determine whether the extent of oxidation and the class of conjugate formed could be established by direct analysis of the conjugates.
The agonist effect of dihydropyridines on Ca channels

Dihydropyridines (DHP) have great potential for clinical use because of their inotropic and vasomotor effects. The mechanism of action is unknown although Ca currents have been implicated1,2. Here we report measurements of single channel and whole cell cardiac Ca currents after application of two DHP agonists BAY K 8644 and CGP 28 392. Whole cell Ca currents from individual myocytes were increased and the 50% effective doses (ED50) were similar to those reported for contractility in rabbit aorta and guinea pig heart1 and catecholamine release from cat adrenal glands3. The measured ED50 was also consistent with the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of a high affinity binding site present in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles4–7. We propose that the molecular basis for these results is an increase in the probability that a single Ca channel, having opened and closed, will subsequently re-open during membrane depolarization. At high concentrations of BAY K 8644 and in the presence of 96 mM Ba, different effects are observed, primarily a marked prolongation of open time8.
ASAR15, A cis-acting locus that controls chromosome-wide replication timing and stability of human chromosome 15.

DNA replication initiates at multiple sites along each mammalian chromosome at different times during each S phase, following a temporal replication program. We have used a Cre/loxP-based strategy to identify cis-acting elements that control this replication-timing program on individual human chromosomes. In this report, we show that rearrangements at a complex locus at chromosome 15q24.3 result in delayed replication and structural instability of human chromosome 15. Characterization of this locus identified long, RNA transcripts that are retained in the nucleus and form a “cloud” on one homolog of chromosome 15. We also found that this locus displays asynchronous replication that is coordinated with other random monoallelic genes on chromosome 15. We have named this locus ASynchronous replication and Autosomal RNA on chromosome 15, or ASAR15. Previously, we found that disruption of the ASAR6 lincRNA gene results in delayed replication, delayed mitotic condensation and structural instability of human chromosome 6. Previous studies in the mouse found that deletion of the Xist gene, from the X chromosome in adult somatic cells, results in a delayed replication and instability phenotype that is indistinguishable from the phenotype caused by disruption of either ASAR6 or ASAR15. In addition, delayed replication and chromosome instability were detected following structural rearrangement of many different human or mouse chromosomes. These observations suggest that all mammalian chromosomes contain similar cis-acting loci. Thus, under this scenario, all mammalian chromosomes contain four distinct types of essential cis-acting elements: origins, telomeres, centromeres and “inactivation/stability centers”, all functioning to promote proper replication, segregation and structural stability of each chromosome.