cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decreased global rainfall during the past Ice Age

WE have made a synthesis of atmospheric conditions for 20,000 yr BP based on fairly standard palaeoclimatological data and procedures. From mean zonal conditions at 20° latitude intervals from 80°N to 80°S we have computed radiative heating rates and the energy balance of atmospheric columns. We find that net cooling of the atmosphere by radiative processes was smaller at 20,000 yr BP than it is now. The total heating of the air, which sums to zero in the annual average except during periods of climatic change, is the sum of heating by latent heat liberation, heating by conduction and convection from the boundary layer, and radiative cooling (see for example Fig. 7 in ref. 1). Because the change in radiative cooling is comparable to boundary layer heating itself, we postulate that the decrease in cooling is accompanied primarily by a decrease in heating from rainfall and therefore that global rainfall was smaller at 20,000 yr BP than it is now. Examination of the magnitudes of the three components suggests that the decrease in rainfall was about 10%.
The Pieces of Peacemaking: Understanding Implementation of Civil War Settlements

This article seeks to engage scholars in a richer understanding of post-civil war settlement implementation. It examines why some parties execute the provisions of these agreements fairly extensively, whereas others abide by few, if any, dimensions. We explore four peace settlements, developing a new measure that gauges various aspects of implementation. We examine how two factors in particular affect the degree to which parties abide by their commitments. First, we find that implementation is more likely as international support increases. This occurs through three chief mechanisms: mitigating commitment problems, generating audience costs, and the contingency of aid on implementation. Second, the balance of capabilities is a significant domestic influence on implementation. Parties are most prone to abide when the government is militarily superior, but the former rebels are powerful enough to meaningfully check government action. Implementation is less successful when government capabilities far exceed ...
Self-assembled monolayers of terminal alkynes on gold.

Terminal acetylenes form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates and nanoparticles that are relatively densely packed and stable.
The pitfalls of the brachial arterial pressure curve in the evaluation of valvular aortic stenosis.

Two patients with calcific aortic stenosis were studied with cardiac catheterization and brachial arterial pulse pressures. The ejection time, first derivative and upstroke time of the brachial artery pressure pulse was compatible with severe aortic stenosis. On cardiac catheterization, only minimal aortic stenosis was found. These cases illustrate the importance of cardiac catheterization as the sole determinant in the final evaluation of aortic stenosis.
Effects of Hydrostatic Pressure on the Compressive Properties of Laminated, 0° Unidirectional, Graphite Fiber/Epoxy Matrix Thick-Composite

Compression tests were performed on laminated, 0° continuous, unidirectional, graphite fiber/epoxy matrix thick-composites at various superposed hydrostatic pressures to 4 kbar (400 MPa) at room temperature. Cylindrical samples were made by laminating continuous filament prepreg tapes (3M, SP-319) with fibers oriented along the direction of the cylinder axis. The samples were cured at 135°C for 4 hours in a platen press and post-cured at 135°C for 4 hours in a vacuum oven. The samples contained 60% fiber by volume. The tests were conducted in a high pressure apparatus which was capable of containing pressures to 7 kbar (700 MPa) and of operating at temperatures between −100 and 300°C.The test results show that the compressive stress-strain curves undergo significant changes with increasing pressure. The stress-strain curves show perfectly linear elastic behavior at lower pressure range but exhibit curvature toward the end of the curves at higher pressure range. The compressive modulus obtained from the st...
Lysine 199 is the general acid in the NAD-malic enzyme reaction.

Site-directed mutagenesis was used to change K199 in the Ascaris suum NAD-malic enzyme to A and R and Y126 to F. The K199A mutant enzyme gives a 105-fold decrease in V and a 106-fold decrease in V/Kmalate compared to the WT enzyme. In addition, the ratio for partitioning of the oxalacetate intermediate toward pyruvate and malate changes from a value of 0.4 for the WT enzyme to 1.6 for K199A, and repeating the experiment with A-side NADD gives isotope effects of 3 and 1 for the WT and K199A mutant enzymes, respectively. The K199R mutant enzyme gives only a factor of 10 decrease in V, and the pK for the general acid in this mutant enzyme has increased from 9 for the WT enzyme to >10 for the K199R mutant enzyme. Tritium exchange from solvent into pyruvate is catalyzed by the WT enzyme, but not by the K199A mutant enzyme. The Y126F mutant enzyme gives a 103-fold decrease in V. The oxalacetate partition ratio and isotope effect on oxalacetate reduction for the Y126F mutant enzyme are identical, within error, t...
Repression of Activator Protein-1-mediated Transcriptional Activation by the Notch-1 Intracellular Domain

Developmental decisions that control cell fate are commonly regulated by the Notch signaling pathway. Activation of transmembrane Notch receptors results in proteolytic liberation of the intracellular domain of Notch, which translocates into the nucleus, binds a repressor (C promoter binding factor 1/RBP-Jκ, Su(H), and Lag-1 (CSL)), and induces target genes. We found that the intracellular domain of human Notch-1 (NIC-1) represses activator protein-1 (AP-1)-mediated transactivation. Because numerous genes that control immune and inflammatory responses are AP-1-dependent and Notch regulates immune cell function, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Repression of AP-1 by NIC-1 did not represent a general inhibitory effect on transcription because nuclear factor κB-dependent transcription and transcription driven by a constitutive promoter and enhancer were not affected by NIC-1. The physiological relevance of the repression was supported by the facts that repression was apparent in multiple cell lines, endogenous AP-1 target genes were repressed, and similar concentrations of NIC-1 were required for CSL-dependent activation and AP-1 repression. The RBP-Jκ-associated molecule domain of NIC-1 that mediates CSL binding and distinct sequences necessary for transactivation were required for repression. However, there was not a strict correlation between the sequence requirements for CSL-dependent activation and AP-1 repression. Repression correlated with predominant nuclear localization of NIC-1 and was not accompanied by disruption of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase-dependent signaling events required for AP-1 activation or by defective AP-1 DNA binding activity. These results provide evidence for negative cross-talk between Notch and AP-1, which may have important consequences for controlling diverse biological processes.
Potentiation of 14C-glucose oxidation by priming glucose loads: effect of starvation.

The mechanism of the Staub-Traugott effect or facilitated glucose disposal after successive glucose loads has remained elusive. In earlier publications, we have shown it can be independent of circulating hormone and free fatty acid levels. We have also proposed that it might partially depend on the rapid induction of glycogytic pathways, which are known to be depressed by prolonged fast. Mature rats were given 1.75 gm/kg glucose doses intravenously at 60-minute intervals. Respiratory CO2 was collected at 15-minute intervals over a 120-minute period following administration of the carrier glucose plus 6 μCi100 gm rat weight of 14C-d-glucose, given either as the first, second, or third challenge. In rats fasted 14 hours there was potentiation of labeled CO2 recovered after each successive load. After three days of starvation, both relative 14C-glucose oxidation to 14CO2 as well as absolute 14CO2 increments after each load were lower. The changes in relative oxidation of an intravenous glucose load might partly account for the facilitated disposal of blood glucose seen in the second and third hours in overnight-fasted rats (Staub-Traugott effect). However, although rats fasted for three days had suppressed the Staub effect, the increments in oxidation were attenuated but still present, suggesting that alterations of other pathways must participate in the disappearance of this effect after fasting.
Role of nitric oxide in hypoxic cerebral vasodilatation in the ovine fetus.

To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in fetal cerebral circulatory responses to acute hypoxia, near-term fetal sheep were instrumented with laser Doppler probes placed in the parasagittal parietal cortices and vascular catheters in the sagittal sinus and brachiocephalic artery. After a 3 day recovery period, responses of cortical blood flow (CBF) to hypoxia were compared with and without inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). After an initial 30 min baseline period, fetuses were given a bolus followed by a continuous infusion of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), or saline vehicle as control. After administration of l-NAME, CBF decreased by 14 ± 6 % (P < 0.01) despite increases in arterial blood pressure of 15 mmHg, resulting in an ∼60 % increase in cerebrovascular resistance. Thirty minutes following initiation of l-NAME or vehicle infusion, fetal systemic hypoxia was induced by allowing the ewes to breathe 10–11 % oxygen. In control fetuses CBF increased progressively to 145 ± 9 % of baseline (P < 0.01) after 30 min, while cortical release of cyclic guanylate cyclase (cGMP), an index of NOS activity, increased 26 ± 8 % (P < 0.05). In contrast, CBF in l-NAME-treated fetuses increased to only 115 % of the reduced CBF baseline, whereas cortical release of cGMP did not change significantly. In summary, basal levels of NO lower resting cortical vascular resistance by ∼15 % in the fetal sheep. Inhibition of NO synthesis attenuates hypoxic cerebral relaxation but does not completely prevent the characteristic increases in CBF. Hypoxic increases in NO directly increase cortical production of cGMP and inhibition of NO synthesis ablates these changes in cGMP.
Beta-arrestin: a protein that regulates beta-adrenergic receptor function

Homologous or agonist-specific desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors is thought to be mediated by a specific kinase, the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK). However, recent data suggest that a cofactor is required for this kinase to inhibit receptor function. The complementary DNA for such a cofactor was cloned and found to encode a 418-amino acid protein homologous to the retinal protein arrestin. The protein, termed beta-arrestin, was expressed and partially purified. It inhibited the signaling function of beta ARK-phosphorylated beta-adrenergic receptors by more than 75 percent, but not that of rhodopsin. It is proposed that beta-arrestin in concert with beta ARK effects homologous desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors.
π-Extended Dipyrrins Capable of Highly Fluorogenic Complexation with Metal Ions

The synthesis and properties of a new family of π-extended dipyrrins capable of forming brightly fluorescent complexes with metal ions are reported. The metal complexes possess tunable spectral bands and exhibit different emission properties depending on the mode of metal coordination.
Antimicrobial Activity of Sucrose Fatty Acid Ester Emulsifiers

Six sucrose esters substituted to different degrees with a mixture of fatty acids (palmitic and stearic) were examined for antimicrobial properties. Growth and acid production of several lactic acid bacteria and growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were not inhibited by 0.2% of the sucrose esters in the test medium. Antimycotic activity was detected against several mold species from Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Alternaria. The least substituted sucrose ester was the most active in reducing mold growth. Reduction of mold growth ranged from 37 to 91% with this ester at a 1% concentration. Inhibitory activity did not appear to be influenced by changes in pH. Aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus was not affected by presence of 0.1% sucrose ester.
The wear-out approach for predicting the remaining lifetime of materials

Failure models based on the Palmgren-Miner concept that material damage is cumulative have been derived and used mainly for fatigue life predictions for metals and composite materials. The authors review the principles underlying such models and suggest ways in which they may be best applied to polymeric materials in temperature environments. They first outline expectations when polymer degradation data can be rigorously time-temperature superposed over a given temperature range. For a step change in temperature after damage has occurred at an initial temperature in this range, the authors show that the remaining lifetime at the second temperature should be linearly related to the aging time prior to the step. This predicted linearity implies that it should be possible to estimate the remaining and therefore the service lifetime of polymers by completing the aging at an accelerated temperature. They refer to this generic temperature-step method as the Wear-out approach. They next outline the expectations for Wear-out experiments when time-temperature superposition is invalid. Experimental Wear-out results are then analyzed for one material where time-temperature superposition is valid and for another where evidence suggests it is invalid. In analyzing the data, they introduce a procedure that they refer to as time-degradation superposition. This procedure not only utilizes all of the experimental data instead of a single point from each data set, but also allows them to determine the importance of any interaction effects.
Proceedings of the Fourth Symposium on the Antarctic Geosciences, 1983

This slim volume contains 20 scientific papers of varying length and seven abstracts by Japanese earth scientists who do their research in Antarctica. The subject matter is about equally divided between geophysics (eight papers and two abstracts), geochemistry and isotope geology (six papers and four abstracts), and geology-petrology (six papers and one abstract). Most of the work was carried out in East Antarctica in the vicinity of Lutzow-Holm Bay where the Japanese have established a base called Syowa Station. Several papers discuss topics related to the Yamato Mountains, located 200 km southwest of Lutzow-Holm Bay, where Japanese scientists have collected several thousand fragments of meteorites. Nine reports presented at the symposium are about sites on Ross Island and in the nearby ice-free valleys of southern Victoria Land. The activities of Japanese scientists in this area are tangible evidence of the close working relations between Japanese and U.S. earth scientists in Antarctica. Logistical support for these studies was provided by the U.S. Antarctic Research Program based in McMurdo on Ross Island.
Local controllability of observables in finite and infinite dimensional nonlinear control systems

LetA, ℬ be evolution operators (possibly nonlinear) which act within a Banach spaceB andu(·) a measurable, real valued, control function. We study control systems of the form ∂υt/∂t=Aυt +u(t)ℬυt, υ0=ϕ ∈B. An observation of this system is defined to be a continuous linear mapg:B→ℝk. Our main result gives a computable sufficient condition to assure that fort > 0 and sufficiently small, the observation of the reference solution (which corresponds tou(t)≡0) at timet is interior to the set of observations of all solutions at timet. An example to illustrate the theory is the local controllability, via tension, of various observations of a vibrating string.
Predicting performance and selecting modes of parallelism: a case study using cyclic reduction on three parallel machines

Abstract Mapping cyclic reduction, a known approach for the parallel solution of tridiagonal and block tridiagonal systems of equations, onto the MasPar MP-1, nCUBE 2, and PASM parallel processing systems is discussed. Each of these represents a different mode of parallelism that can be used in the design of supercomputers. The MasPar MP-1 is a commercially available SIMD system with near-neighbor and multiplexed-multistage communications networks, the nCUBE 2 is a commercially available MIMD system with a partitionable hypercube communication network, and PASM is an experimental partitionable-SIMD/MIMD mixed-mode machine with a partitionable multistage cube network. Specific issues addressed here are SIMD/MIMD trade-offs, the effect on execution time of increasing the number of processors used, the impact of the interprocessor communications network on performance, the importance of predicting algorithm performance as a function of the mapping used, and the advantages of a partitionable system. Analytical results are validated by experimentation on all three machines.
The use of competitive inhibitors in studying the mechanism of action of some enzyme systems utilizing three substrates.

Abstract A kinetic approach is presented for studying the mechanism of action of enzyme systems which utilize three substrates. Such systems may be segregated into two classifications based upon their initial rate expressions. One class of mechanisms is made up of sequential pathways of enzyme and substrate interaction while the second is of the “ping-pong” type. It is possible to further separate the mechanisms in each category either from initial rate experiments alone, or from studies with competitive inhibitors. It is possible, by using competitive inhibitors in kinetic experiments, to obtain information on the binding order of substrates to enzymes for many ordered systems. This analysis has the advantage that in most cases definitive information on the mechanism of enzyme action can be obtained from initial velocity studies in a single direction only.
Chromosomal sublocalization of human gene sequences by in situ hybridization

The procedure for human gene mapping by in situ hybridization is described. By using specific radiolabeled probes, specific homologous sequences can be localized as silver grains on chromosome spreads of cytogenetic preparations. It is therefore possible to obtain genetic information on translocation, breakpoint, deletion, amplification, and rearrangement at the chromosomal level of many human diseases.
A case of acute dystonia after single dose of aripiprazole in a man with cocaine dependence.

Cocaine users appear to have an elevated risk of acute dystonia related to the use of first-generation antipsychotics.1 The second generation of antipsychotics are generally less prone to causing a...
Enprofylline protects motor neurons from in vitro excitotoxic challenge.

Background: The death of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is believed to result, in part, from unrestrained activation of glutamate receptors (excitotoxicity). In some in vitro models, excitotoxic death only occurs if motor neurons develop in the presence of the growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Objective: Since the increased vulnerability of motor neurons evoked by BDNF is mediated by activation of TrkB, we sought to identify pharmacological agents that can block this pathway. Adenosine receptors are known to transactivate Trk receptors, leading us to examine the effects of manipulating of adenosine receptor signaling on Trk signaling and excitotoxic sensitivity. Methods: Spinal cord cultures were treated with adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists. The biochemical effects on Trk signaling and excitotoxic motor neuron death were examined. Results: We show here that adenosine A2a antagonists can reduce activation of Trk receptors and are neuroprotective. Conversely, activating adenosine A2a receptors in the absence of BDNF signaling makes motor neurons vulnerable to excitotoxic challenge. Conclusion: Selective, high-affinity adenosine A2a antagonists merit consideration as therapeutic agents for the treatment of ALS.
Filling Potholes on the Path to Fusion Pores

Membrane fusion is at the heart of eukaryotic cell life. Carefully regulated membrane fusion is required for cell compartmentalization, for the import of large molecules into the cell, and for the export both of waste molecules and of signaling molecules that carry information to other cells in a community. The complex cellular machinery that carries out these functions is beginning to come into focus (Brunger, 2001), but a detailed molecular view of how these machines work on membrane lipid bilayers to accomplish a change in topology of cellular compartments is still lacking.
Radiation-induced effects in multiprogrammable pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.

Twenty-three multiprogrammable pacemakers and four implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) containing either complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or CMOS/Bipolar integrated circuit (IC) technology were exposed to 6-MV photon and 18-MeV electron radiation at various dose levels. Of the 17 pacemakers exposed to photon radiation eight failed before 50 Gy, whereas four of the six pacemakers exposed to electron radiation failed before 70 Gy. Photon scatter doses were well tolerated. For the ICDs detection and charging time increased with accumulated radiation dose, the charging time increased catastrophically at less than 50 total pulses delivered when compared with the charging time of six implanted ICDs. Sensitivity and output energy delivered by the ICD pulse were constant during the test. It was found that devices using the shorter channel length IC technology (i.e., 3 microns CMOS) were per se harder to ionizing radiation than the devices using larger channel length IC technologies (i.e., either 8 microns CMOS or combined 5 microM CMOS/20 V Bipolar). In fact, none of the devices based on 3 microns CMOS IC technology failed before 76 Gy, which is above the highest dose level (70 Gy) normally used in radiation oncology treatments.
Brauchen as a Modal Auxiliary

IN A RECENT article on the German modals H. T. Betteridge comments that examples of the negation of miissen occur only infrequently.1 This article presents one possible explanation for this phenomenon. It is that the negation of miissen is frequently rendered by brauchen (+ zu) +infinitive. Most grammarians agree that brauchen is closely related semantically to the modal auxiliaries.2 Historically brauchen has assumed one of the older meanings of diirfen.3 In addition to this semantic relationship there is a formal one which is equally if not more important, and that is the so-called "double infinitive construction."4 This of course is true with respect to both the form (Ersatzinfinitiv) and the word order.
Sex role orientation and expectations about counseling.

Abstract We examined the relationship between sex role orientation and expectations about counseling in 121 female and 127 male college students who completed the Bem (1974) Sex Role Inventory and the Expectations About Counseling Questionnaire (Tinsley, Workman, & Kass, 1980). Using multiple regression analyses, we identified significant predictors for 15 of the 17 scales, with femininity accounting for most of the explained variance. Gender accounted for little variance across all variables.
Strong fiber reinforced hydrogels for biomedical applications

We describe a new class of hydrogels based on fiber reinforced hydrogel composites with a cartilage-like structure. In analogy to the spinning of a spider web, a pultrusion system is developed to spin micron -diameter fibers from polymer solution in order to build three dimensional patterned fibrous structures. Impregnating the fibrous construct with epoxy -amine hydrogel forms fiber -reinforced hydrogel composites. The fibrous construct improves the strength, modulus and toughness of the hydrogel and also const rains the swelling. By altering the construct geometry (fiber diameter, density and polymer solution) and studying the effect on mechanical properties we will develop the understanding needed to design strong hydrogels for biomedical devices and soft machines.
Fault tolerant adaptive filters based on the block LMS algorithm

The author propose combining residue number system (RNS) arithmetic with a block least-mean-square (BLMS) adaptive algorithm to provide fault tolerance in high speed VLSI adaptive filters. An RNS architecture with double modular redundancy provides an efficient high speed network structure that is well suited for VLSI implementation with fault protection. It is shown that the BLMS algorithm is compatible with an RNS implementation because most of the computation is easily done with integer arithmetic, while requiring the more complicated operation of scaling only one time for each block of input data. The combination of the BLMS adaptive algorithm and an RNS implementation with double modular redundancy provides an excellent hybrid design for a VLSI adaptive filter which must perform reliably in real-time environments. >
Alcohol in the Movies: Characteristics of Drinkers and Nondrinkers in Films From 1940 to 1989

We examined depictions of alcohol use in 100 popular films spanning 5 decades. Drinkers were depicted as more attractive, more romantically/sexually active, more aggressive, and having a higher socioeconomic status than nondrinkers. No systematic changes were found across decades that might reflect the growing knowledge base regarding the adverse effects of alcohol use. We compared the depiction of alcohol use in movies to real-world demographics and found that alcohol use in movies is somewhat glamorized.
The Death Domain of Kidney Ankyrin Interacts with Fas and Promotes Fas-Mediated Cell Death in Renal Epithelia

Ankyrins are a ubiquitously expressed family of conserved proteins that mediate the linkage of integral membrane proteins such as transporters and channels with the underlying cytoskeleton. Ankyrins possess a conserved death domain, the functional significance of which has remained puzzling. In this study, the death domain of AnkG190, the isoform of ankyrin expressed in kidney tubules, was used as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify interacting partners. One of these interactions was with the proapoptotic molecule Fas. This was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation, colocalization, and glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays in cultured renal epithelial (MDCK) cells. Site-directed mutagenesis of a conserved arginine (R1496 in AnkG190), previously shown to be critical for the binding of Fas (R234 in Fas) to FADD, abolished the interaction of ankyrin's death domain with Fas. Overexpression of constructs containing ankyrin's death domain promoted Fas-mediated apoptosis in MDCK cells. The linkage between ankyrin and Fas was confirmed in vivo in mouse kidney tubule cells by coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization. In an established mouse model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury characterized by apoptotic tubule cell death, the expression of both ankyrin and Fas was markedly induced, and the interaction between these molecules remained intact. The results identify a novel tethering interaction between ankyrin and Fas in kidney epithelia and suggest that AnkG190 may play a role as an adapter molecule in renal tubule cell death.
Proteolysis of the major yolk glycoproteins is regulated by acidification of the yolk platelets in sea urchin embryos.

The precise function of the yolk platelets of sea urchin embryos during early development is unknown. We have shown previously that the chemical composition of the yolk platelets remains unchanged in terms of phospholipid, triglyceride, hexose, sialic acid, RNA, and total protein content after fertilization and early development. However, the platelet is not entirely static because the major 160-kD yolk glycoprotein YP-160 undergoes limited, step-wise proteolytic cleavage during early development. Based on previous studies by us and others, it has been postulated that yolk platelets become acidified during development, leading to the activation of a cathepsin B-like yolk proteinase that is believed to be responsible for the degradation of the major yolk glycoprotein. To investigate this possibility, we studied the effect of addition of chloroquine, which prevents acidification of lysosomes. Consistent with the postulated requirement for acidification, it was found that chloroquine blocked YP-160 breakdown but had no effect on embryonic development. To directly test the possibility that acidification of the yolk platelets over the course of development temporally correlated with YP-160 proteolysis, we added 3-(2,4-dinitroanilo)-3-amino-N-methyldipropylamine (DAMP) to eggs or embryos. This compound localizes to acidic organelles and can be detected in these organelles by EM. The results of these studies revealed that yolk platelets did, in fact, become transiently acidified during development. This acidification occurred at the same time as yolk protein proteolysis, i.e., at 6 h after fertilization (64-cell stage) in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and at 48 h after fertilization (late gastrula) in L. pictus. Furthermore, the pH value at the point of maximal acidification of the yolk platelets in vivo was equal to the pH optimum of the enzyme measured in vitro, indicating that this acidification is sufficient to activate the enzyme. For both S. purpuratus and Lytechinus pictus, the observed decrease in the pH was approximately 0.8 U, from 7.0 to 6.2. The trypsin inhibitor benzamidine was found to inhibit the yolk proteinase in vivo. By virtue of the fact that this inhibitor was reversible we established that the activity of the yolk proteinase is developmentally regulated even though the enzyme is present throughout the course of development. These findings indicate that acidification of yolk platelets is a developmentally regulated process that is a prerequisite to initiation of the catabolism of the major yolk glycoprotein.
Adsorption – a Successful and Versatile Separation Technique Continuously Improved at Linde

The current Linde adsorption processes, whether using pressure swing adsorption (PSA) operations for purifying hydrogen or methane, vacuum PSA for producing oxygen or temperature swing adsorption for H2O and CO2 retention in front of air separation plants, were developed from the first steps some 30 years ago to today's high standards of process maturity and reliability. Numerous experiences from plants worldwide, in conjunction with increasingly refined design and operation tools and high-performance laboratory test units have helped to create an ever-expanding set of improvements for adsorption plant concepts and process implementations.
Bildgebung bei „smoldering“ (asymptomatischem) multiplem Myelom

Aktuelle klinische Studien sprechen fur eine Therapie des „smoldering multiple myeloma” (SMM) mit hohem Progressionsrisiko schon bei der Diagnosestellung und nicht erst zum Zeitpunkt der Progression in ein symptomatisches multiples Myelom (MM). Die Fruherkennung einer Knochen- und/oder Knochenmarkbeteiligung durch entsprechende sensitive Bildgebungsverfahren kann zur Ermittlung von SMM-Patienten mit hohem Risiko fur eine Progression beitragen. Nach aktuellen Konsensusleitlinien (2011) ist die Rontgenuntersuchung des Skeletts ein Grundpfeiler der Beurteilung einer Knochenbeteiligung bei Diagnosestellung und in Verlaufskontrollen wegen eines SMM. Jedoch hat die Rontgenuntersuchung des Skeletts eine geringe Sensitivitat fur Knochenlasionen und liefert keine Informationen zu Knochenmarkveranderungen. Moderne bildgebende Verfahren wie die Fluordeoxyglukose-Positronenemissionstomographie-Computertomographie (FDG-PET-CT) und die Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) liefern zusammen mit innovativen Funktionsuntersuchungen eine bessere Einschatzung allgemeiner Veranderungen im Knochenmark- und im Knochenkompartiment. Mit diesen Verfahren kann die beginnende Progression vom SMM zum MM quantitativ objektiviert werden. Obwohl moderne Bildgebungsverfahren haufig zum Staging und zur Risikoabschatzung bei multiplem Myelom eingesetzt werden, sind sie nur in begrenztem Mas bei SMM untersucht worden. Die sparlichen Daten zum SMM zeigen, dass 2 oder mehr in der MRT entdeckte umschriebene Knochenmarkveranderungen Indikatoren fur eine rasche Progression in ein symptomatisches Stadium sind. Ob die FDG-PET-CT in asymptomatischen Stadien ahnliche Aussagen erlaubt, ist nach aktueller Datenlage noch unklar. Moderne Bildgebungsverfahren sind der Skelettradiographie in Bezug auf Spezifitat und Sensitivitat uberlegen und sollten dieser bei Hochrisikopatienten mit asymptomatischem Myelom vorgezogen werden. In Zukunft sollte in jedem Fall eine Ganzkorperbildgebung erfolgen, die Lasionen des Knochenmarks und des mineralisierten Knochens sensitiv nachweist und mit so wenig ionisierender Strahlung und Kontrastmittel wie moglich auskommt. Neuere Bildgebungsverfahren mussen in prospektiven klinischen Studien zur Untersuchung des Ubergangs vom SMM zum MM validiert werden; Ziel sollte dabei sein, angemessene Therapieentscheidungen zu ermoglichen. Auserdem sind Bemuhungen zur Kostensenkung und groseren Verfugbarkeit von Ganzkorper-MRT und/oder FD-PET-CT erforderlich, um deren flachendeckende Einfuhrung als zuerst eingesetzte diagnostische Verfahren zu erleichtern. Fur zukunftige klinische Studien zur Therapie fruher Stadien sind systematische Fehler wie „lead-time bias“ und „length-time bias“ zu berucksichtigen, die einen Nutzen einer sensitiven Diagnostik und einer fruhen Therapie vortauschen konnen. Die englische Volltextversion dieses Beitrags ist uber SpringerLink (unter „Supplemental“) verfugbar.
Fire and Flood: Why Are South-central Florida Seasonal Ponds Treeless?

ABSTRACT While seasonal ponds in the scrub landscape of the Lake Wales Ridge in south-central Florida are favorable for establishment of small south Florida slash pines (Pinus elliottii var. densa), few seasonal ponds have mature trees. We hypothesize that disturbances (fire and/or flooding) periodically exclude trees from seasonal ponds. We studied the demography of slash pines in relation to water level and fire for a decade from 1992–2001 in four seasonal ponds, two with long and two with short hydroperiods. Seasonal ponds were favorable for pine growth (0.1–0.6 m increase in height annually, growth from grass-stage to one meter in about 7 y) and annual survival (survival generally over 80% in years without fires). Most recruitment (appearance of seedlings in a “grass stage”) occurred in drier ponds. Flooding episodes occurred in most years and lasted 3–11 mo. Mortality increased with flooding intensity (summed flooding depth) in 3 of 9 y and was concentrated in pines <1 m tall. Growth rates were unaff...
Model Inference and Averaging

For most of this book, the fitting (learning) of models has been achieved by minimizing a sum of squares for regression, or by minimizing cross-entropy for classification. In fact, both of these minimizations are instances of the maximum likelihood approach to fitting.
In vivo astrocytic Ca2+ signaling in health and brain disorders

Astrocytes are the predominant glial cell type in the CNS. Although astrocytes are electrically nonexcitable, their excitability is manifested by their Ca2+ signaling, which serves as a mediator of neuron-glia bidirectional interactions via tripartite synapses. Studies from in vivo two-photon imaging indicate that in healthy animals, the properties of spontaneous astrocytic Ca2+ signaling are affected by animal species, age, wakefulness and the location of astrocytes in the brain. Intercellular Ca2+ waves in astrocytes can be evoked by a variety of stimulations. In animal models of some brain disorders, astrocytes can exhibit enhanced Ca2+ excitability featured as regenerative intercellular Ca2+ waves. This review first briefly summarizes the astrocytic Ca2+ signaling pathway and the procedure of in vivo two-photon Ca2+ imaging of astrocytes. It subsequently summarizes in vivo astrocytic Ca2+ signaling in health and brain disorders from experimental studies of animal models, and discusses the possible mechanisms and therapeutic implications underlying the enhanced Ca2+ excitability in astrocytes in brain disorders. Finally, this review summarizes molecular genetic approaches used to selectively manipulate astrocyte function in vivo and their applications to study the role of astrocytes in synaptic plasticity and brain disorders.
Laser anemometer measurements of trailing vortices in water

A series of measurements of trailing vortices behind lifting hydrofoils is described. These measurements were made in the Caltech Free-Surface Water Tunnel, using a laser-Doppler velocimeter to measure two components of velocity in the vortex wake. Two different model planforms were tested, and measurements were made at several free-stream velocities and angles of attack for each. Velocity profiles were measured at distances downstream of the model of from five to sixty chord lengths. These measurements are the first results of a continuing experimental programme. In § 3 of this paper, the theory of trailing vortices is discussed. The effects of ‘vortex wandering’ upon the measurements are computed, and the corrected results are seen to be in reasonable agreement with the theory.
Psoriasis, inflammation, and vascular risk: a problem more than skin deep?

Laboratory observations regarding interactions of innate immunity and the vascular endothelium have established that inflammation plays a role in all stages of the atherothrombotic process, from early foam cell formation to late plaque rupture.1 Epidemiological evidence supporting the inflammatory hypothesis of atherosclerosis initially derived from studies of those with acute ischaemia2 or from otherwise healthy patient populations3 in which biomarkers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein were observed to predict short- and long-term vascular risk. An equally intriguing set of clinical data linking inflammation to atherosclerosis has come from studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and periodontal disorders.4,5 In these studies, patients with systemic chronic inflammatory conditions have consistently been found at elevated vascular risk compared with age-matched controls, even after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Taken together, these laboratory and clinical data have led to a new understanding of atherosclerotic pathophysiology that has implications for both prevention and treatment. In 2006, the paradigm that individuals affected by inflammation have elevated vascular risk was extended by Gelfand and colleagues to include psoriasis, a common prototypical helper T cell type 1 (Th1) inflammatory disorder that leads to scaly erythematous plaques in the skin and in some patients to psoriatic arthritis.6 Using prospective data from the UK General Practice Research Database collected between 1987 and 2002, Gelfand and colleagues initially reported that the incidence of myocardial infarction per 1000 person-years for unaffected controls, those with mild psoriasis, and those with severe psoriasis was 3.58, 4.04, and 5.13, respectively. These investigators also reported that the relative risks of future myocardial infarction associated with psoriasis varied by age and severity, with the greatest risk observed among those with severe disease and young age. Conversely, the lowest risk was observed among those with mild psoriasis … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 617 732 8790, Fax: +1 617 734 1508, Email: pridker{at}partners.org
Social Movements and Markets, Industries, and Firms

This essay reviews research at the nexus of organizational and social movement studies. It begins by surveying research drawing on social movement theories to explain some organizational process, then surveys research drawing on organizational theories to explain some social movement process. The essay concludes with several suggestions for future research.
Cytochrome P450 17A1 Interactions with the FMN Domain of Its Reductase as Characterized by NMR.

To accomplish key physiological processes ranging from drug metabolism to steroidogenesis, human microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes require the sequential input of two electrons delivered by the FMN domain of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. Although some human microsomal P450 enzymes can instead accept the second electron from cytochrome b5, for human steroidogenic CYP17A1, the cytochrome P450 reductase FMN domain delivers both electrons, and b5 is an allosteric modulator. The structural basis of these key but poorly understood protein interactions was probed by solution NMR using the catalytically competent soluble domains of each protein. Formation of the CYP17A1·FMN domain complex induced differential line broadening of the NMR signal for each protein. Alterations in the exchange dynamics generally occurred for residues near the surface of the flavin mononucleotide, including 87–90 (loop 1), and for key CYP17A1 active site residues. These interactions were modulated by the identity of the substrate in the buried CYP17A1 active site and by b5. The FMN domain outcompetes b5 for binding to CYP17A1 in the three-component system. These results and comparison with previous NMR studies of the CYP17A1·b5 complex suggest a model of CYP17A1 enzyme regulation.
The Status of Business Archives

some time the Committee on Business Archives of the Society of American Archivists felt that a directory of business archivists would be helpful. To make a start on such a directory even though it was realized that coverage would not be complete a questionnaire was sent in May 1968 to over 700 U. S. and Canadian firms.1 The American Records Management Association (ARMA) kindly agreed to let us use its address list. This was weeded to eliminate nonbusiness members and multiple members from the same firm. To include firms not in the ARMA listing, a further selection was made from the Fortune "500" list of corporations. Notices of the project were placed in certain of the library and archival journals. The committee realizes that some business archivists may have been overlooked. The questionnaire was somewhat similar to that used by the College and University Archives Committee in preparing its directory.2 Perhaps because of the questionnaire's origin in a university library, emphasis was placed on information of use to the researcher. This included the date when the archives was established, dates of the holdings, types of records collected, approximate size of the collection, and availability for use. But answers to these questions also revealed the nature and extent of the archives. The definition of business archives included in the letter accompanying the questionnaire was suppied by William Rofes of IBM, a member of the committee.
Japanese console games popularization in China: Governance, copycats, and gamers

This article attempts to explore the popularization of Japanese console games in China in the past two decades, which reveals the tripartite relationship of the nation-state, transnational cultural...
Discovery of 6-Phenylpyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]oxazines as Potent and Selective Acyl CoA:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) Inhibitors with in Vivo Efficacy in Rodents

The discovery and optimization of a series of acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) inhibitors based on a pyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]oxazine scaffold is described. The SAR of a moderately potent HTS hit was investigated resulting in the discovery of phenylcyclohexylacetic acid 1, which displayed good DGAT1 inhibitory activity, selectivity, and PK properties. During preclinical toxicity studies a metabolite of 1 was observed that was responsible for elevating the levels of liver enzymes ALT and AST. Subsequently, analogues were synthesized to preclude the formation of the toxic metabolite. This effort resulted in the discovery of spiroindane 42, which displayed significantly improved DGAT1 inhibition compared to 1. Spiroindane 42 was well tolerated in rodents in vivo, demonstrated efficacy in an oral triglyceride uptake study in mice, and had an acceptable safety profile in preclinical toxicity studies.
Suppression of a Population of Horn Flies with the Sterile-Male Technique

Haematobia irritans (L.), sterilized by irradiation with 80Co, were released into a semi-isolated population in W Texas to determine the effect on the natural population. The initial releases (ratio of 10 sterile: 1 fertile insect based on prerelease data concerning adult emergence) caused a downward trend in reproduction. Continued releases caused a decrease in reproduction in excess of 98% during the last 3 weeks of the 16-week study, and control exceeded 70% for 10 weeks. However, when the sterile: fertile ratio dropped below 6: 1, the decrease in reproduction dropped below 90%.
Glycosaminoglycans and infection

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex linear polysaccharides expressed in intracellular compartments, at the cell surface, and in the extracellular environment where they interact with various molecules to regulate many cellular processes implicated in health and disease. Subversion of GAGs is a pathogenic strategy shared by a wide variety of microbial pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Pathogens use GAGs at virtually every major portals of entry to promote their attachment and invasion of host cells, movement from one cell to another, and to protect themselves from immune attack. Pathogens co-opt fundamental activities of GAGs to accomplish these tasks. This ingenious strategy to subvert essential activities of GAGs likely prevented host organisms from deleting or inactivating these mechanisms during their evolution. The goal of this review is to provide a mechanistic overview of our current understanding of how microbes subvert GAGs at major steps of pathogenesis, using select GAG-pathogen interactions as representative examples.
BMS-708,163 Targets Presenilin and Lacks Notch-Sparing Activity

The "Notch-sparing" γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) BMS-708,163 (Avagacestat) is currently in phase II clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. Unlike previously failed GSIs, BMS-708,163 is considered to be a promising drug candidate because of its reported Notch-sparing activity for the inhibition of Aβ production over Notch cleavage. We now report that BMS-708,163 binds directly to the presenilin-1 N-terminal fragment and that binding can be challenged by other pan-GSIs, but not by γ-secretase modulators. Furthermore, BMS-708,163 blocks the binding of four different active site-directed GSI photoaffinity probes. We therefore report that this compound acts as a nonselective γ-secretase inhibitor.
Improving Sales Forecasts for Appliances

Several studies have examined various aspects of the demand for consumer durables. These have studied prediction of initial purchases [2], replacement demand [16], quality changes over time [4], the relationship of changes in income to changes in demand [13], and penetration patterns by market segments [3]. Most of these analyses of demand for household durables have utilized aggregated national data. With the exception of refrigerators and washing machines, there is little published information on characteristics of demand for individual appliances. This study's data were for a limited, comparatively homogeneous market area, permitting detailed analysis. Data on number of appliances sold at retail, estimated average retail prices,' and dwelling units (single and multifamily) connected to utility lines were collected by Pacific Gas and Electric Company for 48 counties comprising most of central and northern California. This area is approximately 94,000 square miles; its 1969 population was 9,171,600 [15]. Data on per capita disposable income were from U.S. Department of Commerce reports.