cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serotonin Receptor Agonist 5-Nonyloxytryptamine Alters the Kinetics of Reovirus Cell Entry

ABSTRACT Mammalian orthoreoviruses (reoviruses) are nonenveloped double-stranded RNA viruses that infect most mammalian species, including humans. Reovirus binds to cell surface glycans, junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A), and the Nogo-1 receptor (depending on the cell type) and enters cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. Within the endocytic compartment, reovirus undergoes stepwise disassembly, which is followed by release of the transcriptionally active viral core into the cytoplasm. In a small-molecule screen to identify host mediators of reovirus infection, we found that treatment of cells with 5-nonyloxytryptamine (5-NT), a prototype serotonin receptor agonist, diminished reovirus cytotoxicity. 5-NT also blocked reovirus infection. In contrast, treatment of cells with methiothepin mesylate, a serotonin antagonist, enhanced infection by reovirus. 5-NT did not alter cell surface expression of JAM-A or attachment of reovirus to cells. However, 5-NT altered the distribution of early endosomes with a concomitant impairment of reovirus transit to late endosomes and a delay in reovirus disassembly. Consistent with an inhibition of viral disassembly, 5-NT treatment did not alter infection by in vitro-generated infectious subvirion particles, which bind to JAM-A but bypass a requirement for proteolytic uncoating in endosomes to infect cells. We also found that treatment of cells with 5-NT decreased the infectivity of alphavirus chikungunya virus and coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus. These data suggest that serotonin receptor signaling influences cellular activities that regulate entry of diverse virus families and provides a new, potentially broad-spectrum target for antiviral drug development. IMPORTANCE Identification of well-characterized small molecules that modulate viral infection can accelerate development of antiviral therapeutics while also providing new tools to increase our understanding of the cellular processes that underlie virus-mediated cell injury. We conducted a small-molecule screen to identify compounds capable of inhibiting cytotoxicity caused by reovirus, a prototype double-stranded RNA virus. We found that 5-nonyloxytryptamine (5-NT) impairs reovirus infection by altering viral transport during cell entry. Remarkably, 5-NT also inhibits infection by an alphavirus and a coronavirus. The antiviral properties of 5-NT suggest that serotonin receptor signaling is an important regulator of infection by diverse virus families and illuminate a potential new drug target.
Neutral Detergent Fiber, Hemicellulose and Cellulose Digestibility in Human Subjects

The fate of dietary fiber and its components was examined in seven women consuming low cellulose (LC) and high cellulose (HC) diets, each for about 1 month. The diets were of constant daily composition and differed only in that the HC diet contained an additional 16 g/day non-nutritive fiber (Solka Floc), which increased the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the diet from 9.5 to 23.5 g/day and Crampton and Maynard cellulose from 5.4 to 19.3 g/day. When apparent fiber digestibilities during 5-day periods were determined, both NDF and cellulose digestibilities varied greatly and inconsistently in each subject throughout both diet periods. Therefore, samples were pooled to form a single 20-30 day composite for each subject during each diet. Mean apparent NDF digestibility, after correcting for protein contamination in fecal NDF, was 70.4 +/- 7.3% during the LC diet and decreased to 23.0 +/- 15.0% during the HC diet. Cellulose digestibility was 69.7 +/- 10.7% without and 15.7 +2- 17.4% with the added cellulose. Hemicellulose was calculated as NDF minus cellulose. When the fecal NDF was corrected for protein contamination, hemicellulose digestibility averaged 71.7 +/- 5.4% during the LC diet and 51.0 +/- 7.9% during the HC diet. In a separate experiment, 16 g/day Solka Floc was ingested with a semi-purified liquid diet and only 8% of the cellulose was digested. These results suggest that more than half of the fiber in a LC diet containing fruits, vegetables and refined grains is degraded, while the apparent digestibility of refined cellulose is minimal.
Lipid peroxidation as the mechanism of modification of brain 5'-nucleotidase activity in vitro.

The effect of lipid peroxidation on the Mg2+-independent and Mg2+-dependent activity of brain cell membrane 5′-nucleotidase was determined and the affinity of the active sites of Mg2+-dependent enzyme for 5′-AMP (substrate) and Mg2+ (activator) was examined. Brain cell membranes were peroxidized at 37°C in the presence of 100 μM ascorbate and 25 μM FeCl2 (resultant) for 10 min. The activity of 5′-nucleotidase and lipid peroxidation products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) were determined. At 10 min, the level of lipid peroxidation products increased from 0.20±0.10 to 17.5±1.5 nmoles malonaldehyde/mg membrane protein. The activity of Mg2+-independent 5′-nucleotidase increased from 0.201±0.020 in controls to 0.305±0.028 μmol Pi/mg protein/hr in peroxidized membranes. In the presence of 10mM Mg2+, the activity increased by 5.8-fold in the peroxidized membrane preparation in comparison to 14-fold in control In peroxidized preparation, the affinity of active site of Mg2+-dependent 5′-nucleotidase for 5′-AMP tripled, as indicated by a significant decrease inKm (Km=95±2 μM AMP for control;Km=32±2 μMAMP for peroxidized).Vmax was significantly reduced from 3.35±0.16 in control to 1.70±.09 μmoles Pi/mg protein in peroxidized membranes. The affinity of the active site for Mg2+ significantly increased (Km=6.17±0.37 mM Mg2+ for control;Km=4.0±0.31 peroxidized). The data demonstrate that lipid peroxidation modifies the Mg2+-dependent 5′-nucleotidase function by altering the active sites for both the substrate and the activator. The modification of the 5′-nucleotidase activity and the loss of Mg2+-dependent activation observed in this in-vitro study are similar to the changes previously observed by us in the hypoxic brain in-vivo. This suggests that lipid peroxidation which specifically alters the active site may be the underlying mechanism of the modification of 5′-nucleotidase during hypoxia.
The chromatographic separation of morphine from its degradation products.

Abstract When solutions of morphine salts undergo prolonged storage a yellow-brown dis-coloration results due to the partial decomposition of morphine to pseudomorphine and higher oxidation products. These degradation products interfere with the quantitative determination of intact morphine molecules by gravimetric, spectro- photometric, colorimetric, and ion exchange procedures. There are some procedures for estimating the extent of decomposition of morphine salt solutions using these methods. A chromatographic method has been developed for isolating morphine on a partition column and determining it spectrophotometrically after elution. Quantitative recovery was obtained in the presence of pseudomorphine and higher oxidation products.
The influence of vibration on microstructural uniformity during floating-zone crystal growth

Previously, we have shown that temperature gradients can be smoothed, and thermocapillary convection suppressed, in a model half-zone of silicone oil and also in a float-zone of sodium nitrate, by inducing an opposing surface streaming flow through vibration of one of the supporting end-walls. In this work we demonstrate the effect of vibration in promoting uniform microstructures during the float-zoning of NaNO3-Ba(NO3)2 eutectic “alloys.”
On the retention of inertialess particles in the near wake region of a two-dimensional flat plate placed normal to an aerosol-laden freestream

The dispersion of inertialess particles in the recirculation zone immediately behind long, two-dimensional flat plates positioned perpendicular to an aerosol-laden freestream was investigated both experimentally and numerically. The physical situation corresponds to the release of particles from a two-dimensional line source positioned upstream of the flat and consequent entrainment of those particles into the near wake region. After the sudden interruption of the aerosol generation process, the particles persist in the near wake, with the number concentration decaying exponentially with time. The experiments were carried out in a low-turbulence wind tunnel. An optical detection system was developed for the fast observation and recording of changes in the particle concentration in the near wake of the plate. The dimensionless residence time for fine inertialess smoke particles in the near wake region H(= T U/D, where T is the time constant for the exponential concentration decay, U is the undisturbed freestream air velocity, and D is the width of the obstruction) was measured in the range of Reynolds numbers (Re) from about 1000 to 10,000. H was found to be approximately constant at about 9.5 for Re above about 4000. These results were in agreement with a simple model and with numerical calculations based on a two-equation, steady-flow, k - e approach with coefficientschosen to reflect to some degree the actual physical situation which also includes vortex shedding.
Scheduled Voluntary Wheel Running Activity Modulates Free-Running Circadian Body Temperature Rhythms in Octodon degus

Entrainment of the circadian pacemaker to nonphotic stimuli, such as scheduled wheel-running activity, is well characterized in nocturnal rodents, but little is known about activity-dependent entrainment in diurnal or crepuscular species. In the present study, effects of scheduled voluntary wheel-running activity on circadian timekeeping were investigated in Octodon degus, a hystricomorph rodent that exhibits robust crepuscular patterns of wakefulness. When housed in constant darkness, O. degus exhibited circadian rhythms in wheel-running activity and body temperature (Tb) with an average period length (tau) of 23.39 +/- 0.11 h. When wheel running was restricted to a fixed 2-h schedule every 24 h, tau increased on average 0.39 +/- 0.09 h but did not result in steady-state entrainment. Instead, relative coordination between the fixed running schedule and circadian timing was observed. Tau was greatest when scheduled wheel running occurred at CT 20.5 (0.4 h greater than DD baseline tau). Scheduled running activity also influenced Tb waveform symmetry, reflecting concomitant changes in the circadian activity-rest ratio (alpha:rho). Aftereffects of the scheduled wheel-running paradigm were also observed. In 2 animals, tau lengthened from 23.20 and 23.80 h to 24.14 and 24.15 h, respectively, and remained relatively stable for approximately 1 month during the wheel schedule. Although behavioral activity appears to be a weak zeitgeber in this species, these data suggest that nonphotic stimuli can phase delay the circadian pacemaker in O. degus at similar times of the day as in nocturnal hamsters and mice, and in humans.
Factors that predict antiphospholipid immunoreactivity in young people with transient focal neurological events.

• Objective. —To determine if clinical or radiological features in young people with transient focal neurological events may be used to predict the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Design. —A combined retrospective and prospective study of young people with transient focal neurological events. Likelihood ratios and confidence intervals were calculated for the proportions; logistic regression analysis was performed to determine features predictive of aPL immunoreactivity. Setting. —A referral hospital and adjacent outpatient clinic. Patients. —Sixty-eight patients with one or more transient focal neurological events were screened for aPL. Forty-seven patients were obtained retrospectively from medical record review of every outpatient personally seen by two of us (G.E.T. and S.R.L.) during a 4.5-year period. Twenty-one patients were prospectively added prior to retrospective analysis. Patients older than 50 years or those with multiple sclerosis or epilepsy were excluded. Five patients fulfilling study criteria were excluded because aPL assay results were unavailable. Main Outcome Measures. —Transient neurological symptoms, stroke risk factors, occurrence of cerebral or ocular infarct or death, headache history, and serological and radiological studies were systematically obtained. Results. —There were 29 aPL-positive patients compared with 39 aPL-negative ones. Features that distinguished the aPL-positive group included more common monocular visual symptoms (38% vs 15%,P=.03), hemisensory symptoms (76% vs 41%,P=.004), and systemic lupus erythematosus (14% vs 0%,P=.03) and less common binocular visual symptoms (28% vs 51 %,P=.05), accompanying headache (66% vs 87%,P=.03), and personal (48% vs 74%,P=.03) and family (29% vs 61 %,P=.01 ) history of migraine. No differences were noted between the groups for age, gender, stroke risk factor profile, and radiological features. In a logistic regression analysis, the estimated odds ratio for aPL positivity in patients with monocular visual disturbance, hemisensory symptoms, and no family history of migraine were 5.3, 7.5, and 3.0, respectively, when controlling for the other variables. Conclusions. —Several clinical features of transient focal neurological events in aPL-positive patients distinguish these individuals from their aPL-negative cohort. Amaurosis fugax, unilateral paresthesias, and no family history of migraine may predict aPL positivity in young persons with transient focal neurological deficits.
CI Methods for the calculation of hyperfine structures, lifetimes, and molecular potential energy surfaces

The “charge wave function,” which is the sum of the internal, and semi-internal correlations of the Non-Closed Shell Many-Electron Theory (ncmet) of Sinanoǧlu and co-workers, has been calculated by Sinanoǧlu and Oksuz and more recently by Schaefer and Harris for atomic systems, and for molecules by Das and Wahl, and recently by Schaefer. The results on optical transition probabilities, on hyperfine structures and on molecular pe curves are summarized and the extent of agreement with the initial result of the ncmet theory as given earlier by Sinanoǧlu that the “charge wave function”, a finite ci function, should yield these properties well, and the main features of pe curves, is examined.
Oolong tea does not improve glucose metabolism in non-diabetic adults

Studies of the influence of tea on glucose metabolism have produced inconsistent results, possibly because of the lack of dietary control and/or unclear characterization of tea products. Therefore, a double-blind crossover study was conducted in which healthy males (n=19) consumed each of three oolong tea products or a control beverage as part of a controlled diet. Treatment beverages (1.4 l/day) were consumed for 5 days, followed by assessment of fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin and an oral glucose tolerance test. Tea products included oolong tea, oolong tea with added catechins and oolong tea with added oolong tea polyphenols, and control beverages included caffeinated water and unsupplemented water. On the fifth day of each treatment period, treatment beverages were consumed with a standardized meal, and glucose and insulin responses were assessed for 240 min. No significant differences were detected for fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin, incremental plasma glucose area under the concentration time curve (AUC), total plasma glucose AUC or total serum insulin AUC. Neither oolong tea nor oolong tea supplemented with catechins or other polyphenols produced improved glucose metabolism in healthy adult volunteers on the basis of this highly controlled dietary intervention trial.
Integrating Women's Voices and Theory: A Comprehensive Domestic Violence Intervention for Latinas

Using both academic theories and two decades of experience in community, this article presents the work conducted by Caminar Latino (Latino Journey), a comprehensive intervention for Latino families affected by domestic violence. Having developed in both analogous and independent ways from theories in the academic field, Caminar Latino provides a unique opportunity to explore ways in which ecological theory and tenets of feminist therapy can be combined within a social justice framework to address this severe social problem. Of particular relevance to therapists, advocates and others working in this field is the ongoing inclusion of the voices of women participants as a central tenet of the intervention.
Word retrieval failure episodes after traumatic brain injury

Background/Aims: The purpose of this investigation was to examine patterns of episodes of word retrieval failure in a group of adults who suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Test of Adolescent/Adult Word Finding (German, 1990) was administered to 20 adults who experienced TBI as the result of motor vehicle accident. The tool provides extensive naming opportunities, varied naming tasks, and frequency of occurrence of stimulus items does not change throughout each task. Methods & Procedures: Episodes of word retrieval failures were investigated relative to the occurrence of 1, 2, 3, and 4‐plus consecutive word retrieval failures on the TAWF for participants who exhibited a word retrieval deficit (standard score below 85). Fourteen of the 20 participants had standard scores below this normal range. These participants were classified according to the three patterns (Fleeting, Clustered, Extended) developed by Hough (2007) regarding episodes of word retrieval failure. Main Contribution/Conclusions: Resu...
Rapidly oxidizable equivalents in the terminal portion of the respiratory chain of uncoupled rat liver mitochondria.

Abstract Terminal portions of the respiratory chains of uncoupled rat liver mitochondria were kinetically isolated either by Antimycin A inhibition or by cytochrome c extraction and then titrated with buffers of varying oxygen concentrations. We found from the kinetic titrations that there are about four reducing equivalents stored on the oxygen side of cytochrome c and about seven on the oxygen side of the Antimycin A block. The four terminal reducing equivalents can be oxidized about as fast as cytochrome a.
Properties of mouse homocytotropic and heterocytotropic antibodies

Abstract Mouse antisera were analyzed for the presence of homocytotropic and heterocytotropic antibodies. Two distinct populations of antibodies were detected by the homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. The first was active 2 hr after injection, heat-stable, and partially reactive with antisera to mouse IgG 1 . The second was active 48 hr after injection, was heat-labile, and probably belonged to the IgE class of mouse immunoglobulins. In addition, it was demonstrated that there were also two antibodies active in the heterologous PCA reaction in rats, a heat-stable antibody and a heat-labile antibody. Contrary to results obtained with homocytotropic antibodies, none of the heterocytotropic antibodies detected reacted with antisera to mouse IgG 1 or IgG 2 . These studies suggest that in addition to IgE there may exist another heterocytotropic antibody in mouse antisera and that caution should be employed when using the 2-hr PCA reaction in the rat as a sole criterion for detection of mouse IgE.
Advances in Ultra-Low-Voltage Design

The idea of exploiting weak-inversion operation for low power, pioneered by Dr. Eric Vittoz in the 1960's, has led to many recent advances in sub-threshold circuit design, described in this paper by MIT's Anantha Chandrakasan and Joyce Kwong. In the near future, exciting new applications such as medical monitoring, toxic gas sensors and next-generation portable video gadgets in a number of systems will be powered by energy scavenging technologies that will require electronic circuits to operate with the utmost energy efficiency.
No news is good news? Press coverage and corporate public affairs management

Being in the public eye puts pressure on an organization's Public Affairs (PA) function. This study finds that firms more closely covered by the press tend to be more forceful in promoting their own position on social issues (social buffering). Press coverage is not associated with greater corporate efforts to comply with societal expectation (social bridging). Overall, press coverage is weakly associated with lowered perceived corporate public affairs performance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inositol-1-phosphate synthase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus is a class II aldolase.

A gene putatively identified as the Archaeoglobus fulgidus inositol-1-phosphate synthase (IPS) gene was overexpressed to high level (about 30−40% of total soluble cellular proteins) in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity by heat treatment followed by two column chromatographic steps. The native enzyme was a tetramer of 168 ± 4 kDa (subunit molecular mass of 44 kDa). At 90 °C the Km values for glucose-6-phosphate and NAD+ were estimated as 0.12 ± 0.04 mM and 5.1 ± 0.9 μM, respectively. Use of (d)-[5-13C]glucose-6-phosphate as a substrate confirmed that the stereochemistry of the product of the IPS reaction was l-myo-inositol-1-phosphate. This archaeal enzyme, with the highest activity at its optimum growth temperature among all IPS reported (kcat = 9.6 ± 0.4 s-1 with an estimated activation energy of 69 kJ/mol), was extremely heat stable. However, the most unique feature of A. fulgidus IPS was that it absolutely required divalent metal ions for activity. Zn2+ and Mn2+ were...
Response of Rodents to Wildfire and Livestock Grazing in an Arizona Desert Grassland

Abstract Livestock grazing and fire influence the composition of desert grassland communities, including their rodent populations. However, there have been few studies of the interactions between grazing and wildfire in arid grasslands of the southwestern United States. We trapped rodents and measured vegetation on grazed versus ungrazed plots before (2001) and following (2002–2007) an intense 15,000 ha wildfire in southeastern Arizona. The fire reduced grass canopy on grazed plots for 2 y and on ungrazed plots for 3 y. Some rodents in the family Cricetidae (genera Baiomys, Reithrodontomys and Sigmodon) were more abundant on ungrazed plots before the fire. Cricetidae as a whole declined following the fire and did not return to preburn levels until the sixth postfire year (2007). Nine of ten cricetid species contributed to this general pattern. By contrast, the abundant species of Heteromyidae (Chaetodipus hispidus, C. baileyi, Perognathus flavus) increased following the fire, especially on ungrazed plots....
Protease Nexin-2/Amyloid β-Protein Precursor Regulates Factor VIIa and the Factor VIIa–Tissue Factor Complex

Abstract Protease nexin-2/amyloid β-protein precursor (PN-2/AβPP) and its Kunitz protease inhibitory (KPI) domain were characterized as inhibitors of factor VIIa (FVIIa) and factor VIIa–tissue factor complex (FVIIa–TF). PN-2/AβPP and KPI domain inhibited FVIIa with an apparent Ki of 1.1±0.2× 10−7 M and 1.5±0.1×10−7 M, respectively. When soluble tissue factor (TF1–219) was present, there was increased FVIIa inhibition by PN-2/AβPP or KPI domain (Ki=7.8±0.3×10−8 M and 6.8±0.6×10−8 M, respectively). When relipidated tissue factor (TF1–243) was present, the Ki of FVIIa inhibition by PN-2/AβPP increased 4.7-fold further K i =1.65× 10 −8 M . PN-2/AβPP complexed with FVIIa, as shown on gel filtration and solid phase binding assay. The apparent second-order rate constant of inhibition of FVIIa by PN-2/AβPP in the absence of TF1–219 k ″=7.5±4.0×10 4 M −1 min −1 was less than that of the FVIIa–TF1–219 complex k ″=1.6± 0.2×10 5 M −1 min −1 . Antithrombin in the absence of TF1–219 also had a lower apparent second-order rate constant of inhibition k ″=1.8±0.3×10 3 M −1 min −1 than in its presence k ″=1.6±0.3×10 5 M −1 min −1 . In a mixture that included FVIIa, relipidated TF1–243 and factor X, PN-2/AβPP or KPI domain had an IC50 at 65 and 250 nM, respectively; antithrombin and heparin (1 U/mL) had an IC50 of 12.8 nM. These data indicate that tissue factor promoted the inhibition of FVIIa by PN-2/AβPP or KPI domain, but antithrombin was a better inhibitor of soluble FVIIa–TF in extrinsic tenase.
Type 2 Cu2+ in pMMO from Methylomicrobium album BG8

EPR spectra were obtained for the type 2 Cu2+ site in particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) from Methylomicrobium album BG8 grown on K15NO3 and 63Cu(NO3)2. The concentration of the type 2 Cu2+ signal was approximately 200 microM per 25 mg/ml protein in packed cells and membrane fractions, a concentration that is consistent with its attribution to pMMO, and the EPR parameters were consistent with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters previously assigned to pMMO. The superhyperfine structure due to nitrogen is better resolved because I = 1/2 for 15N whereas I = 1 for 14N and A(15N)/A(14N) = 1.4. Under these conditions, superhyperfine structure is resolved in the g region of the X-band spectrum. At low microwave frequency (S-band) the resolution of the nitrogen superhyperfine structure improves. Signals are attributed to type 2 Cu2+ in which cupric ion is bound to four (less likely three) nitrogen donor atoms.
An hypothesis for oxidative phosphorylation.

Presentation d'une hypothese pour la phosphorylation oxidative qui comprend des substances vinyl carbonyl, suivie d'une esquisse d'un systeme cyclique utilisant des quinones, hydroxyquinones, hydroxy-hydroquinones et leurs derives phosphorilates.
The Spectrum and Teacher Education

Abstract Pedagogical accountability—preparing teachers who can teach effectively—appears to be the major theme on which many of the problems in education hinge. This article describes the design, process, and results of one Spectrum-based pedagogical program that has made a difference in preparing and developing teachers.
"Don't put my name on it": Social capital activation and job-finding assistance among the black urban poor

From a social capital theoretical perspective, deficiencies in access to mainstream ties and institutions explain persistent joblessness among the black urban poor. Little problematized, however, is the extent to which access leads to mobilization and the social context within which social capital activation occurs. Employing in-depth interviews of 105 low-income African-Americans, this work advances the literature in two ways. First, it suggests that what we have come to view as deficiencies in access among the black urban poor may have more to do with functional deficiencies of their job referral networks. Second, the findings from this study lay the groundwork for a single, multilevel conceptual framework within which to understand social capital activation, a framework that takes into consideration properties of the individuals, dyads, and communities of residence.
Attitudes of college students about physician-assisted suicide: the influence of life experiences, religiosity, and belief in autonomy.

Abstract This study describes attitudes of college sudents about physician-assisted suicide, analyzes key factors that predict attitudes on this issue, and compares these attitudes with those regarding other forms of end-of-life actions. Data were collected via personal interviews with 200 randomly selected students at a 4-year college. A majority of respondents believe that a physician should be able to assist in the suicide of a terminally ill person who requests help, though larger percentages support the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining technology and the right of a terminally ill person to end his or her own life. Results of multiple regression analysis determine that the key predictors of this attitude are student's level of religiosity (students higher in religiosity are more likely to disapprove) and belief in autonomy as a philosophical principle (students placing more value on autonomy are more likely to approve). Respondent's sex, cumulative grade point average, and amount of expos...
Existence and uniqueness of asymptotically constant or periodic solutions in delayed population models

By means of fixed point theory we show that the unique solution of nonlinear difference equations of the formconverges to a predetermined constant or a periodic solution. Then, we show the solution is stable and that its limit function serves as a global attractor. The same theory will be extended to two more models.
Effects of Water Stress on Starch and Its Metabolizing Enzyme Activities in Cotton Leaves

Cotton plants were subjected to water stress ranging from –1.0 to –2.2 MPa. Starch content decreased during the initial decline in water potential from –1.1 to –1.4 MPa. This change was related to an increase in soluble α-amylase activity and a decrease in bound glucan synthetase activity. Starch content then increased sharply to nearly 200% of control levels with a decrease in water potential to about –1.6 MPa. With a further reduction in leaf water potential to –2.2 MPa, both bound glucan synthetase activity and starch content decreased rapidly, while soluble α-amylase activity continued to increase. The enzymic data demonstrate that effects of water stress on cotton are adverse, because starch degradation products are not translocated, but accumulate as reassembled starch in the source leaves. Die Auswirkungen des Wasserdrucks auf die Starke und ihre stoffwechselwirksamen Enzymaktivitaten in Baumwollblattern. Baumwollpflanzen wurden Wasserdrucken zwischen –1,0 und –2,2 MPa ausgesetzt. Der Starkegehalt verringerte sich wahrend der anfanglichen Abnahme des Wasserdruckes von –1,1 auf –1,4 MPa. Diese Anderung stand im Zusammenhang mit einer Erhohung der Aktivitat an loslicher α-Amylase und einer Verringerung der gebundenen Glucansynthetase-Aktivitat. Danach stieg der Starkegehalt stark auf nahezu 200% des Kontrollversuches bei einer Verminderung des Wasserdruckes auf etwa –1,6 MPa an. Bei weiterer Verringerung des Blattwasserpotentials auf –2,2 MPa verringerten sich sowohl die gebundene Glucansynthetase-Aktivitat als auch der Starkegehalt, wahrend die Aktivitat an loslicher α-Amylase kontinuierlich weiter anstieg. Die enzymatischen Daten weisen darauf hin, das die Auswirkungen des Wasserdruckes auf Baumwollpflanzen ungunstig sind, weil die Starkeabbauprodukte nicht wegtransportiert werden, so das ruckgebildete Starke in den Blattern akkumuliert.
Odd-parity states in the A = 6 and 14 systems

Abstract Odd-parity excitations for the A = 6 and 14 nuclei are calculated within the framework of the particle-hole shell model with a consistent treatment of core-excited configurations as well as excitations which effect only extra-core particles. For A = 6, this basis is composed of two-particle and three-particle/one-hole configurations. The basis for the A = 14 problem is composed of two-hole and three-hole/one-particle configurations. Spherical harmonic oscillator radial functions are used, and the spurious content of the basis is removed. A finite-range gaussian residual interaction with Wigner, Majorana, Heisenberg and Bartlett exchange components is diagonalized in the non-spurious subspace. The resulting eigensolutions are used to obtain absolute dipole strength distributions for these nuclei. These distributions and the calculated level spectra are compared with the experimental data.
Glaucoma without cupping.

Background Although glaucoma can exist with normal intraocular pressures (IOPs), clinicians still rely on the presence of a large cup to “flag” suspects, regardless of IOP, whereas a small cup at the same pressure level is often ignored. High-tech instruments offer a new dimension of evaluation in the objective assessment of structure when subjective tests of function and/or ophthalmoscopic observations are equivocal. Case Reports Thirteen cases are presented and show evidence of glaucoma based on glaucomatous visual-field defects, often with steadily rising intraocular pressures and retinal nerve fiber layer loss. Surprisingly, these patients maintained small C/D ratios. Accordingly, ophthalmoscopy and/or disk topography classified these disks as normal. Conclusions Although unrecognized in virtually the entire world's ophthalmic literature, normal cup glaucoma is a real clinical entity. At least half the normal cup glaucoma cases presented herein have disk drusen (obvious, subtle, or occult), while others are highly myopic and/or have documented IOP spikes. Several of the cases defy classification and explanation at the present time.
Visualization of flow characteristics in a 2‐D bubble column and three‐phase fluidized bed

Macroscopic flow structures of gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid fluidization systems are studied through flow visualization using a two-dimensional column under various operating conditions. The gas distributor in the column comprises multiple injectors which are individually regulated to generate desired gas flow rates, bubble injection frequencies, and bubble sizes. Colored bed particles and neutrally buoyant particles as solid and liquid tracers, respectively, are used for flow visualization through video photography. In a gas-liquid system operated under liquid-batch conditions, bubble streams injected near both sidewalls are observed to migrate toward be vertical axis, and vortices appear along the sidewalls when gas velocity exceeds 4-6 mm/s. A considerable amount of liquid descends along the sidewalls in a vortical flow pattern. The gross circulation pattern occurring at high gas velocities is associated closely with induced liquid or liquid-solid flows resulting from rising bubbles and bubble wakes. When the gross circulation occurs, four flow regions can be distinguished. The formation of and mechanism for gross circulations can be interpreted in part based on two simplified flow conditions involving single bubbles rising in a stationary liquid and single chains of bubbles injected in a batch liquid. The effects of particle size, inlet liquid velocity and gas flowmore » distribution on the macroscopic flow structure are also examined.« less
Analysis of a kinetic multi-segment foot model part II: Kinetics and clinical implications

Kinematic multi-segment foot models have seen increased use in clinical and research settings, but the addition of kinetics has been limited and hampered by measurement limitations and modeling assumptions. In this second of two companion papers, we complete the presentation and analysis of a three segment kinetic foot model by incorporating kinetic parameters and calculating joint moments and powers. The model was tested on 17 pediatric subjects (ages 7-18 years) during normal gait. Ground reaction forces were measured using two adjacent force platforms, requiring targeted walking and the creation of two sub-models to analyze ankle, midtarsal, and 1st metatarsophalangeal joints. Targeted walking resulted in only minimal kinematic and kinetic differences compared with walking at self selected speeds. Joint moments and powers were calculated and ensemble averages are presented as a normative database for comparison purposes. Ankle joint powers are shown to be overestimated when using a traditional single-segment foot model, as substantial angular velocities are attributed to the mid-tarsal joint. Power transfer is apparent between the 1st metatarsophalangeal and mid-tarsal joints in terminal stance/pre-swing. While the measurement approach presented here is limited to clinical populations with only minimal impairments, some elements of the model can also be incorporated into routine clinical gait analysis.
The genome of the tropical tree Theobroma cacao L.

2C values for angiosperms vary over 2500-fold and a positive correlation exists between C-value and latitude in herbaceous plants. Woody plants differ from herbaceous plants in chromosome size and C-value. In addition, tropical hardwoods have smaller chromosomes than other tropical plants and do not share the correlation of minimum generation time with genome size seen in herbaceous plants. Theobroma cacao is a tropical hardwood cultivated for its beans, which are used to make chocolate and cocoa butter. Its cytology is typical of the pantropical and subtropical family Sterculiaceae. Its small chromosomes, single secondary constriction, and lack of C-banding suggest a small genome. The genome size of T. cacao, measured by reassociation kinetics, is 2.01 x 108, which is small compared to both temperate and tropical plants previously studied. We also provide data on the melting point, base composition, and relative extent of methylation (at sites most commonly methylated in higher plants), of T. cacao DNA.
Hemostasis and thrombosis in older adults

The frequency of atherothrombotic events with increasing age may represent the cumulative end-result of upregulation of coagulation proteins, diminished fibrinolytic capacity, endothelial dysfunction with impaired regenerative capacity, and gene-environment interactions. There remains, however, an absence of clarity surrounding the mechanistic relationship between aging and the observed clinical phenotypes of coronary and cerebrovascular thrombosis causing myocardial infarction and stroke, respectively, among older adults. The complexity of atherothrombosis is heightened further by a concomitant bleeding tendency-conceivably an age-related vasculopathy involving small, hemostasis-maintaining vessels, that is characterized by impaired vascular healing, loss of anatomic integrity and vasoreactivity; and, immune incompetence, highlighting the integrated relationship between two teleological life-sustaining processes-an ability to stem blood loss following vascular injury and the capacity to localize and eradicate infection. An advanced understanding of hemostatic factors, vascular biology, immunology and vulnerability to both thrombosis and hemorrhage in aging will likely translate to improved risk prediction models, tailored pharmacotherapies and optimized outcomes. In direct response to a topic of global relevance and unmet need, the Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis will publish a focused series devoted to hemostasis and thrombosis in older adults. Each contribution will appear within the Editors Page over the next six issues.
An Unusual Iron Site in Iron-Doped Zinc Oxide

Abstract Both divalent and trivalent iron have been substituted into the zinc oxide lattice at levels up to about 2.5 atomic percent. Using enriched 57 Fe, Mossbauer studies indicate that either Fe 2+ or Fe 3+ may substitute for Zn 2+ at its normal lattice site. One spectrum indicative of Fe 3+ is observed when iron is substituted into zinc oxide under oxidizing conditions. However, two distinct spectra are found for Fe 2+ when iron is substituted into zinc oxide under reducing conditions. The quadrupole splitting of one of these Fe 2+ spectra shows an exceptionally high temperature dependence.
INSTRUMENTAL FLAVOR ANALYSIS OF MEAT PRODUCTS CONTAINING COTTONSEED PROTEINS

Meat loaves supplemented with various amounts of textured storage and classical (nonstorage and storage) protein isolates from glandless cottonseed were analyzed for volatile compounds by direct gas chromatography. Seventeen volatile compounds were identified by combined direct gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Natural logarithms of hexanal and hexanol and of ratios of hexanal and hexanol to chloroform correlated well with taste panel scores for aroma, initial flavor, after-taste, and overall flavor.
Summary discussion of the 1996 performance assessment for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Abstract The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is under development by the US Department of Energy (DOE) for the geologic disposal of transuranic waste. The construction of complementary cumulative distribution functions (CCDFs) for total radionuclide release from the WIPP to the accessible environment is described. The resultant CCDFs (i) combine releases due to cuttings and cavings, spallings, direct brine release, and long-term transport in flowing groundwater; (ii) fall substantially to the left of the boundary line specified by the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) standard 40 CFR 191 for the geologic disposal of radioactive waste; and (iii) constitute an important component of the DOE's successful Compliance Certification Application to the EPA for the WIPP. Insights and perspectives gained in the performance assessment (PA) that led to these CCDFs are described, including the importance of: (i) an iterative approach to PA; (ii) uncertainty and sensitivity analysis; (iii) a clear conceptual model for the analysis; (iv) the separation of stochastic (i.e. aleatory) and subjective (i.e. epistemic) uncertainty; (v) quality assurance procedures; (vi) early involvement of peer reviewers, regulators, and stakeholders; (vii) avoidance of conservative assumptions; and (viii) adequate documentation.
Understanding the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease using a Caenorhabditis elegans model system.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the major cause of dementia in the United States. At the cellular level, the brains of AD patients are characterized by extracellular dense plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles whose major components are the β-amyloid peptide and tau, respectively. The β-amyloid peptide is a cleavage product of the amyloid precursor protein (APP); mutations in APP have been correlated with a small number of cases of familial Alzheimer’s disease. APP is the canonical member of the APP family, whose functions remain unclear. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, one of the premier genetic workhorses, is being used in a variety of ways to address the functions of APP and determine how the β-amyloid peptide and tau can induce toxicity. First, the function of the C. elegansAPP-related gene, apl-1, is being examined. Although different organisms may use APP and related proteins, such as APL-1, in different functional contexts, the pathways in which they function and the molecules with which they interact are usually conserved. Second, components of the γ-secretase complex and their respective functions are being revealed through genetic analyses in C. elegans. Third, to address questions of toxicity, onset of degeneration, and protective mechanisms, different human β-amyloid peptide and tau variants are being introduced into C. elegans and the resultant transgenic lines examined. Here, we summarize how a simple system such as C. elegans can be used as a model to understand APP function and suppression of β-amyloid peptide and tau toxicity in higher organisms.
Platelet-activating factor modulates phospholipid acylation in human neutrophils.

The present study showed that platelet-activating factor (1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, PAF), but not lysoPAF (1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) rapidly (within 15 sec) stimulated the incorporation of both [1-14C]arachidonate and [1-14C]docosahexaenoate into phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in human neutrophils. Concomitantly, it inhibited the formation of labeled phosphatidic acid from both fatty acids. The magnitude of stimulation (percentage of control) was greater in PI than in PC for the incorporation of arachidonate and vice versa for the incorporation of docosahexaenoate. It reached a maximum at 10−7 M and started to decline at 10−6 M. Extracellular Ca2+ was not essential for the action of PAF on phospholipid acylation. The distribution of labeled arachidonate in the molecular species of PC was not altered by PAF after 1 min incubation, suggesting that the increased formation of arachidonyl-PC during the early stage of neutrophil-PAF interaction was not originated from the added PAF. No measurable changes in the mass of each phospholipid were detected in neutrophils challenged by PAF from 15 sec to 2 min. The data suggest that the increased incorporated of extracellular fatty acids into PI and PC elicited by PAF may be secondary to increased deacylation of these phospholipids, and the magnitude of stimulation reflects the specificity of acyltransferase catalyzing the acylation of lysoPI and lysoPC by fatty acyl-CoA.
An investigation of the energy levels in alkaline earth hydroxides by inelastic scattering of slow neutrons

The Brookhaven slow chopper was used to study the differential inelastic cross section for 5-Mev incident neutrons scattered at 90 deg from polycrystalline samples of Mg(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2. In the energy interval covered (3-163 mev) corresponding to wave numbers of 25 to 1300 cm-1, four distinct peaks were observed in both compounds at 293 deg K. They occur at 633 +- 30 cm-1(A) 377 +- 8 cm-1 (B), 281 +- 9 cm-1 (C), 136 +- 10 cm-1 (D), respectively, in Mg(OH)2 and at 540 +- 30 cm-1 (A), 316 +- 7 cm-1 (B), 247 +- 15 cm-1 (C), and 83 +- 7 cm-1 (D) in Ca(OH)2. A spectrum taken at 103 deg K for Mg(OH)2 shows that peaks A, B, and C appear unshifted in energy while D increases in intensity relative to A, B, and C and appears at 120 +- 7 cm-1. The intensities of the individual peaks in Mg(OH)2 are observed to vary with temperature in accordance with the temperature dependence of one-phonon differential scattering cross section, if THETA Debye >> T is assumed. The low-energy peaks D in both Mg(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2 are too broad to be due to a single transition and have shapes characteristicmore » of an acoustic branch of normal mode. It is shown that the observed spectrum cannot be explained by a highly localized rotational motion of the OH- ions, as suggested by Hexter and some of the transitions observed are in qualitative agreement with an interpretation in terms of low-frequency lattice modes of the crystal. (auth)« less
The middle-income trap : some Asian experiences and lessons

What explains why only a handful of countries which have attained middle-income level have subsequently been successful in attaining income convergence with high-income countries, while most of their peers falter? The problem most face has been labelled as the "Middle-Income Trap." How, precisely, does the trap impact once-promising economies, and can China, the world's second largest economy, escape the trap? Are there examples China can emulated? The following pages elucidate these issues. The “middle-income trap” is an economic twilight zone in which economies that have already moved out of poverty and low income by attaining middle-income status (per the World Bank designation, the ''middle income", refers to when a country achieves per capita gross national income of between US $1,000 and $12,000), cannot seem to jump to the next affluent “high-income” stage. An economy is deemed to be “trapped” when its growth momentum slows down and it becomes perpetually stuck in the middle-income range.1 The trap is triggered simultaneously from two sides. On one side, rising wages, together with weak or stagnant productivity, render the middleincome economy uncompetitive with low-income and low-wage economies, especially in low-skill and laborintensive assembly-based production. On the other side, the weak human capital base (at least compared to advanced economies) and limited productivity and innovation capability make them unable to compete with the advanced high-income and high-wage economies, especially in technology-intensive goods and services.
A comparative study of National ISDN versus International ISDN installations and tariffs

Studies the growth of ISDN in the United States before and after the National ISDN-1 standard was introduced. The authors compare this growth with its growth in Europe and Asia. They look at some future applications of this technology and also the tariffs by the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) and AT&T. >