cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The future of protein crystal growth

Abstract Crystallographic studies of biological macromolecules have proved of great value in establishing the structural foundations of biochemistry and molecular biology, and for revealing structure/function relationships that are of importance in our understanding of how enzymes, nucleic acids, and other macromolecules operate in biological systems. There have been major advances in the technology involved in determining protein crystal structures, once suitable crystals are available. The major bottleneck in the widespread application of protein crystallography is the difficulty in obtaining large, high-quality crystals of biological macromolecules for structural analysis. Most macromolecules are difficult to crystallize, and many otherwise exciting and promising projects have terminated at the crystal growth stage. Even when large crystals are obtained, the crystals of essentially all biological macromolecules diffract poorly due to internal disorder in these crystals. Despite the need to better understand protein crystal growth, this field has received only limited attention in the past. Since protein crystals are stabilized by rather weak interactions, they are extremely sensitive to subtle variations in solution conditions; consequently, protein crystal growth presents particularly challenging problems. However, considering the great importance of protein crystal growth, it is likely that this field will develop rapidly during the next few years.
Secretion of a large molecular-weight form of insulin-like growth factor by a primary renal tumor.

A 5-year-old boy with an abdominal mass was found to have a primary renal tumor of poorly identifiable histology. Prior to resection of the tumor, the patient exhibited several episodes of biochemical hypoglycemia. The hypoglycemia did not recur after operation. Analysis of tumor tissue and of pre- and post-operative sera by column chromatography showed elevated insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) levels in the tumor; an abnormal large-molecular weight precursor form of IGF-II (pro-IGF-II) comprised 53% of total IGF-II in the tumor and 42% in preoperative serum. No pro-IGF-II was found in the serum 6 weeks post-operatively. Abnormal IGF-II secreted by the tumor may have mediated the hypoglycemia seen prior to tumor resection. This pediatric renal tumor is the first to our knowledge for which an association of non-islet cell tumor-related hypoglycemia and elevated tumor IGF-II content has been described. © 1995 Wi1ey-Liss, Inc.
Recruitment in a Colorado population of big brown bats: breeding probabilities, litter size, and first-year survival

We used mark–recapture estimation techniques and radiography to test hypotheses about 3 important aspects of recruitment in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Fort Collins, Colorado: adult breeding probabilities, litter size, and 1st-year survival of young. We marked 2,968 females with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags at multiple sites during 2001–2005 and based our assessments on direct recaptures (breeding probabilities) and passive detection with automated PIT tag readers (1st-year survival). We interpreted our data in relation to hypotheses regarding demographic influences of bat age, roost, and effects of years with unusual environmental conditions: extreme drought (2002) and arrival of a West Nile virus epizootic (2003). Conditional breeding probabilities at 6 roosts sampled in 2002–2005 were estimated as 0.64 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5 0.53–0.73) in 1-year-old females, but were consistently high (95% CI 5 0.94–0.96) and did not vary by roost, year, or prior year breeding status in older adults. Mean litter size was 1.11 (95% CI 5 1.05–1.17), based on examination of 112 pregnant females by radiography. Litter size was not higher in older or larger females and was similar to results of other studies in western North America despite wide variation in latitude. First-year survival was estimated as 0.67 (95% CI 5 0.61–0.73) for weaned females at 5 maternity roosts over 5 consecutive years, was lower than adult survival (0.79; 95% CI 5 0.77–0.81), and varied by roost. Based on model selection criteria, strong evidence exists for complex roost and year effects on 1st-year survival. Firstyear survival was lowest in bats born during the drought year. Juvenile females that did not return to roosts as 1year-olds had lower body condition indices in late summer of their natal year than those known to survive. DOI: 10.1644/08-MAMM-A-295.1.
Belief Systems in Faith-Based Human Service Programs

Abstract Using a grounded theory design and methods, 65 key informants in 15 faith-based organizations having promising programs in four urban areas were interviewed. Respondents were asked what makes their direct service programs faith-based. A story emerges, motivated by mission-driven visions tied to forces beyond local programs and steeped in deep traditions. A major implication of the findings is that in teaching people about the various practices of diverse religious groups, we are only giving them the visible elements. While the expressed values of acts and faith are integral in the faith-based discussion, they do not tell the full story. The deep drivers of human behavior and practice are found in the specific beliefs and interpretations of individuals who are involved either as leaders or participants in faith-based organizations. For many of these individuals in faith-based organizations, mission and accountability to God trumps secular or professional expectations.
The Determination of S/N in an FT-IR Experiment and the Optimization of a Broad-Band HgCdTe Detector

One of the principal characteristics used to assess the performance of an infrared spectrometer is the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). For optical null or ratio recording instruments, this amounts to measuring the noise on the 100% transmission line in a spectral region free of interferences. This method has been the common guideline used by the commercial suppliers of Fourier transform spectrometers in setting S/N specifications for systems to be delivered. However, Fourier transform spectroscopy, as it is usually practiced today, is a single-beam technique which has enjoyed rapid growth due in part to the inherent scanning accuracy and hence the ability to coadd interferograms or spectra to achieve increased S/N. There are a host of other advantages credited to interferometry because of the multiplexed nature of the method which are demonstrated in terms of S/N improvement.
Crack stability of an adhesive layer

Abstract The stability of crack which is present in an adhesive layer is investigated. The adhesive layer bonds an elastic plate to a rigid base. A Wieghardt base is assumed as the model for the adhesive layer. The crack is loaded by internal pressure. An energy criterion and a critical load intensity criterion are used. Explicit results are given for a relatively rigid plate and for a relatively flexible plate and a comparison of the two criteria is discussed.
Over-expression of human endosulfatase-1 exacerbates cadmium-induced injury to transformed human lung cells in vitro

Environmental exposure to cadmium is known to cause damage to alveolar epithelial cells of the lung, impair their capacity to repair, and result in permanent structural alterations. Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) can modulate cell responses to injury through their interactions with soluble effector molecules. These interactions are often sulfate specific, and the removal of sulfate groups from HS side chains could be expected to influence cellular injury, such as that caused by exposure to cadmium. The goal of this study was to define the role 6-O-sulfate plays in cellular responses to cadmium exposure in two pulmonary epithelial cancer cell lines (H292 and A549) and in normal human primary alveolar type II (hAT2) cells. Sulfate levels were modified by transduced transient over-expression of 6-O-endosulfatase (HSulf-1), a membrane-bound enzyme which specifically removes 6-O-sulfate groups from HSPG side chains. Results showed that cadmium decreased cell viability and activated apoptosis pathways at low concentrations in hAT2 cells but not in the cancer cells. HSulf-1 over-expression, on the contrary, decreased cell viability and activated apoptosis pathways in H292 and A549 cells but not in hAT2 cells. When combined with cadmium, HSulf-1 over-expression further decreased cell viability and exacerbated the activation of apoptosis pathways in the transformed cells but did not add to the toxicity in hAT2 cells. The finding that HSulf-1 sensitizes these cancer cells and intensifies the injury induced by cadmium suggests that 6-O-sulfate groups on HSPGs may play important roles in protection against certain environmental toxicants, such as heavy metals.
Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) is associated with reduced graft survival of deceased donor kidney transplants

Single-center studies have reported equivalent outcomes of kidney allografts recovered with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) or University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. However, these studies were likely underpowered and often unadjusted, and multicenter studies have suggested HTK preservation might increase delayed graft function (DGF) and reduce graft survival of renal allografts. To further inform clinical practice, we analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database of deceased donor kidney transplants performed from July 2004 to February 2008 to determine if HTK (n = 5728) versus UW (n = 15 898) preservation impacted DGF or death-censored graft survival. On adjusted analyses, HTK preservation had no effect on DGF (odds ratio [OR] 0.99, p = 0.7) but was associated with an increased risk of death-censored graft loss (hazard ratio [HR] 1.20, p = 0.008). The detrimental effect of HTK was a relatively late one, with a strong association between HTK and subsequent graft loss in those surviving beyond 12 months (HR 1.43, p = 0.007). Interestingly, a much stronger effect was seen in African-American recipients (HR 1.55, p = 0.024) than in Caucasian recipients (HR 1.18, p = 0.5). Given recent studies that also demonstrate that HTK preservation reduces liver and pancreas allograft survival, we suggest that the use of HTK for abdominal organ recovery should be reconsidered.
Numerical simulation of sloshing flows with impact load

Abstract In the present paper, the sloshing flows in the two- and three-dimensional liquid containers are simulated based on a finite difference method. The Navier–Stokes equation with free boundary is solved using the SOLA scheme, and the free surface profile is assumed to be a single-valued function. The global fluid motion is of interest and some local nonlinear phenomena are not considered. The computation has been carried out for three tanks with and without internal members. A concept of buffer zone is adopted near the tank ceiling, where a mixed boundary condition of rigid wall and free surface is imposed before an impact. In order to mitigate a series of discrete impacts, the computed signal is averaged over several time steps. The computational results are compared with experimental data and other computational results for the validation of the numerical scheme and computer program. The results showed a favorable agreement of impact pressure as well as the global fluid motion.
Modeling Formation Damage by Asphaltene Deposition During Primary Oil Recovery

Asphaltene precipitation and deposition during primary oil recovery and resulting reservoir formation damage are described by a phenomenological mathematical model. This model is applied using experimental data from laboratory core flow tests. The effect of asphaltene deposition on porosity, permeability, and the productivity of vertical wells in asphaltenic-oil reservoirs are investigated by simulation.
Guidelines for Foreign Language Lesson Planning.

: In 1982, Knop provided beginning teaching assistants with a “recipe” for planning foreign language lessons; James revisited this effort in 1992. In this article, lesson planning is examined again in light of recent years' research and discussion of foreign language learning and teaching. The background discussion aims to give beginning teachers a sense of the recent history of the teaching of foreign languages in North America and the theoretical foundation of the communicative approach to foreign language teaching. The article also provides practical guidelines for the design of daily lesson plans that integrate culturally contextualized accuracy and fluency activities (for a broad range of skills and in a range of modes) with strategy-based instruction for the communicative curriculum.
Physiological properties of developing frog tadpole nerve-muscle junctions during repetitive stimulation.

Abstract Physiological properties of developing neuromuscular junctions were studied in Rana catesbeiana tadpoles at different developmental stages. Developing neurons formed functional synaptic connections with a section of tail muscle implanted in place of the hind limb bud. Low frequency repetitive stimulation at these developing junctions causes a progressive reduction in the Epp amplitude. This reduction is due to a decrease in the quantal content, is reversible, and is more apparent at the most immature developmental stages, becoming less noticeable with further development. These junctions are capable of facilitation at each developmental stage studied when the quantal content is reduced by magnesium. At normal calcium and magnesium concentrations there is little or no facilitation, and often depression of the second Epp occurs.
Functional mechanisms of neurotransmitter transporters regulated by lipid-protein interactions of their terminal loops.

Abstract The physiological functions of neurotransmitter:sodium symporters (NSS) in reuptake of neurotransmitters from the synapse into the presynaptic nerve have been shown to be complemented by their involvement, together with non-plasma membrane neurotransmitter transporters, in the reverse transport of substrate (efflux) in response to psychostimulants. Recent experimental evidence implicates highly anionic phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP 2 ) lipids in such functions of the serotonin (SERT) and dopamine (DAT) transporters. Thus, for both SERT and DAT, neurotransmitter efflux has been shown to be strongly regulated by the presence of PIP 2 lipids in the plasma membrane, and the electrostatic interaction of the N-terminal region of DAT with the negatively charged PIP 2 lipids. We examine the experimentally established phenotypes in a structural context obtained from computational modeling based on recent crystallographic data. The results are shown to set the stage for a mechanistic understanding of physiological actions of neurotransmitter transporters in the NSS family of membrane proteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Lipid–protein interactions.
Pregnane steroid alphaxalone attenuates anxiogenic behavioral effects of corticotropin releasing factor and stress

The 3 alpha-hydroxy A-ring-reduced steroid alphaxalone was examined for its ability to block stress-induced behavioral effects. Alphaxalone (3 and 6 mg/kg, IP) significantly antagonized the response-suppressing effects of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) (0.5 micrograms, ICV) on punished responding in a conflict paradigm. In the plus maze, alphaxalone (3 and 6 mg/kg, IP) blocked the anxiogenic behavioral effects produced by a prior ambient-temperature swim stress. These doses of alphaxalone produced no intrinsic effects on plasma ACTH levels, nor did they attenuate CRF-induced increases in plasma ACTH. These findings support the hypothesis that some pregnane steroids may be involved in the modulation of an animal's behavioral response to stress and suggest that these effects may occur independently of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.
Production and properties of mouse trisomy 15↔diploid chimeras

Mouse trisomy 15 ⟷ 2n aggregation chimeras have been produced and analyzed at 19 days of gestation. We have found that these chimeras are viable and in most instances normal in external appearance, unlike trisomy (Ts)-15 embryos which are severely growthretarded and die midway through gestation. Trisomic cells were found in all tissues of fetal chimeras, with proportions not significantly different from those of the controls in kidney, heart, liver, and brain, but significantly reduced in thymus and spleen. Ts-15 cells do not, therefore, exhibit a proliferative advantage during fetal development of tissues susceptible to Ts-15-related lymphoid malignancies. However, the presence of Ts-15 cells in the placenta may be associated with placental overgrowth. One fetus containing a monosomy 3 cell population was also observed, the first term fetal chimera with monosomic cells that has been detected.
Cp2TiCl-Catalyzed SET Reduction of Aldehydes: A New Initiating Protocol for Living Radical Polymerization

The Cp2TiCl-catalyzed SET reduction of aliphatic, α,β-conjugated, and aromatic aldehydes generates reactive α-titanoxy radicals which add readily to styrene and initiate a radical polymerization. The linear dependence of molecular weight on conversion in conjunction with the relatively narrow molecular weight distributions and linear kinetics support the living character of the process which is mediated by the reversible termination of the growing chains with Cp2TiCl. Investigations of the reaction variables reveal a living polymerization in all cases, but with progressively narrower molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn ∼ 1.2) and larger initiator efficiencies (0.7−0.9) with increasing the Cp2TiCl2/aldehyde, aldehyde/styrene, and Zn/Cp2TiCl2 ratios at 70−90 °C for a wide variety of aldehyde structures. Aldehydes are thus introduced as a new class of initiators for living radical polymerizations and may also provide novel avenues for the synthesis of block and graft copolymers.
Invasive breast cancer risk in women with sclerosing adenosis

To assess sclerosing adenosis (SA) as an independent risk factor for subsequent invasive breast cancer (IBC), the authors reviewed 10,366 benign breast biopsy specimens (BB) obtained between 1950 and 1968 and identified 547 cases of SA meeting strict histologic criteria of expanded lobular units with whorled compressed acini. Of those women targeted for follow-up (3303, of whom 349 had SA), 84% were successfully followed for an average of 17 years. The relative risk for IBC among patients with SA regardless of the presence of atypical hyperplasia (AH) was 2.1. This risk decreased to 1.7 when patients with AH were excluded, and rose to 6.7 when only those patients with SA and AH were analyzed. The coexistence of a family history of IBC in a first-degree relative did not further elevate risk above that of SA alone when women with AH were excluded. Sclerosing adenosis was found to be positively associated with atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) as ALH was present in biopsy specimens with SA 2.7 times more frequently than in other biopsy specimens. Perimenopausal age, histologic calcification, and family history of IBC (FH) were also positively associated with SA. Sclerosing adenosis was most frequent in the perimenopausal period and had a weak association with family history of IBC. No association with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) was identified. The authors conclude sclerosing adenosis represents an independent risk factor for subsequent invasive breast cancer apart from its association with ALH, and the risk (excluding patients with coexistent atypical hyperplasia) is in the range of 1.7, times thereby justifying inclusion of sclerosing adenosis as a component of a group of histopathologically defined lesions termed "proliferative breast disease without atypia" which implies a relative cancer risk of 1.5 to 2.0.
Effect of the Hydrocarbon Phase on Interfacial and Thermodynamic Properties of Two Anionic Glycolipid Biosurfactants in Hydrocarbon/Water Systems

The surface active properties of highly purified glycolipid (rhamnolipid biosurfactants) of known structure have been studied in detail and their properties are reported. Interfacial tensions (IFT) against different classes of hydrocarbons have been measured experimentally by interfacial tensiometer measurement. The critical micelle concentration (cmc), maximum interfacial excess concentration (Γmax), and the minimum area per headgroup (Amin) can be calculated from the IFT data. Furthermore, the free energy upon adsorption on the interface (ΔGad) and the free energy of surfactant to form micelle (ΔGmic) can be derived from Γmax, Amin, and the cmc. The effectiveness and the distinct properties of micelles formed in the presence of linear, branched, and nomoaromatic solutes was evidenced by lower interfacial tensions against the linear alkanes (Γmin) and a smaller area per headgroup (Amin). Traditional explanations for this micellization behavior focus on more effective intercalation oflinear alkanes into t...
Effect of pH on Charcoal Adsorption of Lidocaine, Methadone, Pilocarpine, and Procaine

The charcoal adsorption from aqueous solution of four weak bases (lidocaine, methadone, pilocarpine, and procaine) was studied at a variety of pH values representing large differences in percent ionization. The measure of charcoal adsorption used was percent of the ligand adsorbed (constant starting ligand concentrations of 3 × 10−4 M) by a variety of quantities of charcoal ranging from 3 to 30 mg per 10 mL of mixture. In addition, moles of ligand adsorbed/gram of charcoal values were calculated. The data indicated that for a given ligand, charcoal adsorption was statistically the same (p = 0.05) at all pH values. It is concluded that the generalization for weak bases that charcoal adsorption increases with increasing pH may not be universally valid.
Network model for evaluating the performance of reciprocal channel-based key establishment with coupled antennas

Prior work on multi-antenna wireless communication has produced practical yet rigorous signal models that can account for the impact of antenna array mutual coupling and sophisticated circuit noise contributions. However, these models have not yet been extended to the case of systems that generate secret encryption keys based on the reciprocal electromagnetic propagation of multipath channels. This work performs this extension, building upon previously developed network models and augmenting them to accommodate considerations unique to the key establishment protocol. Simulation results demonstrate the impact on the achievable performance of mutual coupling and of the impedance matching network that interfaces the coupled array to the accompanying circuitry.
Decreased levels of plasma vitamin C and increased concentrations of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers after stroke

Background and Purpose— Inflammatory response is a critical component of the complex pathophysiological response to stroke. Vitamin C has been shown to have important roles in cell performance and vascular function. In this study, we compared the nutritional status and levels of inflammatory markers between stroke cases and controls and assessed which antioxidant was associated with levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress among cases and controls. Methods— We evaluated the nutritional status and measured plasma levels of vitamins C and E, uric acid, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), prostaglandins PGE2 and PGI2, and 8-isoprostanes (8-epiPGF2α) for 15 patients with ischemic stroke within 2 to 5 days after stroke onset and for 24 control subjects. Results— Stroke patients had significantly lower plasma levels of vitamin C than did ...
Chlorinated dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran emissions from waste combustion plants in the UK

The UK Department of Trade and Industry funded extensive studies into the emissions from a variety of small scale waste combustion plants. In this paper we analyse the data on polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) emissions from these studies. We conclude that simple correlations of PCDD/F emissions against parameters such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, feedstock composition, combustion or boiler exit temperature do not provide any guide to the emission of PCDD/F. The complex interaction between the varying fuel properties and the design features of combustion equipment mean that a greater understanding of the fundamental mechanisms is required to ensure effective control of PCDD/F at a reasonable cost.
Culture of In Vitro-Produced Bovine Embryos with Vitamin E Improves Development In Vitro and After Transfer to Recipients

Detrimental effects of oxygen-derived free radicals on embryos during culture have been demonstrated in several species. Vitamin E occurs naturally in cell membranes and protects cells from oxidative stress. Under some conditions, vitamin C acts synergistically to enhance the antioxidant effects of vitamin E, a benefit that may be further enhanced by EDTA. The present experiments concerned culture of bovine embryos derived from in vitro-matured, fertilized oocytes with vitamin E, vitamin C, and EDTA in a chemically defined culture medium + 0.2% BSA at 5% O(2), 5% CO(2), and 90% N(2). In the first experiment, more zygotes developed to expanded blastocysts (17%, n = 224, P < 0.05) when culture medium contained 100 microM vitamin E than in control medium (11%, n = 234). Development to early, expanded, and hatched blastocysts was lower with vitamins E and C combined than with vitamin E alone (15%, 9%, and 2% vs. 24%, 17%, and 5%, respectively; P < 0.05), as was the mean number of cells per blastocyst (56 vs. 84, P < 0.05). Addition of EDTA (3 microM) failed to improve development over that in culture with vitamin E + vitamin C. In experiment 2, in vitro-produced embryos cultured 5.5 days in medium with or without 100 microM vitamin E were transferred nonsurgically to recipient cows and heifers and then collected nonsurgically 7 days later. Embryos cultured with vitamin E (n = 37) were approximately 63% larger in surface area than controls (1.16 mm(2) vs. 0.71 mm(2) surface area; n = 27, P < 0.04).
Fresh versus Field-Cured Grass Quality, Mineral, and Nitrate Concentration at Different Nitrogen Rates

Determining the extent of change in fresh versus field-cured grass hay quality, mineral, and NO 3 -N concentrations under rain-free conditions provides valuable information to hay producers. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of fresh vs. field-cured forage on crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrients (TDN), P, K, Ca, and NO -3 -N concentrations of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.), and to determine if interactions with N rate exist. At the low N rate in 1999 and 2000, orchardgrass CP in fresh and field-cured forage, NDF, and TDN concentrations were different. Orchardgrass P and K concentrations were lower in field-cured compared with fresh forage, but differences were inconsistent across N rates. In contrast, smooth bromegrass K (23 vs. 27 g kg -1 ) and Ca (4.3 vs. 6.2 g kg -1 ) concentrations were greater in field-cured compared with fresh forage in 1999 across N rates. Tissue NO -3 -N concentration was greater in field-cured orchardgrass at all N rates and at the low N rate in smooth bromegrass in 1999. Interactions between N rate and fresh vs. field-cured smooth bromegrass were detected for all variables in 1999 and orchardgrass K concentration in 2000. These results demonstrate that changes in grass quality, mineral, and tissue NO -3 -N concentrations occur under rain-free field curing conditions. Consequently, forage sdentists conducting research on grass hay quality indices and mineral content should sample subsequent to field-curing to provide accurate results.
The emergence of complexity: lessons from DNA.

How did life emerge from a soup of chemicals? How do patterns such as schools of fish form from individuals? How do voting patterns emerge? Such a diverse array of problems seems completely unrelated. However, they all involve “emergence of complexity.” When individuals come together, they form patterns, structures, and organizations that cannot be discerned from the individuals alone. The study of the emergence of complexity is one of the most active and important areas of research. It is important not only for understanding nature, but also for technological applications, including the fabrication of large-scale integrated nanocircuits using a bottom-up approach, and the preparation of multifunctional “smart” nanomaterials.
PORSCHA: a novel homogeneous assay for detection of DNA/RNA

A novel assay, Pi Overlapping Ring Systems Contained in a Homogeneous Assay (PORSCHA), has been developed which relies upon the change in fluorescent spectral properties that pyrene and its derivatives show as a function of their proximity. When two pyrene rings are sufficiently close such that their pi-systems can overlap during the excited lifetime, an excimer emission centered at 480 nm is observed. When the pi-systems are too far apart for overlap, only monomer emission is observed at 378 nm and 396 nm. Only Angstrom changes in distances are necessary to switch from excimer to monomer emission. Due to its many degrees of freedom, single-stranded DNA adopts a random-coil conformation in solution. When labeled with two pyrene fluorophores and upon binding to its complimentary strand, the excimer intensity changes because the pyrenes may be either closer together or farther apart, corresponding to the reduced degrees of freedom of the double helix. Because the probe does not disturb the system and no separation steps are necessary before detecting the DNA binding, completely reversible, in situ, detection of DNA is possible.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Differential effects of cadmium on cytosolic and mitochondrial glutathione levels in the rat heart.

Abstract In rats fed a low-selenium diet, cytosolic GSH levels in the heart were significantly elevated when compared to rats fed a selenium-supplemented diet. Similar results were obtained in cardiac cytosol from rats treated with either parenteral or dietary Cd. Mitochondrial GSH was not affected by cadmium in selenium-deficient rats, However, significant elevations of mitochondrial GSH were seen in cadmium-treated rats fed either 0.1 or 0.5 ppm selenium. The alterations in cytosolic GSH levels correlate with reductions in GSH-Px activity reported earlier [(1987) Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 87, in press]. However, levels of mitochondrial GSH did not correlate with GSH-Px activity.
On imposing dynamic contact-angle boundary conditions for wall-bounded liquid–gas flows

We present an efficient scheme within the phase field framework for imposing dynamic contact angle boundary conditions for wall-bounded flows of two immiscible incompressible fluids with large density ratios. First, we develop an algorithm for imposing the dynamic contact angle boundary conditions to the Cahn–Hilliard equation. Our algorithm consists of two components: (i) we ignore the boundary conditions and transform the Cahn–Hilliard equation into two nominally de-coupled Helmholtz type equations; (ii) we treat the dynamic contact angle boundary conditions in such a manner that the two Helmholtz-type equations are truly de-coupled. Then, we combine this algorithm, together with a scheme for variable-density Navier–Stokes equations we developed recently, to form an efficient method for the coupled system of Navier–Stokes and Cahn–Hilliard equations for contact line problems involving large density ratios. The overall method can deal with moving contact lines under dynamic and also static contact angle boundary conditions. It is endowed with several attractive features that make the method very efficient. In particular, computations for all flow variables are completely decoupled. The resultant linear algebraic systems after discretization for all flow variables involve only constant and time-independent coefficient matrices, which can be pre-computed during pre-processing, even though the coupled Navier–Stokes/Cahn–Hilliard system involves variable density and variable viscosity. Ample numerical simulations of wall-bounded air/water two-phase flows have been presented to demonstrate the capability of the method for dealing with contact line problems under dynamic and static contact-angle conditions involving large density ratios.
Ignition of premixed hydrogen/air by heated counterflow

The inert temperature required to ignite a lean premixed hydrogen/air mixture in a counterflow was determined experimentally and numerically using detailed chemistry and transport. It was found that above O=0.2, the ignition temperatures increased with increasing equivalence ratio. This effect is due to the fact that the ignition kernel is located on the hot, inert side of the flow and preferential diffusion of hydrogen makes the flow self-stratifying. resulting in a rich mixture in the ignition kernel even for a very lean freestream mixture. The dearth of O 2 in the kernel reduces the reaction rates to the point where diffusive loss becomes significant relative to the rates of kinetic production and consumption. In the presence of this significant transport loss mechanism, premixed ignition temperatures are much higher than non-premixed ignition temperatures and the influence of the strain rate is likewise increased. Adding a few perecent of O 2 to the hot inert side of the flow lowers the kernel equivalence ratio and increases the reaction rates to the point where diffusive effects are no longer of the same order as kinetic effects. In these cases, the ignition temperatures drop significantly to values close to those of non-premixed ignition even though the free-stream flow is still predominantly premixed.
Internationalizing counselling: A Southeast Asian perspective

To learn about our Southeast Asian colleagues’ views on internationalizing counselling psychology to Asian cultures, we interviewed eight counselling psychologists who had received their doctoral training in the United States. Four of the participants were currently practicing and teaching in their native countries and four in the United States. Using the basic principles of Grounded Theory [Glaser, B., & Strauss, A. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory. Chicago, IL: Aldine.], we derived two themes from the data: (1) major assumptions in US counselling psychology that may limit its transferability to Southeast Asian cultures and (2) practices in learning, training, and cultural adjusting for future development and internationalization of counselling psychology. The participants emphasized the need for indigenization and knowledge sharing in the efforts to internationalize counselling psychology.
Troughs on asteroid Vesta are evidence of tectonics

Images from the Dawn spacecraft, which approached the asteroid Vesta in July 2011, show large-scale linear troughs on the asteroid's surface. To find out more about how these structures may have formed, Buczkowski et al. analyzed their sizes and shapes. The orientation of the structures around impact craters on Vesta implies that their formation is related to impact events. The authors note that other asteroids display fractures or grooves around impact craters. However, the size and morphology of the structures on Vesta are more similar to those of faults on terrestrial planets. The authors suggest that Vesta's large faults were able to form because Vesta, unlike many other asteroids, is differentiated—it has a layered structure consisting of a crust, mantle, and core with inherent different rock types, densities, and strengths. Smaller grooves and fractures, but not large faults, would form on undifferentiated asteroids. Their analysis also indicates that the features are not necessarily a single long fault but rather at least two large linking faults. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2012GL052959, 2012) —EB
Using an in‐vacuum CCD detector for simultaneous small‐ and wide‐angle scattering at beamline X9

The implementation of simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering at beamline X9 of the National Synchrotron Light Source is described. By utilizing an in-vacuum CCD detector with a truncated cone-shaped head and positioned at ∼20° off-axis from the direct beam, the overlap of the scattering angle coverage between the wide-angle detector and the conventional small-angle detector is maximized. The combined q-range for measurements in transmission geometry is typically 0.006–2.0 A−1 at 13.5 keV, with overlapping data within the range ∼0.1–0.2 A−1. Simultaneous data collection can also be performed in grazing-incident measurements of flat substrate-supported samples, in which case the wide-angle detector can collect the scattering data along the sample normal as well as parallel to the sample surface without blocking the direct beam. Data processing and correction procedures will be discussed and examples presented.
Symposium on Skin Bacteria and Their Role in Infection

The Division of Dermatology in cooperation with Continuing Education in Medicine and the Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco Medical Center, will sponsor a Symposium on Skin Bacteria and Their Role in Infection to be presented at the Medical Center February 18-20, 1965.
Water for Agriculture: Global Change and Geographic Perspectives on Research Challenges for the Future

In writing about the future of humanity on Earth, E. O. Wilson (2002) used the metaphor of a “bottleneck” to characterize the current and forthcoming period of tremendous human demand on planetary resources. The combination of continuing growth in global population, the associated demand for food and fiber, and a relatively fixed water resource base results in a number of grand challenges that will be part of the hydro-social research landscape for the next 20 years (Graedel et al. 2001, Myers et al. 2007, Robertson and Swinton 2005). Complexity of these coupled human-environment problems (Liu et al. 2007) and uncertainty in human understanding and responses to our transition into and through the bottleneck provide many opportunities for scholars to contribute relevant information on our adapting journey toward planetary sustainability (Frieman et al. 1999). Research questions from earth system science, human-environment, and spatial perspectives that address uncertainties regarding future water availability, water quality, and how we will make use of water resources, are needed to help the world community find a way to support our growing planetary population. In the 2001 Envisioning report, the Water Science and Technology Board of the National Academies of Sciences identified 43 research issues (Table 1) among the three broad categories of water availability, water use, and water institutions, with some issues specific to the agricultural enterprise (Vaux, Jr. et al. 2001). A subsequent National Academies of Sciences assessment, discussing the role of research in addressing national water problems, indicated that research designs “should explicitly reflect the four themes of interdisciplinarity, broad systems context, uncertainty, and adaptation” (Vaux, Jr. et al. 2004: 6). Recognizing that humans are greatly modifying the global water system the Global Environmental Change Programmes established an international effort that 1) informs policy but is driven by science, 2) is global in scope, 3) is interdisciplinary and integrative, and 4) addresses multiple time scales (Vorosmarty et al. 2004). The three framing questions regarding the global water system address the relative size of both anthropogenic and environmental changes, linkages and feedbacks that materialize due to changes in the global water system, and resilience and adaptability of management strategies. An ecosystem services approach to address fresh water resource issues provided a perspective for suggesting twelve priorities for updating water policies for the 21st Century (Postel 2005). In addition, Wilbanks and Kates (1998) have indicated that investigation of the local expressions of global change is a key contribution that geographers can make. This paper provides an articulation of research priorities that address water and agriculture for the next two decades, based primarily on a perspective that is informed by aspects of human dimensions of global change and geographic thought.
Deep NLD plasma etching of Fused Silica and Borosilicate Glass

In this paper, we report development of deep plasma etching process for Fused Silica (FS) and Borosilicate Glass (BSG) using magnetic Neutral Loop Discharge (NLD) plasma, achieving a depth of 100 μm, a high aspect ratio of 8:1, nearly vertical walls, and etch rate as high as 0.75 μm/min. The plasma conditions, such as gas flow, power, pressure, and masking materials were experimentally analyzed and optimized for improved aspect ratio, selectivity, sidewall angle, etch rate, and etch quality. The design of experiment with etching parameters and variation in masking materials provides a systematic approach to the fabrication of sensors, resonators and microsystems using FS and BSG.
Effects of aminocycloalkanesulfonic acid analogs of taurine on ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake and protein phosphorylation.

A cyclopentane analog of taurine [(+/-)cis-2-aminocyclopentanesulfonic acid] (CAPS) was synthesized, and its effects on ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake and protein phosphorylation in rat retina were investigated along with other cyclic analogs of taurine, (+/-)trans-2-Aminocyclopentanesulfonic acid (TAPS) is the most potent aminocycloalkanesulfonic acid inhibitor of ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake in retinal homogenates [S.M. Leibowitz, J.B. Lombardini and P.S. Salva, Biochem. Pharmac. 36, 2109 (1987)], eliciting its effects in the micromolar range (I50 = 39 +/- 5 microM). CAPS was found to be a less potent aminocycloalkanesulfonic acid inhibitor (I50 = 1780 +/- 400 microM) of ATP-dependent calcium ion uptake in retinal homogenates. Taurine inhibited phosphate incorporation into rat retinal proteins, whereas TAPS, TAHS and CAPS stimulated incorporation.
The electroreduction of cis- and trans-thioindigo in N,N-dimethylformamide solutions

Abstract The reduction of the cis - and trans -isomers of thioindigo (TI) at a platinum electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry, controlled potential coulometry, rotating ring—disk electrode voltammetry, and e.s.r. spectroscopy. The trans -isomer produces predominantly the radical anion upon one-electron reduction while the cis radical anion isomerizes to the trans form and dimerizes much more rapidly than trans -TI. Reduction of both forms at the second reduction wave or in the presence of benzoic acid proceeds by a two-electron reaction probably to a protonated dianion species. Both the dimeric dianion and the protonated dianion can be oxidized back to trans -TI.
The Third ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Analysis for Big Spatial Data Dallas, Texas, USA - November 4, 2014

Big data is emerging as an important area of research for data researchers and scientists. This area has also seen significant interest from the industry and federal agencies alike, as evidenced by the recent White House initiative on "Big data research and development". Within the realm of big data, spatial and spatiotemporal data is one of fastest growing types of data With advances in remote sensors, sensor networks, and the proliferation of location sensing devices in daily life activities and common business practices, the generation of disparate, dynamic, and geographically distributed spatiotemporal data has exploded in recent years. In addition, significant progress in ground, air- and space-borne sensor technologies has led to an unprecedented access to earth science data for scientists from different disciplines, interested in studying the complementary nature of different parameters. Today, analyzing this data poses a massive challenge to researchers.
Generation Time and Growth Rate of the Human Intestinal Parasite Blastocystis hominis

Blastocystis hominis, an anaerobic intestinal protozoan parasite of man, has a generation time (GT) in axenic culture of 8.5-19.4 h. depending on the strain tested. Average GT of the eight strains was 11.7 h. Zero growth time cell counts of 5.0 x 10(5)/ml to 2.0 x 10(6)/ml rose in 3-5 days to 1 x 19(7) cells/ml. The GT was determined for the 24-hr period during which the most rapid growth occurred; about 2% of the B. hominis cells were in division during this time. Division under the culture conditions provided was by binary fission, the usual mode for B. hominis in vitro as well as in vivo. Division times were determined also by direct observation of individual dividing cells in slide cultures. These were usually ca. 40-60 min but sometimes as low as 20 min.
Isobaric yield curves at A=72 from the spallation of medium mass isotopes by intermediate energy protons.

Cross sections of radionuclides in the /ital A/approx.72 mass region produced by the interaction 800 MeV protons with /sup 89/Y, /sup 92,96,100/Mo, and /sup 130/Te were measured. Particular emphasis was paid to the measurement of short-lived products far from ..beta.. stability. The cross sections were used to generate isobaric yield curves at /ital A/=72. Precise characterization of these curves showed that the distribution parameters (mean, standard deviation, skewness) vary in a regular fashion with target /ital N///ital Z/. For /sup 89/Y, relative isobaric curves produced by 500 and 800 MeV protons were found to be identical within experimental error. The yield distributions for the /sup 92,96,100/Mo targets also scaled with those from an earlier alpha-induced spallation study. These findings lend strong support to the argument that the spallation mechanism is independent of projectile energy and target composition.
Mumtaz Bibi's broken heart The many lives of the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act

This article investigates the formation of a political consensus between conservative ulama, Muslim reformers, nationalist politicians and women's organisations, which led to the enactment of the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act in 1939. The Act was a radical piece of social legislation that gave South Asian Muslim women greater rights for divorce than those enjoyed by other women in India and Britain. Instead of placing women's rights and Islamic law as opposed to each other, the legislation employed a heuristic that guaranteed women's rights by applying Islamic law, allowing Muslim politicians, ulama and women's groups to find common ground on an Islamic modernity. By interrogating the legislative process and the rhetorical positions employed to achieve this consensus, the paper hopes to map how the women's question was being negotiated anew in the space created in the legislatures. The legislative debate over family law redefined the boundaries of the public and the private, and forced nationalists ...
Examining explanatory biases in young children's biological reasoning.

Despite the well-established literature on explanation in early childhood, little is known about what constrains children's explanations. State change and negative outcomes were examined as potential explanatory biases in the domain of naive biology, extending upon previous work in the domain of naive physics. In two studies, preschool children (N = 70, 3- to 5-year-olds) were informed of the distinct health outcomes of characters in four between-subjects conditions (i.e., becoming ill, recovering from illness, continuous health, and continuous illness) and asked to provide explanations. Whereas children in both studies provided relevant information for health outcomes, they more often explained outcomes that included a salient health state change. Presence of a state change also influenced the interpretation of potentially relevant information and improved memory for health outcomes. We discuss how biases in children's explanations constrain children's reasoning and may exacerbate difficulties with reasoning about important health-related topics such as illness prevention.