cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of WbiQ: an α1,2-Fucosyltransferase from Escherichia coli O127:K63(B8), and Synthesis of H-Type 3 Blood Group Antigen

Escherichia coli O127:K63(B8) possesses high human blood group H (O) activity due to its O-antigen repeating unit structure. In this work, the wbiQ gene from E. coli O127:K63(B8) was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and purified as a fusion protein containing an N-terminal GST affinity tag. Using the GST-WbiQ fusion protein, the wbiQ gene was identified to encode an α1,2-fucosyltransferase using a radioactivity based assay, thin-layer chromatography assay, as well confirming product formation by using mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The fused enzyme (GST-WbiQ) has an optimal pH range from 6.5 to 7.5 and does not require the presence of a divalent metal to be enzymatically active. WbiQ displays strict substrate specificity, displaying activity only towards acceptors that contain Gal-β1,3-GalNAc-α-OR linkages; indicating that both the Gal and GalNAc residues are vital for enzymatic activity. In addition, WbiQ was used to prepare the H-type 3 blood group antigen, Fuc-α1,2-Gal-β1,3-GalNAc-α-OMe, on a milligram scale.
Formation and optical properties of laser-active N2 centers in KCl.

Recent experimental results on the formation and optical properties of the laser-active ${\mathit{N}}_{2}$ center in additively colored pure KCl are reported. The ${\mathit{N}}_{2}$ center in KCl is most efficiently formed through a photoaggregation process in heavily colored crystals exposed to light on the long-wavelength shoulder of the F band. The observed room-temperature stability of the ${\mathit{N}}_{2}$ center indicates that it is an electrically neutral defect. Absorption and emission bands peak at 1.02 and 1.25 \ensuremath{\mu}m, respectively. The ${\mathit{N}}_{2}$-band absorbance grows proportionally with the ${\mathit{R}}_{1}$- and ${\mathit{R}}_{2}$-band absorbances. Polarized ${\mathit{N}}_{2}$-center fluorescence data is consistent with two degenerate orthogonal dipole moments lying on {111} planes of the crystal. Excited-state absorption spectra show higher transitions coincident in wavelength with the ${\mathit{R}}_{1}$ and ${\mathit{R}}_{2}$ absorption bands of the trigonal ${\mathit{F}}_{3}$ color center in KCl. Similar experiments on the ${\mathit{R}}_{1}$ band correlate well with the ${\mathit{N}}_{2}$-center data. Results are consistent with the identification of the laser-active part of the ${\mathit{N}}_{2}$ band as a transition of the trigonal ${\mathit{F}}_{3}$ color center.
The Smad3 linker region contains a transcriptional activation domain

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smads regulate a wide variety of biological responses through transcriptional regulation of target genes. Smad3 plays a key role in TGF-β/Smad-mediated transcriptional responses. Here, we show that the proline-rich linker region of Smad3 contains a transcriptional activation domain. When the linker region is fused to a heterologous DNA-binding domain, it activates transcription. We show that the linker region physically interacts with p300. The adenovirus E1a protein, which binds to p300, inhibits the transcriptional activity of the linker region, and overexpression of p300 can rescue the linker-mediated transcriptional activation. In contrast, an adenovirus E1a mutant, which cannot bind to p300, does not inhibit the linker-mediated transcription. The native Smad3 protein lacking the linker region is unable to mediate TGF-β transcriptional activation responses, although it can be phosphorylated by the TGF-β receptor at the C-terminal tail and has a significantly increased ability to form a heteromeric complex with Smad4. We show further that the linker region and the C-terminal domain of Smad3 synergize for transcriptional activation in the presence of TGF-β. Thus our findings uncover an important function of the Smad3 linker region in Smad-mediated transcriptional control.
Case studies suggest a better approach to analyzing collapse of inclined boreholes

This paper addresses the comparison and selection of failure criteria for in-situ rocks in borehole stability analysis. Five commonly used criteria are compared with field cases for mud weight design. The result of case studies indicates that the Mohr-Coulomb criterion, Inner Drucker-Prager criterion and Middle Drucker-Prager criterion are overly conservative, and that the Outer Drucker-Prager criterion is underestimating for designing wellbore pressure to control borehole collapse. It is concluded that the von Mises criterion is more reliable than other failure criteria and should be used for borehole collapse analysis and mud weight design. Based on triaxial test data, this paper also provides failure diagrams for some reservoir rocks. These diagrams can be used as references for borehole stability analysis when similar rocks are encountered in petroleum drilling.
Adsorption of Geosmin and MIB on Activated Carbon Fibers–Single and Binary Solute System

The adsorption of two taste- and odor-causing compounds, namely MIB (2-methyl isoborneol—C11H20O) and geosmin (C12H22O) on activated carbon was investigated in this study. The impact of adsorbent pore size distribution on adsorption of MIB and geosmin was evaluated through single solute and multicomponent adsorption of these compounds on three types of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) and one granular activated carbon (GAC). The ACFs (ACC-15, ACC-20, and ACC-25) with different degrees of activation had narrow pore size distributions and specific critical pore diameters whereas the GAC (F-400) had a wider pore size distribution and lesser microporosity. The effect of the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) on MIB and geosmin adsorption was also studied for both the single solute and binary systems. The Myers equation was used to evaluate the single solute isotherms as it converges to Henry’s law at low coverage and also serves as an input for predicting multicomponent adsorption. The single solute adsorption isotherms fit the Myers equation well and pore size distribution significantly influenced adsorption on the ACFs and GAC. The ideal adsorbed solute theory (IAST), which is a well-established thermodynamic model for multicomponent adsorption, was used to predict the binary adsorption of MIB and geosmin. The IAST predicted well the binary adsorption on the ACFs and GAC. Binary adsorption isotherms were also conducted in the presence of oxygen (oxic) and absence of oxygen (anoxic). There were no significant differences in the binary isotherm between the oxic and anoxic conditions, indicating that adsorption was purely through physical adsorption and no oligomerization was taking place. Binary adsorptions for the four adsorbents were also conducted in the presence of humic acid to determine the effect of NOM and to compare with IAST predictions. The presence of NOM interestingly resulted in deviation from IAST behavior in case of two adsorbents, ACC-15 and F-400.
Construction of an epitope-tagged calmodulin useful for the analysis of calmodulin-binding proteins: addition of a hemagglutinin epitope does not affect calmodulin-dependent activation of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase.

Abstract An epitope-tagged calmodulin (CaM), capable of interacting with CaM-binding proteins in cellular extracts, would be a valuable tool for identifying proteins in signal transduction pathways involving calcium. A bacterial overexpression vector for epitope-tagged CaM has been constructed by inserting the coding sequence for a nine amino acid portion of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) protein into the initiation site of an overexpression vector for chicken CaM. The HA–CaM fusion produced in bacteria was compared to native CaM for its ability to activate smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), one of the best understood CaM-dependent enzymes. MLCK activity was tested in both a purified system and a CaM-depleted “native actomyosin” preparation maintaining many of the regulatory properties of the intact smooth muscle. HA–CaM behaves identically to unmodified CaM in both systems, indicating that the HA epitope does not adversely affect CaM function. The recombinant HA–CaM was used to sensitively detect CaM interactions with smooth muscle proteins in a modified gel overlay assay, using a monoclonal antibody against the HA epitope as the secondary reagent. Enzymatically active complexes of HA–CaM and MLCK could be immunoprecipitated from actomyosin preparations using the same monoclonal antibody and protein G–Sepharose beads.
Recognizing Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphate

Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate directs the endosomal localization of regulatory proteins by binding to FYVE and PX domains. New structures of these domains complexed with the phosphoinositide headgroup show how interactions with phosphate and hydroxyl groups differentiate this lipid from all others.
Isolation and respiratory measurements on a single large mitochondrion.

Abstract Mitochondria ranging in size from 5–8 μm were produced by feeding Cuprizone to mice weaned at 17 days. A small piece of liver was disrupted and a single large mitochondrion isolated with a suction capillary and a micromanipulator and placed in a microchamber attached to a sensitive oxygen electrode. The mitochondrion showed a respiratory rate of 1.4 × 10−10 μatoms 0/min and a respiratory ratio with and without ADP of 3.7 with succinate. The respiratory ratio is the same as that obtained with normal mitochondria measured in the same apparatus. The respiratory rate of a 7 μm mitochondrion is estimated to be 1.3 × 10−4 μatoms 0/min/cm2 of inner membrane surface area which is very similar to the rate of 0.7 × 10−4 μatoms 0/min/cm2 estimated for a normal mitochondrion.
The TRIPLES database: a community resource for yeast molecular biology

TRIPLES is a web-accessible database of TRansposon-Insertion Phenotypes, Localization and Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae-a relational database housing nearly half a million data points generated from an ongoing study using large-scale transposon mutagenesis to characterize gene function in yeast. At present, TRIPLES contains three principal data sets (i.e. phenotypic data, protein localization data and expression data) for over 3500 annotated yeast genes as well as several hundred non-annotated open reading frames. In addition, the TRIPLES web site provides online order forms linked to each data set so that users may request any strain or reagent generated from this project free of charge. In response to user requests, the TRIPLES web site has undergone several recent modifications. Our localization data have been supplemented with approximately 500 fluorescent micrographs depicting actual staining patterns observed upon indirect immunofluorescence analysis of indicated epitope-tagged proteins. These localization data, as well as all other data sets within TRIPLES, are now available in full as tab-delimited text. To accommodate increased reagent requests, all orders are now cataloged in a separate database, and users are notified immediately of order receipt and shipment. Also, TRIPLES is one of five sites incorporated into the new functional analysis tool Function Junction provided by the Saccharomyces Genome Database. TRIPLES may be accessed from the Yale Genome Analysis Center (YGAC) homepage at http://ygac.med.yale.edu.
(Des-Asp1) Angiotensin I: A Study of its Pressor and Steroidogenic Activities in Conscious Rats

The steroidogenic and pressor activities of the nonapeptide (des-Asp1) angiotensin I [(des-Asp)-AI] were tested in conscious rats. (des-Asp)-AI caused dose related increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum aldosterone, and serum corticosterone in doses between 3 and 3,000 ng/kg/min. (des-Asp)-AI was 14% as potent as angiotensin I and angiotensin II and 60% as potent as (des-Asp1) angiotensin II [des-Asp)-AII] in raising MAP. (des-Asp)-AI was less active than AI, AII, or (des-Asp)-AII in causing increased release of aldosterone, possessing only 8%, 11%, and 17% of the potency of AII, (des-Asp)-AII, and AI, respectively. Each of these angiotensin peptides was equally potent in elevating serum corticosterone levels. Infusions of a nonapeptide inhibitor of converting enzyme (CEI, 0.5 mg/kg/min iv) did not alter control MAP or blood pressure responses to AII or (des-Asp-)-AII but inhibited equally the blood pressure effects of AI and (des-Asp)-AI. CEI also inhibited the ability of (des-Asp)-AI (67% inhibition) and AI (34% inhibition) to increase the serum aldosterone concentration, but had no effect on basal aldosterone levels. These data indicate that (des-Asp)-AI has pressor and steroidogenic effects, but requires conversion to (des-Asp)-AII for a major portion of its activity. These results further substantiate the hypothesis that (des-Asp)-AII, recently recognized as a hormone of the renin-angiotensin system, may be produced without the formation of AII as an intermediate and provide in vivo evidence for the conversion of (des-Asp)-AI to (des-Asp)-AII.
Provability, truth, and modal logic

We are going to discuss certain systems of (propositional) modal logic that are of special interest in connection with the study of the notions of provability in P(eano) A(arithmetic) and truth in the standard model for PA. Some definitions: Bew(x) is the standard provability predicate for PA, rS is the PA numeral for the Godel number of the sentence S of PA, 'i' is a variable over functions from the sentence letters of modal logic to sentences of PA, and for any modal sentence A, the sentence Ai of PA, the translation of A under i, is defined as follows:
SU-GG-T-229: Non-Divergence of Large Fields with Changing Relative Depth and Effects of Wall Proximity in 3D Water Scanning

Purpose:Photon beams are assumed to be divergent within water phantoms (WP) with increasing source to detector distance (SDD). For symmetric fields, the profile tail should be equal on each side. We investigate differences observed in 3‐D WPs with phantom wall proximity and depth. Method and Materials: Profiles of various field sizes were obtained for in‐plane and cross‐plane directions with a 3‐D water tank. Two methods were used, 1) a fixed source to surface distance with detector depth or 2) varied depth and fixed SDD. With a fixed field size, profiles obtained via method 1 were geometrically scaled to 10 cm depth. The resulting field widths were compared. Field widths obtained with method 2 were also compared. Point measurements were made at ±17cm from the center of symmetric fields to assess dose differences from phantom wall proximity. Due to the water tank design, for y‐plane these two points will be either 8 or 22cm from the phantom wall while for the x‐plane they are both 7cm. To study the lack of phantom material in one direction, additional water or solid water was placed adjacent to the 3‐D water tank. Results: Using the two methods, radiation field widths were observed to decrease with depth for fields greater than ∼25×25cm2. For the x‐plane, measured profiles are symmetric. For the y‐plane a relative dose difference of up to 12% was observed outside the penumbra. Adding additional material showed minimum improvement. Conclusion: The radiation field width for large fields was found to be non‐divergent in the WP. Additionally, as the profile approaches the tank wall the relative dose decreases. NCI Contract No.HHSN261200522014C.
Collagen biosynthesis by human skin fibroblasts. III. The effects of ascorbic acid on procollagen production and prolyl hydroxylase activity

Human skin fibroblasts were cultured under conditions optimized for collagen synthesis, and the effects of ascorbic acid on procollagen production, proline hydroxylation and the activity of prolyl hydroxylase were examined in cultures. the results indicated that addition of ascorbic acid to confluent monolayer cultures of adult human skin fibroblasts markedly increased the amount of [3H]hydroxyproline synthesized. Ascorbic acid, however, did not increase the synthesis of 3H-labeled collagenous polypeptides assayed independently of hydroxylation of proline residues, nor did it affect the amount of prolyl hydroxylase detectable by an in vitro enzyme assay. Also long-term cultures of the cells or initiation of fibroblast cultures in the presence of ascorbic acid did not lead to an apparent selection of a cell population which might be abnormally responsive to ascorbic acid. Thus, ascorbic acid appears to have one primary action on the synthesis of procollagen by cultured human skin fibroblasts: it is necessary for synthesis of hydroxyproline, and consequently for proper triple helix formation and secretion of procollagen.
Marx, postmodernism, and self‐management: Reply to Abell

Abstract Peter Abell's review of Marxism and Workers’ Self‐Management misses the mark. Contrary to Abell's assertions, my book neither champions a postmodern case for self‐management, nor does it try to salvage a socialist case for self‐management by focusing on Marx's humanism. Self‐managed firms require markets. It may be interesting to ask if that saves Marx, or if that also requires postmodernity, but these were not the concerns or arguments of the book.
Neuropharmacological studies of phencyclidine (PCP)-induced behavioral stimulation in mice

A variety of drugs were screened to determine which were capable of blocking the behavioral stimulation produced in mice by acute administration of phencyclidine (PCP). Chlorpromazine and clozapine blocked PCP-induced stimulation, while haloperidol, reserpine, and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine did not. The GABA receptor agonists imidazole acetic acid and muscimol blocked PCP, but other drugs that influence GABA, such as dipropylacetic acid, baclofen, and diazepam, were ineffective. Yohimbine and methysergide also blocked PCP in high dosages, but other drugs with comparable alpha-noradrenergic and serotonergic blocking properties (phentolamine, cyproheptadine, and cinnanserin) were ineffective. Cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs, beta-noradrenergic and opiate antagonists, and nonspecific sedatives and convulsants were also ineffective. These finding suggest that chlorpromazine, clozapine, yohimbine, and methysergide may share a property that is unlike their primary known modes of action on dopaminergic, alphanoradrenergic, and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems, and that this property accounts for their ability to block PCP. However, the effectiveness of GABA agonists appears to be mediated through direct activation of GABA receptors. It is suggested that chlorpromazine and imidazole acetic acid should be considered as possible drug treatments for PCP toxicity.
Analysis of Reversible Logic Based Sequential Computing Structures Using Quantum Mechanics Principles

Significant debate exists in the literature with regards to the permissibility of feedback in reversible computing nanotechnologies. Feedback allows for reuse of logical subroutines, which is a desired functionality of any computational device. Determining whether loop back is allowed is paramount to assessing the robustness of reversible logic in any quantum design. In this paper, the fundamental discoveries in entropy and quantum mechanics that serve as the foundations for reversible logic are reviewed. The fundamentals for implementation of reversibility in computing are shown. Then, definitions are presented for a sequential reversible logic structure. A sequential reversible logic structure is proven to have an identical number of feedback-dependent inputs and feedback-producing outputs, and new metrics for measuring the probability of each output state are presented. Using these metrics, the reversibility of each clock cycle of such a device is verified. Therefore, we demonstrate that any reversible logic structure with feedback is physically reversible.
Progressive low-bitrate digital color/monochrome image coding by neuro-fuzzy clustering

Color image coding at low bit rates is an area of research that is just being addressed in recent literature since the problems of storage and transmission of color images are becoming more prominent in many applications. Current trends in image coding exploit the advantage of subband/wavelet decompositions in reducing the complexity in optimal scalar/vector quantizer (SQ/VQ) design. Compression ratios (CRs) of the order of 10:1 to 20:1 with high visual quality have been achieved by using vector quantization of subband decomposed color images in perceptually weighted color spaces. We report the performance of a recently developed adaptive vector quantizer, namely, AFLC-VQ for effective reduction in bit rates while maintaining high visual quality of reconstructed color as well as monochrome images. For 24 bit color images, excellent visual quality is maintained upto a bit rate reduction to approximately 0.48 bpp (for each color plane or monochrome 0.16 bpp, CR 50:1) by using the RGB color space. Further tuning of the AFLC-VQ, and addition of an entropy coder module after the VQ stage results in extremely low bit rates (CR 80:1) for good quality, reconstructed images. Our recent study also reveals that for similar visual quality, RGB color space requires less bits/pixel than either the YIQ, or HIS color space for storing the same information when entropy coding is applied. AFLC-VQ outperforms other standard VQ and adaptive SQ techniques in retaining visual fidelity at similar bit rate reduction.
A statistical analysis of prescreening alarms in a population of normal and abnormal gynecologic specimens

A multidimensional slit-scan flow system has been developed to serve as an automated prescreening instrument for gynecological cytology. Specimens are classified abnormal based on the number of cells having elevated nuclear fluorescence (alarms). An alarm region in a bivariate histogram of nuclear fluorescence versus nuclear-to-cell-diameter ratio is defined. Alarm region probability arrays are calculated to estimate the probability that an alarm falling in a particular bin of the alarm region is either from a normal or an abnormal specimen. From these arrays, a weighted alarm index is generated. In addition, summary indices are derived that measure how the distribution of alarms in each specimen compares with the average distributions for the normal and abnormal specimen populations. These indices together with current features are evaluated with respect to their utility in specimen classification using a nonparametric classification technique known as recursive partitioning. Resulting classification trees are presented that suggest information in the distribution of alarms in the bivariate histogram. In addition, they validate the features and rules currently used for specimen classification. Recursive partitioning appears to be useful for multivariate classification and is seen as a promising technique for other applications.
Extended studies of separability functions and probabilities and the relevance of Dyson indices

Abstract We report substantial progress in the study of separability functions and their application to the computation of separability probabilities for the real, complex and quaternionic qubit–qubit and qubit–qutrit systems. We expand our recent work [P.B. Slater, J. Phys. A 39 (2006) 913], in which the Dyson indices of random matrix theory played an essential role, to include the use of not only the volume element of the Hilbert–Schmidt (HS) metric, but also that of the Bures (minimal monotone) metric as measures over these finite-dimensional quantum systems. Further, we now employ the Euler-angle parameterization of density matrices ( ρ ), in addition to the Bloore parameterization. The Euler-angle separability function for the minimally degenerate complex two-qubit states is well-fitted by the sixth-power of the participation ratio, R ( ρ ) = 1 Tr ρ 2 . Additionally, replacing R ( ρ ) by a simple linear transformation of the Verstraete–Audenaert–De Moor function [F. Verstraete, K. Audenaert, B.D. Moor, Phys. Rev. A 64 (2001) 012316], we find close adherence to Dyson-index behaviour for the real and complex (nondegenerate) two-qubit scenarios. Several of the analyses reported help to fortify our conjectures that the HS and Bures separability probabilities of the complex two-qubit states are 8 33 ≈ 0.242424 and 1680 ( 2 − 1 ) π 8 ≈ 0.733389 , respectively. Employing certain regularized beta functions in the role of Euler-angle separability functions, we closely reproduce–consistently with the Dyson-index ansatz –several HS two-qubit separability probability conjectures.
Return to Havana: The Decline of Cuban Society Under Castro

Written by a former supporter of Fidel Castro, this personal and insightful memoir contrasts firsthand the dream of the Cuban Revolution as it was in the early 1960s with the deprivations, hardships, and loss of hope that haunt Cuban society today. Blacklisted during the "Red Scare" of the 1950s, Professor Maurice Halperin and his wife, Edith, cut their losses and left the United States on an odyssey that would take them to Mexico, Moscow, and eventually, at Che Guevara's personal invitation, to Havana. Arriving virtually on the eve of the Cuban Missile Crisis, they unexpectedly found a country bursting with the patriotic fervor of the Revolution. Fearless of their neighbor to the north, Cubans were feverishly engaged with plans for the future, their country sizzling with the ever-present rhythm of the "cha-cha-cha." For six critical years, Halperin lived and worked in Cuba, as university lecturer and government official, before leaving to take up a teaching post in Canada. In November of 1989, after an absence of more than twenty years, Halperin returned to Havana to visit old friends and to see for himself the long-term effects of Castro's regime. What he found was a changed society. Cubans were constantly frustrated by rationing and by a system that provides often menial jobs for everyone but also ensures poor production and offers little prospect or incentive for advancement. Devastating losses of economic support from the Eastern bloc after the advent of Perestroika were weakening an already shaky system. Hope for a productive socialist Cuba, so apparent in the sixties, had disappeared. Return to Havana is a careful and often poignant analysis of how and why the Cuban Revolutionhas failed. Told from the viewpoint of a seasoned scholar who has warm feelings for Cuba and its people, this first-person account offers new insight into the Revolution's systemic deficiencies: an economy of smoke and mirrors, an improbable foreign policy, and a domestic political
Male genital homology based on musculature originating from the tegumen in snout moths (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea)

The homology and terminology of the sclerotized structures, specifically the uncus and gnathos, formed by the fused segments caudal to the ninth abdominal segment in males of Lepidoptera, specifically in the Pyraloidea, have been confused in the literature. Based on comparative morphology of sclerotized structures and musculature, the uncus, scaphium, gnathos, and subscaphium are defined and described for stabilization in future systematic studies. Muscles IX-X (ex) and IX-X (int) are associated with these sclerotized structures and attached to the tegumen anteriorly. They are present in most of the species examined and are consistently topologically constrained in their origins and insertions; no differences were observed at the familial level. Muscle IX-X (int) is lacking in Pyralinae (Pyralidae) and this condition is hypothesized to be derived independently and an autapomorphy for this subfamily. The unique subteguminal processes of the Schoenobiinae are structures independent of the gnathos contrary to previous thought, and are instead associated with the valvae.
Private versus Public Relief: Use of Food Pantries versus Food Stamps among Poor Households

Abstract The research presented examines the role of Food Stamps versus food pantries in alleviating food shortages among poor households. First, multinomial logit models are used to examine which factors affect four alternate food assistance choices poor households make: (a) to use Food Stamps, (b) to use a food pantry, (c) to use both programs, or (d) to use neither program. Second, the efficacy of food pantries and Food Stamps in alleviating food shortages is investigated by using binomial probit models, which estimate whether using Food Stamps and/or food pantries have an effect on (a) whether the household perceives food shortages and (b) whether a child's physical well-being is being compromised by a lack of food.The research uses data collected by the Food Distribution Research Project, which in 1993 surveyed 405 households below 185% of the poverty level in Allegheny County, PA. The research shows a preference among the nonelderly for the Food Stamp program over food pantries. Conversely, elderly households tend to use the food pantry system over the Food Stamp program.
Synthesis and relative stereochemistry of the benzylic thioether diastereoisomers formed from glutathione and styrene oxide

Abstract The chemical reaction between (±) styrene oxide and glutathione produces both the benzylic and primary thioether positional isomers as a mixture of diastereoisomers ( 2, 5 and 3, 6 ), with a preference for the benzylic thioether isomers (66 : 34). Synthesis of the styrene oxide-glutathione conjugates from either (+)- or (−)- styrene oxide produces both positional isomers as single diastereoisomers. The benzylic thioether isomers ( 2 and 5 ) were prepared from protected 2-bromo-2-phenylethanol ( 8 ) and glutathione and were separated using hplc. The relative stereochemistry of the benzylic thioether isomers was assigned on the basis of the established chemical correlation between the optically pure styrene oxides and their precursors, the mandelic acids, as well as considerations of the mechanism of ring opening of epoxides by sulfur nucleophiles. The availability of the single diastereoisomers of the benzylic thioether isomers and the styrene oxideglutathione conjugates enables investigations concerned with the influence of chirality on the biotransformation and excretion of these conjugates.
Electrochemical Studies of Iron(II) 4,4′,4″, 4′″-Tetrasulfophthalocyanine

Abstract Electrochemical reductions of iron(II) 4,4′,4″,4′″-tetrasulfophthalocyanine (Fe(II)TSP) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on a mercury electrode have been examined. The iron compound was found to undergo two one-electron reductions (at -0.74 and -1.15 V vs. SCE respectively) to Fe(0) as verified by polarographic measurements. The course of reduction was followed by observing the spectral change in a combined optical-electrochemical cell. The influence of such extraplanar ligands as cyanide, pyridine, and imidazole, etc., on the half-wave potentials were also noted.
Cholesterol-independent Interactions with CD47 Enhance αvβ3 Avidity

Expression in OV10 cells of either wild-type CD47 or its extracellular IgV domain linked to a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor-(IgV-GPI) enhanced ligand-induced alpha(v)beta(3) activation as detected by the binding of LIBS1 and LIBS6 mAbs. The amplitude of LIBS binding was greater with both CD47 and IgV-GPI expression, indicating an increase in the population of "activable" integrin molecules. Expression of either CD47 species also increased alpha(v)beta(3)-mediated adhesion to vitronectin, and to surfaces coated with the anti-beta(3) antibody AP3, because of enhanced clustering of alpha(v)beta(3) as confirmed by chemical cross-linking. Cholesterol depletion with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin did not prevent the increase in anti-LIBS binding, but reduced cell adhesion to vitronectin and AP3. However, cells expressing CD47 were partially insulated against this disruption, and IgV-GPI was even more effective. Both CD47 and IgV-GPI were found in cholesterol-rich rafts prepared in the absence of detergent, but only CD47 could recruit alpha(v)beta(3) and its associated signaling molecules to these domains. Thus CD47-alpha(v)beta(3) complexes in cholesterol-rich raft domains appear to engage in G(i)-dependent signaling whereas CD47-alpha(v)beta(3) interactions that lead to integrin clustering are also detergent resistant, but are insensitive to cholesterol depletion and do not require the transmembrane region of CD47.
Pressure--volume relationships of tracheae in fetal newborn and adult rabbits.

Abstract The physical properties of the trachea in fetal, newborn, and adult rabbits change with age. Tracheal dimensions and pressure-volume relationships were determined in excised tracheae at a wide developmental age range (from early gestational age to infancy and adulthodd). At intraluminal pressures of 0 to 10 cm H 2 O, the tracheal specific compliance was 0.089 (cm H 2 O) −1 for a 21 day old fetus. By adulthood, the tracheal specific compliance decreased five fold to 0.017 (cm H 2 O) −1 ; a dramatic proportion of this reduction occurred during fetal life itself, followed by a steady, progressive decline to adult age. The volume of the tracheal segment, at intraluminal pressure fo 20 cm H 2 O, increased by 29% (adult), 41.5% (31 day fetus) and 113% (21 day fetus). Developmental alterations in the specific airway compliance suggest significant changes in anatomical dead space would occur as a function of maturation and airway transmural pressure.
PCOS: Perspectives from a Pediatric Endocrinologist and a Pediatric Gynecologist

Polycystic ovary syndrome is most common endocrinopathy recognized in women of childbearing age with a prevalence of 4–12%. The prevalence of the disorder in adolescent population is poorly defined. The pathogenesis as well as the management of this disorder is widely debated.
Elevated parathyroid hormone-related peptide associated with lactation and bone density loss

Objective. —To investigate the hypothesis that parathyroid hormone—related peptide (PTHrP) may be involved with bone loss and recovery as a means of providing adequate calcium and phosphate to infants. Design. —An 18-month prospective cohort study. Setting. —General community setting with recruitment occurring at birthing education classes. Participants. —Volunteer sample of 115 postpartum healthy women aged 20 to 40 years, and 0 or 1 parity prior to parturition with no intent to breast-feed or intent to breast-feed at least 6 months. Main Outcome Measures. —Parathyroid hormone-related peptide, prolactin, estradiol, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, femoral bone mineral density, and bone turnover markers were measured in 115 postpartum women at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months postpartum. Lumbar bone mineral density was measured at 2 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months postpartum. Results. —Elevated PTHrP values were significantly associated ( P P Conclusion. —These data clearly support the hypothesis that PTHrP is an alternative mechanism associated with bone loss and recovery during and subsequent to lactation.
m-Benzene disulfonic acid (BDS) as a superior accompanying acid for routine silicate rock analysis

Abstract We recommend that m-benzene disulfonic acid (BDS) be used with hydrofluoric acid during the dissolution of silicate rocks and minerals for purposes of routine analysis of RO and R2O groups and trace elements. This recommendation is based on several properties that make it superior to the alternative acids. These properties include: (1) a relatively high boiling point (resulting in more effective removal of HF and silica); (2) the high solubility of virtually all salts of BDS; (3) the non-complexing characteristics of BDS salts; (4) the thermal stability of BDS (resulting in very slight degassing at elevated temperatures, thus reducing splattering); and (5) the safety of BDS compared with highly oxidizing acids such as perchloric.
Temporary fetal tracheal occlusion using a gel plug in a rabbit model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Abstract Purpose Temporary tracheal occlusion induces lung growth in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) but has significant drawbacks because the device must be removed in utero. We devised a gel plug (GP) that can be placed in the fetal trachea in a rabbit model of CDH to provide temporary tracheal occlusion and evaluated its effect on lung growth and postnatal ventilation mechanics. Methods In each of 16 pregnant rabbits, experimental CDH was created in 4 fetuses. These were randomized to intratracheal instillation of a fibrin GP, tracheal suture ligation, intratracheal instillation of normal saline, or sham amniotomy. Unmanipulated fetuses of the litter without CDH served as controls. Fetuses were harvested at gestational day 29 and mechanically ventilated to determine lung compliance and airway resistance. Fetal lung-to-body weight was compared among the groups. Results Mean fetal lung-to-body weight was higher in GP-treated fetuses than in the normal saline group, although not as high as that in fetuses subjected to tracheal ligation. Gel plug–treated fetuses had the highest airway resistance, whereas non-CDH control fetuses had the most compliant lungs. Conclusions Prenatal instillation of an intratracheal GP leads to increased postnatal lung mass in rabbit fetuses with CDH but also increases airway resistance.
Mark 3:17 BONEPETEM and Popular Etymology

L'A. propose de voir dans le Boanerges de Marc3:17 une alteration des regles de translitteration (Boan devrait rendre un bene semitique) par un phenomene d'etymologie populaire: pour un lecteur grec, Boan evoque naturellement un cri, un grand bruit, d'ou l'idee de tonnerre. Reste la seconde partie du mot: des termes semitiques designant le tonnerre, comme rgs, rgz ou rs, pourraient etre a la base de erges. L'A. suggere, a la place de Boanerges, d'imprimer dans le texte marcien la lecon de Cesaree Banereges.
Shale fissility: relation to bioturbation

Fissility in shales appears directly related to the parallel orientation of mineral grains in the rock fabric. In two shale sequences examined, fissility increases along a gradient of decreasing bioturbation. Normal marine mudrocks should be characterized by lack of fissility due to the randomized fabric produced by bioturbation, while azoic marine mudrocks should exhibit good fissility due to the lack of biogenic reworking and the preservation of an originally horizontal particle arrangement.
High resolution digital image correlation measurements of strain accumulation in fatigue crack growth

Abstract Microstructure plays a key role in fatigue crack initiation and growth. Consequently, measurements of strain at the microstructural level are crucial to understanding fatigue crack behavior. The few studies that provide such measurements have relatively limited resolution or areas of observation. This paper provides quantitative, full-field measurements of plastic strain near a growing fatigue crack in Hastelloy X, a nickel-based superalloy. Unprecedented spatial resolution for the area covered was obtained through a novel experimental technique based on digital image correlation (DIC). These high resolution strain measurements were linked to electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements of grain structure (both grain shape and orientation). Accumulated plastic strain fields associated with fatigue crack growth exhibited inhomogeneities at two length scales. At the macroscale, the plastic wake contained high strain regions in the form of asymmetric lobes associated with past crack tip plastic zones. At high magnification, high resolution DIC measurements revealed inhomogeneities at, and below, the grain scale. Effective strain not only varied from grain to grain, but also within individual grains. Furthermore, strain localizations were observed in slip bands within grains and on twin and grain boundaries. A better understanding of these multiscale heterogeneities could help explain variations in fatigue crack growth rate and crack path and could improve the understanding of fatigue crack closure and fracture in ductile metals.
Electrical alternans vs. pseudoelectrical alternans.

A 70-year-old female was admitted with a twomonth history of rectal bleeding. Subsequent evaluation revealed moderately differentiated carcinoma of the rectum. Metastatic workup revealed no metastases. Chest CT demonstrated a possible small anterior pericardial effusion versus pericardial thickening, but no echocardiogram was obtained. Excision of the mass was undertaken and a colostomy performed. (Published: 30 April 2012) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2012, 2 : 17610 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v2i1.17610
Unraveling pancreatic islet biology by quantitative proteomics

The pancreatic islets of Langerhans play a critical role in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis by secreting insulin and several other important peptide hormones. Impaired insulin secretion due to islet dysfunction is linked to the pathogenesis underlying both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Over the past 5 years, emerging proteomic technologies have been applied to dissect the signaling pathways that regulate islet functions and gain an understanding of the mechanisms of islet dysfunction relevant to diabetes. Herein, we briefly review some of the recent quantitative proteomic studies involving pancreatic islets geared towards gaining a better understanding of islet biology relevant to metabolic diseases.
Live demonstration: Hardware and software infrastructure for a family of floating-gate based FPAAs

Analog circuits and systems research and education can benefit from the flexibility provided by large-scale Field Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAAs). This demonstration will present visitors with the hardware and software infrastructure supporting the use of a family of floating-gate based FPAAs being developed at Georgia Tech [1]. A picture of the programming and control hardware that will be demonstrated is found in Figure la. Figure lb shows the software flow that will be demonstrated [2]. The infrastructure is compact and portable and provides the user with a comprehensive set of tools for custom analog circuit design and implementation. The infrastructure includes the FPAA integrated circuit (IC); discrete analog to digital converters (ADC), digital to analog converters (DAC) and amplifier ICs; a 32-Bit ARM based microcontroller (μC) for interfacing the FPAA with a laptop computer; and Matlab and targeting software. The FPAA hardware communicates with Matlab over a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. The USB connection also provides the hardware's power. The software tools in the demonstration include three major systems: a Matlab Simulink FPAA program, a SPICE to FPAA compiler called GRASPER, and a visualization tool called RAT. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the Programming and Control board and demonstration setup.
The Geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements in the Seasonally Anoxic Water Column and Porewaters of Chesapeake Bay

A twelve cruise time-series study of a seasonally anoxic basin in Chesapeake Bay was carried out between February 1988 and February 1989. Data from filtered bottom water and upper (0–1 cm) porewater samples are presented. This is the first study in which time-series measurements have been employed to understand the low temperature geochemistry of rare earth elements (REEs). The focus is on the coupling between REDOX (Reduction-Oxidation) variations and REE cycling, fractionation of trivalent REEs and development of cerium anomalies. The time-series results demonstrate that REEs have large seasonal cycles in both the water column and porewaters in response to the development of anoxia in the spring and reoxygenation in the fall. The transition from oxic to suboxic to anoxic conditions results in the release of REEs into the upper porewaters and bottom waters. The release of REEs and Fe are coincident in the bottom waters, while the release of REEs lags Fe by approximately 50 days in the upper porewaters. This decoupling is explained in terms of a REDOX front which moves upward from the sediments to bottom waters during the development of seasonal anoxia. The release of REEs to the upper porewaters and bottom water are accompanied by 1. (1) fractionation across the trivalent REE series and by 2. (2) the preferential input of Ce relative to its trivalent-only REE neighbors. REE (III) fractionation is such that the relative rate of release increases from Lu to La (light REE >middleREE >heavyREE). During reoxygenation, removal of dissolved REEs occurs from both the water column and upper porewaters and follows the same relative rates, LREE >MREE >HREE. Cerium removal occurs faster than its neighbor REE(III), indicating a rapid oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV).
Regularity of weak solution to Maxwell's equations and applications to microwave heating

Abstract In this paper we first study the regularity of weak solution for time-harmonic Maxwell's equations in a bounded anisotropic medium Ω . It is shown that the weak solution to the linear degenerate system, ∇ ×(γ(x) ∇ × E )+ξ(x) E = J (x), x∈Ω⊂R 3 , is Holder continuous under the minimum regularity assumptions on the complex coefficients γ(x) and ξ(x). We then study a coupled system modeling a microwave heating process. The dynamic interaction between electric and temperature fields is governed by Maxwell's equations coupled with an equation of heat conduction. The electric permittivity, electric conductivity and magnetic permeability are assumed to be dependent of temperature. It is shown that under certain conditions the coupled system has a weak solution. Moreover, regularity of weak solution is studied. Finally, existence of a global classical solution is established for a special case where the electric wave is assumed to be propagating in one direction.
Partitioning of photomask processes for defects: II.

Elimination of photomask defects requires identifying the sources of contaminants at each process step. Current industry practice is to perform defect inspection at the end of processing. This makes determining the source of defect generators extremely difficult. This paper presents data taken from inspections performed immediately following the principal processing steps done in photomask manufacture. The KLA-Tencor SLF27 TeraStar™ inspection tool was used to inspect a generic test pattern after developing, etching and stripping of the resist.
No evidence for acid-catalyzed secondary organic aerosol formation in power plant plumes over metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia

[1] Aircraft-based measurements of the water-soluble fraction of fine PM organic carbon (WSOC) and inorganic salt composition in the Atlanta, GA region were conducted in the summer of 2004. Five notable plumes of SO2, apparently from coal-fired power plants, were intercepted, and had NH4+/SO42− molar ratios ranging from approximately 0.8 to 1.4 compared to molar ratios near 2 outside of the plumes. Sulfate aerosol concentrations increased from a regional background of 5–8 μg m−3 to as high as 19.5 μg m−3 within these plumes. No increase in WSOC concentrations was observed in plumes compared to out-of-plumes within a WSOC measurement uncertainty of 8%. These measurements suggest that secondary organic aerosol formation via heterogeneous acid-catalyzed reactions within power plant plumes are not likely a significant contributor to the ambient aerosol mass loading in Atlanta and the surrounding region. Because this region is rich in both biogenic and anthropogenic volatile organic carbon (VOC), the results may be widely applicable.