cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterizing structural transitions using localized free energy landscape analysis.

Background Structural changes in molecules are frequently observed during biological processes like replication, transcription and translation. These structural changes can usually be traced to specific distortions in the backbones of the macromolecules involved. Quantitative energetic characterization of such distortions can greatly advance the atomic-level understanding of the dynamic character of these biological processes. Methodology/Principal Findings Molecular dynamics simulations combined with a variation of the Weighted Histogram Analysis Method for potential of mean force determination are applied to characterize localized structural changes for the test case of cytosine (underlined) base flipping in a GTCAGCGCATGG DNA duplex. Free energy landscapes for backbone torsion and sugar pucker degrees of freedom in the DNA are used to understand their behavior in response to the base flipping perturbation. By simplifying the base flipping structural change into a two-state model, a free energy difference of upto 14 kcal/mol can be attributed to the flipped state relative to the stacked Watson-Crick base paired state. This two-state classification allows precise evaluation of the effect of base flipping on local backbone degrees of freedom. Conclusions/Significance The calculated free energy landscapes of individual backbone and sugar degrees of freedom expectedly show the greatest change in the vicinity of the flipping base itself, but specific delocalized effects can be discerned upto four nucleotide positions away in both 5′ and 3′ directions. Free energy landscape analysis thus provides a quantitative method to pinpoint the determinants of structural change on the atomic scale and also delineate the extent of propagation of the perturbation along the molecule. In addition to nucleic acids, this methodology is anticipated to be useful for studying conformational changes in all macromolecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
S-adenosylhomocysteine sensitizes to TNF-α hepatotoxicity in mice and liver cells: A possible etiological factor in alcoholic liver disease

In alcoholic liver disease, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is a critical effector molecule, and abnormal methionine metabolism is a fundamental acquired metabolic abnormality. Although hepatocytes are resistant to TNFalpha-induced killing under normal circumstances, previous studies have shown that primary hepatocytes from rats chronically fed alcohol have increased TNFalpha cytotoxicity. Therefore, there must be mechanisms by which chronic alcohol exposure "sensitizes" to TNFalpha hepatotoxicity. S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is product of methionine in transsulfuration pathway and a potent competitive inhibitor of most methyltransferases. In this study, we investigated the effects of increased SAH levels on TNFalpha hepatotoxicity. Our results demonstrated that chronic alcohol consumption in mice not only decreased hepatic S-adenosylmethionine levels but also increased hepatic SAH levels, which resulted in a significantly decreased S-adenosylmethionine-to-SAH ratio. This was associated with significant increases in hepatic TNFalpha levels, caspase-8 activity, and cell death. In vitro studies demonstrated that SAH-enhancing agents sensitized hepatocytes to TNFalpha killing, and the death was associated with increased caspase-8 activity, which was blocked by a caspase-8 inhibitor. In addition, increased intracellular SAH levels had no effect on nuclear factor kappaB activity induced by TNFalpha. In conclusion, these results provide a new link between abnormal methionine metabolism and abnormal TNFalpha metabolism in alcoholic liver disease. Increased SAH is a potent and clinically relevant sensitizer to TNFalpha hepatotoxicity. These data further support improving the S-adenosylmethionine-to-SAH ratio and removal of intracellular SAH as potential therapeutic options in alcoholic liver disease.
Lawsonia intracellularis-specific interferon γ gene expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vaccinated and naturally infected foals.

Abstract The cell-mediated immune response to Lawsonia intracellularis, the agent of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE), was investigated in vaccinated and naturally infected foals. Interferon (IFN)-γ gene expression was determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from vaccinated (n = 6) and control foals (n = 6) every 30 days for 180 days following first vaccine administration, and from clinically affected foals (n = 16) within 7–10 days of diagnosing EPE. Seroconversion (immunoperoxidase monolayer assay titer ⩾60) occurred in 5/6 vaccinated foals between 60 and 90 days following the first vaccine administration and these foals remained seropositive for the remaining study period. IFN-γ gene expression in all vaccinated foals was significantly higher (P
Analysis of mode shapes using implicit decomposition

Abstract This paper presents an application of the innovative method of Luo to accurately compute the mode shapes of a freely vibrating system arising in the finite element formulation. The Luo methods provide robust techniques to compute real eigenpairs involved in an eigenproblem whose stiffness and mass matrices can be asymmetric, indefinite, and even singular. These methods are well suited to compute eigenpairs in a large-scale eigenproblem in which the computations in iteration procedures have a high potential to be implemented in parallel and can take full advantage of the banded and sparse configuration of the stiffness and mass matrices. A free vibration of a rectangular membrane is used as an example.
Improved sparse coding using manifold projections

Sparse representations using predefined and learned dictionaries have widespread applications in signal and image processing. Sparse approximation techniques can be used to recover data from its low dimensional corrupted observations, based on the knowledge that the data is sparsely representable using a known dictionary. In this paper, we propose a method to improve data recovery by ensuring that the data recovered using sparse approximation is close its manifold. This is achieved by performing regularization using examples from the data manifold. This technique is particularly useful when the observations are highly reduced in dimensions when compared to the data and corrupted with high noise. Using an example application of image inpainting, we demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves a reduction in reconstruction error in comparison to using only sparse coding with predefined and learned dictionaries, when the percentage of missing pixels is high.
The role of nanotechnology in diabetes treatment: current and future perspectives

Diabetes is a chronic disease that currently affects approximately 8% of the US population, and that number is expected to increase significantly by the year 2030. It is imperative that effective monitoring and treatment options be available to patients. Nanotechnology is a focal point in diabetes research, where nanoparticles in particular are showing great promise in improving the treatment and management of the disease. Due to their ability to potentially enhance drug delivery to areas where there are barriers or unfavourable environments for macromolecules, nanoparticles are being explored as vehicles for improved oral insulin formulations. The use of nanotechnology in the development of glucose sensors is also a prominent focus in non-invasive glucose monitoring systems. Finally, compelling but relatively unexplored applications of nanotechnology, such as the development of an artificial pancreas, are discussed. Overall, nanotechnology has the potential to significantly impact several areas of current and future diabetes research.
Compact stubs for micromachined coplanar waveguide

This paper presents the characteristics of compact stub configurations which are suitable for coplanar waveguide implementation. The motivation behind this work is based on recent results which demonstrate that micromachined, membrane-supported transmission lines are a high-performance medium for microwave and millimeter-wave circuit design. Since the effective permittivity of the substrate is very close to 1, however, circuit dimensions can become relatively large, particularly at the low mm-wave frequencies. It is therefore desirable to reduce the component size, and a technique for accomplishing this with CPW-type series tuning stubs is described herein.
The Costs and Benefits of Various Wage Bargaining StructuresAn Empirical Exploration

The literature on the relationship between the unemployment rate and wage bargaining fails to separate the offsetting effects of a reduction in competition associated with centralized bargaining and the increased awareness of unemployment externalities. This paper uses OECD data to distinguish these effects. While wages have become more sensitive to changes in the unemployment rate in countries that have switched to centralized wage-bargaining arrangements, the industry wage is not particularly sensitive to internal factors (relative price and productivity shifts) in economies with centralized/industry-level bargaining arrangements. The latter effect dominates in terms of persistently high unemployment and weaker growth.
Computational solution of inverse directed self-assembly problem

Predicting directed self-assembly (DSA) patterns from given chemoepitaxy or graphoepitaxy directing patterns is a well known direct problem of computational DSA simulations. This paper concentrates on inverse problem of DSA – finding directing graphoepitaxy or chemoepitaxy patterns, resulting in given desired DSA patterns. Approaches to computational solution of inverse DSA problem are discussed, particularly the ones based on a linearization of the DSA model and minimizing the objective function ensuring the formation of the desired DSA patterns. We illustrate these approaches by presenting the results of their application to an inverse DSA problem for contact holes patterned using graphoepitaxy guiding templates.
CFD Analysis of Single and Multiphase Flow Characteristics in Elbow

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of single- phase and two-phase flow was performed in a 90 degree horizontal to vertical elbow with 12.7 mm inside diameter. Characteristic flow behavior was investigated at six different upstream and downstream locations of the elbow. To evaluate the effects of different phases, three different air veloci-ties and three different water velocities were used during this study. Commercial CFD code FLUENT was used to perform analysis of both single and multiphase flows. Pressure and velocity profiles at six locations showed an increase in pressure at the elbow geometry with decreasing pressure as fluid leaves from the elbow. Pressure drop behavior observed to be similar for single-phase and multiphase flows. Comparison of CFD results with available empirical models showed reasonably good agreement.
Business leadership through analytics

Weak economic growth, increasing business complexity, and intensifying competition are among the motivations for the growing use of analytics across organizations of all types. In this business environment, enterprise leadership requires new tools and new insights to make better decisions. While analytic techniques, no matter how primitive, have been used to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations for decades, if not centuries, capability and sophistication are now growing rapidly. Advanced analytics is proving to be a transformational technology for businesses, providing a source of competitive advantage and delivering significant, measurable outcomes. Risk management, sales-force productivity, workforce optimization, enterprise planning, and market intelligence are a few examples of core business processes that have significantly benefited from emerging analytical methodologies. As analytic tools used to transform business processes are integrated into enterprise IT (information technology) systems for use by senior business leaders, they are driving new innovations to address the size, speed, and complexity issues faced by large, global enterprises. This position paper explores emerging trends in the leadership application of analytics in global business organizations.
Activities, resources and inter-organizational relationships: key factors in port competitiveness

In the last decade, the port economics literature has given great emphasis to the Supply Chain Management approach as the new paradigm for the definition of port competitiveness. SCM supports the development of partnerships between the actors of the supply chain and considers the integration of activities and resources along business processes as source of competitive advantage. Nevertheless, the application of SCM approach to the port is particularly compiex given the traditional hostile relationships between port actors. In the effort to overcome such complexity, some authors have considered ports as Logistics Service Providers and interpreted their role within supply chains through the integrative practices undertaken by Global Players–mainly Shipping Companies and Terminal Operators–in the supply of integrated logistics services. Even tough these actors are crucial for the port competitiveness, they determine a passive role of port in the new competitive scenario. The definition of a potential and pro...
The basic proteins of Aspergillus fumigatus with tumor-inhibiting properties

Abstract 1. 1. The factor in culture filtrates of Aspergillus fumigatus responsible for tumor inhibition in mice has been partially purified by ethanol fractionation and electrophoretic separation. 2. 2. Both the activity and the toxicity were associated with a highly basic protein or group of proteins with isoelectric points near pH 10.0.
Development of a Cell Culture Method To Isolate and Enrich Salmonella enterica Serotype Enteritidis from Shell Eggs for Subsequent Detection by Real-Time PCR

Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis is a major cause of nontyphoidal salmonellosis from ingestion of contaminated raw or undercooked shell eggs. Current techniques used to identify Salmonella serotype Enteritidis in eggs are extremely laborious and time-consuming. In this study, a novel eukaryotic cell culture system was combined with real-time PCR analysis to rapidly identify Salmonella serotype Enteritidis in raw shell eggs. The system was compared to the standard microbiological method of the International Organization for Standardization (Anonymous, Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs—horizontal method for the detection of Salmonella, 2002). The novel technique utilizes a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) as the host for the isolation and intracellular replication of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis. Exposure of macrophages to Salmonella serotype Enteritidis-contaminated eggs results in uptake and intracellular replication of the bacterium, which can subsequently be detected by real-time PCR analysis of the DNA released after disruption of infected macrophages. Macrophage monolayers were exposed to eggs contaminated with various quantities of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis. As few as 10 CFU/ml was detected in cell lysates from infected macrophages after 10 h by real-time PCR using primer and probe sets specific for DNA segments located on the Salmonella serotype Enteritidis genes sefA and orgC. Salmonella serotype Enteritidis could also be distinguished from other non-serogroup D Salmonella serotypes by using the sefA- and orgC-specific primer and probe sets. Confirmatory identification of Salmonella serotype Enteritidis in eggs was also achieved by isolation of intracellular bacteria from lysates of infected macrophages on xylose lysine deoxycholate medium. This method identifies Salmonella serotype Enteritidis from eggs in less than 10 h compared to the more than 5 days required for the standard reference microbiological method of the International Organization for Standardization (Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs—horizontal method for the detection of Salmonella, 2002).
Mastoparan increases membrane bound phosphatidylinositol kinase and phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate kinase activities in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Abstract Synthetic wasp venom Mastroparan induced an increase of[ 3 H] inositol phosphates levels and a corresponding decrease of [ 3 H] inositol phospholipids levels in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The effect was dose (5–100 μg/m1) and time (1 to 15 min) dependent. Mastoparan also enhanced the endogenous activity of phosphatidylinositol kinase and phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate kinase. The effect was dose (25–75 μg/m1) and time dependent (1 to 15 min).
Thermal stability of gelatin gels: Effect of preparation conditions on the activation energy barrier to melting

Abstract 10, 20, and 40 wt.% aqueous gelatin gels were prepared under isothermal (annealing at 15, 20, and 25 °C for 15 to 120 min) and nonisothermal (cooling at 1 °C min−1) conditions. Isoconversional kinetic analysis of DSC data on gel melting (gel–sol transition) of all types of gels revealed significant variations in the activation energy throughout the process. Activation energy barrier to melting of isothermally prepared gels was in the range 160–190 kJ mol−1 and found to increase with increasing the annealing temperature that was the major effect discovered. Activation energy barrier to melting of nonisothermally prepared gels was determined to be around 120–140 kJ mol−1 and increase with increasing the concentration. Local reversibility of the gel melting was demonstrated by using temperature modulated DSC.
Chewing activities and particle size of rumen digesta and feces of precision-fed dairy heifers fed different forage levels with increasing levels of distillers grains

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 2 differing forage to concentrate ratios (F:C) and various levels of corn dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) replacing canola meal in precision-fed dairy heifer rations on chewing behavior, rumen pH and fill, and particle size of rumen contents and feces. A split plot design with F:C as whole plot and DDGS inclusion level as subplot was administered in a 4-period 4 × 4 Latin square. Eight rumen-cannulated Holstein heifers (12.5 ± 0.5 mo of age and 344 ± 15 kg of body weight, respectively) housed in individual stalls were allocated to F:C 50:50 (low forage) or 75:25 [high forage (HF); dry matter basis] and to a sequence of DDGS level (0, 7, 14, and 21%; dry matter basis). Forage was a mix of 50% corn silage and 50% grass hay (dry matter basis). Diets were fed once daily and formulated to provide equal amounts of nutrients and body weight gain. No differences were found for rumen pH between dietary treatments. Time spent eating tended to be longer for HF and was not affected by DDGS inclusion rate. Ruminating time did not differ by F:C, but linearly increased as DDGS increased (422 to 450 ± 21 min/d). Total chewing time tended to be longer for HF and to increase linearly as DDGS increased (553 to 579 ± 33 min/d). Wet rumen digesta weight and volume were greater for HF. Geometric mean particle length of rumen contents was greater for HF 2 h prefeeding when analyzed with solubles (particles 1.18 mm increased with increasing levels of DDGS and did not change with F:C. Total chewing time increased by the addition of DDGS and higher F:C. Heifers can compensate for lower physically effective neutral detergent fiber by modifying their chewing behavior. Rumen pH was never at a level that could induce acidosis, and lower eating time at lower F:C was somewhat compensated by time spent ruminating per unit of physically effective neutral detergent fiber intake. Dry distillers grains with solubles, when used in dairy heifer rations as a replacement for canola meal, yielded similar rumen digestion traits.
Oxidation-Reduction Properties of Chloroplast Thioredoxins, Ferredoxin:Thioredoxin Reductase, and Thioredoxin f-Regulated Enzymes†

Oxidation-reduction midpoint potentials were determined, as a function of pH, for the disulfide/dithiol couples of spinach and pea thioredoxins f, for spinach and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii thioredoxins m, for spinach ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR), and for two enzymes regulated by thioredoxin f, spinach phosphoribulokinase (PRK) and the fructose-1,6-bisphosphatases (FBPase) from pea and spinach. Midpoint oxidation-reduction potential (Em) values at pH 7.0 of −290 mV for both spinach and pea thioredoxin f, −300 mV for both C. reinhardtii and spinach thioredoxin m, −320 mV for spinach FTR, −290 mV for spinach PRK, −315 mV for pea FBPase, and −330 mV for spinach FBPase were obtained. With the exception of spinach FBPase, titrations showed a single two-electron component at all pH values tested. Spinach FBPase exhibited a more complicated behavior, with a single two-electron component being observed at pH values ≥ 7.0, but with two components being present at pH values <7.0. The slopes of plots of Em ...
Equilibrium Ion Pair Acidities of Polyhalogenated Benzenes in THF. Extrapolation to Benzene1

The equilibrium cesium ion pair acidities of six polyfluorobenzenes at 25 °C and six polychlorobenzenes at −20 °C were determined in THF. For fluorinated benzenes the additive (negative) effects of fluorine on pK (partial equilibrium factors) are o = 5.2, m = 3.0, and p = 1.4. From these the cesium ion pair pK (per H) of benzene is extrapolated to be 44.8 at 25 °C. For chlorobenzenes the additive contributions for o-, m-, and p-chlorine are 4.2, 2.7, and 2.1, respectively. The corresponding pK of benzene is 47.0 at −20 °C. Aggregation studies show that in the concentration range 10-3−10-4 M the cesium salt of 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene and the cesium and lithium salts of 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene are monomeric. The pK of benzene on the Li scale is extrapolated to be 39.5.
Limited regulation of somatodendritic dopamine release by voltage‐sensitive Ca2+ channels contrasted with strong regulation of axonal dopamine release

The mechanism underlying somatodendritic release of dopamine (DA) appears to differ from that of axon-terminal release. Specifically, somatodendritic DA release in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) persists in low extracellular Ca 2+ concentrations that are insufficient to support axonal release in striatum, suggesting that limited Ca 2+ entry is necessary to trigger somatodendritic release. Here, we compared the role of voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels in mediating DA release in striatum versus SNc using specific blockers of N-, P/Q-, T-, R- and L-type Ca 2+ channels individually and in combination. Release of DA evoked by a single stimulus pulse in the dorsal striatum and SNc of guinea-pig brain slices was monitored in real time using carbon-fiber microelectrodes with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Singlepulse evoked DA release was shown to be independent of regulation by concurrently released glutamate or GABA acting at ionotropic receptors in both regions. Under these conditions, striatal DA release was completely prevented by an N-type channel blocker, x-conotoxin GVIA (100 nM), and was decreased by 75% by the P/Q-type channel blocker x-agatoxin IVA (200 nM). Blockade of T-type channels with Ni 2+ (100 lM) or R-type channels with SNX-482 (100 nM) decreased axonal release in striatum by 25%, whereas inhibition of L-type channels with nifedipine (20 lM) had no effect. By contrast, none of these Ca 2+ -channel blockers altered the amplitude of somatodendritic DA release in the SNc. Even a cocktail of all blockers tested did not alter release-signal amplitude in the SNc, although the duration of the release response was curtailed. The limited involvement of voltagedependent Ca 2+ channels in somatodendritic DA release
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in ESRD Patients: What are the Options?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging modality. This technique has evolved over time into a uniquely sensitive and accurate diagnostic tool. In the clinical arena, it often provides information that can’t be obtained using other noninvasive imaging modalities. MRI with gadolinium-based contrast (GBC) is generally preferred over computed tomography (CT) scan for accurate imaging of various organs (Table 1). As such, MRI with or without angiography (MRI/A) has revolutionized diagnostic testing in many patients, including those with varying levels of acute and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. MRI, even with GBC became a widely employed modality in this group of patients as a result of its perceived “safety” in patients who were at risk for iodinated radiocontrast nephrotoxicity (1). This safety rationale was applied to patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), CKD, and dialysis-requiring ESRD patients who still maintained significant residual renal function. As such, this imaging option was attractive to nephrologists as it provided an accurate alternative diagnostic tool for patients who were otherwise considered too risky for radiocontrast exposure.
Packet-level iterative detection for SFH communications with Reed-Solomon coding in partial-band interference

A SFH system using Reed-Solomon coding and the parity-bit method is considered with a receiver employing packet-level iterative detection and decoding, and the performance of the system in a channel with partial-band interference is evaluated. It is shown that the packet-level iterative reception technique results in substantially better performance than one-shot detection and decoding at a minimal cost in increased computation at the receiver. The use of an inner differential encoder is also examined, and its inclusion is shown to result in improved performance with packet-level iterative reception. Furthermore, alternative approaches to the parity-bit method are evaluated. Finally, the performance is compared with that of several other choices for coding and either one-shot or iterative decoding in SFH systems.
Neural basis of a simple behavior: abdominal positioning in crayfish.

Crustaceans have been used extensively as models for studying the nervous system. Members of the Order Decapoda, particularly the larger species such as lobsters and crayfish, have large segmented abdomens that are positioned by tonic flexor and extensor muscles. Importantly, the innervation of these tonic muscles is known in some detail. Each abdominal segment in crayfish is innervated bilaterally by three sets of nerves. The anterior pair of nerves in each ganglion controls the swimmeret appendages and sensory supply. The middle pair of nerves innervates the tonic extensor muscles and the regional sensory supply. The superficial branch of the most posterior pair of nerves in each ganglion is exclusively motor and supplies the tonic flexor muscles of that segment. The extension and flexion motor nerves contain six motor neurons, each of which is different in axonal diameter and thus produces impulses of different amplitude. Motor programs controlling each muscle can be characterized by the identifiable motor neurons that are activated. Early work in this field discovered that specific central interneurons control the abdominal positioning motor neurons. These interneurons were first referred to as "command neurons" and later as "command elements." Stimulation of an appropriate command element causes a complex, widespread output involving dozens of motor neurons. The output can be patterned even though the stimulus to the command element is of constant interval. The command elements are identifiable cells. When a stimulus is repeated in a command element, from either the same individual or from different individuals, the output is substantially the same. This outcome depends upon several factors. First, the command elements are not only identifiable, but they make many synapses with other neurons, and the synapses are substantially invariant. There are separate flexion-producing and extension-producing command elements. Abdominal flexion-producing command elements excite other flexion elements and inhibit extensor command elements. The extension producing elements do the opposite. These interactions insure that interneurons of a particular class (flexion- or extension-producing) synaptically recruit perhaps twenty others of similar output, and that command elements promoting the opposing movements are inhibited. This strong reciprocity and the recruitment of similar command elements give a powerful motor program that appears to mimic behavior.
Design sensitivities of fatigue performance and structural dynamic response in an automotive application

Direct accounting for durability rarely finds its way into multidisciplinary optimization. Though reduction of loads by some means can certainly have a beneficial influence on the fatigue performance of a structure, changes in load levels are not a direct measure of the influence of design changes on fatigue performance. In this paper, an assessment is made of an approach to the calculation of design sensitivities of a fatigue performance index namely, number of damaging cycles to failure. The approach makes use of analytical sensitivities of structural dynamic response, and a standard approach to the calculation of fatigue performance. The method is demonstrated using a simple nine degree-of-freedom structural model of an automobile in a conceptual representation of the industrial practice of road testing and road simulation. Results suggest that the estimates of changes in fatigue life are of sufficient quality for typical fatigue life evaluations, and open the door for the incorporation of a direct measure of fatigue performance in formal structural optimization.
Generating analogical natural language object descriptions

The ability to generate descriptive explanations of domain concepts defined in a knowledge base is an important requirement for any system with explanatory capabilities. The ability to use analogies to highlight selected features in the description of the concept greatly enhances the possibility of the system being able to convey its point to the user. In this paper, we shall describe a system designed within the EES framework that embodies this capability. Finding analogies is not simple, but we shall show how the utterance discourse structure can provide the system with additional knowledge that can aid finding an acceptable analogy to express. Analogies are a powerful and compact means of communicating ideas and descriptions. Using analogies in language generation is different from using analogies in problem solving. This paper will outline some of these differences and demonstrates one attempt at incorporating them within an expert system that generates explanations for its users in natural language.
Ultrastructure of the capsule of Klebsiella pneumoniae and slime of Enterobacter aerogenes revealed by freeze etching.

The capsule of Klebsiella pneumoniae type I and slime of Enterobacter aerogenes strain A3 (SL) was examined by electron microscopy using the freeze etch technique. The capsules of K. pneumoniae were found to be composed of several layers of polysaccharide 10 nm thick; while the polysaccharide slime of E. aerogenes strain A3 (SL) was found to be composed of a diffuse network of fibrils. This work represents the first effort to visualize the replica of the unfixed, partially hydrated bacterial capsule or slime in the electron microscope. The slime of E. aerogenes strain A3 (SL) which was purified, and then freeze etched, resembled the layered structure of the capsule of K. pneumoniae. It is suggested that the charge or dielectric constant of the slime polysaccharide polymers was altered during purification, thereby permitting the layering to occur.
Is Awareness enough ? The contradictions of self-care in a chronic disease clinic

Applied medical anthropology has focused much of its attention on processes and interactions within clinical settings. In the case of chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, which require patients to engage in self-care practices, the production of health extends beyond the boundaries of these biomedical spaces and into the lifeworld of the patient. This article explores the intersections and contradictions between biomedical and community spaces that emerged within a chronic disease clinic. Biomedical space, it is argued, privileges White, middle class ideals of self-control and individualism while devalorizing worldviews, such as those prominent in marginalized neighborhoods where social interdependence is vital. Through participant obsevation and semi-structured interviews, the author found that while one such biomedical space — the Community Health Awareness and Monitoring Program (CHAMP) - has been able to provide a relatively open and egalitarian medical environment for its participants, ...
Expression of cyclophilin B is associated with malignant progression and regulation of genes implicated in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Cyclophilin B (CypB) is a 21-kDa protein with peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity that functions as a transcriptional inducer for Stat5 and as a ligand for CD147. To better understand the global function of CypB in breast cancer, T47D cells with a small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of CypB were generated. Subsequent expression profiling analysis showed that 663 transcripts were regulated by CypB knockdown, and that many of these gene products contributed to cell proliferation, cell motility, and tumorigenesis. Real-time PCR confirmed that STMN3, S100A4, S100A6, c-Myb, estrogen receptor α, growth hormone receptor, and progesterone receptor were all down-regulated in si-CypB cells. A linkage analysis of these array data to protein networks resulted in the identification of 27 different protein networks that were impacted by CypB knockdown. Functional assays demonstrated that CypB knockdown also decreased cell growth, proliferation, and motility. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent analyses of a matched breast cancer progression tissue microarray that was labeled with an anti-CypB antibody demonstrated a highly significant increase in CypB protein levels as a function of breast cancer progression. Taken together, these results suggest that the enhanced expression of CypB in malignant breast epithelium may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease through its regulation of the expression of hormone receptors and gene products that are involved in cell proliferation and motility.
A FORTRAN function for the bivariate normal integral

This paper describes a program for microcomputers as well as mainframes, written in FORTRAN 77, which calculates a bivariate normal probability.
Phosphorus-Bromine Flame Retardant Synergy in a Polycarbonate/Polyethylene Terephthalate Blend

The literature contains many claims to phosphorus/bromine flame retardant synergy. Many of these reports appear to be based upon a nonlinear response-concentration relationship. This paper shows convincing data for synergy in a a 2/1 polycarbonate/polyethylene terephthalate blend. The literature also shows phosphorus efficiency as a flame retardant to be 3-8 times more effective than bromine, depending on the polymer and flame retar dant. These data show phosphorus to be about ten times more effective than bromine in a 2/1 polycarbonate/PET blend. Brominated phosphates, where both bromine and phosphorus are in the same molecule, were also studied. In one case synergy is further enhanced when both phosphorus and bromine are in the same molecule. On a weight basis, phosphorus and bromine in the same molecule are perhaps the most efficient flame retardant combination.
Burn Teams and Burn Centers: The Importance of a Comprehensive Team Approach to Burn Care

Remarkable advances in burn care have been made over recent decades, and it is recognized that the organized efforts of burn teams are required to continue enhancing survival rates and quality of life for patients. Patients with major burns are unique, representing one of the most severe models of trauma, and therefore necessitate treatment in the best specialized facilities available for that endeavor. Burn centers have developed to meet these intricate needs but can only function most productively and efficiently through well-organized, multifaceted, patient-centered teams in the areas of both clinical care and research.
Padé-Laplace method for analysis of fluorescence intensity decay.

This novel approach to the analysis of multiexponential functions is based on the combined use of the Laplace transform and Pade approximants (Yeramian, E., and P. Claverie. 1987. Nature (Lond.). 326:169–174). It is similar in principle to the well-known Isenberg method of moments (Isenberg, I. 1983. Biophys. J. 43:141–148) traditionally applied to the analysis of fluorescence decay. The advantage of the Pade-Laplace method lies in its ability to detect the number of components in a multiexponential function as well as their parameters. In this paper we modified the original method so that it can be applied to the analysis of multifrequency phase/modulation measurements of fluorescence decay. The method was tested first on simulated data. It afforded recovery up to four distinct lifetime components (and their fractional contributions). In the case of simulated data corresponding to continuous lifetime distributions (nonexponential decay), the results of the analysis by the Pade-Laplace method indicated the absence of discrete exponential components. The method was also applied to real phase/modulation data gathered on known fluorophores and their mixtures and on tryptophan fluorescence in phospholipase A2. The lifetime and fraction recoveries were consistent with those obtained from standard methods involving nonlinear least-square fitting.
Updating the N syndrome: occurrence of lymphoid malignancy and possible association with an increased rate of chromosome breakage

Further studies on a family with the N syndrome, a multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndrome first described by Hess et al in 1974, showed increased chromosome breakage in the affected brothers and in their unaffected mother, all 3 of whom died of lymphoid malignancy. It is suggested that the N syndrome is the result of an X-linked recessive mutation that produces a characteristic MCA/MR syndrome and chromosome instability. We postulate that this chromosome instability in the lymphoid cells of hemizygotes and in approximately half of the lymphoid cells of the heterozygote predisposes to a specific form of lymphoid malignancy.
Genetic Structure and Diversity of Zostera marina (Eelgrass) in the San Juan Archipelago, Washington, USA

Using data from eight autosomal microsatellite loci, we investigated levels of within- and between-site variation in the seagrass Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) from eight locations in the San Juan Archipelago, located in the northwest corner of Washington, USA. Only 117 of the 365 samples collected were unique individuals, and there were large differences in the estimates of clonality among sites. Site-specific genotypic richness ranged from 0.082 to 0.688, and the distribution of ramets and genets varied widely within sites. No multilocus genotypes were shared between sites. We found significant differences in distribution of alleles and variance in allele frequencies among sites, suggesting substantial genetic population substructuring. We detected low levels of genetic diversity in two sites known to have undergone recent declines and a genetic signature of population expansion in a site known to be increasing. Thus, like elsewhere, we find that genetic studies add an important component to monitoring programs in this region.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Role of Current Recommendations by the American Heart Association for Infective Endocarditis

In the past decade, there has been evolution in the diagnosis, management, and long-term care of patients with infective endocarditis and its complications. This includes the relatively new but contentious prophylactic antibiotic regimen. However, these cases still continue to pose a challenge in the adult and pediatric populations. We present a case of a teenager with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that had an atypical presentation of infective endocarditis.
Modeling Jupiter's synchrotron radiation

We have constructed a computer model to simulate synchrotron emission from relativistic electrons trapped in Jupiter's magnetic field. The computer program generates the four Stokes parameters of the synchrotron emission for assumed electron distributions and magnetic field models. The resulting two dimensional Stokes parameter maps can be compared directly with ground based observations. We use magnetic field models derived from spacecraft measurements, and tailor the electron distributions to fit synchrotron observations. The gross features of data from both VLA and single-dish observations are fit by a longitudinally symmetric particle distribution. We suggest that higher order terms in the magnetic field, coupled with relativistic beaming effects of synchrotron radiation, are primarily responsible for the observed rotational asymmetry.
A Simple Numerical Approach Towards Improving the Two One-Sided Test for Average Bioequivalence

For testing average bioequivalence, a simple test that improves upon the two-one sided test (TOST) is derived. The new test uses a critical value that is a non-increasing continuous function of the sample standard deviation, and the function is numerically obtained. Simulation results show that the resulting test performs well in terms of type I error probability; in particular, the test avoids the conservatism of the TOST. Consequently, the test provides better power compared to the TOST, especially when the variance becomes large. Numerical results also show that our test results in power that is very similar to the other improved tests available in the literature. An advantage of our improved test is that it is just as easy to carry out as the TOST. An example is used to illustrate the new test.
Metal complexes as ligands. Part 12. Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of a hexanuclear nickel(II) complex based on two isosceles trinuclear components with imidazolate bridges

The new ligand H2L, derived from 5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzophenone, o-phenylenediamine, and imidazole-2-carbaldehyde, forms an insoluble, apparently polymeric nickel(II) complex, which can dissociate and act as a monodentate ligand via a ring nitrogen donor. It forms a 2:1 adduct with nickel hexafluoroacetylacetonate, Ni(hfacac)2, with a toluene molecule in the hollow of the V-shaped trinuclear fragment. The central nickel is octahedral with two hfacac ligands and two cis-bonded NiL complex ligands, to form an isosceles triangle of nickel atoms, of dimensions 5.754 × 5.783 × 6.407 A. The overall structure is hexanuclear, consisting of two trinuclear subunits joined by two weak (2.908 A) Ni–O links between NiL complex ligands. [(NiL)2Ni(hfacac)2]2·2C6H5Me crystallizes in space group P with a= 16.044(6), b= 15.939(4), c= 14.971(9)A, α= 78.33(4), β= 72.09(5), γ= 63.56(6)°, and Z= 1; R= 0.065 for 4 660 reflections.
Combined effects of prepulsing and target geometry on efficient extreme ultraviolet production from laser produced plasma experiments and modeling

Laser produced plasmas (LPPs) are currently a promising source of an efficient extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photon source production for advanced lithography. Optimum laser pulse parameters with adjusted wavelength, energy, and duration for a simple planar or spherical tin target can provide 2% to 3% conversion efficiency (CE) in laboratory experiments. Additional effects such as targets with complex geometry and tin-doped targets using prepulsing of laser beams can significantly increase CE. Recent studies showed that such improvements in an LPP system are due to reduction in laser energy losses by decreasing photons transmission (higher harmonic of Nd:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser) or photons reflection (for CO2 laser). Optimization of target heating using prepulses or ablating low-density and nanoporous tin oxide can further improve LLP sources by creating more efficient plasma plumes and, as a result, increase CE, the most important parameter for EUV sources. We investigated the combined effects of prepulsing with various parameters and different target geometries on EUV conversion efficiency and on energetic ions production. The much higher reflectivity of CO2 laser from a tin target leads to two possible ways for system improvement using prepulses with shorter laser wavelengths or using more complex targets geometries with special grooves as developed previously by the authors.
Immunohistochemical characterization of the histiocytes in sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy: Analysis of an extranodal case

Abstract We studied the morphologic, antigenic, and enzymatic characteristics of the histiocytes in an isolated extranodal case of sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) involving the CNS. To our knowledge, this represents the first immunohistochemically documented case of CNS SHML. The histiocytes exhibited the S-100(+), CD11c(+), α-1-antichymotrypsin(+) immunophenotype, which suggests that the histiocytes of SHML coexpress phenotypic characteristics of histiocytes of the mononuclear phagocytic system, and histiocytes of the interdigitating reticulum cell and Langerhan cell lineages. To examine the argument that the histiocytes in SHML may represent ordinary tissue macrophages of granulomatous inflammation, we compared the immunophenotypic characteristics of the histiocytes found in SHML to those found in xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XP). We found that the histiocytes of XP have immunophenotypic characteristics of histiocytes belonging to the mononuclear phagocytic system lineage. The present study demonstrates that the histiocytes of SHML are distinct from the histiocytes of another xanthogranulomatous disorder, supporting the concept that SHML is a distinct clinicopathologic entity.
Release of methyl isocyanate from the antitumor agent caracemide (NSC-253272).

In recent phase 1 clinical trials, caracemide [N-acetyl-N-(methylcarbamoyloxy)-N-methylurea; NSC-253272] has demonstrated a marked potential to produce severe central nervous system (CNS) toxicity. Recent in vitro studies of this antitumor agent have presented indirect evidence indicating that methyl isocyanate is a likely metabolite which results from incubation of caracemide with either phosphate buffer or human plasma [4]. This report presents evidence that methyl isocyanate is formed from caracemide in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. These data implicate the caracemide-mediated formation of methyl isocyanate as at least a plausible explanation for the CNS toxicity exhibited by this drug.
Hexacyanoosmate(III) chemistry: preparation and magnetic properties of a pentanuclear cluster and a Prussian blue analogue with Ni(II)

The hexacyanoosmate(III) anion was used to prepare a pentanuclear cyanide bridged molecular cluster with ligand-protected Ni(II) ions as well as the corresponding Prussian blue phase from a reaction with aqueous Ni(II) ions.