cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tricarboxylic acid activator-induced changes at the active site of acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on tricarboxylic acid activator-induced changes at the active site of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase catalyzes the first committed step of extramitochondrial fatty acid synthesis in animal tissues and appears to be an important control point in this biosynthetic pathway. The carboxylase appears to be regulated both by alterations of its level in tissues and by modification of its catalytic efficiency with allosteric effectors. Certain tricarboxylic acids, notably citrate and isocitrate, markedly activate the carboxylase-catalyzed reaction. Activation by these acids is rather specific in that tricarballylate, a close structural analog, is completely inactive. Citrate appears to serve the dual role in fatty acid synthesis of precursor of extramitochondrial acetyl-CoA via the citrate-cleavage reaction and of “feed-forward” activator of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Activation by tricarboxylic acids is accomplished by the rapid polymerization of carboxylase protomers to give rise to polymeric filaments. In this chapter, effect of activator on the partial reactions of acetyl-CoA carboxylation is analyzed. Effect of activator on the environment of the prosthetic group is elaborated. Effect of activator on the reactivity of the carboxylated biotin prosthetic group is also described.
A modular entrainment model for cohesive sediment

Abstract : This paper describes an entrainment model for cohesive sediments that is based on a power-law expression for the excess shear stress and a total entrainment coefficient. Total entrainment includes terms for consolidation. bioturbation, and all other processes (base entrainment coefficient). The model is used to predict entrainment rates for cohesive sediments from Lake Erie, the Tamar Estuary, Long Island Sound, and the Fox River, Wisconsin. The base entrainment coefficient. which is estimated using samples with the least post-depositional modification, is unique for each sediment suite because it includes environmentally sensitive processes like mineralogy, salinity. organic carbon content. etc. Base on available entrainment measurements, expressions are presented for the consolidation and bioturbation coefficients. The model is evaluated with entrainment data for identical sediment that has been either consolidated or bioturbated and the comparison is encouraging. A comparison of predicted and measured entrainment rates for undisturbed sediment is less favorable because of its unknown post-depositional history.
Linear polyubiquitylation: the missing link in NF-kappaB signalling.

Metazoan cells respond to external stress or infection through multiple signalling pathways that converge on NF–κB activation, initiating a program designed to promote survival or trigger cell death. Recent evidence reveals a mechanism for NF-κB activation that requires assembly of linear polyubiquitin chains as scaffolds to recruit the activation complex.
Models of Teaching and Learning

The aim of this chapter is to distinguish theories of development that cast learning as a community process of Irtlns/onnation o/participation in sociocultural activities from theories that cast learning as a one-sided process in which only teachers or learners are responsible for learning. either through transmission of knowledge from experts or acquisition of knowledge by learners by themselves. To distinguish these perspectives and highlight the theoretical stance ol transformation of participation, we take a developmental approach by examining the transformation in understanding that occurs as adults who have been used to functioning in institutions employing transmission theories attempt to understand a new institution employing a participation theory. Our examination of these theoretical positions makes use of observations of models of instruction held by parents who become participants in a public elementary school program (the "OC" of the Salt Lake City School District) that functions as a community of learners. In this optional program, parents are required to spend three hours per week (per child) working in the classroom. ?.. m e conirasting instructionai modeis used by parenis in the program correspond r\.ith theoretical discussions regarding who is responsible for learning. The parenls' views that education should be "adult-run" correspond with theoretical notions that learning is a process managed by experts who transmit knowledge to learners: the views of those who argue that education should be "children-run" correspund with theoretical notions that learning is the province of learners who 2 q i : ~ i;Rc:.&.'ge !hroEgh !heir ac!ix:e e:p!~r~!icn: 2nd the t~ie!vs :hose whc! propose a "community ojlearnrrs" involving both active learners and more skilled partners who provide leadership and guidance correspond with the theoretical stance that learning involves transformation of participation in collaborative endcaiw. Thus the notions involved in the theoretical perspectives of learning as rransmission. acquisition. and translormation of participation are associated with instructional models that difrer in how participants' responsibilities for promoting learning are seen. Participation in a Cori~munily ojlearnem 389
A Trace-Based Refinement Calculus for Shared-Variable Parallel Programs

We present a refinement calculus for shared-variable parallelprograms. The calculus allows the stepwise formal derivation of a low-level implementation from a trusted high-level specification. It is based on a trace-theoretic semantic model that supports local variable declaration and fair parallel composition. Compositionality is achieved through assumption-commitment reasoning. The refinement rules are syntax-directed in the sense that each rule corresponds to a specific language construct. The calculus is applicable to terminating and nonterminating programs and supports reasoning about liveness properties like termination and eventual entry. A detailed example is given and related work is reviewed.
Human trafficking: contexts and connections to conventional crime

Criminology has faced new challenges in understanding and describing crime over the past two decades. Criminological theory, data and methods have been challenged by the ‘emergence’ of new crime ty...
The effect of stress intensity on package cracking in lead-on-chip (LOC) packages

The effect of stress intensity factors on package cracking failure was studied based on fracture mechanics. The mechanical stress has made the stability of novel lead-on-chip (LOC) packaging technologies a grave concern. The dominant issue is device failure related to package cracking caused by a severe thermal stress concentration due to mismatch of dissimilar materials. The stress singularity appears at an interfacial edge and also the tip of interfacial delamination. To investigate package cracking, the stress singularity fields and the stress intensity factors at the interfacial edge and the tip of delamination were analyzed and the primary factors affecting the criterion of package cracking were subsequently defined. The criterion obtained from the experiment and the simulated results was verified by experiments on different types of the epoxy molding compounds. The results of these characterizations and an explanation of the primary factors affecting package cracking are presented in this paper.
Performance evaluation of trimethylamine–carbon dioxide thermolytic draw solution for engineered osmosis

Abstract We evaluated the performance of trimethylamine–carbon dioxide (TMA–CO 2 ) as a potential thermolytic draw solution for engineered osmosis. Water flux and reverse solute flux with TMA–CO 2 draw solution were measured in forward osmosis (FO) and pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) modes using thin-film composite (TFC) and cellulose triacetate (CTA) FO membranes. Water flux with the TMA–CO 2 draw solution was comparable to that obtained with the more common ammonia–carbon dioxide (NH 3 –CO 2 ) thermolytic draw solution at similar (1 M) concentration. Using a TFC–FO membrane, the water fluxes produced by 1 M TMA–CO 2 and NH 3 –CO 2 draw solutions with a DI water feed were, respectively, 33.4 and 35.6 L m −2 h −1 in PRO mode and 14.5 and 15.2 L m −2 h −1 in FO mode. Reverse draw permeation of TMA–CO 2 was relatively low compared to NH 3 –CO 2 , ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 mol m −2 h −1 in all experiments, due to the larger molecular size of TMA. Thermal separation and recovery efficiency for TMA–CO 2 was compared to NH 3 –CO 2 by modeling low-temperature vacuum distillation utilizing low-grade heat sources. We also discuss possible challenges in the use TMA–CO 2 , including potential adverse impact on human health and environments.
Valproate corrects the schizophrenia-like epigenetic behavioral modifications induced by methionine in mice.

Background Reelin and GAD 67 expression is downregulated in cortical interneurons of schizophrenia (SZ) patients. This downregulation is probably mediated by epigenetic hypermethylation of the respective promoters caused by the selective increase of DNA-methyltransferase 1 in GABAergic neurons. Mice receiving methionine (MET) provide an epigenetic model for neuropathologies related to SZ. We studied whether MET-induced epigenetic reelin promoter hypermethylation and the associated behavioral alterations can be reduced by valproate in doses that inhibit histone deacetylases (HDACs). Methods Mice treated with either methionine (MET) (5.2 mmol/kg/SC/twice daily) or valproate (1.5 mmol/kg/SC/twice daily) or MET+ valproate combination were tested for prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) and social interaction (SI). S-adenosylmethionine, acetylated histone 3, reelin promoter methylation, and reelin mRNA were assayed in the frontal cortex. Results Valproate enhances acetylated histone 3 content, and prevents MET-induced reelin promoter hypermethylation, reelin mRNA downregulation, and PPI and SI deficits. Imidazenil, a positive allosteric modulator at GABA A receptors containing α 5 subunits but inactive at receptors including α 1 subunits, normalizes MET-induced behavioral changes. Conclusion This MET-induced epigenetic mouse models the neurochemical and behavioral aspects of SZ that can be corrected by positively modulating the action of GABA at α 5 -containing GABA A receptors with imidazenil or by inhibiting HDACs with valproate, thus opening exciting new avenues for treatment of epigenetically modified chromatin in SZ morbidity.
Advanced time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses for application to TFT-LCD

Abstract Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) analysis was applied to TFT-LCD failure analysis. We have demonstrated that the TOF-SIMS analysis using large-area sample mapping function is a powerful method to distinguish good regions from defect regions, and that selective field data analysis, which are obtained by reconstructing the raw-data of initial mapping measurement helps to identify the source of chemical and particulate contamination. We have successfully detected the reason of the failure.
Service, training, mentorship: first report of an innovative education-support program to revitalize primary care social service in Chiapas, Mexico.

Background : The Mexican mandatory year of social service following medical school, or pasantia, is designed to provide a safety net for the underserved. However, social service physicians (pasantes) are typically unpracticed, unsupervised, and unsupported. Significant demotivation, absenteeism, and underperformance typically plague the social service year. Objective : Companeros en Salud (CES) aimed to create an education-support package to turn the pasantia into a transformative learning experience. Design : CES recruited pasantes to complete their pasantia in CES-supported Ministry of Health clinics in rural Chiapas. The program aims to: 1) train pasantes to more effectively deliver primary care, 2) expose pasantes to central concepts of global health and social medicine, and 3) foster career development of pasantes. Program components include supportive supervision, on-site mentorship, clinical information resources, monthly interactive seminars, and improved clinic function. We report quantitative and qualitative pasante survey data collected from February 2012 to August 2013 to discuss strengths and weaknesses of this program and its implications for the pasante workforce in Mexico. Results : Pasantes reported that their medical knowledge, and clinical and leadership skills all improved during the CES education-support program. Most pasantes felt the program had an overall positive effect on their career goals and plans, although their self-report of preparedness for the Mexican residency entrance exam (ENARM) decreased during the social service year. One hundred percent reported they were satisfied with the CES-supported pasantia experience and wished to help the poor and underserved in their careers. Conclusions : Education-support programs similar to the CES program may encourage graduating medical students to complete their social service in underserved areas, improve the quality of care provided by pasantes, and address many of the known shortcomings of the pasantia. Additional efforts should focus on developing a strategy to expand this education-support model so that more pasantes throughout Mexico can experience a transformative, career-building, social service year. Keywords : global health; primary care; social service; medical education; health systems strengthening; underserved; Mexico; Latin America (Published: 3 November 2014) Citation : Glob Health Action 2014, 7 : 25139 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/gha.v7.25139
Frictionally Modified Rotating Hydraulic Channel Exchange and Ocean Outflows

Abstract Laboratory experiments of two-layer exchange through channels of circular and half-circular cross section are described. Simple theoretical limits on exchange for the circular channels are obtained from models involving either friction or rotating hydraulic control alone. Ekman and Stewartson layers are appended to the rotating hydraulic control model in a simple theory for frictionally modified rotating control. In theory and experiment, rotation and friction together exert a stronger constraint on the exchange than they do separately. Secondary cross-channel circulations were found in the rotating experiments. These secondary circulations further reduce exchange by efficiently moving fluid that is spun down at the boundaries and interface into the interior. More accurate theoretical estimates of exchange must modify rotating hydraulics to include these frictional effects. Solid-boundary Ekman layers drove some of these secondary circulations; others were driven by robust interfacial Ekman layer...
Determination of ultra-trace elements in human plasma or serum by ICP-MS using sodium in the presence of carbon as a single calibration matrix-match component

A sensitive and high-throughput method was developed for ultra-trace analyses of Mn, As, Cd, W, Hg, Pb and U in plasma or serum specimens using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) equipped with a He mode collision cell. Calibration standards were prepared in basic solution with NaCl and n-butanol (present in the diluent) as Na and C sources, respectively. The remaining components of the diluent were NH4OH, H4EDTA, Triton X-100 and internal standards (Ga, Rh, Re and Ir). Both calibration standards and plasma specimens were diluted 1:10 and directly injected, using an integrated sample introduction system (ISIS), to the ICP-MS bypassing the time consuming and contamination prone chemical/heat digestion steps used elsewhere. The addition of 2% n-butanol to the calibration standards caused a substantial signal enhancement – as much as 450% for As and 120–130% for the other elements – due to the charge transfer from carbon ions (C+) to analytes in the instrument plasma. Further increase in n-butanol concentration steadily decreased elemental signal intensities in a very similar way as the addition of NaCl. Both C+ and Na+ signal intensities in the instrument plasma were at a similar level and their suppressing effect on analytes and internal standards seemed to be interchangeable. Therefore, a thermodynamic approach where one or more ions at higher concentration can influence ionization of other elements present in the instrument plasma at much lower concentrations, which would describe the observed phenomena. These findings were helpful to determine the optimal concentration of 1% NaCl in the intermediate calibration standards and 4% of n-butanol in the diluent to matrix-match the suppressing effect of inorganic and bio-organic components of plasma specimens.
Diel and seasonal variation in the use of a nearshore sandflat by a ray community in a near pristine system

Knowledge of movements and habitat use is necessary to assess a species’ ecological role and is especially important for mesopredators because they provide the link between upper and lower trophic levels. Using acoustic telemetry, we examined coarse-scale diel and seasonal movements of elasmobranch mesopredators on a shallow sandflat in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Giant shovelnose rays (Glaucostegus typus) and reticulate whiprays (Himantura uarnak) were most often detected in nearshore microhabitats and were regularly detected throughout the day and year, although reticulate whiprays tended to frequent the monitored array over longer periods. Pink whiprays (H. fai) and cowtail stingrays (Pastinachus atrus) were also detected throughout the day, but were far less frequently detected. Overall, there was no apparent spatial or temporal partitioning of the sandflats, but residency to the area varied between species. In addition, ray presence throughout the year suggests that previously observed differences in seasonal abundance are likely because of seasonal changes in habitat use rather than large-scale migrations. Continuous use of the sandflats and limited movements within this ray community suggests that rays have the potential to be a structuring force on this system and that focusing on nearshore habitats is important for managing subtropical ray populations.
The microstructure and mechanical properties of a modified 2.25Cr-lMo steel

Tensile and creep properties were determined on a V-Ti-B-modified 2.25Cr-lMo steel. The modified 2.25Cr-lMo steel had about 0.2 pct V added for improved elevated-temperature strength. Boron was added to improve the hardenability, thus allowing thicker sections to be quenched or normalized to completely bainitic microstructures. Lower carbon and silicon concentrations were used (~0.1 pct C and 0.02 pct Si) than in standard 2.25Cr-lMo steel. The modified steel had substantially better stress-rupture properties than did a standard 2.25Cr-lMo steel (both with bainitic microstructures) with equivalent tensile properties — especially at the lowest stresses and highest temperatures. Comparative transmission electron microscopy studies of the standard and modified 2.25Cr- lMo steels indicated that the differences involved the carbide precipitates and the dislocation substructures present in the steels.
Solvent Density-Dependent Steric Stabilization of Perfluoropolyether-Coated Nanocrystals in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Gold nanocrystals, 5 nm in diameter, were synthesized with coatings of thiolated perfluoropolyether (PFPE) ligands. These nanocrystals are dispersed in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). Because...
High-resolution model of Asteroid 4179 Toutatis

Abstract A model of the shape of Toutatis based on “high-resolution” radar images obtained in 1992 and 1996 consists of 39,996 triangular facets of roughly equal area, defined by the locations of 20,000 vertices. These define the average spatial resolution of the model as approximately 34 m, significantly finer than Hudson and Ostro’s (1995 , Science 270, 84–86) model (1600 vertices, resolution 84 m). The high-resolution model reveals complex linear features as well as circular crater-like structures down to the resolution limit. There is a dichotomy between the gravitational slope distributions on the asteroid’s two lobes. The noncraterlike features may be the manifestation of complex interior configurations involving monolithic fragments with various sizes and shapes, presumably due to collisions in various energy regimes. However, it may be impossible to decipher the interior structure and responsible collisional history of Toutatis and other small objects without extended, intensive, direct examination.
African American Women in the U.S. Military

This article is a comparison of black women with women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds and black men in the U.S. military. Developmental analysis is used to examine historical trends and to hypothesize about the future of black women on active duty. Although there is considerable scholarly literature on minorities (particularly African-American men) and women in the armed forces, no systematic study of the participation of African-American women exists. This omission is significant in view of the fact that the representation of black women has increased more than sixfold over the last 15 years (which marks a greater percentage increase than any other segment of the military population).Results of statistical analysis confirm previous findings that African-American women are accessing the military at a faster pace than other racial and ethnic female groups in the United States; they are more concentrated in the Army than other branches of the military; they are mostly assigned to administrative ...
Survey results and a recommendation for a change in U.S. medical physiology curricula.

Both the recent advances in molecular biology and the dilemma of teaching a larger volume of more detailed material to students from a declining, weaker applicant pool necessitate a critical reappraisal of the medical physiology curriculum and pedagogy. An extensive survey of the physiology curricula in 107 U.S. medical schools conducted during the 1986-87 academic year revealed that physiology was taught as a separate course, averaging 100.1 lecture hours, 24.0 laboratory hours (usually dealing with cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology), and 25.6 conference hours. The physiology courses offered by the schools surveyed averaged 21.8 weeks in duration and were taught by an average of 13 faculty (72.5% with Ph.D. degrees, 21.8% with M.D. degrees, and 5.4% with both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees). The evolution of the physiology curriculum has been slow; as a result the need for change is great. Physiology departments must give a high priority to reorganizing and revitalizing teaching. Additionally, the physiology curriculum must be critically examined. There is an urgent need to reevaluate course content, decide the fate of the student laboratory, and develop new, innovative teaching techniques. The ubiquity of these problems among medical schools suggests that they be addressed at a national level.
Heterogeneous reaction of HOBr with HBr and HCl on ice surfaces at 228 k

Motivated by the recent observations of springtime ozone loss in the Arctic boundary layer, we have studied the heterogeneous reactions HOBr + HBr → Br2 + H2O and HOBr + HCl → BrCl + H2O using a low temperature flow tube coupled to a mass spectrometer. By monitoring the decay of HOBr in an excess of either HBr or HCl, both reactions have been shown to occur readily on ice surfaces at 228 K with reaction probabilities of 0.12 (±0.03) and 0.25 (+0.10/−0.05), respectively. The gasphase reaction products, Br2 and BrCl, have been observed. Also, it has been shown that HOBr interacts strongly with supercooled 60 wt % sulfuric acid solutions, being taken up with a sticking coefficient of greater than 0.06. The atmospheric implications of the heterogeneous reactivity of HOBr and HBr are discussed.
Effects of Non-Uniform Streamwise Spacing in Low Aspect Ratio Pin Fin Arrays

Pin fin arrays are commonly used to cool the trailing edge of gas turbine airfoils. While the majority of pin fin research focuses on uniformly-spaced arrays, the goal of the present work was to determine if non-uniform spacing in the streamwise direction could be utilized to maintain high heat transfer while simultaneously extending the array footprint. The uniqueness of the work lies in the basis for selecting the non-uniform spacing pattern. The non-uniform arrangement was chosen to exploit previously published row-by-row heat transfer development where the initial rows showed little variation with streamwise spacing. As such, a non-uniform array was considered where the initial rows had spacing of 3.46 diameters and the inner rows gradually decreased to a final spacing of 1.73 diameters. Three seven-row arrays were considered having constant streamwise spacing of 2.16, 2.60, and 3.03 pin fin diameters. All configurations had constant spanwise spacing of two diameters and constant pin height of one diameter. Three Reynolds numbers of 3.0e3, 1.0e4, and 2.0e4 were considered based on pin fin diameter and minimum area velocity. At high Reynolds numbers, heat transfer and pressure drop measurements were in agreement for the nonuniform array and for a closely spaced array having 2.16 diameter streamwise spacing. While array performance was similar, the non-uniform array covered 16.8% more streamwise distance than the closely spaced array. At low Reynolds numbers, however, the non-uniform array was outperformed by the closely spaced array.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
On a signal detection approach to m-alternative forced choice with bias, with maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches to estimation.

Abstract The standard signal detection theory (SDT) approach to m -alternative forced choice uses the proportion correct as the outcome variable and assumes that there is no response bias. The assumption of no bias is not made for theoretical reasons, but rather because it simplifies the model and estimation of its parameters. The SDT model for m AFC with bias is presented, with the cases of two, three, and four alternatives considered in detail. Two approaches to fitting the model are noted: maximum likelihood estimation with Gaussian quadrature and Bayesian estimation with Markov chain Monte Carlo. Both approaches are examined in simulations. SAS and OpenBUGS programs to fit the models are provided, and an application to real-world data is presented.
Membrane potential-dependent uptake of 18F-triphenylphosphonium–a new voltage sensor as an imaging agent for detecting burn-induced apoptosis

Abstract Background Mitochondrial dysfunction has been closely related to many pathologic processes, such as cellular apoptosis. Alterations in organelle membrane potential are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. A fluorine-18 labeled phosphonium compound: 18F-triphenylphosphonium (18F-TPP) was prepared to determine its potential use as a mitochondria-targeting radiopharmaceutical to evaluate cellular apoptosis. Methods Studies were conducted in both ex vivo cell lines and in vivo using a burned animal model. Uptake of 18F-TPP was assessed in PC-3 cells by gamma counting under the following conditions: graded levels of extracellular potassium concentrations, incubation with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and staurosporine. Apoptosis was studied in a burn animal model using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining and simultaneous assessment of 18F-TPP uptake by biodistribution. Results We found that stepwise membrane depolarization by potassium (K) resulted in a linear decrease in 18F-TPP uptake, with a slope of 0.62 ± 0.08 and a correlation coefficient of 0.936 ± 0.11. Gradually increased concentrations of m-chlorophenylhydrazone lead to decreased uptake of 18F-TPP. Staurosporine significantly decreased the uptake of 18F-TPP in PC-3 cells from 14.2 ± 3.8% to 5.6 ± 1.3% (P Conclusions 18F-TPP is a promising new voltage sensor for detecting mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in various tissues.
Induction of apoptosis in large granular lymphocyte (Lgl) Leukemia by jak tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG-490: Role of STAT3-regulated MCL-1

Abstract Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia is characterized by the expansion of antigen-activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes. These leukemic cells are resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis despite expressing high levels of Fas. We found that leukemic LGL from 19 patients displayed constitutively activated STAT3. Treatment of leukemic LGL from 11 patients with the JAK-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG-490, induced apoptosis with a corresponding decrease in STAT-DNA binding activity. AG-490-induced apoptosis in leukemic LGL was independent of Bcl-X L or BCl-2 expression. However, we found that the Bcl-2-family protein, Mcl-1, was significantly reduced by AG-490 treatment. Activated STAT3 was shown to bind an SIE-related element in the murine mcl-1 promoter. Moreover, using a luciferase reporter assay, we demonstrated that v-src expression in NIH3T3 induced STAT3-dependent transcriptional activity from the mcl-1 promoter. We conclude that one mechanism involved in AG-490-induced apoptosis in leukemic LGL may be mediated by inhibition of STAT3-regulated Mcl-1 expression. These findings suggest that AG-490 warrants further study as a possible therapeutic modality for the treatment of LGL leukemia.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of New Cyclic Melanotropin Peptide Analogues Selective for the Human Melanocortin-4 Receptor

Intensive efforts have been made to develop potent and selective ligands for certain human melanocortin receptors as possible treatments for obesity and sexual dysfunction due to the role of these receptors in feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, sexual function, etc. A number of novel α-MSH analogues were designed and synthesized primarily on the basis of our previous MTII NMR structure. In these peptide analogues, a disulfide or lactam bridge between residues at positions 5 and 8 was used as a conformational constraint to enhance the β-turn spanning His6 and d-Phe7, while the pharmacophore group in Arg8 was mimicked via Nα-alkylation of residues 8 or 9 with the guanidinylbutyl group. Biological assays for binding affinities and adenylate cyclase activities for the hMC1R, hMC3R, hMC4R, and hMC5R showed that three analogues have good binding affinity for the hMC4R (0.7−4.1 nM), but have no binding affinity up to 10 μM at the other three melanocortin receptors. Interestingly, the three hMC4R selective ana...
A molecular approach to electrolyte solutions: Phase behavior and activity coefficients for mixed-salt and multisolvent systems

Abstract A molecular formulation based on modern liquid state theory is applied to the properties and phase behavior of electrolyte systems involving volatile species. The theory goes beyond the usual Debye-Huckel and Pitzer correlations for treating concentrated solutions. The optimized random phase resummation of the cluster diagrams as exemplified in the EXP theory for the cation-cation, cation-anion, and anion-anion distributions is used for the ionic species. This theory represents an improvement over the MSA approach. Electrolyte solutions such as water-salt, ammonia-salt, mixed salts, and mixed-solvent systems are investigated. The usual salt properties, such as osmotic and mean activity coefficients and other thermodynamic properties, are calculated. The predictions are accurate to saturation limits.
Is there modal opponency in the thermal senses

Abstract 1. 1.The sensations evoked by pairs of distinct thermal stimuli applied to the back of the hand were studied in 17 volunteer subjects. Four stimulus combinations were used; neutral-cold (NC), neutral-neutral (NN), neutral-warm (NW), and cold-warm (CW). 2. 2.The subjects were first asked to estimate the magnitude of the thermal sensations evoked by the thermal stimuli. On average, the four pairs were reported as increasing magnitude in the following order: NC, CW, NN, and NW, seeming to suggest that the subjects experienced the cold-warm combination as a composite sensation of cold and warmth intermediate between pure cold and pure warmth. 3. 3.When asked only to detect the presence of a cold stimulus, the subjects performed as well for the CW combination as for the CN combination. This second result indicates that the reported composite magnitude of CW does not result from a true opponency of cold and warmth but from a cognitive combination of distinct sensations of cold and warmth.
On Tidal Motion in a Stratified Inlet, with Particular Reference to Boundary Conditions

Abstract The method of characteristics is used to provide radiation-type boundary conditions appropriate to a portion of a two-layer inlet subject to tidal effects governed by one-dimensional shallow-water theory. Internal waves are considered, with Knight Inlet as an example.
Characterization of iron-sulfur clusters in rat liver submitochondrial particles by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Alterations produced by chronic ethanol consumption

Iron-sulfur clusters present in rat liver submitochondrial particles were characterized by ESR at temperatures between 30 and 5.5 K combined with potentiometric titrations. The spectral and thermodynamic characteristics of the iron-sulfur clusters were generally similar to those previously reported for pigeon or bovine heart submitochondrial particles. Clusters N-1a, N-1b, N-2, N-3 and N-4 of NADH dehydrogenase had midpoint oxidation-reduction potentials at pH 7.5 of -425, -265, -85, -240 and -260 mV, respectively. Clusters S-1 and S-3 of succinate dehydrogenase had midpoint potentials of 0 and +65 mV, respectively. The iron-sulfur cluster of electron-transferring flavo-protein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase exhibited the gz signal at g = 2.08 and had a midpoint potential of +30 mV. This signal was relatively prominent in rat liver compared to pigeon or bovine heart. Submitochondrial particles from rats chronically treated with ethanol (36% of total calories, 40 days) showed decreases of 20-30+% in amplitudes of signals due to clusters N-2, N-3 and N-4 compared to those from pair-fed control rats. Signals from clusters N-1b, S-1, S-3 and electron-transferring flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase were unaffected. Microwave power-saturation behavior was similar for both submitochondrial particle preparations, suggesting that the lower signal amplitudes reflected a lower content of these particular clusters. NADH dehydrogenase activity was significantly decreased (46%), whilst succinate dehydrogenase activity was elevated (25%), following chronic ethanol consumption. The results indicate that chronic ethanol treatment leads to an alteration of the structure and function of the NADH dehydrogenase segment of the electron transfer chain. This alteration is one of the factors contributing to the lower respiration rates observed following chronic ethanol administration.
The diversity and molecular modelling analysis of B 12-dependent and B 12-independent glycerol dehydratases

To broaden our knowledge on the diversity of glycerol dehydratases, comprehensive sequence and molecular modelling analyses of these enzymes were performed. Our sequence analysis showed that B 12-dependent and B 12-independent glycerol dehydratases are not related, suggesting that they evolved from different ancestors. Second, our study demonstrated that a gene fusion event occurred between α and β subunits of B 12-dependent glycerol dehydratases in several bacteria during enzyme evolution. In addition, our sequence and molecular modelling analyses revealed more B 12-independent glycerol dehydratases including hypothetical proteins. Furthermore, we found that some microorganisms contain both B 12-dependent and B 12-independent glycerol dehydratases in their genomes.
SU-GG-I-59: A Process to Streamline Patient Skin Dose Estimation—What We Have and What We Do Not Yet Have

Identifying at‐risk patients for adverse bioeffects including cutaneous radiation injury following high‐dose fluoroscopically‐guided interventional procedures was an FDA recommendation in 1994. The Joint Commission's 15‐Gy fluoroscopic peak skin dose sentinel event caused many facilities to consider potentially‐high patient doses proactively. Purpose: We present our strategy for evaluating interventional procedures to identify patients with high doses and our multilevel support for these patients. We describe problems encountered associated with assessments for patients examined on new equipment (i.e., with FDA‐required air kerma meters) and vintage units. We report planned changes in patient tracking, to improve accuracy, timeliness and efficiency. Methods and Materials: We have 3 levels for dose tracking in our department policy, modified from the procedures reported by Mahesh in 2008. We track data sheets from interventional procedures to identify patients with potentially high doses, and we evaluate prior exams for Level 2 and Level 3 patients. Level 2 patients receive cursory initial dose estimates that depend on the unit. Level 3 patients require detailed dose assessments to determine whether the sentinel event threshold is crossed. Vintage units require measurements and study‐reported data to reconstruct doses. We modified annual and acceptance testing to streamline dosimetry for common high‐dose procedures. New units with in‐line dosimetry need fewer measurements and required assumptions, but some necessary information is lacking. Adding estimated doses for multiple exams present special unit‐dependent challenges, related to the beam entrance location. Results: Examples are presented for improving accuracy and timeliness in identifying patients with high levels, preparing cursory estimates to improve timeliness, and modifying annual physics protocols to collect data for dose estimation in advance of specific patient needs. We include a sample dose report. Conclusion: Following patient dose histories for monitoring potential CRI is time‐consuming. We identify our processes for improving accuracy and timeliness and show what is lacking.
Low noise germanium radial drift detector

Abstract A germanium radial drift detector with a built-in drift field has been fabricated using conventional processing techniques. It has an active area of 5 cm2 and a full depletion capacitance of 1.4 pF. It exhibited low noise and good energy resolution. Detector pulse shapes have been measured and found to agree well with the calculated shape.
High-Density Polyethylene Membrane Containing Fe0 as a Contaminant Barrier

To improve the performance of polymer-based containment barriers with respect to the breakthrough of chlorinated solvents, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) membrane containing zero-valent iron ( Fe0 ) nanoparticles was developed as a reactive barrier. The performance of the reactive membrane was evaluated by challenging it with carbon tetrachloride in a diaphragm cell apparatus. In a Fe0 /HDPE system, reaction between carbon tetrachloride and Fe0 did not occur due to a lack of water in the polymer matrix. A glycerol-modified Fe0 /HDPE membrane successfully increased the lag time before breakthrough by 13–16 fold compared to HDPE alone. Calculations estimate that only 2.5–3.0% of the Fe0 initially present in the membrane reacted before breakthrough of carbon tetrachloride. Extrapolations of these results to practical situations with larger membrane thicknesses and lower contaminant concentrations predict lag times on the order of years.
“Trace” Contamination of Corticotropin and Human Growth Hormone with Vasopresssin—Clinical Significance

The occurrence of symptomatic hyponatremia during 48-hr ACTH infusions and the antidiuretic responses observed with human growth hormone (hGH) injections prompted an evaluation of the vasopressin (ADH) content of natural ACTH and hGH preparations in clinical use. In six normal subjects, 24-hr infusion of 80 U ACTH resulted in the retention of 88% of the infused fluid. A marked antidiuresis was observed in a diabetes insipidus patient given 40 U ACTH iv over a 2-hr period. ADH bioassay (rat) showed 13–18 mU ADH/U ACTH and 27–850 mU ADH/mg hGH. Synthetic ACTH had no ADH activity. This degree of ADH contamination together with iv infusion of fluids may explain the serious water intoxication observed with prolonged infusions of natural ACTH in hypopituitarism, and suggests fluid restriction and the use of synthetic ACTH to prevent this complication. The small ADH contamination of hGH and its mode of administration make serious hyponatremia during treatment unlikely
On the Theory of Some Non-Parametric Hypotheses

For two types of non-parametric hypotheses optimum tests are derived against certain classes of alternatives. The two kinds of hypotheses are related and may be illustrated by the following example: (1) The joint distribution of the variables Xi, • • •, Xm, Yi, • • •, Yn is invariant under all permutations of the variables; (2) the variables are independently and identically distributed. It is shown that the theory of optimum tests for hypotheses of the first kind is the same as that of optimum similar tests for hypotheses of the second kind. Most powerful tests are obtained against arbitrary simple alternatives, and in a number of important cases most stringent tests are derived against certain composite alternatives. For the example (1), if the distributions are restricted to probability densities, Pitman’s test based on ȳ — x is most powerful against the alternatives that the X’s and F’s are independently normally distributed with common variance, and that E(Xi) = ξ, E(Yi) =η where η > ξ If η — ξ may be positive or negative the test based on | ȳ — x| is most stringent. The definitions are sufficiently general that the theory applies to both continuous and discrete problems, and that tied observations present no difficulties. It is shown that continuous and discrete problems may be combined. Pitman’s test for example, when applied to certain discrete problems, coincides with Fisher’s exact test, and when m = n the test based on | ȳ — x | is most stringent for hypothesis (1) against a broad class of alternatives which includes both discrete and absolutely continuous distributions.
British Library, Cotton Tiberius A. iii, fol. 59rv: An Unrecorded Charm in the Form of an Address to the Cross

(1991). British Library, Cotton Tiberius A. iii, fol. 59rv: An Unrecorded Charm in the Form of an Address to the Cross. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 3-5.
Analytic Yaw–Pitch Steering for Side-Looking SAR With Numerical Roll Algorithm for Incidence Angle

In side-looking synthetic aperture radars (SARs), the rotation of the Earth introduces a corrupting residual Doppler shift. Recently, methods using both yaw and pitch maneuvers have been introduced to cancel residual Doppler. In this paper, the condition for zero residual Doppler independent of a coordinate system is used as a starting point to derive formulas for yaw-then-pitch steering angles that achieve zero residual Doppler for strip-mode SAR. The advantage is that the resulting formulas are analytic in the position and velocity of the radar vehicle. In addition, the magnitude of residual Doppler due to both the offset of the radar phase center from the vehicle center of mass and an ellipsoidal Earth is bounded. To take advantage of the final degree of freedom in roll, a bisection-based roll algorithm is presented that achieves a desired radar incidence angle. The algorithm assumes an ellipsoidal Earth but can incorporate digital elevation and geoid models. Finally, numerical examples illustrate yaw-then-pitch steering, the sensitivity of these angles to the specific orbit, and calculation of the roll angle.
RNA-guided genome editing à la carte

Two recent papers in Science illustrate how the prokaryotic CRISPR-Cas immune system machinery, which typically targets invasive genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids, can be converted into a sophisticated molecular tool for next-generation human genome editing. The versatile Cas9 RNA-guided endonuclease can be readily reprogrammed using customizable small RNAs for sequence-specific single- or double-stranded DNA cleavage.
An immunoenzyme assay for quantitation of human IgG antibodies to honeybee venom phospholipase A2

Abstract A new method to measure the concentrations of IgG antibodies to phospholipase A 2 in sera from patients treated with honeybee venom immunotherapy is described. This method utilizes a microcentrifugal analyzer to detect inhibition of PLA 2 enzymatic activity by antibodies in serum standards and unknowns. Sera from radkeepers with known concentrations of specific antibodies, measured by radioimmunoprecipitation, were used to construct a logit-log standard curve for the immunoenzyme assay. The standard curve was linear for concentrations between 2.3 and 20.0 μg/ml. The concentrations of specific antibodies measured by enzyme inhibition correlated well with the concentrations as measured by radioimmunoprecipitation, r = 0.959 (least squares linear regression), n = 32. Interassay variation was 10.1% at 10 μg/ml. The immunoenzyme method is rapid and does not require radiolabeled reagents.
The scientific attack on Brown v. Board of Education, 1954-1964

Psychologists' work was cited in the Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education (1954). One criticism of the citation was that psychology could be used to overturn the Brown decision and return the country to segregation. A historical examination of such an attempt to overturn Brown in the early 1960s on the basis of new psychological knowledge shows that psychology was not persuasive in the face of the civil rights movement. The failure of segregationists to overturn Brown with psychological experts underscores how psychology is ineluctably bound to the larger society.
Dependence of x-ray sensitivity of bacteriophage on phase state and temperature.

SEVERAL studies have shown that biological materials are more resistant to ionizing radiations at extremely low temperatures1–4. This is usually explained by assuming that diffusion processes involving ‘poisons’ produced by radiations (OH, HO2, H2O2, etc.) are greatly retarded at low temperatures where there would be negligible free water. The above investigations have not been closely concerned with the region around 0° C. where the liquid–solid phase change would be of importance. The purpose of this report is to describe the influence of temperature (− 16° to 37°) and phase state (liquid or solid) on the radiosensitivity of a bacterial virus.