cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incorporation of Tryptophan Analogues into Staphylococcal Nuclease: Stability toward Thermal and Guanidine-HCl Induced Unfolding†

The tryptophan analogues, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 7-azatryptophan, 4-fluorotryptophan, 5-fluorotryptophan, and 6-fluorotryptophan, have been biosynthetically incorporated into Staphylococcal nuclease, its V66W mutant, and the Δ137−149 fragment of the latter mutant. The guanidine−HCl induced unfolding and thermal unfolding of these proteins were studied to characterize the effect of incorporation of these tryptophan analogues on the thermodynamic stability of the proteins. The three proteins have tryptophan residues at positions 140 (in wild type) and 66 (in the Δ137−149 fragment of V66W) and at both positions (in V66W). The unfolding data show that 5-hydroxytryptophan does not perturb the stability of wild-type nuclease, but it destabilizes the fragment and causes the V66W mutant to unfold in a more cooperative manner. 7-Azatryptophan is found to destabilize all three proteins. 4-Fluorotryptophan is slightly stabilizing of the three proteins, but the other two fluorotryptophans do not alter the stability of ...
Research Funding Cut in Proposed Environmental Protection Agency Budget

The Obama administration's proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2014 provides a total of $8.153 billion to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a decrease of $296 million from FY 2012 spending (comparisons are to FY 2012 because final appropriations for 2013 were not available when the president released his proposed FY 2014 budget).
Potassium and Chloride Channels in Freshly Isolated Rat Odontoblasts

It has been suggested that understanding the physiological properties of odontoblasts may be important in understanding the mechanisms underlying both metabolic and transductive processes in dental pulp. Because ion flux(es) may play a critical role in these events, it is of particular interest to understand ionic mechanisms in odontoblast cells. Thus, the aim of this study was to use patch-clamp recording techniques to examine the properties of resident ion channels in freshly dissociated odontoblasts. In recordings made in potassium-rich solutions, cells displayed at least three distinct channel amplitudes, with conductances of 130 ± 18 pS, 52 ± 4 pS, and 25 ± 2 pS, respectively. Channel activity persisted in the presence of potassium salts of impermeant anions, and could be abolished by barium, a non-specific potassium channel blocker. In addition to the potassium conductances, we saw two separate anion channels in the odontoblast membrane. These channels were predominantly chloride-selective, weakly p...
Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway has provided a new therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Two EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are being used globally as systemic treatment in advanced NSCLC. In addition, clinical observations with EGFR TKIS led to the discovery of EGFR activating mutations, which has catalyzed translational research and has provided new insights into lung cancer biology. Presentations in the EGFR pathway session included review of molecular marker data, description of agents and strategies, which could overcome acquired and inherent EGFR TKI resistance, the role of HER2 in NSCLC, and discussion of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies.
Theory of the spin dynamics of bulk Fe and ultrathin Fe(100) films

Abstract We present theoretical studies of the spin dynamics of bulk Fe and of ultrathin Fe(1 0 0) films, within an empirical tight binding description of the one electron energies. We use a Slater–Koster parameterization of the bulk paramagnetic energy bands, and apply these to the film. Ferromagnetic ground states are generated by introducing intra-atomic Coulomb repulsion within the d shell of each atom. The intra-atomic Coulomb matrix elements are expressed in terms of three Racah parameters, whose values are chosen to describe the ferromagnetism of the bulk. We calculate the transverse dynamic spin susceptibility of both the bulk and a film with a (1 0 0) surface, within the random phase approximation (RPA). Such an approach describes the spin wave excitations of these systems, and their Stoner spectrum as well.
Properties of sulfur-containing nuphar alkaloids

Abstract The various types of Nuphar alkaloids are noted and thereafter attention is focused on one of these types, the thiaspirane Nuphar alkaloids. A brief discussion of the spectral characteristics useful in ascertaining the gross structure is followed by a more detailed discussion of the spectral properties, primarily 1H and 13C NMR and the CD, and the chemistry employed to establish the stereochemistry of the thiaspiranes. Emphasis is given to sulfur atom-immonium ion interactions which are revealed in studies of metal hydride reduction and the UV and CD of α- and β-thiohemiaminals. Finally an indication of the biological activities of thiohemiaminal thiaspirane and synthetic analogs is presented.
Effects of bovine and caprine Monterey Jack cheeses fortified with milk calcium on bone mineralization in rats

Abstract Bovine and caprine Monterey Jack cheeses were produced unfortified (cheese) or fortified with milk calcium (Ca-cheese). Five groups of male rats were fed a control diet or one of four experimental diets: bovine cheese diet, bovine Ca-cheese diet, caprine cheese diet, and caprine Ca-cheese diet to test their effects on calcium absorption as well as bone mineralization. Significant differences ( P 0.05 ) were found for calcium absorption and digestibility with the data yielding the pattern: caprine Ca-cheese>caprine cheese=bovine Ca-cheese>bovine cheese>control. Significant increases ( P 0.05 ) occurred in bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and breaking force in the femoral bone with the pattern: caprine Ca-cheese>caprine cheese>bovine Ca-cheese>bovine cheese>control. Our findings suggest that caprine cheese unfortified or fortified with milk calcium had the most positive effects on calcium absorption and bone mineralization in rats, with bovine cheeses still having significantly greater effects than the non-casein control.
The Biology of Rotylenchulus Parvus 1)

Rotylenchulus parvus (Williams) completed its life cycle from egg to egg in 27-36 days at 24-28°C through four molts, the first of which occurred within the egg. After ecdysis and without feeding, the second-stage larvae went through three superimposed molts. Barley, blackeye cowpea, Bermuda grass, corn, red kidney bean were favorable hosts. The highest rate of multiplication was at 30° C. Populations decreased in fallow soil with longer periods of exposure and lower temperatures.
Health care delivery: searching for integration.

From the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa Address correspondence to Stephen Ludwig, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th St and Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 (e-mail: ludwig@email.chop.edu). Received for publication November 8, 2010; accepted March 10, 2011.
AVO in transversely isotropic media; an overview

The amplitude variation with offset (AVO) responses of elastic transversely isotropic media are sensitive to contrasts in both of Thomsen's anisotropic parameters [delta] and [var epsilon]. The equation describing P-P reflections indicates that the smaller the contrasts in isotropic properties and the larger the contrasts in [delta] and [var epsilon] across an interface of reflection, the greater the effects of anisotropy on the AVO signature. Contrasts in [delta] are most important under small-to-medium angles of incidence as previously described by Banik (1987), while contrasts in [var epsilon] can have a strong influence on amplitudes for the larger angles of incidence commonly encountered in exploration. Consequently, using Rutherford and Williams' AVO classification of isotropic gas sands, type 1 gas sands overlain by a transversely isotropic (TI) shale exhibit a larger decrease in AVO than if the shale had been isotropic, and type 3 gas sands overlain by a transversely isotropic shale exhibit a larger increase in AVO than if the shale had been isotropic. More quantitative AVO interpretations in TI media require considerations of viscoelastic TI in addition to elastic TI and lead to complicated integrated earth models. However, when elastic and viscoelastic TI have the same axis of symmetry inmore » a shale overlying an isotropic sand, both elastic and viscoelastic TI affect the overall AVO response in the same direction by constructively increasing/decreasing the isotropic component of the AVO response. Continued efforts in this area will lead to more realistic reservoir models and hopefully answer some of the unexplained pitfalls in AVO interpretation.« less
Matching and integration across heterogeneous data sources

A sea of undifferentiated information is forming from the body of data that is collected by people and organizations, across government, for different purposes, at different times, and using different methodologies. The resulting massive data heterogeneity requires automatic methods for data alignment, matching and/or merging. In this poster, we describe two systems, Guspin™ and Sift™, for automatically identifying equivalence classes and for aligning data across databases. Our technology, based on principles of information theory, measures the relative importance of data, leveraging them to quantify the similarity between entities. These systems have been applied to solve real problems faced by the Environmental Protection Agency and its counterparts at the state and local government level.
Disclination dynamics in nematic liquid crystals.

This paper presents a simple particle plus field model for the dynamics of disclination lines in a nematic liquid crystal. The model has no logarithmic divergences with system size and, therefore, no need to introduce a cutoff. The resulting equation of motion relates the velocity of the disclination to the local phase gradient at the core of the disclination. The equation is used to obtain a solution, with a scaling behavior at small time for the annihilation of a pair of opposite strength disclinations. In addition, this paper develops a criterion for the flow speed required to free a disclination from the boundary constraints of the container.
Stacked solder bumping technology for improved solder joint reliability

Abstract Solder joint failure is a serious reliability concern in flip-chip and ball grid array packages of integrated-circuit chips. In current industrial practice, the solder joints take on the shape of a spherical segment. Mathematical calculations and finite element modeling have shown that hourglass-shaped solder joints would have the lowest plastic strain and stress during a temperature cycle, thus the longest lifetime. In an effort to improve solder joint reliability, we have developed a stacked solder bumping technique for fabricating triple-stacked hourglass-shaped solder joints. This solder bumping technology can easily control the solder joint shape and height. The structure of triple-stacked solder joints consists of an inner cap, middle ball and outer cap. The triple-stacked solder joints are expected to have greater compliance than conventional solder joints and are able to relax the stresses caused by the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatching between the silicon chips and substrates since it has a greater height. Furthermore, the hourglass-shaped solder joints are to have a much lower stress/strain concentration at the interface between the solder joint and the silicon die as well as at the interface between the solder joint and substrate than barrel-shaped solder joints, especially around the corners of the interfaces. In this paper, the solder bumping process is designed and joint reliability is evaluated. Mechanical tests have been carried out to characterize the adhesion strength of the solder joints. The interfaces of the solder joints are investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Temperature cycling results show that the triple-stacked hourglass-shaped solder joints are more reliable than the traditional spherical-shaped solder joints.
Comparison of the relative accuracy of the potential energy curve of hydrogen fluoride from ab initio calculations and from an empirical universal function

Abstract The accuracy of recent theoretical calculations of the potential energy curve of hydrogen fluoride is compared to that of the potential predicted by a previously proposed empirical Morse-like function, universally applicable to stable ground state diatomics. In addition to the properties required for the Morse equation (bond energy, bond length, vibrational frequency, and mass) two more properties are used by the empirical function: the electronegativity difference and the product of Slater’s effective nuclear charges of the two atoms. Eigenvalues obtained from the most successful of recent ab initio calculations and from the empirical function are compared to experimental vibrational term values, as a stringent test of accuracy. The accuracy of the empirical “universal” function is marginally superior.
Intraphagocytic beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Properties of the enzyme and its activity on group A streptococcal carbohydrate in comparison with a soil bacillus enzyme.

The β-N-acetylglucosaminidases of rabbit and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and of rabbit alveolar macrophages have been studied in comparison with the β-N-acetylglucosaminidase derived from a soil bacillus which had previously been shown to hydrolyze the group-specific polysaccharide of Group A streptococci. The phagocytic enzymes are lysosome associated and have an acid pH optimum. In contrast, the soil bacillus enzyme is an extracellular product, has a higher pH optimum, and is probaby of smaller molecular size. When tested on p-nitrophenyl-βN-acetylglucosaminide as substrate, the Km of the phagocytic enzymes is slightly higher than that of the soil bacillus. However, there were extreme differences in their effect on the Group A streptococcal polysaccharide. Thus, 5 x 106 units of the alveolar macrophage enzyme were required to hydrolyze the available N-acetylglucosamine of 1 mg of polysaccharide in 18 hr, while 100 units of the soil bacillus enzyme were sufficient to achieve this hydrolysis. In both cases, the serological reactivity of the polysaccharide is altered with loss of Group A specificity and acquisition of a new specificity characteristic of A-variant streptococci. Possible explanations for differences in the activity of the enzymes are considered, and the role of the phagocytic enzymes in intracellular degradation of Group A streptococci is discussed.
Response of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana to the 1997–2001 El Niño Southern Oscillation shifts

Lake Pontchartrain is a large, shallow, low salinity estuary north of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is a water quality impaired system with restoration efforts in progress. One restoration goal is the reestablishment of historic submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV;Vallisneria americana Michx. andRuppia maritima L.), which has been in a state of decline since first studied in 1953. Annual SAV surveys and monthly water quality monitoring were conducted at four to five sites from 1996 through 2003 to evaluate trends and determine the causes of SAV change. We found a rapid increase in the distribution and abundance ofR. maritima in 1999 that persisted through 2002. An El Nino Southern Oscillation shift occurred between 1997 and 2001, which produced a drought in southern Louisiana as an ancillary effect of La Nina. This study was conducted to investigate causal links between the El Nino to La Nina climate phase shift and SAV change. We found that salinity and water clarity increased during La Nina. Increased water clarity produced a rapid increase in the euryhaline speciesR. maritima in deeper water and at historic sites where SAV had not been found since 1953. As salinity increased, the freshwater speciesV. americana andMyriophyllum spicatum L. declined, andNajas guadalupensis (Spreng.) Magnus andPotamogeton perfoliatus L. disappeared. In 2003, after the La Nina phase, salinity and water clarity decreased,R. maritima decreased, and the freshwater species increased, butP. perfoliatus was still absent. We found that salinity controlled SAV species composition, and water clarity controlled SAV colonization depth (Zcol=2.3/Kd). Our study demonstrated that climatic shifts cause cyclic changes in Lake Pontchartrain SAV and that restoration could be accomplished by improving water clarity. Due to the sensitivity of SAV to environmental change, similar responses to short-term and long-term climate changes should occur in other estuarine systems.
Relation of ventricular ectopic complexes to QTc interval on ambulatory electrocardiograms in Williams syndrome.

Williams syndrome (WS) is a congenital, developmental disorder affecting 1 in 8,000 live births. The corrected QT (QTc) interval is prolonged in 13% of patients with WS. No data exist characterizing the ambulatory electrocardiographic findings in WS. A retrospective review of all patients with WS evaluated at our institution from January 1, 1980 to December 31, 2007 was performed. Patients with ≥1 ambulatory electrocardiogram (AECG) with sinus rhythm and measurable intervals were included. QTc measurements were made at the minimum and maximum heart rate. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of ventricular ectopic complexes with QTc measurements. A statistical probability of p
Reactions of transition metal-2-alkynyl complexes with sulfur trioxide. Organometallic sultone complexes

Abstract A series of transition metal-vinyl complexes containing a sultone ring have been prepared by the reaction of the corresponding metal-2-alkynyl complexes with SO3 dioxane or uncomplexed SO3. The new compounds include h5-C5H5Fe(CO)2 CC(R)S(O) 2 OC H2 (R = CH3, C6H5), h5C5H5Mo(CO)3 CC(R)S(O) 2 OC H2 (R = C6H5) and Mn(CO)5 CC(R)S(O) 2 OC H2 (R = C6H5). One member of this class (Mn(CO)5 CC(C 6 H 5 )S(O) 2 OC H2) was also obtained via oxidation of the corresponding vinyl-sultine, Mn(CO)5 CC(C 6 H 5 )S(O)OC H2). These sultone complexes exhibit much greater chemical and thermal stability than their sultine analogs.
Entanglement Entropy of Gapped Phases and Topological Order in Three dimensions

We discuss entanglement entropy of gapped ground states in different dimensions, obtained on partitioning space into two regions. For trivial phases without topological order, we argue that the entanglement entropy may be obtained by integrating an ``entropy density'' over the partition boundary that admits a gradient expansion in the curvature of the boundary. This constrains the expansion of entanglement entropy as a function of system size and points to an even-odd dependence on dimensionality. For example, in contrast to the familiar result in two dimensions, a size-independent constant contribution to the entanglement entropy can appear for trivial phases in any odd spatial dimension. We then discuss phases with topological entanglement entropy (TEE) that cannot be obtained by adding local contributions. We find that in three dimensions there is just one type of TEE, as in two dimensions, that depends linearly on the number of connected components of the boundary (the ``zeroth Betti number''). In $Dg3$ dimensions, new types of TEE appear which depend on the higher Betti numbers of the boundary manifold. We construct generalized toric code models that exhibit these TEEs and discuss ways to extract TEE in $D\ensuremath{\ge}3$.
Atmospheric trace elements in aerosols observed over the Southern Ocean and coastal East Antarctica

Atmospheric aerosol samples were collected over the Southern Ocean (SO) and coastal East Antarctica (CEA) during the austral summer of 2010/11. Samples were analysed for trace elements, including Na, Mg, K, Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd and Se, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean atmospheric concentrations over the SO were 1100 ng m −3 for Na, 190 ng m −3 for Mg, 150 ng m −3 for Al, 14 ng m −3 for Fe, 0.46 ng m −3 for Mn and 0.25 ng m −3 for Se. Over CEA, the mean concentrations were 990 ng m −3 for Na, 180 ng m −3 for Mg, 190 ng m −3 for Al, 26 ng m −3 for Fe, 0.70 ng m −3 for Mn and 0.29 ng m −3 for Se. Particle size distributions, enrichment factors (EFs) and correlation analysis indicate that Na, Mg and K mainly came from the marine source, while Al, Fe and Mn were mainly from the crustal source, which also contributed to Mg and K over CEA. High EFs were associated with Ni, Cd and Se, suggesting likely contributions from mixed sources from the Antarctic continent, long-range transport, marine biogenic emissions and anthropogenic emissions. Sea-salt elements (Na, Mg, K) were mainly accumulated in the coarse mode, and crustal elements (Al, Fe, Mn) presented a bimodal size distribution pattern. Bioactive elements (Fe, Ni, Cd) were enriched in the fine mode, especially with samples collected over the SO, possibly affecting biogeochemical cycles in this oceanic region. Keywords: Southern Ocean; coastal East Antarctica; trace elements; size distribution; sources (Published: 17 November 2014) Citation: Polar Research 2014, 33 , 23973, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v33.23973
Energy-time dispersed charged particle signatures of dynamic injections in Jupiter's inner magnetosphere

We report on the first detection of energy-time dispersed charged particle signatures of dynamic injections within Jupiter's inner magnetosphere. They were observed by the Energetic Particle Detector on the Galileo spacecraft. The signatures documented here were detected most clearly in ∼15–880 keV electrons when Galileo was near local noon at a radial position of ∼11 RJ. On the basis of the character of the signatures (∼60-min signatures within each energy channel and up to ∼90-min time dispersions between channels), the injection disturbances occurred 24–33 h prior to the time of the detections and spanned ∼2.5 h (<40°) of azimuth at the time of the disturbances. Possible generation mechanisms and similarities with Earth magnetosphere events are discussed.
Surface states of Se and Te

Abstract The energies of surface states of hexagonal Se and Te (surface perpendicular to the chains) are calculated in the tightbinding approximation as a function of the change of the Coulomb energy at the surface. The results allow qualitative conclusions on the band structure of vitreous Se, which are in agreement with experiment.
Cotton Nonwovens as Oil Spill Cleanup Sorbents

We examined partial or complete replacement of synthetic sorbents by cotton- containing nonwovens for use in oil spill cleanup. The results indicate that with light crude oil, oil sorption capacities of the needlepunched cotton-containing sorbents were slightly greater than those of sorbents made from 100% polypropylene fibers. If necessary, a small portion of polypropylene fiber could be incorporated into nonwovens to increase mechanical strength properties and to maintain fabric integrity. The cotton- containing sorbents were reusable after a simple mechanical compression to remove oil. They also floated in an artificial seawater bath for a long period of time. We found that oil sorption of cotton fiber was controlled by adsorption on the fiber surface and capillary action through its lumen. Contrarily, the main mechanism for polypropylene was through capillary bridges between fibers. Detailed evaluation using an environ mental scanning electron microscope confirmed this mechanism. Individual bundles of...
Technical Note: The Effect of Heat Treatment on the Pitting Behavior of SiCw/AA2124

A study was initiated at this laboratory to better understand the role of heat treatment on the pitting behavior of SiC/AA2124
CdSe(ZnS) nanocomposite luminescent high temperature sensor.

High temperature luminescence-based sensing is demonstrated by embedding colloidal CdSe(ZnS) quantum dots into a high temperature SiO2 dielectric matrix. The nanocomposite was fabricated by a solution process method. As-prepared CdSe(ZnS) quantum dots in the nanocomposite sensor show an absorption band at a wavelength of 600 nm (2.06 eV). Photoluminescence (PL) measurements show a room temperature emission peak at 606 nm (2.04 eV). The temperature-dependent emission spectra study shows for the first time a CdSe(ZnS)‐SiO2 nanocomposite-based high temperature sensor. The temperature-dependent spectral and intensity modes of the nanocomposite thin film photoluminescence were investigated from 295‐525 K. The sensor shows a variation of the emission wavelength as a function of temperature with a sensitivity of ∼0.11 nm ◦ C −1 . The film morphology and roughness are characterized using AFM. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)
RapA, Escherichia coli RNA polymerase SWI/SNF subunit-dependent polyadenylation of RNA

In this work, we describe RapA-dependent polyadenylation of model RNA substrates and endogenous, RNA polymerase-associated nucleic acid fragments. We demonstrate that the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase obtained through the classic purification procedure carries endogenous RNA oligonucleotides, which, in the presence of ATP, are polyriboadenylated in a RapA-dependent manner by an accessory poly(rA) polymerase. RNA polymerase isolated from poly(A) polymerase- (PAP-) and polynucleotide phosphorylase- (PNP-) deficient E. coli strain lacks accessory (rA)(n)-synthetic activity. Experiments with reconstituted RNA polymerase-PAP and RNA polymerase-PNP mixtures suggest that RapA enables the polyadenylation by PAP of RNA polymerase-associated RNA. Mutations disrupting RapA's ATP-hydrolytic function disrupt RapA-dependent polyadenylation, and the rapA(-)E. coli strain displays a measurable reduction in RNA polyadenylation. RapA-dependent polyadenylation can also be modulated by mutations in the section of RapA's SWI/SNF domain linked to interaction with single-stranded nucleic acid. We have developed enzymatic assays in which model, synthetic RNAs are polyriboadenylated in a RapA-dependent manner. Taken together, our results are consistent with RapA acting as an RNA polymerase-associated, ATP-dependent RNA translocase. Our work further links RapA to RNA remodeling and provides new mechanistic insights into the functional interaction between RNA polymerase and RapA.
On modeling component processes in the Earth's global electric circuit

Abstract There are many component processes interacting simultaneously in the Earth's global electric circuit. The three main generators in the circuit are thunderstorms, the ionosphere wind dynamo, and the solar wind/magnetosphere dynamo. This paper reviews the progress made in recent years in modeling the various generators and their mutual interactions. The progress made in modeling various component processes that affect the distribution of electric fields and currents is also reviewed.
Reconstructing prokaryotic transcriptional regulatory networks: lessons from actinobacteria

Reconstruction of transcriptional regulatory networks of uncharacterized bacteria is a main challenge for the post-genomic era. Recent studies, including one in BMC Systems Biology, address this problem in the relatively underexplored actinobacteria clade, which includes major pathogenic and economically relevant taxa.
Combustion Product Toxic Potency Measurements: Comparison of a Small Scale Test and "Real-World" Fires

A long range goal of fire science is to be able to predict "real- world" fire performance from a small set of laboratory scale fire measurements. One material property of primary concern is the toxicity of decomposition prod- ucts. Several small scale toxicity protocols that measure toxic potency of the smoke from burning materials have been developed. While several attempts have been made to correlate individual protocols with large scale results, no systematic set of criteria for determining the extent of similarity has been defined and tested. In this paper, three criteria have been proposed and tested using one set of materials (cotton fabric and polyurethane foam) in two dif- ferent large-scale enclosures and three different fire scenarios. Tests were con- ducted to determine the extent of similarity between the NBS Toxicity Test Protocol and large-scale "real-world" fire performance. The similarity criteria were: LC values, time to death of the animals, and toxicant(s) causing the deaths (i.e., the ratios of yields of known toxicants and the contribution of the unknown toxicants). Comparison of test results showed that similar LC values were observed. However, toxicant yields varied and animal
Manufacture of fast-pulsed magnets for the SLC damping rings

A second-generation fast kicker magnet (and its power supply) was designed by Fermilab for the SLC (Stanford Linear Collider) electron damping ring. The requirements were to inject and extract two bunches of electrons, with the following magnetic field specifications: integral peak magnetic field=0.021 T-m; rise/fall time (0-100%)=56.03 ns maximum; and 'flat-top' duration=61.63 ns. Many of the early problems with these magnets have been studied intensely, and substantial progress has been made. In particular, vacuum potting with room-temperature curing silicone rubber (RTV) has been refined to give reliable high-voltage service up to 18 kV/mm, and lifetimes of about a year despite stored beam intensities of 3*10/sup 10/ electrons/bunch at 120 pps. Further improvements in RTV formulation are suggested, and the direction of future insulation-system development is indicated. >
Applying TAM across cultures: the need for caution

The technology acceptance model (TAM) is one of the most widely used behavioural models in the information systems (IS) field. Researchers have used the model to study many different IS adoption situations and contexts, and it usually demonstrates validity and reliability. Although TAM was developed in the U.S., the TAM model has also been used in other countries. Transferring a model to another cultural context should be subjected to rigorous testing, and a few studies have begun to examine the applicability of TAM in a small variety of cultures. This study contributes to the growing multi-cultural examination of TAM, and demonstrates that although the model has been successful in predicting adoption behaviours in some international settings, it might not hold in all cultures. Almost 4000 students from several universities around the world provided the data for the study. Data analysis revealed that the TAM model does not hold for certain cultural orientations. Most significantly, low Uncertainty Avoidance, high Masculinity, high-Power Distance, and high Collectivism seem to nullify the effects of Perceived Ease of Use and/or Perceived Usefulness. Since TAM has been shown to be widely applicable to various technological innovations, it is likely to continue to be applied broadly and globally. However, the results of this study suggest the need for caution in applying TAM in at least 20 countries.
Relational Data Base Machines

Relational data base machines using head-per-track disk technology or its electronic equivalent can move processing logic closer to the data, providing simplified storage organizations for large-scale applications.
A Monte Carlo approach for power estimation

The authors investigate a power estimation technique for VLSI that combines the accuracy of simulation-based techniques with the speed of the probabilistic techniques. The resulting method is statistical in nature; it consists of applying randomly generated input patterns to the circuit and monitoring, with a simulator, the resulting power value. This is continued until a value of power is obtained with a desired accuracy, at a specified confidence level. The authors present the algorithm and experimental results, and discuss the superiority of the approach. >
Trademark Dilution and the Practice of Marketing

This article considers the marketing implications of the Federal Trademark Dilution Act (FTDA) of 1995. The FTDA, an amendment to the Lanham Act, will influence the manner in which marketing is practiced well into the twenty-first century. Although the FTDA is specifically concerned with protecting famous trademarks from being diluted—either by having their distinctiveness diminished or positive associations tarnished—by similar trademarks, its influence will not be limited to trademark or branding issues. Implications range from the allocation of advertising resources to the increased use of marketing research.
Resolving cryptic aspects of cryptochrome signaling

For over 100 years it has been known that a blue light photoreceptor regulates growth and development in plants under low-light conditions. These photoreceptors were termed cryptochomes (CRYs) because of their importance in cryptogamic plants and the cryptic aspects of their function and photochemistry (1, 2). Despite decades of progress into their structure and photochemistry (discussed below), several elements of CRY’s photocycle and signaling mechanisms remain fiercely debated. These debates center on sequence conservation within the CRY/photolyase family (CPF). Despite high sequence similarities, CPF members demonstrate functions ranging from DNA repair enzymes (photolyases) to blue light-regulated growth, development, and circadian rhythms in diverse organisms (CRYs) (3). In all cases, CPF function hinges upon a bound flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor that undergoes interconversion between several redox states (Fig. 1). Currently, the nature of the ground and excited states of FAD, the presence and role of secondary pigments, and the requirement of a conserved sequence of three Trp residues (Trp triad) remain controversial (3, 4). Debates stem from the difficulties of resolving contradictions between in vitro photochemical experiments and in vivo biological function (4). These conflicts are further exacerbated by apparent differences within the CPF family. For instance, the Arabidopsis thaliana AtCRY1 and AtCRY2 proteins reportedly differ in the requirement of the Trp triad for function: the Trp triad is not required for signaling in CRY2 (5), but was reported to be required for CRY1 function in vivo (6). In PNAS, Gao et al. elegantly demonstrate that the Trp triad is indeed not required for in vivo function of AtCRY1 and that photochemical activation of Trp triad mutants is not dependent upon ATP or other metabolites (7). In this manner, Gao et al. clarify two conflicts in CRY chemistry and function regarding the biological role of the Trp triad. Thereby, they present a more unified understanding of CRY photochemistry.
Future Targets and Cascades for Neuroprotective Strategies

Cumulative evidence suggests that apoptosis plays a pivotal role in neuronal death after cerebral ischemia in various experimental animal models. The time-dependent molecular and biochemical sequelae that lead to apoptotic cell death after the interruption of cerebral blood flow have been established. Many neuroprotective agents that target cell death pathways have been failures, and alternative strategies need to be considered. One such strategy is to target the neuronal survival signaling pathway, which involves the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt (protein kinase B) pathway. It has been demonstrated that PI3-K/Akt and downstream phosphorylated Bad and proline-rich Akt substrate survival signaling cascades are upregulated in surviving neurons in the ischemic brain that overexpresses copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activity. These studies provide an impetus for novel therapeutic targets in neuroprotective strategies in stroke.
Computer architecture for intelligent, real-time, numeric and symbolic processing

An architecture to provide for the expert control of numerical processing is described. Simulations run to explore the possibility of using parallelism show positive results in the areas of numerical processing and expert symbolic processing. The architecture presented, while multiple-instruction multiple-data (MIMD) massively parallel, is an optimum parallel environment for real-time applications and follows the idea of intelligent processing to create a coupled system to support real-time simulation and control tasks. >
Efficient 3-D Wavefield Extrapolation with Fourier Finite-Differences and Helical Boundary Conditions

Fourier finite-difference (FFD) migration combines the complementary advantages of the phase-shift and finite-difference migration methods. However, as with other implicit finite-difference algorithms, direct application to 3-D problems is prohibitively expensive. Rather than making the simple x y splitting approximation that leads to extensive azimuthal operator anisotropy, I demonstrate an alternative approximation that retains azimuthal isotropy without the need for additional correction terms. Helical boundary conditions allow the critical 2-D inverse-filtering step to be recast as 1-D inverse-filtering. A spectral factorization algorithm can then factor this 1-D filterinto a (minimum-phase) causal component and a (maximum-phase) anti-causal component. This factorization provides an LU decomposition of the matrix, which can then be inverted directly by backsubstitution. The cost of this approximate inversion remains O(N) where N is the size of the matrix.
Hands‐On Approach to the Americans with Disabilities Act

ISSUE: Teaching, research, and practice were pursued for students and professionals who wanted to learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). APPLICATION: A commonsense, hands-on approach is advocated. GOAL: An interior design program initiated the ADA workshop for program enrichment to stimulate firsthand understanding of the law. DESCRIPTION: Beginning with a three-day public workshop, professionals and students came together in an ADA field experience to identify barriers and prioritize the removal of architectural and communication barriers in specified places. The workshop began with a pretest, was followed by a design charrette format, and concluded with a post-test. Participants, armed with a systematic checklist, videocamera, and an ADA expert, to spent from 3–6 hours evaluating sites and preparing their reports. CONCLUSION: Workshop participants showed a 25% improvement based on test scores in overall understanding and application of ADA Accessibility Guidelines. This workshop led to increased program visibility, extension programming, community leadership, and professional opportunities for students.
Game theory in the healthcare literature: a contextual co-descriptor analysis of MeSH term assignments

Game theory, the study of strategies and decision making, is represented in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) vocabulary by two terms---GAME THEORY and its immediately narrower term, GAMES, EXPERIMENTAL. Both are terms in MATHEMATICS---a branch of the NATURAL SCIENCES (MeSH Tree H01). Contextual co-descriptor analysis was used to explore and visualize the game theory topics relevant to medical researchers and scholars, based on the frequently-assigned MeSH terms assigned to articles also indexed with one or another of these two MeSH terms. The literature indexed with GAME THEORY deals primarily with two key concepts in the field---Evolutionary Game Theory and Human Behavior. GAMES, EXPERIMENTAL retrieves several very different topics---general game-theoretic behavioral research, human cognition and neuroimaging, and nursing education. It appears that the assignment of GAMES, EXPERIMENTAL conflates the notions of (1) experiments in Game Theory (testing decision-making scenarios), (2) modeling human brain processes during decision making, and (3) the use of a variety of different kinds of games and simulations to teach in nursing programs. The last might be considered a poor fit to the notion of the role of games in Game Theory as it is generally understood by game theorists.
Molecular road ecology: exploring the potential of genetics for investigating transportation impacts on wildlife

Transportation infrastructures such as roads, railroads and canals can have major environmental impacts. Ecological road effects include the destruction and fragmentation of habitat, the interruption of ecological processes and increased erosion and pollution. Growing concern about these ecological road effects has led to the emergence of a new scientific discipline called road ecology. The goal of road ecology is to provide planners with scientific advice on how to avoid, minimize or mitigate negative environmental impacts of transportation. In this review, we explore the potential of molecular genetics to contribute to road ecology. First, we summarize general findings from road ecology and review studies that investigate road effects using genetic data. These studies generally focus only on barrier effects of roads on local genetic diversity and structure and only use a fraction of available molecular approaches. Thus, we propose additional molecular applications that can be used to evaluate road effects across multiple scales and dimensions of the biodiversity hierarchy. Finally, we make recommendations for future research questions and study designs that would advance molecular road ecology. Our review demonstrates that molecular approaches can substantially contribute to road ecology research and that interdisciplinary, long-term collaborations will be particularly important for realizing the full potential of molecular road ecology.
Termites (Isoptera): Their Phylogeny, Classification, and Rise to Ecological Dominance

Abstract Like ants, termites are entirely eusocial and have profound ecological significance in the tropics. Following upon recent studies reporting more than a quarter of all known fossil termites, we present the first phylogeny of termite lineages using exemplar Cretaceous, Tertiary, and Recent taxa. Relationships among Recent families were largely unaffected by the addition of extinct taxa, but the analysis revealed extensive grades of stem-group taxa and the divergence of some modern families in the Cretaceous. Rhinotermitidae, Serritermitidae, and the “higher” termites (family Termitidae), which comprise 84% of the world termite species, diverged and radiated entirely in the Tertiary, corresponding to a significant increase in termite individuals in the fossil record. Radiation of the higher termites may have affected the formation of terrestrial carbon reserves like oil and coal. The higher classification of Isoptera is slightly revised based on the phylogenetic results. The following new taxa are p...
Immune alterations and M1/M2 shifting of monocytes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

219 Lung cancer is a serious health issue worldwide due to its highest mortality rate among cancers and the poor responsiveness to present therapy. Immune aberrations have been reported to play a pivotal role in tumorogenesis and myeloid suppressor cells-mediated immune suppression has been demonstrated in animal models of tumor. Type 1 monocytes with a high expression of iNOS have an important function in the defense mechanism against tumor and a shift to type 2 monocytes with a low expression of iNOS may attenuate the anti-tumor activity. In the present study, we explored the immune alterations in the patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and flow cytometry was used to analyze the amount of myeloid suppressor cells (MSC, % of CD11b+/CD14- cells of non-monocytic PBMNC), monocytes (CD14/iNOS, M1/M2), helper cells/cytotoxic T cells (CD4/CD8), regulatory T cells (CD4/CD25/Foxp3), and NK cells (CD1d/Vα24). Data were expressed as mean±SEM, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the difference between study subsets. Our preliminary data showed that the amount of myeloid suppressor cells was significantly increased in the treatment-naive patients, compared to the control subjects (31.26±6.12%, n=18 vs 9.36±1.93, n=8, p=0.0163). The M1/M2 ratio was ranged widely from 0.081 to 5.6 in patients, compared to a narrow range from 0.126 to 0.699 in control subjects. The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly increased in patients (3.88±0.77, n=10 vs 0.98±0.05, n=6, p=0.0002) due to a significant decrease in CD8 cells (8.67±1.34%, n=10 vs 31.38±2.38%, n=6, p=0.0002). The amount of regulatory T cells was also increased in the cancer patients. Additionally, our data also showed a negative association between the population of MSC and the M1/M2 ratio of monocyte (r= -0.7527, p=0.003, n=13, Spearman test), suggesting a negatively modulatory interaction between the MSCs and monocytes. Our results revealed that there is an immune alteration in the patients with NSCLC. The molecular mechanism of the interaction between these cells and the clinical-therapeutic implication of the immune alteration are under study.
Rethinking Zealousness: A Paradigm for Representation of Clients in Mediation

Are lawyers who take up Lincoln's appeal to be peacemakers while representing clients in mediation setting themselves up for an ethical fall? Not all argues, asserts the author, who argues that the model rules of professional conduct regarding scope of representation, client communication, informed consent, and lawyer as advisor leave room for a vision of zealousness that promotes, rather than undermines, key mediation values.
How 'Commerce Among the Several States' Became 'Interstate Commerce:' A Content Analysis of Supreme Court Opinions

This paper tabulates the number of Supreme Court majority opinions which use either the phrase "commerce among the several states" (or close variants), which is the actual language of the Constitution, or the phrase "interstate commerce." We find using LEXIS searches that the latter term was first introduced into an opinion in 1869, but within about 20 years it far overshadowed the actual language of the Constitution and has been used ever since in considerably more opinions than the actual language. The greatest dominance by "interstate commerce" came in the 1930's, when it was used in nearly 15 times more opinions than "commerce among the several states," but even in recent decades the former term dominates the latter by at least three times. The significance of the rise of "interstate commerce" is more difficult to determine, but we think from ample evidence that it corresponds to and reinforces a sense that "among the several states" has a relatively narrow meaning, that of something crossing a state border. In contrast, arguments could be made that "among" has a broader meaning, which is to go inside states. However, the dominance of "interstate commerce," not just in the Court's own language, but in legal discourse generally, as well as in political science and even among the public generally, not only reflects the Court's own doctrine, at least from earlier periods, but also makes it more difficult to make the argument for the broader meaning of among because of the pervasiveness of the acceptance that "interstate commerce" is the meaning of the Constitution.