cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Single Point Mutations within Proposed Copper Binding Sites on Specific Activity and Inter-Chain Affinity of Factor VIII.

Abstract Copper ions appear important for the structural integrity and the function of factor VIII. Reconstitution studies have shown that Cu2+ increases specific activity of factor VIII as well as increases affinity between heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC). Based on the ceruloplasmin homology, the existence of three Cu2+ binding sites has been proposed. These include a type 1 site in HC (A1 domain) coordinated by C310, H315, H267, and M320, a type 1 site in LC (A3 domain) coordinated by C2000, H1954, H2005, and M2010, and type 2 site spanning A1 and A3 domains coordinated by H99 and H1957 with possible other additional residues. We rationalized that point mutations within a putative Cu2+ coordination sites would diminish Cu2+ binding at that site, as detected by changes in factor VIII specific activity and/or inter-subunit affinity. We produced several mutant factor VIII proteins bearing point mutation of C310S, H315A, C2000S, H1954A, H99A, or H1957A using a B-domainless human factor VIII vector. Each mutant was stably expressed and purified by SP-sepharose, which bound factor VIII primarily though LC. Western blotting indicated a reduction in the relative amount of HC in C310S and H99A factor VIII forms, suggesting that inter-chain affinity was reduced by these mutations. EDTA-treated factor VIII forms in the presence of Ca2+ were titrated with Cu2+ and activity was monitored using a factor Xa generation assay. The concentration of free Cu2+ was controlled by the presence of EDTA and Ca2+ based on the known values for Cu2+-EDTA and Ca2+-EDTA affinities. The activity regain observed for wild type factor VIII following titration with Cu2+ yielded a Kd = 11.5 ± 2.2 fM. All of the mutants tested retained a high affinity response to Cu2+, suggesting that single point mutations were not sufficient to eliminate Cu2+ binding. However, while Kd values for H1957A (10.3 ± 2.2 fM), H99A (2.1 ± 1.9 fM), H315A (6.7 ± 3.1 fM), and C310S (12.7 ± 3.4 fM) retained similar or slightly reduced affinity for Cu2+, the Kd values for C2000S (304 ± 105 fM) and H1954A (365 ± 105 fM) showed a significant reduction in Cu2+ affinity. When factor VIIIa subunits were titrated with Cu2+ and monitored by intrinsic fluorescence, only purified A1 subunit showed a saturable effect of the signal (Kd = 11.9 ± 4.9 fM), indicating that this subunit contained a high affinity Cu2+ binding site. Taken together, these results suggest that occupancy of the type 1 Cu2+ binding site in A3 contributes to the Cu2+-dependent increase in specific activity of factor VIII and that the type 1 site in A1 and/or the type 2 site contributes to HC-LC association.
STUDIES IN EXPERIMENTAL EXTRACORPOREAL THROMBOSIS : III. EFFECTS OF CERTAIN ANTICOAGULANTS (HEPARIN AND HIRUDIN) ON EXTRACORPOREAL THROMBOSIS AND ON THE MECHANISM OF THROMBUS FORMATION.

1. Effects of anticoagulants, heparin and hirudin, on extracorporeal thrombosis were studied in thirty-three experiments by means of the extracorporeal vascular loop. In spite of adequate single doses of the anticoagulants white thrombi are formed and obstruction to flow may follow in the course of time, but the formation of red thrombi is markedly retarded. 2. The new method throws some light on the mechanics of thrombosis. The influences of foreign surfaces, of irregularities on the surface of the vessels, of whirlpools and of eddying motion of the blood current and of slowing and of stagnation with consequent prolonged contact with foreign surfaces are demonstrated, and these are analyzed in respect to the laying down of platelets and leucocytes. 3. The structure of white thrombi formed after anticoagulant injection is almost identical with that described by Welch. In one respect, however, the present results appear to differ from his: the formation of fibrin is postponed and retarded, and hence the collections of platelets are deposited in greater amount.
Analysis of genes associated with pulmonary mucosal defense against influenza A virus infection (INM8P.402)

Influenza A virus infects affect a large population worldwide every year. Antigenic drifts and shifts, and re-assortments in influenza A viruses contribute to reduced host protection. Early host immune defenses may also vary based on the virus strain. A murine model system is one of the best in vivo models to study the host immune defense against Influenza A virus. We hypothesized that host mucosal defenses are initiated in the lung mucosa by expression of antimicrobial peptides. We infected C57BL/6 female mice with 1000 TCID50 A/CA/04/2009 (pH1N1) or A/PR/08/1934 (PR8) strains of influenza A virus and quantified changes in cell recruitment and antimicrobial peptide gene expression at 0, 1, 3, 9, 24, 48, and 120 hours. Both viruses efficiently replicated in mice with peak viral production at 48 hours. However, PR8 caused more damage to the host, marked by increased recruitment of neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages and viral burden compared to pH1N1. Genes associated with antimicrobial peptides ( RELM , MBD4 , CRAMP , PLUNC ) were upregulated starting at 3 hours post infection. These genes were more highly expressed in response to PR8 virus. Our data suggest that the proteins encoded by these genes may initiate the immune response against influenza A virus infections and that the host mucosal response varies depending on the strain of virus.
Complete Genome Sequence and Methylome Analysis of Bacillus caldolyticus NEB414.

ABSTRACT Bacillus caldolyticus NEB414 is the original source strain for the restriction enzyme BclI. Its complete sequence and full methylome were determined using single-molecule real-time sequencing.
Exploring How an Elementary Teacher Plans and Implements Social Studies Inquiry.

Social studies continues to be marginalized in elementary grades, yet the C3 Framework and its Inquiry Arc offer possibilities for high-quality elementary social studies instruction. However, the C...
Oropharynx, Hypopharynx, and Parapharyngeal Space: Anatomy, Histology, Benign and Malignant Neoplasia

The range of benign and malignant entities encountered in the oropharynx is much smaller, relative to the oral cavity and there are no “precursor” lesions in the oropharynx. The biology, morphology, treatment, and staging of oropharyngeal squamous carcinomas are vastly different than squamous carcinomas just centimeters anterior, in the oral cavity. High-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) -mediated oropharyngeal cancers can be recognized by the following possible features: nonkeratinizing, “inside-out” maturation, and multinucleated and/pr pleomorphic tumor cells. Metastatic HR-HPV mediated oropharyngeal cancers are frequently cystic. Immunohistochemistry for p16 is now standard of care for staging oropharyngeal carcinomas according to new 8th American Joint Cancer Committee standards.
Hyperthermic isolation limb perfusion (HILP) in the management of extremity melanoma and sarcoma with particular reference to the dosage, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of cisplatin

Hyperthermic Isolation Limb Perfusion (HILP) is a technique of extremity chemotherapy developed by Dr. Oscar Creech et al. At Tulane University in the late 1950s and early 1960s [1]. The technique was adopted by relatively few institutions around the world, essentially all of whom claim superior results in comparison to conventional treatment, i.e., surgery alone. There are, however, no convincing randomized trials that precisely document the value of HILP; thus, the technique remains controversial. While the technique and drugs used are continuing to evolve, there is little question that HILP has a role in the management of advanced and high-risk extremity melanomas and sarcomas.
Food Laws and Regulations

A paramount objective of the food industry is to provide a continuing supply of safe, wholesome foods for the public. To achieve this goal, food producers must be concerned about possible deterioration of foods, their contamination with microorganisms or potentially hazardous chemicals (e.g., residues of pesticides used in agriculture), and the safety of additives or other materials used in food processing.
Special Topics in Water Relations

Desert researchers have attempted to identify plant adaptations for either collecting or conserving water. Relatively few structural subjects have been pursued with sufficient experimentation to draw generalizations that fit desert plants. The following are particularly interesting topics on water uptake, transport, and management that have been investigated.
Longing for Life Extension: Science Fiction and Late Life

Rejuvenescence has long been a topic of legend and “medicine.” As the body became the property of medical science, speculative fiction asked how fantastic experiments with bodies would affect the life course. In science fiction, medical breakthroughs promise or threaten to forestall or even reverse the decline from midlife through old age to senility and decrepitude. Responding to debates over evolution, eugenics, and scientific experimentation with human and animal subjects, rejuvenescence novels such as Bruce Sterling's Holy Fire (1996) ask readers whether they desire long life or heightened quality of life; the consolations of age or the hungers of youth; short-lived intensity or perpetual ennui.
Raman Scattering in Two-Phase Flows with Application to Temperature Measurements

In several important applications of dispersed, two-phase flow, the possible occurrence of thermodynamic nonequilibrium between the vapor and liquid phases is of fundamental interest and practical concern. The measurement of the potential super-heated temperatures of the vapor, in the presence of colder liquid droplets remains a difficult experimental task, and to date, only partial success has been obtained by use of intrusive, aspirating thermocouple probes.
Creativity in Building a Philosophy

It is appropriate that a philosophical lecture on creativity be properly dedicated to the suitable powers of Being. Consequently, I should like to dedicate this presentation to Dionysus, the god of ecstasy, irrationality, vitality and creativity, without whose blessing this lecture will neither speak properly about creativity, nor exhibit creativity. I would petition the god that it might do both, and so with what J. L. Austin would call a performatory utterance it is done, and is so dedicated. So be it! We shall return to this dedication so that one may see its relevance before we are finished.
Application of poly(methylsilane) and Nicalon® polycarbosilane precursors as binders for metal/ceramic powders in preparation of functionally graded materials

For the first time, ceramic precursors were applied in the powder metallurgy (P/M) preparation of Functionally Graded Materials (FGM). Two types of FGMs were prepared: Al/SiC for possible aerospace applications and Cu/SiC for dynamic seal applications. There are two main advantages of using ceramic precursors for P/M preparation of FGMs (1) avoidance of the commercially used debinding step and (2) shrinkage control of the individual layers of the composite.
Increased O-GlcNAcylation Attenuates Autophagic Flux, Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Leads to Accumulation of Alpha-Synuclein in Neurons

Alpha-synuclein accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction are prominent in Parkinson’s disease (PD). To determine how autophagy, the cellular protein homeostasis and mitochondrial quality control ...
Responses to Intermittent Light Stimulation Late in the Night Phase Before Dawn

The circadian clock is comprised of two oscillators that independently track sunset (evening) and sunrise (morning), though little is known about how light responses differ in each. Here, we quantified the morning oscillator's responses to 19 separate pulse trains, collecting observations from over 1300 Drosophila at ZT23. Our results show that the advances in activity onset produced by these protocols depended on the tempo of light administration even when total exposure was conserved across a 15-min window. Moreover, patterns of stimulation previously shown to optimize the evening oscillator's delay resetting at ZT13 (an hour after dusk) were equally effective for the M oscillator at ZT23 (an hour before dawn), though the morning oscillator was by comparison more photosensitive and could benefit from a greater number of fractionation strategies that better converted light into phase-shifting drive. These data continue to build the case that the reading frames for the pacemaker's time-of-day estimates at dusk and dawn are not uniform and suggest that the "photologic" for the evening versus morning oscillator's resetting might be dissociable.
Powerless Men and Agentic Women: Gender Bias in Hiring Decisions

We examined male power-roles as a potential moderator of gender bias in hiring decisions. Drawing from previous work on perceptions of agentic women and precarious manhood theory, we predicted that men in low-power roles may react more negatively to agentic women compared to men in high-power roles. In two experiments, male participants evaluated resumes from male and female job candidates applying for a managerial position. Across experiments, results suggest that lacking power may facilitate biased hiring decisions. U.S. college men assigned to (Experiment 1, n = 83) or primed (Experiment 2, n = 84) with a low-power role rated the female applicant as less hireable and recommended a lower salary for her compared to the male applicant. This difference did not occur in the high-power or baseline conditions. A meta-analysis combining the results of both experiments confirmed that gender bias was limited to the low-power condition. Results are discussed in terms of powerlessness as a masculinity threat that may have downstream consequences for women.
Spatial and Spatiotemporal Patterns

Spatial and spatiotemporal data analysis is of great importance in disease dynamics for a number of reasons such as looking for space-time clustering, hot-spot detection, characterizing invasion waves, and quantifying spatial synchrony.
Cyber-coordinated Simulation Models for Multi-stage Additive Manufacturing of Energy Products

This paper extends the conventional single-stage additive manufacturing (AM) processes to multi-STage distRibutEd AM systems (STREAMs). In STREAM, a batch of material produced at the pre-processing stage is jointly consumed by distributed AM printers, and then the printed parts are collected for the centralized post-processing. Such systems are widely encountered in AM processes such as energy-AM, metal-AM and bio-AM. Modeling and managing such complex systems have been challenging. We propose a novel framework for “cyber-coordinated simulation” to manage the hierarchical information in STREAM. This is important because simulation can be used to infuse data into predictive analytics, thus providing guidance for the optimization and control of STREAM operations. The proposed framework is hierarchical in nature, where single stage, multi-stage and distributed productions are modeled through the integration of different simulators. We demonstrate the proposed framework with simulation data from freeze nano printing AM processes.
An exploratory study on the intergenerational transmission of dieting proneness within an eating disorder population

An Exploratory Study on the Intergenerational Transmission of Dieting Proneness within an Eating Disorder Population (IRB Protocol Number: 160928271). Parents and families are not the sole factor in eating disorder (ED) development and their involvement in recovery is crucial. However, parents provide a social and environmental context for a child’s eating and weight that cannot be completely discounted. The purpose of this study was to explore the intergenerational transmission of dieting behavior within an ED sample. Participants (N = 65) were recruited for this cross-sectional study through four distinct ED treatment sites. Participants completed a questionnaire that was developed previously to examine parental feedback as predictor variables, as well as completing the Eating Pathology Severity Index (EPSI) as an outcome variable. A total of 60 completed the questionnaire items of interest to be included in the analyses. SAS JMP® 13.0 was used for descriptive analyses, correlations, and multivariable linear regressions. Results of the multivariable linear regression showed that the amount of variance explained by the final model for eating pathology severity (via the EPSI) doubled when parental feedback was included (Model 1: R2= 0.09, Model 2: R2= 0.20). Additionally, there was a significant relationship between the “Negative Direct Parental Feedback Subscale” and EPSI total scores (s = 14.1; SD = 7.0; p = 0.05). These findings of increased eating pathology associated with direct parental feedback in a clinical population of ED participants even when controlling for parental ED history suggests greater attention is needed within the ED literature on social and environmental factors and their potential associations with eating pathology. Level V, descriptive study.
Do Country and Culture Influence Online Reviews? An Analysis of a Multinational Retailer’s Country-Specific Sites

As multinational firms continue to sell global brands across country borders online, online review platforms create value for consumers and for firms, yet differences in language and reviewing styl...
The Lymphatic System

The network of lymphatic vessels drains the interstial tissue by returning fluid and particulates to the central veins. Under normal circumstances this is considered an active process, resulting in negative interstitial pressures. The active process is attributed primarily to contractile lymphangions, numerous tiny valved pumps, able to move fluid against a pressure gradient. The possibility that capillary lymphatics have the same ability without the benefit of valves.
The Threat of Antibiotic Resistance in Changing Climate.

As the earliest form of life, microorganisms have elaborate mechanisms for adapting to changes in environmental conditions [...]
Narcissistic grandiosity and risky health behaviors in college students

Objectives: This study explored associations between narcissistic grandiosity (including its component traits) and reported risky health behaviors in college students. Participants: College men and women (N = 122) participated between December 2015 and January 2016. Methods: Participants completed self-report measures of grandiosity, alcohol consumption, number of sex partners, and condom use. Results: Grandiosity was positively associated with alcohol consumption. Gender interacted with grandiose traits, driving associations with reported sexual behaviors. College men high in entitlement/exploitativeness reported more sex partners. Grandiose exhibitionism was associated with condom use among women but not men, such that college women higher in grandiose exhibitionism were more likely to report not using a condom with their most recent partner. Conclusions: Grandiosity (and grandiose traits) may influence health behavior and/or the reporting of health behavior in college students, but associations may differ for men and women.
A novel algorithm to optimize generalized gamma distributed multiplicative noise with implications on speckle removal from OCT images

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images are corrupted by multiplicative generalized gamma distributed speckle noise that significantly degrades the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of microstructural compartments in biological applications. This work proposes a novel algorithm to optimize the negative log likelihood of the spatial distribution of speckle. Specifically, the proposed method formulates a penalized negative log likelihood (P-NLL) cost function and proposes a majorize-minimize-based optimization method that removes speckle from OCT images. The optimization reduces to solving an iterative gradient descent problem. We demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method by removing speckle in OCT images of uniform phantoms with varying scattering coefficients and human brain tissue.
Exploring Faster RCNN for Fabric Defect Detection

This paper presents a fabric defect detection network (FabricNet) for automatic fabric defect detection. Our proposed FabricNet incorporates several effective techniques, such as Feature Pyramid Network (FPN), Deformable Convolution (DC) network, and Distance IoU Loss function, into vanilla Faster RCNN to improve the accuracy and speed of fabric defect detection. Our experiment shows that, when optimizations are combined, the FabricNet achieves 62.07% mAP and 97.37% AP50 on DAGM 2007 dataset, and an average prediction speed of 17 frames per second.
Affective Context and the Interpretation of Facial Expressions in Portrait Paintings

The present study examined the effects of affective context on evaluation of facial expression of emotion in portrait paintings. Pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral context photographs were presented...
MET alterations and their impact on the future of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) targeted therapies

Introduction: The MET gene and its pathway normally plays a crucial role in cell homeostasis, motility, and apoptosis. However, when the MET gene is altered, there is an imbalance toward cell proli...
Mobile health application usage and quality of care at a hypertension clinic: an observational cohort study

Objective The aim of this study was to test whether a physician-supervised web-based app, integrated with an electronic medical record, helps in improving blood pressure (BP) management in clinical practice. Materials and methods An observational study of 1633 patients seen at a hypertension clinic managed by an endocrinologist with two cohorts (726 adopted the app and 907 had not). The app allowed patients and doctors to monitor BP, blood sugar and other vital signs. Patients decided whether to opt in to using the app and how often to upload their readings. The provider could offer feedback and communicate with patients through the app. We evaluated the change in office-based BP measurement before and after app adoption (at least 12 months apart). We performed a difference-in-difference analysis along with matching based on patient-individual characteristics. Results The difference-in-difference estimates were 6.23 mmHg systolic [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.87-11.59] for patients with SBP 150 mmHg or above, 4.01 mmHg systolic (95% CI 1.11-6.91) for patients with SBP 140 mmHg or above, 4.37 mmHg diastolic (95% CI 1.06-7.68) for patients with DBP 90 mmHg or above, 1.89 mmHg systolic (95% CI 0.58-3.2) and 0.87 mmHg diastolic (95% CI 0.17-1.57) overall for an average patient. Higher frequency of app usage was also associated with a greater reduction in BP. Conclusion Use of an mHealth app in a clinical practice, was associated with a significant reduction in BP for average patients as well as high-severity patients. Physician-supervised mHealth apps in a clinical practice could be instrumental in managing patient BP.
Sympathoinhibitory effect of sacubitril-valsartan in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A pilot study.

Abstract Chronic sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overactivity, characteristic of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), is associated with poor prognosis and contributes to increased mortality risk. Sacubitril-valsartan is a recently approved, first-in-class, angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) drug that markedly reduces the risks of death from cardiovascular causes and hospitalization for HF in patients with HFrEF, but the physiological mechanisms underlying these benefits are not fully understood. This single-arm, open-label, prospective study sought to test the hypothesis that short-term treatment with sacubitril-valsartan reduces SNS activity, measured directly via muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), in patients with HFrEF. MSNA, heart rate (HR), and arterial blood pressure (BP) were assessed in stable Class II and III patients with HFrEF (n = 9, 69 ± 8 yrs.; 28.6 ± 3.6 kg/m2) on contemporary, guideline-directed medical treatment who were subsequently started on sacubitril-valsartan. These measurements were repeated after two months of treatment with sacubitril-valsartan. Sacubitril-valsartan reduced MSNA burst frequency (baseline: 43 ± 10 bursts/min; 2-month: 36 ± 10 bursts/min, p = 0.05) and burst incidence (baseline: 68 ± 16 bursts/100 heartbeats; 2-month: 55 ± 16 bursts/100 heartbeats, p = 0.02), while HR and BP were unchanged following the treatment (p > 0.05). These preliminary findings provide new evidence regarding the ability of sacubitril-valsartan to rapidly reduce SNS activity in patients with HFrEF, suggesting the presence of a novel sympathoinhibitory effect of this new drug class.
Is Entropy enough for measuring Privacy

Anonymization is critical to privacy. It helps protect the identity and sensitive information of individuals from their profile data. Knowing the degree of anonymity attained is an important step to advance privacy and anonymization techniques. However, little research has focused on articulating a measure to quantify the quality of anonymization. On the other hand, many have used popular Shannon's entropy, a well-established measure from information theory, as a way to measure anonymity. In this paper, we take a closer look at the meaning, the distinction and the relationship between anonymity and entropy with respect to privacy. We argue that, even though information entropy is used amply as a metric for anonymity, it is not a befitting measure. Furthermore, although parts of the entropy's information theory are relevant, they alone are not adequate to be a proper measure for anonymity. This paper presents a simple, intuitive, and theoretically grounded measure for anonymity. We provide a comparison analysis between our measure with other entropy-based metrics along with experiments to show the effectiveness of our proposed measure.
The failures of functionalism (for memory)

In Memory: A Self-Referential Account, Fernandez offers a functionalist account of the metaphysics of memory, which is portrayed as presenting significant advantages over causal and narrative theories of memory. In this paper, I present a series of challenges for Fernandez’s functionalism. There are issues with both the particulars of the account and the use of functionalism more generally. First, in characterizing the mnemonic role of episodic remembering, Fernandez fails to make clear how the mental image type that plays this role should be identified. Second, I argue that a functionalist approach, which appeals to the overall structure of the memory system and tendencies of mental state types, is ill-suited to the metaphysical question about episodic remembering that is of interest to the causal and narrative theorists with which Fernandez engages. Fernandez’s self-referential account of memory has many other virtues, but functionalism is a poor fit for episodic remembering.
Thomas Henry Huxley's developmental view of the cell

In 1853, the British physiologist Thomas Henry Huxley roundly criticized German cell theory. Historians have had difficulty explaining how such a 'progressive' biologist could have rejected cellular autonomy and the central role of the nucleus in cell life. The key to Huxley's thinking is provided by understanding his 'epigenetic' philosophy of biology.
DNA synthesis in isolated nuclei. An analysis of the system.

Abstract Evaluation of the technology for analysis of incorporation of [3H]TTP into nuclei of Chinese hamster fibroblast and HeLa nuclei was performed. The synthesis of the DNA was dependent on all four deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates, Mg2+ and ATP. Nuclei pelleted after 5% trichloroacetic acid or 3 : 1 (methanol-acetic acid) precipitation at 4 °C resulted in an aggregate which could not be adequately resuspended for further washing. This problem was circumvented using 50% acetic acid fixation at 4 °C. Using this procedure the pellet of nuclei could be washed, removing much of radioactivity with minimal loss of nuclei, indicating adventitious adsorption of radioactive DNA. This was confirmed by sedimentation of unlabeled nuclei through the reaction mixture containing radioactive chromatin. We conclude that the existing methodologies for studying DNA synthesis in isolated nuclei have been inadequate.
Adaptive optimal control of connected vehicles

In this paper, a data-driven non-model-based approach is proposed for the adaptive optimal control of connected vehicles, comprised of n human-driven vehicles only transmitting motional data and an autonomous vehicle in the tail receiving the broadcasted data from preceding vehicles by wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication devices. An optimal control problem is formulated to minimize the errors of distance and velocity and to optimize the fuel usage. By employing adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) technique, optimal controllers are obtained by online approximation for the connected vehicles without knowing the system dynamics. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated via online learning control of the connected vehicles in two scenarios.
Jet noise prediction: Past, present and future

Jet noise continues to be an important contributor to the total aircraft noise on takeoff, and the prediction of jet noise based on relatively simple models is discussed. Jet noise predictions are either based on a company's proprietary experimental database or are based on a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation for the jet's mean flow, coupled with an acoustic analogy. Detailed calculations of the full time-dependent, three-dimensional near field, coupled with an extrapolation method to extend the solution semi-analytically to the far field, have been very effective. A simple model is proposed for the generation and radiation of noise by the large scale turbulent structures in the jet shear layer. Models based more closely on experimental measurements, such as those given by Harper-Bourne. Comparisons were also made with previous measurements in other anechoic jet facilities and problems with these prior measurements were identified.
Event-related Brain Potentials: A Tool in the Study of Human Information Processing

A cognitive psychologist of note who is not particularly impressed with event-related potentials (ERPs) commented recently, while reviewing a grant application, that studies of the behavioral correlates of ERPs can be described as studies in which “phenomena are in search of a theory.” The intent was pejorative, but I found the statement complimentary. I was especially pleased because several years ago in a review of one of my own proposals another referee suggested that in the field of ERPs “one sees a technique futilely searching for phenomena!” We have, it would seem, made good progress in the last decade if we have found phenomena and are now searching for a theory. A detailed review of this progress is presented by Callaway, Tueting, and Koslow (in press).
In Vitro Suppression of CD8+ T Cell Function by Friend Virus-Induced Regulatory T Cells

Regulatory T cell (Treg)-mediated suppression of CD8+ T cells has been implicated in the establishment and maintenance of chronic viral infections, but little is known about the mechanism of suppression. In this study an in vitro assay was developed to investigate the suppression of CD8+ T cells by Friend retrovirus (FV)-induced Tregs. CD4+CD25+ T cells isolated from mice chronically infected with the FV suppressed the development of effector function in naive CD8+ T cells without affecting their ability to proliferate or up-regulate activation markers. In vitro restimulation was not required for suppression by FV-induced Tregs, correlating with their high activation state in vivo. Suppression was mediated by direct T cell-T cell interactions and occurred in the absence of APCs. Furthermore, suppression occurred irrespective of the TCR specificity of the CD8+ T cells. Most interestingly, FV-induced Tregs were able to suppress the function of CD8+ effector T cells that had been physiologically activated during acute FV infection. The ability to suppress the effector function of activated CTLs is likely a requisite role for Tregs in limiting immunopathology by CD8+ T cells during antiviral immune responses. Such activity may also have adverse consequences by allowing viruses to establish and maintain chronic infections if suppression of antiviral immune responses occurs before virus eradication.
James Sloan: Renegade or True Republican?

This paper examines the political career of James Sloan of Gloucester County, New Jersey. Sloan was instrumental in organizing the Democratic Republican party in Gloucester County, and he represented New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives from 1803 to 1809. Sloan was born into a Quaker family, but he supported the Whig cause in the American Revolution and faced disciplinary action from his Quaker meeting for doing so. Later, he would gravitate toward Methodism, but he never seemed comfortable in any religious organization. Historian Carl Prince called Sloan an “anomaly” in New Jersey politics. Sloan’s career certainly did manifest anomalous behavior. He criticized his party after it took control of the state legislature in 1801, viewing its implementation of republican principles as insufficiently zealous. As a member of Congress, he broke with the Jefferson administration over the Embargo. After leaving Congress, he coalesced with New Jersey Federalists in opposition to the War of 1812, helping to elect a “peace ticket” in that year. This paper examines Sloan’s role in state and national politics in the very early nineteenth century. Specifically, it points out some of the tensions within the Democratic Republican party, especially among those who were displeased with the domination of the “Virginia Dynasty.” Sloan led efforts to challenge this domination and to offer alternatives to the New Jersey electorate.
Determining In Vivo Phosphorylation Sites Using Mass Spectrometry

Phosphorylation is the most studied protein post-translational modification (PTM) in biological systems, since it controls cell growth, proliferation, survival, and other processes. High-resolution/high mass accuracy mass spectrometers are used to identify protein phosphorylation sites due to their speed, sensitivity, selectivity, and throughput. The protocols described here focus on two common strategies: (1) identifying phosphorylation sites from individual proteins and small protein complexes, and (2) identifying global phosphorylation sites from whole-cell and tissue extracts. For the first, endogenous or epitope-tagged proteins are typically immunopurified from cell lysates, purified via gel electrophoresis or precipitation, and enzymatically digested into peptides. Samples can be optionally enriched for phosphopeptides using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) or titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) and then analyzed by microcapillary liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Global phosphorylation site analyses that capture pSer/pThr/pTyr sites from biological sources sites are more resource and time consuming and involve digesting the whole-cell lysate, followed by peptide fractionation by strong cation-exchange chromatography, phosphopeptide enrichment by IMAC or TiO(2), and LC-MS/MS. Alternatively, the protein lysate can be fractionated by SDS-PAGE, followed by digestion, phosphopeptide enrichment, and LC-MS/MS. One can also immunoprecipitate only phosphotyrosine peptides using a pTyr antibody followed by LC-MS/MS.
Hydrologic assessment of an urban variable source watershed in the northeast United States

Received 30 March 2006; revised 15 September 2006; accepted 10 October 2006; published 10 March 2007. [1] Effective control of nonpoint source contaminants in runoff from urbanized watersheds requires knowledge about the locations of runoff source areas under a variety of conditions. Physical monitoring of spatially variant processes, such as runoff production form variable source areas, is time-consuming and expensive. Thus modeling the processes may provide a valuable cost-effective alternative. In this paper we adapt and validate a variable source model for an urban watershed to predict areas of the landscape prone to elevated soil moisture levels and saturation excess runoff. We modified the soil moisture distribution and routing (SMDR) model to simulate hydrologic processes in an urban upstate New York watershed by considering the impact of impervious surfaces, hydraulic control structures (detention basins), and land use on the water balance. In our model, infiltration excess runoff from impervious surfaces infiltrates in the surrounding soils. Simulated and observed streamflow agreed well, and more importantly, the distribution of soil moisture levels and overland flow throughout the watershed were well predicted. Removing urban features from the model resulted in substantially lower peak stormflows than observed, and the base and interflows increased accordingly. Both modeled and measured distributed results indicated that the more urbanized areas of the study site had both higher soil moistures and runoff losses due to shallower soils, greater upslope contributing areas, and a larger area of impervious surfaces generating runoff. The model results helped identify processes that describe how urbanization impacts integrated and distributed hydrology, which provides useful information for targeted water quality management.
Environmental Influences, the Developing Brain, and Aggressive Behavior.

In this article the authors review research on highly stressful environments that are known to support the development and display of aggressive behavior in childhood, adolescence, and beyond. They also examine some of the mechanisms through which such stressful environments may influence adolescents' aggressive behavior. The review concentrates on adolescents' understanding of the social behavior of others and possible changes in the neurobiology of the brain. Finally, they briefly summarize the broad body of literature linking aggressive behavior in childhood and adolescence to long-term adjustment. The authors conclude with recommendations for public policy and intervention strategies designed to mitigate the development and display of aggressive behavior.
Discretion in reporting managerial performance

Abstract In a single period agency model in which the agent has some discretion regarding how to report his period's performance, we show when the agent's contract is increasing in his report regardless of the characteristics of his production technology, and how to rank changes in the agent's reporting technology according to the expected cost of compensating the agent.
Can the Strength of Brittle Materials be Enhanced

We have employed a two-dimensional computer model to study the effect of volume fraction of second phase constituents on load transfer (stiffness) and strength in brittle short-fiber composites, i.e. composites containing a random distribution of aligned fibers, and brittle particulate composites. We find that the efficiency of load transfer to the second phase consituent increases with volume fraction in particulate composites, while it decreases for short-fiber composites. The strength of brittle particulate composites is found to decrease, while the strength of brittle short-fiber composites marginally increases only at fiber volume fractions equal or greater than 0.25.
The corpus luteum of the primate menstrual cycle is capable of recovering from a transient withdrawal of pituitary gonadotropin support.

To further our understanding of the role of pituitary gonadotropin secretion in the control of corpus luteum function during the primate menstrual cycle, we have used an experimental model which enables us to directly control pituitary gonadotropin secretion throughout the luteal phase. Specifically, we have asked whether cessation of progesterone secretion, or functional luteolysis, resulting from a 3–day withdrawal of gonadotropin support, culminates in an irreversible loss of luteal responsiveness to further gonadotropic stimulation; and do the effects of gonadotropin deprivation vary with the age of the corpus luteum? Endogenous gonadotropin secretion was abolished in seven adult rhesus monkeys by placing radiofrequency lesions in the arcuate nucleus region of the medial basal hypothalamus. Endogenous gonadotropin secretion and ovulatory menstrual cycles were then restored by chronic pulsatile infusion of GnRH (1 pulse/h). Control luteal phases supported by this GnRH regimen exhibited typical plasma p...
Raman spectra of single crystal Li2SeO4

Abstract The room temperature polarized Raman spectra of single crystal Li 2 SeO 4 are assigned using a factor group analysis. The internal optic modes of the selenate ion are responsible for Raman bands from 920 to 440 cm −1 , the translational optic modes of the lithium occur in the interval from 444 to 290 cm −1 and the external optic modes of the selenate ion are found between 210 and 70 cm −1 . The symmetry-based assignments of these bands are discussed.
Drug glycosides in oral colon-specific drug delivery

Dexamethasone-β-d-glucoside is a potential prodrug for colonic delivery of the antiinflammatory agent dexamethasone. To deliver dexamethasone selectively to the colon, the glycoside prodrug must be slowly absorbed from the alimentary canal and it must be chemically and enzymatically stable in the stomach and small intestine. Once the prodrug reaches the large intestine, it should be quantitatively hydrolyzed to release the active agent. The potential of dexamethasone-β-d-glucoside for colon-specific delivery of dexamethasone was first assessed in the rat, and more recently in the guinea pig, an animal in which an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model had been developed. The hydrolytic activity of both the tissues and contents of the guinea pig stomach, proximal and distal portions of the small intestine, cecum, and colon were measured. For the tissues, β-d-glucosidase activity was greatest in the proximal small intestine while the contents of the cecum and colon showed the greatest β-d-glucosidase activity. The luminal contents retained their activity even after repeated centrifugation and resuspension in a buffer; the activity was also unaffected by homogenization. Movement and hydrolysis of dexamethasone-β-d-glucoside down the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in the guinea pig was also examined. About 20 to 30% of an oral dose appeared to reach the guinea pig cecum. Here the prodrug was rapidly hydrolyzed to the active drug. From intravenous administration of the prodrug and drug, it is apparent that dexamethasone-β-d-glucoside is poorly absorbed in the GIT (bioavailability < 1%). There is a selective advantage for delivery of dexamethasone in cecal tissues of about 9 in the guinea pig under conditions of this experiment. In another study, degraded carrageenan was used to develop experimental IBD in the guinea pig. Following oral dosing of dexamethasone-β-d-glucoside (1.3 μmol/kg or 0.65 μmol/kg), dexamethasone (1.3 μmol/kg), or the dosing vehicle (H2O/EtOH, 0.95:0.05, v/v), the total number of ulcers in each group of animals was counted. Relative to control animals (dosing vehicle only), the drug and prodrug treatments significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the total number of ulcers. While there was no difference statistically between the drug and prodrug treatments, the results indicate that a lower dose of dexamethasone, administered as its glucoside prodrug, can be equally efficacious relative to higher dose of dexamethasone. This conclusion is consistent with the pharmacokinetic data obtained in normal guinea pigs and suggests there is a potential to decrease the usual dose of corticosteroids with a concomitant reduction in the systemic exposure.
Use of the telephone by low-income families

The telephone is essential to any pediatric practice. This report analyzes the behaviorof a group of low-income families participating in a comprehensive care program in terms of their use of the telephone to seek medical care or advice. These families used the telephone appropriately and in a pattern similar to that seen in a middle-class private practice.
The Allegro gravitational wave detector: Data acquisition and analysis.

We discuss the data acquisition and analysis procedures used on the Allegro gravity wave detector, including a full description of the filtering used for bursts of gravity waves. The uncertainties introduced into timing and signal strength estimates due to stationary noise are measured, giving the windows for both quantities in coincidence searches.
Promoted Metals Combustion at Ambient and Elevated Temperatures

Promoted combustion testing of materials, Test 17 of NASA STD-6001, has been used to assess metal propensity to burn in oxygen rich environments. An igniter is used at the bottom end of a rod to promote ignition, and if combustion is sustained, the burning progresses from the bottom to the top of the rod. The physical mechanisms are very similar to the upward flammability test, Test 1 of NASA STD-6001. The differences are in the normal environmental range of pressures, oxygen content, and sample geometry. Upward flammability testing of organic materials can exhibit a significant transitional region between no burning to complete quasi-state burning. In this transitional region, the burn process exhibits a probabilistic nature. This transitional region has been identified for metals using the promoted combustion testing method at ambient initial temperatures. The work given here is focused on examining the transitional region and the quasi-steady burning region both at conventional ambient testing conditions and at elevated temperatures. A new heated promoted combustion facility and equipment at Marshall Space Flight Center have just been completed to provide the basic data regarding the metals operating temperature limits in contact with oxygen rich atmospheres at high pressures. Initial data have been obtained for Stainless Steel 304L, Stainless Steel 321, Haynes 214, and Inconel 718 at elevated temperatures in 100-percent oxygen atmospheres. These data along with an extended data set at ambient initial temperature test conditions are examined. The pressure boundaries of acceptable, non-burning usage is found to be lowered at elevated temperature.
Nontraumatic Spinal Cord Injury/Disease: Etiologies and Outcomes

The pathogenesis of nontraumatic spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) includes vertebral spondylosis, cancerous and infectious-related compression, vascular ischemia, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory disease, motor neuron disease, radiation myelopathy, syringomyelia, paraneoplastic syndrome, and vitamin B12 deficiency. The incidence, demographics, clinical presentations, and outcomes for the nontraumatic SCI/D population have not been as thoroughly studied in persons with SCI as in persons with traumatic etiology. A better understanding of these issues will assist in the medical management, rehabilitation, and longterm follow-up for these individuals.