cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of factor Va on the active site of factor Xa.

The interaction of factor Xa with factor Va on the membrane surface results in a 3,000-fold increase in the kcat for the activation of prothrombin catalyzed by factor Xa. The reaction between the transition state irreversible inhibitor dansylglutamyl-glycyl-arginyl chloromethyl ketone (DEGRck) and factor Xa was characterized and employed to evaluate changes in the active site of factor Xa resulting from its interaction with factor Va, which may account for the increased catalytic efficiency of the enzyme complex. Inhibition studies indicated a two-step inhibition reaction involving a reversible binding step (Ki = 1.13 microM) and an irreversible alkylation step (ki = 0.65 s-1). The interaction between factors Va and Xa in solution or on membranes resulted in a small decrease in the overall second-order rate constant (ki/Ki) for the inhibition reaction. The incorporation of DEGRck into the active site of factor Xa results in a large change in the fluorescence intensity of the dansyl moiety. The fluorescence change was employed to study the reaction between enzyme and inhibitor directly by stopped-flow fluorescence measurements. The fluorescence traces were biphasic, indicating that the association of DEGRck with factor Xa and the subsequent covalent modification of the active site could be resolved because of differences in fluorescence intensities of the intermediate and product. This interpretation was verified by rapid chemical quench experiments. The reaction between DEGRck and factor Xa was characterized by a second-order association rate constant of 8.38 +/- 0.28 x 10(5) M-1.s-1 and an intrinsic rate constant for the alkylation step of 1.67 +/- 0.25 s-1. The rate constant for the alkylation step was unchanged in the presence of factor Va and membranes, whereas the association rate constant was modestly decreased by approximately 50%. The decrease in the association rate constant did not result from the partitioning of factor Xa to the membrane surface and could therefore be ascribed to an effect of factor Va on the protease. The data suggest that the interaction between factors Va and Xa on the membrane surface does not detectably alter the catalytic residues but may result in changes in the binding or accessibility of substrate to extended macromolecular recognition sites on the protease.
Dynein Motors: Structure, Mechanochemistry and Regulation

Dyneins are multicomponent complexes that function to translocate their attached cargo towards the minus end of microtubules. These enzymes are involved in a wide variety of fundamental cellular processes including, mitosis, vesicular transport, the assembly and motility of cilia and flagella, and the generation of left– right asymmetry in the developing embryo (see Karki and Holzbaur (1999) and King (2000a) for recent reviews). Cytoplasmic dynein is essential in mammals, and in dynein-null mutants embryonic development cannot progress past the blastocyst stage (Harada et al., 1998). However, dynein is apparently not essential for the viability of unicellular organisms such as the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where the presence of kinesin-related proteins with overlapping functions allows for growth at almost wild-type rates (Li et al., 1993). Surprisingly however, analysis of the Arabidopsis genome has revealed that both dynein and the associated dynactin complex, which promotes dynein-mediated vesicle motility, may be completely absent in higher plants (Lawrence et al., 2001). In general, dyneins are constructed around one to three heavy chains (HCs; 520 kDa) that contain the ATPase and motor activities. The kinesin and myosin cytoskeletal motors are distantly related to the GTPase subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins (Kull et al., 1998). In contrast, dyneins are members of the ancient AAA family of ATPases (Neuwald et al., 1999) that includes a wide variety of proteins such as bacterial Clp proteases, mammalian N-ethyl maleimide-sensitive vesicle fusion protein, the ’ subunit of the Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III clamploader, the RuvB DNA motor that is responsible for branch migration during resolution of Holiday junctions and the microtubule-severing protein katanin. The mechanisms employed to generate dynein diversity and thus allow for attachment to distinct cellular cargoes and appropriate responses to complex regulatory inputs, also are distinct from those found in myosins and kinesins. For the latter enzymes, a single cell may contain a large number of related motors each derived from a different gene or set of genes and designed to fill a particular func-
Redistribution of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 isoforms in IC/PBS urothelial cells (488.2)

Background: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is a debilitating inflammatory bladder disease with currently unknown etiology. We determined the expression of calcium-independent phospholipase A2β (iPLA2β) and iPLA2γ isoforms in cultured immortalized urothelial cells isolated from normal or IC/ BPS patient bladders. Materials and methods: Immunoblot analysis was used to determine the iPLA2 isoform expression in immortalized urothelial cells isolated from normal and IC/BPS patients. iPLA2 activity was measured using a radiometric assay with (16:0, [3H]18:1) plasmenylcholine as substrate. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) accumulation was determined by labeling cells with [3H] acetic acid. Adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to urothelial cells was determined by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Results: We identified the two predominant mammalian iPLA2 isoforms, iPLA2β and iPLA2γ, in immortalized urothelial cells. IC/BPS urothelial cells demonstrated a decrease in iPLA2γ and an increase in iPLA2β immunoprotein when compared to normal cells. Selective pharmacologic inhibition demonstrated that the majority of iPLA2 activity in normal urothelium represents iPLA2γ whereas that in IC/BPS urothelium is iPLA2β. Greater PAF production and PMN adherence was observed in tryptase-stimulated IC/BPS urothelial cells when compared to normal urothelial cells. In both normal and IC/BPS urothelial cells, increased PAF production and PMN adherence was completely blocked when tryptase-stimulated cells were pretreated with (S)-bromoenol lactone (BEL) to inhibit iPLA2β. PMN adherence was blocked when PMNs were pretreated with ginkgolide B to block the PAF-receptor (PAFR). Conclusions: Urothelial cells derived from IC/BPS origin exhibit a redistribution of iPLA2 isoforms with iPLA2β being predominately expressed compared to normal urothelial cells. The redistribution of iPLA2β, increased PAF production and increased PMN adherence may represent a mechanism whereby IC/BPS patients’ exhibit increased susceptibility to bladder inflammation.
Radiometric cross-calibration of Terra ASTER and MODIS

Calibration and validation play an essential role during the acquisition and processing of satellite data for Earth Observing System satellites in addition to being an integral part of maintaining scientific values of archived satellite data. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection and Radiometer (ASTER) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) are two of five sensors onboard the Terra platform. ASTER has a swath width of 60 km with 8 spectral bands in the visible and near infrared (VNIR) and thermal infrared (TIR) spectral range with a spatial resolution of 15-m (bands 1-3) and 90-m (bands 10-14), respectively while MODIS has a swath width of 2300 km with 36 spectral bands from visible to infrared spectral range with a spatial resolution of 250 m (bands 1-2), 500 m (bands 3-7), and 1 km (bands 8-36). ASTER is the ‘zoom’ lens and MODIS is the ‘keystone’ instrument for Terra; they provide quantitative measurements of various earth system variables to the scientific and to the broader community. The simultaneous view of the sensors simplifies the intercomparison between them and the current work relies on the use of the Railroad Valley Playa test site to reduce uncertainties caused by spatial heterogeneity and spectral differences in the sensors. The fact that Railroad Valley is a calibration test site for ASTER ensures that ASTER was tasked at a higher rate over this area providing more scenes for an intercomparison. The study compares ASTER L1B data for the three VNIR bands reprocessed with recent calibration updates and MODIS 02 Collection 6 data products for the similar bands. No correction for geometry angle is needed and coincident 3-km by 3-km regions are used to reduce the impact of spatial heterogeneity. A correction for spectral differences between the sensors is applied based on seasonal averages of EO-1 Hyperion spectral range. Results indicate that the calibrated radiance products from the two sensors agree to within the combined absolute uncertainties. There is no statistically significant temporal trend between the two and this should allow the correction between the two to within 0.5% over the 10 years studied here.
Effect of Increased β-Glucosidase Activity on Virulence of Erwinia amylovora

Plant tissues often contain β-glucosides that can be enzymatically hydrolyzed to produce toxic aglycones. It has been suggested that the low β-glucosidase activity found in Erwinia amylovora contributes to bacterial virulence by allowing the bacteria to infect plants that contain β-glucosides without inducing the formation of toxic aglycones. To test this suggestion, we created strains of E. amylovora which had high β-glucosidase activities and studied the ability of these strains to cause fire blight disease in pears (Pyrus communis). We isolated spontaneous mutants that were able to utilize β-glucosides as the sole carbon source and showed that one class had about 10 times as much β-glucosidase activity as the wild-type strain. In addition, we constructed several plasmids that carry the Escherichia coli bgl operon under the control of a transposon Tn5 promoter that is expressed in E. amylovora. These plasmids were introduced in E. amylovora by transformation. Pathogenesis studies in immature Bartlett pear fruits, etiolated sprouts, and young shoots showed that a 100-fold increase in β-glucosidase activity does not interfere with normal development of fire blight disease in these model systems.
Structure of the Molybdoferredoxin Complex from Clostridium pasteurianum and Isolation of Its Subunits

Abstract Highly purified molybdoferredoxin, with a specific activity of 2.6 μmoles of acetylene reduced per min per mg of protein, was obtained from Clostridium pasteurianum. The protein at concentrations above 5 mg/ml exists in solution as a tetrameric complex with two subunits each of about 60,000 and 50,000 daltons. Two atoms of molybdenum are present per protein molecule of 220,000 daltons. The S020, w was found to be 10.5. The tetramer dissociates into a dimer as demonstrated by a decreasing sedimentation coefficient with decreasing protein concentration. At low pH and ionic strength, further dissociation into the monomers is achieved. A method for the isolation of the protein subunits is described.
Use of Case Vignettes in Suicide Risk Assessment

Thirty-three brief case histories of suicidal patients were given to 19 experienced crisis workers for 7-point ratings of short- and long-term suicide risk. The ratings revealed considerable variability, raising questions about the reliability of such global assessments of suicidality. The most consistently rated cases were selected to operationally define "mild," "moderate," and "high" risk. Thus, each level was "anchored" by several vignettes. It was hoped that these anchor points would lead to more uniform future ratings among crisis workers. The correlation between short- and long-term risk ranged from near zero for some vignettes to as high as .82 (median = .46), demonstrating the need to rate both separately. Long-term risk was more difficult to rate, as demonstrated by a larger number of cases judged to be unrateable because of "insufficient information" (94 vs. 53 rater-case combinations). When the anchor vignettes were provided as a guide to the same sample of crisis workers, their ratings of suicide risk, as expected, showed significantly improved consistency.
Using the Reactome Database

There is considerable interest in the bioinformatics community in creating pathway databases. The Reactome project (a collaboration between Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the European Bioinformatics Institute) is one such pathway database and collects structured information on all the biological pathways in the human. It is a curated collection of well-documented molecular reactions that span the gamut from simple intermediate metabolism to complex cellular events. This information is supplemented with likely orthologous molecular reactions in mouse, rat, zebrafish, and other model organisms. This unit describes how to use the Reactome database to learn the steps of a biological pathway and see how one pathway interacts with another; navigate and browse through the Reactome database; identify the pathways in which a molecule of interest is involved; use the Pathfinder tool to search the database for possible connections within and between pathways.
Tunable color temperature solid state white light source using flux grown phosphor crystals of Eu3+, Dy3+ and Tb3+ activated calcium sodium molybdenum oxide

Abstract Solid state light sources with dynamically tunable color temperature in the range of 3000–6000 K with chromaticity coordinates lying on the Planckian black body curve has been designed using mixtures of narrow emissions at 615 nm, 575 nm and 550 nm. These respective emissions lines were generated by individual phosphor crystals of trivalent rare earth (RE3+) species, europium (Eu3+), dysprosium (Dy3+) and terbium (Tb3+) activated calcium sodium molybdenum oxide (Ca1−2xNaxMoO4:RE3+x), when excited by near-ultra-violet (NUV) light emitting diode (LED) with emission wavelength of 380 nm. Highly luminescent crystals of these compounds have been grown from molten solutions (flux) of molybdenum (VI) oxide. The flux grown crystals exhibit emission intensity 2–4 times more than phosphor powders of the same compounds synthesized by traditional solid-state reactions. An optimum flux to solute ratio of 2.5 and solute dissolution temperature of 1100 °C resulted in the largest size crystals.
Optimal simulation of tree arrays by linear arrays

Abstract We show that an n-node complete binary tree can be embedded into an n-node linear array such that the maximum edge length is n log n , and the distribution of the tree nodes is regular in the sense that if each node in the tree array is a finite-state machine and each edge is a communication channel, then the message exchanges (i.e., communication) among the tree nodes can be easily simulated by the linear array which has also finite-state machines for its nodes. The embedding is optimal with respect to the maximum edge length. The motivation for this is the proof of the following result: every cellular (or (log n)-depth iterative) tree array running in T(n) time can be simulated by a linear cellular (or iterative) array in nT(n) log n time.
Evidence from mantle xenoliths for lithosphere removal beneath the central Rio Grande Rift

Abstract Seismic tomography beneath the Central Rio Grande Rift (RGR) at ∼34°N shows a low P and S wave velocity zone in the mantle that extends up the base of the Moho. This low-velocity region has been interpreted by ( Gao et al., 2004 ) to be the result of convective removal of a portion of the once >100 km thick Proterozoic lithosphere. The amount of extension in the central RGR is thought to be low (∼25%) and thus cannot account for the amount of lithosphere thinning suggested by seismic tomography. We measured whole rock and mineral major element, trace element, and isotopic compositions of spinel-peridotite xenoliths erupted along the central axis of the rift (Elephant Butte) and the eastern margin of the Colorado Plateau (Cerro Chato) to determine their depth of origin and mantle provenance and to test the delamination hypothesis. If lithosphere removal has not occurred and the low P and S wave velocities are instead the result of hydration or melt infiltration in the lithosphere, then xenoliths erupted on the rift axis should have geochemical compositions similar to Proterozoic sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). At Cerro Chato, on the margin of the Colorado Plateau, xenoliths were derived from ∼60 km depth and have geochemical signatures similar to Proterozoic sub-continental lithospheric mantle (e.g. refractory major element compositions, LREE-enrichment, enriched Sr and Nd isotopes, unradiogenic Os isotopes). At Elephant Butte, along the central rift axis, two distinct groups of xenoliths are present. The majority of xenoliths from Elephant Butte are LREE-depleted and have fertile major element compositions. Additionally, these xenoliths have isotopic signatures similar to the range for DMM (e.g. 87Sr/86Sr ranging from 0.7018 to 0.7023, eNd ranging from 7 to 21, and 187Os/188Os ranging from 0.122 to 0.130). We interpret this group of xenoliths to be derived from asthenospheric mantle. A less-abundant group of xenoliths at Elephant Butte are LREE enriched, have refractory major element compositions, enriched Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes, and unradiogenic Os isotopes. These are characteristic of Proterozoic SCLM. Both groups of xenoliths from Elephant Butte are derived from ∼45 km depth. We interpret the suite of xenoliths at Elephant Butte to have sampled what was recently the base of the Proterozoic SCLM. We conclude that a portion of the mantle lithosphere has been removed which allowed modern convecting mantle (DMM) to be emplaced at the base of the pre-existing SCLM.
The relative resistance of lymphokine activated killer cells to suppression by prostaglandins and glucocorticoids.

Abstract The possibility that lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells versus spontaneous natural killer (NK) cells show relative resistance to the suppressive effects of the immunoregulatory molecules prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and dexamethasone (DMO) was investigated. LAK cells were produced in vitro by the incubation of human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) for three days in the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Cytotoxicity of NK and LAK cells were measured by conventional 4 hour Cr 51 release assays using K562 and Daudi target cells. LAK cells were relatively resistant to suppression by PGE 2 . For example, NK cytotoxicity was significantly suppressed by 10 −6 M PGE 2 . In contrast, LAK cells required a 30 to 100 higher concentration of PGE 2 according to the target used to achieve similar suppression. Likewise, a differential resistance to DMO was seen. NK cells were significantly suppressed by 10- 3 M DMO while a 1000 fold higher concentration was needed for similar suppression of LAK cytotoxicity. Overall, the results show that LAK cells are relatively resistant to immunoregulatory suppressive factors.
SCF: a device- and language-independent task coordination framework for reconfigurable, heterogeneous systems

Heterogeneous computing systems comprised of accelerators such as FPGAs, GPUs, and Cell processors coupled with standard microprocessors are becoming an increasingly popular solution to building future computing systems. Although programming languages and tools have evolved to simplify device-level design, programming such systems is still difficult and time-consuming due to system-level challenges involving synchronization and communication between heterogeneous devices, which currently require ad-hoc solutions. To solve this problem, this paper presents the System-Level Coordination Framework (SCF), which enables transparent communication and synchronization between tasks running on heterogeneous processing devices in the system. By hiding low-level architectural details from the application designer, SCF can improve application development productivity, provide higher levels of application portability, and offer rapid design-space exploration of different task/device mappings. In addition, SCF enables custom communication synthesis, which can provide performance improvements over generic solutions employed previously.
Complete radiographic remission with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin after sorafenib failure in hepatocellular carcinoma: Is there a role for chemotherapy after targeted agents?

A 57-year-old Caucasian man with a history of Child’s class A hepatitis C, cirrhosis and progressive multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma was treated with sorafenib but progressed after 7 months of stable disease. At progression he was given salvage chemotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin and went into complete radiographic remission after 12 cycles of treatment. He did develop a portal vein thrombosis but nevertheless his hepatic lesions continued to resolve. Throughout his therapy α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels decreased only minimally. He did not seek retreatment after 14 cycles of chemotherapy and presented 3 months later with relapsed disease on CT scans with markedly elevated AFP levels. He received one more chemotherapy cycle but was unable to tolerate further treatment, succumbing to his disease 3 months thereafter, and a total of 29 months after he was deemed a sorafenib failure.
Spinal epidural hematoma after spinal cord stimulator trial lead placement in a patient taking aspirin.

Objective Spinal epidural hematoma is a rare, but potentially devastating, consequence of accessing the epidural space for anesthesia or interventional pain procedures. There is no consensus to stop aspirin therapy before interventional chronic pain procedures. Case Report A 73-year-old woman with postlaminectomy pain syndrome and lumbar radiculopathy underwent percutaneous spinal cord stimulator lead placement. She had been taking aspirin 81 mg/d for several years. Twenty-four hours later, she developed an epidural hematoma. Prompt recognition and surgical management resulted in no long-term neurological sequelae. Conclusions The only variable that could have led to our patient’s epidural hematoma is aspirin. This is the first reported case of aspirin leading to an epidural hematoma following an interventional chronic pain procedure. Prior to interventional pain procedures, one should contemplate cessation of aspirin therapy because there are, at present, no consensus guidelines to direct such a decision.
Toward a model-based approach to flight system fault protection

Fault Protection (FP) is a distinct and separate systems engineering sub-discipline that is concerned with the off-nominal behavior of a system. Flight system fault protection is an important part of the overall flight system systems engineering effort, with its own products and processes. As with other aspects of systems engineering, the FP domain is highly amenable to expression and management in models. However, while there are standards and guidelines for performing FP-related analyses, there are not standards or guidelines for formally relating the FP analyses to each other or to the system hardware and software design. As a result, the material generated for these analyses are effectively creating separate models that are only loosely-related to the system being designed. Development of approaches that enable modeling of FP concerns in the same model as the system hardware and software design enables establishment of formal relationships that has great potential for improving the efficiency, correctness, and verification of the implementation of flight system FP. This paper begins with an overview of the FP domain, and then continues with a presentation of a SysML/UML model of the FP domain and the particular analyses that it contains, by way of showing a potential model-based approach to flight system fault protection, and an exposition of the use of the FP models in FSW engineering. The analyses are small examples, inspired by current real-project examples of FP analyses.
Perimesencephalic cistern obliteration: a CT sign of life-threatening shunt failure

Death from cerebrospinal fluid shunt malfunction is a rare but tragic event. The authors describe seven children who when admitted were lethargic but arousable because of shunt failure. Sudden deterioration prompted unscheduled emergency shunt revision in each case. Two children subsequently died. Although neither the history nor the physical findings predicted this life-threatening shunt malfunction, obliteration of the perimesencephalic cistern was apparent on all preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans. For reference, the scans of 43 other hydrocephalic children were drawn randomly from the hospital files and analyzed. It is concluded that CT evidence of obliteration of the perimesencephalic cistern is a useful warning of life-threatening shunt failure.
Temperature regulation, body weight and changes in total body fat of the free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis cynocephala (Le Conte).

1. 1. Resident Tadarida brasiliensis cynocephala in New Orleans, Louisiana, on colder days formed denser clusters in more protected areas of the roost. 2. 2. Resistance to hypothermia during cold exposure was least in summer, intermediate in early autumn and greatest in late autumn. 3. 3. In autumn months female bats resisted hypothermia longer than male bats. 4. 4. Length of survival at ambient temperatures of 6–7, 15–16 and 22–25°C increased from autumn through winter, and female bats always lived longer than male bats. 5. 5. Greater resistance to hypothermia and greater survival by Tadarida in cool months are correlated with greater fat stores.
Comparison of single and double vein approaches for His bundle ablation and pacemaker placement for symptomatic rapid atrial fibrillation.

His Bundle ablation (HBA) with permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is an effective strategy for controlling heart rate in symptomatic patients with rapid atrial fibrillation (AF), resistant to pharmacologic therapy. The standard double vein (DV) approach involves mapping and HBA from a femoral approach to achieve complete heart block (CHB), while single chamber (SC), dual chamber (DC), or biventricular (BiV) PPM is then placed via a subclavian approach. We compared 7 patients with drug-resistant rapid AF who underwent the standard DV approach to 8 patients who underwent a single vein (SV) approach, in which HBA and PPM implantation were performed through the subclavian vein. The two groups were compared for acute success in creating CHB, total procedure and fluoroscopy times and patient discomfort. Results are expressed as mean ± standard error (SEM). The procedure times for the SV versus DV were 70.4 ± 11.4 v 100.0 ± 19.2 min, and the fluoroscopy times, 13.9 ± 3.1 (SV) v 13.0 ± 2.9 (DV). All patients were discharged in stable condition with CHB and SC, DC pacemaker or BiV/Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). CHB with symptomatic improvement was maintained in all patients over a mean follow-up period of 22.6 months (SV), and 9.6 months (DV). The SV approach for HBA combined with PPM implantation was at least as effective and may be more efficient than the classic DV approach, and should be considered as an alternative to DV technique to reduce procedural time and patient discomfort.
Spectrophotometric flow injection analysis of sulfite and formaldehyde in aqueous micellar medium using 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)

Abstract Aqueous sulfite and formaldehyde were quantitated in the nanomole range using the reaction of 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), DTNB, with sulfite. Cationic micelles were used and found to greatly increase the sensitivity, bathochromically shifting the absorption spectra as well as lowering the pK of the reaction. the method was adapted to flow injection analysis, allowing more than 100 samples to be analyzed per hour with a relative standard deviation of less than 1.5% in all cases studied. the method is simple, fast and more sensitive than any available methods. the great flexibility of the choice of pH, surfactant concentration and buffer concentration contributes much to the high precision that could be achieved.
Intensity fluctuations in the Compensated Earth-Moon-Earth Laser Link (CEMERLL) experiment

The objectives of the CEMERLL experiment are to measure the signal enhancement obtained in a two way laser propagation link using laser guidestar adaptive optics from the Earth to the Moon using the Apollo retroreflector arrays, and to predict and verify the resulting signal strength and variability. A theory is presented for the probability density functions of the laser link by combining multiple effects of the: 1) compensated laser uplink through turbulence, 2) reflection from the lunar retroreflector array, 3) passage through turbulence on the downlink, aperture averaging by the receiving telescope, and 4) signal detection with a photovoltaic detector. The most important element in the chain is the uplink propagation, all other effects propagation effects modify only the mean number of photons of this two way link, and do not significantly change the probability density functions of the uplink laser beam. The resulting probability density functions are defined by parameters that include the effective number of scatterers, the average intensities in the specular and diffuse portions of the beam, and the beam jittering effect of using a laser guidestar. Using intensity moments derived from the far field propagation, performance data on the laser guidestar adaptive optics system, and approximations for higher order moments, the parameters of these distributions can be numerically evaluated from experimental conditions. These show a widely diffuse speckle pattern for the uncompensated beam, and a similar shaped but long tailed distribution for the compensated beam. Uncorrected tilt effects cause the well compensated beam to randomly jitter and results in an intensity distribution where there are some 'hits' of high intensity light, but more frequently there is a portion of the beam side lobes which illuminate the corner cube array. A separate tip-tilt correction using either an illuminated lunar feature or the return pulses themselves would mitigate this effect.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Fatigue Questionnaire: Standardization in patients with major depression

Fatigue measures have not been specifically standardized in depressed patients. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the 14-item Fatigue Questionnaire (FQ), a widely used multidimensional fatigue measure, in patients with major depression without comorbid fatigue-associated conditions. Subjects included were 81 patients with Major Depressive Disorder and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores > or = 15 without conditions associated with prominent fatigue and 40 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The vitality subscale of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36vit) and a visual analogue fatigue scale (VASF) served as standards of reference for reported fatigue. The FQ presented satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.924), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.978), discriminant validity (between patients and controls) and concurrent validity (correlations with the SF-36vit and the VASF were -0.469 and 0.477, respectively). Factor analysis showed a two-factor structure (physical and mental fatigue), i.e. a structure similar to the one originally proposed. However, items 3 ('sleepiness'), 4 ('difficulty starting things') and 14 ('loss of interest') did not load on the factor expected. With these items removed, the derived 11-item version of the scale was shown to be a 'purer' measure of fatigue in depressed patients, independent of the severity of depression and comorbid sleepiness.
Association of polyoma T antigen and DNA with the nuclear matrix from lytically infected 3T6 cells

Abstract Nuclear matrix prepared from mouse 3T6 cells lytically infected with polyoma virus retained significant amounts of the 100K T antigen and intact viral genomes. Bound T antigen was resistant to the extraction by high salt (2 M NaCI), detergent (1% Triton X-100) and exhaustive DNAase treatment. Only conditions sufficient to disrupt the integrity of the matrix itself solubilized the matrix T antigen. During the time period of 16–30 hr after infection, both the accumulation (in μg) and the incorporation of 35 S-methionine into T antigen increased steadily in cell extracts to a peak at 26 hr and then declined. In contrast, the amount of labeled T antigen retained by the matrix was relatively constant over the same time period. Matrix-bound T antigen was more highly phosphorylated and newly synthesized compared with the extractable T antigen. Viral DNA steadily accumulates in nuclei and on the matrix from 18 to 30 hr after infection. The fraction of viral DNA retained by the matrix was greatest early in infection (25% at 16 hr), declining to less than 10% by 24 hr. These data are consistent with the existence of a fixed (and limited) number of sites for T antigen (more highly phosphorylated) on the matrix and implicate the nuclear matrix as a site of viral DNA replication and possibly encapsidation.
Effect of Temperature on Tensile Properties of Vulcanized Rubber

Abstract The tensile properties and tear resistance of a large number of commercial inner tubes, before and after aging by different methods, are studied at 0°, 25°, and 100° C. A number of uncured bus-truck tube stocks are also studied from the point of view of their capacity to withstand high temperatures. The effect of testing rubber at 100° C. as compared with room temperature is discussed; how some compounds collapse at 100° C., while others have tensile properties equal to, or better than those at 25°, is shown. The effect of testing artificially aged specimens at 100° C., as well as at 25° C., is discussed; the high-temperature test may reveal conditions of deterioration and overcure that are not noticeable in the 25° tests. The compounding and curing conditions that lead to high tensile properties at 100° C., as well as those which cause inferior quality, are discussed.
Microinjection of an adenosine A1 agonist into the medial pontine reticular formation increases tail flick latency to thermal stimulation.

BACKGROUND Both pain and the pharmacologic management of pain can cause the undesirable effect of sleep disruption. One goal of basic and clinical neuroscience is to facilitate rational drug development by identifying the brain regions and neurochemical modulators of sleep and pain. Adenosine is thought to be an endogenous sleep promoting substance and adenosinergic compounds can contribute to pain management. In the pontine brain stem adenosine promotes sleep but the effects of pontine adenosine on pain have not been studied. This study tested the hypothesis that an adenosine agonist would cause antinociception when microinjected into pontine reticular formation regions that regulate sleep. METHODS The tail flick latency (TFL) test quantified the time in seconds for an animal to move its tail away from a thermal stimulus created by a beam of light. TFL measures were used to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-p-sulfophenyladenosine (SPA). Pontine microinjection of SPA (0.1 microg/0.25 microl, 0.88 mm) was followed by TFL measures as a function of time after drug delivery and across the sleep-wake cycle. RESULTS Compared with saline (control), pontine administration of the adenosine agonist significantly increased latency to tail withdrawal (P < 0.0001). The increase in antinociceptive behavior evoked by the adenosine agonist SPA was blocked by pretreatment with the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1, 3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 0.75 ng/0.25 microl, 10 microm). CONCLUSIONS These preclinical data encourage additional research on the cellular mechanisms by which adenosine in the pontine reticular formation contributes to the supraspinal modulation of pain.
Diastolic Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review

Objective To determine if the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods We conducted a time- and language-restricted literature search to identify studies conducted to compare echocardiographic parameters in patients with RA and controls. The mean difference for echocardiographic variables of interest was calculated using a random-effects model. A systematic review of the literature was performed. Results A total of 25 studies reporting on 5,836 subjects (1,614 with RA) were included. Results reflect mean differences, with positive values denoting higher values in RA patients. Patients with RA had larger mean left atrial dimension (mean difference 0.09 cm [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.01, 0.17]; P = 0.02), higher left ventricular mass index (mean difference 6.2 gm/m2 [95% CI 1.08, 11.33]; P = 0.02), higher mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure (mean difference 5.87 mm Hg [95% CI 4.36, 7.38]; P < 0.00001), prolonged isovolumetric relaxation time (mean difference 9.67 msec [95% CI 5.78, 13.56]; P < 0.00001), and higher transmitral A wave velocity (mean difference 0.13 meters/second [95% CI 0.07, 0.18]; P < 0.00001) compared to controls. A subanalysis of 2,183 subjects excluding 2 large unmatched studies showed the same results, with the exception that patients with RA had a lower mitral E/A ratio (mean difference −0.17 [95% CI −0.25, −0.09]; P < 0.00001), suggestive of diastolic dysfunction. There were no differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (%), transmitral E wave velocity (meters/second), and mitral deceleration time (msec). Conclusion Patients with RA were more likely to have echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction, and have higher systolic pulmonary artery pressures and larger left atrial sizes.
One strand of ars189 from the maxicircle of Crithidia fasciculata, transforms Saccharomyces cerevisiae more efficiently than its complementary strand as a single stranded DNA

An autonomously replicating element (ars 189) has been isolated from the maxicircle DNA of an insect trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata. This 189-bp fragment contains two copies of the yeast consensus ARS sequence of (A/T)TTTATPuTTT(T/A), has an A + T composition of 79.4%, and shows a large asymmetry in the distribution of adenine and thymine residues between the two strands. The complementary strands of ars 189 have been cloned into an M 13 vector containing the URA3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When these circular single-stranded (ss) DNAs were used to transform yeast spheroplasts, the M 13 chimeric DNA carrying the strand of ars189 rich in adenine generated approximately four times more yeast Ura+ transformants than the construct containing the thymine-rich strand. In contrast, both strands of yeast ARS1 cloned into an M 13 vector transformed yeast at an equivalent level. The conversion of ARS -containing ss DNAs to duplex forms in vivo and their subsequent autonomous replication have been verified by Southern hybridization analysis of extracts from yeast transformants.
Thoughts on “eResearch”: a Scientist’s Perspective

In response to the burgeoning practice of collaborative, networked, data-intensive research (known as eScience), university and research libraries are devoting significant consideration, effort and resources toward expanding their responsibilities to include research data services. The jargon that the librarianship community uses to discuss data -driven research is inconsistent and confusing, especially to non-librarians. This is problematic because when we attempt to engage research scientists in an effort to provide services, we risk alienating our potential stakeholders by using language that they don’t understand. As a recent transplant to the library community, the difference between librarian and research scientist perceptions of data-driven research, and the vocabulary surrounding it, have been surprising. This paper summarizes the problem of “eResearch,” spoken from the perspective of a recent scientist-turned-data librarian. The main conclusions reached are that “eResearch” is a meaningless term that should be avoided, and that data support services needn’t be couched as an eScience issue.
Crystallographic texture in pulsed laser deposited hydroxyapatite bioceramic coatings.

The orientation texture of pulsed laser deposited hydroxyapatite coatings was studied by X-ray diffraction techniques. Increasing the laser energy density of the KrF excimer laser used in the deposition process from 5 to 7 J/cm2 increases the tendency for the c-axes of the hydroxyapatite grains to be aligned perpendicular to the substrate. This preferred orientation is most pronounced when the incidence direction of the plume is normal to the substrate. Orientation texture of the hydroxyapatite grains in the coatings is associated with the highly directional and energetic nature of the ablation plume. Anisotropic stresses, transport of hydroxyl groups and dehydroxylation effects during deposition all seem to play important roles in the texture development.
Gulf Stream trajectories measured with free-drifting buoys

Abstract During 1975–78, 35 free-drifting buoys measured surface currents in the Gulf Stream region. The buoy trajectories trace numerous paths of the Stream and show that the Stream is strongly influenced by the New England Seamounts. This influence is manifested as 1) a quasi-permanent, 100 km, southeastward deflection of the Stream and the frequent occurrence of a ring meander over the seamounts; 2) large-amplitude meanders beginning at the seamounts and extending eastward; and 3) small, 20 km diameter eddies which appear to be generated locally by individual seamounts. A chart of the mean temperature field at a depth of 450 m agrees with several of the patterns seen in the buoy trajectories. West of the seamounts, the mean path of the Gulf Stream is eastward; over the seamounts, the path turns sharply northeastward and the isotherms in the Stream abruptly diverge.
New Developments in Segment Ancillary Logic for FASTBUS

Segment Ancillary Logic hardware for FASTBUS systems provides logical functions required in common by all devices attached to a segment. It controls the execution of arbitration cycles, and geographical address cycles, and generates the system handshake responses for broadcast operations. The mandatory requirements for Segment Ancillary Logic in the FASTBUS specifications are reviewed. A detailed implementation based on ECL logic is described, and the hardware to be used on an ECL cable segment for an experimental FASTBUS system at SLAC is shown.
Effects of preparative parameters on the structure and performance of Ca–La metal oxide catalysts for oil transesterification

Abstract The effects of preparative parameters on the surface basicity, composition, and transesterification activities of several Ca–La metal oxide catalysts were investigated. Four different preparation methods: ammonia–ethanol–carbon dioxide precipitation, physical mixing, impregnation, and co-precipitation, were studied. It was found that the ammonia–ethanol–carbon dioxide precipitation method resulted in the highest BET specific surface area, base strength and base site concentration. Moreover, catalyst surface composition and basicity are a function of calcination temperature, precipitants, pH, and molar ratio of Ca to La in precursor solution, and storage conditions. XRD, XPS, basicity and BET tests revealed that catalyst structure and dispersion of Ca species strongly influenced the catalyst activity. High surface concentration of Ca species, strong base strength and high concentration of base sites, and high specific surface area are characteristics of an active transesterification catalyst.
Subclasses of purinoceptors in feline bladder.

Abstract Purines have been shown to inhibit and excite feline detrusor smooth muscle through P 1 and P 2 receptor activation. Several recent studies have demonstrated differences in agonist potency orders for subclasses of purinoceptors, including P 2Y and nucleotide, or P 2U receptors. The current studies were performed to determine the presence of such receptor subtypes in feline detrusor smooth muscle. Cats were surgically prepared for monitoring detrusor smooth muscle contractions as increases in intravesical pressure. Contractions were induced by pelvic nerves stimulation (PNS), ATP, and ATP analogs, such as β, γ-methylene ATP (APPCP), 5′ adenylimido diphosphate (AMP-PNP) and 2-metthylthio (2-MeSATP), ATPγS, UTP, CTP and GTP. These agents all produced contractions and had an agonist potency order of AMP-PNP = APPCP > ATP γ S = 2-MeSATP ⪢ ATP > UTP = CTP = GTP. The agonist potency order for inhibition of PNS nerve-evoked bladder contractions was APPCP = AMP-PNP = ATP γ S > 2-MeSATP = ATP > UTP = CTP = GTP. Reactive Blue 2 and Coomassie's Brilliant Blue G , two putative P 2Y receptor antagonists, antagonized purine-induced actions. This antagonism and the agonist potency orders suggest the possible presence of novel receptors in detrusor smooth muscle and/or the presence of multiple receptors in detrusor smooth muscle.
Thermodynamic optimization of geometry in engineering flow systems

Abstract This review draws attention to an emerging body of work that relies on global thermodynamic optimization in the pursuit of flow system architecture. Exergy analysis establishes the theoretical performance limit. Thermodynamic optimization (or entropy generation minimization) brings the design as closely as permissible to the theoretical limit. The design is destined to remain imperfect because of constraints (finite sizes, times, and costs). Improvements are registered by spreading the imperfection (e.g., flow resistances) through the system. Resistances compete against each other and must be optimized together. Optimal spreading means spatial distribution, geometric form, topology, and geography. System architecture springs out of constrained global optimization. The principle is illustrated by simple examples: the optimization of dimensions, spacings, and the distribution (allocation) of heat transfer surface to the two heat exchangers of a power plant. Similar opportunities for deducing flow architecture exist in more complex systems for power and refrigeration. Examples show that the complete structure of heat exchangers for environmental control systems of aircraft can be derived based on this principle.
Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty for Failed Imperforate Anus Surgery: Lessons Learned From Secondary Repairs

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate secondary operations using a posterior sagittal approach in patients with fecal incontinence and impaction after primary repair of anorectal malformations. Methods: Twenty patients (14 boys, 6 girls) who had previous failed surgery for imperforate anus underwent secondary operations. The indications for surgery included fecal incontinence (n 5 16) and fecal impaction (n 5 4). Patients ranged in age from 2 to 30 years (mean, 11 years), with 4 over the age of 20 years. The primary procedures included abdominosacroperineal (n 5 7), sacroperineal (n 5 10), and perineal (n 5 3) pull-throughs. At surgery, none of the patients underwent a diverting colostomy. The rectum was mobilized from the surrounding structures through a posterior sagittal approach. The surgical findings included anteriorly displaced anus (n 5 17), laterally displaced anus (n 5 3), mesenteric fat surrounding the rectum (n 5 4), megarectosigmoid (n 5 2), and others (n 5 3). The rectum underwent reconstruction, which involved relocation of the rectum and anus to surround them with the muscle complex. Results: Patients underwent follow-up for periods ranging from 8 months to 6 years after surgery (mean, 3 years). To evaluate the functional results, fecal continence scores (Templeton and Ditesheim) were calculated for incontinent patients. Of the 16 incontinent patients, 12 achieved continence and 4 some improvement. Of the 4 patients with fecal impaction, 2 achieved daily voluntary bowel movement, whereas the other 2 have mild constipation and need occasional enemas.