cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Constant and hypervariable regions in conotoxin propeptides.

Abstract Conotoxins are small cysteine rich peptides found in the venom of the predatory cone snails (Conus) which have prove to be useful high affinity ligands for various receptors and ion channels. The first cloning data for conotoxins, reported here, were obtained for the King-Kong peptide, a 27 amino acid conotoxin found in the venom of the cloth-of-gold cone, Conus textile. Analysis of cDNA clones of the King-Kong peptide revealed a family of related toxin transcripts. Three different propeptide cDNA sequences were obtained; only one of these encoded sequence for the King-Kong peptide. The other cDNA sequences encoded two different peptides (KK-1 and KK-2). When the predicted propeptide sequences are compared, well defined conserved and hypervariable regions can be identified. The hypervariable regions comprise four regions between Cys residues in the final peptide toxins; the remainder of the propeptide sequences, i.e. the excised N-terminal regions and the disulfide bonded Cys residues, are highly conserved. We suggest that the conserved regions may direct the formation of a specific disulfide configuration in the King-Kong family of conotoxins.
Glycation of interferon-beta-1b and human serum albumin in a lyophilized glucose formulation. Part III: application of proteomic analysis to the manufacture of biological drugs.

Abstract Glycation of interferon-beta-1b and human serum albumin was identified in a lyophilized glucose formulation by a sensitive LC–MS approach. The extent of glycation was measured by a label-free quantitation strategy. The glycation sites were determined by the accurate mass (FTICR MS) with MS/MS measurements on the corresponding tryptic peptides. The extent of glycation was measured by the ratio of the peak intensity between the glycated and the average value for three non-glycated peptides in the same run. Residues lysine 18 of interferon-beta-1b, and lysine 51, lysine 233, and lysine 545 of human serum albumin were more prone to be glycated than other sites in this lyophilized glucose formulation. Residues of lysine 51 and lysine 233 but not lysine 545 of human serum albumin are highly accessible to solvent as found in a solution storage study by Lapolla et al. The extent of glycation of both proteins and the number of glycation sites of human serum albumin were increased with the storage time at 25 °C. In total, two glycation sites of interferon beta-1b and 17 glycation sites of human serum albumin were identified in the lyophilized glucose formulation with a storage time at 25 °C of 35 days. Among the 17 glycation sites, only lysine 525 of human serum albumin has been found in vivo in diabetic patients by Shaklai et al. As expected, there was no glycation found on both interferon-beta-1b and human serum albumin in the control samples (similar lyophilized formulation but using mannitol instead of glucose).
Dynamic deflection and capacitance of micromachined piezoelectric benders

Micromachined piezoelectric heterogeneous bimorphs have been fabricated using the techniques of IC fabrication. The voltage across the piezoelectric element of a heterogeneous bender causes it to contract or expand while the passive element is compressed or elongated and responds with a counterforce, thus building up a moment, which bends the structure. This dynamic moment has been calculated, and the corresponding Euler-Bernoulli equation has been written with a time-dependent voltage as a source term in the inhomogeneous part of the equation thus becoming a Rayleigh equation. The bending resistance has been determined using the transformation of area method. Once the solution of this equation is found the deformation can be calculated and the resulting dielectric displacement can be determined. From the latter we can determine the charge that flows into the electrodes, by integrating over the surface area. The relation between the charge on the electrodes and the driving voltage is the capacitance C. The capacitance has the expected resonance behavior: the bimorph goes through resonance at frequencies which are the solutions of the implicit relation cos/spl Omega/L cosh/spl Omega/L=-1. The deflection of the bimorph has also been calculated and follows a similar behavior. >
Why bacteriophage encode exotoxins and other virulence factors.

This study considers gene location within bacteria as a function of genetic element mobility. Our emphasis is on prophage encoding of bacterial virulence factors (VFs). At least four mechanisms potentially contribute to phage encoding of bacterial VFs: (i) Enhanced gene mobility could result in greater VF gene representation within bacterial populations. We question, though, why certain genes but not others might benefit from this mobility. (ii) Epistatic interactions—between VF genes and phage genes that enhance VF utility to bacteria—could maintain phage genes via selection acting on individual, VF-expressing bacteria. However, is this mechanism sufficient to maintain the rest of phage genomes or, without gene co-regulation, even genetic linkage between phage and VF genes? (iii) Phage could amplify VFs during disease progression by carrying them to otherwise commensal bacteria colocated within the same environment. However, lytic phage kill bacteria, thus requiring assumptions of inclusive fitness within bacterial populations to explain retention of phage-mediated VF amplification for the sake of bacterial utility. Finally, (iv) phage-encoded VFs could enhance phage Darwinian fitness, particularly by acting as ecosystem-modifying agents. That is, VF-supplied nutrients could enhance phage growth by increasing the density or by improving the physiology of phage-susceptible bacteria. Alternatively, VF-mediated break down of diffusion-inhibiting spatial structure found within the multicellular bodies of host organisms could augment phage dissemination to new bacteria or to environments. Such phage-fitness enhancing mechanisms could apply particularly given VF expression within microbiologically heterogeneous environments, ie, ones where phage have some reasonable potential to acquire phage-susceptible bacteria.
Attribute grammar-based language extensions for java

This paper describes the ableJ extensible language framework, a tool that allows one to create new domain-adapted languages by importing domain-specific language extensions into an extensible implementation of Java 1.4. Language extensions may define the syntax, semantic analysis, and optimizations of new language constructs. Java and the language extensions are specified as higher-order attribute grammars.We describe several language extensions and their implementation in the framework. For example, one extension embeds the SQL database query language into Java and statically checks for syntax and type errors in SQL queries. The tool supports the modular specification of composable language extensions so that programmers can import into Java the unique set of extensions that they desire. When extensions follow certain restrictions, they can be composed without requiring any implementation-level knowledge of the language extensions. The tools automatically compose the selected extensions and the Java host language specification.
Low-threshold low-noise all-solid-state femtosecond Cr/sup 3+/:LiSAF lasers

Summary form only given. We have constructed a self-mode-locked Cr:LiSAF laser pumped by a single self-injection-locked semiconductor laser, which requires less than 75 mW of pump power to produce sub-100-fs pulses. The mode-locked operation was highly stable, as evidenced by a streak camera evaluation in the subpicosecond regime previously accessible only with phase-locked lasers.
Evaluation of the orbit altitude electron density estimation and its effect on the Abel inversion from radio occultation measurements

[1] In this paper, the observations from CHAMP radio occultation (RO) and Planar Langmuir Probe (PLP) during 2002–2008 and Constellation Observing System for Meteorology Ionosphere and Climate (COSMIC) observations during 2007.090–2007.120 are used to evaluate the orbit altitude electron density estimation and its effect on the Abel inversion from RO measurements. Comparison between PLP observed and RO estimated orbit electron density on board CHAMP shows that RO estimation tends to overestimatethetrueorbitelectrondensityby10%averagely.Theaveragerelativedeviation is ∼20% and decreases slightly with the increase of the ionospheric peak height and the satellite orbit. It is larger at nighttime than daytime and peaks around sunrise time. Simulations based on COSMIC observations using NeQuick model indicate that the solar activity and the satellite orbit altitude variations will not influence the ratio of the successfully retrieved electron density profiles to the observed occultation events and the relative Abel inversion error of the electron density as well. Different orbit electron density derivation methods, including estimation by the RO total electron content, given by an independent onorbitobservation, andassumed to beequalto thetopmostpoint, willhaveno essential influence on the Abel retrieved electron density. Adding an on orbit observation even has a negative effect on the Abel retrieved electron density around the orbit altitude, which is contrary to our imagination.
High-energy femtosecond oscillators and their application for laser ablation of dielectric materials

High-energy oscillators, generating femtosecond pulses at 800 nm and 1250 nm, are demonstrated. These pulses are used for fast-speed laser ablation and material modification of transparent dielectric materials. Sub-micron size features are produced in fused silica by tight focusing of these pulses.
Statistical Analysis and Interpretation of Prenatal Diagnostic Imaging Studies, Part 3 Approach to Study Design

A critical step in planning a successful study is choosing the appropriate design to feasibly answer the clinical question at hand. We provide an overview of common study designs, discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and provide practical examples from the prenatal diagnosis and ultrasound literature. In addition, we highlight specific design considerations that need to be built into the analysis of study results.
The potential role of the heparin-binding growth factor pleiotrophin in breast cancer.

We propose that the secreted protein pleiotrophin (PTN) is a major factor in the malignant progression of breast cancer. This hypothesis is based on the growth-stimulatory effects of PTN on cellsin vitro andin vivo and on its high levels of expression in 60% of tumor samples from breast cancer patients. The stimulation of proliferation and tube formation of endothelial cells by PTN suggests that it can serve as an angiogenesis factor during tumor growth. We hypothesize that PTN has the potential to support growth of breast cancer at its primary site and to enhance the ability of tumor cells to metastasize. Furthermore, we suggest that specific endocrine signals interact to regulate the expression of PTNin vitro andin vivo. Finally, we propose that understanding the functions of PTN and its hormonal regulation can lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
Data analysis and foreground removal algorithms for 21-cm cosmology experiments

Cosmology experiments using the highly redshifted 21-cm line of hydrogen are taking a range of observational and instrumental approaches. The simplest, at first sight, are experiments aimed at measuring the sky-averaged (‘global’) signal using a single, well-characterized and precisely calibrated antenna, either on the ground or in space. Multiple-antenna and interferometric global signal experiments aim to trade off the increased complexity against improved resolution, and a better handle on e.g. the behaviour of the ionosphere and the instrumental beam. Studying the 21-cm fluctuations requires interferometry but still allows for many different approaches, e.g. using drift scans versus tracking individual fields, using redundant baselines versus aiming for minimal redundancy, or trading data volume against uv coverage and field of view.
Exercise in a behavioural weight control programme for obese patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Two studies were conducted to determine whether adding exercise to a diet programme promotes weight loss or glycaemic control in Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic subjects. In Study 1, 25 subjects were randomly assigned to diet plus moderate exercise or diet plus placebo exercise. All subjects exercised twice a week as a group and once a week on their own; the diet plus moderate exercise group walked a 3-mile route at each session while the diet plus placebo exercise group did very low intensity exercises such as stretching and light calisthenics. All subjects followed a calorie-counting diet and were taught behaviour modification strategies. Weight losses and improvements in glycaemic control did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups at the end of the 10-week treatment or at 1-year follow-up. In Study 2, more extreme conditions were compared: a diet only group and a diet plus exercise group. The diet plus exercise group walked a 3-mile route with the group 3 times/week and once a week on their own, while the diet only group was instructed to maintain their current low level of activity. Both groups received comparable diet and behaviour modification instruction and therapist contacts. The diet plus exercise group had significantly (p<0.01) better weight losses than the diet only condition at the end of the 10 week programme (−9.3kg vs −5.6kg) and at 1 year follow-up (−7.9kg vs −3.8 kg). Both groups had similar improvements in glycosylated haemoglobin, but reductions in medication were more frequent and greater in magnitude in the diet plus exercise group. Finally, analyses were conducted collapsing across studies and across treatment groups and comparing subjects who reported low, medium, or high levels of exercise at 1 year. Self-reported exercise was related to weight loss and to improvements in glycosylated haemoglobin, even after adjusting for weight loss. These data suggest that the combination of diet and exercise improves weight loss and glycaemic control compared to diet only in Type 2 diabetic patients.
Cerebellar Atrophy: The Differential Diagnosis by Computerized Tomography

Seven patients with cerebellar atrophy were studied by computerized tomography. The radiographic findings were varied. They included enlargement of the lateral cisterns, loss of superior cerebellar vermian substance with prominence of the superior cerebellar cisterns, and fourth ventricle enlargements. The patterns of posterior fossa atrophy may suggest the etiology.
Spent coffee grounds derived P, N co-doped C as electrocatalyst for supercapacitor applications

Abstract Spent coffee grounds, an abundant daily waste, were utilized to produce P, N co-doped C (PNDC) by a novel microwave-assisted method employing ammonium polyphosphate as the only other reactant. Different PNDCs (namely PNDC-1, PNDC-2 and PNDC-3) were synthesized by varying the ratio of spent coffee grounds to ammonium polyphosphate. The synthesized materials were found to contain spherically shaped particles as evidenced from scanning electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed PNDCs to contain P and N in addition to C and O. PNDC-3 was discovered to possess a surface area of 999.64 m 2 g −1 with the presence of micropores, mesopores and macropores. PNDCs exhibited high specific capacitance values in acid and alkaline conditions with PNDC-3 exhibiting the highest specific capacitance value of 286 F g −1 in 1 M H 2 SO 4 . Also, PNDC-2 was observed to be highly stable under acidic and alkaline conditions with continuous cycling.
Intracranial extension of orbital pseudotumor: A case report

A patient with intracranial extension of an orbital pseudotumor is reported. This rare consequence of an unusual inflammatory process has been reported on only two previous occasions. Our patient initially presented with unilateral loss of vision and a mass in the sphenoid sinus. Transsphenoidal bio
Temperature-programmed desorption of H2 from molybdenum nitride thin films

The thermal desorption of hydrogen from β-Mo16N7, γ-Mo2N and δ-MoN thin films was investigated. Hydrogen adsorption at ≈270 K produced two hydrogen desorption peaks, one at ≈370 K (designated as the β1 site) and the other at ≈800 K (designated as the β2 site). We concluded that the β1 peak was due to a low-energy surface site and the β2 peak to a subsurface site. Desorption from the β1 state obeyed first-order kinetics. The hydrogen saturation capacity increased in the following order: β-Mo16N7<δ-MoN<γ-Mo2N. This variation in saturation coverage tracked with the nominal molybdenum atom surface density. Nitrogen also desorbed from the Mo nitride surfaces during the H2 temperature-programmed desorption experiments producing a low-temperature peak at ≈370 K and several high-temperature peaks in the range 500–900 K. The amount of nitrogen that desorbed increased with increasing H2 dose, suggesting a hydrogen-induced nitrogen desorption process. Hydrogen may have weakened the Mo-N bond thereby facilitating the desorption of nitrogen. We believe that the low-temperature peak was due to nitrogen bound to Mo atoms at the surface. The high-temperature peaks were probably a consequence of hydrogen that diffused into the surface altering the Mo-N bonding in the subsurface region. Thermal desorption characteristics of the Mo nitride films were similar to those of a series of bulk γ-Mo2N powders that we previously investigated. Apparent energies for hydrogen desorption from the low-temperature sites were near 25 kcal/mol, and both the thin films and powders possessed high-temperature subsurface binding sites. The most striking observation was the similarity between the characters of the δ-MoN film and the Mo nitride powder with the highest hydrodenitrogenation activity. This similarity suggested that the high activity was due to the presence of δ-MoN-like structures at or near the bulk powder surface.
Isolation of three isochromic forms of rhodopsin in digitonin.

Abstract Rhodopsin can be chromatographically purified by a combination of ECTEOLA-cellulose and an aqueous digitonin solution. The purification procedure separates three fractions of rhodopsin which are spectrally identical but are different in their bleaching kinetics.
Deletion of Insulin-Degrading Enzyme Elicits Antipodal, Age-Dependent Effects on Glucose and Insulin Tolerance

Background Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is widely recognized as the principal protease responsible for the clearance and inactivation of insulin, but its role in glycemic control in vivo is poorly understood. We present here the first longitudinal characterization, to our knowledge, of glucose regulation in mice with pancellular deletion of the IDE gene (IDE-KO mice). Methodology IDE-KO mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were characterized at 2, 4, and 6 months of age in terms of body weight, basal glucose and insulin levels, and insulin and glucose tolerance. Consistent with a functional role for IDE in insulin clearance, fasting serum insulin levels in IDE-KO mice were found to be ∼3-fold higher than those in wild-type (WT) controls at all ages examined. In agreement with previous observations, 6-mo-old IDE-KO mice exhibited a severe diabetic phenotype characterized by increased body weight and pronounced glucose and insulin intolerance. In marked contrast, 2-mo-old IDE-KO mice exhibited multiple signs of improved glycemic control, including lower fasting glucose levels, lower body mass, and modestly enhanced insulin and glucose tolerance relative to WT controls. Biochemically, the emergence of the diabetic phenotype in IDE-KO mice correlated with age-dependent reductions in insulin receptor (IR) levels in muscle, adipose, and liver tissue. Primary adipocytes harvested from 6-mo-old IDE-KO mice also showed functional impairments in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Conclusions Our results indicate that the diabetic phenotype in IDE-KO mice is not a primary consequence of IDE deficiency, but is instead an emergent compensatory response to chronic hyperinsulinemia resulting from complete deletion of IDE in all tissues throughout life. Significantly, our findings provide new evidence to support the idea that partial and/or transient inhibition of IDE may constitute a valid approach to the treatment of diabetes.
Warranted concerns, warranted outlooks: a focus group study of public understandings of genetic research.

Abstract This paper discusses how the American public accounts for the concerns that they have about genetic research and the benefits that they foresee. We develop a general framework for discussing public claims about genetic technology based on Stephen Toulmin's model of warrants in argumentation. After a review of the results from public opinion polls about genetic research, we present a focus group study of public understandings of genetics. We outline the warrants, or publicly accepted “good reasons”, that this group offers for accepting some aspects of genetic technology and for rejecting other aspects. The warrants presented by the public in their discussion of genetic research indicate that the public has a complex, informed understanding of genetic research, albeit a non-technical one. The paper concludes with a discussion of the importance of public participation in debates over genetic research and the ways that researchers and policymakers could adapt to public concerns about genetics.
Sample selection model assessing professional scouting programs and pesticide use in cotton production

A sample selection model is estimated using data from a 1989 survey of cotton farmers in the 14 major producing states to assess the effects of the farmer's participation in a professional scouting program on pesticide use in cotton production. Our results, based on 1989 conditions, indicate that participation in a professional scouting program increases yield and the number of treatments per acre of pesticides (broadly defined to include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, desiccants/defoliants, and growth regulators). Use of pest-resistant plants reduces the number of pesticide treatments per acre and irrigation increases the number of treatments per acre. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.1
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Presenting as Severe Headache in a Young Adult

A 27-year-old male with a positive family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm presented to his primary care physician and ultimately to the emergency department with the worst headache of his life and hypertension. An aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery was noted on CT and MRI. Upon further imaging and analysis, multiple vascular abnormalities were found, including possible dissection or pseudoaneurysm and multifocal narrowing and dilatation of the arteries of the head and neck. The patient underwent genetic testing revealing Ehlers-Danlos, type IV.
Distribution and morphology of columnar cacti in tropical deciduous woodland, Jalisco, Mexico

The distribution and branching morphologies of four species of columnar cactus species in tropical deciduous woodland in Jalisco, western Mexico, are examined. Two species, Stenocereus marginatus and especially Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum, are taller and extend through the woodland canopy, and only these two species occupy habitats where the woodland vegetation is taller, on N- and NE-facing aspects where incident radiation levels are lowest. Two species, Stenocereus standleyi and Cephalocereus purpusii, are shorter, subcanopy species, and are more restricted to low-angle slopes and slopes with S- to W-aspects, where the woodland vegetation is shorter and more open, with a greater penetration of radiation into the vegetation. Branching morphology is affected by the vegetation cover in all species, but in different ways between the two taller and the two shorter species. Ecological segregation in these four species is achieved apparently by differences among the light regimes of subhabitats correlated to the morphology of the cacti. This contrasts to segregation in Sonoran Desert columnar cactus species, which segregate by different strategies of water uptake and utilization, and in columnar cacti in woodlands in Oaxaca further south in Mexico, where adult individuals are very similar in branching morphology, but the younger individuals differ in this respect and presumably become established in different sorts of light gaps.
Model for scattered ion fractions based on equality in the close encounter

Abstract A model is developed for electronic transitions in KeV ion/surface collisions which considers Auger and resonant transitions along the ion trajectory and electron promotions in the quasi-diatomic molecule formed in the close encounter. Application to Ne+ scattering from Mg allows determination of ionization and neutralization probabilities as a function of the distance of closest approach.
Image object removal in redundant wavelet transform domain

In this paper, we present a novel approach on image object removal by extending subpatch texture synthesis technique into redundant wavelet transform (RDWT) domain. As an overcompleted wavelet transform, RDWT is shift invariant and obtained without downsampling. Also, each RDWT highpass subband exhibits one specific orientation features of the image, in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. All these make RDWT ideal for performing texture synthesis object removal techniques. In our experiments, subpatch texture synthesis in RDWT is introduced to remove unwanted objects from digital photographs. Specifically, for each RDWT subband, depending on the subband orientation, a particular direction subpatch texture synthesis is applied independently. Experimental results reveal that our simple algorithm performs better than previous methods.
Recognition of bilaterally presented words varying in concreteness and frequency: Lateral dominance or sequential processing?

Words presented in the left visual field were more easily recognized than words presented in the right visual field. This effect was independent of frequency and concreteness. While these results contradict those reported by (Ellis and Shepherd (1974), they are in accord with the results of a majority of studies using bilateral stimulus presentation. The discussion stressed the importance of learned responses in perceptual processing and cautioned against attributing functional distinctions to the cerebral hemispheres.
On Certain Approximations in the Finite-Element Method

Finite element method approximations outside variational principle in elasticity problems, examining convergence to exact solution
Using Trivariate Copulas to Model Sample Selection and Treatment Effects

Simultaneous nonlinear econometric models with discrete outcomes are often difficult to implement. This article considers the use of the copula approach for a model with three jointly determined outcomes. It also deals with the discrete case in which outcomes include a mixture of dichotomous choices and discrete count data. We apply this technique to study self-selection and interdependence between health insurance and health care demand among married couples. The full model consists of a dichotomous choice equation for family insurance and a separate negative binomial equation for each spouse's health care use.
Managing Variation In Textile Science Abstracts and Reports Through A Comprehensive Format and Generic Structure

Analysis of published textile science research papers revealed structural and rhetorical variations within and across published works suggesting that the needs and expectations of readers were not ...
Increased reproductive tract tumors in the female offspring of mice fed a high fat diet during the fetal stage of pregnancy

In a previous study, female offspring of mice consuming a high fat diet throughout pregnancy developed reproductive system tumors and tumor metastases with a frequency significantly higher than offspring of mice on a low fat diet. To test for the sensitive period more specifically, the feeding of a high fat diet was restricted to the fetal period of pregnancy in the present experiment. The offspring were raised to terminal illness and autopsied. The total number of ovarian, uterine and mammary tumors was 14 among 74 mice exposed prenatally to low fat and 34 among 75 mice exposed prenatally to high fat (P < 0.002). In mice exposed to high fat during the fetal period 13 tumors produced metastases, but no metastases were identified after exposure to low fat (P < 0.001). Thus, a maternal diet high in fat during the fetal period of pregnancy was sufficient to increase reproductive system tumors and metastases in the female offspring.
Less Common Indications for Stereotactic Radiosurgery or Fractionated Radiotherapy for Patients with Benign Brain Tumors

Microsurgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment for truly benign brain tumors that can be safely resected because of the potential for permanent cure with most histologic findings, including most of the histologic findings discussed in this article. Physicians must keep in mind the indolent nature of many of the benign brain tumors and realize that many patients are likely to live out normal life spans if tumor control is achieved. Therefore, it is not sufficient simply to consider local tumor control rates and short-term toxicity risks when choosing between surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and fractionated radiotherapy. Patients need to be apprised of all therapeutic options and to make their decisions with all information required to evaluate the risks and benefits. For benign brain tumors, these decisions may have consequences that last for decades.
Automated algebraic manipulation in celestial mechanics

In this paper we consider some of the applications of automated algebraic manipulation which have been made in celestial mechanics. Particular attention is paid to the use of Poisson series, and a typical problem in perturbation theory is described. The requirements of processors for use in celestial mechanics are considered and compared with those for general manipulation packages. Some future directions for research using these systems are briefly outlined.To illustrate the relative simplicity of the algorithms required in celestial mechanics, a typical integration problem is considered in an appendix.
Oxygen and hydrogen isotope variations among goethites (α-FeOOH) and the determination of paleotemperatures

Abstract A plot of δD vs.δ18O values from a diverse group of natural goethites defines a data array which is approximately parallel to the meteoric water line. The δ18O values range from −9.5 to +4.4 per mil, while the corresponding δD values vary from −202 to −94 per mil. There is considerable scatter in the δD vs.δ18O array, which can be attributed primarily to different temperatures of mineral formation. As determined previously (YAPP and Pedley, 1985), and confirmed in this study, the goethite-water D H fractionation factor is essentially independent of temperature over the range from 25°C to 145°C. However, the goethitewater 18 O 16 O fractionation factor does vary with temperature, as indicated by initial goethite synthesis experiments conducted at 25°C, 44°C and 62°C. The synthetic goethite 18αG–w values suggest that the natural goethites in this study formed at temperatures that may range from about 8°C to 66°C. Support for the validity of these approximate, calculated temperatures is provided by a natural goethite sample from the Atlantis II Deep in the Red Sea. These results suggest that goethite can be used as a single-mineral, low temperature geothermometer. Perhaps more importantly, goethite can be used in low temperature, oxygen isotope mineral-pair geothermometers such as chert-goethite, calcite-goethite, phosphate-goethite, etc.
Automatic segmentation of microvessels using textural analysis

Interior (luminal) diameter of blood vessels directly controls the amount of blood supplied to a given tissue and is an important parameter for the study of microcirculation. Microvessels are visualized using videomicroscopy, and their diameter can be measured either on or off line. Previous attempts at measurement of these vessels have been performed by direct use of calipers on a calibrated video monitor, or by a video caliper that is manipulated by the investigator. This paper describes the initial work in the development of a new technique for automatically detecting the vessel walls using the gray-level information from these video images. This is the first step toward measuring the vessel diameters. Texture measures are utilized in segmenting the blood vessels via digital image processing (DIP) without user intervention.
Characteristics of cities that pass living wage ordinances: Are certain conditions more conducive than others?

Abstract Cities that have passed living wage ordinances often do so because of the strong political appeal of local living wage campaigns as a response to the declining value of the minimum wage, the outsourcing of municipal services, and rising income inequality. These campaigns generally consist of coalitions of community organizations, religious groups, and often times labor organizations. Organized labor is not the primary force behind most living wage campaigns, but they are an important constituency. Unexplored, however, are the labor market and other characteristics of those cities that have passed ordinances. This paper looks at data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and compares cities that passed living wage ordinances to those that did not. Cities in states with high union density, and with higher levels of income inequality and larger immigrant populations appear to be more likely to pass living wage ordinances than those cities that do not have these demographics. But as important as union support may be, without key demographic and economic characteristics, it is nonetheless insufficient to achieve living wage ordinances in most cases.
A dialectical materialist's perspective on knowing social reality

Universalist and rule-utilitarian reasoning are contrasted in theory and in application, and a Marxist research approach to the study of children'S social development is described.
Five coordinate rhodium(I) olefin complexes containing the ligand bis(but-3-enyl)phenylphosphine

Abstract The complexes Rh2X2(bbp)2 (X = Cl, Br or I; and bbp = bis(but-3-enyl)phenylphosphine) have been prepared. These complexes have been characterized as five coordinate dimers in which the unsaturated phosphine acts as a tridentate ligand. Carbon monoxide reacts reversibly with the dimers forming the five coordinate monomeric compounds RhX(CO)(bbp). Mass spectral, infrared, Raman, and proton magnetic resonance data are consistent with the above formulations.
Non-generalized and generalized conditioned reinforcers: establishment and validation

Conditioned reinforcers, or tokens, are frequently used in clinical settings; however, little applied research has focused on establishing and validating their effectiveness. Following pairing of a novel token with an edible reinforcer in the present study, preference and reinforcer assessments verified that the tokens functioned as conditioned reinforcers. Results indicated that the tokens were established as conditioned reinforcers that matched the reinforcer value of the primary reinforcers with which they had been paired. The effects of motivating operations (MOs) on the effectiveness of these conditioned reinforcers were then evaluated. Conditioned reinforcer effectiveness decreased during satiation conditions. Subsequently it was found that increasing the number of backup reinforcers with which the token was paired resulted in the effectiveness maintaining during satiation conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineering Transcriptional Regulation to Control Pdu Microcompartment Formation

Bacterial microcompartments (MCPs) show great promise for the organization of engineered metabolic pathways within the bacterial cytoplasm. This subcellular organelle is composed of a protein shell of 100–200 nm diameter that natively encapsulates multi-enzyme pathways. The high energy cost of synthesizing the thousands of protein subunits required for each MCP demands precise regulation of MCP formation for both native and engineered systems. Here, we study the regulation of the propanediol utilization (Pdu) MCP, for which growth on 1,2-propanediol induces expression of the Pdu operon for the catabolism of 1,2-propanediol. We construct a fluorescence-based transcriptional reporter to investigate the activation of the Ppdu promoter, which drives the transcription of 21 pdu genes. Guided by this reporter, we find that MCPs can be expressed in strains grown in rich media, provided that glucose is not present. We also characterize the response of the Ppdu promoter to a transcriptional activator of the pdu operon, PocR, and find PocR to be a necessary component of Pdu MCP formation. Furthermore, we find that MCPs form normally upon the heterologous expression of PocR even in the absence of the natural inducer 1,2-propanediol and in the presence of glucose, and that Pdu MCPs formed in response to heterologous PocR expression can metabolize 1,2-propanediol in vivo. We anticipate that this technique of overexpressing a key transcription factor may be used to study and engineer the formation, size, and/or number of MCPs for the Pdu and related MCP systems.
On the risks of serving whenever you surf: vulnerabilities in Tor's blocking resistance design

In Tor, a bridge is a client node that volunteers to help censored users access Tor by serving as an unlisted, first-hop relay. Since bridging is voluntary, the success of this circumvention mechanism depends critically on the willingness of clients to act as bridges. We identify three key architectural shortcomings of the bridge design: (1) bridges are easy to find; (2) a bridge always accepts connections when its operator is using Tor; and (3) traffic to and from clients connected to a bridge interferes with traffic to and from the bridge operator. These shortcomings lead to an attack that can expose the IP address of bridge operators visiting certain web sites over Tor. We also discuss mitigation mechanisms.
Fluctuating Sulfidizing-Oxidizing Environments and Their Effect on Stability of Protective Scales on Carbon Steel

Abstract Certain areas in the lower and mid-furnace of kraft recovery boilers have shown higher corrosion rates than others in the nearby areas. Local gaseous environments in boilers were character...
Effects of IL-4 on conjunctival fibroblasts: possible role in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

Purpose Increased stromal accumulation of macrophages and submucosal fibrosis due to excessive accumulation of collagens are central histologic features in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). Interleukin (IL)-4 plays an important role in both the inflammatory and fibrotic events in several human and experimental diseases. In the present study, the possible role of IL-4 in the pathogenesis of OCP was investigated. Methods Biopsy specimens from the conjunctivae of 10 patients with OCP and 5 normal subjects were studied for the expression of IL-4 by immunohistochemistry. The expression level of IL-4 was also examined in conjunctival fibroblasts of normal control subjects and patients with OCP. The effects of IL-4 in the induction of inflammatory and fibrogenic molecules was studied in IL-4-treated conjunctival fibroblasts, and the expression levels of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (m-CSF), heat shock protein (HSP)-47 and type I collagen was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The level of IL-4 was also measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum samples obtained from patients with OCP during active stage and remission and were compared with the levels in control sera. Results Compared with the weak expression of IL-4 in the normal conjunctival sections, an increased expression of IL-4 was noted in conjunctival sections of patients with OCP. A similar increase in the expression of IL-4 was also detected in fibroblasts isolated from conjunctiva of patients with OCP, compared with control fibroblasts. Real-time PCR and ELISA detected a significantly increased level of m-CSF, at both the mRNA and protein levels in IL-4-stimulated cells. Similarly, IL-4 treatment resulted in the induction of type I collagen and collagen-binding HSP47 by conjunctival fibroblasts, as detected by real-time PCR. However, no apparent changes in the levels of IL-4 were detected by ELISA in serum samples of patients with OCP and control subjects. Conclusions Increased conjunctival expression of IL-4 may play an important role in the regulation of local accumulation of macrophages (by inducing m-CSF), and matrix accumulation (by inducing HSP47 and collagen) during conjunctival scarring in patients with OCP. IL-4, therefore, may augment or enhance both conjunctival inflammatory and subsequent fibrotic responses in patients with OCP.
Perceived discrimination and women's psychological distress: The roles of collective and personal self-esteem.

In the spirit of counseling psychology's social justice mission (e.g., L. A. Goodman, B. Liang, J. E. Helms, R. E. Latta, E. Sparks, & S. R. Weintraub, 2004), the authors examined perceptions of discrimination against women as related to women's views of the group women, their views of themselves as individuals, and their psychological distress. Path analysis was used to test an extended chain of mediation from perceptions of discrimination to public collective self-esteem, private collective self-esteem, personal self-esteem, and finally to psychological distress. Data (N = 235) were consistent with hypotheses and indicated a good fit for the model. Results were in accord with feminist theorists' assertions of the harmful nature of sexist discrimination, as the model accounted for substantial proportions of variance in depression and anxiety. Furthermore, these findings on mechanisms by which harm may be induced offer important clues for prevention and intervention.
Human Capital, Efficiency, and Innovative Adaptation as Strategic Determinants of Firm Performance

This study used flexible leadership theory (FLT) as a basis to examine the extent to which a firm’s long-term financial prosperity depends on three performance determinants: human capital, efficiency, and innovative adaptation. Based on FLT predictions, we expected that the effect of human capital on firm performance would be mediated by efficiency and innovative adaptation. We compared the theoretical model with two alternative models using structural equation modeling. The sample involved 104 Fortune 500 firms across 15 industries over a 10-year period. Information on financial indicators was obtained from the Research Insight database (Compustat), and ratings of human capital talent were obtained from a Fortune data set (America’s Most Admired Companies). Results indicated that the effects of human capital on long-term financial performance were partially mediated by efficiency and innovative adaptation.
Ras signaling is essential for lens cell proliferation and lens growth during development.

The vertebrate ocular lens is a simple and continuously growing tissue. Growth factor-mediated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are believed to be required for lens cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. The signaling pathways downstream of the RTKs remain to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate the important role of Ras in lens development by expressing a dominant-negative form of Ras (dn-Ras) in the lens of transgenic mice. We show that lens in the transgenic mice was smaller and lens growth was severely inhibited as compared to the wild-type lens. However, the lens shape, polarity and transparency appeared normal in the transgenic mice. Further analysis showed that cell proliferation is inhibited in the dn-Ras lens. For example, the percentage of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled cells in epithelial layer was about 2- to 3fold lower in the transgenic lens than in the wild-type lens, implying that Ras activity is required for normal cell proliferation during lens development. We also found a small number of apoptotic cells in both epithelial and fiber compartment of the transgenic lens, suggesting that Ras also plays a role in cell survival. Interestingly, although there was a delay in primary fiber cell differentiation, secondary fiber cell differentiation was not significantly affected in the transgenic mice. For example, the expression of β- and γ-crystallins, the marker proteins for fiber differentiation, was not changed in the transgenic mice. Biochemical analysis indicated that ERK activity, but not Akt activity, was significantly reduced in the dn-Ras transgenic lenses. Overall, our data imply that the RTK-Ras-ERK signaling pathway is essential for cell proliferation and, to a lesser extent, for cell survival, but not for crystallin gene expression during fiber differentiation. Thus, some of the fiber differentiation processes are likely mediated by RTK-dependent but Ras-independent pathways.
High speed THz spectroscopy using fast scanning Fabry-Perot

A fast-scanning tunable Fabry-Perot filter has been developed for signature identification in reflective THz sensor systems. The reflectors are metal mesh filters having reflectivity between 0.90 and 0.95, depending on the specific frequency. A demonstration of the filter has been carried out at 530 GHz with a resolution of ∼10 GHz (Q ∼ 50), a scan range of ∼50 GHz, and a scan time of 0.5 seconds. The higher-order harmonic longitudinal modes are blocked by a lower-Q metamaterial bandpass filter located outside the Fabry Perot and having no harmonic passbands. This will enable high-rate THz spectroscopy without frequency ambiguity.
Sweatshops and third world living standards: Are the jobs worth the sweat?

Many studies have shown that multinational firms pay more than domestic firms in Third World countries. Economists who criticize sweatshops have responded that multinational firms’ wage data do not address whether sweatshop jobs are above average because many of these jobs are with domestic subcontractors. We compare apparel industry wages and the wages of individual firms accused of being sweatshops to measures of the standard of living in Third World economies. We find that most sweatshop jobs provide their workers an above average standard of living.
Detection of a trypsin-like serine protease domain in flaviviruses and pestiviruses.

Abstract We propose through a sequence and structural-pattern analysis that a protein domain of undefined function encoded by the enveloped RNA flavi- and pestiviruses is a Ser active-center enzyme related to the cellular trypsin family. A further homology is emphasized with the group of (Cys active-center) viral proteases encoded by nonenveloped RNA viruses of the picorna-, como-, nepo-, and potyvirus classes. Structural modeling of the putative flaviviral protease domain suggests amino acids that are crucial for catalytic activity and substrate binding.