cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acetyldigoxin and acetyldigitoxin from Digitalis lanata

Abstract This paper describes the ready separation of acetyldigoxin from acetyldigitoxin when these secondary glycosides are isolated in combination from Digitalis lanata , fresh or dried, containing the maximum amounts of the native glycosides. The initial primary extract used 35% aqueous methanol and enzyme‐favoring conditions. Final separation of the two acetyl glycosides was effected by partitioning between 12.5% aqueous methanol and benzene or toluene.
Reconstitution and Characterization of Aminopyrrolnitrin Oxygenase, a Rieske N-Oxygenase That Catalyzes Unusual Arylamine Oxidation

Abstract Rieske oxygenases catalyze a wide variety of important oxidation reactions. Here we report the characterization of a novel Rieske N-oxygenase, aminopyrrolnitrin oxygenase (PrnD) that catalyzes the unusual oxidation of an arylamine to an arylnitro group. PrnD from Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf5 was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, and the activity of the purified PrnD was reconstituted, which required in vitro assembly of the Rieske iron-sulfur cluster into the protein and the presence of NADPH, FMN, and an E. coli flavin reductase SsuE. Biochemical and bioinformatics studies indicated that the reconstituted PrnD contains a Rieske iron-sulfur cluster and a mononuclear iron center that are formed by residues Cys69, Cys88, His71, His91, Asp323, His186, and His191, respectively. The enzyme showed a limited range of substrate specificity and catalyzed the conversion of aminopyrrolnitrin into pyrrolnitrin with Km = 191 μm and kcat = 6.8 min–1. Isotope labeling experiments with 18O2 and H218O suggested that the oxygen atoms in the pyrrolnitrin product are derived exclusively from molecular oxygen. In addition, it was found that the oxygenation of the arylamine substrates catalyzed by PrnD occurs at the enzyme active site and does not involve free radical chain reactions. By analogy to known examples of arylamine oxidation, a catalytic mechanism for the bioconversion of amino pyrrolnitrin into pyrrolnitrin was proposed. Our results should facilitate further mechanistic and crystallographic studies of this arylamine oxygenase and may provide a new enzymatic route for the synthesis of aromatic nitro compounds from their corresponding aromatic amines.
Mechanisms of Multisite Phosphorylation and Inactivation of Rabbit Muscle Glycogen Synthase

Glycogen synthase, a rate-determining enzyme for glycogen biosynthesis, is regulated by complex multisite phosphorylation of its subunit. Previous work has suggested that phosphorylation by some protein kinases, casein kinase II and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, potentiates the ability of other protein kinases, glycogen synthase kinase 3 and casein kinase I, respectively, to modify the enzyme. In the present study, active glycogen synthase was expressed in Escherichia coli using a pET vector. The purified recombinant glycogen synthase had specific activity and subunit M(r) similar to enzyme isolated from rabbit muscle. Prior phosphorylation by casein kinase II was found to be an obligate requirement for phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 3, which introduced 4 mol phosphate/mol subunit. Casein kinase II action did not affect activity, whereas the phosphorylation catalyzed by glycogen synthase kinase 3 caused a potent inactivation, reducing the +/- glucose 6-phosphate activity ratio from 0.7 to 0.10. Casein kinase I alone phosphorylated the recombinant glycogen synthase, indicating that substrate phosphorylation was not an absolute requirement. However, the prior action of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase significantly potentiated the ability of casein kinase I to phosphorylate and inactivate glycogen synthase. All previous analyses of glycogen synthase phosphorylation have used enzyme purified from mammalian sources and containing residual covalent phosphate. By using recombinant substrate, the present study represents a rigorous assessment of the role of prior phosphorylation in the recognition of mammalian glycogen synthase by glycogen synthase kinase 3 and casein kinase I. The conclusion is that phosphorylation of glycogen synthase can involve the concerted action of multiple protein kinases.
Provability as a deontic notion

The purpose of this paper is to mark a significant difference between classical and several non-classical prepositional calculi. The argument presupposes familiarity with Kripke/Hintikka semantics for modal logic. The non-classical systems are Hintikka's logic of belief and alethic modal systems which have Kripke/Hintikka semantics.
Some Bounds for the Reliability of a System With Specified Failure Rate Characteristics

When bounds are sought for the reliability of a system, all available information is applied, e.g., moments of the life distribution (mainly the first moment), life percentiles obtained experimentally, and general data. Barlow et al. [1] and Epstein [2] presented bounds for a monotone-increasing or decreasing failure rate, and bounded the reliability by referring to a system with a constant failure rate. In this paper, the reliability is bounded by utilizing additional information on the behavior of the failure rate as a function of age.
Adiabatic shear bands in axisymmetric impact and penetration problems

We study axisymmetric deformations of depleted uranium (DU) and tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) rods impacting at normal incidence either a flat rigid or a thick steel target. Each deformable material is modeled as elastic thermoviscoplastic; its flow stress increases with an increase in the effective plastic strain and effective plastic strain-rate but decreases with a rise in the temperature. An objective of this work is to ascertain when and where a shear band, defined as a narrow region of rapid, intense plastic deformation, forms in each material. The Taylor impact simulations show that shear bands form earlier in WHA than in DU for material parameters used. In the penetration simulations, shear bands form continuously in the ejecta of the DU penetrator but only one shear band occurs in the WHA ejecta followed by its more uniform deformations.
A Miniature Proportional Counter for Compression Measurements of Laser Fusion Targets

Direct drive laser fusion targets consisting of DT gas encapsulated in glass microshells produce 14.1 MeV neutrons that can interact with silicon-28 nuclei in the glass to produce a 2.2 minute aluminum-28 activity. From the number of 28Al nuclei created and the neutron yield, the compressed glass areal density can be found. To determine the number of activated atoms created, we collect approximately one-half of the target debris on a thin metal foil which is transferred to our beta-gamma coincidence detector. This detector consists of a 25 cm × 25 cm NaI(Tl) crystal having a 5 cm × 15 cm well. We have recently built a miniature proportional counter that fits into this well and is used to detect beta particles. It is constructed of .025 cm thick copper and has nine separate chambers through which methane flows. The coincidence background is 0.14 cpm and the measured beta efficiency is 45%. We are now building a .0125 cm thick counter made of aluminum having a predicted efficiency of > 90%.
Microreactor Performance Studies of the Cycloaddition of Isoamylene and α-Methylstyrene

The cycloaddition reaction between isoamylene and α-methylstyrene yields indane compounds 1,1,2,3,3,-pentamethylindane and 3-ethyl-1,1,3-trimethylindane, which are intermediate cyclic products used in the synthesis of musk fragrances. This exothermic reaction is usually carried out industrially in large semibatch reactors. The microreactor, with enhanced heat and mass transfer characteristics, was used for the reaction with aqueous sulfuric acid as catalyst. The dependence of reactant conversion, product yield, and average reaction rates on catalyst concentration, temperature, velocity, residence time, and the molar ratio of the reactants in the feed was investigated. A similar study was also performed in the semibatch reactor to compare its performance with that of the microreactor. Higher product yields were obtained in the microreactor, and the average reaction rates in the microreactor were 3 orders of magnitude greater than those obtained in the semibatch reactor.
Deep seabed mining: Can an acceptable regime ever be found?

Abstract Fourteen years of effort by the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea and its predecessors have so far failed to produce a generally acceptable regime for deep seabed mining. The present Draft Convention does contain ingenious solutions to the problems created by the unique characteristics of seabed resources, the lack of existing international law governing their exploitation, the influence of the navigation provisions, and the need to reconcile the financial requirements of miners with the expectations of developing countries. It is a remarkable achievement in view of the negotiating obstacles that had to be overcome, but the regime is cumbersome and expensive. Further improvements in the interest of simplification will have to be made if it is to be workable.
Optical filters by the pyrolysis of metal-organics

Optical coatings and filters have enormous applications in every branch of modern optics. Traditionally optical films are deposited by evaporation, sputtering, and by chemical methods. Using these above mentioned techniques it is very difficult to obtain excellent quality films; that is, films with extremely low values of scattering, absorption and film stress and high corrosion resistance to humidity. Recently developed Ion-Assisted Deposition techniques produce high performance films but suffer with high cost and their difficulty to coat odd shaped objects. Pyrolysis of metal-organics at low pressures besides being low cost deposition method, offer several advantages over the traditional techniques. The resulting films are usually theoretically dense and also very pure; thus light scattering and impurity absorption are respectively minimized. The method has no inherent limitation in size, thickness and shape of the deposit which can be produced. Furthermore, the film thickness can be precisely controlled. The present talk focuses on the technique: pyrolysis of metal-organics as applied to infrared reflecting multilayer interference filters for lightning applications. Special attention will be paid to pyrolysis mechanisms, film stress minimization, and large-scale production issues
Spatial–spectral volume holographic systems: resolution dependence on effective thickness

The resolution dependence of spatial-spectral volume holographic imaging systems on angular and spectral bandwidth of nonuniform gratings is investigated. Modeling techniques include a combination of the approximate coupled-wave analysis and the transfer-matrix method for holograms recorded in absorptive media. The effective thickness of the holograms is used as an estimator of the resolution of the imaging systems. The methodology, which assists in the design and optimization of volume holographic simulation results based on our approach, are confirmed with experiments and show proof of consistency and usefulness of the proposed models.
Business Research: Perspectives of Deans of AACSB-Accredited Business Schools.

Abstract The role of research in collegiate schools of business continues to be a focus of debate and controversy. The American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) has historically been pivotal in the determination of business school standards, and policy and deans of accredited business programs constitute the primary decisionmakers in the AACSB. Deans of AACSB-accredited business schools were surveyed with regard to their attitudes toward the scope and nature of research in business schools of the 1990s. Through factor and cluster analysis, typologies of deans' attitudes were developed and are discussed.
Homogeneous redox catalysis of a heterogeneous electron transfer reaction

Abstract Catalysis of the reduction of tert-nitrobutane by terephthalonitrile has been investigated as an illustration of the technique. The reaction was studied by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile solvent using a hanging mercury drop electrode. The rate and equilibrium constants for electron transfer from the radical anion of terephthalonitrile to neutral tert-nitrobutane were found to be 5.2 × 10 5 1 mol −1 s −1 and 0.027, respectively, at 25° C. The reaction was studied at temperatures between −15 and 45° C and the self-exchange rate constant for tert-nitrobutane and its radical anion was found to be 5 × 10 3 1 mol −1 s −1 at 25° C with an activation energy of 25–30 kJ/mol.
Pressure and Vorticity Transients from Summer Storms and Aircraft.

Abstract A field study directed primarily to the pressure fields produced by thunderstorms, plumes, dust devils and aircraft has been conducted during several summers at locations in northeastern Colorado and near Stapleton International Airport, Denver. A 60 m tripartite array of anemometers plus sensors of pressure, vertical wind and vorticity were employed in the study of plumes and small vortices. The transient or short-lived phenomena studied required high-sensitivity microbarographs designed for gravity-wave measurements in the Brunt-Vaisala band of the subsonic spectrum. As a supplement to usual anemometry a vorticity meter well suited to microscale work was used to observe small vortices. Convective plumes were observed to occur in an unstable atmosphere with variable winds. One sees not only a strong updraft and accompanying negative pressure pulse but also a small peripheral downdraft with a corresponding positive pressure from the descending air, mainly at the plume's trailing edge. A second ty...
The HMGN Family of Chromatin-Binding Proteins: Dynamic Modulators of Epigenetic Processes

The HMGN family of proteins binds to nucleosomes without any specificity for the underlying DNA sequence. They affect the global and local structure of chromatin, as well as the levels of histone modifications and thus play a role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression. This review focuses on the recent studies that provide new insights on the interactions between HMGN proteins, nucleosomes, and chromatin, and the effects of these interactions on epigenetic and transcriptional regulation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chromatin in time and space.
Characterization of Spatially Addressable Libraries: Stereoisomer Analysis of Tetrahydro-β-carbolines as an Example

Combinatorial chemistry approaches have facilitated the process of lead discovery and optimization for new drugs, catalysts, and materials. A successful combinatorial program typically includes high throughput library synthesis, characterization, and screening. One of many challenges in this program is to develop high throughput characterization methods to address issues concerning reaction stereoselectivity and racemization during the library synthesis. Using the core structure of tetrahydro-β-carboline as an example, we demonstrate the usefulness of capillary electrophoresis in enantiomeric separation of stereoisomers generated by parallel synthesis and rapid quantitative measurement of the isomer ratios, in addition to assessing possible racemization during reactions for its overall potential in library characterization.
Bubble nucleation in polymeric liquids. I. Bubble nucleation in concentrated polymer solutions

Laser light scattering, with the aid of Mie's scattering theory, was used to investigate bubble nucleation in concentrated polymer solutions. Solutions with 40, 50 and 60 wt % polystyrene in toluene were used. A test solution in a high-pressure optical cell made of strain-free quartz was heated to a predetermined temperature under pressure. Upon release of the pressure in the cell, both scattered and transmitted light fluxes were measured with photomultipliers, and the variation of system pressure with time was measured using a piezoelectric pressure transducer. The measurement of the light scattering flux and control of the experiment were performed by means of a microcomputer with a general-purpose data acquisition interface. Data reduction was done using the same microcomputer. The critical bubble size was determined by obtaining a one-to-one correspondence between the extrema of the experimental and theoretical scattering curves. While the Mie scattering theory is for monodisperse particles, the experimental scattering curves indicated that the bubbles had a distribution of sizes. Therefore, the log-normal distribution function was used to represent the size distribution; and theoretical scattering curves were computed by varying the breadth parameter in the log-normal distribution function, until we had a one-to-one correspondence between the extrema of the experimental and theoretical scattering curves. In this way, we were able to determine (a) the size distribution of bubbles in the optical cell, (b) the critical bubble size, (c) the total number of bubbles nucleated, and (d) the critical pressure for bubble nucleation, as functions of temperature, the initial equilibrium pressure in the optical cell, and the concentration of the polymer solution.
Beyond DNA origami: the unfolding prospects of nucleic acid nanotechnology

Nucleic acid nanotechnology exploits the programmable molecular recognition properties of natural and synthetic nucleic acids to assemble structures with nanometer-scale precision. In 2006, DNA origami transformed the field by providing a versatile platform for self-assembly of arbitrary shapes from one long DNA strand held in place by hundreds of short, site-specific (spatially addressable) DNA 'staples'. This revolutionary approach has led to the creation of a multitude of two-dimensional and three-dimensional scaffolds that form the basis for functional nanodevices. Not limited to nucleic acids, these nanodevices can incorporate other structural and functional materials, such as proteins and nanoparticles, making them broadly useful for current and future applications in emerging fields such as nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, and alternative energy.
Timing observations of the millisecond pulsar.

Following the discovery of the rapidly spinning pulsar 1937+214 on 7 November 19821 a program of accurate pulse arrival time measurements was initiated at the Arecibo Observatory. These observations, which were conducted at 1,408 MHz centre frequency, indicate that pulse arrival times follow a simple spindown equation with an accuracy of 1.5 µs for intervals between 2 min and 14 days. The apparent period derivative of 1.2 × 10−19 s s−1 leads to a characteristic tune scale P/Ṗ for period evolution of 4 × 108 yr. If the observed stability of this pulsar persists for decades, we will be able to reduce present uncertainties on the masses of the distant planets.
Three against Four: A Cultural Analysis of the Disappearance of Women in Kalabari

In Kalabari there is a remarkable pervasiveness of tripartite schemes. This was not the situation centuries ago, and it is at variance with the baseline culture in the Niger Delta. In the past, and still among other Ijo communities, number three and odd numbers in general were associated with men; and even numbers and four in particular were associated with women. This paper investigates why the number-symbolism changed and "feminine" numbers disappeared from the traditional religious cosmology. Our analysis suggests that the transformation of Kalabari society from fishing village to trading state altered the gender balance in favor of men. With their newly found dominance in long-distance trade, which relied on violence for success, the reproduction of social relationships was structured in various ways to produce and maintain the worldview that what was masculine and strong was good for the governance of society. The prominence of number three in Kalabari social relations is, therefore, an "archaeologic...
Trying to come home: Substance exposed infants, mothers, and family reunification

Abstract Substance abusing mothers comprise a significant proportion of caregivers in public child welfare, and achieve low reunification rates. Unfortunately little is known about treatment options intended to facilitate recovery and increase reunification. This study focuses particular attention on the relationship between specific treatment modalities (e.g., residential and outpatient), recovery from substance abuse and family reunification. Analyzing a sample of 160 mothers and their substance exposed infants, the findings clearly identify the benefits of residential treatment in terms of both treatment progress (directly) and family reunification (indirectly), but only when residential services are delivered in combination with transitional services.
Amorphous silicon honeycombs as a binder/carbon-free, thin-film Li-ion battery anode

Amorphous silicon thin films with honeycombed structures have been prepared using a self-assembled monolayer of polystyrene spheres as the template. The as-prepared thin films may serve as a good anode candidate for thin film Li-ion batteries. This approach can be extended to a wide range of coating materials and substrates with controlled periodic structures.
Phosphorylation of Ime2 Regulates Meiotic Progression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ime2p is a meiosis-specific protein kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that controls multiple steps in meiosis. Although Ime2p is functionally related to the Cdc28p cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), no cyclin binding partners that regulate its activities have been identified. The sequence of the Ime2p catalytic domain is similar to CDKs and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Ime2p is activated by phosphorylation of its activation loop in a Cak1p-dependent fashion and is subsequently phosphorylated on multiple residues as cells progress through meiosis. In this study, we show that Ime2p purified from meiotic cells is phosphorylated on Thr242 and Tyr244 in its activation loop and on Ser520 and Ser625 in its C terminus. Ime2p autophosphorylates on threonine in its activation loop in vitro consistent with autophosphorylation of Thr242 playing a role in its activation. Moreover, autophosphorylation in cis is required for Ime2p to become hyperphosphorylated. Phosphorylation of the C-terminal serines is not essential to sporulation. However, Ime2p C-terminal phosphorylation site mutants genetically interact with components of the FEAR network that controls exit from meiosis I. These data suggest that Ime2p plays a role in controlling the exit from meiosis I and demonstrate that a phospho-modification pathway regulates Ime2p during the different phases of meiotic development.
Physical basis of distortional and dilational plastic flow in glassy polymers

Abstract A molecular theory for distortional plasticity is described based on thermally activated production of molecular kink pairs which incrementally align short molecular segments and thereby produce strain. The process of crazing is described as a micromechanical problem of elastic-plastic expansion of initially stable micropores produced by a thermally activated mechanism under stress to form a craze nucleus, followed by lateral extension of the craze nucleus by a time-dependent addition of craze matter at points of the craze boundary where the local conditions of craze matter conversion can be satisfied. The analysis of the condition of craze nucleation provides a natural framework for the derivation of the dilational yield condition of Sternstein and Ongchin by crazing. The process of fracture by propagation of cracks pushing plastic craze wedges in front of them is also briefly described qualitatively.
A childhood asthma severity scale: symptoms, medications, and health care visits.

Background Although there are current measures to evaluate childhood asthma severity for clinical diagnosis and treatment, there is no standard valid measure to evaluate childhood asthma severity for large-scale epidemiologic studies. Objectives To develop and test a childhood asthma severity scale (CHAS) for clinimetric validity and to determine differences in symptoms, medication use, and health care visits by participant characteristics. Methods Eight hundred ninety-seven actively asthmatic children under the age of 12 years were selected from a general population of children. Children were selected from a screening questionnaire administered at six Connecticut hospitals that serve large minority populations in Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, and Danbury and one hospital serving south central Massachusetts. Twelve-month baseline data for a prospective cohort study of childhood asthma severity were collected on a monthly basis through home interviews. Home interviews addressed questions on daily symptoms, medication use, and health care visits. A severity scale was constructed using three dimensions: symptoms, medication use, and health care visits. Results CHAS has sufficient preliminary content, construct, and predictive validity. Despite similarities in symptoms, there were health care utilization and medication differentials according to race and ethnicity, insurance status, family income, and maternal education. Conclusions CHAS is a potentially useful measure of asthma severity for large-scale epidemiologic studies. It seems that CHAS has sufficient clinimetric properties.
Partially linear modeling of conditional quantiles using penalized splines

We consider the estimation problem of conditional quantile when multi-dimensional covariates are involved. To overcome the “curse of dimensionality” yet retain model flexibility, we propose two partially linear models for conditional quantiles: partially linear single-index models (QPLSIM) and partially linear additive models (QPLAM). The unknown univariate functions are estimated by penalized splines. An approximate iteratively reweighted penalized least square algorithm is developed. To facilitate model comparisons, we develop effective model degrees of freedom for penalized spline conditional quantiles. Two smoothing parameter selection criteria, Generalized Approximate Cross-validation (GACV) and Schwartz-type Information Criterion (SIC) are studied. Some asymptotic properties are established. Finite sample properties are investigated through simulation studies. Application to the Boston Housing data demonstrates the success of the proposed approach. Both simulations and real applications show encouraging results of the proposed estimators.
In-Situ Characterization of High-Speed I/O Chip-Package Systems

This paper reports methods of signal integrity model validation for high-speed I/O chip-package systems including simultaneous switching noise, package power/ground noise and crosstalk. IBIS-models of I/O chip performance are extracted from measurements using high impedance probes. IBIS macro model based SPICE simulations and onboard measurements are compared to optimize package model over a several GHz range. A characterization IC including differential CMOS current-mode logic, (CML) and single-ended, Gunning transceiver logic, (GTL) I/O were designed with TI 65 nm digital CMOS processes. Key CMOS CML characterization data is used to investigate the effects of the package on signal integrity performance and GTL data will be forthcoming.
Influence of Azone ® and lauryl alcohol on the transport of acetaminophen and ibuprofen through shed snake skin

Abstract The influence of the penetration enhancers Azone ® and lauryl alcohol on the transport of acetaminophen and ibuprofen through shed snake ( Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta ) skin has been investigated in vitro. Finite dose studies were conducted in unoccluded Franz diffusion cells to determine the extent of penetration enhancement. Infinite dose studies were conducted in Side-bi-Side ® diffusion cells to determine the mechanism of enhancement. Mixed volatile/nonvolatile solution formulations were used in all experiments; the formulations contained a drug (1% w/v), an enhancer (5% w/v) and the nonvolatile solvent propylene glycol (5% w/v) dissolved in methanol. The addition of either enhancer increased the amount of acetaminophen transported. In contrast, only lauryl alcohol increased the amount of ibuprofen transported; Azone ® provided no significant enhancement. For the acetaminophen/lauryl alcohol, acetaminophen/Azone ® and ibuprofen/lauryl alcohol formulations, infinite dose studies showed that the mechanism of enhancement was an increase in partition coefficient, K , with no significant increase in the diffusion coefficient, D . For the Azone ®/ibuprofen formulation, the enhancer provided a slight increase in D , which was offset by a decrease in K . The results highlight the importance of partitioning in penetration enhancement.
Catalytic activity of carbons for methane decomposition reaction

Abstract Catalytic decomposition of methane is an environmentally attractive approach to CO2-free production of hydrogen. The objective of this work is to evaluate catalytic activity of a wide range of carbon materials for methane decomposition reaction and determine major factors governing their activity. It was demonstrated that the catalytic activity of carbon materials for methane decomposition is mostly determined by their structural and surface properties. Kinetics of methane decomposition reaction over disordered (amorphous) carbons such as carbon black and activated carbon were determined. The mechanism of carbon-catalyzed methane decomposition reaction and the nature of active sites on the carbon surface are discussed in this paper.
Emphysematous gastritis secondary to disseminated stronglyloidiasis

Emphysematous gastritis is associated with infectious gastritis produced by gas-forming organisms and with noninfectious gastric necrosis, most often secondary to corrosive ingestion. A new case of infectious emphysematous gastritis is reported secondary to disseminated stronglyoidiasis. This case is unique in that the intramural emphysema developed due to diffuse necrosis of the gastric mucosa caused by the filariform larvae ofStrongyloides stercoralis rather than by infection of the gastric wall with gasforming organisms.
Sequence analysis of the region upstream of a peptidoglycan hydrolase-encoding gene from bacteriophage ƒ11 of Staphylococcus aureus

The nucleotide sequence of a 1.1-kb DMA fragment upstream of a peptidoglycan hydrolase-encoding gene (lytA) from bacteriophage ƒ11 of Staphylococcus aureus was determined to see if the upstream sequences are involved in the transfer of the lytA product through the cytoplasmic membrane. Sequencing revealed three open reading frames of 171, 147 and 435 bp with consensus Shine-Dalgarno sequences located upstream from the ATG start codons. The third open reading frame overlaps with the 5′ end of lytA by 18 nucleotides. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the open reading frames with the amino acid sequences in the NCBI Entrez database did not show any significant homology to any sequenced polypeptides. However, the analysis of the peptides showed some structural similarities to the product of the holin gene family. Lysogens containing an insertional mutation in ORF3, upon induction, produced either no phage titer or very low phage titers, compared to the wild-type lysogen. Transformation of ORF3 mutated lysogens by a plasmid containing the intact ORF3 produced the same phage titer as wild-type lysogen, suggesting that the ORF3 product is involved in the process of cell lysis/phage release.
Boat conformations: synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, and molecular modeling of methyl 2,6-anhydro-3-deoxy-3-phthalimido-α-d-mannopyranoside and its 15N-labeled analog

Abstract Methyl 2,6-anhydro-3-deoxy-3-phthalimido-α- d -mannopyranoside and its 15 N-labeled analog have been synthesized by reaction of methyl 2,6:3,4-dianhydro-α- d -altropyranoside with a mixture of phthalimide and potassium phthalimide or their 15 N-labeled analogs. The geometry of the skew conformation of the mannopyranoside derivative has been characterized by molecular dynamics with simulated annealing and correlated with vicinal and long-range 1 H 1 H and vicinal 1 H 15 N coupling constants measured by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Dihedral angle comparisons have been made with derivatives of the parent 2,2,2-bicyclo-octane structure. The 1 H 15 N coupling constant data provide further values for definition of a Karplus equation for analysis of the stereochemistry of aminoglycosides.
An N-terminal Arginine-rich Cluster and a Proline-Alanine-Threonine Repeat Region Determine the Cellular Localization of the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 ICP34.5 Protein and Its Ligand, Protein Phosphatase 1

The ICP34.5 protein facilitates herpes simplex virus replication by binding and activating protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) by means of a very conserved C-terminal GADD34-like region. Natural variants of the ICP34.5 differing in the number of arginines in an Arg-rich cluster at the N terminus and the number of Pro-Ala-Thr repeats in the central bridge region of the protein were cloned as fusion proteins with a reporter peptide (c-Myc or hrGFP) at the C terminus. The natural variants were obtained from strains differing in passage history, tissue culture behavior, and neuroinvasive disease potential. In transfected cells, these variants localized to different subcellular compartments. The N-terminal Arg-rich cluster acted as a cellular localization signal for discrete regions of the nucleus and cytoplasm, but the ultimate location of ICP34.5 was determined by the number of Pro-Ala-Thr repeats in the central bridge region. PP1 colocalized with the ICP34.5 variant in cells expressing the ICP34.5. The ICP34.5-mediated, herpes simplex virus strain-dependent differences in the modulation of PP1 location and function may be responsible for the strain-associated differences in tissue culture behavior and virulence of the virus.
Weighted subspace fitting using subspace perturbation expansions

This paper presents a new approach to deriving statistically optimal weights for weighted subspace fitting (WSF) algorithms. The approach uses a formula called a "subspace perturbation expansion," which shows how the subspaces of a matrix change when the matrix elements are perturbed. The perturbation expansion is used to derive an optimal WSF algorithm for estimating directions of arrival in array signal processing.
CONTRASTING TROPHIC CASCADES GENERATED BY A COMMUNITY OF GENERALIST PREDATORS

We examined whether intraguild predation (IGP) weakens the ability of two taxa of generalist predators, carabid beetles and lycosid spiders, to control herbivore densities in gardens of cucumber and squash. We also measured fruit production to determine whether IGP weakens the ability of the predators to impact plants indirectly through trophic cascades. These predators did impact herbivore densities, but their impact on different herbivores varied dramatically. As the herbivore community changed through the season, so too did the predators' indirect effect on fruit production. In spring cucumber gardens, lycosids caused fruit production to increase by reducing densities of striped cucumber beetles, which are important early-season herbivores. Carabids also weakly reduced cucumber beetle densities, and the entire carabid–lycosid guild enhanced cucumber yield. However, the carabid–lycosid guild's impact changed dramatically later in the season. In summer squash gardens, carabids increased fruit production ...
How is Sustainability Structured? The Discursive Life of Environmentalism:

Promoting products and companies as both socially and environmentally sustainable is a core component in many contemporary marketing strategies and increasingly the concern of many consumers. While the effects of corporate social responsibility on consumer perception and firm performance have been widely investigated, research has yet to explore how and why these expectations themselves change over time. In this study, I use institutional theory and the theory of structuration from sociology to evaluate the shift in norms regarding environmental responsibility in the United States over a thirty-year period. A qualitative and quantitative content analysis of newspaper articles shows that environmental discourse has shifted from an emphasis on protection of the environment against toxic, modern encroachments, to a set of frames that emphasize the efficiency of technology and efficient use, if not improvement of, the environment. The stakeholders held responsible for protecting the environment have also chan...
Isolation, Purification, and Characterization of Pregnancy-Specific Protein B from Elk and Moose Placenta

Pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) was isolated, purified, and partially characterized from elk and moose placenta. The procedure, which was monitored by bovine PSPB (bPSPB) RIA, included homogenization and extraction in aqueous solution, acidic and ammonium sulfate precipitation, and ion exchange, gel filtration, and affinity chromatographies. The estimated molecular sizes of moose PSPB (mPSPB) were 58 kDa and 31 kDa, and of elk PSPB (ePSPB) were 57 kDa, 45 kDa, and 31 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric points of mPSPB were 4.8, 6.6, and 6.7, and of ePSPB were 4.8, 4.9, 6.1, and 6.2 as determined by isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The carbohydrate contents of mPSPB and ePSPB were approximately 3.15% and 4.98%, respectively. Although ePSPB and mPSPB were recognized by anti-bPSPB in an Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion test, they were found to share identical epitopes and partial identities compared to bPSPB. After treatment at different temperatures (20-60 degrees C) for 1 h, the immunoreactivities of ePSPB and mPSPB in serum were very stable. Only ePSPB in serum treated at 60 degrees C lost some immunoreactivity. After alteration of serum pH (pH 3-11) for 2 h, the immunoreactivities of ePSPB and mPSPB became lower at pH 3 and 4, and remained stable from pH 5 to 11. These data show that moose and elk PSPB have properties similar to those of bovine and ovine PSPB.
Photochemical reactivity of ancient marine dissolved organic carbon

[1] Marine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the largest reservoir of reduced carbon in seawater and persists up to 4,000–6,000 conventional radiocarbon (14C) years on average. Photochemical degradation has been suggested as a geochemical sink for these long-lived molecules, yet there have been no studies relating photochemical lability to the14C-ages of surface DOC. We observed apparent second order (2°) kinetics with respect to DOC and a strong trend from Δ14C-enriched to depleted values during exhaustive photomineralization of surface marine DOC with high energy UV light. Geochemically, these results suggest that surface DOC is an isotopically-heterogeneous mixture of molecules for which photochemical lability and14C ages are correlated. Photochemical mineralization may therefore be an important control on the persistence of 14C-depleted DOC in the ocean.
An Implicit Fluid-Particle Model for Ion Beam-Plasma Interactions

A new method for modeling the hydrodynamic behavior of collisional plasmas is presented. The numerical model uses finite-sized “particles” in a full particle-in-cell (PIC) representation of the plasma, where full is used to emphasize that a complete characterization of the plasma is obtained solely with the properties carried by the particles. Plasma motion is modeled by integrating the equations of motion for each particle implicitly in time on an arbitrarily-adaptive computational grid. The full PIC method is a conservative scheme that has no numerical diffusion and is ideally suited for modeling distorted and unstable hydrodynamic fluid flow. Computational results of a shock tube problem, the Rayleigh-Taylor (R-T) instability, and planar heavy-ion-driven ICF target implosions illustrate the properties of the method.
Investigation of habitat effects on the spatial distribution of Lutzomyia shannoni across heterogeneous environments, with note of respective mosquito species compositions.

ABSTRACT Sand flies are small blood feeding dipterans that are primary vectors of numerous human and livestock pathogens. Control efforts are often complex and multidimensional. A fundamental step in the development and implementation of any integrated pest management (IPM) program is the refining of effective surveillance and identification techniques. Before this study, the presence of two species, Lutzomyia shannoni (Dyar) and Lutzomyia vexator (Coquillett) became known in Kentucky and surrounding states. To understand the spatial distribution of these species across heterogeneous landscapes in this region, trapping was conducted at random locations in previously designated habitats. Although a lack of clear data prevented any conclusions to be drawn for the preferences of L. vexator, the species of greater medical and veterinary importance, L. shannoni, was documented to show a strong preference for habitats along the wooded edges of pasture lands. In the region of study, these lands are frequently us...
Recent advances in wireless networking

After discussing advances in wired networking in a previous column (see ibid., p.107-9, April 2000), I now turn to advances in wireless networking. Wireless networks can include everything from cellular, personal communications system (PCS), and Group System for Mobile communications (GSM) networks to wireless LANs, satellite-based networks, and fixed wireless networks. Many of these technologies have experienced significant growth lately because of an increasingly mobile workforce and accelerating user acceptance.
THE DECOMPENSATED DETRUSOR V: MOLECULAR CORRELATES OF BLADDER FUNCTION AFTER REVERSAL OF EXPERIMENTAL OUTLET OBSTRUCTION

Purpose: Calcium ion homeostasis has a significant role in smooth muscle function. Its regulation requires complex storage and release mechanisms via ion pumps and channels located within intracellular storage sites (sarcoplasmic reticulum) and at the plasma membrane. We have previously reported a dramatic loss of the 2 major sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum calcium magnesium adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA2) and the ryanodine sensitive ion channel, also called the ryanodine receptor, after outlet obstruction. In our current study we investigated the correlation of the expression of these 2 major sarcoplasmic reticulum components with bladder function recovery after the reversal of outlet obstruction.Methods and Methods: Standard partial bladder outlet obstruction was created in adult New Zealand White rabbits. Voiding patterns were monitored 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively, and rabbits were selected for outlet obstruction reversal based on a voiding pattern consistent with...
Preserved tool knowledge in the context of impaired action knowledge: implications for models of semantic memory.

A number of studies have observed that the motor system is activated when processing the semantics of manipulable objects. Such phenomena have been taken as evidence that simulation over motor representations is a necessary and intermediary step in the process of conceptual understanding. Cognitive neuropsychological evaluations of patients with impairments for action knowledge permit a direct test of the necessity of motor simulation in conceptual processing. Here, we report the performance of a forty-seven year-old male individual (Case AA) and six age-matched control participants on a number of tests probing action and object knowledge. Case AA had a large left hemisphere frontal-parietal lesion and hemiplegia affecting his right arm and leg. Case AA presented with impairments for object-associated action production, and his conceptual knowledge of actions was severely impaired. In contrast, his knowledge of objects such as tools and other manipulable objects was largely preserved. The dissociation between action and object knowledge is difficult to reconcile with strong forms of the embodied cognition hypothesis. We suggest that these, and other similar findings, point to the need to develop tractable hypotheses about the dynamics of information exchange among sensory, motor and conceptual processes.
School and Parental Influences on Sociopolitical Development Among Poor Adolescents of Color

Sociopolitical development represents a motivation to reduce sociopolitical inequity, a healthy sense of the self, and perceived agency in the context of structural oppression. Sociopolitical development has been associated with progress in career development, school engagement, and healthier sexual behavior among oppressed and marginalized adolescents. However, knowledge of outcomes that sociopolitical development may facilitate has outpaced knowledge of what may facilitate sociopolitical development. This paper examines key aspects of adolescents' context—the school and parents—and their potential influence on the sociopolitical development of poor adolescents of color. This research question is examined with 2,078 National Educational Longitudinal Survey participants. The obtained structural equation model suggests that parental support and student racial relations are predictive of sociopolitical development. These results provide empirical support for extant sociopolitical development models and illu...
Enabling Distributed Addition of Secure Access to Patient's Records in A Tele-Referring Group

Protecting the privacy of patients' electronic health records (EHR) while providing timely health care is an important issue in e-medicine. In this paper, we introduce an emerging problem of secure access to EHR added by the patient directly or by a physician who is not primary. We identify the design requirements, propose our solutions, and demonstrate that our solutions satisfy the design requirements
Stimulation of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells by Dentin Matrix Protein 1 Activates Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Osteoblast Differentiation

Background: Periodontitis can ultimately result in tooth loss. Many natural and synthetic materials have been tried to achieve periodontal regeneration, but the results remain variable and unpredictable. We hypothesized that exogenous treatment with dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) activates specific genes and results in phenotypic and functional changes in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).Methods: hPDLSCs were isolated from extracted teeth and cultured in the presence or absence of DMP1. Quantitative polymerase chain reactions were performed to analyze the expression of several genes involved in periodontal regeneration. hPDLSCs were also processed for immunocytochemical and Western blot analysis using phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) and ERK antibodies. Alkaline phosphatase and von Kossa staining were performed to characterize the differentiation of hPDLSCs into osteoblasts. Field emission scanning electron microscopic analysis of the treated and control cell cult...
Association between urinary cytology and pathology for nontransitional cell malignancies of the urinary tract.

Purpose: Because nontransitional cell carcinoma neoplasms of the urinary tract are rare in Western countries, we examined the association between urinary cytology and pathology evaluations for these tumors.Materials and Methods: An institutional review board approved, retrospective review of a total of 55,946 cytology evaluations in 12,705 patients between 1992 and 2004 was performed for correlation with subsequent histopathology findings. Documented urothelial neoplasms were then correlated with previous cytology results. Nontransitional cell carcinomas were categorized as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other, including small cell disease, sarcoma, melanoma or lymphoma.Results: All 108 patients with cytology evaluations showing adenocarcinoma had histological evidence of cancer and 86% had adenocarcinoma in the urinary tract. All 110 patients with squamous cell carcinoma on cytology had cancer, including 47% with primary squamous cell disease. All 42 patients with other nontransitional cell ...