cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Altered visual focus on sensorimotor control in people with chronic ankle instability

AbstractThe purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of the combination of chronic ankle instability (CAI) and altered visual focus on strategies for dynamic stability during a drop-jump task. Nineteen participants with self-reported CAI and 19 healthy participants performed a drop-jump task in looking-up and looking-down conditions. For the looking-up condition, participants looked up and read a random number that flashed on a computer monitor. For the looking-down condition, participants focused their vision on the force plate. Sagittal- and frontal-plane kinematics in the hip, knee and ankle were calculated at the time points of 100 ms pre-initial foot contact to ground and at IC. The resultant vector time to stabilisation was calculated with ground reaction force data. The CAI group demonstrated less hip flexion at the point of 100 ms pre-initial contact (P < 0.01), and less hip flexion (P = 0.03) and knee flexion at initial contact (P = 0.047) compared to controls. No differences in k...
Studies on the chemistry of hemoglobin. IV. The mechanism of reaction with ligands.

Abstract This paper presents a model for the reaction of hemoglobin with ligands on the basis of the evidence that the αβ dimer is the unit of structure and function in the molecule and that there are very strong interactions between the α and β chains in a dimer. Thus, for all practical purposes, it can be assumed that 2 molecules of ligand combine with the αβ dimer at one time. The model is developed to show that there are five types of molecules in solutions of partially saturated hemoglobin: nonliganded tetramers, α2β2; liganded tetramers, α2*β2*; hybrid molecules composed of one liganded and one nonliganded dimer, αβα*β*; liganded dimers, α*β*; and nonliganded dimers, αβ. The contribution of these various species of hemoglobin to the total solute concentration clearly depends on the values of the tetramer to dimer dissociation constants for the liganded, nonliganded, and hybrid tetramers. The existence of hybrid molecules of the type αβα*β* is a key event in the combination of hemoglobin with ligand, because the affinity for ligand of the nonliganded dimer in such a hybrid molecule is assumed to differ from that of a dimer in a nonliganded tetramer. The model is expressed in quantitative terms, and it is shown that the derived equations describe the experimentally obtained oxygen saturation curves. Furthermore, the persistence of a high value of the Hill interaction coefficient, n, in solutions which promote the dissociation of the hemoglobin tetramers, α2β2, into αβ dimers (the so-called paradox of strong salt solutions) is compatible with the model proposed, which in fact predicts that this state of affairs will occur.
Time‐Resolved Solid State NMR of Enzyme–Substrate Interactions

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Which Types of Enzymes can be Studied by NMR? 3 Linewidths in Enzyme Complexes 4 Direct Observation of Enzyme–Substrate/Intermediate Complexes 5 Acknowledgements 6 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
GALILEO: MISSION TO JUPITER

The Galileo mission to Jupiter in the latter half of this decade is NASA's next step in the exploration of Jupiter. The primary science objectives are to study the satellites, the magnetosphere, and Jupiter's atmosphere. In general, there are four characteristics of the Galileo mission which provide the capability to address questions not answered by Voyager: (1) long-term observations - at least 11 orbits of Jupiter in nearly two years - will allow temporal studies of Io vulcanism as well as of interactions between the satellites and magnetosphere; (2) very close satellite flybys - at a distance less than 1000 km at each Galilean satellite - will allow in-depth studies of these satellites at distances 20 to 100 times closer than Voyager achieved; (3) an atmospheric entry probe will measure composition, structure, temperature, energy balance, cloud layer locations and structure, and particle size distribution in Jupiter's atmosphere; and (4) the Orbiter's advanced instrumentation will allow higher resolution and more detailed studies of the satellites, atmosphere, and magnetosphere
Early elimination of drug candidates with potentially adverse side effects in a rat liver toxicity study using a novel, quantitative multiplex gene expression assay

B30 Gene expression analysis offers valuable insight regarding the possible side effects of candidate drugs, leading to the selection of therapies that have fewer side effects. Expression profiles from small gene sets (5-30 genes) can be highly effective in prescreening a large number of compounds in cell culture. This study examines the use of a novel, multiplex-gene-expression assay that measures the variation in cellular transcription profiles as indicators of different toxicity mechanisms or pathways. The assay is capable of measuring very small changes in expression with precision that is below the noise of most other assays. The multiplex contains 23 genes involved in toxicity, stress, DNA damage and apoptosis along with 3 reference genes. Gene expression profiles of rat primary hepatocytes or C9 cells, treated with chemical compounds at different doses, were compared to the expression profiles of control cells. A subset of genes; which included Nqo1, Gadd45, Gadd153, p21 and Ho1; were upregulated in the presence of troglitazone; while CyclinD1 was downregulated relative to the control. The Cyp1 gene family was differentially expressed in response to increasing doses of benzo[a]pyrene. These results demonstrate the capability of this multiplex assay to detect differences in levels of gene expression between treated and untreated cells. Further, the effects of increasing doses of particular compounds can be quantified. This leads to a rapid evaluation of compounds and early elimination of chemicals with adverse effects, which could reduce the number of costly animal experiments. Our results demonstrate that multiplex gene expression profiling is a powerful tool that can expedite investigations of drug toxicity and cellular response in a cost-effective manner. Note: For research use only; not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Identifying a ‘Chicago School’ of Economics: On the Origins, Evolution, and Evolving Meanings of a Famous Brand Name

The existence of a ‘Chicago school of economics’ has for many years been all but taken for granted in the profession, recognized in scholarly articles and books, in history of economics texts, and even in the popular media. Its defining characteristics and membership, though, have been the subject of controversy, and some have even questioned whether it is proper to speak in terms of a ‘school’ of economists associated with Chicago. Though the Chicago school has been the subject of no small amount of research over the past several decades, that scholarship has focused largely on persons, ideas, and influence — in short, on the school itself. No attention has been paid to how it was that economists came to apply the ‘Chicago school’ label to a particular set of ideas and the individuals propounding them — that is, to the origins and emergence of the professional perception of a Chicago school of economics. This paper attempts to address that lacuna, showing how the idea of a ‘Chicago school’ crept into the economics literature and what it was that economists believed made this ‘school’ sufficiently distinctive to merit the label.
Detailed Study of HOCl + HCl → Cl2 + H2O in Sulfuric Acid

Reactive uptake coefficients for HOCl as a function of [HCl] were measured in a rotating wetted-wall flow reactor for several sulfuric acid solutions containing between 49 and 67 wt % H2SO4 at 220 and 250 K. The solubility of HOCl in sulfuric acid solutions at 220 and 250 K was also measured. Using these measured solubilities, calculated HCl solubilities, and estimated diffusivities for HOCl, the second-order rate coefficients (kII) in the liquid were extracted. At 250 K, kII increases with increasing acid concentration, from 3 × 105 M-1 s-1 at 49 wt % acid to 5 × 106 M-1 s-1 at 67 wt %. It is suggested that the reaction may involve an initial protonation of HOCl, followed by reaction of H2OCl+ with Cl-.
Application of a pairwise generalized Born model to proteins and nucleic acids: inclusion of salt effects

The Poisson–Boltzmann (PB) continuum solvent model shows considerable promise in providing a description of electrostatic solvation effects in biomolecules, but it can be computationally expensive to obtain converged results for large systems. Here we examine the performance of a pairwise generalized Born approximation (GB) method on multiple conformations of a small peptide, three proteins (protein A, myoglobin, and rusticyanin) and four RNA and DNA duplexes and hairpins containing 20–24 nucleotides. Charge and dielectric radii models were adapted from the CHARMM and Amber force fields. Finite difference PB calculations were carried out with the Delphi and PEP programs, and for several examples the matrix of all pairwise interaction energies was determined. In general, this parameterization of the GB model does an excellent job of reproducing the PB solvation energies for small molecules and for groups near the surface of larger molecules. There is a systematic tendency for this GB model to overestimate the effects of solvent screening (compared to PB) for pairs of buried atoms, but individual errors tend to cancel, and a good overall account of conformational energetics is obtained. A simple extension to the GB model to account for salt effects (in the linearized Debye–Huckel approximation) is proposed that does a good job of reproducing the salt dependence of the PB calculations. In many cases, it should be possible to replace PB calculations with much simpler GB models, but care needs to be taken for systems with extensive burial of charges or dipoles.
Impact of Lotronex® (Alosetron HCL) on workplace productivity and activity time in females with non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Impact of Lotronex® (Alosetron HCL) on workplace productivity and activity time in females with non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Tyrosine residue 300 is important for activity and stability of branching enzyme from Escherichia coli.

Abstract Branching enzyme belongs to the α-amylase family, which includes enzymes that catalyze hydrolysis or transglycosylation at α-(1,4)- or α-(1,6)-glucosidic linkages. In the α-amylase family, four highly conserved regions are proposed to make up the active site. From amino acid sequence analysis a tyrosine residue is completely conserved in the α-amylase family. In Escherichia coli branching enzyme, this residue (Y300) is located prior to the conserved region 1. Site-directed mutagenesis of the Y300 residue in E. coli branching enzyme was used in order to study its possible function in branching enzymes. Replacement of Y300 with Ala, Asp, Leu, Ser, and Trp resulted in mutant enzymes with less than 1% of wild-type activity. A Y300F substitution retained 25% of wild-type activity. Kinetic analysis of Y300F showed no effect on the Km value. The heat stability of Y300F was analyzed, and this was lowered significantly compared to that of the wild-type enzyme. Y300F also showed lower relative activity at elevated temperatures compared to wild-type. Thus, these results show that Tyr residue 300 in E. coli branching enzyme is important for activity and thermostability of the enzyme.
New generation MOSFET design for battery powered portable applications

This article reviews some of challenges that the Power MOSFET designers need to address to meet the ever growing market demand for reducing power consumption in battery-powered portable applications. The critical power MOSFET design parameters such as threshold voltage (Vth), drain-source breakdown voltage (BVdss), on-resistance (Rdson), package footprint, gate-drive voltage, and Figure of Merit (FOM) have been discussed. It has been highlighted that the scaling features and ultra-low on-resistance of the Trench Power MOSFETs can be advantageously utilized for powerloss management. The MOSFET design requirements in battery protection circuits and load switches have been presented. It has been emphasized that the Power MOSFET designers need to trade-off between on-resistance and maximum current capability in smaller footprint packages. The merits of Wafer Level Chip Scale Package (WLCSP) in achieving minimum foot print, ultra-low on-resistance, and improved thermal characteristics have been discussed.
Cigarette smoking and oral contraceptive use influence women's lipid, lipoprotein, and cardiovascular responses during stress.

35 females smokers of whom 20 had taken combined oral contraceptives for 6 months or more participated in a study of the effect of smoking and social stress on cardiovascular response catecholamines and lipoproteins. The stress consisted of giving a 4-minute videotaped extemporaneous speech after smoking 1 cigarette or sham-smoking. Testing was done in the luteal phase or on Days 15-22 of a pill cycle after an overnight fast without smoking. Neither smoking nor stress affected catecholamines. Blood pressures and heart rate increased significantly during speech preparation delivery and review in all subjects; and during inhalation in smoking women. Oral contraceptive users had higher baseline levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides and their cholesterol and triglycerides increased more than did nonusers during the speech triglycerides significantly so. Pill users also had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases during delivery of the speech than did nonusers. This study corroborates previous reports that smoking increases cardiovascular responses additively to stress and is the first report higher increases in triglycerides and cholesterol during stress in pill users.
Serum concentrations of radioiodine in diagnostic tracer studies.

IN RECENT years radioactive iodine, I131, has been utilized widely in the diagnosis and study of thyroid disease (1). In spite of this, relatively little attention has been given to the measurement of serum radioiodine concentrations in patients receiving tracer amounts of I131 for routine diagnostic studies; particularly is this true of the study of serum I131 concentrations at periods of four days and longer following the administration of radioiodine. Recently Silver and Fieber (2) have described the results of such measurements and their usefulness in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. The present work provides confirmation of the results of these authors and further extends the application of this procedure in the study of thyroid metabolism. Tracer studies for determination of thyroid status are carried out routinely by the Radioisotope Laboratory at the request of the various clinical services of the hospital.
INFLUENCE OF MECHANICAL SEPARATION UPON PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES AND TEXTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FROZEN ATLANTIC CROAKER MUSCLE TISSUE

Mechanically separated (MS) fish muscle tissue was compared with hand-separated (HS) tissue to determine their relative effects upon functional properties and final product texture. Proximate analyses revealed that HS muscle tissue was significantly higher in moisture content than MS tissue. MS tissue had significantly higher quantities of sarcoplasmic and nonprotein nitrogen than HS tissue. No significant difference was found between the level of myofibrillar protein for the two treatments, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, 1%) extraction, although the HS tissue had a slightly higher level. A significantly higher amount of myofibrillar protein and a lower amount of stroma protein was extracted by SDS than by NaCl (0.58M) for both treatments. This difference was attributed to the development of an insoluble sol by the NaCl extraction method which was sedimented as a gel by centrifugation. Stroma protein was significantly higher in the HS tissue for both extraction methods. There was no significant difference between the two treatments for emulsifying capacity or cook stability and these were not related to final product texture evaluated by a sensory panel and instrumental shear force. The texture of the comminuted product prepared with HS tissue was significantly better than that prepared with MS fish tissue.
A Novel Approach to Manufacturing Surface Mount Assemblies

Implementing surface mount technology (SMT) into military systems has not progressed as rapidly as expected. One of the major reasons is the lack of availability of MIL Spec. surface mountable components. Therefore, if one is to realise the benefits of SMT, manufacturing processes must be developed that allow inserted components to be mounted on the same printed wiring board (PWB) with surface mount components (SMCs). Honeywell's Ordnance Division has developed manufacturing processes which allow SMCs to be mounted on both sides of the PWB and inserted components to be mounted on one side of the same PWB. The surface mount solder reflow and wave soldering are performed in a single‐step solder system. This simplifies and reduces the number of manufacturing process steps for this type of surface mount assembly (SMA). This paper describes three major types of SMAs and their complexity levels. Definitions of the SMA types and complexity levels are necessary for selecting production equipment and developing SMA processes. Assembly process limitations are directly related to the SMA type and complexity level. Layout guidelines and processes from solder deposition to cleaning are discussed. Full scale engineering development (FSED) hardware has been fabricated using the single‐step solder process for SMAs with both SMCs and inserted components on the same PWB. The single‐step solder process offers an excellent solution to fabricating electronic assemblies where SMCs and inserted components are mounted on the same PWB. Plans to expand and enhance the first generation SMA fabrication processes to accommodate higher complexity levels are discussed.
Accelerated intensity-modulated radiotherapy to breast in prone position: dosimetric results.

Purpose: To report the physics and dosimetry results of a trial of accelerated intensity-modulated radiotherapy to the whole breast with a concomitant boost to the tumor bed in patients treated in the prone position. Methods and Materials: Patients underwent computed tomography planning and treatment in the prone position on a dedicated treatment platform. The platform has an open aperture on the side to allow for the index breast to fall away from the chest wall. Noncontrast computed tomography images were acquired at 2.5- or 3.75-mm-thick intervals, from the level of the mandible to below the diaphragm. A dose of 40.5 Gy was delivered to the entire breast at 2.7-Gy fractions in 15 fractions. An additional dose of 0.5 Gy was delivered as a concomitant boost to the lumpectomy site, with a 1-cm margin, using inverse planning, for a total dose of 48 Gy in 15 fractions. No more than 10% of the heart and lung volume was allowed to receive >18 and >20 Gy, respectively. Results: Between September 2003 and August 2005, 91 patients were enrolled in the study. The median volume of heart that received ≥18 Gy was 0.5%, with a maximal value of 4.7%. The median volume of ipsilateral lung that received ≥20 Gy was 0.8%, with a maximum of 7.2%. Conclusion: This technique for whole breast radiotherapy is feasible and enables an accelerated regimen in the prone position while sparing the lung and heart.
Effect of Trifluoperazine on Ca2+ -Bound Calmodulin binding to Fas Death Domain for DISC Formation

Fas death receptor-activated signaling pathway is one important regulating mechanism of apoptosis in a variety of cells. The formation of the death inducing signaling complex (DISC) is a critical step for Fas-mediated signaling of apoptosis. Recent experimental studies showed that calmodulin (CaM) binds to Fas and regulates Fas-mediated DISC formation and the binding of CaM to Fas is inhibited by CaM antagonist, trifluoperazine (TFP). However, the exact molecular mechanisms for the effect of TFP on Fas-mediated DISC formation are still unknown. Knowledge about these is important for identifying new drug candidate to regulate Fas-mediated signaling pathway for apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of TFP on CaM/Fas binding with molecular dynamics simulations. Conformation and binding free energy analyses were performed to examine the connections between the conformational changes of CaM by TFP and CaM/Fas binding affinity. Conformational characteristics of Fas by TFP were also examined for the further determining TFP effects on Fas recruiting FADD to form DISC. Binding free energy analyses showed that CaM antagonist, TFP inhibited CaM binding to Fas. The results are consistent with experimental results. The further conformational analyses showed that TFP significantly changed the CaM conformation, resulted in the increased Fas conformational fluctuations and the degree of correlation between motions of the residues in Fas, which provides structural insight for Fas further binding to FADD for DISC formation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of CaM antagonist TFP in CaM/Fas binding for Fas-mediated DISC formation should provide important insight into the function of CaM antagonists in regulating Fas-mediated apoptosis.Keywords: CaM antagonist TFP; CaM/Fas binding; DISC; binding free energy, conformational analysis
Adaptive multivariate regression for advanced memory sytem evaluation: application and experience

Abstract Recent advances in latency hiding techniques have made performance evaluation of memory hierarchies a more difficult task. Applications compiled for a particular architecture may be executed on vastly different memory hierarchy implementations. There is a need for performance analysis techniques that provide methods for understanding the interaction between applications and a given memory hierarchy. In this paper, we present a statistical approach to performance analysis of advanced memory hierarchy implementations. The method involves the utilization of previously available statistical analysis techniques coupled with scalability analysis. The result is a novel step-wise approach to understanding the hierarchical memory performance of scientific applications. We apply the method to several scientific applications of interest to the accelerated strategic computing initiative (ASCI) over the SGI machines PowerChallenge and Origin 2000. Results indicate some codes are statistically identical in memory performance, while others vary greatly. Furthermore, some codes do not take advantage of the performance enhancements to the memory system found in the Origin 2000.
Investigating the relative importance of individual variables and variable subsets in discriminant analysis

Five alternative methods for evaluating the relative discriminatory power of individual variables, six methods for selecting variable subsets, and a method for comparing the significance of different size subsets are examined in the context of an empirical problem. Results imply that the assessments of the relative importance of individual variables and subset composition vary with both the method and performance criterion employed.
Bioreactor-based fuel systems. I: Optimal production capacity considering start-up dynamics

Abstract Traditional capacity sizing models based on production cost minimization do not consider the impact of facility construction and start-up time scale on the profitability of plant. For production facilities that link substantially different scales, such as biofuel production facilities that connect large numbers of small bioreactors to large scale processing equipment, the ramp-up to full production may be a significant consideration in the decision on facility scale. This paper presents a modified discounted cash flow method incorporating production growth during start-up, to determine the optimal production scale of systems that may operate at less than full capacity for a substantial period of time. For a case study of ethanol produced by blue-green algae, global sensitivity analysis using Sobols method indicates how exogenous and endogenous variables, including the ramp-up rate, affect the optimal scale and financial viability of the production system. Conditional-value-at-risk minimization shows how the optimal decision depends on the risk inclination of the decision-maker; a risk-neutral decision maker would choose a basic optimal production scale of 59 million liters (ML) of ethanol per year, while a risk-averse decision-maker might prefer to choose a capacity 30% less.
Effect of Peroxyacetyl Nitrate on Growth & Cell Wall Metabolism of Avena Coleoptile Sections.

It was reported earlier that growth of Avena coleoptile sections was inhibited by pretreatment of tissue with photochemically derived oxidants, including peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), a naturally occurring air pollutant. Other workers showed that cell expansion is dependent on plasticization of the cell wall. Various studies indicate that metabolism of cell wall constituents is affected by conditions which affect growth. It has been especially noted that even in the absence of growth substances, certain growth inhibitors such as galactose affect the basal metabolism of cellulose. Although the cell wall reaction directly governed by IAA has escaped detection, pectin metabolism appears to be particularly affected by IAA. Because of this close relationship between cell expansion and cell wall metabolism, the effect of PAN pretreatment, at sublethal levels, on subsequent glucose-C/sup 14/ absorption and incorporation into the cell wall was studied. It is shown in the present paper that PAN has a marked effect on cell wall metabolism in general and on cellulose metabolism in particular. 15 references, 1 figures, 3 tables.
Nuclear Kaiso Indicates Aggressive Prostate Cancers and Promotes Migration and Invasiveness of Prostate Cancer Cells

Kaiso, a p120 catenin-binding protein, is expressed in the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments of cells; however, the biological consequences and clinical implications of a shift between these compartments have yet to be established. Herein, we report an enrichment of nuclear Kaiso expression in cells of primary and metastatic prostate tumors relative to the normal prostate epithelium. Nuclear expression of Kaiso correlates with Gleason score ( P P P
Pretransplant cachexia and morbid obesity are predictors of increased mortality after heart transplantation.

Background. Extremes in body weight are a relative contraindication to cardiac transplantation. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 474 consecutive adult patients (377 male, 97 female, mean age 50.3±12.2 years), who received 444 primary and 30 heart retransplants between January of 1992 and January of 1999. Of these, 68 cachectic (body mass index [BMI] 27-30 kg/m 2 ), and 55 morbidly obese (BMI>30 kg/m 2 ) patients were compared with 238 normal-weight recipients (BMI=20-27 kg/m 2 ). We evaluated the influence of pretransplant BMI on morbidity and mortality after cardiac transplantation. Kaplan-Meier survival distribution and Cox proportional hazards model were used for statistical analyses. Results. Morbidly obese as well as cachectic recipients demonstrated nearly twice the 5-year mortality of normal-weight or overweight recipients (53% vs. 27%, respectively, P=0.001). An increase in mortality was seen at 30 days for morbidly obese and cachectic recipients (12.7% and 17.7%, respectively) versus a 30-day mortality rate of 7.6% in normal-weight recipients. Morbidly obese recipients experienced a shorter time to high-grade acute rejection (P=0.004) as well as an increased annual high-grade rejection frequency when compared with normal-weight recipients (P=0.001). By multivariable analysis, the incidence of transplant-related coronary artery disease (TCAD) was not increased in morbidly obese patients but cachectic patients had a significantly lower incidence of TCAD (P=0.05). Cachectic patients receiving oversized donor hearts had a significantly higher postoperative mortality (P=0.02). Conclusions. The risks of cardiac transplantation are increased in both morbidly obese and cachectic patients compared with normal-weight recipients. However, the results of cardiac transplantation in overweight patients is comparable to that in normal-weight patients. Recipient size should be kept in mind while selecting patients and the use of oversized donors in cachectic recipients should be avoided.
Chasing the Functional Asymmetry between C2A and C2B in Full-Length Synaptotagmin 1 during Ca2+-Dependent Membrane Binding

Synaptotagmin 1 (Syt1) acts as the major calcium sensor in neuronal exocytosis. Syt1 is a synaptic vesicle-anchored membrane protein that contains two tandem Ca2+ binding C2 domains, named C2A and C2B. There is evidence that Syt1 interacts with membrane lipids and SNARE proteins simultaneously to facilitate two key steps during Ca2+-triggered membrane fusion: vesicle binding and content release. Although the overall function of Syt1 has been extensively investigated, the detailed molecular behavior of the single C2A and C2B domains in the neural regulatory process remains unclear. In particular, the differential function of the two C2 domains and how they cooperate in membrane fusion has not been determined.Here we employed EPR spectroscopy, fluorescence interference contrast (FLIC) microscopy and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy to dissect the state of C2A and C2B domains in full-length Syt1 during Ca2+-dependent membrane binding. CW-EPR lineshapes and power saturation of spin-labeled positions in calcium binding loops of C2A in full-length Syt1 (1-421) and truncated Syt1 (1-266) without C2B domain suggest that C2A domain alone in Syt1 has a stronger membrane binding ability. A TIRF liposome capture assay further reveals that truncated Syt1 has a significant higher initial rate and extent in trans-binding with liposomes than full-length Syt1. Our data indicate that the C2B domain might be involved in some cis-binding thereby reducing total liposome binding. FLIC microscopy validates the strong involvement of C2A during Ca2+-dependent liposome binding.Our detailed structural and functional information thus provides a clue to differential regulatory mechanisms employed by C2A and C2B domains in full-length Syt1 interacting with Ca2+ and key membrane lipids, such as PS and PIP2.
Anhidrosis (hypohidrosis) in Sjögren's syndrome

There has been a relative lack of literature on the association of hypohidrosis in Sjogren's syndrome with any lesion having specific histologic findings. We looked at a recent case presentation of a 55-year-old man with complaints of dry mouth and dry eyes, becoming easily overheated in direct sunlight, and having difficulty in perspiring. Physical examination showed fissuring and atrophy of the tongue and angular cheilitis. A punch biopsy of the skin showed a moderate number of eccrine gland and ductal structures in the lower reticular dermis, each surrounded by a dense cellular infiltrate of plasma and lymphocytic cells. Our patient also had a markedly decreased sweating response to methacholine. In reviewing the literature as far back as 1951 and on the basis of findings in our present case study, we conclude that it seems probable that the severity of the skin disease is an important determining factor in predicting whether the sweat gland lesion does exist.
Initiation of Laser Damage at Surface Imperfections on Fused Silica Optics

Imperfections on optical surfaces contain fractured, densified and displaced material. After physical isolation, the laser damage susceptibility of specific defect structures has been determined. Fractures, rather than displaced or densified material limits laser damage performance.
Spouted bed drier

The first commercial spouted bed driers have been installed in Canada and one has been used to dry three types of peas, lentils and flax. The data obtained from this drier have been compared and correlated with previous drying studies in various laboratory spouted bed driers. An empirical relationship between solids temperature and other variables has been obtained: where TK and TA are respectively the particle and inlet air temperature, dgm the particle diameter, Do the column diameter, F the feed rate and Mf the feed moisture content. High drying capacity was achieved through the use of high air temperatures with the result that a two foot diameter spouted bed heater (plus cooler) dried almost two tons per hour of peas through 8.8% moisture range. No damage was evident in materials dried. Les premieres unites commerciales de sechage par technique “Spouted Bed” ont ete installees au Canada et l'une d'elles a ete utilisee pour le sechage de pois, de lentilles et de lin. Les valeurs obtenues de ce sechoir ont ete comparees avec des etudes anterieures sur sechoirs de laboratoire operant sur le měme principe. Une correlation empirique entre la temperature des solides et les autres variables a ete obtenue: ou TK et TA sont respectivement les temperatures des particules et de l'air a l'entree; dgm le diametre des particules; Do le diametre de la colonne; F le taux d'alimentation et Mt l'humidite dans l'alimentation. Une forte capacite de sechage a ete obtenue en utilisant des temperatures d'air elevees. II a ete possible de secher de 8.8% d'humidite pres de deux tonnes par heure de pois dans un sechoir ayant 2 pieds de diametre. Aucun dommage n'a ete observe sur le materiel ainsi seche.
Comparative macroscopic and microscopic morphology of oral lactobacilli

I s there a correlation between the gross appearance of the oral lactobacillus colony and the microscopic characteristics of the bacteria? Since the gross structure is made up of individual bacteria, what comparisons can be made between the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of oral lactobacilli? When lactobacillus was first reported, Moral described it as an irregularshaped colony isolated from the human intestine. Rettger and Cheplin’ called this kind of colony the X type and the colony with entire edges the Y type. Rogosa and associates”9 4 reported that the Y type may convert to the X type and that such a morphologic shift could be controlled. Hadley and colleagues”, G suggested that oral la&bacilli are variants of Lactobacillus acidophilus. Wilson and Miles’ believed that environment played a most important role in the macroscopic morphology of these specific oral bacteria. In our studies we employed the pour-plate technique, thereby maintaining colony growth in three dimensions as compared to the two-dimensional growth of surface cultures. Macroscopically, the three types of colonies identified were as follows : 1. Disk type-pancake shaped, thicker in the middle, tapering to the edge. 2. Y type-a three-bladed paddle wheel with a thick axis. 3. Bell type-an invaginated dome open at one end and hollow in the middle.
Critical Issues in Behavior Therapy

The history of psychotherapy describes the emergence and decline of various models of intervention. The recent proliferation of behavior therapy technology is examined in this perspective. While empiricism appears to be the greatest asset of behavioral technology, many problem areas are emerging which threaten the existence of behavior therapy. Problem areas are specified and potential solutions are delineated.
Role of mycorrhizal infection in the growth and reproduction of wild vs. cultivated plants : I. Wild vs. cultivated oats.

We tested the hypothesis that mycorrhizal infection benefits wild plants to a lesser extent than cultivated plants. This hypothesis stems from two observations: (1) mycorrhizal infection improves plant growth primarily by increasing nutrient uptake, and (2) wild plants often possess special adaptations to soil infertility which are less pronounced in modern cultivated plants. In the first experiment, wild (Avena fatua L.) and cultivated (A. sativa L.) oats were grown hydroponically at four different phosphorus levels. Wild oat was less responsive (in shoot dry weight) to increasing phosphorus availability than cultivated oat. In addition, the root: shoot ratio was much more plastic in wild oat (varying from 0.90 in the low phosphorus solution to 0.25 in the high phosphorus solution) than in cultivated oat (varying from 0.44 to 0.17). In the second experiment, mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal wild and cultivated oats were grown in a phosphorus-deficient soil. Mycorrhizal infection generally improved the vegetative growth of both wild and cultivated oats. However, infection significantly increased plant lifespan, number of panicles per plant, shoot phosphorus concentration, shoot phosphorus content, duration of flowering, and the mean weight of individual seeds in cultivated oat, while it had a significantly reduced effect, no effect, or a negative effect on these characters for wild oat. Poor positive responsiveness of wild oat in these characters was thus associated with what might be considered to be inherent adaptations to nutrient deficiency: high root: shoot ratio and inherently low growth rate. Infection also increased seed phosphorus content and reproductive allocation.
Association between initial empirical therapy and decreased length of stay among veteran patients hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia

Abstract This investigation assessed the impact of initial empirical antimicrobial therapy on the outcome of therapy for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients and on patients' length of stay (LOS) in the hospital. Hospital records for 165 patients with pneumonia admitted to the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital between 1 October 1997, and 31 March 2000, were reviewed. Criteria for CAP were met for 92 of 165 patients. Comparisons were made between patients treated with azithromycin and with other parenteral antibiotics (the reference group). No statistical differences were observed between the treatment groups for the risk factors. The azithromycin group patients were slightly older with a mean age of 69 years versus 66 years ( P =0.23). Patients treated with parenteral azithromycin had on average, a shorter length of hospitalization namely 4.6 days compared with 9.7 days for patients treated with the other antibiotics (log-rank test, P =0.0001). In order to make the two groups of patients more alike we considered patients' data set without intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. The conclusion was the same namely azithromycin monotherapy was associated with a decreased duration of hospital stay.
A Hybrid Ventilation System in Carnegie Mellon’s Intelligent Workplace

An analytical and experimental study of hybrid ventilation is being carried out by Carnegie Mellon’s Center for Building Performance and Diagnostics in its Intelligent Workplace, the IW. Hybrid ventilation in this space will be carried out either operating a mechanical system, a SEMCO rev2250 desiccant wheel unit that distributes outside air conditioned, to a set temperature and humidity or alternatively opening windows when outdoor and indoor conditions are favorable, turning off the ventilation and the space cooling units. This hybrid ventilation approach will maintain a healthy, comfortable, and pleasant environment for the occupants of the IW and also will reduce the operating costs for the ventilation and cooling of the space. The key factor to the successful performance of a hybrid ventilation system is its operating procedures, the logical algorithms for opening and closing windows based on measurements of outdoor and indoor conditions: temperatures, humidity, wind velocity, rain, occupancy, etc. Algorithms have been proposed for operating the windows in the IW’s hybrid ventilation system. These algorithms have been programmed in a Trnsys model of IW with its windows and its mechanical ventilation and cooling units. This model has been exercised for an operating period including the spring, summer, and fall seasons in Pittsburgh to establish how much time the windows remain open and what savings in operating energy for the IW’s mechanical ventilation and cooling system are achieved. This modeling study evaluates the benefits of a hybrid ventilation system compared to a base case where mechanical ventilation is used. About 8% of the ventilation and cooling energy is saved. At this time a hybrid ventilation system, its hardware equipment and software controls, has been installed in the IW. Measurements are being made to establish that healthy, comfortable conditions are maintained in the IW and that model estimates of energy savings are confirmed. In future work, guides lines will be written to inform building professionals, architects and engineers, about hybrid ventilation and its benefits in the design of buildings across the United States.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A necessary and sufficient condition in Lyapunov robust control

We consider Lyapunov's equationPA+ATP+Q=0, whereQ is symmetric positive definite andA is in controllable companion form. We prove that a necessary and sufficient condition thatA be stable is that the first rowP1 of theP-matrix be a stablen−1 coefficient vector. This result is related to the minimum phase property of linear systems and is useful in designing robust controllers.
Pol pot: The paradox of moral correctness

Abstract Pol Pot has been justifiably condemned in the West. Consequently, public pressure has forced Western leaders to pursue morally correct policies in Cambodia and not deal directly with the Khmer Rouge. This prolonged the Cambodian agony. Paradoxically, therefore, morally correct policies have had immoral consequences in Cambodia.
Liquid-chromatographic analysis of the depolymerization of (1→4)-β-d-mannuronan by an extracellular alginate lyase from a marine bacterium

Abstract The extracellular alginate lyase activity from a fermentative marine bacterium isolated from actively growing tissues of Sargassum fluitans has been purified and studied with respect to substrate specificity and mechanism. The enzyme endolytically depolymerizes (1→4)-β- d -mannuronan derived from alginate to oligomeric products possessing 4,5-unsaturated, nonreducing termini. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography has established that early in the reaction the tri-, tetra-, and pentameric oligomers are the predominant species. The pentamer and larger products that at first accumulate in the reaction are later degraded to smaller products. The trimer is the major product late in the reaction, at which time the dimer and tetramer are also present in significant amounts. By incubating purified oligomers with enzyme, the trimer is shown to be completely refractory to further depolymerization and therefore represents a limit product of the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme. The tetramer is slowly converted into trimer and monomer, whereas the pentamer is readily converted into trimer and dimer.
A Re-evaluation of Bronchiectasis Using Fume Fixation: 1. The Broncho-alveolar Structures: A Preliminary Study

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Introduction of fume fixation-inflation of lung specimens has brought renewed interest in the study of bronchiectasis. The three dimensional studies provide further insight into hitherto unseen facets of pulmonary histopathology. Our observations indicate two separate forms of bronchiectasis. These are distinguishable in the gross as well as in the three dimensional studies of the histologic sections.
Do compression set results measure up

One view of elastomer compression test results which are quoted on specification sheets might be that they are a minefield for the uninitiated and a clever marketing device for those in the know. Whether you agree or disagree, it is widely acknowledged that compression test results reporting could be made clearer for end-users. This article looks at compression set test methods and their limitations, and explains how they are used.
Hobbes's Leviathan: A tale of two bodies

Abstract This article focuses on Hobbes's use of metaphor, particularly the larger structural metaphor of the artificial man in Leviathan. Hobbes claims to draw his political animal according to the figurative outlines of the natural one, despite the significant differences between these two bodies. In Part I we see the scientifically-minded Hobbes reject the old dualistic imagery of body and soul, act and will; but in Part II the politically-minded Hobbes appeals to exactly these dualistic distinctions in order to lend his radical vision of the state the numinous appeal of the medieval and Tudor formulations. An understanding of Hobbes's rhetorical strategy, and what I call his strategic use of dualism, can show how the recent linguistic turn in Hobbes studies can in fact re-open the much older debate on the overall unity of his philosophical system.
Dose-Response Studies With Protirelin

Background: A reduced thyrotropin (TSH) response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (protirelin [TRH]) has been found consistently in a portion of patients with major depression. One hypothesis to explain this observation is that pituitary TRH receptors are downregulated in major depression. One prediction stemming from this hypothesis is that prolactin (PRL) as well as TSH responses to TRH should be attenuated. To adequately test the pattern of protirelin-induced TSH and PRL responses with a protirelin doseresponse design is necessary. Methods: Four doses of protirelin (25, 100, 500, and 800 μg) were infused in an ascending schedule at intervals of 3 to 7 days in patients with major depression and in control subjects. Seven women and six men with major depression were compared with ageand gender-matched controls (five women and seven men). The TSH and PRL responses were measured at regular intervals following each dose of protirelin. Results: No significant group differences in baseline levels of thyroid hormones or cortisol were present. Depressed men exhibited significant reductions in both TSH and PRL responses to protirelin across all doses compared with control men. Depressed women exhibited significant reductions in TSH responses but not in PRL responses compared with control women. Conclusions: The findings that men with major depression exhibit reductions in both protirelin-induced TSH and PRL responses support the hypothesis that TRH receptors are downregulated in depression. The findings in women are less clear and may represent the greater variance in the protirelin-induced PRL responses found in women.
Cholesterol Nanodomains: their Effect on Monolayer Morphology and Dynamics

Small mole fractions of cholesterol segregate into 10 - 100 nm diameter nanodomains in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) monolayers. The nanodomains segregate to DPPC domain boundaries, reducing the line tension, Δ, which alters domain shapes. The nanodomains consist of a 6:1 lipid: cholesterol “complex” and the surface viscosity, ηs, decreases exponentially with the area fraction of the complex at a given surface pressure. ηs increases exponentially with surface pressure, independent of cholesterol content, as predicted by a free area model that relates ηs to monolayer compressibility and collapse pressure. G', the elastic modulus, decreases with Δ at low cholesterol fractions, in analogy to 3-D emulsions. Increasing cholesterol further causes a sharp increase in G', likely due to a transition from a tilted to untilted molecular packing. Understanding the effects of small mole fractions of cholesterol should resolve the role of cholesterol in human lung surfactants and may give clues as to how cholesterol influences raft formation in cell membranes.