cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
d-Fucose Metabolism in a Pseudomonad III. CONVERSION OF d-FUCONATE TO 2-KETO-3-DEOXY-d-FUCONATE BY A DEHYDRATASE

Abstract An aldonic acid dehydratase was shown to be instrumental in the metabolism of d-fucose in a pseudomonad. The enzyme was purified 30-fold, and some of its properties are reported. Of 19 aldonic acids tested, only d-fuconate and l-arabonate served as substrates. The Km values for d-fuconate and l-arabonate were 4.0 mm and 4.3 mm, respectively. The product of d-fuconate dehydration was identified as 2-keto-3-deoxy-d-fuconate. A d-fuconate dehydrataseless mutant was isolated and shown to grow normally on d-glucose and d-galactose, but not to grow on d-fucose or l-arabinose.
Reproducibility of Reported Farming Activities and Pesticide Use Among Breast Cancer Cases and Controls: A Comparison of Two Modes of Data Collection

Abstract PURPOSE: Farming is associated with exposure to many potential hazards including pesticides and other agents, but the quality of self-reported data on farm exposures has not been well studied. METHODS: The reproducibility of self-reported farming history was evaluated among women in a population-based, case-control study of breast cancer in North Carolina. Thirty cases and 31 controls were randomly re-interviewed by telephone an average of 13.8 months after the initial interview. The initial interview was based on a farm-by-farm questionnaire, while the repeat interview was based on a shorter ever/never questionnaire. Agreement was estimated using proportions in exact agreement, kappa (κ), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: In general, group prevalences and means were higher on re-interview. Kappa estimates ranged from 0.15 to 0.84 among cases, and 0.26 to 0.87 among controls, with most estimates falling between 0.5 and 0.8. Moderate to almost perfect agreement (κ) was observed for questions on crop work (0.47–0.70), crop type (0.56–0.82), pesticide application to tobacco (0.77), and farm residence (0.84). ICC estimates for continuous variables showed fair to substantial agreement (0.30 to 0.69 among cases, 0.38 to 0.69 among controls). Older cases, less educated cases, cases who lived on more than one farm, and cases with longer time intervals between interviews gave lower total agreement than similar groups of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Agreement estimates in this study are similar to those for other types of exposure information typically collected in epidemiologic studies. Nevertheless, a farm-by-farm method of exposure assessment may be preferable to an ever/never determination.
A novel hybrid single molecule approach reveals spontaneous DNA motion in the nucleosome

Structural dynamics of nucleic acid and protein is an important physical basis of their functions. These motions are often very difficult to synchronize and too fast to be clearly resolved with the currently available single molecule methods. Here we demonstrate a novel hybrid single molecule approach combining stochastic data analysis with fluorescence correlation that enables investigations of sub-ms unsynchronized structural dynamics of macromolecules. Based on the method, we report the first direct evidence of spontaneous DNA motions at the nucleosome termini. The nucleosome, comprising DNA and a histone core, is the fundamental packing unit of eukaryotic genes that must be accessed during various genome transactions. Spontaneous DNA opening at the nucleosome termini has long been hypothesized to enable gene access in the nucleosome, but has yet to be directly observed. Our approach reveals that DNA termini in the nucleosome open and close repeatedly at 0.1-1 ms(-1). The kinetics depends on salt concentration and DNA-histone interactions but not much on DNA sequence, suggesting that this dynamics is universal and imposes the kinetic limit to gene access. These results clearly demonstrate that our method provides an efficient and robust means to investigate unsynchronized structural changes of DNA at a sub-ms time resolution.
This message will self‐destruct: The growing role of obscurity and self‐destructing data in digital communication

EDITOR'S SUMMARY People have traditionally trusted that their private communications were beyond the reach of the public, until technology enabled massive data aggregation. Some information, even if it has been publicly available, is shrouded in “practical obscurity,” because the cost of retrieving it is excessive. But practical obscurity has been diluted by data recording, copying and easy dissemination. The tide is turning with emerging technologies incorporating self-destruct functionalities that obliterate images, texts, videos and pdfs in a time period specified by the owner. While privacy advocates seek policies protecting information owners from the unintended effects of sharing, policy makers resist limiting industry expansion. Self-destructing data may provide the solution, shifting control over digital communication back to owners.
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan core proteins in the interphotoreceptor matrix: a comparative study using biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis.

This study characterizes the core proteins of chondroitin sulfate-type glycosaminoglycans located in the interphotoreceptor matrix and establishes the tissue distribution of chondroitin immunoreactivity in human, bovine, mouse and rat retinas. Monoclonal antibodies specific to unsulfated (ΔDiOS), 4-sulfated (ΔDi4S) and 6-sulfated (ΔDi6S) chondroitin were employed. Retinal sections and IPM samples were either (a) digested with chondroitinase ABC to expose antibody specific epitopes, (b) double digested with chondroitinase ABC and chondroitinase AC II to remove specific epitopes, or (c) left undigested to evaluate mimotope labeling. In tissue sections from each species studied, positive immunoreactivity to the ΔDi6S antibody was present in the IPM surrounding both rods and cones. In human and bovine, ΔDi6S labeling of the cone matrix compartments was more intense than labeling of the matrix surrounding rods. Intense ΔDi6S immunoreactivity was present surrounding the foveal cones. In mouse and rat, no differences in labeling intensity of IPM surrounding rod and cone photoreceptors were evident, although labeling of the IPM near the apical surface of the retinal pigment epithelium and around the photoreceptor inner segments was more pronounced than that surrounding the outer segments. All ΔDi6S antibody labeling was eliminated with chondroitinase AC II digestion. No IPM immunoreactivity in tissue sections was observed when the ΔDi0S or ΔDi4S antibodies were used. In Western blots of IPM extracts treated with chondroitinase ABC, prominent ΔDi6S immunoreactive bands were present at approximately 230 kD and 150 kD in each species studied, with the exception of the human, where the 150 kD component is not a chondroitin proteoglycan. Each of the prominent ΔDi6S immunoreactive bands showed minor immunoreactivity to the ΔDi4S antibody. No ΔDi0S immunoreactivity was noted in Western blots of IPM samples from any species. All immunoreactivity was lost following chondroitinase AC II digestion. These observations document similarities in the electrophoretic mobility of IPM proteoglycan core proteins released following chondroitinase ABC digestion in the four species studied, but reveal pronounced differences in the tissue distribution. Bovine and human IPM show greater concentrations of ΔDi6S immunoreactivity surrounding cones than rods, whereas rodent tissues show higher concentrations near the retinal pigment epithelium and around the photoreceptor inner segments than around the outer segments. The pattern of distribution of these proteoglycan molecules is highly conserved in these species, suggesting a common role in IPM structure and function.
Possible use of autologous stem cell therapies for Alzheimer's disease

The statement, "neurodegenerative diseases are incurable because neurons do not regenerate during adulthood," has been challenged, and we have now found much evidence that the matured brain is capable of regenerating neurons. In our previous study, human neural stem cells (HNSCs) transplanted into aged rat brains differentiated into neural cells and significantly improved the cognitive functions of the animals, indicating that HNSCs may be a promising candidate for neuro-replacement therapy. However, because of ethical and practical issues associated with HNSCs, development of autologous stem cell strategies may be desired. We established new technologies to differentiate adult human mesenchymal stem cells into neural cells by modifying cell fate decisions. We also found a pyrimidine derivative that increases endogenous stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis after peripheral administrations of this compound. Although these results may promise a bright future for clinical applications of stem cell strategies in Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapy, we must acknowledge the complexity of AD. For example, abnormal metabolism of the amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) may affect stem cell biology, while the prevalence of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) toxicity theory in AD pathology tends to limit our focus on the physiological functions of APP. We found that excess APP in the environment causes glial differentiation of stem cells. Even though the glial activation may be useful to eliminate Abeta deposits, neuronal differentiation of stem cells is needed for replacement of degenerating neurons in the AD brain. Thus, further investigation of the influence of AD pathology on stem cell biology is required.
An invitation to die: initiators of sociality in a social amoeba become selfish spores.

Greater size and strength are common attributes of contest winners. Even in social insects with high cooperation, the right to reproduce falls to the well-fed queens rather than to poorly fed workers. In Dictyostelium discoideum , formerly solitary amoebae aggregate when faced with starvation, and some cells die to form a stalk which others ride up to reach a better location to sporulate. The first cells to starve have lower energy reserves than those that starve later, and previous studies have shown that the better-fed cells in a mix tend to form disproportionately more reproductive spores. Therefore, one might expect that the first cells to starve and initiate the social stage should act altruistically and form disproportionately more of the sterile stalk, thereby enticing other better-fed cells into joining the aggregate. This would resemble caste determination in social insects, where altruistic workers are typically fed less than reproductive queens. However, we show that the opposite result holds: the first cells to starve become reproductive spores, presumably by gearing up for competition and outcompeting late starvers to become prespore first. These findings pose the interesting question of why others would join selfish organizers.
Auditors’ self-perceived abilities in conducting domain audits

Abstract This study investigates the extent to which auditors’ ratings of self-perceived abilities correspond with their actual performance, and whether these perceptions are influenced by audit experience and effectiveness when conducting audits within their domain of specialization. One hundred forty-four (144) industry-specialized audit seniors and managers reviewed two sets of audit working paper cases, one in banking and one in healthcare. At the end of the review, the auditors rated their ability to perform an audit in their domain. The analysis of these ratings shows that auditors significantly inflated their perceived abilities relative to actual performance. The results indicate that differences in auditor rank are insignificant in terms of this propensity to overestimate self-perceived abilities relative to actual performance; however, above median effective auditors are far less overconfident than below median effective auditors. These results have implications for the audit profession in terms of training, assignments, performance evaluation, and the use of decision aids to mitigate the propensity toward overconfidence.
Vehicle Scheduling and Routing with Drivers' Working Hours

Regulations regarding drivers' working hours often have a big impact on total transit times, i.e., the time required for driving periods, breaks, and rest periods. Although of particular importance for many real-life applications, they have received only very little attention in the vehicle routing literature. This paper describes the new regulations for drivers' working hours in the European Union that entered into force in April 2007. According to the new regulations, motor carriers must organise the work of drivers in such a way that drivers are able to comply with the respective regulations and are made liable for infringements committed by the drivers. This paper shows how motor carriers can schedule driving periods, breaks, rest periods, and handling activities, and presents a large neighbourhood search algorithm capable of generating vehicle tours complying with the new regulations.
Stability analysis of the time delay in a host-parasitoid model.

Abstract The effect of a time delay on the local stability of a host-parasitoid model is analyzed. The delay is between the time of parasitization of the host and the emergence of the parasitoid from the host. Both analytic methods and computer simulations are used in this study. By linearizing and transforming the original equations, sufficient conditions for the local stability are found. In the case of the parameters considered, the results illustrate the destabilizing effect of the time delay. As the lag increases the number of stable points decreases and the points become more scattered in the parameter space. Simulations of the original model are also produced. The region of stability indicated by the simulations is greater than that predicted by the use of the analytic technique. The analysis also reveals the impact of the population parameters upon the stability of the time delay model. The importance of understanding time lags is discussed with reference to population regulation.
A New Two-Dimensional Physical Basis for the Complementary Relation between Terrestrial and Pan Evaporation

Abstract Archived global measurements of water loss from evaporation pans constitute an important indirect measure of evaporative flux. Historical data from evaporation pans shows a decreasing trend over the last half century, but the relationship between pan evaporation and moisture-limited terrestrial evaporation is complex, leading to ambiguities in the interpretation of these data. Under energy-limited conditions, pan evaporation Epan and moisture-limited terrestrial evaporation E increase or decrease together, whereas in moisture-limited conditions these fluxes form a complementary relation (CR) in which increases in one rate accompany decreases in the other rate. This has led to debate about the meaning of the observed trends in the context of changing climate. Here a two-dimensional numerical model of a wet pan in a drying landscape is used to demonstrate that, over a wide range of realistic atmospheric and surface conditions, the influence that changes in E have on Epan 1) are complementary and li...
Organized motions in a fully developed turbulent axisymmetric jet

An experiment has been conducted to study the occurrence, configuration and dynamics of large-scale coherent vortical motions in the fully developed region of a turbulent axisymmetric jet. The key idea is to use vorticity signals from a spatial grid to detect and sample large-scale vortical structures and then use the (smoothed) vorticity peaks of spatial vorticity patterns to align and ensemble average successive realizations to determine structure configuration and dynamics. Measurements were made in an air jet at ReD = 69000 by employing a radial rake of seven × -wires to obtain the azimuthal vorticity map. Two additional conditioning probes were placed ± 90° away from the rake to determine the three-dimensional phase and hence the structure configuration. Structures with axisymmetric, helical and double helical configurations have been educed. Among them, the helical structures are far more dominant than the others, and the jet dynamics are thus discussed in terms of these helical structures. Helical structures move radially outward as they advect downstream. This radial movement, in conjunction with simultaneous local ejection of turbulent fluid and subsequent entrainment of the ejected fluid with ambient fluid, appears to be a major means of jet spreading. The shear strain rate is strong on the downstream side of the structure, causing intense small-scale turbulence production and mixing there.
Conceptual Change among Middle School Students Studying Elementary Thermodynamics.

There is great interest in the processes by which learners reorganize and reformulate knowledge. This research adds to the current understanding by exploring two questions. “How does the learner's understanding change during the study of elementary thermodynamics?,” and “What motivates learners to restructure or reorganize their knowledge?” The conceptual changes and factors affecting that change over the course of a semester within an eighth grade physical science class are presented. General student understanding was assessed through open ended pretests, short tests and posttests given to the entire population (N=180). This was combined with a series of five clinical interviews over the course of the 13 week instruction period for each of 33 students selected by stratified random design for gender and class period. Analysis combined interview and written test data for the experimental groups and written test data for the entire population, allowing both within subject and between subject analyses. A detailed process of conceptual change emerges with individual differences illustrating impediments to knowledge integration. Inferences that have broader application in science instruction are made.
Energetics and configurations of lattice defects in CuTi

The energies and configurations of interstitials and vacancies in the ordered compound CuTi were calculated using atomistic simulation. Vacancies created by the removal of either a Cu for Ti atom resulted in a vacant Cu site, with and antisite defect in the latter case. The vacancy at the Cu site was found to be very mobile within two adjacent (001) Cu planes, resulting in two dimensional migration. Interstitials created by inserting either a Cu or Ti atom had complicated configurations containing one or more antisite defects. 11 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.
Hearing preservation up to 3 years after gamma knife radiosurgery for Gardner-Robertson class I patients with vestibular Schwannomas.

Background Vestibular schwannoma patients with Gardner-Robertson (GR) class I hearing seek to maintain high-level hearing whenever possible. Objective To evaluate hearing outcomes at 2 to 3 years in GR class I patients who underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). Methods Sixty-eight patients with GR class I hearing were identified between 2006 and 2009. Twenty-five patients had no subjective hearing loss (group A) and 43 patients reported subjective hearing loss (group B) before GKRS. The median tumor volume (1 cm) and tumor margin dose (12.5 Gy) were the same in both groups. Results Serviceable hearing retention rates (GR grade I or II) were 100% for group A compared with 81% at 1 year, 60% at 2 years, and 57% at 3 years after GKRS for group B patients. Group A patients had significantly higher rates of hearing preservation in either GR class I (P Conclusion At 2 to 3 years after GKRS, patients without subjective hearing loss or a PTA 15 dB) may be useful to help predict hearing preservation rates at 2 to 3 years after GKRS.
Design of parallel distributed Cauchy machines

A parallel and stochastic version of Hopfield-like neural networks is presented. Cauchy color noise is assumed. The specific noise is desirable for fast convergence to a fixed point representing a neighborhood minimum. It can be quickly quenched at each iteration according to a proven cooling schedule in generating random states on the energy landscape. An exact Cauchy acceptance criterion is analytically derived for hill-climbing capability. The improvement is twofold: a faster cooling schedule (the inversely linear cooling schedule characterized by the Cauchy simulated annealing) and parallel executions of all neurons. Such a Cauchy machine can be electronically implemented, and the design is given. >
A Preliminary Assessment of Using Spatiotemporal Lightning Patterns for a Binary Classification of Thunderstorm Mode

AbstractThis study provides a preliminary, regional assessment of the viability of using spatiotemporal lightning patterns to classify storms into single- versus multi- and supercell storm modes. Total lightning flashes (intracloud and cloud-to-ground flashes) occurring during the afternoon and evening of the period May–August 2012 within an area of the central Appalachian Mountains region were grouped based on their spatial and temporal characteristics using single-linkage clustering. The resulting discrete thunderstorm clusters were characterized in terms of duration, motion, areal extent, and shape. These values were used to formulate four individual attribute scores representing the similarity to the expected values for a typical single-cell thunderstorm. The four scores were then combined into a storm index (SI) using relative weights determined through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) performed on input from operational forecasters. Of the study days, 89 (72.4%) possessed appreciable lightning, ...
Intragastric Self-Infusion of Ethanol by Ethanol-Preferring and -Nonpreferring Lines of Rats

An ethanol-preferring line of rats, developed by selective breeding, consumed as much as 9.4 +/- 1.7 grams of ethanol per kilogram of body weight per day through intragastric self-infusions, yielding blood ethanol concentrations of 92 to 415 milligrams per 100 milliliters. By contrast, the ethanol- nonpreferring line self-administered only 0.7 +/- 0.2 gram per kilogram per day. These findings indicate that the reinforcing effect of ethanol is postabsorptive and is not mediated by the drug's smell or taste. Hence the ethanol-preferring line of rats may be suitable animal model of alcoholism.
Effects of hypothermic perfusion of kidneys on tissue and mitochondrial phospholipids.

Abstract The changes in the level of phospholipids in kidney tissue and isolated mitochondria from dog kidneys perfused hypothermically (6–8 °C) for 1, 3, and 5 days were compared. Following 1 day of perfusion there was no change in total tissue phosphatidylserine (PS), a 25% decrease in the level of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and a 16% decrease in phosphatidylcholine (PC). No further decrease was observed with longer perfusion times. In fact, an increase in the level of PE occurred between the third and fifth days. Mitochondria isolated from perfused kidneys also showed a slight decrease in PE and PC following 1 day, no further change at 3 days, and an increase at Day 5. The loss of tissue phospholipids does not appear related to the viability of perfused kidneys. The major loss occurs within 1 day of perfusion and kidneys perfused up to 3 days are fully viable. Five-day perfused kidneys are nonviable, but show no greater loss of phospholipids than the viable 1- or 3-day perfused kidneys.
Lifetime of the 3.56-MeV state of Li6

Abstract The bremsstrahlung beam from the U. S. Naval Research Laboratory 25-MeV betatron was used to excite the 3.56-MeV state in Li 6 . The gamma radiation resulting from the de-excitation of these nuclei was observed with and without a Li 6 absorber inserted in the primary beam. Assuming a spin assignment J = 0 for the excited state, and using a calculated Doppler with of 11.3 eV for enriched lithium metal, an analysis of the data yields a mean lifetime of (7.2 −1.3 +1.5 ) × 10 −17 sec.
A three-dimensional geometry-based statistical model of 2×2 dual-polarized MIMO mobile-to-mobile wideband channels

A three-dimensional (3D) model for wide-band dual-polarized (DP) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mobile-to-mobile (M2M) channels is proposed. Using geometrical scattering based on concentric spheres at the transmitter (Tx) and at the receiver (Rx), a 3D parametric reference model for 2×2 M2M DP multipath fading channels is developed. The channel model assumes the use of colocated half-wavelength dipole antennas for vertical and horizontal polarizations at both transmit and receive stations. Model parameters include the velocities of the Tx and Rx nodes, the distance between the nodes, the 3D antenna pattern gains, the azimuth and elevation angles of arrival and departure, the geometrical distribution of the scatterers, the Rician K-factors defining the fading envelope distributions, the maximum Doppler frequency, the scattering loss factors, the cross-polar power discrimination ratio (XPD), and the copolarization power ratio (CPR). Using the proposed model, expressions for joint time-frequency correlation functions (TFCFs) are derived which are used to investigate system behavior over different wide sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (WSSUS) channel realizations. The numerical results illustrate the sensitivities of the TFCF to simultaneous time and frequency offsets for the 2 × 2 DP-MIMO architectures.
Intergenerational Perceptions of Body Image in Hispanics: Role of BMI, Gender, and Acculturation

Objective: To assess role of BMI, gender, and acculturation on maternal and children's perception of body size, body ideal, and attractiveness. Research Methods and Procedures: Eighty mothers and their 6- to- 12-year-old children (41 boys, 39 girls) participated. Maternal and children's perceptions of body size (actual and ideal) and attractiveness were assessed through a pictorial instrument. Mother and child height and weight, demographic, and acculturation characteristics were also assessed. Results: Seventy-nine percent of the mothers were overweight, and 32% of the boys and 34% of the girls were overweight or at-risk for overweight. BMI influenced the children's selection of perceived ideal size. Overweight or at-risk for overweight children were more likely to select thinner figures as the ideal size than non-overweight children. Gender and acculturation differences concerning children's perceptions of body size and attractiveness were also found. Girls perceived the obese figure as being less attractive than did the boys. More acculturated children were likely to select thinner figures as more attractive than their less acculturated counterparts. Maternal acculturation was associated positively with the girls’ choice of thinner figures as an ideal body size, but not with the boys. Mothers viewed their daughters’ actual body size and BMI as ideal, although 34% of the girls were at-risk for overweight. Mothers perceived average body size figures as more attractive for their sons. Discussion: Findings from this study provide empirical data about the role of BMI, gender, acculturation, and familial influences on children's perceptions of actual and ideal body sizes and attractiveness.
Financial Feasibility analysis of NAABB developed technologies

abstract Article history:Received 14 February 2014Received in revised form 24 March 2015Accepted 28 March 2015Available online xxxxKeywords:ElectrocoagulationHydrothermal Liquefaction –CatalyticHydrothermal GasiﬁcationAlgae Raceway Integrated Design (ARID)Monte Carlo simulationFarm-level Algae Model (FARM)Cost of production In 2010, the National Alliance for Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB), was tasked with developing innovativetechnologies that would make algae-based biofuels a sustainable, commercially viable industry. Over the pastfew yearsanarrayoftechnologieshavebeen developed and analyzed.Each ofthese wasdetailedintheﬁnal re-port to the United States Department of Energy. In this paper, the most promising technologies developed inNAABBarecomparedtothebaselinetechnologiesfromthebeginningoftheproject.Aneconomicfeasibilityanal-ysis is conducted using the Farm-level Algae Risk Model (FARM) to simulate the probabilistic cost of algal lipidproductionandtheeconomicfeasibilityforthefarmswiththemostpromisingalternativetechnologies.Thiseco-nomic feasibility analysis is a high level analysis of technologies that need to be demonstrated seamlessly at fullscale and are yet to be fully integrated into a single operation with full mass and energy balance. Technologiesanalyzed include: a genetically modiﬁed organism (GMO) algae strain, the Algae Raceway Integrated Design(ARID) cultivation system, the electrocoagulation harvesting system, and Hydrothermal Liquefaction–CatalyticHydrothermal Gasiﬁcation (HTL–CHG) extraction systems. Results indicate that with the combination of all themost promising NAABB technologies the total cost per gallon of HTL–CHG oil is $7.40 with no reductions inCAPEX and OPEX, but can be reduced to $2.80/gallon if CAPEX and OPEX are reduced by 50%. CAPEX and OPEXto convert algal oil to a ﬁnal fuel are not included in the analysis.© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A thymocyte factor SATB1 suppresses transcription of stably integrated matrix-attachment region-linked reporter genes.

SATB1 specifically recognizes and binds to specialized genomic regions with an ATC sequence context with high base-unpairing propensity. Such base-unpairing regions (BURs) are typically identified within nuclear scaffold- or matrix-attachment regions (S/MARs). SATB1 is a homeodomain protein and is predominantly expressed in thymocytes. We obtained BHK cell lines expressing low levels of SATB1 by stable transfection and investigated its effect on stably integrated MAR-linked SV40 enhancer/promoter-driven luciferase reporter genes. For this study, both naturally occurring and synthetic MARs, as well as an AT-rich non-MAR control, were tested. Previous studies demonstrated that MAR sequences augment transcription of the linked reporter luciferase gene. Here, we show that SATB1 dramatically reduces the high levels of MAR-linked luciferase gene transcription. Transcription was virtually abolished for a reporter gene surrounded by two MARs at the 5‘ and 3‘ ends of the gene, which otherwise confer the highest le...
ACTION SPECTRA FOR LIGHT‐INDUCED DE‐EPOXIDATION AND EPOXIDATION OF XANTHOPHYLLS IN SPINACH LEAF

— The action spectra for violaxanthin de-epoxidation and zeaxanthin epoxidation in New Zealand spinach leaf segments, Tetragonia expansa, were determined at equal incident quanta of 2·0 × 1015 quanta cm-2 sec-1. Precise action spectra were not obtained due to variable leaf activity. The de-epoxidation action spectrum had major peaks at approximately 480 and 648 nm. Blue light was slightly more effective than red light and little activity was observed beyond 700 nm. The epoxidation action spectrum showed major peaks at around 440 and 670 nm. Blue light was more effective than red light and light beyond 700 nm showed definite activity. The net result of de-epoxidation and epoxidation is a cyclic scheme, the violaxanthin cycle, which consumes O2 and photoproducts. The action spectra indicate that the violaxanthin cycle is more active in blue than in red light and therefore could account for O2 uptake stimulated by blue light. However, the violaxanthin cycle is not the pathway for O2 uptake by photosynthetic system 1. It was suggested that the violaxanthin cycle may function as a pathway for the consumption of excess photoproducts generated in blue light or the conversion of these photo-products to other forms of energy.
Ambiguity and the value of information

The value of information is studied in a non-expected utility model of ambiguity with second-order probabilities. Information that reduces ambiguity has a positive value for ambiguity-averse decision makers, and the value of information that resolves ambiguity increases with greater ambiguity and with greater ambiguity aversion. Since information that resolves risk is valuable, and must also resolve ambiguity, the value of such information for ambiguity averters increases with greater ambiguity and with greater ambiguity aversion.
Molecular theory of ternary supercritical solutions. 1. Theory and methods of calculation

Abstract Experiments have shown that added third components can have important effects on the solubility of a solute in a supercritical solvent. Added co-solvents and entrainers have been used to enhance solubility or selectivity and added secondary solutes have been found to influence the solubility of a primary solute. We present a rigorous fundamental equation, derived from Kirkwood-Buff solution theory, which provides a molecular basis for understanding these effects. Key quantities in this equation are the Kirkwood fluctuation integrals — spatial integrals of the total pair correlation functions. We present a method for calculating correlation functions and fluctuation integrals for ternary Lennard-Jones mixtures with the Percus-Yevick integral equation theory by using Baxter's Wiener-Hopf factorization of the Ornstein-Zernike relation. The fundamental solubility equation leads to expressions for solubility in the presence of an added co-solvent or second solute which can be integrated numerically using the results from the Percus-Yevick calculations. The method we present is capable of general application and could be used to guide process research and development for practical systems.
Separation of spin and charge quantum numbers in strongly correlated systems

In this paper we reexamine the problem of the separation of spin and charge degrees of freedom in two-dimensional strongly correlated systems. We establish a set of sufficient conditions for the occurrence of spin and charge separation. Specifically, we discuss this issue in the context of the Heisenberg model for spin-1/2 on a square lattice with nearest (${\mathit{J}}_{1}$) and next-nearest (${\mathit{J}}_{2}$) neighbor antiferromagnetic couplings. Our formulation makes explicit the existence of a local SU(2) gauge symmetry once the spin-1/2 operators are replaced by bound states of spinons. The mean-field theory for the spinons is solved numerically as a function of the ratio ${\mathit{J}}_{2}$/${\mathit{J}}_{1}$ for the so-called s-RVB ansatz (s-RVB stands for short range resonating valence bond). A second-order phase transition exists in a flux state for ${\mathit{J}}_{2}$/${\mathit{J}}_{1}$ larger than the critical value (${\mathit{J}}_{2/}$${\mathit{J}}_{1}$${)}_{\mathrm{cr}}$ identify the range 0${\mathit{J}}_{2}$/${\mathit{J}}_{1}$(${\mathit{J}}_{2}$/${\mathit{J}}_{1}$${)}_{\mathrm{cr}}$ as the s-RVB phase. It is characterized by the existence of a finite gap to the elementary excitations (spinons) and the breakdown of all the continuous gauge symmetries. An effective continuum theory for the spinons and the gauge degrees of freedom is constructed just below the onset of the flux phase. We argue that this effective theory is consistent with the deconfinement of the spinons carrying the fundamental charge of the gauge group. We contrast this result with the study of the one-dimensional quantum antiferromagnet within the same approach. We show that in the one-dimensional model, the spinons of the gauge picture are always confined and thus cannot be identified with the gapless spin-1/2 excitations of the quantum antiferromagnet Heisenberg model.
Primary structure of frog rhodopsin

Amphibians have been employed extensively to study the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and cell biology of the visual system for decades, yet there have been no reports concerning the primary structure of amphibian visual transduction components. Thus, we have determined the entire nucleotide sequence of frog (Rana pipiens) rhodopsin cDNA, including a putative transcription start point and poly A tail, by sequence analysis of PCR products and mRNA. The open reading frame predicts an opsin of 354 residues, six residues longer than the mammalian rod opsins, containing 11 potential phosphorylation sites in the C-terminal domain. RNA blot analysis revealed two transcripts of ca. 1.7 and 3.1 kb. Frog rhodopsin exhibits ∼85% identity to mammalian rhodopsin at the amino acid level. Sequence analysis of additional components will produce the Framework from which a more detailed understanding of amphibian phototransduction can emerge.
Automating resource allocation for multiprocessors

The allocation of resources of multiprocessor hardware to the separable components of parallel software has proved difficult both in theory and in practice. In this paper, a model of parallel hardware and application programs is formulated that permits the joint solution of two interdependent allocation problems: the placement of a program's code and data into shared or distributed memory and the assignment of a program's processes to multiple processors. In addition, we describe a fast allocation heuristic that employs user-supplied allocation hints to sequentially perform placements and assignments for single, large, parallel programs during program initialization. This heuristic is evaluated experimentally on a sample multiprocessor, which is the Cm∗ multiprocessor. For this evaluation, experimental data are derived from several parallel applications programs executed on Cm∗. The model and the heuristic are implemented within a practical programming environment for Cm∗, the TASK tool system, thereby making the Cm∗ hardware partly transparent to the application programmers.
Effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on textural and aroma attributes of enhanced beef clod roasts in a cook/hot-hold situation.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing vitamin E into the diets of finishing cattle on quality characteristics of beef pumped with a phosphate/salt solution (enhanced) the cooked and held in a simulated foodservice situation. Twelve steers were fed either a control (E−) diet or a diet supplemented with dl -α-tocopheryl-acetate (E+). Paired clod roasts were either used as controls (C) or were pumped (P) to 110% of raw weight to contain 0.4% sodium chloride and 0.4% phosphate in the finished product. Following injection, clods were allowed to equilibrate then frozen. A flavor profile panel evaluated texture attributes and aroma characteristics of roasts immediately after cooking and after 1 and 2 h of hot-holding. Pumping improved taste and textural attributes of the hot-held clod roasts. Dietary vitamin E supplementation reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) from ∼0.61 to ∼0.42, but over the 2-h time period, did not significantly improve aroma quality of beef roasts.
Role stressors, social support, and well‐being among two‐career couples

Summary The study examined relationships among work and family role stressors, work-family conflict, social support, and well-being using data gathered from 119 men and 119 women who were partners in a two-career relationship. Results showed that withindomain relationships of stressors with well-being are stronger than between-domain relationships. Thus, work and family role stressors were primarily related to job satisfaction and family satisfaction respectively, whereas work and family role stressors as well as work-family conflict were associated with overall life stress. Similar results were found for the relationships of social support with well-being. Work support was associated with increased job satisfaction, while spouse support was associated with greater family satisfaction. Some gender differences were found in the relationships of stressors and social support with well-being. Implications of the findings for future research on work-family dynamics were discussed.
Regulation of adenovirus mRNA synthesis

The lytic cycle of adenovirus is a tightly regulated sequence of stages. When this regulation is studied at the level of mRNA production, the most significant step in controlling gene expression is initiation of transcription. Thus in preceding from one stage of expression to another, viral factors seem to turn on transcription of new sets of genes. At the moment, it is thought that viral mRNA synthesis involves initiation of transcription at ten different promoter sites. It is likely that in some manner the frequency of an initiation of transcription at nine of these sites is affected by one or more viral gene products. With the recent development of soluble in vitro transcription systems that respond to exogenously added DNA, it should be possible to begin to study regulation of gene expression at this stage of transcription. At present, these systems yield the paradoxical observation that extracts prepared from uninfected human cells more efficiently recognize the late promoter as compared to the early promoter of adenovirus. As more is learned about regulation of synthesis of viral mRNAs, examples will surely be found where RNA processing and RNA turnover play a critical role in determining the level of mRNAs. Such cases are more likely to appear in the balancing of synthesis of different mRNAs derived from one transcriptional unit. Few experiments have been directed to this possibility and the study of adenovirus molecular biology is only now entering the age of maturity where these experiments are feasible.
Three-dimensional diffuse optical imaging of joints: System description and phantom studies

A CCD-based DOT system with 64x64 channels was developed for joint imaging. The phantom studies suggest that up to 1mm thick “cartilage” can be quantitatively resolved in terms of the shape, size and optical properties.
Coupled rotor-fuselage vibration reduction using open-loop blade pitch control

A fundamental study of vibration reduction in helicopters using higher harmonic blade pitch control was performed. The nonlinear equations of motion for a coupled rotor/flexible fuselage system have been derived using computer algebra on a special purpose symbolic computing facility. The trim state and vibratory response of the helicopter are obtained in a single pass by applying the harmonic balance technique and simultaneously satisfying the trim and the vibratory response of the helicopter for all rotor and fuselage degrees of freedom. The influence of the fuselage flexibility on the vibratory response is studied. New insight on vibration reduction in coupled rotor/fuselage is obtained from the sensitivity of the hub shears to the frequency and amplitude of the open loop HHC signal in the rotating frame. It is shown that conventional higher harmonic control through the swashplate, is capable of suppressing either the hub loads or only the fuselage vibrations, but not both simultaneously. It is demonstrated that for simultaneous reduction of hub loads and fuselage vibrations, a multiple frequency higher harmonic control input signal provided in the rotating frame is required.
Achieving specific accuracy in simulation output analysis

This paper extends the use of the regenerative property of queueing systems in the analysis of simulation output. In particular, it describes a sequential estimation method which when used with the regenerative property allows results to be obtained with specified statistical accuracy. This method includes a test to check the normality assumption on which the sequential procedure relies. The paper illustrates the method using the empty and idle state as the regenerative state. A second example then describes how using the most frequently entered state as the regenerative state reduces the chance of making a costly error in a preliminary simulation run. The paper also described how a variance reduction method due to Page [9] can be used to obtain a specified accuracy with considerably fewer job completions than are required when no variance reduction technique is applied.
Regression of massive keloid following partial excision and post-operative intralesional administration of triamcinolone

Summary A massive auricular keloid which had rapidly recurred after three previous excisions and a course of radiation therapy was treated effectively by partial excision and intralesional steroid administration. Complete excision would have resulted in considerable deformity in this case because the lesion already encroached significantly on adjacent auricular structures. Almost complete regression of the keloid occurred gradually during steroid therapy, and regrowth of the lesion has not been seen since medication was discontinued one year ago. No systemic or local complications occurred.
Combined action of paclitaxel and cisplatin against wildtype and resistant human ovarian carcinoma cells.

Purpose: The combination of paclitaxel (PTX) and cisplatin (DDP) shows good clinical efficacy against ovarian cancer. In order to examine the potential cellular basis for this, and provide leads as to how to optimize the combination, we examined the role of sequence of exposure to PTX and DDP on cell growth in vitro. Methods: Four human ovarian carcinoma cell lines, A121, A2780/WT, A2780/DX5B and A2780/CP3, two human head and neck carcinoma cell lines, A253 and FaDu, and the human ileocecal carcinoma cell line, HCT-8, were treated with PTX + DDP with seven schedules: (A) 96 h exposure to PTX + DDP; (B) 24 h PTX alone, then 72 h PTX + DDP; (C) 4 h DDP alone, then 92 h PTX + DDP; (D) 24 h PTX alone, 4 h DDP alone, then 68 h drug-free; (E) 4 h DDP alone, 24 h PTX alone, then 68 h drug-free; (F) 3 h PTX alone, 1 h DDP alone, then 92 h drug-free; and (G) 1 h DDP alone, 3 h PTX alone, then 92 h drug-free. Each of 66 two-drug experiments included five plates (440 randomly treated wells per experiment). Cell growth was measured by the sulforhodamine B assay. The nature and the intensity of the drug interactions were assessed by fitting a seven-parameter model to data with weighted nonlinear regression, enabling the estimation of an interaction parameter, α, with its standard error. Results: Overall there was very little departure from Loewe additivity: 43 experiments showed Loewe additivity, 10 showed Loewe antagonism, and 13 showed slight Loewe synergy. In vitro Loewe synergy was rare, was small when present, and reproducible only for the A121 and HCT-8 cells exposed to schedule D (24 h PTX prior to 4 h DDP). Isobolographic analysis showed complex combined-action surfaces with regions of local Loewe synergy and antagonism. Conclusion: It appears unlikely that the good clinical efficacy of the combination is primarily caused by a synergistic interaction at the cellular level.