cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional annotations for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome: the knowns and the known unknowns

The quest to characterize each of the genes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has propelled the development and application of novel high-throughput (HTP) experimental techniques. To handle the enormous amount of information generated by these techniques, new bioinformatics tools and resources are needed. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations curated by the Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD) have facilitated the development of algorithms that analyze HTP data and help predict functions for poorly characterized genes in S. cerevisiae and other organisms. Here, we describe how published results are incorporated into GO annotations at SGD and why researchers can benefit from using these resources wisely to analyze their HTP data and predict gene functions.
A murine model for evaluating metastatic potential: characterization of a 90-110-kDa metastasis-binding protein.

Abstract Reliable discriminatory tests to predict metastatic disease would clearly facilitate the management of cancer in the elderly. We have recently identified a 90–110-kilodalton (kDa) cell surface glycoprotein that is differentially expressed in benign and malignant murine adrenal carcinoma cells. In view of the proteins highly glycosylated nature, we have tested its ability to bind to a panel of agarose-bound lectins. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin specific for terminal sialic acid and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), had a strong affinity for the metastasis-related protein but failed to detect such a glycoprotein in nonmetastatic cells. Treatment of cells with sialidase to remove terminal sialic acids did not affect the affinity of the protein for the lectin, indicating the presence of terminal GlcNac. We show by in situ that this metastatic binding protein (MBP) is regionally concentrated on the surface of invasive cells but absent in cells unable to invade. We postulate that MBP plays an active role in cell migration through interactions with β-1,4 galactosytransferase and basement membrane glycoproteines.
Vertex operator algebras, the Verlinde conjecture, and modular tensor categories

Abstract Let V be a simple vertex operator algebra satisfying the following conditions: (i) V ( n ) = 0 for n < 0, , and the contragredient module V' is isomorphic to V as a V-module; (ii) every weak V-module is completely reducible; (iii) V is C 2-cofinite. We announce a proof of the Verlinde conjecture for V, that is, of the statement that the matrices formed by the fusion rules among irreducible V-modules are diagonalized by the matrix given by the action of the modular transformation τ → –1/τ on the space of characters of irreducible V-modules. We discuss some consequences of the Verlinde conjecture, including the Verlinde formula for the fusion rules, a formula for the matrix given by the action of τ → –1/τ, and the symmetry of this matrix. We also announce a proof of the rigidity and nondegeneracy property of the braided tensor category structure on the category of V-modules when V satisfies in addition the condition that irreducible V-modules not equivalent to V have no nonzero elements of weight 0. In particular, the category of V-modules has a natural structure of modular tensor category.
Intelligent and parallel state space pruning for power system reliability analysis using MPI on a multicore platform

State space pruning is a methodology that has been successfully applied to improve the computational efficiency and convergence of Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) when computing the reliability indices of power systems. This methodology increases performance of MCS by pruning state spaces in such a manner that a conditional state space with a higher density of failure states than the original state space is created. A method that was previously proposed to increase the efficiency of MCS was the use of Population-based Intelligent Search (PIS) techniques including Genetic Algorithms (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) to prune the state space. This paper improves upon these ideas by parallelizing the PIS techniques using the Open Message Passing Interface (Open MPI) in order to further improve the convergence time of MCS. The PIS algorithms and their parallel implementations are discussed and results are compared and contrasted. This method is tested using the IEEE reliability test system.
PPARγ isoforms differentially regulate metabolic networks to mediate mouse prostatic epithelial differentiation

Recent observations indicate prostatic diseases are comorbidities of systemic metabolic dysfunction. These discoveries revealed fundamental questions regarding the nature of prostate metabolism. We previously showed that prostate-specific ablation of PPARγ in mice resulted in tumorigenesis and active autophagy. Here, we demonstrate control of overlapping and distinct aspects of prostate epithelial metabolism by ectopic expression of individual PPARγ isoforms in PPARγ knockout prostate epithelial cells. Expression and activation of either PPARγ 1 or 2 reduced de novo lipogenesis and oxidative stress and mediated a switch from glucose to fatty acid oxidation through regulation of genes including Pdk4, Fabp4, Lpl, Acot1 and Cd36. Differential effects of PPARγ isoforms included decreased basal cell differentiation, Scd1 expression and triglyceride fatty acid desaturation and increased tumorigenicity by PPARγ1. In contrast, PPARγ2 expression significantly increased basal cell differentiation, Scd1 expression and AR expression and responsiveness. Finally, in confirmation of in vitro data, a PPARγ agonist versus high-fat diet (HFD) regimen in vivo confirmed that PPARγ agonization increased prostatic differentiation markers, whereas HFD downregulated PPARγ-regulated genes and decreased prostate differentiation. These data provide a rationale for pursuing a fundamental metabolic understanding of changes to glucose and fatty acid metabolism in benign and malignant prostatic diseases associated with systemic metabolic stress.
Content-based image retrieval system for cutting tools

Content based image retrieval has recently been investigated extensively. Images and video are queried to identify particular scenes or objects. The method can serve as an alternative to keyword type retrieval or complement such a system; depending on the application, it may be the only viable method of search. In this paper we consider the retrieval of cutting tools based on image content. Three methods are used for image retrieval which are based on matching of colour histograms, angle count histograms and image intensity histograms. The developed system is able to retrieve images that are reasonably similar. Additional work is needed to detect objects that are part of an image and also to improve the accuracy of the search.
Soil Erosion: The Significance of the Problem and Its Attempted Control

(1939). Soil Erosion: The Significance of the Problem and Its Attempted Control. Journal of Geography: Vol. 38, No. 8, pp. 304-313.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Classification of Studies Employing Psychological Endpoints

Psychological outcomes in persons with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have received substantial attention. The objectives of this paper were to (1) catalog psychological endpoints assessed in CAH outcome studies and (2) classify the conceptual/theoretical model shaping the research design and interpretation of CAH-related psychological effects. A total of 98 original research studies, published between 1955 and 2009, were categorized based on psychological endpoints examined as well as the research design and conceptual model guiding analysis and interpretation of data. The majority of studies (68%) investigated endpoints related to psychosexual differentiation. The preponderance of studies (76%) examined a direct relationship (i.e., inferring causality) between prenatal androgen exposure and psychological outcomes. Findings are discussed in relation to the observed imbalance between theoretical interest in the role of prenatal androgens in shaping psychosexual differentiation and a broader conceptual model that examines the role of other potential factors in mediating or moderating the influence of CAH pathophysiology on psychological outcomes in both affected females and males. The latter approach offers to identify factors amenable to clinical intervention that enhance both health and quality of life outcomes in CAH as well as other disorders of sex development.
Measurement of epithelial production in healing skin wounds.

Abstract Epithelial cell production during wound healing was measured quantitatively by means of microanalytical techniques. Regenerating epithelium exhibited increased total dry weight, protein, RNA, DNA, lipid, and glycogen. These increments were associated with increased RNA/DNA and protein/DNA ratios during the first 4 days of wound healing. Normal epidermis contains 0.89 mg of RNA/mg of DNA and 70.9 mg of protein/mg of DNA. The RNA/DNA and protein/DNA ratios were increased by 230 and 160% of normal, respectively, in regenerating epithelium on Day 3 after wounding. These findings substantiate previously measured biochemical parameters, i.e., enzyme activities and substrate levels during epidermal wound healing.
Nitroxide scanning electron paramagnetic resonance of helices IV and V and the intervening loop in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli.

Glu126 and Arg144 in helices IV and V, respectively, in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli, which play an indispensable role in substrate binding, are charge-paired and in close proximity [Venkatesan, P., Kaback, H. R. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95, 9802-9807; Zhao, M., Zen, K.-C., et al. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 7407-7412]. Since hydropathy plots indicate that these residues are at the membrane-water interface at the cytoplasmic surface of the membrane, site-directed nitroxide scanning electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been carried out on this region of the permease. Thirty-one single-Cys permease mutants were spin-labeled and examined by conventional and power saturation EPR. The motional freedom of the side chains, as well as accessibility to O(2) or potassium chromium oxalate (CrOx), indicates that the loop between helices IV and V (loop IV/V) is considerably smaller than predicted by hydropathy plots, extending only from about Val132 to Phe138 and that Glu126 and Arg144 are probably within the membrane. Although ligand binding has no effect on the mobility of the labeled side chains, a marked increase in CrOx and O(2) accessibility is observed at position 137, as well as significant changes in accessibility to CrOx on one face of helix V. It is concluded that ligand binding induces a conformational change in the vicinity of the binding site, resulting in increased accessibility of position 137 in loop IV/V to solvent.
Dominant ultraviolet light emissions in packed ZnO columnar homojunction diodes

The growth of Sb-doped p-type ZnO∕Ga-doped n-type ZnO homojunction on Si (100) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy led to closely packed vertical ZnO columns with lateral diameters ranging from 100to400nm. Mesa structures were defined and Ohmic contact of both n-type ZnO and p-type ZnO was realized with Au∕Ti and Au∕NiO, respectively. I-V and C-V curves present typical electrical properties of a diode, indicating that reliable p-type ZnO was formed. Electroluminescence shows dominant ultraviolet emissions with insignificant deep-level related yellow/green band emissions at different drive currents from 60to100mA at room temperature.
"We are Arabs:" The Embodiment of Virginity Through Arab and Arab American Women's Lived Experiences.

Virginity is part of our existence in the world as embodied sexual subjects. While many meanings are associated with virginity, in most of the Arab world virginity relates to the presence of a hymen and extends to encompass the honor of the Arab community, and virginity loss commonly relate to first vaginal intercourse. This study explored the meanings of virginity from the perspectives of Arab and Arab American women. A qualitative phenomenological approach, informed by the philosophy of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, was used to conduct in-depth interviews with ten women. We identified one over-arching theme Virginity as Identity, and two major themes Embodiment of Virginity and “We are Arabs.” To reach an embodied virginity, participants went through a disembodied virginity process, reflecting society’s perceptions and values of virginity related to anatomical presence of a hymen and society’s honor. “We are Arabs” describes the ways women identified with the Arab ethnic identity as a shared overall identification, but differed from one lived experience to another, and influenced how participants embodied virginity. Our participants provided a better understanding of the diverse meanings of virginity that move beyond the binary of virginity and virginity loss, and into a spectrum of embodied meanings. Findings suggest the need for future research around sexuality in Arab Americans with attention to socio-political contexts in order to understand the nature and context of sexual initiation and its impact on sexual behaviors and well-being.
Short wait times for patients seeking cosmetic botulinum toxin appointments with dermatologists

Background Wait times for both routine and urgent dermatology appointments typically exceed 3 to 4 weeks. Many factors affecting physician workforce adequacy and patient access have been explored, but little is known about the impact of increasing numbers of doctors offering cosmetic services. Objective We sought to evaluate access to dermatologists for patients requesting cosmetic services. Methods Scripted patient telephone calls were made to 898 dermatologists in 12 metropolitan areas to assess wait times for an appointment to receive cosmetic botulinum toxin injections. The areas chosen were surveyed completely, and respondents represented about one tenth of practicing dermatologists in the United States. The methodology was identical to that used in a previous study of wait times for evaluation of a changing mole (a possible indicator of malignancy). Results Half of dermatologist respondents (455, 50.7%) offered appointments for botulinum toxin injections, and the median wait time was 8 days. Acceptance rates and wait times varied greatly by geographic area (range of median wait times 6.0-32.5 days), with dermatologists in Miami, Fla, and Orange County, California, most likely to provide a botulinum toxin appointment with a short wait time. Many dermatologists (241, 27%) employed physician extenders, and 39% of these extenders also offered appointments for botulinum toxin injections (median wait time 6 days). In comparison with a previous study showing median wait times of 26 days for evaluation of a changing mole in these communities, wait times for cosmetic injections were significantly shorter ( P Limitations The metropolitan areas surveyed contain no highly rural areas and do not represent a random sample of all US dermatology practice sites. The cosmetic and medical studies were not conducted concurrently, but were carried out in the same metropolitan areas. Conclusions Patients seeking a cosmetic botulinum toxin injection have more rapid access to dermatologists than has been previously reported for patients seeking urgent consultation for a changing mole. This study cannot differentiate between many possible explanations for the observed differences in wait times. Because physicians in many other specialties with physician shortages are also offering cosmetic services, further studies are needed to assess the broader policy implications of these findings.
Measurements of Heat Transfer Characteristics of Gap Leakage Around a Misaligned Component Interface

In an attempt to understand the effects of leakage through a component-to-component interface on the turbine end wall heat transfer, this paper describes an experimental efforts on examining the detailed heat transfer characteristics near a leaking gap. Geometric misalignment around the gap is modeled by either a forward-facing step or a backward-facing step. Heat transfer measurement here uses a temperature-sensitive fluorescent imaging of a thermographic phosphor (TGP). The TGP technique reveals detailed distribution of local heat transfer coefficient and adiabatic wall temperature in the vicinity of the leakage. The results suggest that, for a given leakage-to-mainstream mass flow ratio, the adiabatic wall temperature closes to the level of leakage temperature and is relatively insensitive to the nature of misalignment. On the outer hand, however, the value of heat transfer coefficient varies strongly with misalignment and streamwise location relative to the gap. Overall, the leakage thickens the approaching boundary layer and significantly extends the length of reattachment downstream compared to the corresponding cases without leakage. To further qualify the TGP technique, which is relatively new for transient measurement of local heat transfer, an analysis toward its efficacy in resolving complex convective system is developed in this study. One of the main advantages that TGP inherits is its capability of determining both heat transfer coefficient and reference temperature based on a single test. Other methods, such as the transient liquid crystal technique, generally require separate tests each with different thermal conditions.Copyright © 1998 by ASME
Direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase on carbon nanotubes

In this report, exploitation of the unique properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) leads to the achievement of direct electron transfer with the redox active centres of adsorbed oxidoreductase enzymes. Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), the redox active prosthetic group of flavoenzymes that catalyses important biological redox reactions and the flavoenzyme glucose oxidase (GOx), were both found to spontaneously adsorb onto carbon nanotube bundles. Both FAD and GOx were found to spontaneously adsorb to unannealed carbon nanotubes that were cast onto glassy carbon electrodes and to display quasi-reversible one-electron transfer. Similarly, GOx was found to spontaneously adsorb to annealed, single-walled carbon nanotube paper and to display quasi-reversible one-electron transfer. In particular, GOx immobilized in this way was shown, in the presence of glucose, to maintain its substrate-specific enzyme activity. It is believed that the tubular fibrils become positioned within tunnelling distance of the cofactors with little consequence to denaturation. The combination of SWNT with redox active enzymes would appear to offer an excellent and convenient platform for a fundamental understanding of biological redox reactions as well as the development of reagentless biosensors and nanobiosensors.
Alternative methods of proxy-based climate field reconstruction: application to summer drought over the conterminous United States back to AD 1700 from tree-ring data

We describe an alternative method of climate field reconstruction and test it against an existing set of dendroclimatic reconstructions of summer drought patterns over the conterminous US back to AD 1700. The new reconstructions are based on a set of 483 drought-sensitive tree-ring chronologies available across the continental US. In contrast with the‘point-by-point’ (PPR) local regression technique used previously, the tree-ring data were calibrated against the instrumental record of summer drought (June-August Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)) based on application of the‘Regularized Expectation Maximization’ (‘RegEM’) algorithm to relate large-scale patterns of variation in proxy and instrumental data over a common (twentieth century) interval. A screening procedure was first used to select an optimal subset of candidate tree-ring drought predictors, and the predictors (tree-ring data) and predictand (instrumental PDSI) were prewhitened prior to calibration, with serial correlation added back into t...
Mixed Culture Fermentation of Cucumber Juice with Lactobacillus plantarum and Yeasts

Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces rosei were tested for use in mixed culture fermentation of cucumber juice with Lactobacillus plantarum. Extent of sugar utilization and the ratio of products formed (lactic acid:ethanol) were influenced by time of inoculation and cell numbers of each microorganism. Sugar fermentation was complete within 6 days at 28°C when similar numbers of bacteria and yeasts were added simultaneously, or when yeasts were added before the bacteria. Sugar remained when only L. plantarum was added, or when yeasts were added in low numbers. Glycerol was produced when yeasts were present, the concentration being directly related to NaCl concentration. Results suggest advantageous uses of yeasts to complete fermentation and to modify acidity.
Lazy Updating of hubs can enable more realistic models by speeding up stochastic simulations.

To respect the nature of discrete parts in a system, stochastic simulation algorithms (SSAs) must update for each action (i) all part counts and (ii) each action's probability of occurring next and its timing. This makes it expensive to simulate biological networks with well-connected “hubs” such as ATP that affect many actions. Temperature and volume also affect many actions and may be changed significantly in small steps by the network itself during fever and cell growth, respectively. Such trends matter for evolutionary questions, as cell volume determines doubling times and fever may affect survival, both key traits for biological evolution. Yet simulations often ignore such trends and assume constant environments to avoid many costly probability updates. Such computational convenience precludes analyses of important aspects of evolution. Here we present “Lazy Updating,” an add-on for SSAs designed to reduce the cost of simulating hubs. When a hub changes, Lazy Updating postpones all probability updates for reactions depending on this hub, until a threshold is crossed. Speedup is substantial if most computing time is spent on such updates. We implemented Lazy Updating for the Sorting Direct Method and it is easily integrated into other SSAs such as Gillespie's Direct Method or the Next Reaction Method. Testing on several toy models and a cellular metabolism model showed >10× faster simulations for its use-cases—with a small loss of accuracy. Thus we see Lazy Updating as a valuable tool for some special but important simulation problems that are difficult to address efficiently otherwise.
Reduction of cyclopropene as criterion of active-site homology between nitrogenase and its Fe–Mo cofactor

THE nitrogenase Fe–Mo cofactor (FeMo-co)1 is usually characterised by its unique ability to restore N2-fixing ability to extracts of certain nitrogenase-less mutants1,2 and by its spectral properties, some of which can be correlated with those of the FeMo protein itself3. The role of FeMo-co in nitrogenase function is not yet clear. Recently, it was reported that uncomplemented FeMo-co catalysed BH−4 reduction of C2H2 to C2H4 in a CO-inhibited, non-ATP-dependent process4. This was taken as evidence that FeMo-co is the active site for N2 reduction and binding in nitrogenase, although conversion of N2 to NH3 by cofactor-BH−4 mixtures was not observed4. C2H2 is readily reduced by many homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and can give only a single 2 e− reduction product, urging caution in exclusive reliance upon it as a model substrate5,6. The observation that nitrogenase catalyses reduction of cyclopropene to both propene and cyclopropane in a ∼2:1 ratio in vitro7 and also in vivo8 suggests a more demanding criterion8 for evaluation of FeMo-co catalysis, one which still avoids the difficult energetic requirements for N2 activation and reduction. This new criterion is strengthened by the fact that cyclopropene competitively inhibits N2 (ref. 9). We find that incubation of FeMo-co with a suitable ‘apoprotein’ extract yields a reconstituted FeMo-protein activity for reduction of cyclopropene to propene and cyclopropane. FeMo-co alone, however, only catalyses cyclopropane formation in the conditions described4 for C2H2 reduction. This result and other considerations suggest that active site homology between FeMo-co and nitrogenase has not yet been fully demonstrated on a function basis.
Police Practice in Hong Kong and New York: A Comparative Analysis:

Despite their geographic and national differences, there are remarkable similarities between the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The purpose of this study is to compare contemporary police practices in these two police organisations and thereby to obtain a better understanding of current policing issues in general. We offer this comparative assessment within the context of our descriptions of the overall organisation and operations of the HKPF and the NYPD. While we find some differences, these differences are eclipsed by the similarities between the two police forces in their hierarchical structure and their core police activities such as crime control, emergency response, order maintenance and community relations. We end the paper with a brief discussion of the implications of these structures and operations for policing in general.
Prostitution and fellatio

Questionnaires gathered from men arrested while trying to hire female prostitutes in three Western cities indicate that the desire for fellatio is an important reason clients seek female prostitutes. Respondents were more likely to select fellatio than any other practice when asked which sexual practices they (a) had ever experienced with a prostitute (81% in comparison to 55% for vaginal sex; N = 995), (b) usually experienced with a prostitute (51% in comparison to 12% for vaginal sex, the second most common practice; N = 926), and (c) experienced during their most recent sexual encounter with a prostitute (68% in comparison to 43% for vaginal sex; N = 424). Though a majority of respondents (65%) found the practice of fellatio very appealing, an even greater proportion expressed that opinion about vaginal intercourse (76%; N = 55). These findings, when analyzed in the context of other research on sexual practices, suggest that the desire for fellatio may be one reason some men seek prostitutes.
Comparison of the behavioural and acute toxicity of copper to sheepshead, Atlantic croaker and pinfish

Abstract Sheepshead ( Archosargus probatocephalus ), Atlantic croaker ( Micropogon undulatus ) and pinfish ( Lagodon rhomboides ) were each exposed to aqueous solutions of reagent grade cupric chloride in artificial seawater in four static bioassays. The 24, 48, 72 and 96-h TL m were determined to be, respectively, 4.17, 3.02, 2.19 and 1.14 mg Cu 2+ ·I −1 for sheepshead, 9.15, 7.55, 7.20 and 5.66 mg Cu 2+ ·I −1 for croaker, and 7.33, 4.43, 4.14 and 2.75 mg Cu 2+ ·I −1 for pinfish. These results are compared with literature values of experimental concentrations of copper producing subtle behavioural changes in these species.
Fire Effects on Weeping Lovegrass Tiller Density and Demographics

Prescribed burning is a common management practice applied to weeping lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees], but little is known about tiller density and demographic response to burning. Our objectives were to determine fire effects on weeping lovegrass tiller density and demographics on a site, seeded in 1989, in western Texas. Tillers were sampled at 14-d intervals in 1996 and 1997 to determine tiller density and demographics. Tiller density response to burning differed (P = 0.0002) between years. Burning increased (P = 0.0001) tiller density 61% compared with no burning in 1996, but did not affect tiller density (P = 0.9264) in 1997. In 1996, tiller density ranged from 1068 to 2052 and 1623 to 2617 tillers m -2 in nonburned and burned areas, respectively. In 1997, tiller density ranged from 1337 to 2398 and 1313 to 2027 tillers m -2 in nonburned and burned areas, respectively. Tillers in nonburned and burned areas remained primarily vegetative throughout each growing season with few tillers advancing to reproductive and seed-ripening stages, likely a response to poor fertility on the site. Burning increased reproductive tiller numbers by 238% compared with no burning in 1996, but few advanced to the seed-ripening stage. In 1997, most reproductive tillers advanced to the seed-ripening stage, likely responding to precipitation. Burning apparently altered the light environment and increased nutrient availability to weeping lovegrass. Yearly variation in the response to burning of weeping lovegrass tiller density and tiller demographics demonstrates that management must be based on current tiller populations.
What Is An Effective Evacuation Operation

Evacuation plans are traditionally based on empirical knowledge and local experience. Many studies are underway to improve and, even, optimize the process of evacuation planning and operations. To this end, a commonly accepted set of well-defined measures of effectiveness (MOEs) for evacuation is necessary. To guide various optimization processes and assess their benefits, this paper examines MOEs in literature, whether implicitly assumed or explicitly defined, and subsequently proposes a comprehensive four-tier MOE framework, taking into consideration of evacuation time, cumulative exposure, and temporal/spatial risk factors. For each tier of MOE, the optimization formulation is presented.
The coding nature of valyl-transfer RNA binding to ribosomes during methionine starvation in E. Coli 113-3

Abstract The results presented here indicate that the binding to normal ribosomes of val-tRNA present in E. coli 113-3 after methionine starvation is reduced by 1 4 while the binding of normal val-tRNA to the ribosomes present after methionine starvation is reduced by 1 3 . Since rRNA synthesized during six hours methionine starvation is about 1 3 of the total rRNA present, we conclude that only ribosomes formed during exponential growth are able to bind normal val-tRNA. Two possible explanations concerning the inability of rRNA synthesized during methionine starvation to function normally in the binding of the normal val-tRNAs are suggested.
Privacy policies of the largest privately held companies: a review and analysis of the forbes private 50

This study reviews the Internet privacy policies of the 50 largest privately held companies in the US as identified by Forbes magazine. The study builds on work of prior researchers who analyzed popular and random e-commerce websites. In this study, the websites of privately held firms were reviewed and analyzed for the inclusion of the Federal Trade Commission's Fair Information Practices as well as a series of other consumer-centered factors. A comparison was also made between the policies of largest US publicly traded companies and the privately held companies. Overall the study finds that privately held companies do not demonstrate consistency in following Fair Information Practices or consumer-centered Internet policies. Also, the 50 largest privately held companies are generally less likely to publicly reveal their policies relative to Fair Information Practices or consumer-centered policies than the 50 largest publicly held companies. This is due to a large extent to lack of any privacy policies for many privately held companies. If only those companies with privacy policies are analyzed, two factors show significant differences between public and private company privacy policies.
Professionalism and the behavior of procurement managers

Abstract This study revealed that increased professional status restricted rather than expanded the role of purchasing agents in the industrial buying process, and led to their use of rule-evading tactics in resolving buying conflicts with engineering and production scheduling.
Effect of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (isolate ATCC VR-2385) infection on bactericidal activity of porcine pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs): in vitro comparisons with pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs)

Porcine pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) were recovered by in situ pulmonary vascular perfusion with 0.025% collagenase in saline from six 8-week old, crossbred pigs. Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) were recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage from the same pigs for comparisons in each assay. The macrophages were exposed to PRRSV (ATCC VR-2385) in vitro for 24 h and infection was confirmed by an indirect immunofluorescence test or transmission electron microscopy. Viral particles tended to accumulate in the vesicles of the Golgi apparatus or endoplasmic reticulum. Bactericidal function assays were performed on the recovered macrophages to determine the effects of the virus on macrophage functions. In vitro PRRSV infection reduced the bactericidal ability of PIMs from 68.3% to 56.4% (P 0.1) at 24 h post-infection. The mean percentage of bacteria killed by macrophages after PRRSV infection was not significantly different among the treatment groups or between the treatment groups and non-infected controls based on colorimetric MTT bactericidal (Staphylococcus aureus) assay. PRRSV did not affect the ability of PIMs or PAMs to internalize opsonized 125I-iododeoxyuridine-labeled S. aureus (P > 0.05). PRRSV infection significantly decreased the production of superoxide anion (P < 0.01) by 67.0% in PIMs and by 69.4% in PAMs. PRRSV reduced the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-halide product (P < 0.01) by 36.5% for PIMs and by 48.1% for PAMs. The results suggest: (1) PIMs should be considered as an important replication site of PRRSV; (2) PRRSV may have a detrimental effect on both PIMs and PAMs; (3) loss of bactericidal function in PIMs may facilitate hematogenous bacterial infections.
Near-wall turbulent characteristics along very long thin circular cylinders

Abstract Understanding the salient physics within the turbulent boundary layer of towed thin cylinders is paramount to the Navy sonar array communities. However, the required long array length to achieve wide acoustic aperture creates unique and consistent flow characteristics that suggest simplified tangential forcing expressions suitable for design purposes. One well-known fact is that the majority of the array surface experiences very thick turbulent boundary layers (TBL) and large Reynolds numbers. The resultant statistics are most commonly dependent on the inner and outer length scales. Herein, we resolve the near-wall TBL structure under those flow conditions by large-eddy simulation. The turbulent mean-flow statistics showed near-wall consistency using only inner scaling. But both inner and outer variables were found necessary to properly scale the turbulent fluctuations. An expression for the tangential wall-friction coefficient (Ct) indicates two distinct flow regimes as characterized by the near-wall turbulent flow structure. The respective parameters appear independent of the outer length scale. Thickening (or thinning) the cylinder near their common threshold (defined by a radius-based Reynolds number) transitioned the turbulent character between the two regimes.
Evaluation of risk factors in the development of enterocolitis complicating Hirschsprung's disease

Enterocolitis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Forty-one (30%) of 135 patients treated for HD from 1975 to 1992 developed enterocolitis; enterocolitis occured preoperatively in 25. It was a presenting feature in 17 infants, including 11 neonates. The proportion of patients presenting with enterocolitis in the neonatal period increased with advancing age, 6 (11%) out of 56 presenting within the 1st week and 5 (24%) out of 21 after 1 week. Episodes of enterocolitis continued in 7 of these 25 patients after a pull-through procedure. Sixteen patients had a first episode of enterocolitis after surgery: 3 after a colostomy, and 13 after a pull-through procedure. The incidence of enterocolitis was 28% in patients with rectosigmoid involvement and 38% in patients with long-segment or total colonic aganglionosis (P= 0.1). Enterocolitis occured in 8 (47%) of 17 patients with trisomy 21 as compared to 33 of 118 (28%) other patients (P= 0.1). Four of the 41 patients died as a result of enterocolitis, 3 in the neonatal period after a colostomy performed at a mean age of 22 days, although the symptoms suggestive of HD were present since birth. Prompt diagnosis and expeditious management are necessary in patients with HD.
Preservice teachers' struggle to transfer metacognitive processes from their integrated mathematics and science methods classes to their field classrooms

Abstract This study determined the extent to which preservice teachers used metacognitive lessons and prompts when teaching science and mathematics to kindergarten and first‐grade children. Twenty‐eight preservice teachers taught 10 mathematics and/or science lessons to various classes of kindergarten and first‐grade children. Their children used journaling to record the procedures, observations, conclusions, and reflections employed during the lesson. Most journal entries were used to record content while some were used to reflect on the meaning of the activities. The findings are discussed in terms of preservice teachers’ apparent difficulties in applying in their field settings what they have learned in their methods courses.
A partial characterization of human fibroblast plasma membranes isolated by the fluorescein mercuric acetate method of Barland and Schroeder.

Abstract Plasma membranes were isolated from cultured human fibroblasts by the method of Barland and Schroeder [Barland, P., and Schroeder, L.A. (1970) J. Cell Biol.45, 662–668.]. The proteins of the membrane preparations were separated on a specially adapted polyacrylamide gel system employing acetic acid and urea. In this nondetergent system, approximately 40 protein bands can be resolved with a relatively high degree of clarity. Analyses of phosphorus content and of the retention of 32P revealed a selective loss of phospholipids from the membranes during their isolation. The level of total sialic acids in the isolated surface membranes of growing cells was found to be greater than that for confluent cultures of fibroblasts (15.1 ± 2.8 vs 6.4 ± 0.79 SE nmol/mg of protein). Electron microscopic and other studies indicate a need for caution concerning the size of yields obtained by this method of plasma membrane isolation.
The statistics of quantifiable homeostasis I. Simple linear homeostasis

The statistical properties are explored of the least-squares estimators of the parameters of a deterministic linear model for homeostasis with random, normally distributed technical errors. The parameters are: the amplitude of perturbation (A), the homing value (H), the restoration constant (B), and the lag time (L). The former two, although important in their own right, tell us nothing about the processes of biologic restitution and are thus considered “nuisance” parameters; the latter two are the “business” parameters, which tell us about the processes of biologic adjustment. The properties studied include bias and precision and their relationships to the number of data points and to the size of the technical error. Efforts have been concentrated on data points equally spaced over six lag times (which corresponds roughly to the period of observation used in loading studies, such as glucose tolerance tests). The distributions of these four estimators are studied in sets of 100 Monte Carlo simulations, each with 15, 30, and 100 data points, respectively. The estimators are virtually unbiased and all statisfactorily close to Gaussian. The residual mean-square errors (the divisor being four less than the number of data points, since four parameters are estimated) seem to be unbiased estimators of the variances of the errors. Moreover, when suitably scaled, the residual sums of squares have distributions close to the chi-square distribution for the appropriate degrees of freedom and with the corresponding means and variances. The correlations among the estimators are modest and, except where A is involved, small.
Facilitation of sexual receptivity in the rat by an ovulation-inhibiting analog of LHRH.

Abstract An LHRH analog known to inhibit ovulation the rat ([N-Ac-Phe 1 , D-p-Cl-Phe 2 , D-Trp 3,6 ]LHRH) was tested for its effects on sexual receptivity. The dose of 500 ng/rat was found in dose-response experiments to be most active and was further investigated for its behavioral effects in rats treated with either estrogen or estrogen plus progesterone. The analog significantly facilitated the behavior of rats in regimens producing low [estradiol benzoat (EB) (2μg)] and intermediate [EB (2 μg) plus progesterone (2.5 mg)] levels of sexual behavior. In rats given regimens producing high behavioral scores [EB (5 μg) plus progesterone (1 mg)], the peptide did not reduce mating behavior. In the same experiment, rats given EB (5 μg) but not progesterone showed significantly higher scores after the LHRH analog only if they had been designated ”responders” by a previous screening test with 1 μg LHRH. These results demonstrate that in animals showing low, intermediate, or high levels of sexual behavior, the LHRH analog can affect mating behavior in a direction quite different from that exerted on pituitary reproductive functions.
Evaluation of rate constants for conformational transitions using single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy

We develop formulae for translating single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopic data into estimates of the rate constants for slow conformational transitions between two states with different lifetimes of the fluorescent probe. These rate constants cannot be determined separately from the bulk experiment.
On the Mechanism of 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate Synthase†

5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase catalyzes the condensation of shikimate 3-phosphate (S3P) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to form EPSP, a precursor for the aromatic amino acids. This paper examines a recent claim [Studelska, D. R., McDowell, L. M., Espe, M. P., Klug, C. A., and Schaefer, J. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 15555−15560] that the mechanism of EPSP synthase involves two covalent enzyme−intermediates, in complete contrast to a large body of literature that has already proven the involvement of a single noncovalent intermediate. The evidence in the paper of Studelska et al. is examined closely, and unequivocal proof is provided that those authors' NMR assignments to covalent structures are in error, and that in fact the species they observed were simply the product EPSP and a side-product EPSP ketal. Since those authors used rotational-echo double-resonance (REDOR) solid-state NMR to measure intermolecular and intramolecular distances in the proposed covalent intermediates, we have use...
Ethical issues in the management of dysphagia after stroke.

When patients have severe dysphagia after a stroke, tube feeding may be recommended to reduce the risks associated with malnutrition, dehydration, and/or aspiration. Patients may not be able to participate in decision making, but they may have previously expressed strong preferences related to tube feeding. Clinicians must work together with the family to establish a treatment plan that is respectful of the person’s previous wishes, yet mindful of the flaws in advance care planning. Although ethical issues cannot be avoided, clinicians can reduce uncertainty by understanding current ethical and legal views on these challenging issues.
Decision models for management of cogeneration plants

This work focusses on the development of modelling tools for optimal energy management in an industrial/commercial setting having cogeneration plants. Both cases of gas and steam turbine-based cogeneration plants are taken into consideration. A scheduling tool is also built into this model to help in scheduling of multi-interval shiftable loads with variable amplitude load profiles. >
Importance of complex traits

Genetic studies of complex traits have yielded limited success. Yet it is important to study these complex traits since they represent major public health burden. Here I discuss the reasons for the difficulties and provide some successes as examples. Although no single approach is optimal for all traits, family-based linkage methods followed by association methods have been most successful in identifying susceptibility genes for complex traits. With use of quantitative traits, these studies are designed to identify susceptibility genes that confer smaller effects. Large population-based epidemiologic studies, on the other hand, are better suited for characterization of genes. In sum, it is important to choose an optimal study design for the hypothesis of interest and apply multiple integrated approaches. Keywords: complex traits; genetic architecture; study design; linkage; linkage disequilibrium; endophenotype
Religion as True: Disclosure of a World

Following Heidegger along the way in which the question of the meaning of being is raised anew with the dissolution of any sort of transcendent-transcendental world, thinking is immediately confronted with questions concerning truth and the corollary subjects of world and meaning. Traditionally, the locus of truth has been found in assertions (judgments), and the essence of truth (i.e., how truth manifests itself) in the agreement of the assertion with its “object”, i.e., the “true” world, however construed (ideas, sense-data, the divine plan of God, the plan of reason, etc.). Meaningful and true knowledge was therefore obtained through a correct orientation to that “true” world. Now, however, at the end of philosophy and onto-theo-logy, that “true” world dissolves before the suspicion that assertion is exactly that — assertion, of the will to power and permanence that decides what is really in being and hence what is justified as the correct orientation toward the world. Truth as adequation becomes an exercise in justification of one’s own stance vis a vis the world, a world that has become nothing more than what can be justified for securing the permanence of the will to power.
Harnessing Innovation for Change: Sustainability and Poverty in Developing Countries

To date, a well-developed business perspective on how to promote sustainability for those in poverty is sorely lacking. For sustainability enhancing innovations in developing countries, poverty presents unique challenges. In this paper, we argue that if sustainability enhancing innovations introduced in developing countries are to stick, they need to be designed with local customers, networks, and business ecosystems in mind. We illustrate this view using case examples from mobile telephony, fuel efficient stoves, clean drinking water, and household electrification. Our paper underscores the need for today's managers to understand poverty as an integral part of the sustainability nexus and the new international business equation.
Hydrochlorothiazide-induced pulmonary edema and associated immunologic changes

OBJECTIVE:To describe a patient with noncardiogenic acute pulmonary edema induced by hydrochlorothiazide and to investigate the possible involvement of an immunologic mechanism in this adverse reaction.CASE SUMMARY:A 66-year-old Hispanic woman developed acute pulmonary edema 30 minutes after the ingestion of one tablet of triamterene 75 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg. The reaction was associated with hemoconcentration; a decreased white blood cell count with a shift to a predominance of polymorphonuclear cells; decreased serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1, and IgG4; and increased serum IgM and complement 3 concentrations.DISCUSSION:Although there have been 35 reports of cases of hydrochlorothiazide-induced pulmonary edema, the etiology of this adverse reaction remains unknown. The observations presented in this case report, along with commonalities with previously reported cases, suggest that granulocytic infiltration into the lungs and IgG deposition in alveolar membranes may play a role in hydrochlorothiaz...