cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High Yield Purification of a Four Subunit caa3-Type Cytochrome Oxidase from the Thermophilic Bacterium Bacillus PS3 Using Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography

Abstract The thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus PS3, was grown in a vigorously aerated nutrient broth at 65°C with 100 mM glutamic acid serving as a supplemental carbon and nitrogen source, These growth conditions resulted in membranes highly enriched in cytochrome c oxidase (COX) [23.32 ± 4.32 nmol heme a /g of cells ( n = 5)], which is nearly a threefold higher concentration of COX (heme caa 3 -type) than previously reported for this organism, A new high-yield purification of COX was performed by extracting the bacterial membranes with Triton X-100 (7 mg/mg protein), followed by ion-exchange fast liquid protein chromatography using a QAE (trimethyl ammonium) resin with subsequent hydroxyapatite chromatography and ammonium sulfate fractionation. This purification regime resulted in a 16% yield of cytochrome c oxidase with 20 mg of pure caa 3 -type COX (13 nmol heme a /mg protein) isolated from 100 g of cells, SDS-PAGE showed that the isolated enzyme had four subunits with apparent M r of 68, 38, 23, and 13 kDa, In addition, a new 34-kDa peptide was also detected in this preparation, which may represent the ORF1 gene product for this organism, Subunit II ( M r = 38 M) of the isolated enzyme was shown to contain covalently bound heme c by using both heme-staining of SDS-PAGE and immunoreactivity with an anti-cytochrome c antibody. The purified enzyme also exhibited high electron transfer activity (340 s −1 ) when assayed at pH 6.5 in the presence of the nonionic detergent, β-dodecyl maltoside.
Cytology of the spleen

Fine-needle aspiration of the spleen is a useful method for evaluation of reactive, inflammatory, and neoplastic disorders, particularly those that involve the hematopoietic system. Interpretation of splenic aspirates is enhanced by concurrent evaluation of blood and other hemic tissues.
Gene Regulation and Function: It's Rocking Science

Summary A symposium entitled "Gene regulation and function in health and diseases" took place in September in celebration of Richard Flavell's 60 th birthday and his contribution to science.
Experimental and theoretical studies on group 1 metallacarboranes: Synthesis, structure and ab initio calculations of the NMR chemical shifts of the 1-(THF)-1-(TMEDA)-1-Na-2,4-(SiMe3)2-2,4-C2B4H5 and related carboranes

Abstract The reaction of gaseous HCl with either the disodium or dilithium compound of the [nido-2,4-(SiMe3)2-2,4-C2B4H4]2− dianion (I) in 1:1 stoichiometry in THF produced the monoprotonated species 1-Na(THF)2-2,4-(SiMe3)2-2,4-C2B4H5 (II) or 1-Li(THF)2-2,4-(SiMe3)2-2,4-C2B4H5 (III), in 81% and 80% yields, respectively. This method proved superior to that involving the direct reduction of the closo-C2B4 carborane by metal hydrides. II and III were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H, 11B and 13C NMR and IR spectra. Compound II was recrystallized from a mixture THF, hexane and TMEDA (1:2:1) to isolate colorless crystals of the mixed solvated species, 1-(THF)-1-(TMEDA)-1-Na-2,4-(SiMe3)2-2,4-C2B4H5 (IV), which were subsequently used for X-ray diffraction studies. The structure of IV showed that the capping metal occupied the apical position above the open C2B3 face of the carborane and that a hydrogen atom was bridging the two adjacent boron atoms on that face. The 11B and 13C NMR spectra calculated by GIAO (gauge independent atomic orbital) methods at the 6-311G** level on the B3LYP/6-31G* optimized geometries of I–III, and a number of related nido- and closo-carboranes, gave excellent agreement with experiment, even in compounds where electron correlation effects are known to be important.
Progress and challenges in psychosocial and behavioral research in cancer in the twentieth century.

Research in the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of cancer has shown steady growth since the 1950s, and its course of development has paralleled the history of medical techniques in treating cancer. Table 1 outlines this parallel evolution from the 1850s to the 1960s. The roles of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in spearheading and nurturing research in this area are documented. Interest in psychooncologic questions can be traced back for centuries to the search for etiologic factors and psychologic variables that would explain individual vulnerability to cancer (Table 2). The first psychologic studies of cancer patients were reported in 1951 and 1952 from the Massachusetts General Hospital and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, respectively. The 1970s saw new interest in psychosocial and behavioral research (Table 3) with many issues being addressed for the first time: better care of the terminally ill through more humanistic approaches including better means of pain control; ethical concerns related to patient rights and their status as subjects in experimental protocols; trying to measure quality of life for cancer patients on protocols; seeing the need for multidisciplinary collaborative groups to make up for the absence of formal training in this area; and the need to design valid, accurate measuring scales specific to the symptomology of patients with cancer. Table 4 outlines how the 1980s gave increasing recognition and support to the psychosocial dimensions of cancer. This period produced a series of key conferences that examined a broad research and education perspective and produced recommendations that remain a benchmark in regard to instrumentation, conceptual models, pitfalls of psychosocial research, training, and education, and the organization of research efforts (Tables 5, 6, 7, and 8). New precision has been added to the field in the past 6 years: studies measuring concurrent psychologic, endocrine, and immune function; use of statistical modeling to incorporate quality of life data as a correction factor in survival data (TWiST and QALY); and broadened definitions of medical outcome to include functional status, thus allowing advances in psychiatric measurements to help answer questions in cancer. The challenges for the 1990s are identified in a summary in Table 9. Especially noteworthy is the observation that the comprehensive research needed today cannot be carried out by any one discipline alone. New approaches call for areas of the social sciences formerly inactive in cancer research (e.g., anthropology) to contribute the tools and expertise required to address the problems.
A complete conformational map for RNA.

Abstract A simple stereochemical framework for understanding RNA structure has remained elusive to date. We present a comprehensive conformational map for two nucleoside-5′,3′-diphosphates and for a truncated dinucleotide derived from a grid search of all potential conformers using hard sphere steric exclusion criteria to define allowed conformers. The eight-dimensional conformational space is presented as a series of two-dimensional projections. These projections reveal several well-defined allowed and disallowed regions which correlate well with data obtained from X-ray crystallography of both large and small RNA molecules. Furthermore, the two-dimensional projections show that consecutive and ribose ring-proximal torsion angles are interdependent, while more distant torsion angles are not. Remarkably, using steric criteria alone, it is possible to generate a predictive conformational map for RNA.
An overview of the analytic hierarchy process and its applications

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a theory of measurement for dealing with quantifiable a n d / o r intangible criteria that has found rich applications in decision theory, conflict resolution and in models of the brain. It is based on the principle that, to make decisions, experience and knowledge of people is at least as valuable as the data they use. Decision applications of the AHP are carried out in two phases: hierarchic design and evaluation. The design of hierarchies requires experience and knowledge of the problem area. Two decision makers would normally structure two different hierarchies of the same problem. Thus a hierarchy is not unique. On the other hand, even when two people design the same hierarchy, their preferences may yield different courses of action. However, a group of people can work together to reach consensus on both the hierarchy (design) and on the judgments and their synthesis (evaluation). The evaluation phase is based on the concept of paired comparisons. The elements in a level of the hierarchy are compared in relative terms as to their importance or contribution to a given criterion that occupies the level immediately above the elements being compared. This process of comparison yields a relative scale of measurement of the priorities or weights of the elements. That is, the scale measures the relative standing of the elements with respect to a criterion independently of any other criterion or element that may be considered for comparison. These relative weights sum to unity. The comparisons are performed for
Cyclin D1 expression is dependent on estrogen receptor function in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells

The development of resistance to tamoxifen, the most common antiestrogen used in the treatment of breast cancer, is a frequent and severe clinical problem. Tamoxifen-resistant tumors are still capable of responding to other hormonal therapies such as those that downregulate estrogen receptor expression. Mechanisms leading to acquisition of tamoxifen-resistant but hormone-sensitive growth are not completely understood. In tamoxifen-sensitive breast cancer cells, tamoxifen inhibits, whereas estrogen induces, expression of cyclin D1, a key cell cycle regulatory protein. Ectopic expression of cyclin D1 can lead to antiestrogen resistance. Thus, to determine whether cyclin D1 is involved in the growth of tamoxifen-resistant cells, we developed several tamoxifen-resistant variants from MCF-7 cells. These variants grow in the absence of estrogen or in the presence of tamoxifen, but their growth is inhibited by estrogen receptor downregulators. We show here that cyclin D1 expression is maintained at comparable levels in all tamoxifen-resistant variants, whereas pS2, another estrogen-regulated protein, is not. The addition of physiological levels of estrogen further stimulates cyclin D1 expression and proliferation. In contrast, treatment with estrogen receptor downregulators decreases cyclin D1 expression and proliferation. Thus, changes in cyclin D1 expression upon second-line hormonal therapy may predict hormonal sensitivity of tamoxifen-resistant tumors. These studies suggest that estrogen receptor mediates cyclin D1 expression and growth of tamoxifen-resistant tumors.
Least-squares fit analysis program for the evaluation of spatially resolved x-ray spectra from tokamak plasmas

A least-squares fit analysis program is being developed for the study of spatially resolved x-ray spectra from tokamak plasmas. The program, written in interactive data language, can handle analysis of spectra from multiple sightlines through the plasma and compare the experimental data with a least-square fit of synthetic spectra, which are constructed from atomic modeling codes. The input parameters such as shot numbers, time groups, spatial range, spectral lines to fit and fitting parameters can be entered interactively through a graphical user interface or automatically via a script. The output consists of graphical presentations of the obtained spectral fits and fit parameter profiles as a function of time, including ion and electron temperature profiles, which are of particular interest. Output can also be sent to any open database connectivity compliant database. The features of the program are demonstrated with the analysis of the spectra of helium-like ArXVII, which were obtained with a new x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer.
Neuroinformatics Database (NiDB) – A Modular, Portable Database for the Storage, Analysis, and Sharing of Neuroimaging Data

We present a modular, high performance, open-source database system that incorporates popular neuroimaging database features with novel peer-to-peer sharing, and a simple installation. An increasing number of imaging centers have created a massive amount of neuroimaging data since fMRI became popular more than 20 years ago, with much of that data unshared. The Neuroinformatics Database (NiDB) provides a stable platform to store and manipulate neuroimaging data and addresses several of the impediments to data sharing presented by the INCF Task Force on Neuroimaging Datasharing, including 1) motivation to share data, 2) technical issues, and 3) standards development. NiDB solves these problems by 1) minimizing PHI use, providing a cost effective simple locally stored platform, 2) storing and associating all data (including genome) with a subject and creating a peer-to-peer sharing model, and 3) defining a sample, normalized definition of a data storage structure that is used in NiDB. NiDB not only simplifies the local storage and analysis of neuroimaging data, but also enables simple sharing of raw data and analysis methods, which may encourage further sharing.
Evaporation of droplets at small reynolds numbers

Abstract Hexadecane droplets, 150 microns in diameter and smaller, evaporating in various constant air velocities at droplet Reynolds numbers less than 7 were found to evaporate according to two patterns depending mainly upon the velocity of the air stream. The droplets fitting one pattern evaporated so that the change of surface area with time was constant, as existing theory predicts for evaporation of drops in still air, even though the air velocity was as great as 85 cm./sec. Those fitting the other pattern evaporated at two different, constant rates with a sharp change from the greater to the lesser rate as each of the droplets diminished in size. The data indicate that evaporation of droplets showing a single evaporation rate was controlled by a concentration boundary layer predicted theoretically by others. They suggest that the droplets evaporating with two evaporation rates evaporated from boundary layers, also, with the first or higher evaporation rate possibly controlled by the boundary layer which exists adjacent to any fixed surface in a moving fluid owing to the viscosity of the fluid.
Influence of a genetically modified endophytic bacterium on composition and decomposition of corn residue

Abstract I have determined whether the presence of an endophytic bacterium alters the chemical properties of inoculated plants and compared decomposition of colonized residues with control residues in soil. Greenhouse-grown corn (Zea mays L.) plants (18 days old) were inoculated with either the endophytic bacteria Clavibacter xyli subsp. cynodontis (MDE1) or a genetically engineered construction of C. xyli subsp. cynodontis which was transformed by inserting a gene encoding for production of a δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (MDR1.3). Leaves and stalks were harvested at maturity and various chemical and physical properties analyzed. In addition, leaf and stalk residues were incorporated into soil to determine the extent of their decomposition in a 63 day laboratory incubation study. Leaf residues from plants inoculated with MDR1.3 retained significantly more water than did those inoculated with buffer or MDE1. Leaves of inoculated plants contained significantly more C than did stalks of inoculated plants. Soluble proteins were the major contributors to the C content of leaves, whereas, soluble carbohydrates were predominant in the stalks. Inoculation with either MDR1.3 or MDE1 appeared to increase the quantity of N present in all plant parts. During early stages, leaf residues contained more readily decomposable substrates than did stalk residues. Leaves from plants inoculated with buffer decomposed significantly more after 63 days than those from plants inoculated with MDE1 or MDR1.3. In contrast, corn stalks inoculated with MDR1.3 decomposed significantly more than those inoculated with buffer or MDE1. Over the 63 day incubation ca 33% of the corn residues were decomposed. Although the presence of the endophytes, MDE1 and MDR1.3, during plant growth had some influence on chemical and physical properties of the residues, the extent of residue decomposition in soil (CO2 evolved in 63 days) was not substantially different.
The correlation between the expression of differentiation markers in rat small intestinal mucosa and the transcript levels of schlafen 3.

Numerous intracellular signals have been shown to influence small intestinal epithelial differentiation in response to certain stimuli. These include the Notch pathway,1 epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor α (TGF-α), and TGF-β.2 Understanding the signals by which enterocytic differentiation is governed is important because abnormalities of enterocytic differentiation are a key part of mucosal atrophy after long-term fasting or starvation.3,4 Furthermore, enterocytic differentiation may represent an important and novel pharmacologic target to promote small bowel mucosal function in short gut syndrome.5 Schlafen 3 (Slfn3) may be of particular interest. In rat IEC-6 enterocytes in vitro, Slfn3 appears to be necessary for enterocytic differentiation in response to an array of diverse stimuli, including, at the least, TGF-β, repetitive deformation, and sodium butyrate.6 The schlafen family of proteins regulates a range of biological processes, including differentiation, tumorigenesis, and apoptosis in hematopoetic and epithelial cells.7–9 Slfn3 is a member of this family and is expressed in the intestinal mucosa, liver, and lungs.10 In vitro, the expression of Slfn3 in rat IEC-6 intestinal cells correlates with the terminally differentiated state of enterocytes because Slfn3 suppression reduces cell differentiation.6 Colonic cell lines such as Caco-2 are frequently used to model small intestinal epithelial biology in vitro,11,12 and “differentiation” becomes a moving target depending on the cell line, environment, stimuli, and end points under study. Although the normal colonic epithelium in vivo is certainly elaborately differentiated, normal colonocytes differ markedly from small bowel enterocytes in many ways, including the activity of glutamine synthetase13 and the sensitivity of alkaline phosphatase14 to mutagens15 and its resistance to apoptosis.16 We hypothesized that Slfn3 expression would differ between normal rat small intestinal mucosa and normal rat colonic mucosa, that these differences would correlate with differences in the expression of conventional markers of enterocytic differentiation, and that the pattern of intestinal expression of Slfn3 would differ from that of other schlafen proteins. To test these hypotheses, we compared Slfn3 expression with variations in the transcript and protein level of villin, sucrase iso-maltase (SI), glucose transporter type 2 (Glut2), and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (Dpp4), as well as with differences in the specific activity of the Dpp4 enzyme. In further studies, we directly assessed the effects of specific overexpression of Slfn3 in IEC-6 cells using an adenoviral expression system.
Coming Face to Face with Disability: Human Resource Managers' Perspectives

Abstract Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) members were surveyed to determine what advice they would give to job seekers who have disabilities. Six disability categories were used: physical, learning, auditory, visual, chronic, and “other.” Although the majority of respondents favored direct disclosure of a disability at or after the employment interview, a sizable minority recommended indirect disclosure prior to the interview. SHRM members were also asked to assess their organization's environment as it relates to people with disabilities. Respondents perceived that their organizations provide a supportive working environment for people with disabilities.
Characterization of a two-phase flow field downstream of a 3x-scale gas turbine co-axial, counter-swirling, combustor dome swirl cup

Both the droplets and continuous phase (gas in the presence of the droplets) downstream of a 3x model combustor dome swirl cup are characterized in the absence of reaction. Continuous-phase and droplet velocities as well as droplet size were measured using phase Doppler interferometry. The measurements reveal that: (1) at the exit plane of the swirl cup assembly, more uniform and finer droplets are produced relative to the atomizer alone; (2) both the continuous phase and the droplets recirculate; (3) the location at which droplets join the recirculation is correlated with droplet size; and (4) significant slip velocities between the continuous phase and the droplets reflect a strong momentum exchange between the phases. 12 refs.
Energy futures and green chemistry: competing for carbon

Global energy demand is expected to increase from the current 400 ExaJ per year to as much as 700–1,000 ExaJ per year by the middle of this century. If fossil carbon resources continue to make up the bulk of the energy supply, not only will atmospheric carbon dioxide increase to levels not seen for the past 30–35 million years, but depleting fossil carbon resources will become increasingly less available for other purposes, particularly the production of chemicals on which society now depends. The chemical process industries are heavily dependent on the availability of low-price petroleum as a feedstock. Recent life-cycle analyses suggest that pursuing both strategies of renewable energy sources and renewable feedstocks (i.e. biomass) will be required to meet these competing demands. Reducing the global use of both energy and manufactured chemicals will be a challenge for sustainable development. Education of the next generation of chemists and chemical engineers will have to change significantly from its current emphasis on petrochemical-based manufacturing to include a much greater emphasis on renewable resources and bio-based processes.
Temperature and hydrostatic pressure effects on gelatinase activity of a Vibrio sp. and partially purified gelatinase

The production of gelatinase by psychrophilic Vibrio sp. and its subsequent activity were shown to be maximal at 24°C (the highest growth temperature for the organism) and pH 8.8. Hydrostatic pressure caused a decrease in cells' gelatinase production and activity. Gelatinase, partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography, demonstrated optimal activity at 40°C and pH 9.3. In the absence of NaCl, no activity was observed while optimal activity occurred at 4.0% NaCl concentration. A greater decrease in activity was caused by hydrostatic pressure at 25°C than at 40°C.
A Failed Initiative Democracy Has Spoken—Or Has It?

This case is developed for use in classes in which key ideas related to democracy, accountability, inclusion, finances, and social justice are introduced. It could be useful in a course on school reform or on democratic leadership. Although the case is fictional, it is a composite in which all events and information provided are “real.” The intent here is to help educational leaders think carefully about what constitutes democratic leadership, democratic processes, and democratic outcomes while being aware of the challenges of addressing the needs of minoritized groups without essentializing or pathologizing them.
Effects of Ultrahigh Temperature Steam Injection Processing on Composition of Carbonyls in Milk Fat

Abstract Raw whole milk was processed by a No-Bac Unitherm IV System (Cherry Burrell Corporation) modified to allow steam injection heating followed by vacuum cooling. Milk was processed at 140.5°C for 4.4s, vacuum cooled to 74°C, and indirectly cooled to approximately 4°C. Raw and ultrahigh temperature milk samples were centrifuged to obtain milk fat, which then was extracted with carbonyl-free hexane. After reaction of carbonyls with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, concentrations were estimated for total carbonyls, total monocarbonyls, and methyl ketones. Thin layer and gas chromatography identified individual monocarbonyl compounds as their dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives. Ultrahigh temperature milk samples showed an average decrease in total carbonyls of 11.2% compared to raw milk.Monocarbonyl concentration showed an average overall decrease after processing. Analysis with gas-liquid and thin layer chromatography indicated relative qualitative and quantitative changes in methyl ketones and saturated aldehydes. Both raw and ultrahigh temperature samples contained acetone, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, 2-hexanone, and in some cases 2-heptanone. Gas-liquid chromatography of raw samples indicated the saturated aldehydes with 1, 3, 4, 5, and 9 carbons as well as some longer chain aldehydes. Thin layer chromatography confirmed propanal, butanal, and longer chain aldehydes. Gas-liquid chromatography analysis of ultrahigh temperature samples indicated saturated aldehydes with 1 to 10 carbons as well as some longer chain aldehydes, and thin layer chromatography analysis confirmed propanal, butanal, nonanal, and some longer chain aldehydes. Acetaldehyde, hexanal, heptanal, octanal, and nonanal appeared to be heat-induced.
INSTABILITY ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSITION FROM BUBBLING TO JETTING IN A GAS INJECTED INTO A LIQUID

Abstract Submerged gas injection into liquids is a widely applied processing technique. At low gas flow rates, a bubble plume forms in the liquid. With increasing gas flow rates, the gas bubbles in the plume coalesce and a gas jet is formed. Transition from bubbling to jetting occurs in the transonic region. To date, there is no sufficient theoretical explanation for this transition. In this paper, a basic theory is developed to explain the transition from bubbling to jetting. The instability of a circular compressible gas jet in a liquid was studied. For the axisymmetric mode, it was found that there is a peak growth rate for both the temporal and spatial instabilities when the Mach number approaches unity. The instability quickly reduces to vanishing values at supersonic gas velocities. However, in the supersonic region, it was shown that the helical instability mode may become important. Gas pressure perturbations have a destabilizing effect in the subsonic region but a stabilizing effect in the supersonic region. The problem of absolute instability was studied in order to explain the physical phenomenon of the transition from bubbling to jetting. Absolute instability was found in the subsonic region and a gas jet always breaks up into bubbles in the subsonic region. No absolute instability was found in the supersonic region, and the gas jet may remain stable. This transition from absolute to non-absolute instability occurs in the transonic region which was observed to be the transition from bubbling to jetting.
Ultrasensitive fiber optic sensors and their applications

In this paper, a brief review on ultrasensitive fiber optic sensors and their applications, done recently at Penn State, is presented. Our discussions will mainly focus on two types of highly sensitive fiber optic sensors. One type is based on the combination of single resonant band long period gratings (LPGs) with the second refractive index matched polymer cladding layer. The other one is based on the LPGs fabricated in photonic nanostructured fibers and waveguides. It is found that a significantly increased sensitivity (two order plus) can be achieved by harnessing these approaches, which will benefit a variety of applications, in particular, low concentration chemical/biological agents detection.
Radiative interactions between absorbing- emitting and flowing media with internal energy generation.

Radiative interactions between absorbing-emitting and flowing media with internal energy generation
THE RECOVERY OF TESTES AFTER ANDROGEN INDUCED INHIBITION

IN 1932, MOORE AND PRICE (1) showed that the administration of an androgenic extract of bull testes to immature rats had an inhibitory effect on the testes. The same effect wasobtained by these workers with crystalline androsterone (2), testosterone (3) and testosterone propionate (3). The “grave retardation and injury to the testes of young normal males” thus obtained consisted of gross decrease in size of the testes, reduction in the size ofthe tubules, sloughing of cells into the lumen and delay in the development of complete spermatogenesis. Similar findings were reported by Sainton, Simonnet and Petresco (4). While no statement was made as to the after effects of this treatment on the testes, the casual inference was that the damage would be permanent. It seemed pertinent to repeat this work in part and to observe the possible effect of this early treatment on later adult testicular function.
Coupled vibrations of rectangular buildings subjected to normally-incident random wind loads

Abstract A method for analyzing the three-directional coupled dynamic response of wind-excited buildings is presented. The method is based on a random vibration concept and is parallel to those currently used for analyzing alongwind response. Only the buildings with rectangular cross-section and normally-incident wind are considered. The alongwind pressures and their correlations are represented by the well-known expressions that are available in the literature. The acrosswind forces are assumed to be mainly due to vortex shedding. The torque acting on the building is taken as the sum of the torque due to random alongwind forces plus the torque due to asymmetric acrosswind forces. The study shows the following: (1) amplitude of acrosswind vibrations can be several times greater than that of alongwind vibrations; (2) torsional vibrations are significant if the building has large frontal width, and/or it is asymmetric, and/or its torsional natural frequency is low; (3) even a perfectly symmetric structure with normally incident wind can experience significant torsional vibrations due to the randomness of wind pressures.
Analysis of Sign Damage and Failure: Utah Case Study

Since the establishment of minimum retroreflectivity levels, agencies and researchers alike have focused on determining the service life of different sheeting type and color combinations. Although deterioration curves and measured retroreflectivity are viable methods for maintaining retroreflectivity compliance, they do not ensure that a traffic sign will convey its intended message. Retroreflectivity efficiency ensures only visibility but does not properly describe the legibility of the sign. In 2011, a data collection effort was conducted by researchers at Utah State University to assess the performance of traffic signs under the Utah Department of Transportation's (DOT) jurisdiction. At its completion, 1,716 traffic signs had been recorded. The researchers determined that the sample sign population was 93% compliant with the minimum retroreflectivity levels. Even though the majority of traffic signs were performing above the minimum retroreflectivity levels, 28% were so damaged that the legibility of t...
Effects of truncating van der Waals interactions in lipid bilayer simulations.

In membrane simulations, it is known that truncating electrostatic interactions results in artificial ordering of lipids at the truncation distance. However, less attention has been paid to the effect of truncating van der Waals (VDW) interactions. Since the VDW potential decays as r−6, it is frequently neglected beyond a cutoff of around 1 nm. In some cases, analytical dispersion corrections appropriate for isotropic systems are applied to the pressure and the potential energy. In this work, we systematically study the effect of truncating VDW interactions at different cutoffs in 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine bilayers with the Berger force field. We show that the area per lipid decreases systematically when the VDW cutoff (rc) increases. This dependence persists even when dispersion corrections are applied. Since the analytical form of the dispersion correction is only appropriate for isotropic systems, we suggest that a long VDW cutoff should be used in preference over a short VDW cutoff. To determine the appropriate cutoff, we simulate liquid pentadecane with the Berger parameters and find that rc ≥ 1.4 nm is sufficient to reproduce the density and the heat of vaporization of pentadecane. Bilayers simulated with rc ≥ 1.4 nm show an improved agreement with experiments in both the form factors and the deuterium order parameters. Finally, we report that the VDW cutoff has a significant impact on the lipid flip-flop energetics and an inappropriate short VDW cutoff results in a bilayer that is prone to form water defects across the bilayer.
Biological interactions between herpesviruses and cyclooxygenase enzymes.

Decades ago, medical researchers noted that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example aspirin and indomethacin, modulate primary herpesvirus infections and diminish reactivation of latent herpesvirus infections. NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, molecules necessary for generation of prostaglandins. Numerous studies indicate that herpesvirus infections elicit elevated levels of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) with a resultant increase in prostaglandin E2 levels (PGE2). Thus, the biochemical pathway underlying the anti-herpetic mechanism of NSAIDs is linked to the inhibition of COX. The precise roles of COX-2 and PGE2 in the viral life cycle are unknown. However, among the alphaherpesvirus, betaherpesvirus and gammaherpesvirus subfamilies, evolutionarily conserved mechanisms ensure modulated expression of COX molecules, underscoring their importance in viral replication and virus–host interactions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of itraconazole/L-malic acid cocrystals by gas antisolvent cocrystallization

Abstract Cocrystals of itraconazole, an antifungal drug with poor aqueous solubility, and l -malic acid were prepared in tetrahydrofuran (THF) using CO 2 as an antisolvent. Using the gas antisolvent (GAS) crystallization technique, the drug (itraconazole) and former ( l -malic acid) were dissolved in a liquid solvent (THF) and cocrystals of the two components precipitated by pressurization with CO 2 . The THF was then removed and the cocrystals dried by flushing with excess supercritical CO 2 . The itraconazole/ l -malic acid cocrystals prepared by GAS cocrystallization were compared to those produced using a traditional liquid antisolvent, n-heptane, for crystallinity, thermal behavior, size and surface morphology, composition, and dissolution rate. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analyses showed that an itraconazole/ l -malic acid cocrystal could be produced using either CO 2 as an antisolvent in the GAS technique or a traditional liquid antisolvent, n-heptane, but with some content of uncocrystallized amorphous material also being present. Although the cocrystal powder produced by GAS cocrystallization had slightly larger particles than those precipitated with n-heptane, their microporous structure and amorphous content allowed for improved dissolution. Cocrystallization of itraconazole with l -malic acid using CO 2 as an antisolvent is a viable means of increasing itraconazole dissolution while reducing solvent use in favor of environmentally benign CO 2 . With the GAS technique, recycling of THF is facile as compared to the need for expensive distillation in the case of n-heptane.
Lead-free interconnect technique by using variable frequency microwave

A novel lead-free interconnect technique using variable frequency microwave (VFM) was investigated. The lead-free solder interconnection between the component chips and the metal pads through VFM was first demonstrated. Comparison between the microstructures of the lead-free solder joints on Cu and Sn surfaces formed by a conventional thermal reflow process and VFM was conducted. The VFM heating technique successfully created the lead-free solder/Cu and Sn joints through their intermetallic compounds (IMCs), while maintaining the substrate temperature as low as 210°C.
Liquid-Crystalline Solvents as Mechanistic Probes. 18. The Micromorphology of Crystalline and Liquid-Crystalline Phases of 5α-Cholestan-3β-yl trans-Cinnamate as Discerned from Photochemical Studies1

Abstract The photoreactions of 5α-cholestan-3β-yl trans-cinnamate in its crystalline and liquidcrystalline phases and in isotropic solutions (n-hexane and n-hexadecane) have been investigated. In hydrocarbon solutions, geometric isomerization of the ester and its cleavage to cholestene and cinnamic acid are the dominant processes; in the crystalline and liquid-crystalline phases, dirnerization is the principal reaction mode. Only one photodimer, bis(5α-cholestan-3β-yl) α-truxillate (head-to-tail), could be detected from the crystalline and liquid-crystalline phase experiments. The photochemistry of the liquid-crystalline phase of cholesteryl trans-cinnamate was reexamined and shown to proceed quite differently from that of the cholestanyl ester.
On some unconditionally stable, higher order methods for the numerical solution of the structural dynamics equations

SUMMARY Third- and fourth-order accurate N~rsett rational approximations to the exponential and associated semi-implicit Runge-Kutta methods are used for the construction of efficient, accurate and unconditionally stable schemes for the direct numerical integration of the linear, nonhomogeneous, second-order equations of structural dynamics.
Small scale ductility tests

Abstract A study was undertaken to investigate the potential applicability of a bulge test for extracting ductility information from small, thin sheet specimens. A bulge testing apparatus was fabricated and used to test to failure 13 different materials under balanced biaxial tension. Uniaxial tensile data were also obtained for these materials. The bulge test was found to be useful in characterizing plastic instability and in evaluating a ductile failure parameter.
(d, t) Reaction on the Titanium Isotopes

The ($d, t$) reaction on the five stable isotopes of titanium has been studied at a deuteron energy of 21.4 MeV. The three even isotopes show two strong groups separated by about 2 MeV, both groups corresponding to pickup of a $1{f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$ neutron. This indicates that there is considerable seniority mixing in the titanium isotopes. Groups corresponding to the pickup of $2p$ neutrons were observed in both ${\mathrm{Ti}}^{50}$ and ${\mathrm{Ti}}^{48}$. In the reaction on ${\mathrm{Ti}}^{48}$, an $l=2$ transition to a state near 1.8 MeV in ${\mathrm{Ti}}^{47}$ was found. The odd-even isotopes show a number of strong groups. The ground-state transitions in ${\mathrm{Ti}}^{48}(d, t){\mathrm{Ti}}^{47}$ and ${\mathrm{Ti}}^{47}(d, t){\mathrm{Ti}}^{46}$ have not been observed.
Mastitis Control Program: Effect on Milk Production

Abstract A 3-year study of 24 commercial dairy herds measured the value of hygiene (teat dipping in 4% chlorine) and dry cow therapy (1million units penicillin, 1gram dihydrostreptomycin) in the reduction of infection and change in milk production. Infection dropped from 28.1% to 7.1% of the quarters. Herds on the mastitis control program produced an average of 477kg of milk per cow more per year for each of the 3 years than the average New York Dairy Herd Improvement herd after adjustment for differences in initial production. A least squares analysis determined factors associated with mastitis that have the greatest effect on milk production. Presence of organisms in the udder caused the greatest decrease in milk production while the genus of organism affected the loss. Quarters infected with Staphylococcus aureus produced approximately 760kg less milk per lactation than uninfected quarters. Quarters harboring other organisms, including some regarded as nonpathogenic, produced more than 500kg of milk less per lactation than uninfected quarters. Quarters infected with more than one pathogen at the same time had an additional decrease in production. Reduction in milk production was most severe when infections began during early lactation. However, infections that lasted less than 40 weeks caused a greater decrease in milk production than those lasting longer.
Hepatocyte circadian clock controls acetaminophen bioactivation through NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase

The diurnal variation in acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity (chronotoxicity) reportedly is driven by oscillations in metabolism that are influenced by the circadian phases of feeding and fasting. To determine the relative contributions of the central clock and the hepatocyte circadian clock in modulating the chronotoxicity of APAP, we used a conditional null allele of brain and muscle Arnt-like 1 (Bmal1, aka Mop3 or Arntl) allowing deletion of the clock from hepatocytes while keeping the central and other peripheral clocks (e.g., the clocks controlling food intake) intact. We show that deletion of the hepatocyte clock dramatically reduces APAP bioactivation and toxicity in vivo and in vitro because of a reduction in NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase gene expression, protein, and activity.
Out of order

ABSTRACTIn 1891, The French concession to build the Beirut—Damascus railway was awarded to the Societe des Chemins de fer Ottomans Economiques de Beyrouth-Damas-Hauran (Almashriq). More than a century and a dozen ravaging wars later, these photographs show a sample of what was once the Lebanese railway and the state it currently lies in.Experiencing beauty amid ruins seems unethical. Witnessing the death of the trinity (memory, history and technology), the camera — the tool of death — fights to overcome its fear. At night, it can barely see its static subject. A long exposure invites a conversation between the metal and all its surrounding elements, which filters through the lens such as a ghost whispering the tales of the departed. The photograph is no longer about freezing the moment but about extending time over a dead subject. An ongoing struggle between life and death transmutes in revealing the sublime.
The effect of teacher intervention on object manipulation in young children

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of limited oral and physical teacher intervention on object manipulation by preschool and early elementary children. The population consisting of 70 children, three, four, five, and six years old from two preschools and two kindergarten classes were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Children were observed as they manipulated magnets in classroom settings. Experimental students had the objects placed in their hands and were orally invited to explore. Results showed that there were significant differences between the groups in total time spent with the objects, number of activities performed, and cognitive level of operation. No significant differences were found in the number of contacts or in the interactive effects of treatment and testing day. The findings suggest that teacher roles may have an effect on student exploration and quality of interaction with unfamiliar objects.
The lasso technique for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy is becoming an acceptable alternative to open resection for selected pancreatic lesions. One of the difficulties with this approach is manipulating the pancreas with laparoscopic instruments to avoid unnecessary injury to the pancreas, and yet obtain adequate margins. The described technique accomplishes these goals. Data from all patients who underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (always with splenectomy) were reviewed for age, gender, laparoscopic completion of the resection, postoperative complications, length of hosptial stay, and pathology. The essential component of the technique is use of a Penrose drain around the neck or proximal body of the pancreas as a “lasso” for atraumatic manipulation. This technique is described in detail. A total of 11 patients have undergone laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy using the lasso technique. Two patients (18%) underwent conversion to an open laparotomy: the because of bleeding from the pancreatic parenchyma and the other due to local invasion of a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The average operating time was 162 ± 39 min, and the median length of hosptial stay was 3 days. There were two (18%) pancreatic leaks, both of which were treated conservatively with resolution. Pathologic examination, found six cystic neoplasms, two neuroendocrine tumors, two masses of chronic pancreatitis, and one adenocarcinoma. The lasso technique simplifies intraoperative manipulation of the pancreas during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. It allows for safe manipulation of the pancreas and may expand the indications for the laparoscopic approach to pancreatic resection.
ELECTRO-OPTIC SWITCHING BY HELICENE LIQUID CRYSTALS

Binary mixtures of the aggregating helicene 1 with dodecane have, at dodecane concentrations >30 vol %, a nematic liquid crystalline phase and, at dodecane concentrations ≲5 vol %, a hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline phase. The helical structure with donor and acceptor groups at opposite ends gives rise to a molecular dipole moment that is parallel to the helix axis and a positive dielectric anisotropy. Accordingly, the helix axes orient parallel to an applied electric field, providing the basis for electro-optic switching.
THE LINK BETWEEN OFFENDING AND VICTIMIZATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS

Prior research on victimization in the United States has generally neglected two key areas—victimization among juveniles and young adults and the connection between offending and victimization. The research presented here fuses these two concerns by examining the effect of delinquent lifestyles on the criminal victimization of teenagers and young adults. An examination of longitudinal data from the first five waves of the National Youth Survey suggests that adolescent involvement in delinquent lifestyles strongly increases the risk of both personal and property victimization. Further, the analysis reveals that a significant proportion of the risk of victimization incurred by different demographic subgroups—especially males—results from greater involvement in lifestyles characterized by delinquency. The authors conclude that victimization patterns among youths cannot be understood apart from criminal and deviant activities.
FAST: a functional algorithm simulation testbed

We extend the practical range of simulations of parallel executions by "functional algorithm simulation," that is, simulation without actually performing most of the numerical computations involved. We achieve this by introducing a new approach for generating and collecting communication and computation characteristics for a class of parallel scientific algorithms. We describe FAST (Fast Algorithm Simulation Testbed), a prototype system that we developed to implement and test our approach. FAST overcomes some of the difficulties imposed by the very high complexity of interesting scientific algorithms, collects profile information representative of the algorithms rather than the underlying mapping strategies and hardware design choices, and allows a performance assessment of parallel machines with various sites and different interconnection schemes. >
THE WHALE AVATAR OF THE HINDOOS IN MELVILLE'S MOBY DICK

Herman Melville depicted the great whale Moby Dick as a powerful force of nature, impossible to comprehend fully. He attributes to the whale not only great antiquity, but also divinity. One of the most striking and effective ways in which he does so is by describing the whale as a manifestation (avatar) of the Hindu deity Vishnu, whose mythology he recounts, the Matsya Avatara. These passages are analysed in the context of the novel's other references to India and Hindu religious thought. In an effort to inter pret the significance of India and Hinduism in the novel, aspects of Melville's life and thought are also analysed. We conclude that the structure of the myth of the fish avatar is reflected in the novel's structure, and that the novel presents a concept of the divine at variance with Christian theological orthodoxy. But in the great Sperm Whale, this high and mighty god-like dignity inherent in the brow is so immensely amplified, that gazing on it, in that full front view, you feel the Deity and the dread powers more forcibly than in beholding any other object in living nature.1