cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphorylation associated with succinate decarboxylation to propionate in Ascaris mitochondria

Abstract In mammalian tissues, propionyl CoA carboxylase and methylmalonyl CoA mutase act physiologically primarily in the ATP requiring direction of succinate formation. Therefore, propionate is glycogenic. However, many invertebrates and bacteria accumulate propionate from succinate. Employing acyl CoA transferase, propionyl CoA carboxylase, and methylmalonyl CoA mutase in the direction of propionate formation, substrate level ATP should be generated. The intestinal worm, Ascaris lumbricoides possesses mitochondria which function anaerobically and accumulate propionate and volatile fatty acids derived from propionate. Results of the present study indicate that a site of mitochondrial phosporylation may be present at the substrate level during the decarboxylation of succinate to propionate and C02. Mitochondrial preparations from Ascaris muscle exhibit propionyl CoA carboxylase, methylmalonyl CoA mutase, and acyl CoA transferase activities. Inorganic 32P is esterified during succinate decarboxylation. In accord with the proposed reactions, both succinate decarboxylation and 32P esterification are stimulated six- to eightfold upon the addition of propionyl CoA, and both stimulations are inhibited by avidin.
The structure of the tail of the bacteriophage φCbK

A study of the flexible, noncontractile tail of the φCbK bacteriophage has been undertaken. The major protein constituent of the tail has been identified, and the structure of the tail has been computed using the methods of three-dimensional reconstruction of electron micrographs. The prominent structural feature of the tail is that it appears to be constructed from straight rods aligned parallel to its axis. The rods are packed so that they leave three pronounced left-handed spiral grooves on the surface. The structural architecture of the tail is similar to that of filamentous phages, which also show considerable flexibility.
Writing for Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

Peer review in science was established in the 17th Century and while not without detractors and some controversy, has been a mainstay of high-quality scientific publications ever since. Most believe peer review adds substantially to the value of papers that achieve publication. However, in practice, peer review can be practiced with varying degrees of rigor and the value of the review depends on rigor. The two primary tasks of a reviewer are to determine whether the manuscript makes a substantial contribution (in an age of information overload) and to determine whether there are any “fatal” flaws. If the reviewer recommends rejection, then he or she need only note the major flaws. If, however, the material is sufficiently novel and would substantially add to the literature, the reviewer’s secondary task is to ensure completeness and clarity by noting information that should be added and identifying unclear points; in these cases more detailed reviews are merited. To achieve this task, the reviewer must ask numerous questions related to the background and rationale, questions or purposes, study design and methods, findings, and synthesis with the literature. In this brief review I outline such key questions. An invitation to review is an honor and reflects the confidence of the editor in the reviewer’s expertise and accomplishments. Given proper reviews and recommendations, the majority of authors believe peer review adds great value to their papers and the reviewer makes contributions to the community and their own knowledge.
Valence determination in high Tc oxide superconductors by XANES and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Abstract The question of valence of Cu and rare-earth atoms in the newly discovered oxide superconductors with high transition temperatures is crucial to the understanding of their electronic structure. We have used X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure and Mossbauer spectroscopy to measure the valence of Cu, Pr, Eu and Gd in La 2− x (Sr, Eu) x CuO 4 and (Y, Gd, Pr)Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ . We will present the results, and discuss the Cu valence as a function of oxygen concentration.
ULTRASONIC ANGIOPLASTY IN TOTALLY OCCLUDED PERIPHERAL ARTERIES : INITIAL CLINICAL, HISTOLOGICAL, AND ANGIOGRAPHIC RESULTS

BACKGROUNDUltrasonic angioplasty was recently shown to ablate thrombi and atherosclerotic plaques in vitro and to recanalize occluded arteries in experimental animal models. The goal of the present study was to examine the clinical feasibility of ultrasonic angioplasty.METHODS AND RESULTSIntraoperative ultrasonic angioplasty was performed in vivo on totally occluded peripheral arteries (n = 7). The ultrasonic angioplasty device consists of a 1.6-mm diameter flexible wire attached to a piezoelectric crystal generating ultrasound at 20 kHz. The controls, totally occluded human atherosclerotic femoral arterial segments (n = 6), were crossed mechanically with the ultrasound wire ex vivo but without application of ultrasonic energy. Ultrasonic angioplasty achieved successful recanalization without perforation in all vessels. Angiograms of the treated arteries showed an average lumen patency of 82.5%. Histological examination of the recanalized arteries revealed that the recanalization had taken place through i...
Effect of temperature reduction, foaming water content, and aggregate moisture content on performance of foamed warm mix asphalt

Abstract A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature reduction, foaming water content, and aggregate moisture content on the performance of foamed warm mix asphalt (WMA). Two asphalt binders (PG 70-22 and PG 64-28), two aggregate types (limestone and crushed gravel), and two nominal maximum aggregate sizes (12.5 mm and 19.0 mm) were used in this study. The foamed WMA mixtures were produced using three production temperatures (30 °F, 50 °F, and 70 °F (16.7 °C, 27.8 °C, and 38.9 °C) lower than the traditional hot mix asphalt), three foaming water contents (1.8%, 2.2%, and 2.6%) by weight of the asphalt binder), and three aggregate moisture contents (0%, 1.5%, and 3%). The asphalt pavement analyzer (APA) test was utilized to evaluate the rutting resistance, and the indirect tensile strength (ITS) and the Modified Lottman (AASHTO T 283) tests were utilized to evaluate the moisture sensitivity of the asphalt mixtures. In general, comparable performance was obtained for the HMA and the foamed WMA prepared using 30 °F temperature reduction, 1.8% foaming water content, and fully dried aggregates. The test results revealed that reducing the production temperature of foamed WMA may result in increased susceptibility to permanent deformation (or rutting) and moisture-induced damage, while increasing the foaming water content (up to 2.6% of the weight of the asphalt binder) may not have a negative impact on the foamed WMA performance. It was also found that using moist aggregates may result in inadequate aggregate coating leading to concerns with regard to moisture-induced damage and long-term durability. Therefore, it is critical to use fully dried aggregates to ensure satisfactory foamed WMA performance.
Musical Relationship Metaphors: Using A Musical Chronology and the Emerging Life Song With Couples:

The authors use the metaphor of music for helping couples identify and describe formulative events in their relationship. A seven-step process for creating a couple's musical chronology is suggested. Couples link their relational history to specific music, a process that encourages them to deepen their connection and rekindle feelings that once brought them together. Other relationship metaphors are identified. Applications of musical metaphors as a creative problem-solving process conclude the article.
Growth of diamond on diamond substrates in presence of an alkali and metal under hydrothermal conditions

Abstract Evidence of diamond growth was observed on a type II-A single crystal diamond in the “hydrothermal” pressure-temperature regime (1.4 kbars at 800 °C) in which both NaOH and Ni were added. The features seen in the SEM appear to be randomly oriented overgrowths ranging in size from 2–5 μm on the surface of a single crystal diamond. The Raman spectrum with the beam focused on these overgrown crystallites showed a sharp band at 1331 cm −1 , providing further evidence of diamond growth on a single crystal diamond under pressure-temperature hydrothermal conditions.
A Colorimetric Assay of Lipoyl-N-ϵ-Lysine Hydrolysis Activity Using 2,6-Dibromoquinone-4-Chlorimide

Abstract Lipoic acid is a coenzyme for pyruvate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, branched chain-ketoacid dehydrogenase, and the glycine cleavage system. Lipoic acid is covalently attached through an amide to the ϵ-amino group of specific lysine residues of these enzymes. Lipoamidase hydrolyzes the amide bond of lipoyl- N -ϵ-lysine. Because of the difficulty in quantitating lipoic acid or lysine released by hydrolysis of lipoyl- N -ϵ-lysine, a sensitive assay of lipoamidase activity was developed based on quantitation of lipoic acid liberated from lipoyl-ϵ-lysine using 2,6-dibromoquinone-4-chlorimide (DBQC). This method involves acidification of the assay mixture with HCl and separation of lipoic acid from lipoyl- N -ϵ-lysine by extraction into ethyl acetate where it can react with DBQC. This method is as sensitive as methods based on the reaction of lipoic acid with dinitrothiobenzoate and requires only a single extraction, but does not require reduction of the disulfide and the color reagent does not need to be prepared daily. Results obtained using this assay to quantitate lipoic acid released from lipoyl- N-p -aminobenzoate correlated excellently with results obtained using the Marshall–Bratton reaction to quantitate p -aminobenzoate. We have detected lipoyl- N -ϵ-lysine hydrolysis activity that is distinct from that of biotinidase and bile salt-stimulated lipase in lymphoblasts from a patient with biotinidase deficiency. This assay can be used to measure lipoyl- N -ϵ-lysine hydrolysis activity in tissues, especially those with little or no biotinidase activity.
The effects of age on eyeblink conditioning in the freely moving Fischer-344 rat

Abstract The effects of age were assessed on the ability of male Fischer-344 rats to acquire a classically conditioned eyeblink using the “delay” paradigm. Using a 350 ms white noise conditioning stimulus and a 100 ms coterminating periorbital shock (2 mA, 60 Hz, AC) we have demonstrated that these rats exhibit deficits as early as middle age. Middle-aged and senescent rats (18 and 30 months) exhibited significantly fewer conditioned responses than young rats (3 and 12 months). Since all of the rats responded to a test noise, and there were no differences in threshold to evoke a blink, this result is likely to be due to an associative deficit. Thus, our results indicate that eyeblink conditioning in the freely moving rat is a useful model system for behavioral and neurobiological analyses of the effects of age on associative learning and memory.
Spectacular Digital Effects: CGI and contemporary cinema

For the last several decades, innovations in digital technologies have been making historical and theoretical questions increasingly central to how audiences experience the cinema. Most prominently...
Ticagrelor FDA Approval Issues Revisited

Context: On July 20, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ticagrelor (Brilinta™) for use during acute coronary syndromes. The drug labeling inclu
Aging and infection: a review.

In spite of the general awareness of age dependent deterioration in function, no generally accepted definition of ‘old age’ is available [l]. This contrasts with pediatric medicine which is founded upon physiologic and metabolic parameters which have been established for children before, during and after puberty. The analogous changes which occur at the end of reproductive life are less clearly defined in men than in women and the female menopause occurs well before the age of deterioration of other physiologic functions. Most investigations of aging, in the absence of an independent marker, have used chronologic age to select study populations. This approach, however, can result in the evaluation of the functional capacity of survivors, a physiologically younger population [2]. Other investigators have utilized the frequency of ‘age-related’ diseases or physiologic and biochemical changes as indices of age. The combination of a number of variables however, has not yielded a more useful indicator of functional capacity than chronological age. There is little disagreement with the concept that deterioration of a number of functions occurs at the extreme of life. It is worth noting that although life expectancy has increased with improvement in infant and childhood mortality, the human span of life has remained unchanged. Hayflick has pointed out that the common diseases of age are probably superimposed upon the defects incurred with aging and increase in frequency because of these defects. The fundamental problem, therefore, is not age related disorders but the alterations which underlie the increased frequency of these occurrences. Hayflick has offered evidence that normal mammalian cells have a specified life span and are programmed to undergo a finite number of divisions before death. With loss of sufficient numbers of cells, senesence and ultimately death occurs, directly or secondary to a disease state. In contrast to this explanation of senesence is the ‘immunologic theory of aging’. Supporters of this hypothesis suggest that a defect limited to the immune system is the primary age associated alteration which effects many tissues because of the diffuse rather than focal nature of this system. The decline in immune function theoretically permits an increase in the occurrence of disease which in turn
A critique of the innovation argument against a national health program

President Bush and his Council of Economic Advisors have claimed that the US shouldn't adopt a national health program because doing so would slow innovation in health care. Some have attacked this argument by challenging its moral claim that innovativeness is a good ground for choosing between health care systems. This reply is misguided. If we want to refute the argument from innovation, we have to undercut the premise that seems least controversial--the premise that our current system produces more innovation than a national health program would. I argue that this premise is false. The argument requires clarifying the concept 'national health program' and examining various theories of human well-being.
Resonantly laser-driven plasma waves for electron acceleration.

A method for generating large-amplitude nonlinear plasma waves, which utilizes an optimized train of independently adjustable, intense laser pulses, is analyzed in one dimension both theoretically and numerically (using both Maxwell-fluid and particle-in-cell codes). Optimal pulse widths and interpulse spacings are computed for pulses with either square or finite-rise-time sine shapes. A resonant region of the plasma wave phase space is found where the plasma wave is driven most efficiently by the laser pulses. The width of this region, and thus the optimal finite-rise-time laser pulse width, was found to decrease with increasing background plasma density and plasma wave amplitude, while the nonlinear plasma wavelength, and thus the optimal interpulse spacing, increases. Also investigated are damping of the wave by trapped background electrons and the sensitivities of the resonance to variations in the laser and plasma parameters. Resonant excitation is found to be superior for electron acceleration to either beat-wave or single-pulse excitation because comparable plasma-wave amplitudes may be generated at lower plasma densities, reducing electron-phase detuning, or at lower laser intensities, reducing laser-plasma instabilities. Practical experimental methods for producing the required pulse trains are discussed.
Using temperature-programmed reaction for kinetics analysis of liquid-phase reactions

Abstract Temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) is shown to be a practical method for determining reaction-rate expressions and kinetics parameters for liquid-phase chemical reactions. By measuring reaction extent during a temperature rise, information normally obtained from a series of isothermal kinetics experiments can be found in a single TPR test. Using nonlinear least-squares regression eliminates the need for a constant temperature-rise rate, and enables reactions with significant heat effects to be tested. Use of experimental pressures above atmospheric can extend TPR temperature ranges so that experiments can be carried out within a reasonable time for most reactions. Simulations of TPR with random measurement error are used to assess the technique's accuracy and to identify the best values of operating parameters. Comparing TPR with isothermal methods shows the latter may be slightly more accurate for the same number of data points, but TPR is far faster and experimentally simpler, and more data points can be taken in a given time period. Two TPR experiments measuring alkaline ethyl-acetate hydrolysis show the technique's applicability.
Theoretical approaches to pharmacology

The major various factors that enter into a theoretical consideration of pharmacological “structure–activity” relationships are (1) topological, topographical, and substructure analyses and related properties of the drugs (and related biomolecules); (2) electronic structure of the drugs (and related biomolecules); (3) physicochemical properties of the drugs. Each of these factors is defined and examples are given. In particular, the various quantum-chemical procedures (ab-initio, approximately rigorous, semirigorous, semiempirical, and empirical) used to calculate the electronic structures of isolated and solvated drugs and biomolecules and their intermolecular interactions are described and their relative merits or deficiencies evaluated. The procedures used to correlate or to predict structure–activity relationships of drugs [pattern recognition and cluster analysis, multivariate statistical analysis including linear free energy relationships (LFER), as well as parabolic and other] are discussed. It is proven that the proper lipophilicity index to use is not the partition coefficient, which is pH independent, but rather the true drug distribution coefficient (or apparent partition coefficient) which is pH dependent. The importance of its temperature dependence is also stressed. Common misconceptions concerning the relationship of quantum chemically calculated electron densities to such experimentally measured properties as pKK and 13C and 15N nuclear magnetic resonance shifts are pointed out, and the appropriate formulations are indicated.
MULTILAYER MODAL METHOD FOR DIFFRACTION GRATINGS OF ARBITRARY PROFILE, DEPTH, AND PERMITTIVITY : ADDENDUM

A numerically stable method is presented for the analysis of diffraction gratings of arbitrary profile, depth, and in conical mountings. It is based on the classical modal method and uses a stack of lamellar gratpermittivity to approximate an arbitrary profile. A numerical procedure known as the R-matrix propagation aling layers gorithm is used to propagate the modal fields through the layers. This procedure renders the implementation of this new method completely immune to the numerical instability that is associated with the conventional algorithm. Numerical examples including diffraction efficiencies of both dielectric and metallic propagation gratings of depths that range from subwavelength to hundreds of wavelengths are presented. Information about the convergence and the computation time of the method is also included.
Web-Based Expert Geographical Information System for Advanced Transportation Management Systems

The Internet is fast becoming the standard environment for client-server applications that involve multiple users. The proliferation of Internet-based application development tools opens new doors to transportation researchers who work in real-time decision support system development. In the 1990s, one of the most important problems in advanced transportation management systems research was the development of better incident management systems. Although the incident management process has been well studied, the development of real-time decision support systems that can be used by all the involved agencies remains a challenging area of transportation engineering research. Existing incident management systems are developed on various traditional computing platforms, including UNIX and Windows. However, with the advent of the World Wide Web and Internet-based programming tools such as Java, it is possible to develop platform independent decision support tools for the incident management agencies. Web-based s...
OXYGEN ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE AMPHIBOLES : ISOTOPE EFFECTS OF CATION SUBSTITUTIONS IN MINERALS

Abstract The occurrence of coexisting amphiboles in rocks and the likelihood of concurrent isotope closure allows equilibrium oxygen isotope fractionations among the amphiboles to be recovered from natural samples. Oxygen isotope analyses of mineral separates using laser fluorination show that coexisting amphiboles increasingly partition 18O in the order: hornblende ≪ gedrite 0.9. Previously published data for hornblende, actinolite, glaucophane, and garnet show that Δ(Act-Hbl) ∼ 0.2, Δ(Gln-Grt) ≫ 1, and Δ(Hbl-Grt) ∼ 0. Thus, glaucophane strongly partitions 18O relative to the calcic amphiboles. The fractionation between two amphiboles of arbitrary composition can be predicted from the known fractionations for mica endmembers, pyroxene endmembers, and exchange components such as CaAl(NaSi)−1, NaAl(CaMg)−1, CaMg−1, MgFe−1, FeMn−1, KNa−1, KAl( Si)−1, and Fe3+Al−1. Applications of the exchange component method reproduce measured amphibole fractionations to within ±0.1 to ±0.2‰, whereas other predictive methods cause misfit for typical metamorphic hornblende of ≥0.5‰ at 575°C. Although the isotope effects of cation exchanges may be small at high-T, they magnify dramatically for minerals formed in surficial, diagenetic, and low-T metamorphic environments. Different composition clays are predicted to have equilibrium δ18O differences of 2–9‰. If the isotope fractionation can be determined for one mineral endmember, then calibrated exchanges allow accurate prediction of the isotope fractionations for intermediate compositions of most ortho-, ring-, chain-, and sheet-silicates.
On the $1/n$ expansion

The 1/n expansion is considered for then-component non-linear σ-model (classical Heisenberg model) on a lattice of arbitrary dimensions. We show that the expansion for correlation functions and free energy is asymptotic, for all temperatures above the spherical model critical temperature. Furthermore, the existence of a mass gap is established for these temperatures andn sufficiently large.
The George E. Brown Memorial Lecture

The therapy for thromboangiitis obliterans advised by George E. Brown and his collaborators in 1928 is taken as a starting point for a discussion of modern conservative measures now properly used in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease of the obstructive type.
Microinvasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

Objective We compared the outcomes of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix and examined the safety of fertility-conserving treatment. Study Design The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify all women with stage IA1 and IA2 cervical carcinoma diagnosed from 1988 to 2005. The treatment and outcomes of women with adenocarcinomas were compared with squamous cell carcinomas. Results A total of 3987 women including 988 with adenocarcinomas (24.8%) were identified. Women with adenocarcinoma were more often white and were younger ( P Conclusion Survival is similar for microinvasive adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Conization appears to be adequate treatment for microinvasive adenocarcinoma.
The stability and compensation of saturating sampled-data systems

Sampled-data feedback systems which contain a saturating element are investigated in this paper. A condition which must be satisfied if these systems are to be stable is developed; it is shown that this is a necessary condition for stability and an intuitive argument is presented to indicate that this condition is probably sufficient. Finally, a method to obtain a digital filter for compensating and/or stabilizing these systems is presented.
Strategy for contamination control to improve Wide-Field/Planetary Camera far-ultraviolet performance

A multifaceted contamination control strategy has been developed for the second generated Wide-Field and Planetary Camera (WFPC-2) to improve the FUV stability by several orders of magnitude, compared to the first camera (WFPC-1). The strategy involves: improved on-orbit boil-off capability of the detector optics, added internal shielding and instrument venting, in-process subassembly vacuum bakeout at elevated temperatures, material substitution, sample testing in ultraclean vacuum facility, and internal instrument contamination-transport modeling. A science performance goal of 1 percent photometric accuracy at 1470 A over an extended time (of at least 30 days) has been established as a contamination control target for WFPC-2. The WFPC-2 is currently planned to be launched by the Shuttle in mid-1993 and replace the WFPC-1 which was recently launched with the HST.
John Wilkins’ and William Lloyd's Alphabetical dictionary (1668): Towards a comprehensive, and systematically defined, lexicon

Abstract The scholarship on the history of English lexicography has left the Alphabetical Dictionary by John Wilkins and William Lloyd outside of the standard chronology of important developments in lexicography. Since the dictionary was published along with An Essay towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Language (1668) by John Wilkins, it has largely been neglected in dictionary histories. However, in my research I have discovered that the Alphabetical Dictionary contributed to the development of English lexicography. In this paper I present evidence which shows that Wilkins and Lloyd constructed a dictionary in which words used for defining (the lexicographical metalanguage) were also defined; this was an innovation in the early period of English monolingual dictionaries. I introduce this specific analysis with a broader background analysis that attempts to situate the Alphabetical Dictionary in the chronology of English lexicography.
The Climatic Response to Meridional Sea-Ice Transport

Abstract Sea ice is an important factor in controlling the exchange of energy between the ocean and atmosphere in the polar regions and has an important impact on climate. A coupled energy balance climate-sea-ice model is used here to examine the effect of sea-ice transport on the ocean-atmosphere energy exchange and atmospheric temperature. The model results show that the transport of sea ice thins the pack ice in the central Arctic and around Antarctica. This thinning produces a larger lead fraction within the ice pack, a longer period of ice-free conditions near the poles, and extends sea ice equatorward. This results in an increased transfer of energy from the ocean to the atmosphere near the poles, which through meridional energy transports produces warmer conditions at all latitudes. If the effects simulated in this study reflect the real climate system, then the results have implications for climate change on a wide variety of time scales.
Fatty acid composition of caribou bone marrow.

Abstract 1. 1. The fatty acid composition of caribou ( Rangifer tarandus ) leg bone marrow decreased in saturation distally, which corresponds with changes observed in melting point. 2. 2. The major changes were in (a) oleic acid (C 18-1 ) which increased from 42 per cent at the head of the femur and humerus to 74 per cent in the phalanges; (b) stearic acid (C 18 ) which decreased from 21 per cent to 6 per cent; and (c) palmitic acid (C 18 ) which decreased from 26 per cent to 13 per cent in the same tissue.
Sexual reproduction and hybridization in Chlamydomonas smithii and C. reinhardtii (Chlorophyceae, Volvocales)

The interfertility of Chlamydomonas smithii Hoshaw & Ettl and C. reinhardtii Dangeard was studied by examining mating efficiencies, zygospore germination rates and burst sizes, and F1 progeny survi...
MOLECULAR CLOCK DIVERGENCE ESTIMATES AND THE FOSSIL RECORD OF CETARTIODACTYLA

Molecular clock estimates of divergence times for artiodactyls and whales vary widely in their agreement with the fossil record. Recent estimates indicate that the divergence of whales from artiodactyls occurred 60 Ma, a date which compares well with the first appearances of fossil whales around 53.5 Ma, and artiodactyls at 55 Ma. Other estimates imply significant gaps in the fossil record. A date of 65 Ma for the divergence of Suidae and Ruminantia predates the appearance of Ruminantia by over 10 million years, and an estimate of 58 Ma for the divergence of Suidae from Cetacea implies a gap of over 20 million years. Further, although a molecular clock estimate has not been reported, the hypothesis that hippos are the closest living relatives of the whales implies a potential ghost lineage for hippos of over 40 million years. There are only two living species of hippos, and their fossil record is sparse, while cetaceans and other artiodactyls are speciose and have rich fossil records. A 40-million-year gap in the fossil record of hippos could be explained by several possibilities: inadequate biogeographic sampling, taphonomic biases, or undifferentiated primitive morphology. Similarly, a number of possible problems may exist in the molecular data: rate variation in the genes sampled, the low numbers of genes examined, and insufficient age calibrations. In addition, there are potential problems in molecular phylogeny estimation, such as long branch attraction and inappropriate taxonomic sampling. Additional estimates of divergence times among living taxa should provide a broader framework for comparison with the fossil record and provide information to help identify which of these factors are causing conflict.
Reencoding for cycle-time minimization under fixed encoding length

The paper presents efficient reencoding and resynthesis algorithms for cycle time minimization of multilevel implementations of synchronous finite state machines (FSMs) under a fixed encoding length. The proposed technique is applicable to both gate level and technology independent synchronous network representations. We present two algorithms for identifying useful reencodings-one is based on Boolean cube representation applicable to technology independent synchronous networks and the other employs recursive learning techniques appropriate for gate netlists. We show that the proposed XOR/XNOR based reencoding technique explores a sufficiently rich set of encodings to identify implementations with smaller cycle times. The Boolean and structural interpretations of reencoding are explored and its relationship to isomorphic sequentially redundant faults is presented. We also show that the reencoded circuit always has a valid initial state and present a simple procedure to derive it. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is illustrated on a large set of benchmark circuits which indicates an average cycle time improvement of 15.26% for a small area overhead of 3.56% over that of performance driven combinational logic optimization.
Regulation of PERK Signaling and Leukemic Cell Survival by a Novel Cytosolic Isoform of the UPR Regulator GRP78/BiP

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to allow cells to adapt to stress targeting the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Induction of ER chaperone GRP78/BiP increases protein folding capacity; as such it represents a major survival arm of UPR. Considering the central importance of the UPR in regulating cell survival and death, evidence is emerging that cells evolve feedback regulatory pathways to modulate the key UPR executors, however, the precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we report the fortuitous discovery of GRP78va, a novel isoform of GRP78 generated by alternative splicing (retention of intron 1) and alternative translation initiation. Bioinformatic and biochemical analyses revealed that expression of GRP78va is enhanced by ER stress and is notably elevated in human leukemic cells and leukemia patients. In contrast to the canonical GRP78 which is primarily an ER lumenal protein, GRP78va is devoid of the ER signaling peptide and is cytosolic. Through specific knockdown of endogenous GRP78va by siRNA without affecting canonical GRP78, we showed that GRP78va promotes cell survival under ER stress. We further demonstrated that GRP78va has the ability to regulate PERK signaling and that GRP78va is able to interact with and antagonize PERK inhibitor P58IPK. Our study describes the discovery of GRP78va, a novel cytosolic isoform of GRP78/BiP, and the first characterization of the modulation of UPR signaling via alternative splicing of nuclear pre-mRNA. Our study further reveals a novel survival mechanism in leukemic cells and other cell types where GRP78va is expressed.
Structural ceramics: A question of fabrication reliability

Structural ceramics based on silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and transformation-toughened zirconium oxide are potential candidates for advanced heat engines. Flaw populations, introduced during processing, currently limit their reliability. Processing steps responsible for common flaw populations will be discussed. It will be shown that new processing steps, based on colloidal powder treatments, combined with second phase engineering can increase fabrication reliability.
A constrained mixture model for developing mouse aorta

Mechanical stresses influence the structure and function of adult and developing blood vessels. When these stresses are perturbed, the vessel wall remodels to return the stresses to homeostatic levels. Constrained mixture models have been used to predict remodeling of adult vessels in response to step changes in blood pressure, axial length and blood flow, but have not yet been applied to developing vessels. Models of developing blood vessels are complicated by continuous and simultaneous changes in the mechanical forces. Understanding developmental growth and remodeling is important for treating human diseases and designing tissue-engineered blood vessels. This study presents a constrained mixture model for postnatal development of mouse aorta with multiple step increases in pressure, length and flow. The baseline model assumes that smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the vessel wall immediately constrict or dilate the inner radius after a perturbation to maintain the shear stress and then remodel the wall thickness to maintain the circumferential stress. The elastin, collagen and SMCs have homeostatic stretch ratios and passive material constants that do not change with developmental age. The baseline model does not predict previously published experimental data. To approximate the experimental data, it must be assumed that the SMCs dilate a constant amount, regardless of the step change in mechanical forces. It must also be assumed that the homeostatic stretch ratios and passive material constants change with age. With these alterations, the model approximates experimental data on the mechanical properties and dimensions of aorta from 3- to 30-day-old mice.
Techniques instruction: A teacherless approach

Abstract This article describes one step in the evaluation of a small-group, guidebook-directed, student-managed course in group participation skills. Students evaluated this course on a par with teacher-led courses dealing with similar content. The author discusses factors associated with student satisfaction in a teacherless course.
Dominant C‐terminal deletions of FtsZ that affect its ability to localize in Caulobacter and its interaction with FtsA

The cell division protein FtsZ is composed of three regions based on sequence similarity: a highly conserved N-terminal region of ≈320 amino acids; a variable spacer region; and a conserved C-terminal region of eight amino acids. We show that FtsZ mutants missing different C-terminal fragments have dominant lethal effects because they block cell division in Caulobacter crescentus by two different mechanisms. Removal of the C-terminal conserved region, the linker, and 40 amino acids from the end of the N-terminal conserved region (FtsZΔC281) prevents the localization or the polymerization of FtsZ. Because two-hybrid analysis indicates that FtsZΔC281 does not interact with FtsZ, we hypothesize that FtsZΔC281 blocks cell division by competing with a factor required for FtsZ localization or that it titrates a factor required for the stability of the FtsZ ring. The removal of 24 amino acids from the C-terminus of FtsZ (FtsZΔC485) causes a punctate pattern of FtsZ localization and affects its interaction with FtsA. This suggests that the conserved C-terminal region of FtsZ is required for proper polymerization of FtsZ in Caulobacter and for its interaction with FtsA.
Establishment and characterization of a novel hepatoblastoma-derived cell line.

Abstract Hepatoblastoma is the most common pediatric liver cancer, and complete resection is required for long-term survival. There are few reported hepatoblastoma cell lines available for study. In order to develop in vitro and animal models, the authors isolated an additional cell line (HB1) from a human hepatoblastoma and here report its characteristics in culture. Cells were analyzed for growth rate, clonigenicity, and tumorigenicity, using electron microscopy. Immunocytochemistry and Northern analysis for the expression of specific surface markers and genes of interest were also performed. HB1 cells required fetal calf serum but grew well in culture (population doubling time of 2 days) and had an undifferentiated appearance under electron microscopy. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hydrocortisone stimulated growth with or without serum, but no autocrine growth stimulation via the epidermal growth factor receptor was detected. Proteins produced by HB1 cells under normal culture conditions included α-fetoprotein, cytokeratins 8 and 18, and lactate dehydrogenase (with an isozyme subunit composition similar to that of liver). HB1 cells showed chronic, high expression of c- myc and Ha- ras oncogenes but no N- myc and apparently normal RB gene expression. This cell line shows characteristics in culture consistent with malignant, hepatic epithelial cells and is apparently EGF dependent. It may provide a model system for the future development of alternative therapies.
Role of induced genetic instability in the mutagenic effects of chemicals and radiation

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that cells exposed to ionizing radiation or alkylating agents can develop prolonged genetic instability. Induced genetic instability is manisested in multiple ways, including delayed reproductive death, an increased rate of point mutations, and an increased rate of chromosome rearrangements. In many respects these changes are similar to the genetic instability associated with cancer and some human genetic diseases. Therefore, as with cancer cells, multiple mechanisms may be involved, some occuring in the early stages and some in the later stages. The high percentage of cells that develop induced genetic instability after exposure to stress, and the prolonged period over which the instability occurs, indicates that the instability is not in response to residual damage in the DNA or mutations in specific genes. Instead, changes affecting most of the exposed cells, such as epigenetic alterations in gene expression or chain reactions of chromosome rearrangements, are a more likely explanation. Learning more about the mechanisms involved in this process is essential for understanding the consequences of exposure of cells to ionizing radiation or alkylating agents.
Patients with severe chronic kidney disease benefit from early revascularization after acute coronary syndrome

article i nfo Background: Early revascularization is associated with improved outcomes after non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is unclear whether its benefits exist in patients with ACS and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), because these patients are often sub-optimally treated and excluded from clinical trials. Methods: We undertook meta-analyses of short- and long-term mortality outcomes in comparative studies examining the effectiveness of early revascularization in patients with ACS and CKD (as estimated by Glomerular Filtration Rate, eGFR). A literature search between 1995 and 2010 identified 7 published reports enrolling 23,234 patients with at least mild reduction in eGFR (b90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), of whom 6276 and 16,958 patients received early revascularization versus initial medical therapy, respectively. Summary odds ratios (OR) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated using the random-effects models. Sen- sitivity analyses were performed by one-study removal, and publication bias was assessed by the funnel plot analysis. Results: Early revascularization was associated with a reduction in 1-year mortality compared to initial med- ical therapy (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.26-0.82, P = 0.008) among ACS patients with eGFR b 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . The mortality reduction with early revascularization occurred upfront (short term mortality OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.87, P = 0.001), persisted at 3 years (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.96, P = 0.037), was evident across all CKD stages (including dialysis patients), and was independent of the influence of any single study. Conclusions: Early revascularization after ACS is associated with reduced mortality in appropriately-selected patients with CKD, including those with severe CKD or receiving dialysis. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
“This is Germany! It's 1933!” Appropriations and Constructions of “Fascism” in New York Punk/Hardcore in the 1980s

Cet article se penche sur ce qui a pu conduire certains mouvements de musique rock a la fascination pour le fascisme ou le nazisme. Ancree des ses origines du cote des plus demunis, la culture rock a cependant vehicule des outrances dans la violence du spectacle, la fascination technologique, le gout de la provocation et de la transgression, le satanisme et une certaine esthetique fasciste (cuir noir, sadisme, etc.). Des exemples nombreux sont fournis a travers les outrances des Rolling Stones, du mouvement punk, du mouvement hardcore americain dans les annees 80 (New Yok, East Village), des skinheads, ainsi que dans l'asservissement a la technologie prone implicitement dans la musique techno sur une atmosphere de fin de civilisation
Acute limb ischemia after transplantation in a patient with persistent sciatic artery.

Background Improved surgical techniques have contributed to a better outcome in kidney transplantation, and graft failure secondary to technical complications is unusual. Methods We describe a surgical complication secondary to a rare and unexpected vascular anomaly in a pediatric renal transplant that resulted in considerable morbidity. Results Our patient had a persistent sciatic artery as a dominant source of blood supply to the lower limb. Ligation of this vessel during anastomosis with the transplant kidney vasculature led to severe ischemic damage to the leg. Conclusion This vascular malformation, if undetected, can lead to serious complications. We present a review of the literature regarding this malformation and its management with regard to renal transplantation.
Appearance of glucoprivic control of feeding behavior in the developing rat.

Abstract 2-Deoxyglucose was administered to determine whether glucoprivation would shorten either suckling or nibbling latencies of fed pups studied on Days 10, 14, 17, 21 and 24. A dosage of 200 mg/100 g BW given IP 2 hr prior to latency studies, shortened suckling latencies on Day 24, but shortened nibbling latencies from Day 21 onward. It is concluded that glucoprivic feeding control appears in the developing rat by Day 21 and affects nibbling behavior to a greater extent than suckling behavior.
Risk factors for the development of bronchiolitis obliterans in children with bronchiolitis

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is an uncommon and severe form of chronic obstructive lung disease in children that results from an insult to the lower respiratory tract. Methods: A case-control study of children under the age of 3 years was performed in 109 cases and 99 controls to determine risk factors for the development of BO. Participants were evaluated by immunofluorescence viral tests, pulmonary function tests, and questions to assess tobacco and other exposures. Results: Bronchiolitis due to adenovirus (odds ratio (OR) 49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12 to 199) and the need for mechanical ventilation (OR 11, 95% CI 2.6 to 45) were strongly and independently associated with an increased risk for BO. Factors not associated with post-infectious BO included age of the child, sex, and environmental tobacco exposure (either in utero or during infancy). Conclusions: Adenovirus infection and need for mechanical ventilation are significant risk factors for developing BO in children. Further research is needed to determine why these risk factors are so strong and how they may contribute to the development of the disease.
Energy Technology and Directions for the Future

Introduction Classical Energy Heat Energy Quantum Energy Relativistic Quantum Energy The Molecular Basis of Bioenergy Origin of Cosmic Energy Sources Origin of Terrestrial Energy Sources Origin of Bioenergy Sources Power Generation and Distribution Fossil Energy Nuclear Energy Solar Energy Renewable Energy Alternative Energy and Conservation The 21st Century Energy Mix.
Danian dinoflagellates from the Franciscan Complex, Mendocino County, California

Abstract The Coastal Belt of the Franciscan Complex in northern California is now known to contain strata of Early Cretaceous to Eocene age, with the majority of over one hundred samples dated yielding early Tertiary palynomorphs. A single sample collected southwest of Ukiah, Mendocino County, California, has yielded an interesting assemblage of dinoflagellates which was not previously known from the Coastal Belt. The occurrence of several diagnostic species indicates a Danian age for this sample. This assemblage, consisting of some twelve species, is compared to one of Danian age described by Drugg (1967) from the Moreno Formation, Fresno County, California. Genera which the two assemblages have in common include Alisocysta Stover and Evitt 1978, Areoligera Lejeune‐Carpentier 1938, Cannosphaeropsis O. Wetzel 1933, Cyclonephelium Deflandre and Cookson 1955, Danea Morgenroth 1968, Deflandrea Eisenack 1938, and Spiniferites Mantell 1850. Five new species are herein described: Alisocysta rugolirata n. sp., A...
Extending the usefulness of the Signals and Systems Concept Inventory (SSCI)

The Signals and Systems Concept Inventory is an extremely useful assessment tool that has been widely used and analyzed. The authors have applied it in a variety of situations outside its typical usage. These situations include comparing international students to US students, introducing concept inventories to international faculty, supporting an ABET evaluation report, evaluating the effect of electives on conceptual understanding, analyzing the effect of time between courses on the conceptual understanding, and considering the effect of visual learning style on student performance on a largely graphical test. The SSCI has proven to be a flexible tool that makes student understanding visible and quantifiable in all these situations.