cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of complete versus incomplete mitral valve repair in experimental mitral regurgitation

Severe mitral regurgitation (regurgitant fraction 0.75 ± 0.02) was created in eight dogs by our closed-chest chordal rupture technique. After 3 months of chronic mitral regurgitation all indices of contractile function were depressed. Mitral valve repair was then attempted. Postoperative regurgitant fraction was reduced compared with the preoperative value in all eight dogs. Concomitantly, forward cardiac output increased in all dogs and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure fell in all dogs. However, in some dogs, significant regurgitation persisted despite repair. Postoperative regurgitant fraction ranged from 0% to 60%. Postoperative residual regurgitant fraction was related significantly to postoperative cardiac output (r = 0.99), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r = 0.77), ejection fraction (r = 0.75), and two indices of contractile function—the mass-corrected end-systolic stress volume relationship (r = 0.87) and end-systolic stiffness (r = 0.93). In general, these parameters returned to their normal values before mitral regurgitation when postoperative regurgitant fraction was less than 30%. Myocytes isolated from the ventricles at the end of study also demonstrated normal contractile function when regurgitant fraction was less than 30%.
On the separability of GDoF region for parallel Gaussian TIN optimal interference networks

It has been shown recently by Sun et al. that in a K user parallel Gaussian interference network, if over each sub-channel, for each user the desired signal strength is no less than the sum of the strengths of the strongest interference from this user and the strongest interference to this user (all signal strengths measured in dB scale), then separate coding over each sub-channel and treating interference as noise (TIN) is sufficient to achieve the sum generalized degrees of freedom (GDoF), subject to a mild invertibility condition [1]. In this work, we show that the weighted sum GDoF is similarly separable, i.e., separate coding and TIN is sufficient to achieve the weighted sum GDoF, subject to a similar mild invertibility condition. This is proved by translating the weighted GDoF optimization problem to the sum GDoF problem of a class of compound parallel Gaussian interference networks, giving rise to new weighted GDoF outer bounds that are strictly stronger than what is implied by the sum GDoF bounds obtained previously.
Banking crises and transparency

This paper assesses empirically the effect of disclosure on bank stability. In doing so it offers a new approach for assessing the marginal effect of structural factors on the likelihood of crises that involves panel-data techniques applied to bank-level data. Our dataset covers more than 500 banks in 32 different countries over the years 1994-2000. Using this dataset we assess the likelihood of a bank experiencing a dramatic fall in its stock price in any given year and relate the likelihood of such a “bank crisis” for any particular bank and in any particular year to both the existence of a deposit insurance scheme and to bank transparency, while controlling for macro- as well as bank-level factors that might also play a role in affecting the likelihood of such an event. We find evidence that bank transparency reduces the likelihood of bank crises, while the effect of deposit insurance depends on the particular design features of the regime.
The TIGIT/CD226 Axis Regulates Human T Cell Function

T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) is a newly identified receptor expressed on T cells that binds to CD155 on the dendritic cell surface, driving them to a more tolerogenic phenotype. Given that TIGIT contains an ITIM motif in its intracellular domain and considering the potential importance of the TIGIT/CD226 pathway in human autoimmune disease, we investigated the specific role of TIGIT in human CD4 + T cells. Using an agonistic anti-TIGIT mAb, we demonstrate a direct inhibitory effect on T cell proliferation with a decrease in expression of T-bet, GATA3, IFN regulatory factor 4, and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor c with inhibition of cytokine production, predominantly IFN-γ. Knockdown of TIGIT expression by short hairpin RNA resulted in an increase of both T-bet and IFN-γ mRNA and protein expression with concomitant decrease in IL-10 expression. Increases in IFN-γ with TIGIT knockdown could be overcome by blocking CD226 signaling, indicating that TIGIT exerts immunosuppressive effects by competing with CD226 for the same CD155 ligand. These data demonstrate that TIGIT can inhibit T cell functions by competing with CD226 and can also directly inhibit T cells in a T cell-intrinsic manner. Our results provide evidence for a novel role of this alternative costimulatory pathway in regulating human T cell responses associated with autoimmune disease.
Determinants and Outcomes of Online Brand Tribalism: Exploring Communities of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs)

Online consumption communities, involving millions of online consumers, have been created around massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs). Within these communities, players who share interest in MMORPGs convene, interact, and collaborate with fellow players and achieve game-related outcomes. As these online social networks have been noted to augment, and perhaps supplant person-to-person interaction, this study focuses on the drivers of inherent interpersonal relationships, the nature of the constructed society, and resulting consumer initiatives to sustain and nurture the organization. Specifically, this research suggests that MMORPG communities transcend more facile forms of online or brand communities and demonstrate characteristics that can most aptly be construed as brand tribalism in the anthropological sense. Here, the challenge and telepresence innate in playing MMORPGs, cognitive and affective involvement associated with MMORPGs, and commitment to MMORPGs are modeled as antecedents of brand tribalism or a sense of the relationship with the brand and MMORPG community. Consequently, intent to purchase MMORPG-related virtual products, recruitment of other MMORPG players, and word of mouth are identified as consequences of this unique consumer–brand relationship. Further analysis reveals the negatively charged emotional measure (i.e., defense of the tribe) within the tribalism instrument explains more variance in the outcome variables than the positively charged emotional measures (i.e., lineage, social, sense of community). Implications and future research directions are offered.
Overview of the Core Commitments Initiative

This chapter provides an overview of the Core Commitments Initiative conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). Core Commitments was intended to reinvigorate the conversation about personal and social responsibility within higher education, and served as the impetus for this New Directions volume.
Using Theatre to Change Attitudes Toward Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students

Despite the proliferation of educational interventions and attitude change strategies, the prevalence of homophobia and widespread discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people on college campuses persists. This study investigates the impact of theatre on changes in college students’ attitudes. Using a pre- and postshow survey to measure the impact of a theatrical performance on college students’ attitudes toward LGBT persons and issues, we report significant changes in attitudes and suggest the potential of the performance to also inspire action. Understanding this effect may help educators be more effective in their efforts to develop attitudes of acceptance toward LGBT people.
Coding sequences of the MHC ii β chain of homozygous rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)1

Abstract Six lines of homozygous rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) from different genetic and geographical backgrounds have been produced as aquatic models for biomedical research by the chromosome set manipulation techniques of androgenesis and gynogenesis Messenger RNA from spleens was extracted and the MHC II B cDNA sequences amplified by RT–PCR were cloned into plasmids Sequences of the MHC II β 2 domains were highly conserved between the different plasmids from the same and different lines of trout Most of the variability among sequences was found in the amino terminal half of the β 1 domain which corresponds with the peptide binding region of the MHC II molecule This diversity suggests that the different lines of trout may exhibit differences in immune response Rainbow trout MHC II B sequences were similar to the MHC II B sequences of the Pacific salmon ( O gorbuscha O tshawytscha O nerka O masou O kisutch ) Southern blot analysis performed on the restricted DNA of the OSU and Hot Creek trout and the doubled haploid progeny produced by androgenesis from OSU×Hot Creek hybrids indicates that two distinct genes encode the MHC II B sequences and that these genes are unlinked © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved
Epr studied of solvation and structures of ion pairs

Abstract We have studied the details of the solvation of alcohol to radical ions using epr. It is shown that one can apply epr in order to 1) elucidate the microscopic details of solvation steps. 2) obtain information about structures of ion pairs, 3) determine the rates of formation and dissociation of solvated complexes. Solvation of isopropyl alcohol to fluorenone ketyl is discussed as a special example.
Size Distribution of Polypeptide Chains in Cells

THE monomer molecular weight distribution in the total proteins of various cell types is unknown. A list has been compiled1 for purified proteins of which the molecular weights of the monomeric subunits are known. Large polypeptides are rare; only about 20 per cent of the listed monomeric proteins are larger than 80,000 daltons. The overall size distribution of cellular proteins may be inferred from such data, but it would never be possible to be sure that these extensively purified proteins represented a truly random sample.
Tm/Ho co-doped femtosecond fiber laser core-pumped with 790 nm

A single-mode Tm/Ho co-doped mode-locked fiber laser that is directly core-pumped with 790 nm pump light is presented. In a short gain fiber cavity, femtosecond pulses at a repetition rate of 135 MHz are demonstrated.
Effect of Automobile Exhaust Fume Inhalation by Poultry Immediately Prior to Slaughter on Color of Meat

Abstract RECENT research has indicated that various factors may influence poultry meat color. Froning and Hartung (1967) studied the effect of age, sex and strain on the color of turkey meat. Meat color was noted to become darker and to increase in redness (higher aL values) with advancing age of the bird. Some strain differences in redness were also observed. The effect of dietary nitrates and nitrites on development of pink color reaction in processed poultry meat was investigated by Froning et al. (1967, 1968). Nitrates and nitrites fed at higher levels were shown to increase the visual redness and aL values of chicken and turkey meat. Pool (1956) reported that small amounts of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide from oven gases will produce an undesirable pink surface reaction in cooked poultry meat. Exhaust fumes from internal combustion engines contain oxides of nitrogen (nitric oxide+nitrogen dioxide) and carbon monoxide (Abelson, 1967;…
Oligonucleotide-displaced organic monolayer-protected silver nanoparticles and enhanced luminescence of their salted aggregates

N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine (tiopronin) monolayer-protected silver particles were partially displaced by single-stranded oligonucleotides through ligand exchanges. The oligonucleotide-displaced particles could be hybridized with complementary fluorophore-labeled oligonucleotides. Both the oligonucleotide-displaced and hybridized particles could be aggregated by electrostatic interactions with salt in buffer solution, and the aggregates displayed enhanced luminescence from fluorophores. This result suggests the possible application of surface-enhanced fluorescence from metallic nanoparticle aggregation for DNA detection.
Lipid-dependent Activation of Protein Kinase C-α by Normal Alcohols

Significant stimulation of protein kinase C-α (PKCα) by n-alcohols was observed in characterized lipid systems composed of phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine/dioleoylglycerol (PC/PS/DO). The logarithm of the alcohol concentrations to achieve half-maximal PKC stimulation (ED50) and of the maximal PKC stimulation by alcohols were both linear functions of alcohol chain length, consistent with the Meyer-Overton effect. Binding of phorbol esters to PKC was not significantly affected by octanol. Octanol increased, up to 4-fold, the affinity of PKC binding to the lipid bilayers in both the absence and presence of DO. However, octanol increased PKC activity much more significantly than it enhanced binding of the enzyme to the lipid bilayers, suggesting that the stimulation of PKC is not merely a reflection of the increase in PKC bilayer binding affinity. 31P NMR experiments did not reveal formation of non-lamellar phases with octanol. Differential scanning calorimetry suggested that alcohols, like diacylglycerol, induce formation of compositionally distinct domains and the maximal enzyme activity with alcohol resided roughly in the putative domain-coexistence region. These results suggest that alcohols are mimicking diacylglycerol in activating PKC, not by binding to the high affinity phorbol ester binding site, but by altering lipid structure and by enhancing PKC-bilayer binding.
Memory for Places: Role of Schemata-Related Expectancy and Saliency in Recall and Recognition

After a 2-min. wait in a room described as the laboratory assistant's office, memory of 22 undergraduates for items in the office was tested. Previous ratings of the saliency of items predicted retrieval and errors. The results were discussed in terms of the operation of schemata as described by Bartlett in 1932.
Rabies in a captive colony of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus).

Our research has focused on the ecology of commensal populations of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in Fort Collins, Colorado (USA), in relation to rabies virus (RV) transmission. We captured 35 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) in late summer 2001 and held them captive for 4.8 mo. The bats were initially placed in an indoor cage for 1 mo then segregated into groups of two to six per cage. Two of the bats succumbed to rabies virus (RV) within the first month of capture. Despite group housing, all of the remaining bats were healthy over the course of the investigation; none developed rabies, although one of the rabid bats was observed to bite her cage mates. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Taqman® real-time PCR analysis of the RNA derived from the brain tissue, salivary glands, and oral swab samples confirmed RV infection in the dead bats. Rabies virus was also isolated from the brain tissue upon passage in mouse neuroblastoma cells. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the RV nuc...
Comparison of lipid management in patients with coronary versus peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), similar to coronary artery disease (CAD), is a significant predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Guidelines recommend a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) goal of
Prolonged juvenile States and delay of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors: the Fels Longitudinal study.

Objectives To ascertain the influence of such a prolonged juvenile state on delaying the onset of the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life. Study design We define prolongation of a juvenile state as a retarded tempo of growth, determined by the timing of peak height velocity in each subject and relate the retarded tempo of growth to metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life by use of serial data of 237 study participants (119 men and 118 women) enrolled in the Fels Longitudinal study. Results Children who matured early tended to have greater body mass index, waist circumference, and percent of body fat and were more likely to have adverse cardiovascular risk profiles than children who matured late. The differences in these risk factors between early and late maturers were significant for percent body fat, fasting plasma triglycerides, and fasting plasma insulin. Conclusions The analyses disclosed a clear separation between early and late maturers in the appearance of these risk factors in young adulthood.
HTLV-1 in acquired adult myopathy

We report a 53-year-old Jamaican man with 20 years of progressing weakness involving proximal limb muscles and neck flexors. Serum CK was 1100 IU/L. EMG demonstrated spontaneous activity, myopathic motor units, and full recruitment patterns in weak muscles. Muscle biopsy revealed marked myofiber degeneration with extensive fibrosis, suggesting a chronic myopathic process. HTLV-1 antibody was present in serum in high titers by ELISA and Western blot. Immunohistochemistry with rabbit polyclonal antisera to HTLV-1 showed rare staining myocytes. PCR demonstrated HTLV-1 DNA in frozen muscle tissue. This myopathy, associated with HTLV-1 infection, has clinical and pathological features similar to a dystrophy. We recommend serological screening for HTLV-1 in cryptogenic adult myopathies.
Synthetic arteriovenous shunts for hemodialysis in children

Abstract Venography is invaluable in the placement of synthetic arteriovenous shunts for hemodialysis. The forearm veins of uremic children are anatomically variable and may be hidden from view in edematous tissues and obstructed by scattered thrombi resulting from repeated vein punctures. Venography is used to select the vein which will most effectively carry blood away from the shunt, thus facilitating placement of the cannulae and increasing the length of time they can be expected to function.
Purification from cultured hepatoma cells of two nonhistone chromatin proteins with preferential affinity for single-stranded DNA: apparent analogy with calf thymus HMG proteins.

Abstract Sequential chromatography on double-stranded DNA and single-stranded DNA columns selects two proteins with marked preference for single-stranded DNA from the complex set of proteins that is released by NaCl from chromatin of cultured hepatoma cells. By a number of criteria, these two proteins appear to be analogous to the calf thymus chromatin proteins HMG-1 and HMG-2.
Dual/duel identities: Jordanian perceptions of academic equity

This study aimed to address how the sociopolitical climate in Jordan facilitates, perpetuates, and/or alleviates negative or positive views of Palestinians from the perspective of Jordanian university graduates. The qualitative study looked specifically at how education and the ‘hidden curriculum’ addresses coexistence.
Um modelo de ambiente orientado a serviços MPEG-7

With the ever growing multimedia content usage on the internet a need for a standard that could facilitate this content search and access developed. MPEG-7 - also known as Multimedia Content Description Interface - was created to describe multimedia metadata. A great number of MPEG-7 studies has been made, but none of them attempts at creating a model which could integrate different kinds of MPEG-7 applications. This work presents such model, using service-oriented architecture.The service-oriented environment model is composed of three layers Descriptors Base, Services, and Services Directory. Aided by service composition, it is possible to create innumerous multimedia applications, who would make use of the MPEG-7 standard. The environment is disposed in a service-oriented architecture, thus facilitating the creation and acquisition of new functionalities to the model.
Aging phenomena in heavily doped (p+) micromachined silicon cantilever beams

Abstract Micromachined (100) silicon cantilever beams with and without coating materials have been excited to study their aging process. The center frequency and the full width at half amplitude (FWHA) of the spectra are obtained as a function of time to study internal friction. The dynamic Young's modulus is determined from the resonance frequency of the cantilever beams. In uncoated silicon cantilever beams, the dynamic Young's modulus increases as a function of aging from 129 to 136 GPa in 2 × 10 9 cycles. The Young's modulus in these heavily boron-doped beams is smaller than the Young's modulus in silicon with low doping. In coated cantilever beams, the effective dynamic Young's modulus decreases as function of aging and the amount of this change depends on the coating material, being largest in the Al/Si system. In all the cantilever beams the FWHA increases as a function of time, indicating that the amount of energy dissipated internally increases as the cantilevers age. Also, the observed FWHA values of the resonances in these systems are too large to be caused by thermoelastic effects; microcracks are probably generated as the beams age. This is the first study of aging in micromachined p + heavily boron-doped single-crystal silicon.
Confirmation of the reality of the Gilsa geomagnetic polarity event

Abstract The Gilsa geomagnetic polarity event ( t = 1.60 ± 0.05m.y. ) has been proposed on the basis of K:Ar and paleomagnetic data from a single Icelandic lava. Our detection of this event in five separate deep sea sedimentary cores, taken from an area southeast of the Pacific-Antarctic rise, confirms its reality. Reinterpretation of some previously published submarine sedimentary core paleomagnetic data supports our conclusion. The recently proposed Kaena event ( t = 2.80 ± 0.06m.y. ) may be represented in three of the cores examined, but the data are at this stage inconclusive.
Using run-time checking to provide safety and progress for distributed cyber-physical systems

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) may interact and manipulate objects in the physical world, and therefore ideally would have formal guarantees about their behavior. Performing static-time proofs of safety invariants, however, may be intractable for systems with distributed physical-world interactions. This is further complicated when realistic communication models are considered, for which there may not be bounds on message delays, or even that messages will eventually reach their destination. In this work, we address the challenge of proving safety and progress in distributed CPS communicating over an unreliable communication layer. This is done in two parts. First, we show that system safety can be verified by partially relying upon run-time checks, and that dropping messages if the run-time checks fail will maintain safety. Second, we use a notion of compatible action chains to guarantee system progress, despite unbounded message delays. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on a multi-agent vehicle flocking system, and show that the overhead of the proposed run-time checks is not overbearing.
Aptamer structures from A to ζ

Solution structures of RNA aptamers for FMN, ATP, arginine, and citrulline reveal how oligonucleotides can fold to form selective binding pockets for biological cofactors and amino acids. These structures confirm old ideas and provide new insights about three-dimensional structures of nucleic acids and their possible role in chemical reactions.
Transcriptional regulation in the placenta during normal and compromised fetal growth.

The placenta synthesizes a number of cytokines and growth factors that are involved in the establishment, maintenance or regulation of pregnancy. Included are interferons, placental lactogens, other members of the growth hormone/prolactin gene family, leptin, and an array of angiogenic growth factors. While their roles in pregnancy differ, in their absence pregnancy is either lost or compromised. Therefore an understanding of the cell-specific transcriptional regulation of these genes is imperative if we are ever to alter their expression to benefit pregnancy progression. Our understanding of transcriptional regulation in the placenta is still in its infancy, and there appears to be considerable divergence in the transcriptional regulation of these genes between species, as well as between the various cytokine genes being examined. For example, while there are some commonalities in the regulation of human, rodent and ruminant placental lactogens, there are differences that require the study of placental lactogen gene regulation across species. However, one common theme that is emerging with the angiogenic growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and the angio-poietins, is the transcriptional control of these genes by oxygen tension within the placenta. Examination of transcriptional regulation in normal and compromised pregnancies will provide additional insight in this area.
Many-Body Problem for Composite Particles

A formalism for treating the many-body problem of composite particles is presented for the case of composite particles consisting of two fermions. Commutation relations for composite-particle operators are derived, as well as a sum rule satisfied by the composite-particle Green's function. In an approximation that shuts off the interactions between composite particles in a consistent manner, the dynamical equation for the one-composite-particle Green's function is solved and the distribution function for the composite particles obtained. Possible applications to real systems are discussed.
Plasticity of tyrosine hydroxylase and vasoactive intestinal peptide messenger RNAs in visceral afferent neurons of the nodose ganglion upon axotomy-induced deafferentation

Abstract The nodose ganglion contains placode-derived visceral sensory neurons of the vagus nerve. Previous study showed that axotomy-induced deafferentation reduced the number of tyrosine hydroxylaseimmunoreactive and increased the number of vasoactive intestinal peptide-immunoreactive neurons in the ganglion. The present study was conducted to determine whether the changes in neuropeptide/neurotransmitter enzyme content are associated with changes in the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and vasoactive intestinal peptide messenger RNAs in the nodose ganglion. We used in situ hybridization histochemistry with 35 S-labeled oligonucleotide probes for tyrosine hydroxylase and vasoactive intestinal peptide precursor messenger RNAs. Peripheral axotomy of visceral afferent inputs reduced tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA and increased vasoactive intestinal peptide messenger RNA expression in neurons of the nodose ganglion of the rat. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA-containing neurons was significantly reduced at three, seven and 14 days after axotomy-induced deafferentation compared with intact and sham-operated controls. Labeling density of tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA-containing neurons was significantly reduced at three and seven days. Conversely, the number of vasoactive intestinal peptide messenger RNA-containing neurons increased significantly at three, seven and 14 days, while the labeling density of vasoactive intestinal peptide messenger RNA-containing neurons also increased at one, three, seven and 14 days. The results of the present study indicate that the axotomy-induced down-regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase and up-regulation of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the neurons of the nodose ganglion are associated with changes in their messenger RNAs in response to axotomy-induced deafferentation.
Time Course of Recovery from Frostbitten Phrenics after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis developed in a patient after coronary artery bypass graft surgery during which cold cardioplegia was used. The patient's progress and eventual recovery over an 18-month period is described, with particular reference to chest wall motion and respiratory pressure measurements. (Chest 1991; 99:1112-15)
Atmospheric modeling of Mars methane surface releases

We utilize the MarsWRF general circulation model (GCM) to address the behavior of gas plumes in the Martian atmosphere, with the specific goal of characterizing the source of the recently identified methane detection in the Martian atmosphere. These observations have been interpreted as the release of methane from localized surface sources with spatial and temporal variabilities. Due to the limited temporal coverage of ground-based observations, we use a GCM to simulate the development of passive atmospheric plumes over relevant timescales. The observations can be reproduced best if the release occurred just before the time of observation—no more than 1–2 sols earlier—and if this release were nearly instantaneous rather than a slow, steady emission. Furthermore, it requires a source region spanning a broad latitudinal range rather than a point emission. While the accuracy of our conclusions about this specific methane release scenario is limited by the uncertainties inherent in GCM simulations of the Martian atmosphere, our findings regarding generalized plume behavior are robust, and illustrate the potential power of numerical modeling for constraining plume source conditions.
Structure-based design of beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase I (beta 4Gal-T1) with equally efficient N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase activity: point mutation broadens beta 4Gal-T1 donor specificity.

Abstract β1,4-Galactosyltransferase I (Gal-T1) normally transfers Gal from UDP-Gal to GlcNAc in the presence of Mn2+ ion. In the presence of α-lactalbumin (LA), the Gal acceptor specificity is altered from GlcNAc to Glc. Gal-T1 also transfers GalNAc from UDP-GalNAc to GlcNAc, but with only ∼0.1% of Gal-T activity. To understand this low GalNAc-transferase activity, we have carried out the crystal structure analysis of the Gal-T1·LA complex with UDP-GalNAc at 2.1-A resolution. The crystal structure reveals that the UDP-GalNAc binding to Gal-T1 is similar to the binding of UDP-Gal to Gal-T1, except for an additional hydrogen bond formed between the N-acetyl group of GalNAc moiety with the Tyr-289 side chain hydroxyl group. Elimination of this additional hydrogen bond by mutating Tyr-289 residue to Leu, Ile, or Asn enhances the GalNAc-transferase activity. Although all three mutants exhibit enhanced GalNAc-transferase activity, the mutant Y289L exhibits GalNAc-transferase activity that is nearly 100% of its Gal-T activity, even while completely retaining its Gal-T activity. The steady state kinetic analyses on the Leu-289 mutant indicate that theK m for GlcNAc has increased compared to the wild type. On the other hand, the catalytic constant (k cat) in the Gal-T reaction is comparable with the wild type, whereas it is 3–5-fold higher in the GalNAc-T reaction. Interestingly, in the presence of LA, these mutants also transfer GalNAc to Glc instead of to GlcNAc. The present study demonstrates that, in the Gal-T family, the Tyr-289/Phe-289 residue largely determines the sugar donor specificity.
Synthesis and characterization of hard magnetic composite photocatalyst—Barium ferrite/silica/titania

Abstract Hard magnetic composite photocatalytic particles—barium ferrite (magnetic core)/silica (intermediate layer)/titania (photoactive shell) (B/S/T) were prepared by wet-chemical methods. Anatase titania nanoparticles were directly coated on the silica-coated barium ferrite forming photoactive titania shell by hydrolysis and condensation of titanium n -butoxide. The prepared hard magnetic composite photocatalyst can be magnetically fluidized and recovered by an applied magnetic field enhancing both the separation and mixing efficiency for remediating fluids. The prepared composite particles were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), BET specific surface area measurement and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized composite particles was tested by photodegradation of Procion red MX-5B dye under UV illumination (302 nm) and compared with that of titania nanoparticles. The as-prepared composite particles were photoactive, with enhanced photocatalytic activity after the heat-treatment at 500 °C for 1 h. The reusability of the composite photocatalytic particles was also tested and the recycled composite particles presented the photocatalytic activity comparable to the fresh composite particles.
Diffusion‐controlled chemical reactions

Transformation are obtained which reduce the system of differential equations for certain types of diffusion-controlled reactions to the equation for pure diffusion. Simple relationships between the diffusion rate with and without reactions are presented for reversible unimolecular reactions, certain types of reversible bimolecular reactions, and irreversible reactions between species with equal diffusivities. It is shown that these relationships are independent of geometry, hydrodynamics, or boundary conditions, and so the mass transfer coefficient in the presence of reactions can be obtained from the coefficient in the absence of reactions without an explicit knowledge of the mass transfer mechanism. The reaction factor for irreversible reactions with equal diffusivities, obtained by others for specific mass transfer mechanisms, is found to be quite general and essentially independent of the mechanism. Some data on the absorption of sulfur dioxide in a laminar water jet is considered.
Fast image motion segmentation for surveillance applications

Wireless, battery-powered camera networks are becoming of increasing interest for surveillance and monitoring applications. The computational power of these platforms is often limited in order to reduce energy consumption. In addition, many embedded processors do not have floating point support in hardware. Among the visual tasks that a visual sensor node may be required to perform, motion analysis is one of the most basic and relevant. Events of interest are usually characterized by the presence of moving objects or persons. Knowledge of the direction of motion and velocity of a moving body may be used to take actions such as sending an alarm or triggering other camera nodes in the network. We present a fast algorithm for identifying moving areas in an image. The algorithm is efficient and amenable to implementation in fixed point arithmetic. Once the moving blobs in an image have been precisely localized, the average velocity vector can be computed using a small number of floating point operations. Our procedure starts by determining an initial labeling of image blocks based on local differential analysis. Then, belief propagation is used to impose spatial coherence and to resolve aperture effect inherent in texture less areas. A detailed analysis of the computational cost of the algorithm and of the provisions that must be taken in order to avoid overflow with 32-bit words is included.
A comparison of Plato's Republic and Deming's System of Profound Knowledge

Abstract This article compares the emerging quality concepts in Plato's Republic with W. Edwards Deming's System of Profound Knowledge and fourteen points for management. Some interesting similarities are found between the works of the two philosophers.
RNA scaffolds for minihelix-based aminoacyl transfer: design of "transpeptizymes".

Abstract Some evidence and considerations suggest that RNA minihelices based on the acceptor-TΨC stem-loop of tRNAs are the historical, more ancient part of the tRNA structure. These minihelices are substrates for aminoacylation by tRNA synthetases. In the transition from the RNA world to the theatre of proteins, aminoacyl minihelices may have had a role in early systems of peptide synthesis. Such systems would require bringing together aminoacyl groups into close proximity in order for peptide bonds to form. Here we report the design of RNA scaffolds based on pieces of the structure of the P4-P6 domain of the Tetrahymena ribozyme. RNA minihelices were incorporated into these scaffolds and the resulting RNAs could be enzymatically aminoacylated. The RNA scaffolds containing the minihelix-like pieces associated spontaneously to create the presumptive P4-P6 structure and thereby bring together the substrates for aminoacylation. Thus, peptide synthesis with associating RNA scaffolds that contain minihelix-li...
Tympanic border cells are Wnt-responsive and can act as progenitors for postnatal mouse cochlear cells

Permanent hearing loss is caused by the irreversible damage of cochlear sensory hair cells and nonsensory supporting cells. In the postnatal cochlea, the sensory epithelium is terminally differentiated, whereas tympanic border cells (TBCs) beneath the sensory epithelium are proliferative. The functions of TBCs are poorly characterized. Using an Axin2(lacZ) Wnt reporter mouse, we found transient but robust Wnt signaling and proliferation in TBCs during the first 3 postnatal weeks, when the number of TBCs decreases. In vivo lineage tracing shows that a subset of hair cells and supporting cells is derived postnatally from Axin2-expressing TBCs. In cochlear explants, Wnt agonists stimulated the proliferation of TBCs, whereas Wnt inhibitors suppressed it. In addition, purified Axin2(lacZ) cells were clonogenic and self-renewing in culture in a Wnt-dependent manner, and were able to differentiate into hair cell-like and supporting cell-like cells. Taken together, our data indicate that Axin2-positive TBCs are Wnt responsive and can act as precursors to sensory epithelial cells in the postnatal cochlea.
Tailor Made Protein Synthesis for HSCs

Translation control is a prevalent form of gene expression regulation in developmental and stem cell biology. A recent paper by Signer et al. (2014) measures protein synthesis in the mouse hematopoietic compartment and reveals the importance of diminished protein production for maintaining hematopoietic stem cell function and restraining oncogenic potential.
Behavioral and Electrophysiologic Responses of Drosophila melanogaster to Prolonged Periods of Anoxia.

Abstract Sensitivity to anoxia varies tremendously among phyla and species. Most mammals are exquisitely sensitive to low concentrations of inspired oxygen, while some fish, turtles and crustacea are very resistant. To determine the basis of anoxia tolerance, it would be useful to utilize a model system which can yield mechanistic answers. We studied the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to determine its anoxia resistance since this organism has been previously studied using a variety of approaches and has proven to be very useful in a number of areas of biology. Flies were exposed to anoxia for periods of 5–240 min, and, after 1–2 min in anoxia, Drosophila lost coordination, fell down, and became motionless. However, they tolerated a complete nitrogen atmosphere for up to 4 h following which they recovered. In addition, a nonlinear relation existed between time spent in anoxia and time to recovery. Extracellular recordings from flight muscles in response to giant fiber stimulation revealed complete recovery of muscle-evoked response, a response that was totally absent during anoxia. Mean O2 consumption per gram of tissue was substantially reduced in low O2 concentrations (20% of control). We conclude from these studies that: (1) Drosophila melanogaster is very resistant to anoxia and can be useful in the study of mechanisms of anoxia tolerance; and (2) the profound decline in metabolic rate during periods of low environmental O2 levels contributes to the survival of Drosophila. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Building a cloud based systems lab

The system administration lab at the University of Cincinnati consists of 24 high-end desktop PCs, each loaded with client virtualization software. The lab is limited to 24 students per class and does not offer remote access to the virtual machines. The students must either wait for open lab hours or purchase their own high-end systems to work on their schoolwork. To expand the number of classes taught and enable remote access to the lab, the authors created a Microsoft-based private cloud accessible from any computer on the university's network. VPN entry to the network allows students to login to the system using a web browser to access their VM's from anywhere in the world.
P-selectin activates integrin-mediated colon carcinoma cell adhesion to fibronectin.

Abstract During hematogenous cancer metastasis, tumor cells separate from a primary mass, enter the bloodstream, disperse throughout the body, migrate across vessel walls, and generate distant colonies. The later steps of metastasis superficially resemble leukocyte extravasation, a process initiated by selectin-mediated cell tethering to the blood vessel wall followed by integrin-mediated arrest and transendothelial migration. Some cancer cells express P-selectin ligands and attach to immobilized P-selectin, suggesting that these cells can arrest in blood vessels using sequential selectin- and integrin-mediated adhesion, as do leukocytes. We hypothesize that selectin binding may regulate subsequent integrin-mediated steps in metastasis. Using a model system of cultured Colo 320 human colon adenocarcinoma cells incubated with soluble P-selectin-IgG chimeric protein, we have found that P-selectin can stimulate activation of the α 5 β 1 integrin resulting in a specific increase of adhesion and spreading of these cells on fibronectin substrates. P-selectin binding also induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K). PI3-K inhibitors blocked P-selectin-mediated integrin activation, cell attachment, and cell spreading. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activation blocked cell spreading, but not cell attachment. P-selectin binding also resulted in formation of a signaling complex containing PI3-K and p38 MAPK. These results suggest that P-selectin binding to tumor cells can activate α 5 β 1 integrin via PI3-K and p38 MAPK signaling pathways leading to increased cell adhesion. We propose that P-selectin ligands are important tumor cell signaling molecules that modulate integrin-mediated cell adhesion in the metastatic process.
The GC content of LSU rRNA evolves across topological and functional regions of the ribosome in all three domains of life

Large-subunit rRNA is the ribozyme that catalyzes protein synthesis by translation, and many of its features vary along a deep-to-superficial gradient. By measuring the G+C proportions in this rRNA in all three domains of life (60 bacteria, 379 eukaryote, and 23 archaean sequences), we tested whether the proportion of GC nucleotides varies along this in-out gradient. The rRNA regions used were several zones identified by Bokov and Steinberg (2009) as being arranged from deep to superficial within the LSU. To the Bokov-Steinberg zones, we added the most superficial zone of all, the divergent domains (expansion segments), which are greatly enlarged in eukaryotes. Regression lines constructed from the hundreds of species of organisms revealed the expected in-out gradient, showing that species with high %GC (or high %AT) in their rRNA distribute more of these abundant nucleotides into the peripheral zones. This could be explained by the evolutionary rates of replacement of all nucleotides (A, C, G, T), because these latter rates are fastest at the periphery and slowest near the conserved core. As an overall explanation, we propose that when extrinsic factors (whole-genome nucleotide composition, or environmental temperature) demand the percentage of GC in the rRNA of a species be high or low, then the deep-lying zones are buffered against GC variation because they are the slowest to evolve. The deep, conserved zones are also the most involved in translation, hinting that stabilizing selection there prevents a high GC variability that would diminish LSU rRNA's core functions. We found only a few domain-specific trends in rRNA-GC distribution, which relate to many Archaea living at high temperatures or to the highly complex genes and adaptations of Eukaryota. Use of rRNA sequences in molecular phylogenetic studies, for reconstructing the relationships of organisms across the tree of life, requires accurate models of how rRNA evolves. The demonstration that GC distributes in regular patterns across rRNA regions can improve these tree-reconstruction models in the future and should yield phylogenies of greater accuracy.
Molecular dynamics simulations of motion of edge and screw dislocations in a metal

Abstract Motions of a straight edge dislocation and a kinked screw dislocation in BCC Mo, described by the Finnis–Sinclair potential, are studied in periodic simulation cells subjected to an applied shear stress. Procedures for setting up the initial atomic configurations in each case are described, and estimate is made of the local driving force due to the image interactions. Preliminary results show that at low temperature the edge dislocation moves primarily through kink nucleation, whereas the mobility of the screw dislocation is strongly facilitated by the presence of a kink.
Parsing the Heart: Genetic Modules for Organ Assembly

The limited number of informative phenotypes and similarity among species suggest that there are at least a few elements of heart formation that are “modular” and amenable to dissection as distinct genetic and biochemical pathways. We propose that these were added to a primitive chordate heart (Figure 2Figure 2), a notion similar to that for other modular evolutionary additions (Raff 1996xRaff, R.A. See all ReferencesRaff 1996). Of course, we recognize that it may be overly reductionist to claim that the units we see by standard histology are those for which genetic pathways exist and that those pathways have been added, in a modular way, to a primitive single-chambered peristaltic pump of a presumptive ancestor.The next steps in the evaluation of this hypothesis include identification of the other elements of the modular pathways that regulate morphogenesis and determination of relationships among pathways that define individual cell fate and higher-order form. As mutants that affect other organ systems are characterized, it will also be of interest to determine whether the type of modular logic that appears to underlie cardiac evolution and development reflects a general strategy for organogenesis.‡To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Should Kohlberg's Cognitive Developmental Approach to Morality Be Replaced with a More Pragmatic Approach? Comment on Krebs and Denton (2005).

Krebs and Denton (2005) proposed that Kohlberg's cognitive developmental approach to morality be replaced by a pragmatic approach more relevant to everyday social behavior and the cooperative moral orders of society. Although the Krebs and Denton article raises some legitimate questions, their proposal is at best premature and provokes some serious concerns. Their starting point, that Kohlberg's model of morality is inadequate, is an evaluation shared by many neo-Kohlbergians. Before the cognitive developmental approach is replaced, however, important contributions (e.g., Rest's schema interpretation of the stages) toward refining or improving the approach must be adequately considered. Evidence suggests that Krebs and Denton may have underestimated relations between moral judgment stages and social behavior, including sudden behavior in emergency situations.
Remote sensing over oceans of optically thin cirrus and its significance

The extinction characteristics of thin ice-crystal clouds over the oceanic convective rain belts in the tropics and midlatitudes, obtained from the infrared interferometer spectrometer flown on Nimbus 4 satellite in 1970 are examined. It is observed that the optical depth of these clouds in the RF window region is less than 3 and their spectral features are consistent with the cloud particle size of about 10 micron. These optically-thin ice-crystal clouds are extensions of the anvil clouds generated by deep convective systems. The existence of such clouds extending from the upper troposphere into the lower stratosphere in the polar regions during winter and early spring is indicated, and the result of a theoretical simulation are analyzed.