cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of triple-helical stability and subsequent melanoma cellular responses by single-site substitution of fluoroproline derivatives.

Collagen is a multifunctional protein, serving as a structural scaffold and a modulator of cellular responses. Prior work has identified distinct regions from several collagen types that promote cell adhesion, spreading, migration, and signal transduction. One of these regions, α1(IV)1263−1277 from type IV collagen, mediates these responses via melanoma cell CD44−chondrotin sulfate proteoglycan receptors. In the study presented here, we have used a triple-helical model of α1(IV)1263−1277 to evaluate (a) conformational stability and (b) cellular responses based on single-site incorporation of trans-4-fluoro-l-proline (trans-Flp) or cis-4-fluoro-l-proline (cis-Flp) for trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline (trans-Hyp). The structural effects of cis-Flp and trans-Flp substitution were studied by circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopies. The peptide containing a single trans-Flp instead of trans-Hyp was slightly more thermally stable than the parent peptide (Tm = 37 vs 34 °C), while the peptide containing cis-Flp was co...
I've Been Where It's Gone, So I Know What I Got … An American Fulbright Lecturer in Albania, 1994-1995

Spending 10 months as a Fulbright Lecturer in Medical Sciences at the University Medical Center, University of Tirana, Albania, gave me a first-hand view of academic medicine in a country emerging ...
On the Resolution and Tolerance of Cognitive Inconsistency in Another Naturally Occurring Event: Attitudes and Beliefs Following the Senator Eagleton Incident1

A lack of congruence between results of laboratory experiments and naturalistic observations of attitude change has been noted. Silverman's study of the Senator Edward Kennedy incident, however, produced results supportive of cognitive-consistency theory. The present study of another “real-world” event viz., the Senator Eagleton incident) also yields results supportive of cognitive-consistency theory, and adds to the validity of Silverman's results. The fact that the two studies yield strikingly similar results, though the incidents and study samples differ, further attests to the utility of this kind of research.
Insulating effect of coals and black shales in the Appalachian Basin, Western Pennsylvania

Sedimentary rocks rich in organic matter often have lower thermal conductivities than other rock types. As a result of this natural insulating effect, temperature gradients in carbonaceous strata may become elevated even under conditions of low to average heat flow, causing underlying rocks to reach higher temperatures and higher thermal maturities than would otherwise occur. This hypothesis was tested by determining the weighted-average thermal conductivity of a Carboniferous coal-bearing section from the Conemaugh Group of the Appalachian Basin. Coals from the sampled section yielded low thermal conductivity values of 0.2 ± 0.15 Wm -1 K -1 when measured with a needle-probe apparatus. Measurements of other carbonaceous units also showed low thermal conductivity values: 0.9 ± 0.05 Wm -1 K -1 for black shales and 1.2 ± 0.20 Wm -1 K -1 for dark gray shales. Relative abundances of all measured lithologies were estimated from a 288-well database. These abundances yielded an average conductivity of 1.6 Wm -1 K -1 for the entire Conemaugh Group. Geothermal gradients for the Conemaugh Group estimated from thermal conductivity and heat flow data range from 38 to 47 mK m -1 , in good agreement with gradients estimated from the actual thermal maturity of coals. The additional temperature increment contributed to underlying rocks by this insulating effect may help explain the anomalous thermal maturity of the Appalachian Basin, reducing the need to call upon excessive burial or higher values of heat flow in the past.
Allometric constraints on sources of variability in multi-angle reflectance measurements

Abstract Bidirectional reflectance signatures of vegetation are strongly shaped by the shadows cast between objects in a scene, such as tree crowns or leaves. Differences in the shape and spatial density of these objects result in distinct bidirectional reflectance distribution functions (BRDFs) in different biomes. We examined how allometry may constrain the variability of canopy architectural parameters in BRDF models, and consequently alter the attribution of variation in the simulated bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF). Allometry is the covariation between the size or number of organisms and their component parts. To test the importance of realistic variation and covariation of canopy architecture on BRDF, we incorporated the 3-D radiative transfer model DISORD (which uses the geometric optics (GO) model of Li and Strahler) into a Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm. The MC algorithm generated an ensemble of tree canopies whose parameters fulfilled the allometry of a set of measured forest plots from Russian forest inventory. The role of view geometry was directly considered using perturbations of the parameters to evaluate the sensitivity of the BRF itself, evaluated at different view angles, and the difference in BRF (ΔBRF) as measured at two view angles representing paired satellite observations. The allometrically constrained forest plots had reduced variation in ΔBRF compared to the uncorrelated plots, but the variation of the BRF itself is dramatically increased by allometry. The variation of the BRF is relatively constant among the view angles examined, whereas the variation in ΔBRF increases dramatically with larger phase angles. The BRF was most sensitive to canopy attributes that were important in radiative transfer, such as LAI and stem area index (SAI), but there were also large (∼ 40% of variance) contributions of geometric components such as tree number, crown size, and ground cover. By contrast, sensitivity of ΔBRF was dominated by ground cover, crown size and tree number, which all play a role in the GO calculations. The mix of sensitive parameters was not dramatically different between gymnosperms and angiosperms, nor between allometric and correlated runs. Together these results indicate that forest structure and leaf area could be usefully inverted together using paired observations with different viewing geometries. Ideal pairs of observations are those with large difference in phase angle, and along the gradient of the BRF peak, which most commonly occur with sequential MODIS/Terra overpasses.
Epidermal keratin and epidermal prekeratin.

PROGRESS in understanding keratinization of the epidermis has been hampered by the difficulty of preparing a reproducible keratinous protein from the epidermal tissue1,2. Several laboratories1–5 have obtained an alkali- or urea-extractable protein from human, mouse, and cow's snout epidermis which precipitates from solutions at pH 5.5. This protein is present in large amounts in fully keratinized human epidermal tissue (callus or stratum corneum)1,2 and is believed to represent epidermal “keratin”. Matoltsy6–8 has isolated and characterized a similar protein from cow's snout epidermis which is soluble in acetic acid. This protein is termed “prekeratin” by virtue of its ready solubility from whole epidermis which includes incompletely keratinized cells (full-thickness cow's snout epidermis). This report compares human callus keratin (protein precipitating at pH 5.5) with the prekeratin of Matoltsy. Their similarities heighten optimism concerning the definition of an epidermal keratin sub-unit.
Heavy Metal Sorption at the Muscovite (001)–Fulvic Acid Interface

The role of fulvic acid (FA) in modifying the adsorption mode and sorption capacity of divalent metal cations on the muscovite (001) surface was evaluated by measuring the uptake of Cu2+, Zn2+, and...
God is “color-blind”: The problem of race in a diverse Christian fraternity

The following case study utilizes in-depth qualitative interviews and participant observation data in order to examine how color-blindness operates in a diverse Christian fraternity. The color-blind ideology functions in two distinct ways: to authenticate the fraternity’s collective religious identity as an inclusive Christian community and to obscure within-group racial inequalities reproduced through tokenizing racist jokes aimed at its non-white members. Color-blind statements allow members to attribute their organization’s racial diversity to their accepting religious doctrine, while also making problems of race within the organization difficult to address. This article provides a theoretical contribution by highlighting the dire implications of ignoring race in diverse religious groups, particularly problematic within the “edgy” joking subculture of Christian fraternities.
Heme Mediated STAT3 Activation in Severe Malaria

Background The mortality of severe malaria [cerebral malaria (CM), severe malaria anemia (SMA), acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)] remains high despite the availability associated with adequate treatments. Recent studies in our laboratory and others have revealed a hitherto unknown correlation between chemokine CXCL10/CXCR3, Heme/HO-1 and STAT3 and cerebral malaria severity and mortality. Although Heme/HO-1 and CXCL10/CXCR3 interactions are directly involved in the pathogenesis of CM and fatal disease, the mechanism dictating how Heme/HO-1 and CXCL10/CXCR3 are expressed and regulated under these conditions is still unknown. We therefore tested the hypothesis that these factors share common signaling pathways and may be mutually regulated.
Pre-oxidation of Inconel Alloys for Inhibition of Carbon Deposition from Heated Jet Fuel

Exposure of superalloy surfaces to jet fuel at elevated temperatures leads to the formation of carbonaceous deposits and metal sulfides. The formation of stable oxide layers on alloy surfaces can reduce the activity of the constituent transition metals that catalyze the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons and the subsequent carbon deposit growth. The metals Ni, Cr, Fe, Mn, Al, Ti and Nb + Ta form thermodynamically stable oxide layers after oxidation above 800°C under O2 flow. In this study, we investigated the formation of oxides and spinels on three different Ni-base superalloys (Inconel 600, Inconel 718, and Inconel X750) and their activity towards carbon and sulfur deposit formation from jet fuel (JP-8) thermal stressing at 600°C and 34 atm (500 psig) for 5 hr. Metal oxide formation during pre-oxidation and the behavior of pre-oxidized samples in thermal stressing were found to depend strongly on the minor element composition of these superalloys.
Immigrant suicide rates as a function of ethnophaulisms: hate speech predicts death.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether suicide rates among ethnic immigrant groups were predicted by the ethnophaulisms, or the hate speech, used to refer to those ethnic immigrant groups. Methods Data were obtained for 10 European ethnic immigrant groups during the 1950s. These 10 European ethnic immigrant groups accounted for approximately 40% of all immigration into the United States during this time period. Both the suicide rates for these ethnic immigrant groups in the United States and suicide rates for those ethnic immigrant groups in their countries of origin were derived. The complexity and valence of ethnophaulisms used to refer to these ethnic immigrant groups were derived from the historical record of hate speech in the United States. Results Consistent with previous research, immigrant suicide rates were strongly correlated with origin suicide rates. As expected, the suicide rates for ethnic immigrant groups in the United States were significantly predicted by the negativity of the ethnophaulisms used to refer to those ethnic immigrant groups. This pattern was obtained even after taking into account the suicide rates for those ethnic immigrant groups in their countries of origin, and even after taking into account the size of those ethnic immigrant groups. Conclusions This study found support for the expectation that suicide rates among ethnic immigrant groups would be predicted by the hate speech directed toward those ethnic immigrant groups.
A Concise Method for Reducing Photographic Spectrograph Calibrations

An accurate and concise method of fitting and presenting photographic spectrographic calibration data has been developed that overcomes the shortcomings imposed by polynomial fitting techniques. This approach utilizes hitherto ignored correlatible data from neighboring wavelengths to increase the accuracy and smoothness of data at each particular wavelength. The results empirically confirm the assumption that an over-all system H-D curve at one wavelength can be accurately mapped into the H-D curve at a near wavelength using only a scaling constant Aγ and a translation constant Bγ. This method also allows extrapolation beyond some of the raw data calibration ranges.
Global diversification's effect on multinational subsidiaries' autonomy

Abstract This paper responds to the need for understanding how increasing global diversification in recent years has affected the management of multinationals. It builds upon Egelhoff's [ Egelhoff, 1982 , Egelhoff, 1988 , Egelhoff, 1993 ] information-processing theory to develop a theoretical framework that traces the linkage between the nature of a multinational's global diversification and its control system. It empirically tests how the four components of the recently-developed Total Global Diversification measure, related and unrelated international geographic diversification, and related and unrelated product diversification, affect subsidiary autonomy, which remains a critical aspect of multinational control. The findings suggest that the components of Total Global Diversification have a significant effect on subsidiary autonomy and that their effect depends on the multinational's organization structure. The research also establishes that subsidiary autonomy is greater for marketing and personnel decisions than for R&D and finance. The research findings suggest that researchers would derive more explanatory power from using finer measures of global diversification in studies of diversified multinationals, and managers need to be take into account the nature and extent of the multinational's global diversification when deciding how much autonomy to give subsidiaries.
Development of a flow cytometric assay to measure influenza vaccine stimulated intracellular accumulation of TNF-α and IFN-γ in CD-4 positive T-helper lymphocytes

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to develop an assay to further characterize the immune response to the influenza vaccine. In particular, the goal was to measure the intracellular expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in T-helper memory lymphocytes from vaccinated individuals in response to either the influenza vaccine or a prepared, Triton X-100 deactivated suspension of influenza viral particles in order to determine the best antigen source for further studies. The assay developed and optimized is to be utilized during a study done this fall/winter in which 500 military personnel receiving the influenza vaccine (250 vaccination naive, 250 who have been previously vaccinated) will be studied. The study's purpose will be to determine the level of immunity derived via vaccination, and the level of immunity existing via cross reactivity with previously administered vaccinations. Methods: Whole blood samples were collected from volunteers just prior to and at weekly intervals following vaccination with the 2000–2001 influenza vaccine. Blood samples were stimulated with either the actual vaccine developed for the 2000/2001 flu season (15 μg HA of A/New Caledonia/20/99 [H1N1-like], 15 μg HA of A/Panama/2007/99 [H3N2] [A/Moscow/10/99 [H3N2-like] and 15 μg HA of b/Yamanashi/166/98 [B/Bejing/184/93-like] or a prepared cocktail of the same viral particles inactivated with Triton X-100. Brefeldin A was added to disrupt the golgi apparatus and force intracellular accumulation of the cytokines of interest. After four hours, the white blood cell population was isolated, and stained with appropriate fluorescent antibodies to detect intracellular accumulation of TNF-α and IFN-γ. Samples were analyzed on a FACS CALIBUR (Becton Dickinson, Inc, San Jose, CA) flow cytometer to determine the percentage of CD-4 positive cells in each sample expressing CD-69, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Results: Both antigen suspensions tested resulted in activation of CD-4 positive lymphocytes as demonstrated by increased production of the cell surface marker CD-69. The actual vaccine caused a greater accumulation of TNF-α and IFN-γ in this cell population than the Triton X-100 inactivated viral particle suspension. The production of memory T-helper cells by vaccination was further confirmed by the finding of increased levels of expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ by stimulated CD-4 positive cells at 2-, 4-, and 6-months post vaccination. Conclusion: An assay to measure the production of TNF-α and IFN-γ by CD-4 positive T lymphocytes has been developed and optimized. The best antigen source was found to be the formaldehyde-inactivated vaccine, as opposed to the same viral particles inactivated with Triton X-100. The study to be accomplished this fall will be expanded to include cytokines and cell populations indicative of cell mediated immunity.
Application-motivated combinations of fuzzy, interval and probability approaches, and their use in geoinformatics, bioinformatics and engineering

Most data processing techniques traditionally used in scientific and engineering practice are statistical. These techniques are based on the assumption that we know the probability distributions of measurement errors etc. In practice, often, we do not know the distributions, we only know the bound Δ on the measurement accuracy-hence, after getting the measurement result ~x, the only information that we have about the actual (unknown) value x of the measured quantity is that x belongs to the interval [~x − Δ, ~x − Δ]. Techniques for data processing under such interval uncertainty are called interval computations; these techniques have been developed since 1950s. Many algorithms have been designed to deal with interval uncertainty. In many practical problems, we have a combination of different types of uncertainty, where we know the probability distribution for some quantities, intervals for other quantities, and expert information for yet other quantities. It is therefore desirable to extend interval techniques to the situations when, in addition to intervals, we also have a partial probabilistic and/or expert information. We provide an overview of related algorithms, results, and remaining open problems, and we emphasise the following three application areas: computer engineering, bioinformatics, and geoinformatics.
MELTING TEMPERATURE OF NA FROM-LINEAR-RESPONSE-THEORY MOLECULAR DYNAMICS

Using a pseudopotential constructed to yield the experimental lattice constant, elastic constants, and total energy of Na at 5 K, and the experimental density of liquid Na at 380 K, we have calculated the Gibbs free energy of the liquid and the solid over a range of temperatures using linear-response-theory and molecular dynamics. The curves cross at 63.8 K above the experimental melting temperature of 371 K. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.
ETS‐family genes in pancreatic development

ETS-family factors play major roles in development and cancer, notably as critical targets for extra-cellular signaling pathways, including MAPK-signaling. Given the presently limited knowledge on the role of ETS-factors in pancreatic development, we here sought to characterize all 26 individual members of the ETS-family in relation to pancreatic development using a combination of genomics, RT-PCR, and histological techniques. This analysis uncovers 22 ETS family genes displaying select spatial and temporal expression patterns in the developing pancreas. Highly specific expression of ETS-family components is observed in pancreatic progenitor cells or the associated embryonic mesenchyme. Other members are linked to the differentiation of more mature pancreatic cells, including exocrine and endocrine cell types. We find that two members of the Etv subfamily, Etv4 and Etv5, are expressed in cells proximal to pancreatic mesenchyme, and, furthermore, induced in FGF10-arrested pancreatic progenitors suggesting that these factors mediate mesenchymal-to-epithelial signaling. Developmental Dynamics 236:3100–3110, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Planting date and nitrogen fertilization effects on lesquerella production

Abstract Lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri (Gray) Wats.) produces seed containing hydroxy fatty acids similar to castor oil and has good commercial potential. An important step in the commercialization of this plant for the southwestern desert regions of the United States is the development of an efficient agronomic production system. Field experiments were conducted during the 1991–1992, 1992–1993, and 1993–1994 growing seasons at the University of Arizona, Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, Arizona to determine the effect of planting date and nitrogen fertility on lesquerella seed yield. Results indicate that fall plantings are necessary to obtain high seed production. September plantings generally produced higher yields than the October or November plantings. February plantings produced low yields and appear to be too late for a growing season that ends in June in central Arizona. In all years, lesquerella responded to nitrogen (N) fertilizer. The addition of 60 to 120 kg N/ha increased biomass and seed yields. Nitrogen fertilizer did not affect 1000-seed weight, but decreased seed oil content in the 1993–1994 planting. There is evidence that increasing the N application rate decreases seed oil content in lesquerella.
On the Failure Work and Modulus of Composites Reinforced by Thin Elastomer-Coated Fibers

Fiber reinforced composites have high specific strength, excellent fatigue resistance and variable directional freedom in property control, allowing for optimal structural design. A deficiency in stiff fiber reinforced composites is poor low-speed im pact resistance (i.e., low energy absorption before major failure). This has been ex perimentally shown to be remediable by coating the reinforcing fibers with an elastomeric coating. However, the stiffness of the composites is decreased because of reduced effi ciency in interface load transfer in the soft coating. This can be improved by making the coating very thin. For practical design, it is necessary therefore to provide an analytical relation between the increase in failure work and the corresponding decrease in stiffness with the coating properties. Interface stress concentration is parametrically studied in this paper. A formula for calculating the longitudinal modulus of composites reinforced by aligned coated fibers is proposed. The formula is based...
Zinc content, metal chelator inactivation and catalytic inhibition of D-lactate dehydrogenase from the barnacle, Balanus nubilus Darwin.

Abstract Purified NAD-linked d -lactate dehydrogenase from the depressor muscle of the giant barnacle, Balanus nubilus Darwin, is inactivated when incubated with the metal chelators o-phenanthroline and EDTA. M-Phenanthroline and p-phenanthroline, which lack metal chelating ability, are ineffective in inactivating the enzyme. Inactivated enzyme can be reactivated by the addition of zinc ions to the assay mixture. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis of purified B. nubilus d -lactate dehydrogenase revealed that this enzyme contains stoichiometric amounts of zinc (2 g-atoms per mol of subunit), unlike other lactate dehydrogenases, which lack zinc. Zinc appears to be required for maximal catalytic activity. Aromatic, nitrogen-containing metal chelators and their nonchelating analogs are effective instantaneous inhibitors of B. nubilus d -lactate dehydrogenase. These compounds bind at the coenzyme binding site, as the mode of inhibition is distinctly competitive with respect to NADH. The different effects of metal chelators and their nonchelator analogs suggest that time-dependent inactivation (chelation of the enzyme zinc ions) and instantaneous inhibition (competition with NADH binding) have independent mechanisms.
ON DISCERNING SYMMETRY PROPERTIES OF GRAPHS

Abstract A procedure is outlined which allows the symmetry properties of graphs to be systematically and rigorously investigated. It is based on a search for all the automorphisms of a graph and this is accompanied by suitably applying the procedure for recognizing identical graphs. It consists in finding all the distinctive labeling of the vertices of graph associated with the smallest binary code derived by a particular interpretation of the associated adjacency matrix. No prior cognizance of symmetry operations is required which is in contrast to the usual discussions of the symmetry properties of molecules which are based on the knowledge of pertinent symmetry operations. This is important since in graphs it is neither apparent nor generally possible to simply enlist those permutations of labels which leave the connectivity invariant (i.e., do not alter the form of the adjacency matrix). The procedure is applied to the Petersen graphs and the Desargues-Levi graph, both associated with isomerizations of trigonal bipyramidal complex and other chemical transformations. It is shown that these graphs of high symmetry belong to symmetry groups of order 120 and 240 respectively. The approach can also provide a basis for the development of the symmetry properties of non-rigid molecules in which connectivity is preserved.
Wigner crystal model of counterion induced bundle formation of rodlike polyelectrolytes

A simple electrostatic theory of condensation of rodlike polyelectrolytes under influence of polyvalent counterions is proposed. It is based on the idea that counterions form a Wigner crystal on a background of a bundle of rods. It is shown that, depending on a single dimensionless parameter, this can be a densely packed three-dimensional Wigner crystal or a two-dimensional crystal on the rod surfaces. For DNA the location of charge on the spiral results in a model of the one-dimensional Wigner crystal. It is also argued that the Wigner crystal idea can be applied to self-assembly of other polyelectrolytes, for example, colloids and DNA-lipid complexes.
OBSERVATION OF A PARAMETRIC INSTABILITY NEAR THE LOWER HYBRID-RESONANCE FREQUENCY.

A parametric instability is observed at frequencies close to and above the lower hybrid-resonance frequency. The threshold occurs when the electron drift velocity is of the order of the plasma sound speed. At pump-power levels well above threshold the energy in the decay waves is comparable to that associated with the pump wave.
VM/XA SP2 minidisk cache

Given the growing disparity between CPU power and the speed of secondary storage, a data cache exploiting large processor storage has the potential to improve response time dramatically in many situations. The VM/XA SP2 minidisk cache facility, the result of research activity on the characteristics of interactive file-system activity, uses expanded storage to cache input/output to minidisks on the Conversational Monitor System. The size of the cache is dynamically adjusted by an arbitration process to optimize system performance. Several other functions improve the performance of the cache during periods of unusual I/O loads.
Radiogenomics of clear cell renal cell carcinoma: preliminary findings of The Cancer Genome Atlas–Renal Cell Carcinoma (TCGA–RCC) Imaging Research Group

Purpose To investigate associations between imaging features and mutational status of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
Association of post-treatment smoking change with future smoking and cessation efforts among adolescents with psychiatric comorbidity.

Little is known about how initial change following a smoking intervention relates to longer-term smoking outcomes among adolescent smokers with psychiatric comorbidity. The present study investigated this relationship among psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents (N=183) who participated in a controlled trial comparing motivational interviewing to brief advice. Quit attempters (n=37), reducers (n=45), and maintainers (n=101) were assembled based on, respectively, having made a quit attempt, having reduced smoking by at least 50%, and having reduced smoking by less than 50% in the first week after hospital discharge. Hierarchical linear models and generalized estimating equations were conducted to test group differences in average number of cigarettes per smoking day and odds of making a quit attempt during subsequent weeks of a 12-month continuous follow-up, and in cotinine-verified abstinence rates at 1, 6, and 12 months posthospitalization. Baseline smoking levels and presence of a substance use disorder or anxiety disorder were predictive of outcomes. After controlling for covariates, we found that quit attempters smoked less during follow-up than did the other change groups and that reducers smoked less than maintainers. Quit attempters evidenced a higher percentage of quit attempts during follow-up than did the other change groups. Reducers had a greater average percentage of quit attempts during follow-up than did maintainers. However, groups did not differ on cotinine-verified abstinence rates across the follow-up period. Findings have implications for initial post-treatment change as it relates to subsequent smoking and cessation outcomes among adolescent smokers at especially high risk for smoking persistence.
Deuterium isotope effects in enzymatic transamination.

Abstract The ionic fraction from the hydrolysate of residual cell walls of Scenedesmus obliquus grown in a medium containing 99.6% 2H2O was subjected to ion-exchange chromatography for the fractionation of fully deuterated l -glutamic acid. l -[2-2H]-Glutamic acid and l -[3,3,4,4-2H4]glutamic acid were synthesized from l -glutamic acid and l -[2,3,4,4-2H5]glutamic acid, respectively. A kinetic study of enzymatic transamination was conducted using the four l -glutamic acid analogs ( l -glutamic acid and three deuterated analogs) as the substrates. The rate of transamination was followd by photometric measurements at 280 mμ. Maximum velocity determinations, based on the binary mechanism of the enzymatic transamination, were performed on each of the l -glutamic acid analogs. The deuterium isotope effect reflected in the rate of transmission was estimated through maximum velocity analysis. The compound with deuterium in the α-position showed an isotope effect of 1.85. A similar isotope effect was observed for the compound with deuterium at the α-, β- and γ-carbons. The data indicate that the bond to the α-carbon and not to the β-carbon is ruptured during transamination. It is clearly demonstrated, therefore, that an α-elimination mechanism is involved in the enzymatic transamination.
Hidden symmetries, AdS D × S n , and the lifting of one-time physics to two-time physics

The massive non-relativistic free particle in $d\ensuremath{-}1$ space dimensions, with a Lagrangian $L=(m/2){\mathbf{r\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}}}^{2},$ has an action with a surprising non-linearly realized $\mathrm{SO}(d,2)$ symmetry. This is the simplest example of a host of diverse one-time-physics systems with hidden $\mathrm{SO}(d,2)$ symmetric actions. By the addition of gauge degrees of freedom, they can all be lifted to the same $\mathrm{SO}(d,2)$ covariant unified theory that includes an extra spacelike and an extra timelike dimension. The resulting action in $d+2$ dimensions has manifest $\mathrm{SO}(d,2)$ Lorentz symmetry and a gauge symmetry $\mathrm{Sp}(2,R).$ The symmetric action defines two-time physics. Conversely, the two-time action can be gauge fixed to diverse one-time physical systems. In this paper three new gauge fixed forms that correspond to the non-relativistic particle, the massive relativistic particle, and the particle in ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{d\ensuremath{-}n}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{S}}^{n}$ curved spacetime will be discussed at the classical level. The last case is discussed at the first quantized and field theory levels as well. For the last case the popularly known symmetry is $\mathrm{SO}(d\ensuremath{-}n\ensuremath{-}1,2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SO}(n+1),$ but yet we show that the classical or quantum versions are symmetric under the larger $\mathrm{SO}(d,2).$ In the field theory version the action is symmetric under the full $\mathrm{SO}(d,2)$ provided it is improved with a quantized mass term that arises as an anomaly from operator ordering ambiguities. The anomalous mass term vanishes for ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{S}}^{0}$ and ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{n}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{S}}^{n}$ (i.e., $d=2n).$ A quantum test for the presence of two-time-physics in a one-time physics system is that the $\mathrm{SO}(d,2)$ Casimir operators have fixed eigenvalues independent of the system. It is shown that this test is successful for the particle in ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{d\ensuremath{-}n}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathrm{S}}^{n}$ by computing the Casimir operators and showing explicitly that they are independent of n. The strikingly larger symmetry could be significant in the context of the proposed AdS/CFT duality.
Association rules over interval data

We consider the problem of mining association rules over interval data (that is, ordered data for which the separation between data points has meaning). We show that the measures of what rules are most important (also called rule interest) that are used for mining nominal and ordinal data do not capture the semantics of interval data. In the presence of interval data, support and confidence are no longer intuitive measures of the interest of a rule. We propose a new definition of interest for association rules that takes into account the semantics of interval data. We developed an algorithm for mining association rules under the new definition and overview our experience using the algorithm on large real-life datasets.
Engineering reactions in crystals: suppression of photodecarbonylation by intramolecular β-phenyl quenching

Abstract The photochemical reactivity of cis- and trans-2-(p-carboxybenzyl)-2,6-diphenyl-6-vinylcyclohexanone, cis-1 and trans-1 , was investigated in solution and in the crystalline solid state. Photochemical decarbonylation in solution proceeded in excellent yields to give cis- and trans-1-(p-carboxybenzyl)-1,2-diphenyl-2-vinylcyclopentanes cis-2 and trans-2 along with 3-(p-carboxybenzyl)-1,3-diphenylcycloheptene 3 . Reactions in crystals were suppressed by a stereospecific quenching interaction between the benzyl substituent and the carbonyl oxygen in the crystalline ketone.
Primary Pull-Through in the Newborn

T HE USE of a primary endorectal pull-through (ERPT) in the management of neonates with Hirschsprung's disease represents a significant change from the classic approach to its treatment. The first successful report of a primary pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease came from So et al in 1980.1 Subsequently, because of the simplified nature of this approach and the potential for cost savings, several groups have reported on the use of this procedure and its safety. One major objection to performing a primary ERPT in a young neonate is the concern that delicate structures such as the muscular sphincters may be injured. Clearly, the most important outcome parameter to evaluate is the child's overall stooling pattern. Because of the relatively short time that many of these primary pull-throughs have been performed, however, relatively little data are available regarding long-term outcome. Further, there is considerable variability regarding the age at which groups have performed one-stage procedures, ranging from the first week of life to several months of age. The purpose of this review is to discuss the technique of a primary pull-through, the perioperative management, and a summary of clinical results.
Effect of particle size upon digestible cell wall and rate of in vitro digestion of alfalfa and orchard grass forages.

Alfalfa and orchardgrass forages chopped through a 13-mm screen were larger in particle size than were rumen ingesta samples from sheep fed the same forages. Samples of the chopped forages were ground through 1-, 4-, 8-, and 12-mm screens; particle sizes of the 8- and 12-mm ground forages were not significantly different from those of rumen ingesta samples or chopped forages. The 1- and 4-mm ground forages were significantly smaller in particle size than the 8- and 12-mm ground forages, rumen ingesta and chopped forage. Alfalfa contained less cell wall at the beginning of in vivo digestion, more cell wall residue at the end of digestion and less potentially digestible cell wall than did orchardgrass. The cell wall of alfalfa was 44% digestible, whereas that of orchardgrass was 61% digestible; particle size did not affect the amount of digestible fiber. Alfalfa ground through 1- and 4-mm screen openings had digestion rate constants that were about twice those of the 8- and 12-mm granulations (.10 less than P less than .20). Particle size did not affect rate constants of orchardgrass. These data suggest that in vitro kinetic studies based on examination of finely ground forages (1) may not reflect in vivo conditions, and (2) may depend upon the type of forage. Differences between legumes and grasses in (1) amount of digestible fiber and (2) digestion rate constants and the interaction of the above two factors with particle size and passage rate have important implications for digestibility of forage fiber.
Measurements of the anisotropic etching of a single-crystal silicon sphere in aqueous cesium hydroxide

Abstract A mechanically polished single-crystalline silicon sphere with a diameter of 0.25in is etched in 40% cesium hydroxide solution to study the orientation dependence of the anisotropic etching of silicon in three dimensions. The characteristic structures formed on the surface of the sphere after etching are examined under the scanning electron microscope. The slow-etching planes, {111} and {100}, as well as fast-etching planes, {110}, are identified from the micrographs. Most importantly, the {311} planes are found to be the most significant amongst the higher-order crystal planes.
subordinate discourse: women, weaving, and gender relations in North Africa

The discourse of women's domestic weaving in North Africa embeds a distinctively female worldview. Ethnography concerning one Moroccan text of this discourse is cross-referenced with versions documented across the region. The reconstruction of the historically specific discourse of North African women is followed by an account of the political economy of its dissolution. In hierarchical societies, cultural accounts tap shared, public representations of gender relations, articulations of the dominant ideology. A subordinate discourse, characterized by its coexistence with such a dominant ideology and by its nonpublic, silent quality, can be interpreted using an initial structuralist step. [ideology, gender, cultural theory, North Africa]
The effect of epidural vs intravenous analgesia for posterior spinal fusion surgery

Summary Background : The study objective was to compare epidural vs intravenous postoperative analgesia in posterior spinal fusion surgery patients. Methods : This prospective, double-blinded, randomized study was performed in a tertiary care teaching hospital involving 31 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II adolescent/young adult patients scheduled for elective posterior spinal fusion surgery for idiopathic scoliosis. Patients were divided into three treatment groups according to the epidural solution infused: group 1 (n = 10) 0.1% bupivacaine + 5 μg·ml−1 fentanyl; group 2 (n = 12) 0.0625% bupivacaine + 5 μg·ml−1 fentanyl; group 3 (n = 9) 0.9% sodium chloride (placebo). During general anesthesia all patients received a directly placed midthoracic epidural catheter with a set infusion rate followed by morphine sulfate intravenous patient-controlled analgesic device postoperatively. Morphine sulfate usage and visual analog scores were evaluated at 4 h intervals postoperatively for up to 96 h. Postoperative time to liquids, solid food, ambulation, length of stay, discontinuation of Foley catheter, and side effects were recorded. Results : No consistent difference was detected on intravenous morphine dose usage, visual analog scores, or estimated pain scale over the whole follow-up period. No difference was observed in the epidural groups in time to oral intake of liquids or solids, ambulation, bowel sounds, or length of stay when compared with placebo. Conclusions : By evaluating morphine sulfate usage between groups, the analgesic effectiveness of continuous thoracic epidural analgesia bupivacaine and fentanyl doses used revealed no significant improvement over intravenous morphine sulfate analgesia alone in patients after posterior spinal fusion surgery.
Early experiences with the intel many integrated cores accelerated computing technology

We report on early programming experiences with the Intel® Many Integrated Core (Intel® MIC) Co-processor. This new and x86 based technology is Intel's answer to GPU-based accelerators by NVIDIA, AMD and others. Accelerators have generally sparked interest in the HPC community because they have the potential to significantly increase the compute power of the next generation of supercomputers. The merits of accelerators for general HPC purposes are still very much under debate. Undoubtedly accelerators add more complexity to an already very complex cluster, and the programmability of accelerators will be the key to enticing the diverse HPC user community to this new technology, even if the performance promise may be large.The study presented here is part of a much broader activity at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) that focuses on a wide range of accelerators (GPUs, FPGAs, Intel MIC coprocessor, etc.). The Intel MIC architecture is x86 based and supports languages and parallel programming paradigms commonly found on x86 CPUs, including OpenMP which has been widely accepted in the HPC community for thread-parallel programming. The scope of this initial study is limited to the investigation of the Intel MIC programming environment and particularly to the offload-OpenMP model.Our initial experience with the Intel MIC platform has been very positive. The required code modifications to handle the data transfer and the offloading of parallel sections onto the Intel MIC co-processor are small and conveniently implemented as directives/pragmas to OpenMP constructs. (We use "accelerators" as a generic reference to Intel MIC Co-processors, GPUs, FPGAs, etc.)
Acquired Ciliary Defects in Nasal Epithelium of Children with Acute Viral Upper Respiratory Infections

Ciliary function and mucociliary clearance are primary mechanisms of defense in the respiratory tract. We found that infections by several common respiratory viruses in children were associated with ciliary abnormalities that could be detected on ultrastructural examination of the nasal epithelium. Dysmorphic ciliary forms involving microtubular aberrations were observed most often in the early stages of illness in focal sites of the nasal mucosa. Normal epithelial organization and ciliary ultrastructure appeared to be reestablished during the convalescent period, from 2 to 10 weeks after infection. These observations suggest that interference with ciliogenic mechanisms leading to transient, compromised mucociliary clearance may represent a fundamental pathophysiologic disturbance in some respiratory viral infections.
Texture recognition via autoregression

Abstract This article considers the image processing problem of texture recognition. It is shown that a chi-square test based upon a two-dimensional autoregressive model can be derived and can be used to test for differences between certain types of micro-textures. The chi-square test cannot be used with macro-textures, and another autoregressive-based distance measure is derived which is more suitable for these cases. It is shown experimentally that this distance measure affords a reliable means of classifying a broad class of micro- and macro-textures using a nearest-neighbour type of approach.
Review: Body Shopping by Donna Dickenson

From biotech firms to black market dealers, it seems that everyone is out to profit from body parts
Segmented targeted least squares estimator for material decomposition in multi bin PCXDs

We present a fast, noise-efficient, and accurate estimator for material separation using photon-counting x-ray detectors (PCXDs) with multiple energy bin capability. The proposed targeted least squares estimator (TLSE) improves a previously proposed A-Table method by incorporating dynamic weighting that allows noise to be closer to the Cramer- Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) throughout the operating range. We explore Cartesian and average-energy segmentation of the basis material space for TLSE, and show that iso-average-energy contours require fewer segments compared to Cartesian segmentation to achieve similar performance. We compare the iso-average-energy TLSE to other proposed estimators - including the gold standard maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) and the A-Table1 - in terms of variance, bias and computational efficiency. The variance and bias of this estimator between 0 to 6 cm of aluminum and 0 to 50 cm of water is simulated with Monte Carlo methods. Iso-average energy TLSE achieves an average variance within 2% of CRLB, and mean of absolute error of (3.68 ± 0.06) x 10-6 cm. Using the same protocol, MLE showed variance-to- CRLB ratio and average bias of 1.0186 ± 0.0002 and (3.10 ± 0.06) x 10-6 cm, respectively, but was 50 times slower in our simulation. Compared to the A-Table method, TLSE gives a more homogenous variance-to-CRLB profile in the operating region. We show that variance-to-CRLB for TLSE is lower by as much as ~36% than A-Table method in the peripheral region of operation (thin or thick objects). The TLSE is a computationally efficient and fast method for implementing material separation technique in PCXDs, with performance parameters comparable to the MLE.
Design of an integrated hardware interface for AOSLO image capture and cone-targeted stimulus delivery.

We demonstrate an integrated FPGA solution to project highly stabilized, aberration-corrected stimuli directly onto the retina by means of real-time retinal image motion signals in combination with high speed modulation of a scanning laser. By reducing the latency between target location prediction and stimulus delivery, the stimulus location accuracy, in a subject with good fixation, is improved to 0.15 arcminutes from 0.26 arcminutes in our earlier solution. We also demonstrate the new FPGA solution is capable of delivering stabilized large stimulus pattern (up to 256x256 pixels) to the retina.