cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carboxyl group modification and the activity of lysozyme.

Abstract Modification of the carboxyl groups in hen's egg white lysozyme by the carbodiimide-nucleophile procedure developed in this laboratory has shown that all of the carboxyl groups except glutamic 35 can be modified under normal assay conditions. The presence of the substrate protects the aspartic acid residue 52 so that an enzyme with over 50% activity is obtained in which all carboxyls except aspartic 52 and glutamic 35 have been converted to the [see PDF for equation] derivatives. Subsequent treatment after the removal of substrate leads to concomitant modification of aspartic 52 and loss of enzyme activity. These results eliminate all carboxyl residues except glutamic 35 and aspartic 52 as potential catalytic groups or essential binding groups. They add strong support to the hypothesis of Phillips and his coworkers, deduced from crystallographic studies, that these residues are involved in the catalytic action. All other carboxyl groups appear to be on the surface of the protein molecule in terms of accessibility to reagent but individual residues vary in reactivity both in the carboxyl activation step and in the subsequent nucleophilic displacement on the activated carboxyl.
A Review of “Invasion of the Mind Snatchers: Television's Conquest of America in the Fifties”

Television: it's everywhere. Currently, Americans can watch television in the backseat of their minivans, on airplanes, at home and work, in some restaurants, and even on exercise equipment. We nee...
The Pure Rotational Spectrum of KH (X1Σ+): Quadrupole Coupling in Alkali Hydrides

The pure rotational spectrum of KH (X1Σ+) has been recorded using millimeter/submillimeter direct absorption techniques. The species was created by the reaction of potassium vapor and H2 in a d.c. discharge. The J = 0 → 1 and 1 → 2 transitions were measured near 202 and 404 GHz, and electric quadrupole splittings were resolved in the J = 0 → 1 line and partly resolved in the other transition. For comparison, the quadrupole structure in the J = 0 → 1 transition of NaH (X1Σ+) was also recorded. Very accurate rotational and quadrupole hyperfine constants were determined for KH, and eqQ was established for NaH as well. Diatomic hydride species are the building blocks for interstellar chemistry in both dense and diffuse gas. Knowledge of the rest frequencies of KH will enable its detection in such objects.
Assessing the Tangent Linear Behaviour of Common Tracer Transport Schemes and Their Use in a Linearised Atmospheric General Circulation Model

The linearity of a selection of common advection schemes is tested and examined with a view to their use in the tangent linear and adjoint versions of an atmospheric general circulation model. The schemes are tested within a simple offline one-dimensional periodic domain as well as using a simplified and complete configuration of the linearised version of NASA’s Goddard Earth Observing System version 5 (GEOS-5). All schemes which prevent the development of negative values and preserve the shape of the solution are confirmed to have non-linear behaviour. The piecewise parabolic method (PPM) with certain flux limiters, including that used by default in GEOS-5, is found to support linear growth near the shocks. This property can cause the rapid development of unrealistically large perturbations within the tangent linear and adjoint models. It is shown that these schemes with flux limiters should not be used within the linearised version of a transport scheme. The results from tests using GEOS-5 show that the current default scheme (a version of PPM) is not suitable for the tangent linear and adjoint model, and that using a linear third-order scheme for the linearised model produces better behaviour. Using the third-order scheme for the linearised model improves the correlations between the linear and non-linear perturbation trajectories for cloud liquid water and cloud liquid ice in GEOS-5. Keywords: Meteorology, dynamics, adjoint, data assimilation, tangent linear model, advection, transport (Published: 14 September 2015) Citation: Tellus A 2015, 67, 27895, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v67.27895
An inflatable L-band microstrip SAR array

Inflatable structures have been identified as one of the enabling technologies to achieve low mass, high packaging efficiency, and reliable deployment for future NASA spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) array antennas. A current L-band SAR antenna development, with an aperture size of 10 m/spl times/3 m, is required to have the capabilities of dual-linear polarization, 80-MHz bandwidth, electronic beam scanning, and less than a 100 kg of mass. An inflatable concept, which employs the inflatable tubular frame structure to support a multilayer, thin membrane, microstrip array radiating aperture, has been identified. It uses a "roll-up" concept for deploying the thin membranes to form a planar array aperture. To demonstrate this concept, two contracts were independently given to ILC Dover, Inc. and L'Garde Corp. for each to construct a 1/3 size (3.3 m/spl times/1.0 m) functional model with an inflatable structure at L-band frequency. JPL provided both contractors with the antenna RF design and the etched thin membranes. The ILC Dover model has been delivered to JPL and gone through a series of deployment and RF tests. This is believed to be the first inflatable array antenna ever developed. This paper presents the mechanical and electrical constructions of this inflatable array and its test results.
Targeting cancer with cys-diabody conjugated polymerized liposomal nanoparticles (PLNs)

Background: Polymerized liposomal nanoparticles (PLNs) are a promising new technology for delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to cancer cells. They are easy to prepare, biocompatible, and can carry a wide variety of therapeutics. Additionally, PLNs have the potential to be conjugated to a tumor targeting agent in hopes of delivering a cytotoxic payload directly to the cancer cells, thus minimizing systemic toxicity. Cys-diabodies are the smallest tumor antibody fragment (55 Kd) that retain the bivalency of an intact antibody. The goal of this study was to determine our ability to conjugate various engineered cys-diabody fragments to PLNs and to evaluate the ability to specifically target tumor cells based on the specificity of the diabody-tumor antigen interaction. Methods: Cys-diabody constructs against tumor antigens (ALCAM, HER2/neu, Ca19.9) were engineered, expressed in NSO myeloma cells and purified using HPLC. A cysteine residue was inserted at the C-terminus to provide the free sulhydryl group necessary for the conjugation reaction. Using malemide chemistry, cys-diabodies were conjugated to PLNs. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate targeting of conjugated PLNs to human pancreatic and breast cancer cell lines. Unconjugated PLNs and tumor antigen negative cell lines were used as controls. Results: Anti-HER2/neu, ALCAM, and CA19.9 cys-diabodies were characterized by flow cytometry showing specific binding to MCF7 (HER2/neu positive), HPAF (ALCAM positive), and BxPC3 (CA19.9 positive) cell lines, respectively. No binding was observed to antigen-negative cell lines nor with the unconjugated PLNs. Conjugation of cys-diabodies to PLNs was indicated by immunofluorescence showing specific binding of PLN-cys-diabody conjugates to breast and pancreatic cancer cells in vitro (Figure 1). These data were also confirmed by flow cytometry. Conclusions: We have demonstrated the ability to conjugate our PLN with engineered anti-tumor cys-diabodies. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that after conjugation, the PLNs demonstrate specific tumor-cell targeting based on the specificity of the diabody-tumor antigen affinity. These studies represent an important first step in the development of targeted PLNs with the ultimate goal of delivering high doses of a chemotherapeutic directly to the cancer cells.
Modulation of the IL-6 Receptor α Underlies GLI2-Mediated Regulation of Ig Secretion in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia Cells

Ig secretion by terminally differentiated B cells is an important component of the immune response to foreign pathogens. Its overproduction is a defining characteristic of several B cell malignancies, including Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), where elevated IgM is associated with significant morbidity and poor prognosis. Therefore, the identification and characterization of the mechanisms controlling Ig secretion are of great importance for the development of future therapeutic approaches for this disease. In this study, we define a novel pathway involving the oncogenic transcription factor GLI2 modulating IgM secretion by WM malignant cells. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of GLI2 in WM malignant cells resulted in a reduction in IgM secretion. Screening for a mechanism identified the IL-6Rα (gp80) subunit as a downstream target of GLI2 mediating the regulation of IgM secretion. Using a combination of expression, luciferase, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays we demonstrate that GLI2 binds to the IL-6Rα promoter and regulates its activity as well as the expression of this receptor. Additionally, we were able to rescue the reduction in IgM secretion in the GLI2 knockdown group by overexpressing IL-6Rα, thus defining the functional significance of this receptor in GLI2-mediated regulation of IgM secretion. Interestingly, this occurred independent of Hedgehog signaling, a known regulator of GLI2, as manipulation of Hedgehog had no effect on IgM secretion. Given the poor prognosis associated with elevated IgM in WM patients, components of this new signaling axis could be important therapeutic targets.
An investigation of parental modeling in the etiology of diabetic illness behavior

Abstract The role of vicarious processes in the etiology of behavioral reactions to medical illness was examined in a preliminary investigation. Twenty-seven diabetics without chronically ill parents were assigned to an avoidant-model (i.e. parent reported to have generally avoided work and chores when ill) or non-avoidant-model group. Subjects subsequently provided retrospective and current information concerning their illness behavior experiences. Pathophysiology ratings by a blind rater and glycosylated hemoglobin measures were taken. The results indicated that diabetics with an avoidant model terminated work, chores etc. when ill significantly more than non-avoidant-model group subjects. Diabetics with an avoidant model reported significantly higher medical utilization rates, days ill and poorer quality of life. No group differences were observed on pathophysiology rating and glycosylated hemoglobin measures. The results suggest that individual differences in behavioral reactions to similar degree and type of medical pathology may be related to prior learning experiences such as modeling. The need for a reliable and valid assessment methodology to be used in future related research is emphasized.
Adaptor Protein Complex-2 (AP-2) and Epsin-1 Mediate Protease-activated Receptor-1 Internalization via Phosphorylation- and Ubiquitination-dependent Sorting Signals

Signaling by protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for thrombin, is regulated by desensitization and internalization. PAR1 desensitization is mediated by β-arrestins, like most classic GPCRs. In contrast, internalization of PAR1 occurs through a clathrin- and dynamin-dependent pathway independent of β-arrestins. PAR1 displays two modes of internalization. Constitutive internalization of unactivated PAR1 is mediated by the clathrin adaptor protein complex-2 (AP-2), where the μ2-adaptin subunit binds directly to a tyrosine-based motif localized within the receptor C-tail domain. However, AP-2 depletion only partially inhibits agonist-induced internalization of PAR1, suggesting a function for other clathrin adaptors in this process. Here, we now report that AP-2 and epsin-1 are both critical mediators of agonist-stimulated PAR1 internalization. We show that ubiquitination of PAR1 and the ubiquitin-interacting motifs of epsin-1 are required for epsin-1-dependent internalization of activated PAR1. In addition, activation of PAR1 promotes epsin-1 de-ubiquitination, which may increase its endocytic adaptor activity to facilitate receptor internalization. AP-2 also regulates activated PAR1 internalization via recognition of distal C-tail phosphorylation sites rather than the canonical tyrosine-based motif. Thus, AP-2 and epsin-1 are both required to promote efficient internalization of activated PAR1 and recognize discrete receptor sorting signals. This study defines a new pathway for internalization of mammalian GPCRs.
Attendees “roasted” at Space Physics and Aeronomy dinner

The Space Physics and Aeronomy Section's annual dinner was held during the Fall AGU meeting in December at San Francisco's Wu Kong restaurant. The Planetology section joined the SPA section for this year's event, but that's not why tickets for the dinner sold out so early this year; it was because of the many members hoping to receive one of the prestigious awards presented at the dinner each year. The first award presented was a serious one. The Fred Scarf award—which recognizes the year's most outstanding Ph.D. thesis—was received by UCLA's Vassilis Angelopoulos, who did his undergraduate work at the University of Thessaloniki in Greece [Angelopoulos, 1993]. SPA President Janet Luhmann also deserves congratulations for being able to pronounce Thessaloniki.
Optimizing bacteriophage plaque fecundity

Bacteriophages (phages), the viruses of bacteria, form visible lesions within bacterial lawns (called plaques), which are employed ubiquitously in phage isolation and characterization. Plaques also can serve as models for phage population growth within environments that display significant spatial structure, e.g. soils, sediments, animal mucosal tissue, etc. Furthermore, phages growing within plaques, in experimental evolution studies, may become adapted to novel conditions, may be selected for faster expansion, or may evolve toward producing more virions per plaque. Here, we examine the evolution of the latter, greater plaque fecundity, considering especially tradeoffs between phage latent period and phage burst size. This evolution is interesting because genetically lengthening latent periods, as seen with phage lysis-timing mutants, should increase phage burst sizes, as more time is available for phage-progeny maturation during infection. Genetically shortening latent periods, however, is a means toward producing larger phage plaques since phage virions then can spend more time diffusing rather than infecting. With these larger plaques more bacteria become phage infected, resulting in more phage bursts. Given this conflict between latent period's impact on per-plaque burst number versus per-infection burst size, and based on analysis of existing models of plaque expansion, we provide two assertions. First, latent periods that optimize plaque fecundity are longer (e.g. at least two-fold longer) than latent periods that optimize plaque size (or that optimize phage population growth within broth). Second, if increases in burst size can contribute to plaque size (i.e. larger plaques with larger bursts), then latent-period optima that maximize plaque fecundity should be longer still. As a part of our analysis, we provide a means for predicting latent-period optima-for maximizing either plaque size or plaque fecundity-which is based on knowledge of only phage eclipse period and the relative contribution of phage burst size versus latent period toward plaque size.
Abstract 5206: Role of CtBP1 as a transcriptional corepressor in prostate cancer.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Background: C-terminal Binding Protein 1 (CtBP1), a transcriptional co-repressor that regulates the expression of tumor suppressors and genes involved in cell death, is known to play a critical role in multiple cancers. Earlier, we showed that CtBP1 is overexpressed in metastatic prostate cancer. Furthermore, our studies indicated a role for CtBP1 in conferring radiation resistance to prostate cancer cell lines. We also demonstrated the functional role of CtBP1 in regulating prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Methods and Results: Our gene expression profiling and bioinformatics analysis found that multiple potential tumor suppressors are reactivated upon CtBP1 knockdown in multiple prostate cancer cell lines. We next validated these targets of CtBP1-mediated repression by qRTPCR and western blotting using CtBP1 stable knockdown prostate cancer cell lines, and in normal prostate epithelial PrEC cells overexpressing CtBP1. Our studies confirmed that CtBP1 targets multiple genes including SP8 transcription factor and kallikrein-related peptidase 10 (KLK10) among others. Knockdown of the reactivated gene led to a reversion of these cells to a more aggressive phenotype. Furthermore, our studies confirmed that the CtBP1 target genes are down-regulated in metastatic prostate cancer. Conclusion: Taken together, our studies demonstrated that dysregulated expression of CtBP1 plays an important role in prostate cancer progression by down-regulating the expression of multiple potential tumor suppressor genes. Thus, targeting CtBP1 in aggressive prostate cancer may have clinical significance. Citation Format: Balabhadrapatruni V. S. K. Chakravarthi, Satya Pathi, Heng Zheng, Javed Siddiqui, Lakshmi P. Kunju, Nallasivam Palanisamy, Sooryanarayana Varambally. Role of CtBP1 as a transcriptional corepressor in prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5206. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5206
Low-tide rainfall effects on metal content of suspended sediment in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Abstract Rain falling at or near low tide is capable of eroding and transporting cohesive sediment from intertidal areas. Given that metals adsorb strongly to silt- and clay-sized particles, it is conceivable that low-tide rainfall may also liberate previously-deposited metals from storage in intertidal sediment. To investigate the potential for rainfall as an agent of remobilization, this study tested the hypothesis that suspended sediment in a tidal creek during low tide rainfall events contains different suites of adsorbed metals than during wind-only events and fair weather days. Water samples were collected during low-tide rain events in winter and wind resuspension events in summer. The concentrations of suspended sediment, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen, and the total adsorbed concentration (g L −1 ) of most metals were higher for a low-tide rainfall event than during wind-only and fair-weather conditions. Metal contents (g g −1 ) were also greater during the rain event for most metals. Principal components analysis and relationships between metal content and suspended sediment concentration suggest that rainfall during low tide can mobilize a different source of sediment than wind–wave resuspension and regular tidal action. The metal content of bulk sediment samples from around the study area could not be matched satisfactorily to the suspended sediment in any of the events. This implies that bulk sediment composition should not be used to extrapolate to suspended sediment composition in terms of adsorbed metal content.
Comparative Literature, (Comparative) Cultural Studies, Aesthetic Education, and the Humanities

In her article "Comparative Literature, (Comparative) Cultural Studies, Aesthetic Education, and the Humanities" Sonja Stojmenska-Elzeser discusses comparative literature in the context of cultural studies and aesthetic education. Her starting point is the complexity of comparative literature as an academic discipline propelled by intellectual curiosity for what lies across the barriers which stand in the way of understanding and enjoying creative acts of all kinds everywhere and at all times. Literary and artistic investigations which focus on aesthetic values lead us towards general aesthetics, analyses which situate the arts and literature in context with little regard for aesthetic criteria take us towards cultural studies. How are these three areas related? Do they share the same concerns in relation to creativity? How do they survive and cooperate in the contemporary world in which the humanities are often sidelined?
Second Harmonic Generation in Carbon Dioxide Processed Thin Polymer Films

Polymer films were swelled with carbon dioxide (CO2), allowing the alignment of second harmonic generating (SHG) chromophores with an electric field at ambient temperatures. SHG decay provided info...
Cost effectiveness of biologic therapies for plaque psoriasis.

Background During the last decade, the implementation of biologic agents has changed the therapeutic management of severe psoriasis. Biologic agents have clinically proven efficacy, but their use is associated with a much higher cost compared with traditional treatment options. Therefore, when assessing the use of these drugs for the treatment of psoriasis, it is important to consider their cost effectiveness.
The ultrastructure of uncomplicated human atheroma in surgically resected aortas.

Summary Firm, yellow-white, fibrous plaques were selected from surgically-resected aortas and studied by electron microscopy. Intercellular substances were classified as col-lagen, fibrin, and fine fibrillar material which could not be further identified. Four cell types were recognized: large mononuclear cells with abundant lipid, smallmono-nuclear cells with little or no lipid, smooth muscle cells, and fibrocytes. Intracellular lipid was present in four distinct forms: ring, solid, reticulated and lysosomal. Certain forms of lipid appear to be characteristic of specific cell types.
Structural Chemistry of Poly(ethylene glycol) Complexes of Lead(II) Nitrate and Lead(II) Bromide.

The reaction of 1:1 stoichiometries (1:1.5 for the nitrate/tetraethylene glycol (EO4) and pentaethylene glycol (EO5) complexes) of PbX(2) (X = NO(3), Br) with five- to eight-donor poly(ethylene glycols) (PEGs) in 3:1 CH(3)CN/CH(3)OH (CH(3)CN only for the nitrate/EO5 complex) followed by solvent evaporation resulted in six crystalline materials upon which X-ray structural analyses were carried out: [Pb(NO(3))(2)(EO4)](n)(), [Pb(NO(3))(2)(EO5)], [Pb(NO(3))(2)(EO6)], [PbBr(EO5)(m-Br)PbBr(2)].H(2)O, [PbBr(NCMe)(EO6)](2)[PbBr(2)(EO6)][PbBr(3)](2), and [PbBr(EO7)][PbBr(3)]. The nitrates crystallize as tight ion pairs with the PEG ligands coordinating in an equatorial plane around the Pb(2+) ions. Because EO4 has only five oxygen donors, this complex exhibits steric unsaturation which is overcome by a monodentate interaction with a third nitrate anion that is also coordinated to a neighboring Pb(2+) ion. The six donors of EO5 coordinate in an equatorial plane resulting in a 10-coordinate complex with trans, twisted, bidentate nitrate anions. The seven-donor hexaethylene glycol (EO6) only uses six of its oxygen donors to coordinate Pb(2+). [Pb(NO(3))(2)(EO4)](n)() is monoclinic, P2(1)/c, with a = 7.902(3) A, b = 22.136(6) A, c = 8.910(2) A, beta = 90.96(3) degrees, and Z = 4. [Pb(NO(3))(2)(EO5)] is triclinic Po, with a = 9.332(3) A, b = 10.025(3) A, c = 11.688(4) A, alpha = 68.41(3) degrees, beta = 68.39(3) degrees, gamma = 68.58(3) degrees, and Z = 2. [Pb(NO(3))(2)(EO6)] is monoclinic P2(1)/c, with a = 16.289(4) A, b = 10.773(4) A, c = 12.329(4) A, beta = 106.77(2) degrees, and Z = 4. Lead(II) bromide complexes with PEGs tend to crystallize as PEG complexed cations with polymeric lead(II) bromide anions. In the EO5 complex, bromide anions in the polymer also coordinate to the PEG-wrapped Pb(2+) cations. The hexa- and heptaethylene glycol (EO6 and EO7, respectively) complexes contain discreet ions. In these halide complexes, EO7 is the only PEG to expand the Pb(2+) coordination number from eight to nine. [PbBr(EO5)(m-Br)PbBr(2)].H(2)O is triclinic Po, with a = 7.922(6) A,b = 15.802(9) A, c = 19.001(9) A, alpha = 73.19(8) degrees, beta = 88.91(9) degrees, gamma = 87.22(9) degrees, and Z = 4. [PbBr(NCMe)(EO6)](2)[PbBr(2)(EO6)][PbBr(3)](2) is monoclinic P2(1)/c, with a = 14.389(4) A, b = 31.931(9) A, c = 8.029(2) A, beta = 97.76(3) degrees, and Z = 2. [PbBr(EO7)][PbBr(3)] is monoclinic Cc, with a = 13.165(3) A, b = 24.732(5) A, c = 8.007(1) A, beta = 94.58(2) degrees, and Z = 4.
Primary afferent projections from the upper respiratory tract in the muskrat.

The central projections of the ethmoidal, glossopharyngeal, and superior laryngeal nerves were determined in the muskrat by use of the transganglionic transport of a mixture of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-HRP. The ethmoidal nerve projected to discrete areas in all subdivisions of the ipsilateral trigeminal sensory complex. Reaction product was focused in ventromedial portions of the principal nucleus, subnucleus oralis, and subnucleus interpolaris. The subnucleus oralis also contained sparse reaction product in its dorsomedial part. Projections were dense to ventrolateral parts of laminae I and II of the rostral medullary dorsal horn, with sparser projections to lamina V. Label in laminae I and V extended into the cervical dorsal horn. A few labeled fibers were followed to the contralateral dorsal horn. The interstitial neuropil of the ventral paratrigeminal nucleus was densely labeled. Extratrigeminal primary afferent projections in ethmoidal nerve cases involved the Kolliker-Fuse nucleus and ventrolateral part of the parabrachial nucleus, the reticular formation surrounding the rostral ambiguous complex, and the dorsal reticular formation of the closed medulla. Retrograde labeling in the brain was observed in only the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus in these cases. The cervical trunk of the glossopharyngeal and superior laryngeal nerves also projected to the trigeminal sensory complex, but almost exclusively to its caudal parts. These nerves terminated in the dorsal and ventral paratrigeminal nuclei as well as lamina I of the medullary and cervical dorsal horns. Lamina V received sparse projections. The glossopharyngeal and superior laryngeal nerves projected to the ipsilateral solitary complex at all levels extending from the caudal facial nucleus to the cervical spinal cord. At the level of the obex, these nerves projected densely to ipsilateral areas ventral and ventromedial to the solitary tract. Additional ipsilateral projections were observed along the dorsolateral border of the solitary complex. Near the obex and caudally, the commissural area was labeled bilaterally. Labeled fibers from the solitary tract projected into the caudal reticular formation bilaterally, especially when the cervical trunk of the glossopharyngeal nerve received tracer. Labeled fibers descending further in the solitary tract gradually shifted toward the base of the cervical dorsal horn. The labeled fibers left the solitary tract and entered the spinal trigeminal tract at these levels. Retrogradely labeled cells were observed in the ambiguous complex, especially rostrally, and in the rostral dorsal vagal nucleus after application of HRP and WGA-HRP to either the glossopharyngeal or superior laryngeal nerves. In glossopharyngeal nerve cases, retrogradely labeled neurons also were seen in the inferior salivatory nucleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Defining desertification: A review

The concept of desertification was introduced in the late forties to designate a number of ecological degradation processes in tropical Africa, in particular the progressive transformation of tropical forests in savannahs or even drier ecosystems. Since then, the word has received a number of other meanings, some of them contradictory, most of them ambiguous. This paper reviews the historical developments that lead to the introduction of the concept of desertification, summarizes some of the reasons why this issue is so controversial, and suggests specific elements that should be incorporated in the definition of the concept. The point is made that each user of the concept should probably design a definition for his or her own use, depending on the goals, among other things.
Functional Schrödinger and BRST quantization of (1+1)-dimensional gravity.

We discuss the quantization of pure string-inspired dilaton gravity in 1+1 dimensions, and of the same theory coupled to scalar matter. We perform the quantization using the functional Schr{umlt o}dinger and BRST formalisms. We find, both for pure gravity and the matter-coupled theory, that the two quantization procedures give inequivalent {open_quote}{open_quote}physical{close_quote}{close_quote} results. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
The effect of diet upon the pH of respiratory secretions

Abstract A popular lay theory contends that the ingestion of an alkaline-ash diet can provide clinical protection against the common cold. Since this alleged protective effect might be mediated through alterations in the alkalinity of respiratory secretions, the pH of nasal mucus was monitored among 10 volunteers consuming acid-ash and alkaline-ash diets. Even among 7 volunteers in whom dietary compliance was assured by marked dietary variation of urinary pH, there was no consistent effect of the different diets upon the pH of nasal mucus.
Morphological defects of molecular beam epitaxy-grown CdTe and CdSeTe on Si

For the first time, focused ion beam milling, secondary electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine in depth morphological defects during epitaxial growth of CdTe and CdSeTe on Si. Contrary to the literature regarding the formation of morphological defects at the epi/substrate interface, the present defects appear to originate from either the CdTe/CdSeTe interface or 3–4 µm above the CdTe/Si interface where the growth was interrupted and the substrate temperature was temporarily raised. This suggests a correlation between defect nucleation and either shutter movement or growth interruption.
Some fundamental and practical aspects of electrocatalysis for water electrolysis

Abstract This paper gives a brief account of the fundamental work on electrocatalysis for alkaline water electrolysers at The City University as well as presenting some results on the design of Teflon bonded and porous electrodes supported on nickel mesh of varying sizes.
Effect of pressure in capillary flow of polystyrene

Several corrections possibly required for capillary flow are based on the existence of a linear relationship between the pressure drop along the capillary and the length-to-diameter ratio at a given temperature and shear rate. Recently, the appearance of nonlinearities in this relationship has created some concern as to the cause of this behavior. The occurrence and an explanation of the nonlinearities for polystyrene form the basis of this study. A narrow-distribution, low molecular weight (20,400) polystyrene was tested in eight capillaries at temperatures of 140 and 160°C to initiate the discussion of the nonlinearity in a ΔP (pressure) versus L/D (length/diameter of capillary) plot. The sample exhibits negligible extrudate swelling at all pressures which reinforces the idea that pressure is influencing the flow. The pressure dependence of viscosity is determined using the equivalent expression of the WLF equation derived from free volume theory. Justification for its use is presented. A pressure correction, representing the increased shear stress necessary for flow of the higher viscosity material, is found to linearize the ΔP versus L/D data. A narrow-distribution, high molecular weight polystyrene (670,000) is subjected to a similar analysis at 165°C by using nine capillaries. The situation is quite different, as the high molecular weight sample is not nearly as ideal as the low molecular weight polystyrene.
Jamesie's Crucian Music

In Jamesie, King of Scratch, filmmaker Andrea Leland presents a portrait of Crucian musician, James "Jamesie" Brew ter. A talented performer, Jamesie's contributions to the history and devel opment of the music now called quelbe are well known in the Caribbean, particularly by people in the Leeward Islands. Shot mainly in St. Croix USVI, Denmark and the continental United States, Leland's film is organized into three acts. The first touches on Jamesie's life, Crucian culture and quelbe's historical background, the second follows Jamesie on trips to Denmark and mainland United States, and the third docu ments his return to St. Croix from overseas.
Naming outcome after left or right temporal lobectomy in patients with bilateral language representation by Wada testing

Abstract Objective This study aimed to examine language outcome after left or right anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) in patients with epilepsy with bilateral language representation on intracarotid sodium amobarbital (Wada) testing. Methods Twenty-two patients with epilepsy with bilateral language (Wada laterality index between − 50 and 50) underwent right ATL (RATL, n = 10) or left ATL (LATL, n = 12). All the patients were administered the Boston Naming Test preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Results Left anterior temporal lobectomy patients showed greater postoperative naming decline than RATL patients. Group differences were also observed on subtests of the Wada test. Performance on the Wada naming and comprehension subtests was better in the nonsurgical hemisphere than in the surgical hemisphere in the RATL group, but there was no difference between the nonsurgical and the surgical hemisphere naming and comprehension performance in the LATL group. Conclusions Left anterior temporal lobectomy patients with bilateral language are at greater risk for naming decline than RATL patients with bilateral language. This difference may be due to relatively better naming and comprehension abilities in the nonsurgical hemisphere in the RATL group.
Preliminary results of intraoperative mitomycin-C in the treatment and prevention of glottic and subglottic stenosis*

Mitomycin-C is an antineoplastic antibiotic that acts as an alkylating agent by inhibiting DNA and protein synthesis. It can inhibit cell division, protein synthesis, and fibroblast proliferation. The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate intraoperative applications of topical mitomycin-C in treatment and prevention of glottic and subglottic stenosis. Eight patients with posterior glottic and/or subglottic stenosis were treated with endoscopic CO2 laser excision followed by topical application of 0.5 cc of 0.4 mg mitomycin-C per milliliter of saline for 4 minutes at the surgical site. After mean follow-up of 15 months (10-20) all patients had clinical improvement of their airway and resolution of their preoperative symptoms. No complications were noted in this study. Although a longer follow-up and further controlled studies are needed, the use of topical mitomycin-C may prove useful in the treatment and prevention of subsequent restenosis and scar formation in the larynx and trachea.
Collaboration between the top knowledge management and intellectual capital researchers

Recently, Serenko and Bontis published a meta-review of the knowledge management (KM) and intellectual capital (IC) literature that identified the 64 most productive KM/IC researchers. In this paper, exploratory data analysis using graphical methods and measures is performed on the collaboration patterns of these top 64 KM/IC researchers, and the resulting collaboration patterns are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conversion of radioactive hexoses to pectin in the strawberry.

Abstract Glucose-1-C 14 , glucose-2-C 14 , glucose-6-C 14 , and galactose-1-C 14 have been introduced into separate green strawberries through their stems. After several days of incubation, the “pectin” fraction was isolated and hydrolyzed to galacturonic acid and arabinose. The label in individual carbon atoms of the galacturonic acid and arabinose was determined by means of chemical degradation procedures. The results indicate that the intact hexose carbon skeleton is preserved in the transformation of hexose to galacturonic acid. It also appears that the intact chain of the first five carbon atoms of the hexose is preserved in the transformation of hexose to arabinose. Although 60–70% of the label present in the galacturonic acid was found in the carbon atom corresponding to the labeled carbon atom of the hexose precursor, the remaining activity was not evenly distributed among the remaining five carbon atoms. Instead an unexpectedly large percentage was found in a terminal carbon atom: 13% in carbon-6 from glucose-1-C 14 ; 26% in carbon-6 from galactose-1-C 14 ; 22% in carbon-1 from glucose-6-C 14 ; and 15% in carbon-6 from glucose-2-C 14 .
Flexible endoscope for continuous in vivo multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) offers a noninvasive approach for characterizing the biochemical composition of biological tissue. There has been an increasing interest in the application of multispectral FLIM for medical diagnosis. Central to the clinical translation of FLIM technology is the development of compact and high-speed endoscopy systems. Unfortunately, the predominant multispectral FLIM approaches suffer from limitations that impede the development of endoscopy systems that are suitable for in vivo tissue imaging. We present a compact wide-field time-gated FLIM flexible endoscope capable of continuous lifetime imaging of up to three fluorescence emission bands simultaneously. This endoscope design will facilitate the evaluation of FLIM for in vivo applications.
A master of the earth: H.D. Holland and his contributions to geochemistry

Abstract H.D. Holland was one of the great geochemists of modern times. As a Professor at Princeton University for 22 years and at Harvard for 33, he mentored 24 graduate students and 24 postdoctoral researchers. He was a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and a President of the Geochemical Society. He co-authored 179 publications in 64 years from 1949 to 2012, including four books. He edited one other book and, with Karl Turekian, co-edited the ten-volume Treatise on Geochemistry. His contributions to geochemistry were mainly in economic geology, hydrothermal processes, and especially the chemistry and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, a topic to which he devoted nearly half of his publications. His most significant contributions documented changes in the composition of seawater through geologic time and the rise of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere. He pioneered the use of mineral sequences in marine evaporite deposits and fluid inclusions in evaporite minerals to determine the composition of ancient seawater. He collected extensive data on paleosols and used them to calibrate the oxygen content of the ancient atmosphere, documenting its rise in the Great Oxidation Event that peaked between 2.41 and 2.32 Ga, and writing extensively about the causes of this event, one of the most significant in Earth history.
Nucleotide and amino acid sequence of pap-gene (pediocin AcH production) in Pediococcus acidilactici H.

N-terminal analysis of purified pediocin AcH produced a partial sequence of 23 amino acids. This sequence matched perfectly with a segment of 23 amino acids in a 62 amino acid molecule generated from the 186 nucleotide sequence open reading frame in a Hind III fragment in pSMB74 encoding pap-gene (pediocin AcH production). It is suggested that the molecule is translated as inactive prepediocin AcH of 62 amino acids. Then through enzymatic modifications the leader segment of 18 amino acids is removed from the NH2-terminal. The remaining segment of 44 amino acids is active pediocin AcH of 4628 Mr.
Merging Nucleophilic and Hydrogen Bonding Catalysis: An Anion Binding Approach to the Kinetic Resolution of Amines

A new concept for asymmetric nucleophilic catalysis is presented. Acyl pyridinium salts derived from 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) and benzoic anhydride are rendered chiral via interaction with a chiral thiourea anion receptor. The power of this concept is demonstrated in the context of kinetic amine resolution.
Molecular Structure and Function of the Novel BrnT/BrnA Toxin-Antitoxin System of Brucella abortus

Type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are expressed from two-gene operons that encode a cytoplasmic protein toxin and its cognate protein antitoxin. These gene cassettes are often present in multiple copies on bacterial chromosomes, where they have been reported to regulate stress adaptation and persistence during antimicrobial treatment. We have identified a novel type II TA cassette in the intracellular pathogen Brucella abortus that consists of the toxin gene, brnT, and its antitoxin, brnA. BrnT is coexpressed and forms a 2:2 tetrameric complex with BrnA, which neutralizes BrnT toxicity. The BrnT(2)-BrnA(2) tetramer binds its own promoter via BrnA, and autorepresses its expression; its transcription is strongly induced in B. abortus by various stressors encountered by the bacterial cell during infection of a mammalian host. Although highly divergent at the primary sequence level, an atomic resolution (1.1 A) crystal structure of BrnT reveals a secondary topology related to the RelE family of type II ribonuclease toxins. However, overall tertiary structural homology to other RelE family toxins is low. A functional characterization of BrnT by site-directed mutagenesis demonstrates a correspondence between its in vitro activity as a ribonuclease and control of bacteriostasis in vivo. We further present an analysis of the conserved and variable features of structure required for RNA scission in BrnT and the RelE toxin family. This structural investigation informs a model of the RelE-fold as an evolutionarily flexible scaffold that has been selected to bind structurally disparate antitoxins, and exhibit distinct toxin activities including RNA scission and DNA gyrase inhibition.
Results of a genomewide linkage scan: Support for chromosomes 9 and 11 loci increasing risk for cigarette smoking

Cigarette smoking is highly destructive to individuals and society, and is moderately heritable. We completed a genomewide linkage scan to map loci increasing risk for cigarette smoking in a set of families originally identified because they segregate panic disorder (PD). One hundred forty two genotyped individuals in a total of 12 families were studied (214 subjects analyzed, including non-genotyped individuals). Of these individuals, 69 were “affected” with habitual cigarette smoking (i.e., they smoked more than one pack per day for at least a year, or at least 1/2 pack per day for at least 10 years), 49 were “unaffected” (i.e., they smoked less than 1/2 pack per day for less than 1 year), and 24 were scored as “unknown.” Nine families from the panic series were excluded from these analyses because they lacked multiple affected individuals with habitual cigarette smoking. In an initial genomewide scan, we genotyped a total of 416 markers (398 autosomal, 18 X-chromosome) with an average spacing of less than 10 cM, spanning the genome. Linkage analysis (pairwise, or single-point, and multi-point) was performed using ALLEGRO. An additional 14 markers were genotyped in a high-density panel to follow-up on an identified region of interest on chromosome 11p. The three highest multi-point Zlr scores (3.43, 3.04, and 3.01; P = 0.0003, P = 0.0012, and P = 0.0013, respectively), which each reflect “suggestive” evidence for linkage, were observed in multi-point linkage analyses using Allegro on chromosomes 11p and 9, near markers D11S4046, D9S283, and D9S1677, respectively. D11S4046 is in a region where linkage to alcohol dependence and linkage disequilibrium to substance dependence have previously been identified. The chromosome 9 region we identified as possibly linked to cigarette smoking in anxiety families, was previously identified as significantly linked to PD in Icelandic pedigrees. We also identified evidence supporting linkage (Zlr score > 2.3, P < 0.01) to regions of chromosomes 14, 16, and X. There was a significant phenotypic association between PD and cigarette smoking (P < 0.001). Conclusions: We identified evidence for two loci increasing risk for cigarette smoking that map to chromosomes 9 and 11. There is now evidence supporting linkage or association of chromosome 11 markers with alcohol dependence, illegal drug abuse and dependence, and cigarette smoking. Interestingly, one of our most promising linkage regions, includes a region previously identified as linked to PD. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Is Caregiver-Adolescent Disagreement Due to Differences in Thresholds for Reporting Manic Symptoms?

Abstract Introduction: Cross-informant disagreement is common and results in different interpretations of a youth's behavior. Theoretical explanations for discrepancies typically rely on scale level analyses. This article explores whether caregivers and adolescents differ in when they notice and report symptoms of youth mania depending on the severity of overall manic disturbance. Method: Participants were 459 adolescent-caregiver pairs recruited at either a community mental health center or an academic medical center. Adolescents were most likely to have a primary diagnosis of unipolar depression (37%) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder/disruptive behavior disorder (36%). Nineteen percent of adolescents received a bipolar spectrum disorder diagnosis (4% bipolar I and 15% bipolar II, cyclothymia, or bipolar not otherwise specificed). Caregivers were primarily biological mothers (74%) or grandparents (8%). Adolescents and caregivers independently completed the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) abo...
Software Challenges for Extreme Scale Computing: Going From Petascale to Exascale Systems

Preparing applications for a transition from petascale to exascale systems will require a very large investment in several areas of software research and development. The introduction of manycore nodes, the abundance of parallelism, an increase in system faults (including soft errors) and a complicated, multi-component software environment are some of the most challenging issues we face. In this paper we address four topics we believe to be the most the challenging issues and therefore the greatest opportunities for making effective next-generation scalable applications. First and foremost is the need to transform existing applications to run on manycore platforms and properly design new applications. This is particularly challenging in the absence of a standard, portable manycore programming environment, but we can make progress in this direction while manycore programming models are developed. Second is promoting advanced modeling and simulation capabilities such as embedded optimization and uncertainty quantification that lead to higher quality results and orders of magnitude more parallelism. Third is progress toward fault resilience in applications, a critical need as system reliability degrades. Fourth and finally is a qualitative improvement in software design, including the social aspects, as exascale software systems will be increasingly multi-team and multi-faceted efforts.
Direct observation of hydrogen atom dynamics and interactions by ultrahigh resolution neutron protein crystallography

The 1.1 A, ultrahigh resolution neutron structure of hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchanged crambin is reported. Two hundred ninety-nine out of 315, or 94.9%, of the hydrogen atom positions in the protein have been experimentally derived and resolved through nuclear density maps. A number of unconventional interactions are clearly defined, including a potential O─H…π interaction between a water molecule and the aromatic ring of residue Y44, as well as a number of potential C─H…O hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonding networks that are ambiguous in the 0.85 A ultrahigh resolution X-ray structure can be resolved by accurate orientation of water molecules. Furthermore, the high resolution of the reported structure has allowed for the anisotropic description of 36 deuterium atoms in the protein. The visibility of hydrogen and deuterium atoms in the nuclear density maps is discussed in relation to the resolution of the neutron data.