cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on cytochrome oxidase. 8. Preparation and some properties of cardiac cytochrome oxidase.

Abstract Soluble cytochrome oxidase has been prepared from the Keilin-Hartree preparation of bovine heart by sequential fragmentation of the respiratory chain. The procedure involves a prior extraction with 1% cholate which selectively solubilizes the segment containing the antimycin A-sensitive cytochrome b-c1 segment and succinate dehydrogenase. The cytochrome oxidase remaining in the particle is solubilized by 2% cholate in the presence of 0.25 saturation of ammonium sulfate and then further purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation. The procedure can be completed in 24 hours. The first order velocity constant of the purified oxidase is approximately 16 s-1 mg-1 of protein in a 3-ml system using reduced cytochrome c as the reductant at pH 5.7. The purified preparation contains approximately 11 nmoles of heme a per mg of protein and about 20% of lipid (w/w). The ratio of copper to heme a is 1.05. Amino acid composition of two preparations of oxidase indicates the protein to be slightly basic. The oxidase exhibits essentially only one sedimenting peak in ultracentrifugation experiments; its hydrodynamic data obtained in 0.1 m phosphate, containing 0.25% Emasol-1130 and 0.25% cholate, give a molecular weight of 4.3 x 105 (lipid included). However, in the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at least five major bands were observed. Spectra of the oxidized and the reduced oxidase and the effect of Emasol-1130 on the oxidized spectrum are presented. The oxidase preparation showed absorption maxima at 830, 598, 520, 419, and 280 nm in the oxidized form and 604, 520, 444, and 280 nm in the reduced form. The position of the Soret maximum, which varies from 418 to 425 nm in the oxidized enzyme as reported in the literature, was probably due to the effect of solvent used. The oxidase with the Soret peak at the longer wave length can be reversed to 418 nm by addition of Tween-80 or decrease of the Emasol concentration.
Qualified audit opinions and stock prices: Information content, announcement dates, and concurrent disclosures

Abstract We investigate whether announcements of ‘subject to’ audit opinions and disclaimers of opinions affect stock prices. The results indicate that many firms experience negative abnormal performance prior to the release of qualified opinions, and that the magnitude of prior abnormal performance differs across types of qualifications. However, there is little evidence of a stock price effect when qualifications are disclosed publicly. It is difficult to construct powerful tests of the announcement effect of a qualified opinion for three reasons. First, the announcement date of the qualification is not easily identified. Second, measuring the unanticipated component of the announcement requires a model of market expectations. Third, controls must be employed for concurrent disclosures. The problems concerning event date identification have ramifications for other accounting event studies, particularly studies of disclosures typically contained in the annual report or 10-K.
Development of a VRLA battery for high temperature applications

A hot, dry desert climate provides some of the worst environmental conditions in which to operate valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries. In an effort to increase battery life in uncontrolled, high temperature environments, Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc. (JCBGI) has developed a field and lab test program to investigate the effect of several key design parameters on battery life. This investigation primarily focuses on developing improved product life of current absorbent glass mat (AGM) technology product. The goals of this project are to develop a robust design which meets an acceptable and realistic float life in high temperature environments without sacrificing discharge capacity. The design criteria were based on developing value added enhancements to current product designs and manufacturing capabilities to produce a high heat resistant VRLA product.
Thunderstorm and Lightning Climatology of Australia

Thunderstorms are spectacular but hazardous weather phenomena and the associated lightning and wind gusts can be very hazardous to people, buildings, and industry and utility assets. The thunderstorm hazards in Australia are in most respects similar to those in other countries, but some are worthy of special comment. In some instances, the effects of lightninginitiated bushfires are so extreme that they are classified as natural disasters. The wildfires started by lightning are known locally in Australia as bushfires and grass fires, and these can cause extensive damage and loss of life. The ignition is caused by the lightning current in ground flashes, and firing is associated with low moisture contents of (potential) fine fuels such as duff in trees and dense grass, and the occurrence of multiple stroke currents and continuing current. During dry periods, lightning initiated grass fires are a major problem in inland areas, as are lightning initiated bushfires in remote forest areas. Once ignited, grass fires spread quickly, whereas in bushfires, ignition often starts as a small localised fire in or near the crown of the tree, and it may take a few hours for the fire to spread to other trees and to become an uncontrollable wildfire. Given the potential hazards associated with lightning, knowledge about spatial and temporal distributions of thunderstorm and lightning activity is of great importance for developing comprehensive protective measures.
How Governmental Policy in an Academic Environment Beyond the Classroom Affects Students Regarding Conduct Originating Off School Grounds in Violation of Their First Amendment Rights

Public school students do not lose their constitutional rights when they walk through the schoolhouse doors. The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that “students in school as well as out of school are ‘persons’ under our Constitution.” This means that they possess First Amendment rights to express themselves in a variety of ways. They can write articles for the school newspaper, join clubs, distribute literature and petition school officials. But public school students do not possess unlimited First Amendment rights. Two legal principles limit their rights. First, as the Supreme Court has said, minors do not possess the same level of constitutional rights as adults. Second, the government generally has greater power to dictate policy when it acts in certain capacities, such as educator, employer or jailer. For instance, a school principal can restrict a student from cursing a teacher in class or in the hallway. However, the principal would have limited, if any, authority to punish a student for criticizing a school official off-campus. This principle of greater government control applies broadly in the public schools. The paramount duty of public school officials is to educate children in a safe environment. As one federal court stated, “Learning is more important in the classroom than free speech.” However, public school officials act as arms of the government — state actors — and thus must respect the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment. The problem comes in ensuring that public school officials have authority to do their jobs without trampling on student free-expression rights.
Mechanical and physical properties of agro-based fiberboard

In order to better utilize agricultural fibers as an alternative resource for composite panels, several variables were investigated to improve mechanical and physical properties of agro-based fiberboard. This study focused on the effect of fiber morphology, slenderness ratios (L/D), and fiber mixing combinations on panel properties. The panel construction types were also investigated such as hardboard (HB), medium density fiberboard (MDF), and bagasse core panel (BCP) made from bagasse/bamboo combinations with a combination of 1% pMDI/4% UF as a binder. Static bending properties and tensile strength increased as fiber L/D increased from 3 to 26. Fiber separation and morphology also influenced the mechanical property development of agro-based panels. Bagasse fiber bundles and particles smaller than L/D of 5.4 were responsible for the mechanical property loss of agro-based MDF. The BCP yielded promising results for modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR). However, HB appeared to be a better panel type for agro-based composites based on the property enhancement compared to wood-based panel products.
Role of inertial instability in the West African monsoon jump

The West African monsoon jump is a sudden shift in the latitude of the West African precipitation maximum from the Guinean coast near 4°N into Sahel near 12°N in late June or early July. An examination of reanalyses and observations indicates that the Sahel rainy season develops smoothly and the monsoon jump occurs because of an abrupt decrease in Guinean coast rainfall. We show that this abrupt end of the coastal rainy season occurs when inertial instability develops over the region, 1 month later than it develops in the vicinity of the marine Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone. The reason for this delay is the presence of the African easterly jet, which places strong negative meridional zonal wind gradients over the coast to preserve the inertially stable environment. When the African easterly jet moves farther north due to the seasonal solar forcing, these gradients weaken and then reverse to satisfy the threshold condition for inertial instability; the rapid end of the Guinean coast rainy season follows. The northward movement and intensity of the African easterly jet are controlled by the seasonal development of strong meridional land surface temperature gradients and are independent of the formation of the Atlantic cold tongue. This explanation for the West African monsoon jump relates the phenomenon to the shape and location of the African continent, including the low-latitude position of the Guinean coast and the large expanse of the continent to the north.
To devalue or not to devalue? How East European countries responded to the outflow of capital in 1997-99 and in 2008-09

If there is a negative terms of trade or financial shock leading to the deterioration in the balance of payments, there are two basic options for a country that has limited foreign exchange reserves. First, a country can maintain a fixed exchange rate (or even a currency board) and wait until the reduction of foreign exchange reserves leads to the reduction of money supply: this will drive domestic prices down and stimulate exports, raise interest rates and stimulate the inflow of capital, and finally will correct the balance of payments. Second, the country can allow the devaluation of national currency – flexible exchange rate will automatically bring the balance of payments back into the equilibrium. Because national prices are less flexible than exchange rates, the first type of adjustment is associated with the greater reduction of output. The empirical evidence on East European countries and other transition economies for 1998-99 period (outflow of capital after the 1997 Asian and 1998 Russian currency crises and slowdown of output growth rates) suggests that the second type of policy response (devaluation) was associated with smaller loss of output than the first type (monetary contraction). 2008-09 developments provide additional evidence for this hypothesis.
Striking a Balance between Intellectual Property Protection of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Access to Knowledge

Traditional Chinese medicine has played a vital role in the well-being of Chinese people for thousands of years. It is a comprehensive system of herb medicine that has been repeatedly practiced and gradually summarized by Chinese people over a long period of time. The current practice related to traditional Chinese medicine has gone beyond the traditional practice. It at least includes mass production of traditional Chinese medicine pills, traditional Chinese medicine herb extract and therapeutic chemicals identified in traditional Chinese medicine materia medica. While traditional practice is in the public domain, the case is less clear for the expansive practice of traditional Chinese medicine, particularly because the public has not practiced such knowledge before. The current intellectual property law is designed to strike a delicate balance between incentives of creation and access to knowledge. It is often construed from a utilitarian perspective. This utilitarian consideration can justify some protection for the new practice. While the current intellectual property law often only recognizes limited defensive rights for traditional knowledge holders, once the rights of non-traditional practitioners are recognized, the rationale of the intellectual property legal regime may justify a stronger package of rights, which would include more than defensive rights for traditional knowledge holders.
Implicit Value Updating Explains Transitive Inference Performance: The Betasort Model.

Transitive inference (the ability to infer that B > D given that B > C and C > D) is a widespread characteristic of serial learning, observed in dozens of species. Despite these robust behavioral effects, reinforcement learning models reliant on reward prediction error or associative strength routinely fail to perform these inferences. We propose an algorithm called betasort, inspired by cognitive processes, which performs transitive inference at low computational cost. This is accomplished by (1) representing stimulus positions along a unit span using beta distributions, (2) treating positive and negative feedback asymmetrically, and (3) updating the position of every stimulus during every trial, whether that stimulus was visible or not. Performance was compared for rhesus macaques, humans, and the betasort algorithm, as well as Q-learning, an established reward-prediction error (RPE) model. Of these, only Q-learning failed to respond above chance during critical test trials. Betasort’s success (when compared to RPE models) and its computational efficiency (when compared to full Markov decision process implementations) suggests that the study of reinforcement learning in organisms will be best served by a feature-driven approach to comparing formal models.
Immune perturbation in patients with TGFbeta pathway defects (LYM7P.729)

Intro: Mutations in TGFbR1, TGFbR2 and SMAD3 are associated with familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections (TAAD). These patients offer an opportunity to study their immune development. Methods: PBMC from TAAD (n=9) and controls (CT, n=8) were analyzed by FACS. Th1 (IFNg) and Th17 (IL17A) were determined with intracellular cytokine staining. Foxp3+ Tregs were detected with anti-Foxp3. CD19+ were analyzed for naive (IgD+CD27-), unswitched (IgD+CD27+) and switched memory (IgD-CD27+). Plasmacytoid (CD303+pDC) and myeloid (CD1c+mDC) were defined within lineage-1 negative population. Results: %CD3-CD16+NK, CD3+CD16+NKT, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+CD45RA+ in TAAD were similar to HC. Average %CD19+ (20.8vs7.3, p=0.006) and naive B cells (81.3vs66.6, p=0.004) were higher in TAADvsCT. The unswitched were similar but the switched B cells were lower (8.6vs15.5, p=0.01). While the %Tregs were similar, there was a remarkable reduction (1/2-3 folds, p<0.05) in Foxp3 concentration based on median fluorescence intensity of Foxp3 in TAAD. There was a significant reduction of %Th17 (0.14vs0.61, p=0.01), while the Th1 were similar. %pDC (9.4vs24.1, p=0.009) and %mDC (11.4vs17.9, p=0.01) were also lower in TAAD. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the involvement of TGFbeta signaling in B cells, DCs, Th17 and Treg development. Further studies and monitoring of the clinical effects of these immunological perturbations are needed to appreciate the impact of their underlying disease.
SCENT DISCRIMINATION BY INFANT NINE-BANDED ARMADILLOS

We tested the scent-discrimination abilities of infant (i.e., young-of-the-year) nine-banded armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus ) in two-choice tests. The amount of time spent near and the number of touches (with the snout) directed at pads containing various odors were recorded. Infants spent more time near and investigated more often a pad containing their own odor over a pad with no odor (indicating infants could detect the test odors), a pad containing their own odor over one containing odors from a strange infant (i.e., a nonsibling), a pad containing odors from a sibling over one containing odors from a strange infant, and a pad containing their sibling's scent over a pad containing their own scent. These results indicate the potential for discrimination of kin in this species and further suggest that the odors used in discrimination may be individually distinct. This latter result is surprising because nine-banded armadillos are born in litters of genetically identical quadruplets.
A method of solution of some elliptic P.D.E.'s

An extension of Lanczos' method employing “quadrature by differentiation” for the approximate solution of boundary value problems in ordinary differential equations is further extended to partial differential equations. The approximate solution is obtained in terms of piecewise polynomials or as rational function approximations. In the process, the boundary values are employed to yield initial values. In the illustrative problem treated, the method is combined with the matrix transformation method to yield, in the limit, exact initial values. Thus, we have a convenient method of invariant imbedding. The initial values thus obtained are utilized in the formulation of an eigenfunction solution to a non-separable problem in which the derivatives of the solution function are of interest, so that retention of analytic control is desirable.
How surface damage removal affects fatigue life

The effect of the removal of work hardened surface layers from specimens of 2024-T4 aluminum alloy and AISI-4130 steel on their fatigue lives has been investigated. Specimens were fatigued at selected stress levels for a given number of cycles, and the surface layer was removed followed by subsequent fatigue cycling. Results confirm that when a material is subjected to fatigue loading, damage accumulates in the surface layers in the form of work hardening. Removal of the surface layer brings the specimen back to its pre-fatigued condition.
Comparisons of Rates and Forms of Aggression Among Members of Men's and Women's Collegiate Recreational Flag Football Teams

The purpose of this study was to compare rates and forms of aggression among members of men's and women's recreational flag football teams during loosely supervised recreational periods on a college campus. We obtained data on forms of aggression using an event recording system. The data supported the hypothesis that overall rates of aggression were higher among male teams. It turned out that the frequency of the three forms of aggression that we observed across men's and women's teams had the same rank order, but that the relative proportions of the three forms of aggression were quite different. The implications of these findings for future research on aggression and on the supervision of recreational teams are discussed.
Laser-induced fluorescence detection strategies for sodium atoms and compounds in high-pressure combustors

A variety of laser-induced fluorescence schemes were examined experimentally in atmospheric pressure flames to determine their use for sodium atom and salt detection in high-pressure, optically thick environments. Collisional energy transfer plays a large role in fluorescence detection. Optimum sensitivity, at the parts in 10 exp 9 level for a single laser pulse, was obtained with the excitation of the 4p-3s transition at 330 nm and the detection of the 3d-3p fluorescence at 818 nm. Fluorescence loss processes, such as ionization and amplified spontaneous emission, were examined. A new laser-induced atomization/laser-induced fluorescence detection technique was demonstrated for NaOH and NaCl. A 248-nm excimer laser photodissociates the salt molecules present in the seeded flames prior to atom detection by laser-induced fluorescence.
Patient satisfaction with transdermal oxybutynin: Interim results from the matrix study

Background/Aims Transdermal oxybutynin (OXY-TDS) has been proven safe and effective in treating overactive bladder (OAB), with a low incidence of anticholinergic AEs. The anticholinergic AE profiles of oral agents may compromise persistence. We have initiated a study to evaluate QoL, safety, pt satisfaction, and persistence in OAB pts on OXY-TDS. Methods The Multicenter Assessment of Transdermal Therapy in Overactive Bladder with OXY-TDS (MATRIX study), an open-label, randomized, long-term, multicenter, prospective study, is to enroll 2500 community-dwelling adults. Pt-centered outcomes include persistence, tolerability, QoL, personal well-being, mood, social functioning, and activities of daily living. Validated questionnaires administered at baseline, 3 and 6 mos. Pt satisfaction data captured monthly via outbound calls. Results Currently 676 pts are enrolled. Mean age is 62.4y (21% ≥ 75y); 86% female, 85% Caucasian. Of pts enrolled, 186 had been on therapy for 1 mo. Of these, 80% found the patch to be convenient; 78% were satisfied with ease of application; 36% felt the patch offers benefits over previous OAB pharmacotherapy, including effectiveness (33%), tolerability (34%), and ease of application (37%). Conclusions Preliminary results provide positive pt feedback on OXY-TDS. Pts are satisfied with treatment and feel it offers benefits over previous OAB treatments. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P67–P67; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.149
Improving regional seismic event location in China

In an effort to improve our ability to locate seismic events in China using only regional data, we have developed empirical propagation path corrections and applied such corrections using traditional location routines. Thus far, we have concentrated on corrections to observedParrival times for crustal events using travel-time observations available from the USGS Earthquake Data Reports, the International Seismic Centre Bulletin, the preliminary International Data Center Reviewed Event Bulletin, and our own travel-time picks from regional data. Location ground truth for events used in this study ranges from 25 km for well-located teleseimic events, down to 2 km for nuclear explosions located using satellite imagery. We also use eight events for which depth is constrained using several waveform methods. We relocate events using the EvLoc algorithm from a region encompassing much of China (latitude 20ia55iaN; longitude 65ia-115iaE). We observe that travel-time residuals exhibit a distance-dependent bias using IASPEI91 as our base model. To remedy this bias, we have developed a new 1-D model for China, which removes a significant portion of the distance bias. For individual stations having sufficient P-wave residual data, we produce a map of the regional travel-time residuals from all well-located teleseismic events. Residuals are used only if they are smaller than 10 s in absolute value and if the seismic event is located with accuracy better than 25 km. From the residual data, correction surfaces are constructed using modified Bayesian kriging. Modified Bayesian kriging offers us the advantage of providing well-behaved interpolants and their errors, but requires that we have adequate error estimates associated with the travel-time residuals from which they are constructed. For our P-wave residual error estimate, we use the sum of measurement and modeling errors, where measurement error is based on signal-to-noise ratios when available, and on the published catalog estimate otherwise. Our modeling error originates from the variance of travel-time residuals for our 1-D China model. We calculate propagation path correction surfaces for 74 stations in and around China, including six stations from the International Monitoring System. The statistical significance of each correction surface is evaluated using a cross-validation technique. We show relocation results for nuclear tests from the Balapan and Lop Nor test sites, and for earthquakes located using interferometric synthetic aperture radar. These examples show that the use of propagation path correction surfaces in regional relocations eliminates distance bias in the residual curves and significantly improves the accuracy and precision of seismic event locations.
Influence of Pressing Method on Juice Stilbene Content in Muscadine and Bunch Grapes

: Juice stilbene contents of 2 muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) cultivars, Noble and Carlos, and 2 bunch grape (Vitis labrusca) cultivars, Mid South and Miss Blanc were evaluated after crushing and pressing. Four commercial pressing methods were used to produce juice: (1) cold press of fresh berries (CP); (2) hot press of fresh berries (HP); (3) cold press of frozen and thawed berries (FCP); and (4) cold press of pectolytic enzyme treated berries (ECP). Free run juice (FRJ) from the crusher without pressing was also tested. An HPLC with a UV detector was used to verify the presence and quantity of resveratrol, piceid, and their isomers. For the muscadine juices, total stilbenes were greater for HP and FCP than for FRJ and CP treatments. Trans-resveratrol was only detected in HP juices of the muscadines at levels near the detection limits. The bunch grape cultivars behaved similar to the muscadines in the processing treatments. HP juice had the greatest total stilbene levels and was significantly greater than FRJ, CP, and FCP. Total stilbene levels in juices from the 2 bunch grape cultivars, were higher (up to 5 times greater depending on pressing method) than for the muscadine grape cultivars. Total stilbene levels in muscadine juices treated with pectinase before pressing (ECP) were similar to those of the FCP samples. Juice from FCP and ECP treated Noble muscadine had total stilbene levels greater than FRJ and CP but less than HP levels. Juices from HP-, ECP-, and FCP-treated Carlos muscadine had total stilbene levels greater than for FRJ and CP juices.
Sensing Lead-Related Complications in Patients With Transvenous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators

Abstract The widespread use of the redesigned Endotak TM lead (CPI, St. Paul, Minnesota), which combines transvenous pacing, sensing, and defibrillation on a single transvenous lead in patients receiving transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), has reduced morbidity and shortened length of hospital stay after ICD implantation. We describe the incidence and management of Endotak sensing lead-related failures in a series of 348 consecutive patients from 4 institutions who underwent implantation between 1990 and 1995. We retrospectively reviewed the databases for patients receiving an ICD with an Endotak lead for the incidence of lead-related sensing abnormalities. Ten patients (2.8%) with lead-related sensing abnormalities were detected at a mean of 15 ± 11 months after ICD implantation. Sensing abnormalities were detected in 6 patients after they received inappropriate shocks. Noise or oversensing was noted in 7 patients from interrogation of the devices' data logs. Eight patients had a new transvenous sensing lead placed, 1 patient had a new Endotak lead placed, and 1 had a chronic pacemaker sensing lead converted to function as a sensing lead. No further sensing problems were noted in 8 of 10 patients during a mean follow-up of 14 ± 8 months. The site of the sensing lead failure was localized to the subrectus pocket in 5 patients and to the clavicle-first rib area in 3 patients; it was undetermined and presumed to be in the clavicle-first rib area in the other 2 patients. One patient had late failure of the defibrillation lead. We conclude that Endotak sensing lead failure does not require insertion of a new Endotak lead, but can be managed with close follow-up and insertion of a new transvenous sensing lead. Endotak lead fractures are frequently localized to the ICD pocket. (Am J Cardiol 1996;78:647–651)
Laminar Natural Convection About Downward Facing Heated Blunt Bodies to Liquid Metals

The laminar boundary layer equations for free convection over bodies of arbitrary shape (i.e., a three-term series expansion) and with arbitrary surface heat flux or surface temperature are solved in local Cartesian coordinates. Both two-dimensional bodies (e.g., horizontal cylinders) and axisymmetric bodies (e.g., spheres) with finite radii of curvature at their stagnation points are considered. A Blasius series expansion is applied to convert from partial to ordinary differential equations. An additional transformation removes the surface shape dependence and the surface heat flux or surface temperature dependence of the equations. A second-order-correct, finite-difference method is used to solve the resulting equations. Tables of results for low Prandtl numbers are presented, from which local Nusselt numbers can be computed.
HLA-A2 epitopes recognized by alloantibodies from broadly sensitized patients

Alloantibodies in broadly sensitized patients are difficult to characterize because they comprise mixtures with different specificities. By studying the ability of patients' sera to inhibit or enhance the binding of two anti-HLA-A2 monoclonal antibodies, BB7.2 and MA2.1, reactivity with A2 epitopes could be operationally defined. One group of patients had antibodies that inhibited the binding of both monoclonal antibodies. The inhibitory activity was removed by absorption with A2 positive cells but not with A28 or B17 positive cells. These alloantibodies apparently recognized the A2-Bw69 epitope also defined by the BB7.2 monoclonal antibody. In other patients, the inhibitory activity was removed by A2 and B17 positive cells, suggesting the involvement of the same epitope recognized by the MA2.1 monoclonal antibody. A third type of reactivity was detected in other patients. These alloantibodies enhanced the binding of BB7.2, inhibited MA2.1, and were absorbed by A2 and B17 positive cells indicating that the A2-B17 epitope was involved in these cases too. These studies underscore the potential value of monoclonal antibodies in dissecting the specificities of complex alloantibody mixtures.
A positive zymogram for distinguishing among RNase and phosphodiesterases I and II.

Abstract The positive zymogram, which depends upon indirect production of a formazan from the adenosine released by action of RNase upon UpA, has been modified so that the phosphodiesterases I and II may also be detected. After electrophoretic separation of protein, each of three strips of supporting medium is overlayed with one of three agarose gels containing the enzyme train, adjuncts and (a) adenylyl (3′ → 5′)-uridine, (b) adenylyl (3′ → 5′)-adenosine, or (c), either uridylyl (3′ → 5′)-adenosine or cytidylyl (3′ → 5′)-adenosine or both. The location of purple spots is indicative of the various enzymes as follows: On both (a) and (b) phosphodiesterase I; on both (b) and (c), phosphodiesterase II; on (c) only, RNase (pancreatic type). Positive reactions on all three overlays suggest a combination of enzymes or “nothing dehydrogenase.” Presence of the latter is proved when formazan appears in a fourth overlay devoid of dinucleoside monophosphate.
A Simple Assay of 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol in Cerebrospinal Fluid by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Abstract An improved method for the quantitation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol in cerebrospinal fluid is described. Sample cleaning was done by SEP PAK C18 Cartridge prior to the MHPG assay by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector. The results are in good agreement wilth the GC/MS method. The average recovery is 68.3±4.1%, within run coefficient of variation of 3.8% and day to day of 7.2%. The method is simple, sensitive and accurate and can be used for routine work.
Dislocation drag in close-packed metals

The observation of dislocation displacements produced by stress pulses of controlled amplitude and duration has been used to deduce the dislocation drag force in close-packed metals. This paper summarizes the experimental techniques developed at the California Institute of Technology to make drag force measurements in single crystals of zinc, copper, and aluminum, and compares the measurements made by these techniques with current theories of dislocation drag. Prior to any drag measurements in close-packed metals, it had been shown that slip bands grew with macroscopically uniform velocities in LiF (1), silicon-iron (2), Si (3), NaCl (4), Ge (5), and W (6) when subjected to a constant applied resolved shear stress. The slip bands formed where "fresh" dislocations had been produced by local surface damage (point loading or scratching). Dislocations produced by the local damage were observed by etch pit techniques prior to applying the stress, and the slip bands were revealed by re-etching after the stress was removed. The average velocity of the leading dislocations in the slip bands was much less than 1 cm/s at the initial flow stress in these materials. The initial attempts to measure dislocation velocities in the basal slip system of HCP zinc (7) using a rapid loading system to produce stress pulses met with an experimental difficulty. Dislocations often traversed the entire crystal during the minimum duration stress pulse (17 ms) indicating velocities in excess of 1 cm/s at the initial flow stress. The large difference in dislocation mobility in HCP zinc and the BCC and ionic or covalent crystals was investigated using newly developed techniques of stress pulse loading and dislocation observation which are described in the following section.
The strong hepatocarcinogenicity of the electrophilic and mutagenic metabolite 6-sulfooxymethylbenzo[α]pyrene and its formation of benzylic dna adducts in the livers of infant male B6C3F1 mice

6-Hydroxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene was activated to an electrophilic and mutagenic sulfuric acid ester metabolite by rat and mouse liver sulfotransferase activity. The intrinsic mutagenicity of this reactive ester, 6-sulfooxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene, was inhibited by glutathione and glutathione S-transferase. A single i.p. dose of 2.5 nmol/g body wt of 6-sulfooxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene in infant male B6C3F1 mice induced liver tumors in 35 of 36 mice at 10 months with an average multiplicity of 4.4. A comparable dose of the parent hydrocarbon, 6-hydroxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene, was only a tenth as active. The electrophilic sulfuric acid ester produced high levels of benzylic DNA adducts in the livers of these mice that accounted for about 80% of the total DNA adducts. These results strongly suggest that this sulfuric acid ester is an important ultimate electrophilic and carcinogenic metabolite in carcinogenesis by 6-hydroxymethylbenzo[a]pyrene and possibly even by 6-methylbenzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene in mouse liver.
Agency Influences on Risk Reduction and Operating Performance: An Empirical Investigation Among Strategic Groups

Abstract The relationships between risk and performance were tested employing within and between analyses at the level of strategic groups in three different industries. As hypothesized, systematic risk did not exhibit a consistent relationship with performance. By contrast, all of the total correlations, the between-group correlations, and the within-group correlations of total risk with performance were in the hypothesized negative direction. These findings suggest that when risk-averse managers reduce total risk, the firm's carnings performance is enhanced. The hypothesized differences between strategic groups in total risk were evident primarily in the computer and pharmaceutical industries. Performance also differed across strategic groups in these two industries, as well as among airlines. Contrary to expectations, systematic risk also differed across strategic groups in all three industries. These ANOVA results indicate that differences in strategic profiles between strategic groups engender differences in total risk, systematic risk, and performance .
Purpose-in-life and the three aspects of valuing

Correlated the Purpose-in-Life Test, designed to assess Frankl's concept of existential vacuum, with other measures of valuing competence, fulfillment in valuing, and value system content (N = 99). Findings indicated that a sense of meaning in living is associated with a differential ability to make value judgments about the self but not about the external world, with present and anticipated future satisfaction but not with judged quality of past life, and with a relative emphasis upon responsible, intelectual self-control and de-emphasis upon being cheerful and pleasant. Implications are discussed.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) and Immunoregulation: Enhancement of Regulatory T Cells through PPARγ-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma is a nuclear hormone receptor primarily characterized for its effect on insulin metabolism. PPARgamma ligands, used to treat human type 2 diabetes, also down-regulate most immune system cells including APCs and pathogenic T cells. These effects putatively underlie the efficacy of PPARgamma ligands in treating animal models of autoimmunity, leading to projections of therapeutic potential in human autoimmunity. However, the relationship between PPARgamma ligands and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) has not been examined. Specifically, no studies have examined the role of Tregs in mediating the in vivo immunoregulatory effects of PPARgamma ligands, and there have been no investigations of the use of PPARgamma ligands to treat autoimmunity in the absence of Tregs. We now characterize the novel relationship between ciglitazone, a thiazolidinedione class of PPARgamma ligand, and both murine natural Tregs (nTregs) and inducible Tregs (iTregs). In vitro, ciglitazone significantly enhances generation of iTregs in a PPARgamma-independent manner. Surprisingly, and contrary to the current paradigm, we find that, in a model of graft-vs-host disease, the immunotherapeutic effect of ciglitazone requires the presence of nTregs that express PPARgamma. Overall, our results indicate that, unlike its down-regulatory effect on other cells of the immune system, ciglitazone has an enhancing effect on both iTregs and nTregs, and this finding may have important implications for using PPARgamma ligands in treating human autoimmune disease.
ARMStrokes: A Mobile App for Everyday Stroke Rehabilitation

In this paper, we present a novel smartphone-based rehabilitation approach called ARMStrokes that provides real-time support for stroke survivors to complete rehabilitation exercises for upper extremity recovery. ARMStrokes allows stroke survivors to exercise through interactive games anytime and anywhere and receive instant feedback about the quality of their performance. Stroke survivors can also communicate with their therapists or physicians through the supporting web-based platform. Focus groups involving stroke survivors, caregivers, and therapists have been conducted to evaluate the system and the feedback is highly positive.
On the distribution of stress-induced voiding failures under vias

A physics-of-failure model is derived for the statistics of open-failure mode stress induced voiding (SIV) for vias contacting wide lower metal leads. This model is used to fit long-term, low-temperature data from a 130 nm Cu/low-k BEOL process. Scaling forms are discussed for the temperature acceleration, via chain length, and linewidth. A single void growth model can be used to fit the apparent separate Weibull modes in the data, and for very long chains a three-parameter Weibull is found as a limiting distribution. Monte Carlo integration over the via size is also used to verify the model. The presence of early transient statistics emphasize the practical importance of the sample size and stress testing readout strategy.
Anomalous magnetic torque in the heavy-fermion superconductor UBe13

Abstract Measurements of the magnetic torque acting upon a single crystal of the heavy-fermion superconductor UBe 13 have been made at temperatures from 0.5 K to 30.0 K and in magnetic fields to 23 T using a capacitive magnetometer. We find that a large, anomalous contribution to the magnetic torque appears in at low temperatures and in high fields. The anomalous torque coexists with the superconducting state at low temperature. We propose that the anomalous torque reflects the existence of a field-induced magnetic phase transition.
Practicing Liberatory Pedagogy Women of Color in College Classrooms

Following the works of Patricia Williams, bell hooks, and other feminist scholars of color, we address what it means for women of color teaching social justice issues in predominantly white classrooms. Very little research has been done to illuminate the challenges women of color face in classrooms and what this means for liberatory practice. We grapples with the question, “What are the particular experiences of women of color from various racial and ethnic backgrounds with white student resistance, specifically in relation to issues of authority?” We also provide recommendations for classroom practice as well as address policy recommendations to structurally support women of color.
Common bile duct necrosis after cardiac catheterization

A case of necrosis of the entire extrahepatic biliary tract after cardiac catheterization is presented. The axial blood supply to these structures makes them susceptible to ischemic injury.
UCR violent crime rates, 1958–2000: recorded and offender-generated trends

Abstract According to Uniform Crime Report data, the rates of some violent crimes, such as rapes and aggravated assaults, increased steadily from the early 1960s until the early 1990s with only an occasional downturn. The increase in robbery rates slowed somewhat, but overall increased during most of this period. Homicide is the only UCR violent crime that did not increase relatively steadily throughout this period: it showed no clear trend up or down from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s. This investigation suggests that the long-term increases in the rape, robbery, and aggravated assault rates did not represent trends in offender-generated violent behavior. Instead, long periods of this upward trend in recorded rates reflect increases in the efficiency of reporting and recording these crimes. Specifically, the rates of these violent crimes increased during the 1960s; remained fairly stable during much of the 1970s and 1980s; and decreased from the early 1990s to the present. These results have implications for criminological theories that attempt to explain crime trends in the United States during the second half of the 20th century, for “objectivist” and “constructivist” perspectives, and for social and political policies.
Analysis of page-reference strings of an interactive system

The performance of real-storage-management algorithms in interactive systems suggests that locality of reference extends to a significant degree across users' transactions. This paper investigates this locality of reference by analyzing page-reference strings gathered from live systems. The data confirm the supposition: They suggest that reference patterns are dominated by system data references that are implied by the user's commands. Program references appear to play only a minor role. The user command sequence is an important factor in the reference behavior of an interactive session.
Numerical modeling of multiple length scales in thermal transport processes

Purpose – Multiple length and time scales arise in a wide variety of practical and fundamental problems. It is important to obtain accurate and validated numerical simulation results, considering the different scales that exist, in order to predict, design and optimize the behavior of practical thermal processes and systems. The purpose of this paper is to present modeling at the different length scales and then addresses the question of coupling the different models to obtain the overall model for the system or process. Design/methodology/approach – Both numerical and experimental methods to obtain results at the different length scales, particularly at micro and nanoscales, are considered. Even though the paper focusses on length scales, multiple time scales lead to similar concerns and are also considered. The two circumstances considered in detail are multiple length scales in different domains and those in the same domain. These two cases have to be modeled quite differently in order to obtain a mode...
Blood Transfusion and Risk of Infection New Convincing Evidence

In this issue of JAMA, Rohde and colleagues report results of a meta-analysis evaluating the association between a liberal transfusion strategy vs a restrictive strategy and risk of hospital-acquired infections.1 In the meta-analysis, which included 17 randomized trials that compared these strategies among 7456 patients, the absolute rates of serious hospital-associated infection were 12.7% in the liberal transfusion group and 10.6% in the restrictive transfusion group. The number needed to treat with a restrictive transfusion strategy to prevent serious infection was about 48 patients. Results were consistent when analyses were repeated in trials with concealed randomization and infrequent protocol violations but not for overall infections. A prior meta-analysis of liberal vs restrictive transfusion strategies and infection outcomes reported a nonstatistically significant reduction in infections.2 The current meta-analyses by Rohde et al includes several newly published trials, although these significant differences in serious infection rates may not hold up when the results of other large transfusion trials are reported. Most trials define a restrictive transfusion strategy as the administration of red blood cells (RBCs) once hemoglobin falls below either 7 or 8 g/dL, and most trials define a liberal strategy as the administration of RBCs once hemoglobin level falls below 10 g/dL.
Perceptual Weighting in LSP-Based Multi-Description Coding for Real-Time Low-Bit-Rate Voice Over IP

This paper focuses on improving an LSP-based multi-description coding (MDC) scheme for concealing losses when real-time CELP-coded speech data is sent over IP networks. In that scheme, LSP vectors are interleaved because they are highly correlated and can be reconstructed by interpolations when packets are delayed or lost. However, excitation vectors are random in nature and must be replicated in order to conceal losses. To avoid increasing the bit rate of the encoded speech, the excitation vectors are generated from longer subframes. This leads to lower quality of the decoded speech because noise from outside formant regions is over-emphasized, and more excitation information is extracted there. To improve quality, we propose in this paper to modify the perceptual-weighting filter (PWF) in the coder in order to adjust the allocation of noise inside and outside formant regions. We further study a method that selects the PWF in such a way that maintains high quality of the LSP-based MDC across different voice streams and loss scenarios. Experimental results on FS-1016 CELP (4800 bps), ITU G.723.1 ACELP (5300 bps), and ITU G.723.1 MP-MLQ (6300 bps) demonstrate noticeable improvements in decoding quality