cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation of degradation-deficient mutants defective in the targeting of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase into the vacuole for degradation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The key regulatory enzyme in the gluconeogenesis pathway, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), is induced when Saccharomyces cerevisiae are grown in medium containing a poor carbon source. FBPase is targeted to the yeast vacuole for degradation when glucose-starved cells are replenished with fresh glucose. To identify genes involved in the FBPase degradation pathway, mutants that failed to degrade FBPase in response to glucose were isolated using a colony-blotting procedure. These vacuolar import and degradation-deficient ( vid ) mutants were placed into 20 complementation groups. They are distinct from the known sec, ups or pep mutants affecting protein secretion, vacuolar sorting and vacuolar proteolysis in that they sort CpY correctly and regulate osmotic pressure normally. Despite the presence of FBPase antigen in these mutants, FBPase is completely inactivated in all uid mutants, indicating that the c -AMP-dependent signal transduction pathway and inactivation must function properly in vid mutants. vid mutants block FBPase dzgradation by accumulating FBPase in the cytosol and also in small vesicles in the cytoplasm. FBPase may be targeted to small vesicles before uptake by the vacuole.
Is Timing Everything? Race, Homeownership and Net Worth in the Tumultuous 2000s

We use the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to estimate how net worth was affected among low- and moderate-income households who became first-time homebuyers at different points during the volatile 2000s. We address selection using propensity score matching and estimating difference-in-difference models, and use quantile regressions to account for the skew in net worth outcomes. Results highlight the significance of race in the relationship between first-time home buying and net worth during the decade. Although timing was critical to the short-term trajectory of net worth for whites, total net worth declines for black first-time homebuyers regardless of economic climate. The most dramatic differences between black and white new homebuyers is their neighborhood locations, with blacks purchasing in predominantly black neighborhoods with lower housing prices and price appreciation, and lower and declining rates of homeownership.
Novel non-concentrating solar collector for intermediate-temperature energy capture

Abstract Tremendous research efforts have been conducted studying the capturing and conversion of solar energy. Solar thermal power systems offer a compelling opportunity for renewable energy utilization with high efficiencies and excellent cost-effectiveness. The goal of this work was to design a non-concentrating collector, capable of reaching stagnation temperatures above 250 °C and fluid outlet temperatures under flow above 200 °C at 1000 W/m2 solar irradiance. The study provides a detailed description of the methods and materials for construction of non-concentrating, high-temperature, evacuated solar collectors, the output fluid temperature depending on the input flow rate of working fluid in a low-flow rate, high-temperature regime, and an analytical description of the heat transfer between the collector and the working fluid. Temperature gains compared to ambient far above 200 °C were possible under solar irradiance of 1000 W/m2 with collector efficiencies of 30% and more. For a temperature gain of 227 °C (fluid outlet temperature 253 °C), the collector efficiency was 30%, and for a temperature gain of 214 °C (fluid outlet temperature 240 °C), the collector efficiency was 49%. This result opens up many new uses for non-concentrating solar collectors in fields such as power generation, fuel reforming, and catalysis.
An Infrared Interferometer for Elastoplastic Crack-Tip Field Investigation of Homogeneous and Bimaterial Beams: A Study of Three-Dimensional Effects and J-Dominance

An infrared interferometer capable of performing real-time full-field noncontacting deformation field measurements on optically rough surfaces is proposed as a tool for elastoplastic fracture mechanics investigations. The choice of the infrared wavelength allows interferometric measurements on fracture samples with little or no surface preparation and is more tolerant of the damage accumulation near the crack. The interferometer also bridges a sensitivity gap among existing techniques for out-of-plane deformation measurement. First, a rigorous Fourier optics analysis is provided for the interferometer and the range of surface roughness that can be studied using this interferometer is examined. The interferometer is then used for mapping deformations near elastoplastically deformed cracks in aluminum beams and solder-copper bimaterials. The regions of dominant three-dimensional effects and J-dominance are examined on the sample surface by evaluating measurements along with companion finite element analyses and the HRR fields.
Tailoring leaky-wave radiation with impedance surfaces

A method for designing TM leaky-wave antennas with prescribed far-field patterns using impedance surfaces is presented. The impedance surface amounts to a grounded, anisotropic substrate topped by a reactance sheet. The transverse resonance technique is employed to analytically solve for the propagation and leakage constants along the structure. Two design examples are reported: a constant amplitude aperture field with increased directivity, and a modified Hamming window aperture field with reduced sidelobe levels.
Augmenting Cognitive Architectures to Support Diagrammatic Imagination

Diagrams are a form of spatial representation that supports reasoning and problem solving. Even when diagrams are external, not to mention when there are no external representations, problem solving often calls for internal representations, that is, representations in cognition, of diagrammatic elements and internal perceptions on them. General cognitive architectures—Soar and ACT-R, to name the most prominent—do not have representations and operations to support diagrammatic reasoning. In this article, we examine some requirements for such internal representations and processes in cognitive architectures. We discuss the degree to which DRS, our earlier proposal for such an internal representation for diagrams, meets these requirements. In DRS, the diagrams are not raw images, but a composition of objects that can be individuated and thus symbolized, while, unlike traditional symbols, the referent of the symbol is an object that retains its perceptual essence, namely, its spatiality. This duality provides a way to resolve what anti-imagists thought was a contradiction in mental imagery: the compositionality of mental images that seemed to be unique to symbol systems, and their support of a perceptual experience of images and some types of perception on them. We briefly review the use of DRS to augment Soar and ACT-R with a diagrammatic representation component. We identify issues for further research.
Relationships among Instructor, Peer, and Self-Evaluations of Undergraduate Music Education Majors' Micro-Teaching Experiences.

The author investigates relationships between instructor, peer, and self-evaluations. Undergraduate music education students each taught three micro-teaching segments. Immediately after teaching, t...
Narrating Rural Lesbian Lives: Body Image and Lesbian Community in Central Pennsylvania

Research on women's body image has focused on the sexual objectification that women experience in society. The present study explored how rural lesbian women experience their bodies and how lesbian communities, as safe havens from the dominant heterosexual culture, contribute to their body image. Ten lesbians living in central Pennsylvania were interviewed for this study. Interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which aims to explore individuals’ experiences and examine how they make sense of their world. The resulting themes focus on participants’ descriptions of their feelings about their bodies, the role that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities played in their sense of body image, and the difficulties of finding these communities in the central Pennsylvania area.
Study of the earthquake response of pine flat dam

The earthquake response of Pine Flat Dam is examined by a study of time history responses computed for a large set of earthquake ground acceleration records whose time axes have been systematically varied. Linear elastic behaviour is assumed. Topics considered include an investigation of the importance of the presence of water, water compressibility and the vertical component of ground motion; an evaluation of the accuracy of the lumped, added mass representation of the water; and a determination of the intensity of earthquake required to initiate non-linear behaviour in both the dam and water.
Acid mucopolysaccharides of fatty streaks in young, human male aortas☆

Abstract The mucopolysaccharide (MPS) content and composition of fatty streaks (posterior thoracic and abdominal aorta) were compared to carefully selected un-involved aortic intima (anterior thoracic). An altered composition of MPS in the very earliest lesions occurring in adolescent males was observed. An increase of MPS, chondroitin sulfate C in particular, was found in the fatty streaks associated with spindle cell and extracellular lipid in 12 to 25 year age group. The area of the aorta more susceptible to atherosclerosis showed the most striking changes. These studies are a further indication that MPS contribute to the development of fatty streaks, likely through their interaction with lipids.
Heat transfer—a review of 1987 literature

Revue des publications en langue anglaise dans le domaine du transfert de chaleur, pour l'annee 1987
Polymorphism in the Packing of Aquaporin-1 Tetramers in 2-D Crystals

Abstract Hitherto, the packing arrangement of the aquaporin-1 (AQP1) tetramer in 2-dimensional (2-D) crystals (two-sided plane group p42 1 2) was observed to be largely similar (canonical crystal form) despite the difference in the source of the protein, the glycosylation state of the protein, the type of lipids, and the ratio of lipid to protein in the crystallization mixture. We report here our observation that the packing of AQP1 tetramers shows polymorphism in 2-D crystals generated in dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine bilayers. Apart from the canonical form, three additional allomorphs were identified. One was observed when small (0.25) lipid to protein ratio was used in the crystallization mixture while the other two were observed when the divalent cation content in the canonical crystals was modified. The various allomorphs were distinguished by different relative orientations of the AQP1 tetramer viewed in projection. The same, two-sided plane group p42 1 2 and similar unit cell dimensions were maintained in the different allomorphs as established by analysis of images of frozen-hydrated, nominally untilted crystals. Our results indicate that the interaction between the AQP1 monomers at the interface of the tetramers is flexible and is also strongly influenced by Mg 2+ ions with the cation effect materializing because of the intrinsic fluidity of the membrane.
Black Female Earnings and Income Volatility

I provide new evidence on earnings and income volatility among Black women in the United States over the past four decades by using matched data from the March Current Population Survey. I use a measure of total volatility that encompasses both permanent and transitory instability, and that admits labor-force transitions. My results show that, for Black women, earnings volatility fell over the entire period and income volatility rose after the mid 1980s. I also find that changes over time in labor force transitions into and out of work along with an increasing share of Black women continuously employed coincide with shifts in volatility levels and trends. Among Black women, differences in volatility levels emerge across education groups and marital status, though the trends typically remain consistent both across and within racial groups.
Hysteresis and hierarchies: Dynamics of disorder-driven first-order phase transformations.

We use the zero-temperature random-field Ising model to study hysteretic behavior at first-order phase transitions. Sweeping the external field through zero, the model exhibits hysteresis, the return-point memory effect, and avalanche fluctuations. There is a critical value of disorder at which a jump in the magnetization (corresponding to an infinite avalanche) first occurs. We study the universal behavior at this critical point using mean-field theory, and also present results of numerical simulations in three dimensions.
Porters, Pots, and Profit: The Economics of Long-Distance Exchange in Mesoamerica

Beals, Ralph L. 1969 The Tarascans. In Ethnology, Pt. 2. Evon Z. Vogt, ed. Pp. 725-773. Handbook of Middle American Indians, Vol. 8. Robert Wauchope, gen. ed. Austin: University of Texas Press. Carrasco, Pedro 1971 Social Organization of Ancient Mexico. In Archaeology of Northern Mesoamerica, Pt. 1. Gordon F. Ekholm and Ignacio Bernal, eds. Pp. 349-375. Handbook of Middle American Indians, Vol. 10. Robert Wauchope, gen. ed. Austin: University of Texas Press. Dirks, Robert 1978 Resource Fluctuations and Competitive Transformation in West Indian Slave Societies. In Extinction and Sur-
Unsymmetrically substituted hafnacyclopentadiene compounds: synthesis and structure

Abstract Hafnocene dichloride was reduced with amalgamated magnesium in the presence of asymmetric alkynes to give high yields of the corresponding bis(cyclopentadienyl)hafnacyclopentadiene compounds. An X-ray crystal structure has been performed on bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)-2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3,4-dimethylhafnacyclopentadiene (η5-C5H5)2 stqb Hf[C(SiMe 3 )C(Me)C(Me)C (SiMe3)] crystallized in the triclinic space group in a unit cell of dimensions a 9.067(3), b 10.421(3), c 12.296(4) A, α 100.13(2), β 87.52(2), γ 105.07(2)° and V 1170.1(6) A3. The final agreement indices for 4719 reflections having F02 ≥ O are R(F) = 0.047.
Intersubunit Interactions in the Bovine Mitochondrial Complex I as Revealed by Ligand Blotting

Abstract Bovine mitochondrial complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is composed of 3 structural domains, designated FP (flavoprotein, 3 subunits), IP (iron-sulfur protein, 7-8 subunits) and HP (hydrophobic protein, > 30 subunits). IP intervenes between FP and HP, and in complex I its 75 kDa subunit appears to interact with the 51 kDa subunit of FP. In this study, we show by the technique of ligand blotting that isolated IP binds (a) only to the 51 kDa subunit of FP, and (b) to the 42, 39, 23, 20 and 16 kDa subunits of HP. Because a 23 kDa and a 20 kDa subunit of complex I are potential iron-sulfur proteins, these and our previous results are consistent with the following possible path of electrons in complex I: NADH → 51 and 24 kDa subunit of FP → 75 kDa subunit of IP → 23 and 20 kDa subunits of HP → ubiquinone.
Elementary model for polymer chain dynamics

Abstract The one-dimensional Ising model is considered an elementary description of the dynamics of polymer chains. A review is given of various attempts to deal with the mathematical complexity of the model. These efforts can be divided into roughly two categories, the first of which is the precise treatment of simplified special cases of the general kinetic equations. The second category includes approximate solution techniques for dealing with the general kinetic scheme. Examples are given of how the model may be applied to the problems of dielectric relaxation of polymer chains and the understanding of the nature of polymeric glasses. The emphasis throughout is on understanding how chain cooperativity is reflected in the macroscopic properties of the polymer system.
Recent advances in lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have attracted much attention lately because they have very high theoretical specific energy (2500 Wh kg −1 ), five times higher than that of the commercial LiCoO 2 /graphite batteries. As a result, they are strong contenders for next-generation energy storage in the areas of portable electronics, electric vehicles, and storage systems for renewable energy such as wind power and solar energy. However, poor cycling life and low capacity retention are main factors limiting their commercialization. To date, a large number of electrode and electrolyte materials to address these challenges have been investigated. In this review, we present the latest fundamental studies and technological development of various nanostructured cathode materials for Li–S batteries, including their preparation approaches, structure, morphology and battery performance. Furthermore, the development of other significant components of Li–S batteries including anodes, electrolytes, additives, binders and separators are also highlighted. Not only does the intention of our review article comprise the summary of recent advances in Li–S cells, but also we cover some of our proposals for engineering of Li–S cell configurations. These systematic discussion and proposed directions can enlighten ideas and offer avenues in the rational design of durable and high performance Li–S batteries in the near future.
Definition of Agitation Following Traumatic Brain Injury: I. A Survey of the Brain Injury Special Interest Group of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Abstract Objective: To determine national patterns of defining agitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI) by physiatrists with expressed interest in treating TBI survivors. Design: A random sample of 70% of the members of the Brain Injury Special Interest Group (SIG) of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) were surveyed by telephone. Results: The 129 members who responded yielded an 82% response rate. Respondents rated 18 characteristics from established rating scales on a 5-point scale according to each characteristic's relation to its clinical definition of agitation. Physical aggression, explosive anger, increased psychomotor activity, impulsivity, verbal aggression, disorganized thinking, perceptual disturbances, and reduced ability to maintain or appropriately shift attention were rated by at least 50% of the sample as very important or essential to agitation. Delirium, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), has been proposed as a standard definition of agitation. The degree to which all characteristics from the 3rd revised edition of the DSM (DSM-IIIR), considered together, were perceived to relate to agitation predicted 24% of the degree to which the term "delirium" was perceived to relate to agitation (Canonical correlation r = .48, p = .0002). Physicians' ratings of individual delirium characteristics from the DSM-IIIR were examined to determine if a sufficient number were similarly ranked to fulfill the diagnostic criteria for delirium. A significant number of physicians rated diagnostic criteria for delirium in one direction, yet did not rank the term "delirium" accordingly (McNemar's p = .04). Conclusions: There is considerable variation among physiatrists in their rating of characteristics that define agitation. Many define agitation during the acute recovery phase as posttraumatic amnesia plus an excess of behavior such as aggression, disinhibition, and/or emotional lability. Less support was given to defining agitation by the DSM-IIIR or DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for delirium. Delirium appears related to, but is not sufficient for, a diagnosis of agitation.
Thermal Cycling, Mechanical Degradation, and the Effective Figure of Merit of a Thermoelectric Module

Thermoelectric modules experience performance reduction and mechanical failure due to thermomechanical stresses induced by thermal cycling. The present study subjects a thermoelectric module to thermal cycling and evaluates the evolution of its thermoelectric performance through measurements of the thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, and its individual components. The Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity are measured using steady-state infrared microscopy, and the electrical conductivity and ZT are evaluated using the Harman technique. These properties are tracked over many cycles until device failure after 45,000 thermal cycles. The mechanical failure of the TE module is analyzed using high-resolution infrared microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A reduction in electrical conductivity is the primary mechanism of performance reduction and is likely associated with defects observed during cycling. The effective figure of merit is reduced by 20% through 40,000 cycles and drops by 97% at 45,000 cycles. These results quantify the effect of thermal cycling on a commercial TE module and provide insight into the packaging of a complete TE module for reliable operation.
The Cyp2c44 epoxygenase regulates epithelial sodium channel activity and the blood pressure responses to increased dietary salt.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebral, cardiovascular, and renal disease, and its prevalence and devastating consequences raises a need for new strategies for its early diagnosis and treatment. We show here that lack of a Cyp2c44 epoxygenase causes dietary salt-sensitive hypertension, a common form of the human disease. Cyp2c44(−/−) mice on normal salt diets are normotensive but become hypertensive when fed high salt. Hypertensive Cyp2c44(−/−) mice show a hyperactive kidney epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and reductions in ERK1/2 and ENaC subunit phosphorylation. The demonstration that amiloride, an ENaC inhibitor, lowers the blood pressure of hypertensive Cyp2c44(−/−) mice identifies a role for the channel in the hypertensive phenotype of the animals. These studies: (a) identify an antihypertensive role for the kidney Cyp2c44 epoxygenase and for its epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) metabolites in the in vivo control of ENaC activity and the activation of mitogenic kinase pathways; (b) provide evidence for a Cyp2c44 epoxygenase, EET-mediated mechanism of ENaC regulation involving an ERK1/2-catalyzed threonine phosphorylation of the channel γ subunit: and (c) characterize a common scientific platform that could explain the seemingly unrelated biological activities attributed to the epoxygenase metabolites in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, channel activity, and blood pressure control. It is expected that these results will serve as a basis for the development of novel strategies for the early diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and of pathophysiologies associated with dysfunctional mitogenic signaling.
Novel ADMET design tool for chemists

We present a new tool for molecule design called ADMET Sketcher™. The tool allows chemists to draw any number of molecules inside of a canvas, and immediately obtain predicted values of dozens of key ADMET properties from our best-in-class ADMET Predictor™ software package. The sketcher itself includes a number of novel capabilities, including a feature to modify both the bond angles and torsional angles of molecule side chains, and an advanced structure-cleanup feature with the option to keep one or more regions of the molecule fixed in place. Yet the true power of the tool comes from the numerous ADMET predictions covering physicochemical, biopharmaceutical, metabolism, and toxicities, which are updated dynamically as structures are edited, allowing near instantaneous feedback about which structural changes affect which properties, and in what manner. The ability to handle multiple structures means that a molecule found to have a desirable property profile can be kept as a reference, so properties of subsequently drawn molecules can quickly and easily be compared with the original. This is particularly useful when designing analogs of a known lead. We illustrate the tool by examining a diverse set of structural changes within a collection of molecules active against the HIV Integrase enzyme.
Resonant soft x-ray scattering and reflectivity study of the phase-separated structure of thin poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) films

Combined soft X-ray scattering and reflectometry techniques promise analysis of polymer thin film domain structure and composition without resorting to chemical modification or isotopic labeling. This work explores the capabilities of these techniques in polymer films of poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) (P(S-b-MMA)). The results demonstrate that the techniques give detailed information on the domain structure of thin films using well-known modeling procedures. Discrepancies were noted between the X-ray optical parameters that are needed to best fit the reflectivity data to the model and the expected parameters. The sources of these discrepancies are discussed in terms of instrument configuration parameters, sample attributes, and, particularly, anisotropy of the chromophore parameters. The results show that fitting the soft X-ray reflectivity data is much more sensitive to these X-ray optical parameters than the soft X-ray scattering data. Nevertheless, fits to both types of data yield quantitative measures of the polymer film's lamellar morphology that are consistent with each other and with literature values. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
Fractionation and Characterization of Microbial Polyesters Containing 3-Hydroxybutyrate and 4-Hydroxybutyrate Repeat Units

careful fractionation of the polyester produced by Alcaligenes eutrophus from 4-hydroxybutyric acid gave at least three compositionally different products, each with one T g . Specifically, the product formed consisted of the following components: (1) poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), (2) poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (18/82 mol.%) and (3) poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (72/28 mol.%).
Nutritional status in a healthy elderly population: vitamin D

Vitamin C status in 270 free-living and healthy elderly was determined from dietary intakes and plasma levels of ascorbic acid. Mean dietary intake for women (n = 145) was 137 and 142 mg/day for men (n = 125). The median intake of supplemental ascorbic acid for women was 355 mg/day (n = 85) and 500 mg/day (n = 70) for men. The mean plasma ascorbic acid level for women was 1.30 mg/dl and was significantly higher than for men, 1.13 mg/dl. Less than 2% were at risk for developing clinical symptoms of hypovitaminosis C. It was estimated that intakes needed to maintain a plasma ascorbic acid level of 1.0 mg/dl would be 75 mg/day for women and 150 mg/day for men. Our data suggest that a different recommended dietary allowance for ascorbic acid should be considered for men and women.
Tacrolimus powder in Orabase 0.1% for the treatment of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid lesions: An open clinical trial

Objectives The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety profile of a novel compound, Tacrolimus powder in Orabase 0.1% in patients with LP and LL. Study design Seven patients with LP and 3 with LL were asked to participate. All patients received a 1 week treatment of Fluconazole, prior to entering the study, and on follow up visit were provided with a 15 g container of the study medication. Patients were asked to treat the most symptomatic site, three times a day for two weeks. Results Disease control (signs) was achieved in most patients by the end of two weeks (from 1.58 to 0.55); all patients experienced a high degree of discomfort (pain) at baseline, which dropped quickly by the end of the second week of treatment (from 1.95 to 0.45); none developed yeast during the course of treatment. Reccurent headaches were reported by one patient with erosive LP, and transient burning by a patient with reticular LP. Conclusions Tacrolimus powder in Orabase 0.1% appears to have a relatively safe profile, and represents a likely alternative to topical steroids in the treatment of LP and LL, especially in those at risk for oral candidiasis.
Communication network requirements for the Smart Grid and a path for an ip based protocol for customer driven microgrids

This paper looks at the significance of bi-directional communication in the Smart Grid and the customer driven microgrid, a basic building block of the smart grid. It presents a classification model of communication requirements from the top down and bottom up perspective. Ultimately this paper presents future areas of work for microgrid operation that can be facilitated by a protocol specifically developed for energy systems and leverage upon IP, the network layer protocol that will provide the broad level of interoperability in the Smart Grid.
Gold Nanolayers Embedded in Zinc Oxide for Large Area Flexible Photovoltaics

Transparent conducting ZnO/Au/ZnO thin film structures were grown by the magnetron sputtering technique on flexible polymer substrates. These films displayed a seven orders of magnitude drop in resistivity (200 to 5.2×10-5 Ω-cm) upon increase of the Au layer thickness from 0 nm to 12 nm. The sheet resistance also showed a substantial decrease to a value of 6.5 _/sq. These films displayed a photopically average transmittance between 75% and 85% depending upon the gold thickness, and a peak transmittance of up to 93%. The best Haacke figure of merit was 15.1×10-3 Ω−1. As the Au layer thickness was increased, the conduction changed from conduction through the substrate when the nanometal islands are small and far apart to activated tunneling between discontinuous islands, and finally to direct tunneling between larger islands and metallic conduction through a near-continuous layer. Optical transmission behavior of the films was described in terms of the Au’s absorption due to interband electronic transitions in the shorter visible wavelengths, and free carrier absorption losses at the longer red wavelengths. This was combined with the limitation of the mean free path in discontinuous films and the size-dependent dielectric constant of the Au particles that enhances absorption in the longer visible wavelengths.
Characterization of a 2′,5′-Oligoadenylate (2–5A)-dependent 37-kDa RNase L AZIDO PHOTOAFFINITY LABELING AND 2–5A-DEPENDENT ACTIVATION

Abstract Upregulation of key components of the 2′,5′-oligoadenylate (2–5A) synthetase/RNase L pathway have been identified in extracts of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals with chronic syndrome, including the presence of a low molecular weight form of RNase L. In this study, analysis of 2′,5′-Oligoadenylate (2–5A) binding and activation of the 80- and 37-kDa forms of RNase L has been completed utilizing photolabeling/immunoprecipitation and affinity assays, respectively. Saturation of photolabeling of the 80- and the 37-kDa RNase L with the 2–5A azido photoprobe, [32P]pApAp(8-azidoA), was achieved. Half-maximal photoinsertion of [32P]pApAp(8-azidoA) occurred at 3.7 × 10−8 m for the 80-kDa RNase L and at 6.3 × 10−8 m for the 37-kDa RNase L. Competition experiments using 100-fold excess unlabeled 2–5A photoaffinity probe, pApAp(8-azidoA), and authentic 2–5A (p3A3) resulted in complete protection against photolabeling, demonstrating that [32P]pApAp(8-azidoA) binds specifically to the 2–5A-binding site of the 80- and 37-kDa RNase L. The rate of RNA hydrolysis by the 37-kDa RNase L was three times faster than the 80-kDa RNase L. The data obtained from these 2–5A binding and 2–5A-dependent activation studies demonstrate the utility of [32P]pApAp(8-azidoA) for the detection of the 37-kDa RNase L in peripheral blood mononuclear cell extracts.
Synthesis of bis-pentafluorotelluriumoxide fluorocarbons

Abstract Xenon bis-pentafluorotelluriumoxide, Xe(OTeF 5 ) 2 , reacts with fluoroolefins to form fluorocarbons containing two TeF 5 O substituents. Olefins studied include tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoropropylene, and perfluorocyclopentene. Yields of these adducts are high (71–82%). Details of the synthesis and characterization of these new fluorocarbons are presented.
All Signaling Is Local

The mechanism of signal transmission following ligand stimulation of receptor tyrosine kinases in living cells is poorly understood. Recent studies have visualized the spatio-temporal pattern of EGF signaling, indicating that receptor density is an important factor in the mechanism of lateral propagation of local EGF signaling.
‘2 people like this’: Mourning according to format

Abstract Memorials to the dead on the world wide web are increasing in number and variety. Each venue comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. This paper is a first exploration of how the formats of three frequently used venues (web cemeteries, webrings and social networking sites) affect the experience of web memorialisation – both for those who created the memorials and their visitors. Although all web memorials can benefit the bereaved, format affects: control over the narrative, number and type of visitors, and the ways that visitors interact with the site and each other. It is hoped that the issues raised in this paper will be considered both in the design of new sites and in guiding the bereaved to existing venues that best meet their needs.
Further Evidence of Traveling Planetary Waves

Abstract Evidence of regularly propagating, large-scale waves is found in a 73-year record of Northern Hemisphere sea-level pressure data and in a nine-year record of upper air data. Cross-spectrum analyses indicate that south of 50°N, in all seasons, a zonal wavenumber 1 disturbance moves westward around the world in 5 days. In addition, north of 50°N a zonal wavenumber 1 disturbance moves westward around the world in one to three weeks with an average period near 16 days. This disturbance appears to be strongest in winter and spring. The structure of the 16-day wave during winter is studied in detail, and it is shown to be consistent, in many respects, with that of a theoretically predicted free planetary wave, or wave of the second class. A similar conclusion can be made concerning the 5-day wave.
Wavelet approximations to Jacobians and the inversion of complicated maps

Principal orthogonal decomposition can be used to solve two related problems: distinguishing elements from a collection by making d measurements, and inverting a complicated map from a p- parameter configuration space to a d-dimensional measurement space. In the case where d is more than 1000 or so, the classical O(d 3 ) singular value decomposition algorithm becomes very costly, but it can be replaced with an approximate best-basis method that has complexity O(d 2 log d). This can be used to compute an approximate Jacobian for a complicated map from R p to R d in the case where p is much less than d.
Presence of the bacterial hemoglobin gene improves alpha-amylase production of a recombinant Escherichia coli strain.

Abstract A recombinant plasmid (pMK57) was constructed by cloning the Bacillus stearothermophilus α-amylase gene into pUC8; plasmid pMK79 was then derived from pMK57 by inserting the bacterial ( Vitreoscilla ) hemoglobin gene into the latter plasmid. Both pMK57 and pMK79 were transformed into Escherichia coli strain JM103 to make strains MK57 and MK79, respectively. Both MK57 and MK79 produced α-amylase and MK79 produced hemoglobin. MK79 outgrew MK57 in shake flasks in LB medium, the advantage of the former appearing in late log phase. MK79 produced more α-amylase than MK57, on both per cell and per volume bases, in both mid and late log phases; the maximum advantage of MK79 (on a per volume basis) occurred in late log phase, at which time it produced 3.3 times as much α-amylase as MK57. The numbers of copies per cell of both pMK57 and pMK79 were significantly lower than that of pUC8.
Groin defects seen at extra-peritoneal laparoscopic dissection during surgical treatment of athletic pubalgia

Recently new disease process, often referred to as athletic pubalgia (AP), has been acknowledged by the medical community. The patients suffering from this ailment present with unilateral or bilateral chronic groin pain associated with physical activity without a clear diagnosis of a groin hernia. Though physical therapy and medical treatments are considered first line remedies, some believe that surgical treatment may have better, quicker, and more durable outcomes and procedures aimed at groin reinforcement seem to relieve most of symptoms in the majority of the patients. Despite many surgeons consistently noting rectus insertion or adductor thinning, multiple hernia defects are often seen during dissections and the clinical significance of these findings is still not known. Between 2007 and 2011, 40 patients underwent an extra-peritoneal laparoscopic reinforcement of rectus abdominals and insertion of adductor muscles for AP. All patients underwent wide and bilateral groin dissection and the findings were cataloged. All of the patients presented with groin defects upon wide dissection. Thirty-four patients (85 %) presented with small bilateral indirect inguinal defects and 28 (70 %) of these patients did not have any additional defects. Five patients (12.5 %) were found to have only unilateral inguinal hernia defects. One patient presented with a small direct defect. In addition to these defects, five patients (12.5 %) had additional unilateral femoral hernias, whereas no patient had solitary femoral hernia defects. AP is a new diagnostic entity with poorly understood etiology. It mostly affects young active adults, often involved in competitive sports and surgical methods may be most effective at achieving the cure. In our experience all of the patients presented with groin defects, though not all were the same. It is our belief that these defects, although likely not the only component, play a significant role in the pathophysiology of AP.
Transmission of free-running and Q-switched erbium: YSGG laser radiation through sapphire and germanium fibers

The Erbium:YAG (λ = 2.94 μm) and Erbium: YSGG (λ = 2.79 μm) laser are currently being used for tissue ablation in several medical specialties, including dermatology, ophthalmology and dentistry. Some of these applications may benefit from the availability of an optical fiber capable of delivering sufficient short-pulse, Q-switched Erbium laser energy for precise and rapid ablation of hard and soft tissues. Fiber transmission studies were conducted using both free-running (300 μs) and Q-switched (500 ns) Er:YSGG laser pulses delivered at 3 Hz through 1-meter-long samples of 450-μm germanium oxide and 425-μm sapphire optical fibers. Fiber optic transmission of free-running Er:YSGG laser radiation averaged 76% and 88% for the germanium and sapphire fibers (n = 7), respectively. Transmission of Q-switched Er:YSGG laser radiation averaged 57% and 65% for the germanium and sapphire fibers (n = 7) , respectively. Fiber optic transmission of Q-switched pulse energies as high as 42 mJ was achieved through the fibers. However, damage at the input ends of the fibers began to occur at input / output pulse energies above 40 mJ / 25 mJ (n = 2), respectively. Both germanium oxide and sapphire optical fibers are capable of transmitting sufficient free-running and Q-switched Er:YSGG laser radiation for hard and soft tissue ablation.
Parameters of tachistoscopic stereopsis

Abstract This study examines the effects of disparity, dot numerosity, exposure duration and the allowed processing time on briefly exposed Julesz-type random dot stereogram perception. Dot numerosity produces only minimal effects for the lower values used; reductions in exposure duration systematically reduce the performance level; and the changes in performance are found to be symmetrical for either convergent or divergent disparity and to continuously improve with disparity varying from approx 30″ to over 5′ of visual angle. The findings from this experiment indicate that there is only minimal summatory interaction among stereoscopic mechanisms for adjacent areas and confirm earlier estimates of the time required (approx 50 msec) for processing stereoscopic stimuli.
Synthesis of beta-substituted alpha-amino acids via Lewis acid promoted radical conjugate additions to alpha,beta-unsaturated alpha-nitro esters and amides.

β-Substituted α,β-unsaturated α-nitro esters and amides undergo radical conjugate additions when treated with an appropriate Lewis acid. Deuterium studies revealed that the acidic α-stereocenter of the α-nitro ester products does not racemize under strictly controlled workup conditions. The α-nitro amides did racemize significantly during chromatography, but this could be greatly minimized by subjecting the crude adducts to subsequent transformations. The conjugate addition products can be elaborated into β-substituted α-amino acids in two simple steps.
Syndrome of coronal craniosynostosis with brachydactyly and carpal/tarsal coalition due to Pro250Arg mutation in FGFR3 gene

Recently, a unique Pro250Arg point mutation in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) was reported in 61 individuals with coronal craniosynostosis from 20 unrelated families [Muenke et al. (1997): Am J Hum Genet 60:555-564]. The discovery of this apparently common mutation has resulted in the definition of a recognizable syndrome, through analysis of subtle clinical findings in families who were previously thought to have a variety of other craniosynostosis syndromes. Previous diagnoses in some of these families have included Jackson-Weiss, Saethre-Chotzen, and Pfeiffer syndromes, as well as Adelaide-type craniosynostosis and brachydactyly-craniosynostosis syndrome [Ades et al. (1994): Am J Med Genet 51:121-130; von Gernet et al. (1996): Am J Med Genet 63:177-184; Reardon et al. (1997): J Med Genet 34:632-636; Bellus et al. (1996): Nat Genet 14:174-176; Hollaway et al. (1995): Hum Mol Genet 4:681-683; Glass et al. (1994): Clin Dysmorphol 3:215-223]. There appears to be a need to further delineate the phenotype associated with this common mutation in FGFR3. We compare the clinical characteristics of previously reported cases of this unique Pro250Arg mutation with those of two additional families and suggest that this syndrome with a unique mutational basis be designated coronal craniosynostosis with brachydactyly and carpal/tarsal coalition due to Pro250Arg mutation in FGFR3 gene, to emphasize the distinctive findings which may be present even in the absence of coronal craniosynostosis.
Selective sensing of vapors of similar dielectric constants using peptide-capped gold nanoparticles on individual multivariable transducers

Peptide-capped AYSSGAPPMPPF gold nanoparticles were demonstrated for highly selective chemical vapor sensing using individual multivariable inductor–capacitor–resistor (LCR) resonators. Their multivariable response was achieved by measuring their resonance impedance spectra followed by multivariate spectral analysis. Detection of model toxic vapors and chemical agent simulants, such as acetonitrile, dichloromethane and methyl salicylate, was performed. Dichloromethane (dielectric constant er = 9.1) and methyl salicylate (er = 9.0) were discriminated using a single sensor. These sensing materials coupled to multivariable transducers can provide numerous opportunities for tailoring the vapor response selectivity based on the diversity of the amino acid composition of the peptides, and by the modulation of the nature of peptide–nanoparticle interactions through designed combinations of hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids.
Total synthesis of (−)-neplanocin A

Abstract A total synthesis of (−)-neplanocin A has been accomplished in 15 steps starting from the readily available D-(+)-ribonic acid γ-lactone.
The conservation value of urban riparian areas for landbirds during spring migration: Land cover, scale, and vegetation effects

Abstract Urbanization changes bird community structure during the breeding season but little is known about its effects on migrating birds. We examined patterns of habitat use by birds at the local and landscape level during 2002 spring migration at 71 riparian plots along an urban gradient in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Using linear regression, we examined variation in relative density, species richness, and evenness of four migratory guilds associated with natural land covers and building area at four scales (50, 100, 250, 500 m radial buffers). We also examined the influence of local vegetation using multiple regression models. As building area increased, riparian forests tended to be narrower and have fewer native trees and shrubs. In general, native birds were positively associated with tree cover (within 250–500 m of stream) and native vegetation, and negatively with building area (within 250 m); exotic species responded inversely to these measures. Short-distance migrants and permanent residents displayed the weakest responses to landscape and vegetation measures. Neotropical migrants responded strongest to landscape and vegetation measures and were positively correlated with areas of wide riparian forests and less development (>250 m). Resident Neotropical migrants increased with wider riparian forests (>500 m) without buildings, while en-route migrants utilized areas having a wide buffer of tree cover (250–500 m) regardless of buildings; both were positively associated with native vegetation composition and mature trees. Consequently, developed areas incorporating high native tree cover are important for conserving Neotropical migrants during stopover.
An economic profile of the Pacific Rim

The miracle of the Pacific Rim is astounding; yet it is not without problems that threaten to turn the dream into a nightmare for many of the small countries on the Rim.
Quantitative analyses of selected plant by-product feedstuffs, a global perspective

Abstract The dry matter tons, metabolizable energy, and crude protein tons were determined for over 20 selected by-product feedstuffs in 1993 from Argentina, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Korea Republic, China, USA, and the World. The by-product feedstuffs were grouped into three categories: Miscellaneous which included almond hulls, bagasse, beet pulp, brans, brewers grains, citrus pulp, cottonseed, and molasses; Cakes which included the major oil cakes and meals; and Crop Residues which included the crop residues from the non-feed production of wheat, rice, barley, and maize. The total World dry matter tonnage for all groupings of by-product feedstuffs is almost 1 billion metric tons of which about 65% are from Crop Residues. Most countries had a tremendous amount of energy in the Crop Residues category with over 375 Mcal per capita for the USA, 305 for Argentina, 208 for China and 181 Mcal per capita for the World. Even more Mcal per capita was in the other grouping of by-product feedstuffs for Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Korea Republic, and the USA. The total Mcal from these selected by-product feedstuffs for the World was almost 2 trillion Mcal. The protein tonnage was highest in the Cakes grouping for Mexico, Korea Republic, USA, and the World. A by-product feedstuff equivalent was defined as the percentage of an unprocessed commodity that becomes a by-product feedstuff on a dry matter basis. Not including Crop Residues, molasses, or soap stock oils, the overall by-product feedstuff equivalents ranged from 22% for Egypt to 40% for the USA. These equivalents demonstrate the large amounts of by-product feedstuffs generated when commodities are processed for food or fiber and the importance of animals as consumers of these by-product feedstuffs. Future projections suggest that the amount per capita of by-product feedstuffs will increase in developed countries and remain the same or increase slightly in developing countries.