cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mining the salivary proteome with grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance imaging and surface plasmon coupled emission microarrays.

Biological indicators have numerous and widespread utility in personalized medicine, but the measurement of these indicators also pose many technological and practical challenges. Blood/plasma has typically been used as the sample source with which to measure these indicators, but the invasiveness associated with procurement of samples has led to increased interest in saliva as an attractive alternative. However, there are unique issues associated with the measurement of saliva biomarkers. These issues are compounded by the imperfect correlation between saliva and plasma with respect to biomarker profiles. In this manuscript, we address the technical challenges associated with saliva biomarker quantification describe a high-content microarray assay that employs both grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance imaging surface plasmon coupled emission modalities in a highly sensitive assay that has a large dynamic range. This powerful approach provides the tools to map the proteome of saliva, which in turn should greatly enhance the utility of salivary biomarker profiles in personalized medicine.
Simulation of the polar cap potential during periods with northward interplanetary magnetic field

[1] In this paper we examine the response of the ionospheric cross-polar cap potential to steady, purely northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) using the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry global magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the Earth's magnetosphere. The simulation produces the typical, high-latitude “reversed cell” convection that is associated with northward IMF, along with a two cell convection pattern at lower latitude that we interpret as being driven by the viscous interaction. The behavior of the potential can be divided into two basic regions: the viscous dominated region and the reconnection dominated region. The viscous dominated region is characterized by decreasing viscous potential with increasing northward IMF. The reconnection dominated region may be further subdivided into a linear region, where reconnection potential increases with increasing magnitude of northward IMF, and the saturation region, where the value of the reconnection potential is relatively insensitive to the magnitude of the northward IMF. The saturation of the cross-polar cap potential for northward IMF has recently been documented using observations and is here established as a feature of a global MHD simulation as well. The region at which the response of the potential transitions from the linear region to the saturation region is also the region in parameter space at which the magnetosheath transitions from being dominated by the plasma pressure to being dominated by the magnetic energy density. This result is supportive of the recent magnetosheath force balance model for the modulation of the reconnection potential. Within that framework, and including our current understanding of the viscous potential, we present a conceptual model for understanding the full variation of the polar cap potential for northward IMF, including the simulated dependencies of the potential on solar wind speed and ionospheric conductivity.
Comparison and analysis of data upscaling schemes for predicting crop leaf area index

Estimating crop leaf area index (LAI) based on remotely sensed observations is a normal way for regional crop monitoring and yield estimation in precision agriculture. However, the spatial heterogeneity in crop canopies and the nonlinearity of model for LAI estimation make differences between estimated-upscaled LAI (baseline data) and upscaled-estimated LAI. Then, aiming to reduce these differences, i.e. the scale effects of crop LAI, we propose a data upscaling scheme to construct new upscaled-estimated LAI. Barley in Inner Mongolia in 2010 is selected as the object for numerical experiments to compare and analyze the differences between baseline data and upscaled-estimated LAI datasets calculated with different data upscaling schemes. Taking Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) multispectral image as data source, theory analyses and numerical practices confirm the feasibility and validity of this proposed data upscaling scheme in reducing scale effects of crop LAI, and also manifest its stability and robustness in application.
Proton transfer potentials in hydrogen‐bonded systems: (H5O2)+

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the split-valence shell level are used to examine a theory of proton transport across biomembranes involving the transfer of protons along hydrogen-bonded chains. Potentials for central proton motion in (H2OHOH2)+ are calculated using the 4-31G basis set. This procedure is shown to provide results in close agreement with more extended calculations including electron correlation. A potential with a shallow single minimum corresponding to a centrally located proton is obtained for small interoxygen separations. However, for separations greater than about 2.4 A, double-well potentials are calculated. The potentials are relatively insensitive to the inclusion of additional H2O molecules or geometry optimizations. The effects of angular distortions of the hydrogen bond on the barriers separating the two minima are investigated. Small distortions of less than 20d or so increase the barriers slightly, but a sharp rise is noted for greater distortions. In addition, rotations of the two water molecules in opposite directions produce the largest increase in proton transfer barriers.
Streaming potential in open and packed fused-silica capillaries.

The surface properties of novel stationary phases in packed and open tubular columns for capillary electrochromatography (CEC) were examined by measuring the streaming potential in a home made apparatus. The surfaces investigated include materials such as porous styrenic sorbents and octadecyl-silica as well as fused-silica tubing, in both raw and surface modified forms. Functionalization of the surface was carried out, for instance, by reductive amination or organosilane grafting on to capillary inner wall. The dependence of the streaming potential on pH was examined with aqueous solutions in the pH range from 2.5 to 9.0. Electrokinetic properties of 50 μm I.D. fused-silica capillaries have been determined by both streaming potential and electrosmotic flow measurements. Both methods gave similar pH profiles of the ζ-potential and the isoelectric points. This confirms the viability of our approach to evaluate the specific charged groups of the packing which is one of the important factors influencing electrosmotic flow (EOF) velocity and protein adsorption during a chromatographic run. In addition to bare silica capillaries, styrenic monolithic columns with different surface functionalities, which have been extensively used in our laboratory for CEC separation of peptides and proteins, were employed for comparison of two methods. Plots of zeta potential as a function of percent ACN show a complex behavior, indicating that zeta potential cannot be predicted simply from binary mixture solvent properties. It is demonstrated that the evaluation of the zeta potential by the streaming potential method is nondestructive, relatively fast, without untoward effects introduced by Joule heating and yet another means for the characterization of the surfaces under conditions employed in CEC.
Gravitational effects on cellular flame structure

An experimental investigation has been conducted of the effect of gravity on the structure of downwardly propagating, cellular premixed propane-oxygen-nitrogen flames anchored on a water-cooled porous-plug burner. The flame is subjected to microgravity conditions in the NASA Lewis 2.2-second drop tower, and flame characteristics are recorded on high-speed film. These are compared to flames at normal gravity conditions with the same equivalence ratio, dilution index, mixture flow rate, and ambient pressure. The results show that the cellular instability band, which is located in the rich mixture region, changes little under the absence of gravity. Lifted normal-gravity flames near the cellular/lifted limits, however, are observed to become cellular when gravity is reduced. Observations of a transient cell growth period following ignition point to heat loss as being an important mechanism in the overall flame stability, dominating the stabilizing effect of buoyancy for these downwardly-propagating burner-anchored flames. The pulsations that are observed in the plume and diffusion flame generated downstream of the premixed flame in the fuel rich cases disappear in microgravity, verifying that these fluctuations are gravity related.
Hematologic effects of placental pathology on very low birthweight infants born to mothers with preeclampsia.

To investigate the effect of placental pathology on neonatal neutrophils, platelets, hematocrit and nucleated red blood cells in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants born to mothers with preeclampsia. Retrospective cohort study of infants with birthweight < 1500 g born to mothers with preeclampsia from july, 2002 to july, 2006 at a single level III neonatal intensive care unit. Placental pathology was reviewed for the presence of placental infarction and vasculopathy. Hematologic parameters from day of life 0, 1 and 2 were obtained. Statistical analysis included repeated-measures analysis of variance and multivariable analysis using logistic regression. The study sample included 203 infants with estimated gestational age of 28±3 weeks; 45% had placental infarctions and 26% placental vasculopathy. Infants with neutropenia and thrombocytopenia did not have an increased occurrence of placental infarction or maternal vasculopathy but were more likely to be of small gestational age (SGA) and of lower gestational age compared with infants without neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. After multivariable analysis, gestational age and SGA remained associated with both neutropenia and thrombocytopenia whereas placental infarction and vasculopathy did not remain in the models. In our population of VLBW infants born to mothers with preeclampsia, placental pathology was common. There was no association of placental infarction or vasculopathy with neonatal neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. The data suggest that neonatal hematologic effects of maternal preeclampsia, if related to the placenta, are associated with factors other than placental histology.
Phenotypic characterization of Salmonella RyhB-1 mutations that modulate target regulation.

Recently, we reported the global regulatory roles of the two small RNAs in Salmonella typhimurium, ryhB-1 and ryhB-2. However, the genetic basis of the sRNA-target interactions remains unknown. To identify the nucleotides of RyhB-1 that are functionally important for its regulatory actions, we introduced random single-point mutations into ryhB-1 gene on the chromosome of Salmonella typhimurium carrying a sodB–lacZ translational fusion by an error-prone PCR method. We reasoned that mutants expressing variant RyhB-1 with weakened interaction with sodB transcript would produce a higher level of SodB when compared to wild type, leading to darker blue colonies on X-gal agar plates. Five mutants displaying a significant increase in β-galactosidase activity under the condition inducing RyhB-1 expression were isolated. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of eight target mRNAs in these five mutants were significantly changed when compared to the parent strain. Interestingly, two mutations affected growth and cell survival under H2O2-stressed conditions. The results suggest that there are strong selective constraints against mutational changes in ryhB-1 gene sequence, leading to high levels of nucleotide conservation in ryhB-1 gene sequences among the genus of Salmonella.
Laser excited Shpol'skii spectroscopy for the selective excitation and determination of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

The sharpline absorption spectra (FWHM of 1 to 10 cm 1) exhibited by polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in frozen Shpol'skii hosts facilitates selective excitation of the luminescence spectra through tunable dye laser excitation. In this communication we present observations that document the general utility of laser excited Shpol'skii spectroscopy (LESS) for the direct qualitative and quantitative characterization of complex mixtures of PAHs, including multialkylated isomers.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of cooling rate on magnetoelasticity and short-range order in Fe–Ga alloys

For Fe–Ga single crystals, faster cooling rates achieved by metallic quench and ice-water quench extended the tetragonal magnetostriction constant, (3/2) λ 100 , to higher Ga contents than reported previously. The maximum magnetostriction measured was 420 ppm at a composition of 21.4 at.% Ga. Using these faster cooling rates, the formation of short-range order (SRO) was obviously suppressed in A2 single phase, while this change in SRO did not significantly affect (3/2) λ 100 .
Investigation of Consolidation-Induced Solute Transport. I: Effect of Consolidation on Transport Parameters

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the effect of clay consolidation on parameters that govern the advective-dispersive transport of an inorganic solute. Batch, diffusion, dispersion, and solute transport tests were conducted using kaolinite clay and dilute solutions of potassium bromide (KBr). Batch tests produced the highest levels of K+ sorption and indicated that equilibrium sorption was achieved in approximately 10–30 min. The increase in sorption observed in the batch tests, as compared to the dispersion or solute transport tests, reflects the significantly lower solids-to-solution ratio and more efficient mixing process. By comparison, kaolinite consolidation had little effect on sorption due to the relatively small change in porosity. Values of hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient ( Dh ) , effective diffusion coefficient ( D∗ ) , and apparent tortuosity factor decreased with decreasing porosity. Values of D∗ obtained for Br− were generally larger than for K+ , whereas Dh values for...
Parameter Estimation for Dynamic Studies in Emission-Tomography Systems Having List-Mode Data

Maximum-likelihood parameter estimation for dynamic tracer-studies is investigated for emission-tomography systems having time-of-flight measurements in the form of list-mode data. It is shown how the EM iterative algorithm of statistics can be used to estimate compartmental parameters just as it is also used to reconstruct images of activity distributions. Retrospective processing of list-mode data for dynamic studies requires that the influence of each measurement point to the region of interest in the reconstructed images be identified; a procedure for accomplishing this is given.
UV-specific p53 and PTCH mutations in sporadic basal cell carcinoma of sun-exposed skin.

Abstract UVB irradiation is known to produce DNA damage at mutation hotspots in the p53 tumor suppressor gene, leading to the development of skin cancers. Mutations in the PTCH tumor suppressor gene, which is known to be responsible for the development of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, have also been identified in sporadic basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). We describe the case of an 80-year-old welder in whom 3 novel p53 mutations, as well as UV-specific PTCH mutations, were detected in two BCC samples from sun-exposed skin. The simultaneous presence of UV-specific p53 and PTCH mutations in the same BCC sample has not previously been reported. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;44:293-7.)
The effects of trading halts on price discovery for NYSE stocks

This article uses intraday data for the year 1992 to investigate the effect of trading halts on price discovery for stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The results show that the degree of benefits from trading halts depends on the types of halts and significance of the news items. It is found that trading halts reduce price dispersion when trading is halted due to imbalance in order flows. Such a positive effect is robust to the significance of news items. Trading halts can help price discovery when trading is halted due to the fact that some significant news items already hit the market and investors need more time to digest the impacts on price. In contrast, when officials call for the halt due to the pending news release with little significance, trading halts actually inject more noise into the prices and undermine the price discovery process. Overall, the results are consistent with the argument by exchanges that trading halts help dissipate information and facilitate the price discovery pr...
EVALUATING COVER CROPS (SUDEX, SUNN HEMP, OATS) FOR USE AS VEGETATIVE FILTERS TO CONTROL SEDIMENT AND NUTRIENT LOADING FROM AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF IN A HAWAIIAN WATERSHED

: A study was conducted to determine the effects of three land covers (sunn hemp –Crotalaria juncea, sudex, a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid –Sorghum bicolor x S. bicolor var. sudanese, and common oats –Avena sativa) planted as vegetative filter strips on the reduction of sediment and nutrient loading of surface runoff within the Kaika-Waialua watershed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Runoff samples were collected and analyzed for total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), phosphorous, and three forms of nitrogen (nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen). Study results show that during seven out of 10 runoff events, the three cover crop treatments significantly reduced TSS as compared to the fallow treatment. Average removal efficiencies were 85, 77, and 73% for oats, sunn hemp, and sudex, respectively, as compared to the fallow treatment. Nutrient concentrations were low with phosphorous concentrations, lower than 1 (μg/ml) for all treatments, and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations below 7 (μg/ml) except in the sunn hemp treatment, where TN concentrations were less than 10 (μg/ml). Results of analysis of TDS showed that the cover crop treatments did not decrease dissolved solids concentrations in comparison with the fallow treatment. Analysis of nutrient concentrations in runoff samples did not detect any significant decreases in phosphorous, nitrogen, ammonium, or TN concentrations in comparison to the fallow treatment. However, a significant increase in TN concentrations in the sunn hemp treatment was detected and showed the nitrogen fixing capacity of sunn hemp. No treatment effects on runoff volume were detected, and runoff volumes were directly correlated with rainfall amounts showing no crops significantly impacted soil infiltration rates. These results were attributed to extremely low soil hydraulic conductivities (0.0001-7 cm/day at the soil surface, 15 and 30 cm below the soil surface). This study showed that cover crops planted as vegetative filters can effectively reduce sediment loads coming from idle and fallow fields on moderately steep volcanically derived highly weathered soils.
Trading off between Value Creation and Value Appropriation: The Financial Implications of Shifts in Strategic Emphasis:

Abstract Firms allocate their limited resources between two fundamental processes of creating value (i.e., innovating, producing, and delivering products to the market) and appropriating value (i.e., extracting profits in the marketplace). Although both value creation and value appropriation are required for achieving sustained competitive advantage, a firm has significant latitude in deciding the extent to which it emphasizes one over the other. What effect does strategic emphasis (i.e., emphasis on value creation versus value appropriation) have on firm’s financial performance? The authors address this issue by examining the effect that shifts in strategic emphasis have on stock return. They find that the stock market reacts favorably when a firm increases its emphasis on value appropriation relative to value creation. This effect, however, is moderated by firm and industry characteristics, in particular, financial performance, the past level of strategic emphasis of the firm, and the technological envi...
Anxiety and position-dependent neurologic findings due to autonomic dysreflexia.

Received July 12, 2000; accepted July 31, 2000. From the Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Freudenreich, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Warren 605, Boston, MA 02114. Copyright 2001 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. The phenomenon of autonomic dysreflexia is wellknown to physicians working with patients with spinal cord-injuries but might be less known to other physicians. Autonomic dysreflexia can occur in quadriplegic patients with spinal cord injuries above the level of T5. Such an injury effectively disconnects the entire sympathetic nervous system from supraspinal modulation. Certain stimulations then, most often bladder distension or rectal distension, can lead to an overwhelming discharge of the sympathetic nervous system. Severe headaches are quite common. Its most dangerous manifestations are marked blood pressure elevations that can cause seizures, cerebral hemorrhage, or a myocardial infarction. A plethora of symptoms have been observed, including chest tightness and dyspnea, anxiety, pupillary dilation, penile erection, cold limbs, flushing, nasal congestion, slow pulse, and profuse sweating. Patients may only have one or two symptoms. We present a case of anxiety due to autonomic dysreflexia to illustrate that it remains important to rule out physiological causes of anxiety, regardless of how well psychological explanations fit. Moreover, we describe a previously unreported phenomenon due to autonomic dysreflexia, that is, position-dependent anisokoria with halfsided hyperhidrosis.
Effect of serum caffeine level on pneumocardiogram of premature infants treated for apnea with theophylline

It is speculated that measurement of serum theophylline concentration alone, without concomitant caffeine level determination, may lead to a false negative (normal) pneumocardiogram due to possible existence of therapeutic caffeine level resulting from the methylation of theophylline. Treatment of neonatal apnea with theophylline as documented by a normal follow-up pneumocardiogram should be considered successful only when the levels of both theophylline and caffeine have been documented subtherapeutic at time of re-test.
Role of promoters on Rh/SiO2 in CO hydrogenation: A comparison using DRIFTS

La, V, Zn, Cu, Fe, Li and Ag promoted Rh/SiO 2 catalysts were investigated for the synthesis of ethanol during CO hydrogenation at 230°C and 1.8 atm. As is well known, the activity and selectivity depend heavily on the choice of promoter. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to probe the effects of La, V, Zn and Cu on CO adsorption and hydrogenation. From the IR study, it was found that the behavior of CO adsorbed on the differently promoted catalysts was very different. While La enhanced total CO adsorption, the addition of V, Zn and Cu suppressed CO adsorption to different extents. The doubly promoted Rh-La/V/SiO 2 showed only moderate CO adsorption. Results from DRIFTS suggest that the higher catalytic activity (compared to the non-promoted catalyst) observed for the La singly promoted Rh/SiO 2 catalyst may primarily be caused by an increase in the concentration of the adsorbed CO species in the presence of H 2+ possibly due to the formation of new active sites at the LaO x -Rh interface. The higher catalytic activity of the V singly promoted Rh/SiO 2 catalyst could be ascribed to an increased desorption rate/reactivity of the adsorbed CO species. The La and V doubly promoted catalyst showed both new adsorbed CO species and increased desorption rate/reactivity of the adsorbed species during CO hydrogenation due to a synergistic promoting effect of La and V. The addition of Zn or Cu promoters significantly reduced the desorption rate/reactivity of the adsorbed CO species on Rh/SiO 2 , leading apparently to the much reduced activities for CO hydrogenation observed.
Effect of location and cultivar on kenaf yield components

Abstract A two-year research study was established to determine the effect of kenaf cultivars and locations on yield components. Data relative to stalk yield have shown that plant height was a dominant yield component. Moreover, height attainment was dependent upon location, which was affected by temperature and the length of the growing period. The cultivar Tainung #2 tended to show slightly higher yield by 2 t/ha than other cultivars at the three locations. Plant populations which were all above 130 000/ha had a low, non-significant relationship (low R 2 ) to stalk yield. No significant differences were detected for the average stem diameter among cultivars at the Mississippi and Missouri locations, but these were significant in Oklahoma. The average bast percentage showed significant differences among cultivars at the Oklahoma and Missouri locations, but not at the Mississippi location.
Psychosocial and contextual determinants of alcohol and drug use disorders in the National Latino and Asian American Study.

Abstract Background In the U.S., Latino and Asian American immigrants and ethnic minorities may be at increased risk for alcohol and drug use disorders (AUDs/DUDs). The role of psychosocial and contextual characteristics as potential factors underlying this increased risk is unresolved. Methods Participants include 4649 adults from the National Latino and Asian American Study. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between acculturation, acculturative stress, neighborhood characteristics, family characteristics, and discrimination and AUDs/DUDs. Models were stratified by age of immigration and ethnicity and controlled for demographic and mental health characteristics. Results Overall, 9.6% of Latino and 4.1% of Asian participants met criteria for lifetime AUDs/DUDs. Acculturation, family conflict, and discrimination were positively associated with AUDs/DUDs (odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [95%CIs]: 1.80[1.54–2.09], 1.24[1.12–1.36], and 1.54[1.38–1.73]), while neighborhood safety and family cohesion were protective for AUDs/DUDs (ORs[95%CIs]: 0.75[0.66–0.85] and 0.79[0.69–0.90]). Acculturative stress and neighborhood cohesion were not related to AUDs/DUDs. The relationships between family conflict and family cohesion with AUDs/DUDs were attenuated after accounting for other psychosocial and contextual factors. These relationships were generally consistent across ethnic and age of immigration subgroups. Conclusions Factors such as acculturation, discrimination, and neighborhood safety, are robustly and largely universally related to AUDs/DUDs among first and later generation Latino and Asian immigrants. Further research is required to understand how and why these factors relate to risk of substance misuse, and to identify ways to apply these factors in prevention and intervention efforts.
Growth of Helicobacter Pylori in Various Liquid and Plating Media

The objectives of this research were to compare commonly used liquid and plating media to elucidate whether one medium provided superior growth of Helicobacter pylori in vitro. The liquid media compared were Mueller-Hinton broth, brain heart infusion broth and H. pylori special peptone broth, formulated in this laboratory. No significant differences in growth rates were noted and shaking during the incubation of broths was not essential for good growth. The plating media compared included Columbia agar, Mueller-Hinton agar, modified Glupczynski's Brussels campylobacter charcoal agar, Johnson-Murano agar and H. pylori special peptone agar (HPSPA). None of the non-specific plating media that have been used historically to culture H. pylori exhibited any particular advantage. However, HPSPA provided an obvious advantage in colony size. Helicobacter pylori special peptone agar enhances the cultivation of H. pylori and could improve the recovery of the bacterium from clinical samples in vitro.
Evolutionary Potential of (β/α)8-Barrels: In Vitro Enhancement of a “New” Reaction in the Enolase Superfamily†

The repertoire of reactions in the mechanistically diverse enolase superfamily is the result of divergent evolution that conserved enolization of a carboxylate anion substrate but allowed different overall reactions using different substrates. Details of the pathways for the natural evolutionary process are unknown, but the events reasonably involve (1) incremental increases in the level of the "new" reaction that would provide a selective advantage and (2) an accompanying loss of the "old" reaction catalyzed by the progenitor. In an effort to better understand the molecular processes of divergent evolution, the D297G mutant of the l-Ala-d/l-Glu epimerase (AEE) from Escherichia coli was designed so that it could bind the substrate for the o-succinylbenzoate synthase (OSBS) reaction and, as a result, catalyze that reaction [Schmidt, D. M. Z., Mundorff, E. C., Dojka, M., Bermudez, E., Ness, J. E., Govindarajan, S., Babbitt, P. C., Minshull, J., and Gerlt, J. A. (2003) Biochemistry 42, 8387-8393]. The AEE progenitor did not catalyze the OSBS reaction, but the D297G mutant catalyzed a low level of the OSBS reaction (k(cat), 0.013 s(-)(1); K(m), 1.8 mM; k(cat)/K(m), 7.4 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) that was sufficient to permit anaerobic growth by an OSBS-deficient strain of E. coli; the level of the progenitor's natural AEE reaction was significantly diminished. Using random mutagenesis and an anaerobic metabolic selection, we now have identified the I19F substitution as an additional mutation that enhances both growth of the OSBS-deficient strain and the kinetic constants for the OSBS reaction (k(cat), 0.031 s(-)(1); K(m), 0.34 mM; k(cat)/K(m), 90 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)). Several other substitutions for Ile 19 also enhanced the level of the OSBS reaction. All of the substitutions substantially decreased the level of the AEE reaction from that possessed by the D297G progenitor. The changes in the kinetic constants for both the OSBS and AEE reactions are attributed to a readjustment of substrate specificity so that the substrate for the OSBS reaction is more productively presented to the conserved acid/base catalysts in the active site. These observations support our hypothesis that evolution of "new" functions in the enolase superfamily can occur simply by changes in specificity-determining residues.
Uniform algebra isomorphisms and peripheral multiplicativity

Let φ: A→ B be a surjective operator between two uniform alge-(1) =1 we Show that if φ satisfies the peripheral multiplicativity bras with φ(1) = 1. We show that if if satisfies the peripheral multiplicativity condition σ π (φ(f)φ(g)) = σ π (fg) for all f,g ∈ A, where σ π (f) is the peripheral spectrum of f, then φis an isometric algebra isomorphism from A onto B. One of the consequences of this result is that any surjective, unital, and multiplicative operator that preserves the peripheral ranges of algebra elements is an isometric algebra isomorphism. We describe also the structure of general, not necessarily unital, surjective and peripherally multiplicative operators between uniform algebras.
Paper chromatography of purines and pyrimidines using acetonitrile solvents

Abstract A rapid, high-resolution paper chromatographic procedure is presented for the separation of purine and pyrimidine bases using acetonitrile-buffer systems. The systems can be combined into two-dimensional paper chromatographic procedures. The best systems consist of 80% acetonitrile—0.4 M, pH 6.86 sodium phosphate buffer, and 70% acetonitrile-pH 10 water (ammoniacal).
Selenium Deficiency in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Severe protein-calorie malnutrition is common in patients with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). These nutritional deficits are likely to further impair immune responses and other organ functions vital for recovery from serious infectious diseases. Since selenium deficiency is known to be associated with oral candidiasis and abnormal phagocytic function in animals and depressed helper T-cell numbers in man, we evaluated both selenium status and other nutritional parameters in 12 patients with AIDS compared to 27 healthy controls. Selenium was measured by a spectrofluorometric method. The mean (±SD) plasma selenium level in AIDS was 0.043 ± 0.01 μg/ml vs 0.095 ± 0.016 μg/ml in controls (p < 0.001). Whole blood selenium and red blood cell selenium levels were also significantly reduced in AIDS (p < 0.005). The mean weight loss in AIDS patients was 35.5 ± 21.2 pounds. Serum albumin was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in AIDS patients compared to controls. A good correlation between serum albumin and ...
Pragmatism, Critical Realism, and the Cognitive Value of Religion and Science

Pragmatism and critical realism are different vocabularies for talking about the cognitive value of religion and science. Each can be, and has been, used to make the case for cognitive parity between religious and scientific discourse. Critical realism presupposes a particular form of cognitive psychology that entails general skepticism about the external world and forecloses scientific inquiry in the name of a preconceived idea of what the nature of human cognition must be. Thus, of the two, pragmatism is the better vocabulary for fostering mutual understanding between religion and science.
Corrosion behavior of as-received and previously cast high noble alloy.

Statement of problem The rationale for using high noble alloys is based largely upon their alleged ability to resist corrosion. However, combining previously cast metal with new alloy might have a detrimental effect on the corrosion behavior of a high noble alloy. Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize the elemental composition of an as-received and recast high noble alloy and to examine the in vitro corrosion behavior in 2 media, using a potentiodynamic polarization technique. Material and methods Disk-shaped specimens, 6 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick, were prepared from a high noble alloy (Ney-Oro-B2) under 3 casting protocols, according to the proportion of as-received and recast gold alloy (n=26); the groups included an as-received (100% as-received metal) group, 50% to 50% group (50 wt% new metal, 50 wt% once-recast metal), and recast group (100% once-recast metal). The surface structures of 20 specimens from each group were examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the elemental compositions were determined using x-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy at 3 sites on the specimen, and the data were averaged. Further, the potentiodynamic cyclic polarization between -1000 and +1000 mV (SCE, or saturated calomel electrode) was performed for 6 specimens from each casting protocol in 0.09% NaCl solution (n=3) and Fusayama artificial saliva (n=3) at 37°C. Zero-current potential and corrosion current density were determined. The data were analyzed with 1-way and 2-way analysis of variance and the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsch multiple-range t test (α=.05). Results Elemental composition was significantly different among the casting groups ( P CORR ) for all the casting protocols were not significant ( P =.67 and P =.51, respectively). Moreover, the mean values were not significant for corrosion current density with the electrolyte effect ( P =.45). Only zero-current potential had a significant electrolyte effect ( P Conclusions High noble alloy in all casting protocols evaluated retained passivity under electrochemical conditions similar to the oral environment. (J Prosthet Dent 2008;100:34-40)
Sublimation pressures and thermodynamics of praseodymium trichloride

Abstract The sublimation pressures of praseodymium trichloride, PrCl 3 , were measured by mass loss effusion from graphite and stainless steel cells. There was evidence of diffusion through the walls of the graphite cell. The third law enthalpy of sublimation based on the data from the stainless steel cell only is ΔH 0 III 298.15 / R = 39.4 ± 1.5 kK.
Orbit injection error analysis for the Lageos III mission

An analysis is presented of the orbital injection errors for the Lageos III satellite mission. Several methods are introduced for the solution of the Inverse Problem in the Theory of Errors. The novelty of the present approach consists in the use of the full geopotential covariance matrix in the error propagation equations. The GEM-T1 covariance matrix is used. It is found that by properly accounting for the correlation among the even zonal harmonic coefficients the acceptable error bounds increase by an order of magnitude with respect to the case when only the variances are used. The most stringent constraint, even when using the full covariance, is on inclination, whose nominal value must be realized within approximately 0.1° for the recovery of the Lense-Thirring precession to be successful at the 3% level (accounting only for injection errors). The associated tolerance in the semimajor axis is about 30 km while that in eccentricity is approximately 0.2. However, if the errors in semimajor axis and eccentricity can be kept to the routinely achievable levels respectively of 10 km and 0.004, then the tolerance in inclination can be relaxed to 0.2°.
The modification of the unidirectional calcium fluxes of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles by monovalent cation ionophores

Abstract Calcium uptake by rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles in phosphate-containing media exhibits time-dependent changes that arise from changing rates of calcium influx and efflux. The monovalent cation ionophore gramicidin, added before the start of the calcium uptake reaction, delayed the spontaneous calcium release that normally occurred after approx. 6 min in such reactions; the rate of calcium efflux was inhibited while calcium influx was little affected. Under these conditions, Ca 2+ -activated ATPase activity could remain unaltered. Gramicidin stimulated calcium uptake irrespective of the presence of a K + gradient across the vesicle membrane. Valinomycin stimulated calcium uptake in a manner similar to that for gramicidin even in an NaCl-containing medium lacking potassium. Thus, dissipation of a transmembrane K + gradient is unlikely to account for the effects of these ionophores on the spontaneous changes in calcium flux rates. Addition of gramicidin to partially calcium-filled vesicles inhibited the phase of spontaneous calcium reuptake because both calcium influx and efflux were inhibited. Addition of gramicidin to partially calcium-filled vesicles in the presence of a water-soluble protein, such as bovine serum albumin, creatine kinase or pyruvate kinase, markedly stimulated calcium uptake. This stimulatory effect was due primarily to inhibition of calcium efflux, calcium influx being minimally influenced by the ionophore. After cleavage of the 100 000 dalton ATPase to 50 000 dalton fragments, which was not associated with changes in Ca 2+ -activated ATPase activity or initial calcium uptake rate, gramicidin increased rather than decreased calcium content when added to vesicles after the initial maximum in calcium content. Thus, the ability of monovalent cation ionophores to block calcium efflux from calcium-filled vesicles may reflect their interaction with a portion of the Ca 2+ -activated ATPase protein.
Modulation of cell-to-cell communication in the cumulus-oocyte complex and the regulation of oocyte maturation by LH

Abstract Prior to ovulation, cell-to-cell communication between the oocyte and the cells of the cumulus oophorus is terminated ( N. B. Gilula, M. L. Epstein, and W. H. Beers, 1978 , J. Cell Biol. 78, 58–75; R. M. Moor, M. W. Smith, and R. M. C. Dawson, 1980 , Exp. Cell Res. 126, 15–29). In this paper we report that LH, Bt2-cAMP, and the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, are all capable of interrupting communication in vitro in rat follicle-enclosed cumulus-oocyte complexes. Moreover, the breakdown of communication appears to be closely correlated with the ability of hyaluronidase to disperse the cumulus cell mass. This observation allows simple screening of the effects of various agents on cumulus-oocyte communication. The in vitro system employed in this study has also been used to investigate the relationship between communication and oocyte maturation. The findings presented indicate that the interruption of communication between the cumulus and the oocyte leads to relief of meiotic arrest, and are consistent with the possibility that cAMP, transmitted from the cumulus to the oocyte, may be the inhibitor of oocyte maturation in vivo.
Microbial community development in the rhizosphere of apple trees at a replant disease site

Apple replant disease (ARD) is a complex syndrome that affects young trees in replanted orchard sites causing necrotic lesions on feeder roots, stunted tree growth and reduced cumulative yields. Use of ARD-tolerant rootstocks is an emerging control strategy. We studied the bacterial, fungal, and oomycetes populations in the rhizosphere of five rootstock cultivars (M.7, M.26, G.16, G.30 and CG.6210) planted into the old tree row or grass lanes of a previous orchard in Ithaca, NY, to better understand the role of rhizosphere microbial communities in the prevalence and control of ARD. The possible involvement of antagonistic Pseudomonas species, Pythium spp., Phytophthora spp. and rhizosphere cyanide concentrations in ARD were also examined. The rootstocks M.7, M.26 and G.16 were susceptible to ARD, while G.30 and CG.6210 were more tolerant. Tree growth on the rootstocks M.7, M.26 and G.16 was reduced by 10% when planted in the old tree rows, but this did not significantly reduce yields in the first fruiting year. The susceptible rootstocks, M.7 and M.26, supported higher densities of culturable rhizosphere fungi and bacteria than G.16, G.30 and CG.6210. Over 2 years, microbial densities were highest in July, lower in May and lowest in September. The composition of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere was highly variable and changed over seasons and years, as assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses. Initial differences in fungal rhizosphere communities between the two planting positions converged 2 years after the trees were replanted. In contrast, the bacterial rhizosphere community composition still differed significantly between the two planting positions 3 years after the orchard was replanted. The bacterial and fungal rhizosphere community compositions of susceptible rootstocks, M.7 and M.26, differed from those of the tolerant rootstocks, G.30 and CG.6210; G.16, differed from all the other rootstocks. The observed effects of rootstocks, planting positions and time on microbial community composition were small relative to the high variability observed overall. Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp. infestations were high and similar for all rootstocks and planting positions. Neither potentially antagonistic Pseudomonas nor rhizosphere cyanide concentrations appeared to be involved in the ARD-complex at the studied site. Avoiding replanting into the old tree rows coupled with use of tolerant rootstocks appear to be the best strategies for reducing ARD in replanted orchards. Changes in rhizosphere microbial communities are among the many factors that contribute to improved tree growth when these management strategies are used.
The effects of topical prazosin on normal and elevated intraocular pressure and blood pressure in rabbits

Abstract A 0.1 mg (base) dose of prazosin, a prostaglandin α - ( α 1 ) adrenoreceptor antagonist, in rabbits effected an early decrease in arterial blood pressure, normal intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP artificially elevated by water loading. The late drugs effects suppressed elevated IOP, but not normal IOP. The IOP effects of prazosin seem largely independent of the effect on blood pressure.
On implicational and distributional universals of word order

This paper argues that the theory of Universal Grammar must include both implicational universals and universals of language distribution in the description and explanation of word order.Implicational universals are of the form: if a language has some property (or properties) P, then it will also have some property (or properties) Q. These ‘if P then Q’ statements require that a language must not have property P without property Q (*P –O).
Sustained Parenting and College Drinking in First-Year Students

Research indicates that for many students excessive drinking in college is a continuation of high school drinking tendencies. However, there have been limited theory-driven, systematic interventions targeting students so as to prevent alcohol misuse in their transition to college. Almost all current prevention approaches tend to be focused on younger populations and college-drinking interventions are typically delivered to students when they are already on campus. These analyses draw from a novel program of research involving parents of college freshmen based on the work of Turrisi et al. and focuses on examining: (1) the relationship between parenting and student drinking tendencies during the transitional period between high school and college and into the first year of college, and (2) the mediation process by which sustained parenting throughout the first year is related to college-drinking outcomes and consequences so as to inform future intervention efforts. The empirical evidence from this study suggests that sustained parental efforts have a beneficial effect on reducing high-risk drinking and preventing harm even at this late stage of late adolescent/early adult development.
Conformational switching of molecular brushes in response to the energy of interaction with the substrate

Cylindrical brush molecules adsorbed on a surface change their contour length and then switch conformation from rodlike to globular upon decrease of the surface energy of the substrate. The conformational changes result from partial desorption of poly(n-butyl acrylate) side chains as the surface pressure drops from 23.7 to 3.1 mN/m and the energy of interaction between the side chains and the substrate decreases from 89.7 mJ/m2 to 69.1 mJ/m2. At the lowest value of the interaction energy, one observes a coexistence of rodlike and globular molecules. This result is in agreement with the theoretical prediction of the rod-globule transition of surface confined brush molecules as a conformational phase transition of the first order.
Movement and Habitat Selection by Invasive Asian Carps in a Large River

Abstract We evaluated the habitat use and movements of 50 adult bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and 50 silver carp H. molitrix by means of ultrasonic telemetry during spring-summer 2004 and 2005 to gain insight into the conditions that facilitate their establishment, persistence, and dispersal in the lower Illinois River (river kilometer 0-130). Movement and habitat use were monitored with stationary receivers and boat-mounted tracking. The relative availability of four macrohabitat categories (main channel, island side channel, channel border, and connected backwater) was quantified to determine selection; discriminant function analysis was used to evaluate changes in physical characteristics within each category. A flood pulse occurred in spring through early summer of 2004 but not 2005. Movement rates (km/week) of both species were positively correlated with flow but not with temperature. Including data from stationary receivers greatly increased estimates of daily movement. During low summer f...