cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methylmercury-induced astrocytic swelling is associated with activation of the Na+/H+ antiporter, and is fully reversed by amiloride

Abstract Astrocytes are a known `sink' for brain methylmercury (MeHg) deposition. Yet, the significance of the preferential accumulation of MeHg within these cells is imprecisely defined. To determine whether MeHg in isotonic buffer has the potential to interfere with homeostatic functions, we measured its effect on astrocytic volume using an electrical impedance method [E.R. O'Connor, H.K. Kimelberg, C.R. Keese, I. Giaever, Electrical impedance method for measuring volume changes in astrocytes, Am. J. Physiol. 264 (1993) C471–C478.]. In addition, we have characterized the alterations in astrocytic ion permeability associated with exposure to this organometal. The results show that MeHg rapidly induces astrocytic swelling, and that this effect is secondary to increased astrocytic Na+ uptake. Furthermore, the effect of MeHg on astrocytic swelling is completely inhibited by amiloride, but not by SITS (4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid), furosemide, or bumetanide. Accordingly, increased cellular permeability to Na+ via the Na+/H+ antiporter is invoked as the primary mechanism of MeHg-induced astrocytic swelling.
A Quartet of PIF bHLH Factors Provides a Transcriptionally Centered Signaling Hub That Regulates Seedling Morphogenesis through Differential Expression-Patterning of Shared Target Genes in Arabidopsis

Dark-grown seedlings exhibit skotomorphogenic development. Genetic and molecular evidence indicates that a quartet of Arabidopsis Phytochrome (phy)-Interacting bHLH Factors (PIF1, 3, 4, and 5) are critically necessary to maintaining this developmental state and that light activation of phy induces a switch to photomorphogenic development by inducing rapid degradation of the PIFs. Here, using integrated ChIP–seq and RNA–seq analyses, we have identified genes that are direct targets of PIF3 transcriptional regulation, exerted by sequence-specific binding to G-box (CACGTG) or PBE-box (CACATG) motifs in the target promoters genome-wide. In addition, expression analysis of selected genes in this set, in all triple pif-mutant combinations, provides evidence that the PIF quartet members collaborate to generate an expression pattern that is the product of a mosaic of differential transcriptional responsiveness of individual genes to the different PIFs and of differential regulatory activity of individual PIFs toward the different genes. Together with prior evidence that all four PIFs can bind to G-boxes, the data suggest that this collective activity may be exerted via shared occupancy of binding sites in target promoters.
Miniature liquid-crystal-on-silicon display assembly

A novel integrated assembly process for miniature liquid-crystal-on-silicon displays using photodefinable benzocyclobutene resin is presented. Spin coating speed defines the cell gap, photolithography defines the cell perimeter and spacers, and thermocompression bonding provides the adhesion. The photodefined adhesive spacers provide thin liquid-crystal cell gap control <2.5 µm with excellent uniformity (±100 nm) for glass-on-glass and glass-on-silicon assemblies. The resin is compatible with common liquid-crystal alignment films and exhibits a bonding shear strength of 22±3.2 MPa?The assembly process flow and characterization of demonstration devices are described.
Empirical relations for absorption of low energy positrons and electrons in metals

Abstract The absorption of low energy positrons and electrons in metals is found to be Z-dependent and obeys an empirical relation of the form t = K exp (m Z 1 3 ) . Experimental results are used to obtain values of m for positrons and electrons.
Testing for Number Readiness: Application of the Piagetian Theory of the Child’s Development of the Concept of Number

AbstractPiaget’s 3-stage theory of the child’s attainment of the concept of number was applied as a number readiness criterion to ninety-six kindergarten children. Two children were found to be at the initial stage of number development, eighty-six at the intermediate stage, and eight at the stage of attainment of number concept which is inclusive of operational ability. Results were applied to mathematics curriculum goals on the kindergarten level. Curriculum goals for mathematics on this level should not include operations (addition, subtraction). Socialization to number symbols may be established as a goal at this level, but it has nothing to do with the concept of number and does not appear to enhance attainment of the concept of number.
SENSORY COMPARISON OF A SOY ENHANCED CHOCOLATE CANDY AND A REGULAR CHOCOLATE CANDY

Soy has become an option for many consumers due to its contribution to lowering serum cholesterol levels. The objective of this study was to compare the sensory qualities of a soy-enhanced chocolate candy with a regular candy bar. The study required the reformulation of an existing chocolate peanut butter candy bar with five grams of soy protein isolate incorporated into the existing recipe resulting in a more nutritious product containing 21% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium, 16% of the RDA for protein and 24% fewer calories than a regular bar. Based on USDA food label regulations, this candy bar is an excellent source of calcium. The soy-enhanced candy bar(test) was evaluated by 70 employees from Protein Technologies Incorporated (PTI) and Ralston Purina along with the regular (control) candy bar. Results of the sensory testing with the use of one-way variance did not indicate a significant difference between the control product and the test product for any of six categories; liking of appearance, liking of overall flavor, liking of filling flavor, liking of chocolate flavor, liking of texture, amount of chocolate coating, and color of filling. The mean overall liking score was 7.2 for the control and 7.1 for the test. An ANOVA test indicated that the overall likings of the two bars were not found to be significantly different. Food science professionals and food manufacturers need to work cooperatively to develop more nutritious versions of familiar products.
CTCF prevents the epigenetic drift of EBV latency promoter Qp.

The establishment and maintenance of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) latent infection requires distinct viral gene expression programs. These gene expression programs, termed latency types, are determined largely by promoter selection, and controlled through the interplay between cell-type specific transcription factors, chromatin structure, and epigenetic modifications. We used a genome-wide chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay to identify epigenetic modifications that correlate with different latency types. We found that the chromatin insulator protein CTCF binds at several key regulatory nodes in the EBV genome and may compartmentalize epigenetic modifications across the viral genome. Highly enriched CTCF binding sites were identified at the promoter regions upstream of Cp, Wp, EBERs, and Qp. Since Qp is essential for long-term maintenance of viral genomes in type I latency and epithelial cell infections, we focused on the role of CTCF in regulating Qp. Purified CTCF bound ∼40 bp upstream of the EBNA1 binding sites located at +10 bp relative to the transcriptional initiation site at Qp. Mutagenesis of the CTCF binding site in EBV bacmids resulted in a decrease in the recovery of stable hygromycin-resistant episomes in 293 cells. EBV lacking the Qp CTCF site showed a decrease in Qp transcription initiation and a corresponding increase in Cp and Fp promoter utilization at 8 weeks post-transfection. However, by 16 weeks post-transfection, bacmids lacking CTCF sites had no detectable Qp transcription and showed high levels of histone H3 K9 methylation and CpG DNA methylation at the Qp initiation site. These findings provide direct genetic evidence that CTCF functions as a chromatin insulator that prevents the promiscuous transcription of surrounding genes and blocks the epigenetic silencing of an essential promoter, Qp, during EBV latent infection.
Some structural and histochemical changes related to frozen fruits and vegetables

Summary Freezing damage and freeze killing of living plant tissues contrast sharply with problems of commercial freezing preservation of fruits and vegetables. Enzymes of most vegetables and some fruits are inactivated, usually by heat, prior to freezing. Chemical treatments are also used, including sulfiting and freezing in sugar or heavy syrup. Thus the life processes of the ceils are either destroyed or greatly changed, and ice crystal formation is accordingly affected. The senescent condition of ripe fruits contrasts both structurally and physiologically with the immature stage at which most vegetables are harvested for prime quality. Compositional changes in growth and ripening of fruits have additional bearing on some of the problems encountered in freezing preservation. Included are changes in phenolic compound content, methyl esterification of pectins, and crystallinity of cellulose. In addition, the dehydration of cellulose during freezing may account for changes in textural qualities of frozen fruits and vegetables; cell wall toughening is superimposed on the loss of succulence when membrane semipermeability is destroyed. When cooked potatoes are frozen, gelled starch undergoes marked physical changes which result in a lowered capacity to hold water. This has formed a basis for the control of texture in potato products. Green beans have tissues at different stages of maturity when they are harvested. The cells of the embryonic parchment layer or fiber sheath of the young pod are very thin walled, and much smaller than the other young parenchyma cells. These cells are the most susceptible to freezing damage, followed by the parenchyma cells of the center of the pod. Cells of the outer parenchyma have relatively thick walls, and often separate from each other with no breakage of the individual cell walls. Thus differences in maturity and structure between plant tissues are highly significant to the pattern of damage produced by freezing.
Relationship between serum cystatin C and hypertension among US adults without clinically recognized chronic kidney disease.

Abstract Previous animal studies have suggested that mild reductions in renal function, even before the development of clinically recognized chronic kidney disease (CKD), are associated with hypertension. However, few studies have examined this hypothesis in humans. We therefore examined the association between serum cystatin C levels and hypertension among subjects without clinically recognized CKD in a large multiethnic sample of US adults. We examined the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002 participants >20 years of age (n = 2583, 54.5% women) without clinically recognized CKD (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate 2 or microalbuminuria). Serum cystatin C levels were categorized into quartiles ( 0.97 mg/L). Hypertension was defined as blood pressure (BP)-reducing medication use or having systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg. Higher serum cystatin C levels were found to be associated with hypertension in women, but not men. After adjusting for age, race-ethnicity, education, smoking, alcohol intake, body mass index, diabetes, total cholesterol and C-reactive protein, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of hypertension comparing quartile 4 of cystatin C to quartile 1 (referent) was 2.04 (1.13–3.69); P trend = .02 in women and 0.86 (0.53–1.41); P trend = .51 in men. In a representative sample of US adults, mild reductions in kidney function as measured by higher serum cystatin C levels among subjects without clinically recognized CKD are associated with hypertension in women, but not men.
Who is unfit for carotid endarterectomy

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has long been considered the "gold standard" in the treatment of patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis. However, the utility of this treatment modality in medical or surgical "high-risk" patients remains in question. Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated that carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) is not inferior to CEA. Furthermore, there are also increasing data that show that best medical therapy is becoming more effective in preventing strokes and in a more cost-effective manner than carotid interventions. With this in mind, there is now ample evidence to suggest that in a certain subgroup of patients, CEA may not be indicated, and in fact, CAS or observation with best medical therapy is preferred.
Applying a Weighted Maximum Likelihood Latent Trait Estimator to the Generalized Partial Credit Model

This article applies a weighted maximum likelihood (WML) latent trait estimator to the generalized partial credit model (GPCM). The relevant equations required to obtain the WML estimator using the Newton-Raphson algorithm are presented, and a simulation study is described that compared the properties of the WML estimator to those of the maximum likelihood (ML) and expected a posteriori (EAP) estimators for fixed-length tests composed of polytomous items. The results of the simulation study suggest that the WML estimator maintains better properties than both the ML and EAP estimators.
Mechanical input impedance of human teeth in vivo.

The mechanical input impedance of teethin vivo has been measured over the frequency range of 60–5000 c/s. A generator was used which delivered a sinusoidal force of variable frequency and constant peak-to-peak amplitude of 4·4×104 dyn. Our data plus those of others indicate that the suspensory apparatus of the tooth consists of several equivalent springs and dampers. The purpose of the initial study is to establish a correlation between some aspect of mechanical impedance and ‘clinical mobility’ or ‘looseness’ of teeth. An increase in tooth mobility has long been regarded as a cardinal finding in periodontal disease and a key consideration in determining the feasibility and mode of restoring lost dental function. Finally, we hope to develop a suitable clinical instrument for measuring tooth mobility objectively.
Maximum a posteriori estimation of multichannel Bernoulli-Gaussian sequences

General problems and solutions are described for maximum a posteriori estimation of multichannel Bernoulli-Gaussian sequences, which are inputs to a linear discrete-time multivariable system. The authors first develop a separation principle, which indicates that one can estimate multichannel Gaussian amplitudes and Bernoulli events separately. They then discuss approaches for estimation of these quantities. >
What is wrong with minimal foundationalism

Many epistemologists have defended theories of justification that have been termed 'foundational' theories of justification. Foundationalism, however, came under serious attack around the same time as Logical Empiricism began to be seen as a failure in fact some of the attacks on Logical Empiricism were attacks on the sort of foundational statements it employed.1 There arose as a result of these attacks new defenders of foundationalism. Some simply took on the critics,2 but others attempted to argue that even if the critics were right, only one form of foundation? alism was suspect, not foundationalism itself. For, according to these de? fenders, foundationalism is not to be identified with the view of Classical Foundationalism (CF) that all of our knowledge rests on incorrigible be? liefs. Rather foundationalism is the view that all of our knowledge rests on beliefs that are self-warranting in some sense. Thus, even if CF is false, it does not follow that foundationalism is false. I wish to argue, contrary to this quite widespread view, that this at? tempt to rescue foundationalism has serious problems; and I shall sug? gest that these problems are fatal. In the first section, I shall discuss some of the ways of specifying what the nature of foundationalism is a spec? ification that is supposed to yield that there are weaker forms of foun? dationalism than CF. This discussion will isolate two of these construals which are quite a bit more plausible than the others. Then in the second section I shall briefly describe a kind of theory of justification that, on any intuitive construal, is foundational. I shall then argue that neither of the plausible construals from section one of foundationalism is able to adequately account for the foundational structure of theories of the kind that I will outline. In the last section I shall discuss what this failure sug? gests; and in particular, I shall suggest that it is quite implausible to sup? pose that there is any likelihood of finding a general specification of the nature of foundationalism.
Aeronautical applications of high-temperature superconductors

The successful development of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) could have a major impact on future aeronautical propulsion and aeronautical flight vehicle systems. A preliminary examination of the potential application of HTS for aeronautics indicates that significant benefits may be realized through the development and implementation of these newly discovered materials. Applications of high-temperature superconductors (currently substantiated at 95 K) were envisioned for several classes of aeronautical systems, including subsonic and supersonic transports, hypersonic aircraft, V/STOL aircraft, rotorcraft, and solar, microwave and laser powered aircraft. Introduced and described are the particular applications and potential benefits of high-temperature superconductors as related to aeronautics and/or aeronautical systems.
The presence of So-containing impurities in commercial samples of oxidized glutathione and their catalytic effect on the reduction of cytochrome c

The stimulatory effect of GSSG on the reduction of cytochrome c by GSH has been shown to be due to So-containing impurities; GSSG itself has no stimulatory effect. Methods are described for the production of such impurities in high yield. Similar effects are shown by cystine trisulfide. The stimulation of the cytochrome c reduction rate has been found to be catalytic; one molecule of cystine trisulfide will induce the rapid reduction of at least 25 molecules of cytochrome c.
Large-basis shell-model calculation of the 10 C--> 10 B Fermi matrix element

We use a 4{h_bar}{Omega} shell-model calculation with a two-body effective interaction derived microscopically from the Reid93 potential to calculate the isospin-mixing correction for the {sup 10}C{r_arrow}{sup 10}B superallowed Fermi transition. The effective interaction takes into account the Coulomb potential as well as the charge dependence of T=1 partial waves. Our results suggest the isospin-mixing correction {delta}{sub C}{approx}0.1{percent}, which is compatible with previous calculations. The correction obtained in those calculations, performed in a 0{h_bar}{Omega} space, was dominated by deviation from unity of the radial overlap between the converted proton and the corresponding neutron. In the present calculation this effect is accommodated by the large model space. The obtained {delta}{sub C} correction is about a factor of 4 too small to obtain unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix with the present experimental data. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Developmental changes in the presence of ecdysteroid receptors in the central nervous system of third instar larvae of Sarcophaga bullata

Radiolabeled ponasterone A, a high affinity ligand for ecdysteroid receptors which agonises the effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone, was used in combination with thaw-mount autoradiography to study the stage-specific presence of ecdysteroid receptors in the central nervous system of Sarcophaga bullata. In third instar larvae, nuclear high affinity binding of tritiated or iodinated ponasterone A occurs in the same target cells and both radioligands were displaced by an 100-fold excess of unlabeled ponasterone A or an 500-fold excess of 20-hydroxyecdysone. Target neurons for ponasterone A appear first in the third instar larvae on day 4.0 (early wandering stage) where many cells of the perineurium, ring gland, lateral neurosecretory cells in the brain and certain neurons in abdominal ganglia exhibit nuclear high-affinity binding for ponasterone A. At day 5.5 after larviposition, less binding is present in the perineurium but many neurons, including certain neurosecretory cells in the pars intercerebralis, pars lateralis, tritocerebrum, and neurosecretory cell groups 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the dipteran suboesophageal and abdominal ganglia show increased nuclear ecdysteroid binding. At this stage nuclear binding also occurs in the ring gland except in the central corpus allatum and for the first time in the neurons of the inner optic lobes. The results show that ecdysteroid receptors are present in distinct cerebral neurons and that their expression or ecdysteroid-binding capability is under developmental control.
Efficacy of Helper-dependent Adenovirus Vector-mediated Gene Therapy in Murine Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia

Genetic deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) underlies glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD-Ia, also known as von Gierke disease; MIM 232200), an autosomal recessive disorder of metabolism associated with life-threatening hypoglycemia and growth retardation. We tested whether helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAd)-mediated hepatic delivery of G6Pase would lead to prolonged survival and sustained correction of the metabolic abnormalities in G6Pase knockout (KO) mice, a model for a severe form of GSD-Ia. An HDAd vector encoding G6Pase was administered intravenously (2 or 5 × 10 12 vector particles/kg) to 2-week-old (w.o.) G6Pase-KO mice. Following HDAd vector administration survival was prolonged to a median of 7 months, in contrast to untreated affected mice that did not survive past 3 weeks of age. G6Pase levels increased more than tenfold between 3 days and 28 weeks after HDAd injection ( P
An Economic Study on Chemical Mechanical Polishing of Silicon Wafers

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is used to remove irregularities on the silicon wafer surface. The importance of CMP is the achievement of both local and global planarity of wafer surface. This paper presents an economic study on CMP of silicon wafers. A cost model is developed to predict the total cost for CMP of silicon wafers. An input-output model is developed to analyze parameters relevant to the fixed cost and variable cost. The labor cost is investigated through a flow chart of the labor operation. Based on the cost model, a hypothetical case study is conducted to show the model’s capability of performing sensitivity analysis and identifying critical factors for the total cost for strategic management purposes.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Characterization of Individual Submicron Distyrylbenzene Aggregates Using Temperature-Dependent Picosecond Fluorescence and Atomic Force Microscopy

The time-resolved fluorescence of individual distyrylbenzene aggregates is studied in order to determine the effects of aggregate morphology on the emission properties. Using a confocal microscope and a photoncounting streak camera, we measure the full time and wavelength dependence of the fluorescence from individual submicron aggregates at the temperatures 290, 100, and 4 K. The morphology of these aggregates is characterized separately using tapping-mode atomic force microscopy. All aggregates show temperaturedependent fluorescence decays and spectral shifting, most likely due to activated energy transfer to lower energy sites which correspond to spectrally distinct species. We find significant aggregate-to-aggregate variations in the fluorescence spectra and decays, but the amount of variation depends on preparation conditions: solvent-annealed aggregates have a more uniform appearance and less variation in their spectral properties. To analyze the data, we model the dynamics in terms of two coupled states, which correspond to the intrinsic exciton in solid DSB and a lower energy defect. Even this simple model requires additional assumptions, but it allows us to extract spectra corresponding to both species, and generate histograms of the two different decay rates. Variations in the decay rates are ascribed to variations in the concentration of quenching defects between individual aggregates.
Reprogramming mRNA translation during stress.

The survival of mammalian cells exposed to adverse environmental conditions requires a radical reprogramming of protein translation. Stress-activated kinases target components of the initiation machinery (e.g. eIF2α, eIF4E-BP, eIF4B, and ribosomal protein S6) to inhibit the translation of ‘housekeeping’ proteins and promote the translation of repair enzymes. Accumulating untranslated mRNA is concentrated at stress granules where it is sorted and triaged to sites of storage, reinitiation, or decay. At the same time, the translation of mRNAs encoding repair enzymes is selectively preserved by both internal ribosome entry site-dependent and -independent mechanisms. In combination, these stress-activated processes coordinately reprogram mRNA translation and decay in a way that conserves anabolic energy, preserves essential mRNAs, and promotes the repair of stress-induced molecular damage.
The President's ‘New’ Constituency: Lula and the Pragmatic Vote in Brazil's 2006 Presidential Elections

The 2006 presidential elections in Brazil witnessed a dramatic shift of Lula's voting base away from the more developed regions of the country and towards the poorest areas. This paper uses municipal-level data to argue that while this shift represents an important change for the support base of Lula himself, it can mostly be explained by the government's massive cash transfer programme, the Bolsa Familia, and by the empirical regularity with which presidential candidates from the incumbent party in Brazil always perform better in the less developed regions of the country.
Clinical profiles of tardive dyskinesia

associated with the appearance of the syndrome. The most frequent and consistent association of course, has been with long-term neuroleptic drug therapy. However, it is recognized that some individuals who have never received neuroleptics develop conditions resembling tardive dyskinesia,2j3 and that the syndrome can also be exacerbated by a variety of sympathomimetic agents including L-DOPA and amphetamine treatment.j Furthermore, there is enormous variability in terms of the temporal and quantitative factors relating neuroleptic usage to the development of the syndrome. Some patients have been reported as having developed the syndrome only 4-6 months after pharmacotherapy was initiated. w In contrast, the majority of patients never develop the syndrome at all. The major epidemiological factors which have been thought to be positively related to the development of the oral dyskinetic syndrome are female sex, aging, a history of somatic therapy, and preexisting brain damage.8*Y However, more recent evidence has led some investigators to question each of these assumptions. Four recent studies failed to confirm that females were relatively predisposed,‘“-‘3 two authors question the significance of age as a contributing factor,14J5 and several investigators have seriously called into question the role, if any, of ECT, insulin coma therapy, and preexisting brain damage in the development of the syndrome.‘3*‘4~‘6-‘8 Very recently, an attempt has been made to associate tardive dyskinesia with abnormal peripheral nerve conduction using peripheral reflex magnitude criterialy but the results await confirmation. There have been no studies in which factors of age and sex have been controlled, and in which an attempt was then made to distinguish phenomenological and electrophysiological, as well as historical criteria which
Partial purification and properties of ATP:GMP phosphotransferase from rat liver☆

Abstract A nucleoside monophosphate kinase has been purified 250-fold from normal adult rat liver by centrifugation, isoelectric precipitation, ammonium sulfate fractionation, alumina C γ adsorption, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and hydroxylapatite adsorption. The enzyme preparation is highly specific for ( d )GMP as the phosphate acceptor and for ( d )ATP as the phosphate donor. XMP, IMP, TMP, ( d )AMP, ( d )CMP, UMP, 6-thio( d )GMP, guanosine, and deoxyguanosine will not serve as substrates. 6-thio(- d )GMP, 8-azaGMP, and 8-bromoGMP can replace ( d )GMP to some extent. The enzyme prepared from the Morris 7793 or Dunning hepatomas has the same substrate specificity with respect to 6-thio analogs of ( d )GMP. The enzyme preparation is free of ATP-ase and nucleoside diphosphokinase activity. The ratio of GMP to d GMP kinase activity remains constant throughout the purification. d GMP kinase activity is stimulated 3-fold by potassium ion and to a lesser extent by ammonium and rubidium and is inhibited by cesium and lithium. Sodium has no effect. GMP kinase activity is relatively unaffected by these metal ions. The enzyme requires magnesium ion for activity. The optimum ratio of ATP to magnesium is 1. This ratio is unaffected by the presence of potassium. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 20,500, as determined by gel filtration. The molecular weight is unaffected by potassium. The GMP and d GMP kinase activities are (1) nonadditive, (2) inhibited by 8-aza, 6-thio and 8-bromoGMP, (3) unaffected by 6-thioGMP, (4) inhibited by iodoacetate, iodoacetamide, p -hydroxymercuribenzoate, N -ethylmaleimide and 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid), and (5) unaffected by mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol. Potassium has no effect on the relative rate of inactivation by iodoacetate or iodoacetamide or on the ability of GMP and ATP to protect the enzyme from iodoacetamide.
Kinetic aspects of the interaction of hydrogen with titanium

Abstract The sorption of hydrogen was studied at 100°K and 298°K on wires of very pure titanium having clean and reproducible surfaces prepared by extensive out-gassing and argon ion bombardment in ultrahigh vacuum. Kinetic data was obtained by the flash filament technique. Rapid flash desorption of the hydrogen sorbed at 100°K revealed the presence of: (a) an initial peak, ascribed to sorbed molecular hydrogen, which desorbs at low temperatures following first order kinetics with activation energy of about 4 Kcal/mole; (b) a second desorption peak which is due in part to the recombination of surface hydrogen atoms, and which displays second order kinetics, with an activation energy of about 25 Kcal/mole; (c) absorbed hydrogen from the bulk interior of the metal which broadens the second desorption peak. At temperatures higher than 400°K, the sorption rates follow closely the established solubility behavior of hydrogen in titanium. At 298°K and lower temperatures, the sorption rate is a linear function of pressure. These results are interpreted in terms of a kinetic model which postulates the adsorption of molecular hydrogen as the limiting process in the sorption reaction at temperatures lower than 298°K. The state of the surface strongly influenced the sorption rates with oxide-covered titanium appearing to be rather resistant to hydrogen sorption. Extensive argon ion bombardment (for a total time of 1 hr at 100–120 μA/cm 2 and 550 V) with the sample at 675°K, combined with annealing at 1000°K, resulted in a reproducible surface which sorbed hydrogen in significant quantities. The presence of traces of CO during the bombardment lowered the subsequent rates.
Molecular Basis for the Recognition of Structurally Distinct Autoinducer Mimics by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR Quorum-Sensing Signaling Receptor

Summary The human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa coordinates the expression of virulence factors using quorum sensing, a signaling cascade triggered by the activation of signal receptors by small-molecule autoinducers. These homoserine lactone autoinducers stabilize their cognate receptors and activate their functions as transcription factors. Because quorum sensing regulates the progression of infection and host immune resistance, significant efforts have been devoted toward the identification of small molecules that disrupt this process. Screening efforts have identified a class of triphenyl compounds that are structurally distinct from the homoserine lactone autoinducer, yet interact specifically and potently with LasR receptor to modulate quorum sensing (Muh et al., 2006a). Here we present the high-resolution crystal structures of the ligand binding domain of LasR in complex with the autoinducer N -3-oxo-dodecanoyl homoserine lactone (1.4 A resolution), and with the triphenyl mimics TP-1, TP-3, and TP-4 (to between 1.8 A and 2.3 A resolution). These crystal structures provide a molecular rationale for understanding how chemically distinct compounds can be accommodated by a highly selective receptor, and provide the framework for the development of novel quorum-sensing regulators, utilizing the triphenyl scaffold.
Evaluation of the Tg.AC Transgenic Mouse Assay for Testing the Human Carcinogenic Potential of Pharmaceuticals—Practical Pointers, Mechanistic Clues, and New Questions

Transgenic mouse strains with genetic alterations known to play a role in the multistage process of carcinogenesis are being used increasingly as models for evaluating the human carcinogenic potential of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The Tg.AC transgenic mouse is one of the strains currently being used in such alternative short-term carcinogenicity testing protocols. This review is focused on recent data from studies designed to evaluate this model's ability to discriminate carcinogens from noncarcinogens. Details relating to protocol design that can significantly impact study outcome are described. Data relating to mechanisms of chemical tumor induction in the Tg.AC model are reviewed, and questions have been formulated to encourage research to further guide appropriate future applications of this model.
The effect of smoking during pregnancy on cord blood and maternal serum immunoglobulin levels

The effect of smoking on the fetal and maternal humoral immune parameters was evaluated in cord and maternal blood, collected at delivery from 163 mothers who smoked and 130 mothers who did not smoke, and their offspring. There was no difference in time of gestation between the two groups, but the mean birth weight of the offspring of mothers who smoked was decreased, as previously observed. There were higher levels of IgA (p less than 0.01), IgM (p less than 0.001), and IgG (p less than 0.001) in cord sera of children of mothers who smoked than in the offspring of mothers who did not smoke. Mothers themselves who smoked had higher levels of IgM (p less than 0.001) and IgG (p less than 0.001), but not IgA, as compared to control mothers who did not smoke. Since cord IgA and IgM are produced by the fetus, these results could be interpreted as being due to either a higher incidence of infection in utero or metabolic differences in the children of mothers who smoke. Either of these possibilities may explain the increased frequency of postpartum endometritis, increased incidence of fetal distress, and the characteristic of meconium-stained amniotic fluid in mothers who smoke.
Multimodal sensing: enhanced functionality with data compression

The past decade has seen a dramatic development in the infrared imaging systems. New material systems, novel fabrication schemes and creative read out circuit and system designs have all driven the third generation systems towards large format focal plane arrays with multicolor capability and high operating temperature. This paper explores the possibility of development of next generation infrared imagers. Could it be a bio-inspired infrared retina similar to the human eye? The conjecture is that the next generation systems will have two distinctive features that is present in the eye. They are (a) the ability to sense multimodal information including spectral, polarization, dynamic range, phase and (b) the intelligence to only send only small pieces of information to the central processing unit.
Renormalization-group analysis of two-dimensional incompressible turbulence.

The ${\mathit{k}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ spectrum, including the logarithmic correction, for the enstrophy range and the ${\mathit{k}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}5/3}$ spectrum for the energy range of two-dimensional turbulence are derived using the renormalization-group method. The values of the Kolmogorov constants C'\ensuremath{\simeq}1.59 in the enstrophy range and C\ensuremath{\simeq}6.45 in the energy range are obtained without the need of adjustable parameters.
The synthetic estrogen 4-estren-3α, 17β-diol (estren) induces estrogen-like neuroprotection

Abstract Estrogen has demonstrated neuroprotective properties, which may underlie the observed preventive effect of estrogen-based hormone therapy (HT) against the development of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Deleterious side effects of HT have increased efforts to develop safer compounds that selectively reproduce beneficial estrogen actions. Recently, 4-estren-3α,17β-diol (estren) was identified as having estrogen agonist properties in bone, without significantly stimulating growth of reproductive tissues. Here, we examined whether estren parallels the neuroprotective actions of estrogen against β-amyloid (Aβ) in cultured cerebrocortical neurons. Estren increased neuronal viability to a similar extent to that observed with 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-estradiol. As we previously reported for E2, estren rapidly increased PKC activity, and PKC inhibition prevented estren neuroprotection. In contrast, the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 blocked E2, but not estren neuroprotection. Our results indicate that estren-induced activation of rapid cell signaling pathways protects cultured neurons from Aβ toxicity.
Trophoblast giant cell release of placental lactogens: Temporal and regional characteristics☆

Placental lactogen (PL) production by rat trophoblast giant cells was studied using in vitro methods. The influence of trophoblast giant cell location within the conceptus and day of trophoblast giant cell isolation on the type of PL released in vitro were investigated. The effect of trophoblast giant cell location on the amount of PL, progesterone, and testosterone released in vitro was also evaluated. Trophoblast giant cells release two types of PLs in vitro; a high-molecular-weight lactogen, PL-1, and a low-molecular-weight lactogen, PL-2. The type of PL released by trophoblast giant cells was not influenced by their location within the conceptus at the time of dissection. Location did influence the amount of hormone produced by trophoblast giant cells. Mural trophoblast giant cells were more active in the production of PL, progesterone, and testosterone. The type of PL released by trophoblast giant cells is highly dependent upon the day of gestation the cells are removed for study. Trophoblast giant cells isolated on Day 10 of gestation release predominantly PL-1, while those cells isolated 24 hr later (Day 11 of gestation) release predominantly PL-2. The switch from PL-1 to PL-2 production that occurs in vivo does not occur under the in vitro conditions employed in this report.
The fast adaptive composite-grid method (FAC): algorithms for advanced computers

FAC is a fast systematic process for the numerical solution of partial differential equations on adapted grids. This paper reports on numerical studies with FAC in advancing computing environments including simulations with multiprocessor array architectures and actual tests on the HEP. We also analyze the parallel complexity of FAC for general local grid applications.
Shoulder arthroplasty for osteoarthritis secondary to glenoid dysplasia: an update.

Background Glenoid component fixation is an issue in shoulder arthroplasty for glenoid dysplasia with osteoarthritis because of the small amount of bone available. In 2002, we described 6 patients (7 shoulders) undergoing shoulder arthroplasty for this condition. This report expands that experience to further understand the role of anatomic shoulder arthroplasty (both hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty), to outline results, and to identify complications and reoperations—all to better understand whether other treatment options need to be developed and explored. Our hypothesis is that treatment of this problem with anatomic arthroplasty is not ideal. Methods Between 1980 and 2008, 20 patients (22 shoulders) underwent anatomic shoulder arthroplasty for treatment of osteoarthritis secondary to glenoid dysplasia. There were 8 hemiarthroplasties and 14 total shoulder arthroplasties. Average follow-up was 6 years (range, 0.4 to 23.1 years). Results Pain was relieved in 4 of 8 shoulders undergoing hemiarthroplasty and in 10 of 14 shoulders undergoing total arthroplasty. Mean active elevation improved from 96° to 125°, and external rotation improved from 19° to 42°. Motion improvements were similar for hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty. Four shoulders having hemiarthroplasty underwent revision surgery because of painful glenoid arthrosis. Two shoulders with total arthroplasty underwent revision for infection, and 3 underwent revision for glenoid component issues. Conclusion Favorable results can be obtained with the use of anatomic implants in the treatment of glenoid dysplasia. However, continuing subluxation, glenoid arthrosis, and glenoid component problems necessitating revision surgery are frequent. Alternative treatment methods should be considered.
The effects of frontal eye field and dorsomedial frontal cortex lesions on visually guided eye movements

In the frontal lobe of primates, two areas play a role in visually guided eye movements: the frontal eye fields (FEF) and the medial eye fields (MEF) in dorsomedial frontal cortex. Previously, FEF lesions have revealed only mild deficits in saccadic eye movements that recovered rapidly. Deficits in eye movements after MEF ablation have not been shown. We report the effects of ablating these areas singly or in combination, using tests in which animals were trained to make saccadic eye movements to paired or multiple targets presented at various temporal asynchronies. FEF lesions produced large and long-lasting deficits on both tasks. Sequences of eye movements made to successively presented targets were also impaired. Much smaller deficits were observed after MEF lesions. Our findings indicate a major, long-lasting loss in temporal ordering and processing speed for visually guided saccadic eye movement generation after FEF lesions and a significant but smaller and shorter-lasting loss after MEF lesions.
Children's rating responses as related to amount and recency of stimulus familiarization and stimulus complexity

Abstract Seventy-two fifth- and sixth-grade children were given 16 exposures of each of four stimuli (64 total exposures) in a familiarization phase. For half the Ss, the stimuli were Welsh figures that had been previously rated by adults as simple, the remaining Ss being exposed to Welsh figures rated as complex by the same adults. Four times during this familiarization phase, Ss were given Concurrent Test trials in which they rated one of the familiar stimuli and one stimulus they had not yet seen, a nonfamiliar stimulus. In what was termed the Post Test, one-third of the Ss rated the same four familiar stimuli and four different nonfamiliar stimuli 5 min after the familiarization phase, another third 2 days after, and the final third 7 days after. Nonfamiliar stimuli received higher ratings than did familiar in both the Concurrent and the Post Test, the magnitude of this effect not depending on the complexity of the stimuli or on the length of delay between familiarization and the Post Test.
Domains of τ-holomorphy in a complex separable banach space

Let E be a separable Banach spaceU be a non-empty open subset of E τ be a strictly lower semicontinuous function on U such that d(x, ∂U) ≥ τ(x) for x ∊ U. Let Bτ (U) denote the collection of all finite unions of closed balls [Bbar] p (x) with center x ∊ U and ρ < τ (x); and, let Hτ(U) be the algeba of the complex holomorphic functions in U which are hounded in every set of Bτ(U) furnished with the Frechet topology of the uniform convergence over the elements of Bτ(U). The main results of this paper are: if A ∊ Bτ(U), then A is bounded, if and onlu, if, its τ-holomorphy hull is bounded; if A ∊ Bτ(U) and and zo is an element of the τ-holomorphy hull of A, then every f ∊ Hτ(U) is holomorphic on Br (zo) and for every , where ; if U is bounded the following are equivalent: (i) U is a domain of τ-holomorphy. (ii) U is τ-holomorphically convex. (iii) Every boundary point of U is τ-esential. (iv) For every sequence in U with then there exists a mapping f ∊ Hτ(U) such that .
A completely miscible ternary blend: poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(epichlorohydrin)-poly(ethylene oxide)

Abstract The polymer pair poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is shown to form completely miscible blends based on the observation of a single glass transition temperature (Tg) by differential scanning calorimetry and lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviour. Since poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is known from earlier work to form miscible binary blends with PECH and with PEO, then a ternary system (PMMA-PECH-PEO) has been identified for which all three binary pairs are miscible. Examination of ternary blends for Tg and LCST behaviour revealed that complete miscibility exists over the entire ternary composition diagram. Heats of mixing for binary mixtures of liquids whose molecular structures are analogues of the polymers are reported in order to understand better the nature of the interactions operative in each of the binary blends. It is seen that oligomeric analogues for poly(ethylene oxide) give misleading results when they have hydroxyl end groups.
Incidence and progression of coronary calcification in chronic kidney disease: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

We studied the incidence and progression of coronary artery calcification in people with early chronic kidney disease. We used a cohort of 562 adult patients with chronic kidney disease who had an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 2 , in a community-based study of people without clinical cardiovascular disease, the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. The majority had stage 3 disease. Coronary artery calcification was measured at baseline and again approximately 1.6 or 3.2 years later. The prevalence of coronary artery calcification at baseline was 66%, and its adjusted prevalence was 24% lower in African Americans as compared to Caucasians. The incidence of coronary artery calcification was 6.1% per year in women and 14.8% in men. Coronary artery calcification progressed in approximately 17% of subjects per year across all subgroups, and diabetes was associated with a 65% greater adjusted risk of progression. Male gender and diabetes were the only factors associated with adjusted coronary artery calcification incidence and progression, respectively. Our study shows that coronary artery calcification is common in people with stage 3 disease, progresses rapidly, and may contribute to cardiovascular risk.