cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Published data on mutagenesis by ionizing radiation of plasmids in solution probably reflect in part the specificity of adventitious transition metal ions complexed to the DNA

A number of recent papers show that single base changes induced by mutagenesis with ionizing radiation of genes on plasmids in solution, followed by transfection into mammalian or bacterial cells for assay, are mostly at G:C base pairs, with mutagenic hot spots. Genes irradiated in mammalian or bacterial cells, on the other hand, have comparable numbers of base changes at all sites, with no evidence for hot spots. The differences are ascribed to induction of many base change mutations in vitro by reactions catalyzed by adventitious transition metal ions complexed to the DNA. Reasons are given why this process should play a much smaller role in vivo.
An ultrastructural study of eosinophilic granuloma: the Langerhans cell--its role in histogenesis and diagnosis.

Abstract An electron microscopic study of a case of eosinophilic granuloma of the mandible was performed. The fine structural similarity between the “historicytic” cells of the lesion and epidermal Langerhans cells is discussed with regard to current theories and information on the origin of Langerhans cells and their potential role in the histogenesis of cosinophilic granuloma and other variants of histiocytosis X.
Improving the mental health of adolescents with epilepsy through a group cognitive behavioral therapy program

The threat of unpredictable seizures makes epilepsy unique among childhood chronic illnesses. One consequence is that people who have childhood-onset epilepsy often have poor social adjustment and competence in adulthood. Better emotional and social functioning could improve long-term outcomes. Thirty-four adolescents with epilepsy participated in a group cognitive behavioral therapy program designed to enhance their level of psychosocial functioning. Baseline Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire scores suggested that many participants had difficulties with emotions, concentration, and social functioning, with parent-reported Impact scores significantly worse than adolescent-reported scores (p=0.005). Four months after the intervention, adolescent-reported Prosocial Behavior scores significantly improved (p=0.03). Parent-reported scores improved significantly at follow-up, compared with baseline, in Peer Problems (p=0.04), Impact (p=0.001), and Prosocial Behavior (p=0.004) scores. Adolescents with lower socioeconomic status reported the greatest improvements (p=0.01). A brief CBT intervention was effective and resulted in improved mental health indices and social functioning for adolescents with epilepsy.
Compositional studies of carbon-based electrical brushes using thermal analysis☆

Abstract Electrical brushes are used in direct current motors to conduct current to the rotating armature. Classically, brushes are developed for certain applications with the composition, i.e. carbon and/or graphite, metals, and additives, remaining proprietary with the vendor. Analysis of some motor failures has indicated that the failure has resulted from brush-related problems. To date, the only tools available for brush analysis have been resistivity, density, and strength measurements. Together, these do not adequately describe the brush problem. This paper will represent a method for brush evaluation using thermal analysis.
A sorting program for orientation analysis of data on a sphere

Abstract A program is introduced that sorts data sets in lower hemisphere projection according to domains that can be defined at run time. The package consists of two programs which overlap in their use of subroutines. The first program is adapted for reading universal stage data which are translated into spherical coordinates. It can be adapted easily for other types of data that plot on a sphere. The second one does the sorting and provides three sorting nets at the user's choice. The program is useful especially for detailed microfabric work, for example axial distribution analysis.
Critical photoperiods for tuberization: A screening technique with potato cuttings

Seedling populations segregating for the critical photoperiod that controls tuberization may be screened by a cutting technique. Plants are grown under daily photoperiods which are at first long (e.g., 20 hours) and which are shortened at two-week intervals. Apical cuttings and single-node, sub-apical cuttings are taken at the end of each two-week period. The cuttings are maintained in a mist chamber under a 20-hour photoperiod for 10–14 days. The photoperiod that first promotes tuberization on cuttings may be considered as the critical photoperiod.
Pronominal Resolution and Gap Filling in Agrammatic Aphasia: Evidence from Eye Movements

This paper reports the results of three studies examining comprehension and real-time processing of pronominal (Experiment 1) and Wh-movement (Experiments 2 and 3) structures in agrammatic and unimpaired speakers using eyetracking. We asked the following questions: (a) Is off-line comprehension of these constructions impaired in agrammatic listeners?, (b) Do agrammatic, like unimpaired, listeners show eye movement patterns indicative of automatic pronominal reference resolution and/or gap-filling?, and (c) Do eyetracking patterns differ when sentences are correctly versus incorrectly interpreted, or do automatic processes prevail in spite of comprehension failure? Results showed that off-line comprehension of both pronoun and Wh-movement structures was impaired in our agrammatic cohort. However, the aphasic participants showed visual evidence of real-time reference resolution as they processed binding structures, including both pronouns and reflexives, as did our unimpaired control participants. Similarly, both the patients and the control participants showed patterns consistent with successful gap filling during processing of Wh-movement structures. For neither pronominal nor movement structures did we find evidence of delayed processing. Notably, these patterns were found for the aphasic participants even when they incorrectly interpreted target sentences, with the exception of object relative constructions. For incorrectly interpreted sentences, we found end of sentence lexical competition effects. These findings indicate that aberrant lexical integration, rather than representational deficits or generally slowed processing, may underlie agrammatic aphasic listener's comprehension failure.
Weak Atlantic–Pacific Teleconnections as Synchronized Chaos

Abstract The relationship between blocking events in the Atlantic and Pacific sectors of the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes is investigated in a Vautard–Legras two-layer quasigeostrophic channel model with two sectors, each sector forced by a separate baroclinic jet. It is found that the exchange of medium-scale eddies tends to cause anticorrelation between blocking events in the two sectors, while the large-scale flow components tend to cause positive correlation. The net correlation in blocking is more positive when the jets are skewed latitudinally, a result that is confirmed in the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis data and separately in a long run of a global circulation model (GCM). The anticorrelating effect of the eddy exchange follows from the tendency of two distinct, coextensive, chaotically vacillating channel flows to synchronize when their corresponding medium-scale eddy components are coupled (a physically unreali...
A system for reasoning with imprecise linguistic information

Abstract This writing lays the foundation for a model of natural human reasoning with imprecise linguistic information. Key to the model is a collection of abstraction mechanisms based on the concept of a linguistic variable, which was first introduced for this purpose within the context of a semantics based on fuzzy sets. The present approach differs from the earlier one, however, in that (1) it doe s not require the use of fuzzy sets for the interpretation of linguistic terms and (2) the meanings of logical inferences are given as algorithms that act directly on terms themselves rather than on their underlying interpretations. Thus this work constitutes a return to the more purely symbolic or axiomatic representations of logical deduction, whereas the fuzzy-sets model concerns denotational or semantic representations. The new model should not be viewed as a negation of the earlier approaches, however, but as an augmentation of them. The present work is intended as the beginning of a larger system that encompasses both styles of reasoning. Two distinct types of logical inference are proposed, together with two associated modes of evidence combination. Final sections sketch the design of a backward-chaining algorithm through which the various inference types can be employed in diagnostic or, more generally, classificational reasoning systems. The algorithm is expected to be computationally manageable and therefore amenable to implementation in a functioning inference engine.
Electro chromatography on paper

Abstract The term 'electrochromatography' is used to denote the specific cases where chromatography and ionophoresis operate simultaneously. The electric field may be applied either in the direction of flow of the solvent or at right angles to it. The filter paper is previously treated with the relevant buffer solution and the developing solvent too is saturated with it. Colloidal graphite painted on the two sides of the paper serves as electrodes. A detailed study has been made of a number of amino acids at different pH's with phenol-buffer as the developing solvent. On ordinary paper acidic amino acids move towards the anode, basic ones towards the cathode, neutral amino acids do not move at all. Using buffer-treated papers, however, the movement depends upon the pH of the buffer and the isoelectric points of the amino acids. By choice of suitable pH and application of electric field in proper direction amino acids having very close RF values (except isomers) can be separated from one another.
High-Q buried heterostructure resonators for photonic integrated circuits

High Q buried ring InGaAsP/lnP resonators and buried waveguide buses form a low loss platform for photonic integrated circuits. Including gain in the resonators or buses enables tunable and narrow line lasers and tunable filters.
Listeria monocytogenes lineages: Genomics, evolution, ecology, and phenotypic characteristics

Listeria monocytogenes consists of at least 4 evolutionary lineages (I, II, III, and IV) with different but overlapping ecological niches. Most L. monocytogenes isolates seem to belong to lineages I and II, which harbor the serotypes more commonly associated with human clinical cases, including serotype 1/2a (lineage II) and serotypes 1/2b and 4b (lineage I). Lineage II strains are common in foods, seem to be widespread in the natural and farm environments, and are also commonly isolated from animal listeriosis cases and sporadic human clinical cases. Most human listeriosis outbreaks are associated with lineage I isolates though. In addition, a number of studies indicate that, in many countries, lineage I strains are overrepresented among human isolates, as compared to lineage II strains. Lineage III and IV strains on the other hand are rare and predominantly isolated from animal sources. The apparent differences in the distribution of strains representing the L. monocytogenes lineages has lead to a number of studies aimed at identifying phenotypic differences among the different lineages. Interestingly, lineage II isolates seem to carry more plasmids than lineage I isolates and these plasmids often confer resistance to toxic metals and possibly other compounds that may be found in the environment. Moreover, lineage II isolates seem to be more resistant to bacteriocins than lineage I isolates, which probably confers an advantage in environments where bacteriocin-producing organisms are abundant. A large number of lineage II isolates and strains have been shown to be virulence-attenuated due to premature stop codon mutations in inlA and mutations in prfA. A subset of lineage I isolates carry a listeriolysin S hemolysin, which is not present in isolates belonging to lineages II, III, or IV. While lineage II isolates also show higher recombination rates than lineage I isolates, possibly facilitating adaptation of lineage II strains to diverse environments, lineage I isolates are clonal and show a low prevalence of plasmids and IS elements, suggesting that lineage I isolates may have mechanisms that limit the acquisition of foreign DNA by horizontal gene transfer. Diversifying selection has also been shown to have played an important role during evolution of the L. monocytogenes lineages and during divergence of L. monocytogenes from the non-pathogenic species L. innocua. Overall evidence thus suggests that the 4 L. monocytogenes lineages identified so far represent distinct ecologic, genetic, and phenotypic characteristics, which appear to affect their ability to be transmitted through foods and to cause human disease. Further insights into the ecology, evolution, and characteristics of these lineages will thus not only provide an improved understanding of the evolution of this foodborne pathogen, but may also facilitate improved control of foodborne listeriosis.
Methionine ligand lability of type I cytochromes c: detection of ligand loss using protein film voltammetry.

Protein film voltammetry (PFV) is used to interrogate the behavior of a variety of bacterial and mitochondrial His/Met-ligated cytochromes c. While analogous studies upon alkanethiol-modified gold electrodes reveal the anticipated Fe(II/III) couple only, PFV using pyrolytic graphite edge (PGE) electrodes demonstrates the presence of a lower-potential form of each of the cyts c studied, with a potential of approximiately −100 mV (vs hydrogen). The generation of the novel, lower-potential state is shown to arise specifically from the interaction with the PGE electrode. Simultaneously, the typical Fe(II/III) couple can be observed. PFV of a series of wild-type cytochromes and mutants in the Met-donating loop show that the lower-potential state is highly similar between proteins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Hydrogenobacter thermophilus (HT), and horse heart. The generation of the lower-potential form correlates inversely with the stability of the Met−Fe interaction for each of the cytochromes. Comparison...
Tetanus toxoid‐specific T cell responses in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes

SCID mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) have repeatedly been shown to produce antigen-specific B cell responses. We have derived tetanus toxoid (TT)-specific human T cell lines from cells of the peritoneal cavity, spleen and lymph nodes of SCID mice reconstituted with human PBL and boosted with TT. Establishment of these cell lines was dependent on the time interval between reconstitution of the mice with human PBL and initiation of lymphocyte cultures in vitro. When lymphocytes were collected from the mice 8 weeks after reconstitution, human lymphocytes with TT-specific proliferative activity in vitro were isolated from the peritoneal cavity and spleen, but long-term cell lines could not be established after repeated lymphocyte stimulation with TT, IL-2 and autologous Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells. In contrast, three long-term (> 10 months) TT-specific human T cell lines were established from lymphocytes collected from two of the eight mice in the group 4 weeks after reconstitution. The T cell lines were either CD4+ (two lines derived from peritoneal cavity and lymph node, respectively) or CD8+ (one line derived from spleen) and all expressed CD3, T cell receptor alpha/beta, and human histocompatibility leucocyte class I antigen. The T cell lines, however, lacked cytotoxic, helper and suppressor activities. Thus, SCID mice can support human T cells that actively migrate to various organs and respond to antigenic stimuli both in vivo and in vitro, but these T cells lack characteristic functions.
Glycine N-Methyltransferase Is an Example of Functional Diversity ROLE AS A POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON-BINDING RECEPTOR

The cytochrome P-4501A1 (CYP1A1) gene is regulated by several trans-acting factors including the 4 S polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-binding protein, which has recently been identified as glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) (Raha, A., Wagner, C., Macdonald, R. G., and Bresnick, E. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 5750-5756). The role of GNMT as a 4 S PAH-binding protein in mediating the induction of cytochrome P-4501A1 has been investigated further. GNMT cDNA, which was cloned into a pMAMneo vector containing the Rous sarcoma virus promoter and the neomycin resistance gene, was stably transfected into D422 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Several positive clones were selected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and assayed for the expression of recombinant protein. Western blot analysis indicated the expression of significant levels of the 4 S protein in the stably transfected CHO cells (CHO-GNMT). Cytosolic preparations from the CHO-GNMT showed high benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) binding but no 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) binding activity when compared with clones transfected with the pMAMneo vector alone (CHO-neo) or the parental CHO cells. Challanging the CHO-GNMT cells with 4 microM B[a]P resulted in elevated levels of CYP1A1 mRNA. Equally effective in inducing CYP1A1 mRNA were benzo[e]pyrene and 3-methylcholanthrene. On the other hand, TCDD did not induce CYP1A1 gene expression in these cells. B[a]P-treated CHO-GNMT, expressing the 4 S protein, also showed CYP1A1 protein by Western blotting and exhibited ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity; neither the CHO-neo or parental CHO cells were positive for any of these measures. No Ah receptor message or protein was detectable in the parental CHO, CHO-neo, or CHO-GNMT cells. Furthermore, no XRE binding activity was observed in TCDD-treated cytosolic preparations or nuclear extracts from CHO-GNMT cells that were treated with TCDD. These studies unequivocally establish that GNMT is a PAH-binding protein that can mediate the induction of CYP1A1 by PAHs such as B[a]P through an Ah receptor-independent pathway.
Weaving memories into handcrafted artifacts with Spyn

Handcrafted objects, such as knit scarves or sweaters, subtly signify the time and skill involved in their creation. Yet a handcraft artifact itself cannot convey the experience of its creation. We present the design, implementation, and preliminary evaluation of Spyn, a system for knitters to virtually weave stories into their creations. Using Spyn, a knitter can record, playback and share information involved in the creation of hand-knit products. Spyn uses patterns of infrared ink printed on yarn in combination with computer vision techniques to correlate locations in knit fabric with events recorded during the knitting process. Using Spyn, knitters can capture their activities as audio, image, video, and spatio-temporal data. When users photograph the knit material, the Spyn system analyzes the ink patterns on the material and visualizes events over the photograph of the knit. In the design of Spyn, we investigate the role that technology can play in preserving and sharing the handcraft process over space and time.
Induction of estrus: Estrogen-progesterone interactions

Abstract Accumulating evidence indicates that progesterone can have both facilitatory and inhibitory effects on sexual receptivity and ovulation. The present series of experiments sought to clarify the facilitating and inhibiting actions of estrogen and progesterone on the display of sexual receptivity in the female rat. The first two studies showed that estrogen acting alone can induce receptivity and that 0.5 mg of progesterone facilitates estrogen-induced estrus. The third study sought to demonstrate an inhibitory action of 0.5 mg of progesterone, but failed to do so. Progesterone treatment either before or after the administration of estrogen facilitated and did not inhibit receptivity. Experiment 4 showed that progesterone could inhibit receptivity, but only when administered chronically and at high (5.0 mg) dose levels. A single injection of 10.0 mg of progesterone was found to have no inhibitory action.
Research in Hydrogen Passivation of Defects and Impurities in Silicon: Final Report, 10 February 2000--10 March 2003

The objective of the research under this contract is to perform systematic first-principles calculations on native defects and selected transition metal impurities in Si and their interactions with hydrogen. One goal is to gain insight into which defects need to be passivated and which ones do not, which defects are the most stable, and how interactions with H affect their electrical and optical properties. This work includes potential surface and electronic structure calculations, as well as real-time, constant-temperature, molecular dynamic simulations to test the thermal stability of various defects and monitor defect reactions and/or diffusion. Another goal is to predict the local vibrational modes, the binding and various activation energies of the most important H complexes, and other quantities that have been or can be measured experimentally. Further, theory itself needs to be continuously developed to allow more accurate predictions and the calculation of quantities that are beyond the reach of todays ''state-of-the-art.'' The following issues are discussed in this report.
Interaction of bcl-2 with Paxillin through Its BH4 Domain Is Important during Ureteric Bud Branching

bcl-2 protects cells from apoptosis initiated by a variety of stimuli including loss of cell adhesion. Mice deficient in bcl-2 (bcl-2-/-) develop renal hypoplastic/cystic dysplasia, a condition that leads to significant morbidity and mortality in children. The precise mechanism of action of bcl-2 has not been elucidated. bcl-2 may merely facilitate survival of precursor cells and/or may play a more "active" role during morphogenesis by interacting with other proteins such as paxillin. Recent work in this laboratory demonstrated that bcl-2 directly associates with paxillin. The data presented here demonstrate that the bcl-2 homology 4 (BH4) domain, specifically amino acids 17-31, is necessary for the bcl-2 interaction with paxillin. Paxillin also associated with the BH4 domains of more closely related bcl-2 family members, bcl-xL and bcl-w, compared with that from the non-mammalian homologue ced9. Tyrosines 21 and 28 in the bcl-2 BH4 domain were essential for interaction with paxillin. In embryonic kidney organ culture, incubation with the bcl-2 BH4 domain resulted in inhibition of ureteric bud branching. Therefore, these data suggest that the interaction of bcl-2 with paxillin plays an important role during nephrogenesis.
Optimal conditions for the study of growth control in BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts.

Abstract The effect of a Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) on the initiation of DNA synthesis in sparse populations of BALB/c 3T3 cells maintained quiescent in the presence of various serum concentrations has been investigated. The initiation of DNA synthesis, as measured by 3 H-thymidine incorporation, is greatest in cultures maintained quiescent in the presence of 0.8% serum. Under these conditions, the cells are on the border between quiescence and growth. The minimal effective dose of FGF needed to increase DNA synthesis is 0.01 ng/ml and plateau values are obtained between 2.5 and 5 ng/ml. At plateau concentrations, FGF is 65% as effective as saturating concentrations of serum in the stimulation of DNA synthesis. When dexamethasone and insulin are present, FGF was 82% as effective. In contrast, cultures maintained in the presence of lower serum concentrations (0.2% and 0.4%) are much less responsive to the FGF. This can be attributed to the lack of supplemental factors which make the cells maximally responsive to growth stimulation and to degenerative changes that take place in the cells. Insulin and the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, potentiated the response to FGF and delayed the degeneration of cells maintained in low serum.
Temperature and wavelength dependence of refractive index of zircon and hafnon

Abstract We report for the first time measurement of refractive indices of zircon and hafnon as a function of temperature and wavelength. Single crystals of both materials were grown by slow cooling in a sodium molybdate flux. The thermal birefringence coefficients of zircon and hafnon were determined to be −61 × 10−6 and −197 × 10−6 K−1 at 1549 nm, respectively, with an uncertainty of ±50 × 10−6 K−1. Alloying of zircons with opposite thermal birefringences to produce a material with a large birefringence that is insensitive to temperature (athermalization) is discussed. Solubility in the zircon-xenotime system was evaluated experimentally and by computer modeling. Despite the small (0.5–4%) difference in lattice parameters, the zircon-xenotime system exhibits a wide miscibility gap.
Balancing soft error coverage with lifetime reliability in redundantly multithreaded processors

Silicon reliability is a key challenge facing the microprocessor industry. Processors need to be designed such that they are resilient against both soft errors and lifetime reliability phenomena. However, techniques developed to address one class of reliability problems may impact other aspects of silicon reliability. In this paper, we show that Redundant Multi-Threading (RMT), which provides soft error protection, exacerbates lifetime reliability. We then explore two different architectural approaches to tackle this problem, namely, Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) and partial RMT. We show that each approach has certain strengths and weaknesses with respect to performance, soft error coverage, and lifetime reliability. We then propose and evaluate a hybrid approach that combines DVS and partial RMT. We show that this approach provides better improvement in lifetime reliability than DVS or partial RMT alone, buys back a significant amount of performance that is lost due to DVS, and provides nearly complete soft error coverage.
Turnover rates for heptane reforming over Pt/L zeolites with different alkali cations

A series of 0.6 wt% Pt/BaL catalysts with different alkali cations have been tested for heptane reforming at 440 ° C, 0.16 atm heptane, 0.95 atm H2, 6.7 atm He, 3 to 5 h of reaction, and conversions between 2 and 10%. As the cations in the zeolite are progressively changed from lithium to cesium, the turnover rates for hydrogenolysis and dehydrocyclization increase by about 5–10 times, while the turnover rate for isomerization remains unchanged. Since the turnover rates for hydrogenolysis and dehydrocyclization are similarly affected, exchanging lighter alkali cations for heavier ones increases the aromatics selectivity by a small amount, from 72 to 82%. These results indicate that metal-support interactions have a moderate effect on the heptane reforming activity, but only a weak effect on the selectivity.
Species of small DNA molecules found in mitochondria from sugarbeet with normal and male sterile cytoplasms

Mitochondrial DNA and RNA were isolated from a range of normal and cytoplasmically male sterile sugarbeet varieties and breeding lines. When these nucleic acids were analysed by electrophoresis on agarose gels it was found that mitochondria from normal sugarbeet contain DNA species of sizes 1.3 kilobase pairs (kbp), 1.4 kbp and one of two other species of sizes 1.45 kbp and 1.5 kbp, in addition to their DNA of relatively much higher molecular weight. In contrast mitochondria from cytoplasmically male sterile sugarbeet contained only one of these DNA species, that of 1.5 kbp. Treatment with DNaseI, RNase and nuclease S1 showed that these species consisted of supercoiled circular DNA. It is not known whether the lack of the two smaller DNA species causes cytoplasmic male sterility, or whether the two traits are associated by chance. In addition it was found that mitochondria from some individual sugarbeets contained one or more types of high molecular weight RNA molecules which were probably double stranded. Also mitochondria from some sugarbeet lines and varieties contained a series of DNA molecules with molecular weights in the range 2 to 10 kbp. Neither these DNA molecules nor the RNA molecules were apparently correlated with cytoplasmic male sterility.
Cocaine produces fine structural nuclear alterations in cultured neuroglioblastoma cells

Abstract neuroglioblastoma cells were grown in culture medium containing either 10−3, 10−6 or 10−9 M cocaine for 1–3 days. Some cultures were assessed for viability while others were processed for electron microscopy. Following 1–3 days of cocaine, no cytoplasmic alterations were observed compared to control; however, numerous dense bodies were present in some cells cultured with the highest doses. After 2 days of treatment with 10−3 and 10−6 M cocaine, nuclear invaginations were found filled with vesicles, and the nuclear membrane surrounding the vesicles was disrupted. Following 3 days of treatment with 10−3 and 10−6 M cocaine, patches of vesicles and tubules were also seen in the nucleus, but without surrounding membranes. The vesicles ranged in size from 0.05 to 0.8 μm. Cell counts revealed a significant slowing in the rate of cell division after two days of exposure to 10−3 M cocaine. All concentrations of cocaine caused a significant decrease in cell viability by the third day of treatment. These results suggest that cocaine may interfere with cell replication and also may have a neurotoxic effect. Cocaine NG108-15 Electron microscopy Neuroblastoma Cell culture Nucleus Ultrastructure
3-Methylhistidine excretion by molting and non-molting sparrows

Excretion of 3-methylhistidine (3-mehis) provides an index of muscle protein breakdown when 3-mehis is contained mainly in the skeletal muscle of an animal and is excreted quantitatively. In sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii), at least 84% of total 3-mehis in the body was found to be contained in skeletal muscle. When injected with 14C-3-mehis, these birds excreted, on average, 93% of the injected dose, as 3-mehis, within 24 hr. We measured the rate of 3-mehis excretion in well-nourished molting and non-molting sparrows to determine if degradation rates of muscle (myofibrillar) protein increased during molt. Molting sparrows excreted significantly more 3-mehis per day than non-molting sparrows. We estimated that the increased rate of muscle protein breakdown during molt nearly equalled the increased rate of muscle protein synthesis reported earlier for molting sparrows (Murphy and Taruscio, 1995). The results from this investigation provide independent evidence that sparrows accelerate whole-body protein turnover during molt.
Aircraft and surface observations of air quality in Puget Sound and a comparison to a regional model

Abstract Three research flights were conducted during August 2001 as part of the PNW2001 field study in the Puget Sound region. Each flight presented a case study of unique sources, meteorological conditions, and spatial distributions of pollutants. On 10 August, an urban smog episode was sampled downwind of the Puget Sound Seattle–Vancouver corridor containing high mixing ratios of O3 (∼80 ppbv) and high aerosol scattering coefficients (σsp) (∼35 M m−1). The ozone and σsp measured during this flight were typical of summer pollution events in the Puget Sound region. The AIRPACT forecast model (MM5–CALMET-CALGRID) showed variable results when compared to surface measurements. In addition, predicted surface O3 maxima were several hours too early and fell off sharply relative to observations. AIRPACT generally under-predicted upper-level O3 concentrations and misplaced the observed O3 maxima. On 16 August, a second pollution region was encountered in a broad layer between 2 and 4.5 km above a well-defined temperature inversion. Meteorological analysis and satellite imagery suggest the high O3 mixing ratios (60 ppbv) and very high σsp (80 M m−1) were from fires burning in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. IMPROVE aerosol chemistry data from sites in the Cascade Mountains showed evidence of biomass burning emissions reaching the surface 2 days prior to this flight. The last flight, on 20 August, sampled slightly polluted background conditions in the region. Ozone levels reached only 30 ppbv and σsp reached 20 M m−1 at the surface, but was much lower aloft. Therefore, this flight was representative of background conditions during the summer in this region. The results from these research flights provide evidence of enhanced O3 and σsp, extending to 4 km altitude over Puget Sound, during the summer months from varying sources. They further demonstrate the current capability of the AIRPACT O3 forecast system and, in one case, illustrate the need to include biomass-burning emissions in the model forecasts.
Behavior of bacteriophage Mu DNA upon infecton of Escherichia coli cells.

The question whether the ends of bacteriophage Mu DNA are fused to form a ring in host cells is critical to the understanding of the mechanism of integrative recombination between Mu DNA and host DNA. We have examined the fate of 32P-labeled Mu DNA, after infection of sensitive and immune (lysogenic) cells, by sedimentation in sucrose gradients, ethidium bromide/CsCl density centrifugation and by electrophoresis of parental Mu DNA and its fragments in agarose gels. We find that the parental Mu DNA cannot be detected as covalently closed circles at any stage during the Mu life cycle. An interesting form of Mu DNA can be seen after superinfection of immune cells. This form sediments about twice as fast as the mature phage DNA marker in neutral sucrose gradients but yields linear molecules upon phenol extraction. Upon infection of sensitive cells, most of the parental DNA associates with a large complex, presumably containing the host chromosome. When Mu-sensitive cells are infected with unlabeled Mu particles and Mu DNA examined at different times after infection by fractionation in 0.3% agarose gels and hybridization with 32P-labeled Mu DNA, Mu sequences are found to appear with the bulk host DNA as the phage lytic cycle progresses. However, no distinct replicative or integrative intermediate of Mu, that behaves differently from linear Mu DNA and is separate from the host DNA, can be detected.
The complexity of a respiratory complex.

The structure of beef heart cytochrome c oxidase has been determined. The structural information provides new insights into the mechanism of electron transfer-driven proton translocation. It does not explain why the eukaryotic form of the enzyme is so complex, with 13 different subunits.
Effect of Antibuckling Constraint on Determination of Critical Stress Intensity Factor of Aluminum Sheet

Tests were made to compare Kc values for Alclad® 7475-T761 determined from 16-in. (406-mm) wide, center-cracked tension panels tested with and without guides designed to prevent buckling from intensifying the crack tip stress field. The tests show that for sheet thicknesses ranging from 0.06 to 0.15 in. (1.52 to 3.81 mm) a multiplication factor of 0.87 is required to convert Kc values obtained employing antibuckling guides to corresponding values obtained without guides. Above 0.15-in. thickness, test panels appeared to be of sufficient stiffness to prevent buckling without the use of guides, and therefore the conversion factor is unity.
The Role of Reactive Functional Groups in Adhesive Bonding at the Aramid-Epoxy Interface.

Abstract In polymeric composites, reactive functional groups on the fiber surface are assumed to enhance the mechanical strength of the fiber-matrix interface greatly by forming covalent bonds with the matrix. To test this assumption, we sought to promote covalent bonding at the aramid fiber-epoxy matrix interface by attaching flexible reactive pendent groups to the fiber surface. Other factors that could affect interfacial adhesion were kept constant, i.e., surface energy and surface topography. Quantitative analysis showed a pendent group attachment level of 1.5 to 4.5 groups per 100 A2 of fiber surface, a level that agrees well with the theoretical amount. Surprisingly, in adhesive performance tests, the presence of these reactive pendent groups did not improve the fiber-matrix interface strength. Specific chemical tests for covalent bond formation between the terminal amine of the pendent group and the epoxy molecule showed that covalent bonding did not occur, thus explaining the unexpected lack of im...
MALDI/TOF/MS as a Method for Characterizing Micelle-Forming Polymers: A MALDI/TOF/MS Study of Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymers Based on Sulfonated Polystyrene

Abstract Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectra (MALDI/TOF/MS) of sodium poly(styrenesulfonate)-block-poly (tert-butylstyrene) (NaPSS-b-PtBS) and polystyrene-block-poly (tert-butylstyrene) (PS-b-PtBS) diblock copolymers were obtained. MALDI/TOF/MS of NaPSS-b-PtBS directly yields molecular weights and polydispersities of these micelle-forming amphiphilic block copolymers. MALDI/TOF/MS allows direct determination of molecular weights and molecular weight distributions of NaPP-b-PtBS. Classical molecular weight methods, such as light scattering and osmometry, are not suitable for molecular weight determinations of these polymers due to their extremely low critical micelle concentrations. By comparing the molecular weights of NaPSS-b-PtBS and their precursors, PS-b-PtBS, extents of sulfonation were also obtained.
Liquid fermentation to produce biomass of mycoherbicidal strains of Fusarium oxysporum

Conditions for optimizing spore production, especially chlamydospores, by host-specific mycoherbicidal strains of Fusarium oxysporum causing vascular wilts in coca (Erythroxylum coca) and poppy (Papaver somniferum) were studied in 2.5-1 fermentors. The fermentor dissolved oxygen and pH had significant effects on the growth characteristics of F. oxysporum strains. The effect of the fungal strain, however was not significant for most of the variables studied except for chlamydospore formation. After 14 days of fermentation, the spore types produced were microconidia and chlamydospores, with very little production of macroconidia. While the total viable counts were significantly higher under high than under low dissolved O2, the chlamydospore counts were significantly higher under low than under high dissolved O2. The percentage of chlamydospores obtained, as a proportion of total viable was significantly higher when the fermentor pH was increased, than when it was not. Scaling-up the liquid fermentation to 20 l, yielded log10c = 6.8 (where c = chlamydospores ml−1) after 14 days' fermentation, with biomass viable counts of log10v∼8.0 (where v = viable counts g−1 air-dried biomass). A single-step liquid fermentation reported in this study increased chlamydospore yields and reduced the time required for their production with techniques currently available from 5 weeks to less than 2 weeks.
Disablement-Based Nomenclature for Vision and Function

Zhang et al 1 recently reported that visual function loss but not visual acuity was associated with depression. In an accompanying editorial, Morse 2 further described how the loss of functional vision (ie, actual task-related visual performance) leads to depression. The article and editorial raise important questions about the terminology of vision and function. To explore understanding of these terms, we informally discussed the abstract with 20 ophthalmologist colleagues. Based solely on the abstract, 6 participants (30%) believed that the study focused on conversion symptoms (ie, a somatoform disorder). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSMIV-TR), “The common feature of somatoform disorders is the presence of physical symptoms that suggest a general medical condition… and are not fully explained by a general medical condition, by the direct effects of a substance, or by another mental disorder.” 3 Psychiatrists have replaced the term functional with the more specific DSM-IV-TR classification. Ophthalmologists appear to lack a clear sense of the term functional when describing vision and function. How should loss of visual function (ie, physical decline in the ocular system), self-reported loss of function due to poor vision, and functional vision loss (ie, perceived vision loss in the absence of organic pathology) be described? The disablement literature provides a unique framework for separating organic and somatoform loss of vision, and their functional sequelae. Verbrugge and Jette posited in 1994 the “disablement process,” a sociomedical model of disability that describes “how chronic and acute conditions affect functioning” 4 and how “personal and environmental factors speed or slow disablement.” 4 In this model, pathology leads to impairment (dysfunctions and structural abnormalities in specific body systems), which leads to functional limitations (restrictions in basic physical and mental actions) and then disability (difficulty performing activities of daily life). Ophthalmologists might best adhere to this model when describing eye disease and its consequences, invoking vision loss, visual impairment, loss of visual function, and visual disability. This schema will improve communication between clinicians and in the medical literature and provide a clearer conception of the impact of vision loss on function. As to our patients who report high levels of disability due to vision loss, perhaps beyond what we might expect based on what we see in their eyes, we should abandon any deprecatory terms, recognize their distress, and direct treatment to the whole person. 5
Fructose and glucose metabolism in the normal and diabetic rat diaphragm in vitro.

Abstract Fructose-U-C 14 and glucose-U-C 14 have been incubated with hemidiaphragm and intact rat diaphragm from normal and diabetic rats in the absence and presence of insulin. In hemidiaphragms from normal and diabetic rats, glucose and fructose metabolic patterns were similar. Insulin increased the incorporation of C 14 into glycogen, but not oxidation to CO 2 . In the intact diabetic diaphragm, glucose oxidation was decreased below normal and insulin increased both oxidation to CO 2 and incorporation into glycogen. Fructose was metabolized to a lesser extent than glucose as measured by these parameters, but hexose uptake was as great in the diabetic as in the normal rat diaphragm. Glucose depressed fructose metabolism, but the presence of fructose had no effect on glucose metabolism. The results are in accord with the occurrence of two separate actions of insulin in the diaphragm: one on cell wall permeability and a second on glycogen synthesis.
An Analogue to a Theorem of Fefferman and Phong for Averaging Operators Along Curves with Singular Fractional Integral Kernel

Thus Tf(x) can be viewed as averaging the function f over the curve t → γ(x, t) with respect to the fractional integral kernel k(t). The condition γ(x, 0) = x is a way of saying the curve at x is ”centered at x”, and the condition that ∂γ ∂t (x, t) 6= 0 ensures that the averaging is smooth. In fact, the arguments of this paper will go through with k(t) replaced by k(x, t) satisfying appropriate x-derivative conditions, as will be described at the end of this paper. However, to simplify the exposition we asssume (1.3). It should be pointed out that recent work of Seeger and Wainger [SW] has also dealt with Radon transforms with fractional integral kernel, proving L to L estimates under rather different hypotheses.
Harmonic oscillator model of early visual image processing

To characterize how the human visual system responds to spatial patterns, a 'black box' method was adopted, in which visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were taken as outputs and visual patterned stimuli were taken as inputs. The stimuli were gratings whose function profiles were weighted Hermite polynomials (WHPs). A model, mathematically analogous to harmonic oscillators in quantum mechanics, was developed to describe the black box and the quantitative relationships between the VEPs and the WHPs.
Drug overdose, disability and male friendship in fifteenth-century Mamluk Cairo

Shihāb al-Dīn Ahmad al-Open image in new windowijāzī (1388–1471) was an unexceptional legal student in Mamluk Cairo who, at the age of 24, overdosed on marking nut, a potent plant drug valued for its memory-enhancing properties. As a result of the overdose, boils broke out all over al-Hijāzī's body, he was unable to eat or sleep, and he lost significant cognitive power. After recovering from the overdose, he abandoned his legal studies and became a leading poet. Most interestingly, al-Hijazi wrote a letter to his dear friend Open image in new windowalāOpen image in new window al-Dīn al-AsyūOpen image in new windowī (d. 1455) on the tenth night of overdose detailing his suffering, his social isolation and the solace he had found with an unidentified Turkish slave soldier who was suffering the same physical, psychiatric, and social discomforts. The letter is an indictment of his fellow Cairenes who had ignored or mocked him in his illness, though the non-Arab, unfree soldier condemns most forcefully the social body of fifteenth-century Cairo and their misguided constructions of blighted bodies.
Soil and water environmental effects of fertilizer-, manure-, and compost-based fertility practices in an organic vegetable cropping system

Abstract Degraded soil quality, which decreases agricultural productivity and increases nonpoint source pollution of surface water, may be ameliorated by employing soil organic matter enhancing management, such as practiced by compost use in organic farming. The value of compost applied at rates lower than those required to supply crop nutrient needs requires investigation because applying compost at agronomic nitrogen rates may not be economically feasible for organic vegetable producers. We conducted field research during 2000–2002 on a Luvisol to compare the nutrient and non-nutrient effects of various rates and timings of mixed poultry litter-yard waste compost with a traditional organic fertilizer (poultry litter) and inorganic fertilizer on environmental soil attributes and water quality in an organic vegetable crop rotation. Soil organic C, total N, and available P increased 60%, 68%, and 225%, respectively, above the control with the application of 144 Mg ha−1 compost (dry wt.) during the 3-year study, but the low rate of compost (31 Mg ha−1) did not affect soil C or N. Compost N mineralization was not synchronous with sweet corn N assimilation, resulting in excess root zone nitrate that would have posed a leaching risk without the use of a winter rye N-scavenging cover crop. The concentrations of nitrate N that leached below the tillage zone occasionally exceeded the 10 mg L−1 health standard but were not different among the agronomic rates of compost, poultry litter, fertilizer, and control treatments for nearly every sampling event. Despite increasing runoff water concentrations of N and P, the high compost rate reduced the amounts of N and P that were transported from the soil surface by five-fold and four-fold, respectively, compared to the inorganic fertilizer due to a four-fold reduction in runoff volume. Crop yields did not benefit from low compost rates during the 3-year duration of the study; however, improvements in some bulk density and porosity indicated that benefits of longer term, low compost rate additions may accrue over time.