cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental sensory transduction in Myxococcus xanthus involves methylation and demethylation of FrzCD.

Abstract Myxococcus xanthus is a bacterium that moves by gliding motility and exhibits multicellular development (fruiting body formation). The frizzy (frz) mutants aggregate aberrantly and therefore fail to form fruiting bodies. Individual frz cells cannot control the frequency at which they reverse direction while gliding. Previously, FrzCD was shown to exhibit significant sequence similarity to the enteric methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins. In this report, we show that FrzCD is modified by methylation and that frzF encodes the methyltransferase. We also identify a new gene, frzG, whose predicted product is homologous to that of the cheB (methylesterase) gene from Escherichia coli. Thus, although M. xanthus is unflagellated, it appears to have a sensory transduction system which is similar in many of its components to those found in flagellated bacteria.
Globalization and regional industrial performance: Evidence from China

type="main" xml:lang="es"> Este estudio examina el papel de la globalizacion en el rendimiento industrial (RI) en China. A partir de seis anos (2005–2010) de datos de 21 sectores manufactureros de 31 provincias/regiones, construimos cuatro indicadores del RI con los que estimar como influye la globalizacion en la capacidad industrial de China y la composicion tecnologica a traves de la inversion extranjera directa (IED) y el comercio exterior. El panel de estimacion de los resultados sugiere que tanto la IED como el comercio exterior generan fuertes efectos positivos en la produccion manufacturera y las exportaciones de productos manufacturados, pero que las contribuciones a la modernizacion industrial y la complejidad tecnologica parecen limitadas. A nivel regional, el efecto de la IED y el comercio en el RI es numericamente mucho menor en la zona del interior que en la zona costera.
Raman spectroscopy in biomedicine: new advances in SERRS cancer imaging.

Raman spectroscopic technologies have proven to be valuable biomedical tools providing true biochemical fingerprints. For example, they have been used to identify and differentiate several pathogenic microorganisms found in bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients (1). Raman spectroscopy can also discriminate healthy tissue from diseased tissue, due to the chemical changes resulting from a disease. For instance Huang et al. (2) used near infrared Raman spectroscopy to distinguish healthy bronchial tissue from tumor tissue, characterized by higher percentages of nucleic acids and lower percentages of phospholipids compared with healthy tissue. Haka et al. (3) demonstrated the potential of Raman spectroscopy to diagnose breast cancer lesions ex vivo with 94% sensitivity and 96% specificity. Although very informative and accurate, the Raman signal is intrinsically weak, which limits its applications for early diagnosis. SERS, or Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, represents a very exciting possibility to amplify and use this sharp and specific Raman signal. In turn, this enables much better limits of detection, even enabling single-molecule detection levels (4).
Characterization of the cardiac succinylome and its role in ischemia-reperfusion injury

Succinylation refers to modification of lysine residues with succinyl groups donated by succinyl-CoA. Sirtuin5 (Sirt5) is a mitochondrial NAD(+)-dependent deacylase that catalyzes the removal of succinyl groups from proteins. Sirt5 and protein succinylation are conserved across species, suggesting functional importance of the modification. Sirt5 loss impacts liver metabolism but the role of succinylation in the heart has not been explored. We combined affinity enrichment with proteomics and mass spectrometry to analyze total succinylated lysine content of mitochondria isolated from WT and Sirt5(-/-) mouse hearts. We identified 887 succinylated lysine residues in 184 proteins. 44 peptides (5 proteins) occurred uniquely in WT samples, 289 (46 proteins) in Sirt5(-/-) samples, and 554 (133 proteins) were common to both groups. The 46 unique proteins in Sirt5(-/-) heart participate in metabolic processes such as fatty acid β-oxidation (Eci2) and branched chain amino acid catabolism, and include respiratory chain proteins (Ndufa7, 12, 13, Dhsa). We performed label-free analysis of the peptides common to WT and Sirt5(-/-) hearts. 16 peptides from 9 proteins were significantly increased in Sirt5(-/-) by at least 30%. The adenine nucleotide transporter 1 showed the highest increase in succinylation in Sirt5(-/-) (108.4 fold). The data indicate that succinylation is widespread in the heart and enriched in metabolic pathways. We examined whether the loss of Sirt5 would impact ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and we found an increase in infarct size in Sirt5(-/-) hearts compared to WT littermates (68.5(+)/-1.1% Sirt5(-/-) vs 39.6(+)/(-) 6.8% WT) following 20min of ischemia and 90-min reperfusion. We further demonstrate that I/R injury in Sirt5(-/-) heart is restored to WT levels by pretreatment with dimethyl malonate, a competitive inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), implicating alteration in SDH activity as causative of the injury.
Molecular targeted therapy for carcinoid and islet-cell carcinoma

Carcinoid and islet-cell carcinoma are often also known as low-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. They are often slow-growing but can be resistant to standard therapy. While somatostatin analogues are often used to control hormonal syndromes, there is currently no therapy approved in the US for control of carcinoid tumor growth. For islet-cell carcinoma, streptozocin-based chemotherapy may induce tumor shrinkage, but second-line option are limited. This chapter reviews the molecular biology of neuroendocrine tumors, including the roles of MENIN, TSC2, NF-1, vHL, p53, bcl-2, bax, VEGF, IGF, PDGF, EGFR, and mTOR. Recently, there has been interest in developing molecularly targeted therapy for this group of diseases. Phase-II studies with imatinib, bevacizumab, sunitinib, gefitnib, temsirolimus, and everolimus (RAD001) have completed accrual. Encouraging results have been observed in studies with VEGF and mTOR inhibitors. Phase-III study of bevacizumab is planned in the US. Large-scale multinational phase-II and -III studies of everolimus are under way.
Aesthetic Chills as a Universal Marker of Openness to Experience

Aesthetic chills are transient emotional responses to music or other experiences of beauty. Item 188 of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) asks respondents if they have experienced these chills, and in American samples it is one of the best definers of Openness to Experience, one of the five basic personality factors. As part of the NEO-PI-R, the item has been translated into over 40 languages, and an examination of back-translations suggests that the phenomenon can be expressed in all the languages examined. Data from the Personality Profiles of Cultures Project show that Item 188 is one of the best definers of Openness in most of the 51 cultures examined. Aesthetic chills appear to be a universal emotional experience, although the functions they serve and the mechanisms that account for them remain to be discovered.
Immunolocalization of BMPs, BMP antagonists, receptors, and effectors during fracture repair

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are potent bone inducers used clinically to enhance fracture repair. BMPs have been shown to be produced in the fracture callus; however, the comparative expression of BMPs and BMP signaling components has only been partially examined at the cellular level. The aim of the present study was to establish a detailed spatiotemporal localization of BMPs and BMP signaling components in mouse models of stabilized and nonstabilized fractures. During healing of nonstabilized fractures, which occurs via endochondral ossification, BMP2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, noggin, BMPRIA, BMPRII, and pSmad 1/5/8 were immunolocalized in the activated periosteum as early as 3 days after fracture. BMP2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 and noggin were also found in isolated inflammatory cells within granulation tissue during the early stages of repair, but not BMP receptors and effectors. During the soft callus phase of repair, all BMPs and BMP signaling components were detected in chondrocytes with various intensities of staining depending on the stage of chondrocyte differentiation and their location in the callus. The strongest staining was observed in hypertrophic chondrocytes with decreased intensity during the hard callus phase of repair. All BMPs and components of the BMP pathway were detected in osteoblasts and osteocytes within new bone, with strongest intensity of immunoreaction reported during the early soft callus phase followed by decreasing intensity during the hard callus phase of repair. Most components of the BMP pathway were also detected in endothelial cells associated with new bone. In stabilized fractures that heal strictly via intramembranous ossification, BMPs and BMP antagonists were detected in isolated inflammatory cells and BMP signaling components were not detectable in osteoblasts or osteocytes within new bone. In conclusion, the BMP signaling pathway is primarily activated during fracture healing via endochondral ossification, suggesting that this pathway may influence the mode of healing during the recruitment of skeletal progenitors.
Dual Origin of Tissue-Specific Progenitor Cells in Drosophila Tracheal Remodeling

During Drosophila metamorphosis, most larval cells die. Pupal and adult tissues form from imaginal cells, tissue-specific progenitors allocated in embryogenesis that remain quiescent during embryonic and larval life. Clonal analysis and fate mapping of single, identified cells show that tracheal system remodeling at metamorphosis involves a classical imaginal cell population and a population of differentiated, functional larval tracheal cells that reenter the cell cycle and regain developmental potency. In late larvae, both populations are activated and proliferate, spread over and replace old branches, and diversify into various stalk and coiled tracheolar cells under control of fibroblast growth factor signaling. Thus, Drosophila pupal/adult tissue progenitors can arise both by early allocation of multipotent cells and late return of differentiated cells to a multipotent state, even within a single tissue.
Pyrrole Aminoimidazole Alkaloid Metabiosynthesis with Marine Sponges Agelas conifera and Stylissa caribica

Game-SET-match: Pyrrole aminoimidazole alkaloids (PAIs) are metabiosynthesized from chlorinated analogues of oroidin by cell-free enzyme preparations from PAI-producing sponges. Evidence and implications for the biosynthesis of PAIs include putative single-electron transfers (SETs) that promote C-C bond-forming reactions of precursors.
Line edge roughness in chemically amplified resist: Speculation, simulation and application

Computer simulations and direct measurements were carried out to explore the effect of adding base quencher on the line edge roughness (LER) of photoresist images. The effect of variation of the polymer sequence distribution and hydrophilic units was also studied. The variation of surface roughness at different developed film thicknesses was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) for each polymer. It was concluded that the variation of dissolution rate (DR) and the distribution of acid and base are important parameters that must be considered in order to solve the LER problem for future lithography generation.
An immobile nucleic acid junction constructed from oligonucleotides

Base-paired DNA duplexes involving oligonucleotide model systems have provided the major source of detailed structural and dynamic information about double helical structure1. Triple- and quadruple-branched ‘junction’ structures of DNA have a transient existence as intermediates in the replication or recombination of DNA molecules2–5 while cruciforms may be inducible by negatively supercoiling closed circular DNA6–11. However, it has not been possible to investigate these forms structurally at high resolution in short-chain molecules, where the junction will yield a significant component of the signal, because these naturally occurring intermediates are inherently unstable, due to internal sequence symmetry, which permits their resolution to double helices, via branchpoint migration12–15. We have recently proposed that migration can be eliminated to yield immobile junctions from oligonucleotides16–19 by combining sequence symmetry constraints with equilibrium calculations. We present here electrophoretic and UV optical absorbance experiments which indicate that four hexadecadeoxynucleotides (Fig. 1) indeed do form a stable tetrameric junction complex in solution.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based quantification and identification of in vitro enzyme-catalyzed glycosphingolipid synthesis and degradation products with carbohydrate sequence-specific monoclonal antibodies.

A new method has been developed to monitor glycosyltransferase and glycosylhydrolase activities. Reaction product identification and quantification are accomplished simultaneously with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using carbohydrate sequence-specific monoclonal antibodies. β-Galactosyltransferase and α-galactosidase reactions were used to illustrate the salient features of the method. These include simple product identification and quantification, no detergent requirement, consumption of small amounts of reagents, and no use of radioisotopes. Furthermore, it is possible to measure substrate disappearance or product formation with this method. enzyme characteristics such as Km, Vmax, divalent cation requirement, and pH optimum were investigated with this new method.
Canine Purkinje Cells Exhibit Complex and Rate-Dependent Beat-To-Beat Variations in Calcium Transients

Purkinje fibers serve a critical role in ensuring the electrical activation of the ventricles, but spontaneous Ca2+ release in the Purkinje system is considered a possible trigger of arrhythmias. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we explored the rate-dependence of Ca2+ transients in single canine Purkinje cells loaded with fluo3 and imaged with a confocal microscope at room temperature. Ca2+ transients were evoked by electrical field stimuli applied at rates ranging from 0.1 to 5 Hz. At slow rates, stimuli induced Ca2+ transients that originated at the cell periphery then spread into the cell interior as a large-amplitude propagating Ca2+ wave. At faster rates, Ca2+ transients were smaller and remained localized to the subsarcolemmal space near the periphery. The origination of Ca2+ transients directly under the cell membrane, with or without an accompanying Ca2+ wave, is consistent with the lack of transverse-tubules in Purkinje cells. In addition, during steady pacing, the amplitude of local Ca2+ transients showed significant and unusual beat-to-beat variability, as neither constant amplitude Ca2+ transients nor stable beat-to-beat alternans were observed (n = 27 cells). The degree of variability, quantified as the coefficient of variation (s.d./mean) increased as the pacing rate increased (at 1 Hz, COV = 0.25 ± 0.12; at 3.3 Hz, COV = 0.53 ± 0.21, n=6 cells). The results indicate that fast pacing increases the instability of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in Purkinje cells, even though the amplitude of Ca2+ release decreases. We speculate that the beat-to-beat variability results from stochastic recruitment of small populations of Ca2+ release channel clusters in the small volume near the cell periphery. These results provide insight into Ca2+ and electrical instability originating in the Purkinje system, a possible precursor of arrhythmia.
Increased incidence of a resonance in the phosphodiester region of 31p nuclear magnetic resonance spectra in the skeletal muscle of fibromyalgia patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine if patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are more susceptible to activity-induced muscle damage than are healthy subjects. METHODS: Eleven FMS patients and 10 healthy subjects performed concentric and eccentric exercise with their dominant and nondominant forearms, respectively. 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (to assess inorganic phosphate [P(i)] and phosphocreatine [PCr]) and dolorimetry (to assess pain) were performed before and 20 minutes after exercise and at 4 subsequent 24-hour intervals. RESULTS: Neither group exhibited increased P(i)/PCr ratios or reduced dolorimetry scores following the exercise protocols. FMS patients did display a phosphodiester resonance at a higher rate than healthy subjects (37% versus 12%), but this was not related to the exercise. CONCLUSION: Unchanged P(i)/PCr ratios and dolorimetry scores following acute exercise provide evidence against the hypothesis that FMS patients are more susceptible to activity-induced muscle damage than are healthy subjects, although P(i)/Pcr and pain may not adequately document such damage. The frequent occurrence of phosphodiester in the spectra of FMS patients may indicate a sarcolemmal abnormality in these subjects.
Factors influencing career choice among medical students interested in surgery.

Abstract Purpose The number of applicants to general surgery programs has recently declined. We set out to determine factors that influence career choice among medical students. Methods Design: survey; Setting: university medical center; Participants: fourth-year medical students; Intervention: distribution and completion of the survey. Participants ranked 18 items coded on a Likert scale from 1 (not important) to 8 (very important). These factors were career opportunities, academic opportunities, experience on core rotation/subinternship, role model(s) in that specialty (mentors), length of training required, lifestyle during residency, work hours during residency, ability to obtain residency position, concern about loans/debt, call schedule, lifestyle after training, work hours after training, financial rewards after training, intellectual challenge, patient relationships/interaction, prestige, future patient demographics, and gender distribution in the specialty. Students were asked to provide gender, career choice, number of programs they applied to, and the number of programs at which they were interviewed. Results A total of 111 of the 160 surveys distributed were returned (69%). A total of 48 of the students were men, 31 were women, and 32 did not identify their gender. Nineteen students were interested in pursuing a career in surgery or a surgical subspecialty. Factors predicting surgery as a career choice were career opportunities (p Conclusions Prestige and career opportunities are more important to students seeking surgical residencies. Concerns about lifestyle and work hours during residency and perceived quality of patient/physician relationships were deterrents to surgery as a career choice. These issues may need to be addressed to increase the number of applicants to surgical programs.
Monitoring Learning-Disabled Students in Mainstream Science Classes.

While science classes are believed to be interactive learning environments, offering varied ways for students to learn, some experts believe that learning disabled (LD) students should be monitored closely in such settings because of difficulties adjusting to the social, behavioral, and academic demands. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether LD fourth and sixth graders show difficulties adjusting to the demands of their mainstream science classes and to investigate two means of assessing LD students’ functioning in these classes: paired questionnaires for teachers and students and a science curriculum-based assessment (CBA). Subjects include 31 fourth graders (9 LD) and 38 sixth graders (13 LD). Results show that the LD students had significant weaknesses on some subtests of the science CBA relative to their peers; additionally, they rated themselves and were rated by their teachers significantly more negatively than their Non-LD peers. These results suggest the potential value of monitoring LD students in mainstream science classes. Case studies of LD students reveal mismatches in the perception of the student and teacher regarding the student’s adjustment and classroom habits. Examination of these case studies is used to suggest ways in which the collaboration of student and teacher as well as regular and special education teachers might aid the student.
How to rank with few errors

We present a polynomial time approximation scheme (PTAS) for the minimum feedback arc set problem on tournaments. A simple weighted generalization gives a PTAS for Kemeny-Young rank aggregation.
Some properties of the generalized Eulerian distribution

Abstract By solving the recurrence relation given by Morisita (1971) in connection with his theory of environmental density, Janardan (1988) introduced a Generalized Eulerian Distribution (GED). In the present paper, the probability distributions of certain random variables associated with a new random walk, introduced here for the first time, are shown to be related to the GED. The GED is also generated from a discrete time, discrete state Markov process. Further some properties relating to the shape of the distribution are discussed. In particular, the conditions under which the distribution is unimodal or bimodal are provided. Finally, it is shown that the GED tends to Poisson distribution under certain limiting conditions.
Radiative transfer in thermal insulations of hollow and coated fibers

This paper presents a numerical study of radiative transfer in thermal insulation made of hollow cylindrical fibers and of solid fibers coated with thin dielectric films. The radiative properties of the packed fibrous insulation are evaluated from the single-fiber absorption and scattering characteristics that are based on electromagnetic theory. The results show that, for cases of practical interest, hollow fibers have higher backscattered radiation and higher extinction efficiency than solid fibers of the same outside diameter. Thus, insulations made of such are not only of low weight and low heat capacity, but are also more effective in preventing radiative heat loss. Coating solid fibers with thin dielectric films does not appreciably enhance the radiative extinction characteristics, unless the coating is thick or has a high index of refraction.
Overall efficiency of tubular inlets sampling at 0-90 degrees from horizontal aerosol flows

Abstract We have developed a unified and comprehensive model for the overall efficiency of tubular inlets sampling from horizontal aerosol flows at 0–90° relative to the wind direction. In our model, derived from experimental data obtained in our wind tunnel, the transmission efficiency is separated into two components: one due to gravitational settling in the boundary layer and the other due to impaction. The gravitational settling component is determined by extending our previously developed isoaxial sampling model to nonisoaxial sampling. The impaction component is determined by a new model that quantifies the particle losses caused by direct wall impaction. The model also quantifies the additional particle losses resulting from the turbulent motion in the vena contracta which is formed in the inlet when the inlet velocity is higher than the wind velocity. The equation for the gravitational settling component considers the inertial behaviour of the particles by including the Stokes number, the flow development in the boundary layer by including the Reynolds number and the gravitational settling in the boundary layer by including a modified gravitational settling parameter. The equation for the impaction component considers direct wall impaction and the losses due to vena contracta formation through the Stokes number, velocity ration and sampling angle. Direct wall impaction is further differentiated by the gravity effect on the impaction process which distinguishes upward from downward sampling. Our equations for transmission efficiency in combination with aspiration efficiency equations determine the overall efficiency of tubular, sharp-edged inlets at all orientations of the inlet relative to horizontal aerosol flows.
An improved data stream algorithm for frequency moments

We present a simple, one-pass, O(√n)-space data stream algorithm for approximating the third frequency moment. This is the first improvement to the O(n2/3)-space data stream algorithm of Alon, Matias, and Szegedy [AMS99]. the current known lower bound for this problem is Ω(n1/3) [BJKS02a].Our algorithm can also be generalized to an O(n1-1/(k-1))-space data stream algorithm for approximating the k-th frequency moment. Besides improving the O(n1--1/k)-space upper bound [AMS99], our algorithm beats the Ω(n1--1/k)-sampling lower bound [BKS01] for this problem.Our method suggests a unified perspective of space-efficient data stream algorithms for all frequency moments.
The Effect of a Trans-Locked Gly−Pro Alkene Isostere on Collagen Triple Helix Stability

An alkene isostere of Gly-trans-Pro was synthesized and incorporated into a host Ac–(Gly–Pro–Hyp)8–Gly–Gly–Tyr–NH2 peptide to investigate the effect of locking a proline amide bond. Proline amide bond isomerization is the slow step in collagen folding. By locking the amide, we hypothesized an increase in stability of the collagen triple helix. The substitution instead destabilized the collagen host peptide. The Tm value of the host control peptide was 50.0 °C, while the peptide containing the isostere, Ac–(Gly–Pro–Hyp)3–Gly–Ψ[(E)CH═C]–Pro–Hyp–(Gly–Pro–Hyp)4–Gly–Gly–Tyr–NH2, had a Tm value of 28.3 °C. There are clearly factors that contribute to collagen stability and folding that we do not yet understand.
A hyperbolic system from a neural transmission model

We provide a global existence result for a hyperbolic system which arises in the theory of neural conduction.
Lack of lipopolysacaharide response of inbred strains of syrian hamsters

Abstract A variety of culture conditions were used to assess the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) response of spleen cells from several strains of Syrian hamsters. The cells failed to respond to LPS while good responses were obtained with Concanavalin A and poke weed mitogen. Stimulation of macrophages with LPS failed to induce tumor cell destruction unless the macrophages were primed by immunization with BCG. The results indicate that hamsters are unresponsive to LPS.
Transgressive segregation in inter and intraspecific crosses of barley

Six populations of F2-derived lines of barley and their parents were evaluated for heading date, plant height, grain yield, bundle weight, and harvest index in a replicated experiment in the field. These data were used to estimate the minimum number of effective factor pairs segregating for each trait, the number of favorable factors contributed by each parent in a cross, and the frequencies and magnitudes of transgressive segregates. Heading date, plant height, and harvest index were controlled by three to four effective factor pairs, whereas grain yield and bundle weight were controlled by five or more. All three H. spontaneum strains used in our study contributed one or more useful genes for each of the traits, grain yield, heading date, plant height, bundle weight, and harvest index. Therefore, it seems that H. spontaneum can be a useful source of favorable genes for quantitative traits, especially for grain yield, which could be incorporated into barley varieties readily by backcrossing. Transgressive segregates for grain yield in the interspecific crosses may provide the basic materials for improving the productivity of cultivated barley varieties.
Elevated CO2 enhances water relations and productivity and affects gas exchange in C3 and C4 grasses of the Colorado shortgrass steppe.

Summary Six open-top chambers were installed on the shortgrass steppe in north-eastern Colorado, USA from late March until mid-October in 1997 and 1998 to evaluate how this grassland will be affected by rising atmospheric CO2. Three chambers were maintained at current CO2 concentration (ambient treatment), three at twice ambient CO2, or approximately 720 μmol mol−1 (elevated treatment), and three nonchambered plots served as controls. Above-ground phytomass was measured in summer and autumn during each growing season, soil water was monitored weekly, and leaf photosynthesis, conductance and water potential were measured periodically on important C3 and C4 grasses. Mid-season and seasonal above-ground productivity were enhanced from 26 to 47% at elevated CO2, with no differences in the relative responses of C3/C4 grasses or forbs. Annual above-ground phytomass accrual was greater on plots which were defoliated once in mid-summer compared to plots which were not defoliated during the growing season, but there was no interactive effect of defoliation and CO2 on growth. Leaf photosynthesis was often greater in Pascopyrum smithii (C3) and Bouteloua gracilis (C4) plants in the elevated chambers, due in large part to higher soil water contents and leaf water potentials. Persistent downward photosynthetic acclimation in P. smithii leaves prevented large photosynthetic enhancement for elevated CO2-grown plants. Shoot N concentrations tended to be lower in grasses under elevated CO2, but only Stipa comata (C3) plants exhibited significant reductions in N under elevated compared to ambient CO2 chambers. Despite chamber warming of 2.6 °C and apparent drier chamber conditions compared to unchambered controls, above-ground production in all chambers was always greater than in unchambered plots. Collectively, these results suggest increased productivity of the shortgrass steppe in future warmer, CO2 enriched environments.
Comparative analysis of brain protection by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists after transient focal ischemia in cats.

Objective We tested the hypothesis that the administration of the competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 2R,4R,5S-(2-amino-4,5-(1,2-cyclohexyl)-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid) (NPC 17742) or cis-4-(phosphonomethyl) piperidine-2-carboxylic acid (CGS 19755) or the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801), at the appropriate doses, would all have efficacy in decreasing early postischemic brain injury in a feline model of transient focal ischemia. Design Prospective, randomized, controlled animal trial. Setting University research laboratory. Subjects Forty mixed-breed cats. Interventions Halothane-anesthetized cats underwent 90 mins of left middle cerebral artery occlusion plus 4 hrs of reperfusion. At 75 mins of ischemia, control cats received intravenous saline (n = 10). Experimental cats (n = 10 in each group) were treated with NPC 17742 (5 mg/kg bolus and 2.5 mg/kg/hr throughout reperfusion), MK-801 (5 mg/kg intravenous bolus), or CGS 19755 (40 mg/kg intravenous bolus) in a randomized fashion. Measurements and Main Results Microsphere-determined blood flow to the ipsilateral inferior temporal cortex and caudate nucleus decreased to the same extent during ischemia, and recovered to the same extent during early reperfusion, in the four groups. Triphenyltetrazolium-determined injury volume of the ipsilateral caudate nucleus in cats treated with NPC 17742 (105 +/- 25 [SEM] mm3), MK-801 (97 +/- 22 mm3), and CGS 19755 (97 +/- 13 mm3) was less than in control cats (198 +/- 21 mm3). Hemisphere injury volumes with NPC 17742 (1209 +/- 405 mm3) and MK-801 (1338 +/- 395 mm3) were less than that value in controls (2193 +/- 372 mm3), whereas injury volume with CGS 19755 (1553 +/- 519 mm3) treatment did not attain significance (p Conclusions NMDA receptor activation during reperfusion may contribute to the progression of injury in ischemic border regions after 90 mins of transient focal ischemia in the cat. At the doses chosen, there appear to be no major differences in therapeutic efficacy for competitive and noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists. (Crit Care Med 1997; 25:1037-1043)
Outstanding Student Affiliate Chapters Generate a Special Chemistry and Enhance Chemical Literacy

The chapter of the student affiliates of the American Chemical Society at the University of Tennessee at Martin has won three commendable and eighteen consecutive outstanding ratings, the most consecutive ratings of any student affiliate chapter, from the Society Committee on Education of the American Chemical Society. The activities of the chapter involve a great deal of pedagogic or “literal” chemistry, that is the members learn and communicate several aspects of chemistry from the chapter programs. In addition, a “special” chemistry or camaraderie results when members prepare for and participate in the various club projects and activities. This article briefly describes specific activities of UTM student affiliates that help to develop both the literal and the special chemistry among members. Finally, The High School Science Bowl, which is a most electrifying and rejuvenating activity, is described in greater detail for the information of other chemistry clubs.
A differential capacitive thin film hydrogen sensor

Abstract A compact, differential, hydrogen-specific sensor based on the lattice expansion of LaAl0.3Ni4.7 metal hydride thin films has been fabricated and characterized. Characterization of LaAl0.3Ni4.7 films performed using a capacitance dilatometer revealed that the lattice expansion was proportional to the partial pressure of H2 over the range 0.01–1.3 atm used in this experiment. The films were mechanically robust to cycling between vacuum and partial pressures of H2 up to 1.3 atm and were not poisoned by exposure to atmosphere's containing up to 24% carbon monoxide. A wafer level process has been established for the fabrication of the differential hydrogen sensor which includes both an active LaAl0.3Ni4.7 sensing capacitor and an inert Au reference capacitor. A minimum sensitivity of 400 ppm hydrogen is calculated for the differential device.
"Calling a state a state": feminist politics and the policing of violence against women in Brazil.

This document reports on a 1990 case study of one of Brazil's 80 police stations established for the protection of women in response to feminist pressure to address excessively high levels of violence against women. These police stations, staffed by women to respond exclusively to complaints lodged by women, are an unusual institutional response to such violence. The study examines the station established in Salvador in 1986 to reveal which interests were served by the creation of the specialized stations. The first section of the article addresses the fact that Salvador's policewomen have gained little from the creation of the specialized stations and continue to suffer job-related sexual discrimination. Next, conceptions of gender identity among policewomen are analyzed, and the ideologies of "femininity" and "feminism" in the Brazilian context are discussed. The final section compares views on the abuse of women with views on police brutality and relays incidences when the policewomen beat male prisoners. It is argued that certain forms of violence are actually considered necessary to maintain social order and enact justice. It is concluded that all of the involved parties, the state, the feminists, the female citizenry, and Salvador's female police, benefit in part from the existence of the specialized police stations but that there are serious problems also, especially the fact that the policewomen involved are given little or no special training and no career incentives. Language: en
Cloud-Based Application Whitelisting

Cloud computing ushers in an era of consolidated information technology infrastructure that is elastic, available and scalable. Virtualization is a critical building block in this evolution and enables centralized, consistent, and policy-driven administration of the underlying computing resources and their protection. This paper presents a cloud-based application whitelisting system called CLAW, which leverages this centralized management flexibility to guarantee that only application binaries in a pre-approved set are allowed to run in each virtual machine under its management. In addition, by applying virtual machine introspection technology, CLAW performs this security policy enforcement without installing any agents inside the managed VMs. We describe the key techniques in the design and implementation of CLAW and compare them with previous hypervisor-based application whitelisting systems. Empirical measurements on a Xen-based CLAW prototype for Windows-based virtual machines show that the run-time performance overhead of out-of-VM application whitelisting is under 10%.
Materials issues underlying compound semiconductor devices

Abstract In this paper we review the special properties of compound semiconductors which make them attractive for device applications and discuss current research issues concerning the propessing of III–V compounds and heterojunction multilayers. The novel electronic properties available in III–V alloys are discussed, including special new phenomena observed in heterostructure multilayers and strained-layer superlattices. Device-related processing issues are outlined, including novel growth technique, insulator interfaces, Schottky barrier and ohmic contact formation, sample preparation, and implantation and annealing.
Research on Coordinated Control System for Boiler-Turbine Units Based on Fractional-Order Control

It is important for conventional thermal power units to participate in frequency adjustment and peak regulation for the safe operation of grid side. This paper research on coordinated control system (CCS) for boiler-turbine units based on fractional-order control (FOC). The realization of fractional-order PID (FOPID) controller in distributed control system (DCS) is provided. The engineering application results show that this algorithm is easy to be realized in project by applying all sorts of existing algorithms in DCS. Furthermore, this algorithm can overcome the large lag and inertia for boiler and improve the primary frequency and automatic generation control (AGC) tracking performance in boiler-turbine CCS effectively.
Cumene hydroperoxide-supported demethylation reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450 2B4 lacking the NH2-terminal sequence.

Abstract Catalytic activities of cytochrome P450 2B4 lacking NH 2 -terminal amino acids 2-27 (wt Δ2B4) and that of truncated 2B4 containing a Pro to Ser mutation at position 221 were examined in a system supported by cumene hydroperoxide. Demethylation activities of either truncated 2B4 with N-methylaniline, N,N-dimethylaniline, and d -benzphetamine were lower than those of liver microsomal 2B4, whereas the rate of 1-phenylethanol oxidation to acetophenone catalyzed by liver microsomal and truncated 2B4 enzymes was nearly the same. The K m and V max values for cumene hydroperoxide in the demethylation of N-methylaniline by wt Δ2B4 were 20% and 28%, respectively, of those obtained for 2B4. The reaction with wt Δ2B4 displayed a lesser dependence on phospholipid than did that with 2B4, and a complex relationship between activity and substrate concentration. The results suggest that the NH 2 -terminal region contributes to interaction of oxidant, substrate, and phospholipid in cumene hydroperoxide-supported reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450 2B4.
Innervation of myocardial microcirculation; terminal autonomic axons associated with capillaries and postcapillary venules in mouse heart.

Efferent terminal axons are associated with numerous capillaries and postcapillary venules in both the atria and ventricles of mouse heart. These axons possess ultrastructurai characteristics which are typical of peripheral autonomic fibers in other tissues. Many are found near pericytes, in a relationship closely resembling that between terminal axons and smooth muscle cells of larger vessels. To demonstrate adrenergic terminals, mice were pretreated with 5- or 6-hydroxydopamine; examination of these animals' hearts revealed that both adrenergic and cholinergic axons terminate near pericytes and endothelial cells. The results of this study are consistent with the view that there may be a functional innervation of capillaries and postcapillary venules of the mouse heart.
Antigrowth effect of polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors on the Dunning R 3327-G prostatic tumor

alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (MGBG), when administered simultaneously, inhibited growth and were highly toxic to the Dunning R 3327-G hormone-resistant prostatic adenocarcinoma transplanted into Copenhagen rats. Neither DFMO (2%) nor MGBG at a nontoxic dose (15 mg/kg) inhibited tumor growth, but total (47% early cure rate) or near total suppression of growth of established tumors was observed in rats receiving both treatments.
Sequential Multiple Comparisons with the Best

Abstract In this article we give a method of designing and analyzing an experiment for comparing k (≥ 2) treatments such that (a) a treatment is terminated as soon as there is (statistical) evidence that it is not the best treatment; and (b) at the conclusion of the experiment, one can assert at some prespecified confidence level simultaneously that those terminated treatments are not the best and those remaining treatments are respectively within certain (small) distances of the unknown best treatment. The inference given by our method is stronger than existing sequential elimination selection inference.
Inactivation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity by ascorbate in vitro and in rat PC12 cells.

: Tyrosine hydroxylase activity is reversibly modulated by the actions of a number of protein kinases and phosphoprotein phosphatases. A previous report from this laboratory showed that low-molecular-weight substances present in striatal extracts lead to an irreversible loss of tyrosine hydroxylase activity under cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation conditions. We report here that ascorbate is one agent that inactivates striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity with an EC50 of 5.9 μM under phosphorylating conditions. Much higher concentrations (100 mM) fail to inactivate the enzyme under nonphosphorylating conditions. Isoascorbate (EC50, 11 μM) and dehydroascorbate (EC50, 970 μM) also inactivated tyrosine hydroxylase under phosphorylating but not under nonphosphorylating conditions. In contrast, ascorbate sulfate was inactive under phosphorylating conditions at concentrations up to 100 mM. Since the reduced compounds generate several reactive species in the presence of oxygen, the possible protecting effects of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were examined. None of these three enzymes, however, afforded any protection against inactivation. We also examined the effects of ascorbate and its congeners on the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase purified to near homogeneity from a rat pheochromocytoma. This purified enzyme was also inactivated by the same agents that inactivated the impure corpus striatal enzyme. Under conditions in which ascorbate almost completely abolished enzyme activity, we found no indication for significant prote-olysis of the purified enzyme as determined by sodium do-decyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We also found that pretreatment of PC12 cells in culture for 4 h with 1 mM ascorbate, dehydroascorbate, or isoascorbate (but not ascorbate sulfate) also decreased tyrosine hydroxylase activity 25–50%. The inactivation seen under in vitro conditions appears to have a counterpart under more physiological conditions.
BONE MARROW EXAMINATIONS IN SEPTIC NEUTROPENIC NEONATES

Bone marrow neutrophil depletion (BMND) has been suggested as a criterion for white blood cell (WBC) transfusions in neonatal sepsis. To determine the incidence of BMND in neonates presenting with signs consistent with sepsis and the relationship of BMND to clinical outcome, bone marrow aspirates were done in 13 neonates (1010-3845 gms) with clinical sepsis and neutropenia. Neutropenia was defined as an absolute peripheral neutrophil count < 1500/mm2 on 2 occasions ≥ 3 hrs apart and BMND was defined as < 7% segs, bands and metamyelocytes per 100 nucleated cells. If BMND was present, patients were randomized to standard treatment (ST) or to ST plus transfusion of irradiated, fresh buffy coat concentrate. 13 of 14 aspirates were interpretable and no complications occurred. Results are as follows: These data show: 1) neonates with suspected sepsis and neutropenia had a 23% (3/13) incidence of BMND, 2) if BMND was not present 90% (9/10) of clinically septic, neutropenic neonates survived. Since the incidence of BMND is low and the risks and benefits of WBC transfusions are unknown, bone marrow examinations should be done to properly identify high risk neonates for inclusion in controlled studies of WBC transfusions.
In situ catalytic activation and regeneration using electrostatic field gradients as demonstrated during hydrogenolysis of ethane and ethylene on a nickel wire catalyst

Abstract A new method is described in which dramatic increases in catalytic activity are obtained after a Ni wire catalyst is subjected to relatively high applied electrostatic potentials. The potentials are applied under what is basically an open circuit arrangement in that the Ni wire is biased either positively or negatively with respect to an aluminum cylinder located outside the reactor. Activation is observed only when the Ni wire is biased negatively with respect to the Al cylinder. This activation and, in some cases, catalytic regeneration is believed to arise from the combined effect of high field gradients and small leakage currents generated during high potential application. The activation effect is demonstrated for hydrogenolysis of C2H6 and C2H4 on a Ni wire catalyst. The activation procedure described represents a direct, in situ, relatively inexpensive approach to improved catalytic efficiency. This method may well find utility in many other catalytic systems.
Three-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on Functionalized Tetracarboxylate Linkers : Synthesis, Strucures, and Gas Sorption Studies

New tetracarboxylate ligands with dihydroxy (L1) and crown ether functionalities (L2) have been synthesized and treated with CuII and ZnII ions to generate three-dimensional (3D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the compositions of [Cu2(L1)(H2O)2]·14DMF·10H2O, 5, [Cu2(L2)(H2O)2]·12DMF, 6, [Zn6(μ4-O)(L1)2(L1-H2)]·35DMF·27H2O, 7, and [Zn3Na2(L2)2(DMF)2]·7DMF·14H2O, 8. The four compounds show different framework structures with different connectivities. Compound 5 exhibits the PtS topology whereas compound 6 has a [64.82]3[66] topology. Compound 7 adopts a new [4.65][42.68][44.62][45.6][48.610.83] topology while compound 8 exhibits the Flu topology. The porosity and H2 uptake were studied by gas sorption experiments and grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. Compound 5 shows a high H2 uptake of up to 1.11 wt % at 77 K.
Peripheral leukocyte counts and outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating disease that carries a 30 day mortality of approximately 45%. Only 20% of survivors return to independent function at 6 months. The role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of ICH is increasingly recognized. Several clinical studies have demonstrated an association between inflammatory markers and outcomes after ICH; however the relationship between serum biomarkers and functional outcomes amongst survivors has not been previously evaluated. Activation of the inflammatory response as measured by change in peripheral leukocyte count was examined and assessment of mortality and functional outcomes after ICH was determined.