cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protecting Outdoor Workers From Hazards Associated With Wildfire Smoke

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity, which increases outdoor workers' risk of breathing smoke for sustained periods. Occupational health nurses have multiple roles to play to protect outdoor workers from the new "smoke season."
Childhood glaucoma genes and phenotypes: Focus on FOXC1 mutations causing anterior segment dysgenesis and hearing loss

Abstract Childhood glaucoma is an important cause of blindness world-wide. Eleven genes are currently known to cause inherited forms of glaucoma with onset before age 20. While all the early-onset glaucoma genes cause severe disease, considerable phenotypic variability is observed among mutations carriers. In particular, FOXC1 genetic variants are associated with a broad range of phenotypes including multiple forms of glaucoma and also systemic abnormalities, especially hearing loss. FOXC1 is a member of the forkhead family of transcription factors and is involved in neural crest development necessary for formation of anterior eye structures and also pharyngeal arches that form the middle ear bones. In this study we review the clinical phenotypes reported for known FOXC1 mutations and show that mutations in patients with reported ocular anterior segment abnormalities and hearing loss primarily disrupt the critically important forkhead domain. These results suggest that optimal care for patients affected with anterior segment dysgenesis should include screening for FOXC1 mutations and also testing for hearing loss.
Extending Burk Dehority's Perspectives on the Role of Ciliate Protozoa in the Rumen

Dr. Burk Dehority was an international expert on the classification and monoculture of ruminal ciliated protozoa. We have summarized many of the advancements in knowledge from his work but also in his scientific way of thinking about interactions of ruminal ciliates with the entire rumen microbial community and animal host. As a dedication to his legacy, an electronic library of high-resolution images and video footage catalogs numerous species and techniques involved in taxonomy, isolation, culture, and ecological assessment of ruminal ciliate species and communities. Considerable promise remains to adapt these landmark approaches to harness eukaryotic cell signaling technology with genomics and transcriptomics to assess cellular mechanisms regulating growth and responsiveness to ruminal environmental conditions. These technologies can be adapted to study how protozoa interact (both antagonism and mutualism) within the entire ruminal microbiota. Thus, advancements and limitations in approaches used are highlighted such that future research questions can be posed to study rumen protozoal contribution to ruminant nutrition and productivity.
Pregnancy-related relapses and breastfeeding in a contemporary multiple sclerosis cohort.

Objective To determine whether women with multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed according to current criteria are at an increased risk of postpartum relapses and to assess whether this risk is modified by breastfeeding or MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), we examined the electronic health records (EHRs) of 466 pregnancies among 375 women with MS and their infants. Methods We used prospectively collected information from the EHR at Kaiser Permanente Southern and Northern California between 2008 and 2016 of the mother and infant to identify treatment history, breastfeeding, and relapses. Multivariable models accounting for measures of disease severity were used. Results In the postpartum year, 26.4% relapsed, 87% breastfed, 36% breastfed exclusively for at least 2 months, and 58.8% did not use DMTs. At pregnancy onset, 67.2% had suboptimally controlled disease. Annualized relapse rates (ARRs) declined from 0.37 before pregnancy to 0.14–0.07 (p Conclusion Most women diagnosed with MS today can have children without incurring an increased risk of relapses. Women with suboptimal disease control before pregnancy may benefit from highly effective DMTs that are compatible with pregnancy and lactation. Women with MS should be encouraged to breastfeed exclusively.
484. The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Reproduction Rates of Seasonal Influenza and RSV

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has precipitated a global health crisis In an effort to decrease person-to-person transmission, societal-level non-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs) to maintain social distancing have been enacted As SARS-CoV-2 shares similar routes of transmission with other respiratory viruses, implementation of these NPIs may have decreased transmission for multiple viral pathogens We compared influenza and respiratory syncytial (RSV) rates in prior seasons to rates during the 2019 - 2020 season at two large academic centers in Atlanta and Boston Methods: The clinical records were queried for adults with respiratory virus testing conducted at the Emory Healthcare system and associated clinics in Atlanta and the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Healthcare System in Boston Total cases for influenza A and B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed for each week of the past 5 seasons (07/01/2015-05/30/2020) for the Atlanta and Boston sites Systematic changes in viral infection rates were calculated using viral reproduction rates, R(t), between consecutive weeks R(t) is the ratio of the number of positive cases in one week to the number of positive cases in the previous week We used statistical bootstrapping to determine whether R(t) for influenza and RSV were lower in 2019-2020 following the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 Analyses were conducted using R (v 4 0 0) Absolute respiratory virus activity by season, Boston (panel A) v Atlanta (panel B) Results: For the 2019-2020 Atlanta season, R(t) < 1 (which reflects steady decline in infection rates) occurred at week 28 for influenza A, week 33 for influenza B, and week 35 for RSV, which corresponded with the increase of SARS-Cov-2 cases The R(t) of these viruses stayed at or near 1 during weeks 33-35 in prior seasons, and R(t) was greater than 1 up to week 47 Data from MGB sites showed similar trends with a sudden decline in R(t) to < 1 at the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic Conclusion: We note decreased transmission of influenza and RSV during a time window where widespread movement restrictions and social distancing were imposed to control COVID-19 This trend was most pronounced for influenza A in Atlanta and influenza B in Boston These data suggest that NPIs can have important effects across multiple pathogens
Pre-Sleep Casein Supplementation, Metabolism, and Appetite: A Systematic Review

Protein intake is an important factor for augmenting the response to resistance training in healthy individuals. Although food intake can help with anabolism during the day, the period of time during sleep is typically characterized by catabolism and other metabolic shifts. Research on the application of nighttime casein protein supplementation has introduced a new research paradigm related to protein timing. Pre-sleep casein supplementation has been attributed to improved adaptive response by skeletal muscle to resistance training through increases in muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass, and strength. However, it remains unclear what the effect of this nutritional strategy is on non-muscular parameters such as metabolism and appetite in both healthy and unhealthy populations. The purpose of this systematic review is to understand the effects of pre-sleep casein protein on energy expenditure, lipolysis, appetite, and food intake in both healthy and overweight or obese individuals. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in CINAHL, Cochrane, and SPORTDiscus during March 2021, and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. A summary of the main findings shows limited to no effects on metabolism or appetite when ingesting 24-48 g of casein 30 min before sleep, but data are limited, and future research is needed to clarify the relationships observed.
Cloud-Aerosol Interactions: Retrieving Aerosol Ångström Exponents from Calipso Measurements of Opaque Water Clouds

Backscatter and extinction from water clouds are well-understood, both theoretically and experimentally, and thus changes to the expected measurement of layer-integrated attenuated backscatter can be used to infer the optical properties of overlying layers. In this paper we offer a first look at a new retrieval technique that uses CALIPSO measurements of opaque water clouds to derive optical depths and Angstrom exponents for overlying aerosol layers.
An Under-Actuated Whippletree Mechanism Gripper based on Multi-Objective Design Optimization with Auto-Tuned Weights.

Current rigid linkage grippers are limited in flexibility, and gripper design optimality relies on expertise, experiments, or arbitrary parameters. Our proposed rigid gripper can accommodate irregular and off-center objects through a whippletree mechanism, improving adaptability. We present a whippletree-based rigid under-actuated gripper and its parametric design multi-objective optimization for a one-wall climbing task. Our proposed objective function considers kinematics and grasping forces simultaneously with a mathematical metric based on a model of an object environment. Our multi-objective problem is formulated as a single kinematic objective function with auto-tuning force-based weight. Our results indicate that our proposed objective function determines optimal parameters and kinematic ranges for our under-actuated gripper in the task environment with sufficient grasping forces.
Limited arbitrage, segmentation, and investor heterogeneity: Why the law of one price so often fails

There are numerous examples of assets with identical payout streams being priced differently. These violations of the law of one price result from two factors. First, investors have heterogeneous asset valuations so that if two groups of investors trade in segmented markets they are likely to set different prices because they have different expectations as to the value of the identical assets. Second, such discrepancies can only persist if arbitrage activities are limited. There appear to be two major limitations, short sales constraints and noise trader risk. Those assets facing short sales constraints have an asymmetric distribution of pricing violations because short sales constraints only bind when asset prices are too high. By contrast, assets facing noise trader risk have symmetric violation distributions because noise trader risk must be born by arbitrageurs both when prices are too low as well as too high.
Review and Analysis of Cross Flow Heat Exchanger Transient Modeling for Flow Rate and Temperature Variations

Heat exchangers are important facilities that are widely used in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, heat exchangers are the primary units used in the design of the heat transfer loops of cooling systems for data centers. The performance of a heat exchanger strongly influences the thermal performance of the entire cooling system. The prediction of transient phenomenon of heat exchangers is of increasing interest in many application areas. In this work, a dynamic thermal model for a cross flow heat exchanger is solved numerically in order to predict the transient response under step changes in the fluid mass flow rate and the fluid inlet temperature. Transient responses of both the primary and secondary fluid outlet temperatures are characterized under different scenarios, including fluid mass flow rate change and a combination of changes in the fluid inlet temperature and the mass flow rate. In the e-NTU (number of transfer units) method, the minimum capacity, denoted by Cmin, is the smaller of Ch and Cc. Due to a mass flow rate change, Cmin may vary from one fluid to another fluid. The numerical procedure and transient response regarding the case of varying Cmin are investigated in detail in this study. A review and comparison of several journal articles related to the similar topic are performed. Several sets of data available in the literatures which are in error are studied and analyzed in detail.
The Minnesota Multi‐Investigator 2012 Presidential Election Panel Study

In an analysis of the 2012 presidential election, we sought to optimize two key desiderata in capturing campaign effects: establishing causality and measuring dynamic (i.e., intraindividual) change over time. We first report the results of three survey-experiments embedded within a three-wave survey panel design. Each experiment was focused on a substantive area of electoral concern. Our results suggest, among other findings, that retrospective evaluations exerted a stronger influence on vote choice in the referendum (vs. the choice) frame; that among White respondents, racial animosity strongly predicted economic evaluations for knowledgeable Republicans who were led to believe that positive economic developments were the result of actions taken by the Obama administration; and that information-seeking bias is a contingent phenomenon, one depending jointly on the opportunity and motivation to selectively tune in to congenial information. Lastly, we demonstrate how the panel design also allowed us to (1) examine the reliability and stability of a variety of election-related implicit attitudes, and to assess their impact on candidate evaluation; and (2) determine the causal impact of perceptions of candidates’ traits and respondents’ policy preferences on electoral preferences, and vice versa, an area of research long plagued by concerns about endogeneity.
Decreased sensitivity of 17p-deleted chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells to a small molecule BCL-2 antagonist ABT-737

BACKGROUND: Despite the high complete response rates achieved with fludarabine-based regimens, relapse is inevitable in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Relapsed patients often acquire deletions of the short arm of chromosome 17 (del[17p]), which are closely associated with tumor protein 53 (TP53) mutations. Wild-type p53 up-regulates and activates B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)-associated X protein (BAX), and it down-regulates and inactivates BCL-2. The small-molecule BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 induces apoptosis in a BAX-dependent and BCL-2 homologous antagonist-killer (BAK)-dependent manner. The role of p53 in sensitivity of CLL cells to BCL-2 inhibition has not been extensively investigated. METHODS: The authors investigated the association of del(17p) with ABT-737 sensitivity in CLL cells from 50 patients. Stable p53 and BAX knockdown cells were used for mechanistic studies. RESULTS: CLL cells with del(17p) were less sensitive to ABT-737-induced BAX activation and apoptosis than CLL cells without del(17p) (39% ± 7.3% vs 63.7% ± 2.9% [specific annexin V induction]; P < .01). A positive correlation between the degrees of apoptosis induced by ABT-737 and by the p53-activating binding protein homolog murine double minute (MDM2) antagonist nutlin-3a (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.75; P < .0001) was observed. CLL cells with del(17p) expressed lower levels of BAX than those without del(17p) (0.67 ± 0.12 vs 1.27 ± 0.10 in relative protein expression levels; P < .01). Knockdown of p53 or BAX in leukemia cells resulted in decreased apoptosis induced by ABT-737. CONCLUSIONS: The current data indicated that p53 dysfunction may lead to decreased apoptosis induction by ABT-737. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Environmental sustainability decision‐making: clearing a path to change

If people expect organizations to care for the natural environment, leaders in public affairs need to better understand how and why firms move to engage in sustainable enterprise. We broach this issue as an ethical challenge and present a theoretical framework to explain the path to environmental sustainability decision-making (ESDM). Standard ethics and economic decision-making models inform our work, yet we also incorporate a non-rational element, allowing us to draw insight from psychology and organizational behavior. This view reflects the holistic nature of ESDM, an effort driven by both conscious and non-conscious elements. Our work edifies sustainable development theory by presenting ESDM in the context of collective moral emotions, which serve as underlying motivators of ideas and feelings. We add granularity to prior models, describing how this affective force can influence an organization's progression along the ESDM path. In moving to achieve sustainability goals that affect stakeholders, we explain how negative sentiments may impose drag and how positive sentiments may compel lift toward environmental sustainability action. These paths can contribute to worthwhile, yet different, forms of change. Awareness of the ESDM framework will help public affairs establish more congruent communication, processes, and policies, working to reduce uncertainty and encouraging the need for more explicit internal self-regulation. By synthesizing concepts, we create a coherent and useful picture, one that can give public affairs access to these ideas and help them find useful ways to apply them. Implications suggest leveraging strengths from affective forces may be a useful means to encourage actions that protect the natural environment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Orbital masses: CT and MRI of common vascular lesions, benign tumors, and malignancies

A wide variety of space occupying lesions may be encountered in the orbit. CT and MR imaging frequently help confirm the presence of a mass and define its extent. Characteristic imaging features may help distinguish among lesions that have overlapping clinical presentations. This review focuses on some of the common orbital masses. Common vascular lesions that are reviewed include: capillary (infantile) hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma (solitary encapsulated venous-lymphatic malformation), and lymphangioma (venous-lymphatic malformation). Benign tumors that are reviewed include: optic nerve sheath meningioma, schwannoma, and neurofibroma. Malignancies that are reviewed include: lymphoma, metastasis, rhabdomyosarcoma, and optic glioma. Key imaging features that guide radiological diagnosis are discussed and illustrated.
Evaluation of a novel carbon adsorbent for fractionation and treatment of halogenated organic wastes

Abstract A carbon adsorbent obtained by a procedure analogous to reverse burn coal gasification is being evaluated in our laboratory. This low surface area carbon adsorbent shows considerable promise as a fractionation medium for a variety of organics. The performance of the adsorbent compares favorably to the highly specialized carbon adsorbents such as PX-21 (Amoco Corp.). The adsorbent also has considerable potential for treatment of wastes containing organochlorine compounds. The adsorbent shows good adsorption capacity and can hold as much as 50% (w/w basis) of organic sludge while maintaining a relatively dry, granular character. Furthermore, this waste-loaded adsorbent is amenable to highly efficient self-sustained thermal degradation. Degradation efficiencies approaching 99.99 percent have been achieved for such recalcitrant organics as polychlorinated biphenyls and tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins.
To Treat or Not to Treat, That Is the Question: The Role of Bone-Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

A 62-year-old construction site manager experienced 6 weeks of back pain that was not responsive to over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. He visited his wife’s primary care physician for evaluation. He denied neurologic symptoms or worsening of pain while lying down. He smoked (30 pack-years, quit 4 years ago), and drinks 3 beers each evening and more on weekends (up to a six-pack). He has had two lower extremity fractures from falls at construction sites. At the time of the physicalexamination,hewas5feet11inchestallandweighed194pounds.Hewasalert,oriented,andin milddistress.Hehadnopercussiontendernessofhisspine,andaneurologicexaminationwasnegative. A digital rectal examination revealed an enlarged prostate with an area of induration of the left, normal rectal tone, and guaiac-negative stool. Laboratory studies included normal blood counts, electrolytes, and renal and liver function tests (including lactic acid dehydrogenase and total protein). The prostatespecific antigen (PSA) was 114 ng/mL; he had no prior PSA test. A bone scan showed diffuse bony involvement including the T7 vertebral body and left pedicle, ribs, pelvis, and calvarium. Magnetic resonanceimagingofhisspineconfirmedbonemetastasesbutshowednoevidenceofextensionintothe epidural space or spinal cord compromise. A prostate biopsy revealed Gleason 44 adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Androgen deprivation therapy with leuprolide acetate was initiated, and the addition of a bone-targeted agent was considered.
Analysing alternative economic policies with a small multi-country macroeconomic model

This paper describes the structure and simulation properties of a small global macroeconomic model (SGM). Simulation experiments which compare SGM results with those of other world models suggest that SGM is a viable tool for macroeconomic policy analysis.
Combined field and diffusion charging of aerosol particles in the continuum regime

Abstract The charging of aerosol particles by unipolar ions in an electric field has been studied theoretically by means of a numerical solution technique. The technique involves calculating the particle charging rate by solving the macroscopic ion diffusion equation in an electric field by relaxation and then integrating the particle charging rate to determine the particle charge as a function of charging time. Results are presented showing the dimensionless particle charge, γ, as a function of dimensionless time, τ, for various dimensionless electric fields, ω. The study provides a rigorous solution to the problem of combined field and diffusion charging of aerosol particles in the continuum regime. Comparison of the theoretical results with the experimental data of Hewitt (1957) and those of Smith et al. (1977) shows that there is good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results. The discrepancy between theory and experiment is of the same order of magnitude as the estimated uncertainties in the experimental data themselves.
Statistical modeling of the building energy balance variable for screening of metered energy use in large commercial buildings

Abstract Whole building energy data are the fundamental metric of building energy performance and used for evaluation of investments in energy efficiency, utility billing, and calibration of building energy simulations. Metered energy use data contain anomalies and bias, and those must be flagged and investigated to reach useful conclusions from the data. The energy balance load E BL representing the aggregate building thermal load is a variable calculated from the metered energy use, and the constancy of E BL as a function of influential variables such as outside air temperature can be used to check the validity of metered whole building energy use. This paper proposes regression models to statistically identify the building-specific daily E BL pattern without prior knowledge of building systems and operations. The proposed models are designed based on simplified load calculation principles, so that the regression parameters have physical significance. The models were applied to the E BL data for 56 buildings on the Texas A&M University campus to examine the applicability. The mean CV-RMSEs of the four-parameter change-point (4P-CP) models, multiple linear regression (MLR) models, and the MLR models incorporating AR(1) error structure ranged from 6.9% to 10.4%. Overall, the MLR models with the outside air temperature and humidity load variables presented the most balanced performance taking account of the availability of variables and the ease of estimation and parameter interpretation.
Interactions between the invasive European green crab, Carcinus maenas (L.), and juveniles of the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria L., in eastern Maine, USA

Abstract Invasive species pose a threat to biodiversity in numerous marine ecosystems, and may have severe economic effects on commercially important species. The European green crab, Carcinus maenas , is one of the most common invaders of marine ecosystems globally. Since its invasion into eastern Maine, USA, during the early 1950's, populations of the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria , have declined greatly. This has triggered the establishment of shellfish hatcheries and the development of aquaculture techniques to enhance the wild fishery. This study investigated interactions between C . maenas and cultured juveniles of M . arenaria both in the field and laboratory. In the field (Holmes Bay, Cutler, Maine), clam (initial mean shell length [SL] ± 95% CI: 15.8 ± 0.5 mm; n= 30) survival was: 1) 7 × higher in predator deterrent treatments compared to open controls; 2) not improved by using rigid vs. flexible netting; and, 3) not improved by raising and supporting deterrent netting 5 cm above the sediment surface. Wild clam recruitment was 4x greater in protected vs. open experimental units. In laboratory trials using similar sized juvenile clams, green crabs consumed clams protected by predator deterrent netting, and in one case did so without leaving visible signs of chipping, crushing, or disarticulating the valves. Physical evidence, other than crushing, may be used to differentiate between clam death due to predation vs. suffocation, disease, or other sources of mortality.
The potentiation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxicity by tamoxifen in female CD1 mice

Tamoxifen, an antiestrogen commonly used in breast cancer therapy, potentiated the lethality of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) when coadministered to female CD1 mice, despite the virtual lack of toxicity associated with the administration of tamoxifen alone. The 58-day ip LD50 of TCDD was reduced from 330 to 185 micrograms/kg by sc administration of 1 mg/kg/day tamoxifen. A significant dose-response relationship was observed for the potentiating effect of tamoxifen on TCDD lethality. All mice receiving TCDD developed a centrilobular pattern of hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis with perivascular infiltration of inflammatory cells. Clinical chemistry parameters were indicative of liver disease. Abnormalities in mice receiving tamoxifen plus TCDD were similar to, but more severe than, those in mice receiving TCDD only. Seven days after administration of [14C]TCDD, liver retention of radioactivity was increased 80-100% by coadministration of tamoxifen. This elevated retention was associated with a 50 and 37% decrease in excretion of radioactivity by the urinary and fecal routes, respectively. Our results suggest that the potentiation of TCDD toxicity by tamoxifen is associated with decreased excretion of TCDD, leading to elevated liver retention and enhanced severity of liver pathology.
A discrete dislocation plasticity analysis of a single-crystal semi-infinite medium indented by a rigid surface exhibiting multi-scale roughness

Discrete dislocation plasticity was used to analyse plane-strain indentation of a single-crystal elastic–plastic semi-infinite medium by a rigid surface exhibiting multi-scale roughness, characterised by self-affine (fractal) behaviour. Constitutive rules of dislocation emission, glide and annihilation were used to model short-range dislocation interactions. Dislocation multiplication and the development of subsurface shear stresses due to asperity microcontacts forming between a single-crystal medium and a rough surface were examined in terms of surface roughness and topography (fractal) parameters, slip-plane direction and spacing, dislocation source density, and contact load (surface interference). The effect of multi-scale interactions between asperity microcontacts on plasticity is elucidated in light of results showing the evolution of dislocation structures. Numerical solutions yield insight into plastic flow of crystalline materials in normal contact with surfaces exhibiting multi-scale roughness.
Eocene Lizards of the Clade Geiseltaliellus from Messel and Geiseltal, Germany, and the Early Radiation of Iguanidae (Reptilia: Squamata)

ABSTRACT The historical biogeography of the lizard clade Iguanidae is complicated. In addition to difficulties within the New World, where most of the more than 900 living species are found, two extant iguanid clades, Brachylophus and Oplurinae, occur well outside it. Moreover, there is a small set of Eocene species in Europe, most notably those placed in the genus Geiseltaliellus. To examine the relevance of Geiseltaliellus to iguanid biogeography, I redescribe several well-preserved specimens (nearly complete skeletons with epidermal scales) from the middle Eocene lake deposits of Messel, Germany. These specimens were previously referred to the type species, G. longicaudus, but comparison with the type material reveals differences that warrant specific distinction. Messel Geiseltaliellus resembles extant Basiliscus in squamation and parietal growth. Phylogenetic analysis of morphological data using Bayesian and parsimony methods suggests the following about the evolution of pleurodont iguanians: (1) Igu...
Purification and characterization of two forms of urokinase

Affinity chromatography on agmatine-Sepharose was used for the separation of two active forms of urokinase (EC 3.4.99.26) from partially purified human urinary urokinase. The approximate molecular weight of the heavier form was 47 000 and of the lighter 33 400. Both forms were homogeneous by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and by 3H-labeled diisopropylphosphorofluoridate and 14C-labeled p-nitrophenyl-p'-guanidinobenzoate incorporation studies. The 33 400 mol. wt. form had a single chain, and the 47 000 mol. wt. form had two chains (33 100 and 18 600 mol. wt.) linked by disulfide bonds. The specific activity of the heavier form was 104 000 CTA units/mg protein, compared with 226 000 units/mg for the lighter form but the activities per mmol of active site (molar activities) of the two forms were almost identical (9.6-10(9) and 10.2-10(9) CTA units/mmol). Isoelectric focusing on gels showed that the 47 000 material contained one major subform with a pI of 8.60 and a minor subform with a pI of 8.90, while the 33 400 material had three major subforms with pI values of 8.35, 8.60 and 8.70, respectively, and a minor subform with a pI of 8.05. 3H-labeled diisopropylphosphorofluoridate incorporation studies revealed an active-site serine residue in the heavy chain.
Effect of dietary vitamin E and selenium on rats: Pyruvate kinase, glutathione peroxidase and oxidative damage

Abstract Four groups of 35-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a basal low vitamin E and selenium diet supplemented with either A) nothing (−E,−Se), B) 2.0 ppm selenium (−E,+Se), C) 100 ppm vitamin E (+E,−Se) or D) 2.0 ppm selenium plus 100 ppm vitamin E (+E,+Se) for up to 105 days. Relative to animals in +E,+Se group, the activity of plasma pyruvate kinase (PK) was found to increase significantly in −E,−Se group from day 36, and from day 49 in −E,+Se group. At the end of 105 days the increase was approximately 50-fold for −E,−Se group, and 17-fold for −E,+Se group. The activity of plasma glutathione peroxidase was decreased to approximately 50% in −E,−Se group after 9 days, and 14 days for −E,+Se group. Similar to the activity of plasma PK, the relative susceptibility to erythrocyte hemolysis and the amount of hepatic malonaldehyde formed were found to be −E,−Se>−E,+Se≫+E,−Se and +E,+Se. The results obtained suggest that plasma PK activity can serve as an indicator for assessing the degree of oxidative damage resulting from vitamin E deficiency in rats, and that dietary vitamin E and selenium can spare each other during deprivation.
Transcription of the cauliflower mosaic virus genome in isolated nuclei from turnip leaves.

Abstract Nuclei isolated from turnip ( Brassica rapa L. c.v. Just Right) leaves infected with cauliflower mosaic virus synthesize RNA in vitro which hybridizes to purified cauliflower mosaic virus DNA. Nuclei isolated from uninfected leaves do not produce these viral transcripts in vitro . Viral-specific transcription in isolated nuclei is catalyzed by endogenous DNA-dependent RNA polymerase 11 based on sensitivity to α-amanitin and ionic strength optima. Only one strand of the viral genome is transcribed in vitro in isolated nuclei. The RNA synthesized in vitro hybridizes to the same strand and Eco RI restriction fragments of cauliflower mosaic virus DNA as the viral-specific RNA that accumulates in vivo in infected turnip leaves.
PET evaluation of bilingual language compensation following early childhood brain damage.

Abstract We report a positron emission tomography (PET) study in a 37-year-old, right handed, bilingual (English and American Sign Language) male with left frontal lobe damage, without evidence of language or general intellectual dysfunction. A brain MRI scan demonstrated an atrophic lesion of the left dorsolateral prefrontal, orbital, and opercular cortices extending from the frontal pole to precentral gyrus and including parts of anterior cingulate cortex, due to an probable infantile encephalitis. H 2 15 O PET scans found evidence of increased right hemisphere activity compared to normal controls during spontaneous generation of narrative in both English and ASL. Neuropsychological data were within normal limits with the exception of visuospatial function. The results suggest the possibility that plasticity, unmasking of neural pathways, and or other adaptations of language function in the right hemisphere may have occurred, and are discussed with regard to the crowding hypothesis.
JRI, JF, and the Internet: Coauthors, New Authors/ and Empirical Research

This article examines how the Internet has changed the work of academic researchers and addresses the question of how expanded Internet usage has affected Journal of Risk and Insurance (JRI) and Journal of Finance (JF) articles, in cluding the shift to empirical research, joint authorship, and new authorship. Internet availability significantly increased joint authorship overall (more for JF than for JRI), shifting upwards a strong secular trend toward working with other researchers. Another big impact of the Internet has been to increase the number of new authors (more for JRI than for JF).
MacMARCKS Is Not Essential for Phagocytosis in Macrophages

MacMARCKS (also known as myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS)-related protein) is a member of the MARCKS family of protein kinase C substrates. MacMARCKS contains within it a basic effector domain that contains the serine residues that are phosphorylated by protein kinase C, as well as a calcium/calmodulin and actin-binding site. Two previous reports demonstrated that a macrophage cell line expressing a mutant form of MacMARCKS that lacks the effector domain is defective in phagocytosis and cell adhesion (Zhu, Z., Bao, Z., and Li, J. (1995) J. Biol. Chem.270, 17652–17655; Li, J., Zhu, Z., and Bao, Z. (1996) J. Biol. Chem.271, 12985–12990). We report here that macrophages from MacMARCKS null mice phagocytose and spread normally. Thus, although MacMARCKS is recruited to phagosomes, it is not absolutely required for phagocytosis.
The molecular basis of HbH disease in Greece.

Abstract Globin gene mapping in 16 Greek individuals with HbH disease and their parents has demonstrated the occurrence of several HbH genotypes brought about by the interaction of two alpha zero-thalassaemia and two alpha+-thalassaemia haplotypes. Eight of the 16 patients had the genotype - -Med/-alpha 3.7, four the genotype -(alpha)20.5/-alpha 3.7 and three the genotype - -Med/alpha alpha T. In one patient the restriction data are consistent with two possible genotypes alpha alpha T/alpha alpha T or - -/alpha alpha T. It is demonstrated that HbH disease in Greece is heterogeneous, with the deletion haplotypes - -Med and -alpha 3.7 being more prevalent than the -(alpha)20.5 and non-deletion (alpha alpha T) haplotypes.
The origin and cycling of particulate and sedimentary organic matter and nitrate in Lake Superior

Abstract The elemental and isotopic composition of water column particulate and sedimentary organic matter and nitrate in Lake Superior was determined to assess the origin and cycling of these materials. The δ 15 N and δ 13 C of sedimentary organic matter and suspended particles at three stations were consistent with an origin primarily from autochthonous production. The δ 15 N of seston was controlled by a balance between the isotope effects associated with nitrate uptake and microbial degradation. The ratio of chlorophyll fluorescence to light hindrance (100-transmittance) was used in this study as an indication of the relative composition of recently produced photosynthetic vs. refractory and non-photosynthetic materials (such as bacteria or microzooplankton). Chlorophyll fluorescence to light hindrance (CF:LH) ratios were greatest within the region of the thermocline at the shallow station and lowest in the near bottom waters of the unstratified deep station. These changes in CF:LH indicated a predominance of recently produced photosynthetic material in surface stratified waters and an increase in refractory or non-photosynthetic material at the deepest station relative to the shallow station. Seston at the deepest station was characterized by the highest δ 15 N value of the three stations suggesting that degradation, bacterial growth, and/or an enrichment in microzooplankton resulted in an increase in the 15 N content of seston. Seston at the shallowest station was characterized by high CF:LH ratios and low δ 15 N values suggesting a greater relative contribution of labile material and an influence of an isotope effect during nutrient assimilation. Suspended particles in the benthic nepheloid layer were characterized by marked depletions in 13 C and 15 N relative to seston and sedimentary organic matter and indicated a unique origin for this material, possibly from recent primary production. The δ 15 N and δ 13 C of particles within the sediment boundary layer were intermediate those of sediments and nepheloid layer particles and were suggestive of an origin from the mixing of these two materials. Nitrate in Lake Superior was characterized by the lowest δ 15 N reported for an aquatic environment (average of −4.1‰). These low δ 15 N values and large input of water from precipitation directly to the lake surface suggests that much of the nitrate in Lake Superior is derived from atmospheric deposition.
The analysis of mixtures using the 2-D INADEQUATE NMR technique

Abstract The potential of the 2-D INADEQUATE NMR experiment for identifying different 13 C⧹ 13 C connectivities and distinguishing between signals of compounds with very similar structures is demonstrated for two mixtures: quinoline and 3-acetyl pyridine, and n -propanol and 1,2-propanediol, and for the isomeric forms of the two disaccharides: cellobiose and maltose. The 1-D 13 C NMR spectrum of the first mixture has features very similar to that of pyridine, whereas the second mixture shows absorptions characteristic of tetrahydrofuran, however the INADEQUATE experiment clearly distinguishes between pyridine and tetrahydrofuran and the two mixtures. For cellobiose and maltose, 22 and 23 separate signals have been assigned respectively to specific carbon nuclei of the α and β anomers.
Local optimization on graphs

Abstract The complexity of finding local optima is an open problem for many neighborhood structures. We show how to derive close lower and upper bounds on the minimum number of function evaluations needed to find a local optimum in an arbitrary graph. When these bounding techniques are applied to the hypercube, the results give insights into the class PLS and the gap between the average and worst-case behavior of local search.
D-Amino acids as source of non-specific nitrogen for growth of rats.

SummaryRats fed a diet containing physiological amounts of essential L-amino acids but lacking non-essential amino acids grew at a slow rate. Growth rate was increased by increasing concentration of all essential amino acids. Feeding a mixture of DL-amino acids in comparable amounts resulted in growth retardation of animals. Growth inhibition produced by the racemic mixture was traced to an isoleucine deficiency resulting from inclusion of DL-isoleucine, which was actually a mixture of all 4 isomers, thus effectively diluting the active isomer. Substitution of L-isoleucine or a mixture of L- and D allo-isoleucine for the racemic compound in the DL mixture entirely overcame inhibition and produced growth comparable to that obtained with L-amino acids. The experiments provide evidence that D-amino acids can be effectively used as source of nitrogen for biosynthesis of non-essential amino acids.
Differential response to RNA trans-splicing signals within the phosphoglycerate kinase gene cluster in Trypanosoma brucei

In trypanosomatids, nuclear pre-mRNA splicing is exclusively a trans-splicing reaction in which a capped, 39 nt exon, the mini-exon, is positioned 5' to an open reading frame. Differential RNA splicing might reflect specific mini-exon and 3' splice site interactions. To test this hypothesis, we compared the efficiency of mini-exon addition to three natural 3' splice acceptor sites (SASs) located within a single pre-mRNA transcript. In Trypanosoma brucei, the phosphoglycerate kinase A, B and C genes (PGK A, B and C) are co-expressed as three consecutive sequences on a polycistronic pre-mRNA. This pre-mRNA gives rise to unequal amounts of PGK A, B and C mRNAs. When the SAS from each gene was placed upstream of the luciferase open reading frame and the resultant constructs transiently transfected into T. brucei procyclic cells, luciferase activity levels indicated differential SAS utilization. Enzyme activity was low when the SAS from the A gene was present. Levels were indistinguishable when the B and C SASs were compared. After replacing luciferase with chloramphenicol acetyl transferase in the test constructs, enzyme activities were shown to directly correlate with mRNA amounts. Thus, poor splicing efficiency accounts for the differential expression of the PGK A mRNA during PGK pre-mRNA maturation. This reaction appears to reflect the polypyrimidine pattern within the 3' splice acceptor site.
An HMM-based behavior modeling approach for continuous mobile authentication

This paper studies continuous authentication for touch interface based mobile devices. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based behavioral template training approach is presented, which does not require training data from other subjects other than the owner of the mobile. The stroke patterns of a user are modeled using a continuous left-right HMM. The approach models the horizontal and vertical scrolling patterns of a user since these are the basic and mostly used interactions on a mobile device. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated through extensive experiments using the Toucha-lytics database which comprises of touch data over time. The results show that the performance of the proposed approach is better than the state-of-the-art method.
A cross-layer design for dynamic resource block allocation in 3G Long Term Evolution system

3G Long Term Evolution (LTE) has emerged as a comprehensive evolution of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE system uses resource blocks which are the basic unit of exchanging information in both downlink and uplink. However, resource allocation scheme, which is a crucial component to guarantee quality of service, remains as an open issue. In this paper, we propose a novel cross-layer scheduling algorithm for LTE system that allocates resources, both as resource blocks and a modulation and coding scheme, among users with different traffic load. The algorithm minimizes the overall average packet delay and takes into account queueing theory, modulation and coding scheme supported by each user, channel condition, and available transmit power. Simulation results shows that the proposed algorithm provides substantial reduction in average delay compared to conventional algorithm.
Dimensions of the Recruiter's Role in the Employment Process

jobs on the assumption an objective process w d match people to employment opportunities. Frequently, the latter process is medated by recruiters. Yet, the literature on vocational behavior offers little information regarding recruiters' perceptions of their roles. To explore how recruiters understand their roles, questionnaires were distributed to 500 members of the National Association of Corporate and Professional Recruiters of whom 92 responded (18%). Participants rated their contributions in five areas of recruiting on a 5-point scale anch,ored by (1) no contribution at all and ( 5 ) single greatest contribution. These items (see Table 1) were selected by observation and discussion with experienced recruiters on the Association's executive board.
The ASP3 locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae originated by horizontal gene transfer from Wickerhamomyces

The asparagine degradation pathway in the S288c laboratory strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is comprised of genes located at two separate loci. ASP1 is located on chromosome IV and encodes for cytosolic l-asparaginase I, whereas ASP3 contains a gene cluster located on chromosome XII comprised of four identical genes, ASP3-1, ASP3-2, ASP3-3, and ASP3-4, which encode for cell wall-associated l-asparaginase II. Interestingly, the ASP3 locus appears to be only present, in variable copy number, in S. cerevisiae strains isolated from laboratory or industrial environments and is completely absent from the genomes of 128 diverse fungal species. Investigation of the evolutionary history of ASP3 across these 128 genomes as well as across the genomes of 43 S. cerevisiae strains shows that ASP3 likely arose in a S. cerevisiae strain via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from, or a close relative of, the wine yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus, which co-occurs with S. cerevisiae in several biotechnological processes. Thus, because the ASP3 present in the S288c laboratory strain of S. cerevisiae is induced in response to nitrogen starvation, its acquisition may have aided yeast adaptation to artificial environments. Our finding that the ASP3 locus in S. cerevisiae originated via HGT further highlights the importance of gene sharing between yeasts in the evolution of their remarkable metabolic diversity.
Conjoint-Measurement Framework for the Study of Probabilistic Information Processing.

The theory of conjoint measurement described by Krantz et al. (1971) is shown to indicate how a descriptive model of human processing of probabilistic information built around Bayes' rule is to be tested and how it is to be used to obtain subjective scale values. Specific relationships concerning these scale values are shown to emerge, and the theoretical prospects resulting from this development are discussed.