cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simon Marius’s Mundus Iovialis: 400th Anniversary in Galileo’s Shadow:

Simon Marius, Court Astronomer in Ansbach in Germany, independently discovered the moons of Jupiter one day after Galileo’s widely accepted discovery on 7 January 1610. Because Marius was using the Julian calendar (so-called O.S., Old Style), his discovery was made in 1609, though adding the 10 days of difference to transform, to the Gregorian calendar (so-called N.S., New Style) that Galileo was using, his notes of his discovery give 8 January 1610 (N.S.). Further, though Galileo famously published his Sidereus Nuncius in March 1610, Marius did not publish his discovery of four moons circling Jupiter until 1611, in a locally circulated almanac. He then published this work in a major book, Mundus Iovialis, though not until 1614. Galileo, who was forceful in asserting his priority, accused Marius of plagiarism in Il Saggiatore (1623), and Marius’s reputation was ruined for hundreds of years. Only in the early 1900s did a jury in the Netherlands assess the discovery claims and vindicate Marius, though Mariu...
Rome as the centre of the universe: papal grace and music patronage

In 1450 Giovanni Rucellai, a Florentine visitor to Rome, counted 1022 inns ‘with signboards’, and a quantity of other hostelries. For centuries, Rome had been a magnet that drew the faithful by the tens of thousands to its venerable walls. The reason, of course, was that it was the ancestral home of the Holy See – the centre of the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Although urbs Roma could not boast of this honour throughout the entire Middle Ages, by the middle of the fifteenth century, with the reign of Nicholas V, the Holy See was securely re-established at Rome, never to depart again.The flood of religious pilgrims to the Holy City, during Jubilee years and at other times, certainly accounted for a large part of the crowds of visitors to Rome. It is not, however, the Rome of the pilgrim that will concern us here, but the city that housed the papal Curia, the vast bureaucracy established to assist the pontiff with the temporal and spiritual responsibilities of his office. Thousands of petitioners came to Rome not to seek plenary indulgence but to secure for themselves a particular and specific papal Grace.
Sorption of Nitroaromatics by Ammonium- and Organic Ammonium-Exchanged Smectite: Shifts from Adsorption/Complexation to a Partition-Dominated Process

Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are components of munitions commonly found as soil contaminants at military training sites and elsewhere. These compounds pose possible threats to human health and ecological systems. Recent studies indicate that these compounds are strongly retained by smectite clays. The adsorption mechanisms are not fully reconciled, but it is known that the type of exchangeable cation strongly affects NAC affinity for smectites. This study examined the sorption of 1,3-dinitrobenzene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene and naphthalene from water by a smectite clay (SWy-2) saturated with ammonium, tetramethylammonium (TMA), trimethylphenylammonium (TMPA) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA). In all cases, we observed greater sorption of 2,4-dinitrotoluene compared with 1,3-dinitrobenzene. The sorption isotherms for 2,4-dinitrotoluene and 1,3-dinitrobenzene displayed a concave-downward curve for NH4-SWy-2 and TMA-SWy-2, whereas the isotherms for sorption of HDTMA-SWy-2 and TMPA-SWy-2 were essentially linear. The magnitude of sorption followed the order: NH4-SWy-2 > TMA-SWy-2 > TMPA-SWy-2 > HDTMA-SWy-2 for both compounds. The greater affinity of NACs for NH4- and TMA-SWy-2 is due in part to complex formation between the exchangeable cation and −NO2 groups. These clays also provide near optimal interlayer distances that approximate the molecular thickness of NACs hence promoting the simultaneous interaction of the planar aromatic rings with opposing siloxane surfaces and solute dehydration. Both processes are energetically favorable. In HDTMA-SWy-2, sorption of all solutes is via a partition-dominated process. Solute competition (diminished uptake of one solute in the presence of a second) was observed for TMA-SWy-2 but not HDTMA-SWy-2. This is consistent with an adsorptive mechanism for TMA-SWy-2 and a partitioning mechanism for HDTMA-SWy-2. This study demonstrates that the dominant molecular mechanism of NAC sorption by smectite changes fundamentally from complexation between −NO2 groups and the exchangeable cation (viz. NH4 and TMA) to partitioning for a systematic series of ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations in which the locus of positive charge (the central N atom) is progressively shielded by organic moieties of increasing size.
Synthetic Signal Peptides Specifically Recognize SecA and Stimulate ATPase Activity in the Absence of Preprotein

Abstract Although it is known that virtually all exported proteins require a signal peptide, it is not clearly understood how the signal peptide interfaces with the translocation machinery to achieve transport. In this study we document a direct interaction between the signal peptide and SecA, a primary component of the translocase inEscherichia coli, and show that the signal peptide itself can stimulate SecA-lipid ATPase activity. Using synthetic signal peptides corresponding to the wild type alkaline phosphatase signal sequence and two model sequences, we find that the extent of stimulation of SecA ATPase activity by the different peptides parallels the hierarchy of results found for in vivo function (Izard, J. W., Doughty, M. B., and Kendall, D. A. (1995)Biochemistry 34, 9904–9912). The peptide-induced activity requires a lipid to protein molar ratio of at least 300:1 and liposomes enriched in negatively charged phospholipids. Furthermore, specific binding of the signal peptide to SecA was demonstrated using chemical cross-linking and competition with unlabeled peptides.
In vitro toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion of two restorative composites.

Background Surface wear can be a problem with directly placed composites. Purpose This study evaluated the in vitro wear and surface roughness of two composites at different cycle intervals after being subjected to toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion. Materials and methods Twenty specimens of a microhybrid, Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA), and a nanofill composite, Filtek Supreme (3M ESPE), were prepared according to the manufacturer's directions. Each specimen was subjected to toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion (250 g vertical load) using a deionized water-dentifrice slurry (Close-Up, Lever Ponds Ltd., La Lucia, ZA) and toothbrush heads (Oral-B 40, Oral-B Laboratories, Delmont, CA, USA). A brushing sequence of 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 strokes was performed for all samples at a rate of 1.5 Hz. At baseline and each cycle interval, a surface profilometer was used to determine average surface roughness, Ra. At the same intervals, vertical loss of material was measured with a precision micrometer. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance at p value .05. Analyses with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also performed. Results After 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 cycles, Filtek Supreme showed less significant wear than Z250. Filtek Supreme demonstrated higher surface roughness than Z250 after 50,000 and 100,000 cycles. However, AFM and SEM images indicated a more uniform surface topography for Filtek Supreme than for Z250. Abrasion wear and surface roughness increased with each cycle interval for both materials. Conclusions Although the initial performance of both materials was similar, a greater number of brushing cycles revealed differences between the wear resistance and generated surface roughness of the materials. Clinical significance The wear resistance and roughness results of Filtek Supreme suggest that it is suitable for clinical use, mainly in areas that are more subject to abrasive wear, such as Class V restorations.
An electron microscope study of canine cardiac myosin and some of its aggregates.

The morphology of the canine cardiac myosin molecule has been investigated in the electron microscope with Hall's mica-replica technique. The molecule is an elongated rod (shaft) of nonuniform diameter with a globular expansion (head) on one end. Statistical analysis of the lengths of 1908 molecules showed that the mean length was 1610 ± 250 A; the mean length of the head was 210 ± 20 A; and the diameter of the head and that of the shaft were 35 to 40 and 15 to 20 A, respectively. About one-third of the molecules had single or multiple, fairly sharp, angulations along their shafts. Rarely, some details of the substructure of the molecule have been observed. Large, spindle-shaped aggregates, measuring 0.5 to 1 µ in length and 50 to 100 A in diameter, were produced by dilution of the myosin solutions. These aggregates were readily visualized in the electron microscope by means of Huxley's negative-staining technique. Projections often were visible along the length of the aggregates except at a central zone where they were frequently absent. The aggregates resembled the thick myofilaments of the myocardium and appeared similar to those produced by Huxley from skeletal myosin solutions.
BWR pipe crack and weld clad overlay studies

Leaks and cracks in the heat-affected zones of weldments in austenitic stainless steel piping in boiling water reactors (BWRs) due to intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) have been observed since the mid-1960s. Since that time, cracking has continued to occur, and indication have been found in all parts of the recirculation system, including the largest diameter lines. Proposed solutions for the problem include procedures that produce a more favorable residual stress state on the inner surface, materials that are more resistant to stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and changes in the reactor environment that decrease the susceptibility to cracking. In addition to the evaluation of these remedies, it is also important to gain a better understanding of the weld overlay procedure, which is the most widely used short-term repair for flawed piping.
Endoscopic probe optics for spectrally encoded confocal microscopy

Spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) is a form of reflectance confocal microscopy that can achieve high imaging speeds using relatively simple probe optics. Previously, the feasibility of conducting large-area SECM imaging of the esophagus in bench top setups has been demonstrated. Challenges remain, however, in translating SECM into a clinically-useable device; the tissue imaging performance should be improved, and the probe size needs to be significantly reduced so that it can fit into luminal organs of interest. In this paper, we report the development of new SECM endoscopic probe optics that addresses these challenges. A custom water-immersion aspheric singlet (NA = 0.5) was developed and used as the objective lens. The water-immersion condition was used to reduce the spherical aberrations and specular reflection from the tissue surface, which enables cellular imaging of the tissue deep below the surface. A custom collimation lens and a small-size grating were used along with the custom aspheric singlet to reduce the probe size. A dual-clad fiber was used to provide both the single- and multi- mode detection modes. The SECM probe optics was made to be 5.85 mm in diameter and 30 mm in length, which is small enough for safe and comfortable endoscopic imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. The lateral resolution was 1.8 and 2.3 µm for the single- and multi- mode detection modes, respectively, and the axial resolution 11 and 17 µm. SECM images of the swine esophageal tissue demonstrated the capability of this device to enable the visualization of characteristic cellular structural features, including basal cell nuclei and papillae, down to the imaging depth of 260 µm. These results suggest that the new SECM endoscopic probe optics will be useful for imaging large areas of the esophagus at the cellular scale in vivo.
5-Hydroxytryptamine2 and 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors mediate opposing responses on membrane excitability in rat association cortex

The effects of serotonin on pyramidal cells of layer V of the medial prefrontal cortex were examined using intracellular recording techniques in rat brain slices in vitro. Bath administration of serotonin (0.3-100 microM) produced two distinct responses which could be differentiated physiologically and pharmacologically. The first of these responses was a membrane hyperpolarization. This effect of serotonin was associated with a decrease in input resistance and was independent of the transmembrane chloride gradient, suggesting that it was mediated by an increase in potassium conductance. The ability of serotonin to induce a hyperpolarization was mimicked by (+/-)-8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide and was blocked by BMY 7378 and spiperone but not by ketanserin, indicating that it was mediated by the activation of receptors of the 5-hydroxytryptamine1A subtype. The second response to serotonin involved a membrane depolarization, the replacement of the afterhyperpolarization that follows a burst of spikes in these cells by a slow depolarizing afterpotential, and a decrease in spike frequency accommodation. These effects were mimicked by 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl-isopropylamine and antagonized by ketanserin and by low concentrations of spiperone, indicating that they were mediated by the activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptors. Interestingly, qualitatively identical responses could be elicited in these cells by activation of muscarinic and alpha 1-adrenergic receptors suggesting that 5-hydroxytryptamine2, muscarinic and alpha 1-adrenergic receptors converge onto a common set of membrane mechanisms to increase cellular excitability. Although 5-hydroxytryptamine1A and 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptors mediated opposing effects on membrane excitability, most pyramidal neurons appeared to express both receptor subtypes on their membrane surface. The coactivation of both receptor subtypes resulted in a selective enhancement of responsiveness to strong excitatory stimuli with little effect on weaker stimuli. The paradoxical presence of two serotonin receptors mediating opposite effects on membrane excitability in the same cell provides a flexible mechanism by which serotonin might regulate how pyramidal neurons encode incoming excitatory stimuli onto firing activity.
Branch-and-price approach for prescribing profitable feature upgrades

High technology products such as notebook computers and digital cameras have short life cycles due to global competition and rapid technological advances. As newer products, replete with latest technologies, become available, the demand for older products erodes. To renew the competitiveness of a product, the manufacturer may upgrade its features over time. Since products comprise a set of features with several alternatives for each, design involves complicated decisions: which features to upgrade, what alternatives should be chosen, and when to upgrade. This paper proposes a model to prescribe profitable upgrades of individual features in a family of products. The model integrates decisions traditionally made by various organizations in the enterprise (marketing, product design engineering, process design engineering, production planning and supply chain management). The special structures embedded in the model are identified and decomposition principles are applied to solve large-scale instances of the ...
Phage display selection of peptides that affect prostate carcinoma cells attachment and invasion

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer-specific proteins must be identified to serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers. Cell surface proteins are especially important, because they have potential utility as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Identification of ligands for these proteins will allow use of these ligands as diagnostic and therapeutic tools and permit the investigation of receptor function. We performed a search for peptide ligands to prostate cancer cell-specific receptors. METHODS Peptide phage display library was used to isolate specific ligands to LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells receptors. Selected phage and cognate peptides were investigated for their cancer-related functions, such as the ability to interfere with cell adhesion, spreading, motility, and invasion. RESULTS Phage designated pg35, blocked spreading of LNCaP cells and their derivatives C4–2 and C4–2b. Cognate peptide did not inhibit spreading, but incubation of C4–2 and C4–2b cells with cognate peptide increased their affinity for endothelial cells and invasiveness. In addition, the peptide activates matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and 9 in C4–2 and C4–2b cells. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that identified ligands may play a role in tumorigenicity and metastatic transformation of prostate cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of a functional cancer-specific peptide ligand using the phage display approach. Prostate 47:239–251, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Carbanion-accelerated Claisen rearrangements 3. Vicinal quaternary centers

Abstract The preparation and Claisen rearrangement of highly substituted allyl vinyl ethers is described. It is demonstrated that the thermal and anionic versions of the Claisen rearrangement are capable of creating vicinal quaternary centers.
VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Although some believe that the family courts are gender biased against fathers, Judge Menno disagrees. From his experience as a family court judge and his view from the bench, fathers are treated fairly in court determinations pertaining to access to their children. In making these determinations, courts must take into consideration the reality of divorce and out-of-wedlock arrangements. This article describes how Judge Menno's county family court operates, and he further subgroups various types of fathers, describing how each fares in the family court when trying to gain access to their children.
Neoplastic and Nonneoplastic Benign Mass Lesions of the Lung

While most lung neoplasms are malignant, a subset of true neoplasms are benign, the most common of which are pulmonary hamartomas. In addition, a substantial proportion of lung mass lesions are nonneoplastic; granulomas are among the commonly encountered nonneoplastic masses. There is also a group of relatively rare, mainly inflammatory and fibrous tumor-like lesions that are encountered on core biopsy and excisions of lung tissue.
Error-free computation of the moore-penrose inverse with application to linear least squares analysis

The paper develops a numerical method which allows error-free computation of the Moore-Penrose inverse of a matrix having rational elements. Multiple modulus residue arithmetic is used to avoid error that is inherent in floating-point arithmetic. The method is an improved form of one originally presented by Stallings and Boullion (1972).
Intelligent autopilot for remote classroom: A cloud based solution

We present a work in progress on a cloud based intelligent autopilot system for remote classrooms to improve the remote classroom experience through better social presence and personal interaction. This cloud based autopilot system connects remote classrooms through an easy-to-use autoconfiguring software interface. Rather than running complex software at the remote classroom location, our system connects the classrooms directly but monitors communications and acts as a Computational Intelligence system using a so-called Perceptual State Machine, otherwise known as a finite state machine. This Perceptual State Machine makes use of fuzzy classifiers as its transition functions. This paper describes the technical aspects of this cloud based solution, some of its features and reports our most recent model for development.
Neural stem and progenitor cells in cortical development

Recent work has begun to identify neural stem and progenitor cells in the embryonic and adult brain, and is unravelling the mechanisms whereby new nerve cells are created and delivered to their correct locations. Radial glial (RG) cells, which are present in the developing mammalian brain, have been proposed to be neural stem cells because they produce multiple cell types. Furthermore, time-lapse imaging demonstrates that RG cells undergo asymmetric self-renewing divisions to produce immature neurons that migrate along their parent radial fibre to reach the developing cerebral cortex. RG cells also produce intermediate progenitor (IP) cells that undergo symmetric division in the subventricular zone of the embryonic cortex to produce pairs of neurons. The symmetric IP divisions increase cell number within the same cortical layer. This two-step process of neurogenesis suggests new mechanisms for the generation of cell diversity and cell number in the developing cortex and supports a model similar to that proposed for the development of the fruit fly CNS. In this model, a temporal sequence of gene expression changes in asymmetrically dividing self-renewed RG cells could lead to the differential inheritance of cell identity genes in cortical cells generated at different cell cycles.
Mechanical properties of a partially sintered alumina

Abstract An experimental investigation was performed to understand the mechanical properties of alumina with moderate amounts of porosity (∼ 20–40%). Young's modulus, strength and fracture toughness showed similar behavior as a function of the degree of sintering. For low sintering temperatures (
The LLNL Multi-user Tandem Laboratory PIXE microprobe☆

Abstract We have recently completed the construction of a new ion beamline primarily for particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis. This will supplement our current ion microtomography (IMT) material characterization capabilities using accelerator microanalysis. In this paper we describe the PIXE beamline and give some results that characterize the system. We also report the results of some initial experiments.
Striking a balance in boundary-spanning positions: An investigation of some unconventional influences of role stressors and job characteristics on job outcomes of salespeople

Most previous studies have focused on the linear effects of role stressors and job characteristics on salespersons’ behavioral (e.g., performance) and psychological (e.g., satisfaction) job outcome...
Determination of Milk Lipase

Summary 1.A method for the quantitative estimation of lipase in cows' milk is presented. 2.Determinations run at various incubation times and sample levels agree within 5 per cent. 3.The pH for optimum activity of cows' milk lipase is 8.5.
The Human Microbiome Project: An Opportunity to Engage Undergraduates in Research

Abstract The Human Microbiome Project (HMP) aims to characterize the diversity of microbial species found at several different sites on the human body. The HMP has sequenced hundreds of microbial reference genomes from multiple body sites and provides a wealth of primary genomic sequence data for analysis. Existing open source bioinformatics applications and resources allow for functional analysis of genomic data. Even budding scientists can quickly learn the tools necessary for functional gene annotation and comparative genomics analysis. These analyses in turn can provide the bases for hypothesis generation and testing at the laboratory bench. We are making use of these data and tools for student research in our NSF-sponsored project, Genome Solver. Our project has two parts: (1) development of workshops for faculty training in use of these tools, incorporated into a framework of sound pedagogy and (2) generation of a web site that will serve as an online community of practice for students, faculty, and bioinformatics experts to share work and ideas.
Effect of Wet Treatment on Stability of Spin-On Dielectrics for STI Gap-Filling in Nanoscale Memory

As a design rule of memory devices is scaled down to sub-100 nm, shallow trench isolation (STI) technology is faced with gap-filling problem in case of CVD oxide and O3-TEOS oxide processes. To overcome the gap-filling problem, a perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) based spin-on dielectric (SOD) has been implemented for nanoscale devices because of self-planarization and excellent gap-filling property [1]. However, the stability of the SOD has been concerned about because it has relatively softer and more porous than conventional HDP oxide. In this paper, we report the effect of wet oxidant treatment on the stability of the SOD for STI gap-filling.
Application of microhardness testing for the analysis of powder consolidation processes

Consolidation of metal and ceramic powders with or without reinforcements is used extensively to produce structural components for demanding applications such as those involving large stresses or high temperature exposure. Hence, modeling of such processes has received substantial attention. These efforts can be grouped into two major areas of activity: those which are micromechanical and those which are continuum in nature. In the first type of approach, the details of particle-particle interactions and discrete densification and deformation mechanisms such as instantaneous plastic flow, power-law creep, and diffusional flow are treated. Unfortunately these techniques require a large amount of material property data which are often known only approximately and hence can lead to substantial uncertainties in predicted densification rates. The objective of the present work was twofold. The first was to establish that microhardness measurements can be used to estimate the relative density (and hence the density distribution) in porous compacts. This would also enable the experimental validation of numerical simulation models for consolidation processes. The second, and equally important goal, was to demonstrate that hardness data can also be used as a method to determine the stress intensification factor and thus may serve in some respects as a state variablemore » indicative of the local relative density in a partially densified compact.« less
Sinonasal small cell neoplasm developing after radiation therapy for retinoblastoma: An immunohistologic, ultrastructural, and cytogenetic study

Patients with retinoblastoma have an increased risk of developing second primary tumors. Only a few examples of sinonasal small cell neoplasms developing after radiation therapy for retinoblastoma have been reported. We report one such case that developed 18 years after treatment for retinoblastoma. Histologic examination revealed a small, blue, round cell tumor without rosettes or cytoplasmic glycogen. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and S-100 protein, but negative for epithelial and mesenchymal markers, suggesting that this was a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Cytogenetic studies of this tumor failed to reveal the chromosome 13 abnormality typical of retinoblastoma and the t(11:22) translocation typical of the group of peripheral neuroepitheliomas.
Bone Properties by Nanoindentation in Mild and Severe Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Abstract Background Osteogenesis imperfecta is a heterogeneous genetic disorder characterized by bone fragility. Previous research suggests that impaired collagen network and abnormal mineralization affect bone tissue properties, however, little data is yet available to describe bone material properties in individuals with this disorder. Bone material properties have not been characterized in individuals with the most common form of osteogenesis imperfecta, type I. Methods Bone tissue elastic modulus and hardness were measured by nanoindentation in eleven osteotomy specimens that were harvested from children with osteogenesis imperfecta during routine surgeries. These properties were compared between osteogenesis imperfecta types I (mild, n = 6) and III (severe, n = 5), as well as between interstitial and osteonal microstructural regions using linear mixed model analysis. Findings Disease severity type had a small but statistically significant effect on modulus (7%, P = 0.02) and hardness (8%, P Interpretation The current study presents the first dataset describing bone material properties in individuals with the most common form of osteogenesis imperfecta, i.e., type I. Results indicate that intrinsic bone tissue properties are affected by phenotype. Knowledge of the material properties of bones in osteogenesis imperfecta will contribute to the ability to develop models to assist in predicting fracture risk.
A study of 11,003 patients with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and the association between surgeon and hospital volume and outcomes.

Abstract Aim The availability of large clinical databases allows for careful evaluation of surgical practices, indicators of quality improvement, and cost. We used a large clinical database to compare the effect of surgeon and hospital volume for the care of children with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). Methods Patients with International Classification of Diseases-9 codes for HPS and pyloromyotomy were selected from the 1994 to 2000 National Inpatient Samples database. Multiple and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the risk-adjusted association between provider volume and outcomes. Results Postoperative complications occurred in 2.71% of patients. Patients operated on by low- and intermediate-volume surgeons were more likely to have complications compared with those operated on by high-volume surgeons (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-3.78 and 95% CI, 1.25-2.69, respectively). Patients operated at low-volume hospitals were 1.6 times more likely to have complications compared with those operated at intermediate- or high-volume hospitals (95% CI, 1.19-2.20). Procedures performed at high-volume hospitals were less expensive than those at intermediate-volume hospitals by a margin of $910 (95% CI, $443-$1377). Conclusions These data represent the largest study to date on the epidemiology, complication rate, and cost for care for HPS. Patients treated by both high-volume surgeons and at high-volume hospitals have improved outcomes at less cost.
The interfacial elastic packing interactions of galactosylceramides, sphingomyelins, and phosphatidylcholines.

The interfacial elastic packing interactions of different galactosylceramides (GalCers), sphingomyelins (SMs), and phosphatidylcholines (PC) were compared by determining their elastic area compressibility moduli (Cs-1) as a function of lateral packing pressure (pi) in a Langmuir-type film balance. To assess the relative contributions of the lipid headgroups as well as those of the ceramide and diacylglycerol hydrocarbon regions, we synthesized various GalCer and SM species with identical, homogeneous acyl residues and compared their behavior to that of PCs possessing similar hydrocarbon structures. For PCs, this meant that the sn-1 acyl chain was long and saturated (e.g., palmitate) and the sn-2 chain composition was varied to match that of GalCer or SM. When at equivalent pi and in either the chain-disordered (liquid-expanded) or chain-ordered (liquid-condensed) state, GalCer films were less elastic than either SM or PC films. When lipid headgroups were identical (SM and PC), Cs-1 values (at equivalent pi) for chain-disordered SMs, but not chain-ordered SMs, were 25–30% higher than those of PCs. Typical values for fluid phase (liquid-expanded) GalCer at 30 mN/m and 24 degrees C were 158 (+/- 7) mN/m, whereas those of SM were 135 (+/- 7) mN/m and those of PC were 123 (+/- 2) mN/m. Pressure-induced transitions to chain-ordered states (liquid-condensed) resulted in significant increases (two- to fourfold) in the "in-plane" compressibility for all three lipid types. Typical Cs-1 values for chain-ordered GalCers at 30 mN/m and 24 degrees C were between 610 and 650 mN/m, whereas those of SM and of PC were very similar and were between 265 and 300 mN/m. Under fluid phase conditions, the pi-Cs-1 behavior for each lipid type was insensitive to whether the acyl chain was saturated or monounsaturated. Measurement of the Cs-1 values also provided an effective way to evaluate the two-dimensional phase transition region of SMs, GalCers, and PCs. Modest heterogeneity in the acyl composition led to transitional broadening. Our findings provide useful information regarding the in-plane elasticity of lipids that are difficult to investigate by alternative methods, i.e., micropipette aspiration technique. The results also provide insight into the stability of sphingolipid-enriched, membrane microdomains that are thought to play a role in the sorting and trafficking of proteins containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors with cells.
Consumer Perceptions of Selected Means of Reducing Food Safety Problems

Household and food store manager perceptions of the acceptance of four means of reducing the incidence and severity of food safety hazards were estimated using a mail survey in early 1992. Households gave limited acceptance to use of vacuum packaging, irradiation, organic production and pesticide-free production as means of reducing food safety hazards. Education of the household head was the only socioeconomic characteristic statistically impacting household acceptance of these four activities. Store manager perceptions of their customers' reactions to these procedures were statistically less favorable than those of the households.
The Effect of Pyridium, Penicillin, Furacin, and Phenoxethol upon the Livability of Spermatozoa and upon the Control of Bacteria in Diluted Bull Semen,

Summary and Conclusions 1.The possible usefulness of pyridium was limited by its low solubility. Maximum attainable concentrations produced no noticeable effects on spermatozoan livability or on bacterial growth. 2.Two commercial penicillins were equally effective in controlling bacterial growth and were slightly superior to sulfanilamide in this respect. Neither penicillin proved to be beneficial to the spermatozoa, and one in particular was toxic even when present in small amounts. 3.Furacin and phenoxethol proved to be highly bactericidal, and at the same time were spermicidal at most of the levels tested. Organisms of the pseudomonas group, especially, were resistant to the lower concentrations studied. 4.Throughout these experiments only sulfanilamide, the positive control, actually improved the livability of the spermatozoa.
High Vacuum Leak Testing With the Mass Spectrometer

THE DETECTION of small leaks in large all-metal vacuum systems has long been a troublesome manufacturing problem for which there was no satisfactory solution. All of the generally used techniques of leak detection are cumbersome or have serious limitations such as lack of sensitivity, lack of selectivity, poor response, dependence upon vacuum conditions, uncertainty of interpretation of response, or usefulness being restricted to certain materials. Experience with many methods of leak detection on all sizes of apparatus has shown that an ideal leak detector must have the, following characteristics: (a). High sensitivity. The instrument must be able to detect small leaks.
Qualitative and quantitative sensitivity in flame photometry.

Abstract Concepts of sensitivity in flame photometry are discussed. A distinction is made between sensitivity itself, concentration limits and dilution limits applied to qualitative and quantitative analysis by flame photometry. Sensitivity values, as well as the concentration limits, are considered from two different aspects: as a function of the slope of calibration curves—percentual values—and as a function of fluctutions—fluctuational values. The concepts are applied to the two main branches of flame photometry, emission and absorption.
The relative importance of reinforced versus nonreinforced stimuli in visual discrimination learning by redwinged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus).

Summary Redwinged blackbirds were trained to locate and peck apple slices in two discrimination problems with four times more training on one problem than on the other. The birds were then given transfer tests with the stimuli re-paired. Nonreinforced (S-) stimuli exerted greater control over behavior than did reinforced (S+) stimuli. We inferred that the blackbirds learned more about what to avoid than what to approach when searching for food in the two-choice situation. That inference is contrary to the notion that, by being alert to the visual cues which signal foods (i.e., S+ stimuli), birds can more successfully cope with irrelevant visual information encountered during foraging. Rather, being alert to cues which signal the absence of food (i.e., S- stimuli) may be relatively more important.
COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF INTERFACE EFFECT ON IMPACT LOAD SPREADING IN SiC MULTI-LAYERED TARGETS

The effect of finite strength interface with friction on lateral load spreading and phenomena of interface crack initiation and propagation in bonded multi-layered targets under high velocity impact are presented through axisymmetric finite element simulations. The finite element code DYNA2D, developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, was augmented with a phenomenological damage model for the silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic and contact/cohesive interface model. Simulations were carried out for four target configurations under varying interface strength (Tm), critical strain energy release rate (Gc), and inter-layer friction coefficient (μL). It is shown that the high wave speed SiC remains a potential material for enhanced load spreading if the confinement is ensured to reduce/delay its damage. The load spreading also increases with the increase in μL that comes into play after the interface failure. However, the μL of unity or more needed to approach the upper bound of load spreading found in...
Euglena gracilis chloroplast ribosomes: improved isolation procedure and comparison of elongation factor specificity with prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes.

Abstract An improved method for the isolation of Euglena chloroplast ribosomes is described which presents a number of advantages over past procedures. First, ribosomes are prepared from whole cell extracts, thus bypassing the need to isolate intact chloroplasts and resulting in a 10-fold improvement in yield. Second, the inclusion of 40 m m Mg2+ in the preparation buffers, while stabilizing the chloroplast ribosomes, precipitates and, thereby, virtually eliminates the cytoplasmic 89 S ribosomes. Third, greater than 95% of the chloroplast ribosomes sediment at 68 S rather than as the damaged 53 S particle frequently generated in other preparation procedures. Fourth, even with a high-salt wash to remove endogenous factors, the chloroplast ribosomes still sediment at 68 S and are just as active in in vitro protein synthesis as are E. coli ribosomes. These ribosomes have been tested for activity with elongation factors from prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and the chloroplast itself, and the results have been compared to those obtained with E. coli and wheat germ ribosomes. The data may be summarized as follows: (a) Chloroplast ribosomes use E. coli EF - Tu Ts and EF-G with the same efficiency as do E. coli ribosomes in protein synthesis, (b) E. coli and chloroplast ribosomes can use Euglena chloroplast EF-G to catalyze translocation, but wheat germ ribosomes cannot, (c) Wheat germ EF-1H and EF-2 are highly active in polymerization with wheat germ ribosomes, but ribosomes from neither E. coli nor the chloroplast are able to recognize these factors, (d) All three types of ribosomes accept Phe-tRNA from E. coli EF-Tu although to differing degrees. However, neither chloroplast nor E. coli ribosomes recognize wheat germ EF-1H for the binding of Phe-tRNA.
Advanced Characterization of Crumb Rubber-Modified Asphalts, Using Protocols Developed for Complex Binders:

The use of crumb rubber modifiers (CRMs) to change asphalt binders was evaluated. Blending two base asphalt binders of performance grade 70-22 and 64-22 with three sizes of a CRM at two rubber contents resulted in varying grades of asphalt binders. In addition to these binders, two binders modified with reacted crumb rubber using a patented process were included in the study. Testing was conducted at different temperatures, testing frequencies, and strain conditions, using methods recently developed as part of the NCHRP 9-10 project (Superpave Protocols for Modified Asphalt Binders) for complex binders. The new testing includes the particulate additives test (PAT), which determines the volume of particulate material greater than 75 μm in asphalt, and the laboratory asphalt stability test (LAST), which measures the potential for separation and degradation of additives in asphalt. Strain sweeps, fatigue testing, and low-temperature failure and creep properties were also measured. The results indicate that t...
Synthesis of carrier-free rhenium-188(V)DMSA using triphenyl phosphine as a facile reducing agent

Rhenium-188-labeled ReOCl3(PPh3)2 is an important reactive complex which can be prepared in > 95% yield by the reaction of perrhenate (188ReO4−) or perrhenic acid with triphenyl phosphine (PPh3) and HCl with subsequent extraction into CH2Cl2 or CHCl3. The yield is dependent upon a high HCl concentration. Because of the potential important use of 188Re(V)DMSA for therapy of tumors of the head and neck, we have used the 188ReOCl3(PPh3)intermediate for the facile synthesis of the ReO(DMSA)2 complex.1 Reaction of ReOCl3(PPh3)2 with naturally abundant Re or carrier free Re-188, with DMSA (meso-1,2-dimercaptosuccinic acid) yields ReO(DMSA)2 in high yield. The 188Re(V)DMSA can also be prepared by reaction of Re-188 perrhenate or perrhenic acid with SnCl2 in the presence of DMSA.
Ultrathin esophagoscopy in screening for Barrett's esophagus at a Veterans Administration Hospital: easy access does not lead to referrals.

Ultrathin Esophagoscopy in Screening for Barrett's Esophagus at a Veterans Administration Hospital: Easy Access Does Not Lead to Referrals
Flow cytometers which incorporate light collection via a flow-stream waveguide

We have built several flow cytometers (FCMs) which incorporate the principle of light collection using a flow- stream waveguide (FSW). The smallest and most rugged version uses a diode laser emitting 820-nm light and collects perpendicular light scatter (PLS) with the FSW technique and collects forward light scatter (FLS) with a simple external lens. Both PLS and FLS detectors are silicon diodes with integral preamps; no fluorescence is collected. Two other units have used argon-ion lasers and a dichroic filter to separate PLS and fluorescence, and our studies have examined the factors which limit the performance of FSW light collection for low-level-fluorescence applications. In one case we have used a main-frame laser with line-tunable output and two cylindrical lenses for focusing onto the flow stream. This arrangement has allowed us to detect 93-nm yellow-green beads from Molecular Probes, Inc. and 140-nm green beads from Duke Scientific, Inc. A more recent 'luggable' version incorporates an air-cooled ion laser and a simple spherical lens for focusing the laser onto the flow stream. This FCM was able to detect the 93-nm beads from Molecular Probes. In all cases a flow stream in air is used as an optical waveguide that traps and transports light to one or more detectors.
Human DNA polymerase-β promoter: Phorbol ester activation is mediated through the cAMP response element and cAMP-response-element-binding protein

That mammalian DNA polymerase-β (β-pol) gene transcription is upregulated by activatedras and also by phorbol ester (TPA) treatment suggests the involvement of protein kinase C in the gene expression control for this DNA repair enzyme. Yet, the core promoters of the human, bovine and rodent β-pol genes do not have a TPA response element or other binding site for the transcriptional activator AP-1. Instead, these β-pol promoters appear to be regulated mainly by proteins binding to the cAMP response element (CRE) centered within 50 bp 5′ of the transcriptional start site. In this study, the CRE in the human β-pol promoter was found to mediate TPA upregulation of the cloned promoter in HeLa cell transient expression experiments. To further examine the role of this CRE in TPA stimulation, we used several mutated promoters that were either deficient in protein binding to the CRE or contained extra CRE sites arranged as tandem repeats. All constructs with at least one functional CRE were upregulated by TPA, whereas mutants lacking CRE protein-binding function were not TPA upregulated. Analyses of HeLa nuclear extract DNA-binding proteins indicated that the β-pol CRE was bound by CRE-binding protein (CREB) family members CREB-1 and activating transcription factor-1, but not by AP-1 or complexes containg AP-1 subunits. These results suggest that CREB, rather than AP-1 proteins, are required for the CRE-mediated TPA activation of the β-pol promoter.
A three-dimensional in vitro model to quantify inflammatory response to biomaterials

Abstract In vivo models are the gold standard for predicting the clinical biomaterial–host response due to the scarcity of in vitro model systems that recapitulate physiological settings. However, the simplicity, control and relatively lower cost of in vitro models make them more appropriate to quantify the contribution by each cell, material and molecule within the healing environment. In this study, human fibroblasts and monocytes are co-cultured in a three-dimensional (3-D) tissue model to study foreign body response by observing morphological changes and monitoring inflammatory cytokine production with multiplex quantitative protein analysis. While control monocultures of either cell type alone produced low levels of cytokines, their interactions in co-culture led to morphological changes and increased release of inflammatory cytokines. When challenged with a well-characterized biopolymer, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), the co-cultured human cells secreted elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, GM-CSF and TNF-α. This 3-D in vitro co-culture model may serve as a building block towards a versatile platform to study mechanisms of material–host interactions by co-culturing cells with engineered phenotypes and reporter systems, or predict patient-specific biocompatibility by using the individual patients’ cells.
Composition, solubility and gel properties of salt soluble proteins from two bovine muscle types

The composition, pH solubility profile and thermal gelation behavior of two bovine muscles, vastus intermedius (VI, predominately red fibers) and semimembranosus (SM, predominantly white fibers) were compared. VI had a higher fat content and pH and lower protein content than SM. Between pH 5.2 and 5.8, the salt soluble proteins (SSP) from SM were more soluble than those from VI at the same pH, whereas solubilities above pH 6.0 were similar. Properties of SSP gels were measured at pH 5.5 and 6.1, the ultimate pH for SM and VI, respectively. Water lost from the VI gels due to syneresis was about 3 times greater than that lost from SM gels. VI gels prepared at pH 5.5 were firmer (p 0.05) were observed between the firmness or deformability of VI or SM gels when compared at the same pH. Results suggest that ultimate muscle pH and fiber type do influence the properties of bovine SSP gels, although the effect is not as great as that previously reported for poultry muscle proteins.
The Intersection of Therapy Constructs: The Relationship Between Motivation to Change, Distress, Referral Source, and Pressure to Attend

Psychotherapy is a generally effective form of mental health treatment, yet difficulties with engagement continue to plague the field. Poor outcomes, including premature termination, are more likely to be achieved by poorly motivated clients (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1992) and highly distressed individuals and couples (Tambling & Johnson, 2008). This study examined links between motivation to change, initial levels of distress, referral source, and pressure to attend therapy in an archival sample of 587 people who attended therapy. Results indicated a relationship between distress and motivation and between the perceived pressure felt by a client and motivation to change.