cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for protein turnover in an embryonic system.

IN a previous communication we have compared the relative efficiency of various proteins, peptides and free amino-acids as precursors of chick embryonic proteins1. From these studies we concluded that during the early stages of development the preferred precursor was yolk protein (rather than peptides or amino-acids) and that the pathway of synthesis of chick embryonic protein probably proceeded via a stage involving amino-acid derivatives (possibly amino acyl adenylates2 or, more likely, amino-acids linked to the terminal adenosine residues of polyribonucleotides3–6).
Comparative developmental toxicity of environmentally relevant oxygenated PAHs

Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) are byproducts of combustion and photo-oxidation of parent PAHs. OPAHs are widely present in the environment and pose an unknown hazard to human health. The developing zebrafish was used to evaluate a structurally diverse set of 38 OPAHs for malformation induction, gene expression changes and mitochondrial function. Zebrafish embryos were exposed from 6 to 120 h post fertilization (hpf) to a dilution series of 38 different OPAHs and evaluated for 22 developmental endpoints. AHR activation was determined via CYP1A immunohistochemistry. Phenanthrenequinone (9,10-PHEQ), 1,9-benz-10-anthrone (BEZO), xanthone (XAN), benz(a)anthracene-7,12-dione (7,12-B[a]AQ), and 9,10-anthraquinone (9,10-ANTQ) were evaluated for transcriptional responses at 48 hpf, prior to the onset of malformations. qRT-PCR was conducted for a number of oxidative stress genes, including the glutathione transferase(gst), glutathione peroxidase(gpx), and superoxide dismutase(sod) families. Bioenergetics was assayed to measure in vivo oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in 26 hpf embryos exposed to OPAHs. Hierarchical clustering of the structure-activity outcomes indicated that the most toxic of the OPAHs contained adjacent diones on 6-carbon moieties or terminal, para-diones on multi-ring structures. 5-carbon moieties with adjacent diones were among the least toxic OPAHs while the toxicity of multi-ring structures with more centralized para-diones varied considerably. 9,10-PHEQ, BEZO, 7,12-B[a]AQ, and XAN exposures increased expression of several oxidative stress related genes and decreased oxygen consumption rate (OCR), a measurement of mitochondrial respiration. Comprehensive in vivo characterization of 38 structurally diverse OPAHs indicated differential AHR dependency and a prominent role for oxidative stress in the toxicity mechanisms.
Spline Estimators of the Density Function of a Variable Measured with Error

Abstract The estimation of the distribution function of a random variable X measured with error is studied. It is assumed that the measurement error has a normal distribution with known parameters. Let the i-th observation on X be denoted by Yi=Xi+ei , where ei is the measurement error. Let {Yi } ( i=1, 2, …, n) be a sample of independent observations. It is assumed that {Xi } and {ei } are mutually independent and each is identically distributed. The proposed estimator is a spline function that transforms X into a standard normal variable. The parameters of the spline function are obtained by maximum likelihood estimation. The number of parameters is determined by the data with a simple criterion, such as AIC. Computationally, a weighted quantile regression estimator is used as the starting value for the nonlinear optimatization procedure of the MLE. In a simulation study, both the quantile regression estimator and the maximum likelihood estimator dominate an optimal kernel estimator and a mixture estima...
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor protein: localization of isoforms in rat brain.

Abstract A second isoform of Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent-kinase II inhibitor protein (CaM-KIIN) has been identified using the yeast two-hybrid screen. The 1.8 kb message encodes a 78 residue CaM-KIINα that is 65% identical in its putative open-reading frame and 95% identical in its inhibitory domain to the previously characterized CaM-KIINβ. CaM-KIINα exhibits inhibitory properties towards recombinant mouse CaM-kinase IIα indistinguishable from CaM-KIINβ. The 27 amino acid inhibitory peptide (CaM-KIINtide) derived from CaM-KIIN has the ability to inhibit brain CaM-kinase II activity from multiple organisms including rat, Drosophila and goldfish. Northern analysis of various rat tissues indicates that CaM-KIINα is specific to brain whereas CaM-KIINβ message is also present in testis. In situ hybridization shows a general distribution of both isoforms in rat brain with stronger localization of CaM-KIINβ in cerebellum and hindbrain and CaM-KIINα in frontal cortex, hippocampus and inferior colliculus. An antibody that recognizes both isoforms shows a distribution of CaM-KIIN in rat brain that correlates with immunoreactivity of CaM-kinase II. In cultured mature hippocampal neurons, CaM-KIIN is present in cell bodies and dendrites but, unlike CaM-kinase II, does not display punctate staining at synapses. These results suggest a localized function for CaM-KIIN in inhibiting specialized pools of CaM-kinase II.
The Asian Financial Crisis and Investors’ Risk Aversion

This paper investigates whether changes in U.S. and Japanese banks’ risk aversion, measured by changes in the relative risk aversion (RRA) coefficient, are associated with the 1997 Asian financial crisis. It finds that an increase in U.S. banks’ risk aversion is unambiguously associated with the Asian crisis, while an increase in Japanese banks’ risk aversion is only weakly associated. The results suggest that, in addition to deteriorating fundamentals of the affected countries, investors’ (banks’) increased risk aversion appears to have reinforced observed capital outflows.
Accelerated Bone Growth Remotely Induced by Magnetic Fields and Smart Materials

Bone structure is exquisitely matched to its physical loading environment. From the cartilaginous skeletal framework formed in the embryo to the aging skeleton, bone architecture is directly related to function. Bone is a dynamic system, constantly remodeling itself by absorbing old tissue and forming new tissue. This capability allows bone architecture to become optimized to the loading environment. Julius Wolff [1] first postulated that bone structure adapts to changing stress environments in 1892. Exact understanding of the process of mechanotransduction, however, has remained elusive. In addition to normal remodeling, bone growth has been shown to occur along the diaphysis, or shaft portion, of long bones such as the femur when placed in dynamic bending. Bone in this region is dense and is known as cortical bone. A bending moment placed on a long bone will cause the bone to curve creating a region of tension on one side and a region of compression on the opposing side. As the bending moment is cycled, fluid within the bone will flow from the region of compression to the region of tension creating fluid shear on cell walls within the bone which promotes the anabolic response of growth [2]. Growth from such stimuli is thought to be mediated by fluid flow around quiescent bone cells, osteocytes, and their canalicular process coursing through the bone structure [3]. Growth in this manner is directed in a latitudinal direction creating a thicker and stronger diaphysis.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
A functional genomics screen for microRNA regulators of NF-kappaB signaling

The nuclear factor-KappaB (NF-κB) pathway is conserved from fruit flies to humans and is a key mediator of inflammatory signaling. Aberrant regulation of NF-κB is associated with several disorders including autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, and cancer, making the NF-κB pathway an attractive therapeutic target. Many regulatory components of the NF-κB pathway have been identified, including microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs and are common components of signal transduction pathways. Here we present a cell-based functional genomics screen to systematically identify miRNAs that regulate NF-κB signaling. We screened a library of miRNA mimics using a NF-κB reporter cell line in the presence and absence of tumor necrosis factor (+/- TNF). There were 9 and 15 hits in the -TNF and +TNF screens, respectively. We identified putative functional targets of these hits by integrating computational predictions with NF-κB modulators identified in a previous genome-wide cDNA screen. miR-517a and miR-517c were the top hits, activating the reporter 86- and 126-fold, respectively. Consistent with these results, miR-517a/c induced the expression of endogenous NF-κB targets and promoted the nuclear localization of p65 and the degradation of IκB. We identified TNFAIP3 interacting protein1 (TNIP1) as a target and characterized a functional SNP in the miR-517a/c binding site. Lastly, miR-517a/c induced apoptosis in vitro, which was phenocopied by knockdown of TNIP1. Our study suggests that miRNAs are common components of NF-κB signaling and miR-517a/c may play an important role in linking NF-κB signaling with cell survival through TNIP1.
Expanding the recognition of the minor groove of DNA by incorporation of β-alanine in hairpin polyamides

In order to expand the recognition code by hairpin polyamides to include DNA sequences of the type 5′-CWWC-3′ two polyamides, PyPyPyPy-(R)^(H_2^N)γ-ImPyPyIm-β-Dp (1) and PyPyPyPy-(R)^(H_2^N)γ-ImPy-β-Im-β-Dp (2) were synthesized which have in common an Py/Im pair in the terminal position for targeting C·G but differ with respect to internal placement of a β-alanine residue. The equilibrium association constants (K_a) were determined at four DNA sites which differ at a single common position, 5′-TNTACA-3′ (N=T, A, G, C). Quantitative DNase I footprint titration experiments reveal that the eight-ring hairpin PyPyPyPy-(R)^(H_2^N)γ-ImPyPyIm-β-Dp (1) binds the four binding sites with similar affinities, K_a=1.3–1.9×10^(10) M^(−1) indicating that there is no preference for the position N. In contrast, a redesigned polyamide PyPyPyPy-(R)^(H_2^N)γ-ImPy-β-Im-β-Dp (2) that places an internal flexible aliphatic β-alanine to the 5′-side of a key imidazole group bound the match site 5′-TCTACA-3′ with high affinity and good sequence discrimination (K_a(match)=4.9×10^(10) M^(−1) and the single base pair mismatch sites with 5- to 25-fold lower affinity). These results expand the repertoire of sequences targetable by hairpins and emphasize the importance of β-alanine as a key element for minor groove recognition.
Variation in Okra

A study of the variation of 29 characteristics of 585 varieties or seedlings of okra revealed that 17 West African varieties could be distinguished from all others on the basis of 5 discriminating characteristics. In addition, seedlings of the 3rd outcrossing generation of a population differed from a varietal collection in several characteristics, the most important of which were more seeds per pod and more pods per plant. This is believed to be the result of mass-selection. Country groups differed significantly in characteristics but these differences are believed to be due to small sample size. No such distinguishing characteristics were evident among country groups represented by large numbers of varieties.
A longitudinal study of residency-trained emergency physicians

An annual survey of emergency medicine (EM) graduate physicians from 31 programs was conducted from 1977 through 1979. Results of the 1979 data are presented. Practice patterns show that 96% of the EM graduates are providing patient care, and almost half are working in the states in which they trained. Of those caring for patients, 38.8% practice in an urban location and only 7% work in rural hospitals. Learning new skills and procedures and retaining skills are major problems faced by physicians in rural locations. Other activities of EM graduates include teaching medical students and residents, administration, research, and community emergency medical services. Data are analyzed with attention to long-term commitment to emergency medicine. Implications for manpower needs are suggested.
Hemoglobins of the sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka

Abstract 1. 1. Vertical starch-gel electrophoresis at pH8.6 revealed hemoglobin multiplicity with several distinct cathodal and anodal hemoglobin components. 2. 2. Cathodal hemoglobin components exhibited a higher oxygen affinity than the anodal hemoglobin components. 3. 3. Oxygen binding of the anodal hemoglobins is affected by pH, temperature and organic phosphates, as well as ionic strength; binding to the cathodal hemoglobins is independent of pH, organic phosphate and temperature. 4. 4. The anodal hemoglobin component exhibits a strong Root effect below pH 7.3. 5. 5. PCMB titrations indicate 3.5–3.6 exposed SH groups for the eathodal components (C2 and C3); the anodal component exhibits the presence of 4.5–5.0 exposed SH groups per tetramer. 6. 6. Copper oxidation of the anodal hemoglobin component is 2.5–5.0 times more rapid than either of the cathodal components.
Evolution of mitochondrial DNA sequences in Xenopus

Abstract Xenopus laevis and Xenopus mulleri are related amphibian species which can be crossed to give viable hybrid progeny. Their mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs)1 have been compared with respect to size, composition, and sequence. Both are circular molecules with a molecular weight of 11.5 to 11.7 × 106 daltons. Their densities in CsCl and thermal denaturation profiles in two solvents are indistinguishable; from these values their nucleotide composition has been calculated to be 41% GC. The large and small mitochondrial rRNA encoded by the mtDNA of X. laevis and X. mulleri have the same or a very similar size. The nucleotide sequences of mtDNA in X. laevis differ from those in X. mulleri. Separated strands of mtDNA of both species were reannealed in all possible combinations, and the thermal stability of the products analyzed. This experiment led to the conclusion that (i) about 30% of the sequences in mtDNA of X. laevis and X. mulleri do not interact, indicating that about half of all bases in these regions differ; (ii) about 50% of the mtDNAs form a heteroduplex with an average of 27% mismatched bases; (iii) 20% of the mtDNAs form a heteroduplex with an average of 6% mismatched bases. Hybridization of mtDNA with different RNAs showed that the sequences coding for mitochondrial rRNA and 4 S RNA are more similar in the two Xenopus species than the other sequences in the DNA. These expressed rRNA and 4 S RNA regions account for the 20% of mtDNA whose sequences have diverged least during evolution. It is suggested that the remaining, rapidly evolving sequences of mtDNA may be equivalent to the “spacer” sequences which have been found within certain nuclear DNAs.
Calcite orientations and composition ranges within teeth across Echinoidea.

AbstractSea urchin’s teeth from four families of order Echinoida and from orders Temnopleuroida, Arbacioida and Cidaroida were studied with synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The high and very high Mg calcite phases of the teeth, i.e. the first and second stage mineral constituents, respectively, have the same crystallographic orientations. The co-orientation of first and second stage mineral, which the authors attribute to epitaxy, extends across the phylogenic width of the extant regular sea urchins and demonstrates that this is a primitive character of this group. The range of compositions Δx for the two phases of Ca1-xMgxCO3 is about 0.20 or greater and is consistent with a common biomineralization process.
Hearing thresholds and fMRI of auditory cortex following eighth cranial nerve surgery

ObjectiveDetermine whether auditory cortex (AC) organization changed following eighth cranial nerve surgery in adults with vestibular-cochlear nerve pathologies. We examined whether hearing thresholds before and after surgery correlated with increased ipsilateral activation of AC from the intact ear.Study DesignDuring magnetic resonance imaging sessions before and 3 and 6 months after surgery, subjects listened with the intact ear to noise-like random spectrogram sounds.SettingDepartments of Radiology and Otolaryngology of Washington University School of Medicine.Subjects and MethodsThree patients with acoustic neuromas received Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GK); 1 patient with Meniere’s disease and 5 with acoustic neuromas had surgical resections (SR); 2 of the latter also had GK. Hearing thresholds in each ear were for pure tone stimuli from 250 to 8000 Hz before and after surgery (3 and 6 months). At the same intervals, we imaged blood oxygen level–dependent responses to auditory stimulation of the intact ...
Corruption, Foreign Direct Investment and its Impact on Exchange Rate of the Nigerian Economy

This paper seeks to analyze corruption, foreign direct investment and its impact on exchange of the Nigerian economy. The ultimate objective of this study centers on an empirical investigation of the impact of corruption, foreign direct investment and its impact on exchange rate of the Nigerian economy. In order to achieve these objectives the study used the ordinary least squares regression analyses, augmented dickey fuller unit root test and the co-integration test. The unit root test revealed that all the variables were stationary at first difference and the short run result revealed that corruption is very high in Nigeria and that have help to depreciate the currency of the country with regards its exchange to other currencies. The study recommends that war against corruption or state of emergency on corruption should be vigorously pursued, this will help to remold the image of the Nigerian economy and encourage more foreign investors that will help to equate our exchange rate to other currencies . DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n3p345
Enquête sur les pratiques de tests d'utilisabilité

This paper reports the results of a recent survey on usability testing involving nearly a hundred usability practitioners. The purpose of this survey was to identify the practices in usability testing. The analysis of those results allows to present a state of art in this domain and to identify the strengths and the weaknesses. As weakness, we have noted the lack of specific tools for collecting and analyzing test data; as strength, the promotion of this expert domain inside companies.
Cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of the RUNX2 transcription factor by cdc2 regulates endothelial cell proliferation.

RUNX2 is a member of the runt family of DNA-binding transcription factors. RUNX2 mediates endothelial cell migration and invasion during tumor angiogenesis and is expressed in metastatic breast and prostate tumors. Our published studies showed that RUNX2 DNA-binding activity is low during growth arrest, but elevated in proliferating endothelial cells. To investigate its role in cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation, RUNX2 was depleted in human bone marrow endothelial cells using RNA interference. Specific RUNX2 depletion inhibited DNA-binding activity as measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay resulting in inhibition of cell proliferation. Cells were synchronized at the G1/S boundary with excess thymidine or in mitosis (M phase) with nocodazole. Endogenous or ectopic RUNX2 activity was maximal at late G2 and during M phase. Inhibition of RUNX2 expression by RNA interference delayed entry into and exit out of the G2/M phases of the cell cycle. RUNX2 was coimmunoprecipitated with cyclin B1 in mitotic cells, which further supported a role for RUNX2 in cell cycle progression. Moreover, in vitro kinase assays using recombinant cdc2 kinase showed that RUNX2 was phosphorylated at Ser451. The cdc2 inhibitor roscovitine dose dependently inhibited in vivo RUNX2 DNA-binding activity during mitosis and the RUNX2 mutant S451A exhibited lower DNA-binding activity and reduced stimulation of anchorage-independent growth relative to wild type RUNX2. These results suggest for the first time that RUNX2 phosphorylation by cdc2 may facilitate cell cycle progression possibly through regulation of G2 and M phases, thus promoting endothelial cell proliferation required for tumor angiogenesis.
Computability in non‐linear solid mechanics

The computability of non-linear problems in solid and structural mechanics problems is examined. Several factors which contribute to the level of difficulty of a simulation are discussed: the smoothness and stability of the response, the required resolution, the uncertainties in the load, boundary conditions and initial conditions and inadequacies and uncertainties in the constitutive equation. An abstract measure of the level of difficulty is proposed, and some examples of typical engineering simulations are classified by this measure. We have put particular emphasis on engineering calculations, where many of the factors that diminish computability play a prominent role. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Waning of aggressive motivation in Betta splendens

Siamese fighting fish showed a waning tendency to view both their own reflections and a similar fish during trials lasting 32 hr. Although both stimuli elicited aggressive displays, all Ss spent more time viewing their reflections than viewing the live stimulus fish.
Static friction of diamond-like carbon film in MEMS

Abstract As part of the effort to understand the operational characteristics of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), we have previously studied static friction between the silicon-based materials of interest in MEMS. It is shown that the surface material and gas environment affect the friction significantly. Coating a low-friction material on the contact surfaces is one way to improve the performance of microdynamic devices. Studies on diamond-like carbon (DLC) film confirm its potential as a very low-friction material. This paper presents static friction measurements between DLC/DLC mechanical contacts and compares the results with those of silicon-based materials. The static friction is measured between a 3 mm radius aluminum bullet coated with DLC film and a flat DLC substrate in a ∼ 8 × 10−10 Torr ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) chamber. The coefficient of friction is 0.040 ± 0.005 for DLC/DLC contacts, and is 0.2–0.7 between silicon and silicon-compound contacts measured in the same UHV. Oxygen exposure increases the coefficient of friction by 50% between DLC/DLC, but this value is still an order of magnitude smaller than that between silicon-based materials. As a result, DLC film may be a promising friction-reducing coating material for MEMS.
Abstract IA15: Predicting drug sensitivity from cancer cell lines

High-throughput molecular characterization technologies have enabled detailed genetic and genomic characterization of large panels of cancer cell lines, including profiling of gene expression, copy number variation (CNV), SNP, mutation, and RNA-seq. The same cell lines have also been profiled for sensitivity to potential anti-cancer compounds, allowing development of computational models used to predict genotype-specific drug treatments linked to tumor molecular subtypes. Inferring such models is challenging because the model inputs contain far more features than observations, known as the p>>n problem, precluding the use of classical statistical models such as least squares (a.k.a. multiple linear regression). Recently, generalized linear models or penalized linear models have been proposed and extended for feature selection and overcoming the p>>n. Bayesian extension of such methods have also been developed, using algorithms such as Metropolis-Hasting and Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and demonstrated to improve prediction accuracy at the expense of increased computing cost. A comprehensive evaluation of predictive modeling techniques is essential to leverage cell line studies to infer the most accurate genetic predictors of drug sensitivity, which can then be used to inform patient selection strategies in clinical trials and to identify functional genetic determinants of drug sensitivity or resistance. In this study, we evaluate state-of-the-art predictive models which utilize dimension reduction methods (e.g., partial least square, support vector machine, principal component regression), feature selection (e.g., LASSO, RIDGE, and elastic-net), and Bayesian feature selection (e.g., Bayesian LASSO and Bayesian RIDGE). We assess each method based on 1) the accuracy of sensitivity predictions in a cross validation setting and in an independent dataset, and 2) the biological coherence of inferred predictive features by comparison to publicly available pathway databases. Citation Format: Adam Arne Margolin, In Sock Jang, Stephen Friend. Predicting drug sensitivity from cancer cell lines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chemical Systems Biology: Assembling and Interrogating Computational Models of the Cancer Cell by Chemical Perturbations; 2012 Jun 27-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(13 Suppl):Abstract nr IA15.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors upregulate Notch-1 and inhibit growth in pheochromocytoma cells.

Background The histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors valproic acid (VPA) and suberoyl bis-hydroxamic acid (SBHA) have been demonstrated recently to be strong Notch-1 activators. Upregulation of the Notch-1 pathway has been shown to limit growth and suppress hormonal secretion in neuroendocrine (NE) neoplasms. We hypothesized that HDAC inhibition would be an effective strategy to activate the Notch-1 pathway and inhibit growth and hormonal secretion in pheochromocytoma cells. Methods Pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells were treated with up to 8 mmol/L VPA or 40 μmol/L SBHA for 2 days. NE tumor markers achaete-scute complex-like 1 (ASCL1) and chromogranin A (CgA) were measured by Western analysis after treatment. Growth was assessed by a cellular proliferation assay; Western analysis was used to determine the mechanism of growth regulation. Results HDAC inhibitor treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in ASCL1 and CgA while increasing the amount of active Notch-1 protein; with a 6-day treatment, dose-dependent growth inhibition and cleavage of the apoptotic markers caspase-3 and poly-ADP ribose phosphate was observed. Conclusion VPA and SBHA upregulate Notch-1 effectively, suppress NE tumor markers, and decrease growth via apoptosis of pheochromocytoma cells in vitro. Activation of the Notch-1 signaling pathway with HDAC inhibitors may represent a new strategy for treating pheochromocytomas.
Organophosphazenes 27: the Synthesis and Polymerization of (4- Ethenylphenyl)Pentafluorocyclotriphosphazene

AbstractThe synthesis and homopolymerization of a fluorocyclotriphosphosphazene with a directly bonded styrene moiety is presented. A multistep sequence was employed wherein commercially available p-bromostyrene is first converted to 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1-methoxyethene, 4-BrC6H4C(OCH3)CH2 which in turn is lithiated and added to N3P3F6 to give (4-(1-methoxyethenyl)phenyl)pentafluorocyclotri phosphazene, N3P3F5(4-C6H4C(OCH3)˭CH2)(2). Addition of tri(n-butyl)tin hydride to 2 followed by elimination of tri(n-butyl)tin methoxide over silica produced the target monomer, (4-ethenylphenyl)- pentafluorocyclotriphosphazene, and N3P3F5(4-C6H4CH˭CH2)(3). The new phosphazene derivatives were characterized by mass spectrometry, NMR (1H,13C,19F,31P) and IR spectroscopy. Radical addition polymerization of 3 resulted in the formation of poly(p-pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenylstyrene)(4). Molecular weights of the new polymer were determined by GPC and membrane osmometry. The GPC data suggested the occurrence of chain transfer...
Fractionation and partial characterization of cell walls from normal and non‐ripening mutant tomato fruit

Cell walls extracted from cv. Rutgers, 7711 (ripening inhibited), and nor (non-ripening) tomato (Lycopersicon eseulentum Mill.) pericarp tissue at various stages of post-maturation development have been separated into four distinct fractions and their carbohydrate composition characterized. The amount of ionically-associated, chelator-soluble (CDTA, cyclohexanediaminetetraacetic acid) uronic acid in ‘Rutgers’ fruit cell walls remained constant during ripening, whereas the amount of residual pectin, which was extracted with cold alkali (Na2CO3) and was apparently covalently bound, decreased. These changes did not occur in rin and nor mutant fruit at a similar chronological age. The galactose content in pectic polysaccharide preparations extracted from tomato cell walls with CDTA and Na2,CO3, decreased by 65% during ripening. A similar but diminished decrease also occurred in rin and nor fruit. A non-cellulosic polysaccharide(s) was present in walls which resisted extraction with Na-acetate/CDTA, Na2CO3, and 4 M KOH. In ‘Rutgers’ fruit, the content of galactose in this polysaccharide(s) decreased 44% during ripening, whereas little or no significant change was observed in rin or nor mutant fruit.
Putti Galore: ‘Eventails de Bosse’ and the Judgment of Paris

The availability of luxury goods is often thought to be a twentieth-century phenomenon, but the ‘consumer revolution’ taking place in Europe in the seventeenth century accelerated the pace of production, availability and consumption of goods of all kinds, particularly luxury goods. Paintings, printed books and engravings, silk, gloves and lace, watches, porcelain and fans all became coveted objects available to a widening demographic. By considering the process of engraving and an engraved fan leaf by the renowned early modern engraver Abraham Bosse that represents the Judgment of Paris, this paper considers questions of gender, aesthetic judgment, engraving and the copy.
Interpretation of Nanoscale Softening in Terms of Dislocation-Accommodated Boundary Sliding

Consideration of the mechanical data on nanocrystalline (nc) materials shows the presence of a critical grain size, d c , such that for d larger than d c , strength increases with decreasing grain size, and for d smaller than d c , strength decreases with decreasing grain size, i.e., nanoscale softening occurs. By combining conventional Hall–Petch behavior for larger grains and a new deformation process based on dislocation-accommodated boundary sliding for smaller grains, it is shown that nanoscale softening can be predicted and that the critical grain sizes d c for nc-Cu and nc-Ni are 25 and 13 nm, respectively. These findings are discussed with reference to the experimental data reported for both metals and the values for d c estimated from other models and computer simulations.
Maltose-binding Protein Containing an Interdomain Disulfide Bridge Confers a Dominant-negative Phenotype for Transport and Chemotaxis

Bacterial substrate-binding proteins exist in an equilibrium among four forms: open/substrate-free, open/substrate-bound, closed/substrate-free, and closed/substrate-bound. Ligands stabilize the closed conformation, whereas the open conformation predominates in the substrate-free species. In its closed form, the NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal domains of maltose-binding protein (MBP) are proposed to be aligned to allow residues in both domains to interact simultaneously with complementary sites on the MalF and MalG proteins of the maltodextrin uptake system or with the Tar chemotactic signal transducer. However, the initial interaction might occur with an open/substrate-bound form of the binding protein, which would then close in contact with MalFG or Tar. Ligand would help stabilize this complex. We introduced cysteines (G69C and S337C) by site-directed mutagenesis into each domain of MBP and found that they formed an interdomain disulfide cross-link that should hold the protein in a closed conformation. This mutant MBP confers a dominant-negative phenotype for growth on maltose, for maltose transport, and for maltose chemotaxis. The growth and transport defects are partially reversed when the cells are exposed to the reducing agent dithiothreitol. We conclude that the cross-linked form of MBP competes with wild-type MBP in vivo for interaction with MalFG and Tar.
Geomagnetic secular variations (inclination) of high latitude fiord cores: eastern Canadian Arctic

Paleomagnetic measurements are reported from 11 piston cores, from the fiords and shelf of eastern Baffin Island, N.W.T., between latitudes 66 and 72 degrees north. The majority of the measurements arc from bioturbated, massive, or laminated mud, with some drop-stones and graded sand beds. Corrected radiocarbon dates on the acid-insoluble organic matter fraction, supplemented by AMS dates on in situbivalves, indicate that all cores extend into the early Holocene, and three extend into the latest Pleistocene Sedimentation rates averaged between 0.2m/ka and 1.4m/ka. Because of varying sedimentation rates, the depth scales are converted to 100 or 200 yr/sample time series. The results indicate a scries of geomagnetic secular oscillations with amplitudes in inclination of c. 10 degrees. A stacked record from four piston cores suggests seven major oscillations in inclination. Times when inclinations consistently exceeded 80° occurred c. 1,400, 4,500, and 8,000 B.P. The most characteristic oscillation occurred c.1,400 ± B.P., when inclinations were nearly vertical. Inclination errors are associated with gravity flows and/or with an increase in sand content, or changes in physical properties. In one core an interval of reverse polarity is attributed to a slump.
Quality of life after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea in children.

Objective: To study changes in quality of life in children after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) documented by full-night polysomnography. Design and Setting: Prospective study of children with OSA at the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital, Albuquerque. Methods: Caregivers for children were asked to complete the OSA-18 quality of life survey prior to polysomnography. Children who met inclusion criteria and had a respiratory distress index higher than 1 were enrolled in the study and underwent adenotonsillectomy. Caregivers completed a second OSA-18 survey within 6 months of surgery. Scores from the preoperative and postoperative surveys were compared using the paired t test. Results: The study population included 60 children (mean age, 7.1 [range, 3-12] years), of whom 43 (72%) were male and 30 (50%) were younger than 6 years. Forty-seven children (78%) had a respiratory distress index of 10 or higher. The mean interval between the 2 surveys was 126 days. The mean total OSA-18 score was 71.4 before surgery and 35.8 after surgery. The domain with the greatest change in mean score was sleep disturbance, which improved by 11.5. The changes in total score, in the scores for each domain, and for each item of the OSA-18 survey were highly significant (P<.002). Conclusions: Children without significant comorbidities show a marked improvement in the domains of sleep disturbance, physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, and daytime functioning as reported by their caregivers after adenotonsillectomy for OSA.
Flavonoids of gaura triangulata

Abstract Ten flavonoids were obtained from Gaura triangulata including luteolin and luteolin 7-glycoside derivatives which are atypical for the family Onagraceae. Apigenin-based C -glycosylflavones, previously reported from the Onagraceae in the monogeneric tribe Circaeeae, have also been identified. The flavonoid profile of G. triangulata is distinctive for the family since previous studies of the Onagraceae reported primarily flavonols.
Class Struggles and the Reinvention of American Capitalism in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century

American capitalism has changed dramatically in the last fifty years. During the 1950s, one of its principal characteristics was a capital-labor accord with workers in major industries receiving many benefits in exchange for ceding management broad rights. From 1970 to 2000, by contrast, struggles between labor and capital intensified, with capital gaining overwhelming strength. This article examines some of the principal factors involved in this process, which played a major role in the transformation of American capitalism.
Ion exchange absorption of cesium by potassium hexacyanocobalt (II) ferrate (II)

Abstract A description is given of the preparation and properties of a granular form of potassium hexacyanocobalt (II) ferrate (II) that is a highly selective absorbent for cesium ion. The material is suitable for use in a large-scale ion exchange column, and offers the possibility of isolating and concentrating 137 Cs from fission product waste solutions that arise from the processing of nuclear fuels.
Genome-wide identification of evolutionarily conserved alternative splicing events in flowering plants.

Alternative splicing (AS) plays important roles in many plant functions, but its conservation across the plant kingdom is not known. We describe a methodology to identify AS events and identify conserved AS events across large phylogenetic distances using RNA-Seq datasets. We applied this methodology to transcriptome data from nine angiosperms including Amborella, the single sister species to all other extant flowering plants. AS events within 40 – 70% of the expressed multi-exonic genes per species were found, 27,120 of which are conserved among two or more of the taxa studied. While many events are species specific, many others are shared across long evolutionary distances suggesting they have functional significance. Conservation of AS event data provides an estimate of the number of ancestral AS events present at each node of the tree representing the 9 species studied. Furthermore, the presence or absence of AS isoforms between species with different whole genome duplication (WGD) histories provides the opportunity to examine the impact of WDG on AS potential. Examining AS in gene families identifies those with high rates of AS, and conservation can distinguish ancient events vs. recent or species specific adaptations. The MADS-box and SR protein families are found to represent families with low and high occurances of AS, respectively, yet their AS events were likely present in the MRCA of angiosperms.
An existence theorem for a class of nonlinear boundary value problems including that of Falkner and Skan

These equations, which describe a two-dimensional incompressible boundary layer, were first obtained in 1930 by Falkner and Skan [3], and since then considerable effort has gone into studying the existence, uniqueness, and behavior of solutions. In 1942, H. Weyl obtained the first rigorous result [14] when he showed that for X > 0 at least one solution of (l)-(2) exists. Other work on the problem is contained in [l, 4, 5, 8,9, and lo]. An exposition of much of this work appears in [6]. We wish to call particular attention to the paper [lo] by Iglisch and Kemnitz, in which the case X C*(h), then (1) has a solution fsatisfyingf(0) = C,f’(O) = O,f’(co) = 1, and also the condition
Special Section Guest Editorial: Gradient Index Optics

In the past century, every component of an optical system has become lighter and smaller, except the lenses. Typical lenses have too few degrees of freedom—just the refractive index, and the front and back surface shapes—to meet the demands of the vast array of modern optical systems which collect, project, or otherwise manipulate light. (Even in imaging systems, where computational power has the potential to eliminate the tight coupling between lenses and performance, more capable lenses would increase the trade space that optical designers have available to them).
Long-Term Visual Health Risks from Solar Ultraviolet Radiation

Several clinical observations suggest the necessity of protective measures to prevent eye damage from solar ultraviolet radiation. Recommendations for protection are given.
PANSY FLORAL DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRIENT ABSORPTION AS INFLUENCED BY TEMPERATURE, NITROGEN FORM, AND STAGE OF PLANT DEVELOPMENT

Production temperatures can affect the marketability of pansies (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.) by influencing plant growth, the presence of nutrient disorders, and the rate of floral development. The choice of nitrogen (N) form in fertility can also influence pansy growth and nutrition, but the effect of fertility on pansy flowering is not clear. Whether or not temperature and N fertility work together to influence nutrient absorption at different stages of the pansy life cycle is unknown. Our objectives were to determine the influence of temperature and N form on pansy floral development, and to identify the peak nutrient demand periods at different temperatures and ratios of NO3 − to NH4 + in fertility. Pansies cv. ‘Crown White’ were grown in nutrient solution cultures until lateral branches had open flowers. Treatments consisted of two temperatures (12°C and 22°C) and three stages of floral development (five true leaf stage until visible bud, visible bud until first flower, first flower until flowering o...
Educating Toward Resistance A Task for Women Teaching Girls

This article explores how the connections between women educators and female students can be critical for the development of a liberating resistance in both. The author addresses the loss of self-esteem, voice, and authority in girls documented in recent research and then reports on a retreat process designed for women educators in Shaker Heights, Ohio and in Boston, Massachusetts. These retreat experiences build community and promote resistance to the educational and cultural messages that silence the voices and negate the knowledge of girls and women. This work has resulted in changes in relationships and educational practice with girls and women colleagues. Thus by fostering healthy resistance, this work with women educators serves as a political intervention in the education of girls.
Phase conjugation of a bulk wave by surface plasmons

Phase conjugation of a plane-polarized bulk wave by surface plasmons on a metal surface coated with an isotropic and transparent nonlinear dielectric is considered. The expressions for the s- and p-polarized phase-conjugate waves are given for arbitrary angle of incidence and arbitrary polarization direction of the probe wave and an arbitrary direction of propagation of two counterpropagating pump waves of surface plasmons. The reaction of the phase-conjugate wave on the probe wave is not taken into account. A reflectivity of the order of 10−4 is expected for a vacuum–CS2–Ag system at ruby-laser frequency.
From impactful research to sustainable innovations for subsistence marketplaces

Abstract Subsistence marketplaces, sometimes known as the base of the pyramid or BOP, are resource-poor communities mostly concentrated in developing countries. While traditionally viewed as difficult to do business in, some firms, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations are choosing to address the needs as well as leverage the opportunities within these communities. In so doing, they are advancing the frontier of marketing and delivering sustainable innovations. This special issue is dedicated to understanding these advancements, insights, and processes from multiple perspectives. The research herein was presented at the Third Subsistence Marketplaces Conference held in 2010. Collectively, the studies describe new theories and frameworks on individual, organizational, and market dynamics specific to subsistence environments, along with empirical evidence gathered through surveys, experiments, depth interviews, and observations of how these dynamics work. As a consequence, it is clear that knowledge on the rich complexity of BOP lives is growing rapidly, and being translated into economically impactful, socially meaningful, and sustainably innovative endeavors. This special issue is one contribution toward that end, benefitting hopefully all its participants, now and into the future.
Ovine hourly fetal urine production: relation to fetal electrocortical activity.

Objective: Ultrasound studies of hourly urine production rate in human fetuses have suggested that a fall in urine production occurs in state 2F (fetal quiet sleep) secondary to a state-dependent decrease in renal blood flow. We sought to ascertain the relationship between fetal hourly urine production rate and behavioral state in the near-term ovine fetus, a model in which urine production and fetal brain activity can be directly measured.Methods: Six ewes with singleton pregnancies were prepared with vascular and amniotic fluid catheters. Fetuses were prepared with hindlimb vascular catheters, a bladder catheter, and biparietal ECoG electrodes. After at least 5 days of recovery (ga 130 ± 2 days; term = 145-150 days), each animal was monitored for a 6-h period. Urine production was measured by draining the bladder catheter through a drop counter and fetal ECoG was continuously recorded (sampling rate of 50 Hz). ECoG activity was analyzed using power spectral analysis and periods of active and quiet sleep...
Vinyl chloride exposure and human chromosome aberrations.

Abstract Examination of lymphocyte cultures from 11 vinyl chloride polymerization workers and 10 controls revealed a significantly higher incidence of aberrations in the exposed population. Most of the excess damage was of the “unstable” variety and involved the grossest kinds of changes such as fragments or rearrangements. When these complex changes were regarded as the product of two breaks, the incidence of all breaking events was also significantly increased in the workers. The results indicate the presence of chromosome damage in vinyl chloride exposed workers.
Transitional leadership in the defence and aerospace industry: a critical analysis for recruiting and developing talent

This article proposes a framework to create effective transitional leadership in the defence and aerospace industry. The proposed framework identifies and maps traits and skills of military personnel in a manner that can be tested and validated in accordance with principles of human resource management. Applying this framework would assist hiring managers in their selection of program or project managers from the military in transition to a defence contractor support organisation. Employing a research approach embracing a mix of both quantitative and quantitative strategies, the study examined more than 50 respondents to a 34-question survey, focusing on 14 respondents who submitted fully completed surveys. The conceptual framework for this study is derived from investigations conducted by project management practitioners and scholars who have built upon the research of previous research, which studied project development models within various industries. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Dawson, M. and Rahim, E. (2011) 'Transitional leadership in the defence and aerospace industry: a critical analysis for recruiting and developing talent', Int. J. Project Organisation and Management, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp.164-183.
The one-way layout with ordered parameters: a survey of advances since 1988

A survey of recent research in the one-way layout with ordered parameters is presented, focusing on the normal means model.
Effect of heat loads and ambient conditions on thermal comfort for single-sided ventilation

Natural ventilation is an effective method to save energy required to condition buildings and to improve indoor air quality. Designing a naturally ventilated building is a greater challenge than designing a mechanically ventilated building because natural ventilation highly depends on weather, which changes continuously. Another factor that may alter air movement and thermal conditions in the building is the presence of heat loads and furniture. The objective of the current study is to examine the effects of various environmental conditions and room configurations on both airflow distribution and thermal conditions in a room. In this study computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to model single-sided buoyancy-driven ventilation in a room with a door. Experimental and numerical data from the literature were used to initially validate the CFD, and the results agreed fairly well. Various heat loads and furniture were added to the room to examine their effects on airflow stratification and thermal conditions. Overall, the conditions in a room were not significantly affected by additional heat sources. Lastly, cooler ambient conditions at the doorway were modeled, and the room was unable to achieve comfortable thermal conditions.