cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure and Chromosomal Localization of the Human Prostasin (PRSS8) Gene

Prostasin, denoted as PRSS8, is a newly identified human serine proteinase that shares high sequence identity with acrosin, plasma kallikrein, and hepsin (Yu et al., 1994, 1995). In the present study, a full-length PRSS8 gene has been isolated and characterized. A 7-kb PRSS8 gene fragment has been sequenced, including a 1.4-kb 5'-flanking region, the 4.4-kb PRSS8 gene, and a 1.2-kb 3'-flanking region. The gene consists of six exons and five introns based on comparison with its cDNA sequence. The sizes of these exons are 417, 18, 163, 272, 167, and 899 bp, while those of the introns are 243, 1763, 271, 85, and 92 bp. A number of potential regulatory elements have been revealed in the 5'-flanking region, including an AP2 site, two erythroid-specific promoter elements, and a sterol regulatory element. In addition, there are a variant GC box and a variant AP1 site in the promoter region. The transcription initiation site of the PRSS8 gene has been defined at the G residue and its adjacent A residue in a sequence CTCATGACT, which is similar to an initiator element CTCANTCT. Between the transcription initiation site and these putative regulatory elements, there is an AC-rich repetitive sequence that spans over 300 bp. Human PRSS8 is a single-copy gene and has been localized on chromosome 16p11.2 by in situ hybridization.
Mesoscale Simulation of the Structure of Star Acrylated Poly(ethylene glycol-co-lactide) Hydrogels

In this work the microstructures of star acrylated poly(ethylene glycol-co-lactide) (SPELA) with different LA:EG ratios in the aqueous solution have been simulated via Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) approach at the mesoscale. The system components were coarse-grained into different beads (set of atoms) which moved according to the Newton’s equations of motion integrated via a modified Velocity-Verlet algorithm. The force acting on each bead, in a specific cutoff distance (r c ), was divided into a conservative force (FC), random force (FR), dissipative force (FD), bond force (FS) and bond angle force (FE). The repulsion parameters of the conservative force (α ij ) were calculated from the solubility parameter of the beads, each of which were extracted from an atomistic molecular dynamics simulation (MD). Simulations showed the formation of micelles with lactide and acrylate beads occupied the core and hydrophilic ethylene oxide segments extending through the water to form the corona. The micelles showed an increasing trend in size and decreasing trend in number density with increase in LA:EG ratio. Results showed that the acrylate density decreased from the center of the micelles to the core surface although the overall amount of acrylates increased due to the increase in volume. Furthermore, the running integration number of acrylate-water beads showed decreasing accessibility of acrylates to water with increasing PLA volume fraction.
Hydrogel membranes with mesh size asymmetry based on the gradient crosslinking of poly(vinyl alcohol)

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel membranes with mesh size asymmetry were prepared and their transport properties were studied. Homogeneous membranes with water contents of 82%, 76% and 72% were prepared by crosslinking PVA with glutaraldehyde. These membranes were then modified to create asymmetry by establishing a glutaraldehyde concentration gradient across the hydrogel thickness. The reaction time and magnitude of the glutaraldehyde concentration gradient were varied to determine the optimum values of permeability and selectivity. Permeation experiments with creatinine, Fab and IgG were performed in a stirred diffusion cell through homogeneous and asymmetric PVA hydrogels. A modified version of the multiple-membrane technique was used to determine boundary layer resistance in order to determine the intrinsic membrane permeability. As expected, the selectivity of creatinine over IgG increased as the modification time increased. However, the selectivity of Fab over IgG initially increased as the modification time increased, but then decreased at longer times, indicating that the increased crosslinking at the surface effectively blocks both proteins. At a given value of IgG rejection, the asymmetric membranes had higher creatinine and Fab permeabilities than the corresponding homogeneous membranes. This indicates that creating mesh size asymmetry in a hydrogel can result in a high-flux, high-selectivity membrane for cell encapsulation or bioseparations.
Primary structure of keratinocyte transglutaminase

Abstract The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the coding regions of human and rat keratinocyte transglutaminases (protein-glutamine: amine gamma-glutamyltransferase; EC 2.3.2.13) have been determined. These yield proteins of approximately 90 kDa that are 92% identical, indicative of the conservation of important structural features. Alignments of amino acid sequences show substantial similarity among the keratinocyte transglutaminase, human clotting factor XIII catalytic subunit, guinea pig liver tissue transglutaminase, and the human erythrocyte band-4.2 protein. The keratinocyte enzyme is most similar to factor XIII, whereas the band-4.2 protein is most similar to the tissue transglutaminase. A salient feature of the keratinocyte transglutaminase is its 105-residue extension beyond the N terminus of the tissue transglutaminase. This extension and the unrelated activation peptide of factor XIII (a 37-residue extension) appear to be added for specialized functions after divergence of the tissue transglutaminase from their common lineage.
The effect of walking exercise regimens on joint biomechanics and serum biomarker profile in patients with knee osteoarthritis

s / Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 23 (2015) A26eA81 A47 primary hand OA with mild to moderate pain symptoms. Further investigation is required to determine the efficacy of HCQ in other hand
Regulated Expression of Artificial Chimeric Genes Contained in Retroviral Vectors: Implications for Virus-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (VDEPT) and other Gene Therapy Applications

AbstractReplication-defective retroviral vectors were created that contained chimeric genes composed of either the albumin (ALB) or the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) transcriptional regulatory sequences linked to the coding domain of the thymidine kinase gene from Varicella zoster virus (VZV TK). These viruses were used to infect the human hepatoblastoma cell line, HepG2. Subsequent to infection, the infected cells were single-cell cloned. The level of expression of VZV TK from the chimeric genes correlated with the level of endogenous expression of ALB or AFP in most clones, indicating that the transcription of the chimeric VZV TK gene is controlled in a similar manner to the endogenous ALB or AFP genes, and that sites of viral integration are less important to overall gene expression. Most importantly, as the expression of the endogenous ALB gene was modified, so was expression of VZV TK from the ALB/VZV TK chimeric gene. This demonstrates that retroviruses can deliver a chimeric gene containing tissue-specif...
The Fatty Acid Transport Protein (FATP) Family: Very Long Chain Acyl-CoA Synthetases or Solute Carriers?

Cellular fatty acids typically derive from uptake from the extracellular milieu and, to a lesser extent, de novo synthesis. Extracellular fatty acids must traverse the plasma membrane, after which they are activated to their CoA thioesters for subsequent metabolism. Both uptake and metabolism are rapid processes, and there has been considerable debate as to whether transport of fatty acids across the lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane proceeds by diffusion or requires transport proteins. One group of proteins proposed to translocate fatty acids is the six-member Fatty Acid Transport Protein (FATP) family. These proteins were designated as such because when overexpressed, host cells exhibited higher rates of accretion of radioactive or fluorescent fatty acids. However, one member of this family, FATP2, is identical to an enzyme with very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSVL) activity. This enzyme (ACSVL1 or FATP2), was isolated using classical protein purification techniques. In fact, the six-member ACSVL protein family is identical to the six-member FATP family. We and others have established that all six proteins have acyl-CoA synthetase activity. It remains to be established whether they participate in the physical translocation process, or facilitate transport by trapping, as CoA derivatives, fatty acids that enter cells by diffusion. To characterize the biological functions of the ACSVLs, we are investigating the properties of the overexpressed proteins and the endogenous proteins. We observed that for many ACSVLs, the subcellular location of the overexpressed protein differs from that of the endogenous protein. Using RNA interference (siRNA), we knocked down expression of FATP4 (proposed name: ACSVL5) in Neuro2a cells. Activation of both long-chain (C16:0) and very long-chain fatty acids (C24:0) was decreased when FATP4 was depleted. Despite decreased enzyme activity, initial rates of uptake of [14C]C16:0 were not affected when FATP4 was depleted. In contrast, COS-1 cells overexpressing FATP4 showed enhanced [14C]C16:0 uptake. Neither endogenous (Neuro2a) nor overexpressed (COS-1) FATP4 was localized to plasma membrane under routine cell culture conditions, but rather were found in intracellular membrane compartments. We conclude that, in the cell lines studied, endogenous FATP4 does not function to translocate FA across the plasma membrane.
Imprecise probabilistic beliefs as a context for decision-making under ambiguity

Abstract Coherent imprecise probabilistic beliefs are modeled as incomplete comparative likelihood relations admitting a multiple-prior representation. Under a structural assumption of Equidivisibility, we provide an axiomatization of such relations and show uniqueness of the representation. In the second part of the paper, we formulate a behaviorally general “Likelihood Compatibility” axiom relating preferences and probabilistic beliefs and characterize its implications for the class of “invariant biseparable” preferences that includes the MEU and CEU models among others.
Effects of naloxone and animal temperament on serum luteinizing hormone and cortisol concentrations in seasonally anestrous Brahman heifers.

The effect of endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) and individual animal temperament on serum luteinizing hormone (LH) were investigated in seasonally anestrous Brahman heifers (n = 24). Animals that had shown behavioral estrus in previous months but that had not returned to estrus for at least 30 d were selected. The heifers were ranked by temperament (tame = 1, normal = 2, wild = 3) and randomly allotted into three groups. Blood was collected from one heifer of each group per day. Blood samples were taken via jugular cannula every 15 min for 6 h and every 30 min for another 4 h. After the first hour of sampling, the heifers received intravenous saline (SAL, n = 8); naloxone (LN, 0.5 mg/kg i.v., n = 8); or naloxone (HN, 1.0 mg/kg i.v., n = 8). Three hours after naloxone treatment, each heifer was given gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH, 100 microg i.m.). All samples were processed to yield serum and were assayed for LH by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Hourly samples were assayed for cortisol by RIA. The area under the LH curve 60 min postnaloxone treatment was higher in LN and HN than in SAL (57.0 and 40.8 vs 6.1 units; P<0.01); and the area under the 180 min postnaloxone curve remained higher in LN than in SAL (106.2 vs 35.1 units; P<0.05). Cortisol concentrations 60 min postnaloxone administration were above prenaloxone levels(38.2 vs 26.7 ng/ml; P<0.0002). Temperament scores of heifers were positively correlated with cortisol release. The area under the cortisol curve had a negative correlation with mean LH. Serum LH concentrations appear to be suppressed by EOP in seasonally anestrous Brahman heifers, and EOP appear to reduce serum cortisol concentrations. Excitable heifers had higher concentrations of serum cortisol, which negatively affected serum LH concentrations.
Zirconocene complexes of the sterically demanding pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl ligand, CpPRO. Synthesis and characterization of CpPROZrCl3 and CpCpPROZrCl2 (Cp=η5-C5H5; CpPRO=η5-C5(C6H5)5)

Abstract The synthesis, characterization and X-ray structures of two zirconium complexes of the bulky pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl ligand, CpPRO, are reported. The monocyclopentadienyl 12 electron complex, CpPROZrCl3 (I), has an unusual monomeric structure in the solid state and has short Zr–ligand distances. The Lewis acidity of this complex is manifested in its ability to catalyze the [4+2] cycloadditions of methyl- and ethylmethacrylate to cyclopentadiene. The sandwich complex, CpPROCpZrCl2 (II), has more typical Zr–ligand distances, but has a more parallel arrangement of the two cyclopentadienyl rings.
Solving the plot: early events are the key to diabetes intervention

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed after most insulin-producing islets of Langerhans have already been destroyed. However, magnetic resonance imaging can be used to predict the onset of type 1 diabetes, and a benign prognosis correlates with the presence of anti-inflammatory tissue-resident macrophages.
Decentralization and Privatization: Education Policy in Chile

Many countries have experimented with decentralization and privatization policies in hopes of increasing public sector efficiency. This article explores the impact of decentralization and privatization of education in Chile. Decentralization did have some benefits such as improved administrative efficiency and greater productive efficiency. However, government size, as measured by the total personnel working in the education sector, increased under decentralization. Privatization of education in Chile created a type of voucher system. Although educators are more accountable to parents who compare products, the greatest problem is that schools do not necessarily respond to competition by promoting better quality education. Comparisons of student performance in public and private schools in Chile is not conclusive, but national average scores have not risen even though private provision of education has expanded dramatically while public education has waned. Finally, both decentralization and privatization resulted in greater inequity in expenditures and in the performance of students from different income groups.
Coyotes ( Canis latrans ) and the Matching Law

Environmental change is accelerating due to anthropogenic influence. Species that have greater behavioral flexibility may be better adapted to exploit new or constantly changing habitats. There are few mammals and even fewer carnivores that better illustrate widespread adaptability and behavioral flexibility in the wake of human disturbance than coyotes (Canis latrans). Yet how such predators successfully track resources, enabling them to survive and extend their range in stochastic environments remains unknown. We tested eight wild-born, captive coyotes individually on an operant two-choice test using concurrent variable interval (VI) schedules. We held the overall rate of reinforcement constant but manipulated the ratio of reinforcement available from the two choices. We analyzed sensitivity of coyotes’ tracking of resource change by fitting the generalized matching equation to the data. Results showed all coyotes efficiently tracked changes in reinforcement ratios within the first few sessions of each new condition and matched their relative rate of foraging time to relative rate of resources. We suggest the matching paradigm provides a methodology to explore coyote foraging strategies, and a potential framework to compare behavioral flexibility across species, by measuring the ability to track resource change under variable resource conditions.
A Review of Hu Tai-li's Documentary Educational Resources Series

ABSTRACT This review addresses six films made by Taiwan's most well respected ethnographic filmmaker, Hu Tai-li. The films were recently released as part of the Documentary Educational Resources series and cover Hu's most well-known works. The films in the series span two decades, beginning with her first film in 1985. Hu's films capture the everyday lives of the disenfranchised in Taiwan, ranging from aboriginal groups to working-class Taiwanese who have been displaced by shifting economic structures. Her films are especially important for Taiwan Studies, for they capture fading traditions as well as continued ethnic and class tensions within Taiwan. As such, the films are important for anyone who wants to come to a better understanding of Taiwan's past and present.
Procedurally related differences in the aggressive behavior ofBetta splendens (Regan)

The agonistic behaviors of maleBetta splendens (Regan) were studied during both mutually viewing and mutually caged encounters in an investigation of differences between these types of encounters. With the pairings of animals held constant, the experience of prior mutual viewing which produced significant habituation did not significantly alter aggression in subsequent mutually caged encounters. Furthermore, animals which exhibited submissiveness (zero display rates) during mutually caged encounters significantly increased the intensity of aggression during subsequent mutual viewing, while the dominant caged mates decreased the rate of displays. These results were interpreted to mean that mutual viewing produces habituation while mutual caging produces conditioned suppression, and that generalizations from one situation to the other may therefore be unwarranted.
Variational two-electron reduced density matrix theory for many-electron atoms and molecules: Implementation of the spin- and symmetry-adapted T 2 condition through first-order semidefinite programming

The energy and properties of a many-electron atom or molecule may be directly computed from a variational optimization of a two-electron reduced density matrix (2RDM) that is constrained to represent many-electron quantum systems. In this paper we implement a variational 2RDM method with a representability constraint, known as the ${T}_{2}$ condition. The optimization of the 2RDM is performed with a first-order algorithm for semidefinite programming [D. A. Mazziotti, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 213001 (2004)] which, because of its lower computational cost in comparison to second-order methods, allows the treatment of larger basis sets. We also derive and implement a spin- and symmetry-adapted formulation of the ${T}_{2}$ condition that significantly decreases the size of the largest block in the ${T}_{2}$ matrix. The ${T}_{2}$ condition, originally derived by Erdahl [Int. J. Quantum Chem. 13, 697 (1978)], was recently applied via a second-order algorithm to atoms and molecules [Z. Zhao et al., J. Chem. Phys. 120, 2095 (2004)]. While these calculations were restricted to molecules at equilibrium geometries in minimal basis sets, we apply the 2RDM method with the ${T}_{2}$ condition to compute the electronic energies of molecules in both minimal and nonminimal basis sets at equilibrium as well as nonequilibrium geometries. Accurate potential energies curves are produced for BH, HF, and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$. Results are compared with the 2RDM method without the ${T}_{2}$ condition as well as several wave-function methods.
Comparative Structure‐Function Analysis of VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2

Activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 and -2 (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2) plays a critical role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. However, the mechanism by which activation of VEGFRs elicits these cellular events is not fully understood. We recently constructed chimeric receptors containing the extracellular domain of human CSF-1R/c-fms fused with the entire transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of murine VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. Selective activation of chimeric VEGFR-2, but not chimeric VEGFR-1, stimulated endothelial cell growth, migration, and differentiation. Stimulation of cells coexpressing chimeric VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 suppressed VEGFR-2-mediated endothelial cell growth. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that tyrosines 799 and 1173 are required for VEGFR-2-mediated endothelial cell growth and activation of PI3 kinase. Further site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that tyrosine 1212, located in the carboxyl tail of VEGFR-2, is required for the ligand-dependent autophosphorylation of the receptor and its ability to activate signaling proteins. Collectively, our results suggest that activation of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 differentially regulates endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. Second, activation of VEGFR-2 is associated with many endothelial cell functions, including cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Third, activation of PI3 kinase by VEGFR-2 regulates endothelial cell proliferation.
Responses of adrenocorticotropin and vasopressin to hemorrhage after lesions of the caudal ventrolateral medulla in rats

Abstract Hormonal responses to hemorrhage were examined in urethane-anesthetized rats 48 h after electrolytic lesions of the caudal ventrolateral medulla. Bilateral A 1 -lesions (A 1 ×) inhibited the response of plasma adrenocorticotropin relative either to other lesions (X×) or to sham lesions. A 1 × inhibited the response of plasma vasopressin relative to X× but not to sham lesions. A 1 × and X× destroyed similar areas that were dorsal or caudal to A 1 . No lesion blocked either response completely. A hemodynamic pathway controlling the release of both hormones may pass through A 1 . However, other pathways may bypass this area.
5-methylthioribose as a precursor of the carbon chain of methionine

The enzymatic formation of 5’-methylthioadenosine (MTA) from S-adenosylmethionine was first described by Shapiro and Mather (1958) and Tabor et al. (1958). Subsequent investigations have uncovered a variety of biochemical pathways for the formation of MTA (Schlenk, 1982; Williams-Ashman et al., 1982) although quantitatively the most important pathway apparently involves the biosynthesis of spermidine and spermine. MTA does not accumulate in cells because of its rapid hydrolysis to adenine and either 5-methylthioribose (MTR) or 5-methylthioribose-l-phosphate (MTRP) (Ferro et al., 1976). Recently (Ferro et al., 1978) it was shown that in Enterobacter aerogenes MTR is converted to MTRP by a new enzyme — 5-MTR kinase. Although it was known that the methylthio moiety of MTA is recycled into methionine in a variety of systems (Schwartz and Shapiro, 1954; Schlenk et al., 1973; Giovanelli et al., 1981) the biochemical mechanism was not clear. Recent experiments with yeast cells (Shapiro and Schlenk, 1980) provided the first evidence that the ribose carbons of MTA are incorporated into the four carbon chain of methionine. Subsequently Backlund and Smith (1981) described experiments with rat liver homogenates which also showed the conversion of the ribose carbons of MTA into the carbon chain of methionine.
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in adolescents

Gastric band placement developed as a means of limiting the amount of solid food that enters the stomach, relying on the principle of reducing caloric intake by reducing food volume. By making it difficult for a patient to swallow a large bite of food, one ideally could learn to change eating behavior to take smaller bites and eat more slowly in order to avoid the unpleasant sensation of food backing up at the level of the restriction. Limiting intake should result in weight loss. This article reviews the history of gastric band surgery, the operation and follow-up care, complications associated with gastric banding, and results to date.
The Formation and Evolution of InAs 3D Islands on GaAs(001) and a Comparative C-AFM and NC-AFM Study of InAs 3D Islands

The two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) morphology change in the highly strained growth of InAs on GaAs(001) is examined via in-situ, ultra-high vacuum (UHV) scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and contact-mode atomic force microscopy (C-AFM). The formation of 3D InAs islands (˜2–4nm high) at an InAs delivery, θ˜1.57ML is found to be preceded by the appearance of small quasi-3D clusters (˜0.6–1.2nm high). The 2D to 3D transition is found to occur over a range of θ from ˜1.45ML to 1.74ML, with a varying and gradual mass transfer from 2D to 3D features with increasing θ. The InAs 3D islands are also examined in this study using non-contact AFM (NC-AFM) in order to assess the usefulness of this technique for imaging 3D features. Unlike the constancy observed in the C-AFM images, the NC-AFM images exhibit a marked imaging condition dependence. The variability observed in the NC-AFM images is qualitatively compared to the outcome of the simplest, force-gradient model of NC-AFM in order to extract a guideline for NC-AFM imaging of 3D features.
Adiabatic Couplers for Linear Power Division

Adiabatic 3 dB couplers exhibit wide bandwidth and resistance to process and thermal variations. In this work, we investigate tradeoffs between sensitivity and overall length. The discussion includes plans for commercial fabrication.
Convenient Preparation of Hydroxymethyl-Substituted Diaminodiphenyloxybenzenes

Abstract Two hydroxymethyl-substituted monomers of diaminodiphenyloxybenzene were synthesized in three or four steps in 95% and 74% overall yields, respectively.
An empirical study on the software integrity of virtual appliances: are you really getting what you paid for?

Virtual appliances (VAs) are ready-to-use virtual machine images that are configured for specific purposes. For example, a virtual machine image that contains all the software necessary to develop and host a JSP-based website is typically available as a "Java Web Starter" VA. Currently there are many VA repositories from which users can download VAs and instantiate them on Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) clouds, allowing them to quickly launch their services. This marketplace, however, lacks adequate mechanisms that allow users to a priori assess whether a specific VA is really configured with the software that it is expected to be configured with. This paper evaluates the integrity of software packages installed on real-world VAs, through the use of a software whitelist-based framework, and finds that indeed there is a lot of variance in the software integrity of packages across VAs. Analysis of 151 Amazon VAs using this framework shows that about 9% of real-world VAs have significant numbers of software packages that contain unknown files, making them potentially untrusted. Virus scanners flagged just half of the VAs in that 9% as malicious, demonstrating that virus scanning alone is not sufficient to help users select a trustable VA and that a priori software integrity assessment has a role to play.
Narrow boiling distillates of coal liquefaction products: 3. Critical properties

Abstract Critical properties of narrow boiling and wide boiling coal distillates were estimated using correlations and a group contribution method. The critical property estimates were compared with critical properties regressed from hydrogen solubility data. The correlations yielded critical temperature predictions that were in better agreement with the regressed values than the group contribution estimates; none of the methods gave accurate estimates of critical pressure. While the group contribution method did not yield the best estimates of critical properties, it did allow an evaluation of the sensitivity of the critical properties to structural features in the coal liquids. The results indicate that the critical properties are not sensitive to the fine details of the coal structure but depend on global features such as aromatic content and concentration of phenolic compounds.
Binding of Myosin Light Chain Kinase to Cellular Actin-Myosin Filaments

Myosin light chain kinase binds to the actomyosin-containing filaments in smooth and nonmuscle cells. However, the region of the kinase necessary for this high affinity binding in vivo is not known, although it has been proposed that the N and C termini bind to actin and myosin in vitro, respectively. Truncated myosin light chain kinases containing the catalytic core and calmodulin-binding domain but lacking N (amino acids 1-655) and/or C (amino acids 1004-1147) termini were expressed in the baculovirus system and purified. All enzymes were catalytically active and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent. The C-terminal truncated myosin light chain kinase bound to detergent-washed smooth muscle contractile proteins similar to recombinant full-length myosin light chain kinase or enzyme purified from smooth muscle. The apparent affinity of the full-length kinase was greater for the actomyosin-containing filaments with associated proteins than for purified smooth muscle F-actin or actomyosin filaments from skeletal muscle. In contrast, truncations at the N terminus alone or at both N and C termini resulted in no significant binding. Similar effects were observed by two other assays: binding of fluorescently labeled myosin light chain kinases to actin-containing stress fibers in detergent-treated fibroblasts and localization of fluorescently labeled kinases after microinjection into primary smooth muscle cells in culture. The full-length and the C-terminal truncated myosin light chain kinases, but not myosin light chain kinases truncated at the N terminus or both N and C termini, associated with filaments in cells. Thus, the N terminus and not the C terminus of myosin light chain kinase is necessary for high affinity binding to actomyosin-containing filaments in smooth and nonmuscle cells.
Artificially-engineered InGaN-based digital alloy for optoelectronics

An artificially-engineered InGaN-based digital alloy is investigated based on GaN/InN superlattice, and the findings indicate the capability of this material system to achieve tunable bandgap and absorption properties for optoelectronic applications.
Diethylcarbamazine enhances antibody-mediated cellular adherence to Brugia malayi microfilariae.

Treatment with the antifilarial drug diethylcarbamazine (DEC) results in a rapid decline in the number of microfilariae circulating in the blood of infected hosts1. DEC induces morphological changes in the surface layers of microfilariae, but these alterations alone are probably insufficient to cause the death of the parasite, because the drug fails to reduce microfilaraemia in animals lacking filarial antibodies, and also does not shorten the survival of microfilariae in vitro1–4. The effect of DEC in vivo is thought to result from the trapping of microfilariae in the liver, where they undergo lysis1,2,5,6.
Multicomponent linchpin couplings of silyl dithianes: synthesis of the Schreiber C(16-28) trisacetonide subtarget for mycoticins A and B.

An efficient synthesis of trisacetonide (+)-11, the Schreiber C(16−28) subtarget for mycoticins A and B, is described. The key synthetic transformation entails a one-flask, five-component linchpin coupling tactic.
Refining Boat Electrofishing Equipment to Improve Consistency and Reduce Harm to Fish

Abstract A major concern with electrofishing is the standardization of sampling equipment and methods, particularly when collections are used to monitor spatial and temporal changes in fish communities. Standardization can not only ensure that stock assessment is consistent—that is, the data collected over time and space have equal meaning and are not influenced by differences in gear or gear application—but also reduce injury by constraining power to ranges that are likely to immobilize fish but unlikely to harm them. Standardization of electrofishing equipment requires adjusting power output to keep constant the amount of power transferred to fish in diverse water conditions. In this study, the power level thresholds required to immobilize and injure fish under controlled laboratory conditions were identified for various size–species combinations and applied to establish power minima and maxima suitable for successful and safe boat electrofishing. The target settings identified allowed survival of 99.4%...
Hydrogen adsorption states on silica-supported Ru–Ag and Ru–Cu bimetallic catalysts investigated via microcalorimetry

Abstract The nature of hydrogen adsorption states on silica supported Ru, Ru–Ag and Ru–Cu was investigated using microcalorimetry and selective hydrogen chemisorption. The differential heats of hydrogen adsorption as a function of hydrogen coverage were determined for Ru and bimetallics with varying Ag and Cu contents. The initial heats of hydrogen adsorption (differential heat at coverages approaching zero) were found to be similar on all three catalyst systems suggesting the absence of effects that directly alter the chemisorptive bond (e.g. electron transfer between Ru and the added metal). The addition Ag to Ru significantly reduced the total amount of hydrogen adsorbed per surface Ru atom. That is, the stoichiometry of adsorption was altered by the addition of Ag even though Ag does not adsorb hydrogen. Similarly, the addition of Cu reduced the amount of hydrogen adsorbed per surface metal atom. In both cases, the reduced amount of hydrogen adsorbed per surface atom (adsorptive stoichiometry) was associated with the loss of hydrogen adsorbed from weak and intermediate energy adsorption states (
Implementing Trauma-Focused CBT With Fidelity and Flexibility: A Family Case Study

Effective approaches for the treatment of childhood posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic grief are needed given the prevalence of trauma and its impact on children's lives. To effectively treat posttraumatic stress disorder in children, evidence-based practices should be implemented with flexibility and responsiveness to culture, developmental level, and the specific needs of the family. This case study illustrates flexibility with fidelity in the use of a manualized treatment, describing the implementation of Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy with three traumatized family members—a caregiver and two children. Particular attention is paid to the use of creative strategies to tailor interventions to the individual clients while maintaining fidelity to the principles and components of this evidence-based treatment.
Non-thermal food processing/preservation technologies: a review with packaging implications

Non-thermal food processing/preservation methods interest food and food packaging scientists, manufacturers and consumers because they exert a minimal impact on the nutritional and sensory properties of foods, and extend shelf life by inhibiting or killing microorganisms. They are also considered to be more energy efficient and to preserve better quality attributes than conventional thermally based processes. Non-thermal processes also meet industry needs by offering valueadded products, new market opportunities and added safety margins. This study reviewed non-thermal processing technologies currently available or developmental for the inactivation of microorganisms and thus microbiological shelf life in foods, and to identify packaging interactions that might result. Processes include ultra-high pressure, ionizing radiation, pulsed X-ray, ultrasound, pulsed light and pulsed electric fields, high-voltage arc discharge, magnetic fields, dense phase carbon dioxide and hurdle technologies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SU-FF-I-89: Performance Evaluation of a Unique Transrectal Ultrasound System

Purpose: To present a performance evaluation for a unique transrectal ultrasound probe for use in prostate seed implants. The ultrasound probe transducer moves inside the probe case while the case remains stationary. This allows imaging in different planes without moving the prostate. Sagittal and transverse plane imaging is available. Electronic longitudinal stepping and sagittal plane rotation of the transducer replaces manual/mechanical movement. Method and Materials: The ultrasound probe evaluated was the TargetScan® System from Envisioneering Medical Products (St. Louis, MO). Proper alignment of the needle template and software grid was verified, as well as electronic stepper position accuracy. Image quality was evaluated using a Multipurpose Tissue/Cyst Ultrasound Phantom (Nuclear Associates Model 84‐317). Tests included, maximum scanning depth, axial distance calibration accuracy, spatial resolution, high scatter resolution, low scatter resolution, superficial low scatter resolution, and dead zone region limit. All tests were performed with the probe immersed in a water medium. Both axial and sagittal scanning modes were tested. Results: Needle template/software grid coincidence (axial mode) was within 2mm, with most measurements being less than 1 mm. Longitudinal stepper accuracy was within 1mm. The following results apply to both sagittal and transverse scanning modes. Maximum scanning depth was approximately 60 mm in the medium. Axial distance accuracy was within 1 mm. Spatial resolution was 2mm axial, 3mm lateral. The 4 mm high and low scatter targets could be resolved. The 2 mm low scatter superficial targets could be resolved at the 2.2 cm and 4.4 cm depths for both sagittal and transverse modes. The dead zone limit was 2mm for both sagittal and transverse modes. Conclusion: The TargetScan® System has high image quality and transducer placement accuracy which makes it suitable for both diagnostic scanning as well as image guided prostate brachytherapy.
Controlling the density distribution of SiC nanocrystals for the ion beam synthesis of buried SiC layers in silicon

Abstract The depth distribution of SiC nanocrystals formed during high-dose implantation of carbon ions into silicon at conditions suitable for the ion beam synthesis of buried SiC layers in silicon is studied in this paper. For implantation temperatures of 400–600°C and dose rates of 1012 − 1013 C+/cm2s, SiC precipitates in crystalline silicon are observed to be of approximately equal size, independent of the depth position beneath the surface. Ballistic destruction of small precipitates and difficulties in precipitate growth are thought to be responsible for the observed narrow size distribution. The destruction of precipitates may lead to the simultaneous release of a superthreshold concentration of carbon atoms resulting in a carbon-induced amorphization of the silicon host lattice. The local reduction of the number density of SiC nanocrystals involved with this amorphization can be used to tailor discontinuous depth distributions of oriented SiC precipitates providing ideal starting conditions for the synthesis of well-defined single-crystalline SiC layers in silicon.
AMS measurements of the 14C distribution in the Pacific Ocean

In the framework of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), 4250 (out of about 8000) Pacific sea water samples have been processed and analyzed for the carbon isotopes during the last five years, representing about 70% of the total number of samples measured at NOSAMS. The majority of these samples (3180) are from the surface layers of the ocean (depth: 0–1200 m). During the last 2 years the NOSAMS precision has reached the level required to measure the small Δ14C gradients in the deeper water column (< 0.4%). Using only the data for 0–1200 m depth, some spatial and time aspects of the distribution of nuclear-bomb-produced radiocarbon are discussed here. Principal investigators for the small sample AMS 14C program on the 18 WOCE cruises were Robert Key (Princeton University), Peter Schlosser (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory), and Paul Quay (University of Washington).
Transport in graphene on BN and SiC

We study the mobility and high field velocity in graphene placed upon BN or SiC. The transport is subject to the intrinsic phonons in graphene, as well as flexural modes, remote polar modes from the BN or SiC and impurities sited between the BN layer and the underlying oxide.
Tracheostomy in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Specific treatment has been shown to shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and could obviate the need for tracheostomy in a significant proportion of patients. However, the factors predictive of prolonged ventilation are undetermined, and the timing and use of tracheostomy in patients with GBS have not been systematically studied. The medical records of 60 patients ventilated for GBS were reviewed. Only 13 patients (22%) could be weaned within 3 weeks. Patients ventilated longer were significantly older (P = 0.04), and 21% had underlying pulmonary disease. Median duration of ventilation in patients treated with plasma exchange (n = 31) was not shortened. Fifty-two patients (87%) received a tracheostomy at a median of 9 days after intubation. In this series, where patients with comorbidity were included, tracheostomy was still necessary in the majority of ventilated patients. This procedure can be anticipated in elderly patients and in the presence of preexisting pulmonary disease.
OBSERVATIONS ON HUNTINGTON'S CHOREA IN CHILDHOOD.

Huntington's chorea in childhood is rare but probably occurs more frequently than has generally been thought. Case histories of 7 patients with the onset of this disease before the age of 10 years and the neuropathologic findings in one of them are reported. The syndrome in childhood is differentiated from the more familiar form in adults, and comments are made concerning treatment and prophylaxis.
Response of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) to different types and levels of simulated insect herbivore damage

Abstract Simulated herbivory experiments in weed biological control have been used to predict the type and level of damage needed to suppress invasive plant growth and reproduction in the introduced range. Prior to host-specificity testing, this information is used to prioritize potential biological control agents based on their feeding guild and habit. In the current study, two levels of leaf cutting and terminal clipping damage to kudzu, Pueraria montana var. lobata (Fabaceae), were applied to plants over a 2 year period near the center (North Carolina) and edge (Delaware) of kudzu’s invasive range. Damage type and levels were selected to imitate feeding by two herbivore guilds found on the plant in its native range. Above- and belowground biomass, total vine length and average internode length were significantly reduced by 75% leaf cutting for plants grown over a single season in Delaware. In North Carolina, several treatments reduced plant biomass, but only 75% leaf cutting was consistent in significantly reducing above- and belowground biomass compared to the control for one- and two-year-old plants. These findings suggest that damage to aboveground plant parts can reduce the ability of newly established plants to produce and store carbohydrates, which can contribute to successful biological control. Therefore, insects in the leaf-feeding guild should be investigated for potential host-specific biological control agents of kudzu in China.
Commentary on Vandervert's “from idiots savants to Albert Einstein”

Abstract Vandervert believes that his model, Neurological Positivism (NP), not only supports my position on the sources of the remarkable skills of certain calendar calculating idiots savants, but can be extended to the other end of the intellectual scale, to an Albert Einstein for example. In this paper I present further evidence in support of the concepts of NP. In addition, it is proposed that NP incorporate a concept of human variability in many different domains to take into account these extremes of ability. The evolutionary importance of many domains of ability and individual differences and interactions in these domains is discussed.
Fine particle and organic vapor emissions from staged tests of an in-use aircraft engine

Staged tests were conducted to measure the particle and vapor emissions from a CFM56-2B1 gasturbine engine mounted on a KC-135T Stratotanker airframe at different engine loads. Exhaust was sampled using a rake inlet installed 1-m downstream of the engine exit plane of a parked and chocked aircraft and a dilution sampler and portable smog chamber were used to investigate the particulate matter (PM) emissions. Total fine PM mass emissions were highest at low (4%) and high (85%) load and lower at intermediate loads (7% and 30%). PM mass emissions at 4% load are dominated by organics, while at 85% load elemental carbon is dominant. Quantifying the primary organic aerosol (POA) emissions is complicated by substantial filter sampling artifacts. Partitioning experiments reveal that the majority of the POA is semivolatile; for example, the POA emission factor changed by a factor of two when the background organic aerosol concentration was increased from 0.7 to 4 m gm �3 . Therefore, one cannot define a single non-volatile PM emission factor for aircraft exhaust. The gas- and particle-phase organic emissions were comprehensively characterized by analyzing canister, sorbent and filter samples with gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry. Vapor-phase organic emissions are highest at 4% load and decrease with increasing load. Low-volatility organics (less volatile than a C12 nalkane) contributed 10e20% of the total organic emissions. The low-volatility organic emissions contain signatures of unburned fuel and aircraft lubricating oil but are dominated by an unresolved complex mixture (UCM) of presumably branched and cyclic alkanes. Emissions at all loads contain more low-volatility organic vapors than POA; thus secondary organic aerosol formation in the aging plume will likely exceed POA emissions.
Thermal transport in the gallium nitride chemical vapor deposition process

A numerical study has been carried out to characterize the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of Gallium Nitride (GaN) in a rotating-disk reactor. The major objective of this work is to examine the dependence of the growth rate and thin film uniformity on the primary parameters. First of all, for a rotating-disk system, the governing equations involved are obtained. Then, with the effect of thermal buoyancy included and based on the detailed mathematical model and chemical reaction mechanisms, the 3D simulation study is conducted for a rotating reactor. A comparison between the predicted growth rate and experimental data is presented. In addition, the effect of various primary operating and design parameters on the growth rate of GaN and thin-film uniformity is also examined. This provides further insight into the reactor performance and the characteristics of the entire process. The results obtained can also form the basis for the future design and optimization of this system.© 2013 ASME
Partial Purification of an Opiate Receptor from Mouse Brain

A proteolipid isolated from a lipid extract of mouse brain demonstrates stereospecific binding properties for levorphanol. It is present only in neuronal tissue and most abundant in the rhombencephalon. One component saturates at a concentration corresponding to maximum pharmacologic effect in vivo. The estimated mass is 60,000 daltons per bound opiate molecule.
Solving singularly constrained generalized network problems

The singularly constrained generalized network problem represents a large class of capacitated linear programming (LP) problems. This class includes any LP problem whose coefficient matrix, ignoring single upper bound constraints, containsm + 1 rows which may be ordered such that each column has at most two non-zero entries in the firstm rows. The paper describes efficient procedures for solving such problems and presents computational results which indicate that, on large problems, these procedures are at least twenty-five times more efficient than the state of the art LP systemapex-iii.