cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conservative and nonconservative mutations in proteins: Anomalous mutations in a transport receptor analyzed by free energy and quantum chemical calculations

Experimental studies on a bacterial sulfate receptor have indicated anomalous relative binding affinities for the mutations Ser130-->Cys,Ser130-->Gly, and Ser130-->Ala. The loss of affinity for sulfate in the former mutation was previously attributed to a greater steric effect on the part of the Cys side chain relative to the Ser side chain, whereas the relatively small loss of binding affinity for the latter two mutations was attributed to the loss of a single hydrogen bond. In this report we present quantum chemical and statistical thermodynamic studies of these mutations. Qualitative results from these studies indicate that for the Ser130-->Cys mutation the large decrease in binding affinity is in part caused by steric effects, but also significantly by the differential work required to polarize the Cys thiol group relative to the Ser hydroxyl group. The Gly mutant cobinds a water molecule in the same location as the Ser side chain resulting in a relatively small decrease in binding affinity. Results for the Ala mutant are in disagreement with experimental results but are likely to be limited by insufficient sampling of configuration space due to physical constraints applied during the simulation.
Rab24 is an atypical member of the Rab GTPase family. Deficient GTPase activity, GDP dissociation inhibitor interaction, and prenylation of Rab24 expressed in cultured cells.

The function of Rab24 is currently unknown, but other members of the Rab GTPase family are known to participate in various protein trafficking pathways. Rab proteins are thought to cycle on and off vesicle membranes in conjunction with changes in their guanine nucleotide state. The present studies indicate that Rab24 possesses several unusual characteristics that distinguish it from other Rab proteins. 1) Based on [32P]orthophosphate labeling of protein-bound nucleotide, Rab24 exists predominantly in the GTP state when expressed in cultured cells. The low GTPase activity is related to the presence of serine instead of glutamine at the position cognate to Ras Gln-61. 2) Posttranslational geranylgeranylation of Rab24, determined by metabolic labeling or detergent partitioning assays, is inefficient when compared with other Rabs ending with the common CXC and CC carboxyl-terminal motifs. This is partly due to the presence of two histidines distal to the target cysteines, but also involves other unidentified features. 3) Most of the Rab24 in the cytoplasmic compartment of cultured cells is not associated with Rab GDP dissociation inhibitors. These findings indicate that, if Rab24 functions in vesicular transport processes, it may operate through a novel mechanism that does not depend on GTP hydrolysis or GDP dissociation inhibitor-mediated recycling.
Venous congestion of the breast mimicking inflammatory breast cancer: case report and review of literature.

: Unilateral breast edema can be worrisome for inflammatory breast cancer. We review the literature and present a clinical case of a patient presenting with features concerning for inflammatory breast cancer, but in fact were the result of dialysis access related venous congestion of the breast.
Immobilization of alkaline phosphatase on protamine-intercalated bentonite

Abstract Two procedures have been attempted to immobilize alkaline phosphatase onto the surface of a bentolite-L clay. In Procedure I the enzyme and protamine are simultaneously added into a clay suspension. In this case alkaline phosphatase and protamine are co-adsorbed on the external surfaces and the edges of the clay sheets, and they can be desorbed by washing with buffer. In Procedure II protamine cations are first intercalated into a bentolite-L clay at pH 10.4 by ion-exchange, giving a protamine-pillared clay with a d spacing of 51 A and producing hydrophobic surfaces. Alkaline phosphatase, which is negatively charged at this pH, is then immobilized on both the interlamellar and external surfaces of the pillared clay via electrostatic and hydrophobic mechanisms, and cannot be removed from clay by washing with buffer. The amount of protamine for pretreating the clay is very important for activity retention of the immobilized enzyme. More protamine can attach more enzyme on the surface of the clay, however, too much protamine causes denaturation of the enzyme due to entrapment and uncoiling. The pH profile for the immobilized enzyme is similar to that of free enzyme, except for a little broader optimum pH region on the acidic side.
Structures Considerations in Design for Space Boosters

Structures aspects of the design of space vehicles are studied from the viewpoint of how they influence and are influenced by other technical problems of the space mission. Booster size and configuration are given special attention. It is concluded tha t structures considerations favor much larger vehicles than those currently contemplated, and tha t a systems approach to the space effort calls for strong emphasis on the structures contribution.
Performance analysis of modular products

In this paper, the impact of modular product designs on the performance of manufacturing systems is studied. The performance of product designs is measured by the makespan of the corresponding aggregate schedule of the manufacturing system. Design rules for the improvement of performance of a manufacturing system are developed. Based on the design rules developed, the selection problem of modular designs is formulated as an integer programming problem. The problem can be solved by an existing heuristic algorithm. Examples are provided to illustrate the issues discussed in this paper.
Spin-echo fluorine magnetic resonance imaging at 2 T: in vivo spatial distribution of halothane in the rabbit head.

Abstract Spin-echo 19 F magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 2.0 T to explore the in vivo spatial distribution of halothane in the rabbit head. Because the halothane concentration is low in vivo, and because the measured relaxation times of the 19 F resonance peak for halothane were T 1 ≈ 1.0 sec and T 2 ≈ 3.5–65 msec, 1–3-h imaging times were required (TR = 1 sec, TE = 9 msec) in order to obtain adequate images with a 64 × 256 raw data matrix and a 20-mm slice thickness. With this technique, halothane was primarily detected in lipophilic regions of the rabbit head, but little or no halothane was observed in brain tissue. Because T 2 was shorter in brain tissue than in surrounding fat, a shorter TE than we could obtain is needed for optimal spin-echo imaging of brain halothane.
Inverse heat conduction problem solutions via second-order design sensitivities and newton's method

Analytical first- and second-order design sensitivities are derived and for a general nonlinear system. These analytical techniques as well as approximate techniques are then discussed and illustrated via a two degree-of-freedom nonlinear spring system. The design sensitivity concepts are next applied to a nonlinear steady-state conduction system. The first- and second-order design sensitivities are used in conjunction with Newton's method to solve an inverse heat conduction problem. These results are compared to results obtained from the first-order Broyton-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) variable metric method. Analyses are first performed for materials with constant thermal conductivity since an exact solution is known. Subsequent analyses are then performed for materials with temperature dependent thermal conductivity. The second-order sensitivity based method is shown to be superior to the first-order method due to its faster convergence rates, more stable solutions, and limited dependence on regular...
Positive approximate identities and lattice-ordered dual spaces

It is shown that if E[7] is a locally convex space ordered by a closed, generating positive cone K satisfying certain mild hypotheses relating K and 7, then E′ is lattice-ordered by the dual cone K′ whenever the identity linear transformation on E is the pointwise limit of sums of transformations x→〈x,x′〉z where z∈K and x′∈K′. The converse is true for certain classes of spaces, e.g., Frechet spaces.
Primary pulmonary hypertension and human immunodeficiency virus infection in a non-hemophiliac man

Abstract We describe clinical and postmortem findings in a 44-year-old man with pulmonary hypertension and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). Plexogenic angiopathy and venoocclusive lesions were present, in addition to a mild, patchy pulmonary interstitial lymphoid infiltrate. The clinical data for 14 previously reported cases of HIV-associated primary pulmonary hypertension are summarized. We speculate that these vascular changes may be due to damage from a specific immune response to HIV.
Biotic Interactions and Macroevolution: Extensions and Mismatches Across Scales and Levels

Clade dynamics in the fossil record broadly fit expectations from the operation of competition, predation, and mutualism, but data from both modern and ancient systems suggest mismatches across scales and levels. Indirect effects, as when antagonistic or mutualistic interactions restrict geographic range and thereby elevate extinction risk, are probably widespread and may flow in both directions, as when species- or organismic-level factors increase extinction risk or speciation probabilities. Apparent contradictions across scales and levels have been neglected, including (1) the individualistic geographic shifts of species on centennial and millennial timescales versus evidence for fine-tuned coevolutionary relationships; (2) the extensive and dynamic networks of interactions faced by most species versus the evolution of costly enemy-specific defenses and finely attuned mutualisms; and (3) the macroevolutionary lags often seen between the origin and the diversification of a clade or an evolutionary novelty versus the rapid microevolution of advantageous phenotypes and the invasibility of most communities. Resolution of these and other cross-level tensions presumably hinges on how organismic interactions impinge on genetic population structures, geographic ranges, and the persistence of incipient species, but generalizations are not yet possible. Paleontological and neontological data are both incomplete and so the most powerful response to these problems will require novel integrative approaches. Promising research areas include more realistic approaches to modeling and empirical analysis of large-scale diversity dynamics of ostensibly competing clades; spatial and phylogenetic dissections of clades involved in escalatory dynamics (where prey respond evolutionarily to a broad and shifting array of enemies); analyses of the short- versus long-term consequences of mutualistic symbioses; and fuller use of abundant natural experiments on the evolutionary impacts of ecosystem engineers.
Quantitative immunological studies of the albumins of North American squirrels, family Sciuridae

Abstract 1. 1. Rabbit antisera against purified serum albumin of Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, Spermophilus lateralis, Ammospermophilus nelsoni, Eutamias amoenus , and Sciurus niger were used to probe relationships within the Sciuridae. 2. 2. Quantitative micro-complement fixation tests indicated that ground squirrel ( Spermophilus and Ammospermophilus ) and chipmunk ( Eutamias ) albumins were more similar to one another than any were to tree squirrel ( Sciurus ) albumins. 3. 3. Spermophilus tridecemlineatus appears more distantly related to other Spermophilus than are Ammospermophilus, Marmota , and Eutamias .
Medium Access Using Queues

Consider a wireless network of n nodes represented by a (undirected) graph G where an edge (i,j) models the fact that transmissions of i and j interfere with each other, i.e. simultaneous transmissions of i and j become unsuccessful. Hence it is required that at each time instance a set of non-interfering nodes (corresponding to an independent set in G) access the wireless medium. To utilize wireless resources efficiently, it is required to arbitrate the access of medium among interfering nodes properly. Moreover, to be of practical use, such a mechanism is required to be totally distributed as well as simple. As the main result of this paper, we provide such a medium access algorithm. It is randomized, totally distributed and simple: each node attempts to access medium at each time with probability that is a function of its local information. We establish efficiency of the algorithm by showing that the corresponding network Markov chain is positive recurrent as long as the demand imposed on the network can be supported by the wireless network (using any algorithm). In that sense, the proposed algorithm is optimal in terms of utilizing wireless resources. The algorithm is oblivious to the network graph structure, in contrast with the so-called polynomial back-off algorithm by Hastad-Leighton-Rogoff (STOC '87, SICOMP '96) that is established to be optimal for the complete graph and bipartite graphs (by Goldberg-MacKenzie (SODA '96, JCSS '99)).
The orbital pulley system: a revolution in concepts of orbital anatomy.

: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now enables precise visualization of the mechanical state of the living human orbit. Resulting insights have motivated histological re-examination of human and simian orbits, providing abundant consistent evidence for the active pulley hypothesis, a re-formulation of ocular motor physiology. Each extraocular muscle (EOM) consists of a global layer (GL) contiguous with the tendon and inserting on the eyeball, and a similar-sized orbital layer (OL) inserting on a connective tissue ring forming the EOM pulley. The pulley controls the EOM path and serves as the EOM's functional origin. Activity of the OL positions the pulley along each rectus EOM to assure that its pulling direction shifts by half the change in ocular orientation, the half-angle behavior characteristic of a linear ocular motor plant. Half-angle behavior is equivalent to Listing's law of ocular torsion, and makes 3-D ocular rotations effectively commutative. Pulleys are configured to maintain oblique EOM paths orthogonal to half-angle behavior, and violate Listing's law during the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Rectus pulley positions shift during convergence, facilitating stereopsis. Innervations, fiber types, and metabolism of the OL and GL differ, consistent with the elastic loading of the former, and viscous loading of the latter. Disorders of the location and stability of rectus pulleys are associated with predictable patterns of incomitant strabismus that may mimic cranial nerve palsies. Surgical interventions improve defective pulley function. Understanding of ocular motor control requires characterization of the behavior of the EOM pulleys as well as knowledge of angular eye orientation.
Alkaloids from Lupinus argenteus var. stenophyllus

TLC and GLC of an alkaloid extract of the aboveground portions of Lupinus argenteus Pursh. var. stenophyllus (Rydb.) Davis (Leguminosae) suggested the presence of sparteine, β-isosparteine, ∆5-dehydrolupanine, a-isolupanine, lupanine, thermopsine, and anagyrine. GLC-mass spectrometry confirmed these preliminary findings. Preparative TLC was used to isolate sparteine, and this alkaloid was further characterized by IR spectral analysis and derivatization.
Ground‐water problems in the Southern High Plains

The High Plains region has been passing through a prolonged low in the precipitation-cycle during a large part of the last decade. The drought has continued longer and has been more severe than any that has been experienced since the region began to be farmed. It has caused untold distress. Crops have failed for years in succession. In large areas in the so-called dust-bowl the top soil has been almost entirely removed by wind-erosion and the dust-storms have become so bad at times that the health of the inhabitants has been seriously threatened. In some parts of the region the annual rainfall, which ranges from about 18 to 24 inches, according to the location of the area, has returned to about the normal or long-time average. In others the drought is still in progress and a partial or complete crop-failure was again experienced in 1938. When the rainfall-record is studied, it becomes apparent that a large part of the High Plains never should have been farmed and should be allowed to go back to the range, if indeed the native grasses can be restored. Other parts, however, can still be farmed with moderate success by the farmer who uses proper methods of cultivation and crop-rotation, and combines farming with stock-raising by keeping a part of his land in pasture and raising mostly feed-crops. Irrigation, if it can be accomplished at a practicable cost, affords security both to the farmer and stock-raiser.
Chemistry and subunit structure of yeast hexokinase isoenzymes

Abstract Evidence from ultracentrifugation, sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis, peptide mapping, and carboxypeptidase A digestion allows the conclusion that the two native hexokinases, P-I and P-II, consist of polypeptide chains having molecular weights slightly higher than 50,000. It was demonstrated that some preparations are contaminated with a protease, and that this impurity caused erroneous results in sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis and carboxypeptidase A digestion. Amino acid analyses indicated that both P-I and P-II contain four cysteine, four tryptophan, and eleven methionine residues per mole. In contrast, P-I contains eight, and P-II five, histidine residues per mole. Many of the differences in amino acid composition are small, but reproducible. Peptide mapping indicated that many segments of P-I and P-II have identical sequences. There were about 27 common tryptic peptides, and about 16–19 unique to each form. In addition, both isozymes were found to have the same amino terminus, valine, and the same carboxy terminus, alanine; some evidence for a difference in the penultimate residue at the carboxy terminus was indicated.
Histochemistry of the skin

T HE majority of histochemical investigations of skin have been conducted in the past ten years. The most complete review is a text by Montagna,’ but much important work has been published since this excellent review. In this paper discussion of the histochemistry of skin will be restricted to those techniques which attempt to show specific chemical entities in skin with specific methods which appear rational and are for the most part acceptable as specific chemical methods for identification. This, of course, eliminates all the literature dealing with such nonspecific staining methods as hematoxylin and eosin, orcein, Gomori trichrome, van Gieson, pH-sensitive dyes, etc. There are still substantial limitations on the chemicals which can be specifically identified in skin by histochemical staining techniques. Among the agents which can be identified in skin are polysaccharides, fats, sulfhydryl and disulfide groups of proteins, free amino groups of proteins and lipoproteins, calcium, iron, ribonucleic acid, desoxyribonucleic acid, and a large group of oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes. The identification of enzymes by histochemical techniques is becoming one of the largest segments of the science of histochemistry. The main advantage of histochemical techniques over strictly biochemical methods is that one is able to localize directly in the cell where the chemical in question resides. An example of the advantage of histochemical technique is the identification directly of the melanocyte as the cell in the epidermis which contains tyrosinase.2 By exposing prepared human skin to tyrosine one can show that melanin is formed in the melanocytes and not in other cells of the epidermis. It is also possible with autoradiographs to show that melanocytes alone contain tyrosinase.3 It must be realized that conventional biochemical techniques are desirable whenever strict localization is not part of the problem. The histochemist and his subject are hybrids of the genes of chemistry and anatomy. A deficiency in either results in a gross distortion of the product. Original work in histochemistry was published by Unna,4 a prolific dermatologist who contributed a great deal to the origin of this field. Lison5 was an important later contributor. The field has been developed mostly in the past 15 years, with such contributors as Gomori,6 Pearse,’ Seligman and Lillie,* and others forming a nucleus for this growing branch of study.
An Assessment of the Job Relevance of the National Board for Certified Counselors Examination

The authors discuss the results of a study designed to assess nationally certified counselors' perceptions of the relevance of elements of the National Board for Certified Counselors examination to their work as counselors. Support for the validity and appropriateness of the examination in regard to perceived relevance and lack of differentiation on the basis of respondent characteristics were found.
Mechanics of Muscle Injury Induced by Lengthening Contraction

Skeletal muscle is composed of two primary structural components, contractile myofibrils and extracellular matrix (ECM). The myofibrils adhere to the surrounding endomysium through the basal lamina, sarcolemma and dystrophin, and dystrophin associated glycoprotein (DAG). In this study, a novel shear lag type model is developed to investigate the mechanics of injury to the single muscle fiber due to lengthening contractions. A single muscle fiber is considered as a composite system with reinforced by the contractile myofibrils. The lateral linkages between myofibril and endomysium is modeled as a zero thickness coating layer, that could be injured under high interfacial shear stress. The results shows that the degree of the muscle injury is correlated to the magnitude of the passive stretch during the contraction. Dystrophic muscles are more susceptible to contraction induced injury due to lack of DAG complex in lateral linkage.
Soft tissue healing after parasagittal palatal incisions in segmental maxillary surgery: A review of 311 patients *

Abstract Purpose: This study retrospectively evaluated the soft tissue healing after using parasagittal soft tissue incisions for surgical segmental maxillary expansion. Patients and Methods: The records of 311 patients (224 females, 87 males), with an average age of 28.5 years (range, 12 to 62 years) who had transverse maxillary hypoplasia, were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent segmental maxillary osteotomies, surgical maxillary expansion greater than 5 mm, and placement of midpalatal porous block hydroxyapatite (PBHA). Parasagittal palatal soft tissue incisions were used to facilitate expansion, minimize soft tissue damage, and maintain soft tissue coverage over the PBHA implants. At postoperative follow-up visits, any signs or symptoms of complications associated with the use of the parasagittal incisions were recorded. Results: Average patient follow-up was 3.4 years (range, 1.0 to 7.2 years). In 293 patients (94%), the palates healed uneventfully without complications. Eighteen patients (6%) had complications; 9 (2.9%) had infections associated with the midpalatal implants, 8 (2.6%) had oronasal communications, and 1 (0.3%) had problems associated with a palatal wire. Six patients with midpalatal implant problems required removal of the implant, 4 patients required closure of their oronasal communications, and 1 patient required removal of a palatal wire. Therefore, 11 patients (3.5%) required minor secondary surgical procedures. No teeth or alveolar bone were lost in any of the cases. Conclusions: The use of parasagittal palatal incisions appears to be a safe technique for soft tissue management during large surgical maxillary expansions associated with segmental maxillary osteotomies and midpalatal placement of PBHA implants. © 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 60:20-25, 2002
A Pharmacological Study of Certain Alkoxyalkylamines

A series of alkoxyalkylamines has been tested for vasoconstrictor activity. The most active of the series, Compound D-9 [2-amino-3-(2-methylpropoxy)propane], is cornared pharmacologically with Tuamine and Forthane.
Floorplan-based crosstalk estimation for macrocell-based designs

We propose an estimation technique to measure the crosstalk susceptibility of different nets in the post global routing phase, prior to detailed routing of designs. Global routing provides the approximate routes of the wires. This is used to compute the aggressors of a given victim wire along its route and its crosstalk susceptibility with respect to those aggressors. The crosstalk susceptibility of a victim wire is given by: (1) P/sub t/ the probability of crosstalk occurrence on the wire in different regions along its route; and (2) V/sub peak/ worst case noise amplitude experienced by the wire along its route. P/sub t/ is estimated using a very fast and accurate statistical estimator previously proposed by the authors. V/sub peak/ is estimated by predicting the cross-coupling capacitances between neighboring wires, using their global routing information. Placement and global routing are done using CADENCE silicon ensemble. The predicted crosstalk estimates are compared against those by detailed HSPICE simulations. Average errors are found to be less than 8% while the execution times are significantly reduced.
Critical Role of Proline-Rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 in Reversion of the Adhesion-Mediated Suppression of Reactive Oxygen Species Generation by Human Neutrophils

Neutrophils act as the first line of innate immune defense against invading microorganisms during infection and inflammation. The tightly regulated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through activation of NADPH oxidase is a major weapon used by neutrophils and other phagocytic leukocytes to combat such pathogens. Cellular adhesion signals play important physiological roles in regulating the activation of NADPH oxidase and subsequent ROS formation. We previously showed that the initial suppression of the oxidase response of chemoattractant-stimulated adherent neutrophils is mediated via inhibition of Vav1-induced activation of the NADPH oxidase regulatory GTPase Rac2 by adhesion signals. In this study we show that prior exposure of neutrophils to a number of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, including TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and platelet-activating factor, overcomes the adhesion-mediated suppression of ROS formation. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (pyk2) activity is enhanced under these conditions, correlating with the restoration of Vav1 and Rac2 activities. Both dominant negative pyk2 and a pyk2-selective inhibitor prevented restoration of ROS production induced by TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and platelet-activating factor, and this loss of pyk2 activity resulted in decreased Vav1 tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent Rac2 activation. Our studies identify pyk2 as a critical regulatory component and a molecular switch to overcome the suppression of leukocyte oxidant generation by cell adhesion. This activity constitutes a mechanism by which cytokines might lead to rapid elimination of invading pathogens by adherent neutrophils under normal conditions or enhance tissue damage in pathological states.
Interaction of Adrenocortical Activity and Autonomic Arousal on Children’s Externalizing and Internalizing Behavior Problems

The psychobiology of stress involves two major components, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Research has revealed the association between behavior problems and the psychobiology of stress, yet findings are inconsistent and few studies have addressed the moderate correlations between behavior problems. This study examines the individual and interactive effects of HPA and ANS on child behavior problems while taking into account the comorbidity of externalizing and internalizing problems. Four saliva samples were collected from each participant in a community sample (N = 429; aged 11–12 years; 50.49 % male), which were assayed for cortisol (HPA) and alpha-amylase, sAA (ANS). Children’s behavior problems were assessed using parent-report and self-report versions of the Child Behavior Checklist. Latent variables were constructed to represent trait-like individual differences in cortisol and sAA. Low levels of HPA axis activity were associated with higher levels of both externalizing and internalizing problems, but only among children with low ANS arousal. The association between externalizing and internalizing problems diminished to non-significant after taking into account the influence of HPA axis activity and ANS arousal, which suggests that the psychobiology of stress explains a fair proportion of comorbidity of behavior problems. The findings support that interaction between HPA axis and ANS functioning has potential to clarify prior mixed findings and advance our understanding of the child behavior problems.
Stereoscopic mechanisms in monkey visual cortex: binocular correlation and disparity selectivity

The neural signals in visual cortex associated with positional disparity and contrast texture correlation of binocular images are the subject of this study. We have analyzed the effects of stereoscopically presented luminous bars and of dynamic random-dot patterns on the activity of single neurons in cortical visual areas V1, V2, and V3-V3A of the alert, visually trained rhesus macaque. The interpretation of the results and considerations of possible neural mechanisms led us to recognize 2 functional sets of stereoscopic neurons. (1) A set of neurons, tuned excitatory (T0) or tuned inhibitory (TI), which respond sharply to images of zero or near-zero disparity. Objects at or about the horopter drive the T0 neurons and suppress the TI, while objects nearer and farther have the opposite effects on each type, inhibition of the T0 and excitation of the TI. The activity of these neurons may provide, in a reciprocal way, the definition of the plane of fixation, and the basic reference for binocular single vision and depth discrimination. (2) A second set of neurons includes tuned excitatory at larger crossed or uncrossed disparities (TN/TF) and neurons with reciprocal excitatory and inhibitory disparity sensitivity with cross- over at the horopter (NE/FA). Binocularly uncorrelated image contrast drives these neurons to a maintained level of activity, which shifts, in response to correlated images, toward facilitation or suppression as a function of positional disparity. These neurons may operate in the neural processing leading to stereopsis, both coarse and fine, and also provide signals for the system controlling binocular vergence. These results indicate that cortical visual neurons are binocularly linked to respond to the relative position and contrast of the images over their receptive fields, and also that both these aspects of binocular stimulation may be utilized by the brain as a source of stereoscopic information.
Effect of schizophrenia on frontotemporal activity during word encoding and recognition : A PET cerebral blood flow study

OBJECTIVE: Neuropsychological studies have shown that deficits in verbal episodic memory in schizophrenia occur primarily during encoding and retrieval stages of information processing. The current study used positron emission tomography to examine the effect of schizophrenia on change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) during these memory stages. METHOD: CBF was measured in 23 healthy comparison subjects and 23 patients with schizophrenia during four conditions: resting baseline, motor baseline, word encoding, and word recognition. The motor baseline was used as a reference that was subtracted from encoding and recognition conditions by using statistical parametric mapping. RESULTS: Patients’ performance was similar to that of healthy comparison subjects. During word encoding, patients showed reduced activation of left prefrontal and superior temporal regions. Reduced left prefrontal activation in patients was also seen during word recognition, and additional differences were found in the left anterior cingula...
Optimal Dynamic Scheduling Policy for a Make-To-Stock Production System

This paper considers the dynamic scheduling problem of a single-server, make-to-stock queue with two products. For the case of Poisson demands and exponential production times, we show that it is optimal to produce the product with the larger bµ index when it is backordered. If the production times are identically distributed, the optimal policy can further be characterized by monotone switching curves. We also prove that a base stock policy coupled with a switching curve is optimal for some initial inventory levels. A simple linear switching rule for determining production priority is proposed and compared with other heuristic policies in a computational experiment.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW AND ELEVATED PLASMA HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL AND APOLIPOPROTEIN A-I LEVELS IN THE FRAMINGHAM OFFSPRING STUDY

A decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level ( or = 60 mg/dl) are associated with a decreased CHD risk. Levels of HDL cholesterol and apoA-I, the major protein constituent of HDL, were measured in plasma from fasting participants in the Framingham Offspring Study (1,584 men and 1,639 women, mean age 49 +/- 10 years). In this population, an HDL cholesterol value or = 60 mg/dl was observed in 11.7% of men and 39.3% of women, and these subjects had mean apoA-I levels of 182 and 185 mg/dl, respectively, and mean triglyceride levels of 81 and 75 mg/dl, respectively. CHD was noted in 2.7% of men and 1.9% of women in this category. HDL cholesterol levels were much more strongly related to triglycerides (r = -0.54 in men and -0.47 in women) than was apoA-I (r = -0.26 in men and -0.13 in women). The relationship between plasma HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels was not linear. In both men and women, triglycerides, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol intake contributed significantly to HDL cholesterol and apoA-I variability.
The Highly Questionable “Highly Qualified” Label

Abstract The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 is instrumental in the national movement toward the use of one short answer test as the gate-keeping instrument to prevent or allow university graduates trained in education to enter the teaching profession. This investigation questions the wisdom of this test-based certification by looking at the impact on recent (university education program) graduates who have had difficulty passing the test. Four of these graduates provided information via in-depth interviews. The interview data provide evidence that raises questions about the value of taking these people out of the teaching profession. These people provide evidence of characteristics of qualified teachers such as academic success in many other areas and positive reviews from administration and teachers.
Oseltamivir once or twice daily safely prevented influenza

Source Citation Hayden FG, Atmar RL, Schilling M, et al., and the Oseltamivir Study Group. Use of the selective oral neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir to prevent influenza. N Engl J Med. 1999 Oct...
The Apparent Flexural Rigidity of the Flagellar Axoneme Depends on Resistance to Inter-Doublet Sliding

Cilia are thin subcellular organelles that bend actively to propel fluid. The ciliary cytoskeleton (the axoneme) consists of nine outer microtubule doublets surrounding a central pair of singlet microtubules. Large bending deformations of the axoneme involve relative sliding of the outer doublets, driven by the motor protein dynein. Ciliary structure and function have been studied extensively, but details of the mechanics and coordination of the axoneme remain unclear. In particular, dynein activity must be switched on and off at specific times and locations to produce an oscillatory, propulsive beat. Leading hypotheses assert that mechanical feedback plays a role in the control of dynein activity, but these ideas remain speculative.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Failure of Administrative Reform and The Revolution of 1978-79 in Iran

This article discusses Iranian experience with administrative reform under the late Shah in the 1950s and 1960s, the decades of change and continuity that led to the Revolution of 1978-79. It also covers post-revolutionary changes in the bureaucracy and public administration. Administrative reform is analyzed comparatively and contextually taking into account the internal and external forces at play under the Pahlavi and Islamic Republic regimes. It is concluded that administrative reform and revolution are closely related, that any serious reform must take the role of the mass people and indigenous institutions and cultural values into account, and that the post-revolutionary administrative reform should reflect institutional competence as well as political and religious responsiveness in the administrative system of Iran.
Female Excision: Cultural Concerns

This article begins with a description of various kinds of excision. It then proceeds to examine the rationales that have been articulated to explain the practice in respective milieus. Addressing controversies surrounding claims about the health effects of excision, the essay illuminates some emerging trends that currently mark the practice, especially an array of measures which have been introduced to curb the practice.
Relationship between diode saturation current and open circuit voltage in poly(3-alkylthiophene) solar cells as a function of device architecture, processing conditions, and alkyl side chain length

The important role of processing conditions, phase separation, and device geometry on open circuit voltage, Voc, is examined for regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene) (P3AT) solar cells with hexyl, o...
Zinc-induced protection against cadmium-metallothionein nephrotoxicity depends on glutathione status

The mechanism by which zinc (Zn) protects against the acute nephrotoxicity of cadmium-metallothionein (CdMT) is unknown. Since Zn offers protection even in metallothionein-null (MT-null) mice, we investigated the role of glutathione (GSH) in Zn-induced protection. Pretreatment of mice with a high dose of Zn, which elevated renal cortex, GSH levels protected against CdMT nephrotoxicity. Elevation of renal GSH was not essential for Zn-induced protection since a lower dose of Zn, which did not affect renal cortex GSH level, was also protective. Normal GSH levels, however, were required for the Zn-induced protection as inhibition of GSH synthesis by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) in Zn-pretreated mice completely abolished the beneficial effect of Zn. Pretreatment with Zn reduced the accumulation of Cd in the renal cortex and this appears to be the mechanism by which Zn may exert its protective action. These results suggest that although Zn protects against CdMT nephrotoxicity apparently by decreasing Cd accumulation in the renal cortex, maintenance of normal GSH status is essential for Zn to be effective.
The design of the optical Thomson scattering diagnostic for the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a 192 laser beam facility designed to support the Stockpile Stewardship, High Energy Density and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) programs. We report on the design of an Optical Thomson Scattering (OTS) diagnostic that has the potential to transform the community’s understanding of NIF hohlraum physics by providing first principle, local, time-resolved measurements of under-dense plasma conditions. The system design allows operation with different probe laser wavelengths by manual selection of the appropriate beam splitter and gratings before the shot. A deep-UV probe beam (λ0-210 nm) will be used to optimize the scattered signal for plasma densities of 5 × 1020 electrons/cm3 while a 3ω probe will be used for experiments investigating lower density plasmas of 1 × 1019 electrons/cm3. We report the phase I design of a two phase design strategy. Phase I includes the OTS telescope, spectrometer, and streak camera; these will be used to assess the background levels at NIF. Phase II will include the design and installation of a probe laser.
Mesenchymal Cancer Cells Can Arise from Ex Vivo Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into non-hematopoietic cell types, including adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteocytes. MSCs have been isolated from multiple species, including humans, and multiple organs, including bone marrow, adipose tissue and umbilical cord blood. The beneficial effects of MSCs are being tested clinically in attempts to: improve hematopoietic engraftment, to treat osteogenesis imperfecta, graft-versus-host disease and autoimmune diseases, and as antitumor agents to deliver therapy for malignancies. Phase I clinical studies have not been associated with toxicities. We aimed to investigate the capacity of MSCs to aid in tissue healing after radiation induced injury in irradiated bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients. To study the biodistribution of MSCs, we labeled adult murine C57BL/6 MSCs with firefly luciferase and DsRed2 fluorescent protein using non-viral Sleeping Beauty transposons, and co-infused them with allogeneic bone marrow into irradiated reipients. Using in vivo whole body bioluminenscent imaging luciferase signals were shown to be increased between weeks 3 and 12 indicating expansion of MSCs. Unexpectedly, some mice (N=8/17) with the highest luciferase signals died and all surviving mice (N=9/17) developed foci of ectopic ossification in lungs. Two of mice also developed osteosarcomas in their extremities. This prompted us to characterize the transformed MSCs that originated from the donor MSCs. The transformed cells were aneuploid, lost their capacity to differentiate into mesenchyme-derived adipocytes and chondrocytes, and histologically identified as osteosarcomas. In addition, infusion of tumor cells resulted in malignant lesions in secondary recipients. Mapping of transposition sites in the genome and karyotype analysis indicated that the critical transformation event(s) occurred before infusion of the MSCs. Even though we have not encountered a transformation event in >100 mice infused with MSC manipulated with transposons, we speculated that mutation by transposition was the inciting event. None of the identifiable transposition events occurred in a known proto-oncogene or tumor suppressor gene. This does not discount the possibility of insertional mutagenesis as the genomic lesion may have occurred on the chromosome which was subsequently disrupted or lost. Alternatively, genomic instability could have been a result of spontaneous unrepaired chromosomal lesion(s) that preceded the transposon insertion and resulted in osteosarcoma. These findings provide evidence of evolution of MSCs with osteogenic capacity into osteosarcoma in vivo and are clinically relevant as they document the potential of ex vivo manipulated MSCs for transformation into malignant disease.
Potential for high thermoelectric performance in n-type Zintl compounds: a case study of Ba doped KAlSb4

High-throughput calculations (first-principles density functional theory and semi-empirical transport models) have the potential to guide the discovery of new thermoelectric materials. Herein we have computationally assessed the potential for thermoelectric performance of 145 complex Zintl pnictides. Of the 145 Zintl compounds assessed, 17% show promising n-type transport properties, compared with only 6% showing promising p-type transport. We predict that n-type Zintl compounds should exhibit high mobility μn while maintaining the low thermal conductivity κL typical of Zintl phases. Thus, not only do candidate n-type Zintls outnumber their p-type counterparts, but they may also exhibit improved thermoelectric performance. From the computational search, we have selected n-type KAlSb4 as a promising thermoelectric material. Synthesis and characterization of polycrystalline KAlSb4 reveals non-degenerate n-type transport. With Ba substitution, the carrier concentration is tuned between 1018 and 1019 e− cm−3 with a maximum Ba solubility of 0.7% on the K site. High temperature transport measurements confirm a high μn (50 cm2 V−1 s−1) coupled with a near minimum κL (0.5 W m−1 K−1) at 370 °C. Together, these properties yield a zT of 0.7 at 370 °C for the composition K0.99Ba0.01AlSb4. Based on the theoretical predictions and subsequent experimental validation, we find significant motivation for the exploration of n-type thermoelectric performance in other Zintl pnictides.
Structural and Signaling Requirements for Transformation Mediated by Shp2 Mutants.

The SH2-containing tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 (PTPN11) is required for normal growth factor and cytokine signaling. Germline Shp2 mutations cause ~50% of Noonan Syndrome (NS), which is associated with an increased risk of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). Somatic Shp2 mutations are found in ~35% of sporadic JMML, and at lower incidence in various chronic and acute leukemias. JMML patients without Shp2 mutations have either activating Ras mutations or homozygotic inactivation of Nf1. Nearly all disease-associated Shp2 mutations affect residues known to control catalytic activity. NS and leukemia mutations can involve the same residues, but when they do, the latter are less conservative, suggesting that they may be more activating. We previously showed that leukemia-associated mutants E76K or D61Y, but not wild type (WT) Shp2 could transform bone marrow (BM) or fetal liver cells and give rise to cytokine-independent myeloid colony formation. Leukemia-associated mutants yielded much higher number and larger size of colonies than NS-associated mutants (e.g., N308D, N308S, E76D) whereas, mutants associated with both NS and leukemia (T73I, E139D, Q506P) evoked intermediate numbers. Transplantation of E76K− or D61Y− (but not parental virus or WT Shp2) transduced BM into lethally irradiated recipients evoked a fatal JMML-like disorder. To understand the structural requirements of Shp2 for transformation, we made a series of second site mutations in Shp2 E76K and expressed these mutants in murine BM. Mutation of the canonical arginine residue to methionine in the FLVRES motif in either N-SH2 or C-SH2 domain of Shp2 E76K ablated myeloid transforming ability. Mutation of the conserved arginine residue within the Shp2 E76K phosphatase domain signature motif to methionine, which diminishes phosphatase activity, also eliminated myeloid transformation. Tyrosine residues 542 and 580 in the C-terminus of Shp2 are known to undergo phosphorylation in response to many growth factors and required for Grb2 binding. Mutation of tyrosine 542 to phenylalanine markedly reduced transformation, whereas tyrosine 580 mutation alone had little effect. However, mutation of both tyrosines eliminated Shp2 E76K-evoked transformation, suggesting that Grb2-binding to Shp2 could be important for transformation. We observed that Gab2, a major Shp2 SH2 domain binding protein, was absolutely required for transformation by Shp2 E76K but not activating RasV12. Gab3, another member of Gab family protein mainly expressed in hematopoietic cells, was not critical for Shp2 E76K-evoked transformation. We also found that Stat5 was important for Shp2 E76K-mediated transformation. Mast cells derived from E76K− and D61Y− transplanted mice BM exhibited increased proliferation and enhanced activation of Erk, p38MAPK, Akt and Stat5 in response to IL-3. These results provide some mechanistic insights into how Shp2 mutants could transform primary myeloid cells and result in JMML-like MPD.