cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Possible climatic impact of tropical deforestation

OF the various mechanisms suggested by which man might change the planetary climate, the removal of tropical rain forests to increase arable acreage seems to be one of the more imminent. For this reason we selected this as one of the first problems to be tested in our recently updated climate model. Bearing in mind the fallibility of computer simulations, we find overall global cooling and a reduction in precipitation: a larger tropical reduction being almost balanced by a subtropical increase.
Deficiency of monoclonal antibody (Leu 7) defined NK cells in newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Peripheral blood from 11 newly diagnosed patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was studied for the proportion of monoclonal antibody (HNK 1, Leu 7) defined natural killer (NK) cells using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyzer. The proportion of Leu 7+ cells in patients with IDDM (7.0 ± 4.0) was significantly (P
Flow field stratigraphy surrounding Sekmet Mons Volcano, Kawelu Planitia, Venus

[i] Detailed mapping has revealed several stratigraphic components among lobate plains in the vicinity of Sekmet Mons volcano (44.5°N. lat., 240.5° long.), located on the northern lowland plains of Kawelu Planitia on Venus. Volcanic effusion events produced discrete lobate plains throughout the area. Superposition of flow margins between adjacent lobate plains components indicate that the effusive activity generally progressed from southwest to northeast across the Sekmet Mons area, leading to a cumulative total of 1.5 million km 2 covered by adjacent lobate plains components. Source areas for the effusion responsible for the lobate plains components occur primarily along fracture zones or from concentrations of low volcanic domes (shield fields) instead of from single constructs. Magellan radar backscatter values from a mixture of both radar bright and radar dark flow components within the flow fields are well below values typical of clinkery a'a lava flows on Earth, but they are consistent with values from terrestrial pahoehoe flows. Detailed mapping of Strenia Fluctus (centered on 41.5° N. lat., 251.0° long.), one of the latest lobate plains units in the area, does not show a systematic trend among effusive centers that contributed to the generation of this flow field. Instead, the Strenia Fluctus flow field is a complex mixture of flows that emanated from a shield field along Mist Chasma and that flowed down a very gentle (>0.1°) regional slope to the east. A 4-km-diameter cone north of Strenia Fluctus was the source of a flow complex traceable for more than 200 km over a slope of only 0.03°. Individual flows within Strenia Fluctus are composed of intermixed lobes, similar to relationships observed on the distal portion of the 75-km-long Carrizozo basalt flow in New Mexico, which also displays abundant inflation features and a predominant pahoehoe surface texture. If the Venusian lobate plains consist of pahoehoe flows comparable to the Carrizozo flow, they were most likely emplaced at modest effusion rates (∼50 to 500 m 3 /s), and even with inflation the flows are likely < 15 m in thickness. Under these conditions all of the lobate plains surrounding Sekmet Mons could have been emplaced in ∼14,000 to 1400 Earth years, assuming continuous effusion with only one source vent active at a time. At similar rates all of the lowland plains in the northern hemisphere of Venus could have been resurfaced by 15-m-thick flows through continuous single-vent effusion in ∼1.4 million to ∼140 thousand Earth years.
The intermediate-range order in molten and glassy GeSe2

Abstract The origin of the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP), a characteristic of intermediate-range order in molten and vitreous chalcogenides, is studied in terms of interatomic potentials using the integral-equation method; GeSe2 is treated as a specific example. The following models with distinctive features are considered in a systematic way: (a) mixture of neutral hard spheres, (b) charged hard-sphere mixture, (c) system with a realistic potential; from (a) through (c), the size and charge-transfer effects are incorporated step by step. The rationale behind the FSDP proves to be cooperation of the excluded volume effect and the local charge neutrality leading to the conditional packing of atoms with formation of the tetrahedra, Ge(Se 1 2 ) 4 ; the FSDP first appears at stage (b), i.e., in the model containing charged hard spheres. The validity and accuracy of the hypernetted-chain theory are also established through comparison with the exact molecular-dynamics results.
Towards the Rational Design of Ionic Liquid Matrices for Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry: Role of the Anion

The role of the ionic liquid (IL) anion structure on analyte signal enhancements has been systematically investigated in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) using a variety of samples, including lipids, sterols, polymers, and peptides. Twenty-four ILs were synthesized. The 12 matrix acids were cinnamic acid derivatives. Two bases were employed: 1-methylimidazole and tripropylamine. Three matrices, methylimmidazolium o-coumarate, tripropylammonium o-coumarate, and tripropylammonium 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate, were “universal” matrices enhancing all analytes tested. The pKa of the matrix acid does not appear to have a strong effect on analyte ion intensities. Rather, it is observed that a single hydroxyl group on the anion aromatic ring leads to significantly increased molecular ion intensities. No analyte signal enhancements were observed for –CH3, –CF3 and –OCH3 groups present on the aromatic ring. The position of the –OH group on the aromatic ring also alters molecular ion intensity enhancements. As well as the chemical identity and position of substituents, the number of moieties on the aromatic ring may affect the analyte signal enhancements observed. These observations suggest that the activation of the IL anion aromatic ring is important for optimizing analyte signal intensities. The implications for SIMS imaging of complex structures, such as biological samples, are discussed.
Regulated Intramembrane Proteolysis: A Control Mechanism Conserved from Bacteria to Humans

We thank our colleagues Utpal Dave and Nick Grishin for helpful discussions and critical review of the manuscript. Our research is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (HL20948) and the Perot Family Foundation.
Temporal and weather related variation patterns of urban travel time: Considerations and caveats for value of travel time, value of variability, and mode choice studies

By merging a large data set containing GPS records of taxi trips and historical weather records for New York City (NYC), the descriptive statistics of travel time (e.g. average travel time (ATT), standard deviation (SDTT), and coefficient of variation (CoV)) are calculated for each hourly period throughout the week and various weather conditions. Then, a Classification and Regression Trees methodology is used to determine the temporal patterns of ADTT, SDTT, and CoV, again for all time periods and weather conditions. Finally, the identified temporal patterns are discussed with respect to the findings and assumptions of value of time (VOT), value of reliability (VOR), and mode choice studies in the literature. The analysis shows that traditional peak hours are not necessarily the most congested periods and that the peak periods also exhibit inter-period heterogeneity in terms of ATT and SDTT. As opposed to ATT and SDTT, the coefficient of variation was shown to exhibit more consistent patterns among the days. In this respect, caution is advised for VOT–VOR studies regarding the temporal discrepancies in ATT and SDTT patterns; and CoV is suggested to be considered in VOT studies as a more robust measure. In terms of weather impacts, inclement weather is shown to have the potential to decrease SDTT and CoV at certain time periods, resulting in higher travel time reliability. This counter-intuitive finding is discussed with regards to traveler perceptions and possible implications on route and mode choice.
Scanning electron microscope studies on blastodisc formation in the zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio

Upon fertilization, the zebrafish egg undergoes marked physiological and structural changes, one of which involves blastodisc formation. Before fertilization, yolk globules are rounded and the endoplasm extends throughout the oocyte. During blastodisc formation, the yolk globules become angular and the endoplasm is restricted to streamers among the yolk globules. The streamers are oriented in an anterior-posterior axis of the egg. During blastodisc formation the cytoskeleton consists of an extensive array of filamentous structures of variable width in both the cortex as well as within elongate endoplasmic streamers. Although the filamentous components in the cortex and endoplasmic streamers probably include both microfilaments and microtubules, frequently they are somewhat wider than the usual dimensions, and possible reasons for this are suggested. From their arrangement in both the cortex and endoplasm, it seems likely that the components of the cytoskeleton (e.g., microfilaments and microtubules) may provide, through contraction, the major force responsible for the streaming of the endoplasm into the forming blastodisc. It is assumed that the surface tension of the vegetal hemisphere exceeds that of the animal hemisphere, thus forcing, through differential contraction, the endoplasm to flow in the direction of the forming blastodisc. No distinct barrier between the yolk and forming blastodisc was observed. The compressed condition of the larger and many-sided yolk globules could prevent their movement into the blastodisc. Scanning electron microscopy is limited in the resolution with which it can depict the cytoskeleton, but nonetheless it provides useful information about structural interrelationships.
Mechanism of in vitro Antitumor Effects of Interleukin 1 (IL 1)

Abstract In vitro studies suggest that purified IL 1 β derived from normal human peripheral blood monocytes and human myelomonocytic cell line THP-1 cell supernatants was capable of modest augmentation of NK activity of purified LGL and of promoting monocyte cytotoxicity for the human melanoma A375 target cells. In addition, purified IL 1 β also has direct cytostatic and cytocidal effects for A375 cells. A375 melanoma cells were cloned to obtain a homogeneous population of IL 1 receptor-bearing target cells. Recombinant human IL 1 α inhibited the proliferation of these cells within 48–72 h in a dose-dependent manner. Similar doses of recombinant IL 1 α exhibited inhibitory effects on the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity of A375 cells by 6–24 h. Putrescine, a nontoxic product of the ODC pathway, could prevent the cytostatic effect of recombinant IL 1 a on these tumor target cells. This observation indicates that inhibition of the ODC pathway is causally related to the antiproliferative effect of IL 1 on these tumor cells.
All Foreign Direct Investment Is Local: Indian Provincial Politics and the Attraction of FDI

This study focuses on the differences between Indian states in terms of banking infrastructure, size of the economic market and most importantly provincial-level political capacity that creates the pull of foreign direct investment (FDI). While the majority of the extant empirical literature examines national-level data, few studies analyze international capital formation at the provincial level and the dynamics of sub-national political capacity—that is, where allocations are made and policies are implemented. This study corrects for this deficiency. Using data at the provincial level in India over the period 2000–2005, we find an inverted-U-shaped relationship between provincial capacity and FDI, suggesting the presence of a critical point at which additional extractive capabilities have negative implications for foreign capital accumulation. The results suggest a number of important policy implications, allowing researchers to identify specific regions in which capacity is likely to facilitate investme...
Some consequences of the representation of words in memory

Lorsque nous parlons, nous selectionons des mots, puises dans notre lexique ; le locuteur et l'auditeur ont l'impression de percevoir une sequence de mots ; pourtant le signal acoustique est continu. L'A. propose quelques reflexions a partir de ces faits, en particulier sur la maniere dont ils affectent la nature de la phonetique. Il examine l'activite articulatoire impliquee dans le fait de parler et le signal acoustique qui resulte de cette activite. Tout evenement du discours implique un acces aux items emmagasines dans la memoire ; ceci peut eclairer certaines questions sur l'importance fondamentale de la phonetique
Late Quaternary dietary shifts of the Cape grysbok ( Raphicerus melanotis) in southern Africa

The Cape grysbok is endemic to southern Africa's Cape Floral Region where it selectively browses various species of dicotyledonous vegetation. Fossil evidence indicates that the grysbok persisted under glacial and interglacial conditions throughout the late Quaternary and inhabited a range of environments. This study employs mesowear analysis to reconstruct grysbok diets over time and in response to changing environments at Nelson Bay Cave, Die Kelders Cave 1, Klasies River Mouth, and Swartklip 1. Results indicate that the amount of grasses (monocots) versus leafy vegetation (dicots) included in the diet fluctuated over time and largely in agreement with changes in faunal community structure. The case for dietary flexibility is particularly clear at Nelson Bay Cave, where there is a significant trend from mixed feeding towards increased browsing from the late Pleistocene (~ 18,500 14C yr BP) through the Holocene. Dietary shifts at Nelson Bay Cave are consistent with the hypothesis that declining grassland productivity is responsible for the terminal Pleistocene extinction of several large ungulates in southern Africa. Furthermore, the short-term dietary shifts demonstrated here (100s to 1000s of years) provide an important caution against relying on taxonomic uniformitarianism when reconstructing the dietary preferences of fossil ungulates, both extant and extinct.
Enhancement of fluoxetine-dependent increase of extracellular serotonin (5-HT) levels by (-)-pindolol, an antagonist at 5-HT1A receptors.

The somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptor is known to regulate activity of 5-HT neurons and consequently 5-HT release. Administration of a selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor, fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) increased extracellular 5-HT levels in rat hypothalamus up to 260 percent of basal levels. (−)-Pindolol, an antagonist at the somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptor, dose-dependently (1, 3 and 5 mg/kg, s.c.) potentiated the fluoxetine dependent increase up to 458 percent of basal 5-HT levels for approximately 1.5 hours. Continuous infusion of (±)-pindolol at 30 mg/kg/h s.c. enhanced the fluoxetine dependent elevation of extracellular 5-HT concentrations in hypothalamus up to 464 percent of basal levels and lasted for 3 hours. Thus, the combination of 5-HT uptake inhibition with antagonism at the somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptor can enhance 5-HT release to levels beyond those achieved with uptake inhibition alone. The present findings are consistent with the hypothesis that blockade of somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors removes the inhibitory effect exerted by the elevated 5-HT levels resulting from uptake inhibition.
How useful are approximations to mean and variance of the index of dissimilarity

Sociologists, demographers, and economists often use the index of dissimilarity, D, to describe the extent of racial, ethnic, spatial, or areal dissimilarity (or segregation) of different socio-economic groups. Derivation of the mean and variance of D to develop inference techniques has been a subject of studies for over three decades. Some have attempted to develop approximations for the mean and variance in order to simplify calculations. However, due to difficulties in deriving the measure of variation and complex nature of approximations, D is almost always employed in practice for descriptive rather than inferential purposes. In this study, simulation technique is used to compare different approaches for approximating the mean and variance of D and standardizing of D values. The usefulness of approximation is discussed using residential segregation data classified by race and personal income data classified by gender and age group. The results show that the amount of bias in approximations negates the usefulness of these approximations in standardization process and possibly inference.
Non-contact measurement of rotational movement using miniature Doppler radar

In this paper, the Doppler radar non-contact sensing technology is extended from measurement of one dimensional movement to a practical application in measuring rotational movement. Both simulation and experiment show that Doppler radar can detect the speed of angular movement such as electric fans or motor rotation. It has been shown that in Doppler radar based non-contact rotational movement measurement, the baseband output will have a dominant fundamental frequency that is multiple of the rotation frequency that depends on the structure of reflectors on the target.
3D Media and the Semantic Web

3D content is widely recognized as the next wave of digital media. The success of 3D communities and mapping applications (for example, Second Life and GoogleEarth) and the decreasing costs of producing 3D environments are leading analysts to predict a dramatic shift in how people see and navigate the Internet.
The quantitative separation of tetraphenylporphines by thin-layer chromatography

Abstract A method for the isolation and quantitative recovery of α, β, γ, δ-tetraphenyl-porphine using thin-layer silica gel chromatography is presented. Possible sources of error in the method were tested and found to be negligible.
Individual differences among children in spelling and reading styles

Previous studies have found differences among children in their relative reliance on spelling-sound rules and word-specific associations in reading words. Children at one end of the continuum ("Phoenicians") rely heavily on spelling-sound rules; children at the other end ("Chinese") are more likely to use specific associations. This study found evidence for a Phoenician-Chinese continuum in spelling as well as in reading. Ability to spell nonsense word (e.g., "prunt") correlated more highly with ability to spell regular words (e.g., "grunt") than with ability to spell exception words (e.g., "front"). Children who were skilled at rules tended to overgeneralize them to exception words. In addition, a measure of rule use in spelling correlated with measures of rule use in reading.
Pigmented villous nodular synovitis mimicking metastatic melanoma on PET-CT

INTRODUCTION Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET-CT) is routinely utilized in the management of melanoma, either as a part of staging workup or during surveillance. Since melanomas have a high metastatic potential, any FDG avid lesion is considered suspicious for recurrence. We report a case of a FDG avid lesion, diagnosed during melanoma surveillance, its management and review of literature.
Modeling malaria: stretch-delay effect of temperature in the sporogonic cycle and disease dynamics

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that malaria causes 800,000 deaths worldwide every year [12]. The prevalence of malaria depends on interactions between mosquitoes and humans, as well as environmental parameters such as temperature and precipitation. Accordingly, malaria outbreaks have been observed to coincide with seasonal environmental changes [1]. The usefulness of computational outbreak models has been demonstrated in the public health sector, where such tools have been used for emergency preparedness and response planning [9]. Based on the principles of classic mathematical epidemiology models [10, 4] and the Global Stochastic Contact Model (GSCM) [7] we have developed a coupled disease transmission simulator for the purpose of investigating malaria disease dynamics. We refer to this model as the GSCM for malaria. Additional features aid in simulating the effects of varying temperature on the sporogonic cycle of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria. We investigate the model's sensitivity to various temperature scenarios. The model predicts endemic levels of malaria in both humans and mosquitoes when constant mid-range temperature is applied. Lower constant temperatures yield lower levels of infection in the mosquito population. Conversely, when seasonal temperature cycles were applied, multiple outbreaks coinciding with periods of increased temperature were observed.
High-throughput insertion mutagenesis and functional screening in the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

Abstract The entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana displays a broad insect host range and serves as a model for examining host-pathogen interactions. Rapid construction and screening of random-insertion mutants of B . bassiana provides a powerful tool to dissect the molecular mechanisms of fungal virulence. LiAc/DMSO treated B . bassiana blastospores were found to be highly competent to transformation using linear DNA and a polyethylene glycol-based method. Selection on cellophane-layered Czapek-Dox agar at a lowered pH (from 7.5 to 6.3) greatly decreased background growth of non-transformed cells and improved screening of transformants. Optimization of the protocol using integration of the bar phosphinothricin resistance gene resulted in high transformation rates (200–250 transformants/μg DNA/10 8 cells). A collection of ∼4000 insertion mutants was examined via high-throughput screens for hydrocarbon utilization. One mutant was isolated that grew poorly on both n -hexadecane and tributyrin. The random insertion site was mapped to a gene that displayed homology to vitamin H (biotin)/tartrate transporters. Insect bioassays using Galleria mellonella as the target host revealed decreased virulence in the mutant. This system provides a simple and rapid method for the generation and screening of insertion mutants and should expand our ability to genetically analyze the B . bassiana lifestyle.
Problem Method of Teaching Poultry

Abstract The phase of teaching Agriculture that has probably been given the least thought is that of method. Up until recent times the Agricultural College graduate has not been taught how to teach, but rather has learned subject matter only. The instructors in Poultry Husbandry are no exception to this condition. Because the demand for teachers in Poultry has been so great, men have been induced to take up teaching without having time to develop themselves as teachers. There are four commonly accepted methods of teaching, namely: text book or recitation; lecture; problem and discussion. Any method that is used must have information to give; must then give it and lastly see that it is gotten by the student. It must arouse interest and make the student think for himself. Any course of study must have a definite end in view and this end will define success. If success is attained, . . .
Time and concentration dependency of P-gp, MRP1 and MRP5 induction in response to gemcitabine uptake in Capan-2 pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract1. Influx and efflux proteins play a major role in the overall uptake and efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents and cellular chemo-resistance.2. The present study investigated the time course and dose dependency of the induction of three efflux proteins, P-gp, MRP1 and MRP5, in response to gemcitabine exposure in Capan-2 pancreatic cancer cell line at transcriptional and translational levels. The influence of exposure on the influx protein (ENT1), the net cellular uptake of the gemcitabine, the overall ATPase activity and the cell death rate were also measured.3. The time course of the expression exhibited an initial rise, toward a plateau level. The estimated Km and Vmax confirmed that MRP5 and to a lesser extent MRP1 are the prominent proteins for efflux of gemcitabine. Both mRNA and protein expression demonstrated the time and concentration dependency of the induction; and the elevated ATPase activity validated that the induced efflux proteins are functionally active.4. The results of the study r...
Extracellular matrix regulation of growth factor and protease activity

Extracellular matrices bind many growth factors, proteases, and protease inhibitors. These interactions not only localize these molecules to the pericellular environment, but also modulate their biological activities. Recent evidence suggests that some growth factors may be active in vivo primarily in complexes with extracellular matrix molecules and that this interaction may be essential to their activity.
Effects of current intensity and cumulative exposure time on the localized current-activated sintering of titanium nickelides

This article discusses the processing and properties of titanium nickelides locally sintered via Current-Activated Tip-based Sintering (CATS), a new localized sintering process. One of the advantages of CATS is the ability to apply orders of magnitude higher current densities than conventionally possible, which can promote rapid sintering and phase transformation rates. Mechanically alloyed equi-atomic Ni–Ti powder was for the first time tip sintered at varying current intensities and cumulative current exposure time. The effect of current-control processing conditions on the evolution of the locally sintered Ni–Ti microstructure and properties are discussed. The size of the locally sintered process zone was found to increase with cumulative current exposure time. The degree of sintering, phase transformations, and properties were found to depend on the current intensity, cumulative current exposure time and distance away from the tip/compact interface. Fully/near fully dense material was achieved rapidly at locations exposed to the highest current densities.
Targeting RNA Foci in iPSC-Derived Motor Neurons from ALS Patients with a C9ORF72 Repeat Expansion

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative condition characterized by loss of motor neurons in the brain andspinalcord.Expansionsofahexanucleotide repeat(GGGGCC) in thenoncodingregionoftheC9ORF72geneare the most common cause of the familial form of ALS (C9-ALS), as well as frontotemporal lobar degeneration and other neurological diseases. How the repeat expansion causes disease remains unclear, with both loss of function (haploinsufficiency) and gain of function (either toxic RNA or protein products) proposed. We report a cellular model of C9-ALS with motor neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from ALS patients carrying the C9ORF72 repeat expansion. No significant loss of C9ORF72 expression was observed, and knockdown of the transcript was not toxic to cultured human motor neurons. Transcription of the repeat was increased, leading to accumulation of GGGGCC repeat–containing RNA foci selectively in C9-ALS iPSC-derived motor neurons. Repeat-containing RNA foci colocalized with hnRNPA1 andPur-a, suggestingthat they maybe ableto alter RNAmetabolism. C9-ALSmotor neurons showed altered expression of genes involved in membrane excitability including DPP6, and demonstrated a diminished capacity to fire continuous spikes upon depolarization compared to control motor neurons. Antisense oligonucleotides targeting the C9ORF72 transcript suppressed RNA foci formation and reversed gene expression alterations in C9-ALS motorneurons.Thesedatashowthatpatient-derivedmotorneuronscanbeusedtodelineatepathogeniceventsinALS.
Larval melanocyte regeneration following laser ablation in zebrafish.

A method to specifically ablate melanocytes in a genetically tractable organism would facilitate the analysis of melanocyte regeneration and regulation. We have demonstrated that a Q-switched neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet dermatology laser kills larval melanocytes in zebrafish. Following melanocyte ablation, new melanocytes regenerate from unpigmented precursors. We show that melanocyte regeneration following laser ablation requires kit receptor tyrosine kinase.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects of Clindamycin and Ampicillin Therapy

Hospitalized patients who received clindamycin or ampicillin were evaluated for gastrointestinal side effects for a period of up to six weeks after therapy was discontinued. Of 104 patients receiving clindamycin therapy, 31 (29.8%) developed diarrhea, and two (1.9%) developed pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). Of 138 patients receiving ampicillin, 24 (17.3%) developed diarrhea, and one (0.7%) developed PMC. Diarrhea persisting for three days or more was noted in 13 (12.5%) of the patients receiving clindamycin and in seven (5.1%) of those receiving ampicillin. The tendency to develop diarrhea was positively correlated with serious illness, abdominal or pelvic sepsis, and total dosage of clindamycin. Examination of stools from a patient with PMC that was associated with clindamycin therapy showed a decrease in the number of anaerobic bacteria from the numbers found in stool cultures of normal controls. Those patients who did not develop diarrhea also had fewer anaerobic bacteria and coliform organisms. Lymphocytes from the patient with PMC were hyporeactive to phytohemagglutinin and hyperreactive to clindamycin.
Cis-4-hydroxypipecolic acid and 2,4-cis-4,5-trans-4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid from Calliandra

Abstract cis -4-Hydroxypipecolic acid and 2,4- cis -4,5- trans -4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid were isolated from leaves of Calliandra pittieri . A system for resolving the eight imino acids isolated from Calliandra is described.
Nansen-bottle stations at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Nansen-bottle stations were occupied by ships and personnel of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from 1931 to about 1981. Most of these data are in archives, but using them intelligently to depict the state of the ocean and to assess time changes in it requires knowing how the observations were made, what accuracies can be assigned to them, and generally how to approach them. This report describes the evolving methods on Woods Hole stations for measuring temperature, depth of observation, salinity, and dissolved-oxygen concentration, and for determining station position. Accuracies generally improved over time, although estimates from the early years are sparse, and even later there is indefiniteness. Analytical error is to be distinguished from sloppy sample collection and other blunders. The routine for carrying out Nansen-bottle stations, from the late 1950s through the 1970s, is reviewed.
Difference in putrescine transport in undifferentiated versus differentiated mouse NB-15 neuroblastoma cells

Summary The transport of [14C]putrescine into control and cAMP-induced differentiating mouse NB-15 neuroblastoma cells was studied and compared. Results indicated a steady and significant decrease in the rate of putrescine transport of the cAMP-treated culture when compared to that of the control over a five-day culture period. The decrease in the rate of putrescine transport of the differentiating neuroblastoma cells may be attributable to an increase in the apparent Km value of the transport system. The Vmax values for the control and cAMP-tested cultures (day 4 cultures) were identical (5.3 nmol/mg protein/hr) while the apparent Km values were different, being 2.75μM and 28.5μM for the control and cAMP-treated cultures respectively. The decrease of putrescine transport in the differentiating cells was specific, concomitant measurements of aminoisobutyrate transport revealed little difference between the control and cAMP-treated culture. The inhibition of putrescine transport may represent one of the earlier changes of membrane function associated with cell differentiation.
The role of personality development and experience in shaping political commitment: an illustrative case

This paper highlights some complex relationships between personal experience and political behavior through a detailed analysis of the emergence and consolidation of political beliefs in one individual's life. We argue that conceptualization of the relationship between personal experience and political action should take account of (1) the centrality of political values in an individual's identity; (2) the individual's life stage and life history; and (3) the individual's current situation, including the reference group that frames the individual's perception of the situation. In an analysis of Vera Brittain, we find that political events taking place in adolescence shaped her broad ideological commitments, and that political events in later life were experienced as demanding expression of beliefs formed earlier. Finally, with the appearance of a need to be “generative,” or to contribute to the future, Brittain experienced a strong need to translate her beliefs and values into responsible political action.
Proteomic identification of age-dependent protein nitration in rat skeletal muscle

Abstract Age-related protein nitration was studied in skeletal muscle of Fisher 344 and Fisher 344/Brown Norway (BN) F1 rats by a proteomic approach. Proteins from young (4 months) and old (24 months) Fisher 344 rats and young (6 months) and old (34 months) Fisher 344/BN F1 animals were separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis. Western blot showed an age-related increase in the nitration of a few specific proteins, which were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-MS/MS. We identified age-dependent apparent nitration of β-enolase, α-fructose aldolase, and creatine kinase, which perform important functions in muscle energy metabolism, suggesting that the nitration of such key proteins can be, in part, responsible for the decline of muscle motor function of the muscle. Furthermore, we have identified the apparent nitration of succinate dehydrogenase, rab GDP dissociation inhibitor beta (GdI-2), triosephosphate isomerase, troponin I, α-crystallin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH).
The Bonds of Empathy: Beyond the Selfobject Concept

In Kohut’s last paper he used Odysseus as his icon of mental health due to Odysseus’ refusal to kill his son to avoid conscription. It is argued that Odysseus’ decision cannot be accounted for within the framework of a selfobject conceptualization. By using Odysseus’ decision as a signature indicator of the healthy self, Kohut went beyond the selfobject in defining mental health, albeit without an explicit acknowledgement of so doing. The thesis of this paper is that Odysseus was empathic with his son, and such empathy is inextricably linked to the development of self. Empathy being a goal of a self psychological analysis, it follows that there is a gap between such an aim and the use of the concept of the selfobject as the crux of therapeutic action. If transferences are limited to their selfobject forms, conceptual tools are lacking for the development of empathy because selfobjects are not experienced as subjects of experience. Because capacity for empathy requires making contact with the analyst’s sub...
Feature learning for a hidden Markov model approach to landmine detection

Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) are useful tools for landmine detection and discrimination using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). The performance of HMMs, as well as other feature-based methods, depends not only on the design of the classifier but on the features. Traditionally, algorithms for learning the parameters of classifiers have been intensely investigated while algorithms for learning parameters of the feature extraction process have been much less intensely investigated. In this paper, we describe experiments for learning feature extraction and classification parameters simultaneously in the context of using hidden Markov models for landmine detection.
Temporary ectopic implantation

Temporary ectopic implantation is a technique designed for extremity salvage in cases of devascularization or amputation of an essentially intact part in conjunction with extensive segmental proximal injury. A case of a traumatic midforearm amputation that survived by ectopic implantation in the abdominal wall, with subsequent replantation eleven weeks later, is presented.
Phytochemical analysis of medicinal plants with kidney protective activities

In view of the increasing number of patients undergoing kidney dialysis or transplant every year, a survey of the literature on renal protective medicinal plants was undertaken. Most of them are from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Although many of the medicinal herbs reported have not been investigated in terms of active chemical ingredients, some do have compounds well characterized. They fall into a wide range of structures. Several groups of compounds with well established activities are discussed. These include: antioxidant phenolic compounds like tannins, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, unsaturated organic acids and lignans; circulation enhancing compounds like saponins, and basic alkaloids with multiple targets (G-protein coupled receptors). Also presented are proinflammatory and antiinflammatory fatty acids like linoleic (n-6) and α-linolenic (n-3) acids, respectively. Attention is also drawn to the plants containing nephrotoxic aristolochic acid. Different directions of future research are also presented. We hope that this review may provide some leads for new drug discovery and development, and more rational application of TCM.
Big data challenges in simulation-based science

Data-related challenges are quickly dominating computational and data-enabled sciences, and are limiting the potential impact of scientific applications enabled by current and emerging high-performance distributed computing environments. These data-intensive application workflows involve dynamic coordination, interactions and data coupling between multiple application process that run at scale on different resources, and with services for monitoring, analysis and visualization and archiving. In this talk I will explore data grand challenges in simulation-based science and investigate how solutions based on data sharing abstractions, managed data pipelines, in-memory data-staging, in-situ placement and execution, and in-transit data processing can be used to address these data challenges at extreme scales.
Fluidized-bed combustion of coal

Abstract Fluidized-bed combustion of coal has been investigated in a pilot-plant combustion facility. The test bed section has an internal diameter of 0.154 m and an overall height of 3.5 m. Sand with an average particle diameter of 1421 μm is used as inert bed material. The inert bed is heated to a temperature of about 1000 K by two propane burners installed in the preheater and calming sections. Experiments were conducted for coal-feed rates of 0.83 and 1.09 g/s with corresponding bed temperatures of 1220 ± 43 and 1259 ± 34 K for superficial air velocities in the range 0.63–1.07 m/s at ambient conditions. Concentrations of O2, CO, CO2, NOx, and SO2 were monitored in the flue gas, and their variations with operating parameters used to establish optimum combustion conditions. Material and energy balances were employed to compute carbon utilization and thermal combustion and combustion quality efficiencies. Optimum operating conditions were determined for efficient and environmentally friendly combustion. It is proposed that oxidation of coal nitrogen to NO is a first-order reaction with respect to O2 and a zero-order reaction with respect to coal nitrogen. Significant kinetic inferences are derived concerning oxidation of coal carbon and sulfur.
Comparing proteomics and RISC immunoprecipitations to identify targets of Epstein-Barr viral miRNAs.

Epstein-Barr virus is a gamma-herpes virus that is causally associated with several lymphomas and carcinomas. This virus encodes at least 25 pre-miRNAs, which are expressed in infected cells to yield more than 50 detected mature miRNAs. miRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that inhibit gene expression by promoting the inhibition of translation or of degradation of mRNAs. Currently, the function of these viral miRNAs and the contribution they provide to EBV’s life-cycle remain largely unknown, due to difficulties in identifying cellular and viral genes regulated by these miRNAs. We have compared and contrasted two methods to identify targets of viral miRNAs in order to identify the advantages and limitations of each method to aid in uncovering the functions of EBV’s miRNAs.
Techniques for the study of radiative alpha-capture reactions

Abstract Apparatus for the study of radiative alpha-capture reactions was designed to achieve maximum beam on the target and minimum background from the C 13 (α, n)O 16 reaction. To meet these goals, the energy of the electrostatic accelerator was controlled by a 25° magnetic momentum analyzer which transmitted large beam currents. The beam energy was calibrated by means of an electrostatic energy analyzer. A “wobble target” assembly was constructed without the use of organic components so that it could be baked to eliminate residual organic contaminants.
Qualitative and quantitative contrasts in the mechanisms of lumen enlargement by coronary balloon angioplasty and directional coronary atherectomy

Objectives. This study was designed to define and contrast the mechanisms of lumen enlargement from coronary balloon angioplasty and directional coronary atherectomy using intracoronary ultrasound imaging in vivo. Background. The mechanisms of lumen enlargement produced by percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty and directional coronary atherectomy are not known because the coronary artery wall has not previously been studied both before and after dilation. Methods. We used intracoronary ultrasound to quantitate coronary lumen, vessel and plaque area both before and immediately after successful coronary angioplasty (n =30) and directional coronary atherectomy (n = 25) at the site of most severe stenosis. Results. Angioplasty increased lumen area by 2.80 ± 0.25 mm2(mean ± SE, p < 0.0001). Eighty-one percent of this lumen gain resulted from an increase in vessel area and the remaining 19% from a reduction in plaque area. Lumen gain of individual lesions was separated into three groups: 67% had an increase in vessel area (vessel expansion), 13% had a decrease in plaque area and 20% had a combination of both. In contrast, vessel expansion contributed only 22% of the lumen gain with directional coronary atherectomy, with the majority (78%) of increase in lumen size coming from a reduction in plaque area. Directional coronary atherectomy increased from 2.36 ± 0.05 to 7.00 ± 0.28 mm2(p < 0.0001). Plaque reduction was the sole mechanism in 60% of lesions, vessel expansion was the sole mechanism in 12% and a combination of both mechanisms occurred in 28%. Lumen enlargement of eccentric lesions treated with directional coronary atherectomy was more commonly associated with plaque reduction (p < 0.02), whereas eccentricity did not affect the mechanism of lumen enlargement with coronary angioplasty. Conclusions. This is the first study to systematically examine the coronary artery wall in vivo at the site of a severe stenosis both before and after catheter-based interventions in humans. Lumen enlargement from coronary asgioptasty occurs predominantly from vessel expansion or stretching, although a reduction in plaque area contributes to the lumen gain in many patients and is the sole mechanism in a few. Lumen gain from directional coronary atherectomy is predominantly from reduction in plaque area (probably owing to tissue removal), although vessel stretching (balloon effect) occurs and is the sole mechanism in a small minority of vessels. Plaque reduction is more common in directional coronary atherectomy of eccentric lesions.
Low-discrepancy sampling for approximate dynamic programming with local approximators

Approximate dynamic programming (ADP) relies, in the continuous-state case, on both a flexible class of models for the approximation of the value functions and a smart sampling of the state space for the numerical solution of the recursive Bellman equations. In this paper, low-discrepancy sequences, commonly employed for number-theoretic methods, are investigated as a sampling scheme in the ADP context when local models, such as the Nadaraya-Watson (NW) ones, are employed for the approximation of the value function. The analysis is carried out both from a theoretical and a practical point of view. In particular, it is shown that the combined use of low-discrepancy sequences and NW models enables the convergence of the ADP procedure. Then, the regular structure of the low-discrepancy sampling is exploited to derive a method for automatic selection of the bandwidth of NW models, which yields a significant saving in the computational effort with respect to the standard cross validation approach. Simulation results concerning an inventory management problem are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
1H/15N Heteronuclear NMR Spectroscopy Shows Four Dynamic Domains for Phospholamban Reconstituted in Dodecylphosphocholine Micelles

We report the backbone dynamics of monomeric phospholamban in dodecylphosphocholine micelles using 1 H/ 15 N heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. Phospholamban is a 52-amino acid membrane protein that regulates Ca-ATPase in cardiac muscle. Phospholamban comprises three structural domains: a transmembrane domain from residues 22 to 52, a connecting loop from 17 to 21, and a cytoplasmic domain from 1 to 16 that is organized in an ''L''-shaped structure where the transmembrane and the cytoplasmic domain form an angle of ;80� (Zamoon et al., 2003; Mascioni et al., 2002). T1, T2, and 1 H/ 15 N nuclear Overhauser effect values measured for the amide backbone resonances were interpreted using the model-free approach of Lipari and Szabo. The results point to the existence of four dynamic domains, revealing the overall plasticity of the cytoplasmic helix, the flexible loop, and part of the transmembrane domain (residues 22-30). In addition, using Carr-Purcell- Meiboom-Gill-based experiments, we have characterized phospholamban dynamics in the ms-ms timescale. We found that the majority of the residues in the cytoplasmic domain, the flexible loop, and the first ten residues of the transmembrane domain undergo dynamics in the ms-ms range, whereas minimal dynamics were detected for the transmembrane domain. Hydrogen/ deuterium exchange factors measured at different temperatures support the existence of slow motion in both the loop and the cytoplasmic helix. We propose that these dynamic properties are critical factors in the biomolecular recognition of phospholamban by Ca-ATPase and other interacting proteins such as protein kinase A and protein phosphatase 1.
Planetary Science: A Space Odyssey

Planetary science and the scientific revolution bootstrapped each other into prominent places in intellectual history during the 15th and 16th centuries. In his Pathways of Discovery essay, David J. Stevenson of Caltech begins with this "first epoch" of planetary science, including the likes of Galileo using homemade telescopes, as he tells an expansive story of scientific discovery. While taking readers on a veritable tour of the solar system, he also recounts highlights of the ongoing "second epoch" of planetary science and its fantastic tools, such as interplanetary satellites and the Hubble Space Telescope. According to Stevenson, the best is yet to come for the field as its practitioners continue to discover extrasolar planets and join the quest to answer one of the most important questions there is: How did life first arise?