cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The carboxylic acid reduction pathway in Nocardia . Purification and characterization of the aldehyde reductase

Whole cultures of Nocardia sp. NRRL 5646 reduce carboxylic acids, first to aldehydes, then to alcohols and subsequently to the corresponding acetyl esters. This work describes an NADPH-dependent reductase responsible for catalyzing the reduction of aldehyde intermediates, which was purified 3240-fold by a combination of Mono-Q, hydroxyapatite, and ADP-agarose chromatographies. By sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the purified enzyme ran as a single band of 47 kDa. A native molecular mass estimated at 101 kDa indicated that the enzyme was a homodimer in the native, active state. Edman degradation indicated a unique N-terminal sequence as NH2-X-X-Ala-Ala-Ala-Tyr-Ala-Val-Pro-Ala-Pro-Asp-Gly-Cys-Phe-Glu-Lys-Val-Thr-Ile-Glu-Arg-Arg-Glu-Leu-Gly. The enzyme catalyzed reductions of many aryl- and alkyl-aldehyde substrates. Reactions were most favorable in the direction of aldehyde reduction to alcohols. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 328–332.
Extension of Gutenberg-Richter distribution to MW 1.3, no lower limit in sight

[1] With twelve years of seismic data from TauTona Gold Mine, South Africa, we show that mining-induced earthquakes follow the Gutenberg-Richter relation with no scale break down to the completeness level of the catalog, at moment magnitude MW −1.3. Events recorded during relatively quiet hours in 2006 indicate that catalog detection limitations, not earthquake source physics, controlled the previously reported minimum magnitude in this mine. Within the Natural Earthquake Laboratory in South African Mines (NELSAM) experiment's dense seismic array, earthquakes that exhibit shear failure at magnitudes as small as MW −3.9 are observed, but we find no evidence that MW −3.9 represents the minimum magnitude. In contrast to previous work, our results imply small nucleation zones and that earthquake processes in the mine can readily be scaled to those in either laboratory experiments or natural faults.
Measurements of Turbulence at Two Tidal Energy Sites in Puget Sound, WA

Field measurements of turbulence are presented from two sites in Puget Sound, WA, that are proposed for electrical power generation using tidal current turbines. Time series data from multiple acoustic Doppler instruments are analyzed to obtain statistical measures of fluctuations in both the magnitude and direction of the tidal currents. The resulting turbulence intensities (i.e., the turbulent velocity fluctuations normalized by the deterministic tidal currents) are typically 10% at the hub heights (i.e., the relevant depth) of the proposed turbines. Length and time scales of the turbulence are also analyzed. Large-scale, anisotropic eddies dominate the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) spectra, which may be the result of proximity to headlands at each site. At small scales, an isotropic turbulent cascade is observed and used to estimate the dissipation rate of TKE, which is shown to balance with shear production. Data quality and sampling parameters are discussed, with an emphasis on the removal of Doppler noise from turbulence statistics. The results are relevant to estimating the performance and fatigue of tidal turbines.
Kinetic and inhibitor studies with arylsulfhydrolases A and B from avian and mammalian sources

Abstract Arylsulfhydrolases A and B from chicken and from bovine liver have been isolated and their reactions with a range of synthetic arylsulfates examined using kinetic methods. Some differences of Michaelis-Menten parameters were observed in comparing the A with the B forms from the two sources at the level of individual substrates. At that level also, interspecies comparisons of A forms and B forms similarly showed differences. However, for none of the four enzymes examined was there consistent correlations of kinetic values with electronic, hydrophobicity, or steric properties of the substrates. The bovine A enzyme displayed the well-documented “anomalous” kinetic behavior at high substrate concentrations; at low concentrations conventional hydrolysis of p -nitrocatechol sulfate occurred, except that there was evidence with this substrate and others of product inhibition. The avian A enzyme reacted normally over all substrate concentrations examined, but again product inhibition occurred. The mammalian but not the avian B enzyme was also clearly subject to product inhibition.
Physical maps of SfMNPV baculovirus DNA and its genomic variants.

Abstract Spodoptera frugiperda MNPV was plaque-purified, and the viral DNA from the plaque-purified isolates was analyzed with restriction endonuclease enzymes. Seven distinct variants were identified when the DNA of the isolates were analyzed by EcoRI and HindIII. The DNAs of the SfMNPV predominant type (prototype) and the variants were mapped with BamHI, BglII, BstEII, EcoRI, HindIII, KpnI, and PstI by multiple enzyme digestion and blot hybridization. The cleavage sites generated by the seven restriction enzymes were ordered, and the sites were assigned map coordinates using a least-squares procedure. Since Autographa californica MNPV-E2 EcoRI fragment I, which contains the polyhedrin gene, hybridized with SfMNPV EcoRI fragment P, the physical map of SfMNPV was oriented with EcoRI P on the left, with site 1 being the EcoRI site between fragments F and P. The calculated genome size was 121.76 kilobase pairs or 80.36 × 106 Da. The DNA from each variant was compared to the DNA of the prototype for insertions, deletions, and new restriction sites. Physical maps were generated for each of the variants. The differences between the variant and the prototype were confined to four regions in the SfMNPV genome representing less than 16% of the prototype genome.
Amino-functionalized and acid treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as supports for electrochemical oxidation of formic acid

We report a simple two-step process to functionalize multi-walled carbon nanotubes, first using mixed acid treatment and then an amine treatment. The treated nanotubes have been characterized using thermo gravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be used as a support for Pt electrodeposition. Potentiodynamic scans in acidified chloroplatinic acid solution result in the formation of polycrystalline Pt deposits on the treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy have been used to further analyze the Pt deposits. The Pt deposits are well dispersed over the functionalized supports. Particularly, amino functionalized and acid treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes shows the smallest Pt size of about 10 nm with a predominantly Pt (1 1 1) basal plane orientation. CO oxidation studies show that the Pt deposits on all forms of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (untreated and treated) demonstrates higher electrochemical activity than traditional Vulcan carbon support. Formic acid oxidation was used as a probe reaction to evaluate electrocatalytic activity. Pt utilization, defined as, amount of active Pt sites per unit mass of Pt deposited, is highest when amino functionalize multi-walled carbon nanotubes is used as a support.
De novo transcriptome assemblies and annotation for pacifie whiteleg shrimp

Transcriptome assembly techniques provide a valuable opportunity to learn more about non-model organisms. We present transcriptome assemblies for Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), a species of great importance in global mariculture, that lacks solid transcriptome and genome references. We examine the new Pacific whiteleg transcriptome assemblies via multiple metrics, and compare the result with annotated similar species.
Multi-unit recording from regenerated bullfrog eighth nerve using implantable silicon-substrate microelectrodes

Abstract Multi-microelectrode silicon devices were developed for extracellular recording from multiple axons in regenerated eighth cranial nerves of American bullfrogs. Each includes a photolithographically defined array of holes and adjacent metal microelectrodes. A device is implanted within a transected eighth nerve; regenerating fibers grow through the holes en route to the brainstem. Multiple spike trains were recorded from two animals at up to 21 weeks after implantation. Single units were tracked for over 8 h. Some responded to sound with tuning typical of fibers innervating the amphibian and basilar papillae. Units of vestibular origin also were recorded. Action potentials were 30–140 μ V P-P amid noise of 5–10 μ V RMS, an adequate signal-to-noise ratio for spike detection and sorting. Histology confirmed that bundles of myelinated fibers grew through holes near electrodes that recorded activity. The implantation success rate was low, due to surgical morbidity, device extrusion, and lack of nerve regeneration through some devices. Future designs will address these issues and incorporate transistor amplifiers on devices to increase signal-to-noise ratios. The potential of implanted silicon devices to simultaneously record from many axons offers an opportunity for multicellular studies of auditory, vestibular and seismic signal processing in the vertebrate inner ear.
Homomorphisms of nearrings of continuous functions from topological spaces into the asymmetric nearring

Abstract There is a unique (up to isomorphism) topological nearring N , whose additive group is the two-dimensional Euclidean group, which has an identity but is not zero symmetric. For any topological space X, we denote by N (X) the nearring of all continuous functions from X to N where the operations on N (X) are the pointwise operations. We determine all the homomorphisms from the nearring N (X) into N (Y) when X is realcompact and Y is completely regular and Hausdorff. This result is then used to show that if both X and Y are either compact and Hausdorff or realcompact generated spaces then the endomorphism semigroups of N (X) and N (Y) are isomorphic if and only if the spaces X and Y are homeomorphic.
A non‐invasive method for measurement of gastric emptying in mice: effects of altering fat content and CCK A receptor blockade

The ability to make repetitive non-invasive measurements of gastric emptying of nutritive solids in awake, unstressed mice is highly desirable. The aim of the present study was to develop such a technique using nuclear scintigraphy and diets differing in triglyceride content. Awake mice were accustomed to light restraint and to feeding cooked, egg white (0.00 g fat g(-1)), whole egg (0.10 g fat g(-1)), or egg yolk (0.31 g fat g(-1)). Gastric emptying of each diet was measured by labelling the test meals with Technetium(99m) Mebrofenin and using a conventional gamma camera equipped with a high resolution, parallel hole collimator. Gastric emptying of cooked whole egg was also determined following administration of either vehicle or CCK A receptor antagonist, devazepide. The half-emptying time (t(1/2)) significantly increased with increasing triglyceride content from 14 +/- 5 min to 51 +/- 6 min and 82 +/- 4 min for egg white, whole egg and egg yolk, respectively. Administration of devazepide significantly decreased t(1/2) of whole egg to 28 +/- 2 min. These results demonstrate the sensitivity and predictability of this technique in mice and importantly, provide an opportunity to alter the macronutrient or caloric content of the meal to determine effects on gastric emptying.
Late outcomes of open heart surgery in patients 70 years or older

Abstract Background . The purpose of this study is to examine the long-term survival and quality of life, including the influence of comorbidities, in patients 70 years of age and over after open heart surgery. Methods . This was a retrospective study of 401 consecutive patients, who were 70 years of age or older at the time of surgery. Survival and quality of life of these patients were measured at 6- to 8-year follow-up. Results . The 5-year survival rate was 85%, and was comparable with the age- and gender-matched West Virginia population. Survival declined with increasing preexisting comorbidities. Of the 176 respondents completing the quality of life (SF-36) survey, most scores were similar to or substantially better than the US population normative scores for individuals 70 years of age or older. Conclusions . Survival rates vary by presence or absence of specific comorbid conditions. Quality of life in the appropriately selected elderly after open heart surgery appears to be similar to the US population normative scores.
Anoxia reveals a vulnerable period in the development of long-term potentiation.

Abstract Transient anoxia occurring 1–2 min after high-frequency stimulation selectively prevented the stable expression of long-term potentiation (LTP). Anoxia occurring after this brief vulnerable period did not reverse LTP. Experiments on the duration of anoxia necessary to block LTP expression indicated that simply reducing synaptic transmission was insufficient but that membrane depolarization was not required. The effects of anoxia on LTP were blocked by antagonists of A1 adenosine receptors.It is concluded that LTP develops in about one minute and that the chemistries operating in this period are easily disrupted by an event triggered by adenosine receptors.
Effects of a single optical beam on photorefractive materials: steady-state solution

The band transport model describes charge statics and dynamics within photorefractive materials. Here a steady-state solution is found for the setting in which an arbitrary optical beam illuminates a photorefractive material. The specific case of a Gaussian beam is investigated. The effects of intensity and beam waist are discussed. A comparison is made with previous studies of this problem. It is found that, when the rate of photoexcitation is less than that of thermal excitation, the band transport model can be linearized. In this case the charge density and the space-charge field are proportional to the intensity of the light. On the other hand, when the rate of photoexcitation is greater than that of thermal excitation, the linear solution to the band transport model no longer applies. In this case the charge density and the space-charge field are independent of the intensity and dependent only on the size of the beam waist.
TUMOR INDUCTION BY ROUS SARCOMA VIRUS ON THE CHORIOALLANTOIC MEMBRANES OF RECIPROCAL CROSSES BETWEEN RESISTANT AND SUSCEPTIBLE STRAINS OF CHICKENS.

Chorioallantoic membranes of 269 purebred White Leghorn chick embryos, 203 purebred Jungle Fowl-Cornish chick embryos, and 469 chick embryos originating from reciprocal genetic intercrosses were examined for tumors induced by Rous sarcoma virus, using three dilutions of virus. The White Leghorn strain of chick embryo averaged 116.5 tumors per chorioallantoic membrane and showed a highly significant difference (P < 0.01) from the Jungle Fowl-Cornish strain, with an average of 10.4 tumors. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the average responses of the two reciprocal crosses, which were of intermediate susceptibility.
Aneuploidy, structural chromosome changes, and DNA amounts in the annual taxa of theHaplopappus spinulosus complex

Haplopappus gracilis (n=2),Haplopappus revenil (n=4), andHaplopappus wigginsii (n=4) are isolated by F1 hybrid sterility due mainly to translocation heterozygosity. There is no evidence that this can be overcome at the diploid level so that introgression can occur among them. They are also separated geographically, but occasional populations ofH. gracilis andH. ravenil may be brought together along roadways to form sterile hybrids. There were no statistically significant differences in nuclear DNA content among the same or structurally different aneuploidn=2 andn=3 chromosome races or ecotypes ofH. gracilis. Some of theH. gracilis races were not significantly different from one race of the ancestralH. ravenii, and these samples of both species were from plants growing on poor soils in contrast to accessions from normal habitats. How much and which classes of DNA in these species are subject to changes induced by environmental effects is not known. There were no correlations between DNA amounts and altitude, latitude, and longitude.H. wigginsii had a greater amount of DNA per nucleus than eitherH. ravenii orH. gracilis, and its increased DNA content may reflect a more rapid accumulation of noncoding sequences due to facultative self-compatibility not found in the other two species.
Linearization of elasto‐plastic consolidation equations

In the framework of the finite element method, the problem of elasto‐plastic consolidation gives rise to a system of non‐linear, coupled residual equations which satisfy the conditions of balance of momentum and balance of mass. In determining the roots of these equations it is necessary that the coupled equations be linearized. To this end, the concept of ‘consistent linearization’ proposed by Simo and Taylor for a single‐phase system is applied to the two‐phase soil‐water system. The roots of the coupled residual equations are solved iteratively by employing Newton's method. It is shown that in non‐linear consolidation analyses, the use of a tangent coefficient matrix derived consistently from the integrated constitutive equation defining the characteristics of the solid skeletal phase results in an iterative solution scheme which preserves the asymptotic rate of quadratic convergence of Newton's method. Numerical examples involving combined radial and vertical flows through an elasto‐plastic soil medium are presented to demonstrate the computational superiority of the above technique over the method based on standard ‘elasto‐plastic continuum formulations’ adopted in most finite element codes.
Determination of metals at trace levels via pre-column derivatization and nonpolar stationary-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with n-butyl-2-naphthylmethyldithiocarbamate complexes

Abstract A new, very stable dithiocarbamate, bis( n -butyl-2-naphthylmethyldithiocarbamate) zinc(II), has been synthesized and its use in trace metal determination by high-performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) has been investigated. Metal complexes of this ligand are thermodynamically stable and kinetically inert at the 1 × 10 -8 M level. Various metal complexes including nickel(II), iron(III), copper(II), mercury(II), and cobalt(II) have been “baseline” separated by nonpolar stationary-phase h.p.l.c. The detection limits are about 1–2 ng with a variable-wavelength absorbance detector.
Strong angular dispersion using higher bands of planar silicon photonic crystals

We present experimental evidence for strong angular dispersion in a planar photonic crystal (PC) structure by properly engineering the modes in the second PC band. We show that by using the second photonic band of a square lattice PC, angular dispersion of 4°/nm can be achieved. We also show that major challenges in designing practical PC devices using second band modes can be addressed by engineering the lattice and adding input/output buffer stages designed to eliminate unwanted effects.
A multidimensional scaling analysis of aging and the semantic structure of animal names.

Adult age differences in semantic structure were investigated using nonmetric individual differences multidimensional scaling. Similarity judgments of all possible pairs of 16 animal names were obt...
Deforestation and land-use effects on soil degradation and rehabilitation in western Nigeria. III. Runoff, soil erosion and nutrient loss

Runoff and soil erosion were measured in a two-phase experiment for seven consecutive years from 1979 through 1986 on a 44·3 watershed comprising 12 sub-watersheds of 2–4 ha each. These experiments were conducted at Ibadan, Nigeria, which is characterized by two growing seasons per year. The first season lasts from mid-March through mid-July, and the second season from mid-August to early November. Experiments were conducted in two phases comprising different treatments. The six treatments during Phase I (1979–1981), involving different combinations of land clearing and tillage methods, were: (1) manual clearing (MC) with plough-till (PT); (2) MC with no till (NT); (3) shear-blade (SB) clearing with NT; (4) tree-pusher (TP) clearing with PT; (5) TP clearing with NT; (6) traditional clearing and farming (TF). The five farming-system treatments during Phase II (1982–1987) were: (A) alley cropping with Leucaena leucocephala planted on the contour at 4 m intervals, (B) fallowing with mucuna (Mucuna utilis) on severely degraded soils; (C) fallowing with mucuna on moderately degraded soils; (D) ley farming on severely degraded soils; (E) ley farming on moderately degraded soils. The traditional farming treatment of Phase I was discontinued in 1982 at the beginning of Phase II and the land was returned to natural fallowing. Runoff, soil erosion, and nutrient losses in runoff were monitored using a 4·5 feet H-Flume, FW-1 waterstage recorder and Coshocton Wheel sampler. From the mean annual rainfall of 1320 mm, mean annual runoff amounts for the 3-year period from 1979 through 1981 during Phase I were 5·6 mm (0·42 per cent of rainfall) for MC-NT, 5·7 mm (0·43 per cent) for TF, 43·2 mm (3·27 per cent) for SB-NT, 43·5 mm (3·30 per cent) for MC-PT, 68·3 mm (5·17 per cent) for TP-NT, and. 113·1 mm (8·57 per cent) for TP-PT treatments. Runoff losses were consistently more during the first compared with the second growing season. Trends in soil erosion were similar to those of runoff, and annual soil erosion amounts were 0·1 Mg ha−1 for MC-NT, 0·2 Mg ha−1 for TF, 1·5 Mg ha−1 for SB-NT, 3·6 Mg ha−1 for MC-PT, 5·1 Mg ha−1 for TP-NT, and 8·3 Mg ha−1 for TP-PT treatments. Measurements made during Phase II showed that there were no significant differences in runoff or soil erosion among the restorative farming systems adopted. Nutrient concentrations in runoff and nutrient loss were generally high in uncropped treatments, e.g. mucuna fallow during the fallowing phase and ley farming during the grazing phase.
Opioid receptors on peripheral sensory axons.

Abstract Opioid receptors have been demonstrated by light microscopic techniques in fine cutaneous nerves in naive animals. The present study extends these findings by showing that 29 and 38% of unmyelinated cutaneous sensory axons can be immunostained for μ- or δ-opioid receptors respectively. Local cutaneous injection of DAMGO, a μ-opioid ligand, ameliorates the nociceptive behaviors caused by local cutaneous injection of glutamate, a purely nociceptive chemical stimulus showing that the μ-receptors are functional. By contrast the δ-opioid ligand [2- d -penicillamine, 5- d -penicillamine]enkephalin (DPDPE) had no effect on these behaviors. These findings indicate a wider function for opioid receptors in naive animals than previously envisioned.
Some theoretical aspects of type-1 magnetic contrast in the scanning electron microscope

SUMMARY Type-1 magnetic contrast can be obtained in the secondary electron (SE) image in the SEM from a sample having an external magnetic field if the SE detector is directionally sensitive. Gauss' theorem is applied to show that the normal component of induction at the surface of the sample can be calculated from the measured spatial derivative(s) of the SE difference-signal. A method is given in this paper for calculating the three components of the induction in the entire volume above the sample surface. Reasons are given for believing that type-1 magnetic contrast is limited in spatial resolution by the fluxon unit.
Dynamic analysis of planar flexible mechanisms

The traditional approach to dynamic analysis of mechanisms and machines is based on the assumption that the systems are composed of rigid bodies. The assumption however, does not always hold. Members are elastic, so they deflect when they are subjected to external loads or inertial forces. Particularly at high speed, a linkage may undergo severe elastic deformation due to its own inertia, to an extent that it can no longer perform its intended function in actual operation. With the speed of machinery constantly increasing, an improved mathematical model of machine dynamics is needed to predict system response to transient inputs. Several authors [l]-[9] have recently introduced models of planar mechanical systems, treating flexible members rather than the traditional rigid links. Winfry [l] originally proposed an analysis method in which the effect of member flexibility is modeled by applying a structural dynamics stiffness technique, using the assumption of superposition (uncoupling) of gross rigid-body motion and a small elastic deformation. Later [2] he utilized a reduction of coordinates technique to determine a particular deflection in a mechanism, based on the same method and assumptions as in [l]. Erdman and co-workers [3] introduced the idea of kineto-elastodynamics, which is the study of the motion of mechanisms consisting of elements that deflect due to external loads or internal body forces. Their method is based on a flexibility matrix approach of structural analysis. They assume linear superposition of small elastic deformation due the inertia forces arising in rigid body motion of the system. They model a planar mechanism as combinations of cantilever beams, two force members, and simply supported beams with end moments. Subsequently, Imam and co-authors [4] presented a general method of deflection analysis for planar linkages, including multi-loop mechanisms, extending the method for kineto-elastodynamic analysis of mechanisms [3] and introducing the rate of change of eigenvalues. Sadler and Sandor [S] have employed lumped parameter models for simulating planar motion of mechanism components that are considered as simply supported beams subject to plane bending in kineto-elastodynamic analysis of mechanisms. Longitudinal deflections are neglected and the assumption of small transverse elastic deformations is made, in order that linear Euler-Bernoulli beam theory would apply. Finite difference formulas are applied to
Structures of Bacterial Flagellar Motors from Two FliF-FliG Gene Fusion Mutants

Flagella purified from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium contain FliG, FliM, and FliN, cytoplasmic proteins that are important in torque generation and switching, and FliF, a transmembrane structural protein. The motor portion of the flagellum (the basal body complex) has a cytoplasmic C ring and a transmembrane M ring. Incubation of purified basal bodies at pH 4.5 removed FliM and FliN but not FliG or FliF. These basal bodies lacked C rings but had intact M rings, suggesting that FliM and FliN are part of the C ring but not a detectable part of the M ring. Incubation of basal bodies at pH 2.5 removed FliG, FliM, and FliN but not FliF. These basal bodies lacked the C ring, and the cytoplasmic face of the M ring was altered, suggesting that FliG makes up at least part of the cytoplasmic face of the M ring. Further insights into FliG were obtained from cells expressing a fusion protein of FliF and FliG. Flagella from these mutants still rotated but cells were not chemotactic. One mutant is a full-length fusion of FliF and FliG; the second mutant has a deletion lacking the last 56 residues of FliF and the first 94 residues of FliG. In the former, C rings appeared complete, but a portion of the M ring was shifted to higher radius. The C-ring-M-ring interaction appeared to be altered. In basal bodies with the fusion-deletion protein, the C ring was smaller in diameter, and one of its domains occupied space vacated by missing portions of FliF and FliG.
A yeast GSK-3 kinase Mck1 promotes Cdc6 degradation to inhibit DNA re-replication.

Cdc6p is an essential component of the pre-replicative complex (pre-RC), which binds to DNA replication origins to promote initiation of DNA replication. Only once per cell cycle does DNA replication take place. After initiation, the pre-RC components are disassembled in order to prevent re-replication. It has been shown that the N-terminal region of Cdc6p is targeted for degradation after phosphorylation by Cyclin Dependent Kinase (CDK). Here we show that Mck1p, a yeast homologue of GSK-3 kinase, is also required for Cdc6 degradation through a distinct mechanism. Cdc6 is an unstable protein and is accumulated in the nucleus only during G1 and early S-phase in wild-type cells. In mck1 deletion cells, CDC6p is stabilized and accumulates in the nucleus even in late S phase and mitosis. Overexpression of Mck1p induces rapid Cdc6p degradation in a manner dependent on Threonine-368, a GSK-3 phosphorylation consensus site, and SCFCDC4. We show evidence that Mck1p-dependent degradation of Cdc6 is required for prevention of DNA re-replication. Loss of Mck1 activity results in synthetic lethality with other pre-RC mutants previously implicated in re-replication control, and these double mutant strains over-replicate DNA within a single cell cycle. These results suggest that a GSK3 family protein plays an unexpected role in preventing DNA over-replication through Cdc6 degradation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We propose that both CDK and Mck1 kinases are required for Cdc6 degradation to ensure a tight control of DNA replication.
Whither Iran’s Nuclear Program?

This article discusses the evolution of Iran’s nuclear policy and the continuing crisis over the nature and direction of the country’s nuclear calculus under the Islamic Republic. What is absent in much of the writings and policy debates about Iran’s nuclear policy is how decisions are made about the country’s nuclear policy and what factors, especially the domestic ones, propel the leadership of the Islamic Republic to formulate its nuclear policy. As a result, much of the debate in the West has centered on how to compel a change in Iran’s nuclear policy and ultimately force Tehran to terminate its nuclear program, using a combination of diplomatic, economic and military threats.
Application of a fiber optic refractometer for monitoring skin condition

A U-shaped fiber optic sensor for measuring refractive index is applied to the monitoring of human skin condition. Since the fiber has its cladding removed at the U-shaped sensing tip, the output includes some information about the condition of the skin to which the sensor is applied. In this paper, the relation between the sensor output and the electric resistance of the skin is investigated. Besides this subject, the applicability of the sensor is investigated for humidity measurement utilizing water evaporation time or dew-point temperature.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparative pharmacokinetics and safety of ciprofloxacin 400 mg iv thrice daily versus 750 mg po twice daily

Comparative pharmacokinetics of i.v. and oral ciprofloxacin was studied in 24 healthy male subjects given 400 mg i.v. tds or 750 mg po bd in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover fashion with at least a 10 day washout period. Blood and urine samples were obtained following the first (single dose) and last (steady state) dose in each treatment period. After single dosing and under steady state conditions, the calculated 24 h area under the serum concentration versus time curve, (AUC0-24) after 400 mg i.v. tds (AUC0-8 x 3) was equivalent to the AUC0-24 after 750 mg po bd (AUC0-12 x 2). Peak serum concentrations produced by the i.v. regimen were very similar to those observed after the 750 mg oral dose. The extent of accumulation was similar following either dosing regimen and was approximately 35%. Overall, the incidence of adverse effects (none of which was serious) was higher with the i.v. regimen than with the oral regimen, mainly due to injection site reaction, which was the most commonly reported adverse event.
Effects of Alcohol Problems on Depression Among Homeless Veterans

Abstract This is a study of a random sample of 18 8 homeless veterans, aged 24 to 59, who abuse substances, many of whom are comorbid with depression. All of these veterans are inpatients in a program for substance abuse in a Veterans' Administration Center in the midwest. The focus of the study is to examine the relative effects of substance abuse factors on depression. Logistic regression procedures indicate that the strongest predictors of depression among these homeless veterans are substance abuse factors, direct combat experience in war, resilience, physical abuse during childhood or adolescence, and suicide attempts. Implications of these findings for intervention are discussed.
Witness preparation training with real and simulated criminal defendants.

Two studies examined the impact of witness preparation training with criminal defendants. In the first study, mock criminal defendants testified twice on videotape about minor crimes they were accused of but had not committed. Approximately half underwent witness preparation between their first and second testimony simulations. In the second study, eight public defender clients were videotaped during testimony simulations both before and after being prepared to testify. In both studies, ratings by trained evaluators indicated that witness preparation was associated with increases in the use of several testimony delivery skills, improvements in overall testimony quality, and reductions in apparent guilt. Training was also associated in both studies with an unintended decrease in expressiveness. Ratings from the mock defendant study further suggested that prepared defendants were seen as more credible than unprepared defendants because they used more effective testimony delivery skills, and as less likely to be guilty than unprepared defendants because they were perceived as being more credible. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anomalous deposition rates of latex microspheres near the isoelectric point of granular quartz beds

Abstract Particle deposition rates in quartz beds were compared with model predictions near the isoelectric point of silica (pH iep ≈2–3). Deposition rates, expressed as attachment efficiencies, were determined for 248-nm sulfate latex and 245-nm carboxyl latex within the pH range of 2–5, at NaCl-adjusted ionic strengths of 10 −1.5 and 10 −2 M. Using other 1:1 electrolytes, the effect of cation type was evaluated. Theoretical deposition rates based on DLVO theory were determined using constant charge and constant potential electrical double layer (EDL) interaction expressions. The experimental attachment efficiencies, α exp , for the sulfate latex were substantially lower than either of the theoretically predicted attachment efficiencies, evidence that an additional repulsive interaction force is important near the pH iep of quartz. This force was absent from the carboxyl latex deposition experiments. Sulfate latex attachment efficiencies were also sensitive to ionic strength increases, but independent of the alkali metal cation type. Given the sensitivity of deposition rates to ionic strength and the lack of evidence to support other repulsion mechanisms, such as hydration or steric forces, the anomalous repulsion is likely to be due to inaccurate assumptions in the EDL expressions.
Measurements of aircraft wake vortices at Memphis International Airport with a cw CO2 coherent laser radar

A CW-coherent laser radar using a 20-watt CO2 laser has been constructed and deployed for the measurement of wake-vortex turbulence. This effort is part of the NASA Terminal Area Productivity Program and has the goal of providing information to further the understanding of the motion and decay of wake vortices as influenced by the local atmospheric conditions. To meet this goal, vortex measurements are made with the lidar along with simultaneous measurements from a suite of meteorological sensors which include a 150 foot instrumented tower, a profiler/RASS, sodar and balloon soundings. The information collected also includes airline flight data and beacon data. The operation of the lidar during two field deployments at Memphis International Airport are described as well as examples of vortex motion and decay measurements in various atmospheric conditions.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Solutions to a gradient-dependent integro-differential parabolic problem arising in the pricing of financial options in a Lévy market

Abstract We study an integro-differential parabolic problem modeling a process with jumps arising in financial mathematics. Under suitable conditions, we prove the existence of solutions in a general domain by proving a uniform bound on an iterative sequence of solutions and then applying the Arzela–Ascoli theorem.
Strobovideolaryngoscopy in professional voice users: Results and clinical value

Summary Evaluation of the vibratory margin of the vocal fold is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment of voice patients. Traditionally, physicians have performed this evaluation using their subjective impressions of the sound of the voice in conjunction with laryngoscopy under continuous light. Strobovideolaryngoscopy is a valuable addition to the diagnostic armementarium. It allows the physician to perform a proper physical examination of the vibratory margin. A review of 486 strobovideolaryngoscopy procedures in 343 voice patients during a 2-year period reveals that stroboscopic information influenced diagnosis or treatment in approximately one-third of the entities diagnosed.
Thin film GaAs solar cells on germanium-coated silicon substrates by chemical vapor deposition

Single-crystal expitaxial GaAs layers were grown on silicon substrates with either a thin germanium interlayer, or a graded GeSi alloy interlayer by chemical vapor deposition. The GeSi graded layer is ineffective in reducing the stress due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients. The best GaAs films were obtained by growing a thin germanium layer on silicon at three successive temperatures. Both metal/oxide/semiconductor and p+/n homojunction solar cells were fabricated on GaAs/Ge/Si structures. p+/n homojunction solar cells of area 0.25 cm2 with an air mass 1 efficiency near 12% were prepared.
The reflexive self: A sociological perspective

The ability to reflect and consider who one is in relation to others is described as the reflexive self. From a sociological perspective, the reflexive self develops in the interaction with others through a process that includes a person's self‐efficacy, self‐image, self‐concept, and self‐esteem. Operating to control incompatible views, self‐deception and self‐discrepancy play an important role in maintaining a consistent and valid self‐conception. The experiences of gifted children and adolescents are used to illustrate how the responses of others affect a person's reflexive self.
The Microbial Phyllogeography of the Carnivorous Plant Sarracenia alata

Carnivorous pitcher plants host diverse microbial communities. This plant–microbe association provides a unique opportunity to investigate the evolutionary processes that influence the spatial diversity of microbial communities. Using next-generation sequencing of environmental samples, we surveyed microbial communities from 29 pitcher plants (Sarracenia alata) and compare community composition with plant genetic diversity in order to explore the influence of historical processes on the population structure of each lineage. Analyses reveal that there is a core S. alata microbiome, and that it is similar in composition to animal gut microfaunas. The spatial structure of community composition in S. alata (phyllogeography) is congruent at the deepest level with the dominant features of the landscape, including the Mississippi river and the discrete habitat boundaries that the plants occupy. Intriguingly, the microbial community structure reflects the phylogeographic structure of the host plant, suggesting that the phylogenetic structure of bacterial communities and population genetic structure of their host plant are influenced by similar historical processes.
Performance analysis of a tree-based consistency approach for cloud databases

Cloud storage service is currently becoming a very popular solution for medium-sized and startup companies. However, there is still no suitable solution being offered to deploy transactional databases in a cloud platform. The maintenance of ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability) properties is the primary obstacle to the implementation of transactional cloud databases. The main features of cloud computing: scalability, availability and reliability are achieved by sacrificing consistency. While different forms of consistent states have been introduced, they do not address the needs of many database applications. In this paper we present a tree-based consistency approach, called TBC, that reduces interdependency among replica servers to minimize response time of cloud databases and to maximize the performance of those applications. Experimental results indicate that our TBC approach trades off availability and consistency with performance.
Motor response thresholds to electrical stimulation at the wrist in human newborns.

Two studies of motor response thresholds (RTs) to electricalstimulation at the wrist in newborns were done. Adult controls were employed. Strength-duration curves for infant and adult RTs and adult sensory thresholds (STs) were plotted. RTs of infants are approximately 1.75 times higher than those for adults. Adult RTs are consistently 3 to 4 times higher than STs. Test-retest reliabilities were satisfactory. RTs of half of the newborns were notably variable. No relationship between RT variability and stages of the neonatal wakefulness-sleep cycle could be established, but RTs were significantly, although not markedly, higher during rapid-eye-movement (REM) episodes than during nREM. For evoked potential studies with newborns it has been decided to use as a stimulus a constant-current square-wave electrical pulse of 0.5 msec duration at RT during nREM sleep.
Enhanced oxygen binding through surface mediated ionic bonds

Abstract Palladium clusters deposited on TiO2 supports constitute important oxidation catalysts. Addition of O2 in presence of deposited palladium clusters results in dissociated O atoms whose binding strength controls the activity of a catalytic oxidation reaction. Here we demonstrate how the presence of even remote Pd sites can more than double the energy required to remove surface O atoms from a surface. This unusual increase in binding is shown to originate in a Coulomb interaction between Pdδ+ and Oδ− where the otherwise semiconducting support remains almost neutral acting to mediate a charge transfer from Pd to O sites. The O atoms supported on lattice Ti sites are further shown to form composite TiO motifs that can exchange sites with Pd atoms with a minimal energy, opening the pathway to Ti migration. This behavior is proposed to be linked to their identical valence pool containing d-states.
Adrenalectomy Blocks the Compensatory Increases in UT-A1 and AQP2 in Diabetic Rat Kidney

In normal rats we showed that glucocorticoids participate in the downregulation of UT-A1 protein abundance in the inner medullary tip and in lowering of basal and vasopressin-stimulated facilitated urea permeability in terminal IMCDs. To examine the relevance of this response to a rat model of human disease, we studied rats with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by streptozotocin (STZ), since these rats have increased corticosterone production and urea excretion. We found that at 3 days of DM, UT-A1 protein abundance is downregulated in the inner medullary tip compared to pair-fed control rats, while DM for more than 7 days caused an increase in UT-A1. To test whether adrenal steroids could be a mechanism contributing to the latter increase, we studied adrenalectomized rats (ADX), ADX rats given STZ to induce diabetes (ADX + STZ), and ADX + STZ rats receiving exogenous aldosterone or dexamethasone. In contrast to control rats, UT-A1 protein abundance was not increased by prolonged DM in the ADX rats. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2) was not increased in the inner medullas of 10-day DM rats either. However, UT-A1 protein abundance was significantly reduced in the inner medullary tips from both diabetic aldosterone-treated (40 ± 2%) and dexamethasone-treated (43 ± 2%) ADX rats compared to diabetic ADX rats without steroid replacement. AQP2 was unaffected by steroid hormone treatments. Thus, both mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids downregulate UT-A1 protein abundance in rats with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus for 10 days. These results suggest that: 1) the increase in UT-A1 observed in DM is dependent upon having adrenal steroids present; and 2) adrenal steroids are not sufficient to enable the compensatory rise in UT-A1 to a steroid-deficient diabetic animal.
Primary immune deficiencies with aberrant IgE production

IgE antibodies play a central role in the pathogenesis of atopic diseases and in host immunity against parasitic infections. IgE has potent activities on mast cells and basophils. IgE class switching is a very tightly controlled process, and serum IgE levels are very low compared with other immunoglobulin isotypes. Transcription factors that activate or inhibit the IgE gene promoter, as well as T H 1 and T H 2 cytokines are important in the regulation of IgE levels. Hyper-IgE syndrome; Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome; immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX); Omenn syndrome; and atypical complete DiGeorge syndrome are primary immune deficiencies that are associated with elevated serum IgE levels. Increased IgE levels in IPEX, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and Omenn syndrome are likely related to increased T H 2 cytokine production caused by decreased a number or function of CD4 + CD25 + forkhead box protein P3 + regulatory T cells. The link between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 mutations and elevated serum IgE levels in hyper-IgE syndrome is unclear. Insight into IgE regulation provided by the study of primary immune deficiencies with elevated IgE has important implications for allergic diseases.
Critical issues in the evaluation and management of adult patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected pulmonary embolism

This clinical policy from the American College of Emergency Physicians is the revision of a 2003 clinical policy on the evaluation and management of adult patients presenting with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE).(1) A writing subcommittee reviewed the literature to derive evidence-based recommendations to help clinicians answer the following critical questions: (1) Do objective criteria provide improved risk stratification over gestalt clinical assessment in the evaluation of patients with possible PE? (2) What is the utility of the Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria (PERC) in the evaluation of patients with suspected PE? (3)What is the role of quantitative D-dimer testing in the exclusion of PE? (4) What is the role of computed tomography pulmonary angiogram of the chest as the sole diagnostic test in the exclusion of PE? (5) What is the role of venous imaging in the evaluation of patients with suspected PE? (6) What are the indications for thrombolytic therapy in patients with PE? Evidence was graded and recommendations were given based on the strength of the available data in the medical literature.
Climate model's historical accuracy no guarantee of future success

To validate and rank the abilities of complex general circulation models (GCMs), emphasis has been placed on ensuring that they accurately reproduce the global climate of the past century. But because multiple paths can be taken to produce a given result, a model may get the right result but for the wrong reasons. Following this line of thinking,Crook and Forster analyzed the construction of 11 atmosphere-ocean coupled GCMs. Rather than looking at the models' reproductions of twentieth-century global average temperatures, which tend to perform well on all counts, the authors broke the models' results into their re-creation of average, Arctic, and tropical climates. Further, they analyzed the models' treatment of climate forcings (such as solar activity), feedback systems (like Arctic ice melt or the effects of clouds), and representations of heat storage and transport mechanisms.