cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fractionation of petroleum pitch by supercritical fluid extraction

Abstract Petroleum pitch has considerable potential as an inexpensive raw material for the economical production of high-performance carbon fibers and carbon-carbon composites. However, current methods for pretreatment of the pitch have several deficiencies that result in inferior fiber and composite properties. A better separation process is needed to improve the reproducibility and quality of the mesophase pitch precursor. A supercritical fluid extraction process is being investigated for this purpose. A flow apparatus is described for measuring phase equilibrium data for mixtures of solvent and pitch at temperatures up to 675 K and pressures to 350 bar. Equilibrium phase compositions are reported for the toluene/Ashland A-240 pitch system at temperatures of 595, 634, and 674 K and pressures ranging from 29 to 76 bar. The molecular weight distributions of the extracted fractions show that the process is effective in separating pitch fractions by molecular weight.
Morphogenetic properties of human embryonic cells: aggregation of dissociated cells and histogenesis in cultured aggregates.

Extract: To test the hypothesis that the morphogenetic behavior of human embryonic cells can be characterized in vitro, human and mouse embryonic cells were compared by several variables which are thought to reflect morphogenetic cellular behavior. Trypsin-prepared cell suspensions of human (8–12 weeks) and mouse (13–18 days) embryonic organs were analyzed for (1) initial rate of aggregation, (2) aggregate size, (3) histogenesis in aggregates derived from a single organ, and (4) segregation of cells according to tissue type within mixed aggregates derived from different organs.
Ion-molecule reactions in hydrogen cyanide.

Gas phase ion-molecule chemistry of HCN by ion- cyclotron resonance spectroscopy identifying individual reactions by double resonance
The introduction of 7-day platelets: a university hospital experience.

Introduction: Recently, the FDA approved the Post Approval Surveillance Study of Platelet Outcomes, Release Tested protocol which allows participating institutions to utilize 7 day platelets following guidelines. As one of the first hospitals to implement a 7-day protocol, we reviewed our hospital experience with 7-day Gambro apheresis platelets to determine the impact on inventory. Methods: A review of apheresis platelet transfusions and outdate records was performed. Data were collected prospectively from March to August 2006. This data were compared with a retrospective review for the same time period in 2005. Results: For the 1,503 platelets transfused from March–August 2005, the mean day of issue was 3.44 (SD = 1.060). During the same time period of 2006, 1,688 platelets were transfused with a mean day of issue of 4.02 (SD = 1.083). This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The outdate rate dropped from 2.9% (44/1,547) to 1.3% (22/1,710, P < 0.001). During the study period, ∼59.7% of the platelets were 7-day platelets. Discussion: Over the 6-month period, we noted a decrease in outdates from 2.9% to 1.3%. There was a shift toward older platelets (from a mean of day 3.4 to day 4). During the study period, 139 platelets were transfused on days 6 or 7 of storage. Overall, the implementation of 7-day platelets in a university hospital setting was easily accomplished and has resulted in benefits to our institution by decreasing our outdate rate and to our patients by providing an additional 139 days 6 and 7 apheresis platelets with a potential cost savings of $78,952 (over the 6-month study). J. Clin. Apheresis, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
MULTILAYER NEURAL NETWORKS AND ADAPTIVE NONLINEAR CONTROL OF AGILE ANTI-AIR MISSILES

Research has shown that neural networks can be used to improve upon approximate dynamic inversion for control of uncertain nonlinear systems. In one architecture, the neural network adaptively cancels inversion errors through on-line learning. Such learning is accomplished by a simple weight update rule derived from Lyapunov theory, thus assuring the stability of the closed-loop system. In this paper, the authors review this methodology and extend it to incorporate an important class of neural networks with a single hidden layer. An agile anti-air missile autopilot is subsequently designed using this control scheme. First, a control law based on approximate inversion of the nonlinear dynamics is presented. This control system is augmented by the addition of a multilayer neural network with on-line learning. Finally, numerical results from a nonlinear agile anti-air missile simulation demonstrate the effectiveness of the resulting autopilot.
Enzyme electrodes for the determination of 1 -phenylalanine

Abstract Two different kinds of enzyme electrodes suitable for the determination of 1-phenylalanine are described. The 1-phenylalanine electrode built based on an ion-selective iodide electrode uses a dual enzyme reaction layer – 1-amino acid oxidase (1-AAO), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) – chemically immobilized in polyacryl gel. The electrode function is based on the reaction: The constant I- concentration of the sample solution decreases locally at the electrode surface in the presence of 1-phenylalanine (1-PA). The 1-phenylalanine electrode built on a silicone rubber based antibiotic type ammonium selective electrode was fabricated with a chemically immobilized 1-amino acid oxidase, as reaction layer. The 1-phenylalanine diffuses into the enzyme layer where it is converted to m4t ions which are sensed by the antibiotic membrane which is selective for NH4 + ions. A potential is produced which is a log function of the concentration of 1 -phenylalanine.
Why Were Workers Whipped? Pain in a Principal-Agent Model

One reason a person hurts another is to get that person to do something. This paper uses a model to show that threatening pain can be rational and that pain is inflicted upon people who are poor in the sense of having bad alternatives. The model corrects a confusion in previous models of slavery; gives an explanation of why child, and not adult, laborers were beaten during the industrial revolution; and prompts a discussion of the dangers of rational-choice modeling. Copyright 1990 by Royal Economic Society.
The effect of local control on metastatic dissemination in carcinoma of the prostate: Long-term results in patients treated with 1251 implantation

The study evaluates the effect of the locally recurring tumor on the incidence of metastatic disease in early stage carcinoma of the prostate. The probability of distant metastases was studied in 679 patients with Stage B-C/NO carcinoma of the prostate treated at MSKCC between 1970 and 1985 (median follow-up of 97 months). Patients were staged with pelvic lymph node dissection and treated with retropubic 125I implantation. The actuarial distant metastases free survival (DMFS) for patients at risk at 15 years after initial therapy was 37%. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis of covariates affecting the metastatic outcome showed that local failure, used in the model as a time dependent variable, was the most significant covariate, although stage, grade, and implant volume were also found to be independent variables. The relative risk of metastatic spread subsequent to local failure was 4-fold increased compared to the risk without evidence of local relapse. The 15-year actuarial DMFS in 351 patients with local control was 77% compared to 24% in 328 patients who developed local relapses (p < 0.00001). The relation of distant spread to the local outcome was observed regardless of stage, grade, or implant dose. Even stage BI/NO-Grade I patient with local control showed a 15-year actuarial DMFS of 82%, compared to 22% in patients with local relapse; p < 0.00001). The median local relapse-free survival (LRFS) in the 268 patients with local recurrences who did not receive hormonal therapy before distant metastases were detected was 51 months, compared to a median of 71 months for DMFS in the same patients (p < 0.001), consistent with the possibility that distant dissemination may develop secondary to local failure. Furthermore, distant metastases in patients with local control, apparently already existing as micrometastases before treatment, were detected earlier (median DMFS of 37 months) than in patients with local relapse (median DMFS of 54 months; p = 0.009). These data suggest that the existence and re-growth of local residual disease in localized prostatic carcinoma promotes an enhanced spread of metastatic disease, and that early and complete eradication of the primary tumor is required if a long term cure is to be achieved, although the clinical expression of secondary metastases may not become apparent for 6.5 years or more in one-half of the patients.
Partial evaluation applied to numerical computation

There have been many demonstrations that the expressive power of Lisp can greatly simplify the process of writing numerical programs, but at the cost of reduced performance.[10][16] I show that by coupling Lisp's abstract, expressive style of programming with a compiler that uses partial evaluation, data abstractions can be eliminated at compile time, producing extremely high-performance code. For an important class of numerical programs, partial evaluation achieves order-of-magnitude speed-ups over conventional Lisp compilation technology. This approach has proven to be especially effective when used in conjunction with schedulers for VLIW and highly pipelined architectures, because the elimination of data structures and procedural abstractions exposes the low-level parallelism inherent in a computation.
Communication between formal caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer's disease:

Dysfunctional communication, behaviorproblems, and the lack of meaningful exchanges make it difficult for the nursing assistant (NA) to establish a relationship with the nursing home resident who h...
A spectrophotometric method for the measurement of ribonuclease activity.

Abstract A convenient spectrophotometric assay for RNase activity is presented. Visible range spectrophotometers with 20 mμ band widths or smaller may be used. Ordinary commercial samples of yeast RNA, in general, may serve as the substrate. The effect of the molarity of the buffer employed upon the rate of the reaction at pH 5.0 and 7.3 was determined, and the effect of H ion concentration from pH 3–9 was measured. The dye assay was found to be about 5 times more sensitive than the Kunitz assay at pH 5.0.
Early Afterdepolarizations and Cardiac Arrhythmias

Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are an important cause of lethal ventricular arrhythmias in long QT syndromes and heart failure, but the mechanisms by which EADs at the cellular scale cause arrhythmias such as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) and torsades de pointes (TdP) at the tissue scale are not well understood. Here we summarize recent progress in this area, discussing (1) the ionic basis of EADs, (2) evidence that deterministic chaos underlies the irregular behavior of EADs, (3) mechanisms by which chaotic EADs synchronize in large numbers of coupled cells in tissue to overcome source–sink mismatches, (4) how this synchronization process allows EADs to initiate triggers and generate mixed focal reentrant ventricular arrhythmias underlying PVT and TdP, and (5) therapeutic implications.
Application of the Monopole Source to Quantify Explosive Flux during Vulcanian Explosions at Sakurajima Volcano (Japan)

A primary goal in volcano seismology is to characterize source motions internal to a volcano in terms of their representative forces. In a similar manner, much volcano infrasound research strives to recover eruptive force time histories corresponding to material accelerations occurring at Earth’s free surface. These motions may correspond to explosive emission of gas and pyroclasts (e.g., Banister, 1984), rapid ground distensions of a volcanic dome (e.g., Johnson and Lees, 2010), and/or gravity driven rock fall or pyroclastic flows (e.g., Yamasato, 1997). When free surface motion is unsteady it imposes stresses upon the surrounding atmosphere, which are propagated as acoustic airwaves. Typically, the sounds produced by volcanic phenomena are recorded with low‐frequency infrasound sensitive microphones. The intervening atmosphere is relatively homogeneous and nonattenuating for infrasound propagation of a few kilometers, therefore the recorded excess pressures closely represent volcano source time functions. Such force time histories are equivalent to volumetric accelerations of the atmosphere at or near to the source. Many volcano explosion signals begin with intense, impulsive bipolar pulses (compression followed by rarefaction) with durations of a few seconds or less (e.g., Morrissey and Chouet, 1997). These volcano explosion waveforms are often similar to chemical explosion signals recorded in the far field and are suggestive of a rapid release and expansion of gases (Kitov et al. , 1997). Several volcano infrasound studies have made use of the Lighthill (1978) simple acoustic source to characterize ejection of fluid from the volcanic vent (e.g., Johnson, 2003). Volcanic explosions generate bipolar infrasound pulses with durations of a few seconds (Firstov and Kravchenko, 1996; Johnson, 2003) that have been attributed to simple acoustic sources. A simple acoustic source, or a monopole, corresponds to a point approximation of fluid injection or extraction. Although most volcanic vents possess length scales of tens of meters to …
Expression of the nucleoprotein gene of rabies virus for use as a diagnostic reagent.

The nucleoprotein (N) gene of rabies virus CTN strain, was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion with maltose binding protein (MBP). The antigenicity of this recombinant MBP-N fusion protein was examined by Western blotting and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Subsequently, an indirect ELISA was developed to detect rabies specific antibody levels. Using sera from naive and vaccinated animals the ELISA results were compared with virus neutralizing antibodies detected by a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). Neutralizing titres by RFFIT were found to correlate well with the OD values in the ELISA (r = 0.9436) and the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA were shown to be 93.4 and 100%, respectively. The data indicate that the recombinant MBP-N fusion protein can be expressed and isolated straightforwardly and may be useful as a safe and abundant source of antigen to monitor seropositivity in vaccinated canines.
Treatment of telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans with the 585-nm flashlamp-pumped dye laser

background Telangiectasia macularis eruptive perstans (TMEP) is a form of cutaneous mastocytosis characterized by truncal telangiectasis that are refractory to treatment. objective The safety and efficacy of treating TMEP with laser surgery was tested in a patient with extensive truncal lesions. methods The patient was treated with the 585-nm flashlamp-pumped dye laser. Diphenhydramine and ranitidine or doxepin were used pre- and postoperatively to block the effects of mast cell mediator release during surgery. results All treated cutaneous lesions resolved completely, without scarring, after one treatment. Approximately 70% of the truncal lesions recurred 14 months postoperatively. Doxepin provided the best mast cell mediator blockade. Postoperative biopsy of a treated lesion demonstrated focal dermal vascular fibrosis with minimal telangiectasia and upper level of normal numbers of mast cells on the biopsy. conclusions An excellent therapeutic result was obtained by treating TMEP with the 585-nm flashlamp-pumped dye laser, although the response was temporary. The therapeutic effect of the laser appears to be secondary to reduction of the vasculature with no apparent effect on the mast cells. Physicians treating TMEP with laser therapy must use proper H1 and H2 receptor blockade to avoid potential complications from laser-induced mediator release.
Hebbian learning in the agglomeration of conducting particles

The Hebbian learning rule is a fundamental concept in the learning of a neuronal net, where a frequently used connection of two neurons is continually reinforced. We study the properties of self-assembling connections of conducting particles in a dielectric liquid, and find that the strength of the connection between different electrodes represents a memory for the history of the system. Optimal parameters and sequences of stimulation for effective training are determined. We discuss a future application of our results for the implementation of a nonvolatile neuronal network based on self-assembling nanowires on a semiconductor surface.
Developing Effective Beginning Teachers through Mentor-Based Induction.

Past research on new teacher induction has focused on changes in retention. Keeping people in the profession is important, but new teachers may need help in learning about curriculum and students in order to be effective instructional leaders. New teachers may also need assistance in learning how to interact with colleagues. We asked new teachers through an on‐line survey what they learned from mentors about curriculum, student diversity and collegiality. In addition, achievement gains of classes taught by new teachers and experienced teachers were compared. The results of the study are discussed in terms of implications for teacher training, organizational change, and data usage by districts.
Treatment of advanced uterine sarcoma with adriamycin

Between 1971 and 1979, 39 patients with clearly measurable metastatic or advanced recurrent sarcoma of uterine origin were treated with Adriamycin, either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs. The median survival was 7.2 months. No patient lived beyond 32 months from the start of chemotherapy. The response rate was 10.3% (10.3% partial responses and no complete responses). The median duration of a partial response was 4 months. There was no difference between the median survival of the responders and nonresponders.
Delignification of an unbleached hardwood kraft pulp by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Culture conditions affecting lignin degradation of an unbleached hardwood kraft pulp by Phanerochaete chrysosporium have been examined. Optimum pH and temperature for lignin degradation (about 33%) were 3.5 and 38°C, respectively. Optimum fungal growth was at a pH of 4.5 and a temperature of around 32°C. Addition of exogeneous glucose to the cultures lessened the degradation of pulp carbohydrates. Lignin degradation was stimulated by oxygen atmosphere and non-agitated cultures. Increased surface to volume ratio (decreased culture depth) enhanced lignin degradation (about 56% at a depth of 1.2 cm). Finally, the correlations: pulp yield vs. residual glucose, ligninase activity vs. mycelium, and extent of delignification vs. residual extracellular H2O2 were discussed in light of recent findings of ligninases responsible for ligninolysis.
Condensation of a Quasi-one Dimensional Gas Within a Single Wall Carbon Nanotube

Gases adsorbed within carbon nanotubes display novel phases associated with reduced dimensionality. A quasi-one dimensional (1D) environment is realized for sufficiently small tube radii such that adsorbed atoms are constrained to move along the nanotube axis. We show that, in this quasi-1D regime, a condensation transition arises from adsorption-induced tube expansion.
DECENTRALIZED TAX COMPETITION FOR BUSINESS CAPITAL AND NATIONAL ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY

For a nation composed of independent regions, the effects of local tax competition for business investments are examined. It is first shown that atomistic regional authorities tax only local resources to finance the provision of public services to business. Thus, an efficient interregional equilibrium is induced. Various political/institutional constraints are shown to cause misallocation of the capital stock and an inefficient provision of public services. The characterization of the inefficiency is shown to vary widely, depending upon the constraint under consideration.
17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in Human Bone Cells

Interconversion of estrogens by osteoblasts may play a role in regulating bone mass. As a first step toward exploring this possibility, we investigated the expression and activity of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17β-HSDs) in cultured human osteoblasts (HOB) and osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells (MG63, TE85, and SaOS-2). Significant 17β-HSD activity was detected in cell-free extracts of all bone cells with oxidation of estradiol to estrone predominating over reduction. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments showed that the mRNA for 17β-HSD I was detectable only in MG63 cells, albeit at low levels, while 17β-HSD II was present in MG63, TE85, and HOB, but not SaOS-2, and 17β-HSD III was absent from each bone cell type. 17β-HSD IV was the only isoform present in all bone cells analyzed. Further analysis of the expression of 17β-HSD IV in these bone cells by immunoblotting revealed both the full-length 83 kDa protein and the proteolytic 38 kDa form. The kinetic parameters for estradiol oxidation by purified recombinant 17β-HSD IV (Km = 49.7 μM, Vmax = 79.4 nmol/minute/mg of protein) and its HSD-domain (Km = 79.4 μM, Vmax = 476 nmol/minute/mg of protein) were significantly higher than previously reported, but consistent with the values obtained with crude cell-free extracts of SaOS-2 cells (Km = 98.8 μM, Vmax = 0.07 nmol/minute/mg of protein) which contain only 17β-HSD IV based on RT-PCR. These studies show that bone cells have the capacity to interconvert circulating estrogens and suggest that bone cell 17β-HSDs serve primarily to attenuate the continuing actions of estradiol through conversion to its less potent form, estrone, under certain conditions.
A simple technique for constructing ‘piggy-back’ multibarrel microelectrodes

Abstract A method is described for the construction of a 6-barrel electrode, enabling intra- or extracellular recording from a protruding barrel and iontophoretic ejection from the remaining 5 barrels. This method enables each laboratory to employ the recording electrode most suitable for its research. The supplies needed for the assembly of the 6-barrel electrodes are readily available and economical. The assembly of this ‘piggy-back’ electrode requires, with a minimal amount of practice, only 10–15 min.
Precolumn affinity capillary electrophoresis for the identification of clinically relevant proteins in human serum: application to human cardiac troponin I.

An approach has been developed to the on-line extraction and identification of clinical disease-state marker proteins in human serum. Fabrication of capillaries with integral packed beds for the online determination of human cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a diagnostic marker for myocardial infarction, at clinically relevant levels (2 nmol/L) in serum is demonstrated. The technique, termed precolumn affinity capillary electrophoresis (PA-CE), utilizes a short (∼5 mm) packed bed of porous silica containing covalently immobilized monoclonal anti-cTnI antibodies directly integrated within a separation capillary for the selective retention of cTnI from a complex matrix. Following a rinsing step to eliminate nonspecifically bound serum proteins and other impurities from the column, desorption of the antigen into the separation region of the PA-CE capillary for subsequent measurement of femtomolar amounts of cTnI by CE is effected by the injection of an appropriate elution buffer. Advantages of this approach over pr...
Bayes Ian Multiple Comparisons Of Noemal Populations Without The Assumption Op Equal Variances

The problem of comparing means of normal populations with variances unknown and not assumed equal is considered. Using Duncan's approach C1961# 1965, 1969) to this multiple comparison problem a Bayes procedure is given for the fixed saw-pie size case. Tills approach uses additive losses from component problems which generate the multiple comparison problem. Fur¬ther^ conjugate' priors are used here for the unknown parameters
Virtual Appliance Content Distribution for a Global Infrastructure Cloud Service

Cloud Computing in general and Virtualized Infrastructure Provisioning in particular, are significant trends with the potential to increase agility and lower costs of IT. An emerging cloud service is a virtual server shop, that allows cloud customers to order virtual appliances to be delivered virtually on the cloud. Like physical shops, customers want to customize the ordered products, e.g., have them pre-installed with their desired applications and pre-configured. Global cloud providers need to create customized virtual-server disk images and deliver them on time to meet the customer reservations and service level. This framework creates a new flavor of content distribution over the web, where large virtual server images need to be delivered to the target compute farms (either on the global cloud or on customer private clouds). In order to reduce provisioning time and meet reservation deadlines, one approach is to stage images on storage near the customer. This introduces an optimization problem of finding an optimal staging schedule, according to network bandwidth, pending reservations schedule, and customer value. This problem has some similarities to cache pre-filling and production-line scheduling. It combines scheduling, bandwidth considerations, and storage capacity constraints. In this paper we study the fundamental properties of this approach and formalize several flavors of the related optimization problem. We prove useful properties of the problem and then use those properties to provide exact efficient algorithms to solve it. We also derive efficient approximate solutions with proven error bounds.
Clonal isolation of murine sarcoma virus (MSV): characterization of virus produced from transformed cells.

Abstract Murine sarcoma virus (MSV)-Moloney was cloned in normal rat kidney (NRK) cell cultures using an agar overlay method. Colonies of MSV-transformed cells were isolated and examined for the production of virus by biological and biophysical methods. Two types of MSV-transformed cell clones were obtained. One clonal line, NRK(MSV-1), released MSV that transformed NRK with one-hit kinetics, but was restricted in 3T3 mouse cells. Although the virus released from NRK(MSV-1) cells transformed NRK cells, it failed to replicate. However, dual infection of NRK cells with MSV-1 (NRK) and Moloney leukemia virus (MoLV) resulted in the production of infectious MSV with the host range characteristic of the MoLV pseudotype. Furthermore, direct MoLV infection of nonproducer NRK cells transformed by MSV-1-(NRK) also resulted in production of MSV. The other clonal line, NRK(MSV-6), released a nontransforming virus that appears to be noninfectious for NRK or 3T3 cells. The virus produced by NRK(MSV-6) cells did not rescue MSV from nonproducer hamster or rat cells. Superinfection of NRK(MSV-6) cells with murine leukemia virus failed to rescue MSV. Both clones released viral particles with a density of 1.15 g/cm3 in equilibrium sucrose gradients and the virions contained 70 S RNA. Cloned and uncloned MSV (NRK) samples were assayed for excess MoLV by the viral interference test. Cloned MSV (NRK) did not contain MoLV in excess, whereas the parental uncloned MSV (NRK) contained a 16-fold excess of MoLV. These findings demonstrate that MSV can transform a cell and replicate therein without added leukemia virus. However, the newly synthesized virus exists as two classes. One class has no demonstrable infectivity; the other class can infect and transform rat cells, but no parental type progeny particles are made.
Effects of processing parameters in P/M steel forging on part properties: A review part II forging of sintered compact

In the last decade, powder metallurgy (P/M) technology has made marked advances in competitive manufacturing. P/M offers design opportunities that are not possible with other methods, as well as significant cost savings. The processing parameters, material characteristics, individual stages of parts production, deformation and densification mechanics and tooling, and preform design influence the properties of the P/M part and related economics. Therefore, a review of the various parameters involved in the different stages of P/M steel forging in net-shape manufacturing and their implications on resulting properties of the P/M parts is presented in a three-part review. Part I discussed the issues of powder preparation, compaction, and sintering in the stages of preparing a sintered compact. This review (Part II) identifies key parameters in forging the sintered compact that influence the properties of the powder forged part. Part III reviews currently available analysis methods for studying the powder forging process.
The TSC1-TSC2 Complex Is Required for Proper Activation of mTOR Complex 2

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that forms two functionally distinct complexes important for nutrient and growth factor signaling. Both complexes phosphorylate a hydrophobic motif on downstream protein kinases, which contributes to the activation of these kinases. mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) phosphorylates S6K1, while mTORC2 phosphorylates Akt. The TSC1-TSC2 complex is a critical negative regulator of mTORC1. However, how mTORC2 is regulated and whether the TSC1-TSC2 complex is involved are unknown. We find that mTORC2 isolated from a variety of cells lacking a functional TSC1-TSC2 complex is impaired in its kinase activity toward Akt. Importantly, the defect in mTORC2 activity in these cells can be separated from effects on mTORC1 signaling and known feedback mechanisms affecting insulin receptor substrate-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Our data also suggest that the TSC1-TSC2 complex positively regulates mTORC2 in a manner independent of its GTPase-activating protein activity toward Rheb. Finally, we find that the TSC1-TSC2 complex can physically associate with mTORC2 but not mTORC1. These data demonstrate that the TSC1-TSC2 complex inhibits mTORC1 and activates mTORC2, which through different mechanisms promotes Akt activation.
Site-Specific incorporation of tryptophan analogues into recombinant proteins in bacterial cells

A designed yeast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (yPheRS (T415G)) activates four tryptophan (Trp) analogues (6-chlorotryptophan (6ClW), 6-bromotryptophan (6BrW), 5-bromotryptophan (5BrW), and benzothienylalanine (BT)) that are not utilized by the endogenous E. coli translational apparatus. Introduction of yPheRS (T415G) and a mutant yeast phenylalanine amber suppressor tRNA (ytRNA^(Phe)_(CUA_UG)) into an E. coli expression host allowed site-specific incorporation of three of these analogues (6ClW, 6BrW, and BT) into recombinant murine dihydrofolate reductase in response to amber stop codons with at least 98% fidelity. All three analogues were introduced at the Trp66 position in the chromophore of a cyan fluorescent protein variant (CFP6) to investigate the attendant changes in spectral properties. Each of the analogues caused blue shifts in the fluorescence emission and absorption maxima. The CFP6 variant bearing BT at position 66 exhibited an unusually large Stokes shift (56 nm). An expanded set of genetically encoded Trp analogues should enable the design of new proteins with novel spectral properties.
Double-beam lens spectroscopy with dual-beam configuration based on photo-differential detection

Photothermal lensing spectroscopy, such as thermal lens spectroscopy and photothermal refraction, has been the subject of much interest as a new analytical technique for ultrasensitive absorption measurements. However, the limit of detection of this technique is often dominated by the background signal caused by the absorption of solvent itself or by impurities in the solvent. A simple method for diminishing the background signal is to use a solvent with low absorptivity, like carbon dioxide in supercritical fluid chromatography. Another method is to use a differential technique. In thermal lens spectroscopy (TLS), both single-beam and dual-beam configurations have been used. A dual-beam configuration with a single laser has also been reported. In a single-beam configuration, a differential response of the system was obtained by the use of the antisymmetric dependence of the thermal lens effect on the position of the lens relative to the waist in a Gaussian beam. This technique was applied to the detection of liquid chromatographic effluents to compensate for solvent absorbance. On the other hand, no study has been made on a double-beam system with a dual-beam optical configuration. In this paper, a new double-beam system based on a dual-beam configuration is proposed to compensate for the background signal due to solvent absorption.
Pulse dispersion in microstrip lines: an extended Taylor series approach

The simulation of pulse propagation in microstrip transmission lines through a Taylor series expansion is described. The software developed to perform the simulation can model either a single stripline or a coplanar stripline, and provides accurate simulations with graphic output. Systems operating at millimeter-wave frequencies are subject to dispersion and attenuation, which need to be understood by the system designer. These characteristics are normally described by complicated equations which are not readily solved. The alternative often chosen is the numerical, curve-fitted CAD equation. These equations are used with a Taylor series expansion to give additional insight into the system. >
Symplectic obstructions to the existence of ω-compatible Einstein metrics

Abstract It is shown that the existence of an ω -compatible Einstein metric on a compact symplectic manifold ( M , ω ) imposes certain restrictions on the symplectic Chern numbers. Examples of symplectic manifolds which do not satisfy these restrictions are given. The results offer partial support to a conjecture of Goldberg.
Booby trapping software

Cyber warfare is asymmetric in the current paradigm, with attackers having the high ground over defenders. This asymmetry stems from the situation that attackers have the initiative, while defenders concentrate on passive fortifications. Defenders are constantly patching the newest hole in their defenses and creating taller and thicker walls, without placing guards on those walls to watch for the enemy and react to attacks. Current passive cyber security defenses such as intrusion detection, anti-virus, and hardened software are not sufficient to repel attackers. In fact, in conventional warfare this passivity would be entirely nonsensical, given the available active strategies, such as counterattacks and deception.Based on this observation, we have identified the technique of booby trapping software. This extends the arsenal of weaponry available to defenders with an active technique for directly reacting to attacks. Ultimately, we believe this approach will restore some of the much sought after equilibrium between attackers and defenders in the digital domain.
Medical Aspects of Liver Transplantation

The methods used to screen prospective candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation are described. Both the indication and the contraindications for the procedure are discussed. The timing of the procedure during the course of an individual candidate's liver disease is also discussed. Additionally, the institutional requirements of a liver transplant center are identified. Finally, the problems experienced by a liver transplant patient and his physician during the postoperative period are identified and discussed.
Bayesian estimates of predictive value and related parameters of a diagnostic test

Bayesian analysis of predictive values and related parameters of a diagnostic test are derived. In one case, the estimates are conditional on values of the prevalence of the disease; in the second case, the corresponding unconditional estimates are presented. Small-sample point estimates, posterior moments, and credibility intervals for all related parameters are obtained. Numerical methods of solution are also discussed. On s'interesse a une analyse bayesienne de la capacite de predire d'un test diagnostique, ainsi qu'a des parametres qui lui sont associes. On considere a la fois des estimateurs qui sont conditionnels a la frequence de la maladie et des estimateurs qui ne le sont pas. On obtient des estimateurs ponctuels pour de petits echantillons, des moments a posteriori et des intervalles de credibilite pour tous les parametres pertinents. Des methodes numeriques conduisant aux solutions sont aussi presentees.
CHARACTERIZATION OF SULFUR MUSTARD–INDUCED TOXICITY BY ENZYME HISTOCHEMISTRY IN PORCINE SKIN

The isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF) has been validated as an invitro model to study the cutaneous toxicology of numerous compounds, including sulfur mustard (bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide; HD). Enzyme histochemistry of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), and nonspecific esterase (NSE) was performed on skin dosed with HD from the IPPSF. Flaps from the dose response study were treated with 10.0 (n = 5), 5.0 (n = 4), 2.5 (n = 4), 1.25 (n = 3), 0.5 (n = 3), and 0.2 (n = 4) mg/mL HD in absolute ethanol (EtOH) and perfused for 8 h. Flaps from the time response study were treated with 10.0 mg/mL HD in EtOH or the EtOH vehicle and perfused for 1 (n = 4), 3 (n = 4), 5 (n = 4), and 8 h (n = 3). In the time response study, significant differences (SD) (p <. 05) were found in the stratum basale with ALP (3 h HD SD from the 3 h EtOH; 3 h HD SD from the 8 h HD), ACP (3 h HD SD from the 3 h EtOH), and NSE (8 h HD SD from the 8 h EtOH); in the stratum spinosum with NSE (1 h HD SD from the 1 h EtOH...
Conversational use of writing in severe aphasia: A group treatment approach

Background: Several studies have documented the ability of individuals with severe aphasia to relearn the spelling of target words so that written communication can augment limited spoken language abilities. To date, there has been little documentation of clinical methods to facilitate the conversational use of written communication in such individuals. Aims: The present study was designed to examine treatment outcomes in response to single-word writing treatment complemented by a group treatment approach to facilitate the use of writing for conversation. Methods & Procedures: Four individuals with chronic, severe aphasia and agraphia received copy and recall treatment (CART) that included repeated copying and recall trials for spelling target words, as well as small group writing treatment. Single-subject multiple baseline designs were implemented to document progress on sets of words sequentially targeted for treatment. Writing was probed in the context of individual treatment sessions, structured group...
The PRAISE! Project: A Church-Based Nutrition Intervention Designed for Cultural Appropriateness, Sustainability, and Diffusion

Cancer prevention research has inadequately reached the African American community despite a higher risk for cancer and many other chronic diseases. Reasons for this failure include historical mistrust of research and medical institutions; lack of culturally relevant interventions; and a failure to design and implement interventions that “ give back” to the community. The Partnership to Reach African Americans to Increase Smart Eating (PRAISE!) project is a National Cancer Institute-funded study that developed and tested a nutrition intervention program in partnership with African American churches. Sixty churches and over 1300 individuals participated in this 5 year randomized controlled trial. In this article, the authors describe the design and implementation of the PRAISE! intervention, building on the strengths of the African American church to create a community-university partnership to enhance cultural relevance of the intervention and foster the potential for long term sustainability and diffusion in the African American community.
Public Real Estate Limited Partnership Returns: A Preliminary Comparison with Other Investments

Real Estate Limited Partnership (RELP) securities have attracted substantial investor interest, but limited research study. This paper, utilizing a very recent database of actual RELP secondary market transactions, provides preliminary evidence regarding the relative performance of RELP securities, as well as the interrelationships between RELP returns and the returns of Treasury bills and bonds and common stock. Results suggest that RELP returns are negatively correlated with common stock returns, but are positively correlated with the rate of inflation. RELP returns do not consistently exceed the rate of inflation nor do they exceed common stock returns. RELP returns also failed to outperform a broadly-based income property index.
Polyanions and the Proteome

The behavior of the proteome reflects spatial and temporal organization both within and without cells. We propose that various macromolecular entities possessing polyanionic character such as proteoglycans, lipid bilayer surfaces, microtubules, microfilaments, and polynucleotides may provide a functional network that mediates a variety of cellular phenomena. The interaction of proteins with this array of polyanions is characterized by a lower degree of specificity than seen with most commonly recognized macromolecular interactions. In this commentary, potential roles for this polyanion network in diverse functions such as protein/protein interactions, protein folding and stabilization, macromolecular transport, and various disease processes are all considered, as well as the use of polyanions as therapeutic agents. The role of small polyanions in the regulation of protein/polyanion interactions is also postulated. We provide preliminary experimental analysis of the extent to which proteins interact with polyanions inside cells using a combination of two-dimensional chromatographic and electrophoretic methods and antibody arrays. We conclude that many hundreds to thousands of such interactions are present in cells and argue that future understanding of the proteome will require that the "polyanion world" be taken into account.
Stem cell debate extends to scientists

In an article published as “News” (“A first step in relaxing restrictions on stem cell research,” C. Holden, News of the Week, 13 March, p. [1412][1]), a one-sided depiction of the debate among scientists on embryonic stem cell research is presented. The article reports President Obama's signing of an executive order that lifts the restrictions on stem cell research laid down by President Bush in 2001. Instead of beginning the article “Scientists are breathing a huge sigh of relief,” Holden should have begun by stating that “ Some scientists are breathing a huge sigh of relief.” She should have recognized that not all scientists support embryonic stem cell research and not all are relieved at President Obama's recent action. ![Figure][2] CREDIT: ZBIGNIEW BZDAK/MCT/LANDOV [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.323.5920.1412 [2]: pending:yes
Parental Investment and Avian Reproductive Rate: Williams’s Principle Reconsidered

Abstract: Beginning with George Williams’s concept of present and residual (future) reproductive value, life‐history theory has considered that the optimized level of parental investment (i.e., assumed risk) should increase in proportion to the annual mortality rate of parent individuals. However, when the survival of young from independence to maturity is separated from parental reproductive success, optimized parental investment is proportional, instead, to prereproductive survival when reproductive and nonreproductive components of adult mortality are additive (simultaneous risk) or to the ratio of prereproductive survival to adult nonreproductive survival when the adult mortality components are multiplicative (independent risk). Applied to the lower, and largely nonoverlapping, brood sizes of tropical compared to temperate and boreal birds, estimates of both adult and prereproductive survival do not predict different levels of reproductive investment. Accordingly, the pervasive increase in clutch size...
A Conversation with Timothy McCall, MD

Timothy McCall, MD, is a board-certified internist, the medical editor of Yoga Journal, and the author of two books, Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing and Examining Your Doctor: A Patient's Guide to Avoiding Harmful Medical Care. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, The Nation, The Boston Globe, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Los Angeles Times. Timothy has studied Yoga since 1995 with Patricia Walden, a teacher of classical Iyengar Yoga. More recently, he has been working with Donald Moyer and Rod Stryker. In addition, Timothy travels regularly to India to research Yoga, Yoga therapy, and Ayurveda and to study with a traditional Ayurvedic vaidhya (doctor) in Kerala and a Tantric master in Bangalore. After completing his residency in primary care internal medicine, he practiced for more than 10 years in the Boston area before devoting himself full-time to writing an...
Analysis of parametric uncertainty propagation in detailed combustion chemistry

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates the nonintrusive analysis of parametric uncertainty. Quantification of spectral modes adds a new level of understanding, identifying the significance of individual uncertain parameters and determining where within the evolution of the system each parameter has the most influence. In this study, a technique of uncertainty quantification through spectral projection methods is used to examine the propagation of parametric uncertainty through 0D combustion chemistry and 1D premixed flame, with a focus on higher-order information and the correlations among parameters. Compared to conventional Monte Carlo analysis, this method quantifies the extent, dependence, and propagation of uncertainty through the model system and allows correlation of uncertainties in specific parameters to the resulting total uncertainty in product concentrations and flame structure. Analysis of 0D and 1D hydrogen-oxygen combustion demonstrates that known empirical uncertainties in model parameters may result in large uncertainties in the final output, and nonlinearities in system response behavior make the order of the analysis an important consideration. Furthermore, this analysis is readily extendable to multiple dimensions and greater numbers of uncertain parameters, while preserving the integrity of the realization engine through the nonintrusive operation of the method.
Mechanisms of CD40 Signaling in the Immune System

Publisher Summary CD40, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, is required at two biological checkpoints by two different cell types in order to generate a functional adaptive immune response. The first checkpoint is the cognate interaction between dendritic cells (DC) and CD4T cells, and this checkpoint is essential for the initiation of cellular immunity. The second checkpoint, where CD40 signaling is required, is in the initiation of humoral immunity, with this event occurring through CD40 engagement on the B cell surface by CD154. CD40 binds TRAF1, TRAF2, TRAF3, TRAF5, and TRAF6. All TRAF molecules except TRAF1 contain the zinc binding RING finger domain at the N-terminus. Removal of this domain renders the TRAF unable to promote signaling, and the truncated TRAF molecules act as dominant negative molecules. TRAF1 can bind weakly to CD40, and its transcription and translation can be rapidly enhanced in B cell upon CD40 stimulation. TRAF1 interacts with TRAF2 and cooperates in CD40-mediated activation of the B cell lines, which complicates the understanding of the functions of TRAF1. TRAF2 and TRAF3 bind to an overlapping region of CD40 cytoplasmic tail. The engagement of CD40 by CD154 results in recruitment of the multimeric TRAF proteins to the receptor complex. The crystal structure of the complex between the receptor binding fragment of TRAF2 and its corresponding recognition site within the cytoplasmic tail shows that one trimeric TRAF protein is capable of binding three cytoplasmic tails. TRAF5 needs TRAF3 to exert its function, since it cannot bind directly to CD40.