cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards designing and developing curriculum for the challenges of the smart grid education

At the tipping of a paradigm shift in the way energy is produced, transmitted and delivered, the research efforts have not been paralleled by the curricular development. With rapid pace of changes in the field of Smart Grid (SG), the traditional research and educational efforts have been a major domain for electrical engineers. As a mode of discovery and education, interdisciplinarity facilitates broadened perspectives, ability to synthesize, analyze, integrate, and apply knowledge, and out-of-the-box thinking. The major contributions of this paper are discussion of requirements of the educational efforts in SG with special emphasis on multidisciplinarity, survey of the related work, which is the first in the literature to the best of our knowledge, and a discussion of the content for such an effort. A mixed team of power engineers and computer scientists are developing a layered curriculum starting from the introductory material from a variety of SG topics. A distinguishing advantage is the availability of many software tools and the state-of-the-art testbed as a result of years of research.
Amino acid neurotransmitters in the CNS: effect of thiopental

Abstract Thiopental, a thiobarbiturate which partitions prefentially into the hydrophobic environment, inhibited transport of amino acid neurotransmitters, GABA, aspartate and glutamate, and of biogenic amine, dopamine, across the synaptosomal membrane. At a given protein and thiopental concentration GABA transport was more sensitive to the barbiturate than were the movements of aspartate and glutamate although the uptake of each amino acid was inhibited essentially to the same extent as was its K + -stimulated release. By contrast, inhibition of dopamine uptake was larger than that of its release. Thiopental also inhibited the release of amino acid neurotransmitters caused by anaerobiosis. It is suggested that the barbiturate modifies the properties of the synaptosomal lipids and/or hydrophobic segments of proteins and thereby, simultaneously and independently, affects various membrane functions. The equal inhibition of uptake and release of amino acid neurotransmitters is consistent with the postulate that their transport occurs through the reversible membrane carriers which function efficiently in both the inward and outward directions. Thiopental Amino acid transport GABA Aspartate Glutamate Dopamine
Comparative neuropathology and diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

In their paper in this issue of The American Journal of Pathology, Schmidt and co-workers 1 extend their comparative studies of neuropathological changes of autonomic ganglia in diabetes mellitus to several mouse models of this debilitating disease. Neurological complications of diabetes are frequent, affecting both sensorimotor and autonomic components of the peripheral nervous system. Diabetic sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathy have a considerable impact on a patient’s quality of life and also represent a significant economic burden for public health systems. 2,3 Diabetic autonomic neuropathy may involve any organ innervated by the autonomic nervous system and result in significant and often concurrent cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurovascular, and metabolic dysfunction. 4 Considerable morbidity and mortality are associated with the late stages of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. 5 However, despite its clinical importance and a wealth of information relating to autonomic function in humans with diabetes, the neuropathology of diabetic autonomic neuropathy has, until recently, received less attention than diabetic sensorimotor neuropathy.
Proliferative and genotoxic cellular effects in 2-acetylaminofluorene bladder and liver carcinogenesis: biological modeling of the ED01 study.

Abstract The development of tumors in relationship to 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) dose and time on study has been evaluated in an experiment conducted by the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) using more than 24,000 female BALB/c mice. By using a biologically based model of two-event carcinogenesis accounting explicitly for both genotoxic and nongenotoxic proliferative effects at the cellular level, we provide a unifying explanation for the apparently disparate dose-response results observed in the urinary bladder and liver. Experimental observations of dose-related DNA adduct levels in both tissues and hyperplasia in the bladder were utilized in estimation of model parameters. Analyses demonstrate that tumor prevalence in the liver can be explained entirely by the influence of AAF on the first of two genetic events and in the bladder by the synergy between AAF genotoxicity affecting both genetic events and cellular proliferation at higher doses. These results are consistent across the entire ED01 data set.
Hyperglycemia and Insulin Resistance and the Risk of BPH/LUTS: an Update of Recent Literature

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent in older men and represent a substantial challenge to public health. Increasing epidemiologic evidence suggests that diabetes and associated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance significantly increase the risks of BPH and LUTS. Plausible pathophysiologic mechanisms to explain these associations include increased sympathetic tone, stimulation of prostate growth by insulin and related trophic factors, alterations in sex steroid hormone expression, and induction of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. This article presents a comprehensive update of the current understanding of clinical and epidemiologic research on diabetes and BPH/LUTS, describes hypothesized pathophysiologic mechanisms linking these conditions, and recommends future directions for research.
Natural-abundance 133C13C spin exchange in rigid crystalline organic solids

Abstract Natural-abundance 13C13C spin exchange, in the presence of proton dipolar couplings, has been investigated for the crystalline regions of two semicrystalline polymers, linear polyethylene (LPE), and cellulose. Because of very long longitudinal relaxation times, T1C, in these materials, spin exchange could be followed to times exceeding 100 s. This paper focuses on the behavior of spin exchange at the longer times. The incentive for investigating LPE was that other published work on this system suggested that spin exchange proceeded more rapidly than theory would predict. Our results on an oriented sample were similar to those reported. In addition, however, the spin-exchange behavior had an unexpected temperature dependence which, in turn, was attributed to temperature-dependent chain transport through the crystalline lattice. In the low-temperature limit, spin exchange was consistent with theory. In cellulose whose monomer contains six different carbons and whose crystal structure imposes magnetic inequivalence on certain carbons, there also exist questions about crystalline polymorphy. Spin exchange was studied following a selective population perturbation of only one multiplet component within the C1 resonance pattern. Results reenforced the hypothesis of polymorphy. Mathematical modeling of spin exchange in LPE and cellulose was carried out using an isolated-pair approximation. This model was shown to be a good description for only a few seconds. A correspondence between spin-exchange time and the distance of magnetization transport was estimated both by analyzing the isolated-pair decay and by considering the probability profile for isolated n-spin clusters as a function time. This correspondence between time and distance shows that classical diffusion behavior is not followed. Influence of spin exchange on T1C measurements is also discussed.
Growth factors in asymptomatic osteoarthritis - insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, growth hormone

An association of growth hormone (GH) and chronic arthritis has been demonstrated in patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA), in patients with acromegaly and in animals with experimental arthritis. We investigated a possible role for the growth factors, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin and GH in the aetiopathogenesis of OA by measuring serum levels in OA patients with symptoms and in OA patients without symptoms.
Magnetic resonance planimetry of the vena contracta as a new approach to assessment of stenotic heart valves: an in vitro study.

Exact determination of the orifice area in stenotic valve disease is essential to guide therapy. With the standard imaging methods, the orifice area has to be calculated by empirically-derived formulas, which may be susceptible to changes in hemodynamic status, leading to wrong therapeutic decisions. We tested the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify the orifice area by planimetry of the proximal vena contracta (PVC) in an idealized, constant-flow model in a 1.0-T tomograph (Siemens Magnetom Expert). There was a close correlation of the PVC area in MRI and the true orifice area (r2 = 0.985), and agreement of the methods as measured by the Bland-Altman test was significant with a low systematic error of –0.02 cm2. We conclude that MRI planimetry of the PVC in stenotic valves in a constant-flow model may be used to reliably measure the orifice area. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;14:31–34. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A method for the isolation of human gastric mucous epithelial cells for primary cell culture: A comparison of biopsy vs surgical tissue

We have developed a method for the isolation and growth of normal human gastric mucous epithelial cells using biopsies or surgically resected tissues as the source of the cells. The attachment and growth of cells were dependent upon: (1) cell planting density, ∼50,000 cells/cm2; (2) extracellular matrix (fibronectin); and (3) and the use of a porous filter. In all experiments we found better cells attachment and growth of human gastric mucous cells isolated from surgical specimens compared with those gastric mucous cells isolated from gastric biopsies. The initial cell viability (as measured by Trypan-blue) was the same in both populations of gastric mucous epithelial cells isolated from either gastric biopsies or surgical specimens. After 4–5 days in culture one could detect various amounts of mucin in all the cells using either periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining or a specific anti-mucin antibody. A similar pattern of much straining was also found in primary cultures of guinea pig gastric mucous epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical staining for chief cells (anti-pepsinogen) or parietal cells (anti-H+/K+ ATPasc) in the gastric mucous cuboidal-like epithelial cells with tight junctions, desmosomes,short microvilli, a filamentous terminal web, mucous granules, and basal lamina-like structure. We could not detect the presence of fibroblasts during the 7–9 days that the primary cells were in culture. This cell culture method will prove useful in the isolation of normal human gastric mucous epithelial cells for in vitro studies of gastric mucosal injury and repair.
Monoamine- and Histamine-Synthesizing Enzymes and Neurotransmitters Within Neurons of Adult Human Cardiac Ganglia

Background—Cardiac ganglia were originally thought to contain only cholinergic neurons relaying parasympathetic information from preganglionic brain stem neurons to the heart. Accumulating evidence, however, suggests that cardiac ganglia contain a heterogeneous population of neurons that synthesize or respond to several different neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Reports regarding monoamine and histamine synthesis and neurotransmission within cardiac ganglia, however, present conflicting information or are limited in number. Furthermore, very few studies have examined the neurochemistry of adult human cardiac ganglia. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to determine whether monoamine- and histamine-synthesizing enzymes and neurotransmitters exist within neurons of adult human cardiac ganglia. Methods and Results—Human heart tissue containing cardiac ganglia was obtained during autopsies of patients without cardiovascular pathology. Avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry was used to demonstrat...
Identification of PhoP-PhoQ activated genes within a duplicated region of the Salmonella typhimurium chromosome.

Abstract Salmonellae virulence requires the PhoP-PhoQ two-component regulatory system. PhoP-PhoQ activate the transcription of genes following phagocytosis by macrophages which are necessary for survival within the phagosome environment. Thirteen previously undefined PhoP-activated gene fusions generated by MudJ and TnphoA(pag A, andE-P, respectively) were cloned and sequenced. Mostpagproducts show no similarity to proteins in the database, while others are predicted to encode: a UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (pagA); a protein with similarity to the product of anE. colialuminium-induced gene (pagH); a protein encoded within aSalmonella-unique region adjacent to thesinRgene (pagN); a protein similar to a product of theYersiniavirulence plasmid (pagO); and a protein with similarity to CrcA which is necessary for resistance ofE. colito camphor (pagP). Of thepagcharacterized, onlypagK, MandOwere closely linked.pagJandpagKwere shown to be unlinked but nearly identical in DNA sequence, as each was located within a 1.6 kb DNA duplication. The translations of sequences surroundingpagJandpagKshow similarity to proteins from extrachromosomal elements as well as those involved in DNA transposition and rearrangement, suggesting that this region may have been or is a mobile element. The transcriptional start sites ofpagK, M, andJwere determined; however, comparison to other knownpaggene promoters failed to reveal a consensus sequence for PhoP-regulated activation. DNA sequences hybridizing to aSalmonella typhimurium pagKspecific probe were found inS. enteritidisbut absent in otherSalmonellaserotypes and Enterobacteriaceae tested, suggesting that these genes are specific for broad host range Salmonellae that cause diarrhoea in humans. Cumulatively, these data further demonstrate: (1) that PhoP-PhoQ is a global regulator of the production of diverse envelope or secreted proteins; (2) that PhoP-PhoQ regulate the production of proteins of redundant function; and (3) thatpagare often located in regions of horizontally acquired DNA that are absent in other Enterobacteriaceae.
Immunosuppressive and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Triptolide, the Principal Active Diterpenoid from the Chinese Medicinal Herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.

Extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii hook. f. (leigong teng, Thundergod vine) are effective in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of immune inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, nephritis and asthma. Characterisation of the terpenoids present in extracts of Tripterygium identified triptolide, a diterpenoid triepoxide, as responsible for most of the immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects observed in vitro. Triptolide inhibits lymphocyte activation and T-cell expression of interleukin-2 at the level of transcription. In all cell types examined, triptolide inhibits nuclear factor-κB transcriptional activation at a unique step in the nucleus after binding to DNA. Further characterisation of the molecular mechanisms of triptolide action will serve to elucidate pathways of immune system regulation.
B side electron transfer in a Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center mutant in which the B side monomer bacteriochlorophyll is replaced with bacteriopheophytin: Low-temperature study and energetics of charge-separated states

The mutation, HL(M182), in the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center (RC) results in the replacement of the monomer bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) on the inactive side (B side) of the RC with a bacteriopheophytin (BPheo; the new cofactor is referred to as o B ). In o B -containing RCs, the first excited state of the primary donor (P * ) decays with an accelerated time constant of 2.6 ′ 0.1 ps at room temperature as compared to 3.1 ′ 0.2 ps in wild-type (WT) RCs. At low temperatures, P * decay is essentially the same in the HL(M182) mutant and WT RCs: 1.4 ′ 0.1 ps at 77 K and 1.1 ′ 0.1 ps at 9 K. The yield of the charge-separated P + o B - state decreases from 35% at room temperature to 12% at 77 and 9 K. The decreased P + o B - yield is apparently due to the fact that the rate of the charge separation along the A side of the RC at low temperature increases, while the rate along the B side remains essentially unchanged. From measurements of the long-lived fluorescence decay at room temperature, the standard free energy of the P + o B - state is estimated to be about 0.16 ′ 0.04 eV below P * . Given a difference between the midpoint potentials of BChl and BPheo of 0.26 ′ 0.03 V, the standard free energy of the P + B B - state in WT RC is estimated to be 0.1 ′ 0.07 eV above P * .
Excitation Transfer Theory: An Analysis of the Abu Ghraib Prison Abuse Scandal

This study examines the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal based on excitation transfer theory, a theory based on the premise that the excitation from one stimulus can be transferred to influence behavior related to another stimulus. To logically and methodically sequence this study, excerpts from media publications are textually analyzed in order to identify the specific media portrayals of the American military abusers in the Abu Ghraib prison and the culpability of the U.S. military in general. The ultimate goal of this article is to demonstrate how these media depictions have the capacity to psychologically stimulate some media consumers into a mode of indiscriminate emotional response toward some members of the American military system.
Zigzag waveguide demultiplexer for multimode WDM LAN

The authors demonstrate a compact polymer waveguide wavelength demultiplexer using a novel zigzag geometry to achieve low insertion loss. Eye-safe, error-free four-channel operation is demonstrated at a 10 Gbd aggregate rate over 100 m of 62.5 /spl mu/m multimode fibre.
Large solutions of semilinear elliptic equations under the Keller–Osserman condition

Abstract We consider the equation Δ u = p ( x ) f ( u ) where p is a nonnegative nontrivial continuous function and f is continuous and nondecreasing on [ 0 , ∞ ) , satisfies f ( 0 ) = 0 , f ( s ) > 0 for s > 0 and the Keller–Osserman condition ∫ 1 ∞ ( F ( s ) ) − 1 / 2 d s = ∞ where F ( s ) = ∫ 0 s f ( t ) d t . We establish conditions on the function p that are necessary and sufficient for the existence of positive solutions, bounded and unbounded, of the given equation.
Molecular Basis for the Instability of Parasitic Actin Filaments

Apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii use gliding motility to infect host cells, and actin is involved in the regulation of this motility. However Toxoplasma actin, unlike vertebrate actin, does not form long conventional filaments and has been found to have very different polymerization properties. In this work in vitro experiments and molecular modeling are used to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind the unusual instability of parasite actin relative to muscle actin. In vitro observations suggested that the parasite actin are inherently unstable, and stable filaments were only able to be formed with high concentrations of phalloidin. Molecular models of parasite actin filament were constructed and the dynamics were compared with muscle filament actin dynamics to tease the out the differences at the molecular level between these two systems. We found specific amino acid differences gave rise to changes in the interactions between monomers within the filament, and mutation of these residues was able to restore filament stability in experiments. Implications for the structure of the actin filament and the interaction of actin binding drugs will be discussed.
Native American impacts on fire regimes of the California coastal ranges

Aim Native American burning impacts on California shrubland dominated landscapes are evaluated relative to the natural lightning fire potential for affecting landscape patterns. Location Focus was on the coastal ranges of central and southern California. Methods Potential patterns of Indian burning were evaluated based upon historical documents, ethnographic accounts, archaeological records and consideration of contemporary land management tactics. Patterns of vegetation distribution in this region were evaluated relative to environmental factors and the resilience of the dominant shrub vegetation to different fire frequencies. Results Lightning fire frequency in this region is one of the lowest in North America and the density of pre-Columbian populations was one of the highest. Shrublands dominate the landscape throughout most of the region. These woody communities have weak resilience to high fire frequency and are readily displaced by annual grasses and forbs under high fire frequency. Intact shrublands provided limited resources for native Americans and thus there was ample motivation for using fire to degrade this vegetation to an open mosaic of shrubland/grassland, not unlike the agropastoral modification of ecologically related shrublands by Holocene peoples in the Mediterranean Basin. Alien-dominated grasslands currently cover approximately one-quarter of the landscape and less than 1% of these grasslands have a significant native grass presence. Ecological studies in the Californian coastal ranges have failed to uncover any clear soil or climate factors explaining grassland and shrubland distribution patterns. Main conclusions Coastal ranges of California were regions of high Indian density and low frequency of lightning fires. The natural vegetation dominants on this landscape are shrubland vegetation that often form dense impenetrable stands with limited resources for Native Americans. Natural fire frequencies are not high enough to maintain these landscapes in habitable mixtures of shrublands and grasslands but such landscape mosaics are readily produced with additional human subsidy of ignitions. It is hypothesized that a substantial fraction of the landscape was type converted from shrubland to grassland and much of the landscape that underwent such type conversion has either been maintained by Euro-American land management practices or resisted recolonization of native shrublands. It appears that these patterns are disturbance dependent and result from anthropogenic alteration of landscapes initiated by Native Americans and sustained and expanded upon by Euro-American settlers.
Prognostic assessment of survivors of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation with ambulatory monitoring

Abstract The ability to assess prognosis in patients with serious ventricular arrhythmias treated with antiarrhythmic drugs by the degree of complexity on the 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram was evaluated in 59 survivors of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation. After conventional therapy had failed, patients were treated with investigational drugs until symptomatic VT was abolished. A Holter monitor recording, obtained once the therapeutic regimen was established, was graded for the presence or absence of asymptomatic VT. Fifty-two patients were asymptomatic at discharge and were followed for 700 days. Of 44 patients followed for 1 year, none had recurrent syncope or died if asymptomatic VT was absent at 1 month (p
Comic circuit: an online community for the creation and consumption of news comics

News articles present important information in a lengthy, often exclusively textual way, which can be less accessible for teens and young adults looking to scan information quickly. News articles have the potential to reach a wider audience and tell more effective stories if presented in a visual, succinct, and engaging manner. Comics are a medium that can become an alternative to news articles, because their storyboard format has the ability to both inform and excite readers. We propose Comic Circuit, a website where users can create and consume news comics that are based on news articles. Low and medium fidelity prototypes of the system were designed after interviewing expert cartoonists and creating personas of potential users. We used our mid-fi mockups to conduct user testing with young adults, and did additional quality assurance of our design with a quantitative study. We present a high-fidelity prototype of Comic Circuit based on this testing and research. The community of users can benefit from this system by consuming news quickly, gaining recognition for their comic creation work, and expanding their skill set.
White-light-emitting diodes for illumination

White light for illumination can be produced from LEDs either by combining red, green and blue emitting chips in one lamp, or by using phosphors to down-convert the emission of short wavelength emitting InGaN LEDs. Both concepts will be critically reviewed, and simulations compared with experimental evaluations. As expected, each solution has advantages, but also drawbacks, which are weighted by the specifics of the applications. The overall picture strongly depends on the efficiencies of the single color chips, the temperature coefficients of all involved materials, and the wanted light output per lamp.
High-performance anion-exchange chromatography of oligonucleotides.

Abstract Several types of high-performance silica-based supports have been found to be effective in the separation of polynucleotides. The principal difference in these materials is the type of bonded phase and the method by which it is attached to the silica support. One approach is the coupling of stationary-phase groups to the surface through siloxane bonding. This technique is simple and produces a material of high capacity and resolution, but it suffers from poor bonded-phase stability. An alternative approach is the adsorption of low-molecular-weight polyethylene imines (PEI) that are crosslinked into a surface film. The stationary phase is held in place by adsorption of the film at multiple sites. A previous report on this material showed the resolution of oligonucleotides containing up to 30 bases. This paper reports further optimization of the PEI bonding chemistry in the preparation of HP-IEC columns for oligonucleotides and tRNA species. Quaternization of the ion-exchange matrix was found to increase resolution of oligonucleotides from 30 to 50 bases. The same support was found to be capable of resolving multiple tRNA species. Separations were achieved on small (0.42 × 5 cm) columns, using a 60- to 120-min ammonium sulfate gradient. The initial solvent was 15% acetonitrile in 0.05 m potassium phosphate (pH 5.9). The addition of 1 m ammonium sulfate to the initial solvent was used to prepare the final solvent.
Axonal Degeneration in Motor Neuron Disease

Growing evidence from animal models and patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suggests that distal axonal degeneration begins very early in this disease, long before symptom onset and motor neuron death. The cause of axonal degeneration is unknown, and may involve local axonal damage, withdrawal of trophic support from a diseased cell body, or both. It is increasingly clear that axons are not passive extensions of their parent cell bodies, and may die by mechanisms independent of cell death. This is supported by studies in which protection of motor neurons in models of ALS did not significantly improve symptoms or prolong lifespan, likely due to a failure to protect axons. Here, we will review the evidence for early axonal degeneration in ALS, and discuss possible mechanisms by which it might occur, with a focus on oxidative stress. We contend that axonal degeneration may be a primary feature in the pathogenesis of motor neuron disease, and that preventing axonal degeneration represents an important therapeutic target that deserves increased attention.
Immunochemical analysis of molecular forms of protein synthesis initiation factors in crude cell lysates of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Three initiation factors (IF1, IF2, and IF3) have been highly purified from Escherichia coli and extensively characterized, but little is known about the molecular forms of these proteins as they occur in vivo . We have analyzed molecular-weight and charge forms in crude cell lysates by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting with antibodies specific for the initiation factors. Freshly grown bacterial cells were lysed by sonication in buffer containing sodium dodecyl sulfate, and the lysate was fractionated by gel electrophoresis. Proteins from the gel were electrotransferred to a nitrocellulose sheet which was treated with a specific rabbit antiserum followed by radiolabeled Staphylococcus aureus protein A. Autoradiography showed only one major band each for IF1 and IF3, exactly corresponding to the isolated factors. For IF2, two molecular-weight forms were detected which were identical with purified IF2a and IF2b. No evidence for precursor forms was found. Two-dimensional gel analysis showed no charge heterogeneity for IF1, IF2a, and IF3, but multiple forms were seen for IF2b. Analysis of phosphoproteins from cells grown in radioactive phosphate medium ruled out the possibility that phosphorylation occurs on the initiation factors, elongation factors, or ribosomal proteins.
A Review of the Evidence for Pine-Oak Niche Differentiation in the American Southwest

ABSTRACT Pine-oak forests of the Southwestern United States contain a unique mixture of species that are distributed across light, temperature, and moisture resource gradients. Pines and oaks in this region have developed an array of physiological and structural mechanisms that promote their success in hot, dry environments with high incident solar radiation. This article reviews the structural and physiological mechanisms responsible for the current abundance and distribution patterns of pines and oaks in high elevation woodlands of the Southwest. It highlights the niche differentiation of species as functions of their stress tolerance or avoidance strategies. This review reveals that pinyon pines are generally more stress tolerant than oaks, but that oaks are more tolerant of extreme growing conditions than other pines of the Southwest. While limited information exists that describes the physiological ecology of some of the pines and oaks in this biogeographical region, there are many opportunities for ...
Comparison and characterization of nuclear isolation procedures as applied to chick oviduct

A number of methods for the preparation of chick oviduct nuclei have been compared. Nuclei have been isolated in hypertonic sucrose and citric acid and the product has been characterized with respect to cleanliness, ultrastructure, RNA polymerase activity, RNA integrity, and chromatin composition. The study demonstrates that the choice of oviduct nuclear isolation procedure will depend markedly on the purpose for which the nuclei are required. Thus, nuclei prepared entirely in high-molarity sucrose retain the highest levels of RNA polymerase. Those prepared rapidly in the presence of citric acid retain nuclear RNA in an essentially undegraded state. Finally, a bulk preparation is described which, because of its adaptability and high yield of morphologically intact nuclei using large amounts of tissue, is ideal for use in preparing chromatin. Conditions are described by which isolated nuclei can be stored for up to 6 months and retain their morphology, chemical characteristics, and RNA polymerase activity.
A Mutation Correcting the DNA Interaction Defects of a Mutant Phage λ Terminase, gpNu1 K35A Terminase

Abstract Terminase, the DNA packaging enzyme of bacteriophage λ, is a heteromultimer composed of gpNu1 (181 aa) and gpA (641 aa) subunits, encoded by the λ Nu1 and A genes, respectively. Similarity between the deduced amino acid sequences of gpNu1 and gpA and the nucleotide binding site consensus sequence suggests that each terminase subunit has an ATP reactive center. Terminase has been shown to have two distinct ATPase activities. The gpNu1 subunit has a low-affinity ATPase stimulated by nonspecific DNA and gpA has a high-affinity ATPase. In previous work, a mutant terminase, gpNu1 K35A holoterminase, had a mild defect in interactions with DNA, such that twofold increased DNA concentrations were required both for full stimulation of the low-affinity ATPase and for saturation of the cos cleavage reaction. In addition, the gpNu1 K35A terminase exhibited a post-cleavage defect in DNA packaging that accounted for the lethality of the Nu1 K35A mutation [Y. Hwang and M. Feiss (1997) Virology 231, 218–230]. In the work reported here, a mutation in the turn of the putative helix-turn-helix DNA binding domain has been isolated as a suppressor of the gpNu1 K35A change. This suppressor mutation causes the change A14V in gpNu1. A14V reverses the DNA-binding defects of gpNu1 K35A terminase, both for stimulation of the low-affinity ATPase and for saturation of the cos cleavage defect. A14V suppresses the post-cleavage DNA packaging defect caused by the gpNu1 K35A change.
Digital Defense: Black Feminists Resist Violence With Hashtag Activism

Jada's sixteen-year-old half-clothed body was sprawled across the carpeted floor: eyes closed, mouth open, genitals exposed with one leg extended and the other slightly bent. Photos of the black hi...
Rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase is immunochemically and catalytically distinct from the liver enzyme

Summary Flavin-containing monooxygenase has been purified to homogeneity from lung microsomes of pregnant rabbits. Antibody to rabbit lung flavin-containing monooxygenase was raised in guinea pig. Ouchterlony double diffusion analysis with this antibody produced precipitin lines of identity with the purified rabbit lung enzyme and lung microsomes from pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits. No cross-reaction was seen with liver microsomes from rabbit or with purified pig liver enzyme. The tricyclic antidepressant drugs, imipramine and chlorpromazine, are not substrates for the rabbit lung enzyme, whereas they are rapidly oxidized by the pig liver enzyme. These results indicate that rabbit lung and liver flavin-containing monooxygenases differ in substrate specificity, are immunochemically distinct proteins, and may be different gene products.
Indocyanine green induces apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Abstract Purpose To examine whether indocyanine green (ICG) dye induces apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Design Laboratory investigation. Methods Pure cultures of human RPE cells were isolated. Retinal pigment epithelial cells were incubated with different concentrations of ICG dye (1 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml, or 20 mg/ml) for 30 minutes. The rate of RPE cell apoptosis was assessed with Annexin V-FITC staining and propidium iodide (PI) by flow cytometry. Results Retinal pigment epithelial cells maintained their monolayer morphology after incubation with ICG dye. However, ICG induced a statistically significant amount of apoptosis in RPE cells at all the concentrations (1 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml, and 20 mg/ml) after 30 minutes of incubation ( P Conclusions The incubation of RPE cells with ICG dye increased the number of apoptotic RPE cells in vitro. Our findings indicate that the decision over the intravitreal application of ICG dye needs to be made with caution.
Modification of Feedback Influence on Glomerular Filtration Rate by Acute Isotonic Extracellular Volume Expansion

The behavior of the feedback mechanism, that causes glomerular capillary pressure and filtration rate to decrease when tubule fluid flow rate through the loop of Henle of the same nephron is increased, was examined in rats before and during isotonic extracellular fluid volume expansion. The loop of Henle was perfused from the late proximal tubule at either 10 or 40 nl/min while proximal fluid was collected to measure single nephron filtration rate (SNGFR), while proximal stop-flow pressure (PSF) was measured, or while fluid was collected from the early distal tubule to assess reabsorption of fluid and electrolytes by the loop of Henle. During control periods increasing loop perfusion caused SNGFR to decrease 37%, PSF to decrease 19%, and absorption of fluid, sodium and chloride by the loop of Henle to increase. After 1 h of infusion of isotonic NaCl solution the same change in loop flow causes a 19% decrease in SNGFR and an 8% decrease in PSF. Fluid absorption by the loop of Henle did not increase with increased loop perfusion. Increases in Na and Cl absorption were similar to the increases in control periods. The smaller decreases in SNGFR and PSF indicate that acute volume expansion decreases the sensitivity of the feedback response. The mechanism of this decrease in gain could involve interference with local generation or action of angiotensin, or a change in the composition or pressure of interstitial fluid tending to dilate the pre-glomerular resistance vessels.
An analysis of the immunological specificity of antiserum against human IgG F(ab)2

Inhibition of the interaction between 131I human Fab and a standard dilution of rabbit anti-human F(ab)2, as measured in the ammonium sulfate technique, has been utilized to study and quantitate differences in antigenic determinants associated with pooled IgG, isolated IgG from normal individuals, IgG myeloma proteins of the four known subclasses and IgA and IgM paraproteins. Isolated IgG from four normal individuals was as effective as pooled IgG as an inhibitor of the standard anti-F(ab)2-131I Fab system, indicating that the inhibition system may be used to quantitate small amounts of normal IgG, assuming a normal distribution of K and λ light chains. When K and λ type IgG paraproteins of the four known subclasses were assayed as inhibitors, the K type paraproteins were more effective than the λ type paraproteins. However, the two were additive when mixed in the proportion of 23 K and 13 λ. When K and λ type IgA and IgM paraproteins were used in the inhibition system, neither were as effective as IgG; however, the K type paraproteins were more effective as inhibitors than the λ type. The mixture of 23 K and 13 λ IgA and IgM paraproteins were not additive but instead were dilutional. The test offers a sensitive method for studying antigenic determinants of protein molecules, previously evaluated only by the precipitation reaction or hemagglutination.
Effects of organic selenium supplementation on growth performance, carcass measurements, tissue selenium concentrations, characteristics of reproductive organs, and testis gene expression profiles in boars.

The objective was to compare growth and physiological responses in boars fed diets supplemented with organic or inorganic sources of Se. At weaning, crossbred boars (n = 117; 8.3 kg of BW) were placed in nursery pens (3 boars/pen) and assigned within BW blocks to receive on an ad libitum basis 1 of 3 dietary treatments: I) basal diets with no supplemental Se (controls), II) basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of organic Se, and, III) basal diets supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of sodium selenite (13 pens/dietary treatment). Average daily gain (470 g/d), ADFI (896 g/d), and G:F (0.54) were similar among groups. Blood Se concentrations were greater (P 0.15) HCW, dressing percent, carcass length, LM area, standardized fat-free lean, lean percentage, backfat thickness, visual color, firmness, marbling, or Minolta loin color scores. Selenium supplementation did not affect (P > 0.17) testis or accessory sex gland sizes. Concentrations of Se in loin, liver, kidney, testis, cauda epididymis, and accessory sex glands were greatest (P 0.05) due to dietary treatment. Testis gene expression of glutathione peroxidase 4, as determined using quantitative PCR, was increased (P < 0.01) in boars fed organic Se compared with those fed sodium selenite. In summary, dietary supplementation of boars with organic Se failed to alter ADG or ADFI but enhanced G:F during grow-finish. More research is needed to discern the mechanism by which organic Se improves feed efficiency in boars.
The Negotiated Plaza: Design and Development of Corporate Open Space in Downtown Los Angeles and San Francisco

The development of downtown public space has been increasingly defined by agreements negotiated between the public and private sectors. In the last decades the majority of downtown public space has...
Characterization of rat spinal cord neurons cultured in defined media on microelectrode arrays.

Abstract Previous efforts to utilize mammalian spinal cord neurons as biosensor elements have relied on neuronal: glial co-cultures maintained in serum-containing media. We have examined the feasibility of culturing primary spinal cord neurons in serum-free medium, modified for neuronal longevity, on fabricated microelectrode arrays. Embryonic day 15 rat spinal cord cells were plated on trimethoxysilyl-propyldiethylenetriamine coated microelectrode arrays comprised of gold recording sites passivated with silicon nitride. Immunocytochemistry was performed to verify the presence of neurons and quantitatively assess astrocytes using antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein on the silicon nitride substrates. Modifications to culture media enabled viable neuronal culture to extend from approximately 14 days in vitro (DIV) to 40 DIV on the arrays containing only 1.1±0.5% (mean±SEM) astrocytes. Extracellular recording revealed tetrodotoxin-sensitive spontaneous electrical activity from the enriched neuronal culture. Threshold detection of extracellular potentials showed an increase in spike rate as a function of glutamate concentration with neurotoxicity at elevated levels. This approach suggests that functional measures related to biosensor applications, pharmacological screening, or the evaluation of neurological disease models can be implemented in a defined culture system.
Research Note---Does Demand Fall When Customers Perceive That Prices Are Unfair? The Case of Premium Pricing for Large Sizes

We analyze a large-scale field test conducted with a mail-order catalog firm to investigate how customers react to premium prices for larger sizes of women's apparel. We find that customers who demand large sizes react unfavorably to paying a higher price than customers for small sizes. Further investigation suggests that these consumers perceive that the price premium is unfair. Overall, premium pricing led to a 6% to 8% decrease in gross profits.
Reliability-Based Modeling of Bridge Deterioration Hazards

This paper presents the results from a study on the deterioration patterns of highway bridges, using estimated sojourn times of bridge components in various deterioration states (condition). With emphasis on the age that the bridge leaves a specified threshold condition state, the uncertainties in the estimated times are best fitted as Weibull probability distribution functions. Using both complete observations' data and the right-censored data from a 13-year span condition historical data for the bridges, the maximum likelihood estimates are obtained for parameters of the fitted distributions, and reliability analyses are conducted for the various categories of bridges, by the type of roadways carried (interstate, noninterstate, and local roads), and the material type, i.e., cast-in-place concrete decks; prestressed concrete superstructures; steel superstructures, etc. The survival and hazard functions are developed and interpreted, including a combination of the deterioration hazard functions with the hazard functions of the effects of hurricane winds. It was observed that all the bridge categories deteriorated faster with age (nonexponential times), and bridge components located on the interstate roadways are deteriorating faster than similar bridges on noninterstate roadways. Asset worth of bridges are indicated, based on the reliability estimates.
On the theory of virtual organization

Virtual organization is a way of structuring and managing goal-oriented activities. This innovative approach to organization is based on a categorical distinction between the requirements of a task and the elements capable of satisfying them. The distinction supports dynamic switching between satisfiers for the same requirement. Switching, used properly and systematically, can yield dramatic improvements in task performance. Although conceivable without computer communications, virtual organization would not be practicable without the technology; and the concept itself is closely related to constructs such as virtual memory and virtual reality. This paper is intended as a contribution to the development of a theory of virtual organization. The focus is on the nature and inner workings of this innovative approach to organization; social consequences are not considered here. Using the framework presented in an earlier article by the author, the definition, applicability, and socio-technical foundations of virtual organization are elaborated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitors Using Carbon Nanotube Electrode Structures

The structure and behavior of the electrical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) are described. The use of activated carbon electrodes is discussed and the limitations on voltage and accessible surface area are presented. Metrics for evaluating EDLC performance are defined and previously reported results of experimental carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes are tabulated. New experimental results of electrodes constructed of vertically aligned CNTs grown on a conducting substrate are presented. By extrapolating prior and new experimental data the energy density of CNT-based EDLCs is shown to be potentially up to seven times that of commercial activated carbon-based EDLCs.
Optical signal quality monitor built into WDM linear repeaters using semiconductor arrayed waveguide grating filter monolithically integrated with eight photodiodes

A compact optical signal quality monitor suitable for WDM linear repeaters which use a semiconductor arrayed waveguide grating filter (AWG) is proposed. Implemented with semiconductor AWG module monolithically integrated with eight photodiodes, an optical signal-to-noise ratio measurement is carried out.
Language politics and policy in the United States: implications for the immigration debate

Is there a role for language policy in immigration policy? This article examines recent attempts to legislate language in light of historical and contemporary debates about immigration and immigrant assimilation. It chronicles U.S. language politics and policy, and then appraises national language and official English bills recently introduced in Congress in view of data on language usage and preferences, suggesting ways that the current resurgence of a national debate about language could and should impact the larger debate about immigration.
Evaluation of children for epilepsy surgery.

There are three main components to the evaluation of children who are candidates for epilepsy surgery: (1) confirmation of the epileptic nature of the seizures, (2) establishing the medical intractabi
Commutators and twisted chains: A variational approach to spin correlations

Abstract We formulate a variational theory that is capable of treating spin-dependent correlation functions and define a systematic hierarchy of hypernetted chain-like approximations. The square of the wave function is assumed to be a symmetrized operator product of central and spin-dependent correlations. A hypernetted chain procedure is introduced that treats the spin-structure of successively larger diagrammatic quantities exactly, and the first three steps in that procedure are carried out explicitly. We find a rather dramatic importance of “twisted chain” diagrams which lower the ground-state energy considerably whenever the interaction has a different core-size in the spin-singlet and the spin-triplet channels.