cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protection motivation theory: An extension of fear appeals theory in communication

Abstract Protection motivation (PM) theory concerns how individuals process threats and select responses to cope with the danger brought about by those threats. Fear appeals, one type of communication involving a threat, have been studied in marketing. But PM theory suggests adding coping response information to fear appeals, which effectively influences adoption of appropriate coping behaviors. This article reports the results of tests of several aspects of PM theory in a marketing context. The results indicate that traditional threat-oriented fear appeals are less effective than appeals that also contain information concerning the coping response.
Safe-for-Space Threads in Standard ML

Threads can easily be implemented using first-class continuations, but the straightforward approaches for doing so lead to space leaks, especially in a language with exceptions like Standard ML. We show how these space leaks arise and give a new implementation for threads that is safe for space.
Editor’s perspective: Research article versus research note

Purpose In this article, the Editor of the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology reflects on the distinction between two article types—the Research Article and the Research Note—and the imp...
Differential use of salmon by vertebrate consumers: implications for conservation

Salmon and other anadromous fish are consumed by vertebrates with distinct life history strategies to capitalize on this ephemeral pulse of resource availability. Depending on the timing of salmon arrival, this resource may be in surplus to the needs of vertebrate consumers if, for instance, their populations are limited by food availability during other times of year. However, the life history of some consumers enables more efficient exploitation of these ephemeral resources. Bears can deposit fat and then hibernate to avoid winter food scarcity, and highly mobile consumers such as eagles, gulls, and other birds can migrate to access asynchronous pulses of salmon availability. We used camera traps on pink, chum, and sockeye salmon spawning grounds with various run times and stream morphologies, and on individual salmon carcasses, to discern potentially different use patterns among consumers. Wildlife use of salmon was highly heterogeneous. Ravens were the only avian consumer that fed heavily on pink salmon in small streams. Eagles and gulls did not feed on early pink salmon runs in streams, and only moderately at early sockeye runs, but were the dominant consumers at late chum salmon runs, particularly on expansive river flats. Brown bears used all salmon resources far more than other terrestrial vertebrates. Notably, black bears were not observed on salmon spawning grounds despite being the most frequently observed vertebrate on roads and trails. From a conservation and management perspective, all salmon species and stream morphologies are used extensively by bears, but salmon spawning late in the year are disproportionately important to eagles and other highly mobile species that are seasonally limited by winter food availability.
Effect of Drying Methods on Microstructural Changes in Hardened Cement Paste: an A.C. Impedance Spectroscopy Evaluation

The effect of three pre-drying treatments on time dependent deformation due to drying of cement paste conditioned at (96 ± 2) % relative humidity and temperature of 22 ± 2 °C was investigated using a.c. impedance techniques. The treatments comprised methanol and isopropanol exchange (followed by vacuum heating at 37°C) and vacuum drying at 37°C alone. Re-saturation with synthetic pore fluid was performed prior to the drying experiment. Real-time changes in microstructure were followed using impedance spectroscopy. Cement paste specimens were in the form of “T-shaped” columns with a minimum thickness value (for the web and flanges) of less than 1.2 mm. The impedance spectra for the untreated (control) specimens and the specimens dried at 37°C indicated the presence of an intermediate arc. This is discussed in terms of interfacial phenomena associated with collapse of C-S-H structure on drying.
Support Dependence of MeOH Decomposition Over Size-Selected Pt Nanoparticles

We present here the decomposition of methanol over Pt nanoparticles supported on a series of oxide powders. The samples tested may be roughly grouped in two categories consisting of large (∼15–18 nm) and small (∼8–9 nm) Pt particles deposited on reducible (CeO2, TiO2) and non-reducible (SiO2, ZrO2, Al2O3) supports. The smallest particles (∼8 nm), deposited on ZrO2, were found to be cationic and the most active for the decomposition of methanol. Furthermore, the stability of metallic Pt and its oxides was observed to be dependent on the choice of support. In all Pt containing samples the reaction proceeds via he direct decomposition of methanol, as no significant amounts of by-products were detected in the experimental range of 100–300 °C.
Mechanism of Reversal of Phospholamban Inhibition of the Cardiac Ca2+-ATPase by Protein Kinase A and by Anti-phospholamban Monoclonal Antibody 2D12 *

Our model of phospholamban (PLB) regulation of the cardiac Ca(2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA2a) states that PLB binds to the Ca(2+)-free, E2 conformation of SERCA2a and blocks it from transitioning from E2 to E1, the Ca(2+)-bound state. PLB and Ca(2+) binding to SERCA2a are mutually exclusive, and PLB inhibition of SERCA2a is manifested as a decreased apparent affinity of SERCA2a for Ca(2+). Here we extend this model to explain the reversal of SERCA2a inhibition that occurs after phosphorylation of PLB at Ser(16) by protein kinase A (PKA) and after binding of the anti-PLB monoclonal antibody 2D12, which recognizes residues 7-13 of PLB. Site-specific cysteine variants of PLB were co-expressed with SERCA2a, and the effects of PKA phosphorylation and 2D12 on Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and cross-linking to SERCA2a were monitored. In Ca(2+)-ATPase assays, PKA phosphorylation and 2D12 partially and completely reversed SERCA2a inhibition by decreasing K(Ca) values for enzyme activation, respectively. In cross-linking assays, cross-linking of PKA-phosphorylated PLB to SERCA2a was inhibited at only two of eight sites when conducted in the absence of Ca(2+) favoring E2. However, at a subsaturating Ca(2+) concentration supporting some E1, cross-linking of phosphorylated PLB to SERCA2a was attenuated at all eight sites. K(Ca) values for cross-linking inhibition were decreased nearly 2-fold at all sites by PLB phosphorylation, demonstrating that phosphorylated PLB binds more weakly to SERCA2a than dephosphorylated PLB. In parallel assays, 2D12 blocked PLB cross-linking to SERCA2a at all eight sites regardless of Ca(2+) concentration. Our results demonstrate that 2D12 restores maximal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity by physically disrupting the binding interaction between PLB and SERCA2a. Phosphorylation of PLB by PKA weakens the binding interaction between PLB and SERCA2a (yielding more PLB-free SERCA2a molecules at intermediate Ca(2+) concentrations), only partially restoring Ca(2+) affinity and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity.
Multiscale development of a fission gas thermal conductivity model: Coupling atomic, meso and continuum level simulations

Fission gas production and evolution significantly impact the fuel performance, causing swelling, a reduction in the thermal conductivity and fission gas release. However, typical empirical models of fuel properties treat each of these effects separately and uncoupled. Here, we couple a fission gas release model to a model of the impact of fission gas on the fuel thermal conductivity. To quantify the specific impact of grain boundary (GB) bubbles on the thermal conductivity, we use atomistic and mesoscale simulations. Atomistic molecular dynamic simulations were employed to determine the GB thermal resistance. These values were then used in mesoscale heat conduction simulations to develop a mechanistic expression for the effective GB thermal resistance of a GB containing gas bubbles, as a function of the percentage of the GB covered by fission gas. The coupled fission gas release and thermal conductivity model was implemented in Idaho National Laboratory’s BISON fuel performance code to model the behavior of a 10-pellet LWR fuel rodlet, showing how the fission gas impacts the UO2 thermal conductivity. Furthermore, additional BISON simulations were conducted to demonstrate the impact of average grain size on both the fuel thermal conductivity and the fission gas release. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Role of viral infection in porphyria cutanea tarda

HIV infection is associated with abnormal porphyrin metabolism. While HCV infection alone is thus far not associated with significant abnormal porphyrin levels, it does contribute to further elevation of porphyrin levels in patients already infected with HIV. These infections alone are not sufficient to induce the development of clinical porphyria. However, they render patients susceptible to having symptomatic porphyria upon exposure to other porphyrinogenic agents.
Recent trends in assisted reproductive techniques and associated outcomes.

Abstract Objective: We examined recent trends in success rates for assisted reproduction and determined the influence of changes in patient selection and treatment characteristics on these trends. Methods: We collected baseline information and abstracted treatment-related details and outcomes on 1244 couples accepted for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) at three clinics in greater Boston from 1994–1998. Results: Delivery rates per initiated cycle improved significantly from 14.9% for IVF and 20.6% for GIFT in 1994–1995 to 22.5% for IVF and 28.0% for GIFT in 1997–1998 ( P ≤ .001). After adjusting for female age, the two treatment-related variables that appeared most likely to explain this trend were decreased use of GnRH agonists in short course (flare) regimens and increased use of highly purified forms of urinary gonadotropins. Conclusion: There were significant improvements in the success rates for IVF and GIFT from 1994–1998 that correlated with changes in ovulation induction regimens.
Effect of manganese deficiency on growth and chlorophyll content of algae with and without hydrogenase.

Algae without hydrogenase, i.e., Chlorella vulgaris and Chl. saccharophila, become rapidly chlorotic under manganese-deficient conditions, in agreement with the reaction of higher plants. By contrast, the chlorophyll of algae which contain hydrogenase, i.e., Chlorella fusca (=pyrenoidosa), Chl. vulgaris f. tertia (=Chl. III), Ankistrodesmus braunii, and Scenedesmus obliquus, is much more stable in the absence of manganese.
Computer-based case management for the elderly

A combination of economic, demographic, and political factors is pressuring health care providers into improving discharge planning and long-term care services for their clients, particularly the elderly and poor. Case management, with its emphasis on patient assessment, monitoring, and program evaluation, is one tool increasingly adopted to accomplish these goals. This paper examines the application of computer technology to case management and describes a computerized, hospital-based case management program for the elderly.
HOLMIUM LASER ENUCLEATION FOR PROSTATE ADENOMA GREATER THAN 100 GM.: : COMPARISON TO OPEN PROSTATECTOMY

Purpose: Options for treatment of large (greater than 100 gm.) prostatic adenomas have until now been limited to open surgery or transurethral resection by skilled resectionists. Considerable blood loss, morbidity, extended hospital stay and prolonged recovery occur with open surgery for large prostatic adenomas. Endoscopic surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia has evolved during the last decade to offer the patient and surgeon significant advantages of transurethral removal of prostatic adenomas. Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with transurethral tissue morcellation provides significant reductions in morbidity, bleeding and hospital stay for patients with large prostate adenomas.Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of data on 10 cases of holmium laser enucleation and 10 open prostatectomies for greater than 100 gm. prostatic adenomas was performed from 1998 to 1999 at our institution. Patient demographics, indication for surgery, preoperative and postoperative American Urological As...
Computer programs for modeling mammalian cell batch and fed-batch cultures using logistic equations

A MATLAB® toolbox was developed for applying the logistic modeling approach to mammalian cell batch and fed-batch cultures. The programs in the toolbox encompass sensitivity analyses and simulations of the logistic equations in addition to cell specific rate estimation. The toolbox was first used to generate time courses of the sensitivity equations for characterizing the relationship between the logistic variable and the model parameters. Subsequently, the toolbox was used to describe CHO cell data from batch and fed-batch mammalian cell cultures. Cell density, product, glucose, lactate, glutamine, and ammonia data were analyzed for the batch culture while fed-batch analysis included cell density and product concentration. In all instances, experimental data were well described by the logistic equations and the resulting specific rate profiles were representative of the underlying cell physiology. The 6-variable batch culture data set was also used to compare the logistic specific rates with those from polynomial fitting and discrete derivative methods. The polynomial specific rates grossly misrepresented cell behavior in the initial and final stages of culture while those based on discrete derivatives had high variability due to computational artifacts. The utility of logistic specific rates to guide process development activities was demonstrated using specific protein productivity versus growth rate trajectories for the 3 cultures examined in this study. Overall, the computer programs developed in this study enable rapid and robust analysis of data from mammalian cell batch and fed-batch cultures which can help process development and metabolic flux estimation.
Production, Purification, and Characterization of Recombinant 2′,5′-Oligoadenylate Synthetases

2',5'-Oligoadenylate [2-5(A)] synthetases are a family of interferon-induced enzymes that polymerize ATP into 2'-5'-linked oligoadenylates in the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), their cofactor. The 2-5(A) molecules, in turn, activate the latent ribonuclease RNase L by promoting its dimerization. The 2-5(A) synthetase pathway has been implicated in interferon's antiviral and anticellular activities. In addition to their interesting cellular properties, these enzymes are also enzymologically interesting because they are the only known template and primer independent nucleotide (DNA or RNA)polymerases that synthesize 2'-5'-linked oligonucleotides. Moreover, their mode of activation by dsRNA remains unknown. In the past, biochemical and structure-function studies have been hampered by the lack of a convenient system for expressing recombinant 2-5(A) synthetases. These proteins are toxic to mammalian cells, probably because of RNase L activation, and proteins produced in bacteria do not have full enzymatic activity. To circumvent these problems, we have developed a baculovirus-insect cell system for high-yield expression of the small and medium isozymes. Here, methods are described for the production, purification, and characterization of the mouse small (9-2) (S. K. Ghosh, J. Kusari, S. K. Bandyopadhyay, H. Samanta, R. Kumar, and G. C. Sen, 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 266, 15293-15299) and human medium (P69) (I. Marie and A. G. Hovanessian, 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267, 9933-9939) 2-5(A) synthetase isozymes and their mutants using the insect cell system. We also report methods for studying 2-5(A) synthetase-dsRNA interactions and protein-protein interactions among the subunits of the two isozymes.
Close-up and genomic views of the yeast vacuolar H+-ATPase.

The yeast V-ATPase has emerged as an excellent model for other eukaryotic V-ATPases. In this review, recent biochemical and genomic studies of the yeast V-ATPase are described, with a focus on: 1) the role of V1 subunit H in coupling ATP hydrolysis and proton pumping and 2) identification of the full set of yeast haploid deletion mutants that exhibit the pH and calcium-sensitive growth characteristic of loss of V-ATPase activity. The combination of “close-up” biochemical views of V-ATPase structure and mechanism and “geomic” views of its functional reach promises to provide new insights into the physiological of V-ATPases.
Human cationic trypsinogen is sulfated on Tyr154.

The crystal structure of human pancreatic cationic trypsin showed the chemical modification of Tyr154, which was originally described as phosphorylation [Gaboriaud C, Serre L, Guy-Crotte O, Forest E & Fontecilla-Camps JC (1996) J Mol Biol259, 995–1010]. Here we report that Tyr154 is sulfated, not phosphorylated. Cationic and anionic trypsinogens were purified from human pancreatic juice and subjected to alkaline hydrolysis. Modified tyrosine amino acids were separated on a Dowex cation-exchange column and analyzed by thin layer chromatography. Both human cationic and anionic trypsinogens contained tyrosine sulfate, but no tyrosine phosphate, whereas bovine trypsinogen contained neither. Furthermore, incorporation of [35S]SO4 into human cationic trypsinogen transiently expressed by human embryonic kidney 239T cells was demonstrated. Mutation of Tyr154 to Phe abolished radioactive sulfate incorporation, confirming that Tyr154 is the site of sulfation in cationic trypsinogen. Sulfated pancreatic cationic trypsinogen exhibited faster autoactivation than a nonsulfated recombinant form, suggesting that tyrosine sulfation of trypsinogens might enhance intestinal digestive zymogen activation in humans. Finally, sequence alignment revealed that the sulfation motif is only conserved in primate trypsinogens, suggesting that typsinogen sulfation is absent in other vertebrates.
Erfolgsfaktoren beim Einsatz virtueller Infrastrukturen im Unternehmen

Die Kosten fur IT-Systeme nehmen einen betrachtlichen Teil des Gesamtbudgets von Unternehmen ein, wobei der groβte Anteil auf die Administration und Wartung im laufenden Betrieb entfallt. Der Einsatz von Virtualisierungstechnologien verspricht nicht nur eine deutliche Senkung der Betriebskosten, sondern auch zusatzliche Flexibilitat der IT, um auf zukunftige Anforderungen schneller und kosteneffizienter reagieren zu konnen. Dazu ist es notwendig, die verschiedenen Virtualisierungskonzepte zur Abdeckung der unternehmensspezifischen Anforderungen zu evaluieren und dabei technische und funktionale Unterschiede zu berucksichtigen. Die Betrachtung geht dabei uber das Thema Hardwarevirtualisierung hinaus und befasst sich ebenfalls mit dem ubergreifenden Ansatz einer virtuellen Desktop-Infrastruktur (VDI). Im Spannungsfeld interner und externer Kundenanforderungen, der anfallenden Kosten fur die Beschaffung und den Betrieb sowie der Konsequenzen fur die Systemkomplexitat werden die Virtualisierungsmaβnahmen diskutiert und es wird eine Empfehlung ausgesprochen.
Immune response of cattle to respiratory mycoplasmas.

Abstract M. bovis and M. dispar produce very different types of response in the calf lung. The immune response of the host plays a major role in the formation of the lesion induced by M. bovis and this response is predominantly Ig mediated. In contrast M. dispar produces a much milder reaction in the lung which may be related to an ability of the mycoplasma to inhibit the host's immune response. Recovery from infection appears to be primarily mediated by IgG present in the lung and functioning in conjunction with alveolar macrophages. The immunity following vaccination which is observed in experimental studies and field trials is also likely to be mediated by the same mechanism.
Step waveguide design for efficient coupling to integrated Ge/Si avalanche photodetectors

We report a new step waveguide design for efficient coupling with integrated Ge/Si avalanche photodetectors, which offers high responsivity with a short horizontal absorption length.
Jet flow instability of an inviscid compressible fluid

A linear analysis of the perturbations associated with the jet flow, , of an inviscid compressible fluid is considered. Some subsonic stable solutions, not associated with stability boundaries, are first determined. Then a subsonic neutral solution is found and used as an aid in determining stability boundaries of the symmetric and antisymmetric disturbance modes. Numerical methods are also used to determine instability characteristics, including the Reynolds stress distributions. Comparisons are made with previous results obtained for the hyperbolic-tangent velocity profile and with unstable characteristics of the Bickley jet.
On-Line Coupling of Flow Injection Microcolumn Separation and Preconcentration to Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for Determination of (Ultra)trace Selenite and Selenate in Water

A flow injection manifold with an air-segmented and air-transported operational sequence for on-line coupling of microcolumn separation and preconcentration to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was developed for the determination of (ultra)trace selenite and selenate in water. The determination of selenite was achieved by selective reaction with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDC), sorption of the resultant Se−PDC compound onto a conical microcolumn (10.2 μL) packed with RP C18 sorbent, elution with ethanol, and detection by ETAAS. The concentration of selenate was obtained as the difference between the concentrations of selenite after and before prereduction of selenate to selenite. With the developed manifold and operation sequence, the dispersion during elution and eluate transport and the eluent volume required for complete elution of the sorbed analyte were minimized. As a result, the sorbed analyte was quantitatively eluted from the column with only 26 μL of ethanol, and all the el...
The enrichment of plasmid DNAs, in bacterial cell lysates, using an alkaline-pH procedure that does not permanently denature them.

Abstract The method described permits the enrichment of large (greater than or eoual to 54 kb), small (less than or equal to 2.1 kb), or intermediate sizes of plasmid DNAs. It is a modification of the plasmid enrichment method described by Currier and Nester (Anal. Biochem., 76, 431-441, 1976) in that it defers the alkali denaturation step until the pH and temperature can be controlled. This prevents permanent alkali denaturation of some plasmids. In general, total cellular nucleic acids are precipitated with either ethanol or isopropanol after lysates, in 3% w/v NaCl, are extracted with a phenol-chloroform mixture. The nucleic acids are then treated at an alkaline-pH (12.3-12.4), in a buffer, at 0°C, for a minimum time of 15 min. Denatured DNA, in 3% w/v NaCl, is removed with phenol. The RNA- containing, plasmid enriched fraction, is once again precipitated with either ethanol or isopropanol, dried in a vacuum, and redissolved. Samples are then digested with various restriction enzymes and/or examined di...
Cysteine Proteinases from Human Thyroids and Their Actions on Thyroglobulin

This report describes properties of highly purified cathepsin-B and an additional cysteine proteinase, designated cysteine proteinase I, obtained from human thyroids. Both enzymes are localized to lysosomes. The activity profile of cysteine proteinase I combined with its sensitivity to the active site inhibitor Z-Phe-Phe-CNH2 suggest that it is distinct from other cysteine proteinases described so far. Cysteine proteinase I and cathepsin-B had respective pH optima of 3.5–4.0 and 4.5–5.0 with thyroglobulin (Tg) as substrate. Based on Km/Kcat (catalytic constant) ratios, cysteine proteinase I degraded rabbit [125I]Tg to peptide intermediates 50 times more efficiently than did cathepsin-B. Under conditions of limited digestion, both enzymes cleaved Tg at three or more sites, producing iodinated fragments of 20,000–50,000 mol wt (cysteine proteinase I) or 10,000–40,000 mol wt (cathepsin-B). Tryptic digests of these fragments were isolated by HPLC, and those containing thyroid hormone were sequenced for identi...
A nondestructive electrical test structure to monitor deep trench depth for automated parametric process control

A novel nondestructive measurement technique is proposed to electrically monitor the depth of a trench etched in silicon for the purpose of process control in a manufacturing environment. A simple bipolar npn transistor can be constructed, the gain of which is shown to relate to the trench depth. The ratio of the injected emitter current to the captured collector current has demonstrated the ability to resolve variations in trench depth of less than 0.2 /spl mu/m. The proposed structure is studied using two-dimensional simulations and experiments. A case study of two different silicon reactive ion etch tools is offered to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Conflicts and communication between high-achieving Chinese American adolescents and their parents

Drawing on in-depth interview data collected on 18 high-achieving Chinese American students, the authors examine domains of acculturation-based conflicts, parent and child internal conflicts, and conflict resolution in their families. Their analyses show that well-established negative communication patterns in educational expectations, divergent attitudes toward other races and country of origin, and cultural and language barriers contributed to parent-child conflicts. Their findings also illustrate important internal conflicts both adolescents and parents had along the cultural tightrope of autonomy and relatedness. Finally, the vertical in-group conflict resolution style that was evidenced in youths' accounts raises questions about cultural differences in constructive versus destructive conflict resolution styles.
The spray drying of pharmaceuticals

(1992). The spray drying of pharmaceuticals. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy: Vol. 18, No. 11-12, pp. 1169-1206.
Effects of intense pulsed light and the 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser on sun-damaged human skin: histologic and immunohistochemical analysis.

backgroundNonablative methods may produce collagen synthesis in sun-damaged skin.objectiveTo study the effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) and 1,064 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser: a histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of sun-damaged skin.materials and methodsNine subj
The comparative chemical composition of two aquatic oligochaetes

Abstract 1. The gross chemical composition of Tubifex tubifex and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri was investigated. 2. L. hoffmeisteri was found to contain a significantly greater amount of lipid soluble material than T. tubifex . 3. The greater amount of lipid soluble material found in L. hoffmeisteri may by correlated with the greater amount of chloragogen tissue present in this species.
Silicon Raman amplifiers lasers and their applications

Silicon Photonics is emerging as an attractive technology in order to realize low cost, high density integrated optical circuits. Realizing active functionalities in Silicon waveguiding structures is being pursued rigorously. In particular, the Stimulated Raman scattering process has attracted considerably attention for achieving on-chip light generation, amplification and wavelength conversion. This paper reviews some of the recent efforts in using the Raman nonlinear process to realize amplifiers, and lasers. First the prospects of Raman process in realizing high gain amplifiers are discussed theoretically. Following this experimental results on amplification with gains as high as 20dB are presented. Some of the recent results in realizing pulsed and CW lasers with reverse-biased carrier sweep out are presented. The paper is concluded by highlighting some of the applications of the Raman process in Silicon in realizing mid-IR sources and also the use of SiGe as a flexible Raman medium are discussed.
Allylic Amines as Key Building Blocks in the Synthesis of (E)-Alkene Peptide Isosteres

Nucleophilic imine additions with vinyl organometallics have developed into efficient, high-yielding, and robust methodologies to generate structurally diverse allylic amines. We have used the hydrozirconation/transmetalation/imine addition protocol in the synthesis of allylic amine intermediates for peptide bond isosteres, phosphatase inhibitors, and mitochondria-targeted peptide mimetics. The gramicidin S-derived XJB-5-131 and JP4-039 and their analogues have been prepared on up to 160-g scale for preclinical studies. These (E)-alkene peptide isosteres adopt type II′ β-turn secondary structures and display impressive biological properties including selective reactions with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevention of apoptosis.
Removal of polysialic acid induces aberrant pathways, synaptic vesicle distribution, and terminal arborization of retinotectal axons.

Developing chick retinotectal projections extend rostrally in the superficial stratum opticum of the tectum until they reach their appropriate target zone. They then penetrate, arborize, and form synapses within distinct tectal retinorecipient layers. In this study, we show that the polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule is expressed both on the membrane of these developing projections and in the stratum opticum and retinorecipient layers during the period of optic innervation. On this basis, the role of polysialic acid was analyzed with respect to both trajectory and arborization in the tectum, using confocal imaging of DiI-labeled retinotectal fibers in whole-mount tecta of embryos pretreated with a polysialic acid-specific degrading enzyme, endoneuraminidase N. The removal of polysialic acid caused several distinct abnormalities, including random dorsal/ventral meandering of fibers in the stratum opticum, a distorted branching and extension of arbors in the retinorecipient layers, and inappropriate synaptic vesicle accumulation in pretarget areas. These findings indicate that the unique ability of polysialic acid to regulate different types of cell interactions is an essential component of axon behavior during multiple steps of tectal target innervation.
Competitive context alters plant-soil feedback in an experimental woodland community.

Recent findings on feedback between plants and soil microbial communities have improved our understanding of mechanisms underlying the success and consequences of invasions. However, additional studies to test for feedback in the presence and absence of interspecific competition, which may alter the strength or direction of feedbacks, are needed. We tested for soil microbial feedback in communities of the invasive grass Microstegium vimineum and commonly co-occurring native plant species. To incorporate competitive context, we used a factorial design with three plant treatments (M. vimineum alone, M. vimineum with the native plant community, and the native community without M. vimineum) and two soil inoculum treatments (experimentally invaded and uninvaded soil). When competing with M. vimineum, native communities were 27% more productive in invaded than uninvaded soil. In contrast, soil type did not significantly affect M. vimineum biomass or fecundity. At the community level, these results indicate a net negative soil microbial feedback when native plants and M. vimineum are grown in competitive mixture, but not when they are grown separately. Since positive, not negative, feedback is associated with dominance and invasion, our findings do not support plant–soil feedback as a driver of invasion in this species. Our results do show that the importance of soil feedback can change with competitive context. Such context-dependency implies that soil feedback may change when competitive interactions between natives and invading species shift as invasions progress.
HLA-A2-binding peptides cross-react not only within the A2 subgroup but also with other HLA-A-Locus allelic products

Seven A2-binding peptides were tested by the HLA class I alpha-chain refolding assay previously described for their direct binding to HLA class I alpha chains derived from a panel of 18 HLA-homozygous B-cell lines of various HLA specificities, including four A2 subtypes: A*0201, A*0204, A*0205, and A*0206. All but one test peptide possessed the major anchor residue motifs, L-V, L-L, or I-L, of A2(A*0201)/A2(A*0205)-binding peptides or the closely related motifs, I-V or V-V. This cell panel analysis confirmed the high A2 allele specificity of the test peptides, but also revealed the existence of a broad cross-binding within the A2 subgroup. Most peptides bound to the alpha chains of the A2 subtypes tested, although their binding patterns showed differences. Furthermore, the A2-binding peptides carrying the I-V or V-V motif were found to cross-react also outside of the A2 subtypes, probably with A24, A26, A28, and A29. Other A-locus allelic products, A1, A3, A11, A30, and A31, and the B-locus allelic products carried by the cells tested were essentially negative, although a few exceptions were seen.
A concise parameterization of the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils

Abstract The parameter n in the well-known expression for hydraulic conductivity K=K0Sen (where K0 is its value at satiation and Se the effective saturation) is determined as a function of the exponent in the power form of the soil–water retention relationship. The result is validated with an extensive experimental database comprising some 43 soils, collected by Mualem.
Polarized beam operation of the hybrid spectrometer at the pulsed spallation neutron source

Abstract The concept of a neutron hybrid spectrometer (HYSPEC) combines the time-of-flight spectroscopy with the focusing Bragg optics and incorporates a polarized beam option. Here, we describe the polarization analysis scheme proposed for HYSPEC and quantify its performance via the Monte-Carlo simulations. We find that the broadband supermirror-bender transmission polarizers provide reasonably good polarization analysis capability within a ∼8–10 meV energy window for scattered neutron energies in the thermal range, up to ∼25 meV.
Atomic jump lengths in surface diffusion: experiment and theory

Abstract One-dimensional diffusion by long jumps has recently been found for Pd on W(211). The frequency of long jumps is derived from measurements of the distribution of displacements of a single adatom. The data, corrected for the effect of finite plane size, reveal that 15% of the jumps cover two nearest-neighbor distances and 10% cover three nearest-neighbor distances at 133 K. The long jumps have a pronounced temperature dependence; none are detected at a temperature just 11 K lower. These experimental results are compared with recent predictions based on a Brownian motion theory. It is found that the Brownian model does not adequately describe the temperature dependence of the experimental results.
A chemiluminescence photometer for trace chromium(III) determinations

Abstract The design of a simple chemiluminescence photometer is described. The sample is injected into a spectrophotometric cell containing the reagents, and the resultant chemiluminescence peak is recorded along with the peak height and peak area. The instrument includes a temperature-controlled cell holder with stirring capabilities. The determination of p.p.b. levels of chromium(III) is described. Chromium(III) enhances the chemiluminescence reaction of luminol and hydrogen peroxide in basic solutions. Useful calibration curves are obtained from 4 · 10 -9 to 10 -4 M Cr(III); 5 · 10 -10 M is the detection limit. Chromium(III) is determined in natural water samples and NBS Orchard leaves.
A decentralized key management scheme via neighborhood prediction in mobile wireless networks

The wireless data collected in mobile environments provides tremendous opportunities to build new applications in various domains such as Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks and mobile social networks. One of the biggest challenges is how to store these data. Storing the data decentralized in wireless devices is an attractive approach because of its major advantages over centralized ones. In this work, to facilitate effective access control of the wireless data in distributed data storage, we propose a fully decentralized key management scheme by utilizing a cryptography-based secret sharing method. The secret sharing method splits the keys into multiple shares and distributes them to multiple nodes, which brings the challenge that due to node mobility, these key shares may not be available in the neighborhood when they are needed for key reconstruction. To address this challenge arising from mobile environments, we propose the Transitive Prediction(TRAP) protocol that distributes key shares among devices that are traveling together. We derive a theoretical analysis of the robustness of our approach. Furthermore, inside TRAP, we develop three key distribution schemes that utilize the correlation relationship embedded among devices that are traveling together. Our key distribution schemes maximize the chance of successful key reconstruction and minimize the communication overhead. Our extensive simulation results demonstrate that our key distribution schemes are highly effective, and thus provide strong evidence of the feasibility of applying our approach to support distributed data storage in wireless networks.
Stochastic Acceleration of Energetic Particles in the Heliosphere

In this paper we assess possible roles of stochastic acceleration by random electric field and plasma motion in the production and transport of energetic particles in the heliosphere. Stochastic acceleration can occur in the presence of multiple small-scale magnetohydrodynamic waves propagating in different directions. Usually, this type of stochastic acceleration is closely related to particle pitch angle scattering or parallel diffusion. Given the values of the parallel diffusion coefficient inferred from the observations of cosmic ray modulation or other energetic particle phenomena in the heliosphere, stochastic acceleration by small-scale waves is much slower than acceleration by shock waves and it is also much slower than adiabatic cooling by the expansion of the solar wind; thus it is considered as inefficient for producing heliospheric energetic particles or for the modulation of cosmic rays. Another type of stochastic acceleration occurs when particles go through random compressions or expansions due to large-scale plasma motion. This acceleration mechanism could be very fast when the correlation time of the fluctuations in plasma compression is short compared to the diffusion time. Particle acceleration by an ensemble of small shock waves or intermittent long wavelength compressible turbulence belongs to this category. It tends to establish an asymptotic p −3 universal distribution function quickly if there is no or little large-scale adiabatic cooling. Such a particle distribution will contain an infinite amount of pressure. Back reaction from the pressure is expected to modify the amplitude of plasma waves to an equilibrium state. At that point, the pressure of accelerated particles must remain finite and the accelerated particles could approach a p −5 distribution function.
3-O-Sinapolyquinic acid

Abstract 3- O -Sinapoylquinic acid has been synthesized and its chromatographic and distribution characteristics described.
Radar characteristics of the equatorial plains of Venus from Goldstone observations - Implications for interpretation of Magellan data

Based on analyses of recent high resolution observations of the approximately 1000 km diameter Heng-O ring structure by the Goldstone Solar System Radar, it is predicted that the structure is a large corona. Calibrated values of radar backscatter coefficient indicate lateral variations of a factor of 4 in Fresnel reflectivity in the vicinity of Heng-O, as well as in other areas of the plains, at scales of tens of km. It is predicted that areas with very low reflectivity values, which occur in a variety of geological settings, are soil-dominated, with bulk densities as low as 1.5 g/cu cm.
Therapy for acute infectious diarrhea in children

This article reviews current recommendations of therapy with antidiarrheal compounds and antimicrobial agents for acute infectious diarrhea in children. In most infants and children with acute infectious diarrhea, treatment with antidiarrheal compounds is not indicated. Many of these compounds interfere with identification of enteropathogens in stool specimens, and the antimotility class has an overdose potential. Antimicrobial therapy is given to reduce symptoms and to prevent the spread of infection by decreasing fecal shedding of organisms. Although effective therapy is not available for patients with enteric viruses, Cryptosporidium , and Microsporidium , therapy is useful for children with amebiasis, antimicrobial-associated colitis, cholera, giardiasis, various forms of Escherichia coli diarrhea and Salmonella disease, isosporiasis, shigellosis, and strongyloidiasis. For several other conditions, antimicrobial therapy is of questionable benefit (infection with Campylobacter jejuni or Yersinia enterocolitica , intestinal salmonellosis and enterohemorrhagic E. coli infection). Compounds such as the fluoroquinolones, which are effective in the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea in adults, are not approved for use in children because of potential side effects. Many bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms cause acute infectious diarrhea; appropriate antimicrobial therapy requires the accurate, rapid identification of the offending enteropathogen. In children with an underlying illness such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, manifestations may be prolonged, severe, and recurrent despite appropriate therapy.
Horner Syndrome After Tonsillectomy: An Anatomic Perspective

Abstract Background Horner syndrome after tonsillectomy has been reported rarely in the literature. Furthermore, postoperative Horner syndrome lasting more than a 1 month is an even more rare occurrence. Patient We present a persistent postoperative Horner syndrome in a 5-year-old child following tonsillectomy. Results Clinical diagnosis of Horner syndrome is confirmed pharmacologically, and damage to the oculosympathetic pathway at the level of the superior cervical ganglion is radiographically demonstrated. Conclusion Conventional monopolar electrosurgical dissection led to irreversible damage of ganglionic neural tissue at the level of the palatine tonsilar fossa and permanent Horner syndrome.
The use of immunoprecipitation to study the synthesis and cleavage processing of viral proteins

Several factors have been considered in developing an immunoprecipitation procedure which minimizes the background of non-immunospecifically precipitated protein. The procedure evolved utilizes the technique of direct immunoprecipitation (specific antibody plus sufficient unlabeled antigen to form a precipitable complex). High speed centrifugation of the cell extract immediately prior to immunoprecipitation and the use of test tubes coated with silicone greatly reduced background precipitation.
Neonatal Neurologic Consultations: Integration With Maternal-fetal Medicine and Long-term Outcome

The pediatric neurologist can serve as a subspecialty consultant for both the fetus and neonate in whom a brain disorder is suspected. Although acute neonatal brain disorders must be assessed and treated vigorously, neurologic disease may occur before the intrapartum period, either from a primary brain disease or secondarily from systemic diseases. Medical conditions during the antepartum and intrapartum periods can predispose the fetus or neonate to express acute brain dysfunction as a neonate, representing both acute and chronic conditions. The pediatric neurologist must, therefore, consider maternal, placental, and fetal diseases on which a neonatal encephalopathy may be superimposed. This review describes four consultations by a neonatal neurointensive care service in which an integrative approach to fetal neurology is applied to neonatal consultations, emphasizing perspectives from other subspecialties concerning maternal-fetal medicine, developmental pathology, neonatology, and other pediatric subspecialties. Future strategies for fetal or neonatal brain resuscitation will need to consider the developmental context in which a suspected brain injury occurred during antepartum, intrapartum, and neonatal periods. Accurate etiologic diagnoses and timing of an insult will influence the forms of therapy of neuroprotection or neurorescue.
Mode of migration of isocyanate from palladium to silica

The reaction of CO and NH3 over preoxidized PdSiO2 has been studied using infrared spectroscopy to identify surface species. An isocyanate (NCO) surface intermediate on Pd providing an infrared band at 2168 cm−1 was detected after heating to 500 K and subsequent cooling to ambient temperature. No migration of NCO from Pd to the SiO2 support was observed. However, the decomposition of formamide over preoxidized PdSiO2 at ambient temperature did produce an NCO species which migrated to the SiO2 via the formation of HNCO gas. It was concluded that an amide species is not an intermediate in the CONH3 reaction over preoxidized PdSiO2, although it may be for the reaction over preoxidized PdAl2O3.
Leaf water stress in engelmann spruce: influence of the root and shoot environments.

The response of xylem pressure potential of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Engelm.) to environmental factors was studied in the natural subalpine environment. Data were analyzed in the context of a leaf water potential model based upon the van den Honert model for water transport through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. At soil temperatures of 10 to 15 C, xylem pressure potential decreased to about −10 bars as the ratio of leaf to air absolute humidity difference to leaf diffusion resistance (an estimate of transpiration) increased. The potentials were slightly lower at all flux rates above zero when the soil temperature was 5 to 10 C, and at temperatures of 0 to 5 C the potentials decreased sharply to as low as −20.4 bars, even though the soil water supply was adequate. The relative viscosity of water and soil to leaf resistances for flow were compared for Engelmann spruce and citrus at low soil temperatures. These comparisons indicated that decreased root permeability was probably not an important factor causing higher stresses in spruce at 5 to 10 C, but for citrus, root permeability became limiting at soil temperatures as high as 13.5 C. Xylem pressure potential was correlated with net radiation during the daytime when soil temperature was above 7 C. Under other conditions, however, xylem potential and net radiation apparently had a different relationship. The relationship between flux density and potential was the same on unshaded and shaded portions of the crown, with differences in potential related to differences in flux density.