cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cerebral metabolism following neonatal or adult hemineodecortication in cats: effect on oxidative capacity using cytochrome oxidase histochemistry.

Abstract In order to determine the degree and extent of changes in cerebral oxidative capacity following cerebral hemineodecortication, adult cats which had undergone surgery early postnatally (mean age: 11.4 days) or during adulthood were studied using cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. A total of 18 animals were employed and 50 brain regions were quantified bilaterally using optical densitometry. Although many subcortical regions exhibiting extensive degenerative features revealed lower levels of cytochrome oxidase (C.O.) activity, this reduction was relatively unremarkable compared to intact controls. Nevertheless, it was interesting that this decrease (down to 66–89%) of normal was more pronounced in neonatal-lesioned cats, reaching significance in a number of ipsilateral thalamic nuclei, compared to adult-lesioned animals (91–100% of normal), suggesting a contribution of glial cells to the density of C.O. staining in the latter cats. Regions of the brain spared from degeneration exhibited a bilateral increase in C.O. activity which may reflect the demands for energy to support the anatomical reorganization which is prevalent in these animals. Surprisingly, such increases were more robust within spared regions of the adult-lesioned brain, reaching significance in four ipsilateral and nine contralateral areas with the density of the reaction attaining levels over 125% of control. This may indicate different demands for oxidative metabolism in the adult-lesioned cats. These results enhance our understanding of the mechanism(s) underlying the greater extent of functional sparing or recovery in cats sustaining injury to the cerebral cortex early vs. late in life. In addition, the findings complement our previous companion report on glucose metabolism supporting the concept of energy compartmentalization, which reflects the dynamic interaction between anatomical and functional changes in this age-at-lesion model of recovery.
Applications of the method of partial inverses to convex programming: Decomposition

A primal–dual decomposition method is presented to solve the separable convex programming problem. Convergence to a solution and Lagrange multiplier vector occurs from an arbitrary starting point. The method is equivalent to the proximal point algorithm applied to a certain maximal monotone multifunction. In the nonseparable case, it specializes to a known method, the proximal method of multipliers. Conditions are provided which guarantee linear convergence.
Solitary sarcoid granuloma of the cerebellopontine angle: a case report.

Abstract BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis involves the nervous system about 5% of the time and usually manifests as a granulomatous inflammation of the basal meninges and hypothalmus. Cases which are strictly isolated to the central nervous system occur infrequently; rarely, they may present as an intracranial mass. METHODS We present the case of a solitary sarcoid granuloma at the cerebellopontine angle in a 42-year-old female who presented with headache, facial numbness, and hearing loss. RESULTS A suboccipital craniectomy was performed and the lesion was noted to be grossly adherent to the lower cranial nerves and skull base. The lesion was misdiagnosed as a meningioma with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and intraoperative histology, and perhaps additional morbidity resulted. CONCLUSION We present this case in order to demonstrate the importance of differentiating these dural-based lesions and propose that cases of neurosarcoidosis presenting as a solitary granuloma be treated with surgical debulking and immunosuppression.
Meristem identity and phyllotaxis in inflorescence development

Inflorescence morphology is incredibly diverse. This diversity of form has been a fruitful source of inquiry for plant morphologists for more than a century. Work in the grasses (Poaceae), the tomato family (Solanaceae), and Arabidopsis (Brassicaceae) has led to a richer understanding of the molecular genetics underlying this diversity. The character of individual meristems, a combination of the number (determinacy) and nature (identity) of the products a meristem produces, is key in the development of plant form. A framework that describes inflorescence development in terms of shifting meristem identities has emerged and garnered empirical support in a number of model systems. We discuss this framework and highlight one important aspect of meristem identity that is often considered in isolation, phyllotaxis. Phyllotaxis refers to the arrangement of lateral organs around a central axis. The development and evolution of phyllotaxis in the inflorescence remains underexplored, but recent work analyzing early inflorescence development in the grasses identified an evolutionary shift in primary branch phyllotaxis in the Pooideae. We discuss the evidence for an intimate connection between meristem identity and phyllotaxis in both the inflorescence and vegetative shoot, and touch on what is known about the establishment of phyllotactic patterns in the meristem. Localized auxin maxima are instrumental in determining the position of lateral primordia. Upstream factors that regulate the position of these maxima remain unclear, and how phyllotactic patterns change over the course of a plant’s lifetime and evolutionary time, is largely unknown. A more complete understanding of the molecular underpinnings of phyllotaxis and architectural diversity in inflorescences will require capitalizing on the extensive resources available in existing genetic systems, and developing new model systems that more fully represent the diversity of plant morphology.
Zebrafish assays as developmental toxicity indicators in the green design of TAML oxidation catalysts

TAML activators promise a novel approach to water treatment by efficiently catalysing peroxide degradation of chemicals of high concern, including developmental toxicants. Seven TAML activators were subjected to zebrafish toxicity assays (1) to determine if developmental toxicity might be present to avoid in water treatment the very same problem that the catalysts have been designed to reduce/eliminate, and (2) to look for relationships between the structure, the known reactivity in peroxide catalysis and the toxicity. Differential toxicity within the studied TAML group and an interpretable design relationship have been revealed. Electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) on the TAML macrocycle are known to increase the oxidative aggression of TAML/peroxide in the order Cl < CN < NO2 with the most reactive NO2-substituted catalysts being the most useful for degrading trace contaminants. The toxicity toward zebrafish was found to increase in the reverse order, NO2 < CN < Cl, the most positive possible result. While all the catalysts tested as possessing negligible toxicity at typical TAML/peroxide operating concentrations, three exhibited sufficient toxicity at higher concentrations to convey green design insight by indicating that these variants should be avoided in water treatment.
Modification of zeolite surfaces by Grignard reagent

New microporous hybrid organic/inorganic materials were obtained by modification of zeolites using chlorination of their surface, followed by treatment with a Grignard reagent. Loading of butyl groups and retained crystallinity of ZSM-5 type zeolites was higher than for zeolites Y. In contrast to zeolites Y, the lattice parameters of zeolites ZSM-5 increased after surface modification. The obtained hybrid materials on the basis of high-silica zeolites possess a high degree of crystallinity at increased hydrophobicity.
Modeling the Pilot Detection of Time-Varying Aircraft Dynamics

T HE human pilot is typically required to control aircraft in which the dynamics of the vehicle vary with time. This variation may occur naturally as the aircraft changes flight condition, it can be deliberately induced by changes in the stability and command augmentation system (SCAS), or it may result from airframe damage or control system failures. The means by which the pilot is able to accommodate these changes has led to studies describing the “adaptive human pilot,” (e.g., [1–3]). The work in [4] used a simplified pursuit-control model of the human operator derived from the more complete structural pilot model of [5]. The simplification in [4] allowed implementation of an adaptive control structure in computer simulation of control tasks with time-varying controlledelement dynamics as reported in [6]. It is desirable to hypothesize the manner in which the more complete structural model might be employed to explain human pilot detection of time-varying vehicle dynamics. The structural pilot model is shown in Fig. 1 in a form suitable for a simple single-axis task, such as an aircraft/rotorcraft pitch-attitude tracking task. The pilot model includes three feedback loops defined as visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive. For the purposes of this initial discussion, the vestibular loop will be ignored (K _ m 0). A detailed description of each of the elements in the model is given in [5]. Here, with the exception of the element YPF, the elements will only be briefly described. In themajority of applications, the element Ye is a simple gain. The time delay 0 is set to 0.2 s. YNM is a simple second-order transfer function representing the neuromuscular dynamics in the particular limb that is driving the cockpit inceptor (e.g., control stick or rudder pedals). The element YFS represents the cockpit inceptor force/feel system dynamics. Yc represents the vehicle dynamics in the control axis in question (i.e., the transfer function between vehicle pitch attitude and longitudinal control inceptor input ). The proprioceptive feedback element YPF is assumed to be of the form such that
On the Use of Ripley's K-Function and Its Derivatives to Analyze Domain Size

Ripley's K-, H-, and L-functions are used increasingly to identify clustering of proteins in membrane microdomains. In this approach, aggregation (or clustering) is identified if the average number of proteins within a distance r of another protein is statistically greater than that expected for a random distribution. However, it is not entirely clear how the function may be used to quantitatively determine the size of domains in which clustering occurs. Here, we evaluate the extent to which the domain radius can be determined by different interpretations of Ripley's K-statistic in a theoretical, idealized context. We also evaluate the measures for noisy experimental data and use Monte Carlo simulations to separate the effects of different types of experimental noise. We find that the radius of maximal aggregation approximates the domain radius, while identifying the domain boundary with the minimum of the derivative of H(r) is highly accurate in idealized conditions. The accuracy of both measures is impacted by the noise present in experimental data; for example, here, the presence of a large fraction of particles distributed as monomers and interdomain interactions. These findings help to delineate the limitations and potential of Ripley's K in real-life scenarios.
Retrograde Plasticity and Differential Competition of Bipolar Cell Dendrites and Axons in the Developing Retina

Summary Most neurons function in the context of pathways that process and propagate information through a series of stages, e.g., from the sensory periphery to cerebral cortex [1]. Because activity at each stage of a neural pathway depends on connectivity at the preceding one, we hypothesized that during development, axonal output of a neuron may regulate synaptic development of its dendrites (i.e., retrograde plasticity). Within pathways, neurons often receive input from multiple partners and provide output to targets shared with other neurons (i.e., convergence) [2]. Converging axons can intermingle or occupy separate territories on target dendrites. Activity-dependent competition has been shown to bias target innervation by overlapping axons in several systems [3–8]. By contrast, whether territorial axons or dendrites compete for targets and inputs, respectively, has not been tested. Here, we generate transgenic mice in which glutamate release from specific sets of retinal bipolar cells (BCs) is suppressed. We find that dendrites of silenced BCs recruit fewer inputs when their neighbors are active and that dendrites of active BCs recruit more inputs when their neighbors are silenced than either active or silenced BCs with equal neighbors. By contrast, axons of silenced BCs form fewer synapses with their targets, irrespective of the activity of their neighbors. These findings reveal that retrograde plasticity guides BC dendritic development in vivo and demonstrate that dendrites, but not territorial axons, in a convergent neural pathway engage in activity-dependent competition. We propose that at a population level, retrograde plasticity serves to maximize functional representation of inputs.
Beyond the horizon: Recent directions in long-term energy modeling

Abstract Extending time horizons for energy analysis increases both the cumulative effect of gradual structural changes and the likelihood of revolutionary innovations, on scales ranging from individual end-use sectors or regions to the entire global economy. Distinguishing features of long-term modeling therefore include technological change (e.g., new technologies or factor substitution), shifts in energy supply (due to exhaustion of conventional sources or the emergence of new sources), and dynamic energy-economy interactions (the impact of growth on energy demand and simultaneous role of the energy sector in determining growth paths). A taxonomy of model types including computable general equilibrium (CGE), aggregate optimization, and energy-sector models can be defined based on their scope of coverage (partial vs general equilibrium) and behavioral outlook (simulation vs optimization). This paper identifies the motivation and key attributes of each model type with reference to several particular specifications.
Natural history of hepatopulmonary syndrome: Impact of liver transplantation.

Few data exist concerning survival after the diagnosis of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). Although orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) frequently results in complete resolution of HPS, the relationship between transplantation and survival has not been described. The study rationale was to describe long-term survival in patients with HPS. Data were derived from patients diagnosed with HPS at Mayo Clinic (n = 61) between 1985 and 2002, including those undergoing OLT (n = 24) and those who did not (n = 37). A case-control, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis between HPS patients and 77 patients without HPS matched for liver disease cause, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), severity of liver disease by the Child classification, and age was described for OLT and non-OLT groups. Patients with HPS had a mean partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) decline of 5.2 + 2.3 mm Hg per year awaiting OLT. For HPS patients, despite similar baseline PaO2, brain uptake of technetium macroaggregated albumin (99mTcMAA), or measures of hepatic dysfunction, 5-year survival associated with OLT was 76% versus 23% who did not undergo transplantation (P < .0001). Comparing those who did not undergo transplantation, HPS patients had worse 5-year survival than matched controls (P = .0003). However, reasons to deny OLT (comorbidity) in the setting of HPS may well have contributed to observed survival differences. Baseline PaO2 ≤50 mm Hg was associated with worse survival irrespective of the decision to perform OLT. In conclusion, hypoxemia of HPS is frequently progressive. As OLT outcome relates to pretransplantation PaO2, additional MELD points should advance the priority for OLT in HPS. (HEPATOLOGY 2005.)
RADIOBIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN THE IRRADIATION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

Publisher Summary This chapter attempts to discuss radiation mechanisms and current trends in radiation and radiobiological research as they relate to the irradiation of foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Time becomes a vital parameter in analyzing radiation mechanisms and in interpreting radiation effects: time for completion of the radiochemical event, time for development of the biochemical lesion and its manifestation, and time for radiation repair or for eventual cell death. Equally vital parameters are the quantitative, energetic, and spatial aspects of radiation events, all of which bear upon the ultimate fate of the irradiated specimen. The chapter discusses these aspects of radiation mechanisms and reviews units and dosimetry, the essential tools of any radiation research. Chemical, biochemical, and metabolic events observed in irradiated fruits and vegetables have been viewed from a radiobiological context. The chapter is also presents a discussion on irradiation facilities. The characteristics of each particular radiation source have been discussed, with specific reference to outputs, advantages, and disadvantages, characteristics of radiation, and others. The chapter outlines some of the features most essential to a research irradiator.
Genetic prostate cancer risk assessment: common variants in 9 genomic regions are associated with cumulative risk.

Purpose: Five genetic variants along chromosomes 8q24 and 17q have a cumulative association with prostate cancer risk. Our research group previously reported an association between these variants and clinicopathological characteristics. More recently 4 additional prostate cancer susceptibility variants were identified on chromosomes 2p15, 10q11, 11q13 and Xp11. We performed cumulative risk assessment incorporating all 9 genetic variants and determined the relationship of the new variants to clinicopathological tumor features.Materials and Methods: The genotype of 9 variants was determined in 687 men of European ancestry who underwent radical prostatectomy from 2002 to 2008 and in 777 healthy volunteer controls. We compared the incidence of these variants in prostate cancer cases and controls, and assessed their cumulative risk. We also determined the relationship of carrier status for the 4 new variants and clinicopathological tumor features.Results: Prostate cancer cases had an increased incidence of all...
Body involvement among schizophrenics, normals and paraplegics

We investigated the extent of body involvement in 25 schizophrenic, 25 paraplegic, and 25 normal participants using the Secord Homonym Test (SHT). The results indicated that, although paraplegics are indeed more body involved, schizophrenics are not. These findings cast doubt upon the assumed isomorphism between ego and body boundary and upon the assumption of disturbed body imagery in schizophrenics.
Comparative Aluminium Joint Evaluations in Varying Saltwater Exposure Conditions

Abstract The compatibility of aluminium in the presence of a wide variety of nonmetallic materials and corrosive saltwater has been the subject of study at our laboratories for many years. These studies have provided guides for evaluating the durability of aluminium bonded joints since an adhesive is only another form of nonmetallic material. A widely accepted standard test has been ASTM B117 which provides continuous joint exposure to a 5% sodium chloride salt fog. Publications in recent years,′-9 have cited test conditions where the exposure to saltwater has been intermittent rather than continuous. This was consistent with our observation in earlier years of investigating joint durability that continuous immersion in 3–½% sodium chloride solution was the most innocuous of exposures and less aggressive than immersion in deionized or distilled waters. Since 1978, our publications have included exposure results obtained by daily exposures to continuous salt fog for 16 hours followed by drying under ambien...
Recent developments in cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

Abstract One of the challenges for improving the performance of lithium ion batteries to meet increasingly demanding requirements for energy storage is the development of suitable cathode materials. Cathode materials must be able to accept and release lithium ions repeatedly (for recharging) and quickly (for high current). Transition metal oxides based on the α-NaFeO 2 , spinel and olivine structures have shown promise, but improvements are needed to reduce cost and extend effective lifetime. In this paper, recent developments in cathode materials for lithium ion batteries are reviewed. This includes comparison of the performance characteristics of the promising cathode materials and approaches for improving their performances.
Differential Thrombogenicity of Artery and Vein: the Role of von Willebrand Factor

There exists clinical evidence for a difference in the relative thrombogenicity of arterial and venous surfaces. We studied this phenomenon in an in vitro model where the effects of hemodynamic differences could be controlled. Nonanticoagulated human blood was perfused across injured (air-insufflated) arterial and venous surfaces in a recirculating perfusion system at shear rates of 500 and 1500/sec. Thrombus formation was assessed by measuring radiolabeled platelet (111In) and fibrin (125I) deposition on the surfaces. The role of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in arterial and venous thrombosis was evaluated by blocking its effect with polyclonal anti-vWF antibody (vWF Ab). Raw data were converted to log10 for statistical analysis. The increased thrombogenicity of injured venous vs. arterial segments was confirmed by these studies (p < 0.001). The addition of vWF Ab decreased platelet and fibrin deposition (p < 0.001) and these effects were greater in veins than in arteries. The difference in platelet deposition between arteries and veins was more pronounced at lower shear rates (p < 0.05), an effect not observed with fibrin deposition. To determine whether the increased thrombogenicity of veins could be explained by an increased content of subendothelial vWF, the amount of vWF was assessed by incubating injured vessels with 125I vWF Ab and then measuring the radioactivity of the vessels. Veins had a higher content of vWF than arteries, as implied by the higher amount of radiolabeled vWF Ab (813 +/- 90 in veins vs. 2173 +/- 317 in arteries, p < 0.001). These observations suggest that increased thrombogenicity of veins may in part be explained by intrinsic differences in subendothelial vWF and subsequent platelet attachment.
Vinblastine sensitizes leukemia cells to cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, inducing acute cell cycle phase-independent apoptosis

The efficacy of many chemotherapeutic agents can be attenuated by expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1. Flavopiridol and dinaciclib are cyclin-dependent kinase 7 and 9 inhibitors that transcriptionally inhibit expression of Mcl-1. We have investigated the ability of flavopiridol and dinaciclib to sensitize a part of leukemia cell lines to vinblastine and paclitaxel. Both drugs acutely sensitized most of the leukemia lines to vinblastine, with 100% apoptosis in 4 h. Furthermore, dinaciclib sensitized freshly-isolated chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells to vinblastine. This rapid induction of apoptosis was attributed to vinblastine-mediated activation of JNK because (a) flavopiridol and dinaciclib failed to induce apoptosis when combined with non-JNK activating concentrations of vinblastine; (b) JNK inhibitors suppressed JNK activity and prevented apoptosis; (c) flavopiridol did not potentiate apoptosis induced by paclitaxel which does not activate JNK in these cells; and (d) Jurkat cells failed to activate JNK in response to vinblastine and were not sensitive to combinations of vinblastine and flavopiridol or dinaciclib. The rapid induction of apoptosis by this combination in multiple cell systems but not in normal lymphocytes provides justification for performing a clinical trial to assess the efficacy in patients.
Finite Horizon Control Design for Optimal Discrimination between Several Models

Multiple-model fault detection is a powerful method for detecting changes, such as faults, in dynamic systems. In many cases, the ability of such a detection scheme to distinguish between possible models for the system dynamics depends critically on the control inputs applied to the system. Prior work has therefore aimed to design control inputs in order to improve fault detection. We previously developed a new method that uses constrained finite horizon control design to create control inputs that minimize an upper bound on the probability of model selection error. This method is limited, however, to the problem of selection between two models. In this paper we describe a new method that extends this approach to handle an arbitrary number of models. By optimizing subject to hard constraints, the new method can ensure that a defined task is fulfilled, while optimally discriminating between models. This means that the discrimination power of the designed control input can be much greater than that created by other approaches, which typically design 'auxiliary' signals with limited power so that the effect on the system state is small. Furthermore, the optimization criterion, which is an upper bound on the probability of model selection error, has a more meaningful interpretation than alternative approaches that are based on information gain, for example. We demonstrate the method using an aircraft fault detection scenario and show that the new method significantly reduces the bound on the probability of error when compared to a manually generated identification sequence and a fuel-optimal sequence
Improved lung preservation using a dimethylthiourea flush.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a low molecular weight hydroxyl free radical scavenger, to improve preservation of the lung for transplantation. Following preservation, 15 isolated canine left lower lobes were reperfused for 90 min with autologous blood. Five group I lobes served as controls and were not subjected to ischemia prior to reperfusion. Five group II lobes were flushed and submerged in a cold Euro-Collins solution and stored for 4 hr at 4°C prior to reperfusion. Group III lobes were flushed with a 20 mM DMTU-enhanced Euro-Collins solution, stored for 4 hr, and then reperfused. The isogravimetric method was utilized to determine the capillary permeability coefficient (Kfc) for the reperfused lobes. The Kfc values were 0.10 ± 0.01, 0.17 ± 0.01, and 0.10 ± 0.008 ml/min/mm Hg/100 g lung for groups I, II, and III, respectively (P < 0.01 II vs I, III). Extravascular lung water values in the reperfused lobe were 4.44 ± 0.45, 6.57 ± 0.38, and 5.23 ± 0.22 ml/g blood free dry lung weight for groups I, II, and III (P < .05, II vs. I, III). Lung lipid peroxidation, measured as thiobarbituric acid-reactive material, was higher in group II, 146 ± 6 nmole/g, than in either group I, 90 ± 5 nmole/g, or group III, 91 ± 4 nmole/g (P < 0.01). The results indicate that the addition of DMTU improves hypothermic lung preservation by reducing lipid peroxidation and edema formation upon reperfusion.
Cloud Reflection Observations: Results from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter

Abstract Formation of the perennial ice caps is one of the most important climatic processes on Mars. Up to 25% of the atmosphere is recycled each year through the ice caps. CO 2 ice may form on cold surfaces when temperatures are low enough (∼146 K) or condense in the atmosphere and fall down on the surface as snow. Condensation of CO 2 is easily predicted by the models but has not been observed directly in any significant detail. However, formation of thick CO 2 clouds may have important implications for the martian climate. We describe observations of cloud echoes during the polar night by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter. We argue that most of these clouds are mostly composed of CO 2 ice. We present observations of cloud heights, and their locations and properties over the course of 1.5 martian years. We were able to distinguish at least two distinctive types of clouds on the basis of their location and spatial structure. We compare cloud echo locations with the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) brightness temperature data. The results show some correlation with the anomalously low brightness temperatures (“cold” spots) in TES data. We suggest that these zones are due to snow or frost freshly formed on the ground and only in some rare cases to CO 2 snowfall.
Micromechanics Analysis of Space Simulated Thermal Stresses in Composites. Part I: Theory and Unidirectional Laminates:

A micromechanics analysis is used to study the effects of constituent properties on thermally induced stresses in continuous fiber reinforced composites. A finite element formulation is described, and results are presented for unidirectional carbon/epoxy laminates. It is shown that significant stresses develop in composites exposed to thermal excursions typical of spacecraft operating environments and that the fiber thermoelastic properties have a minimal effect on the magnitude of these stresses. The finite element micromechanics analysis is then extended to the study of multidirectional laminates using a simple global/local formulation. Damage initiation predictions are compared with experimental data, and factors controlling the initiation of damage are identified. Ways of improving the durability of composites are discussed.
Effect of ethidium binding and superhelix density on the supercoiling free energy and torsion and bending constants of p30δ DNA

Topoisomer distributions created by the action of topoisomerase I on p30 delta DNA in the presence of various concentrations of ethidium are measured and analyzed using recently developed theory to obtain the twist energy parameter (ET) that governs the free energy of supercoiling in each case. Competitive dialysis experiments to investigate the relative affinity of ethidium for linear and supercoiled DNAs at different binding ratios are assayed fluorometrically and the results are analyzed using related theory. The topoisomer distributions and fluorescence intensity ratios agree well with the theory, which is based on the assumption that the supercoiling free energy varies quadratically with the effective linking difference, regardless of ethidium binding or superhelix density. The topoisomer distribution experiments alone yield an average best-fit value, ET = 950 +/- 80, independent of ethidium binding ratio from r = 0 to 0.082, while the combined topoisomer distribution and ethidium binding experiments yield an average best-fit value, ET = 1030 +/- 90, which is essentially independent of ethidium binding ratio from r = 0 to 0.082 and superhelix density from sigma = 0 to (-)0.053. One may conclude that the supercoiling free-energy-varies quadratically with effective linking difference over the entire range of observed ethidium binding ratios and superhelix densities. The independently measured torsion constant (alpha) of p30 delta DNA is likewise essentially independent of superhelix density and ethidium binding ratio. The observed invariance of ET and alpha implies that the bending constant kappa beta is similarly invariant to superhelix density and ethidium binding ratio. The apparently ideal behavior displayed by p30 delta DNA is not exhibited by pBR322 DNA, which is discussed in the following companion paper.
Loss mechanisms in mid-infrared extraordinary optical transmission gratings

The optical properties of periodic arrays of subwavelength apertures in metal films on GaAs substrates are studied. Specifically, geometric and material losses for these plasmonic structures are characterized using angular dependent transmission, normal incidence reflection, and angular dependent diffraction experiments, in addition to a crossed-polarizer transmission experiment. The optical properties of the samples as a function of engineered material losses are studied. Using this comprehensive approach to the characterization of the plasmonic structures, we are able to identify and isolate specific loss mechanisms, as well as identify the effect of free carriers on the optical properties of the structures.
Foals raised on pasture with or without daily pyrantel tartrate feed additive: comparison of parasite burdens and host responses following experimental challenge with large and small strongyle larvae

Three groups of foals were raised under different management programs in this study: Group 1 (n = 6) and Group 2 (n = 6) were raised with their dams on pasture; Group 3 foals (n = 5) were raised under parasite-free conditions. Mares and foals of Group 1 received daily pyrantel tartrate (PT) treatment with their pelleted feed ration, whereas mares and foals of Groups 2 and 3 received only the pelleted ration. Pasture-reared foals were weaned and moved to a heavily contaminated pasture for 5 weeks. Group 1 foals continued to receive daily PT treatment whereas Group 2 foals received only the pelleted feed ration. Following this period, all foals were moved into box stalls. Half of each group was challenged with 10(3) Strongylus vulgaris infective third-stage larvae (L3), 5 x 10(3) Strongylus edentatus L3 and 10(5) mixed cyathostome L3; the remaining half served as unchallenged controls. Necropsy examinations were performed 6-week post-challenge for evaluation of parasite burdens and lesions. Daily PT treatment of Group 1 reduced the patent cyathostome infections of both mares and foals and was effective in reducing pasture burdens of infective larvae. Daily treatment of Group 1 foals during weaning continued to suppress EPG levels; however, it did not prevent large strongyle infections during the weaning period. Group 1 foals were more sensitive to challenge than Group 2 foals, which did not exhibit any post-challenge disturbances. Group 1 foals were equally susceptible to challenge as parasite-free foals.
Skewness of the large-scale velocity divergence from non-Gaussian initial conditions

We compute the skewness $t_3$ and the corresponding hierarchical amplitude $T_3$ of the divergence of the velocity field for arbitrary non-Gaussian initial conditions. We find that $T_3$ qualitatively resembles the corresponding hierarchical amplitude for the density field, $S_3$, in that it contains a term proportional to the initial skewness, which decays inversely as the linear growth factor, plus a constant term which differs from the corresponding Gaussian term by a complex function of the initial three- and four- point functions. We extend the results for $S_3$ and $T_3$ with non-Gaussian initial conditions to evolved fields smoothed with a spherical tophat window function. We show that certain linear combinations, namely $S_3 + {1 \over 2} T_3$, $S_3 + T_3$, and $s_3 + t_3$, lead to expressions which are much simpler, for non-Gaussian initial conditions, than $S_3$ and $T_3$ (or $s_3$ and $t_3$) considered separately.
Use of 2,3-(diphenylsulfonyl)-1-propene as an allene equivalent in cycloaddition chemistry

Abstract The cycloaddition chemistry of 2,3-(diphenylsulfonyl)-1-propene with several nitrones has been investigated. The reagent formally corresponds to an allene equivalent.
Effect of limited proteolysis on activity and phosphorylation of rabbit muscle glycogen synthetase.

Abstract Purified rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen synthetase, in both the glucose-6-phosphate (P)-dependent (phosphorylated) and the glucose-6-P-independent (dephosphorylated) forms, was subjected to limited proteolysis by trypsin. Both forms could be degraded from their original subunit molecular weight of 85,000 to 76,000 and subsequently to 68,000, as determined with acrylamide-gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Degradation of the glucose-6-P-dependent form of the enzyme resulted in essentially no change in the activity when measured either in the presence or in the absence of glucose-6-P. Degradation of the glucose-6-P-independent form was associated with a progressive increase in glucose-6-P dependency. Phosphorylation of the glucose-6-P-independent form with the adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase and subsequent digestion of the 32 P-labeled enzyme showed that the phosphate group was retained on these subunits. The protein kinase phosphorylated both the original subunit with molecular weight 85,000 and the partially digested subunit with molecular weight 76,000. Upon further digestion of the enzyme into a form having a subunit molecular weight of 68,000, the enzyme was unable to accept a phosphate group from ATP. By contrast with the phosphorylation reaction, the dephosphorylation reaction catalyzed by partially purified glycogen synthetase phosphatase is not stringent in terms of structural integrity of the synthetase. The phosphatase dephosphorylated the glucose-6-P-dependent form of glycogen synthetase equally well at various degrees of degradation.
Grasses, litter, and their interaction affect microbial biomass and soil enzyme activity

Abstract Plant effects on ecosystem processes are mediated through plant–microbial interactions belowground and soil enzyme assays are commonly used to directly relate microbial activity to ecosystem processes. Live plants influence microbial biomass and activity via differences in rhizosphere processes and detrital inputs. I utilized six grass species of varying litter chemistry in a factorial greenhouse experiment to evaluate the relative effect of live plants and detrital inputs on substrate-induced respiration (SIR, a measure of active microbial biomass), basal respiration, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the activities of β -glucosidase, β -glucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase. To minimize confounding variables, I used organic-free potting media, held soil moisture constant, and fertilized weekly. SIR and enzyme activities were 2–15 times greater in litter-addition than plant-addition treatments. Combining live plants with litter did not stimulate microbial biomass or activity above that in litter-only treatments, and β -glucosidase activity was significantly lower. Species-specific differences in litter N (%) and plant biomass were related to differences in β -glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase activity, respectively, but had no apparent effect on β -glucosidase, SIR, or basal respiration. DOC was negatively related to litter C:N, and positively related to plant biomass. Species identity and living plants were not as important as litter additions in stimulating microbial activity, suggesting that plant effects on soil enzymatic activity were driven primarily by detrital inputs, although the strength of litter effects may be moderated by the effect of growing plants.
Wireless network coding: invited talk

Wireless is becoming the preferred mode of network access. The performance of wireless networks in practice, however, is hampered due to the harsh characteristics of the wireless medium: its shared broadcast nature, interference, and high error rate. Traditionally, network designers have viewed these characteristics as problematic, and tried to work around them. In this talk, I will show how we can turn these challenges into opportunities that we exploit to significantly improve performance.To do so, we use a simple yet fundamental shift in network design. We allow routers to "mix" (i.e., code) packets' content before forwarding them. I will describe three algorithms and system designs, COPE, ANC and MIXIT, which exploit this network coding functionality via novel algorithms to provide large practical gains. In this talk, I will discuss COPE and ANC; COPE exploits wireless broadcast, while ANC exploits strategic interference to improve throughput.
The role of changing surface mineralogy on the separation of phosphatic clay waste

Abstract During the selective flocculation of phosphatic clay waste, it was observed that aging of the mineral sample had significant influence on the separation efficiency. It was found that, while a concentrate grade of 19.5% P 2 O 5 could be obtained for a natural sample before aging, only a grade of 15% could be obtained with the same sample after nine months. It was experimentally determined that the most significant change during aging was the increase of the aluminum phosphate content of the material. Thermodynamic calculations of the stability of the minerals present in phosphatic clay waste confirmed this experimental observation. It was calculated that a mixture of fluorapatite with common clay minerals could not be stable under the conditions prevailing in the phosphatic clay waste sample studied. Millisite, a calcium-aluminum phosphate was calculated to be the stable phosphate phase. Formation of this compound at the clay water interface is considered to be the main reason for the drop in separation efficiency during storage, as well as for the significantly lower separation efficiency for phosphatic clay waste compared to that obtained for artificial fluorapatite-clay mixtures.
Generation and trapping of 7-norbornylidenecarbene and a heptacyclic analog of this alkylidenecarbene

Abstract Reaction of 7-(dibromomethylene)norbornane (2) with n-BuLi resulted in α-elimination of Br2 with concomitant formation of 7-norbornylidenecarbene (4a). When this reaction was performed in the absence of an alkene trapping agent, the corresponding cumulated triene, 5, was produced (47% yield). When 4a was generated in the presence of norbornadiene, the corresponding [2 + 2] cycloadduct, 7, was formed in 82% yield. Alkylidenecarbene 4a thus generated in the presence of cis-2-butene resulted in stereospecific formation of the corresponding cis cycloadduct, 8 (74% yield), thereby suggesting that 4a functions as a singlet unsaturated carbene in this reaction. Similar reactions of 7-(dibromomethylene)-HCTD (11) with n-BuLi performed (i) in the absence of added alkene and (ii) in the presence of cyclohexene resulted in the formation of cumulated triene 14 (69% yield) and [2 + 2] alkylidenecarbene-alkene cycloadduct 15 (51% yield), respectively. We find no evidence for the formation of cycloalkynes (i.e., 4b or 13b) in any of the reactions reported herein.
The Sunk-Cost Fallacy in the National Football League: Salary Cap Value and Playing Time

The National Football League (NFL) draft is used to examine the presence of the sunk-cost fallacy in teams’ playing time decisions. In the NFL, salary cap value represents a significant sunk cost to teams. We use the structure of the NFL draft to conduct a fuzzy regression discontinuity design. Optimal bandwidth local linear results suggest a 10% increase in salary cap value yields an additional 2.7 games started, for players selected near the cutoff between the first two rounds. Despite being no more productive, the first round selections receive a compensation premium, which leads to them starting significantly more games.
Parent-child cultural orientations and child adjustment in Chinese American immigrant families

Direct and indirect/mediated relations of (a) children's and parents' cultural orientations and (b) parent-child gaps in cultural orientations to children's psychological adjustment were examined in a socioeconomically diverse sample of 258 Chinese American children (age = 6-9 years) from immigrant families. Parents reported on children's and their own Chinese and American orientations in language proficiency, media use, and social relationships. Parents and teachers rated children's externalizing and internalizing problems and social competence. Using structural equation modeling, we found evidence for both the effects of children's and parents' cultural orientations and the effects of parent-child gaps. Specifically, children's American orientations across domains were associated with their better adjustment (especially social competence). These associations were partly mediated by authoritative parenting. Parents' English and Chinese media use were both associated with higher authoritative parenting, which in turn was associated with children's better adjustment. Furthermore, greater gaps in parent-child Chinese proficiency were associated with children's poorer adjustment, and these relations were partly mediated by authoritative parenting. Together, the findings underscore the complex relations between immigrant families' dual orientations to the host and heritage cultures and children's psychological adjustment.
On the Solution of Boolean and Pseudo-Boolean Relations

This correspondence deals with collections of n binary relations between Boolean and/or pseudo-Boolean functions which are combined by an n-ary relation. A new algorithm is described for solving these relations.
Synoretin--A new protein belonging to the synuclein family.

Abstract α-Synuclein, a presynaptic nerve terminal protein, may be an important component of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, recent genetic studies based on linkage analysis and cosegregation of A53T and A30P missense mutations demonstrated that the α-synuclein gene may be responsible for the development of at least some cases of familial Parkinson's disease. Despite intense interest in the members of the synuclein family, their function(s) and exact role in the diseases remained unknown. Here we describe a new member of the synuclein family, which we term synoretin, and show that it is expressed in different retinal cells, as well as in the brain, and it may affect the regulation of signal transduction through activation of the Elk1 pathway.
Structural snapshots from the oxidative half-reaction of a copper amine oxidase: Implications for O2 activation

The mechanism of molecular oxygen activation is the subject of controversy in the copper amine oxidase family. At their active sites, copper amine oxidases contain both a mononuclear copper ion and a protein-derived quinone cofactor. Proposals have been made for the activation of molecular oxygen via both a Cu(II)-aminoquinol catalytic intermediate and a Cu(I)-semiquinone intermediate. Using protein crystallographic freeze-trapping methods under low oxygen conditions combined with single-crystal microspectrophotometry, we have determined structures corresponding to the iminoquinone and semiquinone forms of the enzyme. Methylamine reduction at acidic or neutral pH has revealed protonated and deprotonated forms of the iminoquinone that are accompanied by a bound oxygen species that is likely hydrogen peroxide. However, methylamine reduction at pH 8.5 has revealed a copper-ligated cofactor proposed to be the semiquinone form. A copper-ligated orientation, be it the sole identity of the semiquinone or not, blocks the oxygen-binding site, suggesting that accessibility of Cu(I) may be the basis of partitioning O2 activation between the aminoquinol and Cu(I).
Differences in the time course of dopaminergic supersensitivity following chronic administration of haloperidol, molindone, or sulpiride

The onset and persistence of changes in 3H-spiroperidol binding to dopamine (DA) D2 receptors were examined in rat mesolimbic and striatal regions following daily administration of haloperidol, molindone, or sulpiride for 3, 7, 14, or 28 days. Neuroleptic dose equivalencies were determined by inhibition of 3H-spiroperidol in vivo binding in several rat brain regions. Changes in locomotor and stereotyped responses to the specific DA D2 agonist quinpirole were examined 3 days after the last treatment dose. Haloperidol or molindone administration increased mean stereotypy scores and striatal DA D2 receptor densities throughout the 28-day treatment period. In contrast, mesolimbic DA D2 receptor densities were transiently increased and returned to control values after 28 days of haloperidol or molindone treatment. Sulpiride treatment increased mean stereotypy scores and striatal Bmax values, but had no effect on locomotion or mesolimbic dopamine receptor density. Additionally, the magnitude of change in the various measures of brain DA function varied among the three neuroleptic treatment groups. Results from this study suggest that mesolimbic and striatal brain regions differ in their response to long-term neuroleptic administration and that drug choice may influence the magnitude of neuroleptic-induced dopaminergic supersensitivity.