cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sealing one's fate: control of cell death in neurons

Abstract BCL-2 family members and caspases are essential components of the death machinery in neurons. Identification of Apaf-1 as the mammalian homologue of Caenorhabditis elegans ced-4 provided the final proof of the complete conservation of the C. elegans programmed cell death pathway in mammals. When neurons are deprived of trophic factors, a sequence of events is initiated, which includes a reduction in macromolecule synthesis, elevation of c-Jun and cyclin D1, and activation of BAX. The final episode of this sequence is the activation of caspases, which may mark the death commitment point at which neurons cannot be rescued by addition to trophic factors. In addition, recent evidence suggests that the components in the developmental programmed cell death pathway may play a critical role in neurodegenerative disorders.
A study of effect of element pointing error on power density in near field of reflector arrays

This paper addresses the issue of acceptable power density levels in arrays of small antennas to be used for uplink transmission functions at NASA/JPL's deep space network (DSN). This problem is of interest due to safety considerations as well as interference with receivers on nearby flying objects such as helicopters or other systems. Specifically, array element pointing errors can produce hot spots due to coherent combining of the radiation from individual elements in the near and mid field regions of the antenna arrays which may be larger than is expected and could become unacceptable. Therefore care must be taken that such situations do not occur. In this paper the interference problem is formulated and limits are obtained to prevent the peak addition of signals which could be 6 dB higher than that achieved by individual elements. Ample plots and example are provided to clarify the concept and provide guidelines for pointing error specifications
Committee on Dynamics of Streams, 1939–40

The Committee on Dynamics of Streams has continued during the past year with almost the same membership as before. One new member has been added. The membership is now as follows: K. Eliding Belj, National Hydraulic Laboratory, U. S. Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.; H. H. Bennett, Director, U. S. Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C.; Irving B. Crosby, Consulting Geologist, 6 Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts; John B. Drisko, 34 West Baltimore Street, Kensington, Maryland; H. V. Geib, Division of Research, U. s. Soil Conservation Service, College Station, Texas; C. S. Howard, Chemist, U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.; E. W. Lane, Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; W. C. Krumbein, Department of Geology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; L. M., Lawson, American Commissioner, International Boundary Commission, First National Bank Building, El Paso, Texas; W. C. Lowdermilk, U. S. Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C.; Gerard H. Matthes, Mississippi River Commission, Box 363, Vicksburg, Mississippi; G. W. Musgrave, U. S. Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D. C ; Martin E. Nelson, Engineer, U. s. Engineer Sub-Office, Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; M. P. O'Brien, College of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California; R. L. Parshall, Colorado state College, Fort Collins, Colorado; G. W. Pickels, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois; C. H. Pierce, Senior Engineer, U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.; C. E. Ramser, Watershed and Hydrologic Studies, U. S. Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C.; William W. Rubey, U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.; Fred C. Scobey, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Room 219 P. O. Building, Berkeley, California; Lorenz G. Straub, Chairman, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Roy N. Towl, Consulting Engineer, 506 South Fifty-Seventh Street, Omaha, Nebraska; A. C. Trowbridge, Department of Geology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Herbert D. Vogel, Fort Belvoir, Virginia; H. H. Wheaton, Department of Mathematics, Fresno State College, Fresno, California; N. E. Winters, State Agricultural College, Stillwater, Oklahoma. At last year's meeting of the American Geophysical Union the following papers in addition to the regularly scheduled committee report were presented relative to stream-dynamics studies: “The relation of suspended to bed materials in rivers,” E. W. Lane and A. A. Kalinske; “Velocity-distribution in open channels,” E. H. Taylor; “Studies of meandering of model-streams,” Joseph B. Tiffany, Jr. and George A. Nelson; “Studies of the transition-region between laminar and turbulent flow in open channels,” Lorenz G. Straub; “Some experiments on shallow flows over a grassed slope,” W. O. Ree.
Conformal method for quantitative shape extraction: performance evaluation

We evaluate our developed conformal method for quantitative shape extraction from unorganized 3D oriented point clouds. The conformal method has been tested previously on real, noisy, 3D data. Here we focus on the empirical evaluation of its performance on synthetic, ground truth data, and comparisons with other methods for quantitative extraction of mean and Gauss curvatures presented in the literature.
Assessment of left ventricular function by meridional and circumferential endsystolic stress/minor-axis shortening relations in dilated cardiomyopathy

Echocardiographic meridional wall stress-endocardial shortening relations provide estimates of left ventricular (LV) contractility that do not uniformly detect myocardial dysfunction despite severe symptoms in dilated cardiomyopathy. To improve detection of myocardial dysfunction in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to dilated cardiomyopathy, echocardiographic meridional and circumferential end-systolic stress were related to endocardial and midwall shortening in 42 patients (95% dead within a mean of 22 months) with dilated cardiomyopathy and 140 normal subjects. A method to estimate LV long-axis dimension from M-mode minor-axis epicardial measurements was developed in a separate series of 115 subjects. Endocardial shortening to meridional wall stress relation identified 31 of 42 CHF patients falling below the 95% normal confidence interval of the reference population; use of midwall shortening decreased this number to 26 (p = NS). The use of circumferential wall stress identified 39 of 42 patients with subnormal endocardial LV shortening and 41 of 42 patients with depressed midwall performance (p < 0.01 vs use of meridional stress). The circumferential/meridional wall stress ratio was 2.6 +/- 0.5 in normal subjects and 1.3 +/- 0.2 in CHF patients (p < 0.0001). Thus, use of circumferential end-systolic stress as the measure of afterload improves the detection of myocardial dysfunction by stress/shortening relations in patients with CHF. The ratio between the 2 stresses decreases with more spherical LV shape. Midwall and endocardial shortening measurements are equivalent in the setting of thin LV walls as occurs in dilated cardiomyopathy.
Increasing the speed of relaxometry-based compartmental analysis experiments in STEAM spectroscopy

In this work we present a method for improving the speed of spin-spin relaxation time (T2) measurements for compartmental analysis in stimulated echo localized magnetic resonance spectroscopy without reducing the sampling density. The technique uses a progressive repetition time (TR) to compensate for echo time (TE) dependent variations in saturation effects that would otherwise modulate the received signal at short TRs. The method was validated in T2 studies on 10 young healthy subjects in spectroscopic voxels localized along either the right or left Sylvian fissure (2 x 2 x 1.5 cm3, 10 ms mixing time (TM), 2048 data points, 819.2 ms acquisition time). The TR was automatically adjusted so that TR-TM-TE/2 was kept constant as the TE was incremented. Compared to long TR T2 experiments, the progressive TR technique consistently replicated the T2 relaxation times and reference signals of the tissue water compartment while reducing the data acquisition time by more than 50%. The percent error was on average less than 2% for estimates of T2 and S(0) for the tissue water, an indication that the progressive TR technique is a useful method for determining the tissue water signal for internal referencing.
Perceived Severity and Justifiability of a Deviant Act and Their Relationship to Suggested Sanctions

Previous research with mock jurors which concerned attribution of responsibility for a deviant/criminal act traditionally varied the “severity” of the act presented to subjects. Yet severity and justifiability of that act are seldom if ever differentiated. These dimensions are, both practically and theoretically, potentially disparate yet past research has neglected the dimension of justifiability. To test this possible distinction defendant's social status, victim's social status, severity of the crime (armed robbery vs petty larceny), and compensation to the victim were systematically varied in written criminal cases presented to 168 male and 228 female student subjects, randomly chosen. Subjects made a distinction between the two dimensions and both were highly associated with the recommended sanctions. These data were taken as evidence that (1) previous research has been remiss in not distinguishing between these two dimensions and (2) Heider's Level 5 of developmental stages of responsibility attribu...
Oxytocin Infusion Reduces Repetitive Behaviors in Adults with Autistic and Asperger's Disorders

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by dysfunction in three core behavioral domains: repetitive behaviors, social deficits, and language abnormalities. There is evidence that abnormalities exist in peptide systems, particularly the oxytocin system, in autism spectrum patients. Furthermore, oxytocin and the closely related peptide vasopressin are known to play a role in social and repetitive behaviors. This study examined the impact of oxytocin on repetitive behaviors in 15 adults with autism or Asperger's disorder via randomized double-blind oxytocin and placebo challenges. The primary outcome measure was an instrument rating six repetitive behaviors: need to know, repeating, ordering, need to tell/ask, self-injury, and touching. Patients with autism spectrum disorders showed a significant reduction in repetitive behaviors following oxytocin infusion in comparison to placebo infusion. Repetitive behavior in autism spectrum disorders may be related to abnormalities in the oxytocin system, and may be partially ameliorated by synthetic oxytocin infusion.
Crystal structures and increased stabilization of the protein G variants with switched folding pathways NuG1 and NuG2

We recently described two protein G variants (NuG1 and NuG2) with redesigned first hairpins that were almost twice as stable, folded 100-fold faster, and had a switched folding mechanism relative to the wild-type protein. To test the structural accuracy of our design algorithm and to provide insights to the dramatic changes in the kinetics and thermodynamics of folding, we have now determined the crystal structures of NuG1 and NuG2 to 1.8 A and 1.85 A, respectively. We find that they adopt hairpin structures that are closer to the computational models than to wild-type protein G; the RMSD of the NuG1 hairpin to the design model and the wild-type structure are 1.7 A and 5.1 A, respectively. The crystallographic B factor in the redesigned first hairpin of NuG1 is systematically higher than the second hairpin, suggesting that the redesigned region is somewhat less rigid. A second round of structure-based design yielded new variants of NuG1 and NuG2, which are further stabilized by 0.5 kcal/mole and 0.9 kcal/mole.
Requirement for phenylalanine and replacement value of tyrosine for phenylalanine in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract The requirement for phenylalanine (Phe) and replacement value of tyrosine (Tyr) for Phe in fingerling rainbow trout were determined by feeding diets containing various levels of Phe and Tyr. Four tanks of 30 trout each were assigned per diet and fed 3 times daily to satiation at 15°C. With diets containing excess Tyr (1.33%) and 35% crude protein, weight gain of 13-g trout over a 6-week period increased linearly with increasing levels of Phe up to 0.75% of dry diet but was not different ( P >0.05) at 0.75% and 1.75% Phe. Feed efficiency and nitrogen retention improved as Phe level in the diet increased up to 0.55%, but no significant effects were found at levels above 0.55%. Carcass protein content increased with Phe level up to 0.65% and fat content decreased concurrently. Increasing Tyr level up to 0.7% in a diet containing 0.6% Phe increased weight gain of 14-g trout over a 6-week period, but a further increase in Tyr level to 0.8% had no effect ( P >0.05). Analysis of data using a broken-line model showed that the Phe requirement of fingerling rainbow trout is 0.7±0.05% (mean±s.e.) of dry diet or 2.0% of dietary protein, when a diet contains excess Tyr and 35% protein, and that the replacement value of Tyr for Phe is approximately 53% on a weight basis or 48% on a molar basis. Thus the total aromatic amino acid requirement is 1.5% of dry diet or 4.3% of dietary protein.
Responses of Lemur fulvus to Scents of Different Subspecies of L. fulvus and to Scents of Different Species of Lemuriformes

Captive Lemur fulvus were presented with scents of their own subspecies, scents of other subspecies of L. fulvus, and scents of other species of sympatric Lemuriformes. The results suggest that L. fulvus do not distinguish between scents of different subspecies of L. fulvus, and that they do distinguish between scents of their own species and other sympatric species of Lemuriformes.
Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges and chromosome aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes by 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone.

Abstract The genotoxicity of 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone (TNF) was investigated using the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosome aberration assay systems with human peripheral lymphocytes. The SCE frequency increased from the control value of 9.45 to 27.80 (mean of 50 cells scored from each of two donors) after the lymphocytes were treated with the highest dose of TNF (3.0 μg/ml). The results of the chromosome aberration experiment show that TNF induced more than a 4-fold increase in aberrations in each donor. The results, which indicate that TNF is clastogenic, add further evidence that this compound is potentially genotoxic to exposed populations.
X-ray absorption studies of elemental and complex transition metal (TM) oxides: Differences between: (i) Chemical, and (ii) Local site symmetry multivalency

Alloy induced multivalency in transition metal oxides increases device functionality. Effects include insulator to metal transitions in the d0 perovskites (i) GdScO 3 , by substitution of tetravalent Ti trivalent for Sc, and (ii) LaMnO 3 by alloy substitution of trivalent La and divalent Sr for trivalent La. Substituion of Ti3+ for Sc3+ on the ScO 2 planes leads to hopping induced multivalencey for both Ti and Sc, but only for Ti compositions above a percolation threshold. The formation of La 1−x Sr x MnO 3 alloys leads to mixed valence of the Mn-atoms: Mn3+ in the LaMnO 3 fraction, and Mn4+ in the SrMnO 3 fraction. Spectroscopic detection is based on charge transfer multiplet theory applied to Ti, Sc and Mn L 2,3 spectra were multivalent charge states increase the number of spectral features. Multivalency also occurs suboxide alloys such as TiO 2−x in a composition range: TiO 2 > TiO 2−x > TiO 1.5 . These alloys have a mix of Ti4+ and Ti3+ local bonding states, but due to hopping transport, the mix includes Ti2+. One important aspect of controlled multivalency is that it provides a way of changing and/or controlling the density of O-vacancy defects. Electrons can be injected into the oxide negative ion states ion states from Si, Ge, and other semiconductors, as well as metals with different offset energies [1]. The two terminal devices with asymmetric current-voltage charateristics providing options for memory devices.
Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Tetrazolate Group: Electrochemiluminescence in Solution and Solid State

In this work, we report the results about the solution and solid-state phosphorescence emission properties of six RuII complexes containing various 5-substituted tetrazolate ligands. The photo- and electrochemiluminescence spectra of all compounds revealed a red shifted emission with respect to the Ru(bpy)32+. Significant changes to the light emission energy and to the efficiency and sensitivity to oxygen were also determined by varying the nature of the substituent ring of the tetrazolate ligand. Light-emitting solid devices with active layers containing solid films of the same complexes were prepared, and preliminary studies of their electroinduced emission properties were performed. The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission intensity of two of the six complexes was of the same order of magnitude as the reference Ru(bpy)32+.
Clinical subtypes of lone atrial fibrillation

Aims: In the face of increasing evidence of underlying genetic heterogeneity for lone atrial fibrillation (LAF), we undertook a clinical analysis of subjects to identify the phenotypic subsets of this arrhythmia. Methods and Results: We evaluated serial patients who presented with LAF between July 5, 2001 and December 19, 2003. Subjects underwent a standardized interview to elicit a detailed medical history, prior therapies, and precipitants of atrial fibrillation. The results of a physical exam, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram were reviewed. One hundred and eighty subjects with a mean age of 45 years (15–67 years) at the time of diagnosis were enrolled. The majority of patients originally presented with paroxysmal fibrillation (94%), and 7.8% progressed to permanent AF. Reported triggers for AF included sleeping (44%), exercise (36%), alcohol use (36%), and eating (34%). Women with LAF had distinct symptoms, triggers for episodic AF, and over one-fourth had an underlying rheumatologic condition. Several subsets of AF including familial AF (39%), exercise-induced AF (32%), and conduction system disease requiring pacemaker implantation (7%), were identified. Conclusions: Family history, exercise as a trigger of AF, and a history of a pacemaker identified subtypes of LAF.
Urbs in Rure Redux: Changing Risk Factors for Rural HIV Infection

Abstract The purpose was to ascertain risk factors for HIV infection in a predominantly rural population using descriptive epidemiologic studies performed at a university health sciences center. Participants included adult patients with HIV infection or AIDS who were cared for between January 1982 and January 1993. The relative frequency of cases in minority and female heterosexual patients increased significantly. The male to female ratio among blacks with HIV infection declined to 1.1:1 during the final 3 years of the study. Patients who- believed they had acquired infection in Virginia were more likely to cite a rural area of acquisition and to have had multiple heterosexual partners but were less likely to have had male homosexual contact than patients who believed they had been infected in other states. HIV continued to spread into rural areas of Virginia, and the gender ratio among blacks with HIV declined throughout the study. Having multiple heterosexual partners, the main risk factor for HIV transmission worldwide, may now result in HIV infection in rural Virginia.
Sickle cell trait--neglected opportunities in the era of genomic medicine.

The use of genomics to prevent and treat disease is considered an important cornerstone for the future of health care. While the potential of genomics must be acknowledged, use of currently available scientific data and technical advances to reduce the burden of sickle cell disease (SCD), one of the most common serious single-gene disorders, is past due. However, any discussion of SCD must consider the historical context of race, inequalities in care,1 and previous concerns about authoritarian eugenics.2 The goal of this Viewpoint is to call attention to the unfulfilled promise of genetic screening to prevent SCD and to recommend necessary steps to realize this promise.
Insulin and IGF receptors are developmentally regulated in the chick embryo eye lens.

Abstract We have previously reported that insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors appear to predominate over insulin receptors in early stages of embryogenesis in the chick (days 2–3 whole embryo membranes). Overall, [ 125 I]IGF I and II binding to specific receptors was maximal when the rate of brain growth is highest. In the present study we used the embryonic chick lens, a well-defined tissue composed of a single type of cell, to analyse whether changes of insulin and IGF I binding are correlated with changes in growth rate and differentiation state of the cells. We show that both insulin receptors and IGF receptors are present in the lens epithelial cells, and that each type is distinctly regulated throughout development. While there is a direct correlation between IGF-binding capability and growth rate of the cells, there is less relation to differentiation status and embryo age. Insulin receptors, by contrast, appear to be mostly related to the differentiated state of cells, decreasing sharply in fibers, irrespective of their developmental age.
Spectrophotometric measurements of the enzymatic formation of fumaric and cis-aconitic acids.

Abstract A spectrophotometric method of measuring the enzymatic formation and disappearance of umaric and cis -aconitic acids is reported.
TEXTUAL COHESION AND SECOND LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION

Two cloze tests were administered to native (n=199) and nonnative (n = 230) speakers of English at three universities in northeastern Texas. One test was based on an analysis of the lexical and referential cohesion in the passage while the other was a standard fixed-ratio test. Prior to the administration of the tests, half the subjects were allowed to read the whole text from which the cloze tests were derived. Nonnative scores on the fixed-ratio format reflect approximately the same effect as native scores from having had prior access to the whole context. Scores on the cohesion-based test, however, demonstrate that nonnatives are far less capable of coping with the loss of redundant cohesive data than are natives. When these data are available, however, nonnatives employ them in comprehension to a comparatively greater extent than do native speakers. Nonnative speakers appear to be far more reliant on text in comprehension processes (text-bound) than are native speakers.
Design and Engineering Ethics Considerations for Neurotechnologies

Society has already seen multiple potential futures of neurotechnologies through the multifaceted lens of science fiction. We do not know which of those futures we will come to live, but the strong force in society's evolutionary process will likely continue to be the insight and oversight developed by the bioethics community, pushing and being pushed by the advances of technology, improvements in medical care, and market competitiveness.The author thanks the “Ethical Dimensions in Neuroscience” Program of the Stanford University BioX Interdisciplinary Initiative and the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics for supporting this work.
Continuous fetal monitoring during partial exchange transfusion in a patient with sickle cell disease crisis

Pregnancies complicated by severe hemoglobinopathies have long been known to have significantly increased maternal and perinatal morbidity. In pregnancies involving SS or SC hemoglobinopathies, partial exchange transfusions, both prophylactically and therapeutically, have been stated to be beneficial in regard to pregnancy outcomes. Technology to perform these exchange transfusions, however, needs to be carefully considered. Presented is a case report demonstrating fetal compromise during a partial exchange transfusion in which a discontinuous cell separator system was used.
Prediction of enthalpy and entropy interaction coefficients by the “central atoms” theory

Abstract A new model is developed which expresses the thennodynamic properties of a solution as a result of changes in the configuration of the nearest neighbor shell. Its simplest form introduces the quasiregular solution, which retains the simplicity of the regular solution while predicting more successfully the excess entropy; the equation of the model for the binary A–B solution is: G E = ZX A X B ω(1 − T gt ) Several relations are predicted between zeroth and first order free energy enthalpy and entropy interaction coefficients and are shown to be in fair qualitative agreement with experimental observations in the literature. In particular they satisfactorily explain discrepancies in the results of the use of the regular solution or quasi-chemical theory. A basis for the evaluation of excess entropy from free energy or enthalpy data is also devised and shown to be in fair agreement with observed empirical correlations.
Synthesis and enantiomeric resolution of tritiated (D,L)‐3‐hydroxykynurenine

The synthesis, purification and enantiomeric resolution of tritiated (D,L)-3-hydroxykynurenine are described. Bromination of racemic 3-hydroxykynurenine, catalytic dehalotritiation and purification by ion pair, reverse phase HPLC afforded tritiated material of high radiochemical purity (99.8%) and moderate specific radioactivity (3.64 Ci/mmol). Enantiomerically pure (D)- and (L)-stereoisomers were isolated using chiral HPLC conditions. The stability of the label toward isotopic exchange was assessed to be sufficient for biochemical studies.
Advanced glycation end products in human penis: elevation in diabetic tissue, site of deposition, and possible effect through inos or enos**

Abstract Objectives We hypothesized that advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation contributes to erectile dysfunction (ED) by quenching nitric oxide. Our first goal was to identify the specific AGE pentosidine in the diabetic human penis. Because AGE-mediated effects may involve inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), we performed immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of diabetic and nondiabetic human penile tissue for iNOS. Finally, because AGEs may act intracellularly to affect proteins, we set out to identify endothelial NOS (eNOS) in the human penis as an initial step in examining a possible intracellular interaction between eNOS and AGEs. Methods We performed high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of diabetic human penile corpus cavernosum and serum for pentosidine and performed immunohistochemical, electron microscopic (EM), and Western blot analysis of the diabetic and nondiabetic penile corpus cavernosum and tunica for pyrraline, iNOS, and eNOS (and neural NOS [nNOS]for comparative purposes) via standard methods. Results We found a significant elevation of pentosidine in the penile tissue but not the serum of diabetic patients (average age 55.6 ± 2.3 years) compared with that of nondiabetic patients (average age 61.8 ± 3.6 years). Pentosidine was 117.06 ± 9.19 pmol/mg collagen in the diabetic tunica versus 77.58 ± 5.5 pmol/mg collagen in the nondiabetic tunica ( P P μ M acetylcholine and 65.06% ± 2.84 to 86.16% ± 3.96 at 0.1 mM acetylcholine (n = 4, P P Conclusions AGEs are elevated in diabetic human penile tissue, but not in serum, and are localized to the collagen of the penile tunica and corpus cavernosum. We identified eNOS and iNOS in the human penile cavernosal smooth muscle and endothelium. The augmentation of cavernosal relaxation with a specific iNOS inhibitor, combined with the identification of iNOS protein, but not eNOS, in a patient with severe diabetes and ED, allows for speculation of a pathophysiologic mechanism for AGE-mediated ED via upregulation of iNOS and downregulation of eNOS. These data provide further insight into the mechanisms of advanced glycation end product-mediated ED and provide a foundation for further study. UROLOGY 50: 1016-1026, 1997.
Designing facilities for a high-tech future: the OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. headquarters—a case study

To efficiently operate an online computer system containing more than sixteen million records connected to more than 7,800 terminals, OCLC needed a facility that could handle both current requirements and be easily modified to support new computer hardware architectures. Although libraries may not be considering facility designs or remodeling of this magnitude, there are many similar issues that must be addressed in preparation for local automation. These issues include: 1) structural requirements; 2) environmental considerations; 3) utilities; 4) fire protection; 5) security concepts; and 6) workspace design. OCLCs solutions are detailed; and a retrospective appraisal of those solutions is provided. Essential planning issues are summarized in a sidebar.
Deccan traps mantle degassing in the terminal Cretaceous marine extinctions

Abstract Mantle degassing continually releases gases onto the earth's surface. Over geologically long time intervals, a general equilibrium probably exists between mantle CO2 release and uptake by surficial sinks. However, during periods of rapid plate movement, or continental flood basalt volcanism, the increased rate of mantle CO2 release may exceed that of uptake, leading to CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere and the marine mixed layer (top 50–100 m). This in turn triggers chemical changes in the mixed layer, climatic warming, and bioevolutionary turnover. The Cretaceous/Tertiary ( K T ) transition at 65 Ma seems to have been a time of major mantle degassing which induced a perturbation of the carbon cycle. During the K T transition, Deccan Traps volcanism, perhaps the greatest episode of continental flood basalt volcanism in the Phanerozoic, flooded an estimated 2.6 × 106 km2 of India with basaltic lavas, releasing 5 × 1017 moles of CO2 into the earth's atmosphere over a duration 0.53–1.36 Ma at the rate of 3.9 × 1011 to 9.6 × 1011 moles CO2 per year. The modern mean annual rate of mantle CO2 release from all sources is 4.1 × 1012 moles CO2 per year; assuming a comparable rate of release prior to the Deccan Traps volcanism, the Deccan Traps addition would have elevated the rate of mantle CO2 release by 10–25%. Sluggish marine circulation and warm, deep, oceans (14–15°C) would have exacerbated CO2 buildup in the atmosphere, accounting for the Cretaceous to Tertiary drop in oxygen-18 via climatic warming, and, in the marine mixed layer (top 50–100 m), explaining the selective nature of the terminal Cretaceous marine extinctions via a pH change. The extinctions were most severe amongst the calcareous microplankton of the mixed layer; calcareous microplankton (planktonic foraminifera and coccolithophorids) begin to have pH problems at 7.8 and 7.5, respectively. Failure of the coccolithophorids would have disrupted the Williams-Riley pump (algal productivity-gravity pump of CO2 from the atmosphere and mixed layer into the deep oceans) producing dead ocean conditions (severely reduced photosynthesis and CaCO3 production). Failure of the Williams-Riley pump is reflected in the extinctions themselves, and in the loss of biogenic CaCO3 to the sea floor, causing the K T boundary hiatus and (or) the K T boundary clay. Failure of the pump today would elevate atmospheric pCO2 severalfold; the K T failure would have responded comparably. Dead ocean conditions would, in themselves, have produced a major CO2 buildup. Early Tertiary “Strangelove” conditions in the mixed layer, characterized by a dominance of the thoracosphaerids, braarudosphaerids and small planktonic foraminifera, were coeval with the main pulse of Deccan Traps volcanism. Overall, the record is one of gradual K T bioevolutionary turnover during a period of disequilibrium between the rate of mantle CO2 degassing and uptake by sinks. Mantle degassing during the Deccan Traps volcanism unifies the K T biological and physicochemical records.
Macrophage-melanocyte heterokaryons. II. The activation of macrophage DNA synthesis. Studies with inhibitors of RNA synthesis.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages, which do not synthesize DNA in vitro, were fused with melanocytes, a mouse cell strain which proliferates rapidly in vitro. DNA synthesis was induced in macrophage nuclei 2–3 hr after fusion and occurred irrespective of the number of macrophage nuclei present per melanocyte nucleus in each heterokaryon. 50–80% of macrophage nuclei initiated DNA synthesis in the 3–7 hr period after fusion. The activation of most 11–12-day chick red cell nuclei in melanocyte cytoplasm took longer than 10 hr. The lag before DNA synthesis may reflect the heterochromatin content of each nucleus. Studies with actinomycin showed that heterokaryon RNA synthesis was essential for subsequent macrophage DNA synthesis. This RNA was synthesized 1–4 hr before the DNA and was unlikely to be ribosomal RNA, since it was insensitive to <0.1 µg/ml actinomycin. Melanocytes and macrophages were treated before fusion with actinomycin and bromotubercidin to bring about a more selective inhibition of RNA synthesis. Macrophages pretreated for 1 hr with 5 µg/ml of actinomycin showed less than 20% of control RNA synthesis in the first 4 hr after fusion, but a normal activation of macrophage DNA synthesis. Pretreatment of melanocytes for 3–7 hr with 5 µg/ml bromotubercidin, a reversible inhibitor of RNA synthesis, prevented macrophage DNA synthesis without affecting macrophage RNA synthesis in the heterokaryons (81% of control). These studies showed that only melanocyte RNA synthesis was essential for the production of macrophage DNA. The exposure of one cell partner to actinomycin before fusion caused cross-toxicity of the untreated nucleus after fusion. Bromotubercidin, an adenosine analogue which is incorporated into RNA, did not give rise to such cross-toxicity after fusion. Once the macrophage nucleus becomes activated in the heterokaryon it becomes less sensitive to the action of actinomycin.
Diffusion-Assisted Formation Mechanism of Molecular Break Junctions: A First-Principles Study of Benzenethiolate on Au(111)

Density-functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to obtain the binding energies of benzenethiolate on Au(111) under applied stress. The binding energetics to ideal Au(111), as well as to Au adatoms and small 2−3 adatom islands, have been calculated as functions of the normal displacement applied to the free end of the molecule. We find that binding to adatoms and adatom islands is energetically preferred over breaking the Au−S bond for sufficiently large displacements. On the basis of these results, we propose a diffusion-assisted mechanism of pyramidal break junction formation on Au(111) that involves creation and capture of surface adatoms, as well as surface or bulk vacancies. Quantitative estimates of stretching rates that are compatible with the required diffusion times are given on the basis of random walk theory.
Investigation of the N-Substituent Conformation Governing Potency and μ Receptor Subtype-Selectivity in (+)-(3R,4R)-Dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)- piperidine Opioid Antagonists

A study of the binding site requirements associated with the N-substituent of (+)-(3R,4R)-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine (4) derivatives was undertaken using a set of rigid vs flexible N-substituents. The study showed that compounds 7−9 bearing the trans-cinnamyl N-substituent most closely reproduced the potency at the opioid receptor of the flexible N-propylphenyl or N-propylcyclohexyl analogues previously reported. Neither the N-substituted cis-cinnamyl nor the cis-phenylcyclopropylmethyl compounds 10 and 11, respectively, showed high affinity for the opioid receptor. However, the N-trans-phenylcyclopropylmethyl compound 12 closely approximated the affinity of compounds 7−9. Additionally, we found that free rotation of the phenyl ring is necessary for high affinity binding and μ receptor subtype selectivity as the planar N-substituted thianaphthylmethyl and benzofuranylmethyl compounds 13 and 14 had significantly lower binding affinities. Altogether, these findings suggest that the high binding ...
Graviton phenomenology of linear dilaton geometries

Five-dimensional geometries with a linearly varying dilaton background arise as gravity duals of TeV little string theories and provide a solution of the hierarchy problem through extra dimensions. The unique Kaluza-Klein (KK) graviton spectrum has a mass gap on the order of the dilaton slope followed by a closely spaced discretum of states. We study in detail the graviton phenomenology in this scenario, allowing the dilaton slope to vary from the MeV to the TeV scale. When the dilaton slope is large enough so that individual KK resonances can be resolved at the LHC, several of them can be discovered simultaneously and allow for the linear dilaton geometry to be uniquely identified. For much smaller values of the dilaton slope, the LHC signatures become similar to the five-dimensional scenario of Arkani-Hamed, Dimopoulos and Dvali while relaxing the astrophysical and experimental constraints. Because of the mass gap, the KK modes are produced on shell and decay inside the LHC detector, modifying the diphoton and dilepton spectra at large invariant mass. Finally, we perform a similar analysis for the low-curvature Randall-Sundrum geometry. We present experimental limits and calculate the ultimate reach of a 14 TeV LHC for all the above scenarios.
A random comparative trial of 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g ceftazidime twice daily in urinary tract infection

One hundred and sixty-six patients with complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections were randomized to therapy with either 0.25, 0.50 or 1.00 g of ceftazidime im or iv twice daily for five days. Bacteriological data were complete in 138 patients. Escherichia coli caused 50% of all infections, Klebsiella and Enterobacter spp. caused 10.9%, Pseudomonas spp caused 10.9%, Proteus spp. caused 10.7%, and 8.7% were caused by other Gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus spp. caused 9.4%. Cure rate was lowest in infections caused by Pseudomonas (53.3%) and Proteus spp. (64.3%); however, most of these infections were complicated. No significant dose-related difference in efficacy was observed, but the 0.25 g dose had the lowest cure rate in each category. Nausea was the only side effect. The most common laboratory abnormalities were elevated liver function tests. Minimal changes in haematological and renal function were seen.
Water structure in a protein crystal: rubredoxin at 1.2 A resolution.

Abstract The model for rubredoxin based on X-ray diffraction data has been extensively refined with a 1.2 A resolution data set. Water oxygen atoms were deleted from the model if B exceeded 50 A 2 and occupancy was less than 0.3 eA −3 . The final water model consists of 127 sites with B values ranging from 15 to 6 0 A 2 and occupancies from unity down to 0.3, the most tightly bound water oxygen atoms being hydrogen bonded to two or more main-chain nitrogen or oxygen atoms. The water forms extensive hydrogen bond networks bridging the crevices on the molecular surfaces and between adjacent molecules. The minimum distances of the water sites from the protein surface are distributed about two distinct maxima, the major one at 2.5 to 3 A and a minor one at 4 to 4.5 A. Beyond 5 to 6 A from the protein surface, the discrete water merges into the aqueous continuum.
Synthesis of H 2 optimal static structured controllers: Primal and dual formulations

We consider the design of H 2 optimal static structured feedback gains for large-scale interconnected systems. The design of distributed controllers with access to measurements of a small number of the subsystems imposes particular sparsity constraints on the feedback gains. For this nonconvex constrained optimal control problem, we study both the primal and dual formulations to obtain optimality bounds. We exploit the sparsity structure present in large-scale systems by implementing an efficient quasi-Newton algorithm to solve the primal problem. We employ the subgradient method to solve the dual problem and obtain a lower bound for the optimal value of the performance index. Surprisingly, in many problems of practical interest, the upper bounds from solving primal problems and the lower bounds from solving dual problems are almost identical, suggesting the lack of duality gap in these applications and that the globally optimal structured gains have in fact been attained.
Teamwork Training for Interdisciplinary Applications

Safe healthcare delivery in the emergency department is a team sport. Medical educators seek efficient and effective methods to teach and practice teamwork skills to all levels of interdisciplinary learners with the goal of enhancing communication, insuring smooth clinical operations, and improving patient safety. We present a new interdisciplinary, health professions teamwork curriculum, modified from TeamSTEPPS, that is efficient, effective, and can be delivered using multiple teaching modalities. This flexible curriculum structure begins with a brief didactic core designed to orient the learners to team concepts and invest them in the rationale for focusing on teamwork skills. This is followed by one of four additional instructional modalities: traditional didactic, interactive audience response didactic, low-fidelity simulation (role play), and high-fidelity patient simulation. Each of these additional modalities can be utilized singly or in combination to enhance the learners’ attitudes, knowledge, and skills in team-based behaviors. Interdisciplinary cases have been defined, piloted, modified, and deployed at two major universities across more than 400 learners. Interdisciplinary simulation scenarios range from team-based role play to high-fidelity human patient simulation. Assessment cases using standardized patients are designed for interdisciplinary applications and focus on observable team-based behaviors rather than clinical knowledge. All of these cases have accompanying assessment instruments for attitudes, knowledge, and skills. These instruments may be used for formative assessment to provide feedback to the learners and standardize the faculty's information delivery. If used in a summative manner they provide data for course completion criteria, remediation, or competency assessment.
A previously uncharacterized gene, yjfO (bsmA), influences Escherichia coli biofilm formation and stress response

Bacteria growing as surface-adherent biofilms are better able to withstand chemical and physical stresses than their unattached, planktonic counterparts. Using transcriptional profiling and quantitative PCR, we observed a previously uncharacterized gene, yjfO to be upregulated during Escherichia coli MG1655 biofilm growth in a chemostat on serine-limited defined medium. A yjfO mutant, developed through targeted-insertion mutagenesis, and a yjfO-complemented strain, were obtained for further characterization. While bacterial surface colonization levels (c.f.u. cm(-2)) were similar in all three strains, the mutant strain exhibited reduced microcolony formation when observed in flow cells, and greatly enhanced flagellar motility on soft (0.3 %) agar. Complementation of yjfO restored microcolony formation and flagellar motility to wild-type levels. Cell surface hydrophobicity and twitching motility were unaffected by the presence or absence of yjfO. In contrast to the parent strain, biofilms from the mutant strain were less able to resist acid and peroxide stresses. yjfO had no significant effect on E. coli biofilm susceptibility to alkali or heat stress. Planktonic cultures from all three strains showed similar responses to these stresses. Regardless of the presence of yjfO, planktonic E. coli withstood alkali stress better than biofilm populations. Complementation of yjfO restored viability following exposure to peroxide stress, but did not restore acid resistance. Based on its influence on biofilm maturation and stress response, and effects on motility, we propose renaming the uncharacterized gene, yjfO, as bsmA (biofilm stress and motility).
Delamination growth during pre- and post-buckling phases of delaminated composite laminates

Abstract The delamination growth during the pre- or post-buckling phases in composites with a single delamination (one-dimensional model) is investigated. For that purpose, a general nonlinear analysis, using variational principle, with a new set of relations for the decomposition of the total energy release rate, is used for an arbitrary one-dimensional composite laminate structure. A computer code is developed and used for the parametric study of delamination growth during buckling. The effects of a wide range of parameters, like imperfection, layup, location of delamination, theory type and length-to-thickness ratio, were intensively studied. It is found that a dominant parameter, in terms of the level of energy release rate, is the length-to-thickness ratio.
A concise history of Mexico from Hidalgo to Cárdenas, 1805-1940

Preface Introduction 1. Birth of Mexican Independence, 1805-1821 2. The Troubled Years, 1821-1855 3. The Liberal Revolution, 1855-1876 4. The Era of Porfirio Diaz, 1876-1910 5. The Civil War, 1910-1920 6. Social Reforms, 1920-1940 Statistical Tables Chronology Notes Index.
The Thrombopoietin/MPL pathway in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) comprise a small percentage of total hematopoietic cells. Their ability to self-renewal is key to the continuous replenishment of the hematopoietic system with newly formed functional blood cell types while maintaining their multipotential capacity. Understanding the extrinsic signals that are essential to HSC maintenance will provide insights into the regulation of hematopoiesis at its most primitive stage, and with the knowledge applied, will potentially lead to improved clinical transplantation outcomes. In this review, we will summarize the current understanding of the role of the thrombopoietin/MPL signaling pathway in HSC maintenance during adult and fetal hematopoiesis. We will also speculate on the downstream key players in the pathway based on published data, and summarize the role of this pathway in leukemia.
Calibrating predictive model estimates to support personalized medicine.

Objective: Predictive models that generate individualized estimates for medically relevant outcomes are playing increasing roles in clinical care and translational research. However, current methods for calibrating these estimates lose valuable information. Our goal is to develop a new calibration method to conserve as much information as possible, and would compare favorably to existing methods in terms of important performance measures: discrimination and calibration. Material and methods: We propose an adaptive technique that utilizes individualized confidence intervals (CIs) to calibrate predictions. We evaluate this new method, adaptive calibration of predictions (ACP), in artificial and real-world medical classification problems, in terms of areas under the ROC curves, the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, mean squared error, and computational complexity. Results: ACP compared favorably to other calibration methods such as binning, Platt scaling, and isotonic regression. In several experiments, binning, isotonic regression, and Platt scaling failed to improve the calibration of a logistic regression model, whereas ACP consistently improved the calibration while maintaining the same discrimination or even improving it in some experiments. In addition, the ACP algorithm is not computationally expensive. Limitations: The calculation of CIs for individual predictions may be cumbersome for certain predictive models. ACP is not completely parameter-free: the length of the CI employed may affect its results. Conclusions: ACP can generate estimates that may be more suitable for individualized predictions than estimates that are calibrated using existing methods. Further studies are necessary to explore the limitations of ACP.