cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of salt, pH and temperature onStaphylococcus aureus MF-31 catalase

Abstract Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) fromStaphylococcus aureus MF-31 was isolated. The purification procedure included ethanol-chloroform precipitation, ammonium sulfate fractionation, ultrafiltration and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. The apparent native molecular weight was 235000 ± 5000. The enzyme was composed of four subunits, each having a molecular weight of 64 000 ± 1000. The purified enzyme had an apparent isoelectric point of 5·3 ± 0·1 pH units. The effects of salt, salt concentration, pH and temperature were examined for their influence on catalase stability. The enzyme was stable over the pH range of 4–9, and was inactivated at temperatures above 60°C. The inhibitory effects of salt were: NaCl > MgCl2 > KCI. The combination of NaCl and low pH was the most inhibitory.
A Characterization of Convoluted Poisson Distributions with Applications to Estimation

Abstract Define X as the sum of a Poisson random variable Y with parameter θ and a nonnegative integer valued variable Z independent of Y. If the distribution of Z is known, X has a one-parameter convoluted Poisson distribution. Such distributions are here characterized as solutions to a system of differential equations specifying the rate of change of the cumulative distribution function relative to a parametric change. The characterization is used in point and interval estimation of θ. It is shown that for a certain subclass of convoluted Poisson distributions, the maximum likelihood estimate of θ is the unique solution of the likelihood equation and is easily approximated numerically.
The effect of context change on conditioned defensive burying in rats

Adult male albino rats were tested for conditioned defensive burying behavior following two daily sessions (1 h/day) of preexposure to the test chamber with the shock prod absent. Subjects preexposed with the houselight and fan off (context change) exhibited less burying when tested with the houselight and fan on than did subjects preexposed and tested with the houselight and fan on (context constant). It was concluded that burying behavior is sensitive to contextual control, in that simple chamber preexposure is not sufficient for burying behavior to emerge but, rather, preexposure to the context in which testing will take place must occur.
An Industrial Vision System For Moderately Unconstrained Conditions

An industrial vision system capable of recognition of non-overlapping parts is presented. The system operates in a moderately unconstrained environment in terms of lighting and object surface characteristics. Typical images exhibit non-homogeneous object surfaces, transparency, shadows and specular reflections. The input image is mapped into a ternary image corresponding to the brightness of each pixel relative to the estimated background. A bounding rectangle is fit to each segmented object by aligning its sides parallel to the principal axis of the object. The shape recognition system uses features which are extracted from the projections of each segmented object onto the vertical and horizontal axes of the bounding rectangle, and from the projections of the skeleton of the segmented object. The classification scheme is chosen so that perfect segmentation is not a requirement of the system. Two uncon-nected object configurations can be recognized. Results are shown for an object domain in which different versions of objects within the same class exhibit different shape and brightness features, and objects in different classes exhibit resembling features. For 37 test images of tools, some with multiple tools in the image, the vision system successfully classified each tool into one of six classes.
Generalized passivity in discrete-time switched nonlinear systems

This paper analyzes the passivity and feedback passivation problems for discrete-time switched nonlinear systems with both passive and nonpassive modes that have relative degree zero. We generalize the classical passivity definition for such a switched nonlinear system provided that the increase in storage function over a finite horizon is bounded by the total supplied energy during this time period. We further extend this generalized passivity definition to switched nonlinear systems with passive, feedback passive modes and modes which can not be rendered passive using feedback (non-feedback passive modes). The switched nonlinear system is proved to be locally feedback passive if and only if its zero dynamics are locally passive. A lower bound on the ratio of total activation time between (feedback) passive and non-feedback passive modes is obtained to guarantee passive zero dynamics with Lipschitz constraints. We prove that output feedback control can be used to stabilize the equilibrium point of the switched system.
The role of the interface in adhesion phenomena

The role of the interface in adherend-adherate combinations and in the strength of adhesive joints has been examined. For the former systems, practical adhesion (as determined experimentally, for example, by peel, tensile, or shear strengths) is a function of basic adhesion (determined by intermolecular, interactions such as van der Waals, electrostatic, or valence type forces) and many other factors. Adhesive joint strength depends pends upon the mechanical response of the various phases involved; however, the data in the literature on such strengths suggest the importance of surface chemical and energetic factors. Various such criteria, including, wetting, thermodynamic work of adhesion WA, and interfacial tension, ySL, for maximum joint strengths and the conditions which optimize these criteria are discussed. The testing of these factors against the literature data on adhesive joint strengths shows that the interfacial tension between the substrate and the adhesive (ysL) is the most important criterion; the lower the ySL, the higher the joint strength. In the case of adherend-adherate systems, (e.g., metallized polymers), basic adhesion can be improved by chemical bonding or electrostatic contributions, and this improvement may or may not be reflected in improved practical adhesion. Examples are cited where an increase in basic adhesion does culminate in improved practical adhesion. On the other hand, practical adhesion does not always correlate with basic adhesion due to the influence of other factors.
Upregulation of BNIP3 and translocation to mitochondria mediates cyanide-induced apoptosis in cortical cells.

Abstract Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3), a Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3) domain only protein, has been identified as a mitochondrial mediator of hypoxia-induced cell death. Since cyanide produces histotoxic anoxia (chemical hypoxia), the present study was undertaken in primary rat cortical cells to determine involvement of the BNIP3 signaling pathway in cyanide-induced death. Over a 20 h exposure KCN increased BNIP3 expression, followed by a concentration-related apoptotic death. To determine if BNIP3 plays a role in the cell death, expression was either increased with BNIP3 cDNA (BNIP3+) or knocked down with small interfering RNA (RNAi). In BNIP3+ cells, cyanide-induced apoptotic death was markedly enhanced and preceded by reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and elevated caspase 3 and 7 activity. Pretreatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (zVAD-fmk) suppressed BNIP3+-mediated cell death, thus confirming a caspase-dependent apoptosis. On the other hand, BNIP3 knockdown by RNAi or antagonism of BNIP3 by a transmembrane-deleted dominant-negative mutant (BNIP3ΔTM) markedly reduced cell death. Immunohistochemical imaging showed that cyanide stimulated translocation of BNIP3 from cytosol to mitochondria and displacement studies with BNIP3ΔTM showed that integration of BNIP3 into the mitochondrial outer membrane was necessary for the cell death. In BNIP3+ cells, cyclosporin-A, an inhibitor of mitochondrial pore transition, blocked the cyanide-induced reduction of Δψm and decreased the apoptotic death. These results demonstrate in cortical cells that cyanide induces a rapid upregulation of BNIP3 expression, followed by translocation to the mitochondrial outer membrane to reduce Δψm. This was followed by mitochondrial release of cytochrome c to execute a caspase-dependent cell death.
The interaction between plant competition and disease

Abstract It is well documented that pathogens can affect the survival, reproduction, and growth of individual plants. Drawing together insights from diverse studies in ecology and agriculture, we evaluate the evidence for pathogens affecting competitive interactions between plants of both the same and different species. Our objective is to explore the potential ecological and evolutionary consequences of such interactions. First, we address how disease interacts with intraspecific competition and present a simple graphical model suggesting that diverse outcomes should be expected. We conclude that the presence of pathogens may have either large or minimal effects on population dynamics depending on many factors including the density-dependent compensatory ability of healthy plants and spatial patterns of infection. Second, we consider how disease can alter competitive abilities of genotypes, and thus may affect the genetic composition of populations. These genetic processes feed back on population dynamics given trade-offs between disease resistance and other fitness components. Third, we examine how the effect of disease on interspecific plant interactions may have potentially far-reaching effects on community composition. A host-specific pathogen, for example, may alter a competitive hierarchy that exists between host and non-host species. Generalist pathogens can also induce indirect competitive interactions between host species. We conclude by highlighting lacunae in our current understanding and suggest that future studies should (1) examine a broader taxonomic range of pathogens since work to date has largely focused on fungal pathogens; (2) increase the use of field competition studies; (3) follow interactions for multiple generations; (4) characterize density-dependent processes; and (5) quantify pathogen, as well as plant, population and community dynamics.
Observations of predator-prey interaction on dispersal of an oligochaete prey, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri

Clumped patches of the oligochaete, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, were subjected to predation by the leech, Erpobdella punctata to determine how the dispersion pattern might change. Two separate experiments showed that worms left the patch in 39% and 48% greater numbers when the leech predator was present. This suggests that L. hoffmeisteri uses a antipredatory strategy of dispersal rather than clumping.
Resistance to Oral Antiplatelet Agents: Fact or Fantasy?

There is little question that oral antiplatelet agents have found a distinct and nearly universal role in the management of patients with atherosclerotic disease. Aspirin has proven to be an important drug that reduces the complications of virtually all manifestations of atherosclerosis in the cardiac and cerebral circulations.1 The thienopyridines, ticlopidine and clopidogrel, have been useful in managing patients who have undergone intracoronary stent placement2 as well as those suffering from acute coronary syndromes3 and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.4•5 However, a variety of publications over the past five years have reinforced the concept that the responses of individual patients to these drugs is heterogeneous, and that this heterogeneity may have important clinical consequences. This monograph will review the evidence that such variability not only exists but is also clinically meaningful. An important point to recognize is that use of the term "resistance" is controversial and likely misleading for several reasons. First, a drug response must be defined in terms of biomarkers rather than clinical events; patients with atherosclerosis nearly always receive a variety of concomitant treatments, so a clinical event can be regarded as a failure of any or all of these treatments rather than simply an inadequate response to a specific drug. Second, a variety of in vitro tests are available to characterize the response to antiplatelet drugs. However, the responses reported by one test do not necessarily reflect responses reported by others, so categorizing a particular patient as either "responsive" or "resistant" is in part dependent on which test is used. Third, the basal reactivity of platelets before administering either drug may play a large role in determining the final degree of platelet activity after either drug is administered. Finally, relatively stringent criteria for a biomarker's adequacy have been expounded in recent years;6 however, neither the in vitro responses to aspirin nor to clopidogrel have strictly met these requirements. In addition, almost no reports exist concerning the reproducibility of determinations made with any of the tests, and very few reports exist concerning the temporal stability of these estimates. For example, it is unknown whether a patient who is classified as aspirin "resistant" on day 1 will also be "resistant" at the end of a month or a year. In fact, there is reason to suspect that this may not be the case at all.
Clock Synchronization of a Large Multiprocessor System in the Presence of Malicious Faults

Clock synchronization in the presence of malicious faults is one of the main problems associated with the design of a multiprocessor system. Although over the past few years many different algorithms have been proposed for overcoming this problem, they are not suitable for a large real-time multiprocessor system due to their excessive time overhead, asymmetric structure, and/or large number of interconnections. To remedy this problem, we propose a new method in this paper that i) requires little time overhead by using phase-locked clock synchronization, ii) needs a clock network very similar to the processor network, and iii) uses only 20-30 percent of the total number of interconnections required by a fully connected network for almost no loss in the synchronizing capabilities. Both ii) and iii) are made possible by grouping the various clocks in the system into many different clusters and then treating the clusters themselves as single clock units as far as the network is concerned. The method is significant in that regardless of their size multiprocessor systems can be built at an inexpensive cost without sacrificing both the synchronization and fault tolerance capabilities. To show the feasibility of our method, an example hardware implementation is presented. This implementation turns out to be much simpler than the other existing methods and also retains the symmetry and synchronizing capabilities of the network.
The Effect of Tool Flank Wear on the Heat Transfer, Thermal Damage and Cutting Mechanics in Finish Hard Tuning

Abstract Tool flank wear is a major cause of thermal damage in the machined surface layer in finish hard machining. A new methodology is developed to provide the knowledge needed for understanding the heat transfer regarding the formation of the thermal damage and the cutting mechanics. The methodology consists of a thermal model based on Green's function and a microstructure-based method using orthogonal hard turning. The coupling of the interface boundary conditions due to chip formation and flank wear is resolved using the proposed microstructure-based method, which is a departure from the conventionally incorrect approaches based on the assumption of constant chip formation. By incorporating the microstructure-based method with the thermal model, heat generated, heat partition, and the shear forces at the tool-chip and tool-work interfaces can be determined. Interface temperatures that are extremely difficult to be measured are obtained. The results quantitatively explain how the heat transfer and chip formation are altered as the tool flank is progressively worn.
High-temperature langatate elastic constants and experimental validation up to 900°C

This paper reports on a set of langatate (LGT) elastic constants extracted from room temperature to 1100°C using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy techniques and an accompanying assessment of these constants at high temperature. The evaluation of the constants employed SAW device measurements from room temperature to 900°C along 6 different LGT wafer orientations. Langatate parallelepipeds and wafers were aligned, cut, ground, and polished, and acoustic wave devices were fabricated at the University of Maine facilities along specific orientations for elastic constant extraction and validation. SAW delay lines were fabricated on LGT wafers prepared at the University of Maine using 100-nm platinum rhodium- zirconia electrodes capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1000°C. The numerical predictions based on the resonant ultrasound spectroscopy high-temperature constants were compared with SAW phase velocity, fractional frequency variation, and temperature coefficients of delay extracted from SAW delay line frequency response measurements. In particular, the difference between measured and predicted fractional frequency variation is less than 2% over the 25°C to 900°C temperature range and within the calculated and measured discrepancies. Multiple temperature-compensated orientations at high temperature were predicted and verified in this paper: 4 of the measured orientations had turnover temperatures (temperature coefficient of delay = 0) between 200 and 420°C, and 2 had turnover temperatures below 100°C. In summary, this work reports on extracted high-temperature elastic constants for LGT up to 1100°C, confirmed the validity of those constants by high-temperature SAW device measurements up to 900°C, and predicted and identified temperature-compensated LGT orientations at high temperature.
University of Maryland/ConQuest: MUC-4 test results and analysis

Only a subset of the MUC-4 slots were generated by the UM/ConQuest ICTOAN system. Our scores for the slots we attempted to fill are shown in Figure 1.
Aniline blue and fluorescence microscopy of callose in bulb scales ofAllium cepa L

1. The fluorescence-microscopic method is used in which substances of callose nature appear yellow when stained with water-soluble aniline blue. 2. Callose in sieve tubes and in other reported locations is clearly revealed, and it also appears in primary pit fields of parenchyma cells. It is especially evident in the anticlinal walls ofAllium epidermis. 3. The formation of callose, as judged by intensity of fluorescence, is increased by wound stimulation. Limited at first to pit fields, spreading can occur later. 4. Once formed, the pit callose is stable to plasmolysis, boiling water, and chemical fixation. 5. A major function of callose in plants is considered to be a sealing or plugging action, although there appear to be other functions. 6. The presence of callose in parenchymatous walls is further evidence of the close relationship between sieve fields and primary pit fields. This work was carried out during the winter of 1954–55 at Munster, where the first author, as a Guggenheim Fellow, was a guest of the Botanisches Institut.
Orientational Dependence of the Color and Photoconductivity of 1,4-Di-p-toluidinoanthraquinone Single Crystals

Single crystals of 1,4-di-p-toluidinoanthraquinone (also known as solvent green 3, SG3) showed different colors and photoconductivity depending on the crystal orientation. Single crystals were grown from the melt in a sandwich cell of indium tin oxide coated glass, where needle-shaped crystals of different colors (mainly blue, yellow-green, and purple) were observed. The absorption spectrum and short-circuit photocurrent of the needle-shaped crystals that appeared blue, yellow-green, and purple were measured with and without a polarizer. Both the absorption spectra and photoconductivity were dramatically different for different crystal orientations, indicating these properties were anisotropic. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that in the crystal the SG3 molecules were slip-stacked to form a columnar structure. The polarized absorption spectra can be related to the crystal orientation of each needle-shaped crystal. The blue and yellow-green colors are attributed to an intramolecular charge-transfer (CT...
Treatment of Parkinson's disease: focus on quality of life issues

The vast majority of Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment discussions focus on two areas: pharmacotherapy and surgery. Why? These treatments produce relatively easily measurable outcomes concerning traditional diagnostic criteria: motor rating scores and "on" times. However, despite the expanding number of drugs and surgery, there is dwindling incremental improvement from the best motor outcomes available even 40 years ago. Over the same time period, recognition of the clinical scope of this syndrome has expanded tremendously. Much of this scope impacts on quality of life and is treatable. Two arenas with great potential impact on quality of life are mental health and activity/exercise. Early in the course of PD, depression and expectations about impending demise impact significantly on the quality of life of patients. Initial responses to medical therapy may also dictate patients' expectations. Later, the two most devastating features may be motor instability/falls/injury and dementia. Mounting evidence for the benefits of treatment aimed at these arenas is accumulating and revolves around recognition and facilitating healthy routines that may mitigate future negative clinical phenomenon. Keys concerning mental health include education with realistic expectations and identification/treatment of mood and sleep disorders. Effective pro-active treatment regimens for instability and dementia include activity/exercise advocacy.
Relation of contractile reserve during low-dose dobutamine echocardiography and angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease in the presence of left ventricular dysfunction

Abstract Contractile reserve, during low-dose dobutamine echocardiography, is frequently used for the assessment of myocardial viability in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Whether contractile reserve is affected by the severity of the underlying, CAD is presently unknown. Accordingly, we studied 58 patients with stable CAD and LV dysfunction who underwent coronary angiography and low-dose dobutamine echocardiography. In each vascular region the worst stenosis was identified and quantitated as percent diameter stenosis. Segmental wall motion during echocardiography was scored visually and rest and dobutamine wall motion score indexes were calculated. Contractile reserve was defined as ≥1 grade improvement in wall motion score of ≥2 contiguous segments along with ≥20% reduction in global wall motion score index with dobutamine. There was no difference between patients with (n = 26) and without (n = 32) contractile reserve in percent coronary stenosis (89 ± 17% vs 87 ± 17%, p = 0.6), number of coronary arteries with >50% diameter stenosis (2.0 ± 0.8 vs 2.2 ± 0.7, p = 0.4), number of occluded coronary arteries (1.2 ± 0.9 vs 1.1 ± 0.9, p = 0.6), or the prevalence of collaterals demonstrated angiographically (61% vs 56%, p = 0.5). Our data demonstrates that in patients with CAD and LV dysfunction, the prevalence of contractile reserve during low-dose dobutamine echocardiography is independent of the angiographic extent and severity of CAD.
Financial analysis of factors impacting reimbursement for abdominoplasty.

Background With growth in numbers of abdominoplasty procedures performed, we studied our experience with reimbursement and factors that impacted reimbursement and indirectly access to care.
Landau Damping for Students

By using the linearized equations of motion for particle streams, and by properly including the initial conditions, Landau's equations for electrostatic wave propagation with the correct damping decrement are easily obtained. No Vlasov equation, Laplace transform, contour integration, evaluation of residues at singularities, or analytical continuation is required. A discussion of the validity of the linearization is included.
The integrated processes of hard tissue regeneration with special emphasis on fracture healing

When bone is fractured, a sequence of dynamic events ensue to restore form and therefore function. Many key biologic cell regulators for these events have been identified, expressed through recombinant technology, and their roles posited. Moreover, the availability of recombinantly engineered molecules, such as the bone morphogenetic proteins with their potential to benefit patient care, has ushered in an important era in clinical dentistry that may eliminate either autografting or bank bone allografts. Therefore, in this review article, we have highlighted some of the exciting biologic regulators relevant to bone fracture healing and outlined the dynamic elements in this process.
A finite volume approach for calculation of viscoelastic flow through an abrupt axisymmetric contraction

Abstract This paper reports the first convergent numerical algorithm for the steady inertialess flow of an Upper-Convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid through a four-to-one abrupt axisymmetric contraction. The Finite Volume Method (FVM) is adopted along with a stream function-vorticity approach in the Elastic Viscous Split Stress (EVSS) form with a first-order upwind approximation applied to the convective terms of the stress constitutive equation. A staggered volume discretization of the flow variables eliminates the stress singularity from the computational domain without loosing any flow physics. The volume integrals of the governing equations over the flow domain result in a system of nonlinear algebraic equations that are solved iteratively by a semi-implicit line-to-line method with a pseudo-trasient term added to the stress constitutive equation. Computations of an UCM fluid using this method are carried out to a much higher value of the Deborah number ( De ) than previous numerical simulations using the Finite Element Method (FEM). The solutions are found to be smooth, stable, and convergent with the finger stress tensor remaining posiitive-definite throughout the flow domain. Calculations are not performed above De = 6.25 because of the decreasing pseudo-time step constraint at higher elasticity. The finite volume algorithm approximates better solutions upon mesh refinement, demonstrates the smoothness and the mathematical well-posedness of this problem, and predicts a Newtonian-like flow structure near the singularity for an UCM fluid. Using this new method, the inertialess flow of an UCM fluid through 4:1 abrupt axisymmetric contraction, for the first time, produces larger corner vortices at higher values of De .
Finite correlation time effects in nonequilibrium phase transitions: I. Dynamic equation and steady state properties☆

Abstract We determine an approximate renormalized equation of evolution for an arbitrary nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom system externally driven by Gaussian parametric fluctuations of finite correlation time . The renormalization scheme used here gives a second order equation with a time-and-state-dependent “diffusion coefficient”. We are able to calculate the diffusion coefficient in closed form. The steady-state distribution can easily be obtained from the evolution equation. We are thus able to determine the parameter dependence of the steady-state distribution and, in particular, the influence of a correlation time of the fluctuations, which does not vanish, on the steady-state distribution.
Regulation of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I axis in developing and adult monkeys is affected by estradiol replacement and supplementation with insulin-like growth factor I.

Developmental changes in the GH-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis were evaluated in female rhesus monkeys to test the hypothesis that estradiol differentially regulates IGF-I secretion and molar ratios of IGF-I to IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) from adolescence into adulthood and that estradiol can reestablish GH secretion in the face of enhanced IGF-I negative feedback inhibition of GH. Adult ovariectomized females were compared to ovariectomized adolescent females studied from 18–36 months of age, a period encompassing the juvenile phase through the expected age at first ovulation. A subgroup of adult (n = 5) and adolescent females (n = 5) was treated continuously with human IGF-I (110 μg/kg·day, sc) throughout the study period and were compared to age-matched, untreated adults (n= 5) and adolescent animals (n = 6). To further understand how IGF-I affects the GH-IGF-I axis, the acute response to IGF-I (100μ g/kg, sc) was assessed in adults and at two ages in developing females. Furthermore, all...
Desensitization and trafficking of μ-opioid receptors in locus ceruleus neurons: modulation by kinases.

The phosphorylation of μ-opioid receptors (MOPRs) by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), followed by arrestin binding, is thought to be a key pathway leading to desensitization and internalization. The present study used the combination of intracellular and whole-cell recordings from rats and mice, as well as live cell imaging of Flag-tagged MOPRs from mouse locus ceruleus neurons, to examine the role of protein kinases in acute desensitization and receptor trafficking. Inhibition of GRKs by using heparin or GRK2-mutant mice did not block desensitization or alter the rate of recovery from desensitization. The nonselective kinase inhibitor staurosporine did not reduce the extent of [Met5]enkephalin (ME)-induced desensitization but increased the rate of recovery from desensitization. In the presence of staurosporine, ME-activated FlagMOPRs were internalized but did not traffic away from the plasma membrane. The increased rate of recovery from desensitization correlated with the enhancement in the recycling of receptors to the plasma membrane. ME-induced MOPR desensitization persisted and the trafficking of receptors was modified after inhibition of protein kinases. The results suggest that desensitization of MOPRs may be an early step after agonist binding that is modulated by but is not dependent on kinase activity.
Inhibition of the receptor‐binding function of clathrin adaptor protein AP‐2 by dominant‐negative mutant μ2 subunit and its effects on endocytosis

Although interactions between the mu2 subunit of the clathrin adaptor protein complex AP-2 and tyrosine-based internalization motifs have been implicated in the selective recruitment of cargo molecules into coated pits, the functional significance of this interaction for endocytosis of many types of membrane proteins remains unclear. To analyze the function of mu2-receptor interactions, we constructed an epitope-tagged mu2 that incorporates into AP-2 and is targeted to coated pits. Mutational analysis revealed that Asp176 and Trp421 of mu2 are involved in the interaction with internalization motifs of TGN38 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. Inducible overexpression of mutant mu2, in which these two residues were changed to alanines, resulted in metabolic replacement of endogenous mu2 in AP-2 complexes and complete abrogation of AP-2 interaction with the tyrosine-based internalization motifs. As a consequence, endocytosis of the transferrin receptor was severely impaired. In contrast, internalization of the EGF receptor was not affected. These results demonstrate the potential usefulness of the dominant-interfering approach for functional analysis of the adaptor protein family, and indicate that clathrin-mediated endocytosis may proceed in both a mu2-dependent and -independent manner.
Sorption of Cs+ to micaceous subsurface sediments from the Hanford site, USA

Abstract The sorption of Cs+ was investigated over a large concentration range (10−9−10−2 mol/L) on subsurface sediments from a United States nuclear materials site (Hanford) where high-level nuclear wastes (HLW) have been accidentally released to the vadose zone. The sediment sorbs large amounts of radiocesium, but expedited migration has been observed when HLW (a NaNO3 brine) is the carrier. Cs+ sorption was measured on homoionic sediments (Na+, K+, Ca2+) with electrolyte concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 mol/L. In Na+ electrolyte, concentrations were extended to near saturation with NaNO3(s) (7.0 mol/L). The sediment contained nonexpansible (biotite, muscovite) and expansible (vermiculite, smectite) phyllosilicates. The sorption data were interpreted according to the frayed edge-planar site conceptual model. A four-parameter, two-site (high- and low-affinity) numeric ion exchange model was effective in describing the sorption data. The high-affinity sites were ascribed to wedge zones on the micas where particle edges have partially expanded due to the removal of interlayer cations during weathering, and the low-affinity ones to planar sites on the expansible clays. The electrolyte cations competed with Cs+ for both high- and low-affinity sites according to the trend K+ >> Na+ ≥ Ca2+. At high salt concentration, Cs+ adsorption occurred only on high-affinity sites. Na+ was an effective competitor for the high-affinity sites at high salt concentrations. In select experiments, silver-thiourea (AgTU) was used as a blocking agent to further isolate and characterize the high-affinity sites, but the method was found to be problematic. Mica particles were handpicked from the sediment, contacted with Cs+(aq), and analyzed by electron microprobe to identify phases and features important to Cs+ sorption. The microprobe study implied that biotite was the primary contributor of high-affinity sites because of its weathered periphery. The poly-phase sediment exhibited close similarity in ion selectivity to illite, which has been well studied, although its proportion of high-affinity sites relative to the cation exchange capacity (CEC) was lower than that of illite. Important insights are provided on how Na+ in HLW and indigenous K+ displaced from the sediments may act to expedite the migration of strongly sorbing Cs+ in subsurface environments.
An unmixing algorithm for remotely sensed soil moisture

[1] We present an unmixing method, based on genetic algorithm-soil-vegetation-atmosphere-transfer modeling to extract subgrid information of soil and vegetation from remotely sensed soil moisture (downscaled; e.g., soil hydraulic properties, area fractions of soil-vegetation combinations, and unmixed soil moisture time series) that most land surface models use. The unmixing method was evaluated using numerical experiments comprising mixed pixels with simple and complex soil-vegetation combinations, in idealized case studies (with or without uncertainty) and under actual field conditions (Walnut Creek (WC11) field, Soil Moisture Experiment 2005, Iowa). Additional validation experiments were conducted at an airborne-remote sensing footprint (Little Washita (LW21) site, Southern Great Plains 1997 hydrology campaign, Oklahoma) using Electronically Scanning Thin Array Radiometer (ESTAR). Results of the idealized experiments suggest that the unmixing method can extract optimal or near-optimal solutions to the inverse problem under different hydrologic and climatic conditions. Errors in soil moisture data and initial and boundary conditions can compound uncertainty in the solution. The solutions generated under actual field conditions (WC11 field) were able to match soil moisture observations. Analysis showed that typical soil moisture retention curves of cataloged dominant soils in WC11 field did not match well with the measurements, but those derived from actual field-scale soil moisture inversion matched better. The unmixing method performed well in replicating soil hydraulic behavior at the ESTAR footprint. Unlike in WC11 field, the typical soil moisture retention curves of cataloged soils in LW21 field matched better with the measurements. We envisaged that the unmixing method can provide quick and easy way of extracting subgrid soil moisture variability and soil-vegetation information in a pixel.
Obsessive‐Compulsive and Related Disorders

Obtaining an accurate diagnosis of an obsessive-compulsive and/or related disorder is complicated by many factors. These factors include (1) symptom overlap and high comorbidity with numerous other mental health diagnoses, (2) extremely diverse presentation of symptom content across individuals, (3) potential lack of insight of the individual into their symptoms and their role, and (4) potential for stigma or embarrassment surrounding certain thoughts and behaviors that commonly occur. These factors can prevent accurate reporting (for review, see Moulding, Hughes, Byrne, Do, & Nedeljkovic, 2016). Perhaps due to these diagnostic complications, there are many discrepancies in the literature regarding the prevalence and incidence of OCD (for review, see Fontenelle, Mendlowicz, & Versiani, 2006). An effective diagnostic interview is one in which the interviewer is capable of probing with specific questions to differentiate the form and function of symptoms, while also fostering an environment in which the individual feels safe to disclose symptoms that may be controversial or irrational in nature. Given that these disorders are often under-recognized or misdiagnosed, it is critical that clinicians are informed of the best assessment practices for specific purposes, settings, and individuals. This chapter provides an overview of the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, recommendations for both formal and informal diagnostic interviewing and assessment, and tips for attaining the necessary information to make an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, we describe several cases as examples for how to engage in effective diagnostic interviewing with an array of symptom presentations.
Distance-2-Matchings of Random Graphs

In this paper we study the maximal size of a distance-2-matching in a random graph G n;M , i.e., the probability space consisting of subgraphs of the complete graph over n vertices, K n , having exactly M edges and uniform probability measure. A distance-2-matching in a graph Y, M 2, is a set of Y-edges with the property that for any two elements every pair of their 4 incident vertices has Y-distance ≥ 2. Let M2(Y) be the maximal size of a distance-2-matching in Y. Our main results are the derivation of a lower bound for M2(Y) and a sharp concentration result for the random variable $$ \mathrm{M}_2 : G_{n,M} \rightarrow \mathbb{Z} \quad \mathrm{for} \quad M = c(n-1)/2 \quad \mathrm{with} \quad c > 0 $$
Validity and Reliability Issues in Elite Interviewing

Many of the early important empirical works on policymaking in Washington were built around elite interviews. We first learned about how Congress really operates from pioneers in elite interviewing such as Lewis Anthony Dexter (1969), Ralph Huitt (1969), and Donald Matthews (1960). No less revered is the scholarship of Richard Fenno (1978), John Kingdon (1995), and Robert Salisbury (1993), who have produced enduring and respected work from elite interviewing. Yet there are few other contemporary political scientists working on public policymaking who have built reputations for their methodological skills as interviewers. Elite interviewing is still widely used as the basis for collecting data, but most interviewing depends on a few trusted templates. Most commonly, elites in a particular institution are chosen at random and subjected to the same interview protocol composed of structured or semistructured questions. For example, state legislators are asked a series of questions about their attitudes on particular issues or institutional practices. Or policymakers involved in certain issues are selected and then quizzed about those matters. Some confident and skilled interviewers, like William Browne (1988) and Richard Hall (1996), combine different interview approaches in their work but they are the exceptions and not the rule.
“Spirit in the Bread; Fire in the Wine”: the Eucharist as “Living Medicine” in the Thought of Ephraem the Syrian

Ephraem's “teaching songs” in Syriac had a didactic function in the context of the divine liturgy: to commend the doctrines of the scriptures to the congregations of worshippers! The present article surveys Ephraem's presentation of the scriptural teachings on the Eucharist, its meaning and significance, along with its power in Christian life.
Induction of cytoskeletal gene expression by insulin

Insulin has rapid pleiotropic effects on cellular metabolism. In certain cell types, insulin can cause morphological changes by inducing rearrangements of cytoskeletal components, but the regulation of cytoskeletal gene expression by insulin has not been previously described. In the present work insulin was found to rapidly, but transiently, increase transcription of the cytoskeletal beta-actin and alpha-tubulin genes in rat H4IIE hepatoma cells. Insulin-induced transcription of beta-actin mRNA was evident within 5 min and was maximal by 10-15 min at 1000% above control levels. beta-Actin transcription was induced at insulin concentrations as low as 5 x 10(-12) M insulin and was maximal at 5 x 10(-9) M. Transcription of the alpha-tubulin gene was also rapidly stimulated by physiological concentrations of insulin, but only to 300-400% above basal levels. For both the beta-actin and alpha-tubulin genes, the induction of transcription was transient, with a return to basal levels by 60-120 min. Transcription ...
The impact of osteoporosis in men treated for prostate cancer.

A unique interaction exists between the skeletal organ system and prostate cancer. Over a century ago, Paget described the predilection of cancer for a specific organ system according to the seed and soil analogy. Metastatic prostate cancer specifically targets bone, and metastatic disease to bone initiates the pathophysiologic cascade culminating in the cachexia of bone. Specifically, osteoblastic bone metastases result in excess and disorganized bone formation with decreased bone strength. Weak, disorganized bone becomes clinically apparent through an increase in skeletal-related events (SREs), and the patient experiences skeletal fracture after trivial injury, intractable pain, and a progressive decline in quality of life. In addition to these disease-related effects on the skeletal organ system, treatment-induced effects include cancer treatment–related osteoporosis, particularly androgen deprivation–associated bone mineral density (BMD) loss. This article focuses on prostate cancer treatment androgen deprivation–induced osteoporosis, but does not neglect non–treatmentrelated mechanisms.
Optically encoded sum-frequency generation in silica-based glass.

Sum-frequency and second-harmonic quasi-phase-matching gratings were simultaneously optically encoded in a barium oxide–doped silica bulk glass by irradiation with the first, second, and third harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser operating at 1.064 μm. The χ(2)(−3ω; 2ω, ω) of the sum-frequency grating and the χ(2)(−2ω; ω, ω) of the second-harmonic grating were 2 × 10−17 and 5 × 10−16 m/V, respectively.
A robust real-time speckle tracking algorithm for ultrasonic elasticity imaging

In this study, we report a robust speckle tracking algorithm specifically designed for quasi-static ultrasound-based elasticity imaging. The proposed algorithm is a novel combination of our regularized speckle tracking algorithm and a competitive (i.e. quality-based) seeding strategy proposed by Chen et al. [1] Through processing of in vivo breast and thyroid tissue data, our findings demonstrated that the new algorithm provides more consistent displacement estimates than our previous real-time algorithm [2] for in vivo clinical data. Our preliminary results support that this novel algorithm might potentially make ultrasound-based elasticity imaging more easy to use by providing high quality strain imaging data in real-time.
Laboratory culture and development of Euphausia pacifica

Euphausia pacifica was reared from eggs released by gravid females taken from the field to l-year-old adults. The duration of each larval stage, the number of instars in each stage, and the molting sequence in the laboratory were determined. For all broods the median developmental time to juvenile 1 was 45 days at 12”C, 68 days at 8°C. The range between broods was 41-53 days at 12°C; many of these times were statistically different. Mean de,velopmental time was not correlated with female size, brood size, or survivorship. Survivorship was greater at 12” than 8”C, but varied considerably. The developmental pathway is not fixed. An individual may spend from zero to four instars in any one stage. One stage found off southern California, furcilia V, was rarely found in these laboratory-reared animals. Only about 20% had two instars between furcilia IV and VI. The data indicate that some furcilia III did not grow enough in their molt to furcilia IV and thus required more than one instar to make the transition into furcilia VI.
An Entity-Level Approach to Information Extraction

We present a generative model of template-filling in which coreference resolution and role assignment are jointly determined. Underlying template roles first generate abstract entities, which in turn generate concrete textual mentions. On the standard corporate acquisitions dataset, joint resolution in our entity-level model reduces error over a mention-level discriminative approach by up to 20%.
Editor's note regarding Lundberg et al. Letter to the Editor

Dr. Lundberg and colleagues ([3][1]) submitted a Letter to the Editor commenting on the general problem of nitrate supplementation. This Letter to the Editor was not directed at any specific publication on this topic. We asked these sets of authors ([1][2], [2][3]) who recently published in the
Challenging the gender binary: the fictive and real world of quidditch

Despite the recent emergence of women and gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, intersexuals and transsexuals (GLBITs) in sport, gender equity has been far from realized. Dominant forms of sport are bimodal in gender classification, a construction that creates an ideology of male superiority and marginalizes women and GLBITs. One recent example of a sport that confronts traditional gendering is quidditch. In its fictional form, the competitive sport featured in the fantasy world of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and its real-world form, muggle quidditch, the sport is gender inclusive. The purpose of this study was to consider the ways in which both quidditch and muggle quidditch challenge the dominant forms of institutionalized sport and present an alternative structure for gender participation and identification. I draw upon a literary analysis of Rowling’s portrayal of quidditch, relying in particular on Wolfgang Iser’s literary anthropology, as well as a qualitative analysis of the personal testimonies of...
CMP and Nano-Characterization of Magnetic Head Wafer Films

Similar to the semiconductor sector improving processing power by decreasing device sizes, the information storage sector has been working to decrease device sizes in read/write heads. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is a critical enabling technology for terabyte storage systems and other systems consisting of nanotechnology. A commercial CMP polisher was used, and the experimental material removal rates (MRR) are presented. Since the MRR is a function of the load, relative speed, and film hardness, a nano-indention technique was employed to characterize mechanical properties of the permalloy (NiFe) films. A basic MRR model was developed to compare to the experimental results.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Threshold studies on production of experimental epilepsy with alumina cream.

Conclusions1. There appears to be a quantitative threshold for production of chronic experimental epilepsy in the monkey with intracortical injection of a standardized preparation of alumina cream. 2. The level of this threshold for the motor cortex of the Macaca mulatta is 0.1 cc of alumina cream, containing 18-22 mg of aluminum/cc.