cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrolysis at Arginylproline in Polypeptides by Clostridiopeptidase B

Clostridiopeptidase B, a sulfhydryl protease from Clostridium histolyticum, hydrolyzes the arginylproline bond in the synthetic polypeptide methionyllysyl-bradykinin. Hydrolysis also occurs at a reduced rate at the lysylarginine bond, further delineating the environment necessary for the minor proteolysis seen with this enzyme at lysine residues. The specificity of clostridiopeptidase B differs from trypsin, which hydrolyzes this synthetic polypeptide only at the lysylarginine bond.
Comparative phenotyping across a social transition in aphids

In some insects, eusociality has evolved independently more than once, such that closely related species differ in the presence or absence of altruistic traits. Such groups offer opportunities to study the ecological and evolutionary drivers of transitions to sociality. In Pemphigus aphids, for example, eusociality has evolved independently multiple times, but most species are assumed to be nonsocial. Eusocial aphids thus typically have close relatives that are nonsocial, indicating a rapid and distinct transition to sociality. However, there has been only limited study of the behaviour of nonsocial species that permit direct comparisons with eusocial species. In this study, we characterized three aphid species along two axes of social behaviour: housekeeping and defence. Previous evidence suggested that these three species differ in the presence or absence of social traits. We found that for the ecological and behavioural traits we tested, there were quantifiable differences between social and nonsocial species. However, there was no clear threshold that differentiated social from nonsocial species, meaning that definitions of sociality in aphids depend in part on the traits that are measured. If sociality is measured by defence, for example, the eusocial species, Pemphigus obesinymphae clearly expressed the greatest degree of aggressive and effective defence. However, some defensive behaviour was also present in the species traditionally defined as nonsocial. Conversely, if sociality in aphids is measured by traits related to homeostasis and housekeeping, then the species traditionally considered nonsocial expressed nearly the same behaviours as the eusocial species. These results imply that sociality in aphids evolves as a collection of uncorrelated traits. Clear analogues or antecedents of more derived social characters can be identified in species that are nominally nonsocial.
The Catastrophic Imaginary of the Paris Commune in Jules Verne’s Les 500 Millions de la Bégum

The bitter memory of the Prussian siege of Paris in 1870 and the Commune of 1871 underwrite several late nineteenth-century French novels. In the domain of popular literature, Jules Verne’s Les 500 millions de la Begum of 1879 pits two opposing cities –one French and utopian, the other German and dystopian – against each other. Less than a simple representation of a French revenge against their Prussian enemies, however, the cities stand in for the troubling tendencies of urban modernity above and beyond nationalism. Moreover, the figure of Pompei, a model of urban catastrophe linked to the specter of the Paris Commune, lurks underneath the novel’s progressive and hopeful surface.
Relation between beam driven seed current and rotation in a steady state field reversed configuration

The rotation induced in a beam driven, steady state field reversed configuration is investigated for cases with or without multipole magnetic fields. When no magnetic field is present, the back-current can be inhibited by the Ohkawa effect if the charge number of the beam is less than the effective charge number of the background ions. However, the resulting rotation of the plasma often leads to instabilities. For systems with a large bootstrap effect, the rotation can be moderate, but it is then difficult to contain the fusion products. An additional problem is that the Ohkawa effect due to alpha particles tends to destroy the equilibrium. Previously, it was shown that the presence of a quadrupole field inhibits the formation of a back-current. It is shown that a steady state flux can be maintained with a moderate input power, with the resulting rotation being slow enough so that the conditions of stability are given. The study has been performed for reactor grade and experimental parameters. Means to supply a continuous source of particles and additional energy will have to be devised.
Numerical study of a simple transcranial focused ultrasound system applied to blood-brain barrier opening

In this paper, we investigate the focalization properties of single-element transducers at low frequencies (300 to 1000 kHz) through primate and human skulls. The study addresses the transcranial targeting involved in ultrasound- induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening with clinically relevant targets such as the hippocampus and the basal ganglia, which are typically affected by early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. A finite-difference, timedomain simulation platform is used to solve the 3-D linear acoustic wave equation with CT-based acoustic maps of the skulls. The targeted brain structures were extracted from 3-D brain atlases registered with the skulls and used to virtually position and orient the transducers. The effect of frequency is first investigated and the targeting of the different structures is then tested. The frequency of 500 kHz provided the best tradeoff between phase aberrations and standing wave effects in the human case, whereas the frequency of 800 kHz was most suitable in the case of the primate skull. A fast periodic linear chirp method was developed and found capable of reducing the standing wave effects. Such a simple, affordable, and convenient system is concluded to be feasible for BBB opening in primates and humans and could thus allow for its broader impact and applications.
Lanthanides caged by the organic chelates; structural properties

The structure, in particular symmetry, geometry and morphology of organic chelates coordinated with the lanthanide ions are analyzed in the present review. This is the first part of a complete presentation of a theoretical description of the properties of systems, which are widely used in technology, but most of all, in molecular biology and medicine. The discussion is focused on the symmetry and geometry of the cages, since these features play a dominant role in the spectroscopic activity of the lanthanides caged by organic chelates. At the same time, the spectroscopic properties require more formal presentation in the language of Racah algebra, and deserve a separate analysis. In addition to the parent systems of DOTA, DOTP, EDTMP and CDTMP presented here, their modifications by various antennas are analyzed. The conclusions that have a strong impact upon the theory of the energy transfer and the sensitized luminescence of these systems are based on the results of numerical density functional theory calculations.
Active-site-directed phenacyl halides inhibitory to trypsin

Abstract p -Amidino-phenacyl bromide (I) and p -guanidino-phenacyl bromide (II) have been synthesized in the expectation that they would act as site-specific inactivators of trypsin. Like TLCK 3 they were found to form a substrate-like complex with trypsin leading to irreversible inactivation of the enzyme in a subsequent, stoichiometric alkylation step. However, histidine was not involved. Instead, it was concluded that p -guanidino-phenacyl bromide (II) formed an ether linkage with the active center serine. Since the hydrolytic region of the active center contains two nucleophilic groups, Ser-183 and His-46, the exclusive alkylation of one or the other by reagents of the same chemical class, i.e., halo-ketones, cannot reflect the relative reactivity of these amino acid side chains in trypsin, since the probable ranges of their p K values are greatly diverse. It is concluded that the geometry within the complex formed by trypsin with substrate-like halo-ketones results in small differences that determine which of two nearby side-chains become modified. This is in contrast to chemical modification by ordinary alkylating agents for which reactivity and accessibility are the determining features of the protein structure under modification.
Sodium Binding Effects on Conformational Exchange in a Diquinone Calix[4]arene

NMR studies show that a 2,4-diethoxycalix[4]arene-1,3-diquinone undergoes an unusually slow conformational change, from a predominantly anti-aryl conformation to that of a syn-aryl conformation, in the presence of Na+ ion. Dramatic changes are observed throughout the entire NMR spectral region. A novel finding is that the timescale of this conversion is unusually long, taking many hours at room temperature to complete. The kinetics of this conformational change over the range of 5−55 °C were measured in a binary solvent system. The rate constants are on the order of 10-5−10-4 s-1 in the presence or absence of Na+. These results suggest a cation effect on the equilibrium position of the anti and syn complexes rather than on the rate of interconversion. The kinetics of interconversion in the presence and absence of the salt are the same. The rate determining step corresponds to rotation of an aryl moiety through the annulus of the calixarene. Additionally, we note that the initially dominant anti-aryl confo...
Personality traits in the first degree relatives of outpatients with depressive disorders

This study examined several hypotheses regarding the relationship between personality and depression using a family study. Relatives of outpatients with depressive disorders and controls completed a battery of personality inventories assessing sociotropy, autonomy, dependency, self-criticism, neuroticism, extraversion, and hopelessness. Relatives with current mood disorders differed from healthy relatives on almost all measures. Relatives with past histories of affective disorder were more neurotic, self-critical and dependent than healthy relatives. Results suggest that scores on personality measures are mood state-dependent, and may change as a function of mood disorder.
A Subtle Story: 35 Shots of Rum

This review argues that Claire Denis9s 35 Shots of Rum combines repetition and ellipsis to harmonious effect in telling a minimalist story about a Parisian father and daughter. Comparison is made with Beau Travail and Neenette and Boni .
Path integral quantization of the symmetric Pöschl-Teller potential

Abstract Corresponding to the Lie algebraic method based on the group chain SO (3) ↷ O (2) , we propose a way to construct a path integral for the symmetric Poschl-Teller oscillator on S 2 = SO (3) O (2) . Then we calculate the path integral explicitly to obtain the correct energy spectrum and the normalized energy eigenfunctions.
Generation cost and system risk trade-off with corrective power flow control

Increased penetration of renewable generation and the liberalization of electricity markets result in increasingly varying power flows in the electric power system. This has led to increased occurrences of congestions which are mostly resolved by dispatching generation in an economically suboptimal way. In this paper, we use power flow control to render the system more flexible by providing the capability of rerouting power to lines where sufficient capacity is available. The objective is to minimize a combination of generation cost and a risk-based security index as opposed to formulating a traditional security constrained economic dispatch. In addition, corrective actions by the power flow control devices are used to allow for a less conservative generation dispatch resulting in reduced generation costs while maintaining system security in case of a contingency. Simulation results provide insights into the benefits provided by corrective power flow control in such a trade-off between generation cost and system risk.
Weekday/weekend differences in OH reactivity with VOCs and CO in Baltimore, Maryland.

ABSTRACT This study compared the first-order frequencies for OH associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and CO (hereafter called OH reactivity with VOCs or CO), the product of the VOC or CO concentration, and their respective kOH value, on an average weekday with that on an average weekend day at a core urban site in Baltimore, MD. The average daytime concentrations were calculated for each of the 55 available Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Station (PAMS) VOCs using data from the Baltimore site. The data were sorted in descending order to highlight the important species based on concentration. The OH reactivity with VOCs was sorted in descending order to identify the important species based on the magnitude of the OH reactivity. A similar process was followed for the OH reactivity with CO. The contribution of the significant species to the weekday/weekend difference in OH reactivity was examined. The OH reactivity with C5H8 was the largest among the OH reactivity with the PAMS' VOCs and was...
An efficient algorithm for approximate biased quantile computation in data streams

We propose an efficient algorithm for approximate biased quantile computation in large data streams. Our algorithm computes decomposable biased quantile summaries on fixed sized blocks and dynamically maintains the biased quantile summary for the entire stream as the exponential histogram over the block-wise quantile summaries. The algorithm is computationally efficient and achieves an amortized computational cost of O(log(1⁄∈log(∈n))) and a space requirement of O(log3∈n↬∈). Our algorithm does not assume prior knowledge of the stream sizes or the range of data values in the streams. In practice, our algorithm is able to efficiently maintain summaries over large data streams with over tens of millions of observations and achieves significant performance improvement over prior algorithms.
Temperature, pH and Bacterial Populations of Meat as Influenced by Home Freezer Failure

Consumers are concerned about the fate of frozen meat products in home freezers when electrical power is interrupted. We investigated this concern by using an upright home freezer. Fourteen trials were conducted with packages of either beef or pork with varying trial load weights (Range = 43–128 kg). Meat samples were frozen, power was disconnected, and packages within each lot were analyzed daily for 9 days for temperature, microbial count, and pH. After about 36 hr without electrical power, bacterial populations reached log 6 and the meat product's wholesomeness for consumption or possible refreeze became questionable.
Passive transfer of delayed sensitivity to the newborn rabbit.

SummaryThe newborn rabbit is limited in its capacity to accept the passive transfer of delayed hypersensitivity, as is the case in the human newborn. The ability to accept passively transferred delayed sensitivity develops by 4 weeks of age in newborn rabbits.
Harmful Coexistence Between 802.15.4 and 802.11: A Measurement-based Study

Due to recent advances in wireless technology, a broad range of standards catering to a diverse set of users are currently emerging. Interoperability and coexistence between these heterogeneous networks are becoming key issues, and proper mitigation of these issues requires a good understanding of how and why heterogeneous networks may harm each other's p.erformance. In this paper, we focus on the coexistence of 802.11 (wireless LAN) and 802.15.4 (sensor networks) in the ISM band. These networks have very different transmission characteristics that result in asymmetric interaction patterns. Consequently, many studies assume that the impact of 802.15.4 on 802.11 is negligible. In this paper, we examine this assumption in detail and show that, in many cases, 802.15.4 significantly impacts 802.11 performance. Even when 802.15.4 is executing a listen-before-send, which should theoretically prevent interference, a significant 802.11 performance degradation frequently occurs due to disparate slot sizes between the two protocols. This is one of the first papers studying the listen-before-send performance for heterogeneous networks with substantial measured data. The results raise important coexistence issues for 802.15.4 and 802.11 in particular, but even more so for dynamic spectrum sharing between heterogeneous devices in general.
Preserving synchronizing sequences of sequential circuits after retiming

We propose a novel approach to preserve the synchronizing sequences of a circuit after retiming. The significance of this problem stems from the necessity of maintaining correct initialization of circuits afler retiming optimizations. It has been previously shown that forward retiming moves BC~OSS fanout slems can destroy a synchronizing sequence. We build on this ohservation and introduce the notion of "invalid states" that might arise due to forward moves. We show that the set of synchronizing sequences of a given circuit can he preserved by modifying transitions from those invalid states. We present an algorithm that implicitly computes the set of invalid states. Then, we describe a post-retiming synthesis step that incrementally resynthesizes some next-state functions to alter the behavior of invalid states to ensure correct post-retiming initialization. We report promising experimental results on the ISCAS 89 benchmarks and on a set of retimed circuits from an Intel Pentium-111 class microprocessor.
Use of physician and acute care services by persons with and without Alzheimer's disease: a population-based comparison.

Objective To estimate differences in use of acute care services between persons with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD). Study design Population-based historical cohort study. Setting/subjects All Rochester, Minnesota, residents with AD onset between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1984 (n = 301), plus one age- and sex-matched nondemented control per case, were identified with a retrospective review of community-based medical records. Measurements Cases and controls were followed in their medical records for number of acute care encounters in the year before January 1 of the index year (year of onset for AD case and their matched control) and in the 4 years following December 31 of the index year. Encounters included clinician visits (office or nursing home), emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations (inpatient and outpatient), and inpatient days. Multivariate regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, pre-index level of illness, and follow-up time. Results In the pre-index period, cases and controls were similar with respect to level of illness, number of office visits, ER visits, and hospitalizations. In the year before AD onset, 17 cases (7%) had a clinician visit in the nursing home compared with no controls. In the 4 years after the index year, mean length of follow-up was 3.4 years for both cases and controls. The numbers of ER visits, hospitalizations, and inpatient days were similar for cases and controls. Sixty-four percent of AD cases had a clinician visit in a nursing home versus 1% of controls. Controls experienced more office visits than cases (median = 16 vs 10, P Conclusions The onset of AD is not associated with greater use of acute care services. However, neither is the high use of nursing home care offset by fewer ER or hospital encounters.
The relationship of legal coercion to readiness to change among adults with alcohol and other drug problems

Prior research on legally coerced treatment for substance abuse tends to find no difference between coerced and non-coerced clients with respect to treatment retention and treatment outcomes. There is less known about the relationship between coercion and a client's motivation to change. We considered the relationship of legal coercion and readiness to change among 295 consecutive admissions to five publicly funded outpatient treatment programs. A logistic regression analysis indicated that legal coercion was associated with greater readiness to change after controlling for addiction severity, prior treatment history, and gender. Persons entering treatment due to legal coercion were over three times more likely to have engaged in recovery-oriented behavior in the month preceding admission. Entering treatment more prepared to benefit from the experience could contribute to outcomes that are more positive.
TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS WITH ASEPTIC NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEAD

Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head is a complication of renal transplantation which seriously delays the rehabilitation of the patient despite otherwise successful transplantation. Of 187 renal allograft recipients, 8 underwent 14 total hip replacements. The most severe postoperative problem was an easily reducible dislocation. All patients were relieved of their severe preoperative pains and all were greatly improved in mobility and strength. Renal function was not altered in any patient. It is therefore suggested that total hip replacement be recommended in such cases at an early stage so that the patient may be spared prolonged suffering and may be returned to a programme of post-transplant rehabilitation.
Microscopic mechanisms of electron trapping by self-trapped holes and protons in amorphous SiO/sub 2/

The electronic structure mechanisms underlying the electron capture characteristics of oxide-trapped holes (OTHs) and stable protons in amorphous SiO/sub 2/ are presented from first-principles Hartree-Fock calculations on model atomic clusters. The positive charge of the two species is found to have different spatial distribution. In the case of the OTHs, identified here with self-trapped holes (STHs), the positive charge is calculated to be localized on a bridging oxygen atom, creating a strong Coulombic attractive center for an electron. In contrast, the positive charge of a stable proton, is calculated to he delocalized over a large region of space, creating a weak Coulombic attractive center for an electron. Furthermore, the electron affinity for an STH is calculated to be much higher, by a factor of 35, than that for the protonated oxide complex. These results suggest that the probability of electron capture and recombination is much higher for an OTH than that for stable protons, explaining the recently observed difference in the electron-injected anneal characteristics of the two species in a-SiO/sub 2/.
Turning a Negative into a Positive: Vitamin D Receptor Interactions with the Avian Parathyroid Hormone Response Element

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3[ 1,25-(OH)2D3] negatively regulates expression of the avian PTH (aPTH) gene transcript, and a vitamin D response element (VDRE) near the promoter of the aPTH gene had previously been identified. The present report assessed whether the negative activity imparted by the aPTH VDRE could be converted to a positive transcriptional response through selective mutations introduced into the element. The tested sequences were derived from individual and combined mutations to 2 bp in the 3′-half of the direct repeat element, GGGTCAggaGGGTGT. Cold competition experiments using mutant and wild-type oligonucleotides in the mobility shift assay revealed minor differences in the ability of any of these sequences to compete for binding to a heterodimer complex comprised of recombinant proteins. Ethylation interference footprint analysis for each of the mutants produced unique patterns over the 3′-half-sites that were distinct from the weak, wild-type footprint. Transcriptional outcomes evaluated f...
REPTILE INFECTION WITH ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM, THE CAUSATIVE AGENT OF GRANULOCYTIC ANAPLASMOSIS

Abstract Granulocytic anaplasmosis (GA) is a potentially fatal tick-borne rickettsial disease that occurs sporadically in the far western United States. We evaluated the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in multiple species of lizards and snakes from enzootic sites in northern California, described the infestation prevalence of its tick vector Ixodes pacificus on reptiles, and conducted an experimental challenge of western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) and Pacific gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer) with A. phagocytophilum delivered via needle inoculation or tick bite. Both serologically and polymerase-chain reaction (PCR)–positive lizards (seroprevalence = 10.8%, PCR prevalence = 10.2%) and snakes (seroprevalence = 5.8%, PCR prevalence = 11.7%) were detected among wild-caught animals. A DNA sequence of the A. phagocytophilum groESL gene from a PCR-positive snake was 100% homologous to that of the human-derived A. phagocytophilum. Experimental attempts to infect naive animals were ...
Stability of levetiracetam oral solution repackaged in oral plastic syringes.

Purpose The long-term stability of levetiracetam solution in oral syringes was investigated in order to define a suitable beyond-use date and demonstrate the feasibility of storing prepared syringes for extended periods as an alternative to commercial levetiracetam unit dose cups. Methods Levetiracetam oral solution (100 mg/mL) was drawn into 1- and 10-mL amber polypropylene oral syringes. Triplicate samples of the syringe preparations were stored at refrigeration (2–8 °C) or room temperature (20–25 °C) and evaluated at monthly intervals for up to six months. At each time point, the samples were visually inspected and levetiracetam stability was assessed via pH measurement and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A short-term forced degradation study was conducted to confirm that the HPLC assay method was stability indicating. Results Over the six-month storage period, there was no significant change in either the visual appearance or pH of any of the levetiracetam samples. The results of serial HPLC assessment indicated that at least 97% of the initial levetiracetam concentration was retained in all samples of 1- and 10-mL oral syringes at both refrigeration and room temperature. Although this study was conducted using a generic product, the stability data obtained may be applied in repackaging decisions regarding other generic formulations of levetiracetam with similar excipient compositions. Conclusion Commercial levetiracetam 100-mg/mL oral solution was stable for up to six months in amber polypropylene oral syringes stored at both refrigeration and room temperature conditions.
The Curse of Expertise: When More Knowledge Leads to Miscalibrated Explanatory Insight

Does expertise within a domain of knowledge predict accurate self-assessment of the ability to explain topics in that domain? We find that expertise increases confidence in the ability to explain a wide variety of phenomena. However, this confidence is unwarranted; after actually offering full explanations, people are surprised by the limitations in their understanding. For passive expertise (familiar topics), miscalibration is moderated by education; those with more education are accurate in their self-assessments (Experiment 1). But when those with more education consider topics related to their area of concentrated study (college major), they also display an illusion of understanding (Experiment 2). This "curse of expertise" is explained by a failure to recognize the amount of detailed information that had been forgotten (Experiment 3). While expertise can sometimes lead to accurate self-knowledge, it can also create illusions of competence.
Isolation and characterization of porcine somatotropin containing a succinimide residue in place of aspartate129

Aspartate129 in porcine somatotropin was converted into a cyclic imide residue (succinimide) under acidic solution conditions. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was utilized to isolate and quantitate this altered species, which accounted for approximately 30% of the total protein. The molecular mass of this modified species was determined by electrospray mass spectrometry to be 18 Da less than normal porcine somatotropin, indicative of a loss of 1 H2O molecule. Tryptic peptide mapping demonstrated that the peptide composed of residues 126-133 was altered in this modified protein. Amino acid analysis, amino acid sequencing, mass spectrometry, and capillary zone electrophoresis were used to demonstrate that aspartate129 in this peptide had been converted into a succinimide residue. Further confirmation that this peptide contained a succinimide was obtained by hydrolyzing the modified peptide at pH 9.0, which yielded both the aspartate and isoaspartate peptides.
Security protocol design via authentication tests

We describe a protocol design process, and illustrate its use by creating ATSPECT, an authentication test-based secure protocol for electronic commerce transactions. The design process is organized around the authentication tests, a method for protocol verification based on the strand space theory. The authentication tests dictate how randomly generated values such as nonces may be combined with encryption to achieve authentication and freshness. ATSPECT offers functionality and security guarantees akin to the purchase request, payment authorization, and payment capture phases of SET, the secure electronic transaction standard created by the major credit card firms.
The Germanic Languages

Germanic - one of the largest sub-groups of the Indo-European language family - comprises 37 languages with an estimated 470 million speakers worldwide. This book presents a comparative linguistic survey of the full range of Germanic languages, both ancient and modern, including major world languages such as English and German (West Germanic), the Scandinavian (North Germanic) languages, and the extinct East Germanic languages. Unlike previous studies, it does not take a chronological or a language-by-language approach, organized instead around linguistic constructions and subsystems. Considering dialects alongside standard varieties, it provides a detailed account of topics such as case, word formation, sound systems, vowel length, syllable structure, the noun phrase, the verb phrase, the expression of tense and mood, and the syntax of the clause. Authoritative and comprehensive, this much-needed survey will be welcomed by scholars and students of the Germanic languages, as well as linguists across the many branches of the field.
A new simple synthesis of soluble high molecular weight polyphenylenes by the cotrimerization of mono- and bifunctional terminal acetylenes

The monofunctional acetylenes, phenylacetylene and m-ethynyltoluene, were each copolymerized with diethynylbenzene in a 1:1 mole ratio by using TiCl4/3AlEt2Cl as cyclotrimerization catalyst. The aromatic polymers which were produced were polydisperse with a molecular weight of ∼10,000. Variation of catalyst concentration had no effect on the molecular weight profile. An excess of bifunctional acetylene produced some insoluble gel but when some of the monofunctional acetylene was withheld and added only after an initial molecular weight build-up by the excess bifunctional acetylene, soluble polymers with molecular weights of approximately 50,000 were obtained in high yield, provided the overall ratio of mono- to bifunctional acetylene was maintained at 1:1. The resulting polyphenylenes were highly soluble in benzene and chlorinated solvents but gave brittle films. This was attributed to a highly branched structure resulting from a lack of specificity by the catalyst. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the polymers to have high thermal stability.
An efficient monte carlo approach for solving linear problems in biomolecular electrostatics

A linear (elliptic) problem in molecular electrostatics is considered. To solve it, we propose an efficient Monte Carlo algorithm. The method utilizes parallel computing of point potential values. It is based on the walk-in-subdomains technique, walk-on-spheres algorithm, and an exact treatment of boundary conditions.
On the cessation of seismicity at the base of the transition zone

Through a detailed analysis of seismicity at the base of the transition zone, we obtain an updated value of the maximum reliable depth of confirmed seismicity, we investigate regional variation in the maximum depth of seismicity among those Wadati-Benioff zones which reach the bottom of the transition zone, and we attempt to quantify the maximum possible rate of seismic release in the lower mantle compatible with the failure to detect even a single event since the advent of modern seismological networks. We classify deep subduction zones into three groups: those whose seismicity does not reach beyond 620 km, those whose seismicity appears to terminate around 650–660 km, and Tonga-Kermadec (and the ‘Vityaz’ cluster) whose seismicity extends to 685–690 km. We suggest that the depth extent of seismicity is controlled by the depth of the γ → pv + mw transition responsible for the ‘660-km’ seismic discontinuity, which is deflected to greater depths in cold slabs than in warmer ones. We note that this transition marks the depth below which thermal perturbation of phase transitions no longer generates buoyancy anomalies and their large attendant down-dip compressive stresses and below which strain energy generated by other mechanisms may not accumulate to seismogenic levels due to superplastic weakness in fine-grained materials. We find that the maximum level of seismic activity in the lower mantle must be at least three orders of magnitude less than that observed in the transition zone.
The potential to reduce poultry nitrogen emissions with dietary methionine or methionine analogues supplementation

One of the environmental challenges that the poultry industry has been faced with is manure utilization or disposal. Poultry manure and its nitrogenous compounds can be a potential pollutant causin...
Atypical antipsychotic medication poisoning: An evidence-based consensus guideline for out-of-hospital management

The objective of this guideline is to assist poison center personnel in the appropriate out-of-hospital triage and out-of-hospital management of patients with suspected acute ingestions of atypical...
Two-dimensional super-resolution with high gain beams

The use of super-resolution to improve the performance of high gain monopulse antennas under main-beam interference and multipath conditions is evaluated. The geometrical theory underlying Schmidt's MUSIC algorithm is extended to multibeam signal processing antennas with directive beam patterns in azimuth and elevation. A new super-resolution algorithm is derived which is effective against both coherent and noncoherent signals. A conceptual design is described, and its detection and angle estimation performance for multiple signals incident in the mainbeam is presented. >
HEREDITARY SCLEROSING POIKILODERMA

Three persons with hereditary sclerosing poikiloderma were studied to find any clue to explain the mechanism involved in producing the cutaneous lesions which are so striking clinically and also evident histologically. Investigational studies included a blood chemistry screen, chromosome analyses, and skin biopsies evaluated by routine stains as well as by electron microscopy and direct immunofluorescence. No mechanism for the production of the clinical and histological changes in the dominantly inherited disorder was found.
Combining serum biomarkers: the association of C-reactive protein, insulin sensitivity, and homocysteine with cardiovascular disease history in the general US population.

BACKGROUND Elevated levels of serum biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine have been independently associated with cardiovascular risk. However, the prevalence of concurrent elevations of these biomarkers in the general population is unknown, as is their association with cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS Data from adults (n = 4900) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to investigate the relationship between combinations of serum biomarkers of inflammation (CRP), atherosclerosis (homocysteine), and insulin sensitivity [homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) fasting insulin] and CVD. Using SUDAAN, logistic regression models were constructed to examine the relationships between elevated serum biomarkers (CRP, homocysteine, HOMA, or insulin), singly or in combination, and having a history of heart failure, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or any CVD, while controlling for age, race, sex, obesity, smoking, cholesterol level, diabetes history, hypertension history, exercise level, and dietary fiber intake. RESULTS After adjustment for covariates, there was a significant relationship between concomitant elevations of CRP plus homocysteine and a history of MI [odds ratio (OR) 2.21], heart failure (OR 2.14), and any CVD (OR 1.87) that was stronger than the relationship between individual biomarkers alone and a history of CVD. In addition, combinations of elevated CRP plus HOMA and CRP plus insulin, remained significantly related to having a history of any CVD. CONCLUSION Recent scientific evidence and the present findings demonstrate the possibility for improving cardiovascular risk stratification through the concurrent evaluation of multiple biomarkers. In particular, these findings demonstrate the need to evaluate the combination of CRP and homocysteine prospectively as predictors of CVD.
The Social Ultimatum Game

The Ultimatum Game is a key exemplar that shows how human play often deviates from “rational” strategies suggested by game-theoretic analysis. One explanation is that humans cannot put aside the assumption of being in a multi-player multi-round environment that they are accustomed to in the real world. In this paper, we introduce the Social Ultimatum Game, where players can choose their partner among a society of agents, and engage in repeated interactions of the Ultimatum Game. We provide theoretical results that show the equilibrium strategies under rational actor models for the Social Ultimatum Game, which predict “unfair” offers as the stable solution. We develop mathematical models of human play that include “irrational” concepts such as fairness, reciprocity, and adaptation to social norms. We investigate the stability of maintaining a society of “fair” agents under these conditions. Finally, we discuss experimental data from initial human trials of the Social Ultimatum Game.
The pharmacogenetics of statin therapy: when the body aches, the mind will follow.

Despite the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia in the U.S., there has been a surprising decrease in cardiovascular mortality among patients with various presentations of coronary artery disease ([1][1]). It is likely, if not certain,
Mechanisms of humoral immunity explored through studies of LCMV infection.

Prolonged synthesis of antigen-specific antibody is one of the cardinal features of successful vaccination and one of the key parameters used to demonstrate immunological memory. For years, long-term antibody production was attributed solely to the continuous stimulation and differentiation of memory B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells. However, several studies have now revealed that long-lived plasma cells, most of which reside in the bone marrow, represent a previously overlooked mechanism for sustaining long-term humoral immunity. In this regard, analysis of the antiviral antibody response that occurs following acute infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) has been instrumental in developing our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying long-term antibody synthesis.
Fitting probability distributions to bacteriological data considerations for surveys and for water quality guidelines

It is well known that, under controlled conditions, the number of bacteria per unit volume follow a Poisson distribution. However, when a water sampling program has either a temporal or spatial component, the resulting sets of bacterial data often cannot be fitted by Poisson distributions. The spatial and temporal wariability of total coliform counts obtained from ship surveys of Lake Erie in the years 1966 to 1970 are studied in this paper. Several water quality guidelines are also examined under the assumption that total coliform counts follow either a Poisson, negative binomial or lognormal distribution.
A study on the function of lumber paraspinal muscle and glutenu maximus in patients with acute low back pain

Objective:To study the function of lumber paraspinal muscle and glutenu maximus by surface electromyography in the healthy subject with and without acute low back pain.Method:7healthy subjects without history of low back pain are recruited.All subjects performed a set of movement on Cybex-330:①Isometric contraction at different position(flexion15,30,45,60,90)with different effort(50%,75%and100%of maximal voluntary contraction).Every movement last30followed by60rest.②After24hour,low back pain(LBP)was induced by1ml subcutaneous injection of distilled water to the L4/L5interspinous space5min prior to the measurement.Then the movements were repeated as what were did the day before.Torque was measured with Cybex330.Surface EMG were taken with the electrode placed over glutenu maximus and the paraspinal muscles at L3/L4and L5/S1level.Result:①The MVC(maximal voluntary contraction)is lower and the VAS is higher in low back pain than those of normal.②In isometric movement,the MPF of LBP is higher than those without LBP.The RMS is lower in LBP than those without LBP.The RMS decreased only on L5/S1and glutenu maximus.Conclusion:①To subcutaneously inject1ml distilled water to interspinous is available for setting up the acute low back pain model.②In the early period of muscle contraction,the MPF of LBP is higher than that of normal and the RMS is lower.It may be the result that acute pain recruited fiber I more.
Seminary Norms for the MMPI-2:

Attempts to determine whether special seminary norms are needed for the MMPI-2 by examining the scores of 140 entering theological students from 1989 to 1993. Concludes that resulting profiles were...
In Vitro Studies on the Effect of Cofactors on the 5α-Reductase and 3α- and 3β-hydroxysteroid Reductase Activities in the Hyperplastic Human Prostate

Many studies have intimated that the accumulation and hence elevation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the human prostate may be the primary factor in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This accumulation has been explained in terms of an increase in the 5 alpha-reductase enzymatic activity which converts testosterone to DHT and a decrease in the relative activities of the 3 alpha-HSORred and 3 beta-HSORred enzymes. To investigate this hypothesis further, the activities of these two enzymes were studied in the presence and absence of NADPH in benign hyperplastic tissue and in normal peripheral (NPR) and benign hyperplastic periurethral (BPH) tissue taken from the same prostate. The results of these studies demonstrate a several fold increase in the activities of 3 alpha-HSORred and 3 beta-HSORred in the presence of NADPH in the hyperplastic human prostate. This increase in the activities of these two enzymes is found to the same degree in normal peripheral and benign hyperplastic periurethral tissue taken from the same prostate. There was no difference in percent increase in 3 alpha- and 3 beta-diol formation from DHT with NADPH in normal peripheral versus benign hyperplastic periurethral prostatic tissue. In subsequent experiments, Vmax/Km, as an index of the enzymatic capacity of the 3 alpha-HSORred and 3 beta-HSORred enzymes, was determined in both NPR and BPH tissue in media fortified with one mM NADPH. This quotient was found to be essentially the same in NPR and BPH tissue for both the 3 alpha-HSORred and the 3 beta-HSORred. Subsequently, the Vmax/Km value for the 5 alpha-reductase in BPH tissue was found to be equal to the combined Vmax/Km values of the 3 alpha-HSORred and 3 beta-HSORred. The reverse reaction or the conversion of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol is completely blocked in a medium containing one mM NADPH. These studies suggest that the concentration of DHT in prostatic tissue is dependent on the level of NADPH necessary for the 3 alpha-HSORred and 3 beta-HSORred enzymes to convert DHT to its respective diols.
Genetic Epilepsies—Generalized

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various aspects of genetic epilepsies. Idiopathic generalized epilepsy is characterized by recurrent primarily generalized seizures occurring in the absence of detectable brain lesions and/or metabolic abnormalities. In primarily generalized seizures, the initial behavioral, electrical, and physiological changes are bilateral from the onset. Six primary generalized epilepsy syndromes as well as the syndrome of febrile seizures, appear to have a genetic etiology. A study reported a variant of benign myoclonic epilepsy in six infants with myoclonic seizures which were identified as reflex myoclonic epilepsy in infancy. In these infants the seizures did not occur spontaneously, in contrast to benign myoclonic epilepsy in infancy. The seizures were always precipitated by a stimulus, usually acoustic or tactile stimuli. Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) characteristically begins between 4 and 8 years of age, with absence seizures with a peak age of onset of 6 to 7 years. Absence seizures can be easily suppressed in 80% of the patients by treatment with valproate. The patients have normal intelligence and no focal neurologic signs. The juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and generalized clonic-tonic-clonic seizures are also elaborated.
Suppression by TFR cells leads to durable and selective inhibition of B cell effector function

Follicular regulatory T cells (TFR cells) inhibit follicular helper T cell (TFH cell)-mediated antibody production. Sharpe and colleagues show that TFR cells induce a distinct suppressive state in TFH cells and B cells that can be reversed by the cytokine IL-21. Follicular regulatory T cells (TFR cells) inhibit follicular helper T cell (TFH cell)–mediated antibody production. The mechanisms by which TFR cells exert their key immunoregulatory functions are largely unknown. Here we found that TFR cells induced a distinct suppressive state in TFH cells and B cells, in which effector transcriptional signatures were maintained but key effector molecules and metabolic pathways were suppressed. The suppression of B cell antibody production and metabolism by TFR cells was durable and persisted even in the absence of TFR cells. This durable suppression was due in part to epigenetic changes. The cytokine IL-21 was able to overcome TFR cell–mediated suppression and inhibited TFR cells and stimulated B cells. By determining mechanisms of TFR cell-mediated suppression, we have identified methods for modulating the function of TFR cells and antibody production.
Differentiating Left- and Right-Handed Carbon Nanotubes by DNA.

New structural characteristics emerge when solid-state crystals are constructed in lower dimensions. This is exemplified by single-wall carbon nanotubes, which exhibit a degree of freedom in handedness and a multitude of helicities that give rise to three distinct types of electronic structures: metals, quasi-metals, and semiconductors. Here we report the use of intrinsically chiral single-stranded DNA to achieve simultaneous handedness and helicity control for all three types of nanotubes. We apply polymer aqueous two-phase systems to select special DNA-wrapped carbon nanotubes, each of which we argue must have an ordered DNA structure that binds to a nanotube of defined handedness and helicity and resembles a well-folded biomacromolecule with innate stereoselectivity. We have screened over 300 short single-stranded DNA sequences with palindrome symmetry, leading to the selection of more than 20 distinct carbon nanotube structures that have defined helicity and handedness and cover the entire chiral angl...