cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human neural retinal transplantation.

PURPOSE. A pilot study of human neural retinal transplantation was undertaken to investigate three major issues: whether a safe surgical procedure could be devised for transplantation of neural retinal tissue into the subretinal space, whether the transplant would be accepted in the subretinal space, and whether an improvement in vision could be achieved. METHODS. Eight patients with bare light perception (LP) vision due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and one patient with bare LP vision due to advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) received subretinal transplants of human fetal retinal microaggregate suspensions without postoperative systemic immunosuppression. The patient with AMD also received a fetal retinal sheet transplant. The ages of the patients ranged from 31 to 94 years (median, 55 years). The preand postoperative evaluations included visual function testing, detailed fundus examinations, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, macular perimetry using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO), and full field and focal electroretinograms (ERGs). RESULTS. Three of the eight RP patients demonstrated possible improved light sensitivity during the initial months of follow-up. However, visual improvement disappeared between 3 and 13 months of follow-up. After transplantation, no subject showed any changes in the ERG recordings or SLO macular perimetry relative to their preoperative baseline. No patient experienced a retinal detachment, infection, or extensive bleeding. None of the patients developed retinal vasculitis or intraocular inflammation. In one RP patient, fluorescein angiography and fundus photography documented the formation and maturation of new host retinal vessels in the area of the transplant. CONCLUSIONS. Transplantation of fetal retinal photoreceptor suspensions into the subretinal space was achieved safely in nine subjects. Although a definite positive effect on visual function could not be demonstrated, the apparent high tolerance for graft tissue is promising for future efforts in the field of neural retinal transplantation.
A Generalized Newton Raphson Method for Limit Cycle Analysis of Nonlinear Control Systems

A numerical method is presented for the limit cycle analysis of multiloop nonlinear control systems with multiple nonlinearities. Describing functions are used to model the first harmonic gains of the nonlinearities. Existence of a limit cycle is sought by driving the least damped eigenvalue to the imaginary axis. The evolution of the limit cycle is studied next as a function of a critical system-parameter. It is shown that by defining a suitable error function it is possible to use both the eigenvalue as well as the eigenvector sensitivities to formulate a generalized Newton Raphson method to solve simultaneously for the updates of state variable amplitudes in a minimum norm sense. A case study involving a fifth order control system with three nonlinearities is included to illustrate the application of the method.
Decentralized event-triggered control of networked systems-part 1: Leader-follower consensus under switching topologies

A decentralized controller that uses event-triggered scheduling is developed for the leader-follower consensus problem under switching communication topologies. To reduce inter-agent communication, a feedback controller is designed based on state estimates of neighboring agents that are updated by scheduled communication. The state estimates are updated when the network topology switches or a decentralized trigger condition is met. The trigger condition is designed such that the control requires reduced inter-agent communication for feedback while still achieving leader-follower consensus under switching topologies. Since the control strategy produces switched dynamics, analysis is provided to show that Zeno behavior is avoided by developing a positive constant lower bound on the minimum inter-event interval. A Lyapunov-based convergence analysis is also provided to indicate asymptotic convergence of the developed control methodology.
Immigrant Students and Literacy: Reading, Writing, and Remembering, Gerald Campano

With the growing number of English language learners in classrooms around the country, more and more teachers are searching for ways to effectively teach students from immigrant and culturally and ...
TEACHING TRANSACTIONAL SKILLS THROUGH SIMULATIONS IN UPPER- LEVEL COURSES – THREE EXEMPLARS

This Essay describes the Business Law Practicum that was recently established at Loyola Law School-Los Angeles. This new curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between law school and legal practice as a transactional lawyer by using a simulated deal format that integrates theory with practice. The use of a simulated deal, drawn directly from the files of real world practicing lawyers, asks students to analyze both the legal issues and the business considerations that must be taken into account in planning the structure and negotiating the terms of the deal under study that semester. In doing so, students will gain familiarity with the role of the lawyer in planning business transactions, including a substantial focus on the ethical considerations that face modern transactional lawyers. This Essay concludes by describing how this new innovative approach to educating transactional lawyers is directly responsive to the concerns that were set forth in the Carnegie Foundation Report on Legal Education (2007).
Input shaping for three-dimensional slew maneuvers of a precision pointing flexible spacecraft

A method is presented for input torque shaping for three-dimensional slew maneuvers of a precision pointing flexible spacecraft. The method determines the torque profiles for fixed-time, rest-to-rest maneuvers which minimize a specified performance index. Spacecraft dynamics are formulated in such a manner that the rigid body and flexible motions are decoupled. Furthermore, assembly of the equations of motion is simplified by making use of finite element analysis results. Input torque profiles are determined by solving an associated optimization problem using dynamic programming. Three example problems are provided to demonstrate the application of the method.
High-efficiency retroviral vector-mediated gene transduction of neural stem/progenitor cells grown as monolayers

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 2786 Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) can be engineered to produce therapeutic molecules, can travel along the white matter and engraft stably into the brain. These observations can be utilized for the gene therapy of glioblastoma, a disease with a poor prognosis, for which new treatment modalities are needed. We have developed a protocol based on culture of NSCs in adherence on recombinant fibronectin (rFN) to transduce up to 90% NSCs at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 2 with no need for viral concentration or production of serum-free retroviral supernatants. NSCs grew faster on rFN than as neurospheres on tissue culture plastic and did not lose their stem cell nature or multipotentiality. Furthermore, retroviral-mediated transgene expression was sustained with time in culture and upon differentiation into neurons and astrocytes. In addition to gene therapy of glioblastomas, these experimental conditions may be utilized to study the function of various genes in NSCs, and to manipulate NSCs for gene and cell therapy of several neurological diseases.
Resistive Wall Mode Feedback Stabilization in Burning Plasma Experiments

A simple model is used to analyze the systems for feedback stabilization of the resistive wall mode (RWM) in proposed burning plasma experiments. In ITER, the presence of several conducting structures close to the control coils, but far from the plasma, leads to a slow feedback response time compared to the time scale of the RWM growth. In FIRE, the copper shell passive stabilizer sets a relatively long time scale for the RWM growth; therefore, the effects of higher resistivity structures close to the coils and far from the plasma are nearly negligible. RWM feedback control should be able to raise the stable {beta}{sub N} up to near the ideal-wall limit in FIRE with moderate requirements on the feedback electronics bandwidth.
UWashington: Negation Resolution using Machine Learning Methods

This paper reports on a simple system for resolving the scope of negation in the closed track of the *SEM 2012 Shared Task. Cue detection is performed using regular expression rules extracted from the training data. Both scope tokens and negated event tokens are resolved using a Conditional Random Field (CRF) sequence tagger -- namely the SimpleTagger library in the MALLET machine learning toolkit. The full negation F1 score obtained for the task evaluation is 48.09% (P=74.02%, R=35.61%) which ranks this system fourth among the six submitted for the closed track.
Treatment of Apnea of Prematurity With Aminophylline

The effectiveness of aminophylline in the treatment of apnea of prematurity was evaluated in 13 premature infants (mean birthweight, 1.13 kg; mean gestational age, 29 weeks). Apnea was recorded by direct observation in combination with impedance monitoring. Rectal suppositories of aminophylline (5 mg) were given at six-hour intervals. The average dose was 4.1 mg/kg. No toxicity or complications were noted. The parents became free of apneic episodes during therapy. The response for each eight-hour interval of treatment over 72 hours when compared to pretreatment was significant (P less than .01; paired t-test), after the first eight hours. Only one patient required mechanical ventilation for apnea. Treatment was continued for 2 to 14 days (mean, 5 days). A recurrence of apnea was noted in nine patients after discontinuing aminophylline. All patients except one survived. No change in Po2, Pco2, pH, mean heart and respiratory rates, and blood pressure was noted. A direct effect on the respiratory center is postulated.
Strontium rare-earth hydro- and germanate garnets

Abstract New strontium lutetium and ytterbium hydrogarnets, Sr 3 (Yb, Lu) 2 (OH) 12 , and anhydrous ytterbium germanate garnet, Sr 3 Yb 2 Ge 3 O 12 , were synthesized by precipitation in 1M NaOH solution in air between 100 and 115°C. Partial solid solubility was found in these series.
Peroxynitrite but not nitric oxide donors destroys epinephrine: HPLC measurement and rat aorta contractility.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO) have been reported to destroy catecholamines. We compared the ability of NO donors and peroxynitrite to decompose epinephrine in both chemical and pharmacological experiments. Epinephrine (1 μM) was incubated with NO donors (SNAP and MAHMA NONOate) and ONOO at a concentration of 0.1 mM in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4; 0.1 M) or Krebs solution for 10 minutes at 37 °C. HPLC revealed that the concentration of epinephrine in the presence of NO donors was unaltered. In contrast, peroxynitrite decreased epinephrine concentration more than 20 fold. Similar relationships were obtained in the study of rat thoracic aorta ring contraction. The contractile activity (EC50) of epinephrine in control solutions and after incubation of NE with NO donors did not change. EC50 was measured at 8–10 nM in control solutions and after preincubation with NO donors. However when epinephrine was preincubated with peroxynitrite, no contractile effect was evoked. Therefore, under these experimental conditions peroxynitrite, but not NO donors, was capable of destroying epinephrine.
Oxygen differentially affects the hox proteins Hoxb5 and Hoxa5 altering airway branching and lung vascular formation

Hoxb5 and Hoxa5 transcription factor proteins uniquely impact lung morphogenesis at the developmental time point when extremely preterm infants are born. The effect of O2 exposure (0.4 FiO2) used in preterm infant care on these Hox proteins is unknown. We used ex vivo fetal mouse lung organ cultures to explore the effects of 0.4 FiO2 on lung airway and vascular formation in the context of Hoxb5 and Hoxa5 expression and regulation. Compared to room air, 48 h (h) 0.4 FiO2 adversely attenuated airway and microvasculature formation while reducing lung growth and epithelial cell volume, and increasing mesenchymal volume. 0.4 FiO2 decreased pro-angiogenic Hoxb5 and VEGFR2 while not altering protein levels of angiostatic Hoxa5. Lungs returned to RA after 24 h 0.4FiO2 had partial structural recovery but remained smaller and less developed. Mesenchymal cell apoptosis increased and proliferation decreased with time in O2 while epithelial cell proliferation significantly increased. Hoxb5 overexpression led to prominent peri-airway VEGFR2 expression and promoted lung vascular and airway patterning. Hoxa5 overexpression had the opposite effects. We conclude that 0.4 FiO2 exposure causes a profound loss of airway and lung microvascular development that occurs partially via reduction in pro-angiogenic Hoxb5 while angiostatic Hoxa5 expression is maintained.
Excessive daytime sleepiness among attending physicians: A pilot survey study at an academic institution

The purpose of this study is to assess excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among attending physicians. Emails with an embedded link to an IRB approved questionnaire were sent to attending physicians of two closely affiliated academic institutions. An online hospital directory was used to compile a list of active attending physicians who practiced clinical medicine. Two additional reminder emails, about 2 weeks apart, were also sent. Data were collected anonymously and participation was voluntary. Three hundred fifteen responses out of 506 emails were returned (responder rate of 62.2%). The average age was 47 years and the majority was married with children. The mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was six and only 50 (15.9%) physicians were sleepy with a score of >10. Only working longer hours (p = 0.014), habitual napping (p = 0.01) and the feeling of not getting enough sleep (p = 0.01) significantly correlated with daytime sleepiness. Hours at work, however, did not correlate with hours of sleep, and the latter surprisingly did not correlate with sleepiness. Physicians in our sample were slightly more sleep deprived than the general population but not as sleep deprived as resident physicians.
Deconvolution of mTORC2 “in Silico”

The protein kinase mTOR (mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin) coordinates a complex signal transduction network. By assembling with unique and shared partner proteins, mTOR forms the catalytic core of at least two complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2, that show differential sensitivity to the allosteric mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and that phosphorylate distinct substrates to modulate cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism in response to diverse environmental cues. Understanding mTOR network circuitry will provide insight into how its deregulation contributes to pathologic states such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Research published in Science Signaling describes an investigation of the complex insulin-mTOR network by combining classic biochemical approaches with dynamic mathematical modeling in silico to elucidate how insulin activates mTORC2, an event that remains poorly defined.
Collagen Synthesis in vitro by Embryonic Spinal Cord Epithelium

Isolated spinal cords from chick embryos (stages 12 to 15) were incubated in vitro with radioactive proline. The proteins synthesized were fractionated by coprecipitation with added carrier collagen, followed by molecularsieve and ion-exchange chromatography. A portion of the isotopically labeled proteins were found to be collagen molecules consisting only of α1 chains.
The Dynamics of Snake Harassment By Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs

Differential participation by particular classes of individuals is likely to influence how we assess the functional significance of harassing. I examined encounters between black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and snakes in both natural and experimentally-induced encounters and found substantial differences in how various age/sex classes of prairie dogs deal with snakes. Specifically, males spent more time close to snakes and in actively confronting these potential predators than did either females or pups. Fathers were not closer to snakes than were non-fathers, but fathers spent more time actively engaged in dealing with the snakes. Mothers and non-mothers did not differ markedly in how they dealt with snakes. Encounters with snakes occurred before and after the pups' first emergence from their natal burrows, but pup emergence did not alter the basic differences between males and females and fathers and non-fathers. Pup emergence did coincide with changes in the behavior of these classes, fathers barked less after pup emergence, and all classes with the exception of mothers were less positively oriented to snakes after pup emergence. However, the significance of these changes was not apparent. These results require that the functional significance of snake harassment by prairie dogs take into account this male bias in snake-directed behavior. Males are hypothesized to be less vulnerable to snakes than are pups and to have more at stake reproductively than do females. Fathers have more at stake reproductively than do non-fathers (although non-fathers may still be protecting mates) and thus should spend more time confronting and harassing snakes. This interpretation is founded on an understanding of the relationship between potential predator and potential prey and I conclude with a discussion of the appropriate description of this relationship.
Epitaxial growth of ferromagnetic δ-phase manganese gallium on semiconducting scandium nitride (0 0 1)

Abstract Ferromagnetic δ -phase manganese gallium layers with Mn / ( Mn + Ga ) = 60 % have been successfully grown on ScN(0 0 1) by molecular beam epitaxy, expanding possibilities for ferromagnetic layers on nitride semiconductors. The in-plane epitaxial relationship of manganese gallium with respect to scandium nitride is determined to be [ 1 0 0 ] MnGa / / [ 1 1 0 ] ScN and [ 1 1 0 ] MnGa / / [ 1 0 0 ] ScN . Vibrating sample magnetometry measurements indicate out-of-plane magnetization of the film, suggesting strong magnetic anisotropy along the manganese gallium c -axis.
Electrocardiographic correlates of myocardial ischaemia induced by atrial and ventricular pacing in dogs with coronary stenosis

We determined the electrocardiographic response to pacing-induced tachycardia in 45 dogs. Pacing was performed using left atrial, left atrial-right ventricular sequential or left atrial-left ventricular sequential modes at rates of 90 to 250 beats·min−1. Body surface isopotential maps in 15 dogs with normal coronary circulations defined the normal response to rate; surface potential extrema during the S-T segment increased in strength with increasing rate but spatial features remained constant. In the other 30 dogs, an ameroid constrictor was placed around the left circumflex coronary artery. Two weeks after implantation, atrial pacing to rates of 190 beats·min−1 or greater resulted in flat. S-T segment depression, with new and abnormal negative voltages registered over the inferior and left posterior torso. However, with either form of ventricular pacing, tachycardia with coronary obstruction did not alter the S-T segment response seen in control animals, in either intensity or spatial parameters. We interpret these findings to suggest that: 1) in normal dogs, tachycardia produced a common electrocardiographic effect regardless of activation pattern; and 2) tachycardia in the presence of coronary constriction results in subendocardial myocardial ischaemia that, with atrial pacing, reverses the normal transmural S-T segment potential gradient and causes body surface S-T segment depression, but 3) with primary ventricular stimulation, the subendocardial ischaemia does not alter the transventricular repolarisation gradients sufficiently to generate body surface S-T segment shifts.
Studies on the mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation V. The phosphorylating properties of the electron transport particle

When the heavy fraction of beef heart mitochondrial suspensions is exposed to sonic oscillation, a submitochondrial particle can be isolated which is indistinguishable from previously described ETP except that it is capable of coupling the oxidation of succinate and DPNH to phosphorylation —the maximum P/O ratios being respectively 1.2 and 2.0 ETP may be regarded as the least common denominator of both electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation. Whether phosphorylating or not, ETP is inactive in catalyzing citric cyclic oxidations. During its formation by sonication of mitochindria, some of the pyridinoprotein enzymes are completely lost while others are retained in part. The β-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase is the only pyridinoprotein enzyme which is more concentrated in ETP than in the original mithocondrion. The presence of Mg++ during the separation of ETP from the sonicated suspension is essential for maximal phosphorylative activity.
Pb(II)-translocating P-type ATPases.

The cad operon of Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pI258, which confers cadmium resistance, encodes a transcriptional regulator, CadC, and CadA, an ATP-coupled Cd(II) pump that is a member of the superfamily of cation-translocating P-type ATPases. The Escherichia colihomologue of CadA, termed ZntA, is a Zn(II)/Cd(II) pump. The results described in this paper support the hypothesis that ZntA and CadA are Pb(II) pumps. First, CadC is a metal-responsive repressor that responds to soft metals in the order Pb>Cd>Zn. Second, both CadA and ZntA confer resistance to Pb(II). Third, transport of 65Zn(II) in everted membrane vesicles of E. coli catalyzed by either of these two P-type ATPase superfamily members is inhibited by Pb(II).
Effect of drying methods on the functional properties of soy hull pectin

Abstract Soy hull pectin preparations produced by freeze drying, spray drying, and vacuum oven drying were evaluated for their surface chemical structure, degree of esterification, appearance, solubility, and flow behavior. FTIR spectral analysis showed no major structural differences in soy pectin samples produced by various drying treatments and their surface structures were comparable to that of analytical and food grade commercial pectin samples. Yields, galacturonic acid contents, and the degrees of esterification for oven dried, freeze dried, and spray dried soy pectin samples were 16–21, 67–69, and 18–20%, respectively. Pectin produced by oven drying had the lowest Hunter values for brightness, redness, and yellowness among the pectin samples produced by various drying methods. Drying methods did not have any significant detrimental effect on the solubility and flow behavior of the soy hull pectin samples.
On factors affecting the reversible superrrecipitation of actomyosin

Abstract 1. 1. The reaction between actomyosin and ATP was studied by measuring light transmission within various angles. 2. 2. The effects of PH and temperature on superprecipitation as measured by light transmission is described. 3. 3. The temperature effect is reversible within the PH range 8.0–9.5. 4. 4. The significance of superprecipitation and its reversibility is discussed with respect to muscular contraction.
Resonance Raman spectroscopy of carotenoids in Photosystem II core complexes.

Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy has been used to examine the configuration of the carotenoids bound to Synechocystis PCC 6803 Photosystem II (PS II) core complexes. The excitation wavelengths used (514.5, 488.0, 476.5 and 457.9 nm) span the absorption bands of all of the ~12–17 neutral carotenoids in the PS II core complex. The RR spectra of the two carotenoids associated with the D1–D2 polypeptides (Car507 and Car489) of the reaction center are extracted via light versus dark difference experiments measured at 20 K. The RR results are consistent with all-trans configurations for both Car507 and Car489 and indicate that majority of the other carotenoids in the PS II core complex must also be in the all-trans configuration. The configuration of β-carotene is relevant to its proposed function as a molecular wire in the secondary electron-transfer reactions of PS II.
Ligand binding to WW tandem domains of YAP2 transcriptional regulator is under negative cooperativity

YES-associated protein 2 (YAP2) transcriptional regulator drives a multitude of cellular processes, including the newly discovered Hippo tumor suppressor pathway, by virtue of the ability of its WW domains to bind and recruit PPXY-containing ligands to specific subcellular compartments. Herein, we employ an array of biophysical tools to investigate allosteric communication between the WW tandem domains of YAP2. Our data show that the WW tandem domains of YAP2 negatively cooperate when binding to their cognate ligands. Moreover, the molecular origin of such negative cooperativity lies in an unfavorable entropic contribution to the overall free energy relative to ligand binding to isolated WW domains. Consistent with this notion, the WW tandem domains adopt a fixed spatial orientation such that the WW1 domain curves outwards and stacks onto the binding groove of the WW2 domain, thereby sterically hindering ligand binding to both itself and its tandem partner. Although ligand binding to both WW domains disrupts such interdomain stacking interaction, they reorient themselves and adopt an alternative fixed spatial orientation in the liganded state by virtue of their ability to engage laterally so as to allow their binding grooves to point outwards and away from each other. In short, while the ability of WW tandem domains to aid ligand binding is well documented, our demonstration that they may also be subject to negative binding cooperativity represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the molecular action of this ubiquitous family of protein modules.
Mystery of the anti-McCollough effect

The McCollough Effect (ME) is a complex perceptual aftereffect that remains of interest half a century after its discovery. It is argued that a recently reported variant, dubbed the anti-McCollough effect, is not the reverse of the ME, with aftereffect colors in the same direction as the inducing stimuli. A red–horizontal stimulus leads to a reddish aftereffect not because of red–horizontal parings, but despite them. The anti-ME is a weak standard-direction ME produced by complementary afterimage colors (afterimage green with horizontal), rather than by environmental colors, first shown decades ago. It is not a new type of contingent aftereffect. The red–horizontal pair does not interfere with the afterimage green–horizontal pair it produces because a single color–orientation pairing provides more ambiguous input than does the standard two orientation–color pairings (red–horizontal, green–vertical) of the ME. It is also argued that not even one orientation-contingent color aftereffect is convincingly shown in the “anti”-ME, let alone, as has previously been suggested, two simultaneous orientation-contingent color aftereffects in opposite directions at different levels of the visual system, in which the higher-level effect suppresses the downstream effect from reaching consciousness. The “anti”-ME can be explained by existing theories of contingent aftereffects, including perceptual-learning theory.
A Spanish translation of the Walking Impairment Questionnaire was validated for patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Abstract Objectives Walking impairment is a common manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In this study we present evidence for the validity of our Spanish translation of the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ). Methods The WIQ was translated into Spanish by our team of researchers. Spanish-speaking patients in the Houston, TX, area completed Spanish versions of the WIQ and the SF-36. Evidence for convergent and discriminant validity of the WIQ was obtained from correlations between the WIQ and other measures. Spanish or English as the primary language defined language-speaking status. Results Among 403 patients, convergent validity evidence was strong for both English- and Spanish-speaking patients. For patients with PAD, the correlation between walking distance and physical functioning was 0.55 (P Conclusions The WIQ scores correlated well with SF-36 components for both English- and Spanish-speaking patients. Our findings suggested that our translation process did not limit our ability to capture good-quality data. Further research is needed to determine what specific items in the WIQ or the SF-36 questionnaire warrant restructuring to increase their validity for use in diverse populations.
Functional Domains of a Geminivirus Replication Protein

Tomato golden mosaic virus, a member of the geminivirus family, has a single-stranded DNA genome that is replicated and transcribed in infected plant cells through the concerted action of viral and host factors. One viral protein, AL1, contributes to both processes by binding to a directly repeated, double-stranded DNA sequence located in the overlapping (+) strand origin of replication and AL1 promoter. The AL1 protein, which occurs as a multimeric complex in solution, also catalyzes DNA cleavage during initiation of rolling circle replication. To identify the tomato golden mosaic virus AL1 domains that mediate protein oligomerization, DNA binding, and DNA cleavage, a series of truncated AL1 proteins were produced in a baculovirus expression system and assayed for each activity. These experiments localized the AL1 oligomerization domain between amino acids 121 and 181, the DNA binding domain between amino acids 1 and 181, and the DNA cleavage domain between amino acids 1 and 120. Deletion of the first 29 amino acids of AL1 abolished DNA binding and DNA cleavage, demonstrating that an intact N terminus is required for both activities. The observation that the DNA binding domain includes the oligomerization domain suggested that AL1-AL1 protein interaction may be a prerequisite for DNA binding but not for DNA cleavage. The significance of these results for AL1 function during geminivirus replication and transcription is discussed.
Effects of Oxygen-Releasing Materials on Aerobic Bacterial Degradation Processes

Abstract The aerobic microbial degradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) and phenol was examined under oxygen-limiting conditions in the presence of three known oxygen-releasing materials: (1) polyvinylidene chloride-encapsulated sodium percarbonate; (2) REGENESIS oxygen-releasing compound (magnesium peroxide); and (3) PermeOx® solid peroxygen (calcium peroxide). The degradation of PNP or phenol in buffered solutions was measured in 40-mL reaction chambers containing 25 to 300 mg of oxygen-releasing materials in the presence of immobilized chemical-degrading bacteria. Radiometric studies were used to determine total chemical mineralization and material balances of 14C-residues. Degradation of PNP and phenol increased in proportion to both the supplemented amount and the relative oxygen content of each oxygen-releasing material. Comparison of actual to theoretical degradation, based on stoichiometry of balanced equations for mineralization, showed that chemical uptake (primary degradation) at lower concentrations...
Application of the regression of offspring on mid-parent method to detect associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and the beta 2 electroencephalogram phenotype in the COGA data.

The beta 2 electroencephalogram (EEG) phenotype is used as a quantitative measure related to alcoholism, and evidence of linkage and association has previously been reported in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism data. In this study, associations between the beta 2 EEG phenotype and single nucleotide polymorphisms from whole-genome Illumina and Affymetrix panels were investigated with the regression of offspring on mid-parent method to identify significant genetic effects and to estimate their heritability. Separate regressions on father and mother were performed to identify parent-specific effects. Estimates of the heritability of the beta 2 EEG phenotype were 0.68 ± 0.12 and 0.52 ± 0.07 based on father-offspring and mother-offspring pairs, respectively. Significant associations at the 0.0005 level, some of which were parent-specific, were found on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 with heritability attributable to each SNP ranging from 0.01 to 8%.
Protein geometry as a function of time

The title of this talk is intentionally obscure since the range of tim e to be discussed is not given. The talk will start with decades (i.e. history). What did a protein look like in the 1940s? What were the methods that provided the “picturesr50”s? What does it mean today? What did the molecular biology revolution do to our views of the structure of proteins? A multiple answer question. The genes and their immediate products are linear polymers. The comparison and analysis of simple linear lists of characters has absolutely required the development of new mathematical tools to even get off the starting blocks. Data acquisition, data banks, and data analysis are all moving along in high gear. The problems produced by the division of science into smaller and smaller sections each with its own developing vocabulary are increasing exponentially.Today chemical investigations can be carried out at the femtosecond time scale. Do we on the biological side really care. Most of biology is in the micro to multisecond range or longer, but even macromolecules have important functions in the picosecond region. Refinement of X-ray structures is not as good as it should be. Where is the problem? NMR like all other spectroscopic procedures has an intrinsic time base. X-ray diffraction is better for static structures, NMR should spend much more of its effort on time specifications where, in principal, it beats the X-ray procedures hands down. Cryoelectron microscopy is pushing spatial resolution to lower and lower limits. Bridging the gaps between the EM and the X-ray/NMR regions in both space and time requires major mathematical help. As solutions to some of these problems appear, the problems are simply made worse
Comparison of separation efficiency of early phase active pharmaceutical intermediates by steady state recycle and batch chromatographic techniques.

Abstract Chromatographic resolution of enantiomers has become the accepted method for generation of active pharmaceutical intermediates (APIs) in early phase development. Continuous processes such as simulated moving bed (SMB) are recognized as alternative approaches for manufacturing of larger quantities of enantiomerically pure compounds. Steady state recycle (SSR) technology was initially described in 1998 [C.M. Grill, L. Miller, J. Chromatogr. A 827 (1998) 359] and has recently become a common technique in some laboratories. Batch chromatography, SSR, and SMB processes should be considered “phase appropriate” technologies. Phase appropriate technology refers to the scale of separation required in a step of the drug development process. SSR is phase appropriate technology for producing 100 g to several kilogram quantities of material. In this report, we will describe development and scale up of chiral separations utilizing the SSR technique for six different APIs utilizing several different chiral stationary phases and compare the efficiencies of both SSR and batch chromatographic techniques.
Illustrating the Laws of Morphometry

"The new approach to quantitative morphometry, initiated by Horton (1945), has resulted in the recognition, measurement and comparison of the basic units of landscape geometry; the application to them of the principles governing the behaviour of open physical systems; and the testing and quantifying of the Davisian principles of landscape evolution. The laws of morphometry are here illustrated from three regions of maturely dissected sandstone terrain, lacking in differential gross structural control, and it is discovered that uniform, dimensionless ratios hold for their geometry."
A Nyström method for weakly singular integral operators on surfaces

We describe a modified Nystrom method for the discretization of the weakly singular boundary integral operators which arise from the formulation of linear elliptic boundary value problems as integral equations. Standard Nystrom and collocation schemes proceed by representing functions via their values at a collection of quadrature nodes. Our method uses appropriately scaled function values in lieu of such representations. This results in a scheme which is mathematically equivalent to Galerkin discretization in that the resulting matrices are related to those obtained by Galerkin methods via conjugation with well-conditioned matrices, but which avoids the evaluation of double integrals. Moreover, we incorporate a new mechanism for approximating the singular integrals which arise from the discretization of weakly singular integral operators which is considerably more efficient than standard methods. We illustrate the performance of our method with numerical experiments.
Evidence for mutualist limitation: the impacts of conspecific density on the mycorrhizal inoculum potential of woodland soils

The ability of seedlings to establish can depend on the availability of appropriate mycorrhizal fungal inoculum. The possibility that mycorrhizal mutualists limit the distribution of seedlings may depend on the prevalence of the plant hosts that form the same type of mycorrhizal association as the target seedling species and thus provide inoculum. We tested this hypothesis by measuring ectomycorrhizal (EM) fine root distribution and conducting an EM inoculum potential bioassay along a gradient of EM host density in a pinyon–juniper woodland where pinyon is the only EM fungal host while juniper and other plant species are hosts for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. We found that pinyon fine roots were significantly less abundant than juniper roots both in areas dominated aboveground by juniper and in areas where pinyon and juniper were co-dominant. Pinyon seedlings establishing in pinyon–juniper zones are thus more likely to encounter AM than EM fungi. Our bioassay confirmed this result. Pinyon seedlings were six times less likely to be colonized by EM fungi when grown in soil from juniper-dominated zones than in soil from either pinyon–juniper or pinyon zones. Levels of EM colonization were also reduced in seedlings grown in juniper-zone soil. Preliminary analyses indicate that EM community composition varied among sites. These results are important because recent droughts have caused massive mortality of mature pinyons resulting in a shift towards juniper-dominated stands. Lack of EM inoculum in these stands could reduce the ability of pinyon seedlings to re-colonize sites of high pinyon mortality, leading to long-term vegetation shifts.
Characterization of angiotensin II receptors in the anterior pituitary gland.

Abstract Specific and high affinity binding sites for angiotensin II were demonstrated in the anterior pituitary gland by binding studies with [125I]iodoangiotensin II. The binding properties of the pituitary receptors were similar to those of angiotensin II receptors present in the adrenal gland. The concentration of binding sites in rat anterior pituitary (293 ± 50 fmoles/mg protein) was less than in the adrenal gland, but was much greater than in smooth muscle. Angiotensin II receptors were identified in the anterior pituitary tissue of mature and immature animals of both sexes, and in species including rat, rabbit and dog. No binding of angiotensin II was detected in posterior pituitary homogenates, or in GH3 pituitary tumor cells. Collagenase-dispersed anterior pituitary cells also contained specific binding sites for angiotensin II, with equilibrium binding constant (Ka) of 3.6 × 109 M−1. The presence of specific high-affinity angiotensin II receptor in the anterior pituitary gland provides a mechanism by which angiotensin-like peptides could modulate the process of pituitary hormone secretion.
A pilot compositional analysis of Nasca ceramics from the Kroeber collection

Abstract In this paper we report on Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of a sample of ceramics from Nasca, Peru collected by Alfred Kroeber in the 1920’s and curated at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. The analysis was conducted for two principal reasons: (1) to test the efficacy of LA-ICP-MS when compared to INAA; and (2) to evaluate samples that post-date Early Nasca (where focus has primarily been placed). We show here that LA-ICP-MS is a viable alternative to INAA, present some of the compositional variability in the Kroeber samples, and propose some explanations for this variability.
Inhibition by light of growth and Golgi-localized glucan synthetase in the maize mesocotyl.

When dark-grown maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were exposed to red light (R), Golgi-localized glucan synthetase activity in the mesocotyl began to decrease within 1 h, and fell by approx. 70% in 12 h. The response required at least 10-2 μmol m-2 R and saturated at 100 μmol m-2. Far-red light (FR) alone inhibited glucan synthetase, and FR reversed the inhibition by R back to the level caused by FR alone. Density gradient fractionation indicated that of the major membrane markers only the Golgi-localized glucan-synthetase activity was affected by R. Golgi-localized latent inosine-diphosphatase activity was unaffected. The kinetics of the response, the photon fluence dependence, and the reversibility by FR all correlated with the inhibition by light of elongation of the mesocotyl, indicating that light inhibits growth and glucan synthetase activity by a similar mechanism.
Total sputtering yield of Ag/Cu alloys for low energy argon ions

Abstract Measurement of the total sputtering yields of Ag/Cu two-phase alloy targets for normally incident 200 and 100 eV Ar + ions have been performed. The dose was approximately 10 19 ions and the target temperature was held at about 20°C. A graph of total sputtering yield versus Ag/Cu (at.%) composition is “V-shaped” with the yield of all compositions being lower than either pure Cu or pure Ag. The total sputtering yield is defined as the number of sputtered atoms of any type divided by the number of incident ions. The total yield was calculated assuming stoichiometric component ejection during the entire bombardment time. The validity of this assumption and its effect on the results is discussed. The surfaces of the sputtered targets were covered with a variety of pronounced cones, ridges, and pebble-like features. It is hypothesized that a redeposition “shadow effect” is responsible for the lowered yield. When the developing surface features or projections become tall enough, material ejected from one projection will be redeposited onto neighboring projections resulting in a reduced sputtering yield. Interestingly, the “V-shaped” yield versus composition curve is very similar in structure to the Ag/Cu solidification curve in the Ag/Cu phase diagram. A plausible explanation for this correlation follows from the fact that the average crystallite sizes of the alloy compositions scale with the solidification curve. Compositions with the lowest melting temperature have the smallest average crystallite sizes. The smaller the crystallites the faster they will be covered by the yield lowering surface projections. Selective sputtering and surface diffusion fed “seed” cones appear to be the two most important mechanisms contributing to the formation of the roughened surrace topography.
Sulfur reduction by human erythrocytes

Washed human erythrocytes incubated with glucose and S8 and purged with N2 produced H2S at a nearly constant rate of 170 mumol (L cells)-1 min-1, which continued for several hours. In sealed vials up to 25 mM HS- accumulated. Glucose caused the fastest H2S production, although either lactate or glycerol could support slower rates. When glucose was added without S8, anoxic H2S production nonetheless occurred at about 1.5% of the maximum rate, after 24 hr totaling 0.5 mmol H2S (L cells)-1, suggesting the presence of endogenous reducible sulfur. Anaerobic conditions were not required, since oxygenated cells produced H2S from S8 at 80% of the anoxic rate. Using cell lysates, production of H2S occurred after addition of either glutathione, NADH, or NADPH. The observations suggest possible physiological roles for H2S as an electron carrier, and are consistent with an evolutionary relationship between eukaryotic cytoplasm and sulfur-reducing Archaea.
Results of Valve Replacement With Mechanical and Biological Prostheses in Chronic Renal Dialysis Patients

Abstract Background . Whether biological or mechanical valves should be used in patients on chronic dialysis therapy remains to be clearly defined. Methods . A retrospective review was performed on 19 consecutive patients from our institution with end-stage renal disease on chronic peritoneal or hemodialysis undergoing aortic (n = 12), mitral (n = 5), or aortic-mitral (n = 2) valve replacement. Results . The 9 biological and 10 mechanical valve patients had similar ages (56.5 versus 56.6 years) and cardiovascular risk factors. The overall estimated Kaplan- Meier survival was 60% ± 12% at 12 months and 42% ± 14% at 60 months. Mechanical valve patients had a significantly higher rate of postoperative cerebrovascular accidents or bleeding complications (10/10 versus 0/9; χ 2 = 17.0; p Conclusions . These results demonstrate that in patients with end-stage renal disease, use of mechanical valves is associated with significant risk of complications, whereas biological valve failure from prosthetic dysfunction is unusual. Overall survival is poor in both groups of patients. Therefore, preference should be given to biological valve instead of mechanical valve prostheses in patients on chronic renal dialysis.
Domestic(-ated) Desires, Tanked City

Osman Khan’s performative sculpture Come Hell or High Water both evokes and disrupts images of Detroit’s crumbling residential infrastructure. In so doing, the piece focuses attention on the home as a site of Fordist desire for a secure middle-class life, and the Fordist bargain itself as an object of attachment.
Generalized tensor compressive sensing

Compressive sensing (CS) has triggered enormous research activity since its first appearance. CS exploits the signal's sparseness or compressibility in a particular domain and integrates data compression and acquisition. While conventional CS theory relies on data representation in the form of vectors, many data types in various applications such as color imaging, video sequences, and multi-sensor networks, are intrinsically represented by higher-order tensors. Application of CS to higher-order data representation is typically performed by conversion of the data to very long vectors that must be measured using very large sampling matrices, thus imposing a huge computational and memory burden. In this paper, we propose Generalized Tensor Compressive Sensing (GTCS)- a unified framework for compressive sensing of higher-order tensors. GTCS offers an efficient means for representation of multidimensional data by providing simultaneous acquisition and compression from all tensor modes. In addition, we compare the performance of the proposed method with Kronecker compressive sensing (KCS). We demonstrate experimentally that GTCS outperforms KCS in terms of both accuracy and speed.
Effects of academic instruction on spatial visualization

Abstract The hypothesis that spatial ability can be improved through experience afforded but relevant college courses was supported for a group of 142 male and female college students. Two spatial visualization tests were administered before and after two years of college study. Students majoring in the humanities and the social sciences improved less than those majoring in mathematics and the physical sciences. Female physical science majors improved more than male physical science majors. A significant correlation between improvement in tested spatial ability and number of mathematics courses taken was obtained.