cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proton magnetic resonance analysis of terbium ion-nucleic acid complexes: Further evidence for two-site binding to polynucleotides

Abstract Terbium ion (Tb 3+ ), like other rare earth lanthanides, has traditionally been viewed as binding nucleic acids at or near their ionized phosphate groups only. Here evidence is presented from 1 H NMR studies that confirms this mode of binding in Tb 3+ - mono -nucleotide complexes. However, in poly nucleotides, we find that Tb 3+ coordinately binds at two distinct sites, the phosphate moiety and electron donor groups on purine and pyrimidine bases. This two-site binding is best illustrated by complexes of Tb 3+ -polyuridylic acid, where the relative sensitivities of the uracil protons H5 and H6 to induced chemical shift and nuclear spin relaxation are the inverse of that seen in Tb 3+ -uridine monophosphate complexes. These data substantiate recently reported results derived from ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy ( D. S. Gross and H. Simpkins, 1981, J. Biol. Chem. 256 , 9593–9598 ) that two-site binding is characteristic of the terbium(III)-polynucleotide interaction.
When “Dartboard Investing,” It Helps to Pick the Right Dartboard: A Comparison of Randomly Selected Stock and Fund Portfolios

When randomly selecting assets for a portfolio, are clients better served by financial planners choosing individual stocks or a group of mutual funds? It depends. For the financial planner, it remains vital to know a client’s trade-off between the possibility of a higher return from stocks, with commensurate chances of loss and the chance for more predictable, but lower, returns obtainable from purchasing portfolios of mutual funds.
A Stochastic Estimate of Ground Motion at Oceano, California, for the M 6.5 22 December 2003 San Simeon Earthquake, Derived from Aftershock Recordings

The U.S. Geological Survey deployed a digital seismic station in Oceano, California, in February 2004, to investigate the cause of damage and liquefaction from the 22 December 2003 M 6.5 San Simeon earthquake. This station recorded 11 M > 2.8 aftershocks in almost 8 weeks. We analyze these recordings, together with recordings of the mainshock and the same aftershocks obtained from nearby stations in Park Hill and San Luis Obispo, to estimate the mainshock ground motion in Oceano. We estimate the Fourier amplitude spectrum using generalized spectral ratio analysis. We test a set of aftershocks as Green’s functions by comparing simulated and recorded acceleration amplitude spectra for the mainshock at San Luis Obispo and Park Hill. We convolve the aftershock accelerograms with a stochastic operator to simulate the duration and phase of the mainshock accelerograms. This approximation allows us to extend the range of aftershocks that can be used as Green’s functions to events nearly three magnitude units smaller than the mainshock. Our realizations for the mainshock accelerogram at Oceano yield peak ground accelerations distributed as 28% ± 4% g . We interpret these realizations as upper bounds for the actual ground motion, because our analysis assumes a linear response, whereas the presence of liquefaction indicates that the ground behaved nonlinearly in Oceano.
Prediction of Effectiveness and Heat Transfer Using a New 2-D Injection and Dispersion Model of the Film Cooling Process

A new model is developed to predict laterally-averaged film cooling. At the injection location, the near-hole region is leapt over and the injectant is distributed according to an existing jet in cross flow model and experimental data. The subsequent dispersion of the injectant is simulated to reflect the augmented mixing and the 3-dimensionality of the flow field. The new model is calibrated to predict effectiveness and heat transfer using the experimental data bases of Schmidt et al. (1994), Sen et al. (1994), Kohli et al. (1994), and Sinha et al. (1991). The geometries include injection angles of 35° and 55° with compound angles of 0° and 60° and hole spacings of 3 and 6 diameters. The new model yields improved effectiveness predictions over previous 2-D models.Copyright © 1996 by ASME
DNA binding sites target nuclear NFATc1 to heterochromatin regions in adult skeletal muscle fibers.

We have previously demonstrated that Ca2+/calcineurin-dependent dephosphorylation of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells subtype 1 (NFATc1) during repetitive skeletal muscle activity causes NFAT nuclear translocation and concentration in subnuclear NFAT foci. We now show that NFAT nuclear foci colocalize with heterochromatin regions of intense staining by DAPI or TO-PRO-3 that are present in the nucleus prior to NFATc1 nuclear entry. Nuclear NFATc1 also colocalizes with the heterochromatin markers trimethyl-histone H3 (Lys9) and heterochromatin protein 1α. Mutation of the NFATc1 DNA binding sites prevents entry and localization of NFATc1 in heterochromatin regions. However, fluorescence in situ hybridization shows that the NFAT-regulated genes for slow and fast myosin heavy chains are not localized within the heterochromatin regions. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching shows that within a given nucleus, NFATc1 redistributes relatively rapidly (t1/2 < 1 min) between NFAT foci. Nuclear export of an NFATc1 mutant not concentrated in NFAT foci is accelerated following nuclear entry during fiber activity, indicating buffering of free nuclear NFATc1 by NFATc1 within the NFAT foci. Taken together, our results suggest that NFAT foci serve as nuclear storage sites for NFATc1, allowing it to rapidly mobilize to other nuclear regions as required.
Crystallographic Analysis Reveals that Anticancer Clinical Candidate L-778,123 Inhibits Protein Farnesyltransferase and Geranylgeranyltransferase-I by Different Binding Modes†

Many signal transduction proteins that control growth, differentiation, and transformation, including Ras GTPase family members, require the covalent attachment of a lipid group by protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) or protein geranylgeranyltransferase type-I (GGTase-I) for proper function and for the transforming activity of oncogenic mutants. FTase inhibitors are a new class of potential cancer therapeutics under evaluation in human clinical trials. Here, we present crystal structures of the clinical candidate L-778,123 complexed with mammalian FTase and complexed with the related GGTase-I enzyme. Although FTase and GGTase-I have very similar active sites, L-778,123 adopts different binding modes in the two enzymes; in FTase, L-778,123 is competitive with the protein substrate, whereas in GGTase-I, L-778,123 is competitive with the lipid substrate and inhibitor binding is synergized by tetrahedral anions. A comparison of these complexes reveals that small differences in protein structure can dramatically affect inhibitor binding and selectivity. These structures should facilitate the design of more specific inhibitors toward FTase or GGTase-I. Finally, the binding of a drug and anion together could be applicable for developing new classes of inhibitors.
An optimal statistic based on higher order gaps

SUMMARY The family of statistics based on mth-order gaps from a uniform sample, obtained by summing a suitably regular function of each gap, is investigated. Holst (1979) has established asymptotic normality together with explicit expressions for the mean and variance. This is extended to samples from distributions whose perturbations from uniformity shrink as sample size grows. From these results, Pitman asymptotic relative efficiencies can be calculated, and it is shown that the sum of squares of gaps is an optimal statistic. The properties of this statistic are presented, together with a comparison to the already well treated sum of log gaps. It is shown that the two become indistinguishable as m, the order of the gaps, grows.
Risk Assessment Tools Used to Predict Outcomes of Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty

This article reviews recently proposed clinical tools for predicting risks and outcomes in total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty patients. Additionally, we share the Massachusetts General Hospital experience with using the Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool to predict the need for an extended care facility after total joint arthroplasty.
Serine protease inhibitors suppress cytochrome c-mediated caspase-9 activation and apoptosis during hypoxia–reoxygenation

We have shown that reoxygenation of hypoxic rat kidney proximaltubule cells leads to apoptosis. This is mediated by translocation ofBax from the cytosol to mitochondria, accompanied by release ofmitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt.c). The present studyhas examined the proteolytic mechanisms responsible for apoptosisduring hypoxia-reoxygenation. Caspases were activated duringhypoxia, as shown by cleavage of fluorogenic peptide substrates. By5 h caspase-3-like activity to cleave carbobenzoxy-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin was increased approx. 30-fold. Thiswas accompanied by specific processing of pro-caspase-3, -8 and -9 intoactive forms. Caspase activation during hypoxia was blocked bycarbobenzoxy-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone and overexpression of Bcl-2. Of particular interest, caspase activation was also suppressed bythe chymotryptic inhibitors N-tosyl-L-phenylalaninechloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and Ala-Pro-Phe chloromethyl ketone (APF),and the general serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulphonyl fluoride. Inhibition of caspase activationby these compounds resulted in arrest of apoptosis. On the other hand,the serine protease inhibitors did not prevent release of mitochondrialcyt.c during hypoxia, suggesting that these compounds blockeda critical step in post-mitochondrial caspase activation. Furtherstudies using an in vitro reconstitution model showedthat cyt. c/dATP stimulated caspase-9 processing and downstreamcaspase activation were significantly suppressed in the presence ofTPCK and APF. Based on these results, we speculate that serineproteases may be involved in post-mitochondrial apoptotic events thatlead to activation of the initiator, caspase-9.
Recovering exponential accuracy from collocation point values of smooth functions with end-point singularities

Gibbs phenomenon is the particular manner how a global spectral approximation of a piecewise analytic function behaves at the jump discontinuity. The truncated spectral series has large oscillations near the jump, and the overshoot does not decay as the number of terms in the truncated series increases. There is therefore no convergence in the maximum norm, and convergence in smooth regions away from the discontinuity is also slow. In Gottlieb and Shu (1995) [5], a methodology is proposed to completely overcome this difficulty in the context of spectral collocation methods, resulting in the recovery of exponential accuracy from collocation point values of a piecewise analytic function. In this paper, we extend this methodology to handle spectral collocation methods for functions which are analytic in the open interval but have singularities at end-points. With this extension, we are able to obtain exponential accuracy from collocation point values of such functions. Similar to Gottlieb and Shu (1995) [5], the proof is constructive and uses the Gegenbauer polynomials C"n^@l(x). The result implies that the Gibbs phenomenon can be overcome for smooth functions with endpoint singularities.
The preparation and aqueous basic oxidation of diethyl 1-methyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpyrrole-2,4-dicarboxylate

Diethyl 1-methyl-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpyrrole-2,4-dicarboxylate has been synthesized in good yield from readily available materials, diethyl benzylidenemalonate and ethyl sarcosinate. It was found to react with oxygen in aqueous base to give two oxidation products, ethyl 1-methyl-2-oxo-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl-3-pyrroline-4-carboxylate (9) and ethyl 1-methyl-2,3-dioxo-5-phenyl-4-pyrroline-4-carboxylate (10). These two oxidation products are postulated to arise from the decomposition of a common intermediate, diethyl 1-methyl-2-hydroperoxy-3-oxo-5-phenyl-4-pyrroline-2,4-dicarboxylate. Reaction of the title compound with oxygen in pyridine containing Triton B again produced two products, the dioxo compound (10) and diethyl 1-methyl-2-hydroxy-3-oxo-5-phenyl-4-pyrroline-2,4-dicarboxylate (12). Compound 12 was shown to react in aqueous base to give exclusively 9. The hydration of 10 in acidic and basic media is also discussed.
Monoploids and monoploid-derivatives of maize (Zea mays L.)

Looking forward, the study and use of monoploids and monoploid-derivatives appears more promising than it has at any time in the past. Of major interest are the cytological and physiological events of monoploid origin. One can hypothesize that precocious division of the egg prior to fertilization or during the initial stages of fertilization sets the stage for development of monoploid sporophytes, and further, that this precocious division results from premature deactivation or inadequate supply of an inhibiting substance present in the microenvironment or normal eggs. These hypotheses are subject to experimental verification. Answering the question whether the haploid sporophyte of maize is ‘truly’ monoploid is important to the understanding of the origin of the species. This is in part a question of semantics, as well as of homologies and homoeologies. It does seem likely that primitive maize or the generic ancestor of maize was an amphidiploid, the chromosomally-doubled product of hybridization of species of the Maydeae and Andropogoneae with a basic genome of five chromosomes. The pattern of crossing-over in monoploid meiosis, if there is a pattern, may provide evidence for homoeologies within the basic set of maize chromosomes. Agronomically, other than in the commercial breeding program for which I was personally responsible, little use has been made of the monoploid method in the development of homozygous diploids. Increased interest in and use of such radical techniques is likely in the future as the challenges of intensified commercial maize culture and of the highly competitive hybrid seedcorn market necessitate an increasingly high degree of responsiveness on the part of the maize breeder.
A Numerical Investigation of Multi-Staged Tesla Valves

The Tesla valve is a passive-type check valve used for flow control/rectification in a variety of micro/mini-channel systems. Previous studies have focused on its optimal design and effectiveness (i.e. diodicity) for the low-Reynolds number regime (Re < 500). Using three-dimensional (3D) CFD, multiple, identically-shaped Tesla valves arranged in-series, i.e.: a Tesla “tree” or multi-staged Tesla valve (MSTV), were investigated. Fully-developed flow at the inlet and complete-laminar conditions throughout the entire valve structure were imposed on all numerical simulations. The number of Tesla valves, valve-to-valve distance and Reynolds number were varied to determine their effect on MSTV diodicity. The individual Tesla valves within each MSTV possessed pre-optimized design parameters as reported from the literature. Results clearly indicate that the MSTV can provide for a significantly higher diodicity than a single Tesla valve and that this MSTV diodicity increases with Reynolds number. Minimizing the distance between adjacent Tesla valves can significantly increase the MSTV diodicity and, for very low Reynolds number (Re < 50), the MSTV diodicity is near-independent of valve-to-valve distance and number of valves used. In general, more Tesla valves are required to maximize the MSTV diodicity as the Reynolds number increases. The current investigation also demonstrates that 3D numerical simulations more accurately predict the diodicity of a single Tesla valve over a wider range of Reynolds numbers.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Theoretical studies of the mechanism of catalytic hydrogen production by a cobaloxime

Our theoretical studies of the standard reduction potentials of the molecular complex [CoII(dmgBF2)2]0 (dmgBF2 = difluoro-boryldimethylglyoximate) in acetonitrile solution shed light on its electrocatalytic mechanism for hydrogen production. Three such mechanisms have been proposed, all proceeding through the formation of CoIIIH. Our results indicate that the mechanism involving a CoIIH intermediate is the most likely.
Histone arginine methylation

Arginine methylation is a common posttranslational modification (PTM). This type of PTM occurs on both nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins, and is particularly abundant on shuttling proteins. In this review, we will focus on one aspect of this PTM: the diverse roles that arginine methylation of the core histone tails play in regulating chromatin function. A family of nine protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) catalyze methylation reactions, and a subset target histones. Importantly, arginine methylation of histone tails can promote or prevent the docking of key transcriptional effector molecules, thus playing a central role in the orchestration of the histone code.
Power of the Poincaré group: elucidating the hidden symmetries in focal conic domains.

Focal conic domains are typically the “smoking gun” by which smectic liquid crystalline phases are identified. The geometry of the equally spaced smectic layers is highly generic but, at the same time, difficult to work with. In this Letter we develop an approach to the study of focal sets in smectics which exploits a hidden Poincare symmetry revealed only by viewing the smectic layers as projections from one-higher dimension. We use this perspective to shed light upon several classic focal conic textures, including the concentric cyclides of Dupin, polygonal textures, and tilt-grain boundaries.
Viral counterattack against the host innate immune system

Paramyxoviruses evade antiviral immune response using a small nonstructural protein, V, which binds to the host dsRNA sensor MDA5 and prevents it from activating the interferon signaling pathway. A recent crystal structure of the V protein in complex with MDA5, published in Science, revealed that V disrupts the structure of MDA5 and is integrated into the MDA5 protein fold, providing an intriguing new example of viral mimicry as a countermeasure against the host immune system.
An LDPC-based key-agreement scheme over the fast-fading wiretap channel

This paper considers the design of practical schemes that enable two terminals, namely a source and a destination, to agree on a secret key in the presence of an eavesdropper (wire-tapper). The channel model considered is a fast Rayleigh fading wiretap channel with the constraints of quadrature phase-shift-keyed source symbols and hard-decision destination quantization. It is assumed that there exists a public feedback channel between the source and destination to facilitate the key-agreement process, however, any communication over the public channel is perfectly observed by the wiretapper. A key-agreement scheme employing irregular low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes is proposed, and its secrecy performance is measured in terms of the key rate between the source and destination and the leakage rate about the secret key at the wiretapper. A code search algorithm is also developed to design irregular LDPC codes to achieve good secrecy performance under various channel conditions.
Cultural and Linguistic Considerations in Psychodiagnosis with Hispanics: The Need for an Empirically Informed Process Model

It is estimated that in the next century nearly half of the clientele seeking mental health services will be members of ethnic minority groups. Hispanics are the most rapidly growing population in the United States, and epidemiological evidence suggests that they present higher levels of psychiatric symptomatology and prevalence rates of disorder compared with other ethnic groups. Despite the unprecedented recognition of cultural considerations found in DSM-IV for rendering a psychiatric diagnosis, there is still surprisingly little empirical research examining cultural and linguistic factors influencing the diagnostic process. This article critically reviews this research and considers process variables that can inform social workers' culturally sensitive diagnosis of Hispanics.
The influence of gender, diabetes, and acetaldehyde on the intrinsic contractile properties of isolated rat myocardium.

Diabetes is associated with ventricular dysfunction. Ethanol consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular disease among diabetics. Acetaldehyde (ACA), the main ethanol metabolite, depresses cardiac contraction and contributes to ethanol-induced cardiac dysfunction. This study examined the influence of gender and diabetes on ACA-induced myocardial dysfunction. Adult male and female rats were made diabetic with streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Left ventricular papillary muscles were isolated and stimulated to contract at 0.5 Hz. The mechanical parameters measured were peak tension development, time-to-peaktension (TPT), time-to-90% relaxation (RT90) and maximum velocities of tension development and decline (±VT). TPT and RT90 were comparably similar between genders. The ±VT appeared to be slower in myocardium from female rats when compared to that of male counterparts, although the difference was not significant. Experimental diabetes elicited severe hyperglycemia, cardiac hypertrophy, hepatomegaly, and renal hypertrophy in both male and female animals. Myocardial mechanical properties exhibited prolonged TPT and RT90 in diabetic myocardium from both genders. The ±VT was significantly reduced by diabetes in male but not in female myocardium. Acute ACA exposure decreased myocardial tension development and the ±VT and shortened TPT and RT90 in myocardium from normal and diabetic rats of both genders. The ACA-induced depressant response on tension development was slightly enhanced by the diabetic state. In conclusion, these data suggest that the development of diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction is similar between male and female animals and that the ACA-induced myocardial depressant action may be affected by diabetes but not by gender.
Quantum mechanical concepts of coherent states in biological systems

Abstract In order to demonstrate the possibility of coherent behaviour in biological systems, Frohlich wrote down the rate equations and showed that if energy is supplied above a critical rate to the branch or branches of electromagnetic modes, Bose-Einstein condensation into the lowest energy state occurs. The general forms of the rate equations were dictated by requiring a Bose-Einstein distribution for thermal equilibrium when there is no energy supplied. Using microscopic theory and perturbation calculations, we were able to obtain the rate equations of Frohlich from the Hamiltonian of the biological system under study. Two simple cases were presented to demonstrate the enhancement of excitations in biological systems by external stimulation. Frohlich's model has been particularly useful in understanding recent experiments revealing the effects of low level microwaves on various biological systems. One important general characteristic reported in these experiments is the existence of a time threshold for the initiation of the differing biological effects. We obtained an approximation of this time threshold.
On anisotropic elastic materials for which one sheet of the slowness surface is a sphere or a cross-section of a slowness sheet is a circle

Abstract It is shown that, among anisotropic elastic materials, certain orthotropic and hexagonal materials can have a sphere as a slowness surface branch that is associated with purely longitudinal or transverse waves. If it is associated with a longitudinal wave, it is the inner slowness sheet which is disjoint from the two outer slowness sheets. The two outer slowness sheets touch each other at certain points so that there are acoustic axes of double degeneracy. The waves associated with the two outer slowness sheets are necessarily transverse waves. Therefore any plane wave in these materials is either longitudinal or transverse. If the spherical slowness surface is associated with a transverse wave, it is the medial slowness sheet. The acoustic axes are at the crystallographic axes where the spherical slowness sheet touches the inner and/or outer sheets. All three sheets can touch each other so that the acoustic axis can be of triple degeneracy. In the case of special hexagonal materials with the x 3 -axis being the axis of symmetry, the x 3 -axis is an acoustic axis of double or triple degeneracy while any line on the x 3 = 0 plane is an acoustic axis of double degeneracy. We also consider anisotropic elastic materials for which a cross-section of a slowness sheet is a circle. Anisotropic elastic materials that possess a circular cross-section in the slowness surface are not restricted to hexagonal or orthotropic materials.
The calcium ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum is inhibited by one Ca2+ ion

Inhibition by calcium of the steady-state turnover of the calcium ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit muscle follows a Hill slope of 0.8 ± 0.2 (pH 7.0, 0.1 M KCl, varying [Mg2+] and 2 μM A23187 ionophore). It is concluded that dissociation of the two Ca2+ ions from E-P·Ca2 is sequential and that the inhibition arises from the binding of one Ca2+ to A-P·Ca1.
Spectral phase encoders for optical CDMA using anti-symmetric gratings

Spectral phase coding provides higher spectral efficiency and security than spectral amplitude coding. To simplify its implementation we propose novel and compact bipolar optical encoders based on the recently demonstrated anti-symmetric grating.
Teaching Interactionist Gender Theory through Speed Dating.

Few evaluated classroom exercises to date have addressed one of the most cited and compelling explanations of gender formation over the life course: interactionist gender theory. This theory posits that people actively "do" or "perform" their gender in every interaction, and as such, they often subconsciously reshape their public gendered personas based on the degree to which they find social acceptance within a given social context. This paper presents a highly engaging and temporally compact classroom exercise utilizing simulated speed dating to illustrate and generate discussion about interactionist gender theory among undergraduate social sciences and gender studies students. An evaluation study indicates that the exercise improves students’ perceived understanding of interactionist gender theory and that it is both highly helpful and enjoyable.
Corporate societal responsibility in marketing: normatively broadening the concept

The premise of this paper is that corporate societal responsibility in marketing should go far beyond traditionally conceived corporate social responsibility (CSR). Admittedly, some typical efforts like philanthropy and executive volunteerism do have a distinct social component, but in recent years much CSR activity, including choices for corporate charity, are instrumentally infused with branding, product development, supply chain construction and a host of other strategic marketing decisions by corporations. This paper briefly reviews relevant CSR writings, presents a new definition of corporate societal responsibility in marketing, and advances several foundational premises for responsible marketing practice. Implications are drawn for both marketing scholarship and marketing management.
The acute scrotum in childhood

Abstract The vast majority of acute scrotums are caused by four conditions: testicular torsion, torsion of testicular appendage, epididymo-orchitis or idiopathic scrotal oedema. The incidence and presentation of these conditions changes with age. Overall, testicular torsion is most common in the post-pubertal period and torsion of testicular appendage is most common in pre-pubertal males. In general, diagnosis is more difficult in pre-pubertal boys due to the variety of differential diagnoses and less obvious signs and symptoms. Testicular torsion is one of the few true surgical emergencies. Surgical treatment of a torted testicular appendage is optional depending on presentation. Management of epididymo-orchitis and idiopathic scrotal oedema is conservative. There are several areas of controversy in the acute scrotum, including the true and relative incidences of these conditions at various ages; the method of fixing testes after torsion; the efficacy of investigations in the management of the acute scrotum; the treatment of neonatal torsion; and the effect of unilateral torsion on the function of the contralateral testis. While the old surgical adage of ‘if in doubt, explore’ may still be valid (particularly in the pre-pubertal age group), astute clinical assessment (combined with ultrasound) enables improved accuracy of diagnosis and appropriate exploration.
Validation of new equations for dynamic analyses of tall frame‐type structures

The accuracy of the new equations for long frame-type structures, derived by Kerr and Zarembski, and extended recently by Kerr and Accorsi also to dynamic analyses, is investigated. At first, the natural frequencies of a tall frame-type structure, with twenty floors, are determined using the new equations, and then they are compared with the corresponding results calculated using the finite element method and the common shear-building analysis. The found agreement with the finite element analysis is close. To check further the accuracy of the new equations, small scale models are tested on a shake table. The natural frequencies recorded in the tests are then compared with those determined from the new equations, for a wide range of geometrical parameters. The agreement with the test data is good. The presented study indicates that the new equations are well suited for analyzing the dynamic response of tall frame-type structures.
Interleukin-3-induced urticaria-like eruption.

We describe an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-induced urticaria-like reaction in a patient with mesothelioma. IL-3 or multi-colony-stimulating factor (CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor derived from T lymphocytes. 1 It is a member of the broad class of non-immunoglobulin polypeptide cytokines that includes hematopoietic growth factors, interferons, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukins. 1,2 IL-3 promotes the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of multipotential hematopoietic stem cells and committed progenitor cells of megakaryocyte, granulocyte-macrophage, erythroid, eosinophil, basophil, and mast cell lineages. 1-4 A cytokine with IL-3-like activity has been isolated from human keratinocytes 5 and recombinant human IL-3 (rhIL-3) is currently undergoing clinical trials in patients with advanced malignancies, myelodysplastic syndromes, aplastic anemia, and bone marrow failure. 3,4,6-8 Treatment with rhIL-3 may reduce the complications of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and diseases associated with pancytopenia by stimulation of leukopoiesis, erythropoiesis, and thrombopoiesis. 1-4,6-8
Paraaortic lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancer.

Abstract Seven years ago, a procedure of surgically staging cervical cancer patients was begun at the University of Miami. An important aspect of the surgical staging of cervical cancer, and increasingly of interest in other gynecologic cancers, is the area of the paraaortic lymph nodes. There is considerable variation in the method of determining the status of the paraaortic nodes. In some institutions the dissection is limited to either the right or left side, and there is great variation in the extent of the procedure. Many surgeons rely on palpation only, or selective biopsy. With these preceding facts in mind, we decided to relate our experience with 450 paraaortic dissections in a variety of gynecologic malignancies. A detailed discussion of the anatomy and the technique that we have found successful is presented. Operative complications, as well as gross and microscopic findings as they relate to the development of our operative technique will be discussed.
Optimal reduced-order solution of the weakly coupled discrete Riccati equation

The optimal solution of the weakly coupled algebraic discrete Riccati equation is obtained in terms of a reduced-order continuous-type algebraic Riccati equation via the use of a bilinear transformation. The proposed method has a rate of convergence of O( epsilon /sup 2/) where epsilon represents a small coupling parameter. A real-world physical example (a chemical plant model) demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed method. Simulation results obtained using a package for a computer-aided control system are presented. For this specific real-world example, the algorithm perfectly matches the presented theory, since convergence, with an accuracy of 10/sup -4/, is achieved after nine iterations (i.e., 0.68/sup 18/=10/sup -4/). >
Solubilization of neuropathy target esterase and other phenyl valerate carboxylesterases from chicken embryonic brain by phospholipase A2

Abstract Membrane-bound neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and associated phenyl valerate carboxylesterases were solubilized from chicken embryo brain by phospholipase A 2 . Phospholipase A 2 from bee or cobra ( Naja ) venoms were the most effective preparations in solubilizing brain NTE and other phenyl valerate carboxylesterases. Phospholipase C and several proteinases (endoproteinase, pronase E, proteinase K, thermolysin, trypsin) did not solubilize brain membrane-bound carboxylesterases but reduced their activity. NTE solubilization by phospholipase A 2 did not affect its apparent K r and V max for the substrate phenyl valerate or the susceptibility of phenyl valerate carboxylesterases to inhibition by paraoxon and mipafox. NTE thermal stability diminished after the treatment of brain membrane fragments with phospholipase A 2 .
THE RELIEF OF MYXEDEMA WITH PROTEINS OF EXTRATHYROIDAL ORIGIN

REECENT STUDIES of the effects of the pituitary and of iodine administration upon the thyroid gland have focussed our attention upon the cornposition, storage and release of active hormone by the thyroid. Further progress along these lines awaits better understanding of the chemical machinery and physiological actions which these processes manifest in the building up and breaking down of thyroid protein. The isolation of thyroxin, by Kendall, led to the conception that the prime function of the gland is the manufacture of this substance in toto, that is a thyronine nucleus, as described by Harington (i), equipped with a complement of 4 iodine atoms to make tetraiodothyronine, which is thyroxin. This substance is then supposedly anchored by incorporation into thyroid protein as described by Harington and Salter (2). The studies to be reported, however, show that the simple incorporation of iodine into nondescript protein leads to thyroidal activity.
Thermographic detection of fatigue damage of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels

An IR (IR) thermography technique, as a nondestructive evaluation technique, was applied to investigate the fatigue damage of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels during 20 Hz and 1000 Hz fatigue testing. Five stages of temperature profile were observed: an initial increase of the average specimen temperature, a region of temperature decrease, an equilibrium (steady-state) temperature region, an abrupt increase of the temperature, and a drop of temperature following specimen failure. The relationship between the temperature, stress-strain state, and fatigue behavior is discussed. Both thermodynamic and heat-transfer theories are applied to model the observed temperature variation during fatigue. The stress-strain state of the material has been back-calculated from the observed temperature profiles. The predicted and measured temperature evolutions and mechanical behavior during fatigue were found to be in good agreement. Thermography appears to provide a useful method of investigating the stress-strain behavior during fatigue.
The Role of Familiarity in Proofreading

Abstract A speeded yes/no task was developed and tested in three studies that examined the role of familiarity in proofreading. A signal detection theory analysis was used to separate effects due to the discriminability of errors from influences on the placement of the response criterion for detecting errors. Experiment 1 tested whether repetition of the stimulus items influenced measures of discrimination and response bias; Experiment 2 varied the number of times that sentences were proof-read; and Experiment 3 required subjects to read aloud the stimuli a varying number of times to manipulate familiarity. As subjects became increasingly familiar with the proofreading task, they shifted the placement of the response criterion, indicating an increased reluctance to make a detection response. These findings were explained within the context of those vigilance studies that reported shifts in the response criterion with increasing time spent on a task.
Stability evaluation of selected polyphenols and triterpene glycosides in black cohosh.

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L., syn. Cimicifuga racemosa L.) is rich in both triterpene glycosides and polyphenols, which have various biological activities that may be important to its medical use. To evaluate the stability of the polyphenolic constituents and triterpene glycosides of black cohosh, experiments were conducted using three sample types: plant material, extracts of black cohosh, and encapsulated commercial extract. The samples were stored at various temperatures and humidity conditions. Three triterpene glycosides and six major polyphenols in black cohosh were quantitatively measured with an HPLC-PDA method at 0, 3, 6, and 9 weeks. The triterpene glycosides were stable at the tested conditions, whereas the polyphenols were stable only at room temperature and low humidity and not stable at higher temperature and/or humidity due to hydrolysis and/or oxidation. The rate of compound decomposition depended upon the chemical structure of the individual polyphenols. Polyphenols in the extracts de...
Intraoperative fluorescence vascular angiography: during tibial bypass

Preventing amputations in persons with lower extremity complications of diabetes is a complex endeavor, particularly in those with concomitant ischemia and tissue loss. Fluorescence angiography (Novadaq SPY system) may provide a tool for objective evaluations of tissue viability in the diabetic foot, which is an important indicator of the ability of the diabetic ulcer to heal adequately. The SPY system uses a low-power laser coupled with a charge-coupled device camera and indocyanine green (ICG) to sequence perfusion at the surface of the skin. We present an illustrated example of the potential utility of ICG fluorescence angiography (ICGFA) before and after vascular intervention in a high-risk limb. ICGFA appeared to reveal demarcation between viable and nonviable tissue and real-time perfusion, specifically capillary fill. ICGFA clarified the extent of necessary debridement and provided an immediate indication of improvement in regional perfusion status following revascularization. Future studies involving ICGFA may include pre- and postdebridement and closure perfusion, comparison of tissue perfusion pre- and post-endovascular therapy, and lower extremity flap viability. Future works will also address the consistency of results with ICGFA by analyzing a larger cohort of patients being treated by our unit.
Retroperitoneal fibrosis in feline renal transplant recipients: 29 cases (1998–2011)

Objective—To evaluate features, treatment, and prognosis associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis that developed after renal transplantation in cats. Design—Retrospective case series. Animals—29 cats. Procedures—Medical records of cats that developed retroperitoneal fibrosis after renal transplantation at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, between 1998 and 2011 were reviewed for signalment, date of transplantation, age, results of urine and blood analyses, blood pressure at the time of diagnosis, infectious disease and medication anamneses, anesthetic protocols, and intraoperative complications. Results—Of 138 transplant recipients, 29 (21%) developed clinically important retroperitoneal fibrosis. Nineteen (66%) were male, and median age at the time of renal transplantation was 8 years (range, 4 to 13 years). Median number of days after transplantation to diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis was 62 (range, 4 to 730 days; mean, 125 days). The most common clinical signs were le...
Epilogue- Confessions of a Closet Materialist:Lessons Learned about Money, Possessions, and Happiness

Learning about ways of dealing with money and possessions so as to enhance well-being has also been a process of self-discovery. I survey the literature, with pauses to reflect on how my ways of consuming match up with the advice from the research. Thus, I learned that more money adds little to happiness but being thrifty does. In the interests of well-being, it is good to spend on experiences, to give to others, to enhance pleasure by delaying it, to have small ongoing pleasures, and to buy for intrinsic reasons. The extrinsic motives for money and possessions likely have more to do with social standing than personal happiness. Materialism is associated with lower well-being: the continual striving without fulfillment, the time material pursuits take from relationships, and the childhood roots in insecurity that motivate material compensations. However, material objects benefit us too, we imbue them with meaning and spirit, and possessions help express our identity. We are happier when we value possessions for the intrinsic benefits and pleasure they provide more than for their costliness or social cachet, and maintaining awareness of their benefits can forestall adaptation. Shopping, although posing risks for the materialistic, can be pleasurable and support well-being through informed consumption.
Use of conserved key amino acid positions to morph protein folds.

By using three-dimensional (3D) structure alignments and a previously published method to determine Conserved Key Amino Acid Positions (CKAAPs) we propose a theoretical method to design mutations that can be used to morph the protein folds. The original Paracelsus challenge, met by several groups, called for the engineering of a stable but different structure by modifying less than 50% of the amino acid residues. We have used the sequences from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) identifiers 1ROP, and 2CRO, which were previously used in the Paracelsus challenge by those groups, and suggest mutation to CKAAPs to morph the protein fold. The total number of mutations suggested is less than 40% of the starting sequence theoretically improving the challenge results. From secondary structure prediction experiments of the proposed mutant sequence structures, we observe that each of the suggested mutant protein sequences likely folds to a different, non-native potentially stable target structure. These results are an early indicator that analyses using structure alignments leading to CKAAPs of a given structure are of value in protein engineering experiments. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 64: 139–145, 2002
Experimental characterization and mitigation of specimen charging on thin films with one conducting layer.

Specimen charging may be one of the most significant factors that contribute to the high variability generally low quality of images in cryo-electron microscopy. Understanding the nature of specimen charging can help in devising methods to reduce or even avoid its effects and thus improve the rate of data collection as well as the quality of the data. We describe a series of experiments that help to characterize the charging phenomenon which has been termed the Berriman effect. The pattern of buildup and disappearance of the charge pattern have led to several suggestions for how to alleviate the effect. Experiments are described that demonstrate the feasible of such charge mitigation.
Coffee, caffeine, and risk of completed suicide: Results from three prospective cohorts of American adults

Objective. To evaluate the association between coffee and caffeine consumption and suicide risk in three large-scale cohorts of US men and women. Methods. We accessed data of 43,599 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS, 1988 – 2008), 73,820 women in the Nurses ’ Health Study (NHS, 1992 – 2008), and 91,005 women in the NHS II (1993 – 2007). Consumption of caffeine, coffee, and decaffeinated coffee, was assessed every 4 years by validated foodfrequency questionnaires. Deaths from suicide were determined by physician review of death certifi cates. Multivariate adjusted relative risks (RRs) were estimated with Cox proportional hazard models. Cohort specifi c RRs were pooled using random-effect models. Results. We documented 277 deaths from suicide. Compared to those consuming 1 cup/week of caffeinated coffee ( 8 oz/237 ml), the pooled multivariate RR (95% confi dence interval [CI]) of suicide was 0.55 (0.38 – 0.78) for those consuming 2 – 3 cups/day and 0.47 (0.27 – 0.81) for those consuming 4 cups/day ( P trend 0.001). The pooled multivariate RR (95% CI) for suicide was 0.75 (0.63 – 0.90) for each increment of 2 cups/day of caffeinated coffee and 0.77 (0.63 – 0.93) for each increment of 300 mg/day of caffeine. Conclusions. These results from three large cohorts support an association between caffeine consumption and lower risk of suicide.
A versatile chemical method for the formation of macroporous transition metal alloys from cyanometalate coordination polymers

A facile two-step synthetic route to macroporous metal and metal alloy frameworks from hydrogel-forming coordination polymers known as cyanogels is described. The polymerization of a chlorometalate and cyanometalate in aqueous solution results in the formation of a cyanogel that will auto-reduce at elevated temperatures to form metal alloys under an inert atmosphere. Cyanogels are versatile precursors to macroporous metals due to the large number of metal alloy systems that can be produced. This synthetic route is advantageous due to the production of uncontaminated final products of refractory metals at low temperatures. Transient reactive liquid sintering is shown to be the physical process through which macroporous metal forms from the cyanogel precursor.
The group II intron ribonucleoprotein precursor is a large, loosely packed structure

Group II self-splicing introns are phylogenetically diverse retroelements that are widely held to be the ancestors of spliceosomal introns and retrotransposons that insert into DNA. Folding of group II intron RNA is often guided by an intron-encoded protein to form a catalytically active ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex that plays a key role in the activity of the intron. To date, possible structural differences between the intron RNP in its precursor and spliced forms remain unexplored. In this work, we have trapped the native Lactococcus lactis group II intron RNP complex in its precursor form, by deleting the adenosine nucleophile that initiates splicing. Sedimentation velocity, size-exclusion chromatography and cryo-electron microscopy provide the first glimpse of the intron RNP precursor as a large, loosely packed structure. The dimensions contrast with those of compact spliced introns, implying that the RNP undergoes a dramatic conformational change to achieve the catalytically active state.