cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New roles and responsibilities for the university library: Advancing student learning through outcomes assessment

Le concept d'apprentissage recentre l'attention sur l'experience de l'etudiant et sur l'evaluation des resultats de l'apprentissage. Ce changement de paradigme a une influence sur le role des bibliotheques au sein de l'universite. Les bibliotheques membres de l'ARL (Association of Research Libraries) doivent s'engager dans une phase pilote d'activites et de partage d'experience, en commencant par s'interroger sur les resultats d'apprentissage que les professionnels de l'information considerent comme determinants, notamment sur le plan des competences en information. De cette facon, les bibliotheques auront la possibilite de s'aligner sur les attentes des autres communautes academiques dans l'universite, et d'y occuper une place plus centrale.
Rapid Anisotropic Diffusion Using Space-Variant Vision

Many computer and robot vision applications require multi-scale image analysis. Classically, this has been accomplished through the use of a linear scale-space, which is constructed by convolution of visual input with Gaussian kernels of varying size (scale). This has been shown to be equivalent to the solution of a linear diffusion equation on an infinite domain, as the Gaussian is the Green‘s function of such a system (Koenderink, 1984). Recently, much work has been focused on the use of a variable conductance function resulting in anisotropic diffusion described by a nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE). The use of anisotropic diffusion with a conductance coefficient which is a decreasing function of the gradient magnitude has been shown to enhance edges, while decreasing some types of noise (Perona and Malik, 1987). Unfortunately, the solution of the anisotropic diffusion equation requires the numerical integration of a nonlinear PDE which is a costly process when carried out on a uniform mesh such as a typical image. In this paper we show that the complex log transformation, variants of which are universally used in mammalian retino-cortical systems, allows the nonlinear diffusion equation to be integrated at exponentially enhanced rates due to the nonuniform mesh spacing inherent in the log domain. The enhanced integration rates, coupled with the intrinsic compression of the complex log transformation, yields a speed increase of between two and three orders of magnitude, providing a means of performing rapid image enhancement using anisotropic diffusion.
Actinomycosis of the ovary

Abstract An actinomycotic involvement of the left ovary was found at operation. The portal of entrance was probably the uterus. A foreign body seen on the x-ray resembled a hairpin in the uterus. This was substantiated by the patient.
The acute antinociceptive effect of hyperbaric oxygen is not accompanied by an increase in markers of oxidative stress.

Aims Exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) causes an antinociceptive response in mice. However, breathing oxygen (O2) at an elevated pressure can potentially cause oxygen toxicity. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of HBO2 antinociception and the toxicity profile of HBO2.
Control of House Flies on Some West Indies Islands with Metepa, Apholate, and Trichlorfon Baits

Two chemosterilants, metepa and apholate, and an insecticide, trichlorfon, were applied in sweetened baits in the pits of all the privies on 3 islands in the West Indies for control of house flies, Musca domestica L. Semiweekly treatments were made, first with granular baits and then with sugar syrup. On Grand Turk,.1% metepa liquid bait usually induced sterility in excess of 80% and reduced fly abundance more than 90% over 18 months. On Mayaguana. 1% liquid apholate bait produced about 60-80% sterility) over 3 months under less favorable conditions and reduced fly abundance 50-80%. On San Salvador, 1% liquid trichlorfon bait reduced fly abundance 50-90%. The flies did not develop resistance to the chemosterilants during 2 years of exposure; instead the fertility of the treated strain apparently declined slightly.
Characterization of nano-layered multilayer coatings using modified Bragg law

In this paper, the modified Bragg law is used to characterize nano-layered multilayer coatings having two or four different layer constituents based on measured low-angle X-ray diffraction spectra. Comparisons of the modulation periods measured directly from TEM micrographs, and determined by the modified Bragg law, indicate that low-angle X-ray diffraction technique is a reliable method in characterizing nano-layered multilayer structures. However, a proper application of the modified Bragg law relies on the correct identification of the order of reflection peaks, which is not a straightforward process under certain circumstances. A practical approach has been recommended to address this issue. Furthermore, the appearance of extra peaks is discussed in this paper.
Different, but alike: An exploration of preservice teacher decision making with regard to the selection of children's literature for classroom use

(1996). Different, but alike: An exploration of preservice teacher decision making with regard to the selection of children's literature for classroom use. Reading Research and Instruction: Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 209-222.
Calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase and protein substrates in primary cultures of astrocytes

Abstract Phosphoinositide-linked transmembrane signaling in the brain involves calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C), but little is known about the glial contribution to this system. We observed that phosphorylation of several proteins in a cytosal fraction of rat astrocytes in primary culture was increased by the addition of calcium and phosphatidylserine. These agents also stimulated phosphate incorporation into lysine-rich histone, a substrate for protein kinase C. Addition of diacylglycerol, an activator of protein kinase C, further increased histone phosphorylation, whereas polymyxin B, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, blocked the stimulatory effect of calcium and phosphatidylserine. Based on enzyme units per mg protein, the activity of protein kinase C in astrocytes appears similar to that in whole brain cytosol. These results indicate that astrocytes display protein kinase C activity and suggest that the glial enzyme may be an important component of the receptor-linked phosphoinositide response system in the brain.
Tobacco control policy in developed countries: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Introduction Tobacco control policies have contributed to dramatic declines in smoking in the developed nations. However, the circumstances under which these policies altered the smoking landscape have changed and are likely to change further. As well, decreases in smoking prevalence may have "stalled" at current levels. Because today's smokers differ significantly from yesterday's and the environment in which smokers consume their cigarettes has changed, it is plausible that several of the evidence-based tobacco control policies soon will have run their course in the most advanced tobacco control environments. We ask, therefore, what developed nations can expect of these policies in the future and what novel policy measures may be needed to continue the assault on tobacco. Discussion After summarizing tobacco control success in the United States and the findings from tobacco control policy research, we consider the remaining problem focusing on the characteristics of remaining smokers and their circumstances. We then examine constraints on the continuing effectiveness of evidence-based policy interventions. We employ a model to project U.S. smoking prevalence decades into the future, with and without improvements in initiation and cessation rates. We then speculate about novel policy directions that will be needed to further move the needle of tobacco control. Conclusion Without substantial innovation in tobacco control policy, further reductions in smoking in developed nations will come frustratingly slowly. Needed policy innovations might be quite radical, such as legislating entirely smoke-free outdoor environments or regulators reducing allowable nicotine in cigarettes to non-addicting levels.
Urodynamic evaluation of boy with myelodysplasia and incontinence stuart

Abstract Twenty-two boys with myelodysplasia and incontinence were evaluated urodynamically. Three types of bladder function were noted, but each could not be correlated with any particular neurologic level. The integrity of the external sphincter innervation was determined by electomyographic monitoring of periurethral striated muscle. Bladder sphincter dyssynergia was found in one of the boys with voluntary control, five with involuntary bladder contractions, and five with adynamic bladders who voided by Crede's method. A radiologically narrow external sphincter on voiding cystography could only be correlated with the bioelectric activity in children with dyssynergia. A narrow sphincter was also noted in three children with synergy and four with complete lower motor neuron lesions. Marked fibrosis was found to be the cause of narrowing of external sphincter area in these boys. Thus, urodynamic evaluation helped define the etiology of outlet obstruction when it was present in the boy with myelodysplasia. A classification of bladder sphincter function is proposed.
Comparisons of Force Measurement Methods for DBD Plasma Actuators in Quiescent Air

We have performed measurements of the force induced by both single (one electrode insulated) and double (both electrodes insulated) dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators in quiescent air. We have shown that, for single barrier actuators with cylindrical exposed electrodes, as the electrode diameter decrease the force efficiencies increase much faster than a previously reported linear trend. This behavior has been experimentally verified using two different measurement techniques: stagnation probe measurements of the induced flow velocity and direct measurement of the force using an electronic balance. Actuators with rectangular cross-section exposed electrodes do not show the same rapid increase at small thicknesses. We have also shown that the induced force is independent of the material used for the exposed electrode. The same techniques have shown that the induced force of a double barrier actuator increases with decreasing narrow electrode diameter.
Hydrothermal carbonization of microalgae

Abstract Hydrothermal carbonization is a process in which biomass is heated in water under pressure to create a char product. With higher plants, the chemistry of the process derives primarily from lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose components. In contrast, green and blue-green microalgae are not lignocellulosic in composition, and the chemistry is entirely different, involving proteins, lipids and carbohydrates (generally not cellulose). Employing relatively moderate conditions of temperature (ca. 200 °C), time (
Effect of axial gas dispersion on MTO light-olefin yield: Microreactor data

Pulsed-tracer experiments conducted for horizontal gas flow through a horizontal duct of rectangular cross section (height = 12.7 mm) containing powder in the coherent-expanded vibrated-bed state have been reported (Benge and Squires, 1995; Squires and Benge, 1995). Axial gas dispersion in the duct can be treated by a simple model: the dispersion is a “spreading” superimposed on plug flow, with no gas bypassing and no lagging gas indicative of dead zones. At a given weight hourly space velocity, a large variation in axial Peclet number (Peax) can be achieved by varying length of duct and gas superficial velocity in proportion, with no substantial effect upon gas–solid contacting efficiency. Herein, we report data for the methanol-to-olefin reaction conducted in three ducts at lengths affording Peax-values from ∼ 2 to ∼ 20. The new data display a trend in light-olefin yield vs. Peax similar to that reported earlier for three fluid-bed reactors at diameters of 10, 102 and 600 mm.
Phosphorus Oxychloride and Acetone: An Incompatibility Investigation Using ARC

This paper presents thermal analysis data for the investigation of an incident that occurred at our research facility. It was determined that the incident involved the combination of phosphorus oxychloride reaction distillates and rinse acetone used to clean a vacuum pump that resulted in the explosion of a sealed waste bottle. The purpose of this report is to highlight this potentially hazardous incompatibility.
Two-photon-induced fluorescence of cholestane

Cholestane is a fully saturated alkane with a structure analogous to cholesterol. We observed fluorescence emission from cholestane with a maximum near 235 nm when excited with picosecond laser pulses at 298 nm. The emission intensity of cholestane was found to depend on the square of the laser power, indicating the biphotonic process of two-photon excitation. The lifetime of cholestane in cyclopentane was found to be near 1.4 ns. Cholestane was found to be efficiently collisionally quenched by methanol and oxygen, as seen from decreased lifetime in the presence of these quenchers. These results suggest that cholestane or its analogs can be used as intrinsic probes in biologic systems. Two-photon excitation avoids the use of vacuum ultraviolet wavelength (130–170 nm), which requires special optics and exclusion of oxygen, and is generally incompatible with biologic samples. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Critical heat flux on horizontal tubes in an upward crossflow of Freon-113

The critical heat flux (CHF) on horizontal tubes in crossflow of upflowing Freon-113 is obtained under various flow conditions. The effects of the flow field on both the magnitude and the location of the CHF on a horizontal tube are revealed. Data are obtained over a range of mass fluxes (132–560 kg m−2 s−1), subcooling (0–6dgC), and qualities (0 < xLoc < 0.143) at atmospheric pressure. For the case of a tube in a channel, when the mass flux is fixed, the narrower the channel (the smaller the flow area) the lower the CHF. In an in-line bundle the CHF is approximately equal to that of a single tube in an equivalent channel, which has a half width the same as the lateral pitch of the bundle, under the same local mass flux and flow quality. Furthermore, the CHF in this in-line bundle, which has a pitch-to-tube diameter ratio of 1.5, always starts at the upstream stagnation point of the heated tube. This is contrary to the usual situation that occurs on a tube in a channel where the CHF always begins at the downstream portion of the heated tube. This is because, in this in-line bundle, the local quality is highest at the upstream stagnation point of the heated tube due to the presence of the upstream wake. An empirical correlation has been established for the CHF on a horizontal tube in an infinite flow field and in a channel with various channel widths. The correlation also predicts well the CHF on a heated tube in an in-line unheated bundle for the range of conditions examined in this study.
Mapping freshwater marsh species distributions using WorldView-2 high-resolution multispectral satellite imagery

Freshwater wetlands are highly diverse, spatially heterogeneous, and seasonally dynamic systems that present unique challenges to remote sensing. Maximum likelihood and support vector machine-supervised classification were compared to map wetland plant species distributions in a deltaic environment using high-resolution WorldView-2 satellite imagery. The benefits of the sensor’s new coastal blue, yellow, and red-edge bands were tested for mapping coastal vegetation and the eight-band results were compared to classifications performed using band combinations and spatial resolutions characteristic of other available high-resolution satellite sensors. Unlike previous studies, this study found that support vector machine classification did not provide significantly different results from maximum likelihood classification. The maximum likelihood classifier provided the highest overall classification accuracy, at 75%, with user’s and producer’s accuracies for individual species ranging from 0% to 100%. Overall,...
Plastic composites for electromagnetic interference shielding applications

Research in the past eight years has established the ability of polymer composites made with sufficient electrical conductivity to be suitable as shields against electromagnetic interference (EMI). A number of conductive fillers have been used to produce such composites. These include carbon black, carbon fibers, metal fibers, metal flakes, and metal-coated glass fibers. Each filler offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages. An important aspect of developing polymeric composites for EMI shielding applications is measuring their shielding ability in areliable, easy-to-use test facility. Once a reliable test has been developed, basic data relating the bulk conductivity (or surface conductivity of coatings) can be generaated. The objective of this article is to discuss the relative utility of the different types of fillers commonly used, present an analysis of the utility of different testing approaches, and show data correlating volume resistivity with shielding effectiveness.
Chronometric analysis of intelligence

Abstract Measurements of various parameters derived from different reaction time (RT) paradigms are found to be correlated with psychometric measurements of general mental ability. Such RT-derived measurements, when combined in a multiple regression equation, predict some 50 per cent or more of the variance in IQ or g. This relationship of IQ or g to RT parameters indicates that our standard IQ tests tap fundamental processes involved in individual differences in intellectual ability and not merely differences in specific knowledge, acquired skills, or cultural background.
The Influence of Aphakia and Vitrectomy on Experimental Retinal Toxicity of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics

To study the effect of lens and vitreous surgery on the dose threshold of aminoglycoside-induced retinal toxicity, we performed extracapsular lens extraction (Group 1) or lensectomy and vitrectomy (Group 2) on Dutch Belted rabbits. A single dose of amikacin or gentamicin ranging from 100 to 4,000 μg was administered intravitreally. Retinal toxicity was examined by light and transmission electron microscopy seven days after injection. Both groups showed retinal toxicity after 400 μg of gentamicin or 1,500 μg of amikacin, doses identical to those causing toxicity in intact, phakic rabbit eyes. Thus, neither surgical procedure increased the toxic threshold of injected aminoglycoside. Given the accelerated aminoglycoside clearance reported in aphakic eyes, these findings imply that the mechanism of aminoglycoside toxicity may be related to peak drug concentration rather than duration of tissue exposure.
Protection against lethal hyperoxia by tracheal insufflation of erythrocytes: role of red cell glutathione

Intact erythrocytes placed into the tracheobronchial tree of hyperoxic rats dramatically improved their chances for survival. Over 70 percent of the animals so treated survived more than 12 days during continuous exposure to 95 percent oxygen, whereas all of the control animals died within 96 hours. Lungs from erythrocyte-protected rats showed almost none of the morphologic damage suffered by untreated animals. Erythrocytes containing cyanomethemoglobin were as beneficial as normal erythrocytes, but cells in which glutathione was partially blocked were significantly less protective. Analogous results were obtained in vitro: 51Cr-labeled target cells released 70 to 90 percent of their label when exposed briefly to hydrogen peroxide or to toxic oxygen species generated by phorbol ester-stimulated neutrophils. Addition of intact erythrocytes decreased release by approximately 75 percent, but significantly less than this if red blood cell glutathione was partially blocked. These results suggest that insufflated erythrocytes, through their recyclable glutathione, protect rats from toxic oxygen species engendered by hyperoxia.
Mode III crack in power law hardening solid

An approximate solution is obtained for the mode III crack in full scale yielding in a power law work hardening solid. The solution is obtained in stress space. It is based on, and is a modification of, the stress and strain potentials for the mode III crack in an elastic solid.
Direct Test of the Power Function for Loudness

The loudness of a sound was made to grow as a function of time along a variety of paths.Observers judged the degree of apparent deviation from linearity of the various paths of loudness growth. The growth of loudness was judged to be least nonlinear when the sound pressure was made to increase as the 1.67 power of time. It follows, therefore, that loudness must be related to sound pressure by a power function with exponent 0.6 (reciprocal of 1.67). This outcome shows that the exponent of the psychophysical power function may be verified by a procedure that does not require the assumption that numerical estimates are proportional to subjective magnitudes.
Terrestrial contamination in Apollo lunar samples

The contamination prevention procedures adopted for controlling the collection, processing, and analysis of the Apollo lunar samples in order to keep them free of significant levels of terrestrial organic matter are described. The organic contaminants actually found in the samples by the various investigators are summarized. It is shown that the program succeeded in providing investigators with samples containing less than 0.1 ppm total contamination.
Development of a tunable diode laser sensor for measurements of gas turbine exhaust temperature

A tunable diode laser (TDL) temperature sensor is designed, constructed, tested, and demonstrated in the exhaust of an industrial gas turbine. Temperature is determined from the ratio of the measured absorbance of two water vapor overtone transitions in the near infrared where telecommunication diode lasers are available. Design rules are developed to select the optimal pair of transitions for direct absorption measurements using spectral simulations by systematically examining the absorption strength, spectral isolation, and temperature sensitivity to maximize temperature accuracy in the core flow and minimize sensitivity to water vapor in the cold boundary layer. The contribution to temperature uncertainty from the spectroscopic database is evaluated and precise line-strength data are measured for the selected transitions. Gas-temperature measurements in a heated cell are used to verify the sensor accuracy (over the temperature range of 350 to 1000 K, ΔT∼2 K for the optimal line pair and ΔT∼5 K for an alternative line pair). Field measurements of exhaust-gas temperature in an industrial gas turbine demonstrate the practical utility of TDL sensing in harsh industrial environments.
Cytologic diagnosis of metastatic ovarian adenocarcinoma in the urinary bladder: A case report and review of the literature

A 53-yr-old woman with a 13-mo history of recurrent ovarian papillary serous adenocarcinoma presented with persistent microscopic hematuria. The patient was undergoing chemotherapy for her recurrent ovarian tumor when she was referred to the urology service for microscopic hematuria. An intravenous pyelogram was normal. Cystoscopy was performed, as well as a urinary bladder washing and mucosal biopsies for examination. Adenocarcinoma similar to the patient's primary ovarian tumor was detected in both cytology and histopathology specimens. Ovarian carcinoma comprises 1.3-4.0% of all metastatic neoplasms to the urinary bladder and is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of a cytologic finding of adenocarcinoma in urine specimens of female patients, where it accounts for an even higher percentage of cases (1 of 3 adenocarcinoma diagnoses in a series of 4,677 urine specimens from female patients).
Optimization of Hybrid Silicon Microring Lasers

In this paper, we review the recent optimization work in hybrid silicon microring lasers. Device structure and fabrication procedures are discussed first, followed by two major improvements in carrier injection and thermal management. A simple, well-controlled quantum well undercut leads to about 20% enhancement of injection efficiency. A silicon-on-diamond (SOD) substrate is demonstrated to fundamentally solve the device heating issue for silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-based active devices. SOD rib waveguides show low propagation loss of 0.74 dB/cm, which is 0.2 dB/cm higher than SOI counterparts. More than 22× reduction of device heating in hybrid silicon microring lasers is projected by simulations.
All-optical switching of solitons in an active nonlinear directional coupler

A numerical study of the all-optical switching properties of an active nonlinear directional coupler is presented. The switching power is reduced for both CW and soliton inputs because of the gain. The switching properties of the coupler are enhanced for solitons, which switch nearly completely. For ultrashort pulses, the effects of the bandwidth of the gain medium are considered by using a general form for the gain band. The gain spectrum of erbium is also considered as a specific example.
International trade and the U.S. wage structure

Politicians are concerned about the effects of increased foreign trade on U.S. workers. Data from 1978 to 1987 are used to appraise the impact of foreign trade on U.S. manufacturing wages. The results indicate that wages are positively associated with a sector’s level of international comparative advantage. However, this follows from other characteristics aside from the net trade balance. These characteristics may include rent sharing or international technological convergence. Imports and exports also influence wages, where this impact varies with the industry’s unionization. Regardless, the results suggest that greater trade is not a major cause of the decline in U.S. real wages.
Implementation of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer by surgeons in the Department of Defense.

Abstract Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for the evaluation of women with invasive breast cancer is rapidly gaining acceptance. The purpose of this study was to assess how surgeons in the Department of Defense (DOD) are incorporating SLNB into practice. Methods: Surgeons at all DOD hospitals were telephonically surveyed regarding their current practices with SLNB. Results: Of 66 DOD hospitals 23 (35%) are currently performing SLNB. Eleven hospitals (11 of 23, 48%) are academic centers, while 12 (12 of 23, 52%) are not teaching facilities. Seventeen (17 of 23, 77%) are in the learning phase of SLNB and follow SLNB with an axillary dissection. Eighteen (18 of 23, 78%) of facilities have surgeons who learned the procedure in residency/fellowship training. Sixteen (16 of 23, 70%) use a combination of isosulfan blue dye and sulfur colloid radioisotope. Surgeons performing SLNB are not aware of the method of examination of the sentinel node at their institution at 6 of 23 (26%) of hospitals. Conclusions: Increasing numbers of surgeons in the DOD Healthcare System are performing SLNB. The majority learned the procedure in residency or fellowship and are using a combination of blue dye and radioisotope for the performance of SLNB.
A priori modeling error estimates of hierarchical models for elasticity problems for plate- and shell-like structures

Here a hierarchical model for thin elastic bodies is presented in which the variations of the displacement field through the thickness can be represented as a sequence of apolynomials. An a priori hierarchical modeling error estimate is derived and it is found that the modeling error decreases monotonically as the order of the thickness-polynomials increases and has a uniform convergence rate with respect to the thickness. Numerical results are given illustrating the theoretical results.
Measuring weak scintillations with visible light photon counters

The visible light photon counter (VLPC) is an excellent candidate for scintillating fiber applications, meeting the requirements of high quantum efficiency, high gain with low gain dispersion, and good time resolution. The mechanism of impurity band conduction, on which the device depends, is described. Device operation is outlined, and performance characteristics are presented for a recent design. These characteristics include quantum efficiency, dark count rate, dark current, gain, and their dependence on temperature and operating voltage. Pulse height distribution and excess noise factor are also given, and shown to compare favorably with conventional avalanche photodiodes.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Exacerbation of chronic aminonucleoside nephrosis by dietary cholesterol supplementation.

Exacerbation of chronic aminonucleoside nephrosis by dietary cholesterol supplementation. Abnormalities in lipid metabolism resulting from nephrotic syndrome may play a role in the progression of initial glomerular injury to focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). In order to more specifically assess this, we fed male Sprague–Dawley rats, made nephrotic with a single intravenous injection of puromycin aminonucleoside (PA), either normal rodent chow (Group 1) or the same formulation supplemented with 4% cholesterol/1% cholic acid (Group 2). This 4% cholesterol/1% cholic acid–added diet was utilized because, in normal, non-nephrotic rats, this alimentary supplement produces, for the most part, only a significant rise in fasting serum cholesterol and not fasting serum triglycerides. FSGS developed 18 weeks after PA delivery, and both groups of rats were studied functionally and morphologically. Group 2 rats had significantly higher daily urine protein excretion, lower inulin clearance, and greater blood urea nitrogen concentrations than Group 1 animals. Histologically, Group 2 animals demonstrated a significantly greater percentage of glomeruli examined with segmental areas of glomerulosclerosis/hyalinosis, mesangial cell proliferation, and mesangial "foam"; cells. At 2, 4, 12, and 18 weeks after PA delivery, the fasting serum cholesterol was always significantly greater in Group 2 rats, whereas in regards to fasting serum triglycerides it was only significantly elevated in Group 2 rats at 4 and 12 weeks after PA administration.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphate-interacting Domains in PIKfyve BINDING SPECIFICITY AND ROLE IN PIKfyve ENDOMEMBRANE LOCALIZATION

PIKfyve is a phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-phosphate (P)-metabolizing enzyme, which, in addition to a C-terminally positioned catalytic domain, harbors several evolutionarily conserved domains, including a FYVE finger. The FYVE finger domains are thought to direct the protein localization to intracellular membrane PtdIns 3-P. Recent studies with several FYVE domain proteins challenge this general concept. Here we have examined the binding of PIKfyve's FYVE domain to PtdIns 3-P in vitro and in vivo and a plausible contribution of this binding mechanism for the intracellular localization of the full-length protein. We document now a specific and high affinity interaction of a recombinantly produced PIKfyve FYVE domain peptide fragment with PtdIns 3-P-containing liposomes that requires the presence of the conservative core of basic residues within the FYVE domain. PIKfyve localization to membranes of the late endocytic pathway was found to be absolutely dependent on the presence of an intact FYVE finger. Cell treatment with PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin dissociated endosome-bound PIKfyve, indicating that the protein targeted the membrane PtdIns 3-P. An enzymatically inactive peptide fragment of the PIKfyve catalytic domain was found to also specifically bind to PtdIns 3-P-containing liposomes, with residue Lys-1999 being critical in the interaction. This binding, however, was of relatively low affinity and, in the cellular context, was found ineffective in directing the molecule to PtdIns 3-P-enriched endosomes. Collectively, these results demonstrate that interaction of the FYVE domain with PtdIns 3-P is absolutely necessary for PIKfyve targeting to the membranes of the late endocytic pathway and determine PIKfyve as a downstream effector of PtdIns 3-P.
Mineralization of organic phosphorus by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Abstract The potential of the mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus etunicatum , to mineralize organic P was studied in an artificial growth medium amended with various organic P sources. Plant growth and P uptake by non-mycorrhizal plants was improved by glycerophosphate and AMP, but amendment with phytic acid, RNA, ATP or CMP did not affect plant growth. In contrast, mycorrhizal plants benefitted from amendment by each of the P sources. Growth and P uptake by mycorrhizal plants exceeded that by non-mycorrhizal plants for all P sources except AMP. In a subsequent study, organic 32 P (cytidine 3'- and 5'-diphosphate) was added to a sterilized prairie soil to compare uptake of 32 P by mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. Uptake of 32 P from the organic 32 P source was 500- to 6000-fold higher in mycorrhizal plants than in non-mycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants were also larger and had greater total P uptake than non-mycorrhizal plants. Addition of soil microorganisms in the form of non-sterile sievings had no effect on dry weight of mycorrhizal or non-mycorrhizal plants at any P concentration, but significantly increased P uptake by mycorrhizal plants.
The atrophy of the adrenal cortex following the administration of large amounts of progesterone.

IT HAS BEEN SHOWN by several investigators that regressive morphological changes in certain endocrine glands can be induced by the administration of large amounts of the hormone normally secreted by the gland in question. Ingle and Kendall (i) and Ingle, Higgins and Kendall (2) have shown that the administration of large amounts of the hormone of the adrenal cortex and also, two crystalline compounds separated from the adrenal, which possess cortin-like activity, produced an atrophy of the adrenal cortex in the rat. Wells and Kendall (3) have shown that compounds sepa-rated from the adrenal cortex produced atrophy of the adrenal and thymus glands of rats when administered in large doses. These investigators have furthermore shown that a qualitative difference in the effect of these various compounds in atrophy of the adrenals does exist. It has been shown (4) that regressive changes occurred in the thyroid after the administration of large amounts of thyroid substance.
Amidoalkylation in organic synthesis.1. Total synthesis of isoretronecanol and trachelanthamidine

Abstract The title compounds are prepared in five steps from N-2-bromo ethyl succinimide.
Mechanism of inhibition of aliphatic epoxide carboxylation by the coenzyme M analog 2-bromoethanesulfonate

The bacterial metabolism of epoxypropane formed from propylene oxidation uses the atypical cofactor coenzyme M (CoM, 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate) as the nucleophile for epoxide ring opening and as a carrier of intermediates that undergo dehydrogenation, reductive cleavage, and carboxylation to form acetoacetate in a three-step metabolic pathway. 2-Ketopropyl-CoM carboxylase/oxidoreductase (2-KPCC), the terminal enzyme of this pathway, is the only known member of the disulfide oxidoreductase family of enzymes that is a carboxylase. In the present work, the CoM analog 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES) is shown to be a reversible inhibitor of 2-KPCC and hydroxypropyl-CoM dehydrogenase but not of epoxyalkane:CoM transferase. Further investigations revealed that BES is a time-dependent inactivator of dithiothreitol-reduced 2-KPCC, where the redox active cysteines are in the free thiol forms. BES did not inactivate air-oxidized 2-KPCC, where the redox active cysteine pair is in the disulfide form. The inactivation of 2-KPCC exhibited saturation kinetics, and CoM slowed the rate of inactivation. Mass spectral analysis demonstrated that BES inactivation of reduced 2-KPCC occurs with covalent modification of the interchange thiol (Cys82) by a group with a molecular mass identical to that of ethylsulfonate. The flavin thiol Cys87 was not alkylated by BES under reducing conditions, and no amino acid residues were modified by BES in the oxidized enzyme. The UV-visible spectrum of BES-modifed 2-KPCC showed the characteristic charge transfer absorbance expected with alkylation at Cys82. These results identify BES as a reactive CoM analog that specifically alkylates the interchange thiol that facilitates thioether bond cleavage and enolacetone formation during catalysis.
CBT for Medication Adherence and Depression (CBT-AD) in HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Methadone Maintenance Therapy

Abstract For individuals with HIV who are current or former injection drug users, depression is a common, distressing condition that can interfere with a critical self-care behavior—adherence to antiretroviral therapy. The present study describes the feasibility and outcome, in a case series approach, of cognitive behavioral therapy to improve adherence and depression (CBT-AD) among individuals with HIV and depression undergoing methadone maintenance treatment for heroin dependence. CBT-AD integrates cognitive behavioral therapy for depression with our intervention for improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy for HIV (Life-Steps; [Safren, S. A., Otto, M. W., Worth, J., Salomon, E., Johnson, W., Mayer, K., et al. (2001). Two strategies to increase adherence to HIV antiretroviral medication: Life-Steps and medication monitoring. Behavioral Research and Therapy, 39, 1151–1162]). Specifically, in CBT-AD, patients first receive a cognitive behavioral intervention focusing on improving skills related to medication adherence. Each of the subsequent CBT modules (activity scheduling, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving training, and relaxation training/diaphragmatic breathing) is designed to address both self-care/adherence behaviors as well as depression. The process and outcome with 4 cases suggest that the treatment was feasible and acceptable and was generally associated with improvements. This case series provides an example of how cognitive behavioral therapists can integrate the treatment of depression with the enhancement of critical self-care behaviors in the context of highly complex, medical and psychiatric comorbidity.
Strategic leadership: setting priorities.

Developing a strategy or strategies is one of the most important tasks for a leader. These need to be data driven and need to be evaluated regularly with updating when appropriate. However, perhaps even more important are the associated tasks of setting priorities and implementing tactics. These are often the keys to achieving your strategic objectives. Success or failure in this regard is one of the defining features of a great leader—the ability to determine what is important and then to do the important things well. First, find the mission critical things to focus upon and then figure out how to get them done well and in a timely fashion.
Defects and morphology of tungsten trioxide thin films

Abstract Tungsten trioxide is a wide band-gap n-type semiconductor that has been used as a sensing material in chemiresistive gas sensors. The microstructure and morphology are important characteristics that have a large influence on the sensitivity, selectivity, and stability of the sensor. We have produced tungsten trioxide thin films 15–600 nm thick by reactive r.f. magnetron sputtering onto r-cut sapphire substrates. The microstructure of the films was characterized by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Films with local epitaxy or randomly oriented textures were produced by controlling the substrate deposition temperature and by post-deposition annealing treatments. All films were found to be dense with low porosity. Grain boundaries were identified in the films with randomly oriented texture and these films were composed of either the monoclinic or orthorhombic crystallographic phase. No grain boundaries were found for the locally epitaxial films. These films were discontinuous during early growth, exhibited evidence of crystallographic shear planes, and had a cubic crystallographic phase.
Theoretical studies of surface enhanced hyper-Raman spectroscopy: The chemical enhancement mechanism

Hyper-Raman spectra for pyridine and pyridine on the surface of a tetrahedral 20 silver atom cluster are calculated using static hyperpolarizability derivatives obtained from time dependent density functional theory. The stability of the results with respect to choice of exchange-correlation functional and basis set is verified by comparison with experiment and with Raman spectra calculated for the same systems using the same methods. Calculated Raman spectra were found to match well with experiment and previous theoretical calculations. The calculated normal and surface enhanced hyper-Raman spectra closely match experimental results. The chemical enhancement factors for hyper-Raman are generally larger than for Raman (102−104 versus 101−102). Integrated hyper-Raman chemical enhancement factors are presented for a set of substituted pyridines. A two-state model is developed to predict these chemical enhancement factors and this was found to work well for the majority of the molecules considered, providing a rationalization for the difference between hyper-Raman and Raman enhancement factors.
Low THD bandpass-based oscillator using multilevel hard limiter

In order to reduce the total harmonic distortion (THD) of a bandpass-based oscillator, instead of using a conventional hard limiter, a multilevel hard limiter (MHL) is proposed which inherently removes the third and the fifth-order harmonics from the frequency spectrum of its output signal. The input-output characteristic of the proposed MHL contains slope values of only zero and infinity, making it easy to implement. The optimal height and width of each stair of the MHL characteristic are derived. Measurement results show that for the same bandpass filter, the proposed approach shows 14 dB improvement in the THD of the output signal with respect to the conventional two-level hard limiter (comparator). The oscillator has been fabricated in TSMC 0.35 mum CMOS process and the die occupies an area of about 3.15 mm 2 . The oscillator chip prototype operates at the frequency of 10.7 MHz, consumes 40 mA current from a 3.3 V power supply and yields a THD of -53 dB
Dietary treatment of atherosclerosis abolishes hyperresponsiveness of retinal blood vessels to serotonin in monkeys.

Atherosclerosis alters vascular responses of the eye to serotonin. Augmented vasoconstrictor responses in the retina to serotonin are associated with functional impairment and may contribute to amaurosis fugax. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that dietary treatment of atherosclerosis restores vascular responses of the eye toward normal.We measured blood flow to the retina using microspheres in six normal monkeys, five atherosclerotic monkeys, and five atherosclerotic monkeys that were fed a normal (regression) diet for 18 months.Infusion of 8 and 40 micrograms.min-1.kg-1 serotonin into the left atrium had little effect on blood flow to the retina in normal monkeys. In contrast, the high dose of serotonin reduced blood flow to the retina by a mean +/- SEM of 81 +/- 9% (p less than 0.05) in atherosclerotic monkeys. In monkeys that were fed the regression diet, serotonin had no effect on blood flow to the retina.Regression of atherosclerosis abolishes augmented responses of the retinal circ...
History of Hot Mix Asphalt Mixture Design in the United States

Asphalt has been used as a construction material from the earliest days of civilization, but though it has long been used as a waterproofing material in shipbuilding and hydraulics, its use in roadway construction is much more recent. A recent survey revealed a total of over 2.3 million miles of hard-surfaced (asphalt or concrete) roads in the United States, of which approximately 96% have asphalt surfaces. Asphalt mixture consists of asphalt, coarse and fine aggregate, and a number of additives occasionally used to improve its engineering properties. The purpose of mixture design is to select an optimum asphalt content for a desired aggregate structure to meet prescribed criteria. The demands and reliance upon America's roadways for mobility and commerce have increased substantially over the past three decades. The highway network is not only the economic backbone of the country, but it also provides the only transportation access to a growing number of communities. This paper presents a review of the past, present, and future trends in asphalt mixture design as the methods have evolved in an attempt to meet the ever-increasing demands of traffic.
Local heat application enhances glycogenesis

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of increased local muscle temperature independent of core temperature on glycogenesis during recovery from exercise when adequate carbohydrate provisions were supplied. Nine rec- reationally active males (age, 23 ± 4 years; height, 178 ± 6 cm; weight 79 ± 9 kg) cycled for 92 min and recovered for 4 h. During recovery the subject's legs were randomly assigned as the heated limb (heat pack application) and control limb (exposed to room air). Participants received 2 carbohydrate feedings (1.8 g·kg -1 of body weight) at 0 and 2 h of recovery. Core temperature, intramuscular temperature, and leg circumference were monitored throughout recovery. Skeletal muscle biopsies samples of the vastus lateralis were obtained at the beginning and end of the 4-h recovery period on both legs and analyzed for glycogen and lactate. Core temperature did not change from throughout recovery. Muscle temperature in the heated limb was higher by 15 min and remained elevated throughout recovery compared with the control limb (p < 0.05). Leg circumference was not different between limbs. Lactate increased from postexercise to 4 h postexercise regardless of trial (p < 0.05). Muscle glycogen concentration increased with recovery and carbohydrate feeding in both limbs (p < 0.05) but was 22% higher in the heated limb compared with the control limb (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates increased glyco- genesis when local muscle temperature is increased independent of core temperature.
Mitral Valve Prolapse: A Review of the Literature

M valve prolapse (MVP) is a common valvular disorder characterized by abnormalities of the mitral valve apparatus that result in “billowing” of 1 or both mitral leaflets into the left atrium during systole, with or without mitral regurgitation (MR).1–3 It is the most frequently diagnosed valve abnormality in the industrial world,4,5 and the most common primary cause for dysfunction requiring mitral valve repair or replacement.6 Clinical classification may have significant overlap and “the pathogenesis of symptoms is not completely understood.”7 The overall incidence (by echocardiography) in the Framingham study was 5%, with a frequency in women approximately twice that of men.8 Table 1 highlights the variability in the prevalence of MVP by different diagnostic methods. MVP is classified as an inheritable connective tissue disorder that is regarded as an autosomal dominant disorder with variable penetrance and is divided into primary and secondary MVP. Primary MVP accounts for the vast majority of the cases and many, but not all, of these are associated with myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve (MV). Secondary MVP is caused by chordae tendineae rupture and/or abnormal left ventricular (LV) wall motion. Potential causes of secondary MVP include coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and infective endocarditis.9 Also, MVP may be associated with heritable disorders such as the Marfan syndrome, the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and other connective tissue disorders in which myxomatous degeneration of the MV is a prominent feature. Variables that decrease LV size can worsen MVP and similarly, variables that increase LV size can mask MVP. LV size is affected by blood volume, body position (supine, standing, etc.), and maneuvers (eg, Valsalva). A decrease in LV volume is the probable cause of the increased incidence of MVP in atrial septal defect and anorexia nervosa.10–12