cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solution structure of the human oncogenic protein gankyrin containing seven ankyrin repeats and analysis of its structure--function relationship.

Human gankyrin (226 residues, 24.4 kDa) is a liver oncoprotein that plays an important role in the development of human hepatocellular carcinomas. In this paper, its solution structure is reported, which is the largest ankyrin protein ever determined by NMR. The highly degenerate primary sequences of the seven ankyrin repeats presented a major challenge, which was overcome by combined use of TROSY experiments, perdeuterated samples, isotope-filtered NMR experiments, and residual dipolar couplings. The final structure was of high quality, with atomic rmsds for the backbone (N, C', and C R ) and all heavy atoms (residues 4-224) of 0.69 ( 0.09 and 1.04 ( 0.09 A, respectively. Detailed analyses of NMR data suggested that the conserved TPLH motifs play important structural roles in stabilizing the repeating ankyrin scaffold. Gankyrin is conformationally more stable than the tumor suppressor p16 INK4A , possibly due to the structural roles of conserved residues evidenced by slowly exchanging backbone amides as well as hydrogen bonding networks involving labile side chain protons. Structural comparison with p16 INK4A identified several residues of gankyrin that are potentially important for CDK4 binding, whereas observation of the thiol proton of C180 indicated a well-structured Rb-binding site in the helical region of the sixth ankyrin repeat. Interestingly, the CDK4-binding site and Rb-binding site located in N- and C-terminal regions, respectively, are separated by comparatively more stable ankyrin repeats and highly condensed positive surface charge. These results and analyses will shed light on the structural basis of the function of human gankyrin.
Comparison of six particle size distribution models on the goodness-of-fit to particulate matter sampled from animal buildings

Lognormal distribution is often used as a default model for regression analysis of particle size distribution (PSD) data; however, its goodness-of-fit to particle matter (PM) sampled from animal buildings and its comparison to other PSD models have not been well examined. This study aimed to evaluate and to compare the goodness-of-fit of six PSD models to total suspended particulate matter (TSP) samples collected from 15 animal buildings. Four particle size analyzers were used for PSD measurement. The models' goodness-of-fit was evaluated based on adjusted R 2, Akaike's information criterion (AIC), and mean squared error (MSE) values. Results showed that the models' approximation of measured PSDs differed with particle size analyzer. The lognormal distribution model offered overall good approximations to measured PSD data, but was inferior to the gamma and Weibull distribution models when applied to PSD data derived from the Horiba and Malvern analyzers. Single-variable models including the exponential, K...
The effects of atrial stretch on aldosterone secretion.

A study was carried out to determine whether the secretion rates of aldostcrone and of hydrocortisone are subject to regulation by receptors located in the atria of the heart. In dogs, the right or left atrium was stretched with sutures which extended from the atrium to the thoracic wall. Adrenal venous blood was collected and analyzed for aldosterone and hydrocortisone. Following right atrial stretch the aldosterone secretion rate was significantly reduced. However, stretching the left atrium was without effect on the secretory rateof aldosterone. These findings strongly suggest that the secretion ofaldosterone may be regulated in part by stretch receptors located in the right atrium.
Assuming control after system failure: type II diabetes self-management

Type II diabetes occurs when the body’s natural blood glucose regulatory system breaks down. Elevated blood glucose can lead to disabilities, early deaths, and enormous societal expense. While medical and pharmacological science offers powerful approaches for controlling blood glucose levels and ameliorating dangerous consequences, the patient must make most critical day-to-day decisions. Diabetes self-management education is widespread and typically depends on training rules and procedures. Our research identified a pervasive gap between existing educational programs and the real, dynamic challenges that patients face. While simple, well-defined tasks can be managed with rules and procedures, dynamics ones require much more. We describe glucose level management as analogous to the regulation of other complex systems. Patients must control their diet and exercise to achieve a safe blood glucose level and must use physiological feedback and blood glucose monitoring to make corrections when facing illness, stress, or other difficulties. Our research demonstrated that people who had adopted a control model were more likely to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. They had better understanding of diagnostic tools and were able to use the information provided to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Patients, like others who must control complex systems, are most resilient when they can detect problems, identify problem sources, monitor and interpret outcomes, and generate plausible management plans. While not all people will be able to use this approach, this study suggests that it can assist many people in managing their Type II diabetes.
Interregional Profitability Analysis of Contract Broiler Grower Investment Decisions

Abstract The costs and returns associated with contract broiler growout operations vary according to regional location and housing design. Inview of the continued expansion of the broiler industry, there is a need to evaluate the profitability of contract broiler growout enterprises. The purpose of the present study was to analyze and compare the profitability of three types of broiler housing designs (curtain-sided negative pressure, curtain-sided positive pressure, and controlled environment) infour major broiler production areas: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and the Delaware Maryland Virginia peninsula (Delmarva). CHICKSIM, a comprehensive, farm-level profit and loss simulation model (Gempesaw et al., 1988) was used to analyze the production and financial performance of the regional representative broiler farms. The results showed differences in investment returns and profitability of contract broiler growout operations based on various types of broiler houses and regional locations.
Effect of seeding osteoprogenitor cells as dense clusters on cell growth and differentiation.

One approach for forming tissue equivalents involves seeding of cells into porous scaffolds followed by culture in vitro. Within this paradigm, the strategy by which cells are initially seeded may ...
Effect of methyl salicylate on rat reproduction.

Abstract The flavoring agent methyl salicylate (methyl ester of o -hydroxybenzoic acid) was fed at 0, 500, 1500, 3000, and 5000 ppm to Osborne-Mendel rats for 3 generations. No significant decrease was seen in the fertility index at any dose. At the 3000- and 5000-ppm levels significant decreases were seen in average litter size, average number of liveborn progeny, average number of survivors to day 4, and average number of survivors to weaning. The decreases were greatest in the second generation. The decrease seen in the number of liveborn progeny appeared to be dose-related. In a supplementary study of the third-generation rats, 1500 ppm of calcium carbonate was added to the methyl salicylate diet. Statistically significant decreases were seen at 3000 ppm (methyl salicylate) in total number born, number of liveborn, survivors to day 4, and number weaned, and at 5000 ppm in number of liveborn and total number born. External examination of the newborn and weanling rats from all the litters disclosed no grossly visible abnormalities. In autopsies of the third-generation weanlings, findings were negative. No significant decreases were seen below 3000 ppm for methyl salicylate fed alone, but statistically nonsignificant decreases were seen at lower levels, which could be biologically significant. For methyl salicylate fed in combination with calcium carbonate, similar results were obtained, except for two statistically significant decreases at 1500 ppm level.
Belonging, Believing, Behaving The Religious Character of Public Servants

How do public servants compare to the general public in their religious affiliation, beliefs, and behaviors? Using data from the 2004 General Social Survey, we compare public servants in government and outside government to the general public through a series of logistic regression models. Although there is little difference in terms of denominational affiliation, public servants have a stronger commitment to, and are more active in, their religious communities. The implications of these findings for public administration are discussed.
Optimization of structures under material parameter uncertainty using evidence theory

An evidence-based approach is developed for optimization of structural components under material parameter uncertainty. The approach is applied to evidence-based design optimization (EBDO) of externally stiffened circular tubes under axial impact load using an isotropic–elastic–plastic plasticity model to simulate dynamic material behaviour. Uncertainty modelling considers the changes in material parameters that are caused by variability in material properties as well as incertitude and errors in experimental data and procedure to determine the material parameters. Spatial variation of material parameters across the structural component is modelled using a field joint belief structure and propagated for the calculation of evidence-based objective function and design constraints. Surrogate models are used in both uncertainty propagation and solution of the optimization problem. The methodology and the solution to the EBDO example problem are presented and discussed.
A Morphological Description of a Tritrichomonas from the Nasal Cavity of Swine

SUMMARY. The trichomonad occurring in the nasal cavity of the domestic pig, Sus scrofa, is described and figured. With Heidenhain's iron-hematoxylin and protargol (protein-silver) stains, the specific characters are as follows: Pyriform in shape; length 8.8–18.4 μ (average 13.6 μ); width 3.2–8.0 μ (average 4.8 μ); blepharoplast of several granules; three anterior flagella with the longest 10.4–16.8 μ in length ending in knob-like enlargements; full length undulating membrane with four to six subequal folds and containing marginal and accessory filaments; trailing flagellum 4.8–11.2 μ in length; full length costa with fine subcostal granules; hyaline rod-shaped axostyle with bulbous capitulum, chromatic ring and conical tip; tube-like parabasal body 3.2–4.8 μ in length; oval-shaped nucleus 3.7–5.0 μ in length and 2.2–3.0 μ in width; cytostome; and vacuolated cytoplasm containing food vacuoles. Taxonomy of trichomonads in the respiratory and digestive systems of swine is discussed and the nasal trichomonad is compared with the two different forms of Trichomonas found in the cecum. The conclusion is that the nasal form is of a different species from the trichomonads of the cecum. The close similarity between the nasal form and Tritrichomonas foetus is emphasized. The writer suggests that the nasal form should not be given recognition as a new species until its true relationship with T. foetus is revealed.
Retractions, press releases and newspaper coverage

Objectives: To explore how often newspapers cover the retraction of a medical journal article and whether newspaper coverage corresponds with the appearance of a press release about the retraction. Methods: Fifty citations were identified in PubMed that had been indexed with the Medical Subject Heading ‘Retracted Publication’. Next, the archives of LexisNexis's ‘Major Newspapers’ and EurekAlert's press releases were searched to find references to those retracted publications. Results: Newspaper articles addressed exactly three of the 50 retracted publications, and press releases, exactly four of the 50 retracted publications. All three retracted publications that received newspaper coverage also had a press release. In other words, newspapers only covered a retraction that had been introduced by a press release. Conclusion: One would expect that newspaper coverage would increase after a press release, but the suggested relationships among a medical journal article retraction, a press release and newspaper coverage should be further investigated. If the linkage suggested by the data of this study holds, and if newspaper coverage stimulates library patron interest, then a medical library might prepare itself for information requests following a press release.
"Oh, by the way ...": the closing moments of the medical visit.

Objective: To define and describe the communication between physicians and patients in the closing phase of the medical visit. To identify types of communication throughout the visit that are associated with the introduction of a new problem during the closing moments of the visit or with longer closures.
Comparison of Volume Output from Two Different Continuous Nebulizer Systems

Background Continuous nebulization is a safe and practical method of administration of beta 2 -adrenergic agonists during acute asthma. There are essentially 2 types of continuous nebulizer systems; 1 utilizes a large volume nebulizer and the other a small volume nebulizer attached to a constant volume infusion pump. Objectives We compared the volume output characteristics of these 2 systems. Methods Study performed at Danbury Hospital. Both types of continuous nebulizers were reconstructed as reported in the literature and output monitored hourly for 4 hours. A total of 9 nebulizers from each type of continuous nebulizer was evaluated, 3 from each of 3 different lots. Results The volume output of the large volume nebulizer ranged from 37.7 to 55.4 mL/h with a mean of 45.96 mL/h (P = .0001). Contrasts within the repeated measure ANOVA revealed that all pairwise contrasts in time were significant ( P .05) except for the 60 and 120 minute means. The volume output of the small volume nebulizer ranged from 15.0 to 16.6 mL/h with a mean of 15.88 mL/h. There was a significant difference in the mean volume output across time for the 60-minute value only. No other significant differences were found. Conclusion These data suggest that the small volume nebulizer utilized in this manner for continuous nebulization is a more consistent delivery device than the large volume nebulizer. Further data are required on both actual drug output and mass median aerodynamic diameter of the particles generated by these nebulizers before one can recommend a particular system.
Rapid extraction of leukotrienes from biologic fluids and quantitation by high-performance liquid chromatography

Previous methods for the recovery and quantitation of leukotrienes have involved tedious extraction procedures, and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) techniques with significant limitations. We have designed a method to extract leukotrienes from biologic fluids using commercially available silica mini-columns requiring minimal preparation. Sample clarification is followed by a sensitive and reproducible HPLC technique which separates and quantifies the leukotrienes LTC4, LTD4, LTB4 (and at least three of their isomers). The entire procedure requires less than one hour per sample.
Taking on the fall: The etiology and prevention of falls in the elderly

Summary Objective To review the literature relative to the etiology and prevention of falls in the elderly. Incidence and significance Falls are a common occurrence amongst the population, especially in the elderly. There are a considerable number of risk factors involved with the possibility of a fall. Falls in the elderly can be prevented or at least become less frequent through an understanding of risk factors. Discussion A number of approaches are available and recommended in the prevention of falls. A multiple-risk-factor intervention strategy including balance considerations, activity level, fear of falling reduction, and medication monitoring will result in a significant reduction in the risk of falling among elderly persons. The ability of older persons to perform activities of daily living depends on their capacity to maneuver safely and effectively. Early detection of impairments and functional limitations can identify those persons with reduced mobility, deconditioning, and risks for injury. Direct assessment is necessary for identifying problems in gait, balance, ability to transfer, and joint function. Assessment procedures and intervention strategies are available and should be implemented by healthcare professionals. The risk of falling can be reduced by modifying known risk factors. Conclusions The approach to prevention of falls in senior citizens should include improving joint mobility, improved patient mobility, and prevention of the downward spiral of fear, depression, and inactivity that can lead to falling. There is a need to develop chiropractic models that address the special preventive and rehabilitative needs of older patients. The ability of older persons to remain independent has a profound influence on the perceived quality of life and the costs incurred for assistance.
Stochastic models in populations of helminthic parasites in the definitive host, II: sexual mating functions

Abstract Within a population of parasitic worms in a host, a number of organisms are capable of producing offspring sexually. Models are developed expressing the number of egg-layers in terms of the total population size for parthenogenetic, hermaphroditic, and heterosexually mating organisms. Monogamy, polygamy, and promiscuous behavior are examined, and an application is made to the Tallis-Leyton model of parasite populations.
Timed-sequential high-dose cyclophosphamide and vincristine in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Background This study was designed to examine the efficacy and toxicity of high-dose cyclophosphamide (CY), and to evaluate the potential added effect of vincristine (VCR) given at a theoretic time of malignant cell stimulation in a group of patients with multiple myeloma, refractory to or relapsing after, treatment with standard doses of chemotherapy. Methods Patients were randomly assigned to receive CY 2400 mg per M2 as a single-day dose and VCR 1.4 mg per M2 given on Day 1 or Day 9 after the CY. Results There were 108 cases suitable for analysis. No difference in objective response (17.6%, 23.5%), subjective response, remission duration, or survival was observed in the two treatment arms. Conclusions The authors conclude that a single, high dose of cyclophosphamide is more toxic and provides equal or less response than the equivalent dose given over 4 consecutive days and that no improved effect was detected using timed-sequential therapy with VCR.
Low gravity thermal stratification of liquid helium on SHOOT

Estimates of the extent and impact of thermal stratification are presented as well as predictions of the behavior of the HeI/HeII boundary. Although thermal stratification of cryogens can be problematic and lead to their inefficient use in low gravity, for SHOOT the occurrence is beneficial both during ground hold and in orbit and presents no hazards. On the ground the parasitic heat load is both reduced and more efficiently removed. In orbit the pumpdown proceeds at a much more rapid rate, allowing orbital operations to begin earlier. The thermal conductivity of the aluminum tank and the normal liquid plus cooling at the liquid/vapor interface as the vapor bubble grows are sufficient to prevent undesirably high vapor pressures in the tank.
Communicating double uterus with obstructed hemivagina and subsequent abscess formation: A case report

Abstract Background: Communicating double uterine anomalies are defined as mullerian defects which involve two hemiuteri with communication between the uterine halves. Nine subcategories of communicating uterine anomalies have been described; only two of these subcategories are associated with hemivaginal obstruction. Case: An 11-year-old white female was brought to the Emergency Department with fever and acute pelvic pain. This condition was found to be caused by abscess formation behind an obstructed left hemivagina with involvement of a communicating double uterine anomaly. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case report involving a communicating double uterine anomaly in which fever was a presenting symptom.
Evaluation of hermit crab shell indices

Hermit crab shell adequacy has been inferred by the use of indices, such as the shell adequacy index (SAI). A linear fit of the data, as proposed by the SAI, is inappropriate. The results of fitting a line to the non-linear data are discussed for two independent data sets. Corrections for the data non-linearity reveal that patterns previously attributed to competition within and between crab species may be analytical artifacts of the adequacy indices.
Structural Basis of Phosphoinositide (PIP) Recognition by the TIRAP PIP-Binding Motif

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) provide early immune system recognition and response to infection. TLRs activated by pathogens consequentially initiate a cytoplasmic signaling cascade though adaptor proteins, the first being the modular TIR domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP). TIRAP contains a C-terminal TIR domain, which is responsible for association with TLRs and other adaptors including the myeloid differentiation primary response gene88 (MyD88) protein. Membrane recruitment of TIRAP is mediated by its N-terminal PIP-binding motif (PBM). Upon ligand-mediated activation, TLRs are recruited to the PIP-enriched regions where TIRAP resides. At these sites, TIRAP recruits MyD88 to the membrane by bridging MyD88 to activate the TLR signaling pathway. To understand the mechanism of membrane targeting of TIRAP and the basis for its regulation, we functionally and structurally characterized its PBM using experimental and computational studies. TIRAP PBM adopts a folded conformation in membrane mimics, such as dodecylphosphocholine micelles, and binds PIPs. Structural rearrangements of TIRAP PBM were influenced by membrane interaction, with monodispersed PIPs inducing helical structure in the peptide. In contrast, monodispersed phosphatidylinositol and inositol trisphosphate did not promote structural changes in TIRAP PBM. NMR spectra reveal that TIRAP PBM binds PIPs in a fast exchange regime with a moderate affinity through two conserved basic regions. Solution NMR structure of TIRAP PBM shows a central short helix, and paramagnetic studies indicate that this region is close to the micelle core. Molecular dynamics simulations studies indicated that TIRAP PBM diffused to and interacted with a model membrane composed of palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Thus, we propose that two sets of basic residues contact both the head group and acyl chains of PIPs, whereas the central helix is responsible for membrane insertion.
The Tumor Suppressor Rb Critically Regulates Starvation-Induced Stress Response in C. elegans

How animals coordinate gene expression in response to starvation is an outstanding problem closely linked to aging, obesity, and cancer. Newly hatched Caenorhabditis elegans respond to food deprivation by halting development and promoting long-term survival (L1 diapause), thereby providing an excellent model for the study of starvation response. Through a genetic search, we have discovered that the tumor suppressor Rb critically promotes survival during L1 diapause and most likely does so by regulating the expression of genes in both insulin-IGF-1 signaling (IIS)-dependent and -independent pathways mainly in neurons and the intestine. Global gene expression analyses suggested that Rb maintains the "starvation-induced" transcriptome and represses the "refeeding-induced" transcriptome, including the repression of many pathogen-, toxin-, and oxidative-stress-inducible and metabolic genes, as well as the activation of many other stress-resistant genes, mitochondrial respiratory chain genes, and potential IIS receptor antagonists. Notably, the majority of genes dysregulated in starved L1 Rb(-) animals were not found to be dysregulated in fed conditions. Altogether, these findings identify Rb as a critical regulator of the starvation response and suggest a link between functions of tumor suppressors and starvation survival. These results may provide mechanistic insights into why cancer cells are often hypersensitive to starvation treatment.
Electrophysiologic signs of auditory competition in the human brain

The present project investigated the electrophysiologic effects of auditory competition on components of the late auditory evoked potential (LAEP). A group of 12 young female listeners attended to deviant tones interspersed among frequent tones in one ear while trains of deviant and frequent tones of a different frequency were either present or absent at the opposite ear. Comparison of event-related potential (ERP) waveforms with competition- and attention-related difference waves revealed evidence that the neural effects of competition were not simply a moderation of the effects of selective attention (i.e. the processing negativity). The two difference waves exhibited amplitude peaks that were not mirror-images with respect to polarity. This suggests the existence of a unique underlying neural process that is responsible for the effects of competition on the LAEP.
Interaction of Gasless and Filtration Combustion

Abstract We study the propagation of combustion waves through porous samples in which two reactions occur. The first is a gasless solid-solid reaction between two solid species in the porous solid matrix to form a solid product, while the second is a solid-gas reaction in which gas delivered to the reaction site through the pores of the sample reacts with one of the solid species to form both solid and gaseous products. We consider the case of coflow filtration, in which the direction of gas flow is the same as the direction of propagation. The gas, consisting of both chemically active and inert components, filters to the reaction zone through the product region thus transferring heat from the high-temperature products to the unburned mixture. Using kinetics motivated by large activation energy considerations we determine the structure of a uniformly propagating combustion wave and, in particular, such important characteristics as the propagation velocity of the wave, the burning temperature and the compo...
A Dynamic Ion Beam Method for Measuring Deuterium Diffusion in Films

A new technique is described for the measurement of deuterium diffusion in metal films. Deuterium is ion-beam implanted in the film and simultaneously observed to diffuse to the film's surface by means of the D(d,p)T nuclear reaction. The buildup of deuterium in the near-surface area is modeled and shown to be controlled by migration to depths deeper than the deuteron range (the undamaged region) as well as by migration in the ion-damaged region. Diffusion normal to the film may be measured selectively in each region by choosing appropriate combinations of implant flux, ion energy, film thickness, and target temperature. An advantage to the technique over permeation-type measurements is that surface effects are easily eliminated. The diffusion of deuterium in scandium and scandium deuteride was measured between 12°C and 250°C. Time-dependent D(d,p)T yields were obtained for 0.5 to 5.5 ?m thick films using 40 keV bombardment (deuteron range ~ 0.4 ?m) with fluxes to 1.5 mA/cm2. Diffusion was first observed in ?-phase scandium. As the deuterium concentration increased, transition to the hydride phase was clearly visible. Subsequent data gave diffusivities for the mixed phase region, which agree well with previous nmr measurements in bulk ScH1.7. The ?-phase measurements appear more than an order-of-magnitude greater than the mixed-hydride phase but described by the same activation energy for diffusion. No damage-dependent effects are observed for these bombardment conditions.
The birthday gift.

I spent the evening of my 27th birthday working overnight on the labor floor. I had been an intern for just over a month and had begun to feel the slight, constant tug of fatigue and stress on my s...
Structural Constriction of the Artery Wall Contributes to Stenosis Severity in Unstable Angina

Eight consecutive patients with unstable angina underwent intravascular ultrasound imaging of the culprit artery with measurements recorded at the stenosis and at an adjacent reference site. In all patients, total artery cross-sectional area was smaller at the stenosis site than at the reference site, indicating that a structural change in the artery wall due to a constrictive process appears to contribute to the worsening of stenosis severity associated with unstable angina.
More on Gain Adaptive Tracking

Tracking an agile target is made dif cult by a multiplicity of possible motionmodes. An earlier paper (Sworder, D. D., Vojak, R., and Hutchins, R. G., “Gain Adaptive Tracking,” Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 16, No. 5, 1993, pp. 865–873) described how measurements of the spatially extended features of the target can be used to create a tracker that can follow a jinking motion. The earlier algorithm is extended to include discontinuities in the target path. The tracker is only slightly more complex than that for continuous paths. The response of the proposed tracker is shown by example to be superior to both an extended Kalman  lter and the earlier gain adaptive tracker.
Gold nanoparticle-fluorophore complex for conditionally fluorescing signal mediator

Fluorescent contrast agents with high specificity and sensitivity are valuable for accurate disease detection and diagnosis. Spherical gold nanoparticles (GNPs) can be smartly utilized for developing highly effective agents. The strong electromagnetic (plasmon) field on their surface can be very effective in influencing the electrons of fluorophores and, thus, manipulating the fluorescence output (i.e., either quenching or enhancement). Fluorescence quenching can be used for negative sensing, or for conditional de-quenching to increase the specificity. Fluorescence enhancement allows sensing to be more sensitive. The level of fluorescence alteration depends on the GNP size, the excitation and emission wavelengths and quantum yield of the fluorophore, and the distance between the GNP and the fluorophore. To understand the mechanisms of the fluorescence change by GNP, we have theoretically analyzed the parameters involved in the fluorescence alteration for commonly used fluorophores, with an emphasis on quenching. The results showed that the fluorescence of fluorophores with the excitation (Ex) and emission (Ex) wavelengths close to the GNP resonance peak tended to be significantly quenched by GNPs. For those fluorophores emitting fluorescence in red or near infrared, to achieve quenching, the distance between GNP and the fluorophore was required to be very short. In general, a shorter distance resulted in more quenching. Bigger GNPs require a shorter distance to achieve the same level of quenching. The fluorescence of a fluorophore with a lower quantum yield (especially the one with emission in far-red or near-infrared) is more difficult to be quenched by GNPs (requires very short distance). Instead, it can be enhanced. Based on the theoretical study, we have developed a near-infrared contrast agent, i.e., Cypate conjugated GNP via a short peptide spacer. Normally the fluorescence of Cypate was quenched. The spacer has a motif of a substrate for urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA; cancer-secreting enzyme). This contrast agent emits fluorescence only in the presence of uPA, where the uPA cleaves the spacer. This design can be used in characterization of the cancer type and also in diagnosing other diseases with signature enzymes.
Robust strategies for mitigating supply chain disruptions

When major disruptions occur, many supply chains tend to break down and take a long time to recover. However, not only can some supply chains continue to function smoothly, they also continue to satisfy their customers before and after a major disruption. Some key differentiators of these supply chains are cost-effective and time-efficient strategies. In this paper, certain “robust” strategies are presented that possess two properties. First, these strategies will enable a supply chain to manage the inherent fluctuations efficiently regardless of the occurrence of major disruptions. Second, these strategies will make a supply chain become more resilient in the face of major disruptions. While there are costs for implementing these strategies, they provide additional selling points for acquiring and retaining apprehensive customers before and after a major disruption.
839 CASEIN INHIBITION OP NEUTROPHIL PHAGOCYTOSIS

Peritoneal irritation with casein is widely used to obtain neutrophil (PMNs) from rodents for investigations. Since casein forms aggregates, its phagocytosis could produce “fatigued” PMNs whose subsequent behavior might not reflect basic experimental conditions. We therefore studied the effect of casein upon yeast phagocytosis by human and rat PMNs, using a cytochemical method. Results are reported as means only, with corresponding P values. Following in vitro exposure to 8% sodium caseinate(9 experiments) human PMNs phagocytized less yeasts/100 cells than control PMNs (130 vs 410,P < 0.005); the number of phagocytic PMNs was also decreased (61% vs 96%, P < 0.005). With rat PMNs, 7 experiments yielded similar results (120 vs 270 yeasts/100 PMNs; 65.5% vs 96.0% phagocytic PMNs, P < 0.005). Elimination of casein aggregates by micro-filtration followed by reconcentration of the casein to 8% by ultrafiltration (4 experiments), partly corrected the phagocytosis inhibition (yeasts/100 PMNs with unfiltered 8% casein: 53; with filtered/reconcentrated 8% casein: 267; in controls: 471). Casein suspensions used to obtain peritoneal PMNs in rodents lead to significant cell fatigue as evidenced by a pronounced phagocytic defect. This dysfunction can be minimized by preventing casein aggregates through filtration and reconcentration of the casein suspension. Cell fatigue caused by particulate matter must be anticipated in studies of rodent phagocytes obtained from peritoneal exudates.
Control Issues and Body Image in Panic Disorder

Mean perceived emotional control and body image were compared for 7 subjects with and 6 without panic disorder, all physically healthy. The former had a lower mean on sense of emotional control and showed greater emphasis on the back of the body. These preliminary data encourage replication with a larger group.
Bis(2-mercapto-1-R-imidazolyl)hydroborato complexes of aluminium, gallium, indium and thallium: compounds possessing gallium–gallium bonds and a trivalent thallium alkyl

The reactions of bis(mercaptoimidazolyl)hydroborato derivatives [BmR]M′ (R = Me, But; M′ = Li, Na, Tl) with MX3 trihalides of aluminium, gallium and indium yield both 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 complexes of the types [BmR]MX2 and [BmR]2MX, respectively. Structurally characterized examples of the [BmR]MX2 series include [BmMe]AlCl2, [BmMe]GaI2, [BmMe]InI2, [BmBut]AlCl2 and [BmBut]GaX2 (X = Cl, Br, I), while structurally characterized examples of the [BmR]2MX series include [BmBut]2InX (X = Cl, Br, I). In addition to the halide complexes, the trivalent dimethyl thallium complex [BmBut]TlMe2 has been synthesized via the reaction of [BmBut]Tl with Me2TlCl. The reactions of [BmR]M′ with the monovalent halides, “GaI”, InCl and InI, result in disproportionation. In the case of indium, the mononuclear complexes [BmBut]2InI and [BmBut]InCl(κ2-mimBut) are obtained, whereas for gallium, dinuclear compounds that feature Ga–Ga bonds, namely [BmR](GaI)(GaI)[BmR] (R = Me, But) have been isolated.
On the design of NaI(Tl) total absorption detectors for strongly interacting particles at GeV energies

Abstract The properties of a large NaI(Tl) detector as a total absorption detector for pions at GeV energies are reported. These observations are supplemented by measurements on the three-dimensional distribution of deposited energy in a large absorber of metallic tin by GeV pions. The latter data are compared with existing Monte Carlo calculations of the nucleon-meson cascade and their application to the design of total absorption detectors with large containment factors is discussed.
A generalized genetic code

The symmetry of codon degeneracies in the standard genetic code is analyzed from an empirical standpoint. It is argued that the genetic code is a relation rather than a mapping, and a generalized genetic code is tentatively proposed. This view of the genetic code is shown to be supported by the symmetry analysis. The primary results are ( I ) a new elucidation of the basic symmetry inherent in the standard genetic code, (2) the elaboration of necessary conditions for codon degeneracy, and (3) the unification of the symmetry or ambiguous codon assignments with that of the standard genetic code. The centrality of the concept of a biological context to ambiguity and to the generalized genetic code is discussed.
An Investigation of Imaginary Companions in an Ethnic and Grade Diverse Sample

This investigation focused on the nature of imaginary companions (ICs) in 43 ethnically diverse, young school-age children (kindergarten, first, and second grade). We tested the hypotheses that our...
Unruptured intracranial aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations: frequency of intracranial hemorrhage and relationship of lesions

Among 91 patients with unruptured intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM's), 16 patients had 26 unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysms. An actuarial analysis showed the risk of intracranial hemorrhage among patients with coexisting aneurysm and AVM to be 7% per year at 5 years following diagnosis compared to 1.7% for patients with AVM alone. The difference in length of survival free of hemorrhage was significant (log-rank, p less than 0.0007). Several angiographic and clinical parameters were investigated to better understand the relationship of these lesions. The aneurysms occurred in similar percentages in patients with small, medium, and large AVM's. Twenty-five aneurysms were on arteries feeding the malformation system, almost equally distributed proximally and distally. Eleven aneurysms were atypical in location, and all arose from primary or secondary branch feeders to the malformation; 24 were on enlarged feeding arteries. Eleven (16%) of the 67 patients with high-flow AVM's had associated aneurysms, compared with five (21%) of the 24 patients with low-flow AVM's. Four (16%) of 25 low-shunt malformations and 12 (18%) of 65 high-shunt malformations had associated aneurysms. All five aneurysms associated with low-shunt malformations were on a direct arterial feeder of the malformation. These data suggest that the intracranial AVM's predispose to aneurysm formation within AVM feeding systems and that the mechanism is not simply based upon the high blood flow or high arteriovenous shunt in these systems.
Benchmarking the CLI for high performance computing

The common language infrastructure is a new, standardised virtual machine that is likely to become popular on several platforms. In the paper the author reviews whether this technology has any future in the high-performance computing community, for example by targeting the same application space as the Java-Grande Forum. The technology is reviewed by benchmarking three implementations of the CLI and comparing those with the results on Java virtual machines.
Nuclear shielding and magnetic hyperfine structure of hydrogen cyanide

Abstract A millimeter-wave molecular beam maser has been used to resolve the magnetic hyperfine structure of hydrogen cyanide. The spin-rotation interaction constants have been measured for the three nuclei 14 N, 13 C, and H. The paramagnetic nuclear shielding factors have been calculated for the three nuclear sites. The spin-rotation constants for 14 N in H 12 C 14 N, for H in H 12 C 14 N and for 13 C in D 13 C 14 N are + 10.4 kHz, −3.7 kHz, and +15.0 kHz, respectively. The respective paramagnetic shielding factors are −408.98 × 10 −6 , −73.40 × 10 −6 , and −249.52 × 10 −6 .
Method for screening and MALDI-TOF MS sequencing of encoded combinatorial libraries.

We describe a new method for encoded synthesis, efficient on-resin screening, and rapid unambiguous sequencing of combinatorial peptide libraries. An improved binary tag system for encoding peptide libraries during synthesis was designed to facilitate unequivocal assignment of isobaric residues by MALDI-TOF MS analysis. The improved method for encoded library synthesis was combined with a new versatile on-resin screening strategy that permitted multiple stages and types of screening to be employed successively on one library under mild conditions. The new method facilitated a combinatorial study of transglutaminase (TGase) enzyme substrate peptides, revealing new details of the effect of amino acid composition on TGase substrates. The approach was first demonstrated for an encoded library (130 321 compounds) of lysine pentapeptide substrates of TGase, synthesized using the “split−mix” method. The library was reacted on-resin with TGase enzyme and a soluble desthiobiotin labeled glutamine substrate. Initia...
Substance abuse prevention for second graders: Are they too young to benefit?

This article describes an evaluation of an early elementary substance abuse prevention program designed to provide information about alcohol and other drugs and to augment psychosocial skills. The second-grade classrooms from one school (3 classes; 55 students) were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. A pretest-posttest design and covariate analyses of variance were used. Program participants scored significantly higher than control group members at the posttest on a knowledge test with questions based directly on program material. Program participants also expressed significantly more negative attitudes about the effects of alcohol use than did control group members. There were no consistent, significant differences between the control and experimental groups at the posttest on measures of self-esteem, coping skills, decision making, peer pressure resistance, or help seeking. The early elementary school years are a critical point in the development of attitudes about substance use and psychosocial skills. Curriculum additions are proposed to increase the likelihood that programs designed for young children will be effective.
Extraction of supervisory building control rules from model predictive control of windows in a mixed mode building

Rule extraction is a promising technique for developing or fine-tuning supervisory control strategies in buildings. Three data mining techniques are examined that extract rules from offline model predictive control (MPC) results for a mixed mode building operated during the cooling season: generalized linear models (GLM), classification and regression trees (CART), and adaptive boosting. All rules were able to recover approximately 90% of the original optimizer energy savings under open loop tests, but the GLM-based rules saw significant performance degradation under simulated tests. CART and boost rules only degraded in performance by a few percentage points, still retaining the vast majority of optimizer savings (84% and 93% for the CART and boost rules, respectively). The results demonstrate that the proposed rule extraction techniques may allow building automation systems to achieve near-optimal supervisory control strategies without online MPC systems, although further research is required to broadly...
Pleasure and displeasure from the body: Perspectives from exercise

The affective changes associated with acute exercise have been studied extensively in exercise and health psychology, but not in affective psychology. This paper presents a summary of the relevant findings and a tentative theoretical model. According to this model, affective responses to exercise are jointly influenced by cognitive factors, such as physical self-efficacy, and interoceptive (e.g., muscular or respiratory) cues that reach the affective centres of the brain via subcortical routes. Furthermore, the balance between these two determinants is hypothesised to shift as a function of exercise intensity, with cognitive factors being dominant at low intensities and interoceptive cues gaining salience as intensity approaches the individual's functional limits and the maintenance of a physiological steady-state becomes impossible.
THE DIFFUSIONAL LIMITATION ON THE TEMPERATURE RISE IN THE ABSORPTION OF CHEMICALLY REACTIVE GASES

The interfacial temperature is important in gas absorption because it sets the solubility. If the gas undergoes an exothermic reaction this temperature ordinarily exceeds the bulk liquid temperature. For a bimolecular reaction the pseudo-first-order approximation leads to a serviceable model; yet it must overestimate the temperature rise under fast reaction conditions. We correct this estimate by accounting for the depletion of the liquid-phase reactant near the surface. To do this we use an enhancement factor based on the van Krevelen-Hoftijzer approximation. This implies a simple formula for the temperature rise not unlike that based on the pseudo-first-order approximation. We investigate this formula and show that it exhibits either one or three solutions. We deduce criteria for predicting, a priori, both what the multiplicity is and whether or not the maximum temperature rise corresponding to instantaneous reaction obtains.
Modulation of lignin deposition/composition via phytic acid reduction in seed improves the quality of barley straw for sugar release and ethanol production

Abstract Biomass-based fuels provide a promising route to avoid environmental issues and the global political instability that arise from depending on petroleum. Currently, biomass conversion remains costly primarily because of the intrinsic recalcitrance of biomass. Improved manipulation of lignin can be a promising path to solving this problem. Through evaluation via fiber analysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, ethanol fermentation, thermogravimetric analysis, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, we show here that the modulation of lignin deposition/composition of barley straw produced phenotypically normal plants that reduced thermo-chemical, enzymatic, and microbial recalcitrance. This study reveal mutation of barley for low phytic acid content in the grain decreases lignin content modestly, preferentially decreases the guaiacyl (G) lignin conterpart, moreover, enhances the ethanol yield by up to 21.1% using conventional biomass fermentation processes after diluted acid pretreatment. Therefore, this apparent reduction in the recalcitrance of mutant has the potential to significantly lower the processing costs for biomass-derived fuels and chemicals, and be valuable for developing improved cultivars of biofuel crops.