cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Peptide-Oligonucleotide Conjugates Using a Heterobifunctional Crosslinker

Peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates (POCs) are molecular chimeras composed of a nucleic acid moiety covalently attached to a polypeptide moiety. POCs have been used in numerous applications from therapeutics to nanotechnology, and most recently as combinatorial agents in the assembly of bivalent protein affinity reagents. This unit describes the synthesis and purification of POC molecules using the heterobifunctional crosslinking reagent succinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC), which enables amine-modified oligonucleotides to become covalently linked to cysteine-modified polypeptides. This solution-based protocol consists of a two-step synthesis followed by a single purification step.
α6-Containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in midbrain dopamine neurons are poised to govern dopamine-mediated behaviors and synaptic plasticity.

Abstract Acetylcholine (ACh) acts through nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors in the ventral midbrain and striatal areas to influence dopamine (DA) transmission. This cholinergic control of DA transmission is important for processes such as attention and motivated behavior, and is manipulated by nicotine in tobacco products. Identifying and characterizing the key ACh receptors involved in cholinergic control of DA transmission could lead to small molecule therapeutics for treating disorders involving attention, addiction, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia. α6-Containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are highly and specifically expressed in midbrain DA neurons, making them an attractive drug target. Here, we used genetic, pharmacological, behavioral, and biophysical approaches to study this nAChR subtype. For many experiments, we used mice expressing mutant α6 nAChRs (“α6L9S” mice) that increase the sensitivity of these receptors to agonists such as ACh and nicotine. Taking advantage of a simple behavioral phenotype exhibited by α6L9S mice, we compared the ability of full versus partial α6∗ nAChR agonists to activate α6∗ nAChRs in vivo. Using local infusions of both agonists and antagonists into the brain, we demonstrate that neurons and nAChRs in the midbrain are sufficient to account for this behavioral response. To complement these behavioral studies, we studied the ability of in vivo α6∗ nAChR activation to support plasticity changes in midbrain DA neurons that are relevant to behavioral sensitization and addiction. By coupling local infusion of drugs and brain slice patch-clamp electrophysiology, we show that activating α6∗ nAChRs in midbrain DA areas is sufficient to enhance glutamatergic transmission in ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons. Together, these results from in vivo studies strongly suggest that α6∗ nAChRs expressed by VTA DA neurons are positioned to strongly influence both DA-mediated behaviors and the induction of synaptic plasticity by nicotine.
On Nonlinear Vibrations of Systems with Many Degrees of Freedom

Publisher Summary The study of the vibrations of nonlinear systems with many degrees of freedom is concerned with the search for some or all periodic solutions of systems of nonlinear differential equations and to deduce as many properties of these solutions as the state of the applicable mathematical knowledge permits. Unfortunately, this body of knowledge is limited and not unified; in consequence, many and vaned disciplines within mathematics are commonly used to deduce partial results. In a general way, these results fall into two broad categories: those which apply to systems that are “weakly nonlinear,” and those which apply when the systems are “strongly nonlinear.” The results in the first category contain a good deal of detailed information, and they resemble in many ways those familiar from linear theory. Those in the latter category usually contain fewer details, being more concerned with general questions of existence, uniqueness, boundedness, and stability of solutions.
A Salmonella Phage-P22 Mutant Defective in Abortive Transduction

In the course of a lytic infection the Salmonella phage P22 occasionally encapsulates bacterial DNA instead of phage DNA. Thus, phage lysates include two classes of viral particles. Phage particles carrying bacterial DNA are referred to as transducing particles and deliver this DNA to a host as efficiently as particles carrying phage DNA. Once injected, the transduced DNA can either recombine with the recipient chromosome to form a ``complete'' transductant, or it can establish itself as an expressible, nonreplicating genetic element and form an ``abortive'' transductant. In this work, we describe a P22-phage mutant with reduced ability to form abortive transductants. The mutation responsible for this phenotype, called tdx-1, was found as one of two mutations contributing to the high-transducing phenotype of the P22-mutant HT12/4. In addition, the tdx-1 mutation is lethal when combined with an erf-am mutation. The tdx-1 mutation has been mapped to a region of the P22 genome that encodes several injected proteins and may involve more than one mutant locus. The phenotypes of the tdx-1 mutation suggest that the Tdx protein(s) normally assist in the circularization of the P22 genome and also contribute to the formation of DNA circles thought to be required for abortive transduction.
Examining Two Facets of American Indian Identity: Exposure to Other Cultures and the Influence of Historical Trauma

SUMMARY Specialized content about factors that influence the cultural identity of Native people must be included within the social work knowledge base to increase practitioners' effectiveness with this population. This article explores some of the factors which shape cultural identity for Native people and the implications of Native cultural identity for social work practice. The authors begin by recounting theoretical perspectives on culture, then report the findings of two studies that examine different factors which impact upon identity. The first study examines the impact of exposure to more than one culture on a sense of identity among Native youth in the Northeastern United States. The second study examines historical trauma and unresolved grief among the Lakota. Implications of multicultural exposure and historical unresolved grief for social work practice with Native people are discussed.
Effect of tunicamycin on synthesis and secretion of carcinoembryonic antigen by human colonic adenocarcinoma cells.

The effect of the glycosylation inhibitor, tunicamycin, on synthesis and secretion of the membrane-associated glycoprotein carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), was studied in the LS174T human colon cancer cell line. Tunicamycin treatment inhibited total cellular glycoprotein synthesis but did not affect CEA levels of cellular homogenate, membrane or cytosol fractions as determined by enzyme immunoassay. Control cells metabolically labelled with 3H-glucosamine, 3H-leucine or 35S-cysteine exhibited membranous and extracellular (i.e. secreted) CEA with an MW of 200 kDa as judged by SDS-gel electrophoresis following immunoprecipitation. However, in the tunicamycin-treated cells several forms of CEA with lower MWs and representing molecules with decreased glycosylation could be detected in addition to the original CEA molecule of 200 kDa present in control cells. The rates of synthesis, secretion and turnover of the lower-molecular-weight forms of poorly glycosylated CEA that appear after tunicamycin treatment are similar to those of CEA in control cells. These data suggest that the carbohydrate portion of the CEA molecule is not essential in synthesis, incorporation into the membrane, and secretion of CEA by colon cancer cells in vitro.
Efficient intranuclear gene delivery by CdSe aqueous quantum dots electrostatically-coated with polyethyleneimine

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconducting nanoparticles with photoluminescence properties that do not photobleach. Due to these advantages, using QDs for non-viral gene delivery has the additional benefit of being able to track the delivery of the genes in real time as it happens. We investigate the efficacy of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped CdSe aqueous quantum dots (AQDs) electrostatically complexed with branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) both as a non-viral gene delivery vector and as a fluorescent probe for tracking the delivery of genes into nuclei. The MPA-capped CdSe AQDs that were completely synthesized in water were the model AQDs. A nominal MPA:Cd:Se = 4:3:1 was chosen for optimal photoluminescence and zeta potential. The gene delivery study was carried out in vitro using a human colon cancer cell line, HT29 (ATCC). The model gene was a plasmid DNA (pDNA) that can express red fluorescent protein (RFP). Positively charged branched PEI was employed to provide a proton buffer to the AQDs to allow for endosomal escape. It is shown that by using a PEI-AQD complex with a PEI/AQD molar ratio of 300 and a nominal pDNA/PEI-AQD ratio of 6, we can achieve 75 ± 2.6% RFP expression efficiency with cell vitality remaining at 78 ± 4% of the control.
The role of plasmodium falciparum food vacuole plasmepsins

Plasmepsins (PMs) are thought to have an important function in hemoglobin degradation in the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum and have generated interest as antimalarial drug targets. Four paralogous plasmepsins reside in the food vacuole of P. falciparum. Targeted gene disruption by double crossover homologous recombination has been employed to study food vacuole plasmepsin function in cultured parasites. Parasite clones with deletions in each of the individual PM I, PM II, and HAP genes as well as clones with a double PM IV/PM I disruption have been generated. All of these clones lack the corresponding PMs, are viable, and appear morphologically normal. PM II and PM IV/I disruptions have longer doubling times than the 3D7 parental line in rich RPMI medium. This appears to be because of a decreased level of productive progeny rather than an increased cell cycle time. In amino acid-limited medium, all four knockouts exhibit slower growth than the parental strain. Compared with 3D7, knock-out clone sensitivity to aspartic and cysteine protease inhibitors is changed minimally. These results suggest substantial functional redundancy and have important implications for the design of antimalarial drugs. The slow growth phenotype may explain why P. falciparum has maintained four plasmepsin genes with overlapping functions.
Teaching Social-Communication Skills to Preschoolers with Autism: Efficacy of Video Versus In Vivo Modeling in the Classroom

Video modeling is a time- and cost-efficient intervention that has been proven effective for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the comparative efficacy of this intervention has not been examined in the classroom setting. The present study examines the relative efficacy of video modeling as compared to the more widely-used strategy of in vivo modeling using an alternating treatments design with baseline and replication across four preschool-aged students with ASD. Results offer insight into the heterogeneous treatment response of students with ASD. Additional data reflecting visual attention and social validity were captured to further describe participants' learning preferences and processes, as well as educators' perceptions of the acceptability of each intervention's procedures in the classroom setting.
A bipolar >40-V driver in 45-nm SOI CMOS technology

This paper presents a high-voltage driver in nanometer-scale, low-voltage SOI CMOS technology well beyond the voltage limits of standard devices. The drive level is near the voltage-tolerance limit of the body insulator. A novel, bidirectional, switched-capacitor output stage that combines both voltage-conversion and pulse-drive is introduced. The two-level driver is implemented in 45-nm SOI CMOS technology and uses only process-compliant devices. It achieves a maximum output drive of 44 V and occupies an area of 600 μm × 350 μm. The output drive resistance depends on the pumping frequency and is equal to 36 KΩ at a current consumption of 28 mA drawn from a 1.5-V supply.
Fluorine-19 NMR studies of glucosyl fluoride transport in human erythrocytes

Fluorine-19 magnetization transfer studies have been used to measure the transport rate of glucopyranosyl fluorides under equilibrium exchange conditions. Although rate constants and permeabilities could be determined for beta-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride, the exchange rate for alpha-D-glucopyranosyl fluoride was found to be too slow for determination using this method. The time-dependent decomposition of the beta-glucopyranosyl fluoride also limits the accuracy of the numerical results for this species; however, it is clear that the permeabilities of the alpha and beta forms differ significantly, i.e., P beta > P alpha. This observation is in contrast to recent observations for n-fluoro-n-deoxyglucose, for which P alpha > P beta for n = 2, 3, 4, or 6. The difference can be explained in terms of a simple alternating conformation model in which one of the conformations (with an external sugar-binding site) exhibits a preference for the beta form of the molecule, while the second conformation (with an internal sugar binding site) exhibits a preference for the alpha form. Fluorine/hydroxyl substitutions unmask these preferences by selectively reducing the binding to one of the conformations, depending on the specific site of fluorination.
Leadership in a virtual community

Recent research into online education in the USA reports that a majority of higher education institutions consider online education integral to their long-term goals. Online education has expanded the scope of traditional brick-and-mortar institutions to anytime access. Faculty who teach online can be drawn from a worldwide community of experts. While the possibilities of online education are substantial, the challenges of creating collaborative learning opportunities and of community building require new ways of thinking and leading. This paper lays out these challenges and opportunities for academic leaders who administer online programmes with a large population of professors and students from around the world. Drawing from qualitative research data, the author discusses a unique set of faculty issues that has arisen as courses from a campus programme are offered online, including the thorny definition of collaborative leadership and the evolution of an online 'team'.
Consequences of simultaneous exposure of inorganic solids to excimer laser light and an electron beam

In previous work we examined the changes in surface topography of sodium trisilicate glass (Na2O⋅3SiO2) with exposure to pulsed 248‐nm excimer laser light at fluences of 2.6–5 J/cm2 (per laser pulse), as well as the character of the products emitted from the glass surface (e.g., ± ions, electrons, ground state and excited neutral atoms and molecules). At fluences above a threshold, ablative etching occurs only after a number of preliminary laser pulses. In this work, we show a dramatic synergism in the ablation process by simultaneous bombardment of the glass surface with 0.5–2 keV electrons and laser pulses. Extensive etching can be initiated immediately and sustained indefinitely at subthreshold fluences. Reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy performed on electron‐bombarded surfaces shows band gap states growing with exposure. We propose that surface and near‐surface defects produced by inelastic scattering of the electron beam provide single‐photon absorption centers, facilitating etching at sub...
Monitoring Results of an Instrumented, Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall: Comparison with Current Practice

A field instrumentation and monitoring study on a 52-ft (15.8-m) high mechanically stabilized earth wall was undertaken. The field monitoring program was carried out on different sections along the wall, representing three different wall heights and two geometries. Monitoring results pertaining to reinforcement working forces, earth pressures at the base of the reinforced soils, and wall deformations are presented. The magnitudes and locations of maximum axial forces measured in the reinforcement are discussed and compared with the predictions by the method adopted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) method. Comparisons between the field measurements and the design methods for the tallest section with straight backfill (simple geometry) indicated that the LRFD method predicted the reinforcement forces more closely than the FHWA-adopted method. However, both methods failed to predict the locations and magnitudes of the maximum axial forces that developed in the reinforcement at the wing-wall section (sections with three-dimensional sloping backfill). The geometry of the wall and backfill, the type of wall-facing panels, and the interpanel connections appear to influence the deformation and settlement response of the reinforced earth wall. From the measured reinforcement wall connection forces, it was determined that the connection forces depended on the depth of embedment and the shape of the line of limiting equilibrium. The vertical pressure measurements deviated from those predictions by the three methods: Meyerhof, trapezoidal, and uniform distribution. These discrepancies are attributed to the lack of knowledge of the influences of the wall-facing element and the frictional stresses that may have developed along the interface between the retained soil and the reinforced soil mass.
Transient leukoencephalopathy after intrathecal methotrexate mimicking stroke.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an indispensable antimetabolite for the treatment of oncological and immunological disorders in all age groups. It can be administrated intravenously as well as intrathecally and may be used alone or in combination with other drugs. Chronic leukoencephalopathy is a well-known side effect of MTX, especially in conjunction with intrathecal administration. However, acute neurotoxicity with confusion, disorientation, seizures, and focal deficits may also be seen. This can clinically mimic stroke with restricted diffusion on MRI. However, unlike stroke, there is resolution of clinical and imaging findings within 1–4 weeks. We report two cases of transient leukoencephalopathy following intrathecal methotrexate, with complete clinical and radiological resolutions on follow-up.
Lung transplantation for treatment of infants with surfactant protein B deficiency.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate lung transplantation for treatment of surfactant protein B (SP-B) deficiency. Study design: We compared surfactant composition and function from pretransplantation and posttransplantation samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, somatic and lung growth, neurodevelopmental progress, pulmonary function, and pulmonary immunohistology in 3 infants with SP-B deficiency who underwent bilateral lung transplantation at 2 months of age and 3 infants who underwent lung transplantation for other reasons. Results: Two years after transplantation, the 2 surviving infants with SP-B deficiency exhibited comparable somatic growth and cognitive development to the comparison infants. All infants had delays in gross motor development that improved with time. Both groups have exhibited normal gas exchange, lung growth, and pulmonary function. The SP-B–deficient infants have also exhibited normal SP-B expression and pulmonary surfactant function after lung transplantation. In two SP-B–deficient infants antibody to SP-B developed. No pathologic consequences of this antibody were identified. Conclusions: Apart from the development of anti-SP-B antibody, the outcomes for SP-B–deficient infants after lung transplantation are similar to those of infants who undergo lung transplantation for other reasons. Lung transplantation offers a successful interim therapy until gene replacement for this disease is available. (J Pediatr 1997;130:231-9)
SVM-based spectral matching for metabolite identification

Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics is getting mature and playing an ever important role in the systematic understanding of biological process in conjunction with other members of “-omics” family. However, the identification of metabolites in untargeted metabolomics profiling remains a challenge. In this paper, we propose a support vector machine (SVM)-based spectral matching algorithm to combine multiple similarity measures for accurate identification of metabolites. We compared the performance of this approach with several existing spectral matching algorithms on a spectral library we constructed. The results demonstrate that our proposed method is very promising in identifying metabolites in the face of data heterogeneity caused by different experimental parameters and platforms.
Future directions of immunoglobulin therapy: Foreword

This is our second symposium on the future directions of immunoglobulin therapy. While the first symposium explored the mechanisms of action of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and its use in various clinical disorders, this symposium has taken a new direction in reviewing the potential therapeutic role of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of malignancy and autoimmune diseases. It has been 16 years since K6hler and Milstein (1) successfully immortalized antibody-producing cells by fusing them with mouse myeloma cells. The ability to generate hybridoma cell lines producing a specific antibody has provided the tools which have had far-reaching implications in many areas of basic and clinical medicine. Dr. Matthew Scharff reviewed the fascinating history of monoclonal antibodies and the current state of hybridoma technology. For years scientists have been looking for " the magic bullet" for the treatment of malignant disorders. The concept of a specific immunotoxin, an extremely potent poison conjugated to a monoclonal antibody, has initiated a new era in cancer chemotherapy. Recent advances in monoclonal antibody methodologies, recombinant DNA, and gene transfer technologies have enabled scientists to genetically engineer antibody molecules with highly potent toxins. Drs. Ellen
Evaluating the controversial role of cholecystostomy in current clinical practice.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) for the treatment of acute cholecystitis is increasing in popularity, and has served as a definitive treatment, a bridge to surgery, or a means toward other minimally invasive therapies. The absence of quality literature supporting a clear definition of the role of PC and related adjunctive therapies in the treatment of acute cholecystitis often results in inconsistent application of this treatment option in clinical practice. Because excellent overviews of the technique of PC and associated clinical management have been published recently,1 this article focuses on the controversial indications, complications, and evolving roles of percutaneous cholecystostomy and related therapies.
Psychotic.Like Reaction to Procaine Penicillin G

A patient developed a psychotic-like reaction immediately after receiving an intramuscular injection of procaine penicillin G. The patient complained of a metallic taste, dizziness, ringing of the ears, and the fear of imminent death. No cardiovascular or pulmonary disturbances were noted. The reaction and all symptoms resolved within 15 minutes, and the patient has reported no further episodes. The case and a review of the literature are presented.
Gauge invariance of the β-function in non-relativistic quantum electrodynamics

Abstract Recently there has been much interest in gauge theories applied to condensed matter physics. I show that for a system of non-relativistic electrons coupled to a U (1) gauge field in the presence of a Fermi surface, the β-function to one-loop order is, for a particular family of gauge choices, independent of the gauge choice.
Abnormalities of rotation of midgut

Abstract The object of this communication is to call attention to the practical importance of a knowledge of abnormalities of the midgut. The causes and the results are discussed. A case of reversed rotation is reported.
A system solution to the memory soft error problem

High-density and/or high-performance memory chip designs often create new reliability problems; one good example is the alpha-particle problem for high-density RAM and CCD chips, the problem being that soft errors may “line up” with existing hard errors, giving rise to double errors which are not correctable with conventionally implemented single-error-correcting double-error-detecting codes. In this paper it is shown that an overall system approach based on error-correcting codes and system maintenance strategy will reduce the main memory failure rate at the system level as if the alpha-particle problem had not occurred. This system solution is designed to be compatible with most existing memory designs so that there should be minimal additional cost for implementing it. The procedure described herein uses the capability of a single-error-correcting and double-error-detecting code to detect one hard and one soft error; then a microcode and hardware algorithm performs the correction of both errors. Results of both analytical and simulation modeling of the method and its comparison with other techniques are also included.
A Hybrid Process Fidelity Assessment in a Home-Based Randomized Clinical Trial

A process fidelity assessment was conducted as a nested study within a home-based randomized clinical trial teaching self-management to 101 long-term indwelling urinary catheter users in the treatment group. Our hybrid model combined external assessments (outside observations and tape recordings) with internal evaluation methods (through study nurse forms and notes) for a comprehensive process fidelity assessment. Barriers, patient-related issues, and nurse perspectives were identified demonstrating the complexity in home care intervention research. The complementary and synergistic approaches provided in-depth information about the context of the delivery and the impact of the intervention on study outcomes.
Applying evidence in the care of patients with rheumatoid hand and wrist deformities.

The traditional approach in managing rheumatoid hand deformities is based on the individual surgeon’s experiences. In the current era of evidence-based medicine (EBM), formulating treatment for the rheumatoid hand fits perfectly within the framework of EBM by leveraging the best evidence from the literature, incorporating surgeons’ experience, and considering patients’ preferences. In this special article, we use a case example to illustrate how EBM can be practiced within the framework of treating rheumatoid hand deformities by distilling the best evidence from the literature to guide surgeons in a rational approach for treating this common condition.
Beneficial effects of regular exercise on sleep in old F344 rats

With aging there is a significant decline in the normal architecture of sleep and a reduction in the diurnal amplitude of core body temperature. Regular moderate exercise has been shown to have a positive impact in the elderly and here we investigate whether sleep-wake patterning can also be improved. Young (3 months) and old (22 months) F344 rats were exercised once a day for 50min at night onset over an 8-week period. Thereafter, polysomnographic recordings were obtained immediately after exercise. To determine the lasting consequences of exercise, sleep was also recorded 2 days and 2 weeks after exercise had ended. Old rats that were exercised had a significant weight loss, were awake more during the last third of their active period, had less sleep fragmentation and the amplitude of the diurnal rhythm of core body temperature was significantly increased. Old exercised rats also had an overall increase in the amplitude of EEG power (0.5-16Hz) during wake and theta EEG power during REM sleep. In young rats regular exercise increased EEG delta power (0.5-4Hz) during NREM sleep. Our data indicate regular exercise in old rats improves sleep architecture, EEG power and diurnal rhythm of temperature.
Regression Models with Time Series Errors

Abstract The time series regression models in which the errors of regression equations follow stationary or nonstationary autoregressive moving average models are considered. Convergence properties of the sample autocorrelation function of observed series and the least squares estimates of the linear regression parameters are shown. Based upon these results, a procedure for specifying the tentative order of the mixed ARMA errors is proposed. Two examples are given.
Effects of Sodium Chloride Reduction and Polyphosphate Addition on Clostridium Botulinum Toxin Production in Turkey Frankfurters

Mechanically deboned turkey meat emulsions were made with 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0% salt (NaCl), or with combinations of 1.5% or 2.0% salt with 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP), or sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP). Sodium nitrite levels were constant at 150 ppm. Emulsions were inoculated with a mixture of 10 strains of C. botulinum (103/g) and incubated at 27°C. Increasing NaCl content from 1.0% to 3.0% delayed toxin production by 3 days on the average. Toxin production was detected earlier when TPP was added, HMP had no effect, and SAPP delayed toxin production.
The Tjon-Wu equation in Banach space settings

The authors investigate the Tjon-Wu (TW) equation: (TW) ∂u∂t(t, x) + u(t, x) = ∫x∞dyy ∫0y u(t, y − z) u(t, z)dz, u(0, x) = u0(x) , which has been obtained from a classical Boltzmann equation by applying the Abel transform. (TW) is considered as an ordinary differential equation first in the space L2={u:[0,∞)→R|∫x∞|u(x)|2 ex dx < + ∞}The authors establish existence and uniqueness of solutions in disks of codimension 2 around 0 and around e−x. Asymptotic stability of these latter functions is also established. The basic tool is an unusual eigenvalue property of the nonlinear right-hand side of (TW) which leads to a reformulation of (TW) as a differential equation in l2. Similar results are established in L1 working with (TW) directly.
Allergens in hymenoptera venom XVI: Studies of the structures and cross-reactivities of vespid venom phospholipases

Phospholipases (PLs) isolated from the venoms of three species of yellow jackets, white-faced hornets, European hornets, and paper wasps were studied by peptide mapping after limited enzyme hydrolyses and cyanogen bromide cleavage. Significant differences in the primary structures were observed. Cross-reactivities of vespid PLs were studied by precipitation reactions in gel with rabbit antibodies, immunoblots of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels with rabbit antisera, and RAST inhibition with individual sera from vespid-reactive patients. The cross-reactivities of both human IgE antibodies and rabbit IgG antibodies were variable and not reciprocal between antigen and antibody, suggesting that there are multiple antigenic determinants on the PL molecules and that individuals respond to different determinants. No general patterns of cross-reactivity could be observed.
The use of magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate lumbar muscle activity during trunk extension exercise at varying intensities.

Study design Descriptive, repeated measures analysis of exercise-induced changes in lumbar muscle transverse relaxation time (T2). Objectives To use muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to characterize the activity levels and recruitment patterns of the lumbar extensor muscles during trunk extension exercise over 3 intensities. Summary of background data Contrast shifts in T2 are indicative of skeletal muscle activity during resistance exercise and are used to characterize the function of a variety of muscles. The use of muscle functional MRI for the lumbar muscles has been limited. Methods In 11 healthy participants, T2 was calculated for the lumbar quadratus lumborum, iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus thoracis, and multifidus at rest and following dynamic trunk extension exercise at 3 exercise intensities (40%, 50%, and 70% peak intensity). Results The multifidus displayed the largest T2 increase at each of the 3 exercise intensities, followed by the erector spinae and, finally, the quadratus lumborum. At the lowest intensity, the medial erector spinae (longissimus thoracis) displayed a higher T2 increase than the lateral group (iliocostalis lumborum), while at the higher intensities, this pattern was reversed. In general, the T2 increase was higher during exercise at 50% and 70% intensities than at 40%, while there was no difference in T2 increase between 50% and 70%. Conclusions Muscle functional MRI can be used to characterize lumbar muscle function during trunk extension exercise. The levels and recruitment patterns of the lumbar extensors, as measured by muscle T2 shifts, vary with exercise intensity. Future research is needed to assess the mechanism of the nonlinear relationship between T2 shifts and exercise intensity, and to clarify the effects of fatigue and the order of exercise presentation on the T2 response of the lumbar extensors.
Iron dynamics: Transformation of Fe(II)/Fe(III) during injection of natural organic matter in a sandy aquifer

The dynamics of dissolved, colloidal, and deposited iron phases were examined during a forced-gradient field experiment. The experiment involved the injection of oxygenated water containing high levels of natural organic matter (NOM) into a sandy aquifer. The initial redox potential of the aquifer favored Fe(II) in the groundwater. The changes in the concentrations of Fe(II) and Fe(III) were observed in sampling wells. Under the increased dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions, Fe(II) oxygenation was rapid, resulting in the formation of Fe(III) (hydr) oxide colloids. The oxidation follows the rate law as given in Stumm and Morgan (1981): d[Fe(II)]dt = −kobs[O2(aq)][H+]2[Fe(II)] , with a rate constant, kobs to be 1.9 × 10−12 M min−1. For an averaged pH and DO of the groundwater, the half time of Fe(II) oxidation is 49 h. The NOM was postulated to stabilize the newly formed colloids, thereby increasing the turbidity in the groundwater. The additional increase in the colloidal fraction of Fe(III) oxide suggested that transport of the colloidal particles was occurring. At those locations where DO remained constantly low, the turbidity increase was moderate, and up to 80% of Fe(III) was in the dissolved phase (< 3000 mol. wt). The latter observation was attributed to the presence of NOM, forming Fe(III)-organic complexes. In addition, NOM may play a role in the oxygen consumption through a Fe(II)/Fe(III) catalyzed oxidation of organic matter as outlined by Stumm and Morgan (1981, p. 469). In this mechanism, Fe(II) oxidation is slow, maintaining a near constant Fe(II) concentration, in agreement with field data. The overall increase in Fe(III) under low DO conditions was postulated to be a combination of 1. (1) slow oxidation, 2. (2) ligand-promoted and catalytic dissolution of deposited iron phases, and 3. (3) the transport of newly formed iron oxide colloids along flow paths.
Observing Lense-Thirring Precession in Tidal Disruption Flares

Recent observations have established that a subset of TDEs launch collimated, relativistic jets. Two such relativistic TDEs have been detected with the Swift satellite: Swift J164449.3+573451, and Swift J2058.4+0516 (Cenko et al. 2012b). Both events are generally interpreted as the tidal disruption of a main sequence star by a SMBH, with a relativistic jet pointed down our line of sight; however, alternate explanations do exist (Krolik and Piran 2011; Quataert and Kasen 2012). These discoveries were not widely anticipated by theoretical work on TDEs, with the notable exception of Giannios and Metzger (2011).
Confidence intervals for two robust regression lines with a heteroscedastic error term

Recently, Wilcox (1994) suggested a method of computing a confidence interval for the slope of two robust regression methods. Results from Wu (1986) suggest that Wilcox's method will fail when the error term has non-constant variance and simulations reported here confirm this. This paper describes a more satisfactory method for handling non-constant variance when working with the biweight midregression line considered by Wilcox, with little or no loss in accuracy when the error term has constant variance. Moreover, this paper illustrates that the biweight midregression method, in its present form, can yield an unsatisfactory estimate of the slope when there is a heteroscedastic error term, even with a very large sample size. A simple method of correcting this problem is described which also eliminates the need for the bias correction term used by Wilcox. This paper also considers the problem of computing confidence intervals for the slope of the robust regression method derived by De Jongh, De Wet and Welsh (1988), and a fairly accurate method is found even when the error term has non-constant variance.
Weak spectral functions and their application to the decay of the W-boson

The weak hadronic spectral function for an arbitrary number of flavors is derived. The method is applied to the hadronic decay width of the charged intermediate W-boson. For completeness, the one-particle hadronic as well as the leptonic spectral functions are enumerated.
Method for Determining Performance of Sulfur Oxide Adsorbents for Diesel Emission Control Using Online Measurements of SO2 and SO3 in the Effluent

Upcoming regulations regarding diesel engine emissions require substantial reduction in particulate matter and nitrogen oxides through aftertreatment methods. Since sulfur oxides in the exhaust greatly reduce the performance of the aftertreatment system, a dedicated trap for removal of sulfur oxides has been considered. Most adsorbents are more effective in removing SO{sub 3} than SO{sub 2}; hence oxidation catalysts have been employed to maximize the concentration of SO{sub 3} in the effluent. Although SO{sub 2} concentrations are easily measured, SO3 is less easily quantified. As a result, the only figure of merit for the SOx trap performance has been total capacity, provided by post-characterization. In this paper we describe a chromatographic method for measurement of SO{sub 2} and SO{sub 3} adsorption in real time, which provides adsorbent performance data on breakthrough capacities and sulfur slip, especially important when operating at high space velocities. We also provide experimental measurements of break through capacities for SO{sub 2} and SO{sub 3} adsorption for some common metal oxide adsorbents using this analytical system.
Reducing complexities of the distributed max‐flow and breadth‐first‐search algorithms by means of network synchronization

This article presents new simple distributed Maximum Flow and Breadth-First Search algorithms for an asynchronous communication network. Our algorithms improve the best known algorithms both in the communication and time complexities. The basic idea is first to “synchronize” the network and then to apply synchronous algorithms which use efficiently the parallelism of the model.
Cause and express

Biological validation of a cadre of new obesity genes supports the power of studies that exploit 'expression quantitative trait loci'.
The loading and initial elongation modules of rifamycin synthetase collaborate to produce mixed aryl ketide products.

Rifamycin synthetase assembles the chemical backbone that members of the rifamycin family of antibiotics have in common. The synthetase contains a mixed biosynthetic interface between its loading module, which uses a nonribosomal peptide synthetase mechanism, and its initial elongation module, which uses a polyketide synthase mechanism. Biochemical studies of the loading and initial elongation modules of rifamycin synthetase reveal that this bimodular protein (LM-M1) catalyzes the formation of the phenyl ketide 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-phenylpropionate via a series of reactions that require benzoate, Mg.ATP, methylmalonyl-CoA, and NADPH. The overall rate of phenyl ketide production appears to be determined by the covalent loading of benzoate onto LM-M1, rather than by subsequent steps such as intermodular transfer of benzoate or condensation of benzoate and methylmalonate. Substituted benzoates that have previously been shown to be substrates for the loading module alone can also be incorporated into the corresponding aryl ketides by LM-M1, suggesting that the bimodular protein has a broad substrate tolerance. Discrimination between the substituted benzoates appears to reside in the benzoate loading reaction, and preincubation of LM-M1 with substituted benzoates and Mg.ATP allows faster downstream reactions to be unmasked. LM-M1 may be a useful biochemical system for exploring interactions between nonribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase modules.
Recurrent Primary Laryngeal Amyloidosis in a 36 Year-Old-Woman

Laryngeal amyloidosis, a rare form of primary amyloidosis, is often benign and runs an indolent course. It will often recur, necessitating regular follow up to detect local recurrence as well as development of systemic amyloidosis. We report a case of a middle-aged woman with recurrent laryngeal amyloidosis and discuss relevant literature. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/ jmc636e
272: Can Emergency Medical Services Personnel Identify Pneumothorax on Focused Ultrasound Examinations?

Background Ultrasound is of proven accuracy in the diagnosis of pneumothorax. In certain locations, pre-hospital providers are adopting its use for the management of critically ill patients.
Surface and interfacial FTIR spectroscopic studies of latexes. X. The effect of coalescence on surfactant exudation in polystyrene and poly(n-butyl acrylate) latex films

In an effort to establish to what extent transient effects prior to coalescence may influence mobility, distribution, and orientation of surfactant molecules after coalescence, poly(n-butyl acrylate) (n-BA) and polystyrene (Sty) were polymerized independently and mixed in a 5 : 1 ratio. It appears that if a mixture of the n-BA and Sty latex particles is allowed to stabilize prior to coalescence, the time of stabilization may have a significant effect not only on the distribution of SDOSS surfactant molecules across the coalesced film, but also on their orientation changes depending upon the stage of coalescence and the water front moving toward the surface. The coalescence of latex films was conducted under gaseous nitrogen and at 60% relative humidity. While the water front moves from the film-substrate upward, during this process, various segments of the surfactant molecule change their orientation. Near the F–A interface, hydrophobic segments are being reoriented from parallel to perpendicular, whereas preferentially parallel orientation exhibit hydrophylic SO−3 Na+ segments. When water molecules, however, diffuse out of the film, the surfactant molecules have no preferred orientation. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The role of website format, blog use, and information-gathering acquaintance in online message assessment

Examining effects of website format, blog use and information-gathering acquaintance.Websites with higher credibility do not activate better online message perceptions.Information-gathering acquaintance and website format jointly affect online message perceptions.Mutual effects of blog use and website format are found on online message perceptions.Blog use is less relevant to online message perceptions than information-gathering acquaintance. By manipulating branded editorial, branded blog, and non-branded blog in a between-subjects experiment, this study examined online message perceptions in terms of credibility, quality, preference, and persuasiveness. The study explored whether website format, blog use, and information-gathering acquaintance would come into play when media users evaluated news information of various websites. Results suggested that the participants who evaluated websites as more credible did not translate into higher credibility ratings of the messages on the websites, nor did it lead to greater ratings of quality, preference, and persuasiveness. Additionally, information-gathering acquaintance and blog use were two crucial factors to online message perceptions. Both information-gathering acquaintance and blog use yielded joint effects with website format on online message perceptions. Moreover, blog use was found as less relevant to online message assessment than information-gathering acquaintance.
Scheduling of synchronous data flow models on scratchpad memory based embedded processors

Many embedded processors incorporate scratchpad memories (SPM) due to their lower power consumption characteristics. SPMs are utilized to host both code and data, often on the same physical unit. Synchronous dataflow (SDF) is a popular format for specifying many embedded system applications particularly in multimedia and network processing domains. Execution of SDF specifications on SPM based processors involves division of memory between actor code and buffers, and scheduling of actor executions and code overlays such that latency is minimized subject to the memory constraints. In our problem instance a traditional minimum buffer SDF schedule could require a larger code overlay overhead and therefore may not be optimal. The paper presents a three stage integer linear programming (ILP) formulation to solve the problem. Further, the paper also introduces modifications to the three stage ILP for incorporating code prefetching optimization to further reduce the code overlay overhead. The effectiveness of the proposed approaches is evaluated by comparisons with minimum buffer SDF schedules for several benchmark applications.
Lost among white others: Late‐Victorian lost race novels for boys

(2002). Lost among white others: Late‐Victorian lost race novels for boys. Nineteenth-Century Contexts: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 497-527.
Complex band structures of zinc-blende materials

A theoretical method is presented for calculating the complex band structures of a solid. Using this method, we have studied the evanescent Bloch functions associated with 14 zinc-blende materials for various crystallographic orientations and directions, and have obtained new insight into the topological structure of the complex bands in solids. The present application of the general method is based on a 10-band nearest-neighbor tight-binding model which is capable of producing realistic band structures for most semiconductors and insulators. The method is conceptually simple and computationally efficient. The evanescent Bloch solutions obtained with the present model can be used to study various electronic properties associated with solid surfaces, interfaces, and superlattices.
Visual and Oral Feedback to Promote Appropriate Social Behavior for a Student With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

On a routine basis, educators collect data on their students' academic and social performance to make informed decisions regarding curricular and social instruction. The authors conducted a case study for a student with emotional and behavioral disorders. The student's teacher provided oral and visual feedback during reading instruction. Data suggest that the combination of oral and visual feedback improved the student's appropriate behavior better than did oral feedback alone. As a result, school administrators reintegrated the student into a general education classroom for reading instruction. The authors provide implications for classroom practice.