cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic synthesis of geranyl acetate by transesterification with acetic anhydride as acyl donor

Pseudomonas sp. lipase (PS) was immobilized by adsorption technique onto glass beads and tested for its ability to synthesize geranyl acetate by transesterification with acetic anhydride as the acyl donor. Reactions were carried out inn-hexane containing 0.1 M geraniol, 0.1 M acetic anhydride, and 200 units of lipase PS. Enzyme load, effect of substrate concentration, added water, temperature, time course, organic solvent, pH memory, and enzyme reuse were studied. Yields of up to 96% were obtained with 200 units (approximately 11% w/w of reactants) of enzyme. Increasing amounts of geraniol inhibited lipase activity, while excess acyl donor concentration enhanced ester production. Yields as high as 97% were obtained at 50°C, 24 h incubation, with no added water. Solvents with logP values ≥3.0 showed the highest conversion yields. Solvent-free samples also performed well. The pH range of 4–9 gave good yields (92–98.4%). Enzyme reuse studies showed the lipase remained active after 15 runs.
Extinction in the presence of free food

After pigeons were trained to peck a response disk for food reinforcement, responding was extinguished by withholding the food. During extinction training, freely available food was added to the chamber. Responding was found to extinguish rapidly in the presence of the free food. However, when the free food was removed, many more extinction responses were emitted until approximately the same total number of responses to extinction were emitted as by a control group that never experienced free food. Thus, free food temporarily suppressed responding in extinction; removing the free food caused responding to return to high strength.
Treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis: an American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Clinical Trials Committee systematic review

Abstract Objective The optimal treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common challenge for pediatric surgeons. Although many studies have evaluated prevention and medical therapy for NEC, few guidelines for surgical care exist. The aim of this systematic review is to review and evaluate the currently available evidence for the surgical care of patients with NEC. Methods Data were compiled from a search of PubMed, OVID, the Cochrane Library database, and Web of Science from January 1985 until December 2011. Publications were screened, and their references were hand-searched to identify additional studies. Clinicaltrials.gov was also searched to identify ongoing or unpublished trials. The American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Clinical Trials Committee proposed six questions deemed pertinent to the surgical treatment of NEC. Recent Cochrane Reviews examined three of these topics; a literature review was performed to address the additional three specific questions. Results The Cochrane Reviews support the use of prophylactic probiotics in preterm infants less than 2500 grams to reduce the incidence of NEC, as well as the use of human breast milk rather than formula when possible. There is no clear evidence to support delayed initiation or slow advancement of feeds. For surgical treatment of NEC with perforation, there is no clear support of peritoneal drainage versus laparotomy. Similarly, there is a lack of evidence comparing enterostomy versus primary anastomosis after resection at laparotomy. There are little data to determine the length of treatment with antibiotics to prevent recurrence of NEC. Conclusion Based on available evidence, probiotics are advised to decrease the incidence of NEC, and human milk should be used when possible. The other reviewed questions are clinically relevant, but there is a lack of evidence-based data to support definitive recommendations. These areas of NEC treatment would benefit from future investigation.
Sampling Errors of Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauge Measurements

In this study we investigated sampling-related errors of tipping-bucket (TB) rain gauge measurements, focusing on the gauge’s ability to represent the small-scale rainfall temporal variability. We employed a simple TB simulator that used ultra-high-resolution measurements from an experimental optical rain gauge. The simulated observations were used to provide TB rain rate estimates on time scales as low as one minute. The simulation results showed that the TB estimates suffer from significant errors if based on time scales less than 10 to 15 minutes. We provide the approximate formulas used to characterize the TB sampling errors at several time scales. Our results show the importance of using fine resolution of both the sampling time interval and the bucket size so that the TB rain rate estimates have minimum levels of uncertainty.
Carbohydrates in humic and fulvic acids from sediments of Suo sound, Japan

Abstract Vertical distributions of carbohydrates in humic and fulvic acids isolated from coastal sediments in Suo sound were investigated by gas chromatography and Sephadex gel chromatography. Humate carbohydrates were composed of fulvic acid carbohydrates (70 to 95%). Apparent molecular weight distribution of fulvic acid carbohydrates in vertical direction of sediments was 3·5 to 7·4% below molecular weight (M.W.) 1000, 32 to 42% for M.W. 1000 to 5000, 7·4 to 24% for M.W. 5000 to 10 000, 11·5 to 15·5% for M.W. 10 000 to 25 000, and 28 to 34% for M.W. over 25 000, respectively. Humic acid carbohydrates are present in high molecular weight over 25 000. Fulvic acid carbohydrates decreased with increasing depth. A decrease of humate carbohydrates occurred between the surface layers to 20 cm depth, below 20 cm vertical change of carbohydrates was not observed.
EFFECT OF SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE AND OTHER OXYGEN SCAVENGERS ON ENZYMATIC BROWNING

Treatment of apples, potatoes, and avocados with superoxide dismutase from bovine blood showed no observable differences in browning of diced or sliced tissues either by subjective observation or objective measurement. The same was found to be true for the reaction of purified tyrosinase from mushrooms with either L-tyrosine or 4-methylcatechol.
Bridges of Memory: Chicago's Second Generation of Black Migration. Volume 2

In Bridges of Memory, skilled oral historian Timuel D. Black offers readers the second installment in his unprecedented series of oral histories with leading black Chicagoans. This volume contains ...
A Theoretical Model for Utilizing Mammalian Pharmacology and Safety Data to Prioritize Potential Impacts of Human Pharmaceuticals to Fish

Due to the potential for long-term, low-level exposure of environmental species to pharmaceuticals in the environment, concerns over chronic ecotoxicity have been raised. Pharmaceuticals typically have specific enzyme and receptor-based modes of action, which are extensively studied in mammals during drug development. A survey of the literature demonstrated that there is conservation of many enzyme/receptor systems between mammalian and teleost systems. Based on this conservation of enzyme/receptor systems across teleost species, a model has been developed to utilize the information from mammalian pharmacology and toxicology studies to evaluate the potential for chronic receptor mediated responses in fish. In this model, a measured human therapeutic plasma concentration (HTPC) is compared to a predicted steady state plasma concentration (FSSPC) in fish, and an effect ratio (ER = HTPC/FSSPC) is computed. The lower the ER, the greater the potential for a pharmacological response in fish. Data collection and...
Stress Distribution Around a Semi-Circular Edge-Notch in a Finite Size Laminated Composite Plate Under Uniaxial Tension

A computationally efficient finite element model that can provide accurate numerical solutions to the problem of a semi-circular edge-notch in a finite size laminated composite plate under uniaxial...
The MicroRNA miR-124 Promotes Neuronal Differentiation by Triggering Brain-Specific Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing

Both microRNAs and alternative pre-mRNA splicing have been implicated in the development of the nervous system (NS), but functional interactions between these two pathways are poorly understood. We demonstrate that the neuron-specific microRNA miR-124 directly targets PTBP1 (PTB/hnRNP I) mRNA, which encodes a global repressor of alternative pre-mRNA splicing in nonneuronal cells. Among the targets of PTBP1 is a critical cassette exon in the pre-mRNA of PTBP2 (nPTB/brPTB/PTBLP), an NS-enriched PTBP1 homolog. When this exon is skipped, PTBP2 mRNA is subject to nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). During neuronal differentiation, miR-124 reduces PTBP1 levels, leading to the accumulation of correctly spliced PTBP2 mRNA and a dramatic increase in PTBP2 protein. These events culminate in the transition from non-NS to NS-specific alternative splicing patterns. We also present evidence that miR-124 plays a key role in the differentiation of progenitor cells to mature neurons. Thus, miR-124 promotes NS development, at least in part by regulating an intricate network of NS-specific alternative splicing.
House flies: effect of apholate and its failure to induce resistance.

The MMM colony of Musca domestica L., which had been maintained on a diet containing 0.01% of apholate for 9 years and 10 months was discontinued following the F178 generation because of lack of adult females; the only adults to emerge from 213 pupae were 50 males. Two strains of flies removed from the MMM colony at the F40 and F44 generations and thereafter not exposed to apholate maintained relatively high and low levels of sterility, respectively. A third strain removed from the MMM colony at the F147 generation and thereafter exposed to 0.03% apholate developed such a high degree of sterility that the strain died out because of lack of adult emergence. This inability of progeny from the MMM colony to tolerate higher doses of apholate indicated that even after generations of continuous exposure, it had failed to develop resistance and was, in fact, more susceptible. The MMM colony also failed to develop resistance to gamma irradiation.
Interpersonal competence, social intelligence, and general ability

Abstract The goal of this study was to appraise the construct validity of a videotape-based situational test, the Interpersonal Competence Instrument (ICI), that calls for the examinee to take the role of a superior talking to a subordinate in a business setting. The ICI was administered to college students along with a battery of other devices: self-rating, peer rating, and inventory measures of social intelligence and general ability, and objective tests of major components of social intelligence and general ability. Five clusters were identified in a multidimensional scaling analysis of the measures. The ICI Judgment-Accuracy score, a measure of the examinee's accuracy in describing the salient characteristics of the subordinates and the conversations, clustered with the Test of Implied Meanings and Extended Range Vocabulary Test. The ICI Replies-Effectiveness score, an index of the examinee's effectiveness in replying to the subordinates, clustered with the self-rating for general ability and PRF Understanding Scale. The Judgments-Accuracy score seems to be tapping verbal ability to some extent, whereas what the Replies-Effectiveness score is assessing cannot be determined with any certainty.
SU-E-T-797: Effects of the Number of Intensity Levels in Step&shoot IMRT for Prostate Treatments

Purpose: Step&shoot IMRTTreatment planning requires the conversion of an optimized fluence into deliverable sequences of MLC segments. The objective of this paper is to study the effects of varying the intensity levels (IL's) number in prostate step&shoot IMRT treatments. Methods: Patient data with prostate cancer and IMRT treatment indication was selected. Treatment planning was done using a 6MV 7‐field arrangement (Primus linac, Optifocus MLC, 10mm leaf‐width) and Konrad v2.2 (Siemens) TPS. The treatment plan includes the simultaneous irradiation of the prostate to 82Gy and the seminal vesicles to 64Gy in 41 fractions. Four plans were generated using 5, 7, 10 and 15 IL's and normalized to deliver the same minimum dose to the prostate. Comparisons between plans were done in terms of total segment number, MU, treatment time and DVH for PTVs and OARs (rectum, bladder and femoral heads). Results: The total segment numbers were 44, 60, 84 and 116 from 5 to 15 IL's. The MU's total numbers decreased with the increase of the IL's (527, 522, 518 and 508). Increasing the number of IL's was accompanied by the treatment times raise (11%, 23% and 37% in relation to 5 IL's, 387seg) and resulted in increases of Prostate PTV dose homogeneity and conformity index (CI). The maximum dose (CI) was 87.7Gy (0.957) and 89.7Gy (0.836) for 15 and 5 IL respectively. No difference in minimum dose and CI was found for the seminal vesicle PTV. All plans showed insignificant OAR DVH differences. Conclusions: The increment in the IL's number resulted in an improvement of the Prostate PTV homogeneity and treatment time without any extra sparing to OAR. The benefit of a better uniform dose in the Prostate PTV should be analyzed for each treatment in order to set planning guidelines.
Thermal Properties of the Inhomogeneous Electron Gas

A variational property of the ground-state energy of an electron gas in an external potential $v(\mathrm{r})$, derived by Hohenberg and Kohn, is extended to nonzero temperatures. It is first shown that in the grand canonical ensemble at a given temperature and chemical potential, no two $v(\mathrm{r})$ lead to the same equilibrium density. This fact enables one to define a functional of the density $F[n(\mathrm{r})]$ independent of $v(\mathrm{r})$, such that the quantity $\ensuremath{\Omega}=\ensuremath{\int}v(\mathrm{r})n(\mathrm{r})d\mathrm{r}+F[n(\mathrm{r})]$ is at a minimum and equal to the grand potential when $n(\mathrm{r})$ is the equilibrium density in the grand ensemble in the presence of $v(\mathrm{r})$.
Bone Marrow Transplantation Reveals That Recipient AT1a Receptors Are Required to Initiate Angiotensin II–Induced Atherosclerosis and Aneurysms

Objective— Angiotensin II (AngII) infusion into hypercholesterolemic mice accelerates atherosclerosis and promotes formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The purpose of this study was to d...
Retroviral-mediated transfer and expression of hepatitis B e antigen in human primary skin fibroblasts and Esptein-Barr virus-transformed B lymphocytes

Previously, an amphotropic retroviral expression system coding for the neomycin resistance gene was developed and used to synthesize hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B core/e antigen (HBc/eAg) in transfected mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts (A. McLachlan et al., 1987, J. Virol. 61, 683-692). In the present study, these transfected cell lines were infected with a helper amphotropic murine leukemia virus resulting in the production of infectious recombinant retrovirus. The recombinant retrovirus was examined for its capacity to transmit resistance to the antibiotic, G418, and to express hepatitis B virus antigens in mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, human primary skin fibroblasts, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphocytes. A mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblast clone was generated which produced recombinant retrovirus with the capacity to transmit HBeAg expression to these murine and human cell lines. In contrast, it was not possible to transmit HBc/eAg synthesis efficiently to these cell lines by recombinant retroviral infection. The difference between the efficiencies of transmission of HBeAg and HBc/eAg expression by recombinant retroviral-mediated infection was not predicted as the expression vector coding for HBc/eAg synthesis differs only by the deletion of approximately 90 nucleotides of HBV DNA sequence from the vector coding for HBeAg synthesis.
Shoulder-Hand Syndrome: Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

If the shoulder-hand syndrome is left without special care, it may lead to severe painful disabilities of the upper extremity. Early recognition of the clinical signs and symptoms and aggressive total care are essential for successful treatment and for the prevention of severe flexion contractures of the hand and shoulder, especially in patients whose symptoms have developed after a cerebrovascular accident. An outline is given of the treatment modalities (corticosteroids, physiotherapy and mechanical devices) used at the Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine (NYU) for obtaining maximum function of the involved upper extremity.
Batch production of pharmaceutical granulations in a fluidized bed. I. Effects of process variables on physical properties of final granulation.

The investigation concerns the effects of process variables associated with the fluidized bed granulation technique on the physical properties of the final granulation. The process variables investigated include binder solution addition rate, air pressure to the binary nozzle, inlet air temperature during the granulation cycle, and binary nozzle position with respect to the fluidized solids. When the rate at which the aqueous binder solution added to the fluidized bed of powders was increased, the ability of the solution to wet and penetrate the solids was enhanced, resulting in: (a) a larger average granule size, (b) a less friable granulation, (c) a more fluid granulation, and (d) a decreased granulation bulkiness. Similar results, also traceable to enhanced binder solution efficiency, occurred with a decrease either in the binary nozzle air pressure or in the inlet air temperature during the granulation cycle. The position of the binary nozzle with respect to the fluidized powders had significant effects upon the average granule size and granule friability. The effects upon the granulation flow properties and bulkiness, however, were slight.
Long-term outcomes of surgery for malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma: 20-year experience of a regional UK centre.

The timing of surgery for malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma is controversial. The long-term outcomes and complications of surgery for this rare tumour are presented. All cases of malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma in the 20-year period 1987–2006 were identified and the case notes retrieved. The age at diagnosis, investigations, presentation, type of surgery, early complications, recurrence rates, long-term complications and outcomes were recorded. Twelve patients (three males, nine females) were identified. Mean age at presentation was 20.8 months (range: 12–39 months). All had the Carboplatin–Etoposide–Bleomycin chemotherapeutic protocol. The average time of follow-up was 10.6 years (range: 1–17 years). Ten patients had excision of their tumours following chemotherapy, whilst two patients had excision prior to chemotherapy. Two patients had recurrence of their tumours. There was one death (8%), which was due to disseminated metastasis. The other 11 children were all well at the last follow-up. Surgery for malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma is safe and has a low complication rate. The long-term outcomes are favourable with minimal side effects.
Hurricane risk and coastal property owner choices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contrast the behavior of a US homeowner exposed to hurricane risk with government policies designed to limit hurricane losses. Owners limit these losses by selecting structural improvements or mitigation and wind and flood insurance.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses mitigation costs, hurricane probabilities, and insurance premiums to frame rational cost‐minimizing choices for the homeowner.Findings – First, even though nationwide hurricane damage costs are large, the cost‐minimizing response for an individual property owner may be to buy no mitigation or structural improvements, no flood insurance and minimal wind insurance, as probabilities of strong hurricanes striking particular locations are extremely low. Second, additional insurance is a less costly defense than structural improvement, even under much higher insurance premiums and hurricane strike probabilities. Third, federally subsidized flood insurance may reduce the effectiveness of government...
PHA‐Induced Activation of Suppressor Cells in Normal Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Normal human peripheral blood and tonsil lymphocytes can be stimulated to proliferate by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). When cells cultured with this mitogen for 3 days were transferred fo fresh autologous lymphocytes in fresh medium with PHA, the mitogen response of the fresh lymphocytes was suppressed. The suppression required the presence of viable cells, in that culture supernatants alone were not inhibitory and cell extracts showed only marginal inhibition. Approximately equivalent numbers of previously stimulated cells were required to produce optimal suppression of the PHA response of fresh cells. Cells irradiated after PHA stimulation were as effective as nonirradiated cells in causing suppression. PHA-stimulated cells also inhibited concanavalin A-induced proliferation and a mixed lymphocyte reaction. However, PHA-stimulated cells only partially inhibited the response to pokeweed mitogen. The suppressive effects were fully retained by a nylon-wool-enriched T-cell fraction but not by a B-cell-enriched fraction.
Ceramides of human normal and cataractous lens

Abstract Ceramides were quantitatively isolated from human normal and cataractous lens by solvent extraction, silicic acid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and gas-liquid chromatography. Only two species of ceramides with normal fatty acids were detected. In the mature cataracts, there was an increase in palmitate and nervonate at the expense of the other fatty acids. Due to the increase of 24 : 1, the ratio of 24 : 1 24 : 0 increased significantly from normals to cataracts. Sphinganine was the major long-chain base, but 4-sphingenine was also present. The total amount of ceramides in the immature and mature cataracts was 1.8 and 3.0 times higher than the normals of the same age group. Such an increase does not seem to be the result of an age-dependent process.
Normal Oxyhemoglobin Saturation During Sleep: How Low Does It Go?

Study objective To determine oxyhemoglobin saturation (O2 Sat) in healthy humans. Design Retrospective review of all-night pulse oximetry data, carefully examined to exclude periods of motion artifact. The lowest saturation recorded during the night (Low Sat), the median saturation (Sat 50), and the saturation below which the patient spent 10% of the time (Sat 10) were tabulated. These data were compared to the O2 Sat in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and patients with stable asthma. Setting Sleep laboratory in a tertiary care hospital. Patients Three hundred fifty people with normal results of overnight polysomnography. Patients with known craniofacial or neurologic abnormalities or any previously diagnosed pulmonary disease such as asthma or COPD were excluded. The healthy subjects ranged in age from 1 month to 85 years. There were 184 male and 166 female subjects. These were compared to 25 patients with OSA and 21 patients with asthma. Results For the healthy patients, the mean±SD Low Sat was 90.4%±3.1%. The mean Sat 10 was 94.7%±1.6%. The mean Sat 50 was 96.5%±1.5%. There was no relationship between any of the O2 Sat measures and sex, race, or obesity as measured by body mass index. However, older subjects (>60 years of age) had lower Sat 10 (92.8±2.3) and Sat 50 (95.1±2.0) than did younger subjects. The O2 Sat of the patients with asthma was not different from the healthy subjects, but the patients with OSA had a significantly lower Sat 50, Sat 10, and Low Sat. Summary We describe in detail O2 Sat in a large group of healthy people. Older subjects without known cardiorespiratory disease have lower O2 Sat than younger subjects.
A Self-Configuring TMR Scheme Utilizing Discrepancy Resolution

We employ output-discrepancy consensus to mitigate faulty modules of a Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) arrangement using dynamic partial reconfiguration. Traditionally, the fault-handling resilience of a TMR arrangement is limited to fault(s) in a single TMR instance over the entire mission duration. An additional permanent fault in any of two other TMR instances results in mission's failure. However, in this work, a novel Self-Configuring approach for Discrepancy Resolution (SCDR) is developed and assessed. In SCDR, the occurrence of faults in more than one module initiates the repair mechanism, then upon fault recovery, the system is configured into Concurrent Error Detection (CED) mode. The approach is validated by the complete recovery of a TMR realization of 25 stage Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter implemented on a reconfigurable platform as a case study. The results show that a self-healing circuit can be realized exploiting the dynamic partial reconfiguration capability of FPGAs while requiring a streamlined operational data path compared to TMR.
Photodynamic activity of viral nanoparticles conjugated with C60

The development of viral nanoparticles (VNP) displaying multiple copies of the buckyball (C60) and their photodynamic activity is described. VNP–C60 conjugates were assembled using click chemistry. Cell uptake and cell killing using white light therapy and a prostate cancer cell line is demonstrated.
A mathematical model of flow through the terminal lymphatics

Proper understanding of the mechanisms of fluid absorption and flow through the terminal lymphatics is essential for the control of several pathological conditions such as edema, bedsores and cancer. A mathematical model of the terminal lymphatics was developed using the principles of mechanics. Computer simulation results substantiate the hypothesis that fluid absorption and flow through the terminal lymphatics occur due to suction mechanisms of the adjacent contractile lymphatic segments and due to periodic fluctuations in the interstitial fluid pressure. In addition, the results suggested that increasing the length of a terminal lymphatic vessel beyond a certain limit does not cause further increase in fluid flow into the terminal lymphatic.
Reliable Communications Using FPGAs in High-Radiation Environments - Part I: Characterization

Reconfigurable radios implemented on FPGAs operating in high-radiation environments are subject to single-event- upsets (SEUs). The traditional mitigation method of applying triple modular redundancy (TMR) to the entire design does not have to be used in this application. This is because the majority of the SEUs impact the overall performance (measured by bit error rate) in the same way additive noise does. The results of this paper show which sections must be protected from SEUs and provide a guide for the bit error rate performance versus FPGA area tradeoff as a function of SEU mitigation.
Evaluating adolescent decision making in legal contexts.

Challenges the use by policy researchers of a model for comparing adolescent and adult decision making that is based on informed consent standards. An expanded decision-making framework designed to evaluate "judgment" in adults and adolescents can better test the empirical basis of paternalistic legal policies. The theoretical and empirical literature on the informed consent framework is critiqued and an alternative framework incorporating judgment factors is proposed. Three judgment factors-temporal perspective, attitude toward risk, and peer and parental influence-and their effects on decision making are explored. Finally, implications for future research are analyzed in several decision-making contexts.
Decline in Self-Reported Dysphoria after Treatment Entry in Inner-City Cocaine Addicts.

This study examined self-reported dysphoria in 82 consecutive admissions to intensive outpatient treatment for cocaine abuse on whom data for the Beck scales for depression, anxiety, and hopelessness were available for intake and 4 subsequent weeks with no more than 1 missing data point. Mean scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) decreased significantly between intake and Week 1, with no further significant changes from Weeks 1-4. Similar drops in the rate of clinically significant BDI and BAI scores also were observed. Scores on the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) showed no significant changes. By Week 4, rates of clinically significant depression, anxiety, and hopelessness were similar (17%, 13%, and 16%, respectively). These findings suggest that assessing depression and anxiety using the BDI and BAI in this population should be postponed for at least 1 week after intake and that intake levels of self-reported mood may be inappropriate baseline measures for evaluating treatment effects.
Structural Domains of Transfer RNA Molecules

In this article, we have described various detailed features of the conformation of yeast tRNA(Phe) revealed by recent refinement analysis of x-ray diffraction data at 2.5 A resolution. The gross features of the molecule observed in the unrefined version have been largely confirmed and a number of new features found. The unique role of the ribose 2' hydroxyl groups in maintaining a series of nonhelical conformations in this RNA molecule has become apparent. Many of these features are a direct consequence of the geometry of the ribose phosphate backbone of RNA molecules, and these may also be found in structured regions of other RNA species as well. Special attention has been directed toward two conformational motifs revealed by this analysis. These include the striking similarity between the TpsiC and anticodon hairpin turns in the polynucleotide chain, which are stabilized by the participation of uridine in the U turn. In addition, there is frequent occurrence of an arch conformation in the polynucleotide chian which is stabilized by hydrogen bonds from 2' hydroxyl residues to phosphate groups across the base of the arch. The importance of the 2' hydroxyl interactions in defining tertiary structure is illustrated by the fact that, in the nonhelical regions, almost half of the ribose residues are involved in O2' hydrogen-bonding interactions which stabilize the conformation of the molecule.
Patient race and perceived illness responsibility: effects on provider helping and bias

Objectives Health care disparities represent a major issue impacting the quality of care in the USA. Provider biases have been identified as contributing to health care disparities. This study examined the helping intentions and biases reported by medical students based on patient race and perceived patient responsibility. The study was guided by the responsibility–affect–helping model (RAHM), which proposes that helping behaviour is a function of perceived responsibility and affect. Methods In a 2 × 3 online experiment, medical students (n = 231) viewed a health chart and dialogue for either a Black or a White patient, in which the dialogue included a manipulation of the patient's rationales for his non-compliance with diet recommendations (responsible, not responsible, no responsibility assigned). After viewing the manipulation, medical students completed measures regarding perceived patient responsibility, affect, intention to help, perceptions of the patient and ethnocentrism. Results The RAHM was supported, such that increased perceived patient responsibility led to increased provider anger and reduced provider helping intentions, whereas decreased perceived patient responsibility led to increased provider empathy and helping intentions. Additionally, an interaction effect between race and perceived patient responsibility occurred such that bias toward the Black patient was most likely to occur in the control condition. Conclusions Perceived patient responsibility affects provider helping intentions and interacts with patient race to influence provider perceptions of patient characteristics. Communication on rationales for non-compliance as associated with perceived responsibility may lead to better or worse patient care as providers make attributions about patients based on these factors.
Lactamide Modification of Durable-Press Resins

Lactamide and N-methylollactamide have been used to modify conventional ethyleneurea-formaldehyde, prolylene urea-formaldehyde, dihydroxyethyleneurea-formaldehyde, and other resins. The effect of these modified resins is great est when they are used on 100% cotton fabrics. In general, while developing a desirable wash and wear rating, physical properties such as abrasion resitance, tensile strength and elongation are significantly increased. Lactamide also seems to have a definite favorable effect on the hand and on the bulkiness of the fabric. Lactamide modified resins have also been applied to cotton-polyester blends where they improve the resistance of the fabric to frosting as well as improving other properties.
The Effect of Trauma in Causing Cochlear Losses After Stapedectomy

Trauma undoubtedly may play an important role in causing sensori neural deafness after stapedectomy. In stapedectomy, trauma may be considered indirect (stimulation of the intact ossicles) or direct (disturbance of the vestibular contents). In evaluating indirect trauma the ossicular chain was stimulated in trained cats resulting in acoustic trauma lesions of the basal turn. Direct trauma was evaluated by making sac-cular lesions through the oval window in the squirrel monkey and cat. This resulted in normal cochlear findings. These findings indicate that acoustic trauma more likely results from a massive volume displacement of perilymph beneath an intact footplate. Although trauma sometimes explains severe cochlear deafness immediately following stapedectomy it does not explain the delayed deafness which may follow an initial good result.Stapedektomie spielt zweifellos eine wichtige Rolle in der Verursachung von Nervenschwerhorigkeit. Trauma bei Stapedektomie kann auf zwei Arten erfolgen. Auf indirektem ...
A distributed system-level diagnosis algorithm for arbitrary network topologies

A distributed algorithm is described for detecting and diagnosing faulty processors in an arbitrary network. Fault free processors perform simple periodic tests on one another; when a fault is detected or a newly repaired processor joins the network, this new information is disseminated in parallel throughout the network. It is formally proven that the algorithm is correct, and it is also shown that the algorithm is optimal in terms of the time required for all of the fault free processors in the network to learn of a new event. Simulation results are given for arbitrary network topologies. >
Study of the Noncollagenous Components of the Periodontium

Periodontal ligament and gingivae of bovine and porcine periodontium were analyzed for relative amounts of carbohydrates, collagen, and acid mucopolysaccharides. The sugar content was 3.6% and 3.4% of dry weight in bovine and porcine periodontal ligament, respectively. The values were lower in the gingivae being 2.34% and 2.30%, respectively. Approximately 50% of hexosamine in gingivae was present in acid mucopolysacchrides as compared to 36% in periodontal ligament. Relative to collagen there was a considerable amount of noncollagenous glycoproteins present in the periodontium as judged by carbohydrate content of the tissue.
Real-time motion scheduling for a SMALL workcell

A high-level controller for a SMALL workcell (Sawyer-motor assembly workcell) is presented. It allows multiple independent process to share the robot modules and workspace of a single workcell, by planning and scheduling collision-free paths for module motions in real time. Planning may involve moving around other modules, stationary or in motion, waiting for motions to complete, or displacing obstructing idle modules. The controller handles any number of robots in simultaneous motion along paths consisting of multiple rectilinear segments. Collision avoidance and path-planning are addressed in two dimensions, with extensions to three dimensions briefly discussed. Design considerations for the algorithms involve throughput, protection, fairness, and starvation considerations. Capabilities to allow independent processes to cooperate without interference are provided. >
EFFECT OF DIVALENT CATIONS ON THE SYNTHESIS OF CITRATE-GEL-DERIVED LANTHANUM HEXALUMINATE POWDERS AND FILMS

Low-temperature synthesis of hexaluminate phases for fiber–matrix interphases in ceramic–matrix composites is necessary to minimize processing temperatures to prevent fiber-strength degradation. Citrate-gel-derived lanthanum hexaluminate was synthesized using divalent transition-metal cations to stabilize the magnetoplumbite structure. Pure, undoped LaAl11O18 was obtained in 1 h only at temperatures >1500 °C after the formation and subsequent consumption of the intermediate perovskite, LaAlO3, which first appeared at ∼1150 °C. Powders of LaMAl11O19, where M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, were prepared at much lower temperatures. Highly crystalline, phase-pure powders of LaMnAl11O19 and LaCuAl11O19 were obtained at 1000 °C in 1 h directly from the amorphous powder without the formation of the intermediate perovskite. All other compositions could be obtained at 1100 °C in 1 h except for the nominal LaNiAl11O19, which formed primarily LaAlO3, NiAl2O4, and Al2O3. Powders containing dopants all had similar grain sizes and morphologies at 1200 and 1500 °C; the grain size of powders with dopants was significantly greater than that of pure LaAl11O18 powder. The introduction of a second charge-compensating quadrivalent dopant for excess divalent cation did not greatly influence synthesis or grain growth below the eutectic temperature but did seem to enhance the [0001] texture of films on single-crystal yttrium-aluminum garnet substrates compared with singly doped films.
Simulation and optimization of 1-D periodic dielectric nanostructures for light-trapping

Light-trapping is essential to improve the performance of thin-film solar cells. In this paper, we perform a parametric optimization of 1-D square and sinusoidal grating structures that act as nanophotonic scatterers to increase light absorption in ultra-thin (10nm) solar cells. Our optimization reveals that the short-circuit current density in a device of active-layer thickness 10nm can be improved by a factor of ~5 in the presence of the scattering structure. More complex geometries allow for increased degrees of design freedom and potentially high enhancement of light absorption.
Nonparametric estimation of rate equations for nutrient uptake

Abstract Knowledge of the rate of a biological process is important for characterizing the system and is necessary for gaining a deeper understanding of the process. Consider measurements, Y, made over time on a system following the model Y = f(t) + e, where f is a smooth, unknown function and e is measurement error. Although most statistical methodology has focused on estimating f(t) or f′(t), in some applications what is of real biological interest is the relationship between f and f′. One example is the study of nitrogen absorption by plant roots through a solution depletion experiment. In this case f(t) is the nitrate concentration of the solution surrounding the roots at time t and – f′(t) is the absorption rate of nitrate by plant roots at time t. One is interested in the rate of nitrate absorption as a function of concentration; that is, one is interested in Φ, where Φ(f) = – f′. Knowledge of Φ is important in quantifying the ability of a particular plant species to absorb nitrogen and in comparing...
Nitrogen deposition and cycling across an elevation and vegetation gradient in southern Appalachian forests

We studied nitrogen (N) cycling pools and processes across vegetation and elevation gradients in the southern Appalachian Mountains in SE USA. Measurements included bulk deposition input, watershed export, throughfall fluxes, litterfall, soil N pools and processes, and soil solution N. N deposition increased with elevation and ranged from 9.5 to 12.4 kg ha−1 yr−1. In all sites canopies retained inorganic N and lost organic N; net canopy retention varied among vegetation types. The high elevation site had the greatest litterfall N, soil N transformations, soil solution N, and greater stream N exports (0.60 kg ha−1 yr−1). Low elevation sites had lower litterfall N, soil N transformations, and soil solution N. Low stream N exports (0.14 kg ha−1 yr−1) suggested N limitation. Multivariate analyses showed that abiotic variables account for up to 63% of the variation in biotic site characteristics.
Information Exchange Limits in Cooperative MIMO Networks

Concurrent presence of inter-cell and intra-cell interferences constitutes a major impediment to reliable downlink transmission in multi-cell multiuser networks. Harnessing such interferences largely hinges on two levels of information exchange in the network: one from the users to the base-stations (feedback) and the other one among the base-stations (cooperation). We demonstrate that exchanging a finite number of bits across the network, in the form of feedback and cooperation, is adequate for achieving the optimal capacity scaling. We also show that the average level of information exchange is independent of the number of users in the network. This level of information exchange is considerably less than that required by the existing coordination strategies which necessitate exchanging infinite bits across the network for achieving the optimal sum-rate capacity scaling. The results provided rely on a constructive proof.
Characterization of the p300 Taz2-p53 TAD2 Complex and Comparison with the p300 Taz2-p53 TAD1 Complex.

The p53 tumor suppressor is a critical mediator of the cellular response to stress. The N-terminal transactivation domain of p53 makes protein interactions that promote its function as a transcription factor. Among those cofactors is the histone acetyltransferase p300, which both stabilizes p53 and promotes local chromatin unwinding. Here, we report the nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure of the Taz2 domain of p300 bound to the second transactivation subdomain of p53. In the complex, p53 forms an α-helix between residues 47 and 55 that interacts with the α1−α2−α3 face of Taz2. Mutational analysis indicated several residues in both p53 and Taz2 that are critical for stabilizing the interaction. Finally, further characterization of the complex by isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that complex formation is pH-dependent and releases a bound chloride ion. This study highlights differences in the structures of complexes formed by the two transactivation subdomains of p53 that may be broadly ob...
Comment on evidence for surface-initiated homogeneous nucleation

Abstract. We investigate theoretical, laboratory, and atmospheric evidence for a recently proposed hypothesis: homogeneous ice nucleation initiates at the surface, not in the volume, of supercooled water drops. Using existing thermodynamic arguments, laboratory experiments, and atmospheric data, we conclude that ice embryo formation at the surface cannot be confirmed or disregarded. Ice nucleation rates measured as a function of drop size in an air ambient could help distinguish between volume and surface nucleation rates.
Bisubstrate Adenylation Inhibitors of Biotin Protein Ligase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The mycobacterial biotin protein ligase (MtBPL) globally regulates lipid metabolism in Mtb through the posttranslational biotinylation of acyl coenzyme A carboxylases involved in lipid biosynthesis that catalyze the first step in fatty acid biosynthesis and pyruvate coenzyme A carboxylase, a gluconeogenic enzyme vital for lipid catabolism. Here we describe the design, development, and evaluation of a rationally designed bisubstrate inhibitor of MtBPL. This inhibitor displays potent subnanomolar enzyme inhibition and antitubercular activity against multidrug resistant and extensively drug resistant Mtb strains. We show that the inhibitor decreases in vivo protein biotinylation of key enzymes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and that the antibacterial activity is MtBPL dependent. Additionally, the gene encoding BPL was found to be essential in M. smegmatis. Finally, the X-ray cocrystal structure of inhibitor bound MtBPL was solved providing detailed insight for further structure-activity analysis. Collectively, these data suggest that MtBPL is a promising target for further antitubercular therapeutic development.
Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Development on Soybean with Rag1 Alone, Rag2 Alone, and Both Genes Combined

Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) can reduce the yield of aphid- susceptible soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cultivars. The Rag1 and Rag2 genes confer resistance to some biotypes of A. glycines. These genes individually can limit population growth of A. glycines and prevent yield loss. The impact of these genes when combined is not known. We compared the development of A. glycines on soybean with Rag1 alone (R1/S2), Rag2 alone (S1/R2), both genes combined (R1/R2), or neither gene (S1/S2). In addition, we determined the impact of different levels of aphid infestation on seed yield. The genotypes were grown in cages and artiÞcially infested with A. glycines to achieve Þve treatment levels: aphid-free, 675 aphids per plant, 25,000 cumulative aphid days (CAD) (25K), 50,000 CAD (50K), and 75,000 CAD (75K). The S1/S2 line reached the 50K treatment, but did not reach the 75K treatment. Aphid development on R1/S2 and S1/R2 soybeans after two infestations reached a maximum of 25K. The maximum treatment reached on R1/R2 was only 675 aphids per plant after two infestations, at which there was no signiÞcant yield reduction when compared with the aphid-free treatment. The maximum yield reduction of S1/S2 was 27% at 50K treatment compared with 2% for R1/S2 and 12% for S1/R2 at the 25K treatment. Our results indicated that for A. glycines used in our study, cultivars with both Rag1 and Rag2 had less aphid exposure and less yield reduction than soybeans with only one resistant gene.
An executable specification and verifier for relaxed memory order

The Mur/spl psi/ description language and verification system for finite-state concurrent systems is applied to the problem of specifying a family of multiprocessor memory models described in the SPARC Version 9 architecture manual. The description language allows for a straightforward operational description of the memory model which can be used as a specification for programmers and machine architects. The automatic verifier can be used to generate all possible outcomes of small assembly language multiprocessor programs in a given memory model, which is very helpful for understanding the subtleties of the model. The verifier can also check the correctness of assembly language programs including synchronization routines. This paper describes the memory models and their encoding in the Mur/spl psi/ description language. We describe how synchronization routines can be verified and how finite state programs can be analyzed. We also present some interesting findings from the verification and the analysis.
Leaky waves, wood's anomalies and extraordinary optical trapping

We discuss the possibility of trapping light within the continuum of radiation modes, realizing resonant states with diverging Q factor, based on the anomalous interaction of diffracted waves and leaky guided modes in diffraction gratings. These trapped optical states can be predicted within the framework of well-established leaky-wave theory. Our approach may also provide important physical insight on similar embedded eigenstates recently demonstrated in the literature.