cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Milestones for Apheresis education

Milestones represent the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for the practice of a medical discipline. Defining these milestones for each medical specialty has become a focus for the American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Practitioners of Apheresis Medicine come from a variety of medical specialties making it challenging to establish the essential educational milestones for all. The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) has an interest in promoting standards of excellence for Apheresis Medicine. ASFA's Physician's Curriculum Content Committee is a group of physician educators in the field of Apheresis Medicine, both donor and therapeutic, from across the United States, who have met regularly for several years to discuss the appropriate educational milestones in Apheresis training. The committee members teach residents and fellows from Pathology, Transfusion Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Nephrology and other specialties. In this document, we have outlined the basic set of Apheresis milestones required in the ACGME defined competency areas of Patient Care and Medical Knowledge. We have also recommended methods of evaluation and estimated the time necessary for the acquisition of these cognitive and behavioral elements.
INFRARED IMAGING DEVICES IN INFRARED MEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY.

The word “thermograph” often used to describe both an instrument and the product of that instrument has as its roots the Greek words thermos and gruphos. The latter means a sketch or pictorial representation; thus, the graphic arts, scientific graphs, photographs, etc. The former relates to heat or temperature. At first reading, then, the word “thermograph” is most appropriate for a graphical representation of the heat or temperature distribution of any body. But an infrared instrument does not measure either of these; it measures the distribution of the infrared radiation (more properly, radiant emittance or radiance). Thus a more appropriate and precise name for the instrument is an infrared radiograph. By analogy the photographic output could be called an infrared radiogram, and the technique, infrared radiography. This paper describes some of the instrument design principles. Instrument Design
Impact of redox conditions on thermal deactivation of NOx traps for diesel

Abstract Performance of NOx traps after high-temperature treatments in different redox environments was studied. Two types of treatments were considered: aging and pretreatment. Lean and rich agings were examined for a model NOx trap, Pt–Ba/Al2O3. These were done at 950 °C for 3 h, in air and in 1% H2/N2, respectively. Lean aging had a severe impact on NOx trap performance, including HC and CO oxidation, and NH3 and N2O formation. Rich aging had minimal impact on performance, compared to fresh/degreened performance. Deactivation from lean aging was essentially irreversible due to Pt sintering, but Pt remained dispersed with the rich aging. Pretreatments were examined for a commercially feasible fully formulated NOx trap and two model NOx traps, Pt–Ba/Al2O3 and Pt–Ba–Ce/Al2O3. Pretreatments were done at 600 °C for 10 min, and used feed gas that simulated diesel exhaust under several conditions. Lean pretreatment severely suppressed NOx, HC, CO, NH3 and N2O activities for the ceria-containing NOx traps, but had no impact on Pt–Ba/Al2O3. Subsequently, a relatively mild rich pretreatment reversed this deactivation, which appears to be due to a form of Pt–ceria interaction, an effect that is well known from early work on three-way catalysts. Practical applications of results of this work are discussed with respect to NOx traps for light-duty diesel vehicles.
Biological Contamination of Mars II. Cold and Aridity as Constraints on the Survival of Terrestrial Microorganisms in Simulated Martian Environments

Cold and aridity as constraints on survival of terrestrial microorganisms in simulated martian environment
Point projection imaging of unstained ferritin molecules on tungsten

SUMMARY Point-projection microscopy has been used to obtain the first images of closely spaced (but isolated) unstained ferritin molecules on a tungsten substrate. The microscopy, in conjunction with a digital processing algorithm, produces images which display a striking three-dimensional quality usually associated with scanning electron micrographs. From these images, an apoferritin diameter of 13 nm has been deduced. This is identical to the diameter of apoferritin obtained from a reconstruction of the molecule using X-ray coordinate data, but almost 70% larger than that deduced from TEM images of ferritin in which only its iron rich core can be seen.
Time to Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVC) For Five Different Muscle Groups in College Adults

Abstract Nineteen college men and women (aged 18–23 yrs, × = 21.1) were studied to ascertain the force-time components of a rapid maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) for ankle dorsiflexors, knee extensors, elbow flexors, wrist flexors and hand grip. Standardized isometric strength testing protocol was used. After a practice period subjects were instructed to make an MVC without jerking and as quickly as possible, for each of the muscle actions noted above. Force readings were taken from a load cell assembly through an analogue-to-digital converter and analyzed to yield time values for MVC, 3/4 MVC, 1/2 MVC, and 1/4 MVC. The results indicated significant differences (p < .01) between the responses of the men and women, with the women reaching full MVC more rapidly than the men. Also, there were significant differences among the five muscle groups tested, with the wrist flexor muscle group developing MVC most quickly, while the knee extensors took the longest time to full MVC. Based upon these dat...
Estrogen up-regulation of metalloproteinase-2 and -9 expression in rabbit lacrimal glands.

Abstract Increased levels of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 have been found in tear fluids of patients with dry eye disease, suggesting that these MMPs may be implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease. One of the main causes of dry eye disease is lacrimal gland insufficiency. However, the contribution of the lacrimal gland (LG) to the expression and production of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tears is not known. Since dry eye disease occurs more frequently in women, sex hormones, especially estrogens, have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease. Estrogens have been shown to regulate the synthesis levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in several tissues, Thus, the purpose of these studies was to determine if: (1) rabbit lacrimal glands secrete MMP-2 and MMP-9; (2) MMP-2 and MMP-9 are produced by lacrimal epithelial cells and/or lacrimal lymphocytes; and (3) the expression, activity and level of these enzymes are regulated by sex hormones. Lacrimal epithelial cells (LEC) and lacrimal lymphocytes (LL) from sexually mature New Zealand White female rabbits were isolated, purified and cultured with and without 10−6 M dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or 10−6, 10−8, 10−9 and 10−10 M 17β-estradiol (E2). The culture supernatants were analyzed by zymography and western blotting (WB) using polyclonal anti-human MMP-2 and MMP-9 antibodies. LGs were also collected from rabbits 7 days after being sham-operated, ovariectomized (OVX), OVX treated with 4 mg/kg DHT, and OVX treated with 0.5 mg/kg of E2. LGs were collected and processed for RNA extraction as well as protein determination using WB and immunocytochemistry. The pro-forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected in primary LEC and LL culture medium by zymography and WB. Pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 were also detected at the gene and protein levels in the lacrimal glands of all four treatment groups, with the highest levels and gene expression found in the estrogen-treated group. These results suggest that both pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 are secreted by the lacrimal gland and appear to be up-regulated by estrogen. The role of the lacrimal MMPs in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease needs to be further investigated.
A QUANTITATIVE STEREOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF NORMAL RAT LIVER PARENCHYMAL CELLS

The principles of stereology have been applied to a morphometric analysis of parenchymal cells from the peripheral, midzonal, and central regions of normal rat liver lobules. The fractional volumes of cytoplasm occupied by mitochondria, peroxisomes, lysosomes, lipid, and glycogen have been determined. The surface densities of smooth- and rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and of mitochondrial envelope and cristae have also been measured. The average number and dimensions of mitochondria and peroxisomes have been evaluated. By the use of an independent measurement of the average cytoplasmic volume, these data have been expressed as the actual volumes, areas, and numbers per cell in the different parts of the hepatic lobule. Similarly, the volumes of the envelope, cristae, and matrix compartments and the area of cristae membranes have been calculated for the average-sized mitochondrion in each lobular zone. Structural homogeneity is found in over 80% of normal rat liver parenchymal cells, with most of the significant differences being confined to those cells immediately surrounding the central veins.
On information and significance, possession and property, force and power

C. F. Hockett. Man's Place in Nature. New York: McGraw‐Hill Book Company, 1973. 739pp. Illustrations, maps, tables, notes on sources, and index. $12.95.
Occurrence of Meloidogyne spartinae on Spartina alterniflora in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Meloidogyne spartinae (Rau & Fassuliotis, 1965) was described from roots of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel) in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, New Jersey, and New York (1,2). Affected plants were sampled in declining saltwater marshes at the Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet, MA in May 2006 and Hammonassett State Park in Madison, CT in August 2006. Plants in adjacent, healthy stands were also sampled. Females, males, juveniles, and eggs of nematodes identified as M. spartinae were visible in roots stained with acid fuschin or were dissected from terminal galls at the root apex and from pockets in the root cortex where no galling was evident. The circular to ovoid terminal galls typically stopped root elongation. Morphological characteristics were used to identify this nematode as M. spartinae. Mature females in the root cortex were visible under a discolored lesion that appeared to result from a split in the cortex, probably from female expansion during development. Femal...
Subversion of the actin cytoskeleton during viral infection

Viral infection converts the normal functions of a cell to optimize viral replication and virion production. One striking observation of this conversion is the reconfiguration and reorganization of cellular actin, affecting every stage of the viral life cycle, from entry through assembly to egress. The extent and degree of cytoskeletal reorganization varies among different viral infections, suggesting the evolution of myriad viral strategies. In this Review, we describe how the interaction of viral proteins with the cell modulates the structure and function of the actin cytoskeleton to initiate, sustain and spread infections. The molecular biology of such interactions continues to engage virologists in their quest to understand viral replication and informs cell biologists about the role of the cytoskeleton in the uninfected cell.
A comparison of brain and serum pharmacokinetics of R-fluoxetine and racemic fluoxetine: A 19-F MRS study.

Racemic fluoxetine consists of R- and S-fluoxetine, which are metabolized to R- and S-norfluoxetine, respectively. This study was designed to compare brain levels achieved with R-fluoxetine to those achieved with racemic fluoxetine in healthy subjects using fluorine-19 (19-F) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In all, 13 healthy volunteers received study drug for 5 weeks using a dosing schedule designed to achieve steady state for 20 mg/day racemic fluoxetine, 80 mg/day R-fluoxetine, or 120 mg/day R-fluoxetine. The resulting brain drug levels were measured using 19-F MRS. At 5 weeks, the racemate, 80 and 120 mg/day R-fluoxetine groups had mean brain levels of 25.5, 34.9, and 41.4 μM, respectively. In the serum, R-norfluoxetine, which is thought to be an inactive metabolite, accounted for 17, 71, and 63% of the fluoxetine/norfluoxetine concentration, respectively. When the relative proportion of active to total species in serum are taken into account, the data suggest that doses of R-fluoxetine greater than 120 mg/day would be needed to achieve brain levels of active drug comparable to 20 mg/day of racemate. The 120 mg/day R-fluoxetine group experienced a mean increase in QTc interval of 44 ms, with one individual having an increase of 89 ms, which suggests that higher doses may not be tolerable. While these data support the use of MRS to aid in defining the therapeutic dose range for drug development, they also highlight the need for additional studies with concurrent animal models to establish the validity of using serum drug/metabolite ratios to interpret MRS determined brain drug levels.
Violations of Bell's Inequality in Cooperative States

Cooperative multiparticle quantum states in an Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen type of experiment are shown to violate a Bell inequality. Thus correlations can occur between wave packets each having $N$ bosons which cannot be explained within local hidden-variable theories. This provides a way to test quantum measurement theory for multiparticle states. In these states, a local, positive probability distribution exists for all $N$. However, the representation of correlations with this probability distribution is different from that in standard (Bell-type) hidden-variable theories.
Tillage systems and seed dormancy effects on common waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) seedling emergence

Abstract Understanding weed seedling emergence patterns is important for successful implementation of many weed management strategies. Identifying the sources of variation of emergence patterns could greatly improve our ability to predict emergence timing. Differences in seed dormancy levels between populations or biotypes are usually not considered when studying seedling emergence of many weed species despite evidence that dormancy levels can affect weed seedling emergence patterns. We studied the importance of seed dormancy on seedling emergence patterns of common waterhemp using three biotypes (Ames, Everly, and Ohio) that differed in dormancy regulation and level (5, 26, and 87% germination, respectively) and three tillage systems (no-tillage, chisel plow, and moldboard plow) in 2004 and 2005. Seedling emergence was at least four times greater under no-tillage than under chisel or moldboard plow conditions. Fewer seedlings emerged in moldboard plow than in other tillage systems. Furthermore, seedling ...
Generation of a Hydroperoxidochromium Complex from Nitratochromium(III) Ions and Hydrogen Peroxide

Accelerated substitution at chromium(III) in CraqONO22+ provides the basis for a novel route to the corresponding hydroperoxidochromium complex in aqueous solutions. Despite the great concentration advantage of water, the reaction of CraqONO22+ with 10–100 mM H2O2 generates >50 % yields of CraqOOH2+, which makes this reaction useful for preparative purposes, and may also represent a potential source of high-valent chromium in biological environments. In a minor, parallel path, small concentrations of a superoxidochromium(III) complex, CraqOO2+, are also produced. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Iron-mediated DNA damage: sensitive detection of DNA strand breakage catalyzed by iron.

Oxidative DNA damage is involved in mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, aging, radiation effects, and the action of several anticancer drugs. Accumulated evidence indicates that iron may play an important role in those processes. We studied the in vitro effect of low concentrations of Fe(II) alone or Fe(III) in the presence of reducing agents on supercoiled plasmid DNA. The assay, based on the relaxation and linearization of supercoiled DNA, is simple yet sensitive and quantitative. Iron mediated the production of single and double strand breaks in supercoiled DNA. Iron chelators, free radical scavengers, and enzymes of the oxygen reduction pathways modulated the DNA damage. Fe(III)-nitrilotriacetate (NTA) plus either H2O2, L-ascorbate, or L-cysteine produced single and double strand breaks as a function of reductant concentration. A combination of 0.1 microM Fe(III)-NTA and 100 microM L-ascorbate induced detectable DNA strand breaks after 30 min at 24 degrees C. Whereas superoxide dismutase was inhibitory only in systems containing H2O2 as reductant, catalase inhibited DNA breakage in all the iron-mediated systems studied. The effect of scavengers and enzymes indicates that H2O2 and .OH are involved in the DNA damaging process. These reactions may account for the toxicity and carcinogenicity associated with iron overload.
Arachidonic acid metabolim in rat pancreatic acinar cells: Calcium-mediated stimulation of the lipoxygenase system

Isolated rat pancreatic acini were employed to demonstrate that the exocrine pancreas can metabolize [14C]-arachidonic acid by way of the lipoxygenase pathway as well as the cyclooxygenase pathway. Analysis by high performance liquid chromtography delineated a monohydroxy acid, presumably 12-L-hydroxy-5,8–10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) as the major lipoxygenase product. The formation of this hydroxy arachidonic derivative was stimulated by the calcium ionophore ionomycin. Stimulation of lipoxygenase pathway by ionomycin was confirmed by thin layer chromatography. In addition, 6-keto-PGF1α, PGF2α, and PGE2 were identified; and ionomycin, carbamylcholine, and caerulein enhanced the formation of these metabolites of the cyclooxygenase pathway. Ionomycin induced stimulation of HETE formation was inhibited by ETYA and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, but spontaneous and evoked enzyme secretion was unaffected. Thus, although ionomycin, a pancreatic secretagogue, stimulates the lipoxygenase pathway, the precise role of these arachidonate metabolites in the physiology of the exocrine pancreas is still obscure.
Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine is a matrix scavenger chaperone.

Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) is one of the major non-structural proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in remodeling tissues. The functional significance of SPARC is emphasized by its origin in the first multicellular organisms and its high degree of evolutionary conservation. Although SPARC has been shown to act as a critical modulator of ECM remodeling with profound effects on tissue physiology and architecture, no plausible molecular mechanism of its action has been proposed. In the present study, we demonstrate that SPARC mediates the disassembly and degradation of ECM networks by functioning as a matricellular chaperone. While it has low affinity to its targets inside the cells where the Ca2+ concentrations are low, high extracellular concentrations of Ca2+ activate binding to multiple ECM proteins, including collagens. We demonstrated that in vitro, this leads to the inhibition of collagen I fibrillogenesis and disassembly of pre-formed collagen I fibrils by SPARC at high Ca2+ concentrations. In cell culture, exogenous SPARC was internalized by the fibroblast cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Pulse-chase assay further revealed that internalized SPARC is quickly released outside the cell, demonstrating that SPARC shuttles between the cell and ECM. Fluorescently labeled collagen I, fibronectin, vitronectin, and laminin were co-internalized with SPARC by fibroblasts, and semi-quantitative Western blot showed that SPARC mediates internalization of collagen I. Using a novel 3-dimentional model of fluorescent ECM networks pre-deposited by live fibroblasts, we demonstrated that degradation of ECM depends on the chaperone activity of SPARC. These results indicate that SPARC may represent a new class of scavenger chaperones, which mediate ECM degradation, remodeling and repair by disassembling ECM networks and shuttling ECM proteins into the cell. Further understanding of this mechanism may provide insight into the pathogenesis of matrix-associated disorders and lead to the novel treatment strategies.
Substance use disorders and Schizophrenia: a question of shared glutamatergic mechanisms.

Schizophrenia is noted for the remarkably high prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) including nicotine (>85%), alcohol and stimulants. Mounting evidence supports the hypothesis that the endophenotype of schizophrenia involves hypofunction of a subpopulation of cortico-limbic NMDA receptors. Low doses of NMDA receptor antagonists such as ketamine replicate in normal volunteers positive, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia as well as associated physiologic abnormalities such as eye tracking and abnormal event related potentials. Genetic studies have identified putative risk genes that directly or indirectly affect NMDA receptors including D-amino acid oxidase, its modulator G72, proline oxidase, mGIuR3 and neuregulin. Clinical trials have shown that agents that directly or indirectly enhance the function of the NMDA receptor at its glycine modulatory site (GMS) reduce negative symptoms and in the case of D-serine and sarcosine improve cognition and reduce positive symptoms in schizophrenic subjects receiving concurrent anti-psychotic medications. Notably, the GMS partial agonist D-cydoserine exacerbates negative symptoms in clozapine responders whereas full agonists, glycine and D-serine have no effects, suggesting clozapine may act indirectly as a full agonist at the GMS of the NMDA receptor. Clozapine treatment is uniquely associated with decreased substance use in patients with schizophrenia, even without psychologic intervention. Given the role of NMDA receptors in the reward circuitry and in substance dependence, it is reasonable to speculate that NMDA receptor dysfunction is a shared pathologic process in schizophrenia and co-morbid SUDs.
Tools to support international and intercommunity collaboration in AAC research

The researcher working in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) faces many challenges. Individuals with an interest in AAC research are geographically dispersed, often it is difficult to engage the participation of all of the potential stakeholders, and there are significant challenges in communicating the findings to the interested parties in an appropriate manner. In recent years, computer technology has dramatically changed the ways researchers can carry out and disseminate the results of research activities and has created the possibility of innovative collaborative practices. This article provides a description of technologies and practices that can support international and intercommunity collaboration in a variety of research-related activities.
Nudel/NudE and Lis1 promote dynein and dynactin interaction in the context of spindle morphogenesis

Lis1, Nudel/NudE, and dynactin are regulators of cytoplasmic dynein, a minus end–directed, microtubule (MT)-based motor required for proper spindle assembly and orientation. In vitro studies have shown that dynactin promotes processive movement of dynein on MTs, whereas Lis1 causes dynein to enter a persistent force-generating state (referred to here as dynein stall). Yet how the activities of Lis1, Nudel/NudE, and dynactin are coordinated to regulate dynein remains poorly understood in vivo. Working in Xenopus egg extracts, we show that Nudel/NudE facilitates the binding of Lis1 to dynein, which enhances the recruitment of dynactin to dynein. We further report a novel Lis1-dependent dynein–dynactin interaction that is essential for the organization of mitotic spindle poles. Finally, using assays for MT gliding and spindle assembly, we demonstrate an antagonistic relationship between Lis1 and dynactin that allows dynactin to relieve Lis1-induced dynein stall on MTs. Our findings suggest the interesting possibility that Lis1 and dynactin could alternately engage with dynein to allow the motor to promote spindle assembly.
Evolutionary Modifications of the Spiralian Developmental Program

SYNOPSIS. The Spiralia, an assemblage of phyla united by their stereotypic pattern of early embryonic cell divisions (spiral cleavage), is an interesting group in which to investigate the evolution of development. This paper examines modifications of developmental mechanisms within the Spiralia with emphasis on the basallybranching forms. Although demonstrating a notable degree of evolutionary conservation, the equal quartet cleavage pattern, which appears to be the ancestral condition, nonetheless exhibits modifications within the various spiralian groups, such as unequal cleavage, changes in cell size and rate of division, formation of two rather than four quadrants (duet spiral cleavage), and in extreme cases the loss of any trace of the spiral pattern. While the cell lineages of spiralians are remarkably conserved, one can discern evolutionary changes, for example in the cells that give rise to mesodenn. Studies of blastomere specification in many spiralian groups and analyses of axis determination indicate that embryos with equal versus unequal cleavage typically use different determinative mechanisms to establish cell fates and the dorsoventral axis. These properties are established early in species exhibiting unequal cleavage. While previous experiments suggested that equal cleavage was associated with late specification, there is now evidence of precocious specification of quadrant fates in some equal-cleaving species, such as the nemerteans and the polyclad turbellarians
No-tillage soybean performance in cover crops for weed management in the western Corn Belt

ABSTRACT: Frequency of soil moisture depletion and subsequent crop yield reduction resulting from water use by cover crops is unclear. Effects of cover crop residues and imgation on soybean emergence, canopy volume, grain yield, and soil moisture in eastern Nebraska were determined. Cover crop treatments included five common species and a bare soil control. Precipitation treatments included rainfed conditions and weekly irrigation events of 18 mm (0.7 in) in June and July. Above-normal May rainfall in 1995 and 1936 resulted in similar percent volumetric soil water contents (%VSWC) in the surface 15.2-cm (6.0-in) soil layer. Soybean emergence was unaffected by residue dry matter levels below 3,170 kg/ha (2,830 lb/ac) . Early-emon soybean growth was similar across all treatments; however, cover crop biomass greater than 2,170 kg/ha (1,940 lb/ac) reduced soybean canopy volume 33 to 44% during mid-season droughts. Yields were highest when stand densities were maintained and weed were suppressed. This research develops a greater understanding of how cover crop residues influence soybean performance, ultimately reducing reliance on postemergent herbicide use for weed control in no-tillage systems.
Steroid signaling in plants: from the cell surface to the nucleus.

Summary Steroid hormones are signaling molecules important for normal growth, development and differentiation of multicellular organisms. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a class of polyhydroxylated steroids that are necessary for plant development. Molecular genetic studies in Arabidopsis thaliana have led to the cloning and characterization of the BR receptor, BRI1, which is a transmembrane receptor serine/threonine kinase. The extracellular domain of BRI1, which is composed mainly of leucine-rich repeats, can confer BR responsivity to heterologous cells and is required for BR binding. Although downstream components of BR action are mostly unknown, multiple genes whose expression are regulated by BRs have been identified and suggest mechanisms by which BRs affect cell elongation and division. BioEssays 23:1028‐1036, 2001. fl 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
No Field Is an Island: Fostering Collaboration between the Academic Study of Religion and the Sciences

We can foster collaboration between the academic study of religion and the sciences, particularly the biological and psychological sciences, if we (1) construct a common object of study that can be positioned within an evolutionary paradigm, (2) adopt a building block approach to the study of religion that distinguishes between religions and the more elementary phenomena that com- prise them, and (3) operationalize abstract concepts as behavioral interactions in order to gain a better understanding of the process whereby people construct religions and other complex things out of more elementary phenomena that they view as special. 1
Resonance Raman spectroscopic studies of hydroperoxo derivatives of cobalt-substituted myoglobin.

Abstract Recent progress in generating and stabilizing reactive heme protein enzymatic intermediates by cryoradiolytic reduction has prompted application of a range of spectroscopic approaches to effectively interrogate these species. The impressive potential of resonance Raman spectroscopy for characterizing such samples has been recently demonstrated in a number of studies of peroxo- and hydroperoxo-intermediates. While it is anticipated that this approach can be productively applied to the wide range of heme proteins whose reaction cycles naturally involve these peroxo- and hydroperoxo-intermediates, one limitation that sometimes arises is the lack of enhancement of the key intraligand ν (O–O) stretching mode in the native systems. The present work was undertaken to explore the utility of cobalt substitution to enhance both the ν (Co–O) and ν (O–O) modes of the CoOOH fragments of hydroperoxo forms of heme proteins bearing a trans–axial histidine linkage. Thus, having recently completed RR studies of hydroperoxo myoglobin, attention is now turned to its cobalt-substituted analogue. Spectra are acquired for samples prepared with 16 O 2 and 18 O 2 to reveal the ν (M–O) and ν (O–O) modes, the latter indeed being observed only for the cobalt-substituted proteins. In addition, spectra of samples prepared in deuterated solvents were also acquired, providing definitive evidence for the presence of the hydroperoxo-species.
Replication-independent expression of genome components and capsid protein of brome mosaic virus in planta: a functional role for viral replicase in RNA packaging.

To begin elucidation of the relationship between Brome mosaic virus (BMV) replication and encapsidation, we used a T-DNA-based Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression (agroinfiltration) system in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves to express either individual or desired pairs of the three genomic RNAs. The packaging competence of these RNAs into virions formed by the transiently expressed coat protein (CP) was analyzed. We found that in the absence of a functional replicase, assembled virions contained non-replicating viral RNAs (RNA1 or RNA2 orRNA3orRNA1+RNA3orRNA2+RNA3)aswellascellularRNAs.Bycontrast,virionsassembledinthepresenceofafunctionalreplicase contained only viral RNAs. To further elucidate the specificity exhibited by the functional viral replicase in RNA packaging, replicationdefective RNA1andRNA2wereconstructedbydeletingthe3VtRNA-likestructure(3VTLS).Co-expressionofTLS-lessRNA1andRNA2with wt RNA3 resulted in efficient synthesis of subgenomic RNA4. Virions recovered from leaves co-expressing TLS-less RNA1 and RNA2 and either CP mRNA or wt RNA3 exclusively contained viral RNAs. These results demonstrated that packaging of BMV genomic RNAs is not replication dependent whereas expression of a functional viral replicase plays an active role in increasing specificity of RNA packaging.
The relevance of Kahneman and Tversky's concept of framing to organization behavior

Recent research by Kahneman and Tversky (1979) has demonstrated that individual decisions are systematically affected by the way in which problems are presented. Specifically, individuals tend to be risk averse to problems framed in the positive direction (i.e., concerning gains) and to be risk seeking toward problems framed in the negative direction (i.e., concerning losses). This paper demonstrates that this concept of framing has wide explanatory power concerning a variety of concepts in organizational behavior and argues that the framing of experimental materials affects the formation of paradigms in organizational behavior. It is argued that many accepted findings may exist more because of the way researchers frame the problem than because of the presumed impact of the construct on individual behavior. Specific application is provided in the areas of (a) the escalation of commitment, (b) negotiator behavior, and (c) “the risky shift.”
Reply to Discussion of Information System Assurance for Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: Unique Risk Considerations

HEO Method OLeary (2002) characterizes our research as obtaining opinions and, thus, invokes the HEO frame in prefacing his remarks. Our objective, in contrast, was to obtain the experiences of knowledgeable individuals whose job it is to evaluate the control and security risks of ERP systems. All of the participants specialize in this area of their respective firm. For instance, we never ask for their opinion or views regarding a particular issue, but rather focus on general, open-ended questions that seek to elicit participants client encounters. We believe the quotes provided clearly show this.
Embedding triple-modular redundancy into a hypercube architecture

This paper describes an embedding of Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) into a binary hypercube. The goal is to improve fault tolerance by masking any single-point faults. Each module of an application task is triplicated and executed in parallel on three nodes of a 2-dimensional subcube (Q2) of the hypercube. Each of these nodes also executes a voter process. The remaining node is used for message passing only. All outputs from the triplicated modules are voted on, and the voting results are transmitted to the appropriate destination. Thus, all interunit messages are also triplicated.We propose an embedding of TMR into a hypercube which can be implemented in a manner transparent to the application program. Subcubes are allocated so that the address space for the TMR units is also a hypercube. Hence, the subcube allocation and intermodule communication schemes are defined to be analogous to the schemes used in the nonredundant system. The embedded system is proven to mask all single-point faults.
Analyzing a Potential Warranty Call Center Budget Overrun: Using Database Queries to Solve Business Problems

In this case, students develop and use database queries to analyze possible causes of a potential budget overrun for telephone warranty service for a company that sells personal computers (PCs). Students query a Microsoft Access® database with tables for sales of PCs, estimates for technician time, employees, technician costs, and service minutes provided. The queries illustrate those that accountants could prepare to analyze transaction‐level data to develop insights about business operations. Query‐based approaches to analyzing transaction data are likely to become more common as businesses take advantage of the wealth of data available to them for solving business problems and exploiting emerging opportunities. This case is appropriate for students with rudimentary database querying proficiency, e.g., at the level developed by Borthick et al.'s (2001) case on assuring compliance for responses to website referrals.
Geology and geochemistry of the mafic and ultramafic intrusive rocks, Dadeville belt, Alabama

The majority of mafic complexes within the Dadeville belt of Alabama9s Inner Piedmont contain two plutonic suites: the Doss Mountain suite, consisting of metanorite (DMTN) and metaorthopyroxenite (DMTO); and the Slaughters suite, which is composed of meta-gabbro (SG). All plutonic rocks are pre-regional metamorphism in age but in some places are predominantly free of macroscopic metamorphic fabrics. In the Doss Mountain area, the DMTN and DMTO show progressive mineralogical and textural changes into a poorly foliated and nonlayered amphibolite and an actinolite schist, respectively; such changes are essentially isochemical. The DMTN-DMTO-amphibolite-actinolite schist complex is interpreted to be a layered norite-orthopyroxenite intrusion that has suffered variable degrees of metamorphism. In other areas, the DMTN and DMTO intrude well-lineated and foliated amphibolites of contrasting composition that belong to the Ropes Creek Formation. The SG has well-developed olivine-plagioclase reaction coronas as the result of metamorphism. In all areas examined, the SG appears to intrude the amphibolites. The SG has high-alumina and incompatible-element (Ba, Sr, Ti, Nb, Zr, Y, Pb, Th, Hf, ΣREE) concentrations and high La/Yb ratios. In contrast, the DMTN (and its metamorphosed equivalent) has low alkalies and other incompatible-element contents, has REE patterns that parallel chondritic abundances, and has low La/Yb ratios. On the basis of several geochemical parameters, the DMTN is tholeiitic, whereas the SG is calc-alkaline with some alkalic tendencies. Discriminant diagrams, together with the extremely low Ti concentration in the DMTN and the calc-alkaline nature of the SG, strongly indicate emplacement in an arc environment. High Al 2 O 3 /TiO 2 and CaO/TiO 2 ratios, as well as low incompatible-element concentrations in the DMTN, suggest that its origin was by partial melting of a depleted source. The DMTO represents a cumulate of the norite. Slaughters Gabbro magmatism resulted from partial melting of a less-depleted source.
Scale convergence and utility measurement

Abstract In order to investigate derived scales for the utility, or subjective value of money, subjects were instructed to perform four tasks: in two tasks, they judged “ratios” and “differences” of strengths of preference for monetary amounts; in two other tasks, they judged the values of gambles from buyer's or seller's points of view. The two arrays of data for “ratios” and “differences” were consistent with the hypothesis that most subjects used only one operation to compare monetary amounts, although a few subjects appeared to use two operations. The buyer's and seller's prices would lead to two different utility functions for money under expected utility theory, subjective expected utility theory, or any theory that is additive across outcomes. However, configural-weight utility theory can predict these changes in rank order with an invariant utility function, by postulating that the configurai weight of the smaller amount depends on point of view. The data also reveal systematic violations of dominance (monotonicity) that can be described by assuming that the configurai weight of zero, when it is the lower value, has smaller weight at low probabilities than nonzero outcomes. Disregarding the minority of subjects who appeared to utilize two operations for judging “ratios” and “differences” in utility, the majority of the data can be well-approximated using a single scale of utility, the subtractive model for “ratio” and “difference” comparisons, and the configurai weight, rank-dependent model for buyer's and seller's prices.
Protein Delivery of an Artificial Transcription Factor Restores Widespread Ube3a Expression in an Angelman Syndrome Mouse Brain

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurological genetic disorder caused by loss of expression of the maternal copy of UBE3A in the brain. Due to brain-specific genetic imprinting at this locus, the paternal UBE3A is silenced by a long antisense transcript. Inhibition of the antisense transcript could lead to unsilencing of paternal UBE3A, thus providing a therapeutic approach for AS. However, widespread delivery of gene regulators to the brain remains challenging. Here, we report an engineered zinc finger-based artificial transcription factor (ATF) that, when injected i.p. or s.c., crossed the blood–brain barrier and increased Ube3a expression in the brain of an adult mouse model of AS. The factor displayed widespread distribution throughout the brain. Immunohistochemistry of both the hippocampus and cerebellum revealed an increase in Ube3a upon treatment. An ATF containing an alternative DNA-binding domain did not activate Ube3a. We believe this to be the first report of an injectable engineered zinc finger protein that can cause widespread activation of an endogenous gene in the brain. These observations have important implications for the study and treatment of AS and other neurological disorders.
Postradiation Sarcoma of Bone

Thirty-four additional cases of sarcoma developing in previously irradiated bone are documented, bringing the total Mayo Clinic experience in sarcoma appearing after radiation therapy to fifty-five instances. The sarcomas arose in normal bone within the radiation treatment field in eleven patients, while they arose in pre-existing bone lesions in sixteen patients. Osteogenic sarcoma and fibrosarcoma were most commonly diagnosed. The outlook in tumors of this nature is poor, the average survival being 1.14 years, with only two long-term survivors. Although a relationship has been established in experimental animals, a direct relationship between exposure to external radiation and the development of sarcoma is not established in man. There is no absolute proof that ionizing radiation caused any of these sarcomas. However, this and other significantly large series add to the mounting circumstantial evidence that the association between ionizing radiation and sarcoma is a real one. It must also be emphasized that this is a rare complication clinically.
Stakeholders in Reform of the Global System for Mutual Legal Assistance

This essay contributes to the Privacy Project’s volume on Systematic Government Access to Private Sector Data, and also is part of our broader research and law reform project on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) and law enforcement access to electronic evidence held in other nations. Specifically, this essay briefly explains the reasons why MLATs are vital and becoming increasingly important for law enforcement in this age of globalized evidence. It then adds to the previous literature by presenting the goals of key stakeholders in MLAT reform: the U.S. government, both for law enforcement and other goals; other national governments; technology companies, such as email and social network providers; and civil society, seeking goals including privacy, free speech, and democracy.Part A of the Article explains why two phenomenon are driving the increasing importance of MLATs: (1) storage of consumer records across borders due to Internet uses such as email and social networks; and (2) increasing use of encryption, blocking wiretaps in the user’s country.Part B examines the position of non-U.S. governments, and explains how advances in technology and the use of U.S.-based internet services has increasingly required these governments to petition the U.S. for access to electronic evidence. Part C explains the U.S. government’s position as a combination of law enforcement goals and other government sector goals. These goals include the need for positive working relationships with foreign governments, enabling legitimate law enforcement investigations, and protecting against attempts to use the MLAT system to violate human rights. Part D explains the goals of technology companies, including the wish to comply with lawful data requests, protect the human rights of their users, and find solutions that would persuade foreign governments to refrain from enacting burdensome localization or other regulatory measures. Lastly, Part E explains the goals of various U.S. and international civil society groups.They goals include a desire to raise U.S. and international standards for law enforcement investigations, maintain an open Internet, avoid data localization laws, and prevent a greater role for the International Telecommunications Union or other institutions that would splinter the global Internet. Other parts of our ongoing research will delve into the complex procedures and obstacles that characterize international mutual legal assistance today, as well as our proposed law reforms.Any such reforms, however, will have to be built on an accurate understanding of the incentives and perspectives of the major stakeholders. This essay focuses on that task.
Providing More Cash for College: Interim Findings from the Performance-Based Scholarship Demonstration in California

This report presents early findings from a random assignment evaluation of performance-based scholarships targeting college-bound high school seniors in California. Performance-based scholarships are need-based grants contingent on meeting certain academic benchmarks to receive payment — in this case, a half-time course load with a “C” or better grade point average (GPA). Unlike merit-based scholarships, there are no academic criteria to be eligible for the program at the outset. The CFC-PBS scholarship can be taken to any accredited, degree-granting college or university in the country. The goal of the CFC-PBS Program is to increase the amount of aid available for students while simultaneously providing an incentive for academic achievement. MDRC randomly assigned over 5,000 students to one of five program groups that were eligible for the incentive scholarship, to a group that was eligible for a scholarship without performance criteria, or to a control group that received their colleges’ standard financial aid packages. This report analyzes three terms of follow-up data from the program in California. Overall, the findings in this report show the following:•The CFC-PBS Program was largely implemented as designed.•While few students received the entire amount of the scholarship for which they were eligible, most students received some funding. In this way, the design of the scholarship enabled more students to receive additional financial aid.•The CFC-PBS Program encouraged more students to matriculate, by about 5 percentage points above the control group rate of 84.4 percent. This increased matriculation largely occurred at community colleges. However, the program had only limited effects on persistence from semester to semester, and only for community college students.•The program had positive impacts on academic success. These effects extend to numerous subgroups, such as males, females, and students of Latino ethnicity. There is strong evidence that the program affected students with lower high school GPAs more than students with higher high school GPAs.•The cost to administer scholarships increased as performance requirements were added, but since on the whole, students received only a portion of the scholarship amount they were offered, the decrease in payments to students more than offset the increased cost of administration. All else being equal, scholarships with more performance requirements cost less than scholarships with fewer performance requirements.