cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural characterization and inhibition of the Plasmodium Atg8–Atg3 interaction

The autophagy-related proteins are thought to serve multiple functions in Plasmodium and are considered essential to parasite survival and development. We have studied two key interacting proteins, Atg8 and Atg3, of the autophagy pathway in Plasmodium falciparum. These proteins are vital for the formation and elongation of the autophagosome and essential to the process of macroautophagy. Autophagy may be required for conversion of the sporozoite into erythrocytic-infective merozoites and may be crucial for other functions during asexual blood stages. Here we describe the identification of an Atg8 family interacting motif (AIM) in Plasmodium Atg3, which binds Plasmodium Atg8. We determined the co-crystal structure of PfAtg8 with a short Atg3¹⁰³⁻¹¹⁰ peptide, corresponding to this motif, to 2.2 A resolution. Our in vitro interaction studies are in agreement with our X-ray crystal structure. Furthermore they suggest an important role for a unique Apicomplexan loop absent from human Atg8 homologues. Prevention of the protein-protein interaction of full length PfAtg8 with PfAtg3 was achieved at low micromolar concentrations with a small molecule, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene. Together our structural and interaction studies represent a starting point for future antimalarial drug discovery and design for this novel protein-protein interaction.
Dietary crude protein has minimal effect on the activity of selected enzymes of methionine catabolism in kittens fed diets near-limiting in methionine.

Summary Previous experiments have shown that increasing the dietary crude protein (CP) of cats does not increase urea cycle enzymes or alanine amino transferase as occurs in rats. Also when an essential amino acid (EAA) is limiting in a diet for growing kittens, the kittens do not exhibit an amino acid imbalance when other EAAs are added to the diet. To study the metabolic basis for these observations which are different from that found in omnivores and herbivores, the hypothesis that increased dietary CP decreases methionine catabolism, so more is spared for growth, was tested. Fifteen male kittens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments. Each diet contained 2.5 g l-methionine/kg diet and 200, 300 or 500 g CP/kg diet. The livers and kidneys were removed and assayed for methionine transaminase (MTA), cystathionase (CASE) and cystathionine synthase (CS). Free amino acid concentrations were determined in liver, kidney and plasma. The 300 and 500 g CP/kg groups had significantly greater kidney weights and body weight gains than the 200 g CP/kg group. Hepatic MTA activity was lower in the 300 than the 200 or 500 g CP/kg groups (p 0.05) and 38% (p < 0.05) greater, respectively, than the 200 g CP/kg group. Cyst(e)ine concentrations were lower in the livers of the 500 g CP/kg group than the 200 g CP/kg group (p < 0.05). Cystathionine was lower in plasma and kidney from the 500 g CP/kg diet group than from the 200 g CP/kg diet group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the metabolic basis for the increased growth of kittens fed diets marginally limiting in methionine, with increasing concentrations of dietary CP, was not mediated through decreased enzyme activity associated with the catabolism of methionine, but was the result of an increase in food (methionine) intake.
The impact of operating environment on the formation of cooperative logistics relationships

Abstract Increased outsourcing of logistical services by manufacturers has prompted reconsideration of traditional relationships between manufacturers and third party logistics firms. Firms are moving away from single transaction business arrangements and forming cooperative relationships with third party providers characterized by cooperative transactions occurring over time. Analysis of data collected from a random sample of manufacturing executives identifies operating conditions in the manufacturers' operating and strategic environment that are best suited for cooperative relationship formation in an international logistics setting.
The impact of core and infrastructure business activities on information systems planning and effectiveness

Core and infrastructure business activities are vital to the organization, and are growing more and more dependent on information systems. Theory suggests that more core and infrastructure business activities would inspire more strategic information systems planning which in turn would result in greater planning effectiveness. One hundred thirty chief information officers in manufacturing companies completed a questionnaire about the extent that their organization performed core and infrastructure business activities, and carried out technical, personnel, and procedures planning. The findings showed that infrastructure activities lead to all three types of planning whereas core activities lead only to procedures planning. Moreover, they showed that technical planning leads to planning effectiveness whereas personnel and procedures planning do not. The findings suggest that future researchers might try to uncover the reasons that core activities do not lead to more information systems planning. For practitioners, the findings suggest that managers reconsider how their organizations respond to core and infrastructure needs, and whether they should adjust their information systems planning.
Electrical resistivity of green powder compacts

Abstract Different parameters affect the electrical resistivity of green specimens. This paper presents the effect of the particle size distribution, the compacting pressure, and the oxidation of the powder on the electrical resistivity of green specimens fabricated with different powders (Fe, Zn, Ni, and Cu). The results show that the electrical resistivity increases when the compacting pressure decreases, the particle size is reduced and the oxidation increases. It indicates that the electrical resistivity is sensitive to powder surface characteristics and particle interfaces in green compacts. Electrical resistivity may therefore be used to study particle interfaces, evaluate green powder compact characteristics, and monitor powder oxidation.
The revolving door: Hospital readmissions of gynecologic oncology patients

Abstract Objective Rehospitalization within 30days of discharge was identified by the Obama Administration as a target for reducing health care spending. We examined readmissions to our gynecologic oncology service to determine: 1) rates of readmission, 2) indication for readmissions, 3) whether the admission was planned, and 4) costs. Methods IRB approval was obtained for this 5-year retrospective review (2004–2008). Gynecologic oncology patients were included if they were readmitted within 30days of discharge at a single academic hospital. Abstracted data included: demographics, dates of hospitalizations, cancer history, indication for admission, and cost. A series of admissions was any number of admissions that occurred within 30days of discharge. An index admission was the first admission in a series. Results In the study period, 2455 unique patients were admitted to Gynecologic Oncology. 324 unique patients (13.2%) were readmitted within 30days, with 37 experiencing >1 series of admission. 87.3% were readmitted to Gynecologic Oncology. Within a series of admissions, patients were admitted on average 1.5 times following the index admission, up to 9 admissions. The median cost of index admission was $9820; for readmissions, $8059. The total cost of readmissions over 5years was $6,421,733. Unplanned readmissions accounted for the majority of this cost. Conclusions Hospital readmissions affect the cost of care, but also the quality of care delivered to our patients. When extrapolated across institutions and across the country, unplanned readmissions are a costly expenditure to patients and the health system, deserving of attention.
Structural Studies of Halogen Acid Doped Polyaniline and the Role of Water Hydration

The structural ordering within crystalline polyaniline (PANI) powders as emeraldine (i.e., at 50% oxidation) in both its base (EB) and halogen acid doped salt (ES) forms has been studied using X-ray diffraction. PANI−ES powder precipitates, obtained immediately after synthesis, have significant crystalline fractions which nominally approximate the proposed pseudo-orthorhombic type I (ES-I) salt structure (Pouget, J. P.; et al. Macromolecules 1991, 24, 779). Additional treatments, such as dedoping by immersion in NH4OH solution and redoping by aqueous HF acid, lead to further changes in the structure with the appearance of additional crystalline phases. The role of water hydration in this structural evolution is also examined, and significant structural variations are found to occur with radically different time scales. Comparison of the data with structure factor calculations leads to new structural models that identify changes in the PANI chain packing and, in the case of HCl doping, correlate these with...
Errors in scoring objective personality tests.

Given the paucity of previous research, we examined the occurrence of scoring error on widely used objective personality tests and examined its possible relation to two factors: scoring procedure complexity (SPC) and commitment to accuracy (CTA). We doublechecked the scoring of three tests (MMPI, Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Inventory) across three settings. Each of the tests were misscored at a surprisingly high rate in at least one setting, and some such errors altered major interpretive implications. Tests of higher SPC showed greater error rates, but high CTA greatly reduced the occurrence of error across levels of SPC. Unexpected sources of error were also uncovered, such as commercial computer scoring errors and disagreement in scoring standards among test publishers. Practical suggestions for improving scoring accuracy are offered.
Partitioning and absolute flavor threshold interactions of aliphatic and aromatic food packaging solvents in high-fat cookies

Partition coefficients and absolute flavor thresholds were determined in high-fat containing cookies for 11 organic compounds. They consisted of three structural and functional groups: three homologous aliphatic esters, four aromatic hydrocarbons, and four heterogeneous aliphatics. The two groups of structurally and functionally related compounds exhibited similar individual thresholds but the heterogeneous group gave widely different values. Mixtures of these compounds at subthreshold and threshold concentrations gave interactions that could be sorted into additive or independent categories according to group similarities. Application of numerical categorization formulas did not show consistent correspondence with word definitions of additivity or independence.
The interactions between compounds containing various oxidation states of sulfur and bovine serum albumin

Abstract Equilibrium dialysis studies involving p -nitrophenyl methyl sulfide, p -nitrophenyl methyl sulfone, the p -nitrobenzene sulfinate anion, the p -nitrobenzene sulfonate anion, and bovine serum albumin revealed that the sulfide was bound in larger quantities than the sulfone and that the sulfonate anion was bound in larger quantities than the sulfinate anion.
Infrared Rugate Filters By Laser Flash Evaporation Of ZnS and ZnSe

Rugate filters have come under considerable investigation over the last several years. Their attraction stems from two possibilities, 1) the creation of almost any kind of filter and 2) the graded index nature of these films should make them more robust. The index - thickness profiles necessary to make these filters can be quite complex. The rather sophisticated feedback control system required to fabricate these films has made progress difficult. Most rugate filters have been designed and fabricated for use in the visible and near infrared portion of the spectrum. Filters designed for regions beyond 1.4μ become very thick, where stress in the films becomes severe and the films delaminate. We report here the fabrication of rugate filters at wavelengths from 1.0 μ to 11μ. By varying the refractive index with film thickness, a reflection or transmission band may result at a specific wavelength. With a well chosen index versus film thickness profile, the filter can be tailored to cause narrow band reflection spikes at any wavelength and yet allow transmission of broadband radiation. The principle of the rugate filter is similar to the principle of multilayer dielectric stack filters such as the quarter-wave stack. Major differences exist, however, in the way they are physically realized. In the rugate filter, the discontinuous material interfaces of dielectric stacks are replaced by a controlled, gradually changing refractive index profile in the film. This index profile is achieved by changing the stoichiometry of a material (re.g., ZnSxSey ) as the film is deposited.
Progress Toward the Genetic Treatment of the β-Thalassemias

The beta-thalassemias are congenital anemias that are caused by mutations that reduce or abolish expression of the beta-globin gene. They can be cured by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation, but this therapeutic option is not available to most patients. The transfer of a regulated beta-globin gene in autologous HSCs is a highly attractive alternative treatment. This strategy, which is simple in principle, raises major challenges in terms of controlling expression of the globin transgene, which ideally should be erythroid specific, differentiation- and stage-restricted, elevated, position independent, and sustained over time. Using lentiviral vectors, May et al. demonstrated in 2000 that an optimized combination of proximal and distal transcriptional control elements permits lineage-specific and elevated beta-globin expression, resulting in therapeutic hemoglobin production and correction of anemia in beta-thalassemic mice. Several groups have by now replicated and extended these findings to various mouse models of severe hemoglobinopathies, thus fueling enthusiasm for a potential treatment of beta-thalassemia based on globin gene transfer. Current investigation focuses on safety issues and the need for improved vector production methodologies. The safe implementation of stem cell-based gene therapy requires the prevention of the formation of replication-competent viral genomes and minimization of the risk of insertional oncogenesis. Importantly, globin vectors, in which transcriptional activity is highly restricted, have a lesser risk of activating oncogenes in hematopoietic progenitors than non-tissue-specific vectors, by virtue of their late-stage erythroid specificity. As such, they provide a general paradigm for improving vector safety in stem cell-based gene therapy.
High nuclearity ruthenium-tin clusters from the reactions of triphenylstannane with pentaruthenium carbonyl carbido cluster complexes.

The reaction of Ru5(CO)15(μ5-C), 1, with Ph3SnH in the presence of UV irradiation has yielded the Ph3SnH adduct Ru5(CO)15(SnPh3)(μ5-C)(μ-H), 3, by SnH bond activation and cleavage of one Ru−Ru bond in the cluster of 1. The reaction of 1 with Ph3SnH at 127 °C yielded the high nuclearity cluster compound Ru5(CO)10(SnPh3)(μ-SnPh2)4(μ5-C)(μ-H), 4, that contains five tin ligands. Four of these are SnPh2 groups that bridge each edge of the base of the Ru5 square pyramidal cluster. The reaction of Ph3SnH with the benzene-substituted cluster Ru5(CO)12(C6H6)(μ5-C), 2, at 68 °C yielded two products: Ru5(CO)11(SnPh3)(C6H6)(μ5-C)(μ-H), 5, and Ru5(CO)10(SnPh3)2(C6H6)(μ5-C)(μ-H)2, 6. Both contain square pyramidal Ru5 clusters with one and two SnPh3 groups, respectively. At 127 °C, the reaction of 2 with an excess of Ph3SnH has led to the formation of two new high-nuclearity cluster complexes: Ru5(CO)8(μ-SnPh2)4(C6H6)(μ5-C), 7, and Ru5(CO)7(μ-SnPh2)4(SnPh3)(C6H6)(μ5-C)(μ-H), 8. Both compounds contain square pyramidal ...
The effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma lipids and lipoproteins of C57BL/6 mice is age and sex specific

There is clear evidence of the effects of sex and age on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. We investigated the interactions of dietary omega (n)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), sex, and age on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in the offspring of C57BL/6 mice exposed to high, medium, or low n-3 PUFA at weaning and 16 weeks postweaning. There was an increase in plasma triglycerides from weaning to 16 weeks in male and female offspring; however, the high n-3 PUFA group showed a reduction in triglycerides in both sexes at 16 weeks. High n-3 PUFA caused an increase in plasma LDL-cholesterol from weaning to 16 weeks in male offspring; however, the LDL particle size was significantly larger in the high n-3 PUFA group. Plasma from male mice showed higher cholesterol efflux compared to females; high n-3 PUFA increased cholesterol efflux. Thus the effects of n-3 PUFA are age and sex dependent.
Prolactin Stimulation by Meals Is Related to Protein Content

To study the effect of meals on PRL secretion, serum PRL was measured after the ingestion of mixed meals and specific single macronutrients by normal men and women. In men, only protein feeding significantly stimulated PRL secretion. In women, protein meals as well as a standard mixed meal and a liquid mixed meal resulted in PRL release. Fat, glucose, and a nonnutrient meal had no consistent effect on serum PRL. Serum TSH was not altered by any of the meals, and serum GH and cortisol showed few changes. We conclude that PRL stimulation by meals may be of occasional clinical significance, principally in confusing the diagnosis of hyperprolactinemic states, especially in women. Dietary protein is probably the agent responsible for PRL secretion induced by meals.
Instrumental neutron activation analysis; limits of detection in the presence of interferences

Many tables of neutron activation analysis (NAA) limits of detection, in the absence of interferences, for various irradiation and counting conditions, may be found in the literature. This paper presents a method for estimating, in advance, the instrumental NAA limits of detection for any elements of interest in any given matrix, including ones generating high interference levels. The rationale of the method is presented, and the procedure for applying it is illustrated.
Effects of induced hyperthermia in multiple sclerosis: differences in visual acuity during heating and recovery phases.

Visual acuity in five multiple sclerosis (MS) patients was quantitatively monitored during the induction of hyperthermia and the subsequent spontaneous return of body temperature to base line (“cooling”). During heating acuity decreased monotonically. During “cooling” acuity was restored but, in three of the five patients, along a different temperature-acuity trajectory; that is, acuity at any temperature during “cooling” tended to be better than acuity at the same temperature reached during heating. In two patients acuity upon return to base-line temperature was significantly better than it had been before the induction of hyperthermia; in one case the difference was striking and significant at the .001 level. The difference in the second case was smaller but also significant (p < 0.02). The significance of these findings in helping to better understand the physiologic basis of temperature effects in MS is discussed.
Copper toxicity to the endoparasitic trematode (Posthodiplostomum minimum) relative to physid snail and bluegill sunfish intermediate hosts

A laboratory study was conducted to determine copper toxicity to the endoparasitict ematode Posthodiplostomum minimum (MacCallum) relative to snail first intermediate hosts and bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque) as second intermediate hosts. To determine copper effects on cercariae, the life-cycle stages of P. minimum were established in the laboratory. A 96-h median lethal concentration (LC50) test for bluegills was performed, and the calculated value of 0.892 mg/L total Cu was considered in selection of copper concentrations for all other experiments. Snail hosts (Physella gyrina (Say)) exposed to copper concentrations equal to 0, 8.9, 22.3, 44.6, and 89.2 μg/L Cu, exhibited a significant toxic response with ∼64% and ∼87% mortality occurring in the 44.6 and 89.2 μg/L concentrations, respectively. The 7-d LC50 for snails was 38.0 μg/L Cu. Free-swimming cercariae exposed to the same copper concentrations exhibited a similar toxic response with a 9-h LC50 of 32.0 μg/L Cu and a 12-h LC50 of 26.0 μg/L Cu.
WHEN BIGGER IS NOT BETTER: FAMILY SIZE, PARENTAL RESOURCES, AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE*

Although the inverse relationship between the number of siblings and childrens educational performance has been well established explanations for this relationship remain primitive. One explanation resource dilution posits that parents have finite levels of resources (time energy money etc.) and that these resources are diluted among children as sibship size increases. I provide a more rigorous investigation of the dilution model than previous studies testing its implications with a sample of 24599 eighth graders from the 1988 [U.S.] National Education Longitudinal Study. My analyses support the resource dilution model in three ways. First the availability of parental resources decreases as the number of siblings increases net of controls....Second parental resources explain most or all of the inverse relationship between sibship size and educational outcomes. Finally interactions between sibship size and parental resources support the dilution model as children benefit less from certain parental resources when they have many versus few siblings. (EXCERPT)
“Stung by a bee, you fear a fly”: Areal and universal aspects of Lahu proverbial wisdom*

� kâ ʔ cɔ, Lâhō tɔ�m ɔ cɔ. ‘The mountains have [springs of] water; the Lahu have proverbs.’ (#1012) Proverbs are a particularly interesting type of sentential formulaic expressions. This paper analyzes a rich corpus of proverbs in Lahu, a language of the Central Loloish branch of Tibeto-Burman, both in terms of their syntactic structure and their semantic content. Overwhelmingly bipartite in form, these proverbs reflect cultural and moral preoccupations of the Lahu people, and are sometimes expressed in similes and metaphors that are quite obscure to the outsider. They make implicit or explicit analogies between phenomena in the outside world and aspects of the behavior of human beings. They often use earthy, scatological imagery, which tends to be bowdlerized in Chinese translation. Many of them bear a resemblance to the cryptic Chinese folk similes known as xiēhouyǔ 歇后语 . The proverbs cited are compared to similar ones in other languages, revealing the universal aspects of folk wisdom. Most Lahu proverbs seem to be original creations, although some of them look like literal equivalents of Western or Chinese sayings. A full-scale comparative study of Sino-Tibetan proverbs would shed light on possible paths of transmission, whether via missionaries or Chinese or Indian influence.
Measurement of the absorption cross-sections of CFC-11 at conditions representing various model atmospheres

Absorption cross-sections, K(sub V)(/(cm)(atm)), have been measured in the 9.2 and 11.8 micrometer bands of CFC-11 (CCl3F) using a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer. Temperature and total (N2-broadening) pressure have been varied to obtain results at conditions representative of the atmosphere. The measured absolute intensities (in units of 10(exp -17) cm/molecule of the 9.2 and 11.8 micrometer bands are 2.591 +/- 0.013 and 6.974 +/- 0.038, respectively.
Laser microprobe mass spectrometry: Description and selected applications

Abstract Laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LAMMS) uses a high power density pulsed laser beam to ablate a microvolume of material. The fraction of this material that is ionized can be detected using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Two different instrumental configurations, “transmission” and “reflection”, that satisfy different analytical requirements are characterized by the geometry of ion collection from the specimen. The features of LAMMS include a spatial resolution of about 1 μm, high mass range, isotopic selectivity, ppm detection limits for many elements from picograms of material, and molecular structure information from organic materials. The major application areas for this technique are in the analysis of biological tissues and cells, organic materials, particles and aerosols, and surfaces of metals, semiconductors, and dielectric materials.
Mathematical modeling of the absorption process for multicomponent hydrocarbon gases

1. It was shown that the theoretical profiles for the change in temperature and light hydrocarbon concentrations obtained by “plate-to-plate” computer calculations, without taking into account the kinetics of the process, do not correspond to industrial profiles, 2. In view of the lack of a method at this time for carrying out kinetic calculations for the absorption of multicomponent hydrocarbon gases, the possibility and expediency was demonstrated of using the probability-statistical approach for studying this process. 3. It was shown that the temperature profile along the height of the absorber is described by the equation for a cubic parabola for which the coefficients are calculated as a function of the process parameters and the composition of the gas being separated. 4. Approximating relationships were derived for the profiles for the change in the hydrocarbon extraction co-efficients along the height of the absorber which allow the effectiveness of the mass exchange between the gas and the absorber to be evaluated, and make it possible to calculate the composition and amount of gas and absorbent in an arbitrary cross section of the apparatus with an error of 5–6%. 5. The adequacy was established of the given mathematical descriptions for industrial absorbers which operate in the given range of process parameters. 6. The given mathematical model for an absorber can be used in solving problems of intensification, optimization, and automatic control of the process as well as for the technical-economic analysis of the process.
Digitally tunable holographic lithography using a spatial light modulator as a programmable phase mask

In this paper, we study tunable holographic lithography using an electrically addressable spatial light modulator as a programmable phase mask. We control the phases of interfering beams diffracted from the phase pattern displayed in the spatial light modulator. We present a calculation method for the assignment of phases in the laser beams and validate the phases of the interfering beams in phase-sensitive, dual-lattice, and two-dimensional patterns formed by a rotationally non-symmetrical configuration. A good agreement has been observed between fabricated holographic structures and simulated interference patterns. The presented method can potentially help design a gradient phase mask for the fabrication of graded photonic crystals or metamaterials.
Pharmacologic Management of Temporomandibular Disorders

Although there are theoretically numerous pharmacologic targets for relieving temporomandibular disorder (TMD)–associated pains, evidence-based literature clearly establishing the efficacy and safety of drugs in the TMD population is limited at best. This article reviews the pharmacology, toxicology, and research supporting the use of a host of pharmacologic agents that have been used in patients who have TMD, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepine sedative hypnotics, opioids, skeletal muscle relaxants, capsaicin, transdermal lidocaine, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Recommendations regarding the proper use of each drug class are also made.
A unique measurement technique to study laminar-separation bubble characteristics on an airfoil

A 'nonintrusive', multielement heat-transfer sensor was designed to study laminar-separation bubble characteristics on a NASA LRN (1)-1010 low-Reynolds number airfoil. The sensor consists of 30 individual nickel films, vacuum-deposited on a thin substrate (0.05 mm) that was bonded to the airfoil model with the sensor array placed streamwise on the airfoil upper surface. Experiments were conducted on a 15-cm chord model in the 50,000-300,000 chord Reynolds number range. Time history as well as spectral analysis of signals from surface film gauges were simultaneously obtained to determine the location of laminar separation and the subsequent behavior of the separated shear layer. In addition to the successful determination of laminar separation, a new phenomenon involving a large phase shift in dynamic shear stresses across the separation and reattachment points was observed.
OESTROGEN–PROGESTIN REGULATION OF FEMALE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN GUINEA PIGS

Abstract The display of female sexual behavior in guinea pigs is strongly correlated with the concentration of cytoplasmic progestin receptors in hypothalamic-preoptic area-septum (HPS). These progestin receptors increase in concentration in the HPS after a period of oestrogen priming. The synergistic actions of oestrogen and progestin may not only influence noradrenergic transmission, but noradrenergic transmission may influence the degree of synergy between oestrogen and progestin.
Vibration control of a gossamer toroidal structure using smart material actuators and sensors

Gossamer or inflatable structures have been a subject of renewed interest for space applications because of their lightweight, on-orbit deployability, and minimal stowage volume. For these structures to be effective, their vibration must be controlled while maintaining the low weight and the foldability criteria. Piezoelectric materials have become strong candidates for actuator and sensor applications in the active vibration control of such structures due to their lightweight, conformability to the host structure, and distributed nature. In this study, vibration suppression of an inflated toroidal structure using piezoelectric actuators and sensors has been attempted. First, following the Sanders' shell theory, the governing equations of motion of a shell under pressure in the presence of piezoelectric patches have been presented, and the actuator/sensor equations are obtained. A sliding mode controller and a sliding mode observer are designed to suppress the vibration of the inflated toroidal structure using Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) actuators and Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) sensors. The numerical simulations show that the piezoelectric actuators and sensors are suitable for vibration suppression of an inflatable structure. The robustness properties of the controller and observer against the parameter uncertainty and disturbances are also studied.
Aeolian system sediment state: theory and Mojave Desert Kelso dune field example

The sediment state of aeolian dune fields and sand seas at a basinal scale is defined by the separate components of sediment supply, sediment availability and the transport capacity of the wind. The sediment supply for aeolian systems is the sediment that contemporaneously or at some later point serves as the source material for the aeolian system. Numerous factors impact the susceptibility of grains on a surface to transport, but these are cumulatively manifested by the actual transport rate, which serves as a proxy for sediment availability. Transport capacity is the potential sediment transport rate of the wind. Because the three aspects of sediment state can be given as a volumetric rate, they are directly comparable. Plotted simultaneously against time, the generated curves define nine possible classes of sediment state. Sediment supply that is stored occurs because it is transport or availability limited, or generated at a rate greater than the potential or actual transport rates respectively. Contemporaneous or lagged influx to an aeolian system may be limited by sediment availability, but cannot exceed the transport capacity of the wind. For the Kelso dune field in the Mojave Desert of California, a variety of stratigraphic and geomorphic evidence is used to approximate the sediment state of the system. The sediment supply was generated during the latest Pleistocene and earliest Holocene during humid periods of enhanced discharge by the Mojave River to form the Lake Mojave fan delta or terminal fan, and has been calculated over time from the sedimentation rate and the frequency of floods. Estimation of transport capacity over time was based upon modern wind data, with an allowance for greater winds during the Pleistocene based upon climatic models. Sediment availability was approximated by calculation of a modern dune mobility index, with variation over time based upon climatic inferences. While quantifying the Kelso or any natural system is subject to numerous uncertainties, the sediment state approach reflects the temporal and spatial disjointed nature of accumulations at Kelso, as well as illuminating questions for future research.
The expression, characterization, and crystallization of wild-type and selenomethionyl human chorionic gonadotropin

Although the glycoprotein hormone hCG was crystallized over 4 yr ago, it is only now that three-dimensional structural information is available. This manuscript reports the method for successful production of modified expressed hormone, the characteristics of the crystallized protein, and unexpected observations during the crystallization process. Two different routes of solution to the structure of hCG were followed. The first was based on the traditional method of heavy atom isomorphous replacement, and the second was the more novel method of expressing the protein with selenomethionine substituting for methionine and applying multiwavelength anomalous diffraction analysis. Selenomethionyl hCG was employed to successfully grow the crystals used for the solution of the structure of hCG after partial deglycosylation by hydrogen fluoride (HF) treatment. The selenomethionyl hCG proved to be more hydrophobic than the expressed form of native hCG. Furthermore, expressed forms of hCG that were deglycosylated b...
A spatial decay estimate for the heat equation

Ein anisotroper, fester Warmeleiter liege vor, dessen Grenzflachen, mit der Ausnahme einer ebenen OberflacheC, isoliert sind. Es werden Ungleichungen aufgestellt, welche die exponentielle Abnahme des Warmefeldes im Korper mit der Entfernung vonC0 ausdrucken.
Synthesis and Characterization of Tetrathiafulvalene Charge Transfer Compounds with Copper Halides.

Abstract Charge transfer compounds with the general formula (TTF) 4 CuX 2 (TTF=tetrathiafulvalene; X=Cl,Br) may be prepared by the reaction of excess TTF with Cu(sparteine)X 2 in methylene chloride. The semiconducting compounds have low activation energies and relatively high electrical conductivities. Magnetic susceptibility, EPR and spectroscopic data provide evidence that copper has been reduced to copper(I) in the complexes, and that the unpaired electrons are delocalized over columnar stacks of TTF. Reaction of TTF with [Cu(2-aminoethylpyridine)Cl 2 ] or [Cu(nicotine)Cl 2 ] in methylene chloride yielded (TTF) 2 CuCl 2 , while reaction of TTF with [Cu 4 OCl 6 (2-picoline) 4 ] yielded (TTF) CuCl 2 .
Blood selenium in select mid‐income Florida employees

Abstract Blood samples from 19 healthy, mid‐income Floridians (5 females, 14 males) were collected and analyzed for copper, zinc, and selenium using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mean (± 1 S.D.) values were copper 1.00 ± 0.29 ppm; zinc, 0.86 ± 0.19 ppm; and selenium, 132 ± 29 ppb. The mean selenium level for the females (n = 5) was 125 ± 37 ppb and 132 ± 31 ppb for males (n = 14). No significant difference was observed for the two groups. No correlation was observed between copper and zinc. The correlations between zinc and selenium appeared to fall into two groupings, and the correlation between copper and selenium appeared to be slightly negative. These are among the relatively few data that have been collected for selenium levels in Floridians, and implications are discussed.
Binding of what and where during working memory maintenance.

Abstract Prefrontal cortex (PFC) supports the maintenance of currently relevant information in working memory (WM). How the PFC is organized for the maintenance of disparate information, how this information is conjoined into a unified whole, and how the representation may change with task demands is still debated. The pattern of neural activity during maintenance of either abstract visual patterns, locations, or their “conjunction” was measured in two experiments using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During delays, common regions in PFC were active, but a dorsal-ventral/spatialnonspatial functional topography distinguished among the three delay types. During conjunction delays, no additional neural architecture was recruited. Instead, conjunction delays were characterized by a significant reduction compared to the response of that cortical region while maintaining its “preferred” information. A model is presented, extending the principles of “biased competition” to the PFC and the dynamic maintenance of information in WM, that accounts for current and seemingly contradictory previous results from both imaging and physiological studies. In this schema, the PFC is not only the source of biasing signals targeting earlier processing regions, but is also the target of these signals. This model stands as an alternative to traditional “domain specific” and “domain general” models of frontal organization of WM, and as an extension of earlier models of PFC mechanisms related to the cognitive control of goal directed behavior.
Quantification of Contrast Sensitivity and Color Perception using Head-worn Augmented Reality Displays

Augmented reality (AR) displays often reduce the visual capabilities of the user. This reduction can be measured both objectively and through user studies. We acquired objective measurements with a color meter and conducted two user studies for each of two key measurements. First was the combined effect of resolution and display contrast, which equate to the visual acuity and apparent brightness. The combined effect may be captured by the contrast sensitivity function and measured through analogs of optometric exams. We expanded the number of commercial devices tested in previous studies, including higher resolution and video-overlay AR displays. We found patterns of reduced contrast sensitivity similar to previous work; however, we saw that all displays enabled users to achieve the maximum possible acuity with at least moderate levels of contrast. The second measurement was the perception of color. Objective measurements showed a distortion of color, notably in the blue region of color space. We devised a color matching task to quantify the distortion of color perception, finding that the displays themselves were poor at showing colors in the blue region of color space and that the perceptual distortion of such colors was even greater than the objective distortion. We noted significantly different distortions and variability between displays.
Role of protein conformation in the processing of dengue virus type 2 nonstructural polyprotein precursor

Abstract The dengue virus type-2 (DEN-2) genome is a positive-strand RNA encoding a single polyprotein precursor, C-prM(M)-E-NSl-NS2A-NS2B-NS3-NS4A-NS4B-NS5, consisting of 3391 amino acids (aa). The N-terminal region of the polyprotein precursor, C-prM(M)-E, encodes the structural proteins and is processed cotranslationally by the host signal peptidase. The nonstructural region NS1→ NS5 is processed by the viral protease(s), as well as by the signal peptidase. A two-component viral protease consisting of NS2B and the serine protease domain of NS3 has been shown to be required for cleavages having the consensus sequence of dibasic aa (K-R, R-R, R-K, or Q-R). In this study, the region encoding all the nonstructural proteins, NS1→ NS5, was expressed using a recombinant vaccinia virus system. Cleavages at the consensus viral protease recognition sites, 2B-3 at the N terminus and 3-4A at the C terminus, are prerequisites to the release of mature NS3 protease. Although the 2B-3 site was cleaved readily in a variety of polyprotein precursors containing the intact NS2B and the NS3 protease domain, the 3-4A site was most efficiently cleaved, similar to that found in DEN-2-infected cells, only in the polyprotein precursor encoding the entire nonstructural region. Removal of NSI at the N terminus or of NS5 coding sequences at the C terminus affected the cleavage at the 3-4A site to produce the processing intermediate, NS3-NS4A. These results indicate that the conformation of the nonstructural polyprotein precursor, NS1→ NS5, plays a major role in the efficient cleavage at the 3-4A site.
GROWTH HORMONE AND SOMATOMEDIN A IN GIRLS WITH ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS

Girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are taller than nonscoliotic girls of the same age. This observation may be related to factors regulating longitudinal growth. Plasma growth hormone was determined in a group of scoliotic girls by double antibody radioimmunoassay under the following conditions: 1) Insulin induced hypoglycemia, 2) glucose tolerance test, 3) exercise. Somatomedin A was determined by a method based on the ability of serum to stimulate the incorporation of radioactive sulphate in embryonic chick cartilage. The results were compared with those obtained in a control group of healthy nonscoliotic girls of comparable age. After overnight fasting and after at least one hour's rest the basal growth hormone level was 9.8+/-11.1 (+/-S.D.) ng/ml in the scoliotic girls (n=48) and 2.2+/-1.1 ng/ml in the controls (n=15). This difference is significant. In the hypoglycemia test the peak growth hormone level tended to be higher in the scoliotic girls but the difference is not significant. In the exercise test the maximal value was reached at different times in the two groups: at 20 min after start of the exercise in the scoliotic girls (n=14, 17.3+/-11.8 ng/ml) and at 40 min in the controls (n=9, 16.0+/-6.6 ng/ml). In the glucose tolerance test the growth hormone level was suppressed in both groups but the mean values tended to be higher during the first 120 min in the scoliotic girls. The serum somatomedin levels were higher in the group of scoliotic girls (n=19, 1.13+/-0.17 U/ml) than in the controls (n=14, 0.88+/-0.16 U/ml) and the difference is significant. The results obtained are difficult to interpret but suggest that growth hormone secretion is higher in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis than in healthy girls of comparable age.
Energy-efficient medium access control with throughput optimisation for wireless sensor networks

This paper proposes a high-throughput energy-efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Its objective is to reduce waste energy without degrading throughput or, in other words, increase throughput without causing additional energy consumption. The sleeping and waking are based on time durations (using time counters) rather than time instants (using time slots). The sleeping and waking durations are flexibly determined by the current network workload. The proposed scheme is designed to automatically create self-controlled sleeping/waking cycles and common wake-up schedules for local group communication with no additional overhead due to a formal set-up. Simulation experiments have been performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach compared to some existing energy-efficient protocols.
School Violent Victimization and Recent Alcohol Use and Episodic Heavy Drinking among Youth.

School violent victimization is a serious public health problem among youth. The current study investigated the association between youth alcohol use and school violent victimization among middle school and high school students (N=54,361). The PRIDE national survey for Grades 6-12 was administered to youth in their classrooms. Results indicated that 38.3% of students were involved in school violent victimization. School violent victimization differed significantly based on sex, race, and grade level. Logistic regression analyses indicated that school violent victimization was directly related to elevated alcohol use in the past 12 months and episodic heavy drinking among youth. Findings from this study may be beneficial to school nurses in creating bullying and substance abuse prevention programs for students. Recommendations for future research are included.
Phosphine substitution reactions of (η5-cyclopentadienyl)ruthenium bis(triarylphosphine) chloride, CpRu(PAr3)2Cl {PAr3 = PPh3, P(p-CH3C6H4)3, P(p-FC6H4)3, P(p-CH3OC6H4)3, and PPh2(p-CH3C6H4)}: a tale of two mechanisms.

The kinetics of phosphine substitution in CpRu(PAr3)2Cl by PMePh2 under pseudo-first order conditions in CDCl3 have been measured for PAr3 = PPh3, 1a, PPh2(p-tol), 1b, P(p-tol)3, 1c, P(p-CH3OC6H4)3, 1d, and P(p-FC6H4)3), 1e. Activation parameters characteristic of a dissociative pathway (ΔH† = 110–124 ± 2 kJ mol−1, ΔS† = 16–44 ± 5–12 J mol−1 K−1) are observed for all five compounds. The rate of substitution in CpRu(PAr3)2Cl (1a) and CpRu[P(p-FC6H4)3]2Cl (1e) is independent of added chloride ion and decreases in the presence of excess PAr3, however, the rate of substitution in CpRu[P(p-CH3OC6H4)3]2Cl (1d) is first order in added chloride ion and is less dependent on added PAr3. A mechanism involving [CpRu(PAr3)2(PMePh2)]+[Cl]− intermediates contributes to the substitution in 1b–d.
On Defining Learning and Disability: Exploring the Ecology

L'auteur engage une discussion sur le probleme de la definition des troubles de l'apprentissage qui complete et/ou critique des definitions proposees par d'autres chercheurs dans ce meme journal
Medium voltage multilevel AC regenerative load with One-Cycle Control

Variable linear or nonlinear loads are necessary for testing medium voltage (MV) high power AC power supplies. Generally, those AC power supplies require performance validation, burn-in, and/or life-time testing under different load conditions, defined by the end-user or standards for the given applications. For this purpose, this paper presents a multilevel converter-based AC regenerative electronic load with One-Cycle Control (OCC), which is based on a five-level diode-clamped multilevel converter and can emulate any impedance load, whether linear or nonlinear, steady or dynamic. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the performance of the proposed multilevel AC regenerative load.
Smooth Lyapunov Functions for Hybrid Systems Part II: (Pre)Asymptotically Stable Compact Sets

It is shown that (pre)asymptotic stability, which generalizes asymptotic stability, of a compact set for a hybrid system satisfying mild regularity assumptions is equivalent to the existence of a smooth Lyapunov function. This result is achieved with the intermediate result that asymptotic stability of a compact set for a hybrid system is generically robust to small, state-dependent perturbations. As a special case, we state a converse Lyapunov theorem for systems with logic variables and use this result to establish input-to-state stabilization using hybrid feedback control. The converse Lyapunov theorems are also used to establish semiglobal practical robustness to slowly varying, weakly jumping parameters, to temporal regularization, to the insertion of jumps according to an ldquoaverage dwell-timerdquo rule, and to the insertion of flow according to a ldquoreverse average dwell-timerdquo rule.