cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The sua8 suppressors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encode replacements of conserved residues within the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II and affect transcription start site selection similarly to sua7 (TFIIB) mutations.

Abstract Mutations in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae sua8 gene were found to be suppressors of an aberrant ATG translation initiation codon in the leader region of the cyc1 gene. Analysis of cyc1 transcripts from sua8 mutants revealed that suppression is a consequence of diminished transcription initiation at the normal start sites in favor of initiation at downstream sites, including a site between the aberrant and normal ATG start codons. This effect is not cyc1 gene specific since initiation at other genes, including ADH1, CYC7, and HIS4, was similarly affected, although initiation at HIS3 and SPT15 was unaffected. The SUA8 gene was cloned and partially sequenced, revealing identity to RPB1, which encodes the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. The sua8 suppressors are the result of single amino acid replacements of highly conserved residues. Three replacements were found either within or immediately preceding homology block D, and a fourth was found adjacent to homology block H, indicating that these regions play a role in defining start sites in vivo. Nearly identical effects on start site selection were observed for sua7 suppressors, which encode altered forms of TFIIB. Synthetic lethality was associated with double sua7 sua8 suppressor mutations, and recessive sua7 mutants failed to fully complement recessive sua8 mutants in heterozygous diploids (nonallelic noncomplementation). These data indicate that the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II and TFIIB are important determinants of transcription start site selection in S. cerevisiae and suggest that this function might be conferred by interaction between these two proteins.
Germ layer formation and the role of the primitive streak in the chick. I. Basic architecture and morphogenetic tissue movements

Histological studies, carbon, carmine and vital dye marking of in ovo and explanted blastoderms have provided evidence for the following: (1) The cellular precursors of all three primary germ layers in the unincubated blastoderm are topographically represented by a disc-shaped, epithelial-like and complete uppermost layer; and ring-shaped, incomplete and congruent middle and lowest layers below the uppermost layer. (2) There is a gradient in cell population density decreasing from posterior to anterior. (3) Centripetal extension of a sheet of lowest and adjacent middle layer cells, primarily from the posterior portion of the ring but also from all points on its circumference, results in closing of the ring and completion of the middle and lowest layers as coherent discs. (4) No movement (invagination or involution) of uppermost, surface areas as coherent sheets into either the middle or lowest layers could be demonstrated in any region, including the primitive streak. (5) Embryonic germ layers arise in situ by proliferation from the streak. (6) The streak in its morphology and function is more like a blastema than a blastopore. (7) As an elongated growth center, the streak has its origin from the marginal zone ring, itself a circular blastema with multiple streak- and embryo body-forming capacities.
On the generation and evolution of nonlinear internal waves in the South China Sea

The nonhydrostatic Regional Ocean Modeling System is applied to the nonlinear internal waves, or solitons, that are generated at the Luzon ridge in the South China Sea. The Luzon ridge near the Batan islands is represented by an idealized ridge with a height of 2.6 km on a flat bottom. Model runs are performed for various ridge shapes and (a)symmetric tidal forcings. The model is in the mixed tidal lee wave regime. The barotropic tide over the ridge generates first-mode waves through the internal tide release mechanism. Westward-traveling solitons emerge from these first-mode waves through nonlinear steepening. In the internal tide release mechanism, asymmetric tides with strong eastward currents can generate strong westward solitons. The eastward current creates an elevation wave with a higher energy density west of the ridge, and as soon as the current slackens, the wave is released westward. On its backslope strong solitons develop. The energy density is further enhanced by nonlinearities, such as differences in phase speeds and energy fluxes related to lee waves. A modal and harmonic decomposition shows the generation of vertical modes and higher temporal harmonics and indicates significant wave-wave interaction (e.g., triads). In the mixed tidal lee wave regime, more energy is contained in the first mode compared to the higher modes. Hence, linear internal tide beams are less well defined and strong solitons develop.
Aleksandrov reflection and nonlinear evolution equations, I: the n-sphere and n-ball

We consider the (degenerate) parabolic equationu t =G(▽▽u + ug, t) on then-sphereS n . This corresponds to the evolution of a hypersurface in Euclidean space by a general function of the principal curvatures, whereu is the support function. Using a version of the Aleksandrov reflection method, we prove the uniform gradient estimate ¦▽u(·,t)¦ <C, whereC depends on the initial conditionu(·, 0) but not ont, nor on the nonlinear functionG. We also prove analogous results for the equationu t =G(Δu +cu, ¦x¦,t) on then-ballB n , wherec ≤ λ2(B n ).
Amniotic Fluid Complement C3 as a Marker of Intra-amniotic Infection

Objective: To determine the value of amniotic fluid (AF) complement C3 as a marker of intra-amniotic infection and to compare complement C3 with other rapid markers of intra-amniotic infection. Methods: One hundred four women with singleton gestations, in preterm labor with intact membranes, at 23–35 weeks’ gestation underwent transabdominal amniocentesis. Amniotic fluid was analyzed for white blood cell (WBC) count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, Gram stain, and complement C3. Cultures for aerobes, anaerobes, and mycoplasma species also were performed. The median values of complement C3, WBC, LDH, and glucose were compared between the culture-positive and -negative groups. Complement C3 was compared with WBC count, LDH, glucose, and Gram stain for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy in the prediction of a positive AF culture. Descriptive statistics, receiver operating characteristic curve, Fisher exact test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for analysis. Results: The prevalence of positive cultures was 11.5% (12 of 104). The culture-positive group had a significantly higher median C3 (7.0 mg/dL) than the median C3 (3.0 mg/dL) of the culture-negative group (P < .001). Also, the median values of WBC (1120.5 cells/mm3) and LDH (2697 U/L) were significantly higher and the median glucose (6.5 mg/dL) was significantly lower among women with positive AF cultures than among women with negative AF cultures (WBC = 1 cell/mm3; LDH = 165 U/L; glucose = 45 mg/dL; P < .001). Eleven of the 12 culture-positive cases had a C3 of 5 mg/dL or more, whereas four of the 92 culture-negative cases had a C3 of 5 mg/dL (P < .001). Nine of the 12 culture-positive cases but none of the 92 culture-negative cases had a C3 of 6 mg/dL or more (P < .001). The relative risks of a positive AF culture were 65.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.08, 469.27) and 31.67 (95% CI 10.40, 96.43) times greater among women with AF complement C3 levels of 5 and 6 mg/dL or more, respectively. Depending on the cutoff point used, complement C3 had similar or higher sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for intra-amniotic infection when compared with WBC count, LDH, glucose and Gram stain. Conclusion: Amniotic fluid complement C3 has value in the diagnosis of intra-amniotic infection in preterm labor with intact membranes. Complement C3 is available readily and compares favorably with other rapid markers of AF infection. This study supports the general concept of fetal inflammatory response to microbial invasion of AF.
Evaluating Website Resources

KEY POINTS • The evaluation of websites can be made easier by using relevancy and reliability criteria. • The contents of webpages are relevant when they meet the needs of the viewers in terms of content purpose, coverage, language, and timeliness. • Reliability can be assessed when there is information about the author and hosting site along with contact data, good spelling and grammar, and the date of creation. • Most importantly, viewers have to trust their knowledge and determine if the information is accurate, objective, and supported by appropriate references and links. • Use of a tool can make systematic evaluation of websites consistent, particularly when these resources are needed as information support in a perioperative nursing project.
The Limits of Japanese Production Theory

The concepts in "Japanese" production theory, also called zero inventory or just-in-time, have often improved productivity dramatically, sometimes by 100 percent or more. The theory's central principle is that inventory reflects underlying waste and that eliminating waste causes inventory to drop and productivity to rise. Costs are reduced, response time to customers is improved, and the ability to market in niches is enhanced. Ordinarily, as setup time or costs are reduced, inventory and production costs should decline. But in some circumstances, setup reduction can increase inventory and cost. An exploration of these contradictions may lead to a new and more powerful production theory that resolves these contradictions.
The Masses of Be 8 , Be 9 and B 11 , as Determined from Transmutation Data

We(1) have investigated the gamma-ray spectrum resulting from the bombardment of Li by H(1). The spectrum is complicated but has a definite maximum at 16 mev = 0.0172 mass units. The intensity of the gamma-radiation increases rather suddenly when the bombarding voltage reaches 600 kv, and decreases again at higher voltage.
Dating Selectivity and Interpersonal Attraction: Toward a Better Understanding of the `Elusive Phenomenon'

We suggest that individuals who are believed to be moderately selective in dating will be viewed as more desirable than individuals who are believed to be non-selective or extremely selective in dating. This reasoning is supported by the results of three experiments that demonstrate selectivity effects (1) using a procedure similar to that used in previous studies which have not yielded such effects, (2) for both male and female targets, and (3) in the context of an actual dating situation. Findings are discussed in terms of their indication of a possible basis for the common belief that being `hard-to-get' increases attraction.
Measurement of the anisotropic thermal conductivity of molybdenum disulfide by the time-resolved magneto-optic Kerr effect

We use pump-probe metrology based on the magneto-optic Kerr effect to measure the anisotropic thermal conductivity of (001)-oriented MoS2 crystals. A ≈20 nm thick CoPt multilayer with perpendicular magnetization serves as the heater and thermometer in the experiment. The low thermal conductivity and small thickness of the CoPt transducer improve the sensitivity of the measurement to lateral heat flow in the MoS2 crystal. The thermal conductivity of MoS2 is highly anisotropic with basal-plane thermal conductivity varying between 85–110 W m-1 K-1 as a function of laser spot size. The basal-plane thermal conductivity is a factor of ≈50 larger than the c-axis thermal conductivity, 2.0±0.3 W m-1 K-1.
The role of acculturation in explaining ethnic differences in the prenatal health-risk behaviors, mental health, and parenting beliefs of Mexican American and European American at-risk women.

Abstract Objective: To assess: (1) ethnic differences in the health-risk behaviors, mental health problems, and adverse parenting beliefs during pregnancy of low-income Mexican American and European American women; and, (2) the extent to which these risks varied with levels of acculturation among low-income Mexican American women. Method: Participants were 594 primiparous, low-income, urban women. A cross-sectional design was used to compare the 331 Mexican American women to the 263 European American. Language was used to assess the level of acculturation of the Mexican American women. Interviews were used to evaluate health-risk behaviors, mental health problems, and adverse parenting beliefs. Results: In comparison to European American women, Mexican American women were at lower risk for cigarette smoking during pregnancy and higher risk for adverse parenting beliefs. Among Mexican American women, Spanish speakers were at lower risk for cigarette smoking and mental health problems during pregnancy, and higher risk for adverse parenting beliefs than bilingual and English speakers. Conclusions: The findings indicate that ethnic differences in cigarette smoking and parenting beliefs during pregnancy were concentrated on the less acculturated, low-income, and primarily unmarried Spanish speaking Mexican American women. Moreover, acculturation is differentially related to cigarette smoking and parenting beliefs. Therefore, acculturation needs to be considered in the development of preventive interventions in order to appropriately target the specific needs of different sub-populations of Mexican Americans.
Low temperature synthesis and electrochemical behavior of LiV3O8 cathode

Abstract LiV 3 O 8 cathode has been synthesized by two simple low temperature methods without involving the melting of V 2 O 5 and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), discharge–charge measurements in lithium cells and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). While the first method involves the heating of the components in H 2 at 500 °C followed by in N 2 at 600 °C, the second method involves the dispersion of the components in methanol followed by evaporating the solvent and heating at 500 °C in N 2 atmosphere. The samples exhibit a high capacity of around 230 mAh g −1 at 0.5 mA cm −2 and 25 °C in a narrow voltage range of 2–3.5 V with excellent cyclability at −30 to 60 °C. Additionally, the samples exhibit superior safety characteristics compared to the currently used LiCoO 2 cathode as indicated by the absence of exothermic peaks (DSC) up to 450 °C in the charged state.
Breast cancer screening in a private women's clinic☆

A review of 6109 mammograms representing 4332 patients seen over 4 years is presented. The American Cancer Society guidelines for mammography screening were followed. Forty-five percent of all tumors were nonpalpable; in 12% of these the lymph nodes were positive for cancer. In the group with palpable breast cancers, 62% had positive lymph nodes. Screening mammography results in an increased number of localization biopsies. Biopsy rates were compared with several series. Costs for mammography screening programs were reviewed and related to the cost of each breast cancer detected. In our series the cost per cancer detected was $13,000. This study provides evidence to justify the American Cancer Society guidelines.
Cold shock damage is due to lipid phase transitions in cell membranes: A demonstration using sperm as a model

When cells are cooled to temperatures above the freezing point of water at rates greater than a few degrees per minute, they sustain irreversible injury. Reduction of this "cold shock" damage could increase the survival of animals and plants at low environmental temperatures and improve the cryopreservation of plant and animal cells. Leakage of solutes across membranes, associated with thermotropic phase transitions in membrane lipids, is thought to be responsible, but this hypothesis has not been tested directly. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we measured the lipid phase transitions in intact, living sperm, the animal cell in which cold shock has been studied most extensively. A shift in the CH2 absorbance peaks indicates the transition from liquid-crystalline to gel phase. The phase transition in sperm membranes occurred at a lower temperature for a marine shrimp than for the pig. In each case, potassium leakage, which is a hallmark of cold shock damage, increased abruptly near the end of the phase transition. Human sperm are quite resistant to cold shock, and an abrupt lipid phase transition was not detected. This phase behavior is typical of membranes containing a high proportion of cholesterol, and human sperm have an unusually high sterol content. High cholesterol levels are known to stabilize membranes during cooling. Overall, the lipid phase behavior was consistent with the temperature range over which cooling was damaging for pig and shrimp sperm, and the with the extent of damage produced in pig and human sperm. This is the first direct evidence that cold shock results from lipid phase transitions in cell membranes.
The Relationship Between Counselor Trainee Family-of-Origin Structure and Counseling Effectiveness

Abstract This study found a significant statistical relationship between counselor family-of-origin structure and client pre- to post-test symptom reduction. No relationship was found between the counselor trainee's family-of-origin structure and client's satisfaction with his or her counselor's in-session counseling behavior at the end of treatment.
CCD-based parallel detection system for electron energy-loss spectroscopy and imaging

A generic, 2-dimensional integrating detector based on a charge-coupled device (CCD) is being developed for applications in physical and biomedical research. A detector system, operating in a 1-dimensional mode, is currently being designed for electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS); when operated in a 2-dimensional mode it is suitable for electron imaging studies. An energy-loss spectrometer (Gatan 607) is being equipped with a magnifying quadrupole electron lens to produce an electron dispersion of approx.15 mm on a YAG:Ce scintillator. The scintillation light is coupled via an optical lens system to a 512 pixel x 512 pixel CCD. Energy-loss spectra are recorded successively in 5 pixel x 512 pixel frames. With a microscope beam current of 0.5 nAmp and electron energy of 120 keV, the integration (exposure) time for 100 frames is 40 msec and the readout and digitization time for 100 frames, using a 14-bit ADC, is 0.5 sec. The statistical precision expected by summing the 100 frames in the computer is 10/sup -4/ for the zero-loss peak (DQE = 0.4). For a peak of 1/1000 the intensity of the zero-loss peak, the precision is 10/sup -2/ (DQE = 0.2). To obtain the same precision (10/sup -2/) with a 512-pixel linear photodiodemore » array would require data from at least 280 frames and an acquisition time 35 to 70 times longer than the 40 msec required for the exposure of 100 frames in the CCD.« less
Multiphonon effects on dispersion and Faraday rotation associated with point-imperfections☆

Abstract Here we consider effects of phonons on the absorption, dispersion and Faraday rotation due to the model imperfection considered previously [1]. To make the problem tractable, we assumed that the phonons have a single frequency and Γ+1 symmetry. The temperature assumed is 0 K. Detailed calculations are given which show an asymmetry in dispersion and in the rotation which does not appear unless explicit phonon effects are considered. Phonon fine structure appears in all three curves, which can only be eliminated by assuming a very large “damping” factor relative to the classical value. We attribute the large value to be caused by the phonon dispersion, i.e. a range in the frequency not explicity included in our calculations.
THE SUN'S DISPLACEMENT FROM THE GALACTIC PLANE: LIMITS FROM THE DISTRIBUTION OF OB-STAR LATITUDES

Galactic latitudes and photographic magnitudes for large sample (N ~ 3600 - 12000) of OB stars within 10 degress of the galactic plane and 4 kpc of the Sun have been used to estimate the Sun's displacement Zo from the galactic plane. Reasonable choices of average absolute magnitudes and extinction parameters limit Zo to not less than about 6 nor more than about 13 pc, with Zo = 10 - 12 pc mostly likely.
Putin's Second Term Is Likely to Differ from His First: A Rebuttal

The author of "Russia's Economic Transformation under Putin" replies to comments and critical assessments of his paper by two prominent Western specialists on the Russian economy. His rebuttal to the more severe critic of the two emphasizes the prospective change in Putin's approach to economic reform during his second presidential term. The author believes that economic policymaking in the Kremlin, rather than the impact of world oil prices, will tend to shape Russia's considerable economic growth. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: E60, E63, F13, H20, H60, P21. 8 references.
MO-A-137-07: Assessment of Metrics to Identify Which Left-Sided Breast Cancer Patients Will Benefit From a Moderate Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold Technique

Purpose: To derive and examine the robustness of metrics for prediction of dosimetric benefits for left‐sided breast cancer patients from a moderate deep inspiration breath‐hold (mDIBH) technique. Methods: Radiotherapy treatment plans using a field‐in‐field tangent approach were retrospectively generated on both free‐breathing (FB) and mDIBH CT scans acquired for fourteen consecutive left‐sided breast cancer patients. Breast PTV‐eval, heart and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were defined as per RTOG and the heart atlas (Feng et al. IJROBP 79:10‐18, 2011). The same PTV coverage was maintained in both FB and mDIBH plans. Volumetric metrics, irradiated heart and lung volume, and distance metrics from representative images were defined. Correlations with dosimetric parameters and robustness were examined. Results for single planner retrospective plans were compared with results from treated plans prepared by a group of dosimetrists for both the cohort of 14 mDIBH patients as well as a cohort of 19 previously treated FB left‐sided breast cancer patients. Results: FB cardiac dosimetric parameters for our cohort appeared to follow exponential distributions, with a significant reduction of sigma shown for mDIBH. The extent of dosimetric benefit is patient specific. Linear correlations were found between cardiac and pulmonary dosimetric parameters and volumetric metrics using irradiated volumes, as well as for distance metrics if volumetric corrections were applied. Linear correlations were preserved (R > 0.9) regardless of whether determined from a single planner or a group of dosimetrists. Fitted parameters were slightly higher for data derived from the group of planners, however, the difference was not found to be significant via signed rank test. Conclusion: Linear correlations between cardiac and pulmonary dosimetric parameters and several metrics were identified and determined to be robust for left‐sided breast cancer patients planned at our institution, which facilitates reliable selection of patients who will benefit from a mDIBH technique.
On the DuPont analysis in the health care industry

Abstract Prior research documents that the DuPont components of return on net operating assets (profit margin and asset turnover) represent an incremental source of information about the operating characteristics of a firm and are useful tools for market participants ( Soliman, 2008 ). We find that the informativeness of DuPont components about future profitability is reduced in the healthcare setting, relative to an all-industry sample. Moreover, to the extent that DuPont components are useful for market participants, we show that profit margin is more persistent than asset turnover for US for-profit health care providers, which contradicts the results documented in prior literature that considered all industries. We argue that the special features of the health care industry (i.e. heavy regulation, unique operational characteristics) affect the information content of accounting signals obtained based on financial statements.
Involvement of bivalent cations and arachidonic acid in neutrophil aggregation

Chemotactic factors and arachidonic acid aggregate neutrophils; indomethacin and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, two blockers of cellular arachidonate metabolism, inhibit these responses. Additionally, A23187, an ionophore which specifically transports bivalent cations into cells, also aggregates the neutrophils, and this response, as well as the response to chemotactic factors, requires the presence of extracellular calcium and magnesium. In this report these relationships were further studied. It was found that human neutrophil aggregation stimulated by arachidonic acid required calcium and magnesium. Furthermore, cells preincubated with arachidonate for 4 min before exposure to the bivalent cations did not aggregate before or after this exposure and, following this exposure, were refractory to subsequent stimulation by more arachidonate, a chemotactic tripeptide (formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine), or A23187, i.e., these cells had become nonselectively desensitized to the aggregating agents. Finally, indomethacin and 5,8,11,14-eicoasatetraynoic acid inhibited the aggregation response stimulated by A23187 and their potency in doing so paralleled their potency in inhibiting the responses induced by arachidonate or the chemotactic tripeptide. Thus, the neutrophil aggregation responses induced by arachidonate, chemotactic factor, and A23187 were similarly influenced by preincubating the cells with arachidonate, had similar requirements for calcium and magnesium, and were similarly inhibited by blockers of arachidonate metabolism. It appears that bivalent cations and arachidonic acid play essential and, perhaps, interacting roles in the aggregation response to diverse stimuli.
Measurement of the Aerosol Total Scatter–Backscatter Ratio

In urban Seattle, simultaneous measurements were made of backscatter using a ruby laser radar and of the scattering portion of extinction using an integrating nephelometer. Both instruments were calibrated allowing separation of molecular and aerosol contributions to the two scatter coefficients. During the period of the experiment, backscatter and the scattering portion of extinction were well correlated at relative humidities less than 70%. For the aerosol, the ratio of backscatter to the scattering portion of extinction was only one-third that predicted from spherical particle Mie calculations for a power law size distribution aerosol.
MR imaging of Ho:YAG laser diskectomy with histologic correlation

Twelve cadaveric vertebral specimens were imaged after holmium yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) laser diskectomy to determine the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in evaluating treatment outcome. The Ho:YAG laser was operated at 1.0-2.0 J per pulse, 5 Hz, and 250-microseconds pulse width. The total energy varied between 600 and 2,700 J. Two distinct patterns emerged on MR images. Tissue ablation at higher power (1.5 and 2.0 J per pulse) produced discrete signal voids that correlated with areas of laser-induced ablation identified at gross inspection. More subtle changes, characterized by a high-signal-intensity ring, were seen in the specimens lased at 1.0 J per pulse. The latter appearance corresponded to incomplete vaporization of diskal tissue, a broader zone of minimal thermal injury, and sparing of adjacent vertebral endplates. Total mass loss did not appear to be affected by the choice of power setting (1.0 vs 1.5 J per pulse), with total laser energy held constant.
Activation of a plant virus by related incomplete nucleoprotein particles

Abstract In tests with bean pod mottle virus and cowpea yellow mosaic virus, the addition of noninfectious middle component of either virus to the corresponding bottom component resulted in an increase in infectivity of the latter. Top component, which contains no RNA, had no effect. Unrelated nucleoproteins or the middle component of related strains did not cause activation, which only occurred in homologous systems. The activating ability of middle component was sentitive to ultraviolet irradiation. Heated bottom component particles were reclaimable in terms of lesion formation when mixed with middle component particles. The data suggest that RNA in part of bottom component populations had been rendered noninfectious in such a way as to allow middle component to cause activation.
Physical-chemical properties of solutions of the colloidal electrolyte hexanolamine oleate

Abstract 1. 1. Freezing-point, conductivity, viscosity and transport data have been given for aqueous solutions of hexanolamine oleate. 2. 2. The osmotic coefficients have been shown to follow Brady's curve for branched chain compounds, and the “critical concentration” has been calculated therefrom. 3. 3. The necessity for the existence in solution of “small micelles” or particles which contribute very little to the freezing point lowering but have a substantial conductivity is demonstrated by the fact that the conductivity ratio Λ Λ 0 is considerably higher than the osmotic coefficient. 4. 4. The cationic transport number is found to be negative and that for oleate radical is greater than unity at moderate concentrations, a further demonstration of the presence of conducting micelles, which, moreover, must include hexanolammonium ions.
HEMOGLOBIN, GLUCOSE, OXYGEN AND WATER IN THE ERYTHROCYTE: A Concept of Biological Magnitudes, Based upon Molecular Dimensions

Calculations have been presented to illustrate the insight which may be gained from the development of concepts of biological magnitudes upon the basis of molecular dimensions.
Carbohydrate specificity of sea urchin blastula adhesion component.

Abstract The species-specific and developmental stage-specific aggregation-enhancing supernatant isolated from intact sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) blastula cells incubated in Ca2+Mg2+-free sea water is a hemagglutinin. This material agglutinated trypsinized, fixed human type O and B (inhibited by d -galactose) erythrocytes, whereas control erythrocytes in Millipore-filtered sea water did not agglutinate. The blastula supernatant agglutinates both live and fixed S. purpuratus blastula cells. Fixed cells were chosen in these experiments so that a standardized, highly reproducible system could be produced by pooling batches of blastula cells. Dissociation supernatant (DS)-mediated agglutination of S. purpuratus blastula cells was blocked by d -galactose and N-acetyl- d -galactosamine by 10 min of incubation, but not by d -glucose, l -fucose, d -mannose, d -glucosamine, d -mannosamine or N-acetyl- d -mannosamine (all at 0.1 M concentration, the concentration chosen as a result of preliminary experiments). The results were consistently observed in scores of experiments and suggest that DS binds cells together via d -galactose-like and N-acetyl- d -galactosamine-like residues. We also found that aggregates of live blastula cells formed in the presence of DS gave rise, after 24 h incubation, to viable, swimming embryoids, suggesting that DS-mediated adhesion is physiologically meaningful.
Primary endosymbiosis and the evolution of light and oxygen sensing in photosynthetic eukaryotes

The origin of the photosynthetic organelle in eukaryotes, the plastid, changed forever the evolutionary trajectory of life on our planet. Plastids are highly specialized compartments derived from a putative single cyanobacterial primary endosymbiosis that occurred in the common ancestor of the supergroup Archaeplastida that comprises the Viridiplantae (green algae and plants), red algae, and glaucophyte algae. These lineages include critical primary producers of freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, progenitors of which provided plastids through secondary endosymbiosis to other algae such as diatoms and dinoflagellates that are critical to marine ecosystems. Despite its broad importance and the success of algal and plant lineages, the phagotrophic origin of the plastid imposed an interesting challenge on the predatory eukaryotic ancestor of the Archaeplastida. By engulfing an oxygenic photosynthetic cell, the host lineage imposed an oxidative stress upon itself in the presence of light. Adaptations to meet this challenge were thus likely to have occurred early on during the transition from a predatory phagotroph to an obligate phototroph (or mixotroph). Modern algae have recently been shown to employ linear tetrapyrroles (bilins) to respond to oxidative stress under high light. Here we explore the early events in plastid evolution and the possible ancient roles of bilins in responding to light and oxygen.
Thermal Conductivity Measurement of Individual Polythiophene Nanofibers With Suspended Micro-Resistance Thermometer Devices

High thermal conductivity, comparable to that of a metal, has been observed in some stretched polyethylene nanofibers due to a decrease in defect density with the alignment of the polymer chains. Such high thermal conductivity may be useful for thermal management applications such as thermal adhesives made of aligned nanofibers. Polythiophene (Pth) is a conducting polymer that can be synthesized electrochemically as aligned nanofiber forests without the need for stretching individual fibers. Here we report the thermal conductivity of individual suspended Pth nanofibers synthesized electrochemically and measured with the use of a microfabricated device in the temperature range of 80 K to 375 K. The measured thermal conductivity increases with temperature. For three single suspended Pth nanofibers with a diameter on the order of 200 nm, the room temperature value between 0.6 and 0.8 W/m K is about four-fold higher than that reported for Pth thin films and comparable to that reported for binder-filler thermal adhesives.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Variables Influencing the Direct Determination of Haloacetic Acids in Water by Reversed-Phase Ion-Pair Chromatography with Indirect UV Detection

Abstract A reversed-phase ion-pair chromatographic system for the direct determination of haloacetic acids in water has been optimized utilizing indirect photometric detection. Acetic, chloroacetic, bromoacetic, iodoacetic, dichloroacetic and dibromoacetic acids were used to characterize the chromatographic system. The effect of temperature on retention time shows a non linear van't Hoff behavior indicating a change in the mechanism of retention at about 30°C. Above 30°C, retention times decreased proportionally to increases in the temperature of the column. Separations are achieved in the pH range of 3.5 to 6.3 with an optimum at ca. pH 5.4. Increases in the concentrations of KH2PO4, l-hexanesulfonate (competing ion) and acetonitrile result in proportional decreases in capacity factors with some selectivity variations depending on the analyte. Increases in the concentration of benzyltributylammonium ion (ion interaction reagent) resulted in increases in capacity factors with a usable range from 8 to 12 m...
The paired electrochemical synthesis of sorbitol and gluconic acid in undivided flow cells. I

The strategy of paired electrochemical synthesis for the production of organic chemicals, in which the reactions at both the anode and cathode simultaneously contribute to the formation of the final product(s), could result in as much as a 50% reduction in energy consumption as compared to conventional electro-organic syntheses. In order to evaluate this hypothesis the electrochemical oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid and the reduction of glucose to sorbitol were paired in undivided flow-through parallel plate and packed bed cells. To date, the optimum electrode materials and operating conditions for the paired synthesis are: an amalgamated zinc cathode, a graphite anode, an initial glucose concentration of 0.8 mol dm−3, a 0.8 mol dm−3 NaBr supporting electrolyte, an electrolyte flow rate of 0.81 min−1 and an electrolyte pH of 7. Under these conditions the current efficiencies for sorbitol and gluconic acid were 26% and 68%, respectively at 0.25 F mole−1. Current losses are believed to be due to hydrogen evolution and the reduction ofδ-gluconolactone (an intermediate in the formation of gluconic acid) to glucose.
Safety and Outcome in the Surgery of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Abstract The goal of surgery in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is to achieve the desired outcome with utmost safety. This review article will discuss safety in AIS surgery and the expected outcome of the surgery. Safety in surgery is to avoid our most feared complication of neurologic deficit while also mitigating the likelihood of having a subsequent infection, pseudoarthrosis, or implant failure. SRS morbidity and mortality data over last 40 years showed that, the incidence of new neurologic deficits has remained fairly consistent below 1% and when cord deficits occur, the likelihood of some recovery is very high with a relatively high probability of complete recovery. Safe surgery starts long before surgery itself; appropriate history, physical examination, radiographic interpretation and appropriate investigation, all will lead to a safer surgical procedure. Detailed open and transparent discussion with the family is mandatory. Maintaining intraoperative neurologic safety begins with the skin incision and ends when the patient awakens. Continuous Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), appropriate screws placement, carefully performed osteotomies, and correction maneuvers, all are major contributing factors to the safety of surgery in AIS. Should intraoperative monitoring change, surgeon should follow a well-planned algorithm for managing potential neurologic complication. Surgical complications can't be eliminated but better appropriate preparation and timely response can significantly decrease complications incidence. Patients, parents and surgeons generally desire similar outcomes for the surgical correction of AIS, yet their priorities of outcome may differ. The expectations are: The patient will survive the surgery, the patient will have normal neurologic function (assuming normal preoperative—AIS), the correction will be lasting without need for additional procedure, the patient will have pain free “normal” function, and the patient's body/trunk shape will be “norma.” Patients' perception of the outcome can be reliably charted through the validated outcome instruments (SRS24, SRS22, SRS22r). Modern techniques and implants improve the outcome through significant reduction in the incidence of further surgery and pseudoarthrosis. Opinions are differ on fusion and instrumentation levels but the goal is to have best correction and a balanced trunk. Quantification of process measures is also valuable in assessing functional outcome (eg, pulmonary function testing, spinal motion studies and radiographic measurements). The outcome of truncal appearance and spinal balance will be better evaluated in the future with 3D imaging. Surgeons must use all available data combined with thoughtful assessment of the risk and benefits to be able seek the best outcome for the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Photoinhibition Resistance in the Red Alga Porphyra perforata: The Role of Photoinhibition Repair

Photoinhibition resistance exhibited by the high intertidal red alga Porphyra perforata relative to its subtidal congener Porphyra nereocystis was examined using the protein synthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol to separate the damage and repair components of photoinhibition. Under photoinhibitory conditions, the rates of both damage to and replacement of photoinhibition-sensitive proteins was much higher in P. nereocystis than in P. perforata. Thus, photoinhibition resistance in P. perforata appears to be due to a reduced rate of photoinhibition damage rather than to an accelerated rate of photoinhibition repair. Reduction of photoinhibition damage in P. perforata may be by means of biophysical processes which increase the radiationless decay of excitation to heat in photosystem II. Alternatively, the photoinhibition-sensitive proteins in P. perforata may have slight structural alterations that improve their stability or they may be protected by enzyme systems that quench radicals formed by overexcitation of photosystem II. Reduction of the damage component of photoinhibition is a reasonable way to limit photoinhibition in P. perforata during the severe desiccation and exposure to full sun that occur simultaneously during daily low tides, conditions under which the protein synthesis required for photoinhibition repair could not occur.
Hybrid Gas Turbine and Fuel Cell Systems in Perspective Review

The concept of hybrids combining fuel cell and gas turbine systems is without question neoteric, and probably is less than eight years old. However, this concept is in a sense a logical development derived from the many early systems that embodied the key features of rotating machinery to compress air. It was the introduction of high temperature fuel cells such as the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that allowed the concept of hybrid gas turbine fuel cell systems to take root. The SOFC with an operating temperature circa 1000° C matched well with small industrial gas turbines that had firing temperatures on the same order.The recognition that the SOFC could be substituted for the gas turbine combustor was the first step into the realm of fuel cell topping systems. Fuel cells in general were recognized as having higher efficiencies at elevated pressures. Thus the hybrid topping system where the gas turbine pressurized the fuel cell and the fuel cell supplied the hot gases for expansion over the turbine promised to provide a high level of synergy between the two systems.Bottoming systems using the exhaust of a gas turbine as the working fluid of a fuel cell such as the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) have been identified and are potential future power generation hybrid systems. The MCFC is especially well suited to the bottoming role because of the need to have carbon dioxide present in the inlet air stream. The carbon dioxide in the gas turbine exhaust allows the high temperature blower, normally used to recirculate and inject exhaust products into the inlet air, to be eliminated.Hybrid systems have the potential of achieving fossil fuel to electricity conversion efficiencies on the order of 70% and higher. The costs of hybrid systems in dollars per kilowatt are generally higher than say an advanced gas turbine that is available today but not by much. The net energy output over the life of a hybrid topping system is similar to that of a recuperated gas turbine but possibly lower than a high-efficiency simple-cycle machine, depending on the efficiency of the hybrid.Methodologies to aid in the selection of the hybrid system for future development have to be developed and used consistently. Life cycle analyses (LFA) provide a framework for such selection processes. In particular the concept of net energy output provides a mechanism to assign relative worth to competing concepts.Copyright © 1999 by ASME
Metabolic and hormonal changes associated with arthroscopic surgery in the horse.

Summary The effect of general anaesthesia and arthroscopic surgery on blood glucose and lactate, plasma non-esterified fatty acids, insulin, beta-endorphin and cortisol was investigated in seven horses. Animals were premedicated with xylazine and anaesthesia was induced with guaifenesin and sodium thiamylal and maintained with halothane vaporised in oxygen. Blood samples were collected in the pre-, intra- and post operative period. Induction of anaesthesia was associated with a transient hyperglycaemia and a significant rise in plasma insulin levels. Plasma insulin values fell during surgery but showed a significant increase post operatively. Surgery stimulated a small but significant rise in plasma beta-endorphin and cortisol values but these had returned to baseline values in the early post operative period. No changes in blood lactate were recorded.
Inhibition of Growth of Leukemia Cells by Enzymic Folate Depletion

A new bacterial enzyme, designated as carboxypeptidase G1, inhibited growth of the L5178Y and L1210 murine leukemias, as well as the Walker carcinoma and the human lymphoblastoid line (RPMI 4265), propogated in vitro. This enzyme hydrolyzes the glutamate moiety from both oxidized and reduced folate forms, and thus it may prove to be of value in creating rapid folate depletion in vivo.
Aluminum-induced degradation and failure mechanisms of a-Si:H solar cells

Abstract Low temperature annealing effects on a-Si:H solar cells with Al contacts have been investigated. A reduction in shunt resistance upon annealing in the temperature range of 150–180°C has been observed which clearly indicates degradation of a-Si:H solar cells at these low temperatures. The activation energy for AI diffusion in Si was measured to be about 1.2 eV which may be due to diffusion of Al into the a-Si:H through high diffusivity microstructural grain boundaries, and defects such as microvoids. Thirty minute annealing at 180°C decreases the shunt resistance by a factor of 50 and the solar cells show a considerable decrease in efficiency and fill factor. Annealing at 200°C degrades the solar cell to the point that no conversion is observed. Visible surface morphological changes of the aluminum pad surface and the a-Si:H film underneath initiate at approximately 170°C. Al contact metal-induced crystallization of a-Si:H material underneath the contacts has been observed. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques have been used to detect the crystallization of the interacted a-Si:H. This crystallization is observed to initiate at temperatures as low as 180°C. The degradation and failure mechanisms of solar cells are explained using a simple model involving aluminum diffusion into the silicon followed by crystallization and type conversion of the n+ a-Si:H due to aluminum counterdoping.
Lipoic acid metabolism in the rat.

Abstract dl-[1,6-14C]Lipoic acid was administered by intraperitoneal injection to rats at the level of 0.5 mg/100 g body weight. Approximately 56% of the radioactivity was recovered in the urine. When acidified and extracted with benzene, 92% of the radioactivity remained in the aqueous phase. Gel-filtration and paper chromatography were used to identify three of the compounds in the benzene extract as lipoic, bisnorlipoic and tetranorlipoic acids. In addition, a keto compound appears to be present. The aqueous phase contained several radioactive components separable by ion-exchange and paper chromatographies. Two of these compounds were identified as lipoate and β-hydroxybisnorlipoate. No evidence for oxidation of the dithiolane ring of lipoic acid was observed. dl-[7,8-14C]Lipoic acid was administered to rats under the same conditions. The urine contained 81% of the radioactivity, 72% of which remained in the aqueous phase and 28% was extracted into benzene. In contrast to over 30% of the label from dl-(1,6-14C] lipoate being expired as 14CO2, a negligible amount of 14CO2 was produced by rats injected with dl-[7,8-14C]lipoate. The catabolites identified were the same as those found using the 1,6-labeled lipoate. Another dithiolane-intact compound was also isolated. It appears that the rat, similar to Pseudomonas putida LP, metabolizes lipoate mainly via β-oxidation of the valeric acid side chain.