cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tryptophan Catabolism: Identification and Characterization of a New Degradative Pathway

A new tryptophan catabolic pathway is characterized from Burkholderia cepacia J2315. In this pathway, tryptophan is converted to 2-amino-3-carboxymuconate semialdehyde, which is enzymatically degraded to pyruvate and acetate via the intermediates 2-aminomuconate and 4-oxalocrotonate. This pathway differs from the proposed mammalian pathway which converts 2-aminomuconate to 2-ketoadipate and, ultimately, glutaryl-coenzyme A.
The effect of salt concentration on the inhibition of protein synthesis by double-stranded RNA.

Double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) such as poly(I) · poly(C) inhibit protein synthesis in reticulocyte lysate incubated with low concentrations of potassium salts more than in lysate incubated with higher concentration of salt. The inhibition of protein synthesis by dsRNA takes place after an initial lag. In the presence of high salt concentrations the lag period before the inhibition occurs is considerably increased. The maximum inhibitory concentration of poly(I) · poly(C) remains the same at all salt concentrations tested; high concentrations of dsRNA are not inhibitory under different ionic conditions. The inhibition of protein synthesis by dsRNA is due to a loss of the Met-tRNAf binding activity of native 40 S ribosomal subunits. However, lysates incubated with dsRNA at high salt concentrations retain Met-tRNAf binding activity. Initiation factors(elF) isolated from ribosomes of lysates incubated under different ionic conditions have been used to determine the activity of the initiation factor, elF-2, which catalyzes the binding of Met-tRNAf to 40-S subunits. The initiation factors from lysates incubated with poly(I) · poly(C) at low salt concentrations are less active in binding Met-tRNAf and GTP than those from lysates incubated at high salt concentrations. Ribosomes washed with 0.5 M KCl obtained from these lysates are equally active in binding Met-tRNAf to 40-S subunits when supplemented with fresh initiation factors, indicating that the loss in Met-tRNAf binding activity is due to a loss in initiation factor activity and not to a loss of any 40-S subunit activity. The decreased inhibitory activity of dsRNA at high salt concentrations is due both to a delay in the formation of a dsRNA-activated inhibitor, and to a reduced effect on protein synthesis of the inhibitor.
Diffusion Boundary Layer of a Rotating Disk Electrode As a Thin-Layer Spectroelectrochemical Cell

A UV−visible rapid scan spectrophotometer (RSS) was coupled to a Au rotating disk electrode (RDE) for monitoring at near-normal incidence the reflection−absorption spectrum of the diffusion boundary layer in [Fe(CN)6]4- aqueous solutions over a potential region in which [Fe(CN)6]4- oxidizes, generating highly absorbing [Fe(CN)6]3- (λmax = 420 nm). Measurements were performed under steady-state conditions at rotation rates, ω, in the range 300 ≤ ω ≤ 2500 rpm, yielding well-defined spectra displaying characteristic features of [Fe(CN)6]3-. In agreement with theoretical predictions, the absorbance A at λmax, using as a reference A(λmax) for the spectrum recorded at a potential negative to the onset of [Fe(CN)6]4- oxidation, was found to be proportional both to the current and also to ω1/2 under conditions in which E was positive enough for the reaction to proceed under diffusion-limited control.
Mordell type exponential sum estimates in fields of prime order

Abstract We establish a Mordell type exponential sum estimate (see Mordell [Q. J. Math. 3 (1932) 161–162]) for ‘sparse’ polynomials f ( x ) = ∑ i = 1 r a i x k i , ( a i , p ) = 1 , p prime, under essentially optimal conditions on the exponents 1 ⩽ k i p − 1 . The method is based on sum–product estimates in finite fields F p and their Cartesian products. We also obtain estimates on incomplete sums of the form ∑ s = 1 t e p ( ∑ i = 1 r a i θ i s ) for t > p ɛ , under appropriate conditions on the θ i ∈ F p * . To cite this article: J. Bourgain, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 339 (2004).
Transient flagellar waveforms during intermittent swimming in sea urchin sperm. I. Wave parameters.

Flagellar waveforms have been studied during the stopping and starting transients of light-induced, Ca2+-mediated, intermittent swimming of live sperm of the sea urchinTripneustes gratilla. Tracings of successive frames of movie film made at about 200 frames s−1 were used to determine the bend propagation velocity, beat frequency, and bend angles during three stopping and four starting transients chosen as representative of the range of variation among sperm in the preparations. A stopping transient begins with a transitional stage in which the asymmetry of the bending waves increases steadily over 2–6 beat cycles (40–120 ms), with the angles of successive fully developed principal bends increasing and those of reverse bends decreasing. This is followed by a blocked stage, lasting one beat cycle (20 ms), in which a principal bend becomes arrested and then decays in the mid-region of the flagellum. The next principal bend forms but remains unpropagated at the base, apparently because no following reverse bend is initiated, and the flagellum becomes quiescent. Quiescent flagella have a characteristic, highly asymmetric waveform consisting of a sharp principal bend of about 3.2 rad at the basal end, a nearly straight mid-region and a gentle principal bend of about 0.4 rad near the tip. After a quiescent period of 0.2–2 s, motility is resumed with the initiation of a new reverse bend at the base. This bend and the proximal principal bend remaining from quiescence begin to propagate but they decay before passing more than halfway along the flagellum. In this blocked stage of the starting transient, which lasts 1–15 beat cycles (20–300 ms), successive principal and reverse bends are propagated progressively further along the flagellum but they decay before reaching the tip and the asymmetry remains at the high value characteristic of quiescence. The first propagation of a principal bend to the tip marks the beginning of the transitional stage of the transient, during which the asymmetry of the bending waves gradually decreases until after 2–5 beat cycles (40–100 ms) it reaches the value characteristic of steady-state beating. In both stopping and starting flagella the beat frequency and the mean of the principal and reverse bend angles remain constant throughout the transient (except for the beat cycle immediately pre- or post-quiescence), indicating that they are regulated by mechanisms almost completely independent of that regulating wave symmetry. The bend propagation velocity remains constant during stopping transients but it is diminished during the blocked stage of starting transients, indicating that the bend velocity, and hence the wavelength, can be altered by changes in the internal resistance to bend propagation.
Batch, design optimization, and DNA sequencing study for continuous 1,3-propanediol production from waste glycerol by a soil-based inoculum

1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) was produced with a robust fermentation process using waste glycerol feedstock from biodiesel production and a soil-based bacterial inoculum. An iterative inoculation method was developed to achieve independence from soil and selectively breed bacterial populations capable of glycerol metabolism to 1,3-PD. The inoculum showed high resistance to impurities in the feedstock. 1,3-PD selectivity and yield in batch fermentations was optimized by appropriate nutrient compositions and pH control. The batch yield of 1,3-PD was maximized to ~0.7 mol/mol for industrial glycerol which was higher than that for pure glycerin. 16S rDNA sequencing results show a systematic selective enrichment of 1,3-PD producing bacteria with iterative inoculation and subsequent process control. A statistical design of experiments was carried out on industrial glycerol batches to optimize conditions, which were used to run two continuous flow stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) experiments over a period of >500 h each. A detailed analysis of steady states at three dilution rates is presented. Enhanced specific 1,3-PD productivity was observed with faster dilution rates due to lower levels of solvent degeneration. 1,3-PD productivity, specific productivity, and yield of 1.1 g/l hr, 1.5 g/g hr, and 0.6 mol/mol of glycerol were obtained at a dilution rate of 0.1 h−1which is bettered only by pure strains in pure glycerin feeds.
Skeletonization And Distance Transformation By Greyscale Morphology

Mathematical morphology applied to image processing which deals directly with shape is a more direct and faster approach to feature measurements than traditional techniques. It has grown to include many applications and architectures in image analysis. Binary morphology has been successfully extended to greyscale morphology which allows a new set of applications. In this paper, the distance transformation, skeletonization, and reconstruction algorithms using the greyscale morphology approach are described and proven to be remarkably simple. The distance transformation of an object is the minimum distance from inner points to the background of an object. The algorithm is a recursive greyscale erosion of the image with a small size structuring element. The distance can be Euclidean, chessboard, or city-block distance which depends on the selection of its structuring element. The skeleton extracted is the Medial Axis Transformation (MAT) which is produced from the result of the distance transformation. The values of the distance transform along the skeleton are maintained to represent distance to the closest boundary. We can easily reconstruct the distance transform from the skeleton by iterative greyscale dilations with the same struc-turing element. In order for this method to be useful for grey level images, a simple adaptive threshold algorithm using greyscale ero-sion with a non-linear structuring element has been developed.21 A decomposition technique which reduces the large size non-linear structuring element into a recursive operation with a small window allows real-time implementation.
Acute toxicity of cadmium and sodium pentachlorophenate to daphnids and fish

When estimating the toxicity of effluents it is desirable to use organisms sensitive to a wide range of pollutants. Currently, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) recommends the use of Daphnia pulex, Daphnia magna, and Pimephales promelas to assess the toxicity of freshwater effluents. Ceriodaphnia sp. has also received increased attention as a standard toxicity test organism due to its sensitivity, short generation time, and ubiquitous distribution. Comparison of toxicity data generated by different investigators is often difficult because of differences in test procedures, dilution waters, or nutritional history of test organisms. The primary objectives of this research were to compare the sensitivity of Daphnia magna, Daphnia pulex, Ceriodaphnia reticulata, and Pimephales promelas to the reference toxicants CdCl/sub 2/ and sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP) and to compare results with those obtained by other investigators. A secondary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different dilution waters on the acute toxicity of these reference toxicants to the above test organisms.
An efficient conversion of berberine into a rhoeadine via an indenobenzazepine

Abstract Treatment of ketoaziridine 4 with aqueous formaldehyde gives the unusual bridged indenobenzazepine derivative 6 whose reduction uith sodium cyanoborohydride produces trans ketol 8 . In the presence of hydrochloric acid, 8 undergoes irreversible conversion to the more stable cis ketol 10 . Periodate oxidation of 8 supplies γ-laotone 11 . NaBH 4 reduction of 11 followed by acid treatment affords δ-lactone 12 which upon reduction and O-methylation furnishes cis rhoeadine analog 14 .
Prediction of the interfacial shear stress of externally bonded FRP to concrete substrate using critical stress state criterion

Abstract This research focuses on the development of a fracture mechanics based-model that predicts the debonding behavior between FRP composites and reinforced concrete beams. The maximum transferable load for FRP composite externally bonded to concrete substrate was expressed as a function of material properties and the fracture energy. Fracture energy for FRP pull-off test was determined with the maximum interfacial shear stress and the corresponding slip. The interfacial shear stress and the corresponding slip are predicted based on a proposed criterion that shear stress failure initiates adjacent to the FRP-concrete bond interface. With the application of the elasticity theory, the corresponding slip of FRP bond system and the interfacial shear stress are obtained. Comparison between the experimental FRP pull-off tests and those predicted by the new model showed good agreement.
Reproductive potential of field‐collected overwintering boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) fed on pollen in the laboratory

The reproductive potential of overwintering boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis (Boheman), females collected from pheromone traps in September, November and January, fed for 1, 3, and 5 weeks on plant pollens, and then provided cotton squares, was determined in the laboratory at 27 ± 1 ◦ C, 65% RH, and a photoperiod 13 : 11 (L : D) h. Duration of pollen feeding by overwintering boll weevils did not significantly influence egg and feeding punctures, or puncture ratios (egg to total punctures) for any of the three months of parent weevil collections when provided cotton squares on a daily basis. However, punctures and puncture ratios are significantly different when comparing mean data between months of boll weevil collections. When boll weevils were provided with cottonsquaresdaily,thepre-ovipositionalperiodsoffemaleparentscapturedinSeptember, November and January were 5, 9 and 14 days, respectively. The rate of eggs by females was significantly lower during November and January than September. Female parents collected in September produced a significantly higher percentage of eggs yielding adult progeny than those collected in November and January. Life table parameters indicated that net reproductive rate (Ro) of boll weevil females collected in September was 1.2- fold higher than those collected in November and 10.7-fold higher than those collected in January. Except for testes size, no differences in male reproductive parameters were observed during the cotton-free period compared with males captured during mid-cotton (June). The number of oocytes in the ovarioles and the number of oocytes containing yolk were significantly lower during September, November and January compared with June. The reproductive potential of overwintering boll weevil females collected in different months is an important consideration in determining the success of any control strategy.
Synthesis of the mannosyl-O-serine (threonine) linkage of glycoproteins from polyisoprenylphosphate mannose in yeast (Hansenula holstii).

Abstract The mannolipid synthesized from GDP-mannose and lipid acceptors in a particulate enzyme preparation from the yeast Hansenula holstii (R. K. Bretthauer, S. Wu, and W. E. Irwin, (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta , 304 , 736–747) has the properties of dolicholmonophosphate mannose. Transfer of [ 14 C]mannose from exogenously supplied, purified mannolipid to endogenous protein acceptors of the particulate enzyme fraction has now been demonstrated. The synthesis of radioactive products which are insoluble in chloroform-methanol and water is dependent upon time and concentrations of substrate, particulate fraction protein, and detergent. Addition of MgCl 2 or MnCl 2 to incubation mixtures prepared in the absence of these ions had only small stimulatory effects (20–25%), suggesting that the reaction is not dependent upon metal ions. Relatively high concentrations (0.005 m -0.05 m ) of EDTA did partially inhibit the reaction, but this is considered to be due to secondary effects. Seventy percent of the radioactivity in the chloroform-methanol insoluble residue was solubilized with hot, neutral citrate buffer. The Chromatographic properties of this material on Sephadex gels and on DEAE-Sephadex were very similar to the properties of glycoprotein products derived from GDP-[ 14 C]mannose. The chloroform-methanol insoluble products were also solubilized with Pronase which subsequently resulted in the isolation of a radioactive glycopeptide that contained 25% of the radioactivity transferred from mannolipid. The radioactive component of this glycopeptide was shown by β-elmination experiments and by amino acid analyses to be [ 14 C]mannose residues linked O -glycosidically to serine and threonine residues. It was concluded, therefore, that one function of the mannolipid is to serve as mannosyl donor in the synthesis of the mannosyl- O -serine (threonine) linkage region of glycoproteins which may be part of the cell wall mannan-protein complex. Other mannose-containing products may also be synthesized from the mannolipid, as β-elimination of the chloroform-methanol insoluble fraction or of the Pronase soluble fraction did not result in recovery of all of the radioactivity as [ 14 C]mannose.
Structural Dynamics of Actin-Myosin Bound and Unbound States of Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C Detected by Dipolar EPR

We have used site-directed spin labeling and pulsed dipolar electron-electron paramagnetic resonance (DEER) to resolve the structure and dynamics of flexible and disordered regions of myosin binding protein-C (MyBP-C)'s cardiac isoform, with implications for the pathophysiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). N-terminal domains of cMyBP-C contain binding domains for several interaction partners in the myofilament, including myosin heavy chain subfragment 2 (S2) and actin. We engineered pairs of labeling sites in protein fragments of mouse cMyBP-C to measure with high resolution distance and disorder between (1) domains C0 and C1, flanking the flexible Pro/Ala-rich linker, and between (2) domains C1 and C2, flanking the partially disordered phosphorylation motif, using DEER. Changes in distance and disorder were assessed for double-Cys mutant cMyBP-C's free in solution and when bound to myosin S2 or actin, with or without cMyBP-C phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA). Understanding conformational transitions in the flexible and dynamic portions of cMyBP-C upon actin-myosin binding and phosphorylation provide new molecular insight into defining its modulatory role in muscle force development. (NIH-F32 to BAC; NIH-R01 to DDT)
Preeclampsia risk and angiotensinogen polymorphisms M235T and AGT -217 in African American and Caucasian women.

Introduction: Genetic variants of the angiotensinogen gene have been linked to both hypertension and preeclampsia. The M235T polymorphism is more common in hypertension and preeclampsia in some populations. A polymorphism in the angiotensinogen basal promoter region of AGT -217 is more common in African Americans with hypertension. The authors investigated the frequency of M235T and AGT -217 in Caucasian and African American women with and without preeclampsia. Methods: The study was a nested case—control study of primiparous women with singleton pregnancies. Genomic DNA from preeclamptic and control subjects underwent polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction digestion. Results: The M235T and AGT -217 polymorphisms were both more common in African American women; however, the variants were not more common in preeclampsia. Conclusion: The frequency of angiotensinogen polymorphisms M235T and AGT -217 is different by race; however, these polymorphisms are not associated with an incre ased risk of preeclampsia.
Deicing of helicopter blades using piezoelectric actuators

Deicing of fixed wing aircraft and rotor craft that fly; at lower altitudes has been an area of research interest for many decades. The currently available solutions, though functional, are economically or environmentally inefficient. Some military helicopters have electrical deicing system for rotor blades that use up to 12 kW of power to achieve all weather shear horizontal waves at the ice-substrate interface is proposed. Experiments were carried out using PZT-5A and PZT-8 shear plate actuators bonded to an aluminum plate. A low-temperature chamber was constructed for this purpose. The results indicate that the PZT-8 actuators were able to deice the aluminum plate melting the ice at the interface. Results are presented in the form of tabular data and digital photographs taken of the melting process. The deicing mechanism is discussed.
Preliminary characterization of molecules that increase cell free translational activity of cardiac cytoplasmic RNA

Previous evidence indicates that cells generate molecules that alter transcription in response to stress. Accordingly, we conducted preliminary experiments to characterize these molecules. Extracts were prepared from normal and experimental canine hearts in which a 100 mmHg gradient was created across the ascending aorta for 6 h. Experimental extracts were then treated by ultrafiltration through YM 10 and YM 30 membranes, by incubation with immobilized trypsin for 1 h at 37 degrees C and by incubation in a boiling water bath for 10 min. Extracts were perfused through isolated rat hearts for 1 h. Total cytoplasmic RNA was then extracted from the perfused heart and translated in a cell free medium containing [35S]-methionine. Incorporated label into newly synthesized protein was determined by liquid scintillation counting. A 13% mean increase in translational activity was produced by the fraction of the experimental extract passing through the YM 10 membrane compared with the material retained by YM 10 and YM 30 membranes. A 14% mean decrease in translational activity was observed in hearts perfused with experimental extracts treated with immobilized trypsin compared to untreated experimental extracts. There was no significant difference in translational activity of hearts perfused with experimental extracts subjected to boiling compared with non-boiled experimental extracts. These data suggest that the active molecules may be heat stable peptides or peptide containing substances of 10000 daltons or less in molecular weight.
On the convergence of the electronic structure properties of the fcc americium (0 0 1) surface

Abstract Electronic and magnetic properties of the fcc americium (0 0 1) surface have been investigated via full-potential all-electron density-functional electronic structure calculations at both scalar and fully relativistic levels. Effects of various theoretical approximations on the fcc Am (0 0 1) surface properties have been thoroughly examined. The ground state of fcc Am (0 0 1) surface is found to be anti-ferromagnetic with spin–orbit coupling included (AFM-SO). At the ground state, the magnetic moment of fcc Am (0 0 1) surface is predicted to be zero. Our current study predicts the semi-infinite surface energy and the work function for fcc Am (0 0 1) surface at the ground state to be approximately 0.82 J/m 2 and 2.93 eV respectively. In addition, the quantum size effects of surface energy and work function on the fcc Am (0 0 1) surface have been examined up to seven layers at various theoretical levels. Results indicate that a three layer film surface model may be sufficient for future atomic and molecular adsorption studies on the fcc Am (0 0 1) surface, if the primary quantity of interest is the chemisorption energy.
Activation of NF κ B and Expression of ICAM-1 in Ischemic–reperfused Canine Myocardium

Although redox-sensitive transcription factors, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), have been shown to induce intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene transcription in isolated cells, little is known about their involvement in the regulation of the ICAM-1 gene in vivo during ischemia-reperfusion. Anesthetized closed-chest dogs underwent 90 min coronary artery occlusion, followed by reperfusion for 0, 15, 30, 60, 180, or 360 min. Blood flow (fluorescent or radioactive microspheres), ICAM-1 protein expression (immunohistochemistry), ICAM-1 gene activation (Northern blotting), and nuclear DNA-binding activity of NF kappa B and AP-1 (electrophoretic mobility shift assays) were assessed in myocardial tissue samples. ICAM-1 protein was expressed constitutively on vascular endothelium, but expression levels decreased markedly during ischemia. Within 15 min reperfusion, endothelial ICAM-1 protein increased, associated with a rapid appearance of ICAM-1 mRNA. Activation of both NF kappa B and AP-1 occurred following ischemia-reperfusion, but did not coincide temporally with early post-reperfusion ICAM-1 gene induction. NF kappa B was activated during ischemia, when ICAM-1 mRNA was undetectable, and did not increase further until 60 min reperfusion, well after the increase in ICAM-1 mRNA had begun. Similarly, AP-1 did not increase until 60 min reperfusion. In non-ischemic myocardium, NF kappa B and AP-1 were both activated, but ICAM-1 mRNA did not appear until 6 h later. By immunohistology, NF kappa B (p65 subunit) and the c-Fos subunit of AP-1 were localized primarily in vascular endothelium. Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium is associated with very rapid ICAM-1 gene induction in the context of prior NF kappa B activation, without new activation of NF kappa B. In non-ischemic myocardium, ICAM-1 transcription begins hours after NF kappa B is activated. These findings support a role for NF kappa B in ICAM-1 induction in vivo, but suggest that other processes, such as oxygen-radical generation, may combine with NF kappa B to trigger an accelerated transcription of ICAM-1 following ischemia-reperfusion.
A New Route to Heterosilsesquioxane Frameworks.

The substitution of an O atom in the Cy8 Si8 O12 framework by a heteroatom or a heteroatom-containing group (Z) provides a simple route to discrete heterosilsesquioxane frameworks 1. In this reaction the Cy8 Si8 O12 framework is initially opened with triflic acid and then treated with different nucleophiles (Cy=cyclohexyl; Z=NPh, SO4 , nBuBO2 , CrO4 ).
A convenient field method of tissue preservation for flow cytometric ploidy assessment of grass carp

Abstract We developed modified procedures for the field collection and preservation of blood and tissue samples from grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella for flow cytometric ploidy analysis. The components used are stable at room temperature and portable, so that they may be incorporated into a field kit. The procedures facilitated field collection and preservation of tissue, and accommodated accurate ploidy analysis up to 1 month following collection. The techniques will be useful in remote locations, where access to refrigeration and a flow cytometer is not available.
Feeding and drinking patterns in young pigs

Abstract Feeding and drinking patterns of six immature female pigs, weighing from 10 to 130 kg, operantly obtaining feed and water at a fixed ratio of 10, were determined. It was found by log survivorship analysis that 10 min was the minimum interbout interval defining separate eating bouts. As the pigs grew through this weight range, daily feed intake increased nearly threefold, while eating bout frequency fell from 14 to 7 per day; consequently both eating bout size and interbout interval increased. However, bout size was increased primarily by an increased rate of eating during bouts without any consistent increase in bout duration. Neither premeal nor postmeal intervals were correlated with meal size. Of the pigs' daily water intake, 75% was closely associated with eating bouts and over 1 3 of this (25%) was preprandial. Sixty-four percent of daily food intake and 68% of water intake was during the 12-hr light period. Nocturnal eating bouts were less frequent, but larger.
The ultrastructure of isolated rat oligodendroglial cell cultures.

Cultured rat oligodendrocytes were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Cells were identified by an immunocytochemical stain for galactocerebroside, a specific cell surface marker for oligodendroglial cells.
Cystatin C and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Asymptomatic Adults: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background Persons with early kidney disease have an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality, but the importance of accelerated atherosclerosis in promoting these outcomes is unclear. We therefore explored whether serum cystatin C level is associated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in ambulatory adults without clinical heart disease. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Setting & Participants We evaluated 6,557 ethnically diverse persons free of clinical cardiovascular disease aged 45 to 84 years at the baseline visit of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Predictors Kidney function was estimated by using 2 methods: serum cystatin C level and estimated glomerular filtration rate, based on creatinine and cystatin C levels. Outcomes & Measurements Study outcomes were internal and common carotid IMT, measured by using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used to evaluate the independent association of kidney function with carotid IMT. Results In unadjusted linear analysis, each SD (0.23 mg/L) greater cystatin C level was associated with 0.091-mm greater internal carotid IMT ( P P P = 0.5). Similarly, the strong unadjusted associations of cystatin C level with common carotid IMT disappeared after adjustment. Chronic kidney disease, defined by using either creatinine level or cystatin C–based estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , had no independent association with internal and common carotid IMT. Limitations There were few participants with severe kidney disease. Conclusions Cystatin C level had no independent association with carotid IMT in a population free of clinical heart disease. This observation suggests that accelerated atherosclerosis is unlikely to be the primary mechanism explaining the independent association of cystatin C level with cardiovascular risk.
A Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of Splitting Severe Storms on 3 April 1964

Abstract A three-dimensional numerical storm model is used to investigate the observed splitting of several reflectivity echoes on 3 April 1964 in Oklahoma. Representative soundings from this day exhibit a nearly one-directional environmental wind shear vector and the presence of strong low-level wind shear. In the numerical simulation an initial cloud splits into two long-lived rotating storms, one that moves to the left of the mean winds and the other to the right. The left-moving storm develops more slowly than the right-moving one due to the deviation of the environmental wind hodograph from a straight line below 1 km. Further, the left mover eventually splits. Convergence induced by the cold, low-level storm outflow plays a major role in the development of both the first and second splits. However, the second split appears to be dynamically different than the first as the left-moving updraft remains essentially unchanged while a new updraft forms immediately adjacent to it. Because of the different p...
Surgical cardiac patient characteristics and the amount of analgesics administered in the intensive care unit after extubation

The study investigated relationships between patient characteristics (desire for control, perceived control, perceived social support, state anxiety, gender, weight and age) and the amount of analgesics administered in the intensive care unit after extubation. Subjects included surgical cardiac patients (n = 56) who were predominantly male (75%), Caucasian (89%) and had a mean age of 59 years. The findings showed significant positive relationships between the amount of analgesics administered and state anxiety and weight. Significant negative relationships were found between the amount of analgesics administered and desire for control, perceived control and age. Desire for control, age and state anxiety predicted the amount of analgesics administered. The findings provided insight into analgesic requirement and nursing actions.
Anomalous 14N quadrupole coupling constant of methyl isocyanide in liquid crystals

The 14N quadrupole coupling constant (QCC) for methyl isocyanide obtained from 1H and 14N N.M.R. measurements in liquid crystal solutions is reported as a function of temperature for two liquid crystal solvents. A marked linear temperature dependence is observed in both solvents. The measured QCC varies by 20 per cent over a 50°C range.
A comparative study of morphometry in shell-bearing molluscs

A comparative study was conducted on the ontogenetic variation in morphometry of a total of 29 shell-bearing molluscan species occurring on an intertidal stony shore in south-western Japan. The relationships between shell size and total weight and between shell size and flesh weight were all highly significant on logarithmic scales with the slopes having values of about three. The arcsine-transformed proportion of shell weight out of total weight varied among and within different morphological/taxonomic groups, ranging from 58.6% in Acanthochiton defilippi to 76.4% in Nerita albicilla. The allometry of shell weight was analysed by regressing the arcsine transformed values of the proportion of shell weight against total weight in each species. The slope (β) of the regression varied substantially among different taxa, with all three possible cases, i.e. β > 0, β [ape ] 0 and β < 0, being observed. Thus, depending on molluscan species, the proportion of shell mass either (1) increases, (2) does not change, or (3) decreases with increasing body mass. Variation in the value of β was to some extent explained by the proportion of shell mass of young individuals of each species; species with relatively high proportions of shell mass in small individuals tended to have low β. Interspecifically, it was shown that shell mass scaled in proportion to body mass for this assemblage of 29 species. Consideration was given to the theoretical background of variation in shell morphometry, with particular reference to the shell as a defence structure.
The Enemy within: Propagation of Aberrant Corticostriatal Learning to Cortical Function in Parkinson's Disease.

Motor dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease is believed to arise primarily from pathophysiology in the dorsal striatum and its related corticostriatal and thalamostriatal circuits during progressive dopamine denervation. One function of these circuits is to provide a filter that selectively facilitates or inhibits cortical activity to optimize cortical processing, making motor responses rapid and efficient. Corticostriatal synaptic plasticity mediates the learning that underlies this performance-optimizing filter. Under dopamine denervation, corticostriatal plasticity is altered, resulting in aberrant learning that induces inappropriate basal ganglia filtering that impedes rather than optimizes cortical processing. Human imaging suggests that increased cortical activity may compensate for striatal dysfunction in PD patients. In this Perspective article, we consider how aberrant learning at corticostriatal synapses may impair cortical processing and learning and undermine potential cortical compensatory mechanisms. Blocking or remediating aberrant corticostriatal plasticity may protect cortical function and support cortical compensatory mechanisms mitigating the functional decline associated with progressive dopamine denervation.
Cinematic depiction of conflicts of interest in romantic relationships

Conflicts of interest resulting from a romantic relationship, just like conflicts of interest of a financial nature, have the potential to negatively affect professional decisions. For this reason, many companies, universities, and government agencies have policies designed to prevent conflicts of interest at the expense of personal liberties. In addition, the feminist literature in the last two decades has added the specter of sexual harassment to the evaluation of conflicts, of interest. A few academic authors have voiced opposition to this state of affairs. In an effort to enrich the debate with viewpoints from outside of academia, I analyze six popularly acclaimed motion pictures that address the issue of conflicts of interest in romantic relationships. All six films convey the idea that people are aware of potential complications but regularly avoid these complications. This suggests that restrictive policies on conflicts of interest may not be justified.
Deal Proneness and Heavy Usage: Merging Two Market Segmentation Criteria

The relationship of two different market segmentation criteria is investigated in order to establish a more powerful segmentation tool. These two segmentation criteria are level of consumer use of the product (a volume criterion) and consumer deal proneness (a market factor criterion). A two-year purchase diary of over 6200 households in a national probability sample forms the data base of this research. In general, it was found that deal-prone consumers tend to be heavy users and that light users are significantly less deal prone. Implications for management are discussed.
Effect of Ancillary Ligands on the Reactivity and Structure of Zinc Polysulfido Complexes

The pentacoordinate complex ZnS4(PMDETA) (1) is formed by treatment of ZnS6(TMEDA) (2) with the tridentate ligand pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA). 1H NMR studies show that samples of 1 react with elemental sulfur to produce a significant (<30%) amount of a second polysulfido complex, assigned as ZnS5(PMDETA). Crystallographic studies reveal that 1 has a ZnN3S2 coordination sphere with a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure. The inversion of the stereochemistry at Zn in 1 has been observed by variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. Neither free PMDETA, elemental sulfur, nor ZnS5(PMDETA) affects the coalescence behavior of 1. The isomerization mechanism proposed for this process involves the dissociation of the central amine, formation of a tetrahedral ZnN2S2 intermediate, and inversion at the central nitrogen, followed by recoordination of the central amine. Other PMDETA complexes studied in this work are subject to similar dynamics. Reactivity studies indicate that complex 1 is significantly ...
Forming Identities in College: A Sociological Approach.

Using data from 82 in-depth interviews with a randomly selected sample of college students, we explore how these students are forming felt identities in the following domains: intelligence and knowledgeability, occupation, and cosmopolitanism. We study the formation of students' identities by considering college an arena of social interaction in which the individual comes in contact with a multitude of actors in various settings, emphasizing that through these social interactions the identities of individuals are, in part, constituted. In using a symbolic interactionist approach in our research in conjunction with consideration of the social structural location of colleges in the wider society, we demonstrate the sorts of information and insights that can be gained from a nondevelopmental approach to the study of college student change.
Exploring Cultural Competence in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Outcomes

Professional psychologists have an ethical obligation to engage in culturally competent service delivery within their research and practice. Although the American Psychological Association has published guidelines for multicultural competence within these areas, researchers continue to rely on conve
Applied Capital Budgeting with Cash Flow Dependencies

This article provides decision makers with a method of determining the variability and acceptability of a major capital investment. The model used here differs from previous models in that it does not use simulation, nor does it require a normal distribution for the cash flow component. Further, it has no restrictions on whether cash flows are dependent. An example of the technique is included.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Phonon Transport in EDIP Silicon

In this paper, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is employed to compute thermal conductivity, dispersion curves and single mode relaxation times for bulk silicon. A newly-developed environment-dependent interatomic potential (EDIP) is used in our simulations. Using the Green-Kubo method, simulations of bulk silicon thermal conductivity are conducted using 216 to 4096 atoms. The effect of domain size is explored for different temperatures. Thermal conductivity predictions are found to converge to a bulk value for simulations containing 1000 atoms or more, even though the domain is much smaller than the phonon mean free path. A domain-size independent thermal conductivity is computed for temperatures ranging from 300 K to 1000 K and is shown to compare reasonably well with experimental data without the need for correction factors. The MD results are analyzed to obtain phonon dispersion curves along the [100] direction. Dispersion curves are also obtained using EDIP under a harmonic approximation and the classical dynamical matrix approach. The two sets of curves agree reasonably well. Furthermore, single mode phonon relaxation times are computed from the MD simulations. The trend can be curve-fit by third or fourth-order polynomials.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Effect of adenine nucleotides on the reaction catalyzed by pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase in maize

The effect of adenine nucleotides in pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1, ATP, pyruvate, orthophosphate phosphotransferase)_was studied with the enzyme furified from maize, and with the enzyme obtained from mesophyll chloroplast extracts during assay in the direction of pyruvate conversion to phosphoenolpyruvate. (1) In studies with the purified enzyme, the relationship of initial velocity to ATP concentrations follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the Km value for ATP was 22.8 μM (± 5.1 μM, n = 5). (2) AMP was a competitive inhibitor with respect to ATP, and its Ki value was 35.8 μM (± μM, n = 4). There was no inhibition of catalysis by ADP up to a concentration of 460 μM. (3) The theoretical response of the enzyme to change in the adenylate energy charge was calculated from the kinetic constants for ATP and AMP. The experimentally obtained values were similar to the theoretical response when varying energy charge was generated by addition of appropriate amounts of ATP, ADP and AMP in assays with the purified enzyme. The response of the enzyme to energy charge at different pH values (pH 7.0, 7.5, and 8.0) was similar, although the activity of the enzyme at pH 7.0 was about 40% of that at pH 8.0. (4) When mesophyll chloroplast extracts of maize, which contain high levels of adenylate kinase, were used as the source of the enzyme and the adenylate energy charge was generated by addition of different concentrations of ATP and AMP, the influence on catalysis was similar to that with the purified enzyme. (5) The data show that the effect of varying energy chage on the activity of the dikinase is not typical of a U-type enzyme, in contrast to phosphoglycerate kinase (EC 2.7.2.3, ATP: 3-phospho-D-glycerate 1-phosphotransferase), which is more strongly regulated. (6) Evidence is presented for competition between the dikinase and phosphoglycerate kinase for ATP in mesophyll chloroplast extracts of maize. (7) When the effect of adenylate energy charge on the state of activation and the direct effect on catalysis of the dikanase are combined, the total capacity for catalysis is very dependent on the energy charge.
Adolescent dietary intakes predict cardiometabolic risk clustering.

To prospectively examine the relation between adolescent dietary intake and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) clustering at the end of adolescence. Data from the NHLBI Growth and Health Study on 1369 girls enrolled at ages 9–10 in 1987–1988 and followed for 10 years were used to estimate the relative risk of having multiple (≥2 or ≥3) risk factors in late adolescence associated with usual food intake patterns from 9 to 17 years of age. Mean food intakes were derived from multiple 3-day diet records and CMR factors included larger waist circumference, insulin resistance, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high triglycerides, and elevated systolic or diastolic blood pressures. Of 1369 subjects, 18.4 % girls had 3–6 prevalent risk factors by the end of adolescence and 35.0 % had at least two. Higher intakes of fruit and non-starchy vegetables, dairy, and grains were independently associated with having fewer risk factors as were eating patterns characterized by higher combined intakes of these food groups. After adjusting for age, race, socio-economic status, height, physical activity, and television watching, girls with high intakes of dairy and fruits and non-starchy vegetables (vs. those with lower intakes of both) were nearly 50 % less likely to have three or more CMR factors in late adolescence; girls with higher intakes of grains plus fruits and non-starchy vegetables were nearly 60 % less likely. These results suggest that healthy food consumption patterns during adolescence may prevent accumulation of cardiometabolic risk.
An Empirical Evaluation of a Composite Heterogeneous Model of Brand Choice and Purchase Timing Behavior

In a previous article, a new model of brand choice and purchase timing behavior has been discussed with respect to its theoretical foundations and mathematical development Zufryden, F. S. 1977. A composite heterogeneous model of brand choice and purchase timing behavior, theoretical development. Management Sci.24 2, October.. This article first develops a new statistical methodology to estimate the model's parameters. Then, the model is empirically evaluated and compared to several previous stochastic models in an actual market situation. The empirical evidence provides strong support of the viability of the proposed model given its ability to describe and predict measures of market behavior and product performance that are of importance to marketing managers. Such measures of market behavior as the cumulative penetration, trial and repeat purchase patterns of a chosen brand all appear to coincide closely with actual data.
Sufficient conditions for optimality in two-person zero-sum differential games with state and strategy constraints

Abstract A sufficiency theorem for optimal feedback strategies in two-person zero-sum differential games is given. The theorem is applicable to a wide class of such games for which strategies are Borel measurable functions on a subset of the state space. The theorem generalizes those of [1, 2, and 5].
Use of blood levels to infer carcass levels of contaminants

Inferences may be made about the carcass levels of a contaminant based on the contaminant level in blood samples. A method is given for comparing such populations that utilizes bivariate normal distributions and their principal axes, thereby avoiding a dilemma arising from the use of regression techniques. Confidence intervals and power calculations are given. Data from captive barn owls provide partial justification for the use of this method.
On Barriers to Reverse Engineering Mechanical Components

Reverse engineering is a common design strategy in industry. It is a term that has come to encompass a large array of engineering and design activities in the literature; however, in its basic form, reverse engineering is simply the process of extracting information about a product from the product itself. Depending on its use, it may or may not be advantageous to utilize a reverse engineering strategy. As with any rational decision, reverse engineering is only favorable when the benefits from its use outweigh the investment. Therefore, a general understanding of the principles that increase the difficulty or investment required to reverse engineer mechanical products would be helpful for everyone affected by reverse engineering activities. In this paper, we articulate and explore these fundamental principles by reviewing several examples from the literature and from our own experience. We then use the principles as a basis for the development of a methodology to build barriers to reverse engineering into new products, and provide a simple example to illustrate its use.Copyright © 2010 by ASME