cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Embryonic” Collagen (Type I Trimer) α1-Chains are Genetically Distinct from Type I Collagens α1-Chains

Abstract Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that cell lines derived from early embryonic mouse sources produce procollagen and collagen and suggested that this material represents a new genetic type of collagen. Evidence was presented using carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography, analytical isoelectric focusing, cyanogen bromide peptide analysis, amino acid analysis, and carbohydrate analysis which demonstrated that this “embryonic” collagen consisted of three identical a-chains, distinctly different from types I, II and III and IV collagen and thus probably represented a new type of collagen. Further evidence is presented using Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease generated peptide maps and immunological studies using antisera prepared against “embryonic” collagen and procollagen. These data clearly demonstrated that “embryonic” collagen is clearly distinct from type I α-chains and represents a unique genetic species of collagen.
Dynamics of Bipedal Gait: Part I—Objective Functions and the Contact Event of a Planar Five-Link Biped

This article presents an approach that can be followed to formulate objective functions which can be used to prescribe the gait of a planar, five element, bipedal automaton during single support phase. The motion of the biped is completely characterized in terms of progression speed, step length, maximum step height, and stance knee bias. Kinematic relations have been derived and the inverse problem has been solved to perform a parametric study that correlates the regions of the four dimensional parameter space with the respective gait patterns
Comparison of Control Delays from CORSIM and the Highway Capacity Manual for Oversaturated Signalized Intersections

For oversaturated traffic conditions, control delays from CORSIM simulation were compared to the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2000 delays for zero and nonzero initial queue conditions for arrival type (AT) 1, 2, 4, and 5 at three different degrees of saturation, 1.02, 1.1, and 1.2. For zero initial queue condition, HCM delays for AT-1 were lower than CORSIM delays except at a degree of saturation of 1.02, at which they were similar. For AT-2, HCM delays were statistically similar, except at degree of saturation 1.1. For AT-4 and AT-5, HCM delays were consistently higher than CORSIM delays for all degrees of saturation. For nonzero initial queue condition, HCM delays were consistently lower than CORSIM delays for all degrees of saturation for AT-1. For AT-2, HCM delays were similar to CORSIM delays only at degrees of saturation 1.1 and 1.2. For AT-4 and AT-5, HCM delays were higher than CORSIM delays for all degrees of saturation.
The proteasome makes sense of mixed signals.

Protein ubiquitination is an important degradative signal, yet not all ubiquitinated proteins are degraded. Recent results reveal insights into the proteasome's strategy for integrating biophysical signals when choosing substrates for degradation.
Vehicle System Modeling for HEV Systems Development

The sheer complexity of engineering propulsion systems for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) demands the use of model-based development processes supported by comprehensive, robust vehicle system models. A Vehicle System Modeling (VSM) process has been developed to provide high-quality, application-appropriate vehicle system models in time to support critical HEV engineering activities. The process seeks to manage the complexity of the large number of model variants that are required to support a vehicle program. Additionally, it drives model development and aligns modeling activities with program timing. This paper describes the key elements of the VSM process and presents an application example. The application example illustrates the process by which a highly detailed HEV system model is created from an initial, base conventional vehicle system model via integration of high fidelity component models into a re-usable vehicle system modeling framework. The component models come from a variety of modeling tools and environments, which introduces additional complexity that must be managed. Results generated from the model show the complex system interactions that must be addressed by the vehicle control strategy. This re-enforces the notion that such modeling is required to achieve robust system designs.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Evidence for degeneration of sympathetic nerve terminals caused by the ortho- and para-quinones of 6-hydroxydopamine.

6-Hydroxydopamine and its corresponding ortho- and para-quinones were injected intraperitoneally into male Swiss-Webster mice. Measurements made 72 h after injection showed that all three compounds caused a decrease in the uptake of [3H]norepinephrine into slices of mouse heart tissue in vitro, a decrease in the endogenous content of heart norepine-phrine, and a disappearance of the adrenergic nerve plexus of the mouse iris as viewed by fluorescence histochemistry. These data suggest that both the ortho- and para-quinones of 6-hydroxydopamine are capable of producing a chemical sympathectomy similar to that caused by 6-hydroxydopamine.
Decadal change in carbon monoxide to nitrogen oxide ratio in U.S. vehicular emissions

[1] Accurate emission inventories and their temporal trends must be incorporated into pollutant inventories to allow for reliable modeling of the country’s past, present, and future air quality. Measured carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentrations from two urban areas show that the CO/NOx vehicular emission ratio has decreased at an average rate of 7–9% per year from 1987 to 1999. This amounts to a factor of nearly 3 over the 12 years. The current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tabulations of estimated pollutant emission trends indicate a rate of decrease smaller by a factor of 2–3. The trend in maximum ambient CO levels in U.S. cities suggests a 5.2 ± 0.8% per year average annual decrease in CO vehicular emissions, which implies a 2–3% annual increase in NOx emissions from vehicles. Thus over the decade of the 1990s, annual U.S. CO emissions from vehicles have decreased from 65 to 38 Tg, representing approximate decreases of 6 and 3% in the annual global fuel-use CO emissions and in total global anthropogenic CO emissions, respectively. It is expected that the volatile organic compound (VOC)/NOx vehicular exhaust emission ratio has decreased similarly, implying that the character of atmospheric photochemistry in U.S. urban areas has changed significantly over the decade. INDEX TERMS: 0345 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Pollution—urban and regional (0305); 0322 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Constituent sources and sinks; 0365 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Troposphere—composition and chemistry; KEYWORDS: vehicle emissions, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, emission inventories, temporal change
Interaction of Mouse Thymocytes and a Thymocyte-like Cell Line with the ECM Glycoprotein Entactin

Abstract Entactin, a sulfated glycoprotein of 150-kDa, is a component of the extracellular matrix that promotes the adhesion of numerous types of cells, including lymphocytes (Li and Cheung, J. Immunol. 149, 3174, 1992), prompting us to question whether developing T lymphocytes in the thymus (thymocytes) also interact with this molecule. We thus investigated the adhesion of a thymocyte-like cell line (S49.1) to entactin, as well as the adhesion and migration of primary mouse thymocytes upon entactin-coated surfaces. In dose–response and time–course experiments, a 50 μg/ml coating concentration of entactin and a 60-min incubation period induced a high level (approximately 65–85%) of S49.1 cell adhesion. Preincubation of the S49.1 cells in medium containing the metabolic inhibitors sodium azide or 2-deoxy- D -glucose inhibited adhesion to entactin 47.2 and 79.5%, respectively. Furthermore, performing the adhesion assay at 4°C instead of at 37°C inhibited S49.1 cell adhesion 27.1%. A high percentage (approximately 90–100%) of S49.1 cells also bound to the lectin concanavalin A and to fibronectin, while laminin promoted only 19.3% adhesion. Our adhesion assay (St. John et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 170, 159, 1994) was then modified to permit a comparison of S49.1 cell adhesion strength to entactin relative to the other substrates. Consequently, concanavalin A promoted the strongest adhesion, followed by fibronectin and then entactin. In addition, high percentages (92.5, 63, and 75.9%, respectively) of primary thymocytes from 4- to 5-week-old BALB/c mice adhered to entactin, Con A, and fibronectin, while much lower levels (7.6%) of adhesion to laminin were observed. Using a capillary tube random migration assay to measure hapto- kinesis, entactin-, concanavalin A-, and fibronectin-coated surfaces stimulated little migration, while laminin-coated surfaces enhanced thymocyte migration extensively. Since entactin promoted thymocyte adhesion but affected migration only marginally, we suggest that this molecule may play a role in thymocyte localization during T cell development.
Where to set the threshold between well differentiated and poorly differentiated follicular carcinomas of the thyroid.

A critical review of the literature reveals that different types of thyroid carcinomas have been interpreted as poorly differentiated, including the tall and columnar cell variants as well as carcinomas with insular, trabecular, and solid growth patterns. In some publications the growth patterns have been emphasized, while in others histologic patterns and cytologic features are considered important for identification. However, insular, trabecular, nodular, and solid growth patterns lack specificity because they can be observed in hyperplastic lesions and benign thyroid tumors. The cytologic features of the vast majority of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas are similar to or overlap with those of papillary or follicular carcinomas. Cytologic atypia, mitotic activity, and necrosis—believed by some investigators to be useful clues in the diagnosis of poorly differentiated carcinomas—do not reflect cell differentiation, especially in endocrine organs. It is therefore not surprising that the immunohistochemical profile and the molecular abnormalities described in this heterogeneous group of carcinomas lack specificity and are not useful diagnostic tools. Because poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas have not been well defined, currently it is not possible to set the threshold between well-differentiated and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas with follicular phenotype. The authors believe that the vast majority of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas are in fact examples of papillary or follicular carcinomas with unusual growth patterns.
Integrated manufacturing modeling system

The objective of the Integrated Manufacturing Modeling System (IMMS) project was to build a generic software package for manufacturing modeling. The package allows interactive model building, testing, and experimentation. IMMS integrates the fundamental components of modeling, namely system description, data acquisition and management, graphic input and output, and performance simulation. The fundamental idea is to describe the flow of information, materials, and resources by using parametric standard model building blocks. Inputting is done by placing function symbols on a graphic screen and by filling in blanks for parameter data. The output includes all common performance measures, such as utilization and work in process (WIP), in graphic form. The simulation language used to implement the model building blocks is RESQ2. The Integrated Manufacturing Modeling System combines the advantage of simulation modeling with the advantages of end user programming capability. Simulation results allow intelligent decision making based on analysis (instead of intuitive experience), and an end user package reduces the turnaround time for modeling and eliminates the need for specialized programming skill. All this translates into faster and better-quality manufacturing system design and operation.
Intramedullary spinal epidermoid presenting after thoracic meningocele repair: case report

A 4-year-old girl with a history of thoracic meningocele repair at the age of 3 months presented with progressive myelopathy. An intramedullary thoracic epidermoid was identified on MRI. The patient underwent excision of the epidermoid and subsequently returned to neurological baseline. This case illustrates the potential for delayed development of intraspinal epidermoid after initial repair of a simple meningocele.
Infinite paths in planar graphs IV, dividing cycles

Nash-Williams conjectured that a 4-connected infinite planar graph contains a spanning 2-way infinite path if, and only if, the deletion of any finite set of vertices results in at most two infinite components. In this article, we prove this conjecture for graphs with no dividing cycles and for graphs with infinitely many vertex disjoint dividing cycles. A cycle in an infinite plane graph is called dividing if both regions of the plane bounded by this cycle contain infinitely many vertices of the graph. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 53: 173–195, 2006
New Concepts in Molecular Biology and Ultrastructural Pathology of the Peritoneum: Their Significance for Peritoneal Dialysis

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was developed into a life-maintaining therapy using a membrane whose fundamental biological characteristics were largely unknown. Recognition of this deficiency in our knowledge spurred a belated explosion of research that began with an exploration of the fine structure of the mesothelium. The monolayer of lining cells was found to be more sophisticated than previously imagined, being profusely carpeted with microvilli and bearing motile cilia, and in contrast to endothelium, was shown to possess a cytoplasm replete with organelles in which rough endoplasmic reticulum and lipid inclusions are prominent. Because these findings indicated possible secretory function, a link was sought between these observations and the discovery in effluent dialysate of phosphatidylcholine, a lubricant surfactant. Subsequently, comparison of mesothelial ultrastructure with that of type 2 pneumocytes revealed close concordance, while specialized fixation techniques developed for the preservation of lamellar bodes (the known storage vesicles of alveolar surfactant), when applied to mesothelium, for the first time revealed similar cytoplasmic inclusions. In vitro studies have shown that mesothelium, when incubated with radiolabeled precursor, is capable of synthesizing phosphatidylcholine, the principal constuent of pulmonary surfactant, in amounts similar to those produced by lung. The demonstration that the intensively studied type 2 pneumocyte and mesothelium both secrete lamellar bodies has opened up new possibilities in exploring the physiology, pharmacology, and pathology of the peritoneum. Recent work on mesothelial cell culture has shed new light on the factors involved in healing and regeneration. Recognition of the existence of subserosal multipotential cells and their importance in maintaining the integrity of the mesothelial cell layer is dawning. From the study of peritoneal biopsies in CAPD patients, evidence is accumulating that a process of nonenzymatic glycosylation of protein, similar to that which occurs in diabetes, is responsible for changes in stromal texture and the reduplication of basement membranes. Appreciation of stromal vulnerability to dialysate-induced accelerated aging following mesothelial loss may therefore require a new approach to peritoneal dialysis during peritonitis. Now that CAPD approaches clinical maturity there is increasing recognition of the need for strategies to ensure long-term preservation of the peritoneum as a dialyzing organ. Concomitantly there is a realization that these goals can only be attained through a much deeper appreciation of the molecular biology and pathology of the peritoneum itself.
Secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase: mode of catalysis and stereospecificity of hydride transfer in Podophyllum peltatum

Secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase (SDH) catalyzes the NAD+ dependent enantiospecific conversion of secoisolariciresinol into matairesinol. In Podophyllum species, (−)-matairesinol is metabolized into the antiviral compound, podophyllotoxin, which can be semi-synthetically converted into the anticancer agents, etoposide, teniposide and Etopophos®. Matairesinol is also a precursor of the cancer-preventative “mammalian” lignan, enterolactone, formed in the gut following ingestion of, for example, various high fiber dietary foods, as well as being an intermediate to numerous defense compounds in vascular plants. This study investigated the mode of enantiospecific Podophyllum SDH catalysis, the order of binding, and the stereospecificity of hydride abstraction/transfer from secoisolariciresinol to NAD+. SDH contains a highly conserved catalytic triad (Ser153, Tyr167 and Lys171), whose activity was abolished with site-directed mutagenesis of Tyr167Ala and Lys171Ala, whereas mutagenesis of Ser153Ala only resulted in a much reduced catalytic activity. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements indicated that NAD+ binds first followed by the substrate, (−)-secoisolariciresinol. Additionally, for hydride transfer, the incoming hydride abstracted from the substrate takes up the pro-S position in the NADH formed. Taken together, a catalytic mechanism for the overall enantiospecific conversion of (−)-secoisolariciresinol into (−)-matairesinol is proposed.
Development of rabbit visual cortex: late appearance of a class of receptive fields.

In young rabbits before the age at which the eyes open, only three of the seven receptive field types described in the adult visual cortex are detectable. The remaining four receptive field types—which share the property of having radially asymmetric fields—appear later, coincident with a decline in the percentage of cells that are visually responsive but not classifiable as to receptive field type.
Expenditures for Services, Wife's Employment, and Other Household Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the wife's employment status and expenditures for purchased services—specifically, meals in restaurants and clothing care, child care, and domestic services. The sample consisted of 354 households from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1984 Inter view Survey. Tobit regression analysis was used to test the relationship. The results indicated that the amount of time the wife spent on work was positively related to expenditure on child care services, but not other services. Compared with nonemployed-wife households, full-time-employed-wife households were found to spend more on child care services. Expenditures for meals in restaurants were found to be higher for the full-time employed wife compared to the part- time employed wife. Education of wife and household income were found to be significant factors in expenditures for most services.
An Ore-type analogue of the Sauer-Spencer Theorem

Two graphs G1 and G2 of order n pack if there exist injective mappings of their vertex sets into [n], such that the images of the edge sets do not intersect. Sauer and Spencer proved that if Δ (G1) Δ (G2) < 0.5n, then G1 and G2 pack. In this note, we study an Ore-type analogue of the Sauer–Spencer Theorem. Let θ(G) = max{d(u) + d(v): uv∈E(G)}. We show that if θ(G1)Δ(G2) < n, then G1 and G2 pack. We also characterize the pairs (G1,G2) of n-vertex graphs satisfying θ(G1)Δ(G2) = n that do not pack.
The biosynthesis of canavanine from (14)CO 2 and its asymmetric labeling in isolated pericarp, tissue of Canavalia ensiformis.

Pericarp disks from the fruit of the jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) when exposed to 14CO2 for 2 days carried out photosynthesis and the canavanine extracted from the tissue was labeled with the radioisotope. When beef liver arginase was allowed to react with this canavanine the products were homoserine, canaline, urea and an unknown compound. The activity ratio of C4:C1 compounds was close to 2:1. No label could be detected in the canavanine from leaves exposed in the same way to 14CO2 and it was concluded that normally canavanine synthesis occurs in the pericarp chlorenchyma.
Low strength of deep San Andreas fault gouge from SAFOD core

Laboratory measurements of the strength of core samples from a drill hole located northwest of Parkfield, California, near the southern end of a creeping zone of the San Andreas fault, demonstrate that the fault is profoundly weak at this location and depth. This is because of the presence of the smectite clay mineral saponite — one of the weakest phyllosilicates known. The finding suggests that deformation of the mechanically unusual creeping portions of the San Andreas fault system is controlled by the presence of weak minerals, rather than by high fluid pressure or other proposed mechanisms. This study reports on laboratory-strength measurements of fault core materials from a drill hole located northwest of Parkfield, California, near the southern end of a creeping zone of the San Andreas fault. It is found that the fault is profoundly weak at this location and depth, owing to the presence of the smectite clay mineral saponite—one of the weakest phyllosilicates known. These findings provide strong evidence that deformation of the mechanically unusual creeping portions of the San Andreas fault system is controlled by the presence of weak minerals rather than by high fluid pressure or other proposed mechanisms. The San Andreas fault accommodates 28–34 mm yr−1 of right lateral motion of the Pacific crustal plate northwestward past the North American plate. In California, the fault is composed of two distinct locked segments that have produced great earthquakes in historical times, separated by a 150-km-long creeping zone. The San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) is a scientific borehole located northwest of Parkfield, California, near the southern end of the creeping zone. Core was recovered from across the actively deforming San Andreas fault at a vertical depth of 2.7 km (ref. 1). Here we report laboratory strength measurements of these fault core materials at in situ conditions, demonstrating that at this locality and this depth the San Andreas fault is profoundly weak (coefficient of friction, 0.15) owing to the presence of the smectite clay mineral saponite, which is one of the weakest phyllosilicates known. This Mg-rich clay is the low-temperature product of metasomatic reactions between the quartzofeldspathic wall rocks and serpentinite blocks in the fault2,3. These findings provide strong evidence that deformation of the mechanically unusual creeping portions of the San Andreas fault system is controlled by the presence of weak minerals rather than by high fluid pressure or other proposed mechanisms1. The combination of these measurements of fault core strength with borehole observations1,4,5 yields a self-consistent picture of the stress state of the San Andreas fault at the SAFOD site, in which the fault is intrinsically weak in an otherwise strong crust.
Conditions of Interpersonal Transcendence

The concept of “transcendence” is proposed as a state of maximal receptivity and absorption in an interaction that is characterized by a sense of mutuality, connection, insight, and discovery. With this concept as the point of departure, a model of mutually driven ideation is developed. This model specifies a number of mechanisms of interpersonal influence and, by extension, various conditions under which the experience of transcendence is more or less likely to occur. Listening scholars have long relied on the concepts of cognitive science in understanding perception and sense-making. The model developed here, also a cognitive model, affords an alternative vocabulary and perspective that may prove to have implications beyond the “listening-in-the-extreme” case of transcendence.
Reduction of Myeloid Suppressor Cell Derived Nitric Oxide Provides a Mechanistic Basis of Lead Enhancement of Alloreactive CD4+ T Cell Proliferation

The persistent environmental toxicant and immunomodulator, lead (Pb), has been proposed to directly target CD4{sup +} T cells. However, our studies suggest that CD4{sup +} T cells are an important functional, yet indirect target. In order to identify the direct target of Pb in the immune system and the potential mechanism of Pb-induced immunotoxicity, myeloid suppressor cells (MSCs) were evaluated for their ability to modulate CD4{sup +} T cell proliferation after Pb exposure. Myeloid suppressor cells regulate the adaptive immune response, in part, by inhibiting the proliferation of CD4{sup +} T cells. It is thought that the mechanism of MSC-dependent regulation involves the release of the bioactive gas, nitric oxide (NO), blocking cell signaling cascades downstream of the IL-2 receptor and thus preventing T cells from entering cell-cycle. In mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), increasing numbers of MSCs suppressed T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and this suppression is strikingly abrogated with 5 {mu}M lead (Pb) treatment. The Pb-sensitive MSC population is CD11b{sup +}, GR1{sup +}and CD11c{sup -} and thus phenotypically consistent with MSCs described in other literature. Inhibition of NO-synthase (NOS), the enzyme responsible for the production of NO, enhanced alloreactive T cell proliferation in MLC. Moreover, Pb attenuatedmore » NO production in MLC, and exogenous replacement of NO restored suppression in the presence of Pb. Significantly, MSC from iNOS-/- mice were unable to suppress T cell proliferation. An MSC-derived cell line (MSC-1) also suppressed T cell proliferation in MLC, and Pb disrupted this suppression by attenuating NO production. Additionally, Pb disrupted NO production in MSC-1 cells in response to treatment with interferon-{gamma} (IFN-{gamma}) and LPS or in response to concanavalin A-stimulated splenocytes. However, neither the abundance of protein nor levels of mRNA for the inducible isoform of NOS (iNOS) were altered with Pb treatment. Taken together these data suggest that Pb abrogates an MSC-dependent suppression of alloreactive T cell proliferation by inhibiting the function, but not the expression of iNOS.« less
The expanding role of arsenic in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Ten percent to 15% of adults in the United States with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) each year, which amounts to approximately 1,200 newly diagnosed patients. In almost all APL patients, the retinoic acid receptor-alpha ( RARα ) gene on chromosome 17 is involved in a reciprocal translocation with the promyelocytic leukemia gene ( PML ) on chromosome 15, denoted as t(15;17)(q22;q12). All patients have the PML/RAR -alpha fusion transcript. Identification of this fusion transcript is important for both diagnosis and for detection of minimal residual disease. Overall, more than 80% of APL patients are curable using current strategies. All- trans retinoic acid (ATRA) causes cells to differentiate and arsenic trioxide (ATO) induces both differentiation and apoptosis. Curative treatments that avoid conventional chemotherapeutic agents and/or extended maintenance strategies for low- and intermediate-risk patients appear possible. High-risk patients continue to present a challenge, but a number of innovative agents and strategies are currently under active study.
APPROXIMATION OF THE STATIONARY STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE DYNAMICAL SYSTEM GENERATED BY THE TWO-DIMENSIONAL RAYLEIGH–BÉNARD CONVECTION PROBLEM

In this article, we consider a temporal linear semi-implicit approximation of the two-dimensional Rayleigh–Benard convection problem. We prove that the stationary statistical properties as well as the global attractors of this linear semi-implicit scheme converge to those of the 2D Rayleigh–Benard problem as the time step approaches zero.
Since the operant chamber: Is behavior therapy still thinking in boxes?

Over the last 30 years, behavioral treatments have developed with increasing sophistication in the tradition of demonstrable efficacy. However, many of the more recent gains have occurred within the context of a nonbehavioral ideology. It is argued that the greatest advances for behavior therapy now await the popular acceptance of true behavioral ideology within mental health service delivery, and that such a framework will encourage the reintegration of many of the more theoretical elements of behaviorism into existing behavioral treatments. Given the widespread attention earned by recent empirical achievements in behavior therapy, the occasion for promoting a behavioral ideology in health care delivery may be near. Although recent behavioral protocols have demonstrated considerable success in clinical trials, continued efforts to develop approaches less consistent with a behavioral ideology are likely to limit further advances of disseminable behavior therapy techniques.
Early domain-specific knowledge? nonlinear developmental trajectories further erode a house of sand

Rakison and Yermolayeva (this issue) argue that domain specificity is difficult to reconcile with U-, N-, or M-shaped developmental trends. They are justified because: 1) There is no compelling evidence that nonlinear trends require mechanisms beyond general, well-known cognitive processes; and 2) epigenetic neuroscience provides no clear evidence of strong domain-specialized representations. Evidence implies pervasive weak (i.e., experience dependent) neural specialization for different kinds of information.
Demethyl Ubiquinone Inhibits Catalytic QB Activity In Reaction Centers From Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Catalytic light induced electron transfer in the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) involves reduction of the loosely bound secondary quinone QB. In this study we investigated the activity of demethyl ubiquionone (De-Q), the immediate precursor for the synthesis of ubiquinone (UQ), a critical component of the electron transport pathways in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes (1). Upon addition of 2 microM De-Q (KD ∼ 0.2 microM), catalytic QB activity was inhibited > 10-fold at pH 8 (Figure). These results show that De-Q binds more tightly than UQ thereby inhibiting its reduction. In addition, optical shifts of bacteriocholorophyll were observed consistent with an anionic De-Q; the solution pKa of De-Q was measured to be ∼ 6 (not shown). We propose that De-Q near neutral pH is anionic which facilitates binding acting as a non-reducible analog of ubisemiquinone in the RC. (1) Poon et al. (1999) J Biol Chem. 274, 21665-21672. ∗Supported by NIH (GM 41637).View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Optimally sensitive and adaptive control systems

The sensitivity of optimally controlled systems to parameter variations is examined in this paper. Two general approaches toward compensating for these variations are employed. The first, for open-loop systems, involves augmenting the performance index with sensitivity terms and minimizing this combined index. The second approach, an adaptive-type controller, involves estimating those parameter variations that have caused an observed state deviation, and adjusting the control policy in response to this measurement. Numerical examples applied to continuous, discrete-time, and discrete-staged systems demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches in adapting the control policy to parameter variations.
The Structure and Chemical Composition of Cell Walls of Three Chlorophycean Algae

Abstract The cell walls of Gonium, Pediastrum, and Oedogonium were studied, using the techniques of staining, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and chromatographic analysis, with major attention given to the α-cellulose fraction. Gonium was found to lack an α-cellulose wall component. Pediastrum cell wall contains a crystalline polysaccharide composed of D-glucose and D-mannose which forms a non-microfibrillar network of interwoven chains of rings. This cell wall polysaccharide is either a gluco-mannan or a glucan intimately associated with a mannan. The cell wall of Oedogonium consists of countless lamellae of parallel microfibrils of cellulose alternating approximately at right angles with each other. These lamellae are encrusted by a spongy substance.
Blackface and the Black Arts Movement

The 1960s witnessed among African Americans a wholesale rejection of white power, including the repertoire and iconography of blackface performance. And yet, surprisingly, one finds among some of the most revolutionary Afrocentric artists, critics, and activists of the time a complex, nuanced, even contradictory attitude towards “blacking up.”
A Jacobson radical for Hopf module algebras

Let H be a bialgebra over the commutative associative ring K with unit. This paper examines the concept of an H-radical for (associative) H-module algebras (also called algebras over H), based on the Amitsur-Kurosh general radical theory (Definitions 2, 3, Propositions l-5, below). In particular, a Jacobson-type H-radical $ is constructed as the upper H-radical generated by the left H-primitive H-module algebras (Definition 3, Theorem 1). Another H-radical of interest is JH , which consists of all associative Hmodule algebras whose underlying algebra is in J, the ordinary Jacobson radical for associative K-algebras (Propositions 2, 3). The main theorems on $ are in Section 2, where we show that if H is irreducible (also called filtered), and if H is a flat K-module, then (Theorem 2) for any H-module algebra A, $(A) is equal to the intersection of all left H-primitive ideals of A; (Theorem 3 and Corollary) $ is a strongly hereditary H-radical; (Theorem 4) %(A) = ](A # H) n A, where A # His the smash product of A with H; (Corollary 1 to Theorem 4) $(A) is the intersection of all right H-primitive ideals of A; (Theorem 5) $(A) contains all the left or right H-ideals of A which are in $; (Theorem 6) $ _C JH . An example is then provided showing that it is possible to have $(A) # JH(A) for a non-Artinian H-module algebra A, whereas Theorem 7 shows that j(A) = JH(A) if A is (left or right) Artinian. An example motivating this study is the case in which A is an (associative) K-algebra and H is the universal enveloping algebra of the Lie algebra of derivations of A.
Hermeneutic Phenomenology: An Approach to Understanding Families

Hermeneutic phenomenology is offered as an approach to study families that enables the study of phenomena that are difficult to address using a science based in rationalism or empiricism: shared fa...
Prevalence of Erynia neoaphidis (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) Infections of Green Peach Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Spinach in the Arkansas River Valley

Spinach, Spinacia oleracea L., produced for processing in the Arkansas River Valley of western Arkansas was sampled for live and diseased aphids from 1990 to 1993. The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), was the only aphid detected and its occurrence was highly variable. No aphids were detected in 14 of the 24 sampled fields. Nine of the 10 fields in which aphids were detected had individuals infected with the fungus Erynia neoaphidis (Remaudiere & Hennebert). No other fungal pathogens were observed. Infected aphids were detected in each of the 3 spinach production seasons (fall, winter, and spring). In several fields, especially during the winter of 1992, aphid populations declined with increased E. neoaphidis incidence. However, in fields with relatively high numbers of aphids this population decline occurred at or after the normal spinach harvest period. Aphids killed by E. neoaphidis were tightly held to spinach foliage and, when epizootics occurred at harvest, the spinach was rejected by the processor due to difficulty in washing the aphid cadavers from the product.
Amphetamine and cocaine induce different patterns of c-fos mRNA expression in the striatum and subthalamic nucleus depending on environmental context

In the dorsal striatum, there are two major populations of medium spiny projection neurons. One population is positive for dynorphin mRNA (DYN+), and these cells project preferentially to the substantia nigra, forming the so-called ‘direct pathway’. A second population is positive for enkephalin mRNA (ENK+), and these cells influence the substantia nigra indirectly, via the globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus. Psychostimulant drugs, such as amphetamine and cocaine, are reported to induce immediate early genes (IEGs) in only one subpopulation of dorsal striatal projection neurons, DYN+ cells. However, this apparent selectivity appears to be a function of environmental context. We found that when given in the animal’s home cage, amphetamine and cocaine increased expression of the IEG, c-fos, almost exclusively in DYN+ cells. However, when given in a novel environment, amphetamine and cocaine increased c-fos mRNA in both DYN+ and ENK+ cells. Furthermore, amphetamine and cocaine increased c-fos mRNA expression in the subthalamic nucleus when administered in the novel environment, but not when given at home. We conclude that the neural circuitry engaged by psychostimulant drugs, and their ability to induce specific patterns of gene expression, are determined by the environmental context in which they are experienced. This may be related to the ability of environmental novelty to facilitate psychostimulant drug-induced neuroplasticity.
Immersion in Political Action: Creating Disciplinary Thinking and Student Commitment

This chapter describes an assignment that immerses Millennial students in discipline-based politics and policy as a means of helping them meaningfully connect with content.
Antitumor efficacy of a novel class of non-thiol-containing peptidomimetic inhibitors of farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase I: Combination therapy with the cytotoxic agents cisplatin, taxol, and gemcitabine

Ras malignant transformation requires posttranslational modification by farnesyltransferase (FTase). Here we report on the design and antitumor activity, in monotherapy as well as in combination therapy with cytotoxic agents, of a novel class of non-thiol-containing peptidomimetic inhibitors of FTase and the closely related family member geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I). The non-thiol-containing FTI-2148 is highly selective for FTase (IC50, 1.4 nm) over GGTase I (IC50, 1700 nm), whereas GGTI-2154 is highly selective for GGTase I (21 nm) over FTase (IC50, 5600 nm). In whole cells, the corresponding methylester prodrug FTI-2153 is >3000-fold more potent at inhibiting H-Ras (IC50, 10 nm) than Rap1A processing, whereas GGTI-2166 is over 100-fold more selective at inhibiting Rap1A (IC50, 300 nm) over H-Ras processing. Furthermore, FTI-2153 was highly effective at suppressing oncogenic H-Ras constitutive activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and human tumor growth in soft agar. FTI-2148 suppressed the growth of the human lung adenocarcinoma A-549 cells in nude mice by 33, 67, and 91% in a dose-dependent manner. Combination therapy of FTI-2148 with either cisplatin, gemcitabine, or Taxol resulted in a greater antitumor efficacy than monotherapy. GGTI-2154 in similar antitumor efficacy experiments is less potent than FTI-2148 and inhibits tumor growth by 9, 27, and 46%. Combination therapy of GGTI-2154 with cisplatin, gemcitabine, or Taxol is also more effective. Finally, FTI-2148 and GGTI-2154 are 30- and 33-fold more selective and 30- and 16-fold more potent in whole cells than our previously reported thiol-containing FTI-276 and GGTI-297, respectively. Thus, our results demonstrate that this highly potent and selective novel class of non-thiol-containing peptidomimetics inhibits human tumor growth in whole animals and that combination therapy with cytotoxic agents is more beneficial than monotherapy.
Millennially averaged accumulation rates for the Vostok Subglacial Lake region inferred from deep internal layers

Accumulation rates and their spatio-temporal variability are important boundary conditions for ice-flow models. The depths of radar-detected internal layers can be used to infer the spatial variability of accumulation rates. Here we infer accumulation rates from three radar layers (26, 35 and 41 ka old) in the Vostok Subglacial Lake region using two methods: (1) the local-layer approximation (LLA) and (2) a combination of steady-state flowband modeling and formal inverse methods. The LLA assumes that the strain-rate history of a particle traveling through the ice sheet can be approximated by the vertical strain-rate profile at the current position of the particle, which we further assume is uniform. The flowband model, however, can account for upstream strain-rate gradients. We use the LLA to map accumulation rates over a 150 km � 350 km area, and we apply the flowband model along four flowbands. The LLA accumulation-rate map shows higher values in the northwestern corner of our study area and lower values near the downstream shoreline of the lake. These features are also present but less distinct in the flowband accumulation-rate profiles. The LLA-inferred accumulation-rate patterns over the three time periods are all similar, suggesting that the regional pattern did not change significantly between the start of the Holocene and the last � 20 ka of the last Glacial Period. However, the accumulation-rate profiles inferred from the flowband model suggest changes during that period of up to 1 cm a -1 or � 50% of the inferred values.
Estimating cardiac autonomic activity during sleep: impedance cardiography, spectral analysis, and Poincaré plots

Objective: To compare noninvasive measures of cardiac autonomic activity during sleep. Methods: The absolute and normalized (n.u.) high and low frequency peaks from the spectral analysis of R-R intervals (HF, LF, HFn.u., LFn.u.), LF/HF ratio, pre-ejection period (PEP) from impedance cardiography, and the autocorrelation coefficient (rRR) as illustrated in Poincareplots were measured during night-time sleep in 9 young healthy subjects. Heart rate and blood pressure were also recorded. Results: Heart rate was significantly associated with cardiac sympathetic activity (PEP, average r ¼ 20:46), but not with cardiac parasympathetic activity (HF, average r ¼ 20:17). rRR was significantly associated with heart rate (average r ¼ 0:41), and LF/HF (average r ¼ 0:69), but not with PEP or HF. From NREM to REM sleep, heart rate, LFn.u., LF and rRR significantly increased, HFn.u. significantly decreased, LF/HF showed an increasing trend (P ¼ 0:07) and PEP showed a decreasing trend (P ¼ 0:06). Blood pressure and HF were highly variable without significant changes from NREM to REM sleep. Conclusions: Cardiac parasympathetic activity (HF) does not vary greatly between sleep stages. Cardiac sympathetic activity (PEP) decreases linearly during sleep. rRR and LF/HF can track sympathovagal changes during sleep, but cannot differentiate between changes in cardiac parasympathetic and sympathetic activity. The relative advantages and disadvantages of the different measures are discussed. q 2004 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
A modified version of Moran's I.

Investigation of global clustering patterns across regions is very important in spatial data analysis. Moran's I is a widely used spatial statistic for detecting global spatial patterns such as an east-west trend or an unusually large cluster. Here, we intend to improve Moran's I for evaluating global clustering patterns by including the weight function in the variance, introducing a population density (PD) weight function in the statistics, and conducting Monte Carlo simulation for testing. We compare our modified Moran's I with Oden's I* pop for simulated data with homogeneous populations. The proposed method is applied to a census tract data set. We present a modified version of Moran's I which includes information about the strength of the neighboring association when estimating the variance for the statistic. We provide a power analysis on Moran's I, a modified version of Moran's I, and I* pop in a simulation study. Data were simulated under two common spatial correlation scenarios of local and global clustering. For simulated data with a large cluster pattern, the modified Moran's I has the highest power (43.4%) compared to Moran's I (39.9%) and I* pop (12.4%) when the adjacent weight function is used with 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 30% of the total population as the geographic range for the cluster. For two global clustering patterns, the modified Moran's I (power > 25.3%) performed better than both Moran's I (> 24.6%) and I* pop (> 7.9%) with the adjacent weight function. With the population density weight function, all methods performed equally well. In the real data example, all statistics indicate the existence of a global clustering pattern in a leukemia data set. The modified Moran's I has the lowest p-value (.0014) followed by Moran's I (.0156) and I* pop (.011). Our power analysis and simulation study show that the modified Moran's I achieved higher power than Moran's I and I* pop for evaluating global and local clustering patterns on geographic data with homogeneous populations. The inclusion of the PD weight function which in turn redefines the neighbors seems to have a large impact on the power of detecting global clustering patterns. Our methods to improve the original version of Moran's I for homogeneous populations can also be extended to some alternative versions of Moran's I methods developed for heterogeneous populations.
A simple uniform hazard design spectral shape for rock sites

Performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) concepts dictate that the return period of the seismic design ground motions be known. While the NEHRP (2001) seismic design spectrum is constructed using two spectral accelerations that have a 2,475-year return period, the overall spectral shape is not representative of a uniform hazard spectrum. Consequently, other than the two spectral accelerations used to construct the NEHRP spectrum, the return periods of the spectral accelera tions defined by the NEHRP spectrum are unknown and may vary significantly. An alternative spectrum is proposed for firm rock sites. The proposed parabolic spectrum is constructed using three spectral accelerations ( i.e., pga, S S , and S 1 ) and a calibration parameter T pga . Parabolic spectra were computed for approximately 500 cities across the conterminous 48 states using the pga, S S , and S 1 having 2,475-year return period, as determined by the U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazard Mapping Project. The correlation coefficients ( r 2 ) of the parabolic spectra to spectral accelerations for several oscil lator periods having uniform probabilities of exceedance were computed for the cities. The results confirm that the spectral accelerations defined by the parabolic spectra have approxi mately constant return periods.
Divergent life histories among smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu inhabiting a connected river–lake system

Annual reproductive surveys monitored nesting location, reproductive success and the age and size of individually tagged male smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu that reproduced in Millers Lake, a 45 ha widening of the Mississippi River, Ontario, and in a 1·5 km pool and riffle section of the river directly upstream. The vast majority of males displayed fidelity to either the river or the lake as reproductive habitat throughout their lifetimes. Nearly, half of the males that reproduced in successive years exhibited strong nest-site fidelity by nesting within 20 m of their previous year’s nest site. In most years, when compared to those in the lake, reproductive males in the river differed significantly in reproductive characteristics including age and size at maturation and nesting success rates. A 3 year telemetry project identified two distinct habitat use patterns: lake-resident fish remained in the lake throughout the year and potamodromous individuals migrated from the lake to upriver spawning habitat in the spring and then returned to the lake prior to the onset of winter. Integration of habitat use and reproductive data suggests that there are significant differences in the life-history strategies of fish that reproduce in the river v. the lake.