cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ornithine Transcarbamylase from Streptococcus faecalis and Bovine Liver II. MULTIPLE BINDING SITES FOR CARBAMYL-P AND l-NORVALINE, CORRELATION WITH STEADY STATE KINETICS

Abstract The binding of carbamyl-P, l-ornithine, and its competitive inhibitor l-norvaline by ornithine transcarbamylase has been measured by gel filtration at 25° under the conditions used for the kinetic experiments. Carbamyl-P forms a reversible binary complex with the enzyme from both liver and Streptococcus faecalis, whereas l-norvaline is bound tightly only in the presence of carbamyl-P. There is the equivalent for each ligand of one site per monomer. Two dissociation constants, differing 10-fold, are required to describe the data for the binding of both carbamyl-P and norvaline by the S. faecalis enzyme, and three, even more widely separated, for the binding of carbamyl-P to the bovine enzyme. l-Ornithine, which is also poorly bound to the free enzyme, is, in contrast to norvaline, tightly bound in the presence of phosphate. The initial rate data for the S. faecalis enzyme in both the forward and reverse reactions at pH values between 6.6 and 8.8 can be fitted to the rate equation for the ordered sequential mechanism suggested by the requirements for binding. The dissociation constant for carbamyl-P calculated from the kinetic data is close to the lower of the two dissociation constants into which the binding data was resolved, and the equilibrium constant calculated from the kinetic parameters agrees with that determined directly. But, in spite of the fit of these data to a single set of parameters, the variation of Ki norvaline with the concentrations of norvaline and either carbamyl-P or phosphate in both the forward and reverse reactions suggests that the activity is the sum of the activities of species with different kinetic parameters. The influence of sites that are either not identical or interact anticooperatively on the kinetics is more apparent with the bovine enzyme, for which the double reciprocal plots of activity against the concentration of carbamyl-P are concave downward at every pH studied between 6.1 and 8.9. Vf for the S. faecalis enzyme increases with increase in pH, reaching a plateau at pH 8.4. At this pH the turnover per dimer (80,000 g) is 3,400 s-1 at 25°, Korn 0.7 mm, Kcp 0.29 mm, and Kicp 12 µm. At pH 7.1, the optimum for the reverse reaction, Vr, is 90 s-1, Kp 0.8 mm, Kcit 17 mm, and Kip 8 mm. Vf and Korn were determined for the bovine enzyme at a saturating concentration of carbamyl-P. The variation of Vf with pH conforms to the titration curve for a group with pK 6.65; at the plateau (pH 8.5), the turnover per site (36,000 g) is 187 s-1 at 25°. Korn varies with pH approximately as the concentration of the isoelectric species of ornithine. Kcp decreases with decrease in pH; at pH 8.5 the value estimated from the linear portion of the reciprocal plot at low concentrations is 0.035 mm and from the linear portion at high concentrations, 0.4 mm.
The fine-scale vertical variability of a wastewater plume in shallow, stratified coastal waters

We observed the fine-scale vertical variability of a wastewater plume discharged into shallow, stratified coastal waters with a set of wave-powered profiling moorings and bottom-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers. These in situ observations demonstrated that the effluent plume occupied a variable portion of the water column, but was typically at or above the pycnocline. The plume was characterized by small vertical scales away from the surface, while complicated patterns of vertical temperature and salinity compensation were found in the plume above the pycnocline. The particular design of the diffuser led to an effluent plume that was roughly split between depth-trapped and trapped at the surface. Estimates of dilution from temperature/salinity diagrams indicated that the plume dilution ranged between 60 and 120, and that the environmental mixing end-members ranged from waters well below the pycnocline to the waters at or near the surface. Far from the outfall, oceanographic variability at frequencies equal to and higher than the diurnal frequency dominated the vertical shear in local currents and thus the vertical and temporal distribution of the plume. Mixing driven by the high frequency non-linear internal waves and bore-like manifestations of the cross-shore baroclinic tide, as suggested by elevated inverse Richardson number within the leading and trailing edge of the bores, was likely the primary source of mixing between the plume and ambient waters far from the outfall. Complicated patterns in plume water characteristics demonstrated the complexity of the plume dilution even in a surfacing plume. The co-occurrence of elevated chlorophyll fluorescence and plume waters was evident in the later part of the diversion period, but the overall response of the phytoplankton to the effluent diversion was limited. Implications for outfall wastewater monitoring and diffuser design are briefly considered.
Enrichment specificity of micro and nano‐sized titanium and zirconium dioxides particles in phosphopeptide mapping

Owning to their anion-exchange properties, titanium and zirconium dioxides are widely used in phosphopeptide enrichment and purification protocols. The physical and chemical characteristics of the particles can significantly influence the loading capacity, the capture efficiency and phosphopeptide specificity and thus the outcome of the analyses. Although there are a number of protocols and commercial kits available for phosphopeptide purification, little data are found in the literature on the choice of the enrichment media. Here, we studied the influence of particle size on the affinity capture of phosphopeptides by TiO2 and ZrO2. Bovine milk casein derived phosphopeptides were enriched by micro and nanoparticles using a single-tube in-solution protocol at different peptide-to-beads ratio ranging from 1 : 1 to 1 : 200. Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis based on the whole set of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization time-of-flight mass spectra of the phosphopeptide enriched samples revealed 62 clustered peptide peaks and shows that nanoparticles have considerably higher enrichment capacity than bulk microparticles. Moreover, ZrO2 particles have higher enrichment capacity than TiO2. The selectivity and specificity of the enrichment was studied by monitoring the ion abundances of monophosphorylated, multiphosphorylated and non-phosphorylated casein-derived peptide peaks at different peptide-to-beads ratios. Comparison of the resulting plots enabled the determination of the optimal peptide-to-beads ratios for the different beads studied and showed that nano-TiO2 have higher selectivity for phosphopeptides than nano-ZrO2 particles.
Synthesis and protein incorporation of azido-modified unnatural amino acids

Two new azidophenylalanine residues (3 and 4) have been synthesized and, in combination with 4-azido-L-phenylalanine (1) and 4-azidomethyl-L-phenylalanine (2), form a series of unnatural amino acids (UAAs) containing the azide vibrational reporter at varying distances from the aromatic ring of phenylalanine. These UAAs were designed to probe protein hydration with high spatial resolution by utilizing the large extinction coefficient and environmental sensitivity of the azide asymmetric stretch vibration. The sensitivity of the azide reporters was investigated in solvents that mimic distinct local protein environments. Three of the four azido-modified phenylalanine residues were successfully genetically incorporated into a surface site in superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) utilizing an engineered, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in response to an amber codon with high efficiency and fidelity. SDS-PAGE and ESI-Q-TOF mass analysis verified the site-specific incorporation of these UAAs. The observed azide asymmetric stretch in the linear IR spectra of these UAAs incorporated into sfGFP indicated that the azide groups were hydrated in the protein.
The role of the visceral yolk sac in hyperglycemia-induced embryopathies in mouse embryos in vitro.

The adverse developmental effects of hyperglycemia to rodent embryos have been shown using whole embryo culture. Although, a mechanism by which hyperglycemia-induced effects occur is unknown, recent work has focused on the visceral yolk sac as a potential target tissue. Therefore, we have evaluated the developmental effects of hyperglycemia in early head fold stage mouse embryos in vitro and assessed the histiotrophic function of the visceral yolk sac. As has been previously shown in rodents, hyperglycemia produced neural tube closure defects in a concentration dependent manner at 33, 50, and 67 mM glucose using a 44 h exposure period. However, exposure times between 6 and 12 h were sufficient to alter embryonic development when the glucose concentration was 50 or 67 mM. In contrast, early somite stage embryos (4-6 somite stage) appear to be less sensitive to dysmorphogenesis and a 48 h exposure to 67 mM glucose but not 33 or 50 mM also produced neural tube defects. Hyperglycemia (67 mM) did not alter the uptake of 35S-methionine and 35S-cysteine-labeled hemoglobin (35S-Hb) in the visceral yolk sac (VYS) in early headfold staged embryos. However, the accumulation of 35S in the embryo was reduced by 16-18% at glucose concentrations of 50 or 67 mM during the last 12 h of a 44 h exposure period. No effect on VYS uptake or embryonic accumulation of 35S-labeled products was observed at shorter exposure periods (12-24 and 24-36 h). In early somite stage embryos hyperglycemia (⩾ 33 mM) reduced both VYS uptake and embryonic accumulation of 35S-Hb during the last 12 h of a 48 h exposure period. However, there was no concentration dependent effect on the embryonic accumulation of 35S at the early somite stage. The time course for hyperglycemia-induced effects on morphology and VYS histiotrophic function are different in the early head fold versus early somite staged embryos. Thus, at the early head fold stage malformations were induced only after a 6-12 h exposure, while the histiotrophic function was reduced only during the 32-44 h of exposure. Therefore, our study indicates that hyperglycemia can alter the histiotrophic function of the VYS following long exposure periods. The time course for alterations in VYS histiotrophic function is not correlated with that for induction of malformations but may be related to the growth reduction produced by long-term exposure to hyperglycemia in vitro.
Efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: Technique, patient selection, salutary results, limitations and complications

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed in 25 patients and 29 vessels during a 12-month period. In six additional patients scheduled for PTCA, the procedure was cancelled when repeat angiography identified progression to occlusion, coronary spasm, or other adverse factors not previously apparent. PTCA was successful in 14 of 25 patients (56%) and in 18 or 29 vessels (62%); success was associated with clinical improvement in all patients by symptomatology, exercise testing and/or myocardial radionuclide imaging. Beneficial results were particularly achieved with left anterior descending artery lesions and with stenoses showing less than 90% narrowing. One peripheral arterial complication occurred and no patients required emergency surgery. While coronary dissection was detected angiographically in four patients and evidence of coronary spasm was present in three patients post-PTCA, neither was accompanied by untoward early clinical events. Multivessel dilatation in three patients was initially successful but symptoms returned in two during follow-up. Restenosis developed in 3 of 14 patients (21%) after 3 months. Our experience indicates (1) that the specific vessel attempted and lesion severity particularly influence the liklihood of success, (2) the not infrequently induced coronary dissection or spasm does not necessarily represent a serious complication, and (3) angiography repeated in preparation for PTCA identifies a significant minority of patients rwho are no longer candidates.
Late thermal evolution of Proterozoic rocks in the northeastern Llano Uplift, central Texas

Abstract The Llano Uplift of central Texas, USA contains large exposures of polydeformed Grenvillian metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks that were intruded by late- to post-orogenic granites. New U–Pb and 40 Ar / 39 Ar single mineral ages and Rb–Sr mineral isochrons document the retrograde cooling history that followed Grenville-age metamorphism in the north-central and northeastern Llano Uplift, and explain discrepancies between previous U–Pb crystallization ages and younger determinations based on Rb–Sr and K–Ar isotopic systems. Dating has been carried out in the Valley Spring Gneiss (VSG) and the post-tectonic Lone Grove Pluton (LGP) in three areas of the Llano Uplift, from west to east: VSG rocks in the Babyhead area north of Llano, Texas, yielding hornblende, muscovite and biotite 40 Ar / 39 Ar ages and Rb/Sr mineral isochron ages from ∼1098 to ∼1014 Ma; a sample from the LGP at Petrick Quarry, yielding U–Pb titanite and hornblende and biotite 40 Ar / 39 Ar ages from ∼1096 to ∼1076 Ma; and VSG samples from the Inks Lake area in the eastern Llano Uplift, yielding U–Pb titanite, hornblende and biotite 40 Ar / 39 Ar , and Rb-Sr mineral isochron ages from ∼1087 to ∼1029 Ma. Titanite from the Oatman granite to the southwest of these areas yields a U–Pb age of 1119±6 Ma. These ages, combined with closure-temperature estimates, document cooling in the Llano Uplift from ∼1100–1000 Ma at rates between 5 and 14°C Ma−1. Although rapid uplift following early high-pressure metamorphism has important regional thermal effects, the cooling rates documented in this study are interpreted to represent the relaxation of local geotherms following local magmatic activity. The low-temperature history documented in this study is probably unrelated to uplift rates. This supports the suggestion that magmatic heating was an important factor in the late high-temperature/low-pressure metamorphism of the Llano region. It further suggests that the late pressure and temperature conditions recorded in the rocks were likely not synchronous across the region.
A Carboxyl-terminal Extension of the Zinc Finger Domain Contributes to the Specificity and Polarity of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor DNA Binding

Abstract Heterodimers of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and the retinoid X receptors (RXR) recognize response elements (PPREs) that exhibit the consensus sequence 5′-A(A/T)CT(A/G)GGNCAAAG(G/T)TCA-3′. The consensus PPRE includes both a 5′-extension and a direct repeat (DR1) comprised of two canonical core recognition sequences (underlined) for nuclear receptor zinc fingers separated by a single nucleotide spacer. The extended binding site recognized by PPARs is very similar to sites that bind monomers of the nuclear receptors Rev-ErbA and ROR suggesting that the latter could bind to PPREs and affect gene transcription. However, Rev-ErbA and ROR bind weakly to naturally occurring PPREs relative to the consensus binding site, and significant effects on PPARα transactivation of a CYP4A6-Z reporter were not observed. In contrast, PPAR/RXR heterodimers bind to a DR2 element containing the conserved 5′-extended sequence that is recognized by dimers of RORα or Rev-ErbA. PPARα/RXRα positively regulate transcription from this element, and co-expression of Rev-ErbA blocks this effect. The nuclear receptors NGFI-B and ROR utilize a carboxyl-terminal extension (CTE) of the zinc finger DNA binding domain in their interactions with the 5′-extension of a single zinc finger-binding site. DNA binding domains (DBD) of PPARs α, δ, and γ that contain the zinc finger motif and a CTE display binding to core recognition sequences that is dependent on the 5′-extended sequence found in PPREs. Unlike DBDs of other nuclear receptors that form heterodimers with RXR, the PPAR-DBDs did not exhibit cooperative binding with the DBD of RXR and exhibit the opposite polarity for binding to the direct repeat motif. In contrast to the corresponding DBD of RXR, the PPAR-DBDs bind as monomers to a single extended binding site as well as to the consensus PPRE. A chimera linking the zinc finger domain of RXRα to the CTE from PPARα bound to a single extended binding site indicating a functional role for the CTE of PPARs in extended binding site recognition.
Copper(I) Chloride Carbonyl Polymers

Addition of bridging diamine ligands to methanolic solutions of CuCl under a CO purge produces the polymeric complexes [(CuCl)2(CO)2(biL)] (biL = diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), piperazine (Pip), N,N‘-dimethylpiperazine (DMP)). X-ray crystal structures of the three complexes reveal rhombic OC−Cu(μ-Cl)2Cu−CO bridged by biL. Unsaturated bridging ligands fail to produce carbonyl-bearing products.
An alternative approach to market structure and the markup ratio

Hall's studies of market power emphasize that the markup ratio of price over marginal cost is an important indicator for assessing the role of market structure in resource allocation (without using concentration ratios) and is also a good measure of allocative efficiency. The basic idea was that price is equal to marginal cost if there is perfect competition and constant markup ratio. A statistrical model was developed to estimate the markup ratio. If the markup ratio estimated for an industry is unitary, then the null-hypothesis of competition is not rejected. If, however, it is greater than one, the alternative hypothesis of non-competition is not rejected. The theory mandates that monopoly power is dynamically constant despite a nonconstant productivity residual. Hall assumes, in etimation, that technical progress (or solow residual) has a randomness. This assumption implies that the procyclicity of technical progress is not a true phenomenon. The spurious procyclicity is revealed in the estimated mark...
Kirkman's Schoolgirls Wearing Hats and Walking through Fields of Numbers

Imagine fifteen young ladies at the Emmy Noether Boarding School—Anita, Barb, Carol, Doris, Ellen, Fran, Gail, Helen, Ivy, Julia, Kali, Lori, Mary, Noel, and Olive. Every day, they walk to school in the Official ENBS Formation, namely, in five rows of three each. One of the ENBS rules is that during the walk, a student may only talk with the other students in her row of three. These fifteen are all good friends and like to talk with each other—and they are all mathematically inclined. One day Julia says, “I wonder if it’s possible for us to walk to school in the Official Formation in such a way that we all have a chance to talk with each other at least once a week?” “But that means nobody walks with anybody else in a line more than once a week,” observes Anita. “I’ll bet we can do that,” concludes Lori. “Let’s get to work.” And what they came up with is the schedule in TABLE 1.
Cloning and Functional Analysis of the Promoter for KDR/flk-1, a Receptor for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

KDR/flk-1 is one of two receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor, a potent angiogenic peptide. KDR/flk-1 is an early marker for endothelial cell progenitors, and its expression is restricted to endothelial cells in vivo. To investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating expression of KDR/flk-1, we cloned and characterized the promoter of the human KDR/flk-1 gene. The transcription start site was localized by primer extension and ribonuclease protection to a nucleotide 303 base pairs (bp) 5′ of the initiation methionine codon. The 5′-flanking sequence is rich in G and C residues and contains five Sp1 elements but no TATA consensus sequence. By reporter gene transfection experiments, we found that ~4 kilobases of KDR/flk-1 5′-flanking sequence directed high level luciferase activity in bovine aortic endothelial cells; further deletion analysis revealed positive regulatory elements between bp −225 to −164, −95 to −77, −77 to −60, and +105 to +127. Mutation of an atypical GATA sequence between bp +105 and +127 did not affect promoter activity, suggesting that GATA elements are not essential for the high level promoter activity of this gene. Consistent with endothelial cell-restricted expression of KDR/flk-1 mRNA, we found that the 4-kilobase flanking sequence directed high level promoter activity in endothelial cells but not in other cell types. To our knowledge this is the first report characterizing the KDR/flk-1 promoter. Understanding the KDR/flk-1 promoter will allow us to investigate endothelial cell-specific gene regulation and to uncover methods for targeting gene delivery specifically to endothelial cells.
Organization of crustacean neuropil. II. Distribution of synaptic contacts on identified motor neurons in lobster stomatogastric ganglion.

Identified neurons in the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster were examined and reconstructed by serial section electron microscopy. Each motor neuron consists of a soma, a primary process leading directly from the soma to the motor axon which leaves the ganglion, and a group of secondary processes which branch from the primary process and ramify within the neuropil. Synapses are found only on small processes in the synaptic neuropil, never on the primary processes or on larger secondary processes in the coarse neuropil. Nearly every secondary process of every neuron examined makes both pre- and postsynaptic contacts. Hence these neurons are not polarized into distinct pre- and postsynaptic regions but have both input and output distributed over each of the secondary processes in the neuropil. The connection between a specific pair of neurons is also distributed over several branches of both the pre- and the postsynaptic neurons. The restriction of synapses to the more distal portions of the secondary processes suggests that no single contact or localized group of contacts can exert an overriding influence on the neuron by virtue of an especially advantageous position. The close proximity of input and output on most secondary processes suggests that synaptic input may be capable of directly influencing output without the intervention of action potentials. The distribution of specific synapses over several branches of both pre- and postsynaptic neurons suggests that each neuron functions as a whole without differentiation into specialized branches.
The Making of the Modern Mind

(1977). The Making of the Modern Mind. Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning: Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 55-56.
MMF for high data rate and short length applications

We review recent developments in multimode fiber for high data rate and short reach applications and discuss new trends in multimode fiber to increase system data rate and reach length and for consumer applications.
Effect of porous coating and its location on hypersonic boundary layer waves

In this paper, effect of porous coating and its location on the spatial developments of mode S and mode F in a Mach 5.92 flat-plate boundary layer is investigated by linear stability theory (LST) and direct numerical simulation (DNS). The current study is motivated by Fedorov et al.’s experimental and theoretical studies of the effect of an ultrasonically absorptive coating on hypersonic boundary-layer stability [1] and our previous numerical simulations on hypersonic boundary-layer stabilities [2, 3] . The mean flow is calculated by solving compressible Navier-Stokes equations with a combination of a fifth-order shock-fitting method and a second-order total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme. The stability characteristics of the hypersonic boundary layer is analyzed by LST. Stability simulations based on mean flow consist of three steps: 1. disturbances corresponding to a specific boundary layer wave (mode S or mode F) at a frequency of 100 kHz are introduced at the inlet of the computational domain to study its spatial development; 2. porous coating is used to investigate its effect on the spatial development of mode S and mode F; 3. multiple porous coatings are used to study the effect of porous coating location on the spatial development of mode S and mode F. The same theoretical model of porous coating as that in Fedorov et al.’s paper is used, i.e., porous coating is modelled by pressure perturbation related wall blowing-suction. For all the cases considered in current paper, porous coatings are located upstream of the corresponding synchronization point of mode S and mode F at x ∗ = 0.33184 m. The numerical results show that porous coating and its location have significant effects on the spatial developments of mode S and mode F. No matter which mode of mode S and mode F is introduced at the inlet, porous coating increases pressure perturbation amplitude downstream of the porous region. With the number of porous coatings increasing, pressure perturbation amplitude keeps increasing. In case of mode S, the effect of porous coating on mode S in porous region is not consistent. With the location of porous coating shifting from upstream to downstream, the effect of porous coating on mode S changes from destabilization to stabilization. In case of mode F, all cases show that mode F changes to mode S near the synchronization point and mode F is stabilized in porous region.
The Risk of Capsular Breakage from Phacoemulsification Needle Contact With the Lens Capsule: A Laboratory Study

Purpose To determine capsular breakage risk from contact by phacoemulsification needles by machine and tip type. Design Experimental laboratory investigation. Methods Infiniti (Alcon, Inc.) with Intrepid cartridges and Signature (Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.) phacoemulsification machines were tested using 19- and 20-gauge sharp and rounded tips. Actual and unoccluded flow vacuum were determined at 550 mm Hg, bottle height of 75 cm, and machine-indicated flow rate of 60 mL/minute. Breakage from brief tip contact with a capsular surrogate and human cadaveric lenses was calculated. Results Nineteen-gauge tips had more flow and less unoccluded flow vacuum than 20-gauge tips for both machines, with highest unoccluded flow vacuum in the Infiniti. The 19-gauge sharp tip was more likely than the 20-gauge sharp tip to cause surrogate breakage for Signature with micropulse and Ellips (Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.) ultrasound at 100% power. For Infiniti using OZil (Alcon, Inc.) ultrasound, 20-gauge sharp tips were more likely than 19-gauge sharp tips to break the membrane. For cadaveric lenses, using rounded 20-gauge tips at 100% power, breakage rates were micropulse (2.3%), Ellips (2.3%), OZil (5.3%). Breakage rates for sharp 20-gauge Ellips tips were higher than for rounded tips. Conclusions Factors influencing capsular breakage may include active vacuum at the tip, flow rate, needle gauge, and sharpness. Nineteen-gauge sharp tips were more likely than 20-gauge tips to cause breakage in lower vacuum methods. For higher-vacuum methods, breakage is more likely with 20-gauge than with 19-gauge tips. Rounded-edge tips are less likely than sharp-edged tips to cause breakage.
The American archival profession and information technology standards

American archivists have long had an interest in standards, although their interest has led to more intensive activity in the past decade. New standards have been developed for arrangement and description of archival records and historical manuscripts, the adaptive use of bibliographic standards, preservation of archival records and historical manuscripts, and the use of information technology standards for the management of archival records in electronic form. Many challenges still remain, however. Most important of such questions is how archivists can play a greater role in the information standards-setting world. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Experimental Study of Similarity Subgrid-Scale Models of Turbulence in the Far-Field of A Jet

Several versions of similarity subgrid-scale turbulence models are tested a-priori using high Reynolds number experimental data. Measurements are performed by two-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) in the far field of a turbulent round jet. It is first verified that the usual Smagorinsky model is poorly correlated with the real stress τ ij . On the other hand, a similarity subgrid-scale model based on the ‘resolved stress’ tensor L ij , which is obtained by filtering products of resolved velocities at a scale equal to twice the grid scale, displays much higher level of correlation. Several variants of this model are examined: the mixed model, and the global and local dynamic procedure. Model coefficients are measured, based on the condition that the subgrid models dissipate energy at the correct rate. The experimental data is employed to show that the dynamic procedure (Germano et al., 1991) yields appropriate model coefficients based only on the resolved portion of the velocity field. Some features of the dynamic procedure in its local formulation are also explored.
Human diseases and trace elements: Investigation by proton-induced x-ray emission

Abstract Using a conventional Si(Li) detection system, approximately 1500 autopsy samples of ashed human tissues (mostly from autopsies) have been analyzed for trace elements by proton-induced X-ray emission analysis (PIXE). Up to fifteen different organs from each autopsy and a variety of diseases including neoplasia, chronic degenerative diseases, arteriosclerosis, metabolic and inflammatory diseases have been investigated. In each organ, an average of twelve trace elements (with atomic number equal to or larger than 19) has been detected and quantitative measurements have been made for several elements including K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sn, and Ba. The elastically scattered protons were used for mass normalization: it was found that this technique is as accurate and much faster than any other technique previously used. Quantization has been obtained by serial doping of selected tissues, along with the use of NBS standards. These standards can also help evaluate elemental loss during ashing and self-absorption effects as they are prepared, after being spiked, in exactly the same manner as the unknown sample. Attempts are being made to compare the results obtained from ashed tissues and tissues which have been simply dried, and also to evaluate the respective merits of the proton-induced X-ray emission and the X-ray fluorescence techniques. The ultimate goal of this investigation is the possible correlations between trace element imbalances and human diseases.
Melatonin and its precursors in Y79 human retinoblastoma cells - Effect of sodium butyrate

The release of melatonin and the production of its precursors, S-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin, in cultured Y79 human retinoblastoma cells were studied. This biosynthetic capability was found to be dependent on cell differentiation, which was initiated by culturing Y79 cells for 7 days in dishes coated with poly-D-lysine to promote cell adhesion to the surface of the culture dishes. Differentiation was further induced by exposing the cell monolayer to sodium butyrate (3 mM) for 3 days. This protocol dramatically increased the release of melatonin, and the syntheses of 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin in response to forskolin stimulation. Exposure to dopamine (10 micro-M) or L-DOPA (100 micro-M) markedly diminished the forskolin-stimulated release of melatonin, as well as the production of 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin. These observations indicate that Y79 cells represent a primitive cell line which, following appropriate differentiation (e.g. treatment with sodium butyrate) can display biochemical characteristics similar to those of the human retina. Moreover, serotonin synthesis and melatonin release appear to be coupled in Y79 cells. The inhibition of melatonin release by dopamine supports the hypothesis that in these cells, melatonin and dopamine are components of a retinal feedback loop.
A 48-Core IA-32 Processor in 45 nm CMOS Using On-Die Message-Passing and DVFS for Performance and Power Scaling

This paper describes a multi-core processor that integrates 48 cores, 4 DDR3 memory channels, and a voltage regulator controller in a 64 2D-mesh network-on-chip architecture. Located at each mesh node is a five-port virtual cut-through packet-switched router shared between two IA-32 cores. Core-to-core communication uses message passing while exploiting 384 KB of on-die shared memory. Fine grain power management takes advantage of 8 voltage and 28 frequency islands to allow independent DVFS of cores and mesh. At the nominal 1.1 V supply, the cores operate at 1 GHz while the 2D-mesh operates at 2 GHz. As performance and voltage scales, the processor dissipates between 25 W and 125 W. The processor is implemented in 45 nm Hi-K CMOS and has 1.3 billion transistors.
Hematopoietic engraftment and graft failure after bone marrow transplantation.

Purpose This article reviews the complex process of establishing functional long-term hematopoiesis required for successful clinical bone marrow transplantation. The failure to establish sustained hematopoiesis, either primary or secondary graft failure, is defined and multiple etiologic factors involved are discussed. Design Data from published studies of experimental and clinical BMT, as well as in vitro stem cell biology, were used to elucidate the elements required for establishing functional hematopoiesis. These include pleuripotential hematopoietic stem cells; homing of stem cell to the hematopoietic micro-environment; hematopoietic stroma and secreted cytokines acting synergistically to promote expansion and hematopoietic differentiation of the stem cells; and, in the setting of allogeneic transplantation, immunological tolerance between the host and the graft, without which graft rejection or graft-vs.-host disease may occur. Conclusions The factors influencing the establishment of functional hematopoiesis and the risks for graft failure vary with the type of transplant performed. In an autologous transplant, damage to the stem cells or to the stromal microenvironment can contribute to prolonged time to engraftment or primary graft failure. In contrast, the hematopoietic stem cells are normal in both syngeneic and allogeneic transplantation. However, in the latter, because of immunological disparity between the host and recipient, there can be either primary or secondary graft failure due to a host-vs.-graft phenomenon, graft rejection. Classic graft rejection is an immunologic phenomenon mediated by residual host immunocompetent cells, either T cells or NK cells, depending on the allogeneic disparity between host and donor. T cell depletion and increased HLA disparity are risk factors for rejection. Numerous strategies have attempted to decrease the risk of rejection; most have focused primarily on increased immunosuppression of the host either with additional radiation, chemotherapy or in vivo anti-T cell serotherapy. Recent attempts have explored preventing rejection by manipulating donor cell composition of the infused graft.
Significance and Suppression of Redundant IL17 Responses in Acute Allograft Rejection by Bioinformatics Based Drug Repositioning of Fenofibrate

Despite advanced immunosuppression, redundancy in the molecular diversity of acute rejection (AR) often results in incomplete resolution of the injury response. We present a bioinformatics based approach for identification of these redundant molecular pathways in AR and a drug repositioning approach to suppress these using FDA approved drugs currently available for non-transplant indications. Two independent microarray data-sets from human renal allograft biopsies (n = 101) from patients on majorly Th1/IFN-y immune response targeted immunosuppression, with and without AR, were profiled. Using gene-set analysis across 3305 biological pathways, significant enrichment was found for the IL17 pathway in AR in both data-sets. Recent evidence suggests IL17 pathway as an important escape mechanism when Th1/IFN-y mediated responses are suppressed. As current immunosuppressions do not specifically target the IL17 axis, 7200 molecular compounds were interrogated for FDA approved drugs with specific inhibition of this axis. A combined IL17/IFN-y suppressive role was predicted for the antilipidemic drug Fenofibrate. To assess the immunregulatory action of Fenofibrate, we conducted in-vitro treatment of anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated human peripheral blood cells (PBMC), and, as predicted, Fenofibrate reduced IL17 and IFN-γ gene expression in stimulated PMBC. In-vivo Fenofibrate treatment of an experimental rodent model of cardiac AR reduced infiltration of total leukocytes, reduced expression of IL17/IFN-y and their pathway related genes in allografts and recipients' spleens, and extended graft survival by 21 days (p<0.007). In conclusion, this study provides important proof of concept that meta-analyses of genomic data and drug databases can provide new insights into the redundancy of the rejection response and presents an economic methodology to reposition FDA approved drugs in organ transplantation.
Atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation, and stroke

There is a demonstrated statistical association between atrial fibrillation, rheumatic valvular disease, and embolic stroke. This article assesses the results of 6 major clinical trials (AFASAK, BAATAF, SPINAF, SPAF [parts I and II], CAFA and EAFTA--see text for trial names). Multivariate analysis revealed 4 independent clinical features that identified patients with atrial fibrillation at an increased risk for stroke: hypertension, increasing age, previous transient ischemic attack, and diabetes mellitus. Without anticoagulation therapy, patients with any of these risk factors had a 4% annual risk of stroke. Patients with cardiac disorders such as congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease have a stroke rate 3 times higher than patients without any risk factors; patients with atrial fibrillation but no concomitant risk factors or structural heart disease seemed to have little concomitant risk for stroke. Meta-analysis revealed a 64% reduction of risk for stroke in patients treated with warfarin, as compared with placebo. The value of warfarin therapy in patients > 75 years old is less clear because of a high risk of hemorrhagic complications.
A new hydroxy-lactonization of olefinic acids

Abstract Bicyclic olefin acids afford trans -hydroxy-lactones with aqueous calcium hypochlorite. Monocyclic and acyclic olefin acids yield mainly the corresponding (opened) dihydroxy acids.
Structural reliability techniques applied to plume impingement loading of the Space Station Freedom photovoltaic array

Abstract A new aerospace application of structural reliability techniques is presented, where the applied forces depend on many probabilistic variables. This application is the plume impingement loading of the Space Station Freedom Photovoltaic Arrays. When the space shuttle berths with Space Station Freedom it must brake and maneuver towards the berthing point using its primary jets. The jet exhaust, or plume, may cause high loads on the photovoltaic arrays. The many parameters governing this problem are highly uncertain and random. An approach, using techniques from structural reliability, as opposed to the accepted deterministic methods, is presented which assesses the probability of failure of the array mast due to plume impingement loading. A Monte Carlo simulation of the berthing approach is used to determine the probability distribution of the loading. A probability distribution is also determined for the strength of the array. Structural reliability techniques are then used to assess the array mast design. These techniques are found to be superior to the standard deterministic dynamic transient analysis, for this class of problem. The results show that the probability of failure of the current array mast design due to the examined failure modes is minute. Significantly, this paper details a structural reliability analysis of a complex aerospace structure for which little statistical information is available.
An initial approach to mining multiple perspectives of a business process

In this work, we present some preliminary ideas about the development of an approach to mining different perspectives of a business process. Process mining, to date, has been narrowly concerned with mining the control-flow of a business process. There are very few process mining algorithms aimed at mining different business process perspectives. We believe one of the primary reasons for the paucity of process mining algorithms in perspectives other than control-flow is that there has been no general definition of what a business process perspective is. With this work, we provide a formal and general definition of a business process perspective, and present an approach to mine other business process perspectives using this definition.
Measurements of the heat deposition in moderators and decouplers in the ZING-P′ pulsed spallation neutron source☆

Abstract Measurements of the nuclear power densities in moderator and decoupler materials irradiated in the prototype pulsed spallation neutron source, ZING-P′, have been performed to provide data necessary for the design of the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source. Polyethylene, beryllium, lead, liquid hydrogen and a boron-aluminum composite have been investigated. The heat deposition rates together with some other thermal characteristics have been determined from measurements of the rates of temperature rise. The power deposition and the temperature rise rate without heat loss in a polyethylene moderator test piece were found to be 1.34 mW/cm 3 and 0.042°C/min, respectively, with a 1.29 μA proton beam of energy 489 MeV on the 238 U target. The measured power densities and cooling times of the various materials apply for samples placed 11.7 cm from the center of the neutron source, and are found to be in good agreement with calculated values. Thermal relaxation time constants determined for the various arrangements were also in good agreement with calculated values, giving added confidence to the results.
The multiple roles of monocyte subsets in steady state and inflammation

Monocytes participate importantly in immunity. Produced in the bone marrow and released into the blood, they circulate in blood or reside in a spleen reservoir before entering tissue and giving rise to macrophages or dendritic cells. Monocytes are more than transitional cells that adapt to a particular tissue environment indiscriminately. Accumulating evidence now indicates that monocytes are heterogeneous in several species and are themselves predetermined for particular function in the steady state and inflammation. Future therapeutics may harness this heterogeneity to target harmful functions while sparing those that are beneficial. Here, we review recent advances on the ontogeny and function of monocytes and their subsets in humans and mice.
History and Development of Fetal Heart Assessment: A Composite

Methods of assessing the fetal heart remained unchanged for approximately 150 years until the first commercial monitor suitable for clinical practice was sold in 1968. The impact and events of the last 30 to 40 years surrounding fetal heart assessment are revealed in perspectives of the past, present, and near future. Assessment practices have been shaped by the development of biotechnology, unrealistic expectations, interpretation disagreement, consumer response, and the practice and educational resources written by nursing and medicine.
Technology roadmaps: Infrastructure for innovation

Abstract The value of technology roadmaps for technology planning, technology selection, and technological innovation has become widely recognized. In this article, we explore how technology roadmaps can support virtual innovation and innovation factories. We also consider how technology landscapes can provide metrics for technology roadmaps. We explore how knowledge of patterns of technological evolution can be incorporated into technology roadmaps to detect opportunities for innovation and possible market limitations. Finally, we discuss how agent models can provide the basis for simulation and possibly for self-organization.
Osmium-187/Osmium-186 in Manganese Nodules and the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary

As a result of the radioactive decay of rhenium-187 (4.6 x 10/sup 10/ years) the osmium-187/osmium-186 ratio changes in planetary systems as a function of time and the rhenium-187/osmium-186 ratio. For a value of the rhenium-187/osmium-186 ratio of about 3.2, typical of meteorites and the earth's mantle, the present-day osmium-187/osmium-186 ratio is about 1. The earth's continental crust has an estimated rhenium-187/osmium-186 ratio of about 400, so that for a mean age of the continent of 2 x 10/sup 9/ years, a present-day osmium-187/osmium-186 ratio of about 10 is expected. Marine manganese nodules show values (6 to 8.4) compatible with this expectation if allowance for a 25 percent mantle osmium supply to the oceans is allowed. The Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary iridium-rich layer in the marine section at Stevns Klint, Denmark, yields an osmium-187/osmium-186 ratio of 1.65, and the one in a continental section in the Raton Basin, Colorado, is 1.29. The simplest explanation is that these represent osmium imprints of predominantly meteoritic origin.
Comprehensive Smoke-Free Policies: A Tool for Improving Preconception Health?

Lower income women are at higher risk for preconception and prenatal smoking, are less likely to spontaneously quit smoking during pregnancy, and have higher prenatal relapse rates than women in higher income groups. Policies prohibiting tobacco smoking in public places are intended to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke; additionally, since these policies promote a smoke-free norm, there have been associations between smoke-free policies and reduced smoking prevalence. Given the public health burden of smoking, particularly among women who become pregnant, our objective was to assess the impact of smoke-free policies on the odds of preconception smoking among low-income women. We estimated the odds of preconception smoking among low-income women in Ohio between 2002 and 2009 using data from repeated cross-sectional samples of women participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). A logistic spline regression was applied fitting a knot at the point of enforcement of the Ohio Smoke-free Workplace Act to evaluate whether this policy was associated with changes in the odds of smoking. After adjusting for individual- and environmental-level factors, the Ohio Smoke-free Workplace Act was associated with a small, but statistically significant reduction in the odds of preconception smoking in WIC participants. Comprehensive smoke-free policies prohibiting smoking in public places and workplaces may also be associated with reductions in smoking among low-income women. This type of policy or environmental change strategy may promote a tobacco-free norm and improve preconception health among a population at risk for smoking.
Factors Influencing the Purchasing Decision Process of Low-Carbohydrate Products

Abstract The American populace has had a long infatuation with Low-fat and Low Carb diets. Irrespective of the fact that earlier this month (August 1, 2005) Atkins Nutritionals Inc, the manufacturer or the Atkins Diet food products filed for Chapter 11, a growing number of diet trends continue to spread across the nation in an effort to improve health and lose weight. Low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets are the most popular and in the last two years, the number of low-carbohydrate products available in stores has sharply increased. Consequently, the word “carb” is used extensively in food packaging; however, many low-carbohydrate products are expensive and tasteless. A recent report shows some dieters forking 138 $over dollars a week for the diet-based foods compared to about $55 dollars a week for a normal diet (Hoffman and Rose 2005). Given the continued growth of the diet industry, the purpose of this study was to determine attitudes toward low-carbohydrate diets among consumers and the attributes that ...