cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural basis for IL-12 and IL-23 receptor sharing reveals a gateway for shaping actions on T versus NK cells

Summary Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23 are heterodimeric cytokines that are produced by antigen-presenting cells to regulate the activation and differentiation of lymphocytes, and they share IL-12Rβ1 as a receptor signaling subunit. We present a crystal structure of the quaternary IL-23 (IL-23p19/p40)/IL-23R/IL-12Rβ1 complex, together with cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) maps of the complete IL-12 (IL-12p35/p40)/IL-12Rβ2/IL-12Rβ1 and IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) complexes, which reveal "non-canonical" topologies where IL-12Rβ1 directly engages the common p40 subunit. We targeted the shared IL-12Rβ1/p40 interface to design a panel of IL-12 partial agonists that preserved interferon gamma (IFNγ) induction by CD8+ T cells but impaired cytokine production from natural killer (NK) cells in vitro. These cell-biased properties were recapitulated in vivo, where IL-12 partial agonists elicited anti-tumor immunity to MC-38 murine adenocarcinoma absent the NK-cell-mediated toxicity seen with wild-type IL-12. Thus, the structural mechanism of receptor sharing used by IL-12 family cytokines provides a protein interface blueprint for tuning this cytokine axis for therapeutics.
Effect of Adolescent Stress on Adult Morphine-Induced Behavioral Sensitization is Dependent Upon Genetic Background

1 Abstract Deaths related to opioid use have skyrocketed in the United States, leading to a public health epidemic. Research has shown that both biological (genes) and environmental (stress) precursors are linked to opioid use. In particular, stress during adolescence – a critical period of frontal lobe development – influences the likelihood of abusing drugs. However, little is known about the biological mechanisms through which adolescent stress leads to long-term risk of opioid use, or whether genetic background moderates this response. Male and female C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice were exposed to chronic variable social stress (CVSS) or control conditions throughout adolescence and then tested for morphine locomotor sensitization or morphine consumption in adulthood. To examine possible mechanisms that underlie stress-induced changes in morphine behaviors, we assessed physiological changes in response to acute stress exposure and prefrontal cortex miRNA gene expression. Adolescent stress did not influence morphine sensitization or consumption in BALB/cJ animals, and there was limited evidence of stress effects in female C57BL/6J mice. In contrast, male C57BL/6J mice exposed to adolescent CVSS had blunted morphine sensitization compared to control animals; no differences were observed in the acute locomotor response to morphine administration or morphine consumption. Physiologically, C57BL/6J mice exposed to CVSS had an attenuated corticosterone recovery following an acute stressor and downregulation of twelve miRNA in the prefrontal cortex compared to control mice. The specificity of the effects for C57BL/6J versus BALB/cJ mice provides evidence of a gene by environmental interaction influencing opioid behaviors. Long-term differences in stress reactivity or miRNA expression suggests two possible biological mechanisms to evaluate in future research.
Bring Your A-GaME!

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in collaboration with industry partners, is helping state DOTs take their existing geotechnical site characterization programs to the next level. Technolo...
Storm-Driven Fresh Submarine Groundwater Discharge and Nutrient Fluxes From a Barrier Island

Quantifying and characterizing groundwater flow and discharge from barrier islands to coastal waters is crucial for assessing freshwater resources and contaminant transport to the ocean. In this study, we examined the groundwater hydrological response, discharge, and associated nutrient fluxes in Dauphin Island, a barrier island located in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. We employed radon (222Rn) and radium (Ra) isotopes as tracers to evaluate the temporal and spatial variability of fresh and recirculated submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the nearshore waters. The results from a 40-day continuous 222Rn time series conducted during a rainy season suggest that the coastal area surrounding Dauphin Island was river-dominated in the days following storm events. Groundwater response was detected about one week after the precipitation and peak river discharge. During the period where SGD is an influencing factor in the nutrient budget of the coastal area, the total SGD rates were as high as 1.36 m d-1, or almost three times higher than detected fluxes during the river-dominated period. We observed from a three-end-member Ra mixing model that most of the SGD from the barrier island was comprised of fresh groundwater. SGD was driven by marine and terrestrial forces, and focused on the southeastern part of the island. We observe spatial variability of nutrient concentration in the subterranean estuary across this part of the island. Reduced nitrogen (i.e., NH4+ and DON) fluxes dominated the eastern shore with average rates of 4.88 mmol m-2 d-1 and 5.20 mmol m-2 d-1, respectively. In contrast, NO3- was prevalent along the south-central shore, which has significant tourism developments. The contrasting nutrient dynamics resulted in N- and P- limited coastal water in the different parts of the island. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding groundwater flow and dynamics in barrier islands, particularly those urbanized, prone to storm events, or located near large estuaries.
Crime and Culpability: A Theory of Criminal Law

This book presents a comprehensive overview of what the criminal law would look like if organised around the principle that those who deserve punishment should receive punishment commensurate with, but no greater than, that which they deserve. Larry Alexander and Kimberly Kessler Ferzan argue that desert is a function of the actor's culpability, and that culpability is a function of the risks of harm to protected interests that the actor believes he is imposing and his reasons for acting in the face of those risks. The authors deny that resultant harms, as well as unperceived risks, affect the actor's desert. They thus reject punishment for inadvertent negligence as well as for intentions or preparatory acts that are not risky. Alexander and Ferzan discuss the reasons for imposing risks that negate or mitigate culpability, the individuation of crimes, and omissions.
Representaciones del Demonio: miedos sociales vislumbrados en tres escritos conventuales neogranadinos

El proyecto ordenador de la Iglesia Catolica estructuro el cuerpo social colonial a partir de los modelos de comportamiento ideales de sujetos ejemplares, adicionalmente se utilizaron discursos referentes al Demonio, lo que permitio trasladar los miedos basados en conceptos religiosos a miedos sociales del contexto neogranadino. El indio, el negro y el mestizo fueron demonizados con el fin de mantener el orden jerarquico evitando cualquier union desigual con las mujeres de la elite. La proteccion de estas mujeres se logro mediante su aislamiento fisico en espacios conventuales, en los cuales, algunas de ellas elaboraron escritos a partir de los cuales, es posible vislumbrar el rol que jugo la imagen del Demonio, permitiendo analizar su apropiacion, interpretacion y re-presentacion basados en los miedos sociales de su contexto.
Readability of the depression adjective check lists (DACL) and the multiple affect adjective check list‐revised (MAACL‐R)

To determine the readability of the Depression Adjective Check Lists (DACL; Lubin, 1981) and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised (MAACL-R; Zuckerman & Lubin, 1985), each adjective on the two instruments was assigned its grade level readability designation from the Dale and O'Rourke (1981) compendium. Median readability level of each of the seven DACL lists was sixth grade with an average of 80% of each list at or below the eighth-grade level. For the MAACL-R, median readability level for each of the seven scales was fourth grade except for Hostility, which was at the sixth-grade level. Approximately 87% of the MAACL-R is at or below the eighth-grade reading level. The discussion suggests that both the DACL and MAACL-R can be considered to be at the eighth-grade reading level.
Semiconductor Quantum Dots for Quantum Information Processing: An Optical Approach

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are ideal candidates for quantum information processing, due to their strong resemblance to atomic systems. This paper will show that an optically driven approach is an attractive scheme for quantum computing with QDs. Results will be presented from the experiments with the optical Bloch vector qubit in neutral QDs, demonstrating phase‐locked single qubit rotations and two‐qubit universal control‐NOT logic gates. We will conclude by discussing how the optical approach can be extended to control the electron spin qubit in charged QDs.
On the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation on the Half Line with Homogeneous Robin Boundary Conditions

Boundary value problems for the nonlinear Schrequation on the half line with homogeneous Robin boundary conditions are revisited using B¨ acklund transformations. In particular: relations are obtained among the norming constants associated with symmetric eigenvalues; a linearizing transformation is derived for the B¨ acklund transformation; the reflection-induced soliton position shift is evaluated and the solution behavior is discussed. The results are illustrated by discussing several exact soliton solutions, which describe the soliton reflection at the boundary with or without the presence of self-symmetric eigenvalues.
The Right of Privacy and America's Aging Population

Just like everyone else, elderly people need intimacy and physical contact, which has been established in various studies. However, certain legal issues arise when elderly people, especially those of diminished capacity, enter into relationships in which these needs for intimacy and physical contact are met. This article explores two critical issues facing the elderly in this type of situation: (1) the lack of personal freedom suffered by those who move into large assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and (2) the lack of social support for those who remain in their own homes. First, it discusses those in institutions, and contrasts the federal and state laws that attempt to secure personal privacy for the elderly with the actual practice in some facilities. In many cases, especially if the elderly person has some cognitive impairment, institutions assume that the person is incapable of consenting to physical contact, thus reversing traditional rape law. Next, it compares these restrictions with the virtual absence of any oversight of elderly in their own homes, and the almost conclusive presumption that a marriage is valid. The result in some cases is that the elderly are being taken advantage of by unscrupulous caregivers, even in states that have legislation attempting to protect them. Finally, it looks at innovative solutions to these problems, including education, new legislation, better living conditions for seniors, and a more assertive role for the judiciary.
Laser technologies and challenges for XFEL beamlines

X-ray FEL facilities place challenging demands on the stability and configuration of ultrafast optical lasers for user experiments; future facilities will push the frontiers for high peak and average power ultrafast lasers.
Translation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteriophage PP7 RNA by a Cell-Free Amino Acid Incorporating System from Escherichia coli

We have compared the activities of the RNA genomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage PP7 and coliphages Qbeta and f2 in a cell-free amino acid incorporating system derived from Escherichia coli. The rate of incorporation of [(14)C]leucine in the PP7 RNA-directed system is greater than in the systems directed by either Qbeta or f2 RNA. The response to changes in phage RNA concentrations is similar in all the systems, reaching a saturation level at 0.75 to 1.0 mg of RNA per ml of reaction mixture. Analysis of complete reaction mixtures of the PP7 RNA and of the Qbeta RNA systems by sucrose gradient centrifugation shows generally similar patterns for both RNAs. The principal differences are that in the PP7 system a slightly higher percentage of RNA forms ribosome complexes and that the polysomes are somewhat smaller. PP7 RNA is also degraded more extensively during the reaction than is Qbeta RNA. Analysis of the products of the reactions by acrylamide gel electrophoresis shows that PP7 coat protein is the only identifiable product of the PP7 RNA-directed system, suggesting that only the coat protein cistron is translated by E. coli ribosomes.
Relationships between Dietary Intakes and Fasting Plasma Concentrations of Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Humans

Dietary intakes of retinol equivalents, alpha-tocopherol equivalents, vitamin D and phylloquinone were estimated from three sets of 4-d weighed diet records and compared to three corresponding fasting plasma concentrations of retinol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, alpha-tocopherol, and phylloquinone measured in 34 healthy adults over 20 wk. The magnitude of the correlation between dietary vitamin intake and its corresponding biochemical measure is in part determined by the reproducibility of each of the measures, so within-to-between subject variance ratios were calculated for both dietary intakes and plasma concentrations. Phylloquinone was the only fat-soluble vitamin with a significant correlation between dietary intake and fasting plasma concentration (r = 0.51, P = 0.004). This correlation improved with an increase in both the number of independent diet records and independent plasma measures. Of the dietary intake measures, all the fat-soluble vitamins had greater within than between subject variance, with the highest measured for phylloquinone (6.86:1). Of the plasma measures, only phylloquinone had a within-to-between subject variance ratio greater than one (5.36:1). Comparisons across age and sex for dietary intake and plasma concentrations differed in pattern among the fat-soluble vitamins.
Arachidonic acid metabolism in isolated pancreatic islets. III. Effects of exogenous lipoxygenase products and inhibitors on insulin secretion

Abstract Isolated pancreatic islets from the rat have been demonstrated by stable isotope dilution-mass spectrometric methods to synthesize the 12-lipoxygenase product 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) in amounts of 1.7 to 2.8 ng per 103 islets. No detectable amounts of 5-HETE and only trace amounts of 15-HETE could be demonstrated by these methods. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and BW755C have been demonstrated to inhibit islet 12-HETE synthesis and also to inhibit glucose-induced insulin secretion. Inhibition of insulin secretion and of 12-HETE synthesis exhibited similar dependence on the concentration of these compounds. Eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetrynoic acid (ETYA) also inhibited glucose-induced insulin secretion, as previously reported, at concentrations which inhibit islet 12-HETE synthesis. Exogenous 12-HETE partially reversed the suppression of glucose-induced insulin secretion by lipoxygenase inhibitors, but exogenous 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HPETE), 15-HPETE, 5-HPETE, 15-HETE, or 5-HETE did not reverse this suppression. These observations argue against the recently suggested hypothesis that islet synthesis of 5-HETE modulates insulin secretion. Suppression of glucose-induced insulin secretion by ETYA, BW755C and NDGA may be due to inhibition of the islet 12-lipoxygenase by these compounds. The possibility that other processes involved in glucose-induced insulin secretion are inhibited by ETYA, BW755C and NDGA cannot yet be excluded.
Reactions of H(3)Al.NMe(3) with E(SiMe(3))(3) (E = P, As). Structural Characterization of the Trimer [H(2)AlP(SiMe(3))(2)](3) and Base-Stabilized Adduct [H(2)AlAs(SiMe(3))(2)].NMe(3) and Their Thermal Decomposition toward Nanocrystalline AlP and AlAs, Respectively.

Dehydrosilylation reactions in diethyl ether between H(3)Al.NMe(3) and E(SiMe(3))(3) afforded for E = P a high yield of the trimer [H(2)AlP(SiMe(3))(2)](3) (1), while for E = As a monomeric base-stabilized adduct [H(2)AlAs(SiMe(3))(2)].NMe(3) (2) as well as its degradation solid product were obtained. No reaction occurred for E = N. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination for 1 yielded a planar six-membered ring of alternating four-coordinated Al and P centers. The structural solution for 2 revealed the monomeric unit [H(2)AlAs(SiMe(3))(2)] stabilized by coordination of NMe(3) at the Al site. Pyrolysis of 1 at 450 degrees C promoted further dehydrosilylation and yielded a product which by XRD spectroscopy showed the onset of AlP crystallinity while at 950 degrees C afforded nanocrystalline AlP with 5 nm average particle size. Pyrolysis of 2 at 450 degrees C resulted in the formation of nanocrystalline AlAs with 2 nm average particle size. Under applied pyrolysis conditions for 1 and 2, the target elimination-condensation pathway via dehydrosilylation was accompanied by other decomposition side reactions and retention of some contaminant residues.
Odour and flavour thresholds for key aroma components in an orange juice matrix: terpenes and aldehydes

Thresholds for flavour volatiles have been traditionally calculated in water or air, but they may vary widely in more complex matrices. Thresholds of key aroma compounds of orange juice (OJ) were determined in a deodorized OJ matrix. The three-alternative-forced-choice (3-AFC) method was used (ASTM: E-679). Untrained panelists, 33-58 in number, were presented with deodorized orange juice samples arranged in five rows of three samples, corresponding to five spiking levels, each separated by a factor of 3, with a 3-AFC presentation at each level. The test was repeated at least three times for experienced panelists. Odour thresholds in the orange juice matrix were 15 times (citral, hexanal) to over 200 times (β-pinene, limonene) higher than published values in water. Retronasal odour thresholds were more consistent with published values, being higher only by 2-60-fold, except for octanal which was higher by 187-fold. These results will provide the industry with more realistic threshold guidelines for use in flavouring citrus juices.
Effects of prostaglandins and other drugs on the cyclic AMP content of cultured bone cells.

Abstract Prostaglandins of the E-series (PGE1 and PGE2) may be involved in disease-related, localized loss of bone. E-prostaglandins increase the cyclic AMP content of many cells; and, to determine if their effects on bone are mediated by cyclic AMP, we examined the effects of E-prostaglandins and of other agents on the cyclic AMP content of cultured bone cells. PGE2 produced a rapid, marked and dose-related increase in the cyclic AMP content of confluent monolayers of bone cells isolated from newborn rat calvaria. At 2.8 × 10−6 M, PGE1 and PGE2 had approximately the same effect, while the effect of PGF2α was much less pronounced. In the presence of theophylline, PGE2 had a more marked effect than parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the combination of PGE2 and PTH had a synergistic effect. The divalent, cationic, ionophore, A23187, produced an increase in cellular cyclic AMP and had an additive effect in combination with PGE2. Synthetic salmon calcitonin (CT), which inhibits the bone resorptive effect of PGE2, increased cellular cyclic AMP and had an additive effect in combination with PGE2. A prostaglandin antagonist, SC-19220, partially inhibited the resorptive effect of PGE2 and reduced its effect on cellular cyclic AMP. The calcium antagonist, D600, inhibited the bone resorptive effects of PGE2 but had no effect on increased cellular cyclic AMP produced by PGE2. The marked effect of PGE2 on bone cell cyclic AMP suggests that this action is involved in the mechanism of PGE2-related bone loss. The fact that agents with different effects on PGE2-induced increases in cellular cyclic AMP can inhibit its resorptive actions, suggests that PGE2-induced changes in cyclic AMP may be related less to its resorptive actions than to its inhibitory effect on bone formation.
Spiral calcium wave propagation and annihilation in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) is a ubiquitous second messenger. Information is encoded in the magnitude, frequency, and spatial organization of changes in the concentration of cytosolic free Ca2+. Regenerative spiral waves of release of free Ca2+ were observed by confocal microscopy in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes. This pattern of Ca2+ activity is characteristic of an intracellular milieu that behaves as a regenerative excitable medium. The minimal critical radius for propagation of focal Ca2+ waves (10.4 micrometers) and the effective diffusion constant for the excitation signal (2.3 x 10(-6) square centimeters per second) were estimated from measurements of velocity and curvature of circular wavefronts expanding from foci. By modeling Ca2+ release with cellular automata, the absolute refractory period for Ca2+ stores (4.7 seconds) was determined. Other phenomena expected of an excitable medium, such as wave propagation of undiminished amplitude and annihilation of colliding wavefronts, were observed.
The effect of cecectomy on fecal bile acid and neutral steroid excretion of the rat

Abstract 1. 1. The quantitative and qualitative effects of cecectomy on fecal steroid excretion of rats were examined. 2. 2. Fecal steroid was measured by gas-liquid chromatography. 3. 3. The cecectomized rats were observed to mainly excrete bile acids and neutral steroids which had not undergone microbial modification. 4. 4. No difference was found in the total steroid excretion, indicating that decreased microbial dehydroxylation activity did not alter the steroid fecal excretion rate. 5. 5. Fecal β-glucuronidase activity was observed to decrease to 10% of its original activity following cecectomy.
Analysis of chromosome 9p21 deletion and p16 gene mutation in salivary gland carcinomas

The chromosomal locus 9p21 contains the p16(INK4a/CDKN2/MTS1) tumor suppressor gene that has been implicated in a variety of tumor types, including carcinomas of the head and neck, esophagus, and pancreas. To determine whether the loss of this gene is involved in salivary gland cancers, 35 carcinomas and paired nonneoplastic specimens were analyzed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of polymorphic genetic markers located in the region of interest. Five types of salivary gland tumors were studied: mucoepidermoid carcinoma, salivary duct carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma. Seven of 9 salivary duct carcinomas showed LOH of 1 or more polymorphic markers. In 1 case of salivary duct carcinoma with LOH, we confirmed a deletion of bp 240-254 within exon 2. In addition, another salivary duct carcinoma showed a homozygous deletion of p16 in differential polymerase chain reaction analysis. Loss of heterozygosity was found in 1 of 10 adenoid cystic carcinomas and 1 of 8 mucoepidermoid carcinomas and was absent in the remaining subtypes. No mutations in exon 1 or exon 2 or homozygous deletion of p16 were found in these 2 particular neoplasms with LOH. These results suggest that inactivation of p16 is important in the development or progression of at least some salivary duct carcinomas, but we found no evidence that its alteration plays a role in the other subtypes examined.
Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease

Background. Obesity leads to fat infiltration of multiple organs including the heart, kidneys, and liver. Under conditions of oxidative stress, fat-derived cytokines are released locally and result in an inflammatory process and organ dysfunction. In the liver, fat infiltration has been termed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which may lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. No data are available, however, on the influence of obesity on pancreatic fat and cytokines, and nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) has not been described. Therefore, we designed a study to determine whether obesity is associated with increased pancreatic fat and cytokines. Materials and methods. Thirty C57BL/6J lean control and 30 leptin-deficient obese female mice were fed a 15% fat diet for 4 weeks. At 12 weeks of age all animals underwent total pancreatectomy. Pancreata from each strain were pooled for measurement of a) wet and dry weight, b) histologic presence of fat, c) triglycerides, free fatty acids (FFAs), cholesterol, phospholipids, and total fat, and d) interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Data were analyzed by Student's t test and Fisher's exact test. Results. Pancreata from obese mice were heavier (p<0.05) and had more fat histologically (p<0.05). Pancreata from obese mice had more triglycerides, FFAs, cholesterol, and total fat (p<0.05). Triglycerides represented 11% of pancreatic fat in lean mice compared with 67% of pancreatic fat in obese mice (p<0.01). Cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α also were elevated in the pancreata of obese mice (p<0.05). Conclusions. These data suggest that obese mice have 1) heavier pancreata, 2) more pancreatic fat, especially triglycerides and FFAs, and 3) increased cytokines. We conclude that obesity leads to nonalcoholic fatty pancreatic disease.
Why Should Community College Faculty Write Grant Proposals

Community colleges have seen dramatic enrollment increases (Kasper, 2002), and some are now offering 4-year degrees (Evelyn, 2003). They are eligible for more grants than in the past, and community college funding from state and federal appropriations is shrinking (Lawrence & Marino, 2003). For these reasons, it is imperative that community college faculty become involved in grant proposal preparation and submission. They will also gain professionally from participating in grant development activities.
Crossing the Generations: Learning to Lead Across the Leadership Life Cycle

ABSTRACT To fully understand the continuing evolution of the community college movement, one must also consider the evolution of its leadership, its changing environment, as well as changing societal needs. This monograph provides some experiential insight into the leadership aspect of the community college, particularly with regard to generational change. Focused topics include needed curricular changes in graduate leadership programs, leadership recruitment and retention, and specific situational discussion. The article concludes with a brief consideration of future challenges for aspiring community college leaders.
Characterization of the complex I-associated ubisemiquinone species: toward the understanding of their functional roles in the electron/proton transfer reaction.

Abstract NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (called complex I for mitochondrial enzyme and NDH-1 for bacterial counterparts) is an energy transducer, which utilizes the redox energy derived from the oxidation of NADH with ubiquinone to generate an electrochemical proton gradient (Δ μ H + ) across the membrane. The complex I/NDH-1 contain one non-covalently bound flavin mononucleotide and as many as eight iron-sulfur clusters as electron transfer components in common. In addition, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies have revealed that three ubisemiquinone (SQ) species with distinct spectroscopic and thermodynamic properties are detectable in complex I and function as electron/proton translocators. Thus, the understanding of molecular properties of the individual quinone species is prerequisite to elucidate the energy-coupling mechanism of complex I. We have investigated these SQ species using EPR spectroscopy and found that the three SQ species have strikingly different properties. We will report characteristics of these SQ species and discuss possible functional roles of individual quinone species in the electron/proton transfer reaction of complex I/NDH-1.
Physiological significance of glucose transport in Entamoeba histolytica.

Abstract A glucose transport system, previously found in a bacterial grown strain of Entamoeba histolytica , is also present in a strain grown in axenic culture and in an atypical strain which can grow at room temperature. The last strain has a lower temperature coefficient for glucose transport than the two typical strains, which grow only above 33 C. The uptake of glucose by pinocytosis is much lower than the uptake through the specific transport system. The rate of glucose transport was equal to the rate of glucose consumption from the medium. No free glucose could be detected inside amoebal cells incubated with external glucose. All these observations are consistent with the idea that transport is a rate limiting step in the utilization of glucose by E. histolytica .
The Isotopic Composition and the Atomic Weight of Chlorine in Meteorites

THE most accurate determinations of the atomic weight of chlorine indicate that on earth this element consists of 76.65 per cent. of chlorine of isotopic number 1 (atomic weight = 35) and of 23.35 per cent. of isotopic number 3 (atomic weight = 37). It is of interest to determine the composition of this element in meteorites, and this has been done by the present writers, with the result that meteoritic chlorine has been found to have exactly the above isotopic composition. Within the limits of error of extremely accurate work, the atOmic weight of meteoritic chlorine is found to be the same as that of this element as found on earth.
Conductors with controlled grain boundaries: An approach to the next generation, high temperature superconducting wire

Much of the conductor development effort in the last decade has focused on optimizing the processing of (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox oxide-powder-in-tube conductors and (Bi, Pb)2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi-2212) and TlBa2Ca2Cu3Ox thick film conductors. It is demonstrated that in each of these conductors, critical current densities are dictated by the grain boundary misorientation distributions (GBMD’s). Percolative networks of low-angle boundaries with fractions consistent with the active cross-sectional area of the conductor exist in each of these conductors. Further enhancements in the properties require increased numbers of small-angle grain boundaries. Given the processing methods used to fabricate these materials, no clear route employing a simple modification of the established processing method is apparent. To address this need, conductors with controlled or predetermined GBMD’s are necessary. Development of biaxial texture appears to be the only possible way to increase the number of small-angle boundaries in a practical and controllable manner. We summarize in this paper recent results obtained on epitaxial superconducting films on rolling-assisted-biaxially-textured-substrates (RABiTS). This technique uses well established, industrially scalable, thermomechanical processes to impart a strong biaxial texture to a base metal. This is followed by vapor deposition of epitaxial buffer layers (metal and/or ceramic) to yield structurally and chemically compatible surfaces. Epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7–δ films grown using laser ablation on such substrates have critical current densities exceeding 106 A/cm2 at 77 K in zero field and have a field dependence similar to epitaxial films on single crystal ceramic substrates. Deposited conductors made using this technique offer a potential route for the fabrication of the next generation high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire capable of carrying high currents in high magnetic fields and at elevated temperatures.
Performance of 3 x 3 couplers in fiber optic sensor systems

The performance of fiber optic interferometers constructed with 3x3 couplers is investigated. Deviations from ideal behavior are noted at low fringe visibilities. The use of Faraday mirrors in a 3x3 Michelson configuration is shown to eliminate these effects.
Surface acidity and basicity of functionalized silica particles

Abstract Tetraethoxysilane has been co-hydrolyzed with functionalized organosilanes in a modified Stober process to produce silica particles with amino, carboxylate or dihydroimidazole groups on the surface. The effects of reaction conditions and the loading of the functionalized organosilane on particle size was examined by TEM. Fluorescence spectroscopy of the surface amino groups covalently modified with fluorescamine, and the surface carboxylate groups with 4-bromomethyl-6,7-dimethoxycoumarin, demonstrated that these functional groups were accessible for further reaction. Changes in surface acidity and basicity caused by the presence of functional groups (amine, dihydroimidazole, carboxylate) on the particle surface were determined using an indicator titration technique. Particles with surface imidazole and amine groups and particles with surface carboxylate groups have enhanced basicity and acidity, respectively. Dihydroimidazole-modified silica had greater surface basicity than the amine-modified silica. The effect on basicity and acidity increases as the amount of added functionalized silane increases. However, this increase is nonlinear with respect to the increase in added functionalized silane. Particles with both surface dihydroimidazole and carboxylate groups demonstrated reduced surface basicity and acidity.
Blood Glucose Level Prediction Using Physiological Models and Support Vector Regression

Patients with diabetes must continually monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust insulin doses, striving to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Blood glucose levels that deviate from the normal range can lead to serious short-term and long-term complications. An automatic prediction model that warned people of imminent changes in their blood glucose levels would enable them to take preventive action. Modeling inter-patient differences and the combined effects of insulin and life events on blood glucose have been particularly challenging in the design of accurate blood glucose forecasting systems. In this paper, we describe a solution that uses a generic physiological model of blood glucose dynamics to generate informative features for a Support Vector Regression model that is trained on patient specific data. Experimental results show that the new prediction model outperforms all three diabetes experts involved in the study, thus demonstrating the utility of using the generic physiological features in machine learning models that are individually trained for every patient.
Growth and characterization of kesterite Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1 − x)4 crystals for photovoltaic applications

Highlights: • Cu{sub 2}ZnSn(S{sub x}Se{sub 1−x}){sub 4} crystals were grown using vertical gradient freeze technique. • Grown CZTSSe crystals exhibited highly crystalline tetragonal kesterite structure. • Grown ingot showed a homogeneous, stoichiometric composition along the growth axis. • Cu-rich particulates were observed along the polycrystalline grain boundaries. • Large volume of high quality CZTSSe can be grown using this novel VGF method. - Abstract: Cu{sub 2}ZnSn(S{sub x}Se{sub 1−x}){sub 4} (CZTSSe) bulk crystals have been grown for the first time, in multi-gram quantities, using a novel vertical gradient freeze (VGF) technique. Large grain polycrystalline CZTSSe ingot with grain sizes ∼0.2–0.5 mm was grown in a vacuum sealed quartz ampoule. Structural, compositional, and electronic properties of the ingot were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and van der Pauw measurements. XRD analysis showed highly crystalline tetragonal structure corresponding to kesterite CZTSSe with lattice constants of a = 5.563 A, and c = 11.09 A (c/2a = 0.997) and Raman spectra confirmed the formation of single phase CZTSSe. High-resolution XPS spectra confirmed the formation of metal-sulfoselenides. The ingot along the growth axis showed a homogeneous near stoichiometric elemental distribution corresponding to Cu/(Zn + Sn) =more » 0.94 and Zn/Sn = 0.98. EDS mapping on the ingot's outer surface revealed formation of islanded Cu-rich droplets at the grain boundaries. Grown crystals exhibited p-type conductivity with a measured bulk resistivity of ∼51 Ω cm.« less
Evaluation of the cardiac STATus™ CK-MB/Myoglobin Card Test to diagnose acute myocardial infarctions in the ED

Abstract A study was undertaken to evaluate a Card Test called "Spectral Diagnostics Inc Cardiac STATus ™ CK-MB/Myoglobin" (Toronto, Canada), which is distributed by Dade International Inc, Miami, FL, for the simultaneous qualitative determination of CK-MB and myoglobin levels in human serum. The Card Test is advertised by the manufacturer as an aid in diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the emergency department (ED). Fifty-eight consecutive serum samples were obtained from 25 patients being evaluated for AMI in an ED. Qualitative CK-MB and myoglobin results from the Card Test were compared with quantitative CK-MB and myoglobin results using the ACS-180 instrument (Ciba Corning Diagnostics, Medfield, MA) and Stratus® Ilntellect T (Dade International Inc, Miami, FL), respectively. Qualitative results from the STATus ™ CK-MB/Myoglobin Card Test were similar, diagnostically, to quantified results using these automated instruments.
Le pape Jean-Paul II et les relations entre les chrétiens et les juifs : Son héritage, nos défis

Jean-Paul II s’est exprime et a publie plus dans un but constructif que n’importe quel pape avant lui. Il considerait le judaisme comme partie integrante de l’identite chretienne. Pour lui, l’Eglise et le peuple juif sont profondement lies, mais il n’a helas jamais developpe cette thematique de facon comprehensive. Sa vision n’a donc jamais penetre completement la theologie chretienne. Il a aussi fait preuve d’une grande consideration pour les liens du peuple juif avec Israel et a finalement etabli des relations formelles entre l’Etat juif et le Vatican. De meme il a montre beaucoup de sensibilite envers la souffrance du peuple juif pendant la Shoah, ainsi que ses remarques introductives au document de 1998 sur la Shoah, We Remember le prouvent clairement.
St. Louis and Japanese encephalitis in hamsters following natural feeding of the viruses.

* Present address: Baptist Hospital, Birmingham, Ala. developed no clinical signs of infection. He r port d th t all survivors of the feeding developed an immunity, as evidenced by the appearance of serum antibody or resistance to intracerebral challenge with many intracerebral lethal doses for normal hamsters of the homologous virus. He also found the same thing occurred when hamsters were allowed to feed naturally upon Japanese encephalitis virus infected mouse brain.6 The experiments reported here were threefold in purpose: first, to determine the distribution of Japanese and St. Louis encephalitis viruses in the tissues of hamsters after natural feeding in an attempt to determine the site or sites of multiplication of the viruses and possible pathways of spread following initial infection; second, to study the effects of age at time of feeding and the effect of thiamine deficiency on the relative numbers of clinical and subclinical infections in hamsters following natural feeding of the two viruses; and third, to further investigate the development of immunity in hamsters following feeding of the two viruses. Some of the results have been published previously in preliminary form7'8
An Examination of Entrepreneurial Orientation in Dedicated Biotechnology Firms: Context Matters

The goal of this article is to explore under what contexts do biotechnology firms exhibit an entrepreneurial orientation? To achieve this goal, we assess entrepreneurial orientation as a configuration and individual dimension across three contexts: organizational structure, location, and age. Analyses of survey data from U.S. biotechnology firms indicate that ownership structure was the only contextual factor to yield differences in biotechnology firms’ entrepreneurial orientation when assessed as a configuration. However, the analysis identified differences at the multidimensional level within all three contexts. Both theoretical and practical implications of our findings are provided.
When prosocial behavior becomes altruistic: An attributional analysis

Guided by Jones and Davis’ (1965) theory of correspondent inferences, an experiment was conducted to explore the conditions under which prosocial behavior is attributed to altruism. Some 14 vignettes were constructed to vary aspects of five general dimensions believed to underlie perceptions of altruistic behavior: Benefits or costs to the actor or the actor’s close kin; benefits to the recipient of help; behavior extending beyond usual helping roles and norms; intentionality of helping; and planful versus spontaneous helping. A total of 164 respondents evaluated the actor and his or her behavior on scales measuring altruism and praiseworthiness. As hypothesized, the first four dimensions consistently predicted judgments of altruism, while the fifth did not. Strengths and shortcomings of the vignette approach are discussed, as are directions for subsequent research.
BladeCenter thermal diagnostics

An analytical technique called thermal diagnostics is presented as a tool for determining the root cause of thermal anomalies arising in electronic equipment. The technique utilizes a dynamically constructed flow network model, real-time inventory, temperature, utilization metrics, and statistical hypothesis testing to select the most likely scenario from among thousands of potential causes of thermal problems. This paper describes the concept of thermal diagnostics and concludes with results from a laboratory evaluation in which we physically trigger thermal anomalies on a running IBM eServerTM BladeCenter® system and record the diagnosis given by the algorithm. In these tests, our algorithm correctly diagnosed the thermal situation and provided meaningful guidance toward clearing the detected problems.
A Newly Described Ictal Pattern: The Initial Ictal Slow Shift:

This report deals with a newly described ictal pattern, called the initial ictal slow shift (IS)2. This pattern may be seen in subdural records as the first sign of an ictal event, occurring before the later typical rhythms of a seizure state appear. A positive shift, very similar in appearance from one seizure to another, usually lasted for 1–2 sec, followed by a negativity for 7–9 sec that included the typical rhythmical discharges. At times, a negative shift occurred first, seen up to 15 mV very high in amplitude, for a few seconds before the typical ictal rhythms were seen. Scalp records may also demonstrate slow shifts, and examples are shown of the typical 3/sec bilateral spike and wave (S+W) complexes of absence seizures. A slow shift occasionally appeared 1 sec before the onset of these complexes, but more often a few seconds after the onset. Finally, after the end of the S+W complexes, a positive shift, for as long as 5–6 sec may occur, up to 600 μV in amplitude. These shifts could relate to data...
Formation of ethanol and higher alcohols by immobilized zymomonas mobilis in continuous culture

Cells of Zymomonas mobilis ATCC 10988 were immobilized in 1.5% calcium alginate and packed in a column bioreactor for a series of fermentations utilizing 10.0% glucose media with the addition of one of the following amino acids or keto acids: L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, α-ketoisocaproic acid, α-ketobutyric acid, or α-ketoisovaleric acid. This was done in order to study the rates of production of higher alcohols during ethanolic fermentations at varying dilution rates while under the influence of amino acids or keto acids. Results indicate that the EHRLICH mechanism is operative in Zymomonas sp. α-Ketobutyrate enhanced the production of n-propanol and act-amyl alcohol. α-Ketoisocaproic acid stimulated the production of isoamyl alcohol. α-Ketoisovaleric acid increased the levels of isobutanol. The amino acids also gave rise to their corresponding alcohols but to a far lesser degree than did the keto acids. During high glucose utilization, ethanol yields ranged from 87% to 94% of theoretical with productivity ranging from 60.08 g/l/h in one fermentation (at a dilution rate of 1.35 h−1) to 70.42 g/l/h in another (at a dilution rate of 1.58 h−1). At dilution rates of 1.58 h−1, higher alcohol productivity rose to as high as 4,313 mg/l/h in the presence of α-ketoisocaproic acid, 1,734.49 mg/l/h using α-ketoisovaleric acid, and 1,618.05 mg/l/h in α-ketobutyric acid. The concomitant production of ethanol and higher alcohols in all of the fermentations indicates that glucose is required for the production of the higher alcohols from their corresponding amino acids or keto acids.
One-pot conversion of fluorenylmethyl carbamates into tert-butyl carbamates

Abstract N-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl groups may be efficiently converted into N-tert-butoxycarbonyl groups by pottassium flouride/Et3N in the presence of Boc2O
Non-linear Renewal Theory with Stationary Perturbations

Abstract A non-linear renewal theorem is obtained from random walks that are perturbed by an approximately stationary sequence. As corollaries, the limiting joint distribution of the excess over the boundary and last perturbation are obtained along with an approximation to expected first passage times. The results are illustrated by an analysis of a sequential probability ratio test when data are subject to both censoring and staggered entry.
Do Mechanical Turks dream of square pie charts

Online studies are an attractive alternative to the laborintensive lab study, and promise the possibility of reaching a larger variety and number of people than at a typical university. There are also a number of draw-backs, however, that have made these studies largely impractical so far.Amazon's Mechanical Turk is a web service that facilitates the assignment of small, web-based tasks to a large pool of anonymous workers. We used it to conduct several perception and cognition studies, one of which was identical to a previous study performed in our lab.We report on our experiences and present ways to avoid common problems by taking them into account in the study design, and taking advantage of Mechanical Turk's features.
Sex differences in the object representations in the dreams of adolescents

The present study explored sex and age differences in the level of object representations and human movement in the dreams of adolescents. In order to test empirically the contention that early object relations are significantly linked to the formation of children’s gender identity, 389 dreams recorded by 115 adolescents, ages 15–18, were scored for object representations and levels of human movement. As predicted, there were significant differences in the quality of object representations in male and female adolescent’s dream content. In addition, female’s dreams contained significantly higher amounts of human movement than males’ dreams although these differences may well be attributable to longer dream narratives in the female sample. Further, these sex differences were most pronounced at the highest end of the sample age range. Results are discussed in terms of object relations adolescent development.