cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ca2+-mediated GTP-dependent dynamic assembly of bacterial cell division protein FtsZ into asters and polymer networks in vitro.

FtsZ, a tubulin‐like GTPase that forms a dynamic ring marking the division plane of prokaryotic cells, is essential for cytokinesis. It is not known what triggers FtsZ ring assembly. In this work, we use a FtsZ–green fluorescent protein (Gfp) chimera to assay FtsZ assembly over time by using fluorescence microscopy. We show that FtsZ polymers can assemble dynamically in solution in a GTP‐dependent manner. Initially, FtsZ nucleation centers grow into aster‐like structures that dramatically resemble microtubule organizing centers. As assembly proceeds further, protofilament bundles emanating from different asters interconnect, mimicking the closure of the FtsZ ring in vivo . Surprisingly, millimolar levels of Ca 2+ promote FtsZ dynamic assembly. FtsZ can undergo repeated GTP‐dependent assembly and disassembly in solution by sequential addition and removal of Ca 2+ . In addition, GTP binding and hydrolysis by FtsZ are regulated by Ca 2+ concentration. Although the concentration of Ca 2+ required for FtsZ assembly in vitro is high, its clear and specific effect on FtsZ dynamics suggests the possibility that Ca 2+ may have a role in regulating FtsZ ring assembly in the cell.
A fast and scalable technique for constructing multicast routing trees with optimized quality of service using a firefly based genetic algorithm

We are seeing an explosive proliferation of multimedia content made available on the Internet. Multimedia applications have a multipartite nature where content has to be disseminated to multiple parties using group communication. Overheads involved in distributing the content through unicast can be overcome by using multicast mode of transmission. Many multimedia applications such as audio-video news streams, stock quotes, live conferences and online gaming require strict Quality-of-service (QoS) guarantees. Optimizing a multicast tree for multiple QoS constraints is a multi-objective NP-hard optimization problem. In this work we propose an optimization that uses modified Genetic Algorithm (GA), a branch of evolutionary computation, to determine near-optimal multicast trees to satisfy multiple QoS constraints such as bandwidth, delay and packet loss. Our modification uses the Firefly effect to reduce the convergence time as well the premature convergence of the GA. Our simulation results show that our proposed algorithm is capable of finding a set of near-optimal multicast trees in computationally feasible time within a few iterations and is much faster than other optimization techniques proposed in research literature. Moreover we show that the protocol is scalable and exhibits a linear increase in processing overhead with the increase in group size.
Role of botulinum toxin-A in refractory idiopathic overactive bladder patients without detrusor overactivity

To evaluate the efficacy of intradetrusor botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) in idiopathic overactive bladder patients (OAB) refractory to anti-muscarinic therapy, without detrusor overactivity (DOA) on urodynamics. Patients with refractory idiopathic OAB without DOA on urodynamics were prospectively enrolled. Subjects completed a 3-day voiding diary (3-VD), urogenital distress inventory-6 questionnaire (UDI-6) and graded their quality of life on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) prior to study enrollment and at week 12 postinjection. All patients underwent multichannel urodynamics at study enrollment and 12 weeks postinjection. Improvement was analyzed based on 3-VD, UDI-6 questionnaire, VAS scores, and urodynamic parameters at week 12 postinjection compared to study enrollment. The study included 32 patients. Mean ± SD age was 56 ± 16. There were 27 women and 5 men. Nineteen patients had OAB without incontinence (OAB-dry) and 13 patients had OAB with incontinence (OAB-wet). In OAB-dry patients, mean ± SD urinary frequency dropped from 24 ± 11 to 10 ± 4 by week 12. In OAB-wet patients, mean ± SD urge incontinence episodes dropped from 7.9 ± 5 to 0 ± 2.6 by week 12. Mean UDI-6 and VAS scores improved significantly in both groups by week 12 (P = 0.0001). On comparing urodynamic parameters, OAB-wet patients showed significant decrease in maximum detrusor pressure during the voiding phase at week 12 compared to baseline values (P = 0.02). Refractory idiopathic OAB patients without DOA on urodynamics may benefit from intradetrusor BTX-A.
Mechanistic and structural insights into the proteolytic activation of Vibrio cholerae MARTX toxin

MARTX toxins modulate the virulence of a number of Gram-negative Vibrio species. This family of toxins is defined by the presence of a cysteine protease domain (CPD), which proteolytically activates the Vibrio cholerae MARTX toxin. Although recent structural studies of the CPD have uncovered a new allosteric activation mechanism, the mechanism of CPD substrate recognition or toxin processing is unknown. Here we show that interdomain cleavage of MARTXVc enhances effector domain function. We also identify the first small-molecule inhibitors of this protease domain and present the 2.35-A structure of the CPD bound to one of these inhibitors. This structure, coupled with biochemical and mutational studies of the toxin, reveals the molecular basis of CPD substrate specificity and underscores the evolutionary relationship between the CPD and the clan CD caspase proteases. These studies are likely to prove valuable for devising new antitoxin strategies for a number of bacterial pathogens.
Effects of profanity, touch, and subject's religiosity on perceptions of a psychologist and behavioral compliance

(1991). Effects of Profanity, Touch, and Subject'S Religiosity on Perceptions of a Psychologist and Behavioral Compliance. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 131, No. 6, pp. 899-901.
Solubility of gases and vapors in biological media: a simple correlation

Abstract A simple correlation of the solubility of gases and vapors, including inhalation anesthetics, in some biological media is proposed. The correlation requires only the critical temperature and pressure of the solute gas in addition to the solubility coefficient. The correlation is shown to be applicable to a large number of gases and vapors dissolved in blood ghost cells, brain tissue, muscle, plasma, and also in olive oil (a model for the lipoid domains of the cell membrane).
A modified scheme for privacy-preserving data aggregation in WSNs

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have been wildly used in our daily life. How to collect data efficiently and keep users' privacy are more and more important. The goal of this paper is to find a new effective scheme to solve this problem. In this paper, I propose a modified scheme for privacy preserving data aggregation which is inspired by CPDA. This scheme could aggregate data without revealing any private information and consume less resources than CPDA. In addition, I made a comparison with CPDA in computation overhead and communication overhead. At last, the simulation results are presented which show the efficacy and efficiency of this scheme.
A review of solar proton events during the 22nd solar cycle.

Solar cycle 22 had significant, large fluence, energetic particle events on a scale reminiscent of the 19th solar cycle. Examination of the characteristics of these large events suggests that some of the old concepts of spectral form, intensity-time envelope and energy extrapolations, used to estimate the dose from large events that occurred during previous solar cycles should be re-evaluated. There has also been a dramatic change in perspective regarding the source of solar protons observed in interplanetary space. Very large fluence events are associated with powerful fast interplanetary shocks. The elemental composition and charge state of these events is suggestive of a dominate source in the solar corona and not from a very hot plasma. Furthermore, there is a strong suggestion that the intensity-time profile observed in space is dominated by the connection of the observer to an interplanetary shock source rather than to a unique location near the surface of the sun. These concepts will be examined from the perspective of energetic particles contributing to the dose experienced by an astronaut on an interplanetary space mission.
Active foragers vs. sit-and-wait predators: a simple model

Abstract I propose a simple model for the decision of when to leave a foraging site in a variable environment for a predator that does not deplete its local resources. Active foraging is favored when the cost of moving is small or the difference between good and poor sites is large. The model corresponds to the behavior of two guilds of web-spinning spiders.
Low-temperature atomic layer deposition of ZnO films on particles in a fluidized bed reactor

Abstract During the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO films on a bulk quantity of high surface area particles, the thermal decomposition of diethlyzinc (DEZ) is problematic at normal operating temperatures. A low-temperature pathway to ZnO ALD on bulk quantities of nanoparticles was studied using concentrated H2O2 as the oxidant in a fluidized bed reactor. Decreasing the operating temperature effectively mitigated DEZ decomposition, but caused liquid bridging of particles. The mechanisms behind the non-ideal behaviors associated with high temperature precursor decomposition and low-temperature liquid bridging are discussed. An optimal deposition temperature was observed at 100 °C to balance these effects.
For Love or Money? The Impact of Income Taxes on Marriage

higher, sometimes lower-than their combined single income tax obligations. In this paper we explore the impact of the federal individual income tax, as well as other economic and demograplhic variables, on the marriage decisionis of individuals. Using longitudinal data from the Panel Study on Income Dynamics for the period 1968-92, we estimate a discrete-time hazard model of the time to first marriage. We find that the probability of marriage is significantly affected by a range of economic and demographic variables. Importantly, we find that an increase in total income taxes paid by married versus single women has a negative effect on the likelihood of marriage, and that the change in the marginal tax rate is also a significant determinant of marriage in some cases; in contrast, the tax effects are rarely significant in determining marriage probabilities among men, although there are some differential responses by race. In general, the impacts of the income tax variables, even when statistically significant, are small.
Functional Dissection and Site-directed Mutagenesis of the Structural Gene for NAD(P)H-Nitrite Reductase in Neurospora crassa

Neurospora crassa NAD(P)H-nitrite reductase, encoded by the nit-6 gene, is a soluble, α2-type homodimeric protein composed of 127-kDa polypeptide subunits. This multicenter oxidation-reduction enzyme utilizes either NADH or NADPH as electron donor and possesses as prosthetic groups two iron-sulfur (Fe4S4) clusters, two siroheme groups, and two FAD molecules. The native activity of the enzyme is the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of nitrite to ammonia. In addition, N. crassa nitrite reductase displays several partial activities in vitro, including a siroheme-independent NAD(P)H-cytochrome c reductase activity and an FAD-independent dithionite-nitrite reductase activity. These partial activities are presumed to be manifestations of discrete functional domains within the protein. A full-length nit-6 cDNA was constructed and used in developing an expression system within E. coli capable of yielding high levels of NADPH-nitrite reductase activity. Maximal expression was obtained in nirB− E. coli cells grown anaerobically at 22 ± 1°C, in conjunction with co-expression of a plasmid-borne cysG gene (encoding the rate-limiting enzyme in siroheme synthesis) and co-transformation with plasmid pGroESL (encoding bacterial chaperonins GroES and GroEL). Dissection of gene segments encoding putative functional domains within the nit-6 gene was performed. Expression of a partial cDNA construct encoding the FAD-/NAD-binding domain yielded extracts with NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity but no NADPH-nitrite reductase activity or dithionite-nitrite reductase activity. Expression of a cDNA construct encoding the (Fe4S4)-siroheme-binding domain resulted in extracts possessing dithionite-nitrite reductase activity but no NADPH-nitrite reductase or NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Analysis of site-directed mutations altering amino acid residues Cys-331 within the FAD-/NAD-binding domain and Ser-755 within the (Fe4S4)-siroheme-binding domain of the nitrite reductase demonstrated that these residues were not essential for native or partial enzyme activity. Cys-757 within the (Fe4S4)-siroheme-binding domain was essential for native enzyme activity.
The concept of illness behavior.

ONE OF the principal tasks of the medical sciences is to understand and determine the conditions under which particular symptoms or disease entities arise either in individuals or among groups of individuals. Public health physicians have the further problem of effecting the arrival of “ill” persons at medical settings so that treatment can be effectively administered. Whether we concern ourselves with the necessary conditions for building adequate etiological theories or those for bringing treatment to persons most in need of such help, it is necessary that we understand the influence of a variety of norms, values, fears, and expected rewards and punishments on how a symptomatic person behaves. Such considerations lead us to propose a concept of illness behaviour. By this term we refer to the ways in which given symptoms may be differentially perceived, evaluated, and acted (or not acted) upon by different kinds of persons. Whether by reason of earlier experiences with illness, differential training in respect to symptoms, or whatever, some persons will make light of symptoms, shrug them off, and avoid seeking medical care; others will respond to the slightest twinges of pain or discomfort by quickly seeking such medical care as is available. In short, the realm of illness behaviour falls logically and chronologically between two major traditional concerns of medical science : etiology and therapy. Variables affecting illness behavior come into play prior to medical scrutiny and treatment, but after etiological processes have been initiated. In this sense, illness behavior even determines whether diagnosis and treatment will begin at all. We are here dealing with an area important for public health and medical sociology and it becomes a matter of both theoretical and practical concern to discover the sources and consequences of different illness behaviors. And if, in given populations, there are systematic differences in illness behavior, this fact has obvious implications for public health programs [5]§, estimated needs for medical care, medical economics, and our understanding of health and illness in general. That the behavioral sciences can shed some light on such questions is indicated, for example, by the researches of Koos and Saunders. Koos [7] found that upper class
Chiral separations of indan, tetralin and benzosuberan derivatives by capillary electrophoresis

Abstract Several indan, tetralin and benzosuberan derivatives of diverse polarities were enantio-resolved by the use of sulfated β-cyclodextrins (CDs) or mixtures of sulfated β-CDs and γ-CD as chiral additives in capillary electrophoresis. Mixtures of sulfated β-CDs and hydroxypropyl β-CDs were also successfully utilized for enantiomeric and diastereomeric separations of some of the tetralin derivatives with two stereogenic centers. Both neutral and anionic analytes were resolved in the reversed electrophoretic polarity mode. Cationic amino derivatives of indan and tetralin were enantio-resolved in the conventional electrophoretic polarity mode.
Pharmacokinetic analysis of the soluble guanylate cyclase activator cinaciguat (BAY 58-2667) in individuals with renal impairment compared to healthy controls

Background Cinaciquat (CIN) is a guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator that induces cyclic GMP generation and vasodilation preferentially in diseased vessels [1]. CIN has the potential to increase cardiac output in patients with acute decompensated heart failure [2]. CIN is predominantly and rapidly cleared by the liver [3], and thus, it was not expected that the kidney function would have an influence on CIN clearance. Nevertheless, we determined the pharmacokinetics of CIN in individuals with renal impairment and ageand gender-matched healthy volunteers with normal renal function [4].
THE MYTH OF CARTESIAN QUALIA

: The standard view of Cartesian sensations (SV) is that they present themselves as purely qualitative features of experience (or qualia). Accordingly, Descartes’ view would be that in perceiving the color red, for example, we are merely experiencing the subjective feel of redness rather than seeming to perceive a property of bodies. In this paper, I establish that the argument and textual evidence offered in support of SV fail to prove that Descartes held this view. Indeed, I will argue that there are textual and theoretical reasons for believing that Descartes held the negation of SV. Qualia aren't Descartes’ legacy.
A variational treatment of the potential of impurity ions in semiconductors with spatially variable dielectric constants

The primary purpose of the present paper consists in obtaining a correction to Dingle's potential for a (point) impurity ion (embedded) in Si or Ge. This goal is accomplished by making use of a variational principle in taking into account the effect of the spatial variation of the dielectric constant in the respective medium. It is found that the resulting impurity-ion potential can be represented as the product of Dingle's potential and a factor which, with increasing distance from the charged impurity, approaches unity. The secondary purpose of the present paper consists in suggesting a way for the modification of an impurity-ion potential that has been obtained previously with a boundary condition, that, in retrospect, is open to criticism. It is shown that the modified impurity-ion potential can be represented as the product of the author's previous potential and a factor which, with increasing distance from the charged impurity, approaches unity.
Isolation of planar polychlorinated biphenyls by carbon column chromatography

Abstract A simple, sensitive, precise and specific method for the isolation of planar PCB congeners having four, five and six chlorines in environmental samples is presented. On average, recoveries of 3,3′,4,4′; 3,4,4′,5; 3,3′,4,4′5 and 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′ (IUPAC No 77, 81, 126 and 169) planar PCB congeners from spiked Aroclor mixtures were 94±7.2, 82±5.4, 93±3.9 and 96±2.5%, respectively; while recoveries from spiked dolphin blubber samples were 87±4.0, 70±2.3, 91±2.8 and 97±2.3%. As compared to previously published methods, this methodology saves both time and materials, i.e. solvents, and eliminate the use of benzene, a highly carcinogenic solvent, which requires extreme care in handling by the analyst.
Recursion—or, Better Computational Thinking Through Laughter

One of the predictable side effects of writing this column is that on a regular basis—at least several times a year—I am compelled to come up with a topic, a computational diversion. I would like to pretend that this process is structured, impeccably organized, planned months in advance; but as anyone who knows me could attest, things just do not work out that way. The result is that I am periodically on the lookout for some subject matter that could make for a column—and more especially, a subject that has not already been done to death in recreational math circles. Last weekend, I was in this sort of quietly panicked condition when I took my 7-yearold son to see the animated movie Kung Fu Panda. (We both enjoyed it.) At one point during the cartoon, the title creature is excitedly taking an introductory tour of his martial arts school, marveling at all the ancient kung fu-related artifacts; and he comes upon a beautifully rendered Chinese painting. The panda exclaims, ‘‘I’ve only seen paintings of that painting!’’ The line brought an appreciative laugh from the audience (including, interestingly, the children as well); and it occurred to me that there might be a relatively unexplored subject for discussion in this. After all, there is currently a push in computer science circles to promote ‘‘computational thinking’’ (a notion whose definition is itself energetically debated). At the same time, one of the purportedly difficult topics in computational thinking is mastery of the idea of recursion. The panda’s line—and the laugh that it received—suggests that people already have an aesthetic sense of the oddness or appeal of recursive thinking. And the panda’s line is, undeniably, recursive: once you have seen a painting of a painting, you could see a painting of a painting of a painting, and so forth. Recursion is funny, in many senses of the word. I am not entirely sure why this is so: after all, conditionals, and while loops, and compound data structures, and variables are not especially funny. But recursion is. Since arriving at this insight, I have been trying to collect a variety of instances in literature, plays, movies, to illustrate this sort of enjoyably emotionally charged computational thinking. I ask readers to help me in adding to this collection, and will print
Hot-wire chemical vapor deposition of silicon nanoparticles on fused silica

Abstract Silicon nanoparticles on fused silica have potential as recombination centers in infrared detectors due quantum confinement effects that result in a size dependent band gap. Growth on fused silica was realized by etching in HF, annealing under vacuum at 700–750 °C, and cooling to ambient temperature before ramping to the growth temperature of 600 °C. Silicon particles could not be grown in a thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process with adequate size uniformity and density. Seeding fused silica with Si adatoms in a hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) process at a disilane pressure of 1.1 × 10− 5 Pa followed by thermal CVD at a disilane pressure of 1.3 × 10− 2 Pa, or direct HWCVD at a disilane pressure of 2.1 × 10− 5 Pa led to acceptable size uniformity and density. Dangling bonds at the surface of the as-grown nanoparticle were passivated using atomic H formed by cracking H2 over the HWCVD filament.
Identification of the activation-labile gene: a single point mutation in the human glucocorticoid receptor presents as two distinct receptor phenotypes.

CCRF-CEM-C7 is a well characterized human leukemic clonal cell line which is lysed by dexamethasone (dex). Originating from the wild-type CEM-C7 cells are two dex-resistant clones which are not lysed by 1 microM dex and have functionally defective glucocorticoid receptors (GR). They are receptorless ICR27TK.3 and activation-labile 4R4 cells. ICR27TK.3 and 4R4 cells have distinct cellular phenotypes, as indicated by dissimilar numbers of dex-binding sites despite similar levels of GR mRNA and immunochemically detectable GR. We have now investigated the molecular defects in the GR of ICR27TK.3 and 4R4 cells by determining the nucleotide sequence of their GR. Our results support the biochemical evidence previously reported by others for the presence of both a normal (GR+) and a mutant (GR*) allele in CEM-C7 cells. We clearly show that the wild-type CEM-C7 cells express two alleles of GR, the normal GR+ and the abnormal GR*, which has a Leu753--> Phe753 mutation. We demonstrate that both ICR27TK.3 and 4R4 cel...
Theoretical pulmonary microvascular impedance.

The basic equations governing transient oscillations in capillary blood vessels of a pulmonary alveolar sheet are presented. It follows from the nonlinearity of the differential equations that the concept of impedance is useful only in the case of small perturbations. Analytical and numerical results are given for input impedances, impedance matrix, conductance matrix, and transfer matrix for small pressure and flow oscillations. It is shown that the determinant of the transfer matrix is in general unequal to 1 for the pulmonary sheet; thus differing from electric circuits with lumped parameters.
High speed memory scanning in mental retardates: Evidence for a central processing deficit

Abstract Third-grade, high-school, and adult normal subjects and two diagnostic categories of educable mental retardates (cultural familials and encephalopathies) were tested in a Sternberg-type “memory scanning” recognition task. All five groups showed the characteristic linear increase in correct reaction time as the number of items in the memorized set increased. The slopes of the linear functions, however, were steeper for the two retardate samples than for the normal samples, suggesting a central processing deficit which could not be attributed to a lag in development.
Simultaneous Determination of Amoxicillin and Ampicillin in Bovine Milk by HPLC with Fluorescence Detection

A sensitive liquid chromatographic analytical method using fluorescence detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of amoxicillin and ampicillin residues in raw and processed bovine milk. Aliquots of raw or processed milk (5 mL) were diluted to 40 mL with 0.01 M KH2PO4 (pH 4.5) buffer, and the soluble proteins were precipitated with the addition of sodium tungstate and sulfuric acid followed by centrifugation. The drug residues were concentrated by passing the supernatant through a C18 solid phase extraction cartridge. Amoxicillin and ampicillin were eluted from the cartridge and reacted with salicylaldehyde to form fluorescent derivatives, which were then analyzed with liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Average recoveries of spiked amoxicillin and ampicillin at 5, 10, and 20 ng/mL were >80%, with coefficients of variation (CV) <5%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for amoxicillin were 1.1 and 2.4 ng/mL, respectively. The LOD and LOQ for ampicilli...
Preservice Teachers' Learning to Generate Evidence-Based Hypotheses about the Impact of Mathematics Teaching on Learning.

This study examines the development of a specific sub-skill for studying and improving teaching—the generation of hypotheses about the effects of teaching on student learning. Two groups of elementary preservice teachers (PSTs) were compared: one group that attended a typical mathematics-methods course and one that attended a course integrating analysis skills for learning from teaching. Data consist of PSTs’ comments on video clips of mathematics instruction administered before and after course completion. Findings reveal that PSTs at the beginning of the program struggled to generate hypotheses with relevant evidence, often equating teacher behavior or student correct answers as evidence of student understanding. After course participation, PSTs who attended the course with integrated analysis skills significantly improved in their ability to generate hypotheses based on student evidence whereas their counterparts continued to display difficulties. Implications for teacher education and future research ...
Calibration of the calcite–water oxygen-isotope geothermometer at Devils Hole, Nevada, a natural laboratory

Abstract The δ 18 O of ground water (−13.54 ± 0.05 ‰) and inorganically precipitated Holocene vein calcite (+14.56 ± 0.03 ‰) from Devils Hole cave #2 in southcentral Nevada yield an oxygen isotopic fractionation factor between calcite and water at 33.7 °C of 1.02849 ± 0.00013 (1000 ln α calcite–water = 28.09 ± 0.13). Using the commonly accepted value of ∂( α calcite–water )/∂ T of −0.00020 K −1 , this corresponds to a 1000 ln α calcite–water value at 25 °C of 29.80, which differs substantially from the current accepted value of 28.3. Use of previously published oxygen isotopic fractionation factors would yield a calcite precipitation temperature in Devils Hole that is 8 °C lower than the measured ground water temperature. Alternatively, previously published fractionation factors would yield a δ 18 O of water, from which the calcite precipitated, that is too negative by 1.5 ‰ using a temperature of 33.7 °C. Several lines of evidence indicate that the geochemical environment of Devils Hole has been remarkably constant for at least 10 ka. Accordingly, a re-evaluation of calcite–water oxygen isotopic fractionation factor may be in order. Assuming the Devils Hole oxygen isotopic value of α calcite–water represents thermodynamic equilibrium, many marine carbonates are precipitated with a δ 18 O value that is too low, apparently due to a kinetic isotopic fractionation that preferentially enriches 16 O in the solid carbonate over 18 O, feigning oxygen isotopic equilibrium.
A survey of reliability-prediction procedures for microelectronic devices

The author reviews six current reliability prediction procedures for microelectronic devices. The device models are described and the parameters and parameter values used to calculate device failure rates are examined. The procedures are illustrated by using them to calculate the predicted failure rate for a 64 K DRAM; the resulting failure rates are compared under a variety of assumptions. The models used in the procedures are similar in form, but they give very different predicted failure rates under similar operating and environmental conditions, and they show different sensitivities to changes in conditions affecting the failure rates. >
Human and Mouse ABCA1 Comparative Sequencing and Transgenesis Studies Revealing Novel Regulatory Sequences

The expression of ABCA1, a major participant in apolipoprotein-mediated cholesterol efflux, is regulated by a variety of factors, including intracellular cholesterol concentration. To identify sequences involved in its regulation, we sequenced and compared approximately 200 kb of mouse and human DNA containing the ABCA1 gene. Furthermore, expression of the human gene containing different 5' ends was examined in transgenic mice. Sequence comparison revealed multiple conserved noncoding sequences. The two most highly conserved noncoding elements (CNS1, 88% identity over 498 bp; CNS2, 81% identity over 214 bp) were also highly conserved in other organisms. Mice containing the human ABCA1 gene, 70 kb of upstream DNA, and 35 kb of downstream DNA expressed the transgene similarly to endogenous Abca1. A second transgene beginning 3' to exon 1 was expressed only in liver, providing strong evidence of an unsuspected liver-specific promoter. The identified conserved noncoding sequences invite further investigation to elucidate ABCA1 regulation.
Tricarbonyl(1,10-phenanthroline) (imidazole) rhenium(I): a powerful photooxidant for investigations of electron tunneling in proteins

Abstract The structure of [Re(CO)3(phen)(im)]2SO4·4H2O has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The yellow crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pccn (No. 56), with a=17.456(6), b=18.194(5), c=12.646(4) A , R=0.063 for F o 2 >0, R=0.032 for F o 2 >3σ . The compound, which also has been characterized by IR, 1H NMR, and UVVis spectroscopies, exhibits room temperature luminescence in aqueous solution (τ=120 ns) as well as reversible oxidation and reduction in acetonitrile solution (1.85 and −1.30 V versus SCE). The redox properties of the excited state of the complex (E 0 ( Re +∗/0 = 1.2; E 0 ( Re 2+/+∗ ) = −0.7 V ) are being exploited in studies of laser-induced electron tunneling in Re(CO)3(phen)(histidine)-modified proteins.
Overcome the Impairment of NK Cells for Icon and Antibody Immunotherapy of Cancer

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in innate immunity and in mediating antibody and Icon (an antibody-like factor VII/IgG1 Fc immunoconjugate, which, to our best knowledge, was the first therapeutic agent for dual targeting of both the tumor cells and tumor angiogenic endothelial cells) for cancer immunotherapy. However, a common yet often neglected observation and challenge in antibody immunotherapy is that NK cells are often impaired in cancer patients. Here we hypothesize that the impairment of NK cells significantly contributes to host resistance to antibody immunotherapy for cancer. In order for antibody and Icon to achieve their optimal therapeutic efficacy, we briefly reviewed the current strategies to enhance NK activity, including infusion of cytokines, vaccines or NK cells, and the use of dietary supplements. Moreover, from our point of view we identified some remaining challenges and propose to combine these NK-enhancing strategies with Icon or antibody to overcome NK impairment and ultimately to optimize the efficacy of Icon and antibody immunotherapy for cancer.
Simultaneous double side grinding of silicon wafers: a mathematical study on grinding marks

Most Integrated Circuits (ICs) are built on silicon wafers. A series of processes are required to manufacture high quality silicon wafers. Simultaneous Double Side Grinding (SDSG) is one of the processes used to flatten wire-sawn wafers. A critical issue in SDSG is the grinding marks on wafer surfaces. Several mathematical models have been proposed to predict the grinding marks in Single Side Grinding (SSG). However, no papers have ever been published to systematically study the grinding marks in SDSG. This paper first gives a brief literature review on mathematical models for grinding marks in SSG of silicon wafers. It then presents the development of a mathematical model for grinding marks in SDSG of silicon wafers. This developed model is then used to study the effects of SDSG parameters on the curvature of the grinding marks and the distance between adjacent grinding marks. Finally this paper discusses one practical application of the model.
Perceived Pitch of Violin and Cello Vibrato Tones Among Music Majors

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived pitch of string vibrato tones. The authors used recordings of acoustic instruments (cello and violin) to provide both vibrato stimulus tones and the nonvibrato tones that listeners adjusted to match the perceived pitch of the vibrato stimuli. We were interested especially in whether there were differences in pitch perception of vibrato tones between string performers (n = 36) and music majors without string performance experience (n = 36). Both groups of music major listeners perceived the pitch of vibrato tones very near the mean frequency of the vibrato for cello and violin tones. Although means were similar, string players exhibited significantly less deviation in tuning judgments than non-string players for both violin and cello tones. Results appear consistent with earlier perceptual research as well as performance research indicating that string performers vibrate both above and below the intended pitch.
Cerebral microregional oxygen balance during chronic versus acute hypertension in middle cerebral artery occluded rats.

This study was performed to compare microregional O 2 supply and consumption balance in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), and in phenylephrine-induced acutely hypertensive WKY (WKY + ph) rats. Under isoflurane anesthesia, a middle cerebral artery (MCA) of SHR (n = 7) and WKY (n = 14) rats was occluded. Seven of the WKY rats were infused with phenylephrine (WKY + ph) to keep the mean arterial pressure (MAP) at the same level as that of the SHR. In all animals, 1 h after MCA occlusion, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was determined using an autoradiographic technique, and microregional arterial and venous O 2 saturations were determined using microspectrophotometry. MAP was 76 ± 4 (SD), 136 ± 15, and 132 ± 12 mm Hg for the WKY, WKY + ph, and SHR groups, respectively. All variables describing regional O 2 balance and rCBF were similar between the SHR and the WKY groups in the ischemic cortex as well as in the contralateral cortex. With phenylephrine infusion, rCBF of both the ischemic cortex and the contralateral cortex were increased in the WKY group. The average O 2 supply-to-consumption ratio in the ischemic cortex was higher in the WKY + ph than in the WKY or SHR group. In the ischemic cortex, heterogeneity of venous O 2 saturation (Svo 2 ), expressed as a coefficient of variation (CV = 100 X sD/mean), was significantly lower in the WKY + ph (18.3 ± 2.4) group than in the SHR (30.5 ± 11.8) or in the WKY (31.3 ± 9.0) group. The number of veins with low O 2 saturation (Svo 2 < 40%) in the ischemic cortex was significantly lower in the WKY + ph than in the SHR or in the WKY group. Our data suggest that in chronically hypertensive animals, cerebrovascular adaptations enable the microregional O 2 balance in focal ischemia to be maintained at a level similar to that of normotensive animals. However, in normotensive animals with focal cerebral ischemia, an acute increase of MAP improves microregional O 2 balance.
Determination of Selected Avian Blood Plasma Chemistry Values Using the Technicon AutoAnalyzer;rM

Abstract AUTOMATION has improved the reliability of commonly-used clinical chemical determinations (Faulkner et al., 1968). In many experimental situations where a minor perturbation of a biological system is induced, accurate evaluation and interpretation of results often depend upon the accuracy and precision of the experimental laboratory values found. For comparative experimental purposes (Beljan et al., 1970), a literature search was conducted to develop a table of “normal” values for various chemical constituents of normal avian peripheral blood. Published values (Table 1) were found to vary widely with various authors, the methodology employed, the age and sex of the animal (Sturkie, 1965), and whether blood, plasma, or serum was utilized as a basis for analysis. Although several of the standard laboratory handbooks have been fairly re cently published (Altman and Dittmer, 1964; Long, 1961; Spector, 1956), the references cited in their source bibliographies are frequently quite old. Because of this fact, a…
Distinguishing between frequency and intensity of health-related symptoms from diary assessments

Objective This study investigated the utility of distinguishing between the frequency and intensity of self-reported symptoms using diary-based assessments in a representative sample of U.S. residents.
Mechanical Deformation of a Lithium-Metal Anode Due to a Very Stiff Separator

This work builds on the two-dimensional model presented by Ferrese et al. [J. Electrochem. Soc., 159, A1615 (2012)], which captures the movement of lithium metal at the negative electrode during cycling in a Li-metal/LiCoO2 cell. In this paper, the separator is modeled as a dendrite-inhibiting polymer separator with an elastic modulus of 16 GPa. The separator resists the movement of lithium through the generation of stresses in the cell. These stresses affect the negative electrode through two mechanisms –altering the thermodynamics of the negative electrode and deforming the negative electrode mechanically. From this analysis, we find that the dendrite-inhibiting separator causes plastic and elastic deformation of the lithium at the negative electrode which flattens the electrode considerably when compared to the liquid-electrolyte case. This flattening of the negative electrode causes only very slight differences in the local state of charge in the positive electrode. When comparing the magnitude of the effects flattening the negative electrode, we find that the plastic deformation plays a much larger role than either the pressure-modified reaction kinetics or elastic deformation. This is due to the low yield strength of the lithium metal, which limits the stresses such that they have only a small effect on the reaction kinetics.
Rheology and Biocompatibility of Poly(lactide)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(lactide) Hydrogels

We report rheological data on hydrogels formed from triblock copolymers of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). We are able to create gels with elastic moduli greater than 10,000 Pa, which is an order of magnitude higher than previously achieved with related physically associated gels of similar chemistry. Moreover, the value of the elastic modulus strongly depends on PLLA block length, offering a mechanism to control the mechanical properties as desired for particular applications. Additionally, we have developed protocols for using these materials for cell encapsulation and present preliminary cell viability studies for encapsulated human liver cells (HepG2 cell line). Our results have implications for the design of new materials for soft tissue engineering, where native tissues have moduli in the kPa range.
Soil nitrogen availability under grassland and cultivated corn

Adjacent corn and ryegrass plots were fertilized with rates of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg N as ammonium nitrate/ha. Corn growing on this soil did not respond to fertilizer N while ryegrass responded to rates of up to 200 kg N/ha. The differences in N availability was also reflected in the higher profile NO3−N under corn than under ryegrass. The same general trends occurred on a second soil, where N availability for the hay crop was also less than for corn crop. Compared with corn, hay responded more to N fertilizer and had lower soil NO3−N levels.
Experiments With and Practical Application of Heat Sterilization for All Parts of Milking Machines

The last twenty-five years have seen marked improvements in the construction of milking machines. Today a number of makes have been sufficiently perfected and are milling cows so successfully that they may be considered a practical success from the mechanical standpoint. Labor difficulties due to the war gave a great impetus to the installation of milking machines. Today the capital invested in the manufacturing plants as well as in machines distributed on dairy farms is so large that investigation into the difficulties encountered in their operation is greatly needed. A review of the literature of this country and abroad on such investigations shows it to be quite extensive. A great many experiments have been initiated to ascertain the mechanical difficulties and the relative production that can be secured with their use as compared with hand milking. With these factors we were not concerned but have devoted our attention to ascertaining the best method of eliminating excessive numbers of bacteria in machine drawn milk. The sanitary side of milking machine operation was investigated early in their development, at which time not nearly so much was known about the origin of the bacterial flora in milk as at present. Consequently it must be recognized that some of the early bacteriological work on this subject is no longer of any value in the ligh~ of our present day knowledge.
Framework for dynamic estimation of power-supply noise and path delay

Supply noise is a contributing factor for yield loss that has to be taken into account when designing fault tolerant systems. Extensive logic switching in today's circuits cause this supply noise that results in increase in path delays that can fail design specifications. Accurate estimation of dynamic supply noise is essential to reduce false failures detected in test mode caused by over-stressed grid. Current research has not thoroughly addressed practical methods for simulating dynamic power supply currents across an IC. We present a convolution-based dynamic method to estimate both IR and Ldi/dt drop and also predict the increase in path delays caused by supply noise. However, it is infeasible to account for increase in path delay for all ATPG test patterns by carrying out full-chip SPICE simulations. We address this issue by using a technique that uses simulations of individual extracted paths. We also present a divide-and-conquer strategy to estimate power-supply noise and delays that can be leveraged to larger designs. Simulation results for the C6288 ISCAS'85 benchmark circuits are presented.
Using optmization coupled with simulation to construct layout solutions

This study presents how heuristic optimization technologies coupled with modeling and simulation (M&S) can be used to strengthen engineering system analysis in complex industrial settings. In this analysis, we address the warehouse order-picking process, one of the most labor intense activities in the supply chain. An understanding of the impact of the simultaneous effects of customer demands as well as the products and their storage is essential for improving the operational performance. We used a heuristic optimization to obtain an optimal layout that considers the dynamics of the demand. At the same time, we used M&S to investigate the effects of creating and implementing weight zones. Results from combining layout optimization and zone simulation indicate significant opportunities for improving.
Indigenous Knowledge, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology

Review of Indigenous Knowledge, Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology . Raymond Pierotti. 2011. Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group), New York. Pp. Xv + 264, Bibliography, index. ISBN13: 978-0-415-87924-8 (hbk), 978-0-203-84711-4 (ebk).
A perspective of metabolic engineering strategies: moving up the systems hierarchy.

Metabolic engineering has been established as an important field in biotechnology. It involves the analysis, design, and alteration of the stoichiometric network using sophisticated mathematical and molecular biology techniques. It allows for improvement of pathway kinetics by removing flux bottlenecks, balancing precursors, and recycling cofactors used to increase product formation. The next step in the systems hierarchy is the constructive manipulation of regulatory networks. As our understanding of regulation continues to expand rapidly, engineering of intracellular regulation will become an integral aspect of metabolic engineering.
Hydrogen-excluded graphene synthesis via atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition

The morphology of graphene synthesized via atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) process was investigated with respect to the hydrogen introduction in each process step. A pristine monolayer graphene was obtained in the condition where hydrogen was excluded in all the steps. The study of growth mechanism of this hydrogen-excluded APCVD process suggests that hydrogen plays a critical role in determining the rate-limiting step, which further determines whether or not a monolayer graphene can be achieved, irrespective to the roughness of the surface. Particularly, the dominant kinetic regime changed, depending on the introduction of hydrogen in the growth step. Finally, electric properties of the graphene via the hydrogen-excluded APCVD process were characterized and compared with the one via the low pressure CVD process, along with the characterization of etch pits in a graphene-passivated etch test. The resulted better performance of the former graphene in both cases suggests that this method can be considered as an alternative but easier route for the synthesis of monolayer graphene.
A bidirectional rho-independent transcription terminator between the E. coli tonB gene and an opposing gene

We identified an Escherichia coli gene, designated P14, that is adjacent to and in the opposite orientation to the tonB gene. The 36 base pair intercistronic region between tonB and P14 contains a novel rho-independent transcription terminator that functions bidirectionally, both in vivo and in vitro, to terminate tonB and P14 transcription. Transcription of tonB and P14 terminates at symmetrically equivalent nucleotides, such that the 3' ends of tonB and P14 transcripts are complementary. The terminator is 70% efficient in both directions in vitro. Interestingly, relative rates of in vivo RNA synthesis, immediately prior to and following the terminator, appear to indicate that it is more efficient in the tonB direction (95%) than in the P14 direction (70%). We discuss the possibility that this gene arrangement has regulatory consequences for the expression of tonB.