cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular crowding enhances facilitated diffusion of two human DNA glycosylases

Intracellular space is at a premium due to the high concentrations of biomolecules and is expected to have a fundamental effect on how large macromolecules move in the cell. Here, we report that crowded solutions promote intramolecular DNA translocation by two human DNA repair glycosylases. The crowding effect increases both the efficiency and average distance of DNA chain translocation by hindering escape of the enzymes to bulk solution. The increased contact time with the DNA chain provides for redundant damage patrolling within individual DNA chains at the expense of slowing the overall rate of damaged base removal from a population of molecules. The significant biological implication is that a crowded cellular environment could influence the mechanism of damage recognition as much as any property of the enzyme or DNA.
Adsorption of low density lipoproteins onto selected biomedical polymers

This study examines the interaction of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) with a select group of biomedical polymers. The adsorption characteristics of LDL on cured filler-free poly(dimethyl Siloxane) (C-PDMS), Biomer, Cardiomat 610, Kraton 1650, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and glass are presented. Adsorption of LDL to charged hydrophilic glass control surfaces occurred rapidly, reaching plateau concentrations within one minute (0.19 +/- 0.01 ug/cm2). Adsorption of LDL to polymer surfaces appeared to be dependent upon both the polymer hydrophobicity (or apolar nature), and flexibility (or dynamic nature) at the interface. Increased surface concentrations were observed for Biomer (0.32 +/- 0.01 ug/cm2) as well as other polymers which exhibited both hydrophobic and elastomeric properties. Temperature changes between 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C were found to significantly influence the surface concentration of LDL on Biomer (0.16 +/- 0.01 ug/cm2 at 25 degrees C versus 0.32 +/- 0.01 ug/cm2 at 37 degrees C). A lipid core phase transition at 36 degrees C was believed to be responsible for the temperature influence. Preliminary competitive adsorption studies of LDL with albumin (HSA) and serum on silicone surfaces suggests that LDL adsorption occurred rapidly and preferentially (0.25 +/- 0.01 ug/cm2 for LDL alone; 0.33 +/- 0.01 ug/cm2 for LDL + HSA; 0.15 +/- 0.01 ug/cm2 LDL + serum). Preliminary studies on the role of LDL in calcification were not conclusive. It can be concluded that LDL adsorption is dependent upon polymer hydrophobicity, flexibility and temperature. Competitive adsorption experiments suggests that LDL may have a substantial influence on protein adsorption.
Chemical and mineralogical comparison of the Pennsylvanian Fountain Formation, Colorado, U.S.A. (an uplifted continental block) to sedimentary rocks from other tectonic environments

The mineralogic and chemical composition of composites of cobble and pebble-sized rock clasts, clay-stones, siltstones, fine sandstones and size fractions of two sandstones of the Fountain Formation near Beulah, Colorado were determined. The sandstones are arkosic and most plot in the basement uplift or transitional continental fields of QFL diagrams. The mineralogic composition of the sandstones is similar to that of the composite of rock clasts at a given location. Al, Mg, Fe, Ti, Mn, Sc, Th, REE and Cs are concentrated in the clay minerals or heavy minerals and are diluted by quartz or feldspar. Consequently they are inversely correlated with Si. Cr, Hf, K, Rb, Ba and Sr are poorly correlated with Si. Cr is concentrated in clay and in heavy minerals in the silts. K, Rb, Ba and Sr are correlated with K-feldspar, mica, or clay mineral abundances. Sedimentary rocks from the Fountain formed from an uplifted continental block. The element concentrations plot in the fields of active or passive continental margins in many tectonic discrimination diagrams probably as a result of derivation from granitoid sources of similar composition. The REE patterns, Eu anomaly size, K and Rb concentrations of the fine sandstones are mostly similar to those of the corresponding composite of rock clasts at a given location, suggesting that these parameters might be the most reliable in distinguishing sources. The most reliable discrimination diagram for uplifted tectonic blocks like the Fountain may be a plot of K2O vs. Eu anomaly size since both of these parameters were very similar in concentration in both the sedimentary rocks and presumed source of the Fountain. Most sedimentary rocks in this study have larger negative Eu anomalies than those from the NASC (North American Shale composite) or MCPS (midcontinent platform sediment). This suggests a more evolved source for the Fountain than that for average platform sediment.
An application oriented introductory computer science sequence

Today's computer science programs are in an excellent growth position. Many high school students and guidance counselors believe that the term “computer” implies high paying jobs in an exciting field. High schools are also beginning to introduce computing into their programs. The use of computing in these schools ranges from formal programming courses, to computer literacy courses, to the use of computers as a tool in such courses as math and physics. Because of this interest, the enrollments in computer science departments are increasing at a rapid rate. This new influx of students presents some interesting challenges to our departments. On one hand, our introductory courses must accommodate students who have been exposed to computing. The amount of exposure ranges from some simple lessons in how to write BASIC programs to three or four years of computing experience involving several programming languages. On the other hand, our introductory courses must accommodate those students who have no prior experience with computing. Many of these students have no concept of computer science as an academic discipline. They are in the program for such reasons as the current glamor of computing or the potential for a high paying job. Neither of these reasons are bad in themselves; however, they do pose an additional challenge for our introductory courses. We need to help these students understand what is meant by the term “computer science”. Very early in their education the students need to be exposed to the major areas of computer science. Our introductory sequences must therefore be capable of introducing computing to those students with no prior background and at the same time handle students with a wide range of previous computing experience.At North Carolina State University, we are meeting the above described challenges with three major approaches:An introductory sequence for students with no background in computing,An introductory sequence for students with no background in computing,Advanced placement activities.The purpose of this paper is to discuss the first approach.
Quatitative determination of myosin and actin in rabbit skeletal muscle

The myosin and actin content of muscle tissue and purified myofibrils from rabbit psoas muscle has been determined. Myofibrils were purified using Percoll gradients, which allowed rapid separation from nuclei and connective tissue proteins. Myosin and actin were quantitated by amino acid analysis of the appropriate bands from sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels. Muscle tissue contained 94 and 619 nmol/g wet weight of myosin and actin, respectively, while myofibrils had 0·82 and 5·37 μmol/g protein. Thus myosin contributed 43% and actin 22% of the myofibril protein mass. The value of 2·5 myosins per 14·3 nm repeat as calculated from these results suggests that thick filament models with mixtures of two and three crossbridges per repeat should be considered.
Spindle checkpoint protein Bub1 is required for kinetochore localization of Mad1, Mad2, Bub3, and CENP-E, independently of its kinase activity.

The spindle checkpoint inhibits the metaphase to anaphase transition until all the chromosomes are properly attached to the mitotic spindle. We have isolated a Xenopus homologue of the spindle checkpoint component Bub1, and investigated its role in the spindle checkpoint in Xenopus egg extracts. Antibodies raised against Bub1 recognize a 150-kD phosphoprotein at both interphase and mitosis, but the molecular mass is reduced to 140 upon dephosphorylation in vitro. Bub1 is essential for the establishment and maintenance of the checkpoint and is localized to kinetochores, similar to the spindle checkpoint complex Mad1–Mad2. However, Bub1 differs from Mad1–Mad2 in that Bub1 remains on kinetochores that have attached to microtubules; the protein eventually dissociates from the kinetochore during anaphase. Immunodepletion of Bub1 abolishes the spindle checkpoint and the kinetochore binding of the checkpoint proteins Mad1, Mad2, Bub3, and CENP-E. Interestingly, reintroducing either wild-type or kinase-deficient Bub1 protein restores the checkpoint and the kinetochore localization of these proteins. Our studies demonstrate that Bub1 plays a central role in triggering the spindle checkpoint signal from the kinetochore, and that its kinase activity is not necessary for the spindle checkpoint in Xenopus egg extracts.
Trust, control strategies and allocation of function in human-machine systems.

As automated controllers supplant human intervention in controlling complex systems, the operators' role often changes from that of an active controller to that of a supervisory controller. Acting as supervisors, operators can choose between automatic and manual control. Improperly allocating function between automatic and manual control can have negative consequences for the performance of a system. Previous research suggests that the decision to perform the job manually or automatically depends, in part, upon the trust the operators invest in the automatic controllers. This paper reports an experiment to characterize the changes in operators' trust during an interaction with a semi-automatic pasteurization plant, and investigates the relationship between changes in operators' control strategies and trust. A regression model identifies the causes of changes in trust, and a ‘trust transfer function’ is developed using lime series analysis to describe the dynamics of trust. Based on a detailed analysis of ...
Identification of artificial fingerprints using optical coherence tomography technique

Fingerprint recognition is widely used in the modern digital society and has become synonymous with reliable method of personal identification. However, artificial finger gummies with embedded fingerprints may easily spoof the current fingerprint system, which relies on the surface scanning of a finger. In this paper Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is applied to distinguish the artificial material, such as liquid silicone rubber and glue, as well as the real finger. Though the commercial fingerprint reader was easily spoofed by these artificial fingerprints, the OCT system easily detected them at all times.
Temporal factors in classical conditioning

Abstract This paper addresses the role of temporal factors in classical conditioning and examines the assumption that temporal contiguity is the critical factor in the formation of an association between a conditioned stimulus (CS) and an unconditioned stimulus (US). First, the results of both delay and trace conditioning studies which have examined the effect of temporal variables are summarized. This body of work has shown that temporal contiguity is not a sufficient condition for the acquisition of conditioned responding. The US-US interval (cycle) and CS-US interval (trial) interact with each other to determine performance; the duration of the cycle relative to the trial is critical. Next, Gibbon and Balsam's (1981) application of Scalar Expectancy Theory (SET) to associative learning is presented and how this time-based comparator model accounts for various findings is discussed. In the final section, recent work on the role of temporal factors in a noncontingent procedure is presented. The results of this work have shown that the acquisition of responding depends on the duration of the period of nonreinforcement (CS−), rather than the cycle, relative to the trial, suggesting that the relevant comparator terms may need to be reconceptualized. A modified version of Gibbon and Balsam's original SET account is shown to handle these new findings and further implications of this modification are discussed.
Purification of an adenovirus-coded DNA polymerase that is required for initiation of DNA replication

Temperature-sensitive mutants in the N complementation group of human adenovirus type 5 are defective at the nonpermissive temperature for replication of virus DNA and for transformation of rat embryo cells. We show that nuclear extracts prepared from Ad5ts 149-infected cells grown at the nonpermissive temperature fail to replicate DNA in vitro. The defect lies in the first step in the initiation of viral DNA synthesis, the formation of a covalent linkage between the terminal protein precursor (pTP) and dCMP. A 140 kilodalton (140 kd) protein which complements these defective extracts and contains DNA polymerase activity has been purified from HeLa cells infected with wild-type Ad2. It is tightly associated with the 80 kd pTP in a replication complex. Both of these proteins are products of the E2B region of the adenovirus genome, and the 140 kd protein coding sequences lie immediately downstream from those encoding the 80 kd protein. These results demonstrate that adenovirus encodes a novel DNA polymerase that is required for priming of DNA synthesis at the origin of replication. This protein may also function in the initiation of transformation of cultured cells.
The Structure of a Shock Front in Atomic Hydrogen. IV: Stability Dissipation, and Propagation

A shock wave passing through a stellar atmosphere disturbs the gas, and the consequent adjustment of the fluid is a redistribution of the shock's kinetic energy among the various degrees of freedom. This paper deals with the effects of the Lyman continuum on the shock front. The shock heated gas is cooled principally by ionizing collisions of ground state atoms. This process is followed by a large quasi-isothermal region in which radiative recombinations occur. A final cycle of processes consisting of ionization, photo-recombinations to upper-level and collisional de-excitation, gives way to a sequence of statistical balances as each degree of freedom in the fluid attains equilibrium. Our calculations show that to a great extent, the shock structure is separated into successive regions of internal and radiative relaxation by an intermediate layer of ionized gas appearing at high shock speeds. Numerical results are presented for a range of shock speeds typifying a cepheid atmosphere.
Capabilities Theory and the Limits of Liberal Justice: On Nussbaum’s Frontiers of Justice

In Frontiers of Justice, Martha Nussbaum applies the “Capabilities Approach,” which she calls “one species of a human rights approach,” to justice issues that have in her view been inadequately addressed in liberal political theory. These issues include rights of the disabled, rights that transcend national borders, and animal rights issues. She demonstrates the weakness of Rawlsianism, contractualism in general, and much of the Kantian tradition in moral philosophy and shows the need to move beyond the limitations of narrow rationalism, nationalism, and speciesism. Nevertheless, Nussbaum fails to elaborate adequately the grounds for her own capabilities position or to face fundamental theoretical questions about the nature and implications of that position.
Experimental study on the interface of core-annulus flow in the riser of a circulating fluidized bed

Abstract An experimental study on the interface of the core-annulus flow in the riser of a circulating fluidized bed has been carried out in a lab-scale circulating fluidized bed. The dual-stem differential probe, which was developed for the measurement of differential pressure along axial direction in a dense, vertical gas-solids pipe flow has been employed in the experiment. The solid cluster velocity in the riser was obtained statistically by applying cross-correlation analysis to the pressure drop signals obtained from two probes. The interface of the core-annulus flow inside a riser was revealed by the profiles of the solid cluster velocity. The experimental study also indicated that the interface of the core-annulus flow in the riser of a circulating fluidized bed varied with the height above the distributor and the operating conditions. The high solids circulation rate led to a thicker, downward moving particle layer near the wall of the pipe. An S-shaped profile of the core-annulus interface along the riser was observed in the experiments.
Proton magnetic resonance study of the interaction of ethidium bromide with several uracil residues, uridylyl (3′ → 5′) uridine and polyuridylic acid

Abstract The interaction of ethidium bromide with several uracil residues, uridylyl (3′ → 5′) uridine (UpU) and polyuridylic acid (poly U) in D 2 O solution at neutral pD has been studied by high-resolution proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The spectrum of EthBr has been assigned. A concentration study revealed that EthBr forms vertically stacked aggregates of the phenanthridinium rings with the phenyl group perpendicular to the phenanthridinium ring on the periphery of the stacked aggregate. It was shown that EthBr forms mutually stacked aggregates with uridine, 3′-uridine monophosphate, and 5′-uridine monophosphate. In the interaction of EthBr with UpU, evidence was obtained for the formation of an intercalated complex, with the EthBr molecule sandwiched between the adjacent uracil bases and oriented with the H (1) and H (10) protons directed at the ribose-phosphate backbone of the dinucleotide. Evidence is also presented for a similar complex between EthBr and poly (U).
Isotopic chlorine exchange between trimethylchlorosilane and hydrogen chloride

In order to establish the dependence of the chlorine exchange between HCl and trimethylchlorosilane on the HCl concentration, experiments were carried out in reaction vessels of constant volume (39.16 cm/sup 3/ and with a constant quantity of liquid silane. Assuming a linear relationship between the HCl concentration in the liquid phase and the total HCl pressure, the order of the reaction was established. Despite considerable effort the scatter of the data was severe. (P.C.H.)
Structure revealing techniques based on parallel coordinates plot

Parallel coordinates plot (PCP) is an excellent tool for multivariate visualization and analysis, but it may fail to reveal inherent structures for complex and large datasets. Therefore, polyline clustering and coordinate sorting are inevitable for the accurate data exploration and analysis. In this paper, we propose a suite of novel clustering and dimension sorting techniques in PCP, to reveal and highlight hidden trend and correlation information of polylines. Spectrum theory is first introduced to specifically design clustering and sorting techniques for a clear view of clusters in PCP. We also provide an efficient correlation based sorting technique to optimize the ordering of coordinates to reveal correlated relations, and show how our view-range metrics, generated based on the aggregation constraints, can be used to make a clear view for easy data perception and analysis. Experimental results generated using our framework visually represent meaningful structures to guide the user, and improve the efficiency of the analysis, especially for the complex and noisy data.
Does family therapy produce change? an overview of outcome studies

Families were randomly assigned to one of two forms of conjoint marital therapy: an insight-oriented treatment (n=10) or a problem-solving intervention (n=10.). The results on self-report measures of family functioning indicate that the problem-solving intervention produced more favorable changes after three months. However on long-term follow-up after a year, this more positive effect did not apparently persist, since the insight treatment group reported better results. Experienced therapists did better than inexperienced therapists in the insight treatment condition, but level of experience did not make a difference in the problem-solving intervention. A group of eight families who dropped out of the insight treatment group provided data on correlates of premature termination. Several of the practical obstacles to implementing an experimental design in a clinic setting are illustrated by the research. As we develop more sophisticated methodology, we hope that is the near future family therapy researchers will be better able to state which type of approach is more effective for whom and under what circumstances. A review of current studies of family therapy outcome research indicates that family therapy seems to be as effective as individual psychological treatment.
The role of prolactin in blocking thyroxine-induced differentiation of tail tissue in larval and neotenic Ambystoma tigrinum

Abstract Previous work ( J. E. Platt and M. A. Christopher, 1977 , Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. , 31 , 243–248) had shown that a single injection of ovine prolactin (PRL) given to larval or neotenic tiger salamanders retarded tail fin regression induced in these animals with thyroxine (T 4 ). This antagonism of T 4 -induced tail fin regression was correlated with PRL-induced changes in the water and sodium content of tail tissue. The present study presents evidence which demonstrates that the alternation of tail water and sodium levels occurs well within the normal lag period that precedes the morphological manifestations of T 4 -induced tail fin regression. Additional experiments using a simple in vitro incubation system show that larval tail skin pieces maintained in this system increase their water content when incubated for 22 hr with PRL. Incubation of tail skin pieces taken from recently metamorphosed animals under identical conditions does not reveal a response to PRL. Further, untreated larval tail skin maintains a significantly higher water content than untreated tail skin from metamorphosed animals incubated for the same time in vitro . These results are discussed with regard to the mechanism whereby PRL acts to block T 4 -induced tissue differentiation in amphibians.
Increased sensitivity of Apolipoprotein E knockout mice to swainsonine dependent immunomodulation.

The mechanisms that mediate accelerated atherosclerosis in autoimmune diseases remain unclear. One common mechanism that has been documented in autoimmune diseases and atherosclerosis is formation of hypoglycosyalted N-glycans on the cell surface. In this study we tested the effects of swainsonine, a class II α-mannosidase inhibitor which results in formation of hypoglycosylated N-glycans, on atherogenesis and immune cell dynamics in the atheroprone and hypercholesterolemic ApoE −/− mouse. Wild type or ApoE−/− mice (8 weeks of age) were fed a normal chow diet and administered swainsonine via the drinking water for 8 weeks at which time, atherosclerosis, and systemic markers of markers of inflammation were evaluated. Interestingly, no change in the rate of atherosclerosis development was observed in ApoE −/− mice treated with swainsonine. However, swainsonine significantly increased the number of peripheral blood leukocytes in ApoE −/− mice, with trends toward similar increases in swainsonine treated wild type mice noted. Assessment of leukocyte subsets using specific markers of all major blood lineages indicated that the increase in circulating leukocytes was due to the elevated number of progenitor cells. Consistent with swainsonine having a greater effect in ApoE −/− vs. wild type mice, increases in circulating inflammatory markers (IgA, IgG and chemokines) were observed in the former. Collectively, these data demonstrate that predisposition of ApoE −/− mice to vascular disease is associated with sensitization to the immunomodulatory effects of swainsonine and indicate that changes in N-glycans may provide a mechanism linking autoimmunity to atherogenesis.
Intrinsic parameters for surface representation using deformable models

A canonical intrinsic parameterization that provides a consistent, invariant form for describing surfaces is defined and constructed using an elastically deformable model. The salient features of this method are that it provides a unified and general framework for reparameterization of a surface and easily allows for incorporation of multiview data sets. The canonical parameterization of the surface is defined in terms of the surface lines of curvature. Depth constraints are first imposed as an external force field on the deformable model that molds itself to be consistent with the data. Principal vectors computed from this conformed model surface are then imposed as a force field on the parameter curves of the model. The parameter curves deform to become tangential to the principal vectors thereby yielding an invariant surface parameterized by the lines of curvature. Extension of the canonical parametric grid to multiple views is demonstrated by incorporating depth and curvature constraints from multiple views. >
An ontological analysis of the economic primitives of the extended-REA enterprise information architecture

Abstract The resource–event–agent (REA) model for enterprise economic phenomena was first published in The Accounting Review in 1982. Since that time, its concepts and use have been extended far beyond its original accountability infrastructure to a framework for enterprise information architectures. The granularity of the model has been extended both up (to enterprise value chains) and down (to workflow or task specification) in the aggregation plane, and additional conceptual type-images and commitment-images have been proposed as well. The REA model actually fits the notion of domain ontology well, a notion that is becoming increasingly important in the era of E-commerce and virtual companies. However, its present and future components have never been analyzed formally from an ontological perspective. This paper intends to do just that, relying primarily on the conceptual terminology of John Sowa. The economic primitives of the original REA model (economic resources, economic events, economic agents, duality relationships, stock–flow relationships, control relationships, and responsibility relationships) plus some newer components (commitments, types, custody, reciprocal, etc.) will be analyzed individually and collectively as a specific domain ontology. Such a review can be used to guide further conceptual development of REA extensions.
Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block

With the common use of ultrasound imaging by anesthesiologists, especially for peripheral nerve blocks, this article will review basic physics of ultrasound machine, use of ultrasound in regional anesthesia, review of recent reports in the literature, and the outcome data.
Chemically stabilized soil organic carbon fractions in a reclaimed minesoil chronosequence: implications for soil carbon sequestration

With adoption of appropriate reclamation strategies, minesoils can sequester significant amount of soil organic carbon (SOC). The objective of this study was to isolate different SOC fractions and coal-C in a reclaimed minesoil chronosequence and assess effects of increasing time since reclamation on each SOC fraction and selected soil properties. The chronosequence was comprised of four minesoils with time since reclamation ranging between 2 and 22 years. Total SOC (TSOC, summation of all SOC fractions), ranged between 20 and 8 g kg−1, respectively, at the oldest (Mylan Park) and youngest (WVO1) minesite, indicating increasing SOC sequestration along the chronosequence. The humin fraction accounted for about 43 and 7 % of TSOC, respectively, at Mylan Park and WVO1, indicating increasing humification and biochemical stabilization of SOC with increasing time since reclamation. At WVO1, >60 % of TSOC was apportioned among the acid-hydrolysable (labile) and mineral-bound SOC fractions. Total soil carbon (TSC, TSOC + coal-C) were significantly (p < 0.05) related to the humin fraction in older minesoils, whereas with the acid-hydrolysable (labile) fraction in the younger minesoils indicating that C stabilization mechanisms differed substantially along the chronosequence. Coal-C was unrelated to any SOC fraction at all minesites indicating that SOC sequestration estimations in this chronosequence was unaffected by coal-C. Soil cation exchange capacity and electrical conductivity were significantly (p < 0.05) related to the humin fraction at Mylan Park while to the acid-hydrolysable and mineral-bound SOC fractions at WVO1 indicating that the relative influences of different SOC fractions on soil quality indicators differed substantially along the chronosequence.
Shifts in the Aggregate Demand Curve: Treatment and Mistreatment in Intermediate Textbooks

The consequences of exogenous shifts in the aggregate demand curve are incorrect or misleading in most intermediate macroeconomic textbooks because the slope of the curves are drawn incorrectly. The authors identify the nature of the error and offer a remedy.
SODIUM BALANCE IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

The daily sodium requirement in very low birth weight infants is unknown. For this reason, sodium balance was studied in 16 consecutive neonates weighing 30 weeks gestational age (997 ± 78 gms.). Weight, sodium and fluid intake, and serum sodium were measured daily. 24 hour urinary sodium losses and creatinine clearances were determined on days 3 and 8. Group I had greater mean urinary sodium losses on day 3 (17.1 vs. 2.9 mEq/kg/24hr., p <0.001) and were in negative sodium balance (-9.2 vs. + 1.0, p <0.02) compared to Group II. This was associated with a greater incidence of hyponatremia, and an increased weight loss through day 4 (12% vs. 3%). By day 8, Group I showed a significant rise in sodium balance compared to day 3 (+1.2 mEq/kg/24hr., p <0.001) and no longer differed from Group II. There was no significant difference in mean creatinine clearance on day 3 between the groups (8.8 vs. 6.9 ml/min/1.73m2) and both groups showed a rise by day 8. Fractional sodium excretion was inversely correlated with creatinine clearance. Thus, in the first days of life the group of infants <30 weeks gestational age was in negative sodium balance despite a mean sodium intake of 7.9 mEq/kg/d. This data suggests a very high daily sodium requirement in these immature infants.
Effect of Molecular Weight and Salt Concentration on Conductivity of Block Copolymer Electrolytes

The ionic conductivity, σ, of mixtures of nearly symmetric polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers and Li[N(SO2CF3)2] (LiTFSI) salt was measured as a function of molecular weight, salt concentration, and temperature. The molecular weight of the poly(ethylene oxide) block, MPEO, was varied from 7 to 98 kg/mol. The molar ratio of lithium to ethylene oxide, r, was varied from 0.02 to 0.10. In general, σ increases with increasing MPEO for all values of r. The data can be summarized by plots of normalized conductivity, σn, versus MPEO, where σn = σ/(fϕPEOσPEO), ϕPEO is the PEO volume fraction in the copolymer, σPEO is the conductivity of PEO homopolymer, and f is a morphology-dependent factor set equal to 2/3 for our lamellar samples. The temperature-dependent conductivity data at a given salt concentration collapse onto a single curve when plotted in this format. At r = 0.085, σn values reach a plateau in the vicinity of unity in the high MPEO limit. At other values of r, σn continues to increase wi...
Recurrent sequences and IP sets

Abstract A strong connection exists between combinatorial properties and dynamical properties of topological dynamical systems. In this paper, we prove two theorems of a combinatorial nature about the recurrence of generalized Morse sequences, as defined by Keane (1968). These theorems are a strengthening of some of our earlier results.
Moderate exercise improves antibody response to influenza immunization in older adults

Influenza vaccine efficacy is reduced among adults over age 65 and a significant number of vaccinated elderly may remain susceptible to influenza virus infection. The effect of moderate exercise training on the immune response to influenza immunization was evaluated in this study. Twenty-seven adults >or=age 64 were assigned to an exercise group (n= 14) or a control group (n = 13). The subjects exercised at 65-75% heart rate reserve (HRR), 25-30 min, 3 days per week, for 10 months. Controls did not change activity. Subjects were immunized with trivalent influenza vaccine before and after the exercise intervention. After the exercise intervention, exercisers exhibited a greater mean fold increase (MFI) in antibody titer to influenza A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1) and A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2) than controls, and a greater Granzyme B activity to A/Panama/2007/99 than controls. These findings suggest that exercise may enhance the mean fold increase in antibody titer in response to influenza immunization if the influenza antigen was contained in the previous year's vaccine.
Success, Market, Ethics: Information Technology and the Shifting Politics of Governance and Citizenship in the Indian Silicon Plateau

The global success of the Information Technology (IT) industry in India is narrated as an unprecedented episode. The rhetoric of success, however, is neither limited to economics nor the IT industr...
Wage floors and unemployment: A two-sector analysis

Abstract This paper analyzes the effect of a wage floor on unemployment. Using a model with covered and noncovered sectors, comparative static analysis is performed with respect to the size of the wage floor, the elasticity of demand for labor in the covered sector, and the elasticity of the wage in the noncovered sector with respect to the size of the noncovered sector labor force. It turns out, contrary to the existing literature, that for none of these parameters is the comparative static effect unidirectional.
Enzymatic degradation of ribonucleoproteins of chromosomes, nucleoli and cytoplasm

IN experiments utilizing purified crystalline ribonuclease in conjunction with various staining procedures, it has been possible to demonstrate that chromosomes of higher plants and animals contain appreciable quantities of nucleic acid of the ribose type. These experiments have also shown that ribonuclease may hydrolyse ribonucleoprotein, and that the residual material (non-histone protein) can be digested by pepsin. Conversely, ribonucleoprotein may be hydrolysed by pepsin, and the residual material (ribonucleic acid) degraded by ribonuclease. Such combination treatments have provided information concerning the localization of ribonucleo-proteins, ribonucleic acid and non-histone proteins in nucleus and cytoplasm. The validity of these methods for diagnostic purposes rests upon the use of highly purified and carefully assayed enzymes, and the employment of an adequate series of controls to determine the influence of variables capable of modifying the histochemical reactions.
Eutrophication of the salt valley reservoirs, 1968–1973 II. Changes in physical and chemical parameters of eutrophication

This study, conducted over a six-year period in four relatively new flood control reservoirs where large increases in phytoplankton populations and alterations in their composition indicated rapid eutrophication, examined the concurrent changes in physical and chemical parameters used by other investigators to document eutrophication in lakes, and evaluates their usefulness as indicators of eutrophication in small, shallow, holomictic reservoirs. Several parameters responded directly or indirectly to the changes which were occurring in the phytoplankton populations. Secchi disk transparencies decreased with time and were lowest in the oldest ‘clear’ reservoir. Mean turbidities and mean suspended solids increased with time as the reservoirs became progressively more eutrophic. Total alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, and total unfiltered, total filtrate, and orthophosphate all declined and were much lower at the end of the six-year period than at the beginning. The decreases resulted from the formation and precipitation of marl as a consequence of intensive phytoplankton photosynthesis. The phosphorus losses probably occurred because of their coprecipitation with the marl. Dissolved solids, nitrate and ammonia nitrogen, and total iron were too variable over the study to allow a definite trend to be deduced from the data. Chloride and sulfate increased as eutrophication progressed, but it was concluded that chloride was not a reliable index of eutrophication in this situation because it is not directly linked to human activity. Sulfate may prove to be a useful indicator of eutrophication when studied over a longer time span than six years.
The National Cancer Data Base report on lung cancer

BACKGROUND Previous Commission on Cancer data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) have examined time trends in stage of disease, treatment patterns, and survival for selected cancers. The most current (1992) data for lung cancer are described here. METHODS Four Calls for Data have yielded a total of 560,455 lung cancer cases diagnosed in 1986–1987 and 599,597 cancer cases diagnosed in 1992, from hospital cancer registries across the United States. RESULTS A total of 91,115 lung cancer cases diagnosed in 1986–1987 and 92,182 diagnosed in 1992 were reported from cancer registries across the United States. Lung cancer occurs mainly in patients between the ages of 50 and 80 years. There was an increasing relative frequency of adenocarcinoma, and of lung cancer in women, and a noteworthy poor prognosis among African Americans. Lung cancer patients were reported from all types and sizes of hospitals in America, from smaller community hospitals to major teaching centers. Treatment by surgical resection occurred more frequently in the major cancer centers. The overall prognosis for lung cancer remains extremely poor. CONCLUSIONS For a selective category of patients (Stage I), cancer-directed surgery offers reasonable cure rates, but these data underline the need for earlier diagnosis and improved treatment modalities in the overall management of lung cancer patients. Cancer 1996;77:1947-55.
Extraintestinal Clostridium difficile Infections: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the clinical burden of extraintestinal Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) seen at a single institution and to characterize the management and outcomes of these rare infections. Patients and Methods A retrospective medical record review was conducted to identify patients with isolation of C difficile from extraintestinal sites from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2013. Medical records were reviewed and data, including demographic characteristics, microbiology, clinical associations, management, and infection outcomes, were abstracted. Results Overall, 40 patients with extraintestinal CDI were identified: 25 had abdominopelvic infections, 11 had bloodstream infections, 3 had wound infections, and 1 had pulmonary infection. C difficile was isolated with other organisms in 63% of cases. A total of 85% of infections were nosocomial. Factors associated with extraintestinal CDI included surgical manipulation of the gastrointestinal tract (88%), recent antibiotic exposure (88%), malignant tumors (50%), and proton pump inhibitor use (50%). Diarrhea was present in 18 patients (45%), 12 of whom had C difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–positive stool samples. All isolates tested were susceptible to metronidazole and piperacillin-tazobactam. Management included both antimicrobial therapy and guided drainage or surgical intervention in all but one patient. The infection-associated mortality rate was 25%, with death a median of 16 days (range, 1-61 days) after isolation of C difficile . Conclusion Extraintestinal CDI is uncommon and often occurs in patients with surgical manipulation of the gastrointestinal tract and well-recognized risk factors for intestinal CDI. Management of extraintestinal CDI includes both antimicrobial and surgical therapies. Extraintestinal CDI is characterized by poor outcome with high mortality.
A study of low-energy π-a scattering — II

An attempt is made to study low-energyp-wave π-λ scattering within the self-consistentS-matrix framework. By neglecting multichannel effects (as a first approximation) and taking account of the short-range forces using the Balazs effective-range formalism, the main features of low-energyp-wave π-λ scattering are found. The deviation from a completely self-consistent calculation is probably an indication of the importance of multi-channel effects.
Patterns of co-existence and hybridisation between narrowly endemic (Fundulus euryzonus) and broadly distributed (F. olivaceus) topminnows in a riverine contact zone

– Two ecologically similar topminnow species (Fundulus olivaceus and F. euryzonus) were studied in a contact zone in the West Fork of the Amite River of the Lake Pontchartrain drainage. We assessed whether relative abundance and measures of fitness of each species, and their hybrids, were correlated with predictable abiotic or biotic factors. We sampled the full fish assemblage and measured a suite of local and landscape level environmental characteristics at ten sites. Topminnows were genotyped to identify individuals of hybrid ancestry. We compared the abundance and distribution of parental species in the context of overall fish assemblage structure and environmental variables. Hybridisation was generally rare with only nine of 244 genotyped topminnows exhibiting evidence of hybrid ancestry. The relative abundance of the two topminnows was related to site assemblage structure, species diversity and a number of local but not landscape level environmental variables. Both species were in better condition and females were more fecund at sites with greater abundance of F. olivaceus. Hybrid individuals were not morphological or ecological intermediates.
UV resonance Raman study of β93-modified hemoglobin A: Chemical modifier-specific effects and added influences of attached poly(ethylene glycol) chains

The reactive sulfhydryl group on Cys β93 in human adult hemoglobin (HbA) has been the focus of many studies because of its importance both as a site for synthetic manipulation and as a possible binding site for nitric oxide (NO) in vivo. Despite the interest in this site and the known functional alterations associated with manipulation of this site, there is still considerable uncertainty as to the conformational basis for these effects. UV resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy is used in this study to evaluate the conformational consequences of chemically modifying the Cys β93 sulfhydryl group of both the deoxy and CO-saturated derivatives of HbA using different maleimide and mixed disulfide reagents. Included among the maleimide reagents are NEM (n-ethylmaleimide) and several poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-linked maleimides. The PEG-based reagents include both different sizes of PEG chains (PEG2000, -5000, and -20000) and different linkers between the PEG and the maleimide. Thus, the effect on the conformati...
A general strategy using η2co2(co)6 acetylene complexes for the synthesis of the enediyne antitumor agents esperamicin, calicheamicin, dy

A review of the use of η2Co2(CO)6-acetylene complexes as stable intermediates for the construction of the core structures of the antitumo
The role of tyrosine in the hemerythrin active site.

Abstract Results presented here show that all lysine and three of the five tyrosine residues can be modified in hemerythrin without any alteration in the spectrum characteristic of the iron binding site. The two remaining tyrosines become available to modification when the iron is removed suggesting they are chelated to iron. Modification of the three unchelated tyrosines results in dissociation of the octomer into monomers suggesting a role of these tyrosines in the subunit binding.
Goal-directed zoom

We introduce a novel zoom method, goal-directed zoom. In a goal-directed zoom system, users specify which representation of an object they wish to see. The system automatically zooms to the elevation at which that representation appears at appropriate detail. We have extended a database visualization environment to support end-user construction of visualizations that have goaldirected zoom. We present a sample visualization we have constructed using this environment.
Possible noise failure modes in static and dynamic circuits

This paper investigates possible failure modes in both dynamic and static CMOS digital circuits due to noise disturbance. In current VLSI circuits, where mixture of static and dynamic implementation is very common, it is important to identify possible noise failure modes to help designers develop techniques to prevent such failures. Injection of noise causes temporary or permanent signal deviation on a circuit node depending on the level of noise and the affected circuit. The deviation of signal level of the circuit node may lead to functional failure in digital circuits, particularly in dynamic circuit families. Static circuits are inherently robust and can effectively restore the signal deviation before having undesired logic shift. However, some static circuits with a feedback loop cannot recover from noise-induced errors.
Infant babbling and speech

Previous scholars have claimed that the child's babbling (meaningless speech-like vocalizations) includes a random assortment of the speech sounds found in the languages of the world. Babbled sounds have been claimed to bear no relationship to the sounds of the child's later meaningful speech. The present research disputes the traditional position on babbling by showing that the phonetic content of babbled utterances exhibits many of the same preferences for certain kinds of phonetic elements and sequences that have been found in the production of meaningful speech by children in later stages of language development.
Body composition changes in females treated for breast cancer: a review of the evidence

Body composition changes cannot be precisely captured using body weight or body mass index measures. Therefore, the primary purpose of this review was to characterize the patterns of body composition change in females treated for breast cancer including only studies that utilize imaging technologies to quantify adipose tissue and lean body mass (LBM). We reviewed PubMed for studies published between 1971 and 2012 involving females diagnosed with breast cancer where computed axial tomography , dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or magnetic resonance imaging were employed for body composition assessment. Of the initial 440 studies, 106 papers were evaluated and 36 papers met all eligibility criteria (15 observational and 21 intervention trials). Results of these studies revealed that body weight did not consistently increase. Importantly, studies also showed that body weight did not accurately depict changes in lean or adipose tissues. Further findings included that sarcopenic obesity as a consequence of breast cancer treatment was not definitive, as menopausal status may be a substantial moderator of body composition. Overall, the behavioral interventions did not exhibit consistent or profound effects on body composition outcomes; approximately half showed favorable influence on adiposity while the effects on LBM were not apparent. The use of tamoxifen had a clear negative impact on body composition. The majority of studies were conducted in predominantly white survivors, highlighting the need for trials in minority populations. Collectively, these studies were limited by age, race, and/or menopause status matched control groups, overall size, and statistical power. Very few studies simultaneously collected diet and exercise data-two potential factors that impact body composition. Future breast cancer trials should prioritize precise body composition methodologies to elucidate how these changes impact recurrence, prognosis, and mortality, and to provide clinicians with appropriate advice regarding lifestyle recommendations in this growing sector of the population.