cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of the E177K Mutation in d-Amino Acid Transaminase. Studies on an Essential Coenzyme Anchoring Group That Contributes to Stereochemical Fidelity†,‡

D-Amino acid transaminase is a bacterial enzyme that uses pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) as a cofactor to catalyze the conversion of D-amino acids into their corresponding alpha-keto acids. This enzyme has already been established as a target for novel antibacterial agents through suicide inactivation by a number of compounds. To improve their potency and specificity, the detailed enzyme mechanism, especially the role of its PLP cofactor, is under investigation. Many PLP-dependent transaminases have a negatively charged amino acid residue forming a salt-bridge with the pyridine nitrogen of its cofactor that promotes its protonation to stabilize the formation of a ketimine intermediate, which is subsequently hydrolyzed in the normal transaminase reaction pathway. However, alanine racemase has a positively charged arginine held rigidly in place by an extensive hydrogen bond network that may destabilize the ketimine intermediate, and make it too short-lived for a transaminase type of hydrolysis to occur. To test this hypothesis, we changed Glu-177 into a titratable, positively charged lysine (E177K). The crystal structure of this mutant shows that the positive charge of the newly introduced lysine side chain points away from the nitrogen of the cofactor, which may be due to electrostatic repulsions not being overcome by a hydrogen bond network such as found in alanine racemase. This mutation makes the active site more accessible, as exemplified by both biochemical and crystallographic data: CD measurements indicated a change in the microenvironment of the protein, some SH groups become more easily titratable, and at pH 9.0 the PMP peak appeared around 315 nm rather than at 330 nm. The ability of this mutant to convert L-alanine into D-alanine increased about 10-fold compared to wild-type and to about the same extent as found with other active site mutants. On the other hand, the specific activity of the E177K mutant decreased more than 1000-fold compared to wild-type. Furthermore, titration with L-alanine resulted in the appearance of an enzyme-substrate quinonoid intermediate absorbing around 500 nm, which is not observed with usual substrates or with the wild-type enzyme in the presence of L-alanine. The results overall indicate the importance of charged amino acid side chains relative to the coenzyme to maintain high catalytic efficiency.
A Century of Macondo United States Energy Policy and the BP Blowout Catastrophe

Since the discovery of oil well drilling, energy policy (particularly offshore petroleum policy over the past three decades) has led the United States, and indeed the industrialized world, into a cycle of dependency, profit, and risk taking that made a Macondo-like blowout likely, if not inevitable. This article examines the broad political, economic, technological, and environmental contexts surrounding the growth and development of both our ability to obtain petroleum and our dependency on it. The authors use the tools of environmental sociology, environmental history, and political ecology to trace the path to the current situation in which the myth of “energy independence” is used to justify practices that are counter to the very concept.
Refractory products for the production units of amorphous metals and alloys

In order to obtain amorphous metals and alloys, we worked out the optimum composition and the production technology of the components having long-term mechanical strength, thermal shock resistance, and corrosion resistance. The structure—property relationship was established. The products of the developed systems can also be used under the conditions involving the action of aggressive chemical media (in particular, in the melts of the borates of alkali-earth metals).
Prescriptive Analysis: Further Individualization of Hypothesis Testing in Brief Experimental Analysis of Reading Fluency

Brief experimental analyses (BEA) have been used to identify effective individualized interventions for improving reading fluency with school-age children. Interventions involving incentives, modeling, repeated reading, and error correction are most often tested in a BEA. However, these interventions are rarely modified according to individual student needs. The current study examined the effects of varied levels of modeling (passage, sentence, word) and varied contingencies (tracking and fluency) on fluency in non-treated high-word overlap passages and general outcome measure passages. BEA-identified interventions were effective for improving reading fluency on non-treated passages for both second grade students and the third grade student. Notably, the effects reversed when intervention was withdrawn with one of the second grade students. Results are discussed in terms of considerations in the application of BEA technology in the schools.
Contractility cycle of an isolated gastropod ventricle.

Plotzliche Dehnungen oder Entspannungen wahrend des Eigenrhythmus der Herzkammer vonBusycon canaliculatum wurden dazu benutzt, um den Verlauf des Aktivitatszustandes zu untersuchen. Sowohl Anstieg, wie auch Abfall des «active state» waren entsprechend langsam wie bei Wirbeltier-Herzmuskeln. Das tetanisierbare Schneckenherz stellt somit ein gutes Versuchsobjekt fur die Aktivierung des Herzmuskels dar, da die maximale Kraft unabhangig von der Zeit ist.
Results from the long-term interaction and modeling of SRL-131 glass with aqueous solutions

Leaching studies on SRL-131 simulated defense waste glass have been carried out for a duration of two years. This glass contained nonradioactive elements and depleted uranium to simulate the waste content. The leachants used in this study were deionized water, a sodium bicarbonate/silicic acid solution (silicate water), a synthetic groundwater, and a high ionic strength K-Mg-Na-Cl brine. Two temperatures were used: 40/sup 0/C and 90/sup 0/C. The long-term results were in fair agreement with modeling calculations performed using the PHREEQE geochemical code. The leachability of SRL-131 glass from results up to two years followed the trend: deionized water > silicate water > synthetic groundwater > salt brine at 40/sup 0/C and deionized water approx. = synthetic groundwater > silicate water > salt brine at 90/sup 0/C. Solid state analyses are reported along with an Appendix containing a complete data set.
A quasi-second-order proximal bundle algorithm.

This paper introduces an algorithm for convex minimization which includes quasi-Newton updates within a proximal point algorithm that depends on a preconditioned bundle subalgorithm. The method uses the Hessian of a certain outer function which depends on the Jacobian of a proximal point mapping which, in turn, depends on the preconditioner matrix and on a Lagrangian Hessian relative to a certain tangent space. Convergence is proved under boundedness assumptions on the preconditioner sequence.
Comparative efficacy and tolerability of two long-acting calcium antagonists, mibefradil and amlodipine, in essential hypertension

Abstract In a previous forced-titration trial, mibefradil 100 mg QD was as effective as amlodipine 10 mg QD in reducing sitting diastolic blood pressure (SDBP), and it produced significantly less leg edema than did amlodipine 10 mg QD. The present multicenter, double-masked, randomized, parallel-design trial was performed to assess the reproducibility of these results using a flexible-titration design. Following a 4-week, single-masked, placebo run-in period, 296 patients with a trough SDBP of between 95 and 114 mm Hg (21 to 27 hours postdose) were randomized to receive once-daily treatment with mibefradil 50 mg (n = 146) or amlodipine 5 mg (n = 150). In patients whose trough SDBP was greater than 90 mm Hg after 4 or 8 weeks of double-masked therapy, the dosage was titrated upward to mibefradil 100 mg or amlodipine 10 mg for the remainder of the 12-week active treatment period. A greater proportion of amlodipine-treated patients (65%) than of mibefradil-treated patients (54%) required titration to the higher dose. Despite this difference, statistically equivalent reductions in trough SDBP were observed after 12 weeks of treatment with 50 to 100 mg of mibefradil QD (−11.7 ± 6.4 mm Hg) and 5 to 10 mg of amlodipine QD (−11.9 ± 6.9 mm Hg). SDBP was normalized to ≤90 mm Hg at week 12 in 66% of patients treated with mibefradil and 65% of those receiving amlodipine. The tolerability profile of mibefradil was superior to that of amlodipine, with significantly fewer patients ( P = 0.009) reporting leg edema after mibefradil treatment (7%) than after amlodipine treatment (17%). The results of this study confirm those of the previous trial. Once-daily treatment with mibefradil 50 to 100 mg for 12 weeks was as effective as 12 weeks of once-daily treatment with amlodipine 5 to 10 mg in reducing SDBP and was associated with a significantly lower incidence of leg edema.
Conflict About Expressing Emotions and Chronic Low Back Pain: Associations With Pain and Anger

Abstract There has been growing interest among researchers and clinicians in the role of ambivalence over emotional expression (AEE) in adjustment to chronic illness. Because of the salience of anger in chronic low back pain, this condition provides a particularly good model in which to examine the role of AEE. This study examined the relation of AEE to pain and anger in a sample of 61 patients with chronic low back pain. Patients completed standardized measures of AEE, pain, and anger. Correlational analyses showed that patients who had higher AEE scores reported higher levels of evaluative and affective pain as well as higher levels of state and trait anger and the tendency to hold in angry thoughts and feelings. Mediational analyses revealed that most of the associations between AEE and pain, and AEE and anger, were independent of one another. These findings suggest that a potentially important relationship exists between AEE and key aspects of living with persistent pain. Perspective This preliminary study suggests that there is a relation between ambivalence over emotional expression and pain and anger in patients with chronic low back pain. Patients who report greater conflict with regard to expressing emotions may be experiencing higher pain and anger.
The loss of renal dendritic cells and activation of host adaptive immunity are long-term effects of ischemia/reperfusion injury following syngeneic kidney transplantation

Ischemia/reperfusion injury associated with kidney transplantation induces profound acute injury, influences early graft function, and affects long-term graft outcomes. To determine whether renal dendritic cells play any role during initial innate ischemia/reperfusion injury and the subsequent development of adaptive immune responses, we studied the behavior and function of renal graft and host infiltrating dendritic cells during early and late phases of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Wild type to green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic rat kidney transplantation was performed with and without 24-h cold storage. Ischemia/reperfusion injury in cold-stored grafts resulted in histopathological changes of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy by 10 weeks, accompanied by upregulation of mRNAs of mediators of interstitial fibrosis and inflammation. In normal rat kidneys, we identified two populations of renal dendritic cells, predominant CD103 - CD11b/c + and minor CD103 + CD11b/c + cells. After transplantation without cold storage, grafts maintained CD103 - but not CD103 + GFP-negative renal dendritic cells for 10 weeks. In contrast, both cell subsets disappeared from cold-stored grafts, which associated with a significant GFP-expressing host CD11b/c + cell infiltration that included CD103 + dendritic cells with a TNF-α–producing phenotype. These changes in graft/host dendritic cell populations were associated with progressive infiltration of host CD4 + T cells with effector/effector-memory phenotypes and IFN-γ secretion. Thus, renal graft ischemia/reperfusion injury caused graft dendritic cell loss and was associated with progressive host dendritic cell and T-cell recruitment. Renal-resident dendritic cells might function as a protective regulatory network.
Efficacy of intranasal Bevacizumab (Avastin) treatment in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia-associated epistaxis

Objectives/Hypothesis: Assess for complications of intranasal Bevacizumab application in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)-associated epistaxis. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Methods: In 58 patients presenting with recurrent HHT epistaxis, Bevacizumab was applied intranasally either as a submucosal injection or as a topical spray between October 2006 and June 2010. In many of the injected patients, the potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser was used adjunctively for vessel photocoagulation. A phone interview was performed in July 2010 to assess for treatment complications. Results: Of the 58 treated patients 52 were contacted. Patient surveys were performed 1.5 to 46 months following their initial Bevacizumab treatment. Within the treatment population, five patients had sustained a septal perforation. Notably, these patients were treated early in the study period at which time the cartilaginous septum was often both injected and lasered. Subsequently, the treatment protocol was changed and the cartilaginous septum was neither lasered nor injected. After these changes were made no additional septal perforations were identified. No other adverse events were associated with intranasal Bevacizumab treatment. Conclusions: Bevacizumab applied as either a submucosal injection or as a topical nasal spray, with or without application of the KTP laser, is a safe treatment regimen. Still, when Bevacizumab injections are performed, the cartilaginous nasal septum should be avoided as patients may develop septal perforations. Laryngoscope, 2011
The development of analogical reasoning processes.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to test the generalizability to children of a theory of analogical reasoning processes originally proposed for adults ( R. J. Sternberg, Psychological Review, 1977a , 84, 353–378; R. J. Sternberg, Intelligence, information processing, and analogical reasoning: The componential analysis of human abilities, Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1977b ) and to examine the development of analogical reasoning processes in terms of five proposed sources of cognitive development: (a) availability of component operations; (b) strategy for combining multiple component operation; (c) strategy for combining multiple executions of the same component operation; (d) consistency in use of strategy; (e) component-operation latency and difficulty. Between 15 and 21 subjects in each of grades 2, 4, 6, and adulthood (ages 8, 10, 12, and 19 years, respectively) were tested in their ability to solve analogies of systematically varied difficulty. Performance was measured in terms of latencies for items solved correctly, latencies for all items solved, and error rates. A slightly modified version of the Stenberg, 1977(a) , Stenberg, 1977(b) theory was found to be applicable to the data for each of the age levels tested. In analogies with perceptually separable attributes, change over age was found in sources (d) and (e) noted above. In analogies with perceptually integral attributes, change over age was found in sources (a), (c), (d), and (e). Developmental trends were discussed in terms of past theory and findings, and possible reasons for differences in developmental patterns between the two kinds of analogies were suggested.
Growth of primary motor neurons on horizontally aligned carbon nanotube thin films and striped patterns

Objective. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are attractive for use in peripheral nerve interfaces because of their unique combination of strength, flexibility, electrical conductivity and nanoscale surface texture. Here we investigated the growth of motor neurons on thin films of horizontally aligned CNTs (HACNTs). Approach. We cultured primary embryonic rat motor neurons on HACNTs and performed statistical analysis of the length and orientation of neurites. We next presented motor neurons with substrates of alternating stripes of HACNTs and SiO2. Main results. The neurons survived on HACNT substrates for up to eight days, which was the full duration of our experiments. Statistical analysis of the length and orientation of neurites indicated that the longest neurites on HACNTs tended to align with the CNT direction, although the average neurite length was similar between HACNTs and glass control substrates. We observed that when motor neurons were presented with alternating stripes of HACNTs and SiO2, the proportion of neurons on HACNTs increases over time, suggesting that neurons selectively migrate toward and adhere to the HACNT surface. Significance. The behavior of motor neurons on CNTs has not been previously investigated, and we show that aligned CNTs could provide a viable interface material to motor neurons. Combined with emerging techniques to build complex hierarchical structures of CNTs, our results suggest that organised CNTs could be incorporated into nerve grafts that use physical and electrical cues to guide regenerating axons.
Administration of high-dose macrophage colony-stimulating factor increases bone turnover and trabecular volume fraction

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor that plays a critical role in early osteoclastogenesis. To characterize the skeletal effects of M-CSF, we administered soluble M-CSF to mice. It was hypothesized that M-CSF would stimulate bone formation through coupled activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Twenty-four male C57BL/6 J mice (n = 12/group, aged 7 weeks) received subcutaneous injections of human M-CSF [5 mg/(kg day)] or inert vehicle (VEH) for 21 days. M-CSF increased serum bone turnover markers (+57% TRAP-5b and +44% osteocalcin). Microcomputed tomography revealed an anabolic effect on tibial trabecular bone, with higher bone volume fraction (+35%), connectivity density (+79%), and number (+18%), as well as lower trabecular separation (−18%). M-CSF had no significant effect on cortical bone mineral content, geometry, or strength. There was no change in quantitative histomorphometry parameters of femoral cortical bone. These results reveal the complex, site-specific effects of M-CSF. In particular, we have demonstrated an anabolic effect of M-CSF on trabecular bone achieved through coupled activation of osteoblasts. However, in contrast to previous studies, M-CSF was found to have no effect on cortical bone. M-CSF was demonstrated to significantly influence both bone modeling and remodeling in relatively young animals.
Fourth ventricular CART reduces food and water intake and produces a conditioned taste aversion in rats.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) reduces rats' intake of liquid diet if the peptide reaches the 4th ventricle (4V). To test for specificity of 4V CART effects on feeding, the authors compared its ability to reduce intakes of liquid diet and water and tested for conditioned taste aversion (CTA). CART reduced 30-min intakes of both water and Ensure at a threshold of 1 microg. Lithium chloride (0.15 M, 20 ml/kg i.p.) and 4V CART (1 microg) paired with novel saccharin solution reduced saccharin preferences similarly in subsequent 2-bottle tests, compared with saline. Thus, CART can produce CTA. These data demonstrate that 4V CART's actions in ingestive behavior are not specific to nutrients and suggest that aspects of 4V CART's actions in reducing intake may be secondary to the production of an aversive state.
Cloning and Localization of Exon 5‐Containing Isoforms of the NMDAR1 Subunit in Human and Rat Brains

Nine isoforms of the rat NMDAR1 receptor subunit have been previously identified, of which several have an alternatively spliced N-terminal insert believed to be important in proton sensitivity of the receptor. The cloning of the human homologues of NMDAR1-3b (hNMDA1-1) and NMDAR1-4b (hNMDA1-2), both bearing the insert, is reported here. A monoclonal antibody generated against the N-terminal region of these isoforms showed reactivity with at least two distinct human brain proteins of approximately 115 kDa. This antibody was further characterized by using a series of truncated fusion proteins and splice variants of NMDAR1 demonstrating its specific recognition of an epitope within the 21-amino acid N-terminal insert, encoded by exon 5. Western blot and immunocytochemical studies were performed to examine the expression of the exon 5-containing isoforms of the NMDAR1 subunit in both rat and human brain.
Bumrungrad International Hospital's brand personality: a content analysis of medical tourists' online patient testimonials

This research analyses medical tourists' brand personality perceptions of Bumrungrad International Hospital, a renowned medical tourism hospital, located in Thailand. A content analysis of international patients' online testimonials from Bumrungrad's website shows that medical tourists have distinct brand personality perceptions of Bumrungrad, with the brand personality dimensions sincerity and competence being mentioned most frequently. Brand personality perceptions varied depending on patients' gender and home country, type of medical care received, and whether hospital personnel were referred to in the testimonials. Marketing implications of the findings are discussed, and suggestions for future research are offered. The study serves as a starting point for further research on medical tourists' brand personality perceptions of medical tourism providers.
Is de novo stress incontinence after sacrocolpopexy related to anatomical changes and surgical approach? Response to comments by van der Weiden and Withagen

Dear Editor, We are grateful to van der Weiden and Withagen for sharing their findings [1]. We observed an overall de novo SUI rate of almost 30 % among our cohort of open and minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (SCP) patients with negative preoperative prolapse reduction stress testing (PRST) [2]. In our statistical model, we noted a clear specific relationship between de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and Aa reduction magnitude, regardless of surgical route. Patients with a high (6 cm≥ΔAa 4 cm. Thus, we would agree with cautious and consistent anterior prolapse correction during both PRST and SCP.
The role of dietary calcium in the physiology of vitamin D toxicity: excess dietary vitamin D3 blunts parathyroid hormone induction of kidney 1-hydroxylase.

We studied the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) restriction and excess vitamin D3 On tissue 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-hydroxylase (1-OHase) and 1,25(OH)2D/25-OH-D-24-hydroxylase (24-OHase) activities in rats. Effects were studied in four groups of rats, with each group receiving one of the following diets: a control diet consisting of normal Ca and normal vitamin D3 (NC), NC plus excess (75,000 IU/week) vitamin D3 (NCT), low Ca and normal vitamin D3 (LC), or LC diet with excess vitamin D3 (LCT). Rats fed the low-Ca diets (LC and LCT) had elevated plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, increasing >3-fold relative to rats fed the normal Ca diets. The elevated concentrations of PTH in LCT rats did not result in increased plasma 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3] (NC = 115 ± 7 pg/ml; LCT = 99 ± 11 pg/ml). Plasma 1,25(OH)2D in LC rats, however, was increased significantly (615 ± 110, P = < 0.001). There were no differences in either plasma Ca or phosphorus between the LC and LCT groups. Dietary Ca restriction led to an 18-fold stimulation in renal 1-OHase activity in LC rats (P = < 0.01), while 1-OHase in the LCT rats was marginally but significantly elevated 2.3-fold (P = < 0.05). The ability of PTH to downregulate renal 24-OHase and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor (VDR) during prolonged Ca restriction remained intact, irrespective of vitamin D status. Also, the metabolic clearance rate for 1,25(OH)2D3 was enhanced by feeding excess vitamin D3, which was likely a result of the substantial elevations in intestinal (25-fold) and renal (46-fold) 24-OHase activities in the LCT and NCT groups, respectively. These data indicate that calcium restriction accompanied by excess vitamin D3 is attended by impaired responsiveness of renal 1-OHase to PTH and enhanced metabolic clearance of 1,25(OH)2D.
ALMA correlator computer systems

We present a design for the computer systems which control, configure, and monitor the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) correlator and process its output. Two distinct computer systems implement this functionality: a rack- mounted PC controls and monitors the correlator, and a cluster of 17 PCs process the correlator output into raw spectral results. The correlator computer systems interface to other ALMA computers via gigabit Ethernet networks utilizing CORBA and raw socket connections. ALMA Common Software provides the software infrastructure for this distributed computer environment. The control computer interfaces to the correlator via multiple CAN busses and the data processing computer cluster interfaces to the correlator via sixteen dedicated high speed data ports. An independent array-wide hardware timing bus connects to the computer systems and the correlator hardware ensuring synchronous behavior and imposing hard deadlines on the control and data processor computers. An aggregate correlator output of 1 gigabyte per second with 16 millisecond periods and computational data rates of approximately 1 billion floating point operations per second define other hard deadlines for the data processing computer cluster.
Assessment Tools and Classification Systems Used For the Upper Extremity in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Background Clinicians interested in assessment and outcome measurement of upper extremity (UE) function and performance in children with cerebral palsy (CP) must choose from a wide range of tools.
MCF-7 breast cancer cells express normal forms of all vasopressin receptors plus an abnormal V2R.

Abstract We have previously provided evidence that an autocrine loop involving vasopressin is present in perhaps all breast cancers. This study now shows MCF-7 breast cancer cells express mRNAs for all currently recognized vasopressin receptor subtypes (V1a, V1b, and V2). Cloning and DNA sequencing over the entire open reading frame of each mRNA revealed that normal sequences representing each receptor were present. However, in addition, an abnormal mRNA for the V2 receptor, expected to give rise to a truncated ‘diabetic’ protein, was also expressed. Western analysis revealed that all three normal mRNAs gave rise to proteins of sizes compatible with them being functional receptors. The abnormal V2 receptor mRNA also gave rise to proteins.
INTRUSION ACCIDENTS ON HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Two hundred and ninety intrusion accidents were reported on New York State Department of Transportation construction projects from 1993 through 1998. Characteristics of intrusion accidents and the locations where they occur were investigated, and intrusions were compared with other traffic and construction accidents. Overall, intrusions into the work and buffer space are a relatively small proportion of all accidents. Intrusion accidents accounted for nearly 10 percent of all work-zone traffic accidents and about 8 percent of serious injury accidents. Four fatalities and 60 serious injury accidents occurred. About two-thirds of intrusion accidents involved a vehicle entering an area defined by channelizing devices, including the transition area, buffer space, and work space. About 20 percent involved moving operations. Most intrusions resulted in a collision between the intruding vehicle and work vehicles, equipment, or roadway features. Pedestrian workers were involved in less than 10 percent of the intr...
TIMELINESAs we may recall: four forgotten pioneers

Editor's Note: Occasionally in studying HCI history, I have stumbled upon large topics that I was unaware existed. Perhaps the most surprising has been the development of advanced information technologies, which preceded computers. In some ways, the constraints imposed by those technologies forced deeper thinking about information itself. In this column, Berkeley Professor Emeritus Michael Buckland describes the work of four dedicated creative pioneers.---Jonathan Grudin
The C7H5 Fulvenallenyl Radical as a Combustion Intermediate: Potential New Pathways to Two- and Three-Ring PAHs

This study proposes the existence of a new, highly resonantly stabilized free radical, fulvenallenyl (C7H5). Fulvenallenyl forms from dissociation or abstraction of the weak H atoms in the C7H6 compounds fulvenallene and 1-ethynylcyclopentadiene, which were recently identified as intermediates in the combustion of aromatic fuels and in sooting flames. The fulvenallenyl radical shares properties of the propargyl and cyclopentadienyl radicals, and like these species, we propose that fulvenallenyl has a significant resonance stabilization energy. This resonance energy is lost upon further reaction, making the fulvenallenyl radical resistant to oxidation and thermal decomposition. As with the resonantly stabilized radicals propargyl and cyclopentadienyl, fulvenallenyl is expected to react with other radicals in molecular weight growth reactions. Several pathways are proposed for self-reaction and cross-reactions of fulvenallenyl that directly produce two- and three-ring PAHs like naphthalene, diphenyl, and ph...
The Effects of Models and Choice in Promoting Positive Interracial Behaviors

Summary Sixty white male undergraduates observed a model behave in a nonaggressive or highly rewarding manner toward a black target. The model was either free to act in this way or was forced to behave positively. An examination of Ss' aggressive and rewarding responses indicated that the models were effective in reducing aggression and increasing reward toward the black target. However, the effect occurred only when the model was seen as acting under his own volition. There was also evidence that the effects of the modeling experience could be generalized to another type of behavior. Results are discussed in terms of the relative effects of models in promoting reductions in aggression and other types of negative behaviors, and the implications of such a strategy for promoting increased racial harmony.
Regional changes in amino acid concentration in the developing brain and the effects of neonatal administration of estradiol.

Summary The changes in free amino acids in the rat brain from 12 to 21 days, and the alterations in their distribution effected when estradiol is administered during a critical developmental period, were studied on a regional basis. The concentration of the glutamate group of amino acids, those involved in intermediary metabolism, increased during periods of rapid brain growth and provided an index of the maturation of discrete brain regions. Those amino acids described as putative inhibitory transmitters decreased in concentration from 12 to 21 days, a period when brain excitability increases. The effects of estradiol on the glutamate group varied with respect to the maturational stage of the specific brain area observed. Estradiol particularly accelerated the increase in concentration of these amino acids in the slower-developing cerebellum suggesting that maturation of this structure was accelerated. Estradiol accelerated the decrease of the putative inhibitory neurotransmitters, a finding we have related to electrophysiological studies in which early administration of estradiol increased the sensitivity of the brain to electrical stimulation.
A SPECIALIZED TROPHOSPONGIUM IN LARGE NEURONS OF LEPTODORA (CRUSTACEA).

A specialized type of trophospongium has been described in large nerve cells of the cerebral ganglion of the planktonic crustacean Leptodora kindtii. It consists of three parts (Fig. 6). The first is, as a rule, long; it is composed of an infolding of the plasma membrane of the neuron, an intercellular space and a slender process of a glial cell. The second segment from the end of the glial process to the beginning of the X-body is always short; it is characterized by the presence of a desmosome-like junction. The third part consists of a labyrinth of cisternal spaces lined by membranes which are continuous with the infoldings of the surface membrane of the nerve cell.
Tools: An environment for time‐shared computing and programming

The Yale Tools environment provides integrated modern computing facilities to a mixed group of programmers and users on time-shared machines. Hundreds of people use the environment every day for systems and applications programming, word-processing and university business. The success of the environment is in its integration and engineering detail. Building such a system without a high-level language and a run-time library would have been impossible.
Development and Construct Validity of the Classroom Strategies Scale-Observer Form.

Research on progress monitoring has almost exclusively focused on student behavior and not on teacher practices. This article presents the development and validation of a new teacher observational assessment (Classroom Strategies Scale) of classroom instructional and behavioral management practices. The theoretical underpinnings and empirical basis for the instructional and behavioral management scales are presented. The Classroom Strategies Scale (CSS) evidenced overall good reliability estimates including internal consistency, interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, and freedom from item bias on important teacher demographics (age, educational degree, years of teaching experience). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) of CSS data from 317 classrooms were carried out to assess the level of empirical support for (a) a 4 first-order factor theory concerning teachers' instructional practices, and (b) a 4 first-order factor theory concerning teachers' behavior management practice. Several fit indices indicated acceptable fit of the (a) and (b) CFA models to the data, as well as acceptable fit of less parsimonious alternative CFA models that included 1 or 2 second-order factors. Information-theory-based indices generally suggested that the (a) and (b) CFA models fit better than some more parsimonious alternative CFA models that included constraints on relations of first-order factors. Overall, CFA first-order and higher order factor results support the CSS-Observer Total, Composite, and subscales. Suggestions for future measurement development efforts are outlined.
Identification from a Phage Display Library of Peptides That Bind to Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 and That Inhibit Its Binding to Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class II Molecules†

Phage display technique is a powerful tool with which to identify novel binding sequences for antibody and receptor targets. Few studies, however, have used this technology to select affinity peptides for ligand molecules. Here, we screened a peptide phage library for binding to toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) to examine whether peptide ligands for TSST-1 which mimic the structure of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II receptors could be identified. After three cycles of biopanning, four potent sequences reactive with TSST-1 were isolated (designated phages 2, 3, 8, and 11). Selected phage were found to react specifically with TSST-1 but not with other staphylococcal exotoxins. A synthetic peptide (pep3) corresponding to the most frequently identified sequence (phage3) was shown to inhibit binding of all four isolated phage to TSST-1, suggesting that they bind to a common site on TSST-1. Furthermore, pep3 was shown to compete with MHC class II molecules for binding to TSST-1 in a concent...
Electrolytic acetoxylation of methyl oleate

The electrolysis of methyl oleate in acetic acid solution with LiClO4 as the supporting electrolyte was studied. Both stirred and pumped undivided cells were used with Pt electrodes. Constant current at 6, 8, 16 and 24 ma/cm2 current densities was used. The amount of acetoxyl substitution appeared to be independent of the current density. With 4 Faradays of charge, about 1.1 acetoxy groups were introduced/mole at a current efficiency (i.e., net chemical reaction/net charge) of 50 to 60%. The acetoxylated octadecenoates exhibit thermal instability upon molecular distillation with the formation of conjugated unsaturation by loss of acetic acid. Catalytic hydrogenation of the acetoxylated product yielded distillable acetoxylated methyl octadecanoates. The unsaturated acetoxylated products gave 25–47% undistillable material upon molecular distillation, while the saturated acetoxy derivatives had as little as 1%. From the corresponding alcohols of the unsaturated acetoxy products,t-butyldimethylsilyl ethers were prepared and analyzed by mass spectrometry. This analysis supported the hypothesis that the principal points of acetoxyl substitution in the mono-acetoxylated esters were at C-8,9,10 and 11, while the acetoxylation in the poly-acetoxylated esters was more widely dispersed.
Clinical Heterogeneity of Familial Spastic Paraplegia Linked to Chromosome 2p21

The clinical features of four families with autosomal dominant spastic paraparesis (FSP) are described, along with the results of linkage analysis to markers from the regions of chromosomes 2, 14, and 15 which are known to contain spastic paraplegia genes. All families had 'pure' spastic paraparesis (FSP), but the severity of symptoms varied widely among families, and other mild neurologic signs were observed in some subjects. Although no family individually yielded a lod score >3.0, all families yielded positive lod scores with chromosome 2 markers, and a maximal lod score of 5.7 was obtained for the families combined using marker D2S352. There was no evidence of linkage to chromosome 14 or 15 in any of the families.
A mid-infrared prism coupler for bulk and thin film optical analysis

In this paper we present a prism coupler that is capable of characterizing optical dispersion and thermal index variations (dn/dT) in bulk and thin film materials at measurement wavelengths extending through the mid-infrared (3 to 12 μm). Our research was motivated by the need for precise, rapid, and low cost optical refractive index analysis to facilitate development of new mid-infrared optical materials, assessment of variability in mid-infrared optical materials acquired from commercial sources, and design of optical elements used in advanced, high performance mid-infrared sensing platforms. Such efforts commonly require ±1x10 -3 or better absolute index measurement accuracy at measurement wavelengths spanning from the visible to the mid-infrared. Unfortunately most dispersion and dn/dT characterization methods require compromises in accuracy, cost, and timeliness, or cannot access the mid-infrared spectral region where many of the most important sensing and defense applications exist. A prism coupler, implemented at the mid-infrared, was found to provide rapid and cost-effective optical materials metrology with sufficient accuracy to meet most design requirements. We discuss the challenges of integrating the required mid-infrared optical components, including a sensitive mid-infrared detector and the quantum cascade and other infrared laser sources, with a commercial Metricon prism coupler and the calibration steps necessary to achieve the desired measurement accuracy.
Geographic Variation in New Mexican Chickarees

Studies of geographic variation in southwestern chickarees, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus , revealed that the animals vary in size and in several aspects of their color. These characteristics vary independently. Most strongly differentiated populations inhabit southern mountain ranges peripheral to the main geographic range of the species. An explanation of this finding is proposed.
The yeast kinase Yck2 has a tripartite palmitoylation signal

The yeast kinase Yck2 tethers to the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane through dual palmitoylation of its C-terminal Cys-Cys dipeptide, mediated by the Golgi-localized palmitoyl-transferase Akr1. Here, the Yck2 palmitoylation signal is found to consist of three parts: 1) a 10-residue-long, conserved C-terminal peptide (CCTP) that includes the C-terminal Cys-Cys dipeptide; 2) the kinase catalytic domain (KD); and mapping between these two elements; and 3) a 176-residue-long, poorly conserved, glutamine-rich sequence. The CCTP, which contains the C-terminal cysteines as well as an important Phe-Phe dipeptide, likely serves as an Akr1 recognition element, because CCTP mutations disrupt palmitoylation within a purified in vitro palmitoylation system. The KD contribution appears to be complex with roles for both KD activity (e.g., Yck2-mediated phosphorylation) and structure (e.g., Akr1 recognition elements). KD and CCTP mutations are strongly synergistic, suggesting that, like the CCTP, the KD may also participate at the Yck2-Akr1 recognition step. The long, glutamine-rich domain, which is located between the KD and CCTP, is predicted to be intrinsically disordered and may function as a flexible, interdomain linker, allowing a coupled interaction of the KD and CCTP with Akr1. Multipart palmitoylation signals may prove to be a general feature of this large class of palmitoylation substrates. These soluble proteins have no clear means of accessing membranes and thus may require active capture out of the cytoplasm for palmitoylation by their membrane-localized transferases.
Community criminal justice study: Simulation analysis of jail overcrowding

Reflecting the national overcrowding crisis, the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail (ACRJ) in Charlottesville, Virginia, currently operates at 150 percent of its rated capacity. The jail must accommodate all offenders detained in the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle and Nelson despite infrastructure and personnel limitations. Overcrowding hinders ACRJ's ability to effectively serve its role in the criminal justice system and the community. This paper identifies the sources of ACRJ overcrowding through analysis of the regional criminal justice system. To gain a basic understanding of the local criminal justice system, the project team conducted extensive interviews with key stakeholders. The information acquired during these interviews supported the development of a detailed process model of the system. This model identified decision points in the system that affect the drivers of jail population - the number of offenders incarcerated and the length of their confinement. The static process model was incorporated in a discrete-event simulation capturing jail-population dynamics. The simulation identified bottlenecks in the local system and components with the greatest leverage to reduce overcrowding. The study concluded that ACRJ should focus its efforts on reducing the volume of offenders at arrest, the decision to set bond, and probation. The project laid the foundation for future research into the selection and implementation of long-term solutions to overcrowding.
Syndromic Surveillance at the New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

The New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NYSVDL) adopted a new general submission form in 2011, which includes a check list of syndromes as part of the clinical history. This form allows for clinician selected syndromes to be monitored. We found monitoring syndromes, in addition to test requests, to be useful and necessary for accuracy and completeness. The syndromes "Sudden Death" and "Fever" were found to always provide additional information and should be monitored. Other syndromes that provide new information should be investigated in various clinical scenarios.
Generation of porous microcellular 85/15 poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) foams for biomedical applications

Abstract Porous 85/15 poly ( dl -lactide-co-glycolide) or PLGA foams were produced by the pressure quench method using supercritical CO2 as the blowing agent. The rate of CO2 uptake and CO2 equilibrium concentration in PLGA at different processing conditions were studied by performing sorption experiments. The effects of saturation pressure and temperature on average cell size and relative density of the resulting foams were also studied. The time required to approach equilibrium exhibited a minimum with increasing saturation pressure. The diffusion coefficient and equilibrium concentration of CO2 in PLGA increased with an increasing pressure in an approximately linear relationship. Porous PLGA foams were generated with relative densities ranging from 0.107 to 0.232. Foams showed evidence of interconnected cells with porosities as high as 89%. The pore size ranged from 30 to 100 μm.
Letter by Dardas and Aaronson Regarding Article, “Impact of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator, Amiodarone, and Placebo on the Mode of Death in Stable Patients With Heart Failure: Analysis From the Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial”

The authors conclude that survival from sudden cardiacdeath is increased among those randomized to an implantablecardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). In addition, the probability of sur-vival from heart failure death was not reduced among those receivingICD therapy.Another approach to measuring the effect of ICD therapy on thetype of death is to assess the odds of the mode of death given that adeathoccurred.WeusedthedatasuppliedintheSCD-HeFTauthors’table and multinomial logistic regression to assess the odds ofselected types of cardiac death relative to the odds of heart failuredeath. When comparing the odds of tachyarrythmic death to heartfailure death, the odds of a tachyarrythmic death were higher in theplacebo [odds ratio 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.7–4.6] andamiodarone (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.3–3.6) groupscompared with the ICD group. The modeled probability of a cardiacdeath being a heart failure death over the course of the study was59% in the ICD group versus 41% in the amiodarone group and 40%in the placebo groups. The probability of tachyarrythmic deaths was30% for the ICD group, 46% for the amiodarone group, and 57% forthe placebo group. From the standpoint of the type of death, giventhat a death occurred, we can conclude that heart failure deaths aremore frequent in the ICD group.From the SCD-HeFT authors’ analysis, we may conclude that ICDtherapy does not alter survival from heart failure deaths, in contrastto observations that ICD placement may reduce overall mortalitywhile increasing heart failure deaths. ICDs certainly do not hastendeath from heart failure, but ICDs will allow more patients to beexposed to the baseline risk of heart failure death. This effect is wellvisualized in the mode of death curves reported in the Defibrillatorin Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial (DINAMIT), which shows thatwhen arrhythmic deaths are censored, the likelihood of nonarrhyth-mic deaths in the ICD arm increases relative to the control arm.
Context-dependent Memory: Colour versus Odour

An olfactory stimulus and a visual stimulus were employed in a context-dependent memory study using a prose passage as the to-be-remembered item. Ninety-five university students (aged 17-35 years) learned the passage of prose in the presence of one of the stimuli and were then asked to recall the passage with the original context either reinstated or not reinstated. The results revealed a significant context-dependent memory effect for the olfactory cue but not for the visual cue. They demonstrate support for the effectiveness of odours as context cues and it is suggested that context-dependent memory processes may underlie the formation and retrieval of odour-evoked autobiographical memories.