cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transforming growth factors-β are not good biomarkers of chemopreventive efficacy in a preclinical breast cancer model system

Using a carcinogen-initiated rat model of mammary tumorigenesis, we tested the hypothesis that transforming growth factor (TGF)-βs are useful biomarkers of chemopreventive efficacy in the breast. The chemopreventive agents tested were tamoxifen and the retinoids 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA) and N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR), because both antiestrogens and retinoids have previously been shown to upregulate TGF-βs in vitro. Despite demonstrable chemopreventive efficacy in this model, none of these agents, alone or in combination, had any significant impact on the expression of TGF-βs in the mammary ductal epithelium or periductal stroma as determined by immunohistochemistry. These data suggest that TGF-βs are not likely to be useful biomarkers of chemopreventive efficacy in a clinical setting.
DNA Chips for Species Identification and Biological Phylogenies

The codeword design problem is an important problem in DNA computing and its applications. Several theoretical analyses as well as practical solutions for short oligonucleotides (up to 20-mers) have been generated recently. These solutions have, in turn, suggested new applications to DNA-based indexing and natural language processing, in addition to the obvious applications to the problems of reliability and scalability that generated them. Here we continue the exploration of this type of DNA-based indexing for biological applications and show that DNA noncrosshybridizing (nxh) sets can be successfully applied to infer ab initio phylogenetic trees by providing a way to measure distances among different genomes indexed by sets of short oligonucleotides selected so as to minimize crosshybridization. These phylogenies are solidly established and well accepted in biology. The new technique is much more effective in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, cost and time than current methods. Second, it can be scaled up to newly available universal DNA chips readily available both in vitro and in silico. In particular, we show how a recently obtained such set of nxh 16-mers can be used as a universal coordinate system in DNA spaces to characterize very large groups (families, genera, and even phylla) of organisms on a uniform reference system, a veritable and comprehensive "Atlas of Life", as it is or as it could be on earth.
A Time Analysis of a Technical Services Workflow in a Representative Library

In September 1990, the Sterling C. Evans Library at Texas A&M university implemented the NOTIS acquisitions module. The cataloging, OPAC, circulation, and serials records functions were already operational. The researchers examined the changes in workflow by tracking 641 social science firm orders (excluding serials) to identify possible bottlenecks and unpredicted delays in the process from selection to availability to the library patrons. All of the orders were tracked for eight months, at which time the researchers analyzed the results. Initially, researchers noted that training, staff adjusting to changes in procedures, and new equipment resulted in processing delays. The continued lack of adequate equipment and high turnover in calaloging personnel had the greatest effect later in the study.
Structural Features of Cultured Epithelial Cells from the Adult Rat Epididymis

Epithelial cells isolated from the caput epididymidis of adult rats were placed in primary culture and examined daily for ten days for changes in external anatomy, reorganization of cytoskeletal components, maintenance of characteristic cytoplasmic features, and response to media formulated to minimize nonepithelial cell proliferation. Significant cell attachment to the substrate began after the first 24 hours of culture. After attachment, the cells underwent a progressive flattening and became closely applied to the substrate. This was accompanied by a redistribution of microvilli on the cell surface and a reorganization of cytoskeletal elements within the cell. After flattening, the cultured cells displayed an extensive array of 10-nm filaments which were associated with the desmosomes attaching adjacent cells. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that these were keratin-containing intermediate filaments and 2-D gel electrophoresis of intact cells and cell cytoskeletons revealed that a family of "keratin-like" polypeptides were major components of the cells. Epithelial cell attachment, morphology, and maintenance in the primary culture were unaffected by D-valine, cytosine arabinoside, or both; however, these agents, either individually or in combination, reduced significantly the number of cells incorporating 3H-thymidine. These data show that isolated epithelial cells retain some differentiated structural features that characterize the intact cell and that enriched cultures of epithelial cells can be maintained under conditions where fibroblast proliferation is inhibited.
The New England Execution Sermon: Texts, Rituals, and Power

This paper uses the topic of the New England execution sermon to make an argument about how social classes use, and then lose, their power to control communication media. The class in question here is the Puritan clergy, once a dominant group in colonial New England. The author constructs the argument primarily through the use of three different sets of literature. First, the theoretical literature on the use of media technologies as power (Innis, Marvin, and others). Second, the secondary historical literature that already exists on the phenomenon of the execution sermon. Third, the primary sources, which are 73 different sermons listed in the early American imprints series (both First and Second series). I argue that the clergy’s loss of control over how to portray the ritualized retribution of the execution provides us with a case study of how dominant classes use media to control populations, and how they lose that control.
Integrated optical circuits for numerical computation

The development of integrated optical circuits (IOC) for numerical-computation applications is reviewed, with a focus on the use of systolic architectures. The basic architecture criteria for optical processors are shown to be the same as those proposed by Kung (1982) for VLSI design, and the advantages of IOCs over bulk techniques are indicated. The operation and fabrication of electrooptic grating structures are outlined, and the application of IOCs of this type to an existing 32-bit, 32-Mbit/sec digital correlator, a proposed matrix multiplier, and a proposed pipeline processor for polynomial evaluation is discussed. The problems arising from the inherent nonlinearity of electrooptic gratings are considered. Diagrams and drawings of the application concepts are provided.
Simple Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Assisted Sample Preparation Method for LC-MS-Based Proteomics Applications

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is one of the most popular laboratory reagents used for biological sample extraction; however, the presence of this reagent in samples challenges LC-MS-based proteomics analyses because it can interfere with reversed-phase LC separations and electrospray ionization. This study reports a simple SDS-assisted proteomics sample preparation method facilitated by a novel peptide-level SDS removal step. In an initial demonstration, SDS was effectively (>99.9%) removed from peptide samples through ion substitution-mediated DS– precipitation using potassium chloride (KCl), and excellent peptide recovery (>95%) was observed for <20 μg of peptides. Further experiments demonstrated the compatibility of this protocol with LC-MS/MS analyses. The resulting proteome coverage obtained for both mammalian tissues and bacterial samples was comparable to or better than that obtained for the same sample types prepared using standard proteomics preparation methods and analyzed using LC-MS/MS. These ...
Effect of cholestyramine on the terminal reactions of sterol biosynthesis.

Abstract Cholestyramine treatment of rats enhances the rate of liver microsomal methyl sterol demethylase. The increased demethylation rate is associated with an increase in the rate of oxidative attack of the 4α-methyl group of the methyl sterol substrate, 4,4-dimethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-o1. Reciprocal plots of initial velocities reveal that more active mixed-function oxidase is present. Enhanced mixed-function oxidative activity is not associated with changes in either concentration or activity of known liver microsomal electron carriers. However, these experiments could not differentiate between the composite microsomal electron carriers and those that specifically participate in methyl sterol oxidation. These results suggest that, in addition to control of cholesterol biosynthesis at the stage of mevalonic acid formation, the rate of cholesterolgenesis may be controlled by activities of enzymes associated with the reactions that occur after lanosterol formation. Furthermore, the control may be mediated by end-product inhibition produced by bile salts or neutral steroids (e.g., cholesterol). The effect of cholestyramine on the individual reactions of methyl sterol demethylation is compatible with the earlier conclusion that oxidative attack of the methyl group is not only the first reaction of demethylation, but it appears that the oxidative attack is the rate-limiting reaction as well.
Do major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder confer differential risk for suicide

Background: Although there has been a tremendous amount of research examining the risk conferred for suicide by depression in general, relatively little research examines the risk conferred by specific forms of depressive illness (e.g., dysthymic disorder, single episode versus recurrent major depressive disorder [MDD]). The purpose of the current study was to examine differences in suicidal ideation, clinician-rated suicide risk, suicide attempts, and family history of suicide in a sample of outpatients diagnosed with various forms of depressive illness. Methods: To accomplish this aim, we conducted a cluster analysis using the aforementioned suicide-related variables in a sample of 494 outpatients seen between January 2001 and July 2007 at the Florida State University Psychology Clinic. Patients were diagnosed using DSM-IV criteria. Results: Two distinct clusters emerged that were indicative of lower and higher risk for suicide. After controlling for the number of comorbid Axis I and Axis II diagnoses, the only depressive illness that significantly predicted cluster membership was recurrent MDD, which tripled an individual's likelihood of being assigned to the higher risk cluster. Limitations: The use of a cross-sectional design; the relatively low suicide risk in our sample; the relatively small number of individuals with double depression. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the importance of both chronicity and severity of depression in terms of predicting increased suicide risk. Among the various forms of depressive illness examined, only recurrent MDD appeared to confer greater risk for suicide.
Sensitivity of Global Modeling Initiative model predictions of Antarctic ozone recovery to input meteorological fields

We use the Global Modeling Initiative chemistry and transport model to simulate the evolution of stratospheric ozone between 1995 and 2030, using boundary conditions consistent with the recent World Meteorological Organization ozone assessment. We compare the Antarctic ozone recovery predictions of two simulations, one driven by an annually repeated year of meteorological data from a general circulation model (GCM), the other using a year of output from a data assimilation system (DAS), to examine the sensitivity of Antarctic ozone recovery predictions to the characteristic dynamical differences between GCM- and DAS-generated meteorological data. Although the age of air in the Antarctic lower stratosphere differs by a factor of 2 between the simulations, we find little sensitivity of the 1995-2030 Antarctic ozone recovery between 350 and 650 K to the differing meteorological fields, particularly when the recovery is specified in mixing ratio units. Percent changes are smaller in the DAS-driven simulation compared to the GCM-driven simulation because of a surplus of Antarctic ozone in the DAS-driven simulation which is not consistent with observations. The peak ozone change between 1995 and 2030 in both simulations is approx.20% lower than photochemical expectations, indicating that changes in ozone transport due to changing ozone gradients at 450 K between 1995 and 2030 constitute a small negative feedback. Total winter/spring ozone loss during the base year (1995) of both simulations and the rate of ozone loss during August and September is somewhat weaker than observed. This appears to be due to underestimates of Antarctic Cl(sub y) at the 450 K potential temperature level.
Learning about carbon capture and storage: Changing stakeholder perceptions with expert information

Abstract Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has the potential to contribute to reductions in atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions and thus help mitigate climate change. Although awareness of the potential of CCS technology is increasing among the public and specific energy/climate stakeholders, understanding remains limited and engaged opportunities for learning about CCS technology have been minimal. This paper explores stakeholders’ perceptions of the risks and benefits of CCS technology, and how those perceptions changed with additional information provided by CCS technology experts. In October 2007, a unique day-long CCS educational event was held at the Chewonki Foundation’s Center for Environmental Education in Wiscasset, Maine, U.S.A. This event brought a dozen CCS experts from academia, industry, and government to Maine to discuss CCS technology, its potential role in mitigating CO 2 emissions, and its place within the evolution of an increasingly carbon constrained energy system. Approximately one hundred key policy and decision-makers with interest and involvement in the northeast United States’ energy system were invited and participated in the seminar. All participants were asked to complete a survey on their perceptions of the risks and benefits of CCS technology before and after the event. The results indicate that exposure to information about CCS technology increased stakeholder reporting of their level of understanding of the technology and of their level of support for advancing the technology. Several interesting changes in perception were associated with age, level of education and gender. Significant changes in the reported level of support for CCS advancement was found in more educated and younger stakeholders while this change did not appear with older and less educated individuals. A distinct and significant increase was identified in the level of concern about CCS reported among women before and after the event.
Determination of methyl-and ethylmercury compounds using gas chromatography atomic fluorescence spectrometry following aqueous derivatization with sodium tetraphenylborate

An analytical procedure is described for the determination of methylmercury and ethylmercury compounds in fish and sediment samples, using gas chromatography atomic fluorescence spectrometry following aqueous phenylation with sodium tetraphenylborate. The derivatization products were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The advantages of using phenylation with sodium tetraphenylborate over ethylation with sodium tetraethylborate are discussed. The validation of the analytical procedure was performed by analyzing standard reference material (DORM-2). Applications for the analysis of fish and sediment samples were carried out and compared to other techniques.
Perforated dielectric lens

The dielectric lens for an ideal focusing effect requires a continuously varying dielectric constant. In this article, the varying dielectric constant is simulated by drilling holes in the lens. The gain improves significantly (˜3 dB) by placing holes in the lens when the lens diameter is much larger than the wavelength (>10 λ) but the hole size is small (<0.25 λ).
Intercalate displacement and exchange in graphite

Abstract The mechanism of intercalate transport in graphite was studied by sequential intercalation of bromine and iodine monochloride. It was found that the transport involved solid-state intercalate displacement such that the first intercalate molecule to enter an interlayer space is the first to reach the center of the graphite sample. Upon exposure of stage-2 graphite-bromine to ICI, the in-plane superlattice diffraction pattern was observed to change from that of graphite-bromine to that of graphite-ICl, while the ICl intercalate distributed itself uniformly at a concentration level above that of the bromine intercalate. This is interpreted as the expulsion of bromine by the in-coming ICl, which dissolved the remaining bromine to form a solid solution with the ICl in-plane structure.
The crystal structure of “Ba2Fe4S5”: A two-dimensional array of FeS4 tetrahedra

Abstract The crystal structure of a compound with a nominal composition Ba2Fe4S5 was determined from 432 observed structure amplitudes. The lattice constants are a = 4.016(2), A, b = 9.616(4), A, c = 6.514(4), A, Pmmn, Z = 1. The structure consists of BaS6 trigonal prisms that share triangular faces to form infinite columns parallel to a. Zig-zag chains of Fe are formed parallel to b by filling the tetrahedral interstices. The structure can also be viewed as an infinite two-dimensional plane of FeS4 tetrahedra formed by the sharing of two edges of a face in the ±a directions and connecting by corner sharing in the ±b directions. The Ba are in the trigonal prismatic interstices. The apical sulfur atom shows an anomalously large temperature factor and has a 50% site occupancy. On the basis of full occupancy of that site the composition corresponds to BaFe2S3. This structure is closely related to the previously reported BaFe2S3 and may be an averaged structure due to twinning of a polymorph of BaFe2S3.
Introducing diversity to Normalized Cross Correlation for dense image registration

Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC) has been extensively used or image registration, but applying NCC alone does not result in sufficient accuracy for many scenarios. In this paper, we propose a simple yet accurate dense image registration method by introducing diversity to “candidates” of NCC matches. We then select the best match using Belief Propagation (BP) to incorporate non-local geometric information into the calculation. We compared our proposed method with a control method when diversity is not incorporated and a state-of-the-art image registration method, SCoBeP.
The surface characteristics required for isosynthesis over zirconium dioxide and modified zirconium dioxide

The surface requirements for the two isosynthesis chain growth reactions, condensation and CO insertion, over zirconium dioxide were studied by modifying zirconium dioxide in controlled ways and studying the effects of these changes on the isosynthesis reaction products at 425{degree}C and 35 atm. The oxygen vacancy availability was altered by the addition of dopants Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} and CaO at various levels. The acid/base strength of the catalysts was altered by additives including H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}, Sc{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and Sm{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Calcination methods and temperatures for ZrO{sub 2} were varied. Lewis acid sites and oxygen vacancies were found to enhance the condensation reaction. The CO insertion reaction was enhanced by basic sites which were activated by high-temperature treatment. The selectivity of the isosynthesis reaction is caused by a balance between the strength and quantity of acid and base sites on zirconium dioxide. 36 references.
Toward a Kantian Socio-Economics

(1987). Toward a Kantian Socio-Economics. Review of Social Economy: Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 37-47.
The effect of verbal and graphic feedback on the data‐recording behavior of direct care trainers

This study investigated the effects of individually delivered verbal and graphic (process) feedback alone and in combination with praise on the data-recording behavior of 12 direct-care trainers (DCTs) who recorded their reinforcer deliveries contingent on their clients' appropriate behavior. Also, the study examined the effect of the time of feedback delivery on subsequent DCT data-recording behavior. Correspondence checks were conducted and a three-phase multiple condition experimental design was implemented. All feedback conditions produced a difference in data-recording behavior. Time of delivery of feedback also appeared to have an effect on the amount of data recorded. ©1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CO2-induced c-Fos expression in brainstem preprotachykinin mRNA containing neurons

Tachykinin peptides are found in brainstem regions involved in central chemoreception and they may play a modulatory role in ventilatory response to hypercapnia. We determined whether tachykinin peptide containing neurons are activated by CO2 by combining in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (IHH). Experiments were performed in 21-day-old rats exposed to 12% CO2 for 1 h. c-Fos expression was identified by IHH on free floating sections (40 μm) that were mounted and then hybridized with anti-sense 35S labeled ribonucleotide probe of the rat preprotachykinin A (PPT-A) gene. Sections were analyzed for expression of the PPT-A gene, c-Fos protein and colocalization of PPT-A gene with c-Fos protein. Within the chemosensory region of the nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS), 19% of c-Fos positive cells expressed PPT-A mRNA after hypercapnic loading. In medullary raphe nuclei, 64% of c-Fos positive cells expressed the PPT-A gene after exposure to CO2, while 21% of c-Fos labeled neurons in parapyramidal nuclei also expressed PPT-A mRNA. These results indicate that a subpopulation of CO2 activated neurons within the nTS and in the parapyramidal and midline regions of the ventral aspect of the medulla oblongata express the PPT-A gene, suggesting that these are substance P- or neurokinin A-containing neurons. Furthermore, these peptides may play a role in modulation of respiratory and cardiovascular responses to changes in CO2/H+ content of the extracellular fluid.
Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dementia, and psychosis

Abstract Reports of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with dementia in families outside the Western Pacific have been rare. The authors present a neuropsychiatric survey of three generations of a family with adult-onset ALS with dementia and psychosis in each generation. Among the interesting findings were possible genetic links due to regional inbreeding and a consanguineous marriage
Alien Crosstalk Cancellation for Multipair Digital Subscriber Line Systems

An overview of alien crosstalk cancellation for DSL systems with multiple pairs is here presented. It is shown that when a common crosstalk source affects the receivers of multiple pairs, the noise exhibits a certain correlation among the pairs. In a DMT system, the frequency-domain noise samples are most strongly correlated between pairs when they correspond to the same tone. Thus, noise decorrelation algorithms applied independently for each tone can provide significant performance enhancements. Three possible methods are described for noise decorrelation, one is suitable for two-sided coordination and two are suited for receiver coordination among the pairs. It is theoretically proven that the data-rate performance of these three methods is identical from the perspective of the sum rate over all pairs. Simulation results corresponding to an ADSL2+ two-pair system with a T1 disturber are presented to illustrate the noise correlation property and to indicate the potential performance benefits.
Use of Sonication to Probe Wheat Gluten Structure

ABSTRACT Variation in power and time of sonication of gluten and glutenin suspensions was used to gain information about the mechanism of molecular breakdown. At low power, an increase in sulfhydryl (SH) content of solubilized gluten could be ascribed to additional glutenin brought into the solution. Higher power sonication of gluten suspensions, at constant protein concentration and with increasing times, progressively shifted the molecular weight distribution (measured by size exclusion HPLC) to lower molecular weights. It was accompanied by a parallel decrease in SH content. This suggested that the freed cysteine residues formed by scission of disulfide (SS) bonds, caused by sonication, reacted to form new intramolecular SS bonds with free cysteines on the same molecular fragments. Circular dichroism measurements appeared to support this conclusion. High-power ultrasound produced SE-HPLC profiles with diffuse peaks corresponding to HMW-GS and LMW-GS. SDS-PAGE patterns of protein fractions obtained in d...
Evaluation of two methods for assessing marginal leakage

This in vitro study demonstrated a significant difference in the microleakage of Class V preparations which had been etched, treated with a bonding agent, and restored with composite resin. This difference is dependent upon whether the specimen was thermocycled or immersed in a constant temperature dye bath. Therefore, it would seem reasonable that, to more accurately correlate laboratory findings with clinical performance, in vitro experimentation should simulate oral conditions as closely as possible. For testing microleakage, thermocycling as described in this study is superior to static temperature studies.
On the capacity of a communication system with energy harvesting and a limited battery

We consider the problem of determining the capacity of an energy-harvesting transmitter with finite battery communicating over a discrete memoryless channel. When the battery is unlimited, or zero, the capacity has been determined, but it remains unknown for a finite non-zero battery. In this paper we assume that the harvested energy at each time, the total battery storage, and the transmitter signal energy at each time can be quantized to the same unit (i.e., the same energy interval). Under this assumption, we show that the capacity can be described using the Verdu-Han general framework. If we further assume that the transmitted symbol at each time depends only on the energy currently available, and not on the entire past history of energy harvests and symbols transmitted, then we show that the system reduces to a finite state channel (FSC) with the required ergodic and Markov properties so that lower bounds on the capacity can be readily numerically computed. We conjecture that our numerical bounds are tight. Our numerical results indicate that even the minimal possible battery storage can reap a significant fraction of the infinite battery capacity.
Cytokines pre-determined by genetic factors are involved in pathogenesis of Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with the presence of autoreactive CD4 T cells that produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. The role of genetic factors in the predilection to develop RA is strongly supported by the increased presence of certain HLA class II molecules in patients. The HLA class II genes are highly polymorphic and are critical for generating an immune response to clear infections. Production of Th1 and Th17 response by the CD4 T cells helps to clear infections. HLA-DQ8 is a promiscuous binder and presents many peptides generating immune response and producing a Th17 response. DRB1∗0401 is associated with the production of both IL-17 and IFN-γ. Thus both DR4 and DQ8 can clear infections by producing TH1/Th17 cytokines, but their presence increases the risk of developing RA. Using transgenic mice expressing human HLA genes, we have shown that HLA polymorphism determines the cytokine profile. DRB1∗04 molecules modulate the DQ8-restricted response and determine the outcome of arthritis in mice carrying DR4/DQ8 haplotype. Thus, interaction between DQ and DR molecules determines the cytokine milieu and propensity of the HLA haplotype to predispose to autoimmunity.
A series solution for the GVp 0 term of the Born series

Abstract This paper presents the derivation of a series solution to the second term of the Born series. This result allows for easier computation since no integration is necessary and because, for the scattering problem, the reflected wave can be computed separately from the transmitted wave.
Exogenous Force Estimation Using Disturbance Modeling for Optical Trap Experiments

In many optical trapping experiments, exogenous forces are estimated by assuming the exogenous force is balanced with the optical force. These optical forces are measured using Hooke’s law, and the displacement of the particle is low-pass filtered to minimize the effects of Brownian noise. This paper explores a different approach that uses a disturbance model approach for estimating exogenous forces using a Kalman filter. The state estimate is then used in a LQG structure to manipulate the relative position of a dielectric particle within an optical trap. The exogenous force estimate using a Kalman filter has been shown to have a higher SNR than the force estimation using Hooke’s Law. In addition to force estimation, the control structure can also manipulate the relative displacement of the particle to satisfy experimental conditions. A simulation is presented to demonstrate the performance of the LQG control structure.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
At the crossroads: not-for-profit leadership strategies for executives and boards

by Philip Coltoff, Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2010, 188 pp., US$27.95 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-470-61521-8 At the Crossroads: Not-for-Profit Leadership Strategies for Executives and Boards...
X-ray fluorescence imaging analysis of inscription provenance

Abstract A stone tablet from New York University considered to be a copy of an inscription from Teanum Sidinicum is examined with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and XRF imaging. Fluorescence spectra show many of the same elements seen in ancient Roman inscriptions, but the fluorescence intensity from calcium is much weaker and that from many other elements is much stronger. The weak calcium fluorescence cannot be due to X-ray absorption by other elements present, and so the tablet is unlikely to be of marble. This conclusion is supported by X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe measurements. Unlike for other examined inscriptions, XRF imaging indicates little or no correlation between the variation of trace element concentrations across the tablet surface and the presence of characters. These results confirm that the inscription is a copy and demonstrate how XRF imaging can assist in evaluating inscription provenance.
Core-electron contributions to Fe57m nuclear quadrupole interactions in hemin

In an attempt to resolve the difference between theory and experiment for nuclear quadrupole interaction of Fe57m in hemin, we have examined the contribution from the core p electrons on the iron atom. This contribution arises from the different distortion of the 3px,y orbitals on the plane, as compared to the 3pz orbital perpendicular to the plane of the hemin, through overlap with neighboring atoms. It leads to about seventy per cent of the local contribution from valence electrons calculated earlier from the molecular orbital picture. On combining this contribution with the calculated local valence contributions reported earlier, the net theoretical result is −0.16 mm/sec. This compares with the experimental value 0.76 mm/sec and the earlier local contribution of about the same magnitude but of opposite sign. Using the model for compression of the in-plane d-orbitals as compared to the out-of-plane d-orbitals, the new value of the contraction ratio, introduced in earlier work, is found to be 1.13, significantly smaller than the value 1.34 calculated previously.
A New Approach for the Study of Reliability for MEMS Magnetic Actuator

This paper presents a summary of the design for reliability and the reliability test procedures used for the design, fabrication and testing of a MEMS magnetic actuator. The MEMS device reliability is determined incorporating device structure, its fabrication process, the packaging, & their interacting contributions. The goal of the MEMS actuator reliability design task is to increase the probability of failure free operation of a MEMS based system for a specified time period and the use environment. The design for reliability and the subsequent reliability testing procedures are used to determine the reliability of the MEMS actuator and enable the determination of the reliability of the final product that the MEMS device is becoming part of.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Synthesis, biological activities and bioavailability of moschamine, a safflomide-type phenylpropenoic acid amide found in Centaurea cyanus

Moschamine is a phenylpropenoic acid amide found in plants. In this article, the synthesis and two biological activities (serotoninergic and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activities) and bioavailability of moschamine were described. Moschamine was synthesised and confirmed using NMR spectroscopic methods. Using the moschamine synthesised, serotoninergic and COX inhibitory activities were investigated. At the concentration of 10 µ mol L−1, moschamine was able to inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation by 25% (p < 0.015), via inhibiting serotonin receptors in the OK cells. The inhibition was repressed by two 5-HT1 antagonists (Nan-190 and spiperone), suggesting that moschamine may suppress cAMP formation via binding to 5-HT1 receptors in the cells. Also, moschamine was a very potent compound that is able to inhibit COX-I by 58% (p < 0.012) and COX-II by 54% (p < 0.014), at the concentration of 0.1 µ mol L−1. The oral bioavailability of moschamine was also determined in mice.
Geochronology of intrusive and metamorphic rocks in the Pilot Range, Utah and Nevada, and comparison with regional patterns

K-Ar and U-Pb isotopic studies demonstrate middle Mesozoic metamorphism and plutonism followed by Eocene plutonism in the Pilot Range, northeastern Great Basin. Combined with field relations, the age constraints indicate that local amphibolite-facies and widespread greenschist-facies metamorphism peaked between 165 and 150 Ma and that plutons were emplaced early in the deformational and metamorphic history, between 165 and 155 Ma. Cenozoic plutons and widespread dikes that were emplaced at about 40 Ma cut folds and faults, including a major detachment fault that placed unmetamorphosed on metamorphosed rocks. The Mesozoic and early Cenozoic history of metamorphism and plutonism in the Pilot Range is consistent with age data and field relations throughout the northeastern Great Basin that indicate Late Jurassic plutonism and metamorphism followed by Eocene and Oligocene plutonism and local metamorphism. In many areas, rocks that were metamorphosed during Late Jurassic time were cooled through Ar blocking temperatures for micas between 85 and 60 Ma. The widespread occurrence of these mica ages suggests a regional mechanism for cooling.
Structural order in Pannexin 1 cytoplasmic domains.

Pannexin 1 forms ion and metabolite permeable hexameric channels with abundant expression in the central nervous system and elsewhere. Although pannexin 1 does not form intercellular channels, a common channel topology and oligomerization state, as well as involvement of the intracellular carboxyl terminal (CT) domain in channel gating, is shared with connexins. In this study, we characterized the secondary structure of the mouse pannexin 1 cytoplasmic domains to complement structural studies of the transmembrane segments and compare with similar domains from connexins. A combination of structural prediction tools and circular dichroism revealed that, unlike connexins (predominately intrinsically disordered), cytosolic regions of pannexin 1 contain approximately 50% secondary structure, a majority being α-helical. Moreover, prediction of transmembrane domains uncovered a potential membrane interacting region (I360-G370) located upstream of the caspase cleavage site (D375-D378) within the pannexin 1 CT dom...
Alternative approaches to urinalysis in the detection of drugs

Detecting drugs in the workplace by means of urinalysis has been subject to a great deal of controversy as its acceptance by employees, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), state legislatures and unions varies considerably. A multitude of technical and practical reasons continue to support the belief that there is no viable substitute for urinalysis. Because of the susceptibility of urine testing alternatives methods of drug detection need to be explored. This paper examines physical alternatives as well as psychological tests that may be useful alternatives.
The social network: deciphering fungal language

It has been estimated that up to one quarter of the world's biomass is of fungal origin, comprising approximately 1.5 million species. In order to interact with one another and respond to environmental cues, fungi communicate with their own chemical languages using a sophisticated series of extracellular signals and cellular responses. A new appreciation for the linkage between these chemical languages and developmental processes in fungi has renewed interest in these signalling molecules, which can now be studied using post-genomic resources. In this Review, we focus on the molecules that are secreted by the largest phylum of fungi, the Ascomycota, and the quest to understand their biological function.
The interaction of a fluorescent probe with rat hepatic microsomes.

Abstract The interaction of the fluorescent hydrophobic probe 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) with rat hepatic microsomes was examined. The fluorescence of the dye is enhanced about 250-fold and a 45-nm hypsochromic shift occurs in the peak of the ANS emission spectrum. Pretreatment of the rats with phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene, or the reduction of microsomes with sodium dithionite or NADPH did not affect the intensity of fluorescence per mg of microsomal protein. A nonprotein, nonheme, binding locus, probably a phospholipid, is proposed. A Scatchard plot of the ANS conjugate with hepatic microsomes revealed that there is more than one class of binding sites for ANS on microsomes. Several compounds that have been previously shown to be substrates or inhibitors of rat hepatic microsomal NADPH-dependent mixed-function oxidases, modified ANS-microsome fluorescence without altering markedly the microsomal-ANS binding constants. Increases in fluorescence might reflect structural transitions in microsomes. Warfarin, a substrate, appears to displace ANS competitively from a high-affinity binding site without modifying ANS fluorescence due to interaction at a low-affinity binding site. ANS was not found to be a substrate of the hepatic microsomal NADPH-dependent oxidase system, but was an inhibitor of certain microsomal enzymes when added to incubation mixtures in vitro.
Errors in food recording and calorie estimation: Clinical and theoretical implications for obesity☆

In an attempt to replicate and extend previous research on the validity of food diaries, 43 obese females were quizzed on food recording and calorie estimation in a controlled analogue of self-monitoring. Sources of error were identified that included poor food descriptions, inaccurate quantity estimations, and a variety of computational errors in converting calories. These sources of subject error revealed areas for training in accurate food recording and calorie estimation. The clinical and theoretical importance of establishing the validity of food diaries through accuracy training is emphasized.
Julia Kristeva’s The Severed Head

This paper was presented as part of a roundtable on Kristeva’s The Severed Head at the inaugural meeting of the Kristeva Circle on October 13, 2012.
Fertility options in women with gynecologic malignancies

AbstractReproductive aged women with gynecologic malignancies often desire future fertility when considering treatment options for their disease. In this review we will discuss the different surgical options available to patients with early stage cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancers. We will also review advances in reproductive technologies such as embryo preservation, oocyte preservation and ovarian tissue preservation and transplantation as potential fertility options for these patients. Recent data indicate that these modalities have efficacy without compromising cancer treatment. It is therefore important for gynecologic oncologists and fertility specialists to consider these strategies for women with early stage malignancies who desire fertility preservation.
Thermal evolution with a hydrating mantle and the initiation of plate tectonics in the early Earth

[1] The net influx of water into the deep mantle by plate tectonics has been poorly constrained because it is difficult to quantify how efficiently subducting slabs are devolatilized on a global scale. The significance of deep water cycle in the Earth history is similarly ambiguous because it depends critically on when plate tectonics started and how it evolved through time. Here I show that, using the new scaling of plate-tectonic convection based on fully dynamic calculations, the thermal evolution of Earth consistent with geochemical, petrological, and geological data requires continuous mantle hydration since the early Earth, with the net water influx of ∼2–3 × 1014 g yr−1. A drier mantle in the Hadean and Archean is suggested to help the initiation of plate tectonics by reducing the viscosity contrast between lithosphere and asthenosphere. As an increase in the vigor of plate tectonics with time would encourage global marine inundation, the slow intake of surface water by the convecting mantle is essential to maintain the continental freeboard.
Distortion product otoacoustic emissions and basilar membrane vibration in the 6-9 kHz region of sensitive chinchilla cochleae.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and basilar membrane (BM) vibration were measured simultaneously in the 6–9kHz region of chinchilla cochleae. BM-Input-Output functions in a two-tone paradigm behaved similarly to DPOAEs for the 2f1–f2 component, nonmonotonic growth with the intensity of the lower frequency primary and a notch in the functions around 60dB SPL. Ripples in frequency functions occur in both BM and OAE curves as a function of the distortion frequency. Optimum f2/f1 ratios for DPOAE generation are near 1.2. The slope of phase curves indicates that for low f2∕f1( 1.1 the relative constancy of the phase function suggests that the place is the nonlinear region of f2, i.e., the wave location. Magnitudes of the DPOAEs increase rapidly above 60dB SPL suggesting a different source or mechanism at high levels. This is supported by the observation that the high level DPOAE and BM-DP responses remain for a considerable period...
Secure Regression on Distributed Databases

This article presents several methods for performing linear regression on the union of distributed databases that preserve, to varying degrees, confidentiality of those databases. Such methods can be used by federal or state statistical agencies to share information from their individual databases, or to make such information available to others. Secure data integration, which provides the lowest level of protection, actually integrates the databases, but in a manner that no database owner can determine the origin of any records other than its own. Regression, associated diagnostics, or any other analysis then can be performed on the integrated data. Secure multiparty computation, based on shared local statistics effects computations necessary to compute least squares estimators of regression coefficients and error variances by means of analogous local computations that are combined additively using the secure summation protocol. We also provide two approaches to model diagnostics in this setting, one usi...
Protein disulfide isomerases contribute differentially to the endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation of apolipoprotein B and other substrates

ER-associated degradation (ERAD) rids the early secretory pathway of misfolded or misprocessed proteins. Some members of the protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family appear to facilitate ERAD substrate selection and retrotranslocation, but a thorough characterization of PDIs during the degradation of diverse substrates has not been undertaken, in part because there are 20 PDI family members in mammals. PDIs can also exhibit disulfide redox, isomerization, and/or chaperone activity, but which of these activities is required for the ERAD of different substrate classes is unknown. We therefore examined the fates of unique substrates in yeast, which expresses five PDIs. Through the use of a yeast expression system for apolipoprotein B (ApoB), which is disulfide rich, we discovered that Pdi1 interacts with ApoB and facilitates degradation through its chaperone activity. In contrast, Pdi1's redox activity was required for the ERAD of CPY* (a misfolded version of carboxypeptidase Y that has five disulfide bonds). The ERAD of another substrate, the alpha subunit of the epithelial sodium channel, was Pdi1 independent. Distinct effects of mammalian PDI homologues on ApoB degradation were then observed in hepatic cells. These data indicate that PDIs contribute to the ERAD of proteins through different mechanisms and that PDI diversity is critical to recognize the spectrum of potential ERAD substrates.
Unionised faculty and the political left: Communism and the American Federation of Teachers on the eve of the Second World War

During the contentious late 1930s and early 1940s, American education and American labour struggled with both internal and external concerns over Communist infiltration. These struggles converged on the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), a union of 30,000 K–12 and college teachers. Through its focus on leftist politics and organised college faculty, this article contends that college faculty played critical roles in the debates over Communism within the union, that the end of the Popular Front fundamentally weakened the college locals and that the ultimate purge of Communist locals had devastating effects on faculty unionisation.
Correlation Energy of the Electron Gas at Metallic Densities

The electron gas at metallic densities is studied by means of a quadratic boson Hamiltonian which includes the direct and exchange processes among the electrons but neglects the scattering of electron-hole pairs. This Hamiltonian is further separated into two independent parts which describe the singlet and triplet states of the electron-hole pairs. These parts are diagonalized in an approximation in which the exchange interaction is treated on the average. A dielectric function for all momentum transfers is thereby obtained. The correlation energy is the sum of the ground-state energies of the singlet and triplet Hamiltonians. Its value, calculated for the metallic density range (${r}_{s}=1\ensuremath{-}6$), is found to be about two-thirds of that in the random-phase approximation. It is consequently numerically smaller than most other estimates. The triplet contribution is very considerable. The triplet ground state is predicted to be unstable for ${r}_{s}g9.4$.
Regulation of receptor-mediated endocytosis by phorbol esters

This review will focus on the regulation of receptor trafficking by phorbol esters. An initial summary will describe the effects of 4β-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation on the endocytosis and recycling of cell surface receptors. This will be followed by a discussion of possible mechanisms of PMA-stimulated alterations in receptor dynamics, and of several recent experiments using site-directed mutagenesis which directly test these mechanisms