cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperament in Williams syndrome

Anecdotal reports suggest that children with Williams syndrome are loquacious, affectionate, charming, open, and gentle. The temperament, or behavioral style, of individuals with Williams syndrome was assessed using standard temperament scales of parental response. Children with Williams syndrome appear, on average, to display higher activity, lower rhythmicity, greater approach, lower adaptability, greater intensity, more negative mood, less persistence, greater distractibility, and lower threshold to arousal than will average children. Older children with Williams syndrome will likely be viewed as "difficult." Despite this overrepresentation in the "difficult" cluster, on average, this population differs from the usual population of "difficult" children in being approaching, rather than displaying a tendency to withdraw. Parents of a child with Williams syndrome should be apprised of potentially negative temperament characteristics, relieved of the burden of responsibility for having a difficult child who "should" be easy, and counselled, when appropriate, regarding the efficacy of modification of parent-child interactions with children having the difficult temperament.
Inhibition of acetylcholine release from guinea pig myenteric neurons by neuropeptide Y: GTP-binding protein mediation.

Abstract Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a unique peptide with wide distribution in central and peripheral nervous systems. In the guinea pig, NPY-positive fibers are prominent in the myenteric plexus. To test whether NPY inhibits myenteric plexus acetylcholine (ACh) release and to define mechanisms, a purified preparation of myenteric plexus neurons was derived from the teniae coli of neonatal guinea pigs and maintained in primary culture. Incubation of cultured neurons labeled with [3H]ACh in the presence of NPY (10−14-10−6M) significantly inhibited basal ACh release (83 ± 16 to 58 ± 11% of control). NPY significantly inhibited ACh release stimulated by potassium (55 mM); by adenylate cyclase agonists forskolin (10−6M) and cholera toxin (10−8M); and by calcitonin gene-related peptide, cholecystokinin octapeptide, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (each 10−8M). In each instance, the inhibitory effects of NPY were reversed by preincubation with pertussis toxin. Reversal of inhibitory effects by pertussis toxin suggests that the actions of NPY are mediated via an inhibitory GTP-binding protein.
Arthroscopic revision of Bankart repair

The success of revision surgery for failed Bankart repair is not well known. This purpose of this study was to report the success rates achieved using arthroscopic techniques to revise failed Bankart repairs. Twelve arthroscopic revision Bankart repairs were performed on patients with recurrent unidirectional shoulder instability after open or arthroscopic Bankart repair. Follow-up was available on 11 of the 12 patients at a mean of 34.4 months (range, 25-56 months). The surgical findings, possible modes of failure, shoulder scores (Rowe score, University of California Los Angeles [UCLA], Simple Shoulder Test), and clinical outcome were evaluated. Various modes of failure were recognized during revision arthroscopic Bankart repairs. Good-to-excellent results were obtained in 8 patients (73%) undergoing revision stabilization according to Rowe and UCLA scoring. A subluxation or dislocation event occurred in 3 (27%) of the 11 patients at a mean of 8.7 months (range, 6-12 months) postoperatively. Arthroscopic revision Bankart repairs are technically challenging procedures but can be used to achieve stable, pain-free, functional shoulders with return to prior sport. Owing to limited follow-up and the small number of patients in this study, we were unable to conclude any pattern of failure or selection criteria for this procedure.
Left ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmias and sudden death in systemic hypertension

Abstract Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a significant independent risk factor for mortality from coronary heart disease, including sudden death. The proportion of sudden death to total death due to coronary heart disease remains high, at about 50% to 60%, despite the continuing downward trend in coronary heart disease mortality observed in the U.S. during the last decade. Prevalence of LV hypertrophy, determined by electrocardiogram in hypertensive patients (diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg), including tall R wave and evidence of repolarization abnormality, is around 5%. The prevalence of LV hypertrophy by echocardiography is estimated at 44% to 48%. LV hypertrophy on electrocardiogram underestimates the magnitude of the problem of LV hypertrophy in hypertensive patients. Its overall sensitivity is
Real-time haptic rendering and haptic telepresence robotic system for the visually impaired

This paper presents a robotic system that provides telepresence to the visually impaired by combining real-time haptic rendering with multi-modal interaction. A virtual-proxy based haptic rendering process using a RGB-D sensor is developed and integrated into a unified framework for control and feedback for the telepresence robot. We discuss the challenging problem of presenting environmental perception to a user with visual impairments and our solution for multi-modal interaction. We also explain the experimental design and protocols, and results with human subjects with and without visual impairments. Discussion on the performance of our system and our future goals are presented toward the end.
The Future of Instructional Teacher Leader Roles.

In response to increased performance expectations, schools and districts are turning to nonsupervisory, school-based, instructional teacher leader roles to help improve teachers’ instruction and enhance student learning. Increased opportunities to learn about teacher leadership may facilitate the implementation and institutionalization of instructional teacher leader roles. We discuss how institutions of higher education could develop programs for instructional teacher leaders, provide related coursework to school administrators and preservice teachers, and educate school communities about the potential usefulness of these roles.
Effects of Pioglitazone on Lipoproteins, Inflammatory Markers, and Adipokines in Nondiabetic Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Objective— The purpose of this research was to evaluate the short-term effects of pioglitazone (PIO) on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and other metabolic parameters in nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Methods and Results— Sixty nondiabetic adults with low HDL-C and MetSyn were randomized to PIO or matching placebo for 12 weeks. PIO increased HDL-C by 15% and 14% at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively, compared with placebo ( P <0.001). Changes in HDL-C were correlated to changes in adiponectin ( r =0.34; P =0.01) but not to changes in insulin resistance. PIO did not affect serum triglycerides or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations but reduced the number of small LDL particles by 18% ( P <0.001). PIO reduced median C-reactive protein levels by 31% ( P <0.001) and mean resistin levels by 10% ( P =0.02) while increasing mean serum levels of adiponectin by 111% ( P <0.001) compared with placebo. PIO did not affect weight and modestly decreased insulin resistance. Conclusions— In nondiabetic patients with low HDL-C and MetSyn, PIO significantly raised HDL-C and favorably affected lipoprotein particle size, markers of inflammation, and adipokines without changes in triglycerides, LDL-C, or weight. These results suggest that PIO has direct effects on HDL, which may contribute to its antiatherogenic effects.
Human systems modeling: specifying the behavior of computer-generated forces without programming

The behavior of automated forces in military training simulations is frequently hard-coded by a software developer after conferring with subject matter experts. These experts do not directly participate in the development process, instead relying on the developer to correctly implement appropriate behavior. This dependency can result in increased simulation development time and cost.We present a visual behavior representation and accompanying authoring tool that is meant to accelerate the development process by enabling experts to participate in development, while not hindering software developer productivity. An author using this tool constructs behaviors by assembling flowchart-like diagrams from a set of building blocks. The resulting behaviors can be directly executed in a simulation using a simplified yet powerful computational model, also described in this paper.We also discuss the application of this visual behavior representation to the creation of automated players for the Counter-Strike computer game.
A generalization of Nelson's algorithm for obtaining prime implicants

In the design of multiple input-output logical systems, the authors have previously formulated and proved a computer program for obtaining optimal system representations satisfying three optimality criteria [1]. In that program, the need for obtaining prime implicants occurred. Two algorithms for this purpose are available in the literature; one due to Quine [2] and one due to Nelson [3], [4]. Nelson's, briefly, is to express the function (whose prime implicants are desired) as a product of sums of literals, multiply out, and discard repeated literals save one and proper multiples. (To obtain the function in the initial form, one can start with the complement of the function expressed as a sum of products and complement it using De Morgan's theorem.) In using these algorithms, it became apparent to us that in certain cases one of these two algorithms required less computer time than the other one. In particular, if the given system has a large number of don't cares then the Nelson algorithm seemed to be preferred [5]. Also in the case of a single function, if there are few zeroes in the truth table representation for the function, then Nelson's algorithm is preferable. It also became apparent to us that in certain situations one needs a generalized version of the Nelson algorithm.
Fatigue Life of 2024-T3 Aluminum under Variable Amplitude Multiaxial Loadings: Experimental Results and Predictions☆

Abstract This paper investigates fatigue behavior under variable amplitude multiaxial service loadings using 2024-T3 aluminum alloy. Experimental results for smooth and notched specimen fatigue tests under axial, torsion, and combined axial-torsion loadings are compared to predictions based on von Mises equivalent stress-based approaches. Predictions using the SWT mean stress correction were in better agreement with experimental results than those based on Modified Goodman. The stress-based approaches predicted fatigue life reasonably well for notched specimens where a local uniaxial stress state always exists for the geometry considered, but not so well for smooth specimens where multiaxial loading effects come into play.
Empirical content and rational constraint

It is often thought that epistemic relations between experience and belief make it possible for our beliefs to be about or “directed towards” the empirical world. I focus on an influential attempt by John McDowell to defend a view along these lines. According to McDowell, unless experiences are the sorts of things that can be our reasons for holding beliefs, our beliefs would not be “answerable” to the facts they purportedly represent, and so would lack all empirical content. I argue that there is no intelligible conception of what it is for beliefs to be answerable to the facts that supports McDowell's claim that our empirical beliefs must be justified by experience.
Atherosclerosis, Cancer, Wound Healing, and Inflammation - Shared or Parallel Evolution

Wound healing is a complex process involving inflammatory cell activation and invasion as well as scar tissue deposition (in the form of fibrotic tissue and collagen matrix). With tissue repair there is active cell proliferation designed to heal the damaged tissues. Recent work has suggested that cancer is a form of dysregulated wound healing where inflammatory responses and cellular proliferation goes awry. Additionally other diseases such as the highly prevalent atherosclerotic coronary plaque are hypothesized to be a form of unregulated wound healing. The ‘Response to Injury’ hypothesis was first presented by Russell Ross as an explanation for atherosclerosis. The basic premise for this theory on the etiology of atherosclerotic arterial disease is that all forms of damage to the arterial wall, whether hypertension, hyperlipidemia, angioplasty injury or transplantation, cause an accelerated injury response with aggressive inflammatory cell responses and cell proliferation, in short an unchecked form of wound healing. Prior to Dr Ross’ theory, Earl Benditt postulated that human atheromata were benign intimal tumors. He demonstrated that many atherosclerotic plaques were derived from individual smooth muscle cells using X chromosome inactivation patterns with results that were highly suggestive of a proliferating monoclonal tumour cell. More recent work has now linked excess inflammation with growth and instability of atherosclerotic plaque and with progression of invasive cancers. There are thus now many parallels in developing cancer and atherosclerosis and many close associations between cancer, atheroma and wound healing. These findings raise one basic question – Are carcinogenesis and atherogenesis manifestations of the same initiating disease generating events or simply parallel manifestations of similar pathogenic disease mechanisms, e.g. are these shared or parallel evolutions. The history of our understanding of the pathogenesis of wound healing and inflammation helps in understanding these disorders and the underlying mechanisms of disease. Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov (18451916), a Russian biologist and zoologist who moved to work at the Institute Pasteur in Paris, was the first to discover the existence of innate immunity, also termed inflammation. Although the innate immune system is now known to cure the majority of infections and drives wound healing after injury long before the adaptive immune response becomes active, Mechnikov’s initial discovery of this more ancient defense system was viewed with some suspicion and he shared
Synthesis of 6,7-dehydro-5-oxo-prostaglandin I1: A stable analog of prostacyclin

Abstract Stable analogs of prostacyclin, 6,7-dehydro-5-oxo-prostaglandin I 1 and derivatives, were synthesized from readily available 6,7-dehydro-5-hydroxy-prostaglandin F 1α methyl ester 2
A ten-year study of meroplankton in North Carolina estuaries: Cycles of occurrence among penaeidean shrimps

Densities of postlarvalPenaeus species,Trachypeneus constrictus, Acetes americanus carolinae, andLucifer faxoni are discussed for surface plankton samples taken at a series of estuarial stations maintained for up to 10 years. Semiquantitative data forPenaeus show frequency distributions of log-normal type. Densities vary among years, within years in accord with predictable recruitment seasons, and among localities in expected relationship to habitat. In general, samples with highest densities were from areas near the sea. Some inland areas with presumably suitable salinity-temperature regimes may lie beyond the zone of effective tidal transport for these shrimps. Species not belonging toPenaeus are warm-weather transients penetrating the estuarial system as conditions permit.
Light scattering from spherical plasmonic nanoantennas : effects of nanoscale roughness

We have investigated the light scattering properties of smooth and roughened nanoshells with dipolar and quadrupolar plasmon resonances tuned to 830 nm. In the dipole resonant case small but measurable variations in the angle dependent light scattering (ADLS) due to the introduction of surface roughness are observed. In the quadrupole case, the distinctive side lobe scattering characteristic of quadrupolar emission is strongly quenched for roughened nanoshells.
MBE growth of ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe quantum-well infrared photodetectors

The authors report the growth of quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) made from wide band gap II-VI semiconductors. ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe QWIPs in both medium-wave infrared and long-wave infrared regions were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on InP substrates. High-resolution x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements showed that the as-grown samples have high structural and optical quality. Spectral responses with peaks at 8.7 μm and 4.0 μm have been obtained.
Longitudinal fMRI analysis: A review of methods

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigations of a longitudinal nature, where participants are scanned repeatedly over time and imaging data are obtained at more than one time-point, are essential to understanding functional changes and development in healthy and pathological brains. The main objective of this paper is to provide a brief summary of common longitudinal analysis approaches, develop an overview of fMRI by introducing how such data manifest, and explore the statistical challenges that arise at the intersection of these two techniques.
The fluorescence lifetime of a molecule emitting near a surface with small, random roughness

Abstract The change of the fluorescence lifetime caused by the presence of a rough solid surface is computed. The rate of energy transfer to the solid is increased by roughness, and is very strongly influenced by the surface plasmon. The dependence of the rate of energy transfer on molecule-surface distance differs from the inverse cube law.
Using Organizational Culture to Design Internal Marketing Strategies

Considers how recent concerns with service quality have led to increased awareness of the importance of the role of the front‐line employee, the service provider. Describes how internal marketing has been instrumental in raising service providers′ performance. Develops a method, drawing on organizational literature, for identifying segments of the service organization which can be targeted by internal marketing. Argues that the service marketer should view employees as “customers” who can be analysed using marketing techniques, thereby enabling the enhancement of service quality. Includes detailed recommendations and an appendix.
THE MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF BOVINE and PORCINE SUBMAXILLARY MUCINS

The molecular weight of purified bovine and porcine submaxillary mucins has been investigated by several techniques. Due to the polydispersity of the material, the molecular weight of a given sample has been shown to vary within large limits according to the method used. The apparent molecular weight is also influenced by the experimental conditions such as ionic strength, speed used to reach sedimentation equilibrium, and concentration of the sample.
Preoperative magnetic resonance angiography in fibular-free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects.

Background Conventional angiography has been recommended for imaging of the leg prior to fibular-free flap harvest. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) offers a similar level of accuracy at no risk to the patient and at a lower cost. Methods Thirty-two patients who were considered for fibular-free flap were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative MRA of the lower extremities was performed on all patients and used to evaluate vessel patency. The decision of free flap donor site was based upon MRA findings. Results The choice of side harvested was changed in four (12.5%) patients and the fibula was excluded as a donor site in three patients (9%). Flap design was altered in one patient found to have abnormally short peroneal arteries. The usual correlation between palpable distal pulses and proximal patent arteries was found to be unreliable. All 29 patients underwent successful free flap reconstruction with no ischemic complications. Conclusions Preoperative MRA is useful when choosing the side of fibular harvesting and in excluding patients from the fibula as a donor site. We feel that the cost of obtaining preoperative imaging is outweighed by avoiding potential ischemic complications and additional operating room time with no risk to the patient's health. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 844–850, 2001.
POSTPERICARDIOTOMY SYNDROME FOLLOWING MINIMALLY INVASIVE CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS

A 62-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with chest pain, cough, subjective fever and chills. Symptoms had begun on the previous evening, three days after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery (MICAB). A presumptive diagnosis of postpericardiotomy syndrome (postcardiac injury syndrome) was made and the patient admitted. This new, minimally invasive surgery allows discharge on the second postoperative day. Emergency physicians should be aware of this procedure since probably there will be increasing performance of MICAB procedures and patients will present to the ED with postoperative complications.
Some Toxicological Aspects of Stannous Fluoride After Ingestion as a Clear, Precipitatefree Solution Compared to Sodium Fluoride

Weanling rats were administered 20, 380, and 20,000 ppm F as clear precipitatefree SnF2 solutions. Equivalent ppm F as NaF solution was similarly administered for comparison. The rats were autopsied at the end of the study for histological examination of kidney, liver, and incisors. The pathognomonic manifestations were correlated with the plasma F levels.
A simple, inexpensive, automated feeder for small animals.

Abstract A simple reliable automated feeder is described. The apparatus is very inexpensive, and it can be adapted for most small animals and for a variety of experimental situations.
Contribution of selenocysteine to the peroxidase activity of selenoprotein S

Selenoprotein S (SelS, VIMP) is an intrinsically disordered enzyme that utilizes selenocysteine to catalyze the reduction of disulfide bonds and peroxides. Here it is demonstrated that selenocysteine is the residue oxidized by the peroxide substrate. It is possible to trap the reaction intermediate selenenic acid when the resolving cysteine is mutated. The selenocysteine allows SelS to rapidly re-form its selenenylsulfide bond following its reduction, and to resist inactivation by H2O2. We propose that SelS's peroxidase mechanism is similar to that of atypical 2-Cys peroxiredoxin and that selenocysteine allows SelS to sustain activity under oxidative stress.
Detecting shake-off electron-ion coincidences to measure β-decay correlations in laser trapped 21Na

The properties of a neutral atom trap are nearly ideal for precise measurements of nuclear β -decay correlation coefficients. Following a radioactive decay, all particles emerge from the trap volume unperturbed and are available for study. However, for measurements online at existing accelerators, sufficient statistics will be difficult to acquire if precision significantly better than 0.01 in the correlation coefficients is desired. We have investigated the feasibility of detecting shake-off electrons in coincidence with the recoiling ions to decrease the statistical uncertainty of some measurements by nearly an order of magnitude.
Role of the deformation potential in ultrasonic attenuation by open-orbit electrons in copper

We have carried out a model calculation of ultrasonic attenuation in copper as a function of applied magnetic field for shear waves propagating along [111] and $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{B}}$ along [$11\overline{2}$] so as to give open-orbit resonances. The results are in qualitative agreement with our measurements if we use a deformation potential based on the strained-energy-band calculations of Gray and Gray. Better agreement is obtained by fitting a model-deformation-potential function of proper symmetry to certain features of the experimental data. However, we are unable to reproduce the dip in attenuation at the fundamental resonance which is observed experimentally for sound polarization along $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{B}}$. The discrepancy may be caused by one of the assumptions made to simplify the calculations, which include using the free-electron approximation for all but those electrons on open orbits, taking the electron mean-free path along $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}$ to be constant, and assuming that the ionic current is perfectly screened by the electrons.
Crystal structures of Nova-1 and Nova-2 K-homology RNA-binding domains

Abstract Background: Nova-1 and Nova-2 are related neuronal proteins that were initially cloned using antisera obtained from patients with the autoimmune neurological disease paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia (POMA). Both of these disease gene products contain three RNA-binding motifs known as K-homology or KH domains, and their RNA ligands have been identified via binding-site selection experiments. The KH motif structure has been determined previously using NMR spectroscopy, but not using X-ray crystallography. Many proteins contain more than one KH domain, yet there is no published structural information regarding the behavior of such multimers. Results: We have obtained the first X-ray crystallographic structures of KH-domain-containing proteins. Structures of the third KH domains (KH3) of Nova-1 and Nova-2 were determined by multiple isomorphous replacement and molecular replacement at 2.6 A and 2.0 A, respectively. These highly similar RNA-binding motifs form a compact protease-resistant domain resembling an open-faced sandwich, consisting of a three-stranded antiparallel β sheet topped by three α helices. In both Nova crystals, the lattice is composed of symmetric tetramers of KH3 domains that are created by two dimer interfaces. Conclusions: The crystal structures of both Nova KH3 domains are similar to the previously determined NMR structures. The most significant differences among the KH domains involve changes in the positioning of one or more of the α helices with respect to the β sheet, particularly in the NMR structure of the KH1 domain of the Fragile X disease protein FMR-1. Loop regions in the KH domains are clearly visible in the crystal structure, unlike the NMR structures, revealing the conformation of the invariant Gly–X–X–Gly segment that is thought to participate in RNA-binding and of the variable region. The tetrameric arrangements of the Nova KH3 domains provide insights into how KH domains may interact with each other in proteins containing multiple KH motifs.
Social Connections, Trajectories of Hopelessness, and Serious Violence in Impoverished Urban Youth

Youth living in impoverished urban neighborhoods are at risk for becoming hopeless about their future and engaging in violent behaviors. The current study seeks to examine the longitudinal relationship between social connections, hopelessness trajectories, and subsequent violent behavior across adolescence. Our sample included 723 (49% female) African American youth living in impoverished urban neighborhoods who participated in the Mobile Youth Survey from 1998 through 2006. Using general growth mixture modeling, we found two hopelessness trajectory classes for both boys and girls during middle adolescence: a consistently low hopelessness class and an increasingly hopeless class with quadratic change. In all classes, youth who reported stronger early adolescent connections to their mothers were less hopeless at age 13. The probability of later adolescent violence with a weapon was higher for boys and was associated with the increasingly hopeless class for both boys and girls. Implications for new avenues of research and design of hope-based prevention interventions will be discussed.
Role of chemotherapy in the management of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is a highly chemotherapy-sensitive malignancy. With current treatment, most women presenting with advanced disease will achieve an objective response and experience major and sustained improvement of cancer-related symptoms. Unfortunately, the majority of patients will ultimately recur, such that second-line treatment options will need to be considered. Further complicating the decision-making process in choosing an ‘optimal’ second-line regimen is a serious paucity of randomized trials in this clinical setting.
On-off phenomenon: Relation to levodopa pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Motor function in the moderately to severely affected parkinsonian patient is critically dependent upon delivery of levodopa to the striatum. This, in turn, is influenced by the fluctuating plasma concentrations of levodopa produced by the drug's short half-life and erratic absorption, and by modifiable transport at the blood-brain barrier. Duration of response to a single dose of levodopa is proportional to peak plasma drug levels, and paradoxical responses may occur when plasma concentrations are in the vicinity of minimum effective concentrations. Thus the strategy of administering frequent, small doses of levodopa may contribute additional unpredictability to a fluctuating clinical response imposed by pharmacokinetic factors.
Theoretical Analysis of the Electronic Structure and Molecular Properties of the Alkali Halides. IV. Potassium Fluoride

Results of a theoretical investigation of the electronic structure of NaCl within the SCF‐LCAO‐MO approximation are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the computation of molecular properties. Computed values (followed by experimental values in parentheses) for the total energy E, equilibrium separation Re, spectroscopic constants ωe, ωexe, and Be, and dipole moment μ, are: E = − 621.4574 a.u.; Re = 4.485 a.u. (4.4601); ωe = 378.3 cm−1 (364.6); ωexe = 2.589 cm−1 (2.05); Be = 0.2155 cm−1 (0.2181); μυ = 9.1540 + 0.0580 (υ + 12) + 0.0003 (υ 12)2; and μυ (exptl.) = 8.9734 + 0.0570 (υ + 12) + 0.0005 (υ + 12)2. The computed Hartree‐Fock dissociation energy (DeHF = 0.117 a.u.) was coupled with estimated correlation and relativistic energy contributions (Decorr = 0.031 a.u., Derel = 0.002 a.u.), producing a lower limit value, Decalc = 0.146 a.u., a result somewhat smaller than the experimental value Deexptl. = 0.155 a.u. The discrepancy is due to neglect of small corrections discussed in this paper. The c...
The dynein heavy chain gene family in Tetrahymena thermophila

The dynein ATPases are a family of motor enzymes that drive microtubule sliding in cilia and flagella and contribute to microtubule-based transport inside cells. The multi-dynein hypothesis makes two predictions: 1) Axonemes contain multiple dynein heavy chain (DHC) isoforms, each encoded by a different gene; 2) Each isoform performs a specific role in ciliary beating. We used PCR-based techniques to clone thirteen different DHC sequences from Tetrahymena genomic DNA. All thirteen genes appeared to be expressed in growing cells. Comparisons of the deduced amino acid sequences of the thirteen DHCs with other known DHCs suggested that we have cloned three outer arm DHCs, two cytoplasmic DHCs, and eight inner arm DHCs.
Role of αPhe-291 residue in the phosphate-binding subdomain of catalytic sites of Escherichia coli ATP synthase

The role of alphaPhe-291 residue in phosphate binding by Escherichia coli F1F0-ATP synthase was examined. X-ray structures of bovine mitochondrial enzyme suggest that this residue resides in close proximity to the conserved betaR246 residue. Herein, we show that mutations alphaF291D and alphaF291E in E. coli reduce the ATPase activity of F1F0 membranes by 350-fold. Yet, significant oxidative phosphorylation activity is retained. In contrast to wild-type, ATPase activities of mutants were not inhibited by MgADP-azide, MgADP-fluoroaluminate, or MgADP-fluoroscandium. Whereas, 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) inhibited wild-type ATPase essentially completely, ATPase in mutants was inhibited maximally by approximately 75%, although reaction still occurred at residue betaTyr-297, proximal to alphaPhe-291 in the phosphate-binding pocket. Inhibition characteristics supported the conclusion that NBD-Cl reacts in betaE (empty) catalytic sites, as shown previously by X-ray structure analysis. Phosphate protected against NBD-Cl inhibition in wild-type but not in mutants. In addition, our data suggest that the interaction of alphaPhe-291 with phosphate during ATP hydrolysis or synthesis may be distinct.
New vitamin D analogues

This article is a short review of recent advances in structure-activity relationships and in design and synthesis of vitamin D analogues having various desirable biological activities, with emphasis on work in the author's laboratory.
Soil and plant response to three subsoiling implements

Many Southeastern Coastal Plain soils require deep (>0.45 m) inrow tillage or subsoiling to disrupt dense tillage/traffic pans and/ or eluvial (E) horizons. Three subsoiling implements [Super Seeder (SS), ParaTill (PT), and Kelly (KE)' were compared on Norfolk (Typic Paleuduit) loamy sand to assess their effectiveness in developing and maintaining a proper rooting environment for corn (Zen mays U. Soil strength (cone index) for the implements was evaluated with and without conventional surface tillage (disking). All three subsoiling implements effectively disrupted the E horizon regardless of surface tillage, but the 67% stand establishment in nondisked treatments was significantly lower than for disked treatments (92%). However, yields were not significantly different. Significant differences in soil strength were measured among subsoiling implements at the beginning of each growing season. In 1985 mean profile soil strength was lower (P 0.10) for SS and PT than for KE. In 1986, soil strength was lower (P 0.10) for SS than either PT or KE. The consistent difference between SS and KE occurred because SS disrupted a larger area than the thinner-shanked KE. Nondisked treatments had mean soil strength that was 032 MPa lower within the row than disked treatments, but disked treatments had mean soil strength that was 037 MPa lower between the rows. Soil strength results suggest that Coastal Plain soils, which have been subsoiled, are less likely to restrict root development regardless of implement with, or without, prior surface tillage.
Cell Phones and Driving: Review of Research

Objective. The research literature on drivers' use of cell phones was reviewed to identify trends in drivers' phone use and to determine the state of knowledge about the safety consequences of such use. Methods. Approximately 125 studies were reviewed with regard to the research questions, type and rigor of the methods, and findings. Reviewed studies included surveys of drivers, experiments, naturalistic studies (continuous recording of everyday driving by drivers in instrumented vehicles), studies of crash risk, and evaluations of laws limiting drivers' phone use. Results. Observational surveys indicate drivers commonly use cell phones and that such use is increasing. Drivers report they usually use hand-held phones. Experimental studies have found that simulated or instrumented driving tasks, or driving while being observed, are compromised by tasks intended to replicate phone conversations, whether using hand-held or hands-free phones, and may be further compromised by the physical distraction of handl...
The effect of some succinic acid analogs on succinoxidase activity

Abstract Thirty-two compounds were tested for their actions as inhibitors of pigeon breast succinoxidase. Of these, acetylene dicarboxylic acid was shown to inhibit specifically in a competitive manner. β-Mercapto-benzothiazolepropionic acid, β-(p-phenoxybenzoyl)propionic acid, disalicylsuccinate, thioketophenylacetic acid, and terephthalic acid inhibited the enzyme in a noncompetitive and nonspecific manner.
A Web-based expert system for vehicle registration

In order to satisfy an increasing need to respond rapidly to changing business requirements and knowledge, and to reduce implementation costs, the mainstream business world is progressively relying on the expert systems technology. In addition, recent e-business initiatives are requiring companies to provide "Web-enabled" systems in order to maintain a competitive edge in their marketplace. In this paper, we describe our experience in capturing the business logic and implementing a Web-based expert system for vehicle registration fee computation at California Department of Motor Vehicles. The system has been implemented using the Blaze Advisor rules engine and has been deployed to Sun's J2EE Reference Implementation of a Java application server. Our work has shown that using expert system technology to implement a Web-based, business-driven solution is certainly a viable and promising option. Deployment of the rule service as an Enterprise JavaBean exposes the rulebase various types of business clients, and provides a consistent and adaptable implementation of the business domain.
Response of Neoseiulus fallacis Garmen and Galendromus occidentalis Nesbitt (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)‐Damaged Hop Humulus lupulus (L.) (Urticales: Cannabaceae)

1 The response of Neoseiulus fallacis Garmen and Galendromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)-damaged and undamaged hop, Humulus lupulus (L.), plants was tested using a Y-tube olfactometer. 2 Neoseiulus fallacis but not G. occidentalis was attracted to volatiles from T. urticae-damaged hop plants when paired with undamaged plants. 3 The response of N. fallacis to these volatiles was stronger for plants severed at the soil surface than for intact plants. 4 There was no difference in the response of N. fallacis to severed or intact hop plants that had no spider mite damage, indicating that artificial wounding by severing alone does not elicit the production of attractive volatiles detectable to N. fallacis. These results are consistent with the existence of cross-talk between signalling pathways initiated by feeding damage and artificial wounding that result in elevated levels of predator-attracting volatiles.
Meso-Scale Pressure Transducers Utilizing Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic Tapes

Pressure transducers with promising characteristics at high pressure and temperatures have been developed using low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) tape technology. All parts for the transducer were machined from DuPont 951 series LTCC tapes utilizing either a numerically controlled milling machine, or an isotropic etching technique involving the removal of the glassy binder of a partially sintered LTCC tape. Device dimensions are in the meso (intermediate) scale range, with the smallest device size of 8mm in diameter, and the cavity of 2 mm. Utilizing the anisotropy induced during the casting process a chemical exfoliation technique was developed. This technique allowed us to separate the original tape in three layers, the middle one being highly elastic, isotropic and homogeneous. The middle layer can be chemically thinned to achieve membrane like behavior, with thickness of the order of 50 µm. The pressure is measured as a function of the membrane deformation where two piezo-resistors are screen printed. Two piezo-resistors were used to achieve temperature compensation. Using shrinkage matched paste, nominal thick film technology was used in the screen printing of the piezoresistors. The rest of the transducer was fabricated using several layers of LTCC tapes, which were laminated and fired. Devices of different sizes were fabricated and compared. Devices were characterized by comparing its dynamic response with a micro-fabricated silicon pressure transducer.
Perceived Substratum Characteristics as a Function of AFM Probe and Imaging Fluid Properties

Probe and imaging fluid contributions to substratum root-mean-square (rms) roughness and feature heights, as measured with atomic force microscopy (AFM), were explored. A unique method to measure t...
MDM2-A, a common Mdm2 splice variant, causes perinatal lethality, reduced longevity and enhanced senescence.

SUMMARY MDM2 is the predominant negative regulator of p53 that functions to maintain the appropriate level of expression and activity of this central tumor suppressor. Mdm2-a is a commonly identified splice variant of Mdm2; however, its physiological function is unclear. To gain insight into the activity of MDM2-A and its potential impact on p53, an Mdm2-a transgenic mouse model was generated. Mdm2-a transgenic mice displayed a homozygous-lethal phenotype that could be rescued by a reduction in p53 expression, demonstrating a dependence upon p53. Mdm2-a hemizygous mice exhibited reduced longevity, and enhanced senescence was observed in their salivary glands. In addition, the transgenic mice lacked typical, accelerated aging phenotypes. Growth of transgenic mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) was inhibited relative to wild-type MEFs, and MDM2-A was shown to bind to full-length MDM2 in an interaction that could increase p53 activity via reduced MDM2 inhibition. Evidence of p53 activation was shown in the Mdm2-a transgenic MEFs, including p53-dependent growth inhibition and elevated expression of the p53 target protein p21. In addition, MDM2-A increased senescence in a p21-independent manner. In conclusion, unexpected roles for MDM2-A in longevity and senescence were identified in a transgenic mouse model, suggesting that Mdm2 splice variants might be determinants of these phenotypes in vivo.
Ten-year experience of unrelated bone marrow donor transplants in children with malignant and non-malignant conditions.

: Children who require a marrow transplant may receive such hematopoietic cells from one of many sources. This study reviews the experience of one center with 58 children who received marrow from unrelated donors over a 10-year period. These children had a variety of malignant and non-malignant diseases. During that time period, only three of these children had failed to meet engraftment criteria. All donor marrow specimens were T-lymphocyte depleted using an antibody/complement methodology. No difference was demonstrated in outcome between donors who were perfectly HLA-DR–DNA matched versus those who were only partially matched. The increased size of various marrow donor registries has increased the number of potential donors available for these patients. The lack of a requirement for perfect matching means that there is an ever-increasing number of donors available. No graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or grade III-IV GvHD was associated with a poorer outcome. Stable, long-term engraftment with minimal morbidity has been demonstrated in these children as evidenced by stability of survival curves by two years after marrow transplant.
Mentoring from Different Social Spheres: How Can Multiple Mentors Help in Doctoral Student Success in Ed.D Programs?.

Doctoral students leave their programs early due to lack of mentoring relationships needed to support degree completion and success. However, how mentoring contributes to Ed.D degree completion is not widely studied. In this qualitative narrative study, we sought to explore how multiple mentoring relationships reduced attrition in an Ed.D program. Study participants shared their experiences with mentors across their life domains (academic, personal, and professional) to seek support needed to promote progression and or completion of the program. Each mentoring relationship served a specific purpose. For instance, family members and friends supported participants with home duties, childcare, encouragement, and praise during their doctoral journey. Supervisors supported the participant’s success both academically and professionally. Fellow doctoral students enhanced the learning experience by sharing different perspectives and providing academic and career advice/strategies. Faculty mentoring support was cr...
Neonatal rearing conditions distinctly shape locus coeruleus neuronal activity, dendritic arborization, and sensitivity to corticotrophin-releasing factor

Early life events influence vulnerability to psychiatric illness. This has been modelled in rats and it has been demonstrated that different durations of maternal separation shape adult endocrine and behavioural stress reactivity. One system through which maternal separation may act is the locus coeruleus (LC)-norepinephrine system that regulates emotional arousal. Here we demonstrate that different durations of maternal separation have distinct effects on LC physiology and dendritic morphology. Rat pups were separated from the dam for 15 min/d (HMS-15) or 180 min/d (HMS-180) from post-natal days 2-14. Others were either undisturbed (HMS-0) or were vendor-purchased controls. LC characteristics were compared at age 22-35 d using whole-cell recordings in vitro. Cells were filled with biocytin for morphological analysis. LC neurons of HMS-180 rats were tonically activated compared to HMS-15 and control rats, with firing rates that were 2-fold higher than these groups. Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) application did not further activate LC neurons of HMS-180 rats but increased LC firing rate in HMS-0 and control rats. LC neurons of HMS-15 rats were resistant to excitation by CRF. Maternal separation also affected LC dendritic morphology. LC dendrites of HMS-15 rats exhibited less branching and decreased total dendritic length, an effect that could decrease the probability of contacting limbic afferents that terminate in the pericoerulear region. This effect may provide a structural basis for an attenuated magnitude of emotional arousal. Together, these results demonstrate long-term consequences of early life events on the LC-norepinephrine system that may shape adult behaviour.
Disassembly modeling, planning and application: a review

Industrial recycling and remanufacturing is practice of growing importance due to the increasing environmental and economic pressures. It involves product disassembly to retrieve the desired parts and/or subassemblies by separating a product into its constituencies. The disassembly process modeling and planning is more challenging than assembly since its termination goal is not necessarily fixed depending on the system status. Moreover, it is uncontested that disassembly is charged with more uncertainty in system structures and component conditions than assembly. The paper reviews methods for modeling and process planning in disassembly. Its purpose is to survey the state-of-the-art of this emerging area to supply important information for future study.
Comparative analysis of nanoparticle-antibody conjugations: carbodiimide versus click chemistry.

The ability to modify the physical, chemical, and biologic properties of nanoparticles has led to their use as multifunctional platforms for drug delivery and diagnostic imaging applications. Typic...
Short communication: Removal of hair from the mammary gland: Recovery of bacteria from teat skin and milk

It has been assumed that the presence of udder hair can interfere with safe milking practices and reduce the wholesomeness of milk relative to bacterial content. This study determined the effect of removal by singeing udder hair on the microflora of teat skin (total bacteria, coliform, and esculin-positive and esculin-negative streptococci) and milk (total bacteria, coliform, psychrotrophic, and thermoduric counts) as opposed to not singeing udder hair, using different pre-and postmilking disinfection (predip, postdip, or both) combinations. The 4 different pre-and postmilking disinfection combinations were predip and postdip, postdip only, predip only, and no predip and no postdip. Differences in bacterial numbers recovered from teat skin and milk in singed and not singed glands were not significantly affected by treatment. Findings of this trial do not support the concept that udder hair removal results in improved milk quality as measured by bacterial content.