cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stereoselective hydrolysis of leucine oligomers

Abstract A number of polymers derived from D-, L- and DL-leucine were subjected to partial hydrolysis under comparable conditions, with the finding that the polymers from DL-leucine were hydrolyzed more extensively than those from D- or L-leucine. Leucine polymers containing an excess of one enantiomer were partially hydrolyzed, resulting in an enhancement of the enantiomeric excess in the residual unhydrolyzed polymer and a depletion of the enantiomeric excess in the recovered monomer. These stereoselective hydrolyses are discussed from the viewpoint of the abiotic enhancement of optical activity on the primitive Earth.
Large grain tellurium thin films

Abstract Techniques for achieving large grain structure (2–5 μm diameter crystallites) in thin Te films (∼ 1000 A thick) via Au-nucleation and annealing are discussed. X-ray diffraction data from annealed Te films indicate high quality Te grains which are preferentially oriented (with (100) planes parallel to the substrate). A method for forming tellurium oxide via plasma anodization of Te films is also discussed.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia: a view from a mouse.

Murine models of human neoplasms are being used to expand our understanding of pathogenesis and to develop improved cancer therapies. MRP8-PMLRARalpha transgenic mice represent one model of human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). These mice develop leukemias that mirror characteristic features of human APL including responsiveness to retinoic acid and arsenic. This model is proving its value in elucidating mechanisms by which PMLRARalpha contributes to leukemia, identifying genetic changes that cooperate to cause leukemia, and investigating new molecular targets for leukemia therapy. These studies suggest that acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) such as APL result from genetic changes that combine to both impair differentiation and allow immature cells to survive and proliferate outside of a normal microenvironment. Retinoic acid targets the central molecular lesion in human APL and has greatly improved survival. Molecularly targeted therapies that either restore maturation or abrogate growth autonomy represent a hope for improving survival of patients with other subtypes of AML.
A model of Taura syndrome virus (TSV) epidemics in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Abstract Taura syndrome virus (TSV) is a highly virulent pathogen of Litopenaeus vannamei , has affected shrimp aquaculture throughout the world, and threatens wild populations. Despite its importance, little work has been done on the pathogen’s formal epidemiology. Therefore we developed a compartment model for epidemics of TSV in closed populations of L. vannamei . The model includes five compartments, uninfected susceptible, prepatently infected, acutely infected, chronically infected, and dead infected shrimp. The transmission coefficients, patency coefficient, virulence coefficients, and removal coefficient (disappearance of dead infected shrimp) control the dynamics of the model. We estimated the coefficients in laboratory studies and inserted the estimates in the model to characterize TSV epidemics and to estimate the basic reproduction ratio R 0 and threshold density for TSV epidemics in L. vannamei . Further we examined through computer simulation the effect of varying the coefficients on R 0 . Decreases in transmission decrease R 0 , decreases in virulence increase R 0 , increases in patency do not affect R 0 , and increases in recovery most likely increase R 0 but under some conditions might decrease it.
Stability and validity of two measures of intelligence used with children whose language development is delayed.

An assessment was made of reliability and validity of the Arthur Adaptation of the Leiter International Performance Scale (AALIPS) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) when used with pres...
Global distribution, composition, and abundance of olivine on the surface of Mars from thermal infrared data

[1] We used spectral indexing and linear deconvolution to compare thermal infrared emission spectra of Fo91, Fo68, Fo53, Fo39, Fo18, and Fo1 olivine samples to Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) data over low-albedo regions of Mars. The Fo91, Fo68, Fo53, and Fo39 spectral end-members were confidently identified on Mars, a range of compositions wider than inferred from Martian meteorites. Small (less than hundreds of square kilometers) occurrences of the Fo91 spectral end-member are present in the rims of the Argyre and Hellas impact basins and may represent Martian mantle materials. The Fo68 spectral end-member is common throughout the highlands, chasmata, outflow channels, and Nili Fossae region. The Fo53 spectral end-member occurs in eastern Syrtis Major, the Nili Fossae region, and smooth-floored craters of the highlands. Although less abundant than Fo68 and Fo53, the distribution of the Fo39 spectral end-member suggests that some olivine on Mars is more Fe-rich than olivine in Martian meteorites. Global maps of olivine show that (1) materials containing 10–20% of olivine are common in the southern highlands of Mars, (2) olivine is most common near the topographic dichotomy boundary, and (3) olivine becomes uncommon near the poles suggesting that it may be influenced by topography and/or latitude (climate). Olivine is found in early Noachian to Amazonian terrains, some of which may be coeval with phyllosilicate and sulfate deposits detected by OMEGA implying that any early Noachian wet period of Mars' climate history may have been globally inhomogeneous or insufficient to weather the olivine that remains today.
Identification of Complex Order-distributions:

This article discusses the identification of fractional systems using the concepts of complex order distribution. Based on the ability to define systems using complex order-distributions, it is shown that system identification in the frequency domain using a least-squares approach can be performed. A mesh is created to cover an area in the complex-order plane. The weighting of each block in the order-plane is selected to minimize the square-error between the frequency response of the system and the identified system. The identified systems have real time responses. Four examples, including both pure real-order systems and pure complex-order systems, are presented to demonstrate the utility of the identification method.
The Effect of the Mixing Process on Reaction Kinetics

If the chemical rate constants of the initial reaction steps are large, any observed value of these constants may be affected by the mixing process. To investigate the effect of mixing efficiency on reaction kinetics we use two previously analyzed reaction systems, namely the glutamic aspartic aminotransferase system and the hemoglobin/O2 system. A time constant ka for the mixing process is introduced and four values for this parameter are considered, with the fastest essentially corresponding to complete mixing before any reaction can take place. The remaining three values are associated with mixing instruments, since they may be attainable in the real world. To evaluate the mixing efficiency (and conversely determine underlying ka values) from observed kinetics, mixing was combined with chemical relaxation by temperature jumps initiated at different points in time during the mixing process. Computer simulations permit the development of specific criteria to determine (in reverse) appropriate values of ka. In this respect, the aminotransferase system proved to be more revealing than the hemoglobin system. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 484–496, 2003
488 ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING NEEDS IN DEVELPMENTAL PEDIATRICS

Ninety-seven randomly selected, Board-certified, primary care pediatricians in 5 New England states were interviewed by 2 physicians to explore attitudes toward previous training and current sources of knowledge in developmental pediatrics. Formal training in development was rated as inadequate by 79% (statistically independent of year of medical school graduation): residency was viewed as highly valuable by only 30%, and 47% rated medical school as having no value. Although clinical experience was reported as a valuable source of knowledge by 99%, 63% did not regard it an adequate substitute for formal training. Professional contacts were described as a highly valuable ongoing source of knowledge by 48%. Thirty percent reported weekly contact with a psychologist. At least monthly communication was reported with a neurologist (75%), learning disability specialist (60%), audiologist (51%), guidance counselor (45%), classroom teacher (44%), and speech pathologist (39%). Social class and size of practice did not correlate with differences in consultation patterns. Those practicing more than 30 miles from a medical center were more likely to have monthly contact with a physical therapist (P<.001) and guidance counselor (P<.01). A part-time longitudinal clinical experience for further education was preferred by 97%. Improved training with greater interdisciplinary content is needed.
Tropomyosin, myosin and actin from the blowfly, Phormia regina

Abstract 1. 1. Purified tropomyosin has been prepared from adult and larval stages of the blowfly, Phormia regina ; purified myosin and actin have been prepared from the adult stage only. Special procedures were required in the preparation of all three proteins. 2. 2. The amino acid compositions of these four purified proteins have been determined and compared to those of the corresponding rabbit proteins. The charged residues of Phormia tropomyosins are the same as those of lobster and most molluscs. Although there is no significant difference in amino acid composition between the two insect tropomyosins, fingerprint patterns of their tryptic digests suggest that structural differences may exist. 3. 3. The sedimentation rate, molecular weight, and intrinsic viscosity of adult Phormia tropomyosin are less than those of the more polymerizable larval protein. The adult values are: S 20 0 = 2.53, M 0 = 65 600, [ η ] = 0.23. The sedimentation rate and intrinsic viscosity of rabbit skeletal tropomyosin have been found to be comparable to those of the Phormia tropomyosins. 4. 4. Optical-rotary-dispersion studies show 100% ∞-helical configuration of the two insect tropomyosins, and the hydrodynamic measurements favor a 2-stranded structure.
Firesafety science—the promise of a better future

In the twenty-five years sinceFire Technology first appeared, the idea that a greater detailed quantitative understanding of fire phenomena will lead eventually to a more firesafe environment has received wide acceptance. The question is no longer “Are fundamental studies of fire science worthwhile?” but rather “What are the priorities?” “Just how is the new knowledge best used?” “What accuracy and detail are needed?” and “By what techniques are the new methods to be evaluated and approved?” This paper briefly presents a vista of twenty years of progress, introduces some detail on each of the above problems, and concludes with a vision of the future of firesafety engineering.
An strawman reference model for an application program interface to an Object-Oriented Database

Abstract This position paper provides a strawman reference model which can be used to compare and reason about an application program's interface (API) to an Object-Oriented Data Base system (OODBs), with an emphasis on object manipulation from an object-oriented programming language binding. 1 We begin with an introduction of OODBs and describe the broad domain for an OODB reference model as well as the specific sub-domain we will discuss. Next, we describe some goals of the reference model for the specific sub-domain. A descriptive reference model is then described as consisting of a collection of design choices that can be used for comparing existing and future application program interfaces to OODBs. Finally, based on the descriptive reference model, we define a functional reference model that provides a much more precise description of the interface provided by one such OODB, Zeitgeist, being developed at Texas Instruments.
Germ cell localization of a testicular growth hormone-releasing hormone-like factor.

GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-like mRNA and immunoreactivity (t-GHRH-li) are present in the testes of rats and humans. To learn more about the physiology of t-GHRH-li mRNA, we performed a series of experiments that disrupted various testicular functions. We employed ethylene dimethanesulfonate, a Leydig cell toxin, to assess the effects of Leydig cell ablation on t-GHRH-li mRNA and protein levels in prepubertal and postpubertal male rats. The ethylene dimethanesulfonate treatment resulted in decreases in serum testosterone, but had no effect on t-GHRH-li mRNA or peptide levels. To assess the effect of GHRH on Leydig cell steroidogenesis, Leydig cells were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation and cultured in the presence or absence of hCG, GHRH, or hCG plus GHRH. GHRH had no effect on steroidogenesis by Leydig cells, either alone or in combination with hCG. To localize t-GHRH-li mRNA within rat testis, in situ hybridization analysis was performed on testicular sections from normal rats, using a [35S]G...
Rings, Slings and Such Things: Diagnosis and Management With Special Emphasis on the Role of Echocardiography

Vascular anomalies of the aorta and pulmonary artery that cause tracheal, esophageal, or tracheoesophageal compression form an important group of congenital cardiovascular malformations. The diagnostic approach to the patient with possible vascular ring is variable. This article presents a systematic approach to the evaluation and management of this fascinating group of malformations, with special emphasis on the role and limitations of echocardiography. Using this approach between September 1990 and March 1992, we identified and defined vascular anomalies of aorta and pulmonary artery in eight children.
Asymptotic Moments of the Bottleneck Assignment Problem

One of the most important variants of the standard linear assignment problem is the bottleneck assignment problem. In this paper we give a method by which one can find all of the asymptotic moments of a random bottleneck assignment problem in which costs (independent and identically distributed) are chosen from a wide variety of continuous distributions. Our method is obtained by determining the asymptotic moments of the time to first complete matching in a random bipartite graph process and then transforming those, via a Maclaurin series expansion for the inverse cumulative distribution function, into the desired moments for the bottleneck assignment problem. Our results improve on the previous best-known expression for the expected value of a random bottleneck assignment problem, yield the first results on moments other than the expected value, and produce the first results on the moments for the time to first complete matching in a random bipartite graph process.
Agreeable Connexions: Scottish Enlightenment Links with France. By Alexander Broadie. (Edinburgh, Scotland: Birlinn, 2012. Pp. 230. $40.00.)

The opening chapter of this study reminds readers of public debate's indispensability for intellectual and civic progress. “For we cannot be sure of the quality of our ideas,” Alexander Broadie not...
Cable Charge and Discharge

Conductivity determinations of insulating materials, and therefore the determinations of the leakage resistance of a cable, condenser or similar structure, have always been more or less unsatisfactory, due to a phenomenon often called ``soaking in of the charges.'' In general, if a constant direct voltage is impressed upon a circuit, in the first moment large transient currents flow, representing the energy storage and adjustment in the magnetic and dielectric fields of the circuit. These transient currents however vanish very quickly, usually in a very small fraction of a second, and all the currents in the circuit or circuits then become constant. If a constant direct voltage is impressed upon a cable or similar structure, large transient currents also flow mnomentarily; but after these currents of energy adjustment in the electromagnetic field of the system have vanished, usually after a small fraction of a second, the remaining current is not constant, as in the usual electric circuit, but continues to decrease slowly, for minutes or even hours. If then the cable is discharged by short-circuiting it, after the large initial transient discharge current has passed and the voltage on the cable has become zero?in a small fraction of a second?the current coming out of the cable does not entirely vanish, but a small discharge current continues to flow for many minutes or even hours.
Gender and the effects of an economic empowerment program on attitudes toward sexual risk-taking among AIDS-orphaned adolescent youth in Uganda.

Abstract Purpose This article examines gender differences in attitudes toward sexual risk–taking behaviors of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)–orphaned youth participating in a randomized control trial testing an economic empowerment intervention in rural Uganda. Methods Adolescents (average age 13.7 years) who had lost one or both parents to AIDS from 15 comparable schools were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n = 135) or a control condition (n = 142). Adolescents in the experimental condition, in addition to usual care, also received support and incentives to save money toward secondary education. Results Findings indicate that although adolescent boys and girls within the experimental condition saved comparable amounts, the intervention appears to have benefited girls, in regard to the attitudes toward sexual risk–taking behavior, in a different way and to a lesser extent than boys. Conclusions Future research should investigate the possibility that adolescent girls might be able to develop equally large improvements in protective attitudes toward sexual risk taking through additional components that address gendered social norms.
Need akt? Some myelomas do.

The signaling pathway vivisection of MM by Zollinger and colleagues has elegantly isolated the Akt pathway using specific genetic and pharmacologic inhibitors and shown that some but not all MMs are critically dependent on akt signaling. The signaling alchemists are searching for the philosopher's
A generalized suboptimum unequally spaced channel allocation technique. II. In coherent WDM systems

For pt.I see ibid., vol.46, no.8, p.1027-37 (1998). Four-wave mixing (FWM) in dispersion-shifted optical fiber is a major problem associated with low optical input power levels in optical wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) systems. To reduce the crosstalk caused by FWM, a generalized suboptimum unequally spaced channel allocation (S-BISCA) technique has been proposed. While the S-USCA technique reduces the PWM power substantially, it also reduces the minimum channel spacing compared to conventional equal channel spacing (ECS) systems when the same number of carrier channels are accommodated in a fixed optical bandwidth. This results in more interchannel interference (ICI) when employing the S-USCA scheme. The power penalty of the ECS and the S-USCA systems caused by crosstalk and frequency drift are investigated and compared in this paper. The superior system performance region, where S-USCA systems out perform ECS systems, is also quantified. For 20-channel systems using an amplitude-shift keying (ASK) heterodyne detection scheme, for instance, results show that the S-USCA technique pays less power penalty up to bit rates of 5.5, 7.5, and 9.5 Gb/s, when all channels have identical states of polarization and the launched input power per channel P/sub in/, equals to -6, -3, and 0 dBm, respectively.
Buoyancy-driven ventilation between two chambers

A model of single-room displacement ventilation is extended to a space consisting of two chambers of equal height connected by two openings. Individually, both chambers have displacement ventilation in this geometrical arrangement, but the space itself is not connected to the outside. Thus we are considering ventilation of two chambers in the interior of a building, such as an office connected to an internal atrium. Theoretical analysis and experimental results are presented in this paper. The experiments use salt solutions to simulate thermal forcing in buildings and the theoretical analysis is based on plume theory. The two chambers have a time-dependent interaction resulting from changing stratification in the two chambers. We concentrate here on a small chamber with an internal heat source connected to a large unheated chamber, and show that the time variation is determined by the size of the larger chamber. We discuss the implications of these results for building ventilation design and control.
Comparing evaluation techniques for text readability software for adults with intellectual disabilities

In this paper, we compare alternative techniques for evaluating a software system for simplifying the readability of texts for adults with mild intellectual disabilities (ID). We introduce our research on the development of software to automatically simplify news articles, display them, and read them aloud for adults with ID. Using a Wizard-of-Oz prototype, we conducted experiments with a group of adults with ID to test alternative formats of questions to measure comprehension of the information in the news articles. We have found that some forms of questions work well at measuring the difficulty level of a text: multiple-choice questions with three answer choices, each illustrated with clip-art or a photo. Some types of questions do a poor job: yes/no questions and Likert-scale questions in which participants report their perception of the text's difficulty level. Our findings inform the design of future evaluation studies of computational linguistic software for adults with ID; this study may also be of interest to researchers conducting usability studies or other surveys with adults with ID.
P2Y purinergic receptor regulation of CFTR chloride channels in mouse cardiac myocytes

The intracellular signalling pathways and molecular mechanisms responsible for P2-purinoceptor-mediated chloride (Cl−) currents (ICl,ATP) were studied in mouse ventricular myocytes. In standard NaCl-containing extracellular solutions, extracellular ATP (100 μm) activated two different currents, ICl,ATP with a linear I–V relationship in symmetrical Cl− solutions, and an inwardly rectifying cation conductance (cationic IATP). Cationic IATP was selectively inhibited by Gd3+ and Zn2+, or by replacement of extracellular NaCl by NMDG; ICl,ATP was Cl− selective, and inhibited by replacement of extracellular Cl− by Asp−; both currents were prevented by suramin or DIDS pretreatment. In GTPγS-loaded cells, ICl,ATP was irreversibly activated by ATP, but cationic IATP was still regulated reversibly. GDPβS prevented activation of the ICl,ATP, even though pertussis toxin pretreatment did not modulate ICl,ATP. These results suggest that activation of ICl,ATP occurs via a G-protein coupled P2Y purinergic receptor. The ICl,ATP persistently activated by GTPγS, was inhibited by glibenclamide but not by DIDS, thus exhibiting known pharmacological properties of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channels. In ventricular cells of cftr−/− mice, extracellular ATP activated cationic IATP, but failed to activate any detectable ICl,ATP. These results provide compelling evidence that activation of CFTR Cl− channels in mouse heart are coupled to G-protein coupled P2Y purinergic receptors.
Adoption and utilization of sexually transmitted infections testing in outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities serving high risk populations in the U.S.

Background Although adoption and utilization of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing is a cost effective public health intervention, it is inconsistently offered or referred out for by outpatient substance abuse treatment (OSAT) programs where at-risk racial/ethnic and sexual minorities receive services.
Statistical reconstruction-based scatter correction: a new method for 3D PET

Accurate scatter correction is one of the major problems facing quantitative 3D PET and many methods have been developed for the purpose of reducing the resultant degradation of image contrast and loss of quantitative accuracy. A new scatter correction method called Statistical Reconstruction-Based Scatter Correction (SRBSC) is proposed in this paper and evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations, experimental phantoms and clinical studies. For accurate modeling, the scatter fraction and scatter response function for uniformly attenuating media are parametrised using Monte Carlo simulations.
Perilymph composition in scala tympani of the cochlea: Influence of cerebrospinal fluid

A commonly used technique to obtain cochlear perilymph for analysis has been the aspiration of samples through the round window membrane. The present study has investigated the influence of the volume withdrawn on sample composition in the guinea pig. Samples of less than 200 nl in volume taken through the round window showed relatively high glycine content, comparable to the level found in samples taken from scala vestibuli. If larger volumes are withdrawn, lower glycine levels are observed. This is consistent with cerebrospinal fluid (having a low glycine content) being drawn into scala tympani through the cochlear aqueduct and contaminating the sample. The existence of a concentration difference for glycine between scala tympani perilymph and cerebrospinal fluid suggests the physiologic communication across the cochlear aqueduct is relatively small in this species. The observation of considerable exchange between cerebrospinal fluid and perilymph, as reported in some studies, is more likely to be an artifact of the experimental procedures, rather than of physiologic significance. Alternative sampling procedures have been evaluated which allow larger volumes of uncontaminated scala tympani perilymph to be collected.
Mere Repetition of a Verbal Cue in Problem Solving

Latency to solution of a measurement of circumference problem requiring the use of a string was employed to determine the repetition effect of 1, 15, 30, and 60 repetitions of a cue relevant to pro...
Analysis of monensin sensitivity in Toxoplasma gondii reveals autophagy as a mechanism for drug induced death.

Understanding the mechanisms by which anti-parasitic drugs alter the physiology and ultimately kill is an important area of investigation. Development of novel parasitic drugs, as well as the continued utilization of existing drugs in the face of resistant parasite populations, requires such knowledge. Here we show that the anti-coccidial drug monensin kills Toxoplasma gondii by inducing autophagy in the parasites, a novel mechanism of cell death in response to an antimicrobial drug. Monensin treatment results autophagy, as shown by translocation of ATG8 to autophagosomes, as well as causing marked morphological changes in the parasites' mitochondria. Use of the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine blocks autophagy and mitochondrial alterations, and enhances parasite survival, in monensin-exposed parasites, although it does not block other monensin-induced effects on the parasites, such as late S-phase cell cycle arrest. Monensin does not induce autophagy in a parasite strain deficient in the mitochondrial DNA repair enzyme TgMSH-1 an enzyme that mediates monensin-induced late S-phase arrest. TgMSH-1 therefore either mediates cell cycle arrest and autophagy independently, or autophagy occurs downstream of cell cycle arrest in a manner analogous to apoptosis of cells arrested in G2 of the cell cycle. Overall, our results point to autophagy as a potentially important mode of cell death of protozoan parasites in response to antimicrobial drugs and indicate that disruption of the autophagy pathway could result in drug resistance.
Endothelin-1 impairs glucose transporter trafficking via a membrane-based mechanism

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) disrupts insulin-regulated glucose transporter GLUT4 trafficking. Since the negative consequence of chronic ET-1 exposure appears to be independent of signal disturbance along the insulin receptor substrate-1/phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt-2 pathway of insulin action, we tested if ET-1 altered GLUT4 regulation engaged by osmotic shock, a PI3K-independent stimulus that mimics insulin action. Regulation of GLUT4 by hyperosmotic stress was impaired by ET-1. Because of the mutual disruption of both insulin- and hyperosmolarity-stimulated GLUT4 translocation, we tested whether shared signaling and/or key phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-regulated cytoskeletal events of GLUT4 trafficking were targets of ET-1. Both insulin and hyperosmotic stress signaling to Cbl were impaired by ET-1. Also, plasma membrane PIP2 and cortical actin levels were reduced in cells exposed to ET-1. Exogenous PIP2, but not PI 3,4,5-bisphosphate, restored actin structure, Cbl activation, and GLUT4 translocation. These data show that ET-1-induced PIP2/actin disruption impairs GLUT4 trafficking elicited by insulin and hyperosmolarity. In addition to showing for the first time the important role of PIP2-regulated cytoskeletal events in GLUT4 regulation by stimuli other than insulin, these studies reveal a novel function of PIP2/actin structure in signal transduction.
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Is Important for Nitrosative Stress Resistance in Cryptococcus neoformans, but Oxidative Stress Resistance Is Not Dependent on Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase

The opportunistic intracellular fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans depends on many antioxidant and denitrosylating proteins and pathways for virulence in the immunocompromised host. These include the glutathione and thioredoxin pathways, thiol peroxidase, cytochrome c peroxidase, and flavohemoglobin denitrosylase. All of these ultimately depend on NADPH for either catalytic activity or maintenance of a reduced, functional form. The need for NADPH during oxidative stress is well established in many systems, but a role in resistance to nitrosative stress has not been as well characterized. In this study we investigated the roles of two sources of NADPH, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Zwf1) and NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (Idp1), in production of NADPH and resistance to oxidative and nitrosative stress. Deletion of ZWF1 in C. neoformans did not result in an oxidative stress sensitivity phenotype or changes in the amount of NADPH produced during oxidative stress compared to those for the wild type. Deletion of IDP1 resulted in greater sensitivity to nitrosative stress than to oxidative stress. The amount of NADPH increased 2-fold over that in the wild type during nitrosative stress, and yet the idp1Δ strain accumulated more mitochondrial damage than the wild type during nitrosative stress. This is the first report of the importance of Idp1 and NADPH for nitrosative stress resistance.
Aberrant neurocognitive processing of fear in young girls with Turner syndrome

Appraisal of fearful stimuli is an integral aspect of social cognition. Neural circuitry underlying this phenomenon has been well-described and encompasses a distributed network of affective and cognitive nodes. Interestingly, this ability to process fearful faces is impaired in Turner syndrome (TS), a genetic disorder of females in which all or part of an X chromosome is missing. However, neurofunctional correlates for this impairment have not been well-studied, particularly in young girls. Given that the core features of TS include X chromosome gene haploinsufficiency and secondary sex hormone deficiencies, investigation of fearful face processing may provide insights into the influence of X chromosome gene expression on this network. Therefore, we examined behavioral and neural responses during an explicit emotional face labeling task in 14 prepubertal girls with TS and 16 typically developing age-matched controls (6–13 years). We demonstrate that girls with TS have a specific impairment in the identification of fearful faces and show decreased activation in several cognitive control regions, including the anterior dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate gyrus. Our results indicate that aberrant functional activation in dorsal cognitive regions plays an integral role in appraisal of, and regulation of response to fear in TS.
On Turing's formula for word probabilities

A. M. Turing, in a 1941 personal communication to I. J. Good, suggested a formula for estimating probabilities of words in text and, more generally, of species in a mixed population of various species. It is remarkable that Turing's formula can be obtained by significantly different statistical methods; we compare three ways to obtain it.
Effects of Inequality, Family and School on Mathematics Achievement: Country and Student Differences

Inequality, family and school characteristics were linked to student achievement as shown by multi-level analyses of 107,975 15 year olds' mathematics tests and questionnaires in 41 countries. Equal distribution of country and school resources were linked to higher mathematics scores. Students scored higher in families or schools with more resources (SES, native born, two parents, more educational materials, higher SES schoolmates, female schoolmates, class time, educated teachers) or beneficial intangible processes (communication, discipline, teacher-student relationships). Students living with grandparents or siblings (especially older ones) scored lower. Physical family resource variables showed similar results across countries, supporting the social reproduction hypothesis for physical resources. In richer countries, intangible processes had stronger links with mathematics achievement, suggesting that greater availability of public physical resources raises the value of complementary intangible processes, which can help explain the Heyneman-Loxley effect of stronger family effects in richer countries.
Revision of the Alutacea Group of Genus Schistocerca (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Cyrtacanthacridinae)

The North American Alutacea Group of the genus Schistocerca is revised based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparison. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Schistocerca alutacea sensu Dirsh is paraphyletic because S. alutacea albolineata sensu Dirsh is sister to S. obscura. Here, I recognize the monophyletic Alutacea Group consisting of six species: S. alutacea, S. rubiginosa, S. lineata, S. shoshone, S. albolineata, and S. obscura. Previous taxonomic confusion on these species is discussed, and their taxonomic ranks are accordingly raised from subspecies to species level. Neotypes of S. alutacea and S. rubiginosa are designated, and S. insignis is synonymized under S. albolineata syn. nov. Also, I argue for the validity of the name S. lineata and discuss the previous misapplication of nomenclature. Discussion of color variation and an identification key for all North American Schistocerca species are presented.
Vitamin E Homologs and γ-Oryzanol Levels in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) During Seed Development

Vitamin E homologs (tocopherols and tocotrienols) and γ-oryzanol have gained significant attention because of their proposed health benefits and ability to increase vegetable oil stability. Changes in the levels of these phytochemicals were examined during seed development. Rapid accumulation of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and γ-oryzanol occurred during early seed development. During the middle stage of seed development, the levels of tocopherols decreased sharply, and the levels of tocotrienols either stayed the same or decreased slightly, whereas γ-oryzanol continued to accumulate until maturity. The levels of these compounds remained constant from maturity to 15 days postmaturity. In conclusion, rice grain for nutraceutical and functional food applications should be harvested during its immature stage to obtain the highest amount of tocopherols, whereas the amounts of the other phytochemicals that were studied can be optimized by harvesting grain at maturity.
The Service Side of Systems Librarianship

Describes the role of a systems librarian at a small academic library. Although online catalogs and the Internet are making library accessibility more convenient, the need for library buildings and professionals has not diminished. Typical duties of a systems librarian and the effects of new technology on librarianship are discussed. Services provided to other constituencies on campus and the blurring relationship between the library and computer services are also presented.
Clinical Response to CB-154 and the Pituitary Response to Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone-Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Patients with Galactorrhea-Amenorrhea

Ten patients with galactorrhea and amenorrhea were treated with 2-bromo-α-ergocryptine (CB-154). All patients had normal anteroposterior and lateral x-rays of the sella turcica and normal or low gonadotropin levels. Before treatment, serum prolactin (PRL) levels were between 80 and 1575 ng/ml. Prior to initiating therapy, six patients were further evaluated by the intravenous administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The responses to these hormones were suggestive of a pituitary etiology in all patients. During treatment, PRL levels were measured at monthly intervals. After 1 month, serum PRL concentrations were reduced between 13% and 99%. In eight subjects there was complete cessation of galactorrhea. During treatment, nine patients resumed ovulatory menstrual cycles and three patients conceived. After discontinuing therapy, five of seven subjects had a recurrence of galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and hyperprolactinemia.
Assessing the Key Attributes of Low Utilization of Mammography Screening and Breast-self Exam among African-American Women.

PURPOSE: African-American (AA) women living in four Black Belt Counties (BBC) of Alabama; consisting of Barbour, Macon, Green and Wilcox are known to have lower mammogram utilization and breast self-exam rates when compared to their white female counterparts. The influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on these disparities has not been clearly defined so far. Our study was designed to determine whether these observed disparities can be predicted with the socioeconomic and other demographic attributes. METHODS: Health Disparity Questionnaires data (n = 516) for BBC of Alabama was analyzed using a logistic regression model to examine the association of breast cancer screening rates and breast self-exam with income, the level of education, family doctor, type of health insurance, obesity, and age. RESULTS: Income, education, family doctor, age and health insurance were independent predictors for the low utilization rate of mammography and breast self-exam (BSE). CONCLUSION: Improving socioeconomic conditions such as level of education and availability of health care are essential to increase the rates of breast cancer screening test and breast self-exam in the BBC of Alabama.
Inhibition of the elastase-like esterase in human leukocyte granules by human leukocyte cell sap.

SummaryHuman leukocyte cytosol inhibits esterolysis of a synthetic elastase substrate by human leukocyte granule extract. Hydrolysis of the same substrate by pancreatic elastase is not affected, nor is esterolysis of BAPA by trypsin or GPANA by chymotrypsin. Cytosol gives no cross reaction with antisera to human alpha1 trypsin inhibitor or alpha2 macroglobulin, even though cytosol protein is more potent than serum protein in suppressing leukocyte granule hydrolytic activity. The cytosol inhibitor appears to be nondialyzable, thermolabile,∗ and TCA-precipitable. Treatment of cytosol with pronase causes loss of inhibition which is approximately equivalent to the degree of protein digestion in the cytosol. No evidence was obtained for DNA, RNA, or hexuronic acid-containing substances being responsible for inhibition by cytosol.
Variation of radius of curvature around the femoral head and its associations with gender and incident radiographic hip osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Author(s): Lynch, JA; Liu, F; Tolstykh, I; Wise, B; Lane, NE; McCulloch, CE; Link, TM; Nevitt, MC
Protonolysis of Platinum(II) and Palladium(II) Methyl Complexes: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

The protonolysis of platinum(II) and palladium(II) methyl complexes has been investigated by both experiment and computation. Previously the protonolysis of (COD)PtII(CH3)2 by CF3COOY or (dppe)PdII(CH3)2 by CF3CY2OY (Y = H, D) was found to be accompanied by abnormally large and highly temperature-dependent kinetic isotope effects (KIEs), suggesting the involvement of tunneling. Here we find normal KIEs and no evidence of tunneling for protonolysis of (tmeda)PtII(CH3)Cl by CF3COOY (Y = H, D). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that protonation at the metal center followed by reductive coupling to the methane σ adduct (stepwise pathway) is favored for Pt complexes with good electron donor ligands, whereas direct protonation of the M−CH3 bond to generate the methane σ adduct (concerted pathway) is favored for Pt with electron-withdrawing ligands as well as for Pd. We suggest that KIE behavior consistent with tunneling may be an experimental indicator of the concerted pathway.
Pacifying the Dragon? The Role of Expatriate Media Professionals in the Gatekeeping Process in China

China is currently characterized as having a censored media system, which poses challenges to expatriates (expats) who work within the Chinese media system. This study analyzes the motivations for expats to work in China through a gatekeeping lens. Through in-depth interviews of expat media professionals, themes of limited acculturation emerge, as well as few opportunities for input during gatekeeping processes related to hard news, but there are more opportunities for input in the production of business news, entertainment, and lifestyle programming. Although content is restricted, participants laterally influence their colleagues by mentoring them based on individual-level forces such as professional values and education. Censorship is accepted by expats as unchangeable. Social system forces become more manifest instead of being implicit.
The New Teaching Way Of Bernoulli Equation

In this paper, the author introduces a new teaching thought of Bernoulli equation.. By using di-ferrent teaching ways and focal points, it gets good teaching results were achieved.
Role of Metal Ions in Promoting DNA Binding and Cleavage by Restriction Endonucleases

While three major classes of restriction endonucleases have been identified (Types I, II, and III), Type II are the most straightforward inasmuch as they require divalent magnesium as an essential cofactor but have no need for ATP (Stasiak 1980; Bennett and Halford 1989; Bujnicki 2000; Murray 2000; Sapranauskas et al. 2000; Pingoud and Jeltsch 2001). A complete classification of Type II restriction nucleases has been presented elsewhere (Pingoud and Jeltsch 2001) and the family is noted for the remarkable specificity and simplicity of its function. These enzymes cleave both strands of doublestrand DNA either at or near a recognition sequence that tends to be palindromic. Consequently most restriction endonucleases are dimeric and recognize symmetric DNA sequences. While showing many functional similarities in DNA recognition and catalytic cleavage, restriction endonucleases also display low sequence homology, and diversity in mechanisms of recognizing DNA target sequences and the positioning of metal cofactors (Aggarwal 1995; Wah et al. 1997; Viadiu and Aggarwal 1998). Such diversity results in subtle variations in both protein binding locations and potential functional roles for essential metal cofactors that are only now coming under investigation.
Factitious Dysuria in Boys

AbstractDysuria sufficiently severe to provoke manual compression of the urethra to disrupt the urinary stream is reported in 5 boys between 6 and 11 years old. This cycle of dysuria, acute urethral dilatation secondary to acute transient urethral obstruction, was broken by counseling the boys to cease urethral compression. No underlying cause was noted in 1 child evaluated extensively. The remainder had cessation of symptoms with local therapy and counseling.
Rare Submandibular Presentation of Pediatric Castleman Disease: Case Report

Castleman disease (CD), a benign lymphoproliferative disorder that affects lymph nodes, is uncommon in children, with only approximately 100 cases published. Although 23% of pediatric CD cases are found in the neck, there is no substantial reported percentage found in the salivary glands, especially the submandibular salivary gland (SMSG). A pediatric case of CD involving the SMSG is reported because of its extreme rarity.
Measurement and Clinical Relevance of Proteasome Enzymatic Activity in Plasma of Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays a major role in regulating proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Three different types of enzymatic activity have been reported for proteasomes: chymotrypsin-like (Ch-L), trypsin-like (Tr-L), and caspase-like (Cas-L) (postglutamyl peptide hydrolytic-like). Various proteasome inhibitors affect each of the three activities differently and at different concentrations. For example, NPI-0052 inhibits Ch-L and Tr-L activities at lower concentrations than does bortezomib, while bortezomib inhibits Cas-L at lower concentrations than does NPI-0052. These enzymatic activities are usually measured in normal or tumor cells to monitor therapy with proteasome inhibitors. We developed fluorogenic kinetic assays using peptide-AMC (7-amino 4-methylcoumoran) substrates to measure Ch-L, Tr-L, and Cas-L activities in cell-free plasma. We evaluated plasma activities in 57 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and assessed their correlations with clinical behavior. Significantly ( P < 0.001) higher Ch-L, Tr-L, and Cas-L activities were detected in patients with ALL (medians: 1.40, 2.06, and 2.04 pmol AMC/sec/mL, respectively) than in healthy volunteers (n = 42) (medians: 0.80, 0.74, and 0.81 pmol AMC/sec/mL, respectively). While there was no significant difference between Ch-L and Cas-L activities in healthy controls, there was a significant difference between the 2 activities in patients with ALL. Cas-L, Tr-L, and Ch-L all correlated positively with lactic dehydrogenase ( P <0.01). However, ALL patients with Cas-L activity ≥2.7 pmol AMC/sec/mL had significantly longer survival ( P = 0.01) than did patients with lower activity. The increased cell-free circulating proteasome activities most likely reflect the leukemic cells and may represent a marker not only for the disease, but also for monitoring therapy. These data also suggest that patients with ALL may benefit differentially from proteasome inhibitors depending on the specific therapeutic properties of the inhibitor.
Analysis of RFI statistics for Aquarius RFI detection and mitigation improvements

Aquarius is an L-band active/passive sensor designed to globally map sea surface salinity from space [1, 2]. Two instruments, a radar scatterometer and a radiometer, observe the same surface footprint almost simultaneously. The radiometer is the primary instrument for sensing sea surface salinity (SSS), while the scatterometer is included to provide a correction for sea surface roughness, which is a primary source of error in the salinity retrieval. Although the primary objective is the measurement of SSS, the instrument combination operates continuously, acquiring data over land and sea ice as well. An important feature of the data processing includes detection and mitigation of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), which is done separately for both active and passive instruments. Correcting for RFI is particularly critical over ocean because of the high accuracy required in the brightness temperature measurements for SSS retrieval. It is also necessary for applications of the Aquarius data over land, where man-made interference is widespread, even though less accuracy is required in this case. This paper will provide an overview of the current status of the Aquarius RFI processing and an update on the ongoing work on the improvement of the RFI detection and mitigation performance.