cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drug quality and the origins of APhA:the 1851 convention of pharmaceutists and druggists.

All but forgotten today, events at the 1851 convention planted a seed for the birth, a year later, of the national professional society of pharmacists.
The Assembly of Ribosomes in Yeast

Abstract The ribosomal proteins of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been examined by gel electrophoresis. The large subunit has about 50 proteins, with molecular weights ranging from 10,000 to 46,000; the small subunit has about 30 proteins, with none larger than 30,000. Newly formed ribosomal protein appears on ribosomes during a period of about 20 min after its synthesis. At this time much of the ribosomal protein is within the nucleus, where it may be associated with maturing RNA in the form of partially assembled ribosomes. For a short time after a pulse of radioactive amino acid, one can observe on ribosomes a distinct set of proteins which are probably not involved in the assembly of new ribosomes. Newly formed ribosomes first appear in the cytoplasm as subunits. Although the new subunits are indistinguishable from the old ones on the basis of their buoyant density and the acrylamide gel analysis of their proteins, they pass rather slowly into the polysomes, which suggests that a final cytoplasmic maturation step is required. The process of ribosome synthesis in yeast is nearly indistinguishable from that in higher organisms. This finding validates the attempt to use a simple, genetically tractable organism, the yeast, to study the general problem of nucleocytoplasmic interactions in eukaryotes.
Dirac Operators and Index Theory

The physicist P. A. M. Dirac constructed first-order differential operators whose squares were Laplace operators, or more generally wave operators, for the purpose of extending the Schrodinger-Heisenberg quantum mechanics to the relativistic setting. Related operators have been perceived to have central importance in the interface between PDE and differential geometry, and we discuss some of this here.
Cultural production of the educated person: a case study of a rural co-educational high school in the Eastern Cape

abstract South Africa's constitution promulgates equality, including gender equality. In education, this commitment is enshrined in the South African Schools Act of 1996 (SASA). This policy promises all learners opportunities and freedom to realise their full potential, free from gender oppression. This article asks whether the culture of one school, Hope High School, promotes or hinders the principle of gender equality. I argue that the school, like other schools, is shaped by values, norms, behaviours and traditions of the local communities and is central in reproducing local cultures. As a result, instead of opening up to change and implementing the policy of gender equality in full, the school has chosen to continue promoting the local patriarchal culture by adopting a selective implementation of the policy of gender equality.
Measurements of Flavin‐Containing Monooxygenase (FMO) Activities

Measurement of Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase (FMO) Activities (Randy L. Rose, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina). This unit describes methods used for measuring the presence of flavin-containing monooxygenases using NADPH oxygenation and methamizole oxidation. Methods are also provided to determine the relative contributions of FMO versus cytochrome P450 from microsomes.
Darier's disease of the oral mucosa. Report of five cases.

Abstract Darier's disease is a dermatologic disorder which may have oral manifestations. Five cases are presented, with a description of the two types of oral lesion and a discussion of the differential diagnosis.
Behavioral and Neural Identification of Birdsong under Several Masking Conditions

Many animals are adept at identifying communication calls in the presence of competing sounds, from human listeners communicating in a cocktail party to penguins locating their kin amongst the thousands of conspecifics in their colony. The kind of perceptual interference in such settings differs from the interference arising when targets and maskers have dissimilar spectrotemporal structure (e.g., a speech target in broadband noise). In the latter case, performance is well modeled by accounting for the target-masker spectrotemporal overlap and any low-level binaural processing benefits that may occur for spatially separated sources (Zurek 1993). However, when the target and maskers are similar (e.g., a target talker in competing speech), a fundamentally different form of perceptual interference arises. In such cases, interference is reduced when target and masker are dissimilar (e.g., in timbre, pitch, perceived location, etc.), presumably by enabling a listener to focus attention on target attributes that differentiate it from the masker (Darwin and Hukin 2000; Freyman et al. 2001). We investigated the interference caused by different maskers when identifying bird songs. Using identical stimuli, three studies compare (a) human performance, (b) avian performance, and (c) neural coding in the avian auditory forebrain. Results show that the interference caused by maskers with spectrotemporal structure similar to the target differs from that caused by dissimilar maskers.
Effects of Geomorphic Setting and Urbanization on Wood, Pools, Sediment Storage, and Bank Erosion in Puget Sound Streams1

Segura, Catalina and Derek B. Booth, 2010. Effects of Geomorphic Setting and Urbanization on Wood, Pools, Sediment Storage, and Bank Erosion in Puget Sound Streams. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(5):972-986. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00470.x Abstract: Interrelationships between urbanization, the near-riparian zone, and channel morphology were examined in 44 lowland stream reaches in the Puget Lowlands of western Washington, United States. Both the degree of urbanization and channel type control channel response to a range of instream and riparian conditions. Some of these relationships are not evident in lumped datasets (i.e., with all channel types and/or degrees of urbanization) and highlight the importance of fluvial geomorphology in determining channel response. We found that in low-urbanized watersheds dominated by forced pool-riffle and plane-bed morphologies, the frequency and distribution of large woody debris (LWD), pool spacing, sediment storage, and bank erosion have a strong relationship with channel confinement and characteristics of near-riparian vegetation. In contrast, high-urbanized reaches dominated by simplified morphologies are substantially less sensitive to the condition of the near-riparian zone (e.g., size of the near-riparian vegetation and the level of channel confinement), due to the common disconnection of stream and floodplain caused by the placement of stabilizing structures in the banks. These structures are typically placed to prevent erosion; however, they also result in fewer LWD and pools, less sediment storage, and higher potential for incision.
Does Immigration Increase Homicide? Negative Evidence From Three Border Cities

Understanding the complex relationship between immigration and crime was once a core concern of American sociology. Yet the extensive post-1965 wave of immigration to the United States has done little to rekindle scholarly interest in this topic, even as politicians and other public figures advocate public policies to restrict immigration as a means of preventing crime. Although both popular accounts and sociological theory predict that immigration should increase crime in areas where immigrants settle, this study of Miami, El Paso, and San Diego neighborhoods shows that, controlling for other influences, immigration generally does not increase levels of homicide among Latinos and African Americans. Our results not only challenge stereotypes of the “criminal immigrant” but also the core criminological notion that immigration, as a social process, disorganizes communities and increases crime.
The Undertheorized Environment: Sociological Insights for Behavioral Genetics

Dr. Andrew Perrin discussed the ontological claims and social theory which run beneath ideas of genetic causation of behavioral traits. He outlined five criteria for evaluating and conceptualizing the environment within genetic studies. He concluded by emphasizing complexity and describing gene-environment interaction chains. To watch Dr. Perrin’s presentation, please see the Panel 2 “Google Video posting.”:http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8804321603731619003&hl=en
Friedewald's LDL-cholesterol estimation formula in a Japanese American population.

Friedewald's formula is often used to estimate low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) when direct measurement is not available. In this equation, the ratio of triglyceride (TG): cholesterol (C) in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) is assumed to be 5 : 1. Recently it has been reported that in native Japanese the formula provided a better fit if this ratio is taken to be 4 : 1. The application of the formula was therefore examined in a sample of 229 second-generation Japanese American (Nisei) men. In this population, the 5 : 1 ratio of TG : C in VLDL was found to be appropriate. Thus the findings reported for native Japanese do not appear to be generally applicable to all Japanese populations.
Gene photoinactivation in Escherichia coli which contain 5-bromodeoxyuridine-substituted DNA.

Abstract The DNA of Escherichia coli grown with 5-bromodeoxyuridine becomes a specific target for ultraviolet light at 313 nm. Bacteria not exposed to 5-bromodeoxyuridine have a low sensitivity at this wavelength. Sensitivity appears slowly and reaches a maximum in one generation, as measured by either inactivation of colony forming ability or capacity to induce β-galactosidase. The bacteria are not sensitized when they are grown in the presence of nalidixic acid, an antibiotic that relatively specifically prevents DNA synthesis. When an F-lac episome is injected from a non-5-bromodeoxyuridine containing donor into a recipient which had been grown in 5-bromodeoxyuridine medium, there is no loss of enzyme forming ability in the irradiated zygotes. This experiment argues against stable cytoplasmic targets of irradiation. After thymine auxotrophs are grown in 5-bromodeoxyuridine for one generation, irradiation kills or prevents enzyme formation by these bacteria by over 90%. Since 5-bromodeoxyuridine can only be in one strand of the DNA after one round of replication, a lesion originating in either strand prevents both replication and transscription. Very possibly both strands are damaged. The photochemical damage can be localized in a single gene; inactivation of the gene for β-galactoside permease without inactivation of the adjacent gene for β-galactosidase was demonstrated. This method of labeling a gene with 5-bromodeoxyuridine during its replication and specifically inactivating it at another time can be applied to follow gene replication and transfer.
Determining differences in post discharge outcomes among catastrophically and noncatastrophically sponsored outpatients with spinal cord injury

This study tested differences in functional independence status, level of psychologic distress and extent of handicap experienced after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation among a group of 125 outpatients with spinal cord injury (SCI) sponsored by one of three types of rehabilitation insurance payors: catastrophic (Michigan Automobile No-Fault and Workers' Disability Compensation), Medicaid and third-party privates. Outcome measures included the functional independence measure, the brief symptom inventory and the Craig handicap assessment reporting technique. Insurance data was obtained via medical chart reviews and interviews that were conducted either face-to-face or by telephone, using the benefits coverage inventory. No differences in terms of post discharge functional independence across subjects sponsored by the three payors was found when controlling for neurologic status. However, SCI subjects sponsored by different payors reported receiving different amounts of benefits. Subjects also differed on the extent of psychologic distress experienced after discharge and the extent of their handicaps. SCI subjects sponsored by Medicaid reported receiving fewer benefits, being more distressed and experiencing greater handicap in comparison to others. Third-party privately sponsored subjects, conversely, experienced less handicap and distress than did the study's other subjects.
Solvent dependence of the charge-transfer properties of a quaterthiophene-anthraquinone dyad

Abstract An electron donor–acceptor dyad (quaterthiophene–anthraquinone) mediates ultrafast intramolecular photoinduced charge separation and consequent charge recombination when in polar or moderately polar solvents. Alternatively, non-polar media completely impedes the initial photoinduced electron transfer by causing enough destabilization of the charge-transfer state and shifting its energy above the energy of the lowest locally excited singlet state. Furthermore, femtosecond transient-absorption spectroscopy reveals that for the solvents mediating the initial photoinduced electron-transfer process, the charge recombination rates were slower than the rates of charge separation. This behavior of donor–acceptor systems is essential for solar-energy-conversion applications. For the donor–acceptor dyad described in this study, the electron-transfer driving force and reorganization energy place the charge-recombination processes in the Marcus inverted region.
De novo disseminated intravascular coagulation in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AILD)

An elderly woman with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) presented de novo with DIC in the absence of other etiologic causes for DIC. Complete reversal of the defibrination process occurred with vincristine, methyl-prednisolone, and heparin therapy. This case illustrates that defibrination can occur de novo in the presence of a clinically, although not pathologically, malignant process. AILD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of DIC.
Fiber channel standard

Fiber channel standard (FCS) is a sanctioned development activity of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) X3T9.3 working committee. FCS is essentially a high speed, low overhead, peer-to-peer serial transport mechanism primarily intended for transmission over fiber optic media. As such, FCS is rapidly gaining recognition as an important high performance channel for the interconnection of supercomputers, workstations, and I/O controllers. Although FCS was originally conceived as a data channel for the new generation of high performance computers ranging from workstations through supercomputers, it has incorporated facilities to support the network communication paradigm.
Some information is too dangerous to be on the internet

This paper investigates a problem about freedom of information. Although freedom of information is generally considered desirable, there are a number of areas where there is substantial agreement that freedom of information should be limited. After a certain ordering of the landscape, I argue that we need to add the category of 'dangerous' information and that this category has gained a new quality in the context of current information technology, specifically the Internet. This category includes information the use of which would be morally wrong as well as some of what may be called 'corrupting' information. Some such information should not be spread at all and some should be very limited in its spread.
New Explanation for Ligand Bending in Transition Metal Tris(dithiolate) Complexes.

The results of Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations reported for the trigonal prismatic complexes Mo-(S{sub 2}C{sub 2}H{sub 2}){sub 3} and Mo(S{sub 2}C{sub 6}H{sub 4}){sub 3}. Both complexes exhibit a bend of the S-C-C-S ligand plane away from the S-Mo-S plane. A series of calculations which systematically follow the changes in electronic structure as the bend angle {alpha} is varied between 0 and 30{degrees} indicates that the bend can be attributed to a second order Jahn-Teller distortion. The driving force for this distortion, which allows mixing between a set of ligand {pi} orbitals and the metal d{sub z}{sup 2} orbital, should be greatest for d{degrees} systems. In these systems the bent geometry leads to the stabilization of the doubly occupied HOMO. The driving force for ligand bending should be lower in systems having more or fewer electrons (e.g. Re(S{sub 2}C{sub 2}Ph{sub 2}){sub 3} or V(S{sub 2}C{sub 2}Ph{sub 2}){sub 3}, respectively). While the steric bulk of the dithiolate ligands in the latter complexes may also influence the degree of ligand bending, this is probably a secondary effect.
Treatment of leucemia in childhood

S INCE Farber and associates 1 reported favorable responses of children with acute leucemia to therapy with aminopterin, there have been numerous reports ~ of the use of this and other folic acid antagonists in that disease. The results have varied, but in general have been favorable. More recently adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and. cortisone have been employed in the treatment of these patients2 We are reporting the results of the treatment of twenty-two children with leucemia. These were treated with aminopterin, amethopterin (a related folic acid antagonist), and, in some of the later cases, with ACTH and/or cortisone. The antifolic acid drugs were given parenterally and orally, using both the ampules and the tablets for oral administration.
The metal-catalyzed oxidation of methionine in peptides by Fenton systems involves two consecutive one-electron oxidation processes.

The one-electron oxidation of methionine (Met) plays an important role in the redox reactions of Met in peptides and proteins under conditions of oxidative stress, e.g., during the metal-catalyzed oxidation of β-amyloid peptide (βA). However, little information is available with regard to mechanisms and product formation during the metal-catalyzed oxidation of Met. Here, we demonstrate that two-electron oxidation of Met in Fenton reactions, carried out aerobically by [FeII(EDTA)]2− and H2O2 (EDTA = ethylenediaminetetra acetate) is the consequence of two consecutive one-electron transfer reactions carried out by either free or complexed hydroxyl radicals, followed by the reaction of an intermediary sulfur-nitrogen bonded radical cation (sulfuranyl radical) with O2. The model peptide Met-Met represents an ideal substrate for these investigations as its one-electron oxidation, followed by reaction with molecular oxygen, produces unique intermediates, azasulfonium diastereomers, which can be chemically isolated before hydrolysis to sulfoxide occurs.
Systems properties of the Haemophilus influenzae Rd metabolic genotype.

Haemophilus influenzae Rd was the first free-living organism for which the complete genomic sequence was established. The annotated sequence and known biochemical information was used to define the H. influenzae Rd metabolic genotype. This genotype contains 488 metabolic reactions operating on 343 metabolites. The stoichiometric matrix was used to determine the systems characteristics of the metabolic genotype and to assess the metabolic capabilities of H. influenzae. The need to balance cofactor and biosynthetic precursor production during growth on mixed substrates led to the definition of six different optimal metabolic phenotypes arising from the same metabolic genotype, each with different constraining features. The effects of variations in the metabolic genotype were also studied, and it was shown that theH. influenzae Rd metabolic genotype contains redundant functions under defined conditions. We thus show that the synthesis ofin silico metabolic genotypes from annotated genome sequences is possible and that systems analysis methods are available that can be used to analyze and interpret phenotypic behavior of such genotypes.
Mechanical Non-Equilibrium Effect on Choking Flow at Low Pressure in Air-Water Experiment

At low pressure and low flow conditions, the prediction of two-phase flow transients is much more difficult than at relatively higher pressure or at high flow due to the large density ratio and thermal and mechanical non-equilibrium between the phases. A mechanical non-equilibrium effect was studied with air-water two-phase critical flow in pipes at low pressure (< 1 MPa). Critical flow test were conducted in a well-scaled test facility with several on-line instruments. The slip ratio, which is the key factor in the mechanical non-equilibrium, is directly measured at the upstream of the critical section. The break geometry effect was investigated using the nozzle and orifice as critical flow sections. The experimental results showed that the slip ratio increased as the quality increased. The slip ratio value at low pressure was relatively higher than the slip ratio at the high pressure for the same flow quality. The measured critical mass flux for the nozzle was higher than the orifice at the low flow quality. Thus there is a geometry effect on critical mass flux at the low quality region, even though there is no difference in the slip ratio at the upstream of choking plane. Thus, it is concluded that there is a strong mechanical non-equilibrium at the choking plane.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Phase transitions in warm, asymmetric nuclear matter.

A relativistic mean-field model of nuclear matter with arbitrary proton fraction is studied at finite temperature. An analysis is performed of the liquid-gas phase transition in a system with two conserved charges (baryon number and isospin) using the stability conditions on the free energy, the conservation laws, and Gibbs' criteria for phase equilibrium. For a binary system with two phases, the coexistence surface (binodal) is two dimensional. The Maxwell construction through the phase-separation region is discussed, and it is shown that the stable configuration can be determined uniquely at every density. Moreover, because of the greater dimensionality of the binodal surface, the liquid-gas phase transition is continuous (second order by Ehrenfest's definition), rather than discontinuous (first order), as in familiar one-component systems. Using a mean-field equation of state calibrated to the properties of nuclear matter and finite nuclei, various phase-separation scenarios are considered. The model is then applied to the liquid-gas phase transition that may occur in the warm, dilute matter produced in energetic heavy-ion collisions. In asymmetric matter, instabilities that produce a liquid-gas phase separation arise from fluctuations in the proton concentration (chemical instability), rather than from fluctuations in the baryon density (mechanical instability).
4.5.2 Model Integration – Extracting Value from MBSE

Model-Based Systems Engineering is making its way into the design processes of many Systems builders. But as with any new concept, it must prove its worth by demonstrating significant Return-On-Investment. One of the benefits of having designs formalized in models is sharing information, models and data, between designers and teams, and allowing valuable analytics to be performed over that collection of information. This paper will discuss a gradually evolving approach to model integration, sharing and collaboration, from simple indexing and relationship maintenance to comprehensive frameworks for information integration based on the recent advances in ontology-based data fusion and model transformations.
Coupled effects of temperature and mass transport on the isotope fractionation of zinc during electroplating

The isotopic composition of zinc metal electrodeposited on a rotating disc electrode from a Zn-citrate aqueous solution was investigated as a function of overpotential (electrochemical driving force), temperature, and rotation rate. Zn metal was measured to be isotopically light with respect to Zn^(+2) in solution, with observed fractionations varying from Δ^(66/64)Z_(nmetal-aqueous) = −1.0‰ to −3.9‰. Fractionation varies continuously as a function of a dimensionless parameter described by the ratio of observed deposition rate to calculated mass-transport limiting rate, where larger fractionations are observed at lower deposition rates, lower temperature, and at faster electrode rotation rates. Thus, the large fractionation and its rate dependence is interpreted as a competition between the two kinetic processes with different effective activation energies: mass-transport-limited (diffusion limited) kinetics with a large activation energy, which creates small fractionations close to the predicted diffusive fractionation; and electrochemical deposition kinetics, with a smaller effective activation energy, which creates large fractionations at low deposition rates and high hydrodynamic fluxes of solute to the electrode. The results provide a framework for predicting isotope fractionation in processes controlled by two competing reactions with different kinetic isotope effects.
NOx self-inhibition in selective catalytic reduction with urea (ammonia) over a Cu-zeolite catalyst in diesel exhaust

Abstract A NOx self-inhibiting effect was observed in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx on a diesel engine over a Cu-zeolite catalyst with NH3 as the reductant (supplied either directly or as urea). The effect was strongest at low-temperatures (
4‐Azapteridines. 2. spectral, chromatographic, and X‐Ray crystallographic studies concerning the mode of covalent addition to the pyrazino[2,3‐e]‐as‐triazine ring system

The first examples of the unknown pyrazino[2,3-e]-as-triazine ring system, that is, the 6,7-dihydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazino[2,3-e]-as-triazines, have been prepared by ring closure of selected 5,6-diamino-as-triazines with 40% aqueous glyoxal. These 4-azapteridines experience a novel exchange process with alcohols at the C(7)-position. When dissolved in alcohol and stirred at room temperature, the 7-alkoxy, 6-hydroxy analogues are formed and isolated. In fact, during ring closure, if alcohols are used as the solvent, only the latter compounds are obtained. Initially, cyclization of the ortho-diamino-as-triazines with glyoxal proceeds in a stereoselective manner giving rise to both the cis and trans adducts. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study has determined the predominant and most stable adduct to be the trans (R,R or S,S) isomer. Spectroscopy (nmr) has verified the intermediacy of the cis adduct, but because of the aforementioned exchange process only the trans isomer is isolated. The site of exchange on these σ-adducts has been rigorously established as C(7). A plausible reaction mechanism by which this exchange process occurs is presented.
Upscale Effects of Deep Convection during the North American Monsoon

AbstractThe ability of deep monsoon convection to influence the larger-scale circulation over North America is investigated for a 6-day-long case study during the 2006 North American monsoon. Results from Rossby wave ray tracing and numerical simulations using the Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting model indicate that North American monsoon convection provides a source region for stationary Rossby waves. Two wave trains are seen in the numerical model simulations, with behaviors that agree well with expectations from theory and ray tracing. The shorter and faster-moving wave train moves eastward from the source region in Mexico and reaches the western Atlantic within 4 days. The longer and slower-moving wave train travels northeastward and reaches the coastal New England region within 6 days. An upstream tail of anticyclonic vorticity extends westward from the source region into the central Pacific Ocean.The monsoon convection appears to help cut off the low-level anticyclonic flow by deve...
Submovements During Reaching Movements after Stroke

Neurological deficits after cerebrovascular accidents very frequently disrupt the kinematics of voluntary movements with the consequent impact in daily life activities. Robotic methodologies enable the quantitative characterization of specific control deficits needed to understand the basis of functional impairments and to design effective rehabilitation therapies. In a group of right handed chronic stroke survivors (SS) with right side hemiparesis, intact proprioception, and differing levels of motor impairment, we used a robotic manipulandum to study right arm function during discrete point-to-point reaching movements and reciprocal out-and-back movements to visual targets. We compared these movements with those of neurologically intact individuals (NI). We analyzed the presence of secondary submovements in the initial (i.e. outward) trajectory portion of the two tasks and found that the SS with severe impairment (FM < 30) presented arm submovements that differed notably not only from NI but also from those of SS with moderate arm impairment (FM 30-50). Therefore the results of this pilot study suggest that in SS arm kinematics vary significantly across differing levels of motor impairment. Our results support the development of rehabilitation therapies carefully tailored to each individual stroke survivor.
The Pnicogen Bond: Its Relation to Hydrogen, Halogen, and Other Noncovalent Bonds

Among a wide range of noncovalent interactions, hydrogen (H) bonds are well known for their specific roles in various chemical and biological phenomena. When describing conventional hydrogen bondin...
Wearable Sensing Clothes Embedding a Hetero-core Optic Fiber for Recognizing Arm Segment Posture and Motion

The objective of this study was to develop a wearable sensing clothes which can detect entire body posture and motion using a hetero-core optic fiber sensor. The hetero-core fiber sensor has been developed as a bend-sensitive sensor, and it has been found that the optical loss of the hetero-core fiber sensing element monotonically increased with bending action of hetero-core portion. This sensor was applied to detect arm segment posture and motion. We fabricated a wearable-sensing wristband and clothes which could recognize waving hand and beckoning, flexion of arm and motion of shoulder. As a result, we have successfully demonstrated that the wearable sensing clothes could monitor arm posture and motion at a sampling rate of 60 samples/s.
Engineered Salt-insensitive α-Defensins with End-to-end Circularized Structures

Abstract We designed a retro-isomer and seven circularized “β-tile” peptide analogs of a typical rabbit α-defensin, NP-1. The analogs retained defensin-like architecture after the characteristic end-to-end, Cys3,31 (C I:C VI), α-defensin disulfide bond was replaced by a backbone peptide bond. The retro-isomer of NP-1 was as active as the parent compound, suggesting that overall topology and amphipathicity governed its antimicrobial activity. A β-tile design with or without a single cross-bracing disulfide bond sufficed for antimicrobial activity, and some of the analogs retained activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium in NaCl concentrations that rendered NP-1 inactive. The new molecules had clustered positive charges resembling those in protegrins and tachyplesins, but were less cytotoxic. Such simplified α-defensin analogs minimize problems encountered during the oxidative folding of three-disulfide defensins. In addition, they are readily accessible to a novel thia zip cyclization procedure applicable to large unprotected peptide precursors of 31 amino acids in aqueous solutions. Collectively, these findings provide new and improved methodology to create salt-insensitive defensin-like peptides for application against bacterial diseases.
Multiple myeloma among blacks and Whites in the United States: the role of chronic antigenic stimulation

Multiple myeloma (MM) is twice as common among Blacks than Whites in the United States. The reasons for this racial disparity are unknown, and the etiology of this cancer in general, is poorly understood. Repeated or chronic antigenic stimulation (CAS) of the immune system has been suggested as a risk factor. Previous case-control studies have reported inconsistent CAS associations based on evaluations of individual and biologic categories of medical conditions. Interview data from 573 cases and 2,131 population-based controls were used to investigate further the CAS hypothesis using an immunologically based approach, and to determine whether CAS accounts for the excess of myeloma among Blacks. Over 50 medical conditions were grouped into biologically and immunologically related categories, and B-cell-and T-cell-mediated response groups. Except for urinary tract infections among Black men (odds ratio [OR]=2.0), no significantly increased risks of MM were observed. However, there was a suggestion of increased risk among Blacks with an increased exposure to anaphylatic conditions. Analysis by immunoglobulin type revealed significantly elevated risks of IgG myeloma with eczema (OR=2.1), the biologic category ‘allergic conditions” (OR=1.6), and the immunologic category ‘anaphylaxis response’ (OR=1.6) among Whites, with Blacks having slightly lower risks. Our findings do not support a causal relationship between CAS and MM, nor do they explain the higher incidence among Blacks.
Low-energy threshold of the fine-structure transition in rare-gas charge transfer

Abstract Data from previous crossed-beam experiments have demonstrated a low-energy threshold of the endoergic fine-structure transition in the charge-transfer reaction of rare gases. Correlation of the spin—orbit energies within this group of the periodic table with the threshold collision energy from these experiments demonstrates that theoretical calculations require three-dimensional analysis instead of one-dimensional at these energies.
Performance technology for parallel and distributed component software

This work targets the emerging use of software component technology for high-performance scientific parallel and distributed computing. While component software engineering will benefit the construction of complex science applications, its use presents several challenges to performance measurement, analysis, and optimization. The performance of a component application depends on the interaction (possibly nonlinear) of the composed component set. Furthermore, a component is a ‘binary unit of composition’ and the only information users have is the interface the component provides to the outside world. A performance engineering methodology and development approach is presented to address evaluation and optimization issues in high-performance component environments. We describe a prototype implementation of a performance measurement infrastructure for the Common Component Architecture (CCA) system. A case study demonstrating the use of this technology for integrated measurement, monitoring, and optimization in CCA component-based applications is given. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personal Beliefs Scale Redux: A Model for Hypothesis Testing

Data obtained from the Personal Beliefs Scale of Embree and Embree were used to develop an analysis of variance model for mind-body belief which emphasized a distinction between “conventional” and “unconventional” mind-body beliefs. By means of this model a critically important distinction between high scoring second-order psychosomaticism subjects was achieved. It was proposed that subjects low in unconventional/high conventional tend to employ classical logic when rating mind-body belief items and that subjects high in unconventional/high conventional mind-body belief characteristically engage in fuzzy logic. Possible applications of the model in research were discussed.
Inhibition of synaptosomal 5-[3H]hydroxytryptamine uptake by endogenous factor(s) in human blood.

The inhibition of 5-[3H] hydroxytryptamine uptake into rat forebrain synaptosomes by human plasma extracts was studied. Highly potent, small (Mr < 10000), and heat stable factor(s) were found to inhibit 5-[3H] hydroxytryptamine uptake specifically, reversibly and in a non-competitive manner. The possible role of these factor(s) as endogenous modulators of serotonergic activity is discussed.
Neonatal recognition of familial dysautonomia.

respiratory distress syndrome. It is unclear why SOD appeared to be effective in modifying pulmonary disease in human infants at relatively low doses, yet failed to modify sequelae in the present animal models, despite substantially higher doses of the enzyme. The lungs of both the preterm infant (<28 to 30 weeks gestation) and the mature newborn rat are both structurally immature and in a prealveolar, or saccular, stage of development. H Efficacy of SOD supplementation could relate to relative differences in the dose of oxygen exposure or the adequacy of available endogenous antioxidants. Alternately, SOD may reduce acute pathologic processes such as pulmonary edema and small airway damage, yet fail to prevent the oxygen toxic effect that disturbs normal lung parenchyma and vascular growth. Further investigation is necessary to establish the role of oxygen radicals and antioxidant therapy in neonatal lung disease. Until more data can be obtained from appropriate animal models, we caution against the use of SOD supplementation in human infants.
The TsÊ loop in tetralogy of fallot

Abstract The TsE loops of the spatial vectorcardiograms of 29 patients with tetralogy of Fallot were studied. The patients were divided into three groups according to the hemodynamic state: 24 patients had right-to-left intracardiac shunts while at rest, 3 patients had right-to-left shunts only upon exercise, and 2 patients were free of right-to-left shunts even with exercise. This report presents an analysis of the spatial distribution and magnitude of the maximal mean instantaneous vectors of the TsE loop, the ratio between maximal length and width of the TsE loop, the angle between maximal mean instantaneous vectors of the QRS and TsE loops and the spatial direction and magnitude of the sJ vectors. In addition to typical manifestations in the QRSsE loop, certain characteristic features were found for the TsE loops in the patients with tetralogy of Fallot. They were closely related to the ventricular hypertrophy and to the degree of hypertrophy. These studies show that an analysis of the TsE loop can assist in the diagnosis of hypertrophy of the heart in tetralogy of Fallot.
A scanning electron microscope study of integument diversity in Ornithodoros tartakovskyi olenev (acari:argasidae)

Abstract The integument of Ornithodoros tartakovskyi , a tick indigenous to Russia, was observed in a Hitachi HHS-2R scanning electron microscope. Of particular interest was the wide diversity in surface structures seen on this tick. We have observed a previously undescribed surface structure found adjacent to the transverse post-anal grooves, which may function in host attachment.
The use of certain chemicals to increase nutritional value and to extend quality in economic plants

This review paper presents results with and potential for the use of certain chemicals to stimulate growth of plants and increase yield, to increase nutritional composition, and to increase nutrient retention and quality after harvest and during storage of economic plants and their products.
Leading-edge vortex solutions with large total pressure losses

Computations are presented for a Lambda = 75 deg delta wing in a supersonic freestream under two conditions which lead to leading-edge vortices. For one condition, analysis of the computed vortical flow reveals a closed streamline in the core. From varying computational parameters, it appears that this is due to truncation error of the convective derivatives. For the other condition, comparisons are made with wind-tunnel data, and good agreement is noted for pitot pressure distributions, flow angles on the symmetry plane, and the position of an embedded shock. Many of the aerodynamic parameters are shown to be insensitive to grid spacing.
Different G1 cyclins control the timing of cell cycle commitment in mother and daughter cells of the budding yeast S. cerevisiae.

Abstract Growth of S. cerevisiae cells by budding gives rise to asymmetric progeny cells: a larger "mother" cell and a smaller "daughter" cell. The mother cell transits a brief G1 phase before forming a new bud and beginning DNA replication. The daughter cell stays in G1 for a longer period, growing in size before initiating a new cell cycle. We show that the timing of cell cycle initiation in mother and daughter cells is governed by different G1 cyclins. In daughter cells, transcription of CLN1 and CLN2 is induced in a size-dependent manner, and these cyclins are necessary for the normal timing of cell cycle initiation. CLN3 is not required in daughter cells, but is crucial for mother cells, in which the G1 phase is much longer in the absence of this cyclin.
Hegel on Marriage and Politics

This essay examines Hegel's theory of marriage and the role that it plays in the argument of the Philosophy of Right. It aims to show that the theory of marriage is based on a particular conception...
Effect of subchronic formaldehyde inhalation on minute volume and nasal deposition in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Since respiratory depression during formaldehyde (HCHO) inhalation is an important mechanism in reducing the dose received and potentially the toxicity in the nasal passages of exposed animals, this study was conducted to determine if changes in the pattern of minute volume response and nasal deposition occurred in nosepiece challenges to rats after long‐term repeated exposures to HCHO. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were exposed to 0, 0.5, 3, or 15 ppm HCHO for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk, for 8 or 16 wk. The preexposed animals and age‐specific controls were then submitted to a HCHO nose‐piece challenge at the same concentration that was received in the subchronic exposure. Very high nasal deposition was demonstrated in all measurements. There was a diminished maximum minute volume depression in the 16‐wk group relative to the 8‐wk group. The difference in response was not statistically associated with the sub‐chronic preexposure concentration. The substantial recovery of all initially depressed responses that occurred duri...
Speech identification difficulties of hearing-impaired elderly persons: the contributions of auditory processing deficits.

This study examined the performance of four subject groups on several temporally based measures of auditory processing and several measures of speech identification. The four subject groups were (a...
Alterations in redox homeostasis and prostaglandins impair endothelial-dependent vasodilation in euglycemic autoimmune nonobese diabetic mice

We report herein the novel observation that alterations in oxidant/antioxidant balance are evident and cause vascular dysfunction in aortae of prediabetic nonobese-diabetic mice (NOD). We found that nitrotyrosine, a biochemical marker of oxidant stress, was higher in the NOD aortae when compared to age-matched non-autoimmune BALB/c controls or the diabetes-resistant NOD congenic strain, NOD.Lc7. The oxidant stress was localized to the intimal and medial layers, and endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was decreased in isolated aortic rings from NOD mice. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis caused an endothelium-dependent contraction, and treatment with either a selective thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist or a non-isozyme-specific cyclooxygenase inhibitor reversed this effect. Aortic rings from NOD.Lc7 did not display the paradoxical vasoconstriction. Furthermore, the vascular dysfunction was caused by oxidative stress, as treatment with a superoxide dismutase mimetic in vivo or with native antioxidant enzymes ex vivo inhibited the tissue oxidant stress and restored endothelium-dependent relaxation. Endothelial function was also restored by the inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidase, diphenylene iodonium or apocynin. Our studies indicate that an oxidant stress that occurs prior to the onset of diabetes in this mouse model contributes to endothelial dysfunction independently of overt diabetes.
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE/COSMIC ORIGINS SPECTROGRAPH OBSERVATIONS OF THE QUASAR Q0302–003: PROBING THE He II REIONIZATION EPOCH AND QSO PROXIMITY EFFECTS

Q0302–003 (z = 3.2860 ± 0.0005) was the first quasar discovered that showed a He II Gunn-Peterson trough, a sign of incomplete helium reionization at z ≳ 2.9. We present its Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph far-UV medium-resolution spectrum, which resolves many spectral features for the first time, allowing study of the quasar itself, the intergalactic medium, and quasar proximity effects. Q0302–003 has a harder intrinsic extreme-UV spectral index than previously claimed, as determined from both a direct fit to the spectrum (yielding α{sub ν} ≈ –0.8) and the helium-to-hydrogen ion ratio in the quasar's line-of-sight proximity zone. Intergalactic absorption along this sightline shows that the helium Gunn-Peterson trough is largely black in the range 2.87 34 Myr.« less
Angular Distribution of Xe 5 s → ε p Photoelectrons: Direct Evidence for Anisotropic Final-State Interaction

The angular distribution of Xe $\mathrm{Xe} 5s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\epsilon}p$ photoelectrons has been measured yielding an asymmetry parameter $\ensuremath{\beta}=1.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$ at 304 \ifmmode \breve{A}\else \u{A}\fi{}. This deviation from the intuitively expected result $\ensuremath{\beta}=2$ (for a pure ${cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}$ distribution) for photoionization of an $s$ subshell of a $^{1}s_{0}$ target is a direct manifestation of anisotropic interactions experienced by the electron during the ejection process. The combined effect of interchannel and spin-orbit coupling is proposed as the likely interaction mechanism.
Activation of an innate immune response in the schistosome-transmitting snail Biomphalaria glabrata by specific bacterial PAMPs

Injection of crude lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli into the hemocoel of Biomphalaria glabrata stimulates cell proliferation in the amebocyte-producing organ (APO). However, it is not known if mitogenic activity resides in the lipid A or O-polysaccharide component of LPS. Moreover, the possible role of substances that commonly contaminate crude LPS and that are known to stimulate innate immune responses in mammals, e.g., peptidoglycan (PGN), protein, or bacterial DNA, is unclear. Therefore, we tested the effects of the following injected substances on the snail APO: crude LPS, ultrapurified LPS (lacking lipoprotein contamination), two forms of lipid A, (diphosphoryl lipid A and Kdo2-lipid A), O-polysaccharide, Gram negative PGN, both crude and ultrapurified (with and without endotoxin activity, respectively), Gram positive PGN, PGN components Tri-DAP and muramyl dipeptide, and bacterial DNA. Whereas crude LPS, ultrapurified LPS, and crude PGN were mitogenic, ultrapurified PGN was not. Moreover, LPS components, PGN components, and bacterial DNA were inactive. These results suggest that it is the intact LPS molecule which stimulates cell division in the APO.