cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catalytic properties of lithium carbonate melts and related slurries for the oxidative dimerization of methane

Abstract Melts prepared from lithium carbonate and talc (3 MgO·4 SiO 2 ·H 2 O) are effective catalysts for the oxidative dimerization of methane to ethane, with the subsequent conversion of ethane to ethylene (C 2 compounds). The reaction was studied in an alumina crucible which contained either alumina or talc rings to disperse the reactant gases in the molten phase. With 20 g of Li 2 CO 3 in a reactor containing alumina rings at 850°C and a methane-to-oxygen ratio of ca. 2 a conversion of 18% and a C 2 selectivity of 36% were observed at steady state. The addition of up to 15% by wt. of MgO caused a small increase both in the methane conversion and the C 2 selectivity. When the reaction was carried out in the presence of the talc rings, part of the talc entered the Li 2 CO 3 , and the conversion and selectivity increased to 43% and 40%, respectively. The positive results observed with talc are believed to result from the combined effects of the MgO, SiO 2 and perhaps iron impurities, as well as the pitted talc rings. Initially the nominally pure, molten Li 2 CO 3 was essentially inactive for the production of C 2 's, but as part of the carbonate decomposed and the talc entered the melt, an active oxide phase was formed. Carbon dioxide reversibly poisons the Li 2 CO 3 /talc system. Under normal operating conditions methane and other hydrocarbons react with carbon dioxide to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide. These reactions could be responsible for a considerable decrease in C 2 selectivity. Lithium carbonate and sodium carbonate form a eutectic, but the catalytic properties of this melt with talc are inferior to those obtained with only lithium carbonate and talc.
Specificity and inhibition studies of human renal dipeptidase

Purified human renal dipeptidase was shown to exhibit no detectable activity against substrates that are characteristic for other known mammalian peptidases. The enzymic activities that were assayed were: aminopeptidase A, aminopeptidase B, aminopeptidase M, aminopeptidase P, and tripeptidase. A quantitative assay for renal dipeptidase was developed which measures the rate of release of glycine from glycylpeptides by pre-column derivatization of the amino acid with phenylisothiocyanate followed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The ratio of Vmax/Km for a series of dipeptides was used as an index of the enzyme's preference for substrates. According to the data obtained, the enzyme prefers that a bulky, hydrophobic group of the dipeptide be located at the N-terminal position. This suggests that the substrate-binding site of the enzyme may provide a hydrophobic pocket to accommodate the hydrophobic moiety at the N-terminus of the dipeptide. The unsaturated dipeptide substrate, glycyldehydrophenylalanine, was employed in spectrophotometric assays to provide kinetic analyses of enzymic inhibition. The inhibitory effect of dithiothreitol was immediate, and the kinetic data indicated reversible, competitive inhibition. These results suggest that the inhibitor competes with substrate for a coordination site of zinc within the active site of the enzyme. The reaction of renal dipeptidase with the transition-state peptide analog, bestatin, was time dependent, and velocity measurements were made after the inhibitor had been incubated with the enzyme until constant rates were observed. These steady-state rate measurements, made following preincubation of enzyme with inhibitor, were employed to show that bestatin caused apparent non-competitive inhibition of the enzyme. The inhibitory effect of the beta-lactam inhibitor, cilastatin, upon the oligomeric dipeptidase was shown to be competitive. Graphical analysis of this inhibition indicated that the subunits of the enzyme react independently during enzymic catalysis and that the catalytic event is not influenced by cooperativity between sites on the subunits. The conversion of leukotriene D4 to leukotriene E4 in the presence of human renal dipeptidase was demonstrated by HPLC procedures. This bioconversion reaction was quantitated by derivatizing the glycine produced by cleavage of the cysteinylglycine bond and isolating this derivative as a function of time. The relationship between the purified enzyme concentration and enzyme activity against leukotriene D4 was shown to be linear over the enzyme concentration range of 1 ng through 69 ng in this assay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A new blue-emitting phosphor, SrZnO2:Pb2+, synthesized by the adipic acid templated sol–gel route

Abstract A new blue-emitting phosphor, Sr 1− x Pb x ZnO 2 , was prepared by a novel adipic acid templated sol–gel route. Photoluminescence and crystalline properties were investigated as functions of calcination temperatures and the Pb 2+ doping levels. It was found that under UV excitation with a wavelength of 283 or 317 nm, the phosphors gave emission from 374 to 615 nm with a peak centered at 451 nm. This broad-band was composed of UV and the visible range was attributed to an impurity-trapped exciton-type emission. The maximum emission intensity of the Sr 1− x Pb x ZnO 2 phosphors occurred at a Pb concentration of x =0.01. The decay time was observed to be ∼33 ms for the compound doped with 1 mol% Pb prepared at 1000 °C. Diffuse reflectance spectra revealed the characteristic absorption peaks and the bandgap energy of SrZnO 2 was found to be 3.4 eV. SEM analysis indicated that phosphor particles have an irregularly rounded morphology and the average particle size was found to be approximately 1 μm.
Exploiting GPUs with the Super Instruction Architecture

The Super Instruction Architecture (SIA) is a parallel programming environment designed for problems in computational chemistry involving complicated expressions defined in terms of tensors. Tensors are represented by multidimensional arrays which are typically very large. The SIA consists of a domain specific programming language, Super Instruction Assembly Language (SIAL), and its runtime system, Super Instruction Processor. An important feature of SIAL is that algorithms are expressed in terms of blocks (or tiles) of multidimensional arrays rather than individual floating point numbers. In this paper, we describe how the SIA was enhanced to exploit GPUs, obtaining speedups ranging from two to nearly four for computational chemistry calculations, thus saving hours of elapsed time on large-scale computations. The results provide evidence that the "programming-with-blocks" approach embodied in the SIA will remain successful in modern, heterogeneous computing environments.
"Teach Us to Learn": Multivariate Analysis of Perception of Success in Team Learning

Considerable attention has been given to the efficacy of team-learning pedagogy, yet the methodology remains underused among educators in institutions of higher education. We suggest that the perce...
The volcanic history of Mars: High-resolution crater-based studies of the calderas of 20 volcanoes

Abstract Determining absolute surface ages for bodies in the Solar System is, at present, only possible for Earth and Moon with radiometric dating for both bodies and biologic proxies such as fossils for Earth. Relative ages through cratering statistics are recognized as one of the most reliable proxies for relative ages, calibrated by lunar geologic mapping and Apollo program sample returns. In this work, we have utilized the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s ConTeXt Camera’s images which provide the highest resolution wide-scale coverage of Mars to systematically crater-age-date the calderas of 20 of Mars’ largest volcanoes in order to constrain the length of time over which these volcanoes – and major volcanic activity on the planet, by extension – were active. This constitutes the largest uniform and comprehensive research on these features to date, eliminating unknown uncertainties by multiple researchers analyzing different volcanoes with varied data and methods. We confirm previous results that Mars has had active volcanism throughout most of its history although it varied spatially and temporally, with the latest large-scale caldera activity ending approximately 150 ma in the Tharsis region. We find a transition from explosive to effusive eruption style occurring in the Hesperian, at approximately 3.5 Ga ago, though different regions of the planet transitioned at different times. Since we were statistically complete in our crater counts to sizes as small as ∼60 m in most cases, we also used our results to study the importance of secondary cratering and its effects on crater size–frequency distributions within the small regions of volcanic calderas. We found that there is no “golden rule” for the diameters secondaries become important in crater counts of martian surfaces, with one volcano showing a classic field of secondaries ∼2 crater diameters from the center of its primary but not affecting the size–frequency distribution, and another clearly showing an influence but from no obvious primary.
Communication and Synchronization in Distributed Systems

Recent advances in technology have made the construction of general-purpose systems out of many small independent microprocessors feasible. One of the issue's concerning distributed systems is the question of appropriate language constructs for the handling of communication and synchronization. In his paper, "Communicating sequential processes," Hoare has suggested the use of the input and output constructs and Dijkstra's guarded commands to handle these two issues. This paper examines Hoare's concepts in greater detail by concentrating on the following two issues: 1) allowing both input and output commands to appear in guards, 2) sinple abstract implementation of the input and output constructs.
Change in Weight and Adiposity in College Students A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Context The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess changes in body weight and relative adiposity (%FAT) during college and identify potential moderating variables. Evidence acquisition A review of peer-reviewed articles published before June 28, 2013 identified 49 studies evaluating the effect of the first year of college on the dependent variables of body weight (137 effects from 48 studies) and %FAT (48 effects from 19 studies). Statistical analysis was conducted between July 1, 2013, and May 1, 2014. Effect sizes were calculated by subtracting the mean pre-test measurements from the mean post-test measurements. Evidence synthesis Participants' weight increased 1.55 kg (95% CI=1.3, 1.8 kg) during college, with a 1.17% increase in %FAT (95% CI=0.7, 1.6%). Meta-regression analysis concluded that changes in body weight and %FAT were positively associated with study duration, suggesting that effects measuring change over a longer duration yielded larger effects when compared to effects with shorter observations. Sex and baseline BMI were not associated with change in weight or %FAT after accounting for study duration. Conclusions The increase in weight and %FAT during the college years is equal to 1.55 kg and 1.17%, respectively. Change in body weight during the first year of college is significantly less than that during the cumulative remaining years of college. By understanding the magnitude of change, appropriate prevention efforts can be designed for the college population, which may be beneficial in reducing adult overweight and obesity rates.
Natalizumab for multiple sclerosis: appraising risk versus benefit, a seemingly demanding tango

Introduction: Natalizumab is a highly effective monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). It reduces relapses, delays the onset of disease progression and improves disease outcomes in relapsing-remitting MS. However, treatment with natalizumab is associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a severe opportunistic brain infection with John Cunningham virus. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss the mechanism of action, results of pivotal studies, clinical use and adverse effects associated with natalizumab therapy with emphasis on PML. A risk stratification strategy to optimize natalizumab therapy is included. This review also summarizes the alternative and upcoming therapies available for the treatment of MS. Expert opinion: Natalizumab is a very effective therapy for MS and has shown tremendous results in reducing the disease activity and improving patients' quality of life. Serious adverse effect such as PML warrant extreme caution and heightened cli...
Identification and characterization of leukotriene C4 and D4 receptors on a cultured smooth muscle cell line, BC3H-1

Abstract We studied the characteristics of the leukotriene (LT) C 4 and D 4 receptors on a cultured smooth muscle cell line, BC3H-1. Specific [ 3 H]LTC 4 binding to the cell membrane was greater than 80% of total binding and saturable at a density of 3.96 ± 0.39 pmol/mg protein, with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 14.3 ± 2.0 nM (n=9). The association and dissociation of [ 3 H]LTC 4 binding were rapid and apparent equilibrium conditions were established within 5 min. Calculated Kd value of [ 3 H]LTC 4 binding from the kinetic analysis was 9.9 nM. From the competition analysis, calculated Ki value of unlabeled LTC 4 to compete for the specific binding of [ 3 H]LTC 4 was 9.2 nM and was in good agreement with the Kd value obtained from the Scatchard plots or kinetic analysis. The rank order of potency of the unlabeled competitors for competing specific [ 3 H]LTC 4 binding was LTC 4 ⪢ LTD 4 > LTE 4 > FPL-55712. The maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of [ 3 H]LTD 4 in the membrane of BC3H-1 cell line was about 11 times lower than that of the [ 3 H]LTC 4 . The calculated values of Kd and Bmax of [ 3 H]LTD 4 binding were 9.3 ± 0.8 nM and 0.37 ± 0.04 pmol/mg protein, respectively ( n =3). The rank order of potency of the unlabeled competitors for competing specific [ 3 H]LTD 4 binding was LTD 4 = LTE 4 > FPL-55712 ⪢ LTC 4 . These findings demonstrate that BC3H-1 cell line possess both LTC 4 and LTD 4 receptors with a predominance of LTC 4 receptors. Thus BC3H-1 cell line is a good model to study the regulation of LTC 4 and LTD 4 receptors.
PRECIPITATION IN STAR SAPPHIRE. III: CHEMICAL EFFECTS ACCOMPANYING PRECIPITATION

Abstract Large prismatic dislocation loops, of interstitial character and with 1/3 〈1011〉 Burgers vectors are observed to lie on basal planes in the sapphire matrix around rutile needle precipitates in star sapphire. The loops climb away from the precipitate-matrix interface during ageing, and contain the material that has ‘plated out’ during precipitation. This plating out of material is necessary because the rutile lattice is less densely packed than that of sapphire. The area of these climbed-out loops depends on the nature of the charge-compensating defect that accompanies dissolution of aliovalent Ti4+ in sapphire; our results suggest that this defect is the oxygen interstitial rather than the aluminium vacancy.
The effect of larval predators Thanasimus dubius (Coleoptera: Cleridae), produced by an improved system of rearing, against the southern pine beetle Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (SPB), is known to be a major bark beetle pest of pines throughout the southeastern United States. A common predator of bark beetles, Thanasimus dubius (Coleoptera: Cleridae), has been suggested to play a prevalent role on SPB dynamics. Evaluations of T. dubius have been limited by rearing methods; an artificial diet for larval T. dubius exists, and preservatives such as sorbic acid could help to maximize diet shelf-life and enhance the efficiency of the rearing system. The effects of sorbic acid at different concentrations (0%, 0.1% and 0.2%) in the larval diet for T. dubius were measured, and the effects of increased feeding time intervals (2–3 vs . 5 days) on predator performance evaluated. In addition, an experimental bioassay was conducted where newly hatched T. dubius larvae were released at four densities (0, 50, 100, and 200 per log) on pine logs infested by SPB. Sorbic acid in the diet reduced female fecundity (by 20–40%), but did not affect adult T. dubius size or longevity. However, using this preservative may not be necessary because it had no effect on the overall efficiency of the rearing system, while refreshing the larval diet every 5 days (compared with 2–3 days) did improve its efficiency, even without sorbic acid. The release of larval T. dubius resulted in a highly significant effect on the SPB ratio of increase ( RI ). This experiment was facilitated by the improvements in our rearing methods.
The inhibition of estrogen receptor-mediated responses by chloro-S-triazine-derived compounds is dependent on estradiol concentration in yeast

Abstract The chloro-S-triazine derived compounds atrazine, atrazine desisopropyl, cyanazine, and simazine are commonly used herbicides. These compounds do not have estrogenic activity in yeast expressing human estrogen receptor (hER) and an estrogen-sensitive reporter. In the presence of a concentration of estradiol (20 nM) that induced maximal reporter activity in yeast, the triazines did not inhibit reporter activity. However, the triazines decreased reporter activity in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of a submaximal concentration of estradiol (0.5 nM). The estradiol-dependent activity of a mutant hER lacking the amino terminus was not inhibited by the triazines in yeast. Competition binding assays demonstrated that the triazines displaced radiolabeled estradiol from recombinant hER. These results suggest that the ability of the triazines to inhibit estrogen receptor-mediated responses in yeast occur through their interaction with hER and is dependent on the concentration of estradiol.
Brown noddy chick predation by great frigatebirds in the northwestern Hawaiian islands

Adult female Great Frigatebirds (Fregata minor) were responsible for 64% of the predatory behaviors on Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) chicks on Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals, Hawaii. Subadults with red orbital rings (presumably females) also preyed on Brown Noddy chicks, although they were observed hunting less frequently than adult females. No adult male frigatebirds were observed hunting in 118.3 hours of observation. Frigatebird predation likely accounted for 95% of mortality observed in Brown Noddy chicks less than 24 days of age. Chicks were as likely to survive to fledging regardless of nest location or down coloration; however, more chicks survived to fledging if hatched between mid-February and mid-May. Unequal sex ratios, sexual size dimorphism, resource partitioning, and breeding strategies of frigatebirds were evaluated to explain why sex differences in frigatebird predation behaviors were observed on Tern Island.
Development of wideband circularly polarised square- and rectangular-loop antennas

New types of wideband circularly polarised (CP) square- and rectangular-loop antennas are developed and discussed. It is shown that the bandwidth for circular polarisation of a loop antenna can be significantly increased by adding a parasitic loop inside the original loop. The addition of the parasitic element can create one more minimum axial ratio (AR) point, which can appropriately combine with the original one, leading to a significant enhancement for the AR bandwidth. It is found that the AR (r 2 dB) bandwidth of a square-loop antenna can be increased from 6.5% to 20% by adding a parasitic square loop. By replacing the square loop with a rectangular loop, the AR bandwidth can be further enhanced. For a rectangular loop with an aspect ratio of 1/2, a bandwidth of nearly 50% for ARr 2 dB is obtained with ag ain of 8.5-7.5 dBi. A broadband balun is introduced for impedance matching.
The electrophysiology and pharmacology of lobster neuromuscular synapses.

Effects of drugs on resting potential, membrane resistance, and excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.'s and i.p.s.p.'s) of lobster muscle fibers were studied using intracellular microelectrodes Acetylcholine, d-tubocurarine, strychnine, and other drugs of respectively related actions on vertebrate synapses were without effects even in 1 per cent solutions (10(-)w/v). Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acted powerfully and nearly maximally at 10(-7) to 10(-6)w/v. Membrane resistance fell two- to tenfold, the resting potential usually increasing slightly. This combination of effects, which indicates activation of inhibitory synaptic membrane, was also produced by other short chain omega-amino acids and related compounds that inactivate depolarizing axodendritic synapses of cat. The conductance change, involving increased permeability to Cl(-), by its clamping action on membrane potential shortened as well as decreased individual e.p.s.p.'s. Picrotoxin in low concentration (ca. 10(-7)w/v) and guanidine in higher (ca. 10(-3)w/v) specifically inactivate inhibitory synapses. GABA and picrotoxin are competitive antagonists. The longer chain omega-amino acids which inactivate hyperpolarizing axodendritic synapses of cat are without effect on lobster neuromuscular synapse. However, one member of this group, carnitine (beta-OH-GABA betaine), activated the excitatory synapses, a decreased membrane resistance being associated with depolarzation. The pharmacological properties of lobster neuromuscular synapses and probably also of other crustacean inhibitory synapses appear to stand in a doubly inverted relation to axodendritic synapses of cat.
Intermittent right coronary artery obstruction

Although prospectively electrocardiogram-triggered acquisition is frequently used for coronary CT angiography examinations in routine clinical practice to achieve low radiation dose, the use of retrospectively electrocardiogram-gated techniques may be useful for cases that potentially have a dynamic temporal element or involve the valves. In this case of a valvular fibroelastoma, CT could demonstrate dynamic obstruction of the right coronary ostium.
Multisensor integration in the tracking of landing aircraft

An algorithm is presented for tracking a landing aircraft using two different passive sensors, a laser range finder (LRF) and an infrared camera (FLIR). The main feature of this algorithm is its ability to identify and compensate for plume disturbance. The algorithm is based on the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and the filtering confidence function (FCF) which introduces a learning approach to the tracking problem. The results of a simulation using the learning tracking algorithm and the extended Kalman filter alone are presented and compared. >
Amino Acid Generation Following Platelet‐Antibody Interaction

Summary The effects of immune reactions involving rat platelets in an in vitro system were examined by determining the amino acid composition of platelets and their surrounding medium before and after incubation. Amino acid generation occurred characterized by an increase in total amino acids in the immune system following 60 min incubation. This was accompanied by changes in the intracellular composition of amino acids within the platelets; however, the total increase of amino acids in the system was greater than that released from the platelet free amino acid pool. The amino acid increment may have been derived from hydrolytic break down of platelet protein or smaller peptide fragments. The data suggest that more occurs than just a change in cell permeability when platelets participate in immune reactions. Resume Les effets des reactions immunitaires comportant des plaquettes de rat dans un systeme in vitro a ete examine en determinant la composition des acides amines des plaquettes et de leur milieu avant et apres incubation. La production d'acides amines qui a eu heu est caracterisee par une augmentation des acides amines totaux dans le systeme immun apres 60 minutes d'incubation. Ceci est accompagne d'une modification de la composition intracellulaire des acides amines dans les plaquettes; toutefois, l'augmentation totale des acides amines dans le systeme est plus grande que la quantite globale des acides amines libres liberes par les plaquettes. Cette augmentation des acides amines semble etre le resultat d'une hydrolyse des proteines plaquettaires ou de fragments peptidiques de petites tailles. Ces resultats laissent supposer qu'il y a surtout une modification de la permeabilite de la cellule lorsque les plaquettes participent a une reaction immunitaire. Zusammenfassung Die Beeinflussung von Rattenplattchen durch Immunreaktionen wurde in einem in vitro-System dadurch untersucht, indem die Aminosaurenzusammensetzung der Plattchen und des sie umgebenden Mediums vor und nach Inkubation bestimmt wurde. Nach 60minutiger Inkubation fand sich im Immunsystem eine deutliche Zunahme der Aminosauren. Parallel dazu fanden sich Veranderungen der intrazellularen Aminosaurenzusammensetzung. Die Aminosaurenzunahme war groser als diejenige, die durch Freisetzung der intrazellularen Aminosauren moglich ware. Dies spricht dafur, das ein Teil der Aminosaurenzunahme auf einem hydrolytischen Abbau von Plattchenproteinen oder kleineren Peptidfragmenten beruht. Die vorgelegten Befunde dokumentieren, das sich die Beteiligung der Plattchen an Immunreaktionen nicht auf blose Permeabilitatsanderungen beschrankt.
Measurement of bulk lifetime and surface recombination velocities at the two surfaces by infrared absorption due to pulsed optical excitation

The work of K.L. Luke and L.-J. Cheng (1987) is extended to account for the asymmetric case of different surface recombination velocities at the two wafer surfaces. The authors present the analysis and discuss experimental procedures to extract the parameters. The contactless measurement technique is based on the transient behavior of infrared absorption due to the decay of optically excited excess carriers. In order to determine the surface recombination velocities at both surfaces, the experiment must be done for the two sides acting as front surfaces. An example of parameter extraction is presented. >
Rehabilitation Service Utilization Among African American Women Living With HIV/AIDS Applying the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations

African American women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. As individuals with HIV/AIDS are living longer and healthier lives, research exploring the appropriateness of rehabilitation serv...
Tetramethylammonium Dimethyl Phosphate

[756-77-4] C6H18NO4P (MW 199.22) InChI = 1S/C4H12N.C2H7O4P/c1-5(2,3)4;1-5-7(3,4)6-2/h1-4H3;1-2H3,(H,3,4)/q+1;/p-1 InChIKey = ZUTDMCQPJTZWDJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M (dehydrobromination of bromo ketones, bromo aldehydes, and bromoalkanes) Physical Data: mp 215 °C. Solubility: sol acetonitrile, DMF, HMPA. Preparative Methods: prepared1, 2 by reacting an excess of Trimethylamine (139 g) with Trimethyl Phosphate (210 g) in acetone solution (400 g) in a sealed glass reactor at ambient temperature. The crystalline product is recovered by filtration in greater than 90% yield. Analysis of Reagent Purity: the purity is assessed by mp. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: no data available.
The essential role of the promoter-proximal subunit of CAP in pap phase variation: Lrp- and helical phase-dependent activation of papBA transcription by CAP from -215.

Catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) is essential for the expression of Pap pili by uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Both in vitro and in vivo analyses indicate that binding of cAMP–CAP centred at 215.5 bp upstream of the papBA promoter is essential for activation of transcription. CAP-dependent activation of papBA requires binding of the leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp) at binding sites that extend from −180 to −149 relative to the start site of papBA. Our data indicate that CAP and Lrp bind independently to their respective pap DNA sites. Activation of papBA transcription was eliminated by mutations in the activating region 1 (AR1) of CAP, but not in the AR2 region, similar to class I CAP-dependent promoters. Also, like class I promoters, the C-terminal domain of the α-subunit of RNA polymerase appears to play a role in transcription activation. Moreover, phase variation is strictly dependent upon the helical phase of the CAP DNA binding site with respect to the papBA transcription start site. Using an ‘oriented heterodimer’ approach with wild-type and AR1 mutant CAPs, it was shown that the AR1 region of the CAP subunit proximal to papBA is required for stimulation of papBA transcription, whereas AR1 of the promoter-distal subunit is not. Previously, CAP was hypothesized to activate pap transcription indirectly by disrupting repression mediated by H-NS. The results presented here show that AR1 of the promoter-proximal CAP subunit was required for papBA transcription even in the absence of the histone-like protein H-NS. These results show that the promoter-proximal subunit of CAP, bound 215.5 bp upstream of the papBA transcription start site, plays an active role in stimulating papBA transcription, possibly by interacting with the C-terminal domain of the α-subunit of RNA polymerase.
The Character Effect

Resisting the more general claims of earlier scholars that, because they are disembodied, fictional characters could provide various "compensations" for readers, Brewer (again drawing on Moretti) argues that some characters have a particularly vital and prominent place in the civil imaginary simply because, in a paradoxical and self-generating "feedback loop," they exist in a proliferation of material forms (in multiple editions and formats, imitative sequels, theatrical adaptations, print images, etc.).
Plant chromosomes from end to end: telomeres, heterochromatin and centromeres

Recent evidence indicates that heterochromatin in plants is composed of heterogeneous sequences, which are usually composed of transposable elements or tandem repeat arrays. These arrays are associated with chromatin modifications that produce a closed configuration that limits transcription. Centromere sequences in plants are usually composed of tandem repeat arrays that are homogenized across the genome. Analysis of such arrays in closely related taxa suggests a rapid turnover of the repeat unit that is typical of a particular species. In addition, two lines of evidence for an epigenetic component of centromere specification have been reported, namely an example of a neocentromere formed over sequences without the typical repeat array and examples of centromere inactivation. Although the telomere repeat unit is quite prevalent in the plant kingdom, unusual repeats have been found in some families. Recently, it was demonstrated that the introduction of telomere sequences into plants cells causes truncation of the chromosomes, and that this technique can be used to produce artificial chromosome platforms.
Toward a comprehensive framework for software process modeling evolution

Software process modeling has undergone extensive changes in the last three decades, impacting process' structure, degree of control, degree of visualization, degree of automation and integration. These changes can be attributed to several factors. This paper studies two of these factors, the time dimension and the interdisciplinary impact, and assesses their effect on the evolution of process modeling. A literature survey for software process modeling was carried out which provided evidence of how the time dimension and the interdisciplinary impact triggered process evolution and changes in methodology, technology experience and business requirements. Finally, the paper concludes with a theoretical framework to serve as an illustrative model for the effects of the time dimension and interdisciplinary impact on process modeling evolution. This framework can serve as to develop more advanced models for technological forecasting in software process modeling evolution.
Militarization and Policing—Its Relevance to 21st Century Police

This work examines the blurring distinctions between the police and military institutions and between war and law enforcement. In this article, the author asserts that understanding this blur, and the associated organizing concepts militarization and militarism, are essential for accurately analyzing the changing nature of security, and the activity of policing, in the late-modern era of the 21st century. Simplicity is comforting. Modernity's basic dichotomies such as fact/value, private/public, and national/international simplify our think- ing and lull us into intellectual complacency. Police academics in the United States, with only a few exceptions, have been quite com- fortable with the military/police dichotomy. The US military handles external security through the threat and practice of war. The civilian police handle internal security through the enforcement of federal and local laws. Most assume that studying the police and military is a mutually exclusive undertaking. Taking this dichotomy for granted is understandable given that the clear demarcation between the police and military has been considered a pre- eminent feature of the modern nation-state (Giddens, 1985). The failure of a government
Media design for user density of up to 3 bits per pulse width

It is noted that increasing the user density in digital recording by the use of linear equalization and sequence detection will provide new design opportunities and new constraints on the recording media. The authors have evaluated five head/media designs to determine how the media can benefit from systems operating at higher user density. They conclude that the limits to recording at high user density are nonlinearities in dibit amplitude and increases in the dibit amplitude jitter and correlation. The origins of the nonlinearities and noise are described by knockdown and recoil of the media magnetization. Head/media systems must be designed to avoid knockdown. The systems which will be the most successful in taking advantage of new channel techniques will be system using high-efficiency codes with multiple bits per flux change. >
Direct ultramicro glucose oxidase method for determination of glucose in biologic fluids.

A simple, direct, ultramicro, specific-enzyme method for determination of plasma and urine glucose is described in detail and compared with other methods.
Quantum-fluctuation effects on the tunneling conductivity above the superconducting transition

We study fluctuation effects above the transition temperature on the tunneling conductivity in two-dimensional metallic contacts. The exact frequency dependence of the electron phase relaxation time (pair breaking) due to superconducting fluctuations in impure metals is taken into account. It is shown that corrections to the tunneling conductivity in symmetric and nonsymmetric contacts are modified drastically close to the transition temperature due to these dynamic pair-breaking effects (quantum-fluctuation effects). A new energy scale appears as a result of the quantum-fluctuation effects, which leads to a peculiar temperature and magnetic-field dependence of the tunneling conductivity close to the transition.
Random insertion of split-cans of the fluorescent protein venus into Shaker channels yields voltage sensitive probes with improved membrane localization in mammalian cells.

FlaSh-YFP, a fluorescent protein (FP) voltage sensor that is a fusion of the Shaker potassium channel with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), is primarily expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of mammalian cells, possibly due to misfolded monomers. In an effort to improve plasma membrane expression, the FP was split into two non-fluorescent halves. Each half was randomly inserted into Shaker monomers via a transposon reaction. Shaker subunits containing the 5' half were co-expressed with Shaker subunits containing the 3' half. Tetramerization of Shaker subunits is required for re-conjugation of the FP. The misfolded monomers trapped in ER are unlikely to tetramerize and reconstitute the beta-can structure, and thus intracellular fluorescence might be reduced. This split-can transposon approach yielded 56 fluorescent probes, 30 (54%) of which were expressed at the plasma membrane and were capable of optically reporting changes in membrane potential. The largest signal from these novel FP-sensors was a −1.4% in ΔF/F for a 100 mV depolarization, with on time constants of about 15 ms and off time constants of about 200 ms. This split-can transposon approach has the potential to improve other multimeric probes.
T cell costimulation protects obesity-induced adipose inflammation and insulin resistance

A key pathophysiologic role for activated T-cells in mediating adipose inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) has been recently postulated. However, mechanisms underlying their activation are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated a previously unrecognized homeostatic role for the costimulatory B7 molecules (CD80 and CD86) in preventing adipose inflammation. Instead of promoting inflammation, which was found in many other disease conditions, B7 costimulation reduced adipose inflammation by maintaining regulatory T-cell (Treg) numbers in adipose tissue. In both humans and mice, expression of CD80 and CD86 was negatively correlated with the degree of IR and adipose tissue macrophage infiltration. Decreased B7 expression in obesity appeared to directly impair Treg proliferation and function that lead to excessive proinflammatory macrophages and the development of IR. CD80/CD86 double knockout (B7 KO) mice had enhanced adipose macrophage inflammation and IR under both high-fat and normal diet conditions, accompanied by reduced Treg development and proliferation. Adoptive transfer of Tregs reversed IR and adipose inflammation in B7 KO mice. Our results suggest an essential role for B7 in maintaining Tregs and adipose homeostasis and may have important implications for therapies that target costimulation in type 2 diabetes.
Hypothyroidism in patients with bipolar I disorder treated primarily with lithium.

Aims – This study evaluated the frequency and clinical significance of abnormal Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Free Thyroxine Index (FTI) in patients with bipolar I disorder treated primarily with lithium. Method – We evaluated the medical records of 143 participants in the Pittsburgh study of Maintenance Therapies in Bipolar Disorder who did not have a thyroid abnormality at entry. Results – Thirty-six percent of the 143 patients developed abnormal TSH and/or FTI values. Thirty-eight percent of the 135 patients who received lithium developed abnormal TSH and/or FTI, spent significantly longer time in the acute treatment phase (t = -3.6, df = 133, p = .0004), and had significantly higher mean Hamilton Scale for Depression scores over the course of the maintenance phase (t = -2.3, df = 71.6, p = .03). Time on lithium and development of abnormal TSH and/or FTI were positively correlated (r = .25, p = .004). Conclusions – Thyroid dysfunction can be frequent in patients exposed to lithium treatment for bipolar I disorder; it also appears to be correlated with a slower response to acute treatment, and may be related to poorer quality of long-term remission. A prospective study is needed to confirm our findings and determine whether more aggressive thyroid replacement can optimize thyroid function to facilitate clinical recovery.Declaration of Interest: Supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health Grants MH 029618 (Drs. Frank and Fagiolini) and MH 030915 (Drs. Kupfer and Fagiolini), and the Bosin Memorial Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation (Drs. Fagiolini, Kupfer, Cook, Scott, Novick and Frank). Dr. Fagiolini is on the advisory board and a consultant to Pfizer Inc, and Bristol Myers Squibb, and is on the speaker bureau of Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly Italy, Pfizer Inc, and Shire. Dr. Frank is on the advisory board of Pfizer Inc. and Eli Lilly & Company, and is a consultant to Pfizer Italia and Sender Amerique. Dr. Kupfer is on the advisory board of Pfizer, Inc., Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Solvay-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and is a consultant to Servier Amerique.
DIVERSE FEEDING RESPONSES OF FIVE SPECIES OF BIVALVE MOLLUSC WHEN EXPOSED TO THREE SPECIES OF HARMFUL ALGAE

Abstract Shell closure and restriction of filtration are behavioral responses by which bivalve molluscs can limit exposure of soft tissues to noxious or toxic agents, including harmful microalgae. In this study, we assessed the clearance rates of five species of bivalve mollusc—the northern bay scallop Argopecten irradians irradians, the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica, the northern quahog Mercenaria mercenaria, the softshell clam Mya arenaria, and the blue mussel Mytilus edulis—exposed for one hour to each of three harmful-algal strains: Prorocentrum minimum, Alexandrium fundyense, and Heterosigma akashiwo. Clearance rates of harmful-algal cells were compared with clearance rates of a benign microalga, Rhodomonas sp., and to a Mix of each harmful alga with Rhodomonas sp. Qualitative observations of valve closure and production of biodeposits were also assessed during the exposure experiments. Feces and pseudofeces were collected and observed with light and fluorescence microscopy for the presence or...
From the closest observers of patient care: a thematic analysis of online narrative reviews of hospitals

Objective Patient-centred care has become a priority in many countries. It is unknown whether current tools capture aspects of care patients and their surrogates consider important. We investigated whether online narrative reviews from patients and surrogates reflect domains in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) and we described additional potential domains. Design We used thematic analysis to assess online narrative reviews for reference to HCAHPS domains and salient non-HCAHPS domains and compared results by reviewer type (patient vs surrogate). Setting We identified hospitals for review from the American Hospital Association database using a stratified random sampling approach. This approach ensured inclusion of reviews of a diverse set of hospitals. We searched online in February 2013 for narrative reviews from any source for each hospital. Participants We included up to two narrative reviews for each hospital. Exclusions: Outpatient or emergency department reviews, reviews from self-identified hospital employees, or reviews of <10 words. Results 50.0% (n=122) of reviews (N=244) were from patients and 38.1% (n=93) from friends or family members. Only 57.0% (n=139) of reviews mentioned any HCAHPS domain. Additional salient domains were: Financing, including unexpected out-of-pocket costs and difficult interactions with billing departments; system-centred care; and perceptions of safety. These domains were mentioned in 51.2% (n=125) of reviews. Friends and family members commented on perceptions of safety more frequently than patients. Conclusions A substantial proportion of consumer reviews do not mention HCAHPS domains. Surrogates appear to observe care differently than patients, particularly around safety.
Office-based evaluation of renal function in elderly patients receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Elderly patients with multiple diseases who are receiving diuretics are at risk for renal dysfunction from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Fifty-two elderly patients (mean age = 72 years, range = 63–87 years) with degenerative joint disease and multiple concomitant illnesses were randomly selected to receive ibuprofen suspension (400 mg) or aspirin (650 mg) 4 times a day. Serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), weight, and blood pressure were measured at baseline and at weekly intervals for 6 weeks. There were no significant changes from baseline in any tests reflective of renal function, no significant differences between ibuprofen and aspirin, and no influence of concomitant diuretic therapy. Ibuprofen and aspirin administered in the doses examined for 6 weeks appear to have little effect on renal function as measured by serum Cr and BUN in a sample of elderly patients for whom these drugs are commonly employed. Concomitant diuretic therapy does not appear to increase the risk. While these drugs are contraindicated in patients with severe hemodynamic insult, they should not be withheld from elderly patients who require this therapy for analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects because of concern for renal impairment. Further prospective research should be undertaken to clarify levels of patient risk and to define appropriate monitoring in such patients.
Decision Making Under Ignorance

Ignorance is an extreme form of uncertainty. In most narrow and technical sense, it means inability to assign a meaningful probability to the phenomena of interest. In more general sense, the state of ignorance is the result of the absence of knowledge about structural factors that influence the issues, the lack of reliable information or inability to completely determine the space of alternatives and consequences. We argue that the practice of casually papering over the ignorance with subjective judgments and analytic assumptions can have serious consequences. This chapter provides a structured survey (and necessarily selective) of significant ideas and proposals for decision making under ignorance, from the ground breaking work by Hurwicz and Arrow to the latest result of τ-anchor utility theory. A careful analysis and isolation of ignorance in the system of knowledge about a subject or a problem is of particular importance in the context of risk assessment and risk management.
Winter Conditioning of Third Instars of the Gall Fly Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Western Pennsylvania

Third instars of Eurosta solidaginis (Fitch) inhabit stem galls on goldenrod, Solidago spp., exposing them to cold, desiccation, and temperature instability. Because these conditions increase the risk of metabolic stress, the physiological conditioning of 3rd instars was examined between September and March for 2 successive years (1993–1994 and 1994–1995). The maximum and minimum air temperatures differed by 63 and 50°C during 1993°1994 and 1994°1995, respectively. Subnormal temperatures prevailed most of the winter for 1993°1994, whereas an opposite trend existed during 1994-1995. Although subfreezing temperatures were still common during both years, temperatures were often above the larval supercooling point. The water content of larvae was stable throughout the study but their body mass and lipid content declined nearly 20% during each study period. Hemolymph osmolality rose from 0.5 Osmoles (September) to just above 1.3 Osmoles (January). The supercooling point rose from −11.4 to −9.8°C between September and October; it then remained stable until declining in March. Some changes seen here (e.g., reducing supercooling capacity) likely facilitate the winter survival of the larvae; whereas, other physiological changes (e.g., loss of stored lipids) represent passive responses to the harsh gall environment. Moderate differences in winter severity between the 2 yr failed to appreciably alter larval use of energy reserves or their maintenance of cryoprotectant levels.
Antibiotic Resistance in Developing Countries

Depuis 15 ans on observe des epidemies de maladies infectieuses dues a des souches bacteriennes resistantes dans le monde