cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Substrate Studies for Insulin-Specific Protease

Insulin-specific protease, a soluble cellular enzyme from rat skeletal muscle which has been purified recently as a single enzyme, has been studied in regard to its substrate specificity, using various immunoreactive and biologically active insulin and proinsulin intermediates. The rate of degradation of pork insulin taken as 100% was compared to other insulin and proinsulin derivatives. Porcine proinsulin intermediates consisting of cleaved proinsulin, desdipeptide, desnonapeptide and destridecapeptide-proinsulin, as well as desalanine, monoarginine and diarginine-insulin, were degraded at 19.8, 25.6, 63.5, 73.7, 101.5, 98 and 98% of the activity of insulin, respectively. Rates of degradation of beef proinsulin, and intermediates I and II were 6, 20.8 and 5.9% of that of insulin with insulin-specific protease, respectively. Studies of Km and V determinations of pork insulin and proinsulin and their intermediates revealed that all the substrates had similar V values (1.0 pmol/min); whereas the Km values (nM) were as follows: insulin, 22.2; desalanine-insulin, 15.8; monoarginine-insulin, 24.4; diarginine-insulin, 24.4; proinsulin, 857.2; cleaved pro-insulin, 234.2; desdipeptide-proinsulin, 176.0; desnonapeptide-proinsulin, 55; and destridecapep-tideproinsulin, 44. Reduced proinsulin, labeled with iodo[14C]acetamide, did not show increased degradability by insulin-specific protease as compared to native proinsulin. These studies suggest that one requirement for optimal substrate activity may be the deblocking of the amino end of the A chain of insulin. The blocking of the amino end, which is present in proinsulin or proinsulin intermediate, will reduce degradability of these substrates by insulin-specific protease. The fact that the cleavage of disulfide bonds of proinsulin resulted in no further activation of proinsulin supports the above and indicates that steric hindrance may have a lesser role in the proinsulin molecule's inability to be degraded by insulin-specific protease.
Production of self-absorbed synchrotron spectra steeper than ν5/2

Self-absorbed synchrotron radiation produced by electrons with a power-law distribution of energies has a unique spectral shape: intensity is proportional to nu to the 5/2, where nu is the frequency, irrespective of the power law index of the electrons. It has been asserted that the measurement of a spectral index greater than 5/2 at frequencies below the 'far-IR turnovers' observed in the spectra of many radio-quiet AGN is incompatible with the physics of self-absorbed synchrotron sources. It is shown here that plausible electron energy distributions can lead to self-absorbed synchrotron spectra which are steeper than nu to the 5/2 over 1-1.5 orders of magnitude in frequency. This indicates that none of the existing observations are in fact incompatible with self-absorbed synchrotron radiation as the source.
Use of Aerial Photography to Detect Diseases in Peanut Fields II. Cylindrocladium Black Rot1

Abstract Aerial surveys were conducted over portions of the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growing region of Virginia during September, 1974. The flights were conducted to determine the spectral, spatial, and temporal characteristics of Cylindrocladium black rot disease in peanut fields utilizing false color infrared and natural color imagery. The disease, caused by the soil-borne fungus Cylindrocladium crotalariae (Loos) Bell and Sobers, was detected on imagery obtained at 19,803 m above mean sea level. The disease was easily detectable on either false color infared or natural color imagery at 3,504 m above mean sea level. With its unique spectral/spatial signature, the disease was distinguishable from other diseases of peanuts such as Sclerotinia blight. Disease patterns that were difficult to observe from the ground were easily detected with aerial photography. Analysis of field soil samples for C. crotalariae microsclerotia confirmed results of imagery analysis. Detection of the disease by aerial survey...
A systematic review of treatment of intermittent claudication in the lower extremities.

Background Peripheral arterial disease is common and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Methods We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized trials and systematic reviews of patients with intermittent claudication to evaluate surgery, endovascular therapy, and exercise therapy. Outcomes of interest were death, amputation, walking distance, quality of life, measures of blood flow, and cost. Results We included eight systematic reviews and 12 trials enrolling 1548 patients. Data on mortality and amputation and on cost-effectiveness were sparse. Compared with medical management, each of the three treatments (surgery, endovascular therapy, and exercise therapy) was associated with improved walking distance, claudication symptoms, and quality of life (high-quality evidence). Evidence supporting superiority of one of the three approaches was limited. However, blood flow parameters improved faster and better with both forms of revascularization compared with exercise or medical management (low- to moderate-quality evidence). Compared with endovascular therapy, open surgery may be associated with longer length of hospital stay and higher complication rate but resulted in more durable patency (moderate-quality evidence). Conclusions In patients with claudication, open surgery, endovascular therapy, and exercise therapy were superior to medical management in terms of walking distance and claudication. Choice of therapy should rely on patients' values and preferences, clinical context, and availability of operative expertise.
Unusual β-D-Xylosides That Prime Glycosaminoglycans in Animal Cells

The biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) takes place while the polysaccharide chains are usually attached to a proteoglycan core protein. Cells also will assemble GAG chains on beta-D-xylosides containing hydrophobic aglycones. In order to evaluate the relationship of the structure of the sugar to priming activity of the glycoside, we synthesized beta-D-xyloside analogs in which the hydroxyls were substituted with hydrogen, fluorine, -O-methyl, amino, -O-isopropyl, and -O-benzyl groups. Epimers at the 2-, 3-, and 4-position of xylose also were made. Their ability to prime GAGs was tested in Chinese hamster ovary cells by measuring 35SO4 incorporation into polysaccharide chains and by assaying the transfer of galactose to the xylosides by galactosyltransferase I (UDP-D-galactose:xylose beta1-4-galactosyltransferase) in vitro. All of the analogs failed to act as primers of GAGs in vivo and as substrates in vitro with the following exceptions. Substitution of 2-OH and 3-OH with -OCH3 were active at high concentration (1 mM), but the deoxygenated derivatives were inactive. Efficient priming also occurred on a derivative with fluorine instead of the 3-OH group, suggesting that the oxygen atoms at C-2 and C-3 were involved as hydrogen bond acceptors. Methylated and deoxy analogs at C-4 were inactive, due to the loss of the acceptor hydroxyl group. Interestingly, benzyl-beta-D-threo-pentopyranos-4-uloside (4-keto derivative) and benzyl-4-methyl-beta-D-xyloside, with a methyl group in place of an axial hydrogen at C-4, primed GAG chains. Priming by these unusual xylosides suggests the possibility of designing inhibitors of GAG synthesis based on xyloside analogs with reactive groups in key positions.
Companion Animals and other Factors Affecting Young Children's Development

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on three factors presumed to affect young children's development: their age, the quality of their home environments, and the child-pet relationship. Three sets of analyses are presented: effects associated with pet ownership (pet presence), effects associated with the strength of the child-pet relationship, and the combined effects of age, home environment, and the child-companion animal relationship. This study includes both a parent survey (n = 88) and in-home assessments (n = 44) of the three- to six-year-old children. The analyses support the hypothesis that normal preschool children's intellectual, motor, and social development is associated with the presence of a companion animal and increases with their age, the quality of their home environment, and their relationship with a companion animal. While the children's age and the quality of their home environments were associated with measures of the children's cognitive, motor, and social development, the companion animal ef...
Phenotypic Analysis of Alveolar Macrophages and Monocytes in Allergic Airway Inflammation I. Evidence for Activation of Alveolar Macrophages, but not Peripheral Blood Monocytes, in Subjects with Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Macrophages and monocytes play important proinflammatory roles in allergic inflammation. We hypothesized that these cells would express an activated phenotype in allergic disease of the airways. We therefore compared the expression of 17 activation markers on the surface of alveolar macrophages (AM) and peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) in 13 subjects with asymptomatic allergic asthma (AA), nine subjects with asymptomatic allergic rhinitis (AR), and 11 nonallergic (N). AM were obtained by BAL, and PBM were simultaneously obtained by phlebotomy; both were analyzed for expression of surface markers using a new two-color flow cytometry method that essentially eliminates background autofluorescence. The proportions of AM in BAL fluid from AA, AR, and N subjects were 84 +/- 2, 85 +/- 4, and 91 +/- 1%, respectively; viability always exceeded 92%. Expression of eight markers (CD16, CD18, CD32, CD44, CD71, HLA Class I, HLA DR, and HLA DQ) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on AM of AA than on N; expression of six markers (CD11a, CD16, CD18, CD71, HLA Class I, and HLA DR) was higher on AM of AR than on N, with differences in CD44 levels approaching statistical significance (p = 0.07). Expression of one marker, CD44, was significantly higher on AM of AA than on those of AR, with differences in HLA Class I levels approaching statistical significance (p = 0.07). In contrast, no significant differences were found among the three groups in the expression in eight other markers (CD11b, CD14, CD23, CD29, CD33, CD35, CD63, and CD64). Finally, similar analysis of PBM from these same subjects failed to find any difference between the three groups in any of the 17 activation markers studied. These data suggest that AM are activated in allergic respiratory diseases, and that levels of HLA Class I and CD44 on AM are altered during allergic inflammation in the upper and lower airways.
spin-enhanced organic bulk heterojunction photovoltaic solar cells

�Received 7 mar 2012 | Accepted 30 Jul 2012 | Published 4 sep 2012 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2057 Recently, much effort has been devoted to improve the efficiency of organic photovoltaic solar cells based on blends of donors and acceptors molecules in bulk heterojunction architecture. one of the major losses in organic photovoltaic devices has been recombination of polaron pairs at the donor–acceptor domain interfaces. Here, we present a novel method to suppress polaron pair recombination at the donor–acceptor domain interfaces and thus improve the organic photovoltaic solar cell efficiency, by doping the device active layer with spin 1/2 radical galvinoxyl. At an optimal doping level of 3 wt%, the efficiency of a standard poly(3hexylthiophene)/1-(3-(methoxycarbonyl)propyl)-1-1-phenyl)(6,6)C 61 solar cell improves by 18%. A spin-flip mechanism is proposed and supported by magneto-photocurrent measurements, as well as by density functional theory calculations in which polaron pair recombination rate is suppressed by resonant exchange interaction between the spin 1/2 radicals and charged acceptors, which convert the polaron pair spin state from singlet to triplet.
Industrial aspects of revisited HTRs

Abstract The ‘new’ High Temperature Reactors (HTRs) are based on the direct gas turbine cycle which brings high inherent safety together with high efficiency. This combination makes them attractive cost-wise for countries with small and medium size grids that cannot afford larger units. For others, their fuel flexibility gives them extra attraction as burners of Plutonium (from weapons or LWR reprocessing) or to decrease minor actinide build-up by use of thorium. Extrapolation of existing technologies, mostly materials, are needed to bring the concept to life. The EU framework programme and collaboration with the Japanese and Chinese developments should help realise this wish. Two industrial groupings have launched the PBMR and GT-MHR concepts. Promotion of such forward looking concepts will also help attract talented young people to nuclear industry.
Toward a non-experimental method for causal analyses of social phenomena

Abstract A method is described for detecting causal relationships among social phenomena in the natural setting. Based primarily upon obtaining an association between 2 factors, 1 measured earlier in time than the other, and controlling the influences of outside factors, it considers causality to be a matter of degree and allows for symmetrical causal relationships. A study of organizational behavior demonstrates the applicability of the method. After contrasting the method to path analysis and panel-study analysis, it is suggested that behavioral scientists think in terms of 3 levels of research on complex cycles of social behavior: one-point-in-time correlations to determine general associations among factors, methods like the one proposed here to determine general causal relationships, and, when possible, experiments to determine more precisely the causal relationships among factors of particular interest.
Rheumatic manifestations of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

The clinical, laboratory and pathologic characteristics in eight cases of polymyositis or dermatomyositis are described, with certain observations concerning clinical course and therapy. The author considers polymyositis and dermatomyositis to be variants of a single pathologic entity which can be separated from rheumatoid disease.
Reduction of some D-homosteroids with an aromatic a ring by alkali metals under the conditions of the birch reaction. I

In the Birch reduction of steroid compounds with a phenylbutadiene grouping, i.e., the ketal of 3-methoxy-Δ1, 3, 5(10), 8, 14-D-homoestrapentaen-17a-one (III), the corresponding ketone (IIIa), and 3-methoxy-Δ1, 3, 5(10), 8, 14-D-homoestrapentaen-17aβ-ol (VI), 1, 4 addition of the hydrogen takes place first, and is followed by reduction of the aromatic nucleus. In this way, 3-methoxy-Δ1, 3, 5(10), 8(14)-D-homoestratetraenone (XII), Δ4, 8(14)-19-nor-D-homoandrostadienedione (VIII), and Δ4, 8(14)-19-nor-D-homoandrostadien-17aβ-ol-3-one (IX) have been obtained.
Expression levels of the α4 subunit of the GABAA receptor in differentiated neuroblastoma cells are correlated with GABA-gated current

Abstract The α4 subunit of the GABA A receptor (GABAR) is capable of rapid plasticity, increased by chronic exposure to positive GABA modulators, such as the neurosteroid 3α-OH-5α[β]-pregnan-20-one (THP). Here, we show that 48 h exposure of differentiated neuroblastoma cells (IMR-32) to 100 nM THP increases α4 expression, without changing the current density or the concentration–response curve. Increased expression of α4-containing GABAR was verified by a relative insensitivity of GABA (EC 20 )-gated current to modulation by the benzodiazepine (BZ) lorazepam (0.01–100 μM), and potentiation of current by flumazenil and RO15-4513, characteristic of α4βγ2 pharmacology. In contrast to THP, compounds which decrease GABA-gated current, such as the BZ inverse agonist DMCM, the GABAR antagonist gabazine and the open channel blocker penicillin, decreased α4 expression after a 48 h exposure, without changing BZ responsiveness. However, pentobarbital, another positive GABA modulator, increased α4 expression, while the BZ antagonist flumazenil had no effect. In order to test whether changes in current were responsible for increased α4 expression, decreases in the Cl − driving force were produced by chronic exposure to the NKCC1 blocker bumetanide (10 μM). When applied under these conditions of reduced GABA-gated current, THP failed to increase α4 expression. The results of this study suggest that α4 expression is correlated with changes in GABA-gated current, rather than simply through ligand–receptor interactions. These findings have relevance for GABAR subunit plasticity produced by fluctuations in endogenous steroids across the menstrual cycle, when altered BZ sensitivity is reported.
An anti-backlash two-part shaft coupling with interlocking elastically averaged teeth

A new family of compliant and self-locking tapered torsional couplings have been developed as an alternate to spline-type couplings. The couplings use designed compliance to ensure constant contact between mating beam-like teeth. The tip of one tooth is larger, but tapered, so that when it mates at the base of the opposed tooth, it deflects radially. The taper is self-locking to prevent radial deflection under torsional load. This eliminates backlash between parts while maintaining a relatively high torsional stiffness. The large number of mating teeth elastically average errors in the teeth.
The non-cubic lattice of rapidly quenched packet martensite

The positions of 200, 020 and 002 peaks of ferrous martensite have been measured individually by a precision X-ray diffractometer technique. Martensite with 18 wt pct Ni and 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 wt pct C was formed by salt-water quenching from preoriented austenite single-crystal slices about 0.5 mm thick. The variations in X-ray peak positions interpreted as changes in lattice parameter yield to the first approximation:Δa/a0 = −0.005 [wt pct C],Δb/a0 = −0.016 [wt pct C],Δc/a0 = −0.037 [wt pct C] for carbon contents between 0.1 and 0.4. For such carbon contents the martensite has packet or mixed packet-lenticular morphology; consequently packet martensite is not cubic as sometimes claimed. Instead its lattice is nearly like that of lenticular martensite with the"a " and"c " parameters varying with carbon content as previously observed for tetragonal martensite, and the" b " parameter unequal to the" a" . The significance of the inequality of the" a " and" b " parameters is unclear, but that inequality appears to be characteristic of some plate and lenticular martensite.
Formation of thin superconducting films by the laser processing method

We have prepared thin films of Y‐Ba‐Cu‐O superconductors using a pulsed laser evaporation technique. Thin films were formed on (100) Si, (100) MgO, (1102) sapphire, (100) SrTiO3, and amorphous SiO2 substrates using a XeCl excimer laser (λ=0.308 μm, τ=45×10−9 s). The depositions were done in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber with pressure of about 10−6 Torr during thin‐film formation. The deposition by pulsed nanosecond laser irradiation results in stoichiometry close to that of the target. The thickness of the film was controlled by varying the pulse energy density and the number of pulses. The substrate temperature was kept at 470 °C during deposition. Subsequent annealing treatments were carried out at 900 and 650 °C in oxygen atmosphere to recover the superconducting properties of these thin films. The resistance of these films was measured as a function of temperature using the four‐point probe method. These thin films were analyzed using cross‐section transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscatt...
An Anthropological View of Black Spiritual Churches in Nashville, Tennessee

This article focuses attention on an essentially neglected religious movement in the Black community, namely those groups which refer to themselves as “Spiritual.” Since so little is known about Black Spiritual churches, the development and religious beliefs and practices of these groups is briefly examined. It will be noted that Spiritual churches have incorporated elements from a number of religious traditions, including Protestantism, Spiritualism, Catholicism, and Voodooism. As a result of this syncretistic process, they have created an essentially new and unique religious tradition, which for the most part has been overlooked by anthropologists and other social scientists. Based on participant-observation fieldwork among Spiritual groups in a southern city, this article considers the multifaceted role of Spiritual churches in the Black community.
An Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Lorentz-Type Inductor-Alternator Under Load

In this paper, a method is discussed for calculating the load saturation curves of the inductor machine. The theory has been verified both by comparison with actual tests under load, and by stationary flux measurements on a machine under simulated load conditions. Both checks showed good agreement between test and calculated values. For these tests a homopolar polyphase inductor-alternator was used. Flux readings under no-load and load conditions were taken by use of search coils and a flux meter. The method used to simulate load conditions is described in this paper.
Image restoration in 3-D microscopy with limited data

We present an image restoration method that is suitable for images with missing or truncated data. This method, L2 regularization with a non-negativity constraint, is applied to image restoration of 3D optically sectioned microscope images of fluorescently labelled cells. Its ability to use axially truncated data is useful when applying it to 3D images from a conventional wide field microscope and to operate effectively on a small number of optical sections. Its ability to correctly place light originating from outside the field of view by making use of the out of focus information allows us to subdivide a large image into smaller pieces without a substantial edge effect. Large 3D data sets can be restored on a modestly priced computer workstation.
Nonpoint source pollution from highway stormwater runoff

Abstract The ongoing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research program “Nonpoint Source Pollution from Highway Stormwater Runoff” is a four-phase research effort: (1) identification and quantification of the constituents of highway runoff, (2) identification of the sources and migration paths of the constituents, (3) analysis of the effects of pollutants on receiving waters, and (4) development of management practices. Phases 1 through 3 have been completed; interim results of Phase 4 are available. Phase 1 identified runoff constituents and developed a data base of runoff quantity and quality. Phase 2 identified the sources and migration patterns of highway runoff constituents and further developed the Phase 1 data base. Phase 3 results indicated that highway facilities with low to medium ADT (less that 30,000) exhibited minimal impact on receiving water ecology. Interim results of Phase 4 have identified practical, effective, and implementable mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the impacts from highway stormwater runoff. The final efforts of Phase 4 are ongoing and scheduled for completion in 1988. They include (1) further development of a tool to estimate pollutant loading from highway stormwater runoff and (2) evaluation and development of final design guidelines for retention, detention, and overland flow systems for pollutant removal from highway stormwater runoff.
Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas of Equisetum species in Norway and the U.S.A.: occurrence and mycotrophy

Typical vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal structures occurred in the sporophytes of Equisetum species (11 out of 12 species) collected in Norway and U.S.A. Plants growing in wet (hydric) habitats, sampled in the U.S.A. and Norway, had lower levels of colonization by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi than plants growing in mesic/dry-mesic habitats. Colonization levels ranged from 0 to 46% of the root length. Only E. variegatum found growing in a wet habitat in Illinois was consistently non-mycorrhizal. Equisetum species appear to be facultatively mycotrophic; the degree of mycotrophy may depend on habitat conditions. The world-wide warming and change from hydric to mesic conditions, during the late Carboniferous period and thereafter, probably contributed to the demise of the Equisetales. The demise of the Equisetales was less likely influenced by the mycotrophic nature of higher plants, ferns, cycads and pines.
Gendered emotion work around physical health problems in mid- and later-life marriages

Abstract The provision and receipt of emotion work—defined as intentional activities done to promote another's emotional well-being—are central dimensions of marriage. However, emotion work in response to physical health problems is a largely unexplored, yet likely important, aspect of the marital experience. We analyze dyadic in-depth interviews with husbands and wives in 21 mid- to later-life couples to examine the ways that health-impaired people and their spouses provide, interpret, and explain emotion work. Because physical health problems, emotion work, and marital dynamics are gendered, we consider how these processes differ for women and men. We find that wives provide emotion work regardless of their own health status. Husbands provide emotion work less consistently, typically only when the husbands see themselves as their wife's primary source of stability or when the husbands view their marriage as balanced. Notions of traditional masculinity preclude some husbands from providing emotion work even when their wife is health-impaired. This study articulates emotion work around physical health problems as one factor that sustains and exacerbates gender inequalities in marriage with implications for emotional and physical well-being.
Separation of macrophages on discontinuous bovine serum albumin (BSA) density gradients: cytotoxic effects of fractionated cells from normal donors and cancer patients.

Abstract Human monocytes from normal donors as well as breast or colon cancer patients were fractionated on five discontinuos bovine serum albumin (BSA) density gradients, and the monocytes from each fraction were allowed to mature into macrophages during a 5 day incubation period. The macrophages were then examined both for their ability to kill tumor cells after activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the quantity of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) synthesized. When the macrophages obtained from normal donors were fractionated, fractions 2 and 4 which comprised 58% of the total cell population, were cytotoxic for tumor cells. In contrast, when the macrophages from breast cancer patients were fractionated, only the high density cells found in fraction 4 were cytotoxic. It is also conceivable that since fraction 4 comprises only 26% of the total macrophages recovered, this may be the reason unfractionated macrophages from breast cancer patients are unable to kill tumor cells. When the colon cancer patients' macrophages were fractionated on BSA density gradients, fractions 1, 2 and 4, which comprised 79% of the total cell population, were cytotoxic for tumor cells. Prostaglandin E 2 synthesis was also analyzed and it was found that fraction 3 consistently synthesized increased quantities of PGE 2 when compared with the other three fractions. Furthermore, since fraction 3 was non-cytotoxic for tumor cells, it is conceivable that the increased synthesis of PGE 2 by fraction 3 rendered these macrophages non-cytotoxic.
An evaluation of modification attacks on programmable logic controllers

Abstract Unprotected supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems offer promising targets to potential attackers. Field devices, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), are of particular concern because they directly monitor and control industrial processes. Although attacks targeting SCADA systems have increased, relatively little research has focused on exploring the vulnerabilities directly associated with the exploitation of field devices. Attacks such as Stuxnet have targeted operating characteristics, but not low-level firmware code. As attacks increase in sophistication, it is reasonable to expect increased exploitation of the field device firmware. This paper examines the feasibility of modifying PLC firmware to execute remotely-triggered attacks. A general method is used to reverse engineer the firmware to determine its structure. After the structure is understood, the firmware is modified to add an exploitable feature that can remotely disable a PLC. The attacks described in this paper utilize a variety of triggers and leverage existing functions to exploit PLCs. Important segments of the firmware are described to demonstrate how they can be used in attack development. Finally, design recommendations are suggested to help mitigate potential weaknesses in future firmware development.
A new heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the extracellular matrix of the developing chick embryo.

Abstract A new heparan sulfate proteoglycan was identified by two monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies (hybridoma clones 6C4 and 1B11) were generated from mice immunized with inner limiting membranes of the embryonic chick retina. The proteoglycan had an apparent molecular weight of 250 kDa with a core protein of 180 kDa. Antibodies to perlecan and to a recently identified brain-derived heparan sulfate proteoglycan did not cross-react with purified 6C4/1B11 antigen, confirming that the three proteoglycans are not related. The 6C4/1B11 proteoglycan was abundant in basal laminae, such as the inner limiting membrane of the retina, the lens capsule, the epidermal, the pial, and the muscle basal laminae, and the vitreous body. The distribution and developmental expression of the 6C4/1B11 proteoglycan was different than that of perlecan and the brain-derived heparan sulfate proteoglycan. When used as a substrate for embryonic retinal explants, the proteoglycan did not support axonal outgrowth in vitro . The data present a new heparan sulfate proteoglycan and demonstrate the existence of at least three different heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the developing chick embryo with partially overlapping distribution.
Neural-network process modeling of a continuous manufacturing operation

Abstract Neural-network techniques for the development of models of critical parameters in continuous forest products manufacturing processes are described. Predictive models of strength parameters in particleboard manufacturing were developed utilizing both backpropagation and counterpropagation neural network techniques. The modeled strength parameters were modulus of rupture and internal bond. The backpropagation neural network model did not provide sufficient accuracy in predicting the values of the strength parameters. Counterpropagation was successful at predicting modulus of rupture within ± 10% and internal bond within ± 15%. The trained counterpropagation network can be used to improve process control and reduce the amount of substandard and scrap board produced. Efforts are underway to refine the counterpropagation network and further improve its predictive capability, as well as to evaluate alternative neural network paradigms.
Insertion of cutinase gene into a wound pathogen enables it to infect intact host

MANY phytopathogenic fungi must breach the intact plant cuticle to successfully invade and colonize their hosts. It has been suggested that cutinase, an extracellular enzyme secreted by many fungi, is essential for infection in some host–pathogen interactions. Chemical or immunological inhibition of cutinase protects the host from infection1, 2. We have cloned and characterized the cutinase complementary DNA and gene from Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi3, 4, a pea pathogen. A construct containing the cutinase coding region and extensive portions of the 5′ and 3′-flanking regions from theFusarium genome was transferred into another phytopathogenic Ascomycete, Mycosphaerella spp., a parasitic fungus that affects papaya fruits only if the fruit skin is mechanically breached before inoculation5. Here we describe the introduction of the Fusarium cutinase gene into Mycosphaerella to yield transformants in which this gene is inducible by cutin hydrolysate. We demonstrate that these transformants of the wound-requiring fungus have the capacity to infect intact papaya fruits, and that this infection can be prevented by antibodies against Fusarium cutinase.
2PSM: an efficient framework for searching video information in a limited-bandwidth environment

We present a novel technique, called 2-Phase Service Model, for streaming videos to home users in a limited-bandwidth environment. This scheme first delivers some number of non-adjacent data fragments to the client in Phase 1. The missing fragments are then transmitted in Phase 2 as the client is playing back the video. This approach offers many benefits. The isochronous bandwidth required for Phase 2 can be controlled within the capability of the transport medium. The data fragments received during Phase 1 can be used to provide an excellent preview of the video. They can also be used to facilitate VCR-style operations such as fast-forward and fast-reverse. Systems designed based on this method are less expensive because the fast-forward and fast-reverse versions of the video files are no longer needed. Eliminating these files also improves system performance because mapping between the regular files and their fast-forward and fast-reverse versions is no longer part of the VCR operations. Furthermore, since each client machine handles its own VCR-style interaction, this technique is very scalable. We provide simulation results to show that 2-Phase Service Model is able to handle VCR functions efficiently. We also implement a video player called FRVplayer. With this prototype, we are able to judge that the visual quality of the previews and VCR-style operations is excellent. These features are essential to many important applications. We discuss the application of FRVplayer in the design of a video management system, called VideoCenter. This system is intended for Internet applications such as digital video libraries.
Managing treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction associated with serotonergic antidepressants: before and after sildenafil.

Sexual dysfunction is a common and troublesome side effect associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants that reportedly occurs in 40%–70% of patients prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Management of this iatrogenic condition has relied on “clinic
Design and development of data visualization systems in a workstation environment

Abstract Data visualization has become an important component in the analysis of scientific data. This paper describes two objectives when extending data analysis environments by visualization: Offer visualization tools that fit the mind set of the targeted scientists; and integrate visualization tools into the complexity of existing data analysis tools. A case study performed between astrophysicists and computer scientists describes the design and development of STAR, a user-centered and integrated data analysis and visualization system.
Electron paramagnetic resonance study of partially oriented clay platelets intercalated with copper(II) 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of powder and oriented films of montmorillonite, hectorite, and saponite intercalated with [Cu(cyclam)]2+ (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) exhibit three components: an orientation-dependent component without hyperfine features, an orientation-dependent component with hyperfine features, and an orientation-independent component without hyperfine feature. EPR spectra of [Cu(cyclam)]2+−saponite, which exhibit only two components and the best resolved hyperfine features, were simulated. The spectra indicate that a large portion of the saponite platelets are inclined to the glass surface, although they tend to align with their basal planes parallel to the glass surface. The orientation-dependent spectra could be simulated by introducing a Gaussian distribution with a standard deviation of 20° for the inclination angle. The standard deviation may be used as a disorder parameter for the microcrystals assembled on glass plates. Spectral simulation also sh...
An X-linked tumor suppressor in T-ALL.

In this issue of Blood , Van der Meulen et al demonstrate that the lysine demethylase UTX (also known as KDM6A), best known as an “eraser” of methylation at histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27), is an X-linked tumor suppressor in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL).[1][1] This finding is
Cyclic scheduling for best profitability of industrial cracking furnace system

An ethylene plant employs multiple cracking furnaces in parallel to convert various hydrocarbon feedstocks to smaller hydrocarbon molecules, mostly ethylene and propylene. The continuous operational performance of cracking furnaces gradually decays because of coke formation in the reaction coils, which requires each furnace to be periodically shut down for decoking. Given multiple feeds and different cracking furnaces as well as various product prices and manufacturing costs, the operational scheduling for the entire furnace system should be optimized to achieve the best economic performance. In this paper, a new MINLP (mixed-integer nonlinear programming) model has been developed to obtain cyclic scheduling strategies for cracking furnace systems. Compared to previous studies, the new model has more capabilities to address operation profitability of multiple feeds cracked in multiple furnaces. Meanwhile, it inherently avoids unpractical conditions such as simultaneous shutdown of multiple furnaces. Case studies demonstrate the efficacy of the developed methodology.
Stimulus properties, attentional limitations, and young children's face recognition.

The present research explored 3-, 7-, and 10-yr -old children's face recognition in a “paraphernalia-to-fool” paradigm in which angular size of the stimuli was manipulated. It was proposed that, given the attentional limitations of the two youngest age groups, facial information and irrelevant paraphernalia would be perceived as an undifferentiated whole in stimuli of small visual angles, resulting in decreased recognition. However, increasing angular size should enable the 7-yr.-olds to differentiate the two types of stimulus information more easily. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the influence of paraphernalia on 7-yr.-olds' performance would be moderated by the spatial size of the stimulus. The effect of angular size was also expected to interact with age group. As predicted, 10-yr.-olds were unaffected by the size manipulation, 7-yr olds performance was moderated by angular size, and, although 3-yr.-olds' recognition improved with large stimuli, the increase was not significant. Results are discu...
Geometry-based metrics for planning of neuroendovascular therapy

Abstract This paper describes a system to compute geometric information to aid the interventionalist in making treatment plans directly from information about the 3D vasculature that is obtained from multiple view 2D angiograms. In the proposed system, vessel surface reconstruction is performed from point/contour data without user intervention. Utilizing geometric parameters inherent in the reconstructed 3D vasculature, three important metrics are computed, namely: curvatures, tortuosities and stent fitness measures. Such a system could provide support data during the procedure necessary to improve safety and efficacy of neuroendovascular interventions. Results of the proposed metrics computed using clinical datasets are presented.
Celecoxib inhibits meningioma tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model.

BACKGROUND. Treatments for recurrent meningiomas are limited. We previously demonstrated universal expression of COX-2 in meningiomas and dose-dependent growth inhibition in vitro with celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor. We therefore tested the effects of celecoxib on meningioma growth in a mouse xenograft model. METHODS. Meningioma cell lines (IOMM-Lee, CH157-MN, WHO grade I primary cultured tumor) were transplanted into flanks of nude mice fed mouse chow with celecoxib at varying concentrations (0, 500, 1000, 1500 ppm) ad libitum. Tumors were measured biweekly and processed for MIB-1, Factor VIII, COX-2, and VEGF, and assayed with transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS. Celecoxib reduced growth of mean tumor volume by 66% (P .05), and 65% (P < .05) compared with untreated controls in IOMM-Lee, CH157-MN, and benign tumors, respectively. IOMM-Lee tumors removed from celecoxib treatment regained a growth rate similar to the control. Blood vessel density decreased and apoptotic cells increased in treated flank tumors. Diminished COX-2 expression and VEGF were observed in treated IOMM-Lee tumors. Mean plasma celecoxib levels were 845, 1540, and 2869 ng/mL, for low-, medium-, and high-dose celecoxib, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. Celecoxib inhibits meningioma growth in vivo at plasma levels achievable in humans. Celecoxib-treated tumors were less vascular with increased apoptosis. IOMM-Lee tumors treated with celecoxib showed decreased COX-2 and VEGF expression. COX-2 inhibitors may have a role in the treatment of recurrent meningiomas. Cancer 2007;109:588–597. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Precise manipulation with endpoint sensing

This paper describes recent work on manipulation strategies that rely on “coarse-fine” robot hardware and direct sensing of part-workpiece relationships. The experiments reported use an extremely precise, high-bandwidth planar “wrist” and an industrial vision system to perform accurate alignment of small parts. The system architecture, experimental hardware, and programming methods employed are all discussed.
A new integrated output feedback controller synthesis and collocated actuator/sensor scheduling framework for distributed parameter processes

The present study proposes a new methodological framework that allows the comprehensive integration of an output feedback controller synthesis method with a collocated actuator and sensor scheduling policy. The proposed actuator scheduling policy is algorithmically realized through a simple closed-loop performance requirement that forces the actuator to move close to a location, where the maximum deviation of the process state from the reference design steady state occurs in the presence of spatiotemporally varying disturbances. Using a collocated set of sensors and actuators, simple local output feedback controllers are designed that are capable of achieving process regulation at the design steady state conditions. Within the proposed framework, only information emanating from the sensor placed at the location where the actuator has moved to is used for control purposes and in accordance to the aforementioned scheduling policy. Consequently, in the proposed approach, the use of minimal information and computational requirements for generating the requisite local control actions is ensured, while attaining the overall process control objectives. Practical implementation aspects of the proposed method are discussed, and its performance is evaluated in an illustrative case study through simulations.
Small-scale mining in Ghana: The government and the galamsey

Abstract This paper argues that the current formalization system for small-scale gold miners in Ghana has been undermined and the small-scale mining laws no longer capture the reality of the sector’s activities. The paper will examine the small-scale mining system and shows that registered and unregistered actors operate not only in parallel but are actually intertwined and highly dependent on one another. The paper shows that the perceived dichotomy of formal and informal actors in the sector does not actually exist. The sector has instead evolved into a highly intertwined group of semi-formal sectors operating with varying degrees of legal registrations. The paper concludes that political leniency and law enforcement corruption has resulted in a booming small-scale gold system under poor government control. The paper recommends that politicians move to enact reforms to regularize the small-scale mining sector and curtail ubiquitous environmental and occupational safety problems. Anti-corruption initiatives and law enforcement reforms are the most urgent. However, reforming the laws is also necessary to capture and regulate the technological innovations the sector is currently using.
Differential synthesis of β-tubulin isotypes in gerbil nasal epithelia

Compartmentalization of β-tubulin isotypes within cells according to function was examined in gerbil olfactory and respiratory epithelia by using specific antibodies to four β-tubulin isotypes (βI, βII, βIII, and βIV). Isotype synthesis was cell-type-specific, but the localization of the isotypes was not compartmentalized. All four isotypes were found in the cilia, dendrites, somata, and axons of olfactory neurons. Only two isotypes (βI and βIV) were present in the cilia of nasal respiratory epithelial cells. The βIV isotype, thought to be an essential component of cilia, was present in olfactory neurons and respiratory epithelial cells, which are ciliated, but was not found in basal cells (the stem cells of olfactory sensory neurons, which have no cilia). Olfactory neurons therefore do not synthesize βIV-tubulin until they mature, when functioning cilia are also elaborated. The failure to observe compartmentalization of β-tubulin isotypes in olfactory neurons sheds new light on potential functions of the β-tubulin isotypes.
A Computational Framework for Tracing the Origins of Genomic Islands in Prokaryotes

Genomic islands (GIs) are chunks of genomic fragments that are acquired from nongenealogical organisms through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Current researches on studying donor-recipient relationships for HGT are limited at a gene level. As more GIs have been identified and verified, the way of studying donor-recipient relationships can be better modeled by using GIs rather than individual genes. In this paper, we report the development of a computational framework for detecting origins of GIs. The main idea of our computational framework is to identify GIs in a query genome, search candidate genomes that contain genomic regions similar to those GIs in the query genome by BLAST search, and then filter out some candidate genomes if those similar genomic regions are also alien (detected by GI detection tools). We have applied our framework in finding the GI origins for Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, Herminiimonas arsenicoxydans, and three Thermoanaerobacter species. The predicted results were used to establish the donor-recipient network relationships and visualized by Gephi. Our studies have shown that donor genomes detected by our computational approach were mainly consistent with previous studies. Our framework was implemented with Perl and executed on Windows operating system.
Ex‐Situ Stress Measurements in Polycrystalline Ceramics Using Photo‐Stimulated Luminescence Spectroscopy and High‐Energy X‐Rays

The photo-stimulated luminescence spectroscopy (PSLS) technique provides the means to establish stress dependencies of the well-known R-line peak positions in polycrystalline alumina. The uniaxial compression tests presented in this paper, which determine the coefficients describing this piezospectroscopic (PS) behavior, tackle two previously unexplored areas. Firstly, the vibronic band peaks in the emission spectrum are introduced here, and the PS coefficients of several peaks within these bands are established. These results set the foundation for the exploitation of vibronic band peakshifts, along with the R-lines, in order to provide the non-symmetric components of the stress tensor and therefore the measurement of the complete stress state in polycrystalline alumina. Secondly, high-energy X-rays serve as an ex-situ stress measurement method upon which the optical fluorescence shifts are based, thereby advancing the accuracy of PS coefficient determination in a unique approach. The results of PSLS and synchrotron X-ray experiments are presented here and used in conjunction to reveal new information on the PS behavior of polycrystalline alumina.