cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of a chemical modification on the hydrated adenosine intermediate produced by adenosine deaminase and a model reaction for a potential mechanism of action of 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide carboxylase.

Using the hydrated adenosine intermediate (6R)-6-amino-1,6-dihydro-6-hydroxy-9-(β-D-ribo-furanosyl)purine (2) produced by adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC 3.5.4.4) as a starting point, the active site probe and inhibitor platform 5-(formylamino)imidazole riboside (FAIRS, 4) was designed by removal of the -C6(OH)(NH 2 )- molecular fragment of 2 generated by the early events of the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. FAIRs was synthesized directly from the sodium salt of 5-amino-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazole-4-carboxylic acid (CAIR) along a reaction sequence involving a tandem N-formylation/decarboxylation that may have a mechanistic connection to the Escherichia coli purE-catalyzed constitutional isomerization of N 5 -CAIR to CAIR. The physical and spectral properties of FAIRs were elucidated, its X-ray crystal and NMR solution structures were determined, and its interaction with ADA was investigated. Crystalline FAIRs exists solely as the Z-formamide rotamer and exhibits many of the same intramolecular hydrogen bonding events known to contribute to the association of Ado to ADA. In water and various organic solvents, however, FAIRs exists as NMR-distinct, slowly interconverting Z and E rotamers. This truncated enzymatic tetrahedral intermediate analog was determined to be a competitive inhibitor of ADA with an apparent K i binding constant of 40 μM, a value quite close to that (33 μM) of the natural substrate's K m . The actual species selected for binding by ADA, though, is likely the minor hydroxyimino prototropic form of Z-FAIRs possessing a far lower true K i value. As the structural features of FAIRs appear well-suited to support its use as a template for constructing active site probes of both ADA and AIR carboxylases, a variety of carbohydrate-protected versions of FAIRs suitable for facile aglycon elaborations were synthesized. The N3-alkylation, N3-borane complexation, and C 4 -iodination of some of these were investigated in order to assess physicochemical properties that may assist in the elucidation of mechanisms for the AIR carboxylases. The survey of these properties taken together with a reasonable mechanism for the model CAIRS → FAIRs synthetic transformation is interpreted to support a mechanism for the purE-catalyzed N 5 -CAIR → CAIR biosynthetic one that involves a carboxylative sp 3 -rehybridization of the imidazole C4 atom rather than one possessing a dipole-stabilized C4 sp 2 carbanionic intermediate.
Lung ultrasound in the intensive care unit.

The use of ultrasound (US) for vascular access in the intensive care unit (ICU) is commonplace and, in fact, has become the standard of practice when inserting internal jugular venous catheters. Physicians in many countries outside the United States have expanded the role of US to include several different diagnostic modalities for multiple organ systems. Algorithms for rapid diagnosis during acute clinical decompensation have been developed based on a growing body of literature supporting the benefits of using US in this role. Additional examples of US use for point-of-care in the ICU for diagnosis include the focused assessed transthoracic echo (FATE) exam, the focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) exam, the deep venous thrombosis exam, and the lung US. This particular review focuses on the use of transthoracic US to diagnose lung pathologies, including pneumothorax and pleural effusion, and includes studies outlining the value of US in diagnosing lung pathology. Historically, the lungs have been imaged using portable anteroposterior (AP) chest x-rays (CXRs) in the ICU because of the risk of transporting critically ill patients for posteroanterior (PA) and lateral CXRs. US images have higher fidelity and better visualization of the pleural space compared with supine CXR. Pleural space abnormalities detected by sonography and not visualized readily by x-rays have been designated as a sonographic syndrome, “pleural syndrome.” These sonographic pleural abnormalities can involve fluid (effusion), air (pneumothorax), blood (hemothorax), or combinations of these (eg, hemothorax/pneumothorax). A supine PA CXR may not find even a large pneumothorax, because air tends to rise to the most nondependent area of the chest, which in supine patients is the anterior chest wall. On a supine AP CXR, up to 55% of pneumothoraces may be occult. Conversely, gravity forces pleural fluid to the most dependent parts of the chest. In the supine position, pleural fluid then is spread throughout the posterior surface of the chest; this often presents a challenge in quantifying the amount of fluid present on a radiographic film. Another challenge is that
Circling syndrome and inner ear disease in mice infected intraperitoneally or intravenously with Coccidioides immitis spherule-endospore phase cultures

Infection was studied in mice with varying doses of spherule-endospore phase cultures of Coccidioides immitis, administered intraperitoneally, intravenously and intranasally. Stain 46 was compared with strain Silveira. The first of these is relatively avirulent in the mycelial phase, the second, rather virulent. Animals were observed for acute death and for circling. Gross and microscopic pathology was studied in mice sacrificed at appropriate intervals after infection. Numbers of fungi were assayed in spleen, lung, kidney, liver, blood, brain, and ear tissue. Strain 46 endospores administered intraperitoneally in doses from 9 × 106 to 2.5 × 107 produced a high incidence of ‘circling syndrome’ ataxia attributable to inner ear disease.
Probing the potential glycoprotein binding site of sindbis virus capsid protein with dioxane and model building

Alphavirus budding from the plasma membrane is initiated by the specific interaction of the nucleocapsid with the cytoplasmic domain of the glycoprotein E2. It was proposed (Lee et al., Structure 4:531-541, 1996) that binding of the capsid protein residues 108 to 110 (the "N-terminal arm" residues) to a hydrophobic pocket on the surface of the neighboring capsid protein in the crystal structure mimics the binding of the E2 C-terminal residues into this pocket. In addition, structural comparisons of wild-type and mutant Sindbis virus capsid protein (SCP) and Semliki Forest virus capsid protein suggested that budding is associated with a switch between two conformations of the hydrophobic pocket. To test the proposed mechanism, SCP(114-264), which is missing the N-terminal arm, was crystallized to examine the pocket conformation when the pocket is empty. However, the pocket was occupied by dioxane molecules from the crystallization solution. The pocket conformation was the same as that when it was occupied by the N-terminal arm, demonstrating that the pocket favors binding ligands of appropriate size and shape.
Earnings of rejected applicants to the Social Security Disability Insurance program

Abstract This study bounds the potential earnings of accepted disability applicants by the post-application earnings of rejected applicants. Compositional differences between the two groups are addressed using a reweighting estimator. As shown, the bound on earnings is similar regardless of weighting.
Discourse on the Docks: Containerization and Inter‐Union Work Disputes in US Ports, 1955–85

Research on labour markets has often focused on the economics of work location. Far less attention has been paid to how labour markets are constructed discursively. In this paper, I analyse how the creation of rival discourses concerning traditions of work were central elements in the efforts of two unions to structure local labour markets, in order to retain work for their members in the face of technological innovation. The struggle between the two unions centred on their abilities to construct rival discourses concerning the historical geography of work in the industry. These formed the basis for judicial interpretations concerning whether the actions of the dockers' union represented a legal work preservation action or an illegal work acquisition measure. Such interpretations shaped the subsequent evolution of work and labour markets in the industry. The ability of economic actors to shape discourse in their favour can be a powerful force in the regulation of local labour markets, and thus in the production of economic landscapes.
PCI OR CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT: IMPLICATIONS IN END–STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS

Mode of coronary revascularization in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients remains a controversy due to lack of randomized clinical trials. Improvements in PCI technology including use of drug eluting stents has resulted in wide spread use of PCI in general population. We therefore conducted a
Is the preconditioning response conserved in senescent myocardium

Background. Senescent myocardium differs from adult myocardium at both functional and cellular levels. To adjudicate the efficacy of ischemic preconditioning as an alternative or adjuvant myoprotective strategy a reproducible, age-independent, intact laboratory model is necessary. Methods. Adult (0.5 to 1.0 years) and senescent (5.7 to 8.0 years) sheep underwent 60 minutes of normothermic regional ischemia with 150 minutes of reperfusion. Group II (adult-ischemic preconditioning) and group IV (aged-ischemic preconditioning) underwent preconditioning with three 5-minute episodes of normothermic regional ischemia. Group I (adult-control) and group III (aged-control) were not preconditioned. Results. Risk size and infarct size weights were delineated by monastryl blue pigment infusion and buffered tetrazolium solution. Ischemic preconditioning was evidenced by an infarct size reduction of 54% for adult sheep and 47% for senescent sheep ( p p = not significant for adult versus senescent). Conclusions. The data suggest that the cellular pathways involved with the preconditioning response are well preserved in senescent myocardium and support the utility of the ovine heart model to investigate the clinical relevance of ischemic preconditioning for the increasingly aged population presently undergoing cardiac operations.
Neuroendocrine profile in bulimia nervosa

Abstract The neuroendocrinology of bulimia nervosa has only recently been investigated, with initial research suggesting some biological overlap with both anorexia nervosa (AN) and depression. Similarities among AN, depression, and bulimia include a nonsuppressed Dexamethasone Suppression Test and an abnormal growth hormone (GH) response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Bulimics and anorectics both tend to have a delayed thyrotropin (TSH) response to TRH and elevated basal GH levels. Bulimics, however, have a normal GH response to clonidine, a nonblunted TSH response to TRH, low basal prolactin (PRL) levels, and may have an exaggerated PRL response to TRH. Unpublished data suggest bulimics may have a gonadotropin profile distinct from either AN or depression, as well as a variety of other endocrinopathies. Although many of these abnormalities may reflect malnutrition despite normal weight, other factors that are as vet unidentified are likely to be contributing to the neuroendocrine abnormalities seen in bulimia.
Direct Imaging of Hydrated Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cell Application

Ion conducting polymers containing sulfonic acid are of interest for the fuel cell applications. This study is based on sulfonated poly(styrene-b-methylbutylene) block copolymers. In dry state, these materials show remarkably rich sequence of phase transitions, i.e., lamellae, gyroid, hexagonally perforated lamellae, hexagonal cylinder, and disorder, depending on temperature, molecular weight, and fraction of sulfonated monomers. The effect of hydration on the dry morphologies is determined by a combination of in-situ neutron scattering and cryogenic electron microscopy.
Developments in the resonance theory of the color of dyes: Correlation function approach

It is assumed that the low-lying electronic states of dye-like molecules can be adequately represented using a finite number of wave functions related to resonance structures. With this assumption a theory of the dipole susceptibility for dyes is constructed, using the fluctuation — dissipation or correlation function approach. Consideration of the waxing and waning of the correlation functions as involved in the result for the susceptibility gives a certain legitimacy to describing a dye molecule interacting with radiation as going from one resonance structure to another. This is elucidated through the coupled pendulum analogy.
Brain contains a functional glucose-6-phosphatase complex capable of endogenous glucose production.

Glucose is absolutely essential for the survival and function of the brain. In our current understanding, there is no endogenous glucose production in the brain, and it is totally dependent upon blood glucose. This glucose is generated between meals by the hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) in the liver and the kidney. Recently, we reported a ubiquitously expressed Glc-6-P hydrolase, glucose-6-phosphatase-β (Glc-6-Pase-β), that can couple with the Glc-6-P transporter to hydrolyze Glc-6-P to glucose in the terminal stages of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Here we show that astrocytes, the main reservoir of brain glycogen, express both the Glc-6-Pase-β and Glc-6-P transporter activities and that these activities can couple to form an active Glc-6-Pase complex, suggesting that astrocytes may provide an endogenous source of brain glucose.
The formalism of electron-molecule scattering

Abstract The formal equivalent of the fixed-nucleus and free-rotator models of electron-molecule scattering is demonstrated.
Mesodermal determination genes: evidence from DNA methylation studies.

Mouse embryo cells, primed to differentiate with the hypomethylating agent 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR), provide an excellent model system in which cellular differentiation can be studied at the molecular level. An inherent advantage of this system is the availability of clonal populations of cells representative of the non-differentiated precursor, those whose determinative state is that of a specific lineage, and the end stage, phenotypically mature cell. Analysis of these cultures at the cellular and molecular level will advance our understanding of requirements for and the mechanism of action of growth modulators as well as the necessity for controlled expression of certain proto-oncogenes. At a more fundamental level, the system can be used to identify, isolate and characterize genes whose expression alters the phenotypic fate of cells.
Professional Skills in the Engineering Curriculum

Faculty from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the College of Education at the University of Missouri (MU), Columbia, developed a novel course for engineering graduate students emphasizing pedagogy and professional skills. The two-semester course sequence, titled “Preparing Engineering Faculty and Professionals,” includes readings from books that cover several different areas: How People Learn, with focus on the latest findings from cognitive science and their applicability to teaching; The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for discussion of other professional skills; and The World is Flat for discussion of global trends and its effects on professionals. Other components of the course include lectures by guest speakers on topics ranging from how universities work and how to run successful research centers to leadership traits for engineers. A pilot survey of students at the end of the two-course sequence revealed that students had acquired little knowledge about pedagogy and professional skills from other courses in their undergraduate and graduate engineering curriculum; this course addresses such deficits by raising awareness and knowledge of these skills.
Exploring the contributions of declarative and procedural information to training: A test of the procedural reinstatement principle

According to the procedural reinstatement principle, procedural information leads to strong retention but limited transfer, whereas declarative information leads to poor retention but robust transfer. To test this principle in Experiment 1, participants were trained to perform a serial response task in one of 3 conditions (declarative, procedural, mixed) and were subsequently tested in either the same or another condition. Required responses were identical in the three conditions; they differed only in the emphasis given to declarative or procedural information. Consistent with the procedural reinstatement principle, in terms of response time procedural information was more durable than declarative information. In Experiment 2, transfer was assessed using procedural and declarative conditions, but participants transferred between response sequences within those conditions. Although there was transfer in response time between sequences with procedural information, the greatest magnitude of transfer was found in one direction with declarative information, consistent with the procedural reinstatement principle.
Spatial vision of the cat: variation with eccentricity.

We examined the grating acuity and contrast sensitivity of cats whose eye position was monitored with a scleral search-coil technique. During each trial, the cat was required to maintain fixation on a laser spot and respond to the presence or the absence of a grating by pressing a right or left pedal. With this procedure, acuity was measured along the horizontal and vertical meridian over a range of eccentricities in the nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior retina. In addition, contrast sensitivity for stationary and drifting gratings was measured for the temporal retina along the horizontal meridian. Acuity in area centralis reached about 3.5 cycle\deg and declined by 0.5 octaves at 4 deg and by about 1.3 octaves at 16-deg eccentricity in the nasal retina. The acuity was higher in the nasal than temporal retina. At all eccentricities, spatial resolution exceeded the resolution limit derived from Y (alpha)-cell properties. Contrast sensitivity also decreased as the eccentricity increased when the target size was held constant. The slope of sensitivity-eccentricity function was relatively shallow for a low spatial frequency (0.30 cycle\deg) with sensitivity decreasing by a factor of 1.5–2 at 8-deg eccentricity. The slope of the sensitivity falloff for high spatial-frequency gratings (1.2 cycle\deg) was steeper, with a 5–10-fold difference in sensitivity between 0 and 8 deg. By varying the target size, we determined that the summation area in the cat is about a factor of 3 smaller in area centralis than a 16-deg eccentricity. When the size of the centrally and peripherally viewed targets was scaled relative to visual acuity, the sensitivity was constant across the visual field.
Better communication is in everyone's interests.

Scientists will find it's worth making the effort to explain what they're doing to the public.
Adsorption-induced chirality influences surface orientation in organic self-assembled structures: an STM study of PVBA on Pd(111)

The adsorption of the planar organic molecule, 4-trans-2-(pyrid-4-yl-vinyl) benzoic acid (PVBA), on Pd(1 1 1) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions produces molecular dimers and trimers. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images reveal that dimers are formed preferentially over the trimer structures. Adsorption of the asymmetric planar molecule induces chirality in the adsorbed structures and results in homo-chiral and hetero-chiral dimers of PVBA. The STM results further reveal an orientation-specific adsorption of the different chiralities. A statistical analysis of the observed structures indicates an equivalent presence of the two dimer types on a surface not inherently offering any form of chiral recognition. The chiral dimer pairs are further resolved through site-specific adsorption orientations with respect to the Pd lattice. These investigations demonstrate the cooperative roles of substrate–adsorbate binding and intermolecular interactions in the formation of these self-assembled structures.
Progressive induction of mRNA synthesis for androgen-responsive genes in mouse kidney.

Abstract A number of mRNAs present m kidney are selectively induced by the administration of androgen to mice. Using a pulse-labelling method to measure in vivo rates of mRNA synthesis, seven androgen-responsive mRNAs were tested. The time courses of induction following testosterone treatment indicated that androgen-responsive mRNA synthesis increases progressively. Depending on the mRNA examined, it took 2–10 days after the start of hormone administration for synthesis rates to reach a maximum. Even the fastest of these inductions is slow compared to response times in other steroid-responsive systems, and is very slow compared to the time required for androgen-receptor complex to accumulate in the nucleus. We conclude that gene activation in response to androgen is a prolonged and incremental process rather than a single event. Two alternative models are proposed: (1) these genes are actually responding to intermediate transcription factors that accumulate progressively in response to androgen; (2) the androgen-responsive genes contain multiple binding sites that have a cumulative effect on transcription as the number of receptor complexes bound increases.
KINETIC SITE OF PROTONATION IN TRANSITION METAL CLUSTERS AND ITS POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP TO LARGE KINETIC DEUTERIUM ISOTOPE EFFECTS IN HYDROGEN TRANSFER PROCESSES

The protonation of Ru3(CO)10(μ-NO)- (1) has been reexamined using CF3CO2X and CF3SO3X (X = H or D) in the temperature range of −80 to +25 °C using 13C NMR techniques. For both acids, the kinetic site of protonation is the oxygen of the nitrosyl group, giving Ru3(CO)9(μ3-CO)(μ3-NOH) (2). The rate of proton transfer to the metal core, to give Ru3(CO)10(μ-NO)(μ-H) (3), is approximately the same for both the protic and deuterated cases. These results are contrasted with previous proton transfer studies of other metal clusters which exhibit anomalously large kinetic deuterium isotope effects, and it is tentatively concluded that these effects are associated with strictly intramolecular hydrogen transfer as opposed to the anion-assisted intermolecular process reported here. The carbonyl group ligand dynamics for 1−3 are reported.
Morphological and compositional analysis of electrodeposited indium (III) sulfide (In 2 S 3 ) films

In the last few years, notable progress in understanding the growth mechanism of thin solar films deposited by numerous techniques have been made. Electrodeposition continues to be a complex deposition technique that can lead to low-quality material regions (crack) in the semiconductor material. Such cracks form porous zones on the substrate and diminish the heterojunction interface quality of a photovoltaic (PV) cell. In this paper, electrodeposition of In 2 S 3 films was systematically and quantitatively investigated by varying the electrodeposition parameters including bath composition, current density, deposition time, and deposition temperature. Their effects upon the film growth mechanism, composition, and morphology were studied with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and fracture and buckling software (digital image analysis). In addition, the effect of different glass-substrates (Mo, ITO, and FTO) and annealing treatments upon the performance of the electrodeposited In 2 S 3 film was analyzed. Furthermore, the Taguchi Method was used to determine the optimal electrodeposition parameters and study their influence upon the morphological and compositional properties of In 2 S 3 films.
A dislocation mechanism of crack nucleation in cubic zirconia single crystals

Abstract The dislocation structure around elevated-temperature indentations on {111} planes of 9·4 and 21 mol.% Y2O3 fully stabilized cubic ZrO2, was investigated using selective etching and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The temperature dependences of the microhardness and the extent of the plastic zone were measured. Different fracture modes were detected in the two materials. Cracking arising from interaction between slip bands was observed in the 21 mol.% Y2O3 material and direct evidence of the formation of Lomer-type dislocation pile-ups leading to crack nucleation was obtained by TEM. The mechanisms of dislocation plasticity and fracture during indentation of cubic zirconia are discussed.
Socrates and St. Paul: Can Christian Apologetics be Public Philosophy?

Can popular Christian apologetics be public philosophy? This paper argues that it can be partly because the criteria for what counts as public philosophy are so vague but also partly because popular Christian apologetics parallels much that counts as public philosophy both in terms of its historical roots in Socrates but also how public philosophy is practiced now. In particular, there are parallels on the role of amateurs vs. professionals, the sorts of topics, the quality of the discussions, and the passion vs. the neutrality of its
Use of participatory training techniques in a right‐to‐know train‐the‐trainer course for New Jersey public employees

The New Jersey Department of Health, in conjunction with the Department of Personnel's Human Resources Development Institute, has developed a Right-to-Know Train-the-Trainer course. In this course, various participatory activities have been utilized since the course's inception in December 1989 to train future trainers who train public employees about recognizing, evaluating, and controlling hazardous substances in their facilities. These participatory training techniques have offered a means by which the trainers can encourage workers to become proactive in making their working conditions safer. With the use of various methods of evaluation, course participants learn the content and develop their skills in the use of participatory training techniques. Though evaluations indicate that participants have a favorable impression of the course, the extent to which these participants take the information back to their worksites has not been formally evaluated.
Post-scission fission theory: neutron emission in fission

A survey of theoretical representations of two of the observables in neutron emission in fission is given, namely, the prompt fission neutron spectrum N (E) and the average prompt neutron multiplicity {bar {nu}}{sub p}. Early representations of the two observables are presented and their deficiencies are discussed. This is followed by summaries and examples of recent theoretical models for the calculation of these quantities. Emphasis is placed upon the predictability and accuracy of the recent models. In particular, the dependencies of N (E) and {bar {nu}}{sub p} upon the fissioning nucleus and its excitation energy are treated. Recent work in the calculation of the prompt fission neutron spectrum matrix N (E, E{sub n}), where E{sub n} is the energy of the neutron inducing fission, is then discussed. Concluding remarks address the current status of our ability to calculate these observables with confidence, the direction of future theoretical efforts, and limitations to current (and future) approaches.
Production of pyruvate from lactate using recombinant Pichia pastoris cells as catalyst

Abstract Because of the synergistic presence of enzyme systems, whole-cell biocatalysts are an advantageous means of oxidizing α-hydroxy to α-keto carboxylic acids. The effect of different parameters on conversion were determined when whole cells converted l -lactate to pyruvate. The biocatalyst was a double recombinant Pichia pastoris containing a glycolate oxidase and catalase enzyme system. A marked increase in conversion occurred with oxygen compared to air. This indicated that the oxygen concentration was an important factor in the rate-limiting step. Lactate concentrations above 0.5 M showed substrate inhibition. Although temperature played an important role in enzyme stability, whole-cell tranformants were much more stable over time than soluble enzymes.
Conformational plasticity and structure/function relationships in cytochromes P450.

The cytochrome P450s are a superfamily of enzymes that are found in all kingdoms of living organisms, and typically catalyze the oxidative addition of atomic oxygen to an unactivated C-C or C-H bond. Over 8000 nonredundant sequences of putative and confirmed P450 enzymes have been identified, but three-dimensional structures have been determined for only a small fraction of these. While all P450 enzymes for which structures have been determined share a common global fold, the flexibility and modularity of structure around the active site account for the ability of P450 enzymes to accommodate a vast number of structurally dissimilar substrates and support a wide range of selective oxidations. In this review, known P450 structures are compared, and some structural criteria for prediction of substrate selectivity and reaction type are suggested. The importance of dynamic processes such as redox-dependent and effector-induced conformational changes in determining catalytic competence and regio- and stereoselectivity is discussed, and noncrystallographic methods for characterizing P450 structures and dynamics, in particular, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy are reviewed. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 13, 1273–1296.
Solution conformational analysis, crystal structure determination, and anticancer activity of ring-constrained 1,3,2-dioxa- and oxazaphosphorinane cyclophosphamide analogues

Abstract Conformational analysis of 2-[bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino]-2-trans-tetramethylene-1,3,2-dioxa- and oxazaphosphorinanes 5–8, cyclophosphamide-type anticancer drugs, show that diastereometric six-membered ring 1,3,2-dioxaphosphor- inanes can adopt either a chair conformation with bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino mustard group equatorial (5) or twist-boat conformation with the bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino group pseudoequatorial (6). An X-ray crystal structure and NMR solution conformational analysis of the diastereomeric oxazaphosphorinanes 7 and 8 show that 7 adopts a chair conformation with equatorial bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino group, and 8 exists as mixture of chair-twist boat conformations with ca. 50% twist boat population. The diastereomeric pairs 5 6 and 7 8 show similar, moderate activity against lymphocytic leukemia P388 cells in mice. This is explained in terms of a flexible chair-twist boat interconversion.
Massively Parallel Granular Media Modeling of Robot-Terrain Interactions

This paper presents select results that demonstrate the feasibility of modeling the interactions of robotic systems with granular terrain through Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) using massively parallel computing systems. We report numerical simulation results of full 3D DEM simulations with the granular material modeled as a deformable bed of spherical granules. The mobility systems of the robots retain their CAD geometry and are represented as triangular meshes. The inter-granular interactions and the interactions between the CAD mesh triangles with the granules are modeled explicitly using a deformation-damping force field. The parameters of the force field are derived from physically measurable properties. We model friction, cohesion, and shearing and other interactions among the granules, and between the CAD mesh and the granules. The simulations involve granular beds with number of granules in the order of several hundred thousand to several millions. Temporally, we report simulations in the order of several seconds. These simulations were run on parallel clusters with number of processors ranging from 100 to 256. We present the findings from a number of simulations ranging including wheeled and legged mobility systems, and robotic tools in micro-gravity environments.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Ground Radiation Tests and Flight Atomic Oxygen Tests of ITO Protective Coatings for Galileo Spacecraft

Radiation simulation tests (protons and electrons) were performed along with atomic oxygen flight tests aboard the Shuttle to space qualify the surface protective coatings. The results which contributed to the selection of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coated polyester as the material for the thermal blankets of the Galileo Spacecraft are given. Two candidate materials, polyester and Fluorglas (TFE), were radiation tested to determine changes at simulated Jovian radiation levels. The polyester exhibited a smaller weight loss (2.8%) than the Fluorglas (8.8%). Other changes of polyester are given. During low-earth orbit, prior to transit to Jupiter, the thermal blankets would be exposed to atomic oxygen. Samples of uncoated and ITO-coated polyesters were flown on the shuttle. Qualitative results are given which indicated that the ITO coating protected the underlying polyester.
An improved technique for separating rosetted from non-rosetted lymphocytes

An improved technique for separating rosetted from non-rosetted lymphocytes is described. The major advantage of this new technique is the elimination of the need to mechanically resuspend the cell pellet resulting from the rosette formation step before using a density gradient to separate the rosetted from the non-rosetted cells. Instead the rosette containing cell pellet is directly overlayed with Percoll at a density of 1.078 g/ml and during a subsequent centrifugation the non-rosetted cells float to the surface of the Percoll while the rosetted cells remain in the cell pellet. The utility of this technique is illustrated by separating human T lymphocytes forming rosettes with neuraminidase treated sheep erythrocytes (En) from other mononuclear cells obtained by Ficoll-Hypaque separation of whole blood. Using several markers the resulting T cells were contaminated with less than 0.3% monocytes and 2% B cells. The non-T cell population contained less than 3% T cells. This method offers a rapid and easily reproducible means for obtaining highly purified cell populations.
Optimal passive and hybrid control of vibration and sound radiation from linear and nonlinear PZT-based smart structures

Two different methods are introduced for the determination of optimal active control inputs and passive shunting parameters in the PZT-based smart structure vibration and sound pressure control problems. The first method makes use of the dynamic vibration absorber principle; the second method uses the receptance of the open circuit structure-PZT system for determination of active control laws and parameters of optimal passive shunting. The advantages of each method are discussed. Using both methods, optimal passive electrical shunting parameters and active control input voltage values are determined for minimization of the vibration level and near field sound pressure at a particular point located above the plate. Additionally, at moderate to higher forcing levels the hysteretic non-linearity inherent in the PZT affects the dynamic response of the system. Calculated optimal passive shunting values under the linear system assumption become less than optimal. For high forcing levels, nonlinearity effects are accounted for in calculation of optimal values for passive shunting by using a discretized Ishlinskii-type hysteresis model of the PZT dielectric behavior.
PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN VELOCITY BEFORE AND AFTER ELIMINATION OF FACTORS THAT CAN CONFOUND THE PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN LEVEL

Purpose Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity, like PSA level, can be confounded. In this study, we estimated the impact that confounding factors could have on correctly identifying a patient with a PSA velocity >2 ng/ml/y. Methods and Materials Between 2006 and 2010, a total of 50 men with newly diagnosed PC comprised the study cohort. We calculated and compared the false-positive and false-negative PSA velocity >2 ng/ml/y rates for all men and those with low-risk disease using two approaches to calculate PSA velocity. First, we used PSA values obtained within 18 months of diagnosis; second, we used values within 18 months of diagnosis, substituting the prebiopsy PSA for a repeat, nonconfounded PSA that was obtained using the same assay and without confounders. Results Using PSA levels pre-biopsy, 46% of all men had a PSA velocity >2 ng/ml/y; whereas this value declined to 32% when substituting the last prebiopsy PSA for a repeat, nonconfounded PSA using the same assay and without confounders. The false-positive rate for PSA velocity >2 ng/ml/y was 43% as compared with a false-negative rate of PSA velocity >2 ng/ml/y of 11% ( p = 0.0008) in the overall cohort. These respective values in the low-risk subgroup were 60% and 16.7% ( p = 0.09). Conclusion This study provides evidence to explain the discordance in cancer-specific outcomes among groups investigating the prognostic significance of PSA velocity >2 ng/ml/y, and highlights the importance of patient education on potential confounders of the PSA test before obtaining PSA levels.
Shape control synthesis of fluorapatite structures based on supersaturation: prismatic nanowires, ellipsoids, star, and aggregate formation

Fluorapatite nanostructures of various shapes (prismatic, ellipsoidal, star, and aggregate) were synthesized and their structures correlated with the supersaturation of the system. Reagent concentration and pH were adjusted and the change in supersaturation was simulated by the Geochemist's Workbench® software and the MINTEQ database. A higher pH caused changes to the FAP surface charge and was shown to be the dominant force behind aggregate formation. This led to nanorod aggregates and when combined with an increase in reagent concentration, FAP stars were generated. Increasing reaction temperature (room temperature to 100 °C) allowed release of calcium by the chelating agent, EDTA, which steadily increased the supersaturation as demonstrated by simulation. This condition led to ellipsoidal nanorods. As the crystal growth continued with an increasing reaction temperature of up to 150 °C, ellipsoidal nanorods transformed to prismatic nanowires. This transformation was explained by the decreasing supersaturation of the system as the growth nutrients were consumed. Microwave irradiation, the role of fluorite, and control of monodispersity for the FAP synthesis are also discussed.
The Evolution of Lipophilin Genes from Invertebrates to Tetrapods: DM-20 Cannot Replace Proteolipid Protein in CNS Myelin

The proteolipid protein ( PLP ) gene encodes two myelin-specific protein isoforms, DM-20 and PLP, which are members of the highly conserved lipophilin family of transmembrane proteins. While the functions of this family are poorly understood, the fact that null mutations of the PLP gene cause leukodystrophy in man is testament to the importance of DM-20 and PLP in normal CNS function. PLP differs from DM-20 by the presence of a 35 amino acid domain exposed to the cytoplasm, which is not encoded by other lipophilin genes and appears to have arisen in amphibians ∼300 million years before present. However, the lipophilin gene family can be traced back at least 550 million years and is represented in Drosophila and silkworms. Thus, from an evolutionary perspective PLP can reasonably be anticipated to perform functions in CNS myelin that cannot be accomplished by other lipophilins. Herein we use a novel knock-in strategy to generate mice expressing wild-type levels of a Plp gene that has been modified to encode only DM-20. Although DM-20 is incorporated into functional compact myelin sheaths in young animals, our data show that the 35 amino acid PLP-specific peptide is required to engender the normal myelin period and to confer long-term stability on this multilamellar membrane.
Changes in Physiology before, during, and after Yawning

The ultimate function of yawning continues to be debated. Here, we examine physiological measurements taken before, during, and after yawns in humans, in an attempt to identify key proximate mechanisms associated with this behavior. In two separate studies we measured changes in heart rate, lung volume, eye closure, skin conductance, ear pulse, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and respiratory rate. Data were depicted from 75 s before and after yawns, and analyzed at baseline, during, and immediately following yawns. Increases in heart rate, lung volume, and eye muscle tension were observed during or immediately following yawning. Patterns of physiological changes during yawning were then compared to data from non-yawning deep inhalations. In one study, respiration period increased following the execution of a yawn. Much of the variance in physiology surrounding yawning was specific to the yawning event. This was not the case for deep inhalation. We consider our findings in light of various hypotheses about the function of yawning and conclude that they are most consistent with the brain cooling hypothesis.
A bayesian approach for testing periodicity of dichotomous observations

A Bayesian approach is utilized to test for periodicity in a dichotomous time series. Dichotomous data arise in a variety of circumstances when a variable takes on only two possible values. Conjugate and noninformative priors are considered as well as a hierarchical Bayes approach; the latter is considered the superior Bayes methodology. The situation of stochastic period lengths is also discussed. The generalization to the multinomial model is investigated to allow for the case that a variable takes on more than two possible values. In all cases decisions are made based on a Bayes factor. The proposed procedures are demonstrated on earthquake data in the central Virginia seismic zone
A Comparison of 2 White Blood Cell Count Devices to Aid Judicious Antibiotic Prescribing

A low or normal white blood cell (WBC) count is usually associated with viral illnesses. This study evaluated the reliability of a new point-of-care, inexpensive, WBC count device which requires only 10 µL (1 drop) of whole blood from a finger stick to an automated Cell-Dyn® counter in a busy office practice setting and assessed its reliability to assist in avoiding antibiotic prescribing. A total of 120 acutely ill children and potential antibiotic recipients were studied from October 2007 to March 2008. The mean WBC count was 7.4 × 109/L and 8.1 × 10 9/L for the new WBC device and the automated Cell-Dyn counter, respectively. The correlation between the 2 devices was high (r = .988, P = .005). A total of 88 children (73%) did not receive antibiotics and mean WBC was 7.2 × 109/L. In all, 32 children (27%) received an antibiotic and 1 (3%) returned for a follow-up office visit for the same or a related illness. Of the 88 children with a low blood count who did not receive an antibiotic, 3 (3%) had return ...
Metabolism of malondialdehyde by rat liver aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Mammalian liver contains a group of pyridine nucleotide linked aldehyde dehydrogenases [E.C. 1.2.1.3] which are present in high specific activity and possess wide substrate specificities. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a difunctional three-carbon aldehyde thought to be toxic, is generated during membrane lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes. The role of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the metabolism of MDA was tested in vitro with subcellular fractions and semipurified cytosolic preparations from rat livers. The cytosolic fraction accounted for virtually all of the MDA (50 microM) metabolizing activity observed in the postnuclear supernatant fraction. The rate of MDA disappearance was relatively low in the mitochondrial fraction and was not detectable in reaction mixtures which contained microsomes. Rat liver cytosol contained two ALDHs with MDA metabolizing activity. These enzymes were separated by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography and had apparent Km values of 16 microM and 128 microM for malondialdehyde. Mitochondria contained an ALDH enzyme with lower affinity (Km of 7.3 mM with NAD+) for malondialdehyde. These data show that rat liver contains at least three ALDH enzymes which oxidize malondialdehyde.
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF ANCIENT STATE ECONOMIES

▪ Abstract This review addresses methods and theories for the archaeological study of ancient state economies, from the earliest states through the Classical period and beyond. Research on this topic within anthropological archaeology has been held back by reliance on simple concepts and an impoverished notion of the extent of variation in ancient state economies. First I review a long-standing debate between scholars who see similarities with modern capitalist economies (modernists and formalists) and those who see ancient economies as radically different from their modern counterparts (primitivists and substantivists). I suggest that the concept of the level of commercialization provides an avenue for transcending this debate and moving research in more productive directions. Next I review work on the traditional archaeological topics of production and exchange. A discussion of the scale of the economy (households, temple and palace institutions, state finance, cities and regional systems, and internati...
Economic operation and planning of multi-area interconnected power systems

Optimal power flow (OPF) for both operations and planning has been exhaustively dealt with over the last few decades. In large interconnected systems, local area optimization is more desirable for speedier solutions, while the optimization of a large interconnected system in order to solve a local area problem is unnecessary. In this paper, an optimization tool to solve either the operations or the planning problem using partitioned area optimization is presented. Its features also include automatic selection of the objective for each local area and the facility to select constraints from specified set. The quadratic interior point method extended to handle nonlinear constraints is used in the optimization. It is concluded that the OPF package described in this paper handles in one environment, many issues that are not commonly dealt with in most available OFF programs. Its production grade version incorporating the Bonneville Power Administration power flow (BPAPF) will be a very useful tool to the power industry. >
Forecasting the adoption of emerging energy technologies: Managing climate change and evolving social values

With the linkage between fossil fuel use and climate change now almost universally accepted, addressing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) has become a subject of great social urgency and technological challenge. A variety of models exists or are under development for analyzing the role of more sustainable systems, such as renewable energy technologies, in mitigating climate change. However the direct cost of these technologies is generally higher than that of fossil fuel systems. Methods are needed to more fully account for externalities, societal impacts, and social values associated with fossil fuels versus sustainable energy systems. This paper presents a conceptual model targeted to inform better energy policy and management of energy resources to optimize for climate change. The model builds on Linstone's multiple perspectives: technical, organizational and personal by attempting to forecast technology development along these perspectives. Thus factors enabling faster and better adoption by consumers, and faster and efficient development by organizations are evaluated by taking the potential technological improvements into account.