cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A conserved epitope on several human vitamin K-dependent proteins: location of the antigenic site and influence of metal ions on antibody binding

A murine monoclonal antibody (designated H-11) produced by injecting mice with purified human protein C was found to bind several human vitamin K-dependent proteins. Using a solid-phase competitive radioimmunoassay with antibody immobilized onto microtiter plates, binding of 125I-labeled protein C to the antibody was inhibited by increasing amounts of protein C, prothrombin, and Factors X and VII over a concentration range of 1 X 10(-8) to 1 X 10(-6) M. Other vitamin K-dependent proteins including Factor IX and protein S did not inhibit or inhibited only at the highest concentration binding of radiolabeled protein C to the immobilized antibody. Chemical treatment of prothrombin with a variety of agents including denaturation by sodium dodecyl sulfate, reduction with mercaptoethanol followed by carboxymethylation with iodoacetic acid, citraconylation of lysine residues, removal of metal ion with EDTA, or heat decarboxylation did not destroy the antigenic site recognized by the antibody as measured by immunoblotting of prothrombin or prothrombin derivative immobilized onto nitrocellulose. Immunoblotting of purified vitamin K-dependent polypeptides with the monoclonal antibody following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrophoretic transfer to nitrocellulose indicated that the antigenic site was found on the light chains of protein C and Factor X. Chymotrypsin digestion of prothrombin and isolation on QAE-Sephadex of the peptide representing amino-terminal residues 1-44 of prothrombin further localized the antigenic site recognized by the monoclonal antibody to the highly conserved gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing domain. The exact location of the antigenic determinant for antibody H-11 was established using synthetic peptides. Antibody H-11 bound specifically to synthetic peptides corresponding to residues 1-12 of Factor VII and 1-22 of protein C. Comparison of protein sequences of bovine and human vitamin K-dependent proteins suggests that the sequence Phe-Leu-Glu-Glu-Xaa-Arg/Lys is required for antibody binding. The glutamic acid residues in this peptide segment are the first 2 gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues near the amino-terminal end in the native proteins. Increasing concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, or Mn2+ partially inhibited binding of 125I-protein C to the antibody in a solid-phase assay system with half-maximal binding observed at divalent metal ion concentrations of 2, 4, and 0.6 mM, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Ontology-based resource matching in the grid: the grid meets the semantic web

The Grid is an emerging technology for enabling resource sharing and coordinated problem solving in dynamic multi-institutional virtual organizations. In the Grid environment, shared resources and users typically span different organizations. The resource matching problem in the Grid involves assigning resources to tasks in order to satisfy task requirements and resource policies. These requirements and policies are often expressed in disjoint application and resource models, forcing a resource selector to perform semantic matching between the two. In this paper, we propose a flexible and extensible approach for solving resource matching in the Grid using semantic web technologies. We have designed and prototyped an ontology-based resource selector that exploits ontologies, background knowledge, and rules for solving resource matching in the Grid.
De l’animal politique à la nature humaine : Aristote et Hobbes sur la colère

Dans son « petit traite en Anglais » sur La nature humaine (1640) et, ensuite dans Leviathan (1647-1650), Thomas Hobbes examine et redefinit les passions. En prenant appui sur le concept de motion, mouvement, il les concoit comme pensees : les passions sont des perceptions qui passent par le cerveau, mais pour se diriger vers le coeur. Une fois dans le coeur, elles provoquent du plaisir en favorisant le « mouvement vital », vital motion, ou bien de la peine, en lui faisant obstacle. La colere (anger), affirme-t-il, est le depassement d’un obstacle, non la reponse a une insulte (contempt), comme le disaient, a tort, les Anciens. Cette critique est significative. Car orge, comprise comme la peine pour une offense injustifiee, accompagnee du desir de prendre sa revanche, etait pour Aristote la passion politique par excellence. C’est parce que nous nous fâchons que nous nous revoltons et que notre revolte se justifie. C’est en colere que nous nous mobilisons dans une guerre juste. Qu’elle se presente comme une explosion tumultueuse ou comme un sourd ressentiment, orge est pour les Anciens la reaction raisonnee d’un acteur social, qui souffre dans son corps aussi bien que dans l’image sociale qu’il s’est donne et au nom d’une attente de justice : on ne reconnait pas cette personne pour celui qu’il veut etre dans le monde. Quelles sont les consequences de cette critique, qui consiste a deconnecter l’ire de la justice, pour la theorie de l’etat de nature, de la societe civile et de l’etat garant de la securite des sujets? Dans la transition d’une theorie de l’animal politique, naturellement enclin a la sociabilite (Aristote), a une vision mecaniste de la nature humaine, faite de mouvement et de competition (Hobbes), c’est le fondement anthropologique du politique qui se trouve repense. L’entrelacs de droits, habitudes et corps qui donnait forme a des emotions complexes se defait. Une comparaison entre la colere des Anciens et la colere de Modernes illustre cette dislocation.
Reconceiving the Family: The PRINCIPLES and Canada's “Beyond Conjugality” Report: The Move towards Abolition of State Marriage Laws

This Chapter evaluates two law reform initiatives in North America: the PRINCIPLES and the 2001 Canadian Law Commission's report entitled "Beyond Conjugality: Recognizing and Supporting Close Personal Relationships" ("Beyond Conjugality"). The PRINCIPLES move "away from the idea that there can be public standards guiding marriage and par­enthood. Instead it says that the central purpose of family law should be to protect and promote family diversity." In particular, the PRINCIPLES introduce rules pertaining to pre-marital agreements and domestic partnerships that undermine the very essence of marriage and present it as one of many equally valid family forms.
Adjoint models of mantle convection with seismic, plate motion, and stratigraphic constraints: North America since the Late Cretaceous

We apply adjoint models of mantle convection to North America since the Late Cretaceous. The present-day mantle structure is constrained by seismic tomography and the time-dependent evolution by plate motions and stratigraphic data (paleoshorelines, borehole tectonic subsidence, and sediment isopachs). We infer values of average upper and lower mantle viscosities, provide a synthesis of North American vertical motions (relative sea level) from the Late Cretaceous to the present, and reconstruct the geometry of the Farallon slab back to the Late Cretaceous. In order to fit Late Cretaceous marine inundation and borehole subsidence, the adjoint model requires a viscosity ratio across 660 km discontinuity of 15:1 (reference viscosity of 10^(21) Pa s), which is consistent with values previously inferred by postglacial rebound studies. The dynamic topography associated with subduction of the Farallon slab is localized in western North America over Late Cretaceous, representing the primary factor controlling the widespread flooding. The east coast of the United States is not stable; rather, it has been experiencing continuous dynamic subsidence over the Cenozoic, coincident with an overall eustatic fall, explaining a discrepancy between sea level derived from the New Jersey coastal plain and global curves. The east coast subsidence further constrains the mantle viscosity structure and requires an uppermost mantle viscosity of 10^(20) Pa s. Imposed constraints require that the Farallon slab was flat lying during Late Cretaceous, with an extensive zone of shallow dipping Farallon subduction extending beyond the flat-lying slab farther east and north by up to 1000 km than previously suggested.
Formation of separated versus contact ion triples in heavy alkaline-earth thiolates

The synthesis and structural characterization of the alkaline-earth thiolates [Sr(18-crown-6)(hmpa)2][SMes*]2 and [Ba(18-crown-6)(hmpa)(SMes*)][SMes*], displaying rare ion association modes with only one or no cation–thiolate linkages are presented.
Computational Approaches to Systems Biology: Multiple Approaches to Clostridium Acetobutylicum

Rapid advancements in biotechnology are expected to impact multiple areas of interest to the Army, including decontamination, degradation of toxic chemicals and biofuels. This project is a joint experimental/computational effort to map out the metabolic pathways in Clostridium acetobutylicum, and use this information todevelop a systems biology model of this system. This organism has been chosen specifically due to the fact that it has potential application to both biofuel production and nitroaromatic degradation. It is hoped that a systems biology model may provide key information to enhance both of these processes.
The economic consequences of Bruno Latour

(1996). The economic consequences of Bruno Latour. Social Epistemology: Vol. 10, Economic Metaphors in Science Studies, pp. 193-208.
A new measurement of the half-life of the 72Ge 0+ state

Abstract With a Ge(Li) detector as the target, the half-life of the 0 + first excited state of 72 Ge has been remeasured. A value of 422±13 ns has been obtained.
Impulsivity predicts time to reach euthymia in adults with bipolar disorder.

Objectives Specific demographic and illness characteristics have been identified as predictors of overall morbidity and treatment course among individuals with bipolar disorder. However, the role of specific cognitive limitations on disease severity and treatment response is unclear. The present study evaluated whether impulsiveness during acute mania was a significant predictor of achieving euthymia within one year following psychiatric hospitalization. Methods Participants were 94 adult inpatients (60 manic) with bipolar I disorder. Baseline symptom severity was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Impulsivity was measured with the Stop Signal Task, Degraded Stimulus Continuous Performance Task, Delayed Response Task, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11. Results Individual predictors of time to reach euthymia included fewer depressive symptoms and better impulse control at baseline, later age at illness onset, shorter illness duration, and the absence of comorbid attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Self-reported impulsivity was a significant independent predictor of time to euthymia, even after accounting for relevant clinical variables. Conclusions Better trait impulse control may be associated with better treatment responsiveness among adults with bipolar disorder.
Resting human peripheral blood lymphocytes can be activated to cytolytic function by antibodies to CD3 in the absence of exogenous interleukin-2.

Abstract We investigated the ability of anti-CD3 antibodies to activate resting human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to a cytolytic function. We found that two anti-CD3 antibodies, but not an anti-CD4, anti-CD8, or anti-CD2 antibody, could activate resting unseparated PBL to become killer cells in the absence of exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2), although exogenous recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) synergized with anti-CD3. We also found that these anti-CD3 antibodies were active in the absence of rIL-2 only when linked to a solid surface such as a Sepharose bead or a plastic tissue culture plate. Cytolytic activity was measured in several ways: (i) by the ability of activated PBL to lyse the NK-sensitive line K562 and (ii) by the ability of these cells to lyse a CD10 + (CALLA + ), NK-resistant target in the presence of either concanavalin A (lectin-dependent lysis) or an anti-CD10-anti-CD3 heterodimer. At least two different types of cytolytic cells were activated by anti-CD3 antibodies, an NK-like cell, which was CD2 + CD3 − CD4 − CD8 − CD16 + -NKH1a + , and a CTL-like cell, which was CD2 + CD3 + CD4 − CD8 + CD16 − NKH1a − . The former cell lysed the K562 line and the latter cell lysed Namalwa in the presence of the anti-CD 10-anti-CD3 heterodimer or concanavalin A. The NK-like cell was probably activated by endogenous IL-2 produced by the anti-CD3-activated CD3 + cells and both the NK and CTL-like cells required the presence of adherent cells for maximal activity. The dose response and the kinetics of anti-CD3 activation of PBL to cytolytic activity were also studied. The use of the anti-CD3-activated cytolytic cells as effectors in anti-CD3 heterodimer-mediated lysis of tumor cells may be a novel approach to the therapy of cancer, and a comparison with the well-studied rIL-2/ lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) system is discussed.
Quantification of muscle oxygenation and flow of healthy volunteers during cuff occlusion of arm and leg flexor muscles and plantar flexion exercise

A hybrid instrument combining near infrared and diffuse correlation spectroscopies was used to measure muscle oxygenation and blood flow dynamics during cuff occlusion and ischemia. Measurements were done on six healthy subjects on their arm and leg flexor muscles. Hemodynamic response was characterized for blood oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin concenration and relative blood flow speed. The characterization allowed us to define the normal response range as well as showing the feasibility of using a hybrid instrument for dynamic measurements.
A TEM study of microstructures of YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films deposited on LaAlO3 by laser ablation

The microstructures of YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films deposited by laser ablation on single crystal (001) LaAlO3 substrates have been investigated. The orientation of the YBa2Cu3O7−x layer next to the interface is found to be completely c-perpendicular, with a high degree of epitaxy between the film and the substrate. Misfit dislocations, with a periodic spacing of around 13 nm, are present at the interface. Two distinct interfacial structures are seen in these films. At a film thickness of around 400 nm, nucleation of c-parallel grains occurs, leading to a switchover from a c, and, and-perpendicular to a c-parallel microstructure. Amorphous particulates, ejected from the target during processing, lead to the formation of misoriented grains, giving rise to high-angle grain boundaries in the film.
Polysulphone and poly(phenylene sulphide) blends: 2. Mechanical behaviour

Abstract This paper reports the mechanical behaviour of injection moulded blends of polysulphone (PSF) and poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS). The blends prepared by melt-extrusion and subsequent injection moulding are phase separated. Depending on moulding conditions, thermal history, and composition, tensile behaviour ranged from brittle to ductile, with or without cold drawing. Cold drawing was observed in compositions as-moulded with up to 50% by weight PPS. Upon annealing for 2h at 160°C, ductile failure was maintained for blends containing up to 35% by weight PPS. All other compositions failed in brittle fashion. Flexural strength and modulus, before and after annealing, exhibited negative deviation from the rule of mixtures. All the blends were found to be notch sensitive.
SUBURBAN DIFFERENTIATION: ON THE CONTEMPORARy UTILITy OF THE EMPLOyMENT‐RESIDENCE TyPOLOGy

This study seeks to establish the contemporary relevance of type of suburb (whether it is residential or “employing”), suburb age, and size for suburban differentiation. First, data are examined in replication of Schnore's (1965) study of suburban differentiation. Second, the functions, age, and size of suburbs are explored as possible explanations for the socioeconomic and demographic differences among suburbs. The findings indicate that, for predicting suburban differentiation, the employment-residence ratio is considerably less useful than previously, and suburb size is a weak predictor. Suburb age, in contrast, exhibits a highly significant relationship to the character of suburban differentiation.
Sleep-wake pattern following gunshot suprachiasmatic damage.

Background:The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) plays a critical role in maintaining melatonin and sleep-wake cycles.Methods/Patient:We report a case of 38-year-old woman who, after gunshot wound to t...
Double-photon decay in 90Zr nucleus

Abstract Double-photon decay in the 0 + to 0 + transition in 90 Zr was measured with two large-volume Ge(Li) detectors, at angles of 90° and 180°. The branching ratio of double-photon decay with respect to the sum of internal-conversion electrons and internal pairs was (3.17 ± 0.77) × 10 −4 . The angular correlation of two photons is in agreement with that of (E1, E1) transition, although it does not exclude other possibilities.
An improved fuzzy logic segmentation of sea ice, clouds, and ocean in remotely sensed arctic imagery

Abstract The accurate segmentation of sea ice from cloud and from cloud-free ocean in polar AVHRR imagery is important for many scientific applications (e.g., sea ice-albedo feedback mechanisms, heat exchange between ocean and atmosphere in polar regions; studies of the stability of surface water in polar regions). Unfortunately, it is a difficult task complicated by the common visible reflectance characteristics of sea ice and cloud. Moreover, AVHRR Channel 3 data historically have been contaminated by highly variable sensor noise which generally has hampered their use in the classification of polar scenes. Likewise, polar scenes often contain pixels with mixed classes (e.g., sea ice and cloud). This article uses a combination of fuzzy logic classification methods, noise reduction in AVHRR Channel 3 data using Wiener filtering methods (Simpson and Yhann, 1994), and a physically motivated rule base which makes effective use of the Wiener filtered Channel 3 data to more accurately segment polar imagery. The new method's improved classification skill compared to more traditional methods, as well as its regional independence, is demonstrated. The algorithm is computationally efficient and hence is suitable for analyzing the large volumes of polar imagery needed in many global change studies.
The hot wire anemometer as an aerosol droplet size sampler

Abstract The hot wire anemometer is used as a sampler of small liquid droplets. The device is calibrated for droplets of dibutyl phthalate, Sinco prime 70 and safflower, and shown to give a voltage output proportional to the droplet diameter for drops under 200 μm. This is in agreement with analysis presented. An estimate of largest size droplets to hit the wire without shattering and to remain attached without being blown off by the stream is given.
Rhodesia and the Olympic Games: representations of masculinity, war and Empire, 1965–1980

White-settler-ruled Rhodesia faced isolation from international sporting competition after its unilateral declaration of independence in 1965, including from the Olympic Games. Sport reflected the qualities of white Rhodesian society, including its gendered and racialized norms. Rhodesia inherited its sporting ethic from Great Britain, and the British influence on Rhodesian sport remained indelible even as anti-British sentiment flared in the white community as Britain worked to exclude Rhodesia from international sport. This work highlights the irony that Rhodesia adhered to Imperial British social norms on the playing field while trying to assert an independent and anti-British national identity.
Inactivation of Coprinus cinereus peroxidase by 4-chloroaniline during turnover: comparison with horseradish peroxidase and bovine lactoperoxidase.

Abstract The peroxidase from Coprinus cinereus (CPX) catalyzed oxidative oligomerization of 4-chloroaniline (4-CA) forming several products: N-(4-chlorophenyl)-benzoquinone monoamine (dimer D), 4,4′-dichloroazobenzene (dimer E); 2-(4-chloroanilino)-N-(4-chlorophenyl)-benzoquinone (trimer F); 2-amino-5-chlorobenzoquinone-di-4-chloroanil (trimer G); 2-(4-chloroanilino)-5-hydroxybenzoquinone-di-4-chloroanil (tetramer H) and 2-amino-5-(-4-chlroanilino)-benzoquinone-di-4-chloroanil (tetramer I). In the presence of 4-CA and H2O2, CPX was irreversibly inactivated within 10 min. Inactivation of CPX in the presence of H2O2 was a time-dependent, first-order process when the concentration of 4-CA was varied between 0 and 2.5 mM. The apparent dissociation constant (Ki) for CPX and 4-CA was 0.71 mM. The pseudo-first order rate constant for inactivation (kinact), was 1.15×10−2 s−1. Covalent incorporation of 20 mole 14C-4-CA per mole of inactivated CPX was observed. The partition ratio was about 2200 when either 4-CA or H2O2 was used as the limiting substrate. These results show that 4-CA is a metabolically activated inactivator (i.e. a suicide substrate). Unmodified heme and hydroxymethyl heme were isolated from native, 4-CA-inactivated and H2O2-incubated CPX. Inactivation resulted in significant losses in both heme contents. Analysis of tryptic peptides from 4-CA-inactivated CPX by MALDI-TOF/MS and UV-VIS spectrophotometry suggested that trimer G and tetramer H were the major 4-CA derivatives that were covalently bound, including to a peptide (MGDAGFSPDEVVDLLAAHSLASQEGLNSAIFR) containing the heme binding site. These studies show that heme destruction and covalent modification of the polypeptide chain are both important for the inactivation of CPX. These results were compared with similar studies on 4-CA-inactivated horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and bovine lactoperoxidase (LPO) during the oxidation of 4-CA.
Electrical Resistance of Long Conjugated Molecular Wires

The charge transport mechanism of a wire can be revealed by how its electrical resistance varies with length. We have measured the resistance and current-voltage characteristics of conjugated molecular wires ranging in length from 1 to 7 nanometers, connected between metal electrodes. We observe the theoretically predicted change in direct-current transport from tunneling to hopping as a function of systematically controlled wire length. We also demonstrate that site-specific disruption of conjugation in the wires greatly increases resistance in the hopping regime but has only a small effect in the tunneling regime. These nanoscale transport measurements elucidate the role of molecular length and bond architecture on molecular conductivity and open opportunities for greater understanding of electrical transport in conjugated polymer films.
Control of glycogen and fat metabolism in the mosquito

Abstract The mosquito, fed on an equicaloric amount of either sugar or blood, synthesizes a small amount of glycogen and a large amount of fat (triglycerides). The synthesis was not affected by removal of the corpora allata. When the medial neurosecretory cells were removed and the insects were fed on sugar, glycogen synthesis was greatly increased and fat synthesis greatly inhibited. This reversal of synthesis did not occur in blood-fed insects, from which the medial neurosecretory cells were removed. Utilization of glycogen and fat was not affected by removal of either the corpora allata or the medial neurosecretory cells.
On the generic nonconvergence of Bayesian actions and beliefs

SupposeYn is a sequence of i.i.d. random variables taking values in Y, a complete, separable, non-finite metric space. The probability law indexed byθeΘ, is unknown to a Bayesian statistician with priorμ, observing this process. Generalizing Freedman [8], we show that “generically” (i.e., for a residual family of (θ,μ) pairs) the posterior beliefs do not weakly converge to a point-mass at the “true”θ. Furthermore, for every open setG ⊂Θ, generically, the Bayesian will attach probability arbitrarily close to one toG infinitely often. The above result is applied to a two-armed bandit problem with geometric discounting where armk yields an outcome in a complete, separable metric spaceYk. If the infimum of the possible rewards from playing armk is less than the infimum from playing armk', then armk is (generically) chosen only finitely often. If the infimum of the rewards are equal, then both arms are played infinitely often.
A denormalized U-statistic which cannot be decoupled from some associated stopping times

Abstract Let X 1 , X 2 , … be i.i.d. mean zero random variables and S n = X 1 + ⋯ + X n . For any stopping time T w.r.t. { X n } let T denote a copy of T which is independent of { X n } . We exhibit a family of distributions and stopping times T such that E max 1 ≤ n ≤ T | ∑ 1 ≤ i ≠ j ≤ n X i X j | ∞ and yet E max 1 ≤ n ≤ T | ∑ 1 ≤ i ≠ j ≤ n X i X j | = ∞ .
C60 carbon cages

Abstract Arrangements of carbon atoms in cage-like structures with no dangling bonds are considered as possible novel allotropic forms of carbon. Five different C60 cages, having certain favorable structural characteristics, are identified. Quantitative resonance-theoretic calculations are made and compared to simpe Huckel results. The favored structure is found to be the so-called Buckminsterfullerene structure.
Adhesion molecule and homing receptor expression on blood and milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes during the periparturient period of dairy cattle

Adhesion molecule and homing receptor expression on blood and milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from periparturient dairy cattle was studied. Both percentages and the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of PMN expressing CD11a, CD44, CD62L, and LPAM-1 (alpha4 beta7) were evaluated at seven time points during the twenty-one day period post calving. CD11a and CD62L were expressed on 94-100% of PMN in both blood and milk and there were no significant differences in these percentages at any time point. LPAM-1 was expressed on 3-10% of the PMN in the blood and 13-45% in the milk and the percentage of cells expressing LPAM-1 in milk was significantly (P<0.05) greater than in blood at 0, 4, 10, 14, 18 and 21 days after calving. CD44 was expressed on 11-39% of the PMN in blood and 33-69% in the milk and the percentage of cells expressing CD44 in milk was significantly (P<0.05) greater than in blood at all time points. The MFI of CD11a on milk PMN was consistently higher than that of blood PMN throughout the study period and significantly (P<0.05) higher at days 4, 10 and 18 after calving.
Impact of the Unique Physical Properties of Copper in Silicon on Characterization of Copper Diffusion Barriers

In this paper, we establish a connection between the physical properties of copper in silicon substrates and the problems of characterization of copper diffusion barriers for ultra-large scale integration (ULSI) technology. We show that many of the methods successfully used for detection of the failure of aluminum diffusion barriers are poorly suited for characterization of barriers for copper metallization technology. This is because the unique physical properties of copper make its diffusion and precipitation behavior in silicon significantly different from those of other metals. These properties must be taken into account in studies of the detrimental effect of copper on device yield and in development of thin diffusion barriers for copper metallization. The sensitivity of most depth profiling techniques (such as secondary ion mass spectrometry, Auger electron spectroscopy, or Rutherford backscattering) is not sufficient to detect barrier failure before the dissolved copper concentration in the bulk reaches its solubility limit at the back-end processing temperature (e.g., 2 × 10 13 cm -3 at 450 °C). The electrical measurement techniques, such as analysis of I-V characteristics of p-n junctions formed by ion implantation under the barrier layers are more sensitive to penetration of copper than depth profiling techniques, but cannot determine the copper contamination level quantitatively, Emerging tools suitable for detection of copper penetration at technologically relevant levels are discussed.
New insights from the structure-function analysis of the catalytic region of human platelet phosphodiesterase 3A : A role for the unique 44-amino acid insert

Human phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) degrades cAMP, the major inhibitor of platelet function, thus potentiating platelet function. Of the 11 human PDEs, only PDE3A and 3B have 44-amino acid inserts in the catalytic domain. Their function is not clear. Incubating Sp-adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic-S-(4-bromo-2,3-di-oxobutyl) monophosphorothioate (Sp-cAMPS-BDB) with PDE3A irreversibly inactivates the enzyme. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of a tryptic digest yielded an octapeptide within the insert of PDE3A ((K)T806YNVTDDK813), suggesting that a substrate-binding site exists within the insert. Because Sp-cAMPS-BDB reacts with nucleophilic residues, mutants Y807A, D811A, and D812A were produced. Sp-cAMPS-BDB inactivates D811A and D812A but not Y807A. A docking model showed that Tyr807 is 3.3 angstroms from the reactive carbon, whereas Asp811 and Asp812 are >15 angstroms away from Sp-cAMPS-BDB. Y807A has an altered Km but no change in kcat. Activity of wild type but not Y807A is inhibited by an anti-insert antibody. These data suggest that Tyr807 is modified by Sp-cAMPS-BDB and involved in substrate binding. Because the homologous amino acid in PDE3B is Cys792, we prepared the mutant Y807C and found that its Km and kcat were similar to the wild type. Moreover, Sp-cAMPS-BDB irreversibly inactivates Y807C with similar kinetics to wild type, suggesting that the tyrosine may, like the cysteine, serve as a H donor. Kinetic analyses of nine additional insert mutants reveal that H782A, T810A, Y814A, and C816S exhibit an altered kcat but not Km, indicating that catalysis is modulated. We document a new functional role for the insert in which substrate binding may produce a conformational change. This change would allow the substrate to bind to Tyr807 and other amino acids in the insert to interact with residues important for catalysis in the active site cleft.
Disruption of state-dependent learning (memory retrieval) by emotionally-important stimuli.

State-Dependent Learning (SDL) occurs when a response learned in a particular drug state does not transfer to another drug state. SDL was demonstrated and disrupted in a modified T-maze escape learning task, using male hooded rats. SDL groups were trained each day in one drug state (either Librium, 40 mg/kg or sterile water) and then given non-shock test trials in both drug states. SDL Ss showed drug-dependent retention since they turned randomly in opposite-state test trials and significantly above random level (P<0.02) when in the training drug state. For the Transfer Ss, a 1 kHz tone was simultaneously paired with foot shock in training, and continued to be sounded on every non-shock test trial. Transfer Ss turned in the training direction regardless of drug state. Drug-dependence in the SDL groups and transfer in the Transfer groups were also demonstrated in response latencies. The tones were emotional memory prompters initiating some process that mediated transfer between drug states. The theoretical importance of these results were discussed in relation to energizing and directing functions of emotions and symmetrical and asymmetrical transfer.
ARTMAP-FTR: A neural network for fusion target recognition, with application to sonar classification

ART (Adaptive Resonance Theory) neural networks for fast, stable learning and prediction have been applied in a variety of areas. Applications include automatic mapping from satellite remote sensing data, machine tool monitoring, medical prediction, digital circuit design, chemical analysis, and robot vision. Supervised ART architectures, called ARTMAP systems, feature internal control mechanisms that create stable recognition categories of optimal size by maximizing code compression while minimizing predictive error in an on- line setting. Special-purpose requirements of various application domains have led to a number of ARTMAP variants, including fuzzy ARTMAP, ART-EMAP, ARTMAP-IC, Gaussian ARTMAP, and distributed ARTMAP. A new ARTMAP variant, called ARTMAP- FTR (fusion target recognition), has been developed for the problem of multi-ping sonar target classification. The development data set, which lists sonar returns from underwater objects, was provided by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Coastal Systems Station (CSS), Dahlgren Division. The ARTMAP-FTR network has proven to be an effective tool for classifying objects from sonar returns. The system also provides a procedure for solving more general sensor fusion problems.
Collision frequencies of raindrops

Using an exponential model spectrum for raindrop sizes, calculations are made of how often raindrops collide with one another. The collision of a large drop with another occurs after an interval of a few seconds. Large drops are likely to be markedly aspherical, and to oscillate, rather than to follow collectively a mean canting angle. Such variabilities should be considered in calculating depolarization and differential attenuation of microwaves in rain.
Indomethacin blocks arachidonic acid-induced elevation of intraocular pressure

Topical administration of prostaglandin E2 to the eyes of rabbits elevated intraocular pressure. Topically applied arachidonic acid, a precursor of prostaglandin E2, also raised intraocular pressure. Pretreatment with intraperitoneal indomethacin completely prevented the elevation of intraocular pressure induced by topically applied arachidonic acid, but failed to block the rise of intraocular pressure caused by topical prostaglandin E2. The data suggested that indomethacin inhibited prostaglandin production from arachidonic acid in the eye.
Cinchona Alkaloids as Stereoselective Organocatalysts for the Partial Kinetic Resolution Polymerization of rac-Lactide

This work investigates, for the first time, cinchona alkaloids such as cinchonidine (CD) and β-isocupreidine (ICD) consisting of both a chiral nucleophilic amine catalyst site and an electrophilic hydroxy moiety, as bifunctional, stereoselective organocatalysts for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide (l-LA) and rac-lactide (rac-LA). While the ROP of l-LA by CD is ineffective, the ROP of l-LA by ICD proceeds without noticeable epimerization, thus affording polylactide (PLA) with a quantitative isotacticity. The measured number-average molecular weight (Mn) is much higher than the expected Mn due to sluggish initiation by ICD, but when benzyl alcohol is added as an external protic initiator, the ROP is highly efficient and proceeds to high conversions without undesired transesterification reactions, thus producing PLA with a controlled Mn and a narrow molecular weight distribution of 1.12. More significantly, the ROP of rac-LA by ICD/alcohol affords crystalline isotactic-rich, stereogradient ...
Heat transfer near a small heated protrusion on a plate

Abstract The results of a study of high Reynolds number convective heat transfer from a small heated protrusion on a flat plate are presented. Protrusions of height ~ L Re −5 8 and length ~ L Re −3 8 are analyzed in the context of triple-deck theory. An analytical solution for the local heat transfer rate is presented for protrusions of vanishingly small heights. For protrusions of height ~ 1 on the triple-deck scale, a numerical solution is obtained. The effect of boundary layer separation on the heat transfer rate is investigated. It is found that flow separation leads to high local rates of heat transfer downstream of the separation point.
Neural mechanisms of memory

Elements of the Behavioural Code. By Francis V. DeFeudis and P.A.F. DeFeudis. Pp.397. (Academic; New York, London and San Francisco, 1977.) £15; $29.35.
An open pilot study using tacrolimus ointment in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.

Abstract Seborrheic dermatitis is generally treated with topical steroids, antifungals, or both. This pilot study was undertaken to examine the possibility of tacrolimus as a useful therapy for seborrheic dermatitis. In a single-center, open-label study, 18 consecutive patients with seborrheic dermatitis were treated with 0.1% tacrolimus for a total of 28 days or until complete clearance occurred, if sooner. Of the patients, 11 (61%) showed 100% clearance of their seborrheic dermatitis; the remaining 7 patients showed 70% to 99% clearance. The most common side effects were mild local burning and irritation. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2003;49:145-7.)
Reproductive development in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) under phosphorus-limited conditions

Abstract The effect of phosphorus (P) status on shoot growth and reproductive development in 2-year-old, potted grapevines ( Vitis vinifera L. cultivar ‘Carignane’) was investigated by withholding P at different phenological stages for 3 growing seasons. Vines which received no P (P0) had decreased dry matter production at the end of the second season compared to vines which had P withheld after bloom (Pb), after veraison (Pv) or to vines which received P for the full season (Pf). In the second season, berries cluster −1 and cluster weight were decreased in all treatments in which P was withheld. Berry weight was decreased only in the P0 and Pb treatments compared to the Pv and Pf treatments. After 2 seasons, cluster primordia dormant bud −1 also decreased in the P0 and Pb treatments compared to the Pv and Pf treatments. In Season 3, the number of clusters shoot −1 and flowers cluster −1 was less in all treatments which had P withheld compared to the Pf vines. It is concluded that initiation, differentiation and maintenance of reproductive primordia were sensitive to P supply throughout the season Maintenance of initiated clusters was more sensitive than initiation of clusters since some initiation was observed under P deficiencies when maintenance was nil. Reproductive development was inhibited more than vegetative growth by restricted P supply.
Professional Development at a Distance: A Mixed-Method Study Exploring Inservice Teachers' Views on Presence Online

AbstractThis paper uses a mixed-method approach to examine the efficacy of a 5-week distance learning model that offered 2-credit courses for K–12 inservice teachers as a form of professional development. This study examined the experiences of the inservice teachers across online professional development courses and analyzed participant surveys from this population to gain a better sense of satisfaction, learning, and quality of interactions related to the online professional development. The findings speak to the value of establishing a sense of “presence” online, the impact of online teacher professional development on the active classroom, and features that contribute to the enhancement of professional development online.
Characterization and stability of hydrogenase from Chromatium

Abstract The absorption spectrum of the hydrogenase from Chromatium, which contains four iron atoms and four atoms of acid-labile sulfide, in 80% dimethylssulfoxide or hexamethylphosphoramide suggests the presence of a single [4Fe-4S] cluster. The EPR spectra of the oxidized enzyme in air, argon or carbon monoxide are the same with signals centered at g = 2.01 . The enzyme reduced by hydrogen is EPR silent. The EPR spectrum is consistent with a [4Fe-4S] cluster. Chromatium hydrogenase and the hydrogenase from Proteus vulgaris show relative stability towards denaturation by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), urea, guanidine and organic solvents.
Rhombi inscribed in simple closed curves

We show that given any simple closed curveJ in ℝ2 and any lineL, the curveJ contains the four vertices of some rhombusR with two sides parallel toL. Furthermore, the cyclic order of the vertices ofR agrees with their cyclic order onJ. We also show that the diameters of the rhombi so produced (one for each lineL) may be bounded away from zero.
Hybrid H2-Selective Silica Membranes Prepared by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Hybrid organic-inorganic H2-selective membranes consisting of single-layer or dual-layers of silica incorporating aromatic groups are deposited on a porous alumina support by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in an inert atmosphere at high temperature. The single-layer silica membranes, which are made by the simultaneous decomposition of phenyltriethoxysilane (PTES) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), have good hydrothermal stability at high temperature and a high permeance for hydrogen in the order of 10−7 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 at 873 K, while preventing the passage of other larger molecular gases such as CH4 and CO2. The dual-layer silica membranes, which are obtained from the sequential decomposition of PTES and TEOS, exhibit an extremely high permeance for hydrogen of 3.6 × 10−6 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 at 873 K with a permselectivity of hydrogen over methane of 30. A normalized Knudsen based permeance method is applied to measure the pore size of PTES-derived silica membrane on the dual-layer silica membrane before...
Comparison of the open complexes formed by RNA polymerase at the Escherichia coli lac UV5 promoter.

Abstract In transcription initiation at the lac UV5 promoter, Escherichia coli RNA polymerase forms two open complexes, called O u and O 1 , which can be separated by electrophoresis on native polyacrylamide gels. We have compared the properties of these two open complexes, with the objective of rationalizing the functional difference previously reported between the two forms: the complex which is dominant at high temperature (O u ) is better able to escape abortive transcriptional cycling into productive mRNA elongation. Methylation protection and binding domain probing with exonuclease III were used to investigate differences in polymerase binding strength to particular DNA domains. Also, we examined the difference in the extent and temperature dependence of promoter unwinding in the two complexes, as probed by methylation of unpaired cytosines and cleavage by phage T7 endonuclease. We find that O 1 has stronger promoter interactions in the DNA domain whose upstream edge is defined by an exonuclease III stop at −24. These −24 domain interactions, which presumably aid in promoter binding and nucleation of DNA unwinding, are inferred to be strong enough to hinder escape of the polymerase from the open complex contacts that are maintained during abortive initiation. The O u complex has weaker binding to the −24 domain, partially compensated by better upstream interactions and a better ability to accommodate extensive DNA unwinding. It thus excapes abortive initiation more readily because of weaker critical open complex contacts that must be lost when stable initiation occurs from the corresponding stressed intermediates
Primary processes involved in the photodissociation of saturated hydrocarbons at 157 nm

photofragmentation translational spectroscopy (PTS), we have determined theprimary and secondary photodissociation channels of cyclopropane, n-propane,n-butane, and isobutane at 157 nm. The PTS technique involves the use of amolecular beam which inherently gives collision free conditions, ideal for the
Manufactured Solution for Computational Fluid Dynamics Boundary Condition Verification

Order-of-accuracy verification is necessary to ensure that software correctly solves a given set of equations. One method for verifying the order of accuracy of a code is the method of manufactured solutions. This study documents the development of a manufactured solution that allows verification of not only the Euler, Navier-Stokes, and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equation sets, but also some of their associated boundary conditions: slip, no-slip (adiabatic and isothermal), and outflow (subsonic, supersonic, and mixed). To demonstrate the usefulness of this manufactured solution, it has been used for order-of-accuracy verification in a compressible computational fluid dynamics code. All of the results shown are on skewed, nonuniform, three-dimensional meshes. The manufactured solution and sequence of meshes are designed to allow asymptotic results to be obtained with reasonable computational cost. In addition to the order of accuracy of the full code for various equation sets and boundary conditions, the order of accuracy of code portions used to calculate solution gradients has been measured as well.
Self-reported hostility as a function of offense characteristics and response style in a sexual offender population.

The Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI), the Hostility Toward Women Scale (HTWS), and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Social Desirability and Defensiveness scales were examined in a sample of 239 sexual offenders, 23 of whom had previously been studied. Sexual offenders against adolescents and adults had higher BDHI scores than sexual offenders against children. However, multiple regression equations revealed that the MMPI Defensiveness scale accounted for more of the shared variance in both types of self-reported hostility than did the maturity of the subjects' victims or the level of force used in the commission of the sexual offenses. Social desirability was significantly associated with the HTWS but not with the BDHI. Language: en
Microscratch Test for Ultra-Thin Films

In a microscratch test performed by using an upgraded microindenter, the normal load, tangential load, scratch length and acoustic emission, are monitored simultaneously during an entire scratch process for the purposes of measuring the critical load and studying the ffilure mechanisms of the deposited films. The adhesion strength, scratch hardness, fracture toughness and friction are the mechanical properties which are possible to obtain by using this technique. Results from aluminum, carbon and zirconia coatings will be discussed.
Oral fibrolipoma beneath complete mandibular denture

A fibrolipoma was found under the mandibular denture in a 65-year-old woman. The mass had been present when the existing denture was made.
Laser excitation of surface wave motion

A simplified analysis of surface wave generation by laser irradiation of a homogeneous, isotropic, linearly elastic body is presented. The thermoelastic process of expansion of a surface element is examined, and a direct derivation of equivalent mechanical surface loading is presented. A novel representation of surface wave motion is given in terms of a single-wave potential for a carrier wave propagating on the free surface. Finally, for time-harmonic laser irradiation the elastodynamic reciprocity theorem is used to relate the generated surface wave motion to a virtual surface wave, which leads to a straightforward analytical determination of the generated surface waves for the cases of laser line- and point-focused illumination. The surface-wave pulses for pulsed irradiation are obtained by Fourier superposition. For the line-focus case the surface-wave pulse is proportional to the laser pulse, while for point-focus illumination the surface-wave pulse consists of a principal pulse followed by a smaller pulse of opposite sign.
Dexmedetomidine decreases extracellular dopamine concentrations in the rat nucleus accumbens.

The effects of dexmedetomidine, a highly selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, on extracellular dopamine (DA) concentrations in the nucleus accumbens of awake rats were collected via in vivo cerebral microdialysis and measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection. The administration of dexmedetomidine (DEX) at a low dose (2 microg/kg bolus i.v. over 2 min followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1 microg/kg per min) and a high dose (20 microg/kg bolus i.v. over 2 min followed by a continuous infusion of 1 microg/kg per min), significantly decreased extracellular dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens. The observed decrease was dose-dependent, occurring sooner and to a greater magnitude in the rats receiving a high dose of DEX. This inhibitory modulation of accumbal dopamine was receptor-specific, as the decrease in extracellular DA produced by DEX was no longer evident following pre-treatment and co-infusion with the highly selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, atipamezole (ATZ). Thus, these data suggest that adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists may modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission via mechanisms that are specific to the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor.