cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Flexibility of Generic Architectures: Lessons from the Human Nervous System

Many engineered systems are biologically inspired. In this paper, we examine the structure of the human nervous system with an eye toward understanding how its internal architecture may inform the design of large-scale engineered systems. Specifically, we examine four types of “generic” architectures – tree-structured hierarchies, layered hierarchies, diffuse networks, and teams. We observe all four types of these hierarchies in the human nervous system. Consistent with prior theory, tree-structured hierarchies are relatively inflexible, but simple and easy to control. Layered hierarchies are moderately flexible, more complex, yet still largely controllable. Diffuse networks are easy to describe and therefore relatively simple yet flexible; however, they can lead to unexpected emergent behaviors undermining controllability. Finally, team structures are extremely flexible, but can lead to instabilities. Implications for system design are discussed.
Abstract 16615: Reconstitution of CD4 T Cells Causes Cardiac Fibrosis and Myocardial Dysfunction in T Cell Specific S1P Receptor 1 Deficient Diabetic Mice

Involvement of T cells in fibrosis has been reported but modulation of their role in context of diabetic fibrogenesis has yet to be determined. Our previous studies indicated that T cell S1P recept...
Effects of silane surface functionalization on interfacial fracture energy and durability of adhesive bond between cement paste and epoxy

Abstract Epoxy adhesives are experiencing widespread use in concrete structures. However, a common concern regarding the adhesive joints in the infrastructure is their durability when exposed to harsh environments, most particularly, high levels of moisture. This work recognizes that adhesive bond between epoxy and substrate resists applied loads by a combination of chemical (hydrogen) bonds and mechanical interlock. Given the complexity of the stress-transfer mechanism this work focused exclusively on the chemical bond component between epoxy and cement paste, while the mechanical interlock was minimized through polishing of the cement paste substrate. A beam adhesion test method with notched interface was developed to assess the durability of chemical bonds between the adherents when aged by water immersion; surface functionalization of cement paste substrate was additionally explored as means of improving the chemical bonding and adhesion along the interface. Test results indicated that interfacial fracture energies were improved in both dry and conditioned groups with silane surface treatment. Analysis of interfacial failure modes with respect to the analytical crack kink criterion revealed that interphase region between epoxy and cement paste is characterized with higher fracture toughness than the cement paste substrate. The study lays groundwork for improvement in the durability of adhesive joints in related infrastructure through bottom-up interface design.
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol at Retrieval Drives False Recollection of Neutral and Emotional Memories.

Abstract Background It is well established that the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), impairs episodic memory encoding and modulates emotional processing, but little is known about the impact of THC during the retrieval of emotional episodic memories. With the rise of cannabis to treat medical conditions, including those characterized by emotional and episodic memory disturbances, there is an urgent need to determine the effects of THC on memory accuracy and distortion. Here, we report the first study investigating the effects of THC during retrieval of neutral and emotional episodic memories. Methods Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design, healthy volunteers (N = 23) viewed negative, neutral, and positive pictures (emotional memory task) and lists of semantically related words (false memory task). Forty-eight hours later, participants ingested a capsule containing either THC (15 mg) or placebo and completed tasks to test their memories for the previously studied pictures and words. Results THC during retrieval did not reduce the number of correct responses to studied items. Instead, it robustly increased false recollection on both the emotional memory and false memory tasks. This effect was found for both neutral and emotional items. Conclusions These findings show that THC has adverse effects during memory retrieval, distorting both neutral and emotional memories. Coupled with THC’s known effects during encoding, these new retrieval findings are important in light of the spreading acceptance of cannabis.
Patient‐Reported Disease Activity and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective While increased rheumatic disease activity during pregnancy has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, this disease activity is typically assessed by physicians. Little is known, however, about the association between patient-reported measures of disease activity and pregnancy outcomes. The aim of our study was to evaluate this association. Methods Univariate and multivariable regression models were used to assess the relationship between patient- and physician-reported measures of disease activity and adverse pregnancy outcomes in 225 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patients were enrolled from 2008-2016 in a prospective registry at a single academic center. Results In women with RA, patient-reported disease activity was associated with preterm birth (odds ratio [OR] 5.9 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5, 23.9]) and gestational age in weeks (β = -1.5 [95% CI -2.6, -0.4]). The physician assessment of disease activity also predicted preterm (OR 2.1 [95% CI 1.2, 3.5]), small for gestational age births (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.03, 3.1]), and gestational age in weeks (β = -0.6 [95% CI -0.9, -0.02]). Alternatively, in women with SLE, patient-reported disease activity measures, including the Health Assessment Questionnaire, pain, or global health measures, were not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, physician measures of SLE disease activity are associated with preterm birth (OR 2.9 [95% CI 1.3, 6.3]), cesarean delivery (OR 2.3 [95% CI 1.0, 5.3]), and preeclampsia (OR 2.8 [95% CI 1.3, 6.3]). The results did not appear to be driven by lupus nephritis or antiphospholipid syndrome. Conclusion For women with RA, patient-reported measures of disease activity were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and thus may be useful adjuncts to physician-reported measures in identifying pregnancies at greater risk. In contrast, in SLE, while physician measures of disease activity helped predict several adverse pregnancy outcomes, no patient-reported measures were associated with adverse outcomes.
When Do Reinstated Democracies Hold the Military Accountable? Truth Commissions and Military Trials in Comparative Perspective

This paper explains under what conditions prosecutions of military officers who committed human rights violations (HRVs) happen in countries that transitioned to democracy from military rule. It proposes an analytical model and then tests it through case studies and process-tracing the adoption of transitional justice mechanisms in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. It argues that the issue of holding accountable past violations is a credible commitment problem. Credible commitment is possible when the parts have an incentive to abide by the bargain after it is made. For institutions to be credible, they have to be self-enforcing (North and Weingast 1989). During transition to democracy, the military established institutions that were designed to protect their interests, among them amnesty laws. In the absence of shifts in the power relation between civilians and the military, such institutional shields would stick, thus being self-enforcing. However, the balance of power can tip to the civilian side the more democratizers succeed in removing military prerogatives left during the transition, expose past deeds through truth commissions and advance measures of civilian control of the military. These actions change the balance of power in a way that allows civilians to renege on past promises like amnesties. The framework proposed in this paper better accounts for the variation found in prosecutions of officers who committed HRVs in countries that transitioned from military rule, and more specifically, it provides a novel answer of why Brazil is a comparatively laggard.
Quinone-Tanned Scleroproteins

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on quinone-tanned scleroproteins. It defines a scleroprotein functionally as a protein contributing mechanical strength to supporting structures in animals. The most persistent properties of the scleroproteins are their insolubility in vitro, and their resistance to proteinases and various hydrolytic solvents. This stability can be attributed to two factors: (1) special arrangement of amino acids and (2) covalent cross-linking of the primary valence chains. The insect cuticle constitutes one of the few invertebrate structures in which sclerotization has been scrutinized. Instead of using 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) proteins, insects mix the o-diphenol N-acetyldopamine with oxidases, cuticular proteins, and chitin. By blending these four basic ingredients in various proportions, insects have achieved an intricate capacity to modulate the mechanical properties of their cuticles—for example, the hard mandibles, resilient femurs, and extensible abdomens of locusts. Such versatility is not inherent in the DOPA protein of periostracum. Periostracin, with a fixed amount of DOPA residues, is secreted by the mantle; the DOPA is oxidized, sclerotization ensues, and a highly regimented type of scleroprotein is formed.
A Cascade Code Construction for (n, k, d) Distributed Storage Systems

A novel class of exact-repair regenerating codes is introduced for a distributed storage system with arbitrary parameters $(n,\ k,\ d)$ . The proposed construction is based on the optimum determinant codes for $(n,\ k=d,\ d)$ systems. This construction yields an achievable trade-off between the storage and the repair bandwidth, consisting of $k$ corner points, which meets the optimum trade-off at the MBR and MSR points, and improves all the previously known bounds for interior points. The sub-packetization level of the proposed code only depends on $k$ and $d$ , but not number of nodes $n$ . Further, the required field size for the proposed code is $\Theta(n)$ . We conjecture that the proposed codes can universally achieve the optimum trade-off.
P-FRP task scheduling with preemption threshold

Abort-and-Restart model is used in Priority-based Functional Reactive Programming in which higher priority tasks can preempt lower priority tasks and the lower priority tasks are aborted and restarted after the higher priority tasks have finished execution. This paper discusses a potential of improving schedulability in P-FRP systems by using preemption threshold that it allows a task to only disable preemption of tasks up to a specified threshold priority. Also, a sufficient schedulability test condition is studied in this paper for P-FRP tasks using preemption threshold, which is a critical problem to be solved in order to explore the potential benefit.
Robustness Analysis for External Beam Radiation Therapy Treatment Plans: Describing Uncertainty Scenarios and Reporting Their Dosimetric Consequences

Abstract Purpose With external beam radiation therapy, uncertainties in treatment planning and delivery can result in an undesirable dose distribution delivered to the patient that can compromise the benefit of treatment. Techniques including geometric margins and probabilistic optimization have been used effectively to mitigate the effects of uncertainties. However, their broad application is inconsistent and can compromise the conclusions derived from cross-technique and cross-modality comparisons. Methods and Materials Conventional methods to deal with treatment planning and delivery uncertainties are described, and robustness analysis is presented as a framework that is applicable across treatment techniques and modalities. Results This report identifies elements that are imperative to include when conducting a robustness analysis and describing uncertainties and their dosimetric effects. Conclusion The robustness analysis approach described here is presented to promote reliable plan evaluation and dose reporting, particularly during clinical trials conducted across institutions and treatment modalities.
BRD4 PROTAC as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of vemurafenib resistant melanoma: Preformulation studies, formulation development and in vitro evaluation.

Abstract Limited therapeutic interventions and development of resistance to targeted therapy within few months of therapy pose a great challenge in the treatment of melanoma. Current work was aimed to investigate; (a) Anticancer activity of a novel class of compound - Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal motif (BET) protein degrader in sensitive and vemurafenib-resistant melanoma (b) Preformulation studies and formulation development. ARV-825 (ARV), a molecule designed using PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeric (PROTAC) technology, degrades BRD4 protein instead of merely inhibiting it. Based on extensive preformulation studies, ARV loaded self-nanoemulsifying preconcentrate (ARV-SNEP) was developed and optimized. ARV showed extremely poor aqueous solubility (
Angiostatin4.5 generation in vivo in a humanized-plasminogen mouse model inhibits tumor growth

3009 Angiostatin4.5 (AS4.5), a potent angiogenesis inhibitor, is the naturally occurring human angiostatin isoform, consisting of plasminogen (PLG) kringles 1-4 plus 85% of kringle 5. PLG is converted to a AS4.5 in a two step reaction. First, PLG is activated to plasmin by a PLG activator [urokinase (uPA), tissue-PLG activator (tPA), or streptokinase (SK)], and subsequently plasmin undergoes autoproteolysis within kringle 5, to form AS4.5. The plasmin autoproteolysis may be mediated by a free sulfhydryl donor. We are developing an angiostatic cocktail, consisting of a PLG activator and a free sulfhydryl donor as a method of in vivo generation of AS4.5 for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy. Indeed the angiostatic cocktail has been shown to generate AS4.5 in human plasma ex vivo, as well as in cancer patients in a phase I trial. Following angiostatic cocktail treatment in vivo and ex vivo, two AS4.5 isoforms are observed, Glu-AS4.5 (amino terminus of Glu1 of PLG) and Lys-AS4.5 (amino terminus of Lys78 of PLG). As the available pharmacological PLG activators (uPA, tPA or SK) do not cleave mouse PLG, and therefore can not initiate in vivo generation of AS4.5, we had been unable to test and refine the angiostatic cocktail in a mouse model. To overcome this, we obtained a transgenic mouse, expressing human PLG from the albumin promoter (C57Bl/6 background, kind gift of David Ginsburg, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor). These mice express human PLG at ∼40% of the endogenous mouse PLG levels. Administration of uPA, tPA, or SK with a free sulfhydryl donor [N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or captopril] was able to activate the human PLG in the mice and was associated with AS4.5 generation. To quantify the amount of AS4.5 generated, mice were given 20 mg NAC or 25,000 U of SK, or both, i.p. Blood samples were taken prior to treatment, and 1 and 3 hours post-treatment. Prior to treatment, Glu-AS4.5 levels were undetectable by Western blot, and Lys-AS4.5 levels were ∼10-20 nM. NAC treatment alone did not increase Glu- or Lys-AS4.5 over pretreatment levels. SK treatment alone increased both isoforms to a total AS4.5 level of ∼40 nM. SK plus NAC treatment increased both isoforms, to a total AS4.5 of ∼200 nM. The ability of the angiostatic cocktail and in vivo generated AS4.5 to inhibit tumor growth was tested using the syngeneic Lewis Lung Carcinoma in a subcutaneous tumor model. Administration of 25,000 U of SK and 20 mg NAC daily, i.p., reduced tumor volumes by 30% and 44% compared to control at days 11 and 14 post cell injection, respectively. There was no evidence of an immunogenic response to SK, as therapy continued to generate AS4.5, throughout the 14 days of treatment. These data demonstrate that an angiostatic cocktail can generate AS4.5 in vivo in the humanized-PLG mouse model and that this AS4.5 can inhibit tumor growth. This model will allow the development, testing and refinement of novel angiostatic cocktails for use in anti-cancer therapies.
Mn2+ EPR study of phase transitions in dicalcium strontium propionate Ca2Sr(C2H5COO)6

Abstract X-band EPR of Mn2+-doped single crystal of Ca2Sr(C2H5COO)6 has been used to study the phase transitions experienced by this crystal. Two phase transitions, a second-order transition at 278 ± 5 K and a first-order phase transition at 103 ± 10 K, have been deduced from the behaviour of overall splitting of lines and that of EPR linewidth, as functions of temperature. The angular variations of Mn2+ EPR spectra have been studied in order to establish the orientations of the magnetic Z axes of the various Mn2+ complexes in the unit cell. Further, from the behaviour of overall splitting of lines for the magnetic field orientations along the Z and X magnetic axes, as a function of temperature, a hypothetical phase transition to cubic symmetry has been deduced to occur at about 783 K. The room-temperature spin-Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated, using a rigorous least-squares fitting procedure. It is concluded, from the angular variation of the spectra, that the crystal structure is tetragonal below 278 K. Linewidth behaviour is studied to discuss the ordering of the ions surrounding Mn2+.
An enhanced finite difference time domain method for two dimensional Maxwell's equations

An efficient finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm is built to solve the transverse electric 2D Maxwell's equations with inhomogeneous dielectric media where the electric fields are discontinuous across the dielectric interface. The new algorithm is derived based upon the integral version of the Maxwell's equations as well as the relationship between the electric fields across the interface. It is an improvement over the contour-path effective-permittivity algorithm by including some extra terms in the formulas. The scheme is validated in solving the scattering of a dielectric cylinder with exact solution from Mie theory and is then compared with the above contour-path method, the usual staircase and the volume-average method. The numerical results demonstrate that the new algorithm has achieved significant improvement in accuracy over the other methods. Furthermore, the algorithm has a simple structure and can be merged into any existing FDTD software package very easily.
Quality and Patient Safety in Neonatal Care

In neonatal care, as in all areas of clinical medicine, deficiencies in care and medical errors occur. Wide variation in outcomes exists, suggesting that quality of care differs between centres. Institutions providing care for neonates should ideally monitor and continually improve the quality and safety of care provided, by avoiding medical errors and preventable adverse events to ensure that their patients receive the best care possible and attain the best clinical outcomes possible.
Home Range Estimates for Small Indian Mongooses (Urva auropunctata) in Southwestern Puerto Rico

The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) is an opportunistic omnivore introduced to sugar producing islands primarily to control rat (Rattus spp.) populations, yet is now considered an invasive pest species on multiple Caribbean islands. Data on home range estimates of mongooses in Puerto Rico and other regions are limited. We fitted 24 mongooses (15 males and nine females) with very high frequency (VHF) radio collars at the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Puerto Rico and tracked them via radio telemetry for up to six months. The raw mean (SE) minimum convex polygon home range among 24 mongooses was 45.03 (8.30) hectares. The mean (SE) fixed kernel 95% estimate was 38.37 (5.78) hectares, and the 50% core area estimate was 7.89 (1.29) hectares. Our home range estimates are similar to previous estimates in the Caribbean and other islands, but larger than those reported from their native range in India. Our study adds new information to the small body of literature available on mongoose home ranges and is one of the few studies conducted in a lowland dry semi-deciduous forest in southwestern Puerto Rico. Additional research on mongoose home ranges in suburban/rural habitats, as well as in agricultural areas, would provide valuable information for the management of wildlife disease and damage conflicts associated with mongooses in the Caribbean region.
Riverine Discharge and Phytoplankton Biomass Control Dissolved and Particulate Organic Matter Dynamics over Spatial and Temporal Scales in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina

Estuaries function as important transporters, transformers, and producers of organic matter (OM). Along the freshwater to saltwater gradient, the composition of OM is influenced by physical and biogeochemical processes that change spatially and temporally, making it difficult to constrain OM in these ecosystems. In addition, many of the environmental parameters (temperature, precipitation, riverine discharge) controlling OM are expected to change due to climate change. To better understand the environmental drivers of OM quantity (concentration) and quality (absorbance, fluorescence), we assessed both dissolved OM (DOM) and particulate OM (POM) spatially, along the freshwater to saltwater gradient and temporally, for a full year. We found seasonal differences in salinity throughout the estuary due to elevated riverine discharge during the late fall to early spring, with corresponding changes to OM quantity and quality. Using redundancy analysis, we found DOM covaried with salinity (adjusted r2 = 0.35, 0.41 for surface and bottom), indicating terrestrial sources of DOM in riverine discharge were the dominant DOM sources throughout the estuary, while POM covaried with environmental indictors of terrestrial sources (turbidity, adjusted r2 = 0.16, 0.23 for surface and bottom) as well as phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a, adjusted r2 = 0.25, 0.14 for surface and bottom). Responses in OM quantity and quality observed during the period of elevated discharge were similar to studies assessing OM quality following extreme storm events suggesting that regional changes in precipitation, as predicted by climate change, will be as important in changing the estuarine OM pool as episodic storm events in the future.
Circadian rhythms of creatinine and electrolyte excretion in healthy pregnant women.

Abstract Cireadian rhythms of urine flow, creatinine, sodium, chloride, potassium, and osmolar excretion were studied in 11 healthy pregnant women. The effects of posture and activity were tested by studying subjects in bed in lateral recumbency, ambulant while normally active, and while awake and upright all night. On recumbency days all measured rhythms were constant from subject to subject with daytime peaks as in nonpregnant individuals. On activity days, however, rhythms of volume and sodium excretion varied: 2 had diurnal peaks of both urine flow and sodium excretion; nocturnal peaks of flow alone occurred in 5; and nocturnal peak of sodium excretion alone in 1 and of both flow and sodium excretion in 3 subjects. These nocturnal peaks did not appear when the same subjects were recumbent all day, nor most of the time in 2 subjects kept awake and upright all night, suggesting that posture plays a major role in their production.
Chronic ethanol treatment increases expression of inhibitory G-proteins and reduces adenylylcyclase activity in the central nervous system of two lines of ethanol-sensitive mice.

The possibility that a 7-day period of ethanol exposure could regulate expression of specific GTP-binding regulatory proteins was investigated in two distinct brain regions from two different lines of ethanol-sensitive mice. Following ethanol treatment, plasma membranes were prepared from cerebellum and pons of short and long sleep mice. Studies of membranes were performed to assess hormone-sensitive adenylylcyclase activity and to quantify expression of G-protein subunits. Immunoblot analysis showed that levels of Gi alpha(1) and Gi alpha(2) were markedly increased in cerebellar and pons membranes from ethanol-exposed mice compared to controls. Treatment of short sleep mice with ethanol enhanced ADP-ribosylation of both a 41- and a 39-40 kDa protein catalyzed by pertussis toxin. Ethanol did not alter expression of Gs alpha as assessed by immunoblot analysis, cholera toxin-dependent ADP-ribosylation, or by the ability of detergent extracted Gs alpha to reconstitute a functional adenylylcyclase in membranes from S49 cyc- murine lymphoma cells, a cell line which genetically lacks Gs alpha. Moreover, ethanol exposure did not influence levels of G(o) alpha or G beta 35-36 in either cerebellar or pons membranes. Cerebellar and pons membranes from ethanol-exposed short sleep mice demonstrated significantly less adenylylcyclase activity following stimulation with GTP, GTP gamma S, AlF, forskolin, and stimulatory ligands for three distinct receptors which couple to Gs alpha. Pretreatment of membranes with pertussis toxin reversed the ethanol-induced inhibition in adenylylcyclase activity. These observations were not limited to one line of mice but were also documented in a second line of ethanol-sensitive mice (e.g. long sleep). We conclude that ethanol exposure enhances expression of Gi alpha(1) and Gi alpha(2) in ethanol-sensitive mice, and is associated with decreased adenylylcyclase activity. Enhanced expression of Gi alpha(1) and Gi alpha(2) may contribute to impaired signal transduction in the central nervous system, and reduce the efficacy of neurotransmitters which signal through the adenylylcyclase system.
Infrared Evidence of Cyanide Binding to Iron and Copper Sites in Bovine Heart Cytochrome C Oxidase. Implications Regarding Oxygen Reduction

Cyanide binding to bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase at five redox levels has been investigated by use of infrared and visible-Soret spectra. A C-N stretch band permits identification of the metal ion to which the CN- is bound and the oxidation state of the metal. Non-intrinsic Cu, if present, is detected as a cyanide complex. Bands can be assigned to Cu+CN at 2093 cm-1, Cu2+CN at 2151 or 2165 cm-1, Fe3+CN at 2131 cm-1, and Fe2+CN at 2058 cm-1. Fe2+CN is found only when the enzyme is fully reduced whereas the reduced Cu+CN occurs in 2-, 3-, and 4-electron reduced species. A band for Fe3+CN is not found for the complex of fully oxidized enzyme but is for all partially reduced species. Cu2+CN occurs in both fully oxidized and 1-electron-reduced oxidase. CO displaces the CN- at Fe2+ to give a C-O band at 1963.5 cm-1 but does not displace the CN- at Cu+. Another metal site, noted by a band at 2042 cm-1, is accessible only in fully reduced enzyme and may represent Zn2+ or another Cu+. Binding of either CN- or CO may induce electron redistribution among metal centers. The extraordinary narrowness of ligand infrared bands indicates very little mobility of the components that line the O2 reduction site, a property of potential advantage for enzyme catalysis. The infrared evidence that CN- can bind to both Fe and Cu supports the possibility of an O2 reduction mechanism in which an intermediate with a mu-peroxo bridge between Fe and Cu is formed. On the other hand, the apparent independence of Fe and Cu ligand-binding sites makes a heme hydroperoxide (Fe-O-O-H) intermediate an attractive alternative to the formation an Fe-O-O-Cu linkage.
Induction and Characterization of a Cytochrome P-450-Dependent Camphor Hydroxylase in Tissue Cultures of Common Sage (Salvia officinalis)

(+)-Camphor, a major monoterpene of the essential oil of common sage (Salvia officinalis), is catabolized in senescent tissue, and the pathway for the breakdown of this bicyclic ketone has been previously elucidated in sage cell-suspension cultures. In the initial step of catabolism, camphor is oxidized to 6-exo-hydroxycamphor, and the corresponding NADPH- and O2-dependent hydroxylase activity was demonstrated in microsomal preparations of sage cells. Several well-established inhibitors of cytochrome P-450-dependent reactions, including cytochrome c, clotrimazole, and CO, inhibited the hydroxylation of camphor, and CO-dependent inhibition was partially reversed by blue light. Upon treatment of sage suspension cultures with 30 mM MnCl2, camphor-6-hydroxylase activity was induced up to 7-fold. A polypeptide with estimated molecular mass of 58 kD from sage microsomal membranes exhibited antigenic cross-reactivity in western blot experiments with two heterologous polyclonal antibodies raised against cytochrome P-450 camphor-5-exo-hydroxylase from Pseudomonas putida and cytochrome P-450 limonene-6S-hydroxylase from spearmint (Mentha spicata). Dot blotting indicated that the concentration of this polypeptide increased with camphor hydroxylase activity in microsomes of Mn2+-induced sage cells. These results suggest that camphor-6-exo-hydroxylase from sage is a microsomal cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase that may share common properties and epitopes with bacterial and other plant monoterpene hydroxylases.
Performance of ultrasonic imaging with frequency-domain SAFT

The defect detection using ultrasonic imaging with frequency-domain SAFT (F-SAFT) is discussed. The F-SAFT provides an accurate and time-efficient algorithm for 3-D reconstruction. F-SAFT allows data processing in the 3-D Fourier space using angular spectrum method. It facilitates synchronization of ultrasonic signals scattered back in the different directions. F-SAFT when combined with ultrasonic imaging is found to be efficient in detecting inclusion in steel slabs.
Analyzing Bangladesh's Debt Sustainability Using SimSIP Debt

The ability to pay for a government-led investment strategy to achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs) is determined by the resources available to the government through economic growth, taxation, loans, and grants. Unsustainable public debts increase poverty directly through negative impacts on economic growth as well as indirectly through cuts in spending. Hence, the issue of fiscal debt sustainability is critical for achieving the MDGs. In this paper, we use the debt projection module of SimSIP Debt to project the evolution of Bangladesh's public debt over a 15-year horizon (from fiscal year 2006 to fiscal year 2021) under three different macroeconomic scenarios and two different financing scenarios of an ambitious government-led investment strategy.
Increased deposition of basement membrane macromolecules in specific vessels of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

The genetically determined chronic hypertension manifested in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) serves as a useful animal model for the study of human essential hypertension. One of the earliest morphologic changes observed in the vasculature of the SHR is the development of a thickened subendothelial space (SES). Neither the biochemical composition nor the anatomic distribution of this early subendothelial deposit has been definitively determined. By combining morphologic, immunologic, and molecular biological approaches, it was demonstrated that by 15 weeks the acellular subendothelial thickening in the vasculature of the SHR results at least in part from the increased synthesis and deposition of basement membrane macromolecules. Moreover, rather than being manifest systemically, this early connective tissue lesion appears to be localized primarily to the aorta and major branches off the aortic arch.
Reconstruction of seasonal precipitation in Hawai'i using high-resolution carbon isotope measurements across tree rings

Abstract Determination of carbon isotope (δ 13 C) values of tree-ring tissue is a well-established method to reconstruct past climate variability at annual resolution, but such records are limited in tropical latitudes due to the lack of well-defined annual growth bands. Recent work has demonstrated the potential for high-resolution, intra-ring δ 13 C records to help define ring boundaries in tropical environments and provide additional climate information at sub-annual resolution. Here we present a high-resolution, intra-ring carbon isotope (δ 13 C) record of the Hawaiian endemic species Sophora chrysophylla (also known as “māmane”) in order to assess the ability to extract seasonal climate information from these drought tolerant trees. Tree cores were sampled from high-elevation māmane trees growing on the west side of Mauna Kea, Big Island. Across our entire dataset (1986–2008), we identified a notable decreasing linear trend in the δ 13 C record of 0.061‰/year that can be attributed to changes in the δ 13 C value of atmospheric CO 2 and p CO 2 concentration associated with fossil fuel burning. Correcting for these affects yields a nearly flat δ 13 C record with a slope of − 0.0075‰/year, suggesting no long-term trends in climate across the study period. We observe a quasi-periodic change in the δ 13 C values [Δ(δ 13 C)] measured within each ring that averages 1.09 ± 0.50‰ (± 1σ, n = 23) in amplitude. These variations are interpreted as the intra-annual isotopic signal in tree photosynthesis. The δ 13 C variability correlates with the visible ring structure of the sample, suggesting the presence of annual growth rings at this tropical high elevation site. We applied these data to a model that relates the Δ(δ 13 C) value to seasonal changes in precipitation in order to reconstruct annual changes in total summer (May through October) and winter (November through April) precipitation at the site. Across the 23-year record (1986–2008; n = 579 δ 13 C measurements), reconstructed values for the ratio of summer to winter precipitation, total summer precipitation, and total winter precipitation correlate well with rainfall data collected from a nearby weather station ( r = 0.65, 0.36, and 0.70, respectively). These results support application of this model to reconstruct inter-annual changes in seasonal precipitation from long-term tree-ring chronologies. They also demonstrate the potential of using māmane δ 13 C for future long-term climate reconstructions.
O vírus que rompeu barreiras e quebrou os muros da igreja

This essay presents a review of the impact AIDS has had in the past decades. If people with HIV were originally perceived with silence and discrimination, the AIDS crisis has also offered the churches a unique opportunity to rethink theological constructs and revisit their practices. Three aspects are identifi es as challenges and hallmarks of growth: HIV/AIDS as an issue to be addressed communally (locally) and globally; a broadening of the understanding of human sexuality, with a challenge to heterosexual normativity; and the impact of AIDS among women, analyzing the interconnection between gender, class, race/ethnicity, and age.
Inhibitory mechanism in zebrafish optic tectum: visual response properties of tectal cells altered by picrotoxin and bicuculline.

Abstract In previous work we described 4 tyoes of visu al response among tectal cells of the zebrafish16. Cells of one class,type I, have no spontaneous activity, but respond phasically at ON and OFF. Their responses to moving edges, to stimuli that grow in size, and to stimuli equal in size and shape to the whole receptive field (RF) suggest that these cells may receive inhibitory input from near neigbor cells of the same type in the tectum, as well as excitatory input from retinal fibers17. In order to further investigate this hypothesis we have studied the effects of drugs on physiological properties of type I cells recorded in the stratum periventriculare layer of the zebrafish tectum. Small (10–50 nl) injections of drugs were made in the tectum while recording 100–500 μm away with extracellular microelectrodes. Both picrotoxin and bicuculline produce the following effects: (1) onset of spontaneous bursting multiunit activity. This noise can be recorded at all depths within the tectum; (2) abolition of the second postsynaptic wave of the optic nerve shock field potential and the current source responsible for it, which occurs in the upper tectal layers at 8 ms latency. This probably represents the secondary activation of inhibitory synapses in those layers; (3) alteration of visual response properties of individual type I tectal cells. The duration of response to small flashing spots and to stimuli that grow in size both increase significantly. Responses to moving edges, which normally occur mostly as the edge is crossing the RF border, become extended to encompass the entire RF. Finally, the cells show reduced negative spatial summation following drug injection. All of these effects are fully reversible with time after injection as the drugs wash out. Control injections (of teleost Ringer's solution, 100 mM HCl, 165 mM NaCl, and strychnine 2 mM or 5 mM) do not elicit any of these effects. The results reported here are consistent with the hypothesis that tectal type I cells receive a delayed inhibitory input, probably via GABA synapses, which determines major properties of the visual resonse.
RIGEL: a graphics language preprocessor and assembler to automate the design of graphics displays

The Raster-scan Intelligent Graphics Engineering Language (RIGEL) is a high-level command language which greatly simplifies the task of programming real-time color graphic displays. The RIGEL language is must easier to learn than a conventional subroutine graphics package, is nearly free-format, and is easy to maintain. In addition, it enables the user to define his own symbol library, and incorporates a mechanism for decreasing picture-generation overhead, which is very important in real-time applications.The RIGEL language works as an extension to the ANSI-standard FORTRAN language, which is a language familiar to most engineers and supported on most computers. A preprocessor translates the graphics commands to FORTRAN statements, and an assembler produces Ramtek object code from the compiled FORTRAN source. This object code is transmitted to the display processor, which generates the display on the monitor.
The Resolution Capability of an Irregularly Sampled Dataset: With Application to Geosat Altimeter Data

A formalism is presented for determining the wavenumber-frequency transfer function associated with an irregularly sampled multidimensional dataset. This transfer function reveals the filtering characteristics and aliasing patterns inherent in the sample design. In combination with information about the spectral characteristics of the signal, the transfer function can be used to quantify the spatial and temporal resolution capability of the dataset. Application of the method to idealized Geosat altimeter data (i.e., neglecting measurement errors and data dropouts) concludes that the Geosat orbit configuration is capable of resolving scales of about 3 deg in latitude and longitude by about 30 days.
WELL-POSEDNESS FOR THE EQUATIONS OF MOTION OF AN INVISCID, INCOMPRESSIBLE, SELF-GRAVITATING FLUID WITH FREE BOUNDARY

Building on work by Lindblad, Coutand and Shkoller, and the present author, we prove that the equations of motion of an inviscid, incompressible, self-gravitating fluid with free boundary are well-posed.
decreased platelet 3H-imipramine binding in parkinson's disease

Defects of the serotonergic neurotransmitter system have been identified consistently in both Parkinson’s disease (PD) and depression, including decreased 5hydroxyindole acetic acid (5HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (e.g., Asberg et al. 1976; Mayeux et al. 1984). Depression, the most common mental disturbance in PD, occurs in nearly one-half of patients and is not related to the severity of motor symptoms or changes in dopamine metabolism (Mayeux et al. 1984). The decrease in CSF 5-HIAA seems to be more marked in PD patients who also are clinically depressed, supporting a serotonergic hypothesis for depression in PD (Mayeux et al. 1984). Recently, decreased ‘H-imipramine binding density was reported in both putamen (Raisman et al. 1986) and cerebral cortex (Cash et al. 1985) from PD patients. 3H-Imipramine binds to a site associated with serotonin uptake, and its distribution parallels brain serotonergic innervation (Langer et al. 1987). Therefore, decreased binding density may rep-
Pheromone-mediated behaviour of Fasciolaria tulipa

Abstract Fasciolaria tulipa responds to the odour of conspecific snails with escape or capture behaviour. Escapes involve rapid gliding or leaping locomotion. Captures involve cannibalism or copulation. Successful captures for feeding occurred only when attackers were larger than their prey. In many captures for copulation the captor (male) was the smaller snail. The tendency to show capture behaviour increases with size, and snails are more likely to attack small snails than large ones. Size discrimination appears to depend, at least partially, on quantitative odour cues. The proportion of escapes versus captures is similar for both sexes though large males may posses a stronger tendency to capture large females than vice versa. Small snails repond to large ones as far away as 1·2 m upcurrent.
EPR study of kerogens from Middle valley, northern Juan de fuca Ridge (ODP Leg 139)

Abstract Isolated kerogens from four sites in the Middle Valley hydrothermal region of the Juan de Fuca Ridge (Ocean Drilling Project (ODP) Leg 139) were analysed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Measurements of peak width, spin density and power saturation for site 857 kerogens, which increased regularly in maturity downhole, show correlation with vitrinite reflectance values from 0.61 to 2.5%, indicating the start of the oil window at depths from 200 to 400 m. Spin density increases to 1.56 × 10 17 spins per gram and peak width decreases to 3.45 G (gauss) with increasing depth. The tendency to power saturate also decreases with increasing maturity and increasing vitrinite reflectance within the oil window. These trends are consistent with a model in which exchange processes are occurring and cause changes in the EPR behavior of samples from this site. Sediments from other Middle Valley sites, 855, 856 and 858 contain large quantities of pyrite with Mn +2 impurities which interact with the carbon radical to distort the EPR measurements.
Nuclear progesterone-binding protein in the guinea pig adrenal cortex: distinction from the classical progesterone receptor.

Nuclei purified from the guinea pig adrenal cortex contain a specific progesterone-binding activity which, based on enzyme degradation studies, appears to be proteinaceous. Saturation analysis revealed a Kd of about 15 nM and a binding capacity of about 33 pmol/mg DNA. The activity of the nuclear binding protein was specific essentially for progestational steroids; the two most potent progesterone competitors were 5α pregnane- 3,20-dione and medroxyprogesterone (17α-hydroxy- 6α-methylprogesterone), while 17α-estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, and other related steroids were poor competitors. The adrenocortical nuclear progesterone-binding protein was present to an equal extent in both male and female guinea pigs. The adrenocortical nuclear progesterone-binding protein differed from the classical progesterone receptor in that 1) the affinity of the adrenocortical binding protein for progesterone is an order of magnitude lower; 2) the potent synthetic progestin R5020 binds less tightly to the adrenocortical...
A Comparison of Behavioral and Biological Characteristics of House Mice and Harvest Mice

House mice ( Mus musculus ) and harvest mice ( Reithrodontomys megalotis ) living in the salt marsh areas of northern California were studied in the field and in the laboratory for a one-year period. The results of 23 trapping periods indicated that house mice were 5.6 times as abundant as harvest mice. Physiological comparisons showed that house mice weighed more, ate and drank more than harvest mice, but had an equal tolerance to water deprivation. Behavioral studies demonstrated that house mice were more active, but both species had similar activity cycles; also both species behaved similarly when caged alone or when both species were caged together. Complete compatibility between species was demonstrated in captivity and there were indications of a cospecies social hierarchy which suggested that in the field a high degree of compatibility existed between species.
A database security course on a shoestring

Database security has paramount importance in industrial, civilian and government domains. Despite its importance, our search reveals that only a small number of database security courses are being offered. In this paper, we share our experience in developing and offering an undergraduate elective course on database security with limited resources. We believe that database security should be considered in its entirety rather than being component specific. Therefore, we emphasize that students develop and implement a database security plan for a typical real world application. In addition to the key theoretical concepts, students obtain hands-on experience with two popular database systems. We encourage students to learn independently making use of the documentation and technical resources freely available on the Internet. This way, our hope is that they will be able to adapt to emerging systems and application scenarios.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Analysis of Interfacial Water at Selected Sulfide Mineral Surfaces under Anaerobic Conditions

Abstract In this paper, we report on a molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) study of the behavior of interfacial water at selected sulfide mineral surfaces under anaerobic conditions. The study revealed the interfacial water structure and wetting characteristics of the pyrite (100) surface, galena (100) surface, chalcopyrite (012) surface, sphalerite (110) surface, and molybdenite surfaces (i.e. the face, armchair-edge, and zigzag-edge surfaces), including simulated contact angles, relative number density profiles, water dipole orientations, hydrogen-bonding, and residence times. Two MDS force fields for the metal and sulfur atoms in selected sulfide minerals were created using UFF with partial charge determined by charge equilibration and using UFF with partial charge determined by Mulliken population analysis. Simulation results for the structural and dynamic properties of interfacial water molecules indicate the natural hydrophobic character for the selected sulfide mineral surfaces under anaerobic conditions as well as the relatively weak hydrophobicity for the sphalerite (110) surface and the two molybdenite edge surfaces.
Water-based crosslinkable coatings via miniemulsion polymerization of acrylic monomers in the presence of unsaturated polyester resin

Hybrid miniemulsion polymerization was performed with a three-component acrylic system of methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, and acrylic acid in the presence of a Bayer® Roskydal TPLS2190 unsaturated polyester resin. Latexes were obtained in which the polyester resin was grafted to the acrylic polymer, forming a water-based crosslinkable coating. Grafting between the resinous component and the acrylic polymer is a feature different from the work of others who have attempted to combine the properties of both systems in water-based blends. Both emulsions and latexes were shelf-stable for over 6 months, shear-stable, and resistant to at least one freeze/thaw cycle. Resin-to-monomer ratios were studied as high as 1 : 1 (wt : wt), and total emulsion solids, as high as 45%. Monomer droplet and latex particle sizes were similar, suggesting evidence of the preponderance of droplet nucleation. A high level of crosslinking (>70%) during polymerization was observed in this particular hybrid system in contrast to those involving alkyd or polyurethane resins (<5%). Films, both homogeneous and hard, were achieved with exceptional adhesion. Electron microscopy showed the hybrid particle morphology to have internal domains of polyester resin in an acrylic matrix. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 916–927, 2000