cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac contractile proteins in hypertrophied and failing guinea pig heart

Objective: The aim was to study changes in contractile proteins which accompany marked hypertrophy and heart failure in mammalian hearts initially containing predominantly V3 isomyosin. Methods: Left ventricular myosin and myofibrillar ATPase activity and right ventricular actomyosin ATPase activity were measured in normal guinea pig hearts, in hearts which were hypertrophied as a result of progressive left ventricular systolic overload following ascending aortic banding, and in hypertrophied hearts from animals which showed signs of overt congestive heart failure. Male guinea pigs weighing 225-275 g at the time of aortic banding were used for the studies. Results: Left ventricular myosin and myofibrillar ATPase activity and right ventricular actomyosin ATPase activity were correlated with body weight, left and right ventricular weight, and left ventricular peak systolic pressure during aortic occlusion. Left ventricular myosin ATPase activity and right ventricular actomyosin ATPase activity were markedly depressed in hypertrophied ventricles compared to control ventricles. Cardiac myofibrillar ATPase activity was lower in hypertrophied failing hearts than in control hearts over a wide range of calcium concentrations. In control animals and in those without heart failure, there was a nearly identical inverse relationship between left ventricular mass up to 1600 mg and myosin ATPase activity. Hypertrophied failing hearts were larger but showed little further reduction in cardiac myosin ATPase activity. Representative gel scans of non-dissociating pyrophosphate gels of left ventricular myosin from an 8 d postoperative aortic constricted animal and from its age and weight matched control showed predominantly Vi isomyosin with small amounts of Vi isoenzyme. However, preparations taken from guinea pigs 16 d after aortic constriction showed only the Vi isoform, whereas the Vi isoform was still apparent in control. Hypertrophied failing left ventricles developed less pressure per unit mass during brief aortic occlusion than non-failing left ventricles with comparable myosin ATPase activities. Conclusions: These observations raise important questions as to the distribution of myosin isoforms in the normal adult guinea pig, and the possibility that myosin ATPase activity might be altered by post-translational modification. Although cardiac myosin ATPase activity correlates with left ventricular performance, it cannot fully explain the depressed performance of failing hearts in this model. Additional immunological studies of cardiac contractile proteins are required as well as studies designed to explore the implications of altered myosin ATPase activity for both contractile function and overall cellular homeostasis.
Quantum phase transition and fractional excitations in a topological insulator thin film with Zeeman and excitonic masses

We study the zero-temperature phase diagram and fractional excitations when a thin film of 3D topological insulator has two competing masses: $T$-symmetric exciton condensation and the $T$-breaking Zeeman effect. Two topologically distinct phases are identified: in one, the quasiparticles can be viewed as in a quantum spin Hall phase and in the other a quantum anomalous Hall phase. The vortices of the exciton order parameter can carry fractional charge and statistics of electrons in both phases. When the system undergoes the quantum phase transition between these two phases, the charges, statistics, and the number of fermionic zero mode of the excitonic vortices are also changed. We derive the effective field theory for vortices and external gauge field and present an explicit wave function for the fermionic zero mode localized at the excitonic vortices with or without orbital magnetic field. The quantum phase transition can be measured by optical Faraday or Kerr effect experiments, and, in closing, we discuss the conditions required to create the excitonic condensate.
Sterol composition of shellfish species commonly consumed in the United States

Background : Shellfish can be a component of a healthy diet due to a low fat and high protein content, but the cholesterol content of some species is often cited as a reason to limit their consumption. Data on levels of non-cholesterol sterols in commonly consumed species are lacking. Objective : Shellfish were sampled and analyzed to update sterol data in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Design : Using a nationwide sampling plan, raw shrimp and sea scallops, canned clams, and steamed oysters, blue crab, and lobster were sampled from 12 statistically selected supermarkets across the United States in 2007-08. For each species, four composites were analyzed, each comprised of samples from three locations; shrimp and scallops from six single locations were also analyzed separately. Using validated analytical methodology, 14 sterols were determined in total lipid extracts after saponification and derivatization to trimethylsilyethers, using gas chromatography for quantitation and mass spectrometry for confirmation of components. Results : Crab, lobster, and shrimp contained significant cholesterol (96.2-27 mg/100 g); scallops and clams had the lowest concentrations (23.4-30.1 mg/100 g). Variability in cholesterol among single-location samples of shrimp was low. The major sterols in the mollusks were brassicasterol (12.6-45.6 mg/100 g) and 24- methylenecholesterol (16.7-41.9 mg/100 g), with the highest concentrations in oysters. Total non-cholesterol sterols were 46.5-75.6 mg/100 g in five single-location scallops samples, but 107 mg/100 g in the sixth, with cholesterol also higher in that sample. Other prominent non-cholesterol sterols in mollusks were 22- dehydrocholesterol, isofucosterol, clionasterol, campesterol, and 24-norcholesta-5,22-diene-3β-ol (421 mg/ 100 g). Conclusions : The presence of a wide range of sterols, including isomeric forms, in shellfish makes the analysis and quantitation of sterols in marine species more complex than in animal and plant tissues. The detailed sterol composition reported herein provides data that may be useful in research on the impact of shellfish consumption on dietary risk factors. Keywords : phytosterols; salmon; crustaceans; poriferasterol; 22,23-dihydrostigmasterol; 22-dihydrobrassicasterol; desmosterol; dihydrocholesterol; 7-dehydrocholesterol; occelasterol (Published: 29 October 2012) Citation: Food & Nutrition Research 2012. 56 : 18931 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v56i0.18931
Social integration and suicide in the Western Pacific Islands

In the Western Pacific Islands, the rate of suicide was more common in those islands with faster growing populations, but not among the islands with larger total populations or with greater population densities. This offers partial support for some of the propositions of Durkheim and Lester.
New Quantitative Technique for Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) Spectrophotometry; Calibration of the "CIRCLE" ATR Device in the Infrared

A general method for spectroscopic determination of the incidence angle and number of reflections in ATR devices is described. This technique extends the inherent advantages of ATR by simplifying general quantitative spectroscopic measurements. Effects of polarization, beam focusing, errors of alignment, indices of refraction, handling of the optical elements, and surface activity of internal standard are discussed. Measured ATR absorbances are fitted mathematically with the use of incidence angle as a parameter. A standardizing solution, molar absorptivities for that solution, and knowledge of the dimensions of the internal reflection optical element are required. Application of the method to a cylindrical internal reflection (CIR) device gives the averaged incidence angle in the CIR with greater accuracy than is otherwise obtainable. With the use of a side-focusing Fourier transform spectrophotometer, the average incidence angle in the Spectra-Tech, Inc. "Micro-cell" "CIRCLE" CIR was 49.68 degrees ± 0.78%, and the number of solution-sensing internal reflections was 7.52 ± 1.95%.
Syntheses of dendritic linkers containing chlorambucil residues for the preparation of antibody-multidrug immunoconjugates.

Abstract A novel dendritic molecule with nine chlorambucil (CBL) residues on the surface and a maleimide moiety at the core terminus was synthesized using a convergent synthetic methodology. This molecule is ready for attachment to single-chain Fv antibodies (scFvs) to form antibody–multidrug immunoconjugates in an effort to study the relevance of drug/antibody molar ratio and the potency of these drug–antibody immunoconjugates. A monomer and a trimer with a similar structural motif were also prepared for comparative purposes.
Application of Low Dimensional Manifolds in NO(x) Prediction

A new post-processing technique has been developed, based on the Intrinsic Low Dimensional Manifold (ILDM) method of Maas and Pope. The ILDM method is a dynamical systems approach to the simplification of large chemical kinetic mechanisms. By identifying low-dimensional attracting manifolds, the method allows complex full mechanisms to be parameterized by just a few variables: In effect, generating reduced chemical mechanisms by an automatic procedure. These resulting mechanisms however, still retain all the species used in the full mechanism. The NO(x) post-processor takes an ILDM reduced mechanism and attempts to map this mechanism to the results of a CFD calculation. This mapping allows the NO(x) concentrations at each grid node to be obtained from the ILDM reduced mechanism, as well as other trace species of interest. Because a mapping procedure is used, this method is very fast, being able to process one million node calculations in just a few minutes.
Functional replacement of Wheat streak mosaic virus HC-Pro with the corresponding cistron from a diverse array of viruses in the family Potyviridae.

Helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro) of Wheat streak mosaic virus strain Sidney 81 (WSMV-Sidney 81) was systematically replaced with the corresponding cistron derived from four strains of WSMV (Type, TK1, CZ, and El Batan 3), the tritimovirus Oat necrotic mottle virus (ONMV), the rymoviruses Agropyron mosaic virus (AgMV) and Hordeum mosaic virus (HoMV), or the potyviruses Tobacco etch virus (TEV) and Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV). These HC-Pro proteins varied in amino acid sequence identity shared with HC-Pro of WSMV-Sidney 81 from high (strains of WSMV at approximately 86-99%) to moderate (ONMV at 70%) to low (rymoviruses and potyviruses at approximately 15-17%). Surprisingly, all chimeric viral genomes examined were capable of systemic infection of wheat upon inoculation with RNA transcripts produced in vitro. HC-Pro replacements derived from tritimoviruses did not alter host range relative to WSMV-Sidney 81, as each of these chimeric viruses was able to systemically infect wheat, oat, and corn line SDp2. These results indicate that differences in host range among tritimoviruses, including the inability of ONMV to infect wheat or the inability of WSMV strains Type and El Batan 3 to infect SDp2 corn, are not determined by HC-Pro. In contrast, all chimeric viruses bearing HC-Pro replacements derived from rymoviruses or potyviruses were unable to infect SDp2 corn and oat. Collectively, these results indicate that HC-Pro from distantly related virus species of the family Potyviridae are competent to provide WSMV-Sidney 81 with all functions necessary for infection of a permissive host (wheat) and that virus-host interactions required for systemic infection of oat and SDp2 corn are more stringent. Changes in symptom severity or mechanical transmission efficiency observed for some chimeric viruses further suggest that HC-Pro affects virulence in WSMV.
Kinetics and mechanism of the silane decomposition

The homogeneous gas-phase decomposition kinetics of silane has been investigated using the single-pulse shock tube comparative rate technique (T = 1035–1184˚K, Ptotal ≈ 4000 Torr). The initial reaction of the decomposition SiH4 SiH2 + H2 is a unimolecular process in its pressure fall-off regime with experimental Arrhenius parameters of logk1 (sec−1) = 13.33 ± 0.28–52,700 ± 1400/2.303RT. The decomposition has also been studied at lower temperatures by conventional methods. The results confirm the total pressure effect, indicate a small but not negligible extent of induced reaction, and show that the decomposition is first order in silane at constant total pressures. RRKM-pressure fall-off calculations for four different transition-state models are reported, and good agreement with all the data is obtained with a model whose high-pressure parameters are logA1 (sec−1) = 15.5, E1(∞) = 56.9 kcal, and ΔE0±0(1) = 55.9 kcal. The mechanism of the decomposition is discussed, and it is concluded that hydrogen atoms are not involved. It is further suggested that silylene in the pure silane pyrolysis ultimately reacts with itself to give hydrogen: 2SiH2 → (Si2H4)* → (SiH3SiH)* → Si2H2 + H2. The mechanism of H ⟷ D exchange absorbed in the pyrolysis of SiD4-hydrocarbon systems is also discussed.
Critical Review of Methods for Sampling, Analysis, and Monitoring of Vapor-Phase Toluene Diisocyanate

This article is a critical review of some of the methods that have been used for the sampling, analysis, and monitoring of vapor-phase toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Only some of the methods that have received relatively widespread application have been addressed in this article. This review includes a "tutorial style" discussion of basic definitions and basic principles and procedures of quality control and metrology for sampling, analysis, and monitoring. One critical issue that is addressed: Are there methods and monitoring instruments available that are capable of sampling and analyzing or monitoring TDI vapor with sufficient speed and sensitivity to satisfy the requirements of the current ACGIH ® threshold limit values (TLVs ® ) for TDI vapor?
Suspended particulate matter transport through the Vema Channel

Richardson, M.J., Biscaye, P.E., Gardner, W.D. and Hogg, N.G., 1987. Suspended particulate matter transport through the Vema Channel, Mar. Geol., 77: 171-184. Sixteen-month time-series measurements of water velocity and light scattering were coupled with hydrographic and suspended particulate matter sections to determine the flux and the variability in flux of suspended particulate matter through the Vema Channel. The northward flux of SPM through the Vema Channel ranged from 3 to 10.5 × 104 g s- 1 with a mean of 6.5 × 104 g s- 1. The largest fluxes were measured in the deepest and eastern portions of the channel with maximum fluxes of suspended particulate matter at specific sites being roughly two to four times the mean flux. Some of the suspended particulate matter in the channel may be eroded from the channel itself by the swift currents or eddy-like features, however, the known manganese encrustation and hard floor of the channel suggest that the deep channel floor is not a likely source of sediment. A primary source of the suspended particulate matter in the channel may be the sediment drifts in the Argentine Basin with their associated high standing crops of resuspended particulate matter. This resuspended material would then be transported by the Antarctic Bottom Water into and through the Vema Channel into the Brazil Basin. The northward flux of suspended particulate matter through the Vema Channel is presently a significant, but not dominant, influence on sedimentation in the Brazil Basin.
Foundationalism, coherentism, and the levels gambit

A central problem in epistemology concerns the justification of beliefs about epistemic principles, i.e., principles stating which kinds of beliefs are justified and which not. It is generally regarded as circular to justify such beliefs empirically. However, some recent defenders of foundationalism have argued that, within a foundationalist framework, one can justify beliefs about epistemic principles empirically without incurring the charge of vicious circularity. The key to this position is a sharp distinction between first- and second-level justifiedness. In this paper I first argue that such versions of foundationalism end up giving their approval to circular chains and are therefore unmotivated; if circular chains are acceptable, the classic regress argument for foundationalism does not go through. I then consider and reject two other ways in which the foundationalist might motivate his position. At the end of the paper I draw from this discussion a moral concerning the airns of epistemological theorizing.
Bit allocation considering mean absolute error for image compression

In lossy image compression schemes, often some distortion measure is minimized to arrive at a desired target bit rate. The distortion measure that has been most studied is the mean-squared-error (MSE). However, perceptual quality often does not agree with the notion of minimization of mean square error1 . Since MSE can not guarantee the optimality of perceptual quality, others error measures have been investigated. Others have found strong mathematical and practical perspective to choose a different error measure other than MSE, especially for image compression2. In Ref. 2 it is argued that the mean absolute error (MAE) measure is a better error measure than MSE for image compression from a perceptual standpoint. In addition, the MSE measure fails when only a small proportion of extreme observations is present3. In this paper we develop a bit allocation algorithm to minimize the MAE rather than MSE
Self-Dilation as a Treatment for Resistant, Benign Esophageal Strictures

Simple benign strictures may be relieved with one to three dilation sessions. Resistant benign strictures are anatomically complex and resistant to therapy. We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of esophageal self-dilation with bougie dilators in the largest series to date. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent esophageal self-dilation at two tertiary referral centers (Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona and Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota) between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2012. Demographic details and clinical information regarding relief of dysphagia, complications, and frequency of endoscopic and self-dilation were abstracted. Of the 32 patients who began self-dilation for nonmalignant strictures, 30 [22 men; median (range) age, 62 years (22–86 years)] were included in the study. Median (range) follow-up was 37 months (14–281 months). Stricture etiology included radiation therapy (n = 8), anastomotic stricture (n = 9), eosinophilic esophagitis (n = 4), caustic ingestion (n = 3), photodynamic therapy (n = 2), granulation tissue (n = 2), peptic stricture (n = 1) and one patient had radiation therapy and peptic stricture. The average number (range) of physician performed dilations before self-dilation was 12 (4–55). Esophageal self-dilation was successful in treating 90 % of patients. Dysphagia score (2 vs. 1; P < 0.001), stricture diameter (median; 5 vs. 12 mm; P < 0.001) and weight (median; 73 vs. 77 kg; P < 0.001) were significantly different between EDG dilation versus self-dilation. Esophageal self-dilation is a safe, effective treatment for resistant, benign esophageal strictures. This management strategy should be strongly considered in this patient population.
Primordial B-mode diagnostics and self-calibrating the CMB polarization

Distortions in the primordial cosmic microwave background (CMB) along the line of sight can be modeled and described using 11 fields. These distortion fields correspond to various cosmological signals such as weak gravitational lensing of the CMB by a large-scale structure, screening from patchy reionization, and rotation of the plane of polarization due to magnetic fields or parity violating physics. Various instrumental systematics such as gain fluctuations, pixel rotation, differential gain, pointing, and differential ellipticity are also described by the same distortion model. All these distortions produce a $B$ mode that contaminates the primordial tensor $B$-modes signal. In this paper we show that, apart from generating $B$ modes, each distortion uniquely couples different modes (${\mathbit{l}}_{1}\ensuremath{\ne}{\mathbit{l}}_{2}$) of the CMB anisotropies, generating $⟨EB⟩$ correlations which for the primordial CMB are zero. We describe and implement unbiased minimum variance quadratic estimators which using the off-diagonal correlations in the CMB can extract the map of distortions. We perform Monte Carlo simulations to characterize the estimators and illustrate the level of distortions that can be detected with current and future experiments. The estimators can be used to look for cosmological signals, or to check for any residual systematics in the data. As a specific example of primordial tensor $B$-mode diagnostics, we compare the level of minimum detectable distortions using our method with maximum allowed distortion level for the $B$-modes detection. We show that for any experiment, the distortions will be detected at high significance using correlations before they would show up as spurious $B$ modes in the power spectrum. In other words, if $B$ modes were to be detected, the presence of any nonprimordial contribution could be checked and removed using the off-diagonal correlations in the CMB.
Linking air mass analysis to daily and monthly mid-tropospheric flow patterns

Air mass analysis, though widely used in early atmospheric studies, has seldom been employed in recent decades. In part, this may be due to the lack of agreement on a quantitative air mass classification technique. Synoptic analyses (of which air mass analysis is one example) have much potential for examining the relationships among a variety of surface processes and climate. Schwartz (1991) proposed an integrated air mass classification system that was able to overcome some of the limitations of previous methods. This study further validates that approach by quantitatively linking these air masses to 500-hPa height and surface pressure patterns. Cluster analysis was used with daily and average monthly air mass distributions in the north-central USA to identify similar groups. For the daily analyses, average 500-hPa height, surface pressure, and air mass percentage coverage patterns were determined for the groups in each season. In the monthly analyses, transects of 500-hPa height difference were examined with the multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) technique in order to detect significant changes relative to the clusters. Our results show that: (i) integrated-method air mass percentage coverage distributions can be related quantitatively to a small number of meaningful 500-hPa height and surface pressure patterns in all seasons; (ii) key transects can be used to describe changes in average monthly air mass dominance and 500-hPa flow patterns from one year to another; and (iii) for the period 1958–1981, cool air masses decreased in frequency over the study area during spring and summer.
Thermal rearrangement of tert-butyl substituted 9, 10- and 11, 12-allenic retinoids: 11-cis-isomers of 19, 19, 19- and 20, 20, 20-trimethylretinoids

Abstract The 9,10- and 11,12-allenic retinoids, 5a and 6a , respectively, were synthesized in high yield and specificity by t-butylation of the propargylic benzoates 9b and 12b , respectively. Thermal isomerization of the allenes afforded the 11- cis , the 11,13- dicis and the 9,11,13- tricis isomers of the 9-t-butyl retinol 3 and the 11,13- dicis isomer of the 13-t-butyl retinol 4.
Water-Mediated Three-Particle Interactions between Hydrophobic Solutes: Size, Pressure, and Salt Effects

We use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of solutions of hydrophobic solutes in explicit water to study the many-body character of hydrophobic interactions at the level of solute−solute−solute three-particle correlations. Comparisons of the calculated three-particle potentials of mean force (PMF) with that obtained by adding solute−solute pair PMFs are used to quantify the many-body effect. Our results shed light on both the range and magnitude of many-body (i.e., nonadditivity) effects. We find that the nonadditivity effects depend on the specific configuration of the three interacting particles and are short-ranged, restricted primarily to locations of the third solute within the first two solvation shells of the primary solute pair. The contact and solvent-separated configurations show anticooperative behavior (i.e., the actual three-particle PMF is less favorable than the pairwise additive approximation), whereas cooperativity is observed at the desolvation barrier. Increasing the solute size makes ...
Mind Wandering and Reading Comprehension: Examining the Roles of Working Memory Capacity, Interest, Motivation, and Topic Experience.

Individual differences in mind wandering and reading comprehension were examined in the current study. In particular, individual differences in mind wandering, working memory capacity, interest in the current topic, motivation to do well on the task, and topic experience and their relations with reading comprehension were examined in the current study. Using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling it was found that variation in mind wandering while reading was influenced by working memory capacity, topic interest, and motivation. Furthermore, these same factors, along with topic experience, influenced individual differences in reading comprehension. Importantly, several factors had direct effects on reading comprehension (and mind wandering), while the relation between reading comprehension (and mind wandering) and other factors occurred via indirect effects. These results suggest that both domain-general and domain-specific factors contribute to mind wandering while reading and to reading comprehension.
Electron paramagnetic resonance study of the oxidation of N-methyl-substituted aromatic amines catalyzed by hemeproteins

Abstract The oxidation of N-mono- and dimethyl-substituted toluidines and aniline by H2O2, catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase or metmyoglobin, produces organic free radicals, detectable by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy at room temperature. The radical cation of N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine was conclusively identified, but the other resolved EPR signals were assigned to radical cations of radical dimerization products, e.g., N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine formed from N,N-dimethylaniline. The N-demethylase activities of metmyoglobin were found to be uniformly smaller than those of horseradish peroxidase, consistent with the much faster reaction of the latter hemeprotein with H2O2. Detection of the monomeric radical cation of N,N-demethyl-p-toluidine correlated with the largest rate of N-demethylation among this class of compounds. These findings emphasize the importance of radical stability (provided, for example, by the para methyl substituent) on subsequent competing reactions of the radical cation of the N-methyl substrate, i.e., one-electron oxidation leading to formaldehyde release or radical dimerization, which becomes more probable for the less stable radical intermediates. Attempts were made to correlate these results with data obtained for the O 2 NADPH -supported oxidation of these same substrates by liver microsomal cytochrome P-450. However, pronounced differences in physical state and kinetic properties of this heterogeneous, membrane-associated microsomal hemeprotein and the soluble “model” hemeprotein systems precluded firm conclusions concerning a radical mechanism of N-demethylation monooxygenase activities of microsomal fractions.
Electrochemical Detection of Piezoelectric Effect from Misaligned Zinc Oxide Nanowires Grown on a Flexible Electrode

Abstract The piezoelectric effect from a packed layer of zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) can be used in an electrochemical device for energy harvesting. In this work, ZnO NWs have been synthesized on flexible conductive electrodes using the hydrothermal growth method under solution agitation. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show poor alignment of NWs which is assumed to be the key issue for generating piezoelectric effect by bending the substrate. The piezoelectric effect of the grown NWs has been investigated in an electrochemical cell containing an electrochemically active redox material. A reversible voltage shift up to 316 mV has been measured for the redox potential in the cell by bending the electrode. Using cyclic voltammetry (CV) method, the piezoelectric effect has been studied in different samples with various NWs length under different bending curvatures. It is found that the piezo effect is more pronounced in samples with longer NWs. Also, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of a sample under bending and straight conditions shows that the piezo effect can change the depletion width in the NWs. The feasibility of using ZnO NW for mechanical energy harvesting has been demonstrated in a supercapacitor device.
Protein Content in Lymph and Edema Fluids in Congestive Heart Failure

Protein content of tissue fluid and lymph is not uniform and depends upon regional differences in capillary permeability modified by changes in capillary filtration pressure. Whereas increased pres...
Carbohydrases in the sugar-gland juice of Cryptochiton (Polyplacophora, mollusca).

ALTHOUGH considerable work has been done on the digestive enzymes of snails and mussels1, very little is known about those of the marine chitons. Fretter, working with the two British species, Lepidochitona cinereus Gray and Acanthochilona crinitus Gray, has reported2 that the fluid in the sugar gland (a pouch-shaped organ connected with the œsophagus) hydrolyses starch, with a pH optimum at 5.6, and glycogen, with a pH optimum at 6.4–6.8.
Partial characterization of α-amylase in the salivary glands of Lygus hesperus and L. lineolaris.

Abstract The α-amylases in the salivary glands of Lygus hesperus Knight and L. lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) were isolated and purified by ion exchange chromatography, and by isoelectric focusing, respectively. The α-amylase from L. hesperus had an isoelectric point (p I ) of 6.25, and a pH optimum of 6.5. The specific activity of α-amylases in the salivary glands of L. hesperus was 1.2 U/mg/ml. The α- amylase from L. lineolaris had a p I of 6.54, and a pH optimum of 6.5. The specific activity of α-amylase from L. lineolaris was 1.7 U/mg/ml. The activity of α-amylase in both species was significantly inhibited by α-amylase inhibitor from wheat and also by EDTA and SDS. Sodium chloride enhanced α-amylase activity for both species. The enzyme characteristics and relative activities are discussed in the context of differences phytophagous versus zoophagous habits in these two congeneric species.
Generalized threshold decoding of convolutional codes

A one-step threshold decoding method previously presented for cyclic block codes is shown to apply generally to linear convolutional codes. It is further shown that this method generalizes in a natural way to allow decoding of the received sequence in its unquantized analog form.
Specific targeting of interleukin-23p19 as effective treatment for psoriasis.

Interleukin (IL)-23 is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of a distinct p19 subunit and a p40 subunit, which it shares with IL-12. The dermatology and rheumatology communities have long surmised that anti-IL-12/23p40 antibodies suppress autoinflammatory disease owing to their effect on IL-12. The aim of this review is to bring to light new data from murine and human studies demonstrating that in fact IL-23 and its resulting Th17 pathway mediate the inflammatory cascade that induces psoriatic plaque formation. Evidence derives from lesional immunohistochemical analyses, genetic studies, and research in other autoimmune diseases. Although current IL-12/23p40 inhibitors have shown good efficacy and safety, data regarding the functional role of IL-12 in immune defense suggest that preserving this cytokine would be beneficial. To date, evidence from mouse models and preliminary data in human beings show that specifically targeting IL-23p19 may be a safer but equally efficacious treatment option.
Targeting of BRAF resistant melanoma via extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer receptor

Abstract Background The BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib (PLX) has shown promise in treating metastatic melanoma, but most patients develop resistance to treatment after 6 mo. We identified a transmembrane protein, extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) as a cell surface receptor highly expressed by PLX-resistant melanoma. Using an S100A9 ligand, we created an EMMPRIN targeted probe and liposome that binds to melanoma cells in vivo, thus designing a novel drug delivery vehicle. Methods PLX-resistant cells were established through continuous treatment with PLX-4032 over the course of 1 y. Both PLX-resistant and sensitive melanoma cell lines were evaluated for the expression of unique cell surface proteins, which identified EMMPRIN as an overexpressed protein in PLX0-resistant cells and S100A9 is a ligand for EMMPRIN. To design a probe for EMMPRIN, S100A9 ligand was conjugated to a CF-750 near-infrared (NIR) dye. EMMPRIN targeted liposomes were created to encapsulate CF-750 NIR dye. Liposomes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and in vivo analysis. A2058PLX and A2058 cells were subcutaneously injected into athymic mice. S100A9 liposomes were intravenously injected and tumor accumulation was evaluated using NIR fluorescent imaging. Results Western blot and flow cytometry demonstrated that PLX sensitive and resistant A2058 and A375 melanoma cells highly express EMMPRIN. S100A9 liposomes were 200 nm diameter and uniformly sized. Flow cytometry demonstrated 100X more intracellular dye uptake by A2058 cells treated with S100A9 liposomes compared with untargeted liposomes. In vivo accumulation of S100A9 liposomes within subcutaneous A2058 and A2058PLX tumors was observed from 6–48 h, with A2058PLX accumulating significantly higher levels (P = 0.001626). Conclusions EMMPRIN-targeted liposomes via an S100A9 ligand are a novel, targeted delivery system which could provide improved EMMPRIN specific drug delivery to a tumor.
Information Cascades and Rational Conformity

An information cascade is a pattern of matching decisions. A cascade can occur when people observe and follow ‘the crowd’, which can be rational if the information revealed in others' earlier decisions outweighs one's own private information. Keywords: information cascades; herding behavior; conformity; Bayes' rule; rationality
A condition guaranteeing commutativity

We give a simple characterization for a nonassociative algebra , having characteristic ≠2, to be commutative. Namely, is commutative if and only if it is flexible with a commuting set of generators. A counterexample shows that characteristic ≠2 is necessary. Both the characterization and the counterexample were discovered using the computer algebra system in [2].
A 3.2-GHz second-order delta-sigma modulator implemented in InP HBT technology

This paper presents a second-order delta-sigma (/spl Delta//spl Sigma/) modulator fabricated in a 70 GHz (f/sub T/), 90 GHz (f/sub max/) AlInAs-GaInAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) process on InP substrates. The modulator is a continuous time, fully differential circuit operated from /spl plusmn/5 volt supplies and dissipates 1 W. At a sample rate of 3.2 GHz and a signal bandwidth of 50 MHz (OSR=32100 MSPS Nyquist rate) the modulator demonstrates a Spur Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) of 71 dB (12-b dynamic range). The modulator achieves the ideal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 55 dB for a second-order modulator at an oversampling ratio (OSR) of 32. The design of a digital decimation filter for this modulator is complete and the filter is currently in fabrication in the same technology. This work demonstrates the first /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator in III-V technology with ideal performance and provides the foundation for extending the use of /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator analog-to-digital converters (ADC's) to radio frequencies (RF). >
Cross-signaling between L-type Ca2+ channels and ryanodine receptors in rat ventricular myocytes.

Calcium-mediated cross-signaling between the dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor, ryanodine receptor, and Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger was examined in single rat ventricular myocytes where the diffusion distance of Ca2+ was limited to 67% when release was absent. Thapsigargin, abolishing SR release, suppressed the effect of caffeine on the inactivation kinetics of ICa. Caffeine-triggered Ca(2+)-release, in the absence of Ca2+ entry through the Ca2+ channel (using Ba2+ as a charge carrier), caused rapid inactivation of the slowly decaying Ba2+ current. Since Ba2+ does not release Ca2+ but binds to Fura-2, it was possible to calibrate the fluorescence signals in terms of equivalent cation charge. Using this procedure, the amplification factor of ICa-induced Ca2+ release was found to be 17.6 +/- 1.1 (n = 4). The Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange current, activated by caffeine-induced Ca2+ release, was measured consistently in myocytes dialyzed with 0.2 but not with 2 mM Fura-2. Our results quantify Ca2+ signaling in cardiomyocytes and suggest the existence of a Ca2+ microdomain which includes the DHP/ ryanodine receptors complex, but excludes the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger. This microdomain appears to be fairly inaccessible to high concentrations of Ca2+ buffers.
Leveraging decision-making tools in capacity building planning: the Indonesian scientific network case

The development of investment alternatives for the Government of Indonesia’s proposed scientific network forms the background to this case. The goal was to rationalize a structure for developing and sustaining a broad-based network capable of serving scientists throughout the country, including very remote areas. It became clear that one approach could combine both technological as well as entrepreneurial elements, since the data communications linkages for serving scientists could also be available for private customers. The process of defining and costing out this approach was a textbook example of a bottom-up analysis, beginning with customer needs and working toward structures to satisfy the needs. The World Bank and the Government of Indonesia are in the process of implementing several features of the recommended system. The proposed approach can ultimately pay for itself through private sector revenues for user services. While the context of the decision is telecommunications, the methodology is appropriate for many decision-making situations. Samples of actual data and bottom-line results are discussed.
Radiation chemistry data center: Information services produced from the bibliographic data base

Abstract A bibliographic data base covering radiation chemistry and photochemistry and currently containing 50,000 references is used to generate current-awareness publications, literature searches and other reference aids. The content and structure of the data base are described along with procedures for storage, retrieval and reformating of information therefrom.
TRPV1 expression level in isolectin B4-positive neurons contributes to mouse strain difference in cutaneous thermal nociceptive sensitivity

Differential thermal nociception across inbred mouse strains has genetic determinants. Thermal nociception is largely attributed to the heat/capsaicin receptor transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1); however, the contribution of this channel to the genetics of thermal nociception has not been revealed. In this study we compared TRPV1 expression levels and electrophysiological properties in primary sensory neurons and thermal nociceptive behaviors between two (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) inbred mouse strains. Using immunofluorescence and patch-clamp physiology methods, we demonstrated that TRPV1 expression was significantly higher in isolectin B4 (IB4)-positive trigeminal sensory neurons of C57BL/6 relative to BALB/c; the expression in IB4-negative neurons was similar between the strains. Furthermore, using electrophysiological cell classification (current signature method), we showed differences between the two strains in capsaicin sensitivity in IB4-positive neuronal cell types 2 and 13, which were previously reported as skin nociceptors. Otherwise electrophysiological membrane properties of the classified cell types were similar in the two mouse strains. In publicly available nocifensive behavior data and our own behavior data from the using the two mouse strains, C57BL/6 exhibited higher sensitivity to heat stimulation than BALB/c, independent of sex and anatomical location of thermal testing (the tail, hind paw, and whisker pad). The TRPV1-selective antagonist JNJ-17203212 inhibited thermal nociception in both strains; however, removing IB4-positive trigeminal sensory neurons with IB4-conjugated saporin inhibited thermal nociception on the whisker pad in C57BL/6 but not in BALB/c. These results suggest that TRPV1 expression levels in IB4-positive type 2 and 13 neurons contributed to differential thermal nociception in skin of C57BL/6 compared with BALB/c.
New Trends and Developments in African Religions

New Trends and Developments in African Religions. Peter B. Clarke, ed. Westport, CT. Greenwood Press, 1998.309 pp.
A Systematic Approach to Generate Inputs to Test UML Design Models

Practical model validation techniques are needed for model driven development (MDD) techniques to succeed. This paper presents an approach to generating inputs to test UML design models that are produced in the detailed design phase of an MDD project. A symbolic execution based approach is used to derive test input constraints from the paths of a Variable Assignment Graph, which integrates information from UML class and sequence diagrams. The constraints are solved using Alloy, a configuration constraint solver, to obtain the test inputs. The results of a pilot study carried out to explore the fault detection capability of the test inputs are reported.
Uniform asymptotic approximation of the evanescent part of the Green's tensor

The evanescent part of optical radiation from a localized source decays rapidly with distance. We have studied the asymptotic behavior of this radiation by means of the Green’s tensor. This tensor can be expressed in terms of four auxiliary functions Miðq; hÞ, with q the (dimensionless) distance to the source and h the polar angle. We have derived asymptotic approximations for these functions, with Bleistein’s method, which hold uniformly for all angles h. Our result generalizes the result of Berry for the evanescent part of the free space scalar Green’s function. We have illus
The model of cultural competence through an evolutionary concept analysis.

Becoming a culturally competent health professional is a demanding prerequisite in this multicultural society. Cultural competence is explored and abstracted as a conceptual framework through a concept analysis using the evolutionary method. Its model is constructed from a systemic, comprehensive literature review and analysis. Taking into account how cultural competence is viewed by other disciplines (medicine, psychology, education, and social work), a comprehensive definition, antecedents, and consequences of cultural competence in nursing are described and diagrammed. Additionally, two model cases and future implications are discussed. The broader American society is composed of a mosaic of discrete cultural groups existing within the context of their values and identities. Those distinct cultures affect each patient’s ways of thinking and his or her perceptions on health care and health behaviors. The proposed model of cultural competence provides a theoretical guide for developing strategies to achi...
Seeking Congruency or Incongruency Online?: Examining Selective Exposure to Four Controversial Science Issues

This study examined how citizens select science information online based on their preexisting issue attitudes. Voluntary national samples browsed through an online news magazine featuring divergent viewpoints about four controversial science topics (stem cell, evolution, genetically modified foods, and global warming). Their online activities, including article selection and the length of exposure, were unobtrusively measured by behavior tracking software. Participants tended to choose science information that challenged rather than supported their views concerning stem cell and genetically modified foods. However, those who perceived that they had sufficient science knowledge and were religious exhibited confirmation-bias, preferring congruent to incongruent information.
Representational frames in video annotation

One of the tenets of machine vision is that choice of representation is critical in describing a scene; representations are selected that make important information explicit and that allow domain constraints to be brought to bear. In dynamic scene annotation, there may be no single representation appropriate for analysis, as the imagery is dynamic and choice of best representation may vary over time. The authors present two examples of where the selection of representational frame-the coordinate system in which the representation describes the scene-is determined by the dynamics of the scene. >
Determination of approximate size of maxillary anterior denture teeth when mandibular anterior teeth are present. Part III: Relationship of maxillary to mandibular central incisor widths

The average width of a natural maxillary central incisor is 8.92 mm. This value is determined from the results of three studies of natural dentitions. The average width of a mandibular central incisor is 5.5 mm. The average ratio produced by dividing the average maxillary central incisor width by the average mandibular incisor width is 1.62. The factor of 1.5 times the width of a mandibular central incisor produces a maxillary central incisor width that is too narrow. The width of a mandibular central incisor plus half the width of the mandibular lateral incisor also produces a maxillary central incisor width that is too narrow. There may be a tendency to undersize the maxillary prosthetic dentition. The ratio of 1.62 can be used to select the appropriate width for a missing maxillary central incisor when given the width of the mandibular central incisor. This ratio of 1.62 is also valuable to verify the dimension of a selected artificial maxillary central incisor when the patient complains that the tooth is too large. If substitutions or adjustments are made in the mold, the desired canine-to-canine measurement produced by the ratio range of 1.3 to 1.38 reported in Parts I and II of this study should be maintained.
Ofloxacin: A Probable Cause of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

OBJECTIVE:To report a fatal case of toxic epidermal necrolysis in a man who was treated with oral ofloxacin for epididymitis.CASE SUMMARY:A 75-year-old white man received 23.6 grams of ofloxacin over a 51-day period for epididymitis. He experienced a severe skin reaction diagnosed as toxic epidermal necrolysis. The man died from complications related to toxic epidermal necrolysis.DISCUSSION:Toxic epidermal necrolysis is an infrequent, yet often fatal, severe, systemic, cutaneous disease most often the result of an adverse drug reaction. Fluoroquinolones have rarely been implicated in cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis. A MEDLINE search from 1966 to December 2000 revealed no reports of toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, or Stevens—Johnson syndrome due to ofloxacin therapy. However, a large case-control study included three cases of either Stevens—Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with ofloxacin use, but no details of the cases were given. This report rules out other c...