cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutational Analysis of Ca2+-independent Autophosphorylation of Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II

Previous studies with synthetic peptides indicate that residues 290-309, corresponding to the calmodulin (CaM)-binding domain of Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase II interact with the catalytic core of the enzyme as a pseudosubstrate (Colbran, R. J., Smith, M. K., Schworer, C. M., Fong, Y. L., and Soderling, T. R.(1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 4800-4804). In the present study, we attempted to locate the pseudosubstrate motif by generation or removal of potential substrate recognition sequences (RXXS/T) at selected positions using site-directed mutagenesis. Based on previous results, Arg297, Thr305/306, and Ser314 were selected as key residues. Single mutations such as N294S, K300S, A302R, A309R, and R311A were expressed, purified, and characterized. Several of the mutants exhibited decreased binding of and activation by CaM, not surprising since the mutations were within the CaM-binding domain. None of the mutants exhibited enhanced Ca2+-independent kinase activity toward exogenous substrate, but the K300S and N294S mutants showed a significant enhancement in the rate and stoichiometry of 32P incorporation during Ca2+-independent autophosphorylation. Using two-dimensional peptide mapping and phosphoamino acid analyses, enhanced phosphorylation of the introduced Ser residue was demonstrated in the K300S mutant but not in the N294S mutant. This specific Ca2+-independent autophosphorylation of Ser300 is consistent with the hypothesis that Arg297 may occupy the P(−3) position in a pseudosubstrate autoinhibitory interaction with the catalytic core in the nonactivated state of the kinase.
SHARING IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: FACILITATION, STIMULUS GENERALIZATION, RESPONSE GENERALIZATION, AND MAINTENANCE

Three approaches to facilitating verbal and physical sharing and of the generalizability and durability of the behaviors that were trained were investigated. During a free play period, groups of preschool children were taught to share verbally, to share physically, or to share verbally and physically; another group was not trained. Immediately following free play, the children were observed in a different setting. Follow-up was conducted 4 weeks after training ended. Physical sharing that was durable and generalizable resulted only when children were taught to share verbally. Increases in physical sharing produced by training children to share only physically were not durable and did not generalize. Training both verbal and physical sharing produced results with a magnitude slightly greater than teaching just verbal sharing. Despite a lack of special programming, some of the treatment effects generalized to another setting and were maintained during the Follow-up. There was response generalization of the effects of training verbal sharing to physical sharing but not vice versa. Problems with the concept of response class, a methodological suggestion for studying response generalization, and possibilities concerning why generalization and maintenance occurred without specific programming are discussed.
Characterization of an Anisotropic Hydrogel Tissue Substrate for Infusion Testing.

Artificial tissue models that capture specific transport properties are useful for investigating physical phenomena important to drug delivery. In this study, an in vitro tissue model was developed and characterized with the goal of mimicking aligned tissue. An anisotropic porous medium was developed by the construction of a 1% agarose hydrogel implanted with different volume fractions (∼ 5, 10, and 20%) of 10-μm-diameter glass fibers. The developed substrate was able to capture anisotropic transport after the direct infusion of a macromolecular tracer, Evans blue albumin (EBA). To further characterize the test substrate, the diffusion tensor of water was measured by diffusion tensor imaging, and the ratios of the diffusivities in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the glass fibers were 1.16, 1.20, and 1.26 for 5, 10, and 20% fiber volume fractions, respectively. The hydraulic conductivity was estimated by the measurement of pressure gradients across samples under controlled microflow conditions in the direction parallel to implanted fibers. The hydraulic conductivities at various hydrogel concentrations without fibers and in a 1% hydrogel with various fiber volume fractions were measured; for example, K∥ = 1.20 × 10−12 m4 N−1 s−1 (where K∥ is the conductivity component in the direction parallel to the glass fibers) for 20% fiber volume fractions. Also, EBA distributions were fit to porous medium transport models to estimate hydraulic conductivity in the direction perpendicular to glass fibers. The estimated ratio of directional hydraulic conductivity, K∥/K⟂ (where K⟂ is the conductivity component in the direction perpendicular to the glass fibers), ranged from approximately 3 to 5, from 6 to 10, and from 40 to 90 for 5, 10, and 20% fiber volume fractions, respectively. These agarose hydrogel models provided convenient media for quantifying infusion protocols at low flow rates. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Case studies in research: A value-based approach to the ex-ante evaluation of IT enabled business process improvement projects

In this study, we propose a value-based management approach for assessing the potential for process improvements enabled by an information technology (IT) solution. Based on activity based management concepts, we perform a granular, process level analysis on workflow structure and associated resource consumption to provide quantifiable measures of potential improvement prior to system implementation. The proof of concept of this approach is illustrated in a southern United States county in need of integrating different government branches through an ERP implementation. Based on prior research, we first provide a catalog of non-value added (NVA) activities that can be used in management control and governance procedures for the systematic identification of process inefficiencies. Next, by breaking down processes to the level of atomic activities, we show that minimizing NVA activities provides a systematic means to mitigate process inefficiencies. A significant observation is that different NVA activities may impact process performance to varying degrees. Consequently, line items in the request for proposals (RFP) should be weighted accordingly during the vendor selection process, contrary to the common practice of treating all line items equally.
English Grammar: Lesson 31: The basic structure of auxiliary phrases

What are some sentences with helping (auxiliary) verbs? Here are a few examples, with the helping verb underlined: She should study. She has studied. She is studying. In these sentences, the main verb is a form of study , and the helping verb is helping to give us additional information that we can't get from just the main verb. (See Unit 2 to remind yourself about main verbs.) There aren't that many helping verbs; the basic ones are listed in Quick tip 31.1. Quick tip 31.1 The basic helping verbs of English are: a. can may shall will must could might should would b. have has had c. am are is was were be been being Now take another look at sentences 1–3, which have both a helping verb and a main verb. Which comes first? You can see that the main verb always comes after the helping verb. Quick tip 31.2 If a sentence has both a main verb and a helping verb, the main verb is always last. Does every sentence of English have a helping verb? Here are examples of sentences that do not have a helping verb. Each only has a main verb, which is underlined. 4. She studies every day. 5. She studied every day. 6. He leaves at 9 in the morning. 7. He left at 9 in the morning.
Polyamine biosynthesis impacts cellular folate requirements necessary to maintain S-adenosylmethionine and nucleotide pools

Folate (vitamin B9) is utilized for synthesis of both S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) and deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP), which are required for methylation reactions and DNA synthesis, respectively. Folate depletion leads to an imbalance in both AdoMet and nucleotide pools, causing epigenetic and genetic damage capable of initiating tumorigenesis. Polyamine biosynthesis also utilizes AdoMet, but polyamine pools are not reduced under a regimen of folate depletion. We hypothesized that high polyamine biosynthesis, due to the high demand on AdoMet pools, might be a factor in determining sensitivity to folate depletion. We found a significant correlation (P<0.001) between polyamine biosynthesis and the amount of folate required to sustain cell line proliferation. We manipulated polyamine biosynthesis by genetic and pharmacological intervention and mechanistically demonstrated that we could thereby alter AdoMet pools and increase or decrease demand on folate availability needed to sustain cellular proliferation. Furthermore, growing a panel of cell lines with 100 nM folate led to imbalanced nucleotide and AdoMet pools only in cells with endogenously high polyamine biosynthesis. These data demonstrate that polyamine biosynthesis is a critical factor in determining sensitivity to folate depletion and may be particularly important in the prostate, where biosynthesis of polyamines is characteristically high due to its secretory function.
Circulatory support of the sick preterm infant

In the majority of preterm infants, especially during the immediate postnatal period, hypotension is primarily caused by abnormal peripheral vasoregulation and/or myocardial dysfunction and not by absolute hypovolemia. Therefore, aggressive volume resuscitation is not warranted and is potentially harmful. Volume support should be limited to 10-20 ml/kg of isotonic saline administration and, if sustained normalization of the blood pressure cannot be achieved, early initiation of cardiovascular pharmacological support is recommended. However, in preterm infants who present with an identifiable volume loss, the kind of fluid lost should first be replaced. Due to its beneficial cardiovascular and renal actions, dopamine is the drug of choice in the treatment of neonatal hypotension. Dobutamine may be added if myocardial dysfunction persists or develops during dopamine treatment. In some critically ill preterm infants, escalation of dopamine therapy or addition of epinephrine is necessary yet not always effective indicating the development of pressor resistant hypotension. Downregulation of cardiovascular adrenergic receptors and some degree of adrenal insufficiency may explain this phenomenon. In these patients, a brief course of steroid treatment may be successful in stabilizing the cardiovascular status and decreasing the requirement for pressor/inotrope support. However, well-designed randomized and controlled clinical trials are needed in the future to determine the effectiveness and potential short- and long-term side effects of steroid administration in preterm infants with pressor-resistant hypotension. In summary, management of the critically ill hypotensive preterm infant remains challenging and requires a better understanding of the pathophysiology of neonatal shock and improvements in our ability to evaluate cardiac output, organ blood flow, and tissue perfusion at the bedside.
Lower bounds for the complexity of reliable Boolean circuits with noisy gates

It is proved that the reliable computation of any Boolean function with, sensitivity s requires Omega (s log s) gates if the gates of the circuit fail independently with a fixed positive probability. The Omega (s log s) bound holds even if s is the block sensitivity instead of the sensitivity of the Boolean function. Some open problems are mentioned. >
The Design is the Game: Writing Games, Teaching Writing

Abstract This article makes both conceptual and empirical arguments for why composition scholars and teachers ought to take notice of how video games are designed and developed in such a way as to make them so compelling. Thinking about games’ design principles as an analogy for composition curricula, I argue that video game designers and developers discuss and approach their design processes in many of the same ways writing teachers do. Data presented are taken from several years’ worth of ethnographic interviews, observations, and artifact analyses from within the game design and development community. This paper demonstrates how one of the designers from this ongoing study builds on his knowledge of games as distinctly interactive meaning-making spaces, noting that this approach to game design fits well with a re-thinking of the task of designing writing and learning spaces.
Prognostic value of electroencephalography in cardiac surgery.

Abstract One hundred seventeen patients undergoing cardiac operations over a two-year period were studied. Electroencephalograms were recorded preoperatively, in the recovery room (up to 12 hours following operation), 24 hours later, and further as required. Operative and anesthesia data were correlated with EEG findings. All patients had normal EEGs preoperatively. This unusual occurrence may largely reflect the absence of congenital heart disease and the small number of valvular lesions in our patients. Prognosis was not significantly influenced by age. Bypass time appeared directly related to outcome by group but not individually. Hypotension prior to pumping occurred most often and mean blood loss was greatest in the patients who had abnormal EEGs in the recovery room with progressively worsening patterns until death. In the recovery room many patients were awake, while others were either drowsy, lethargic, or asleep. Some were comatose. The level of consciousness was not as prognostic as was the EEG. The pattern of EEGs in the first few postoperative days is more important than any single record by itself. All those who showed progressive deterioration in the first two or three days died shortly thereafter.
Diagnosis, Tuning, and Redesign for Multicore Performance: A Case Study of the Fast Multipole Method

Given a program and a multisocket, multicore system, what is the process by which one understands and improves its performance and scalability? We describe an approach in the context of improving within-node scalability of the fast multipole method (FMM). Our process consists of a systematic sequence of modeling, analysis, and tuning steps, beginning with simple models, and gradually increasing their complexity in the quest for deeper performance understanding and better scalability. For the FMM, we significantly improve within-node scalability; for example, on a quad-socket Intel Nehalem-EX system, we show speedups of 1.7× over the previous best multithreaded implementation, 19.3× over a sequential but highly tuned (e.g., SIMD-vectorized) code, and match or outperform a state-of- the-art GPGPU implementation. Our study sheds new light on the form of a more general performance analysis and tuning process that other multicore/manycore tuning practitioners (end- user programmers) and automated performance analysis and tuning tools could themselves apply.
Review of alternate energy storage systems for hybrid electric vehicles

Batteries, ultra capacitors, and fuel cells are widely being proposed for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs/PHEVs) as an electric power source or an energy storage unit. Implementation of several control methods have been presented in the past, with the goal of improving battery life and overall vehicle efficiency. It is clear that the control objectives vary with respect to vehicle velocity, power demand, and state-of-charge of both the batteries and ultra-capacitors. Hence, an optimal control strategy design is the most critical aspect of an all-electric/plug-in hybrid electric vehicle operational characteristic. This paper initially discusses energy storage characteristics, and then describes types of hybrid electric vehicle energy storage systems (ESS), energy source models, and type of DC/DC converters.
Knowledge-based self-adaptation in evolutionary programming using cultural algorithms

We investigate knowledge-based self-adaptation in evolutionary programming (EP) using cultural algorithms for 22 function optimization problems. The results suggest that the use of a cultural framework for self-adaptation in EP can produce substantial performance improvements as expressed in terms of CPU time. The nature of these improvements and the type of knowledge that is most effective in producing them will depend on the structure of the problem.
Mutational analysis of vaccinia virus topoisomerase identifies residues involved in DNA binding

Vaccinia DNA topoisomerase catalyzes the cleavage and re-joining of DNA strands through a DNA-(3'-phosphotyrosyl)-enzyme intermediate formed at a specific target sequence, 5'-(C/T)CCTT downward arrow. The 314 aa protein consists of three protease-resistant structural domains demarcated by protease-sensitive interdomain segments referred to as the bridge and the hinge. The bridge is defined by trypsin-accessible sites at Arg80, Lys83 and Arg84. Photocrosslinking and proteolytic footprinting experiments suggest that residues near the interdomain bridge interact with DNA. To assess the contributions of specific amino acids to DNA binding and transesterification chemistry, we introduced alanine substitutions at 16 positions within a 24 aa segment from residues 63 to 86(DSKGRRQYFYGKMHVQNRNAKRDR). Assays of the rates of DNA relaxation under conditions optimal for the wild-type topoisomerase revealed significant mutational effects at six positions; Arg67, Tyr70, Tyr72, Arg80, Arg84 and Asp85. The mutated proteins displayed normal or near-normal rates of single-turnover transesterification to DNA. The effects of amino acid substitutions on DNA binding were evinced by inhibition of covalent adduct formation in the presence of salt and magnesium. The mutant enzymes also displayed diminished affinity for a subset of cleavage sites in pUC19 DNA. Tyr70 and Tyr72 were subjected to further analysis by replacement with Phe, His, Gln and Arg. At both positions, the aromatic moiety was important for DNA binding.
Tunable optical true time delay generator for phased array antenna

We present an application of fiber Bragg gratings as tunable optical delays in transmission for use as true-time-delay line in a RF-Photonic phased array antenna. Most delay line applications using fiber gratings require that they be used in reflection mode and they can provide only discrete variation of time delay. It also requires the use of bulky and expensive optical circulators. We have designed an optical true time delay array generator using fiber gratings in cascading transmission mode for such applications which significantly simplified the system and lowered the cost. A wavelength tunable laser is used as the light source. The laser light is modulated by an RF-microwave input signal, then enters into the optical true time delay array generator to provide a sequence of time delays Δt, 2Δt,...nΔt. The goal is to obtain large group delay Δt with low loss and with the capability of tuning Δt continuously by varying the wavelength of the laser. We combined an apodized grating profile, large index step and increased grating length to achieve our goal. We fabricated and tested the grating with about 100mm length which showed at least Δt=60 ps tunable time delay range. We have demonstrated the applicability of the transmission-mode fiber Bragg gratings in an optical true-time-delay type of phased array antenna.
Inactivation of swmA Results in the Loss of an Outer Cell Layer in a Swimming Synechococcus Strain

The mechanism of nonflagellar swimming of marine unicellular cyanobacteria remains poorly understood. SwmA is an abundant cell surface-associated 130-kDa glycoprotein that is required for the generation of thrust in Synechococcus sp. strain WH8102. Ultrastructural comparisons of wild-type cells to a mutant strain in which the gene encoding SwmA has been insertionally inactivated reveal that the mutant lacks a layer external to the outer membrane. Cryofixation and freeze-substitution are required for the preservation of this external layer. Freeze fracturing and etching reveal that this additional layer is an S-layer. How the S-layer might function in motility remains elusive; however, this work describes an ultrastructural component required for this unique type of swimming. In addition, the work presented here describes the envelope structure of a model swimming cyanobacterium.
ACR Dose Index Registry.

The potential risks associated with radiation exposure from medical imaging have received considerable attention in the media recently. In a desire to improve safety, efforts to reduce radiation exposure to appropriate levels are being made by organizations and facilities across the country and the world. But what is the “appropriate” level of radiation for a given examination? In fact, what is the national average level of radiation that is currently being administered by imaging facilities for a particular examination, for example, a CT scan of the head? The answer to this question is not known; but this is precisely the type of question for which the ACR Dose Index Registry (DIR) soon hopes to provide insight. The DIR is part of the ACR’s National Radiology Data Registry (NRDR), an information system that provides accurate and objective measures of practice processes and outcomes. Like other registries that are part of NRDR, the DIR will allow facilities to compare their CT dose indices to peer facilities and national values. The development of the registry has been a lengthy process requiring solutions to a variety of problems, including the standardization of procedure names and data elements, patient privacy, legal issues, technological issues, and vendor competition. Having overcome these hurdles, the ACR intends to launch the DIR in 2011.
Being Arising: Buddhist Psychology Books

Being Arising:. Review of Going on Bdngby Mark Epstein and The Positive Psychology of Buddhism and Yoga by Martin Levine .
A Room of One's Own: The SRO and the Single Elderly

A survey of 485 single-room occupancy housing (SRO) residents in New York City found elderly residents strongly preferred to remain in centrally located neighborhoods where apartment housing was beyond their means; did not wish to share a housing unit; and had little confidence that they could find acceptable housing if they lost their present unit. For many elderly residents, SROs meet needs not easily met by available alternatives. Results suggest the need to maintain this housing option for older persons and replace losses that have accompanied gentrification in many central city areas.
Fever following an Epidural Blood Patch in a Child

There is increasing evidence that children suffer from the consequences of spontaneous or iatrogenic intracranial hypotension. Pediatric epidural blood patch is gaining popularity because of its ability to alter cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and to alleviate headaches attributed to low cerebrospinal fluid pressure. There is, however, still not enough data to document the safety profile of an epidural blood patch. Here we describe a case of a fever in a child temporally related to the administration of an epidural blood patch. This case depicts the dilemmas in making the diagnosis and instituting treatment for complications of this procedure in the pediatric population.
Biological Enrichment of Mycoplasma Agents by Cocultivation with Permissive Cell Cultures

In this study, we describe our results on the evaluation of the ability of different permissive mammalian cell lines to support the biological enrichment of mycoplasma species known to be bacterial contaminants of cell substrates. The study showed that this approach is able to significantly improve the efficiency of mycoplasma detection based on nucleic acid testing or biochemical technologies (e.g., MycoAlert mycoplasma detection). Of 10 different cell lines (Vero, MDBK, HEK-293, Hep-G2, CV-1, EBTr, WI-38, R9ab, MDCK, and High Five) used in the study, only MDCK cell culture was found to support the efficient growth of all the tested mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma arginini, M. bovis, M. fermentans, M. gallinaceum, M. gallisepticum, M. synoviae, M. hominis, M. hyorhinis, M. orale, M. salivarium, and Acholeplasma laidlawii) known to be most frequently associated with contamination of cell substrates and cell lines in research laboratories or manufacturing facilities. The infection of MDCK cells with serial dilutions of each mycoplasma species demonstrated that these common cell line contaminants can be detected reliably after 7-day enrichment in MDCK cell culture at contamination levels of 0.05 to 0.25 CFU/ml. The High Five insect cell line was also found to be able to support the efficient growth of most mycoplasma species tested, except for M. hyorhinis strain DBS1050. However, mycoplasma growth in insect cell culture was demonstrated to be temperature dependent, and the most efficient growth was observed when the incubation temperature was increased from 28°C to between 35 and 37°C. We believe that this type of mycoplasma enrichment is one of the most promising approaches for improving the purity and safety testing of cell substrates and other cell-derived biologics and pharmaceuticals.
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging derived apparent diffusion coefficient is predictive of clinical outcome in primary central nervous system lymphoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is evidence that increased tumor cellular density within diagnostic specimens of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) may have significant prognostic implications. Because cellular density may influence measurements of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) by using diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI), we hypothesized that ADC measured from contrast-enhancing regions might correlate with clinical outcome in patients with PCNSL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PCNSL tumors from 18 immunocompetent patients, treated uniformly with methotrexate-based chemotherapy, were studied with pretherapeutic DWI. Enhancing lesions were diagnosed by pathologic analysis as high-grade B-cell lymphomas. Regions of interest were placed around all enhancing lesions allowing calculation of mean, 25th percentile (ADC25%), and minimum ADC values. Histopathologic tumor cellularity was quantitatively measured in all patients. High and low ADC groups were stratified by the median ADC value of the cohort. The Welch t test assessed differences between groups. The Pearson correlation examined relationships between ADC measurements and tumor cellular density. Single and multivariable survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: We detected significant intra- and intertumor heterogeneity in ADC measurements. An inverse correlation between cellular density and ADC measurements was observed ( P < .05). ADC25% measurements less than the median value of 692 (low ADC group) were associated with significantly shorter progression-free and overall survival. Patients with improved clinical outcome were noted to exhibit a significant decrease in ADC measurements following high-dose methotrexate chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence that ADC measurements within contrast-enhancing regions of PCNSL tumors may provide noninvasive insight into clinical outcome.
Mitral Regurgitation Has Another Magic Bullet Bitten the Dust

Degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) presents the physician with a pure engineering problem: a valve leaks, the regurgitant volume overloads a mechanical pump, and if sufficiently severe, the leak must be eliminated. Intrinsic heart muscle function and overall pump performance initially may be normal in patients with chronic MR, even when severe. However, ultimately, left ventricular and left atrial volume overloads, eventually causing right ventricular pressure overload, impair myocardial contractility.1 If the defective mechanics are not corrected, this process inevitably progresses and leads to heart failure, arrhythmia, and death. Article see p 756 The obvious (and only generally accepted) remedy is a mechanical solution: surgical valve replacement or repair. Reduction in regurgitant volume by pharmacological peripheral vasodilation is theoretically attractive and often is attempted by clinicians because of its apparent short-term hemodynamic benefit both in acute and in chronic MR, first demonstrated with nitrates 4 decades ago2,3 and subsequently reported with other drugs.4–6 However, in the few studies that have assessed clinical outcomes, no demonstrably beneficial alteration in natural history has occurred. Indeed, in the largest placebo-controlled clinical trial, 1 year of therapy with enalapril was actually inferior to no therapy in its effects on anaerobic threshold at treadmill exercise testing.6 The demonstration of negative effects on myocardial contractility in preclinical studies and in isolated hearts and myocardial tissue provides the putative explanation for this failure.7,8 Although results with vasodilators have been disappointing, a series of observations in another direction led to an alternative potential magic bullet: β blockade. For years, concern about the importance of autonomically mediated β adrenergic support of the myocardium resulted in extreme caution in the use of β blocking drugs in patients with MR. Support for this empirical concern became available 2 decades ago when, …
Mechanically Unloading the Left Ventricle Before Coronary Reperfusion Reduces Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Myocardial Infarct Size

Background—Ischemia/reperfusion injury worsens infarct size, a major determinant of morbidity and mortality after acute myocardial infarction (MI). We tested the hypothesis that reducing left ventricular wall stress with a percutaneous left atrial-to-femoral artery centrifugal bypass system while delaying coronary reperfusion limits myocardial injury in a model of acute MI. Methods and Results—MI was induced by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery in adult male swine. In the MI group (n=4), 120 minutes of left anterior descending artery occlusion was followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion without mechanical support. In the mechanically supported group (MI+unload; n=4), percutaneous left atrial–to–femoral artery bypass was initiated after 120 minutes of ischemia, and left anterior descending artery occlusion was prolonged for an additional 30 minutes, followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion with device support. All animals were euthanized after reperfusion, and infarct size was quantifie...
Bis-corannulene Receptors for Fullerenes Based on Klärner’s Tethers: Reaching the Affinity Limits

Bis-corannulene receptors 4 and 5 with Klarner’s tethers prepared by the Diels–Alder cycloaddition form inclusion complexes with C60 and C70, as evidenced by 1H NMR titration. While 4 exhibits affinity toward fullerenes comparable to the previously reported corannulene-based receptors, 5 exceeds the performance of the former systems by ca. 2 orders of magnitude and, in addition, shows an enhanced preference for C70 over C60. The X-ray crystal structure of C60@5 and DFT calculations indicate that the tether in 5 not only preorganizes the pincers into a proper topology of the host but also contributes to the dispersion-based binding with the fullerene guests.
3D Printing technologies for drug delivery: a review

With the FDA approval of the first 3D printed tablet, Spritam®, there is now precedence set for the utilization of 3D printing for the preparation of drug delivery systems. The capabilities for dispensing low volumes with accuracy, precise spatial control and layer-by-layer assembly allow for the preparation of complex compositions and geometries. The high degree of flexibility and control with 3D printing enables the preparation of dosage forms with multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients with complex and tailored release profiles. A unique opportunity for this technology for the preparation of personalized doses to address individual patient needs. This review will highlight the 3D printing technologies being utilized for the fabrication of drug delivery systems, as well as the formulation and processing parameters for consideration. This article will also summarize the range of dosage forms that have been prepared using these technologies, specifically over the last 10 years.
A calibration study of therapeutic ultrasound units.

Background and Purpose. Physiological effects of therapeutic ultrasound (US) are dependent on the intensity and duration of application. The purpose of this study was to test US machines used in clinical settings for proper calibration of time and power output. Methods. Measurements of power output and timer accuracy were obtained from 83 US units in clinical use. The machines were tested at 4 intensity settings (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 W/cm2) using a continuous waveform and a 1-MHz frequency. The measured intensities were converted to percentages of error and compared with the ±20% standard. Results. Of the machines tested, 32 (39%) were outside the calibration standard for at least one output setting. Of these machines, 15 (18%) were above the +20% standard, and 17 (21%) were below the −20% standard for at least one output setting. Of the 32 machines outside the standard, 26 (31%) were outside the standard for 2 or more settings, and 3 (4%) produced no output at any of the settings. Of the mechanical timers tested, 7 (28%) were outside of the ±10% standard for timer accuracy at the 5-minute interval, and 6 (24%) were outside of the standard at the 10-minute interval. All digital timers tested were within the standard. Discussion and Conclusion. More than one third of machines tested in this study were outside the standard for power output, and approximately one fourth of the mechanical timers were outside the standard. Therefore, further improvements in the accuracy of US machine calibration are needed.
Switch from sodium phenylbutyrate to glycerol phenylbutyrate improved metabolic stability in an adolescent with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency

A male patient, born in 1999, was diagnosed with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency as neonate and was managed with a strict low-protein diet supplemented with essential amino acids, l-citrulline, and l-arginine as well as sodium benzoate. He had an extensive history of hospitalizations for hyperammonemic crises throughout childhood and early adolescence, which continued after the addition of sodium phenylbutyrate in 2009. In December 2013 he was switched to glycerol phenylbutyrate, and his metabolic stability was greatly improved over the following 7 months prior to liver transplant.
The use of carrageenan as a granuloma-producing agent in Freund's adjuvant.

SummaryCarrageenan, a known granuloma-producing agent with macrophage-toxic properties, was substituted for M. tuberculosis, a macrophage stimulant, in complete Freund's adjuvant. Carrageenan failed to enhance delayed hypersensitivity or γ2 anti-BSA production when compared with M. tuberculosis over a wide dose range. Histologically, draining nodes from carrageenan-inoculated animals revealed little hyperplasia when compared with extensive epithelioid cell infiltrates in nodes from animals receiving complete Freund's adjuvant.
Source Attribution and the Utilization of Obsidian in the Maya Area

Assignment by instrument of Maya obsidian artifacts to geological sources has demonstrated the presence of several sources and variations in their distribution over time and space. Of special interest is the minor, but long-standing, presence of green and gray obsidian from Central Mexico. More attributions of large, carefully selected samples are necessary to continue the considerable progress already achieved in understanding Maya obsidian procurement and use. However, assignment by visual means is not an appropriate method for the Maya area because of the range of optical characteristics exhibited by gray Guatemalan and Central Mexican obsidians, some of which are common to several geological sources. Moreover, the determination of obsidian sources must not be considered an end in itself. Combining source results with behavioral typology and archaeological data can further our understanding of obsidian procurement and use in past cultural context. Finally, it would be helpful if analysts reported trace element composition in a standardized manner, so that archaeologists can easily compare the results from different laboratories.
ϵ′/ϵ and ΔI=12 matrix element enhancement

Abstract We derive a lower bound on |c2s2sδ| as a function of the B meson lifetime and the top quark mass. The quantity c2s2s3sδ relates a certain ΔI= 1 2 matrix element to ϵ'/ϵ. Our bound can be useful in determining the explanation for the enhancement of ΔI= 1 2 matrix elements in nonleptonic kaon and hyperon decays.
Black Representation in the South: The Voting Rights Act and the Supreme Court

This paper assesses the Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder (2013) that voided Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act which deprived Section 5 of its enforcement powers. The paper presents an overview of conditions leading to the adoption of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. It reviews the Act’s effectiveness, a point agreed to by all. It briefly looks at the impact of a black man in the White House on racial attitudes and sketches the current economic and social changes affecting African Americans.The paper then introduces the Supreme Court decision and traces in particular the philosophic and ideological Court precedents that underlay the Court majority’s decisionmaking. It moves on to look at efforts to restrict black and other minority election participation prior to the Court majority’s decision and then such efforts in the aftermath of the decision.It concludes by questioning the Court majority’s argument that the society had changed to the extent the Voting Rights Act was no longer needed. It then asks what the proper role of the Supreme Court is in a democratic society and which branch of government, the Court of the Congress, should legitimately decide such issues as electoral representation. This in turn brings into relevance the question of what should be the Supreme Court’s role. The underlying theme is a question as to what constitutes adequate representation in a democratic society.’
206 ATTITUDES, BELIEFS, KNOWLEDGE, AND RECEPTIVITY TO INTERVENTIONS FOR THE CARE OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.

Deaf and hard of hearing patients face communication barriers and report dissatisfaction overall with regard to their care. Objectives The current research seeks to identify aids that would improve care of the DHH population in the emergency department (ED). Also, it is suggested that physician education would improve knowledge of how to communicate with DHH patients and attitudes/beliefs about the population. Methods A written survey based on six dimensions (demographics, experience, knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, assumptions, and receptivity to intervention) was self-administered to fourth-year medical students enrolled in the Acute Care College of the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, and resident and faculty physicians in the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Emergency Department (N = 53). Descriptive statistics measured demographic data and response categories; parametric and nonparametric tests of significance were used to compare groups. Results Knowledge dimension scores demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding resource availability (ie, translators and TDDs). (Compiled average on a 5-point Likert scale was 1.98; 1 = least knowledgeable and 5 = most knowledgeable). However, the majority of physicians were receptive to ideas presented in the interventions dimension. (Compiled average on a 5-point Likert scale was 4.5; 1 translating to least receptive and 5 most receptive). Conclusions ED physicians demonstrate variable attitudes/beliefs about the DHH patient and rely on rudimentary forms of communication due to the absence of knowledge regarding where to find an interpreter or TDD in the ED. Their receptivity to interventions, though, presents a tangible target for improvement of care of DHH patients in the ED.
Analysis of RNA exonucleolytic activities in cellular extracts.

Three types of exonucleases contribute to the turnover of messenger RNAs in eukaryotic cells: (1) general 3'-to-5' exonucleases, (2) poly(A)-specific 3'-to-5' exonucleases, and (3) 5'-to-3' exonucleases. All three of these activities can be detected in cytoplasmic extracts from a variety of eukaryotic cells. In this chapter, we describe the preparation and use of HeLa cytoplasmic S100 extracts to study these three distinct exonuclease activities. Also included is an immunodepletion protocol that can be used to identify the enzyme responsible for a given activity. These protocols can be easily expanded to the study of trans-acting factors, cis-acting RNA sequence elements, and the interplay of components involved in RNA turnover in various mammalian cell types.
The BErkeley Atmospheric CO 2 Observation Network: initial evaluation

Abstract. With the majority of the world population residing in urban areas, attempts to monitor and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions must necessarily center on cities. However, existing carbon dioxide observation networks are ill-equipped to resolve the specific intra-city emission phenomena targeted by regulation. Here we describe the design and implementation of the BErkeley Atmospheric CO2 Observation Network (BEACO2N), a distributed CO2 monitoring instrument that utilizes low-cost technology to achieve unprecedented spatial density throughout and around the city of Oakland, California. We characterize the network in terms of four performance parameters – cost, reliability, precision, and systematic uncertainty – and find the BEACO2N approach to be sufficiently cost-effective and reliable while nonetheless providing high-quality atmospheric observations. First results from the initial installation successfully capture hourly, daily, and seasonal CO2 signals relevant to urban environments on spatial scales that cannot be accurately represented by atmospheric transport models alone, demonstrating the utility of high-resolution surface networks in urban greenhouse gas monitoring efforts.
Inferring Morphotactics from Interlinear Glossed Text: Combining Clustering and Precision Grammars

In this paper I present a k-means clustering approach to inferring morphological position classes (morphotactics) from Interlinear Glossed Text (IGT), data collections available for some endangered and low-resource languages. While the experiment is not restricted to low-resource languages, they are meant to be the targeted domain. Specifically my approach is meant to be for field linguists who do not necessarily know how many position classes there are in the language they work with and what the position classes are, but have the expertise to evaluate different hypotheses. It builds on an existing approach (Wax, 2014), but replaces the core heuristic with a clustering algorithm. The results mainly illustrate two points. First, they are largely negative, which shows that the baseline algorithm (summarized in the paper) uses a very predictive feature to determine whether affixes belong to the same position class, namely edge overlap in the affix graph. At the same time, unlike the baseline method that relies entirely on a single feature, kmeans clustering can account for different features and helps discover more morphological phenomena, e.g. circumfixation. I conclude that unsupervised learning algorithms such as k-means clustering can in principle be used for morphotactics inference, though the algorithm should probably weigh certain features more than others. Most importantly, I conclude that clustering is a promising approach for diverse morphotactics and as such it can facilitate linguistic analysis of field languages.
Finding a proper place for photons in the world full of electrons and their spins

It has been half a century since the photons have been portended to supplant electrons in information transmission, storage, and processing. While spectacular successes have been achieved in optical communications and these advances are slowly working their way into the chip-scale optical interconnects, optical memories have not displaced magnetic storage and are now losing ground to the all-electronic flash memories, and, in information processing the competitive all-optical switching schemes have never materialized. The fundamental reason for these facts is crystal clear — unlike electrons, photons are bosons that do not have charge and are not subjected to Pauli principle, and hence they are ideally suited for the unhindered propagation over spectacular distances while requiring quite an effort in order to be switched. We confirm this intuitive understanding by comparing switching powers, speeds and noise of electronic and photonic devices, such as modulators, all optical switches and buffers. At the same time we show that in terms of loss and bandwidth photons are unmatchable for information transmission even over the shortest of distances and cannot be replaced by any known entity, including currently popular plasmons. With electrons and photons having their clearly defined niches the main challenge lays in developing means for seamless connectivity between electronics and photonics.
An ethogram of commonly observed behaviors of the endangered Bridled White-eye (Zosterops conspicillatus) in a Zoo Setting

ABSTRACT The Bridled White-eye (Zosterops conspicillatus) is a tropical Pacific passerine endemic to the Mariana Island chain. We present an ethogram of the Zosterops conspicillatus saypani subspecies in which we describe the 34 most commonly observed behaviors categorized into the categories sexual, parental, antagonistic, social, maintenance, ingestion/egestion, movement, vocalization, resting behavior, and zoo artifacts. This ethogram may be useful for behavioral studies of the Zosteropidae family and allow taxonomic comparisons. Understanding the behavior of this species might also aid in enhancing conservation efforts. In addition, this ethogram adds to the few behavioral inventories of passerine birds reported so far.
Oviposition preferences for ethanol depend on spatial arrangement and differ dramatically among closely related Drosophila species.

Author(s): Sumethasorn, Matt | Advisor(s): Turner, Thomas L | Abstract: Recent work on the model fly Drosophila melanogaster has reported inconsistencies in that they either do or do not prefer to lay eggs on intermediate concentrations of ethanol. We resolve this discrepancy by showing that this species strongly prefers ovipositing on ethanol when it is close to a non-ethanol substrate, but strongly avoids ethanol when options are farther apart. We also show fluidity of these behaviors among other Drosophila species: D. melanogaster is more responsive to ethanol than close relatives in that it prefers ethanol more than other species in the close-proximity case, but avoids ethanol more than other species in the distant case. In the close-proximity scenario, the more ethanol-tolerant species generally prefer ethanol more, with the exception of the island endemic D. santomea. This species has the lowest tolerance in the clade, but behaves like D. melanogaster. We speculate that this could be an adaptation to protect eggs from parasites or predators such as parasitoid wasps, as larvae migrate to non-toxic substrates after hatching. Here we use D. melanogaster to dissect the genetic basis of oviposition behavior specifically in the close-proximity case. We identified two QTL using inbred lines from the Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource. These loci map to the telomeric end of chromosome 2 and to the centrosome on chromosome 3. With continued fine mapping using introgression lines, we hope to narrow down the behavior to a few candidate genes. These natural differences both among and within species are an excellent opportunity to study how genes and brains evolve to alter ethanol preferences, and provide an interesting model for genetic variation in preferences in other organisms including humans.