cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Third-trimester arterial blood gas and acid base values in normal pregnancy at moderate altitude

Objective : To report arterial blood gas and acid base values of normal nulliparous patients at moderate altitude for commonly used maternal positions. Methods : Ten normotensive nulliparous women between 36 and 38 weeks' gestation volunteered to undergo radial and pulmonary artery cannulation as part of a larger study. Following instrumentation, baseline assessments were made in the left lateral recumbent position after a 30-minute stabilization period. Sequential measurements were then obtained in the left lateral, right lateral, supine, knee-chest, sitting, and standing positions. Blood samples were analyzed in duplicate for oxygen content on a blood gas analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance of repeated measures with significance defined at P ≤ .05. Results : There was no significant difference in arterial blood gas or acid base values between any positions in this antepartum population of term healthy women. The composite mean values were as follows: pH 7.46, arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO 2 ) 26.6 mmHg, arterial oxygen pressure 88.3 mmHg, bicarbonate 18.2 mEq/L, saturated arterial hemoglobin level 0.96. Conclusion : Arterial blood gas and acid base values are not altered by maternal position in the late third trimester of pregnancy. The PaO 2 in these women studied at moderate altitude was lower than previously reported for healthy pregnant women studied at sea level. Appropriate interpretation of arterial blood specimens of pregnant women should take into account both the pregnancy and altitude at which the women reside.
Designing an improved HCI laboratory: a massive synthesis of likes & wishes

We have performed a simple human-centered design exercise called "I like, I wish" with all of the graduate students and some faculty in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Over 300 likes and wishes were gathered and synthesized in an all-day session by a volunteer team of students. Here we report on preliminary findings from this exercise and its implications for the design of more human-centered HCI research environments.
Comparative Omics-Driven Genome Annotation Refinement: Application across Yersiniae

Genome sequencing continues to be a rapidly evolving technology, yet most downstream aspects of genome annotation pipelines remain relatively stable or are even being abandoned. The annotation process is now performed almost exclusively in an automated fashion to balance the large number of sequences generated. One possible way of reducing errors inherent to automated computational annotations is to apply data from omics measurements (i.e. transcriptional and proteomic) to the un-annotated genome with a proteogenomic-based approach. Here, the concept of annotation refinement has been extended to include a comparative assessment of genomes across closely related species. Transcriptomic and proteomic data derived from highly similar pathogenic Yersiniae (Y. pestis CO92, Y. pestis Pestoides F, and Y. pseudotuberculosis PB1/+) was used to demonstrate a comprehensive comparative omic-based annotation methodology. Peptide and oligo measurements experimentally validated the expression of nearly 40% of each strain's predicted proteome and revealed the identification of 28 novel and 68 incorrect (i.e., observed frameshifts, extended start sites, and translated pseudogenes) protein-coding sequences within the three current genome annotations. Gene loss is presumed to play a major role in Y. pestis acquiring its niche as a virulent pathogen, thus the discovery of many translated pseudogenes, including the insertion-ablated argD, underscores a need for functional analyses to investigate hypotheses related to divergence. Refinements included the discovery of a seemingly essential ribosomal protein, several virulence-associated factors, a transcriptional regulator, and many hypothetical proteins that were missed during annotation.
Using environmental scans in educational needs assessment

Environmental scanning refers to the many methods and resources that continuing professional educators use to assess their internal and external surroundings and the forces at work within the health, social, and political contexts to help them to identiy current and potential learning needs. This article describes the general techniques and sources available for environmental scanning, the advantages and disadvantages of scanning, a checklist for evaluating the quality and usefulness of documents that might be used, and a perspective on the ethics of scanning. Scanning provides apractical and systematic means of using data that is available to improve the continuing professional education effort.
The theory of Langmuir probes in strong electrostatic potential structures

The inside of a time‐stationary strong electrostatic potential structure is characterized by the absence of thermal plasma and by the presence of electron and ion beams, the beam energies being related to the local plasma potential. The operation of collecting and emitting Langmuir probes and double probes within such potential structures is analyzed. It is demonstrated that a floating double probe will not measure the electric field of a strong potential structure without substantial reinterpretation of the potential between the probes. A prescription for the reinterpretation is given. Some probe–surface effects are considered, as are the effects of strong magnetic fields.
Particle and polymer chain orientation development in thermoformed talc‐filled thermoplastics

Neat and talc particle-filled thermoplastic cones have been fabricated by thermoforming of compression molded sheets. The orientation of talc particles and polymer chains of thermoformed talc-filled thermoplastics are investigated using the wide angle X-ray diffraction pole figure technique. The levels of orientation of both talc particles and polymer chains are represented in terms of orientation factors. The talc particles were highly oriented by the compression molding and the subsequent thermoforming, and the orientation factors of talc particles of thermoformed talc-filled thermoplastics are of order -0.9. The c-axis of the talc particles orients perpendicular to the surface of the thermoformed parts, which means that the surface of the talc particles is parallel to the surface of the thermoformed parts.
Methods for Evaluating Endothelial Function in Humans

The endothelium is the main regulator of vascular wall homeostasis. Physiologically, endothelial cells maintain a relaxed vascular tone and low levels of oxidative stress, in part by releasing mediators, including NO, prostacyclin (PGI2), and endothelin (ET-1), and controlling local angiotensin II activity.1 In addition, the endothelium actively regulates vascular permeability to plasma constituents, platelet and leukocyte adhesion and aggregation, and thrombosis.1 This state of balanced endothelial regulation of blood vessel function is, however, altered by a number of conditions. Thus, in response to a variety of noxious stimuli, the endothelium undergoes a phenotypic modulation to a nonadaptive state, commonly termed “endothelial dysfunction,” characterized by loss or dysregulation of homeostatic mechanisms operative in healthy endothelial cells. This pathophysiological condition is associated with increased expression of adhesion molecules, increased synthesis of proinflammatory and prothrombotic factors, increased oxidative stress, and abnormal modulation of vascular tone, which may lead to different functional manifestations, including impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation.2 Current evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction occurs early in the process of atherogenesis and contributes to the formation, progression, and complications of the atherosclerotic plaque.3 Several studies from our and other laboratories have shown that patients with cardiovascular risk factors but no clinical evidence of atherosclerosis have endothelial dysfunction, indicated by an impaired response to endothelial vasodilator agents, such as acetylcholine and bradykinin.4 Combined with the pathophysiological role of the endothelium described above, these observations strongly suggest that endothelial dysfunction is a common mechanistic link between risk factors and the development of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, recent reports have demonstrated that endothelial dysfunction is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic risk factors,5,6 in patients with stable ischemic heart disease,7 and in patients with acute coronary syndromes.8 Thus, endothelial dysfunction appears to be a systemic vascular …
Transanal minimally invasive surgery for total mesorectal excision

Transanal TME is a new and important application for TAMIS. It allows for resection and mobilization of the rectum while preserving the quality of the mesorectal envelop. This new approach has gained considerable interest not only because of its minimally invasive nature, but because TAMIS-TME offers a solution to one of the most difficult problems in rectal cancer surgery: Specifically, access to the distal rectum in obese male patients with a narrow pelvis. Recently, transanal TME has become one of the most rapidly expanding areas in rectal cancer surgery. Interestingly, the origin and inception of this approach began decades ago. The evolution of transanal TME with a historical perspective is described.
Gan Nucleation Mechanism on A Surface Template of Oxidized AIAs

The surfaces of oxidized AlAs (AlOx) layers on Si(111) substrates are studied to understand the mechanism by which single crystal α-GaN can be grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on AlOx that appears to be an amorphous/fine-grain phase. Contact mode atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) and reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) are used to study the AIOx surface on which a GaN nucleation layer (GaN-NL) is grown. The results indicate that an oriented α-Ga2O3 layer is formed on AlOx which is covered by a GaAs cap layer during oxidation. We infer that the α-Ga2O3 acts as a surface template that provides the order necessary for the subsequent growth of single crystal α-GaN. Characterization using RHEED and selective area electron diffraction (SAD) in cross sectional transmission microscopy (XTEM) reveals that the in-plane crystallographic orientation has a unique alignment between the various layers–GaN, α-Ga2O3 and the Si substrate. This in-plane alignment is understood by considering the atomic arrangement of each material on the plane perpendicular to [111]si at each interface. Moreover a comparison is made between α-GaN grown on α-Ga2O3 and on α-A12O3(0001) to characterize structural defects in α-GaN. The formation of specific structural defects, a large number of planar defects run perpendicular to [111]si in α-GaN/α-Ga2O3 is discussed in conjunction with GaN-NL on α-Ga2O3.
Mapping iron in the lunar mare: An improved approach

[1] Previous methods for mapping iron (Lucey et al., 1995, 1998, 2000a) give inconsistent results in terms of suppressing the effects of maturity, making it difficult to distinguish true units of contrasting iron from regions that simply show the residual effects of incomplete separation of maturity. These methods rely on an assumption that materials of similar iron content but varying maturity form radial trends on a plot of VIS reflectance versus NIR/VIS ratio. Recently, the assumption of radial behavior of maturity trends in mare regions has been called into question by Staid and Pieters (2000). They observed trends in the mare that appeared more parallel in nature. In this work we study nearly 10,000 craters in six mare regions and model the effects of maturity with radiative transfer theory to quantify and better understand the spectral behavior of maturity variations in the mare. We confirm that the maturity trends in mare regions are more parallel than radial, and we exploit this fact to develop a new algorithm for determination of iron content in mare regions. This new mare iron algorithm better compensates for maturity than previous methods, and uncertainties due to maturity variations are less than 0.5 wt% FeO. Absolute uncertainties are similar to previous algorithms (1.5 wt% FeO). Results from this work provide the ability to detect iron anomalies in the ejecta of craters and as a result more confidently map vertical stratigraphy in the lunar mare in terms of iron composition.
Purification and Photoaffinity Labeling of Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Thymidine Kinase

The molecular basis for the treatment of human herpesviruses with nucleoside drugs is the phosphorylation of these drugs by the viral-encoded thymidine kinases. In order to better understand the structural and enzymatic mechanisms by which herpesviral thymidine kinases recognize their substrates, photoaffinity labeling with [α-32P]5-azido-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate and [γ-32P]8-azidoadenosine-5′-triphosphate was used to characterize the thymidine, thymidylate, and ATP active sites of the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase. For this study, HSV-1 thymidine kinase and a site-specific mutant enzyme (C336Y, known to confer acyclovir resistance) were expressed in bacteria and purified by a rapid, two-step protocol. The specificity of photoaffinity labeling of these HSV-1 thymidine kinases was demonstrated by the ability of site-directed substrates such as thymidine, thymidylate, acyclovir, 5-bromovinyl-2′-deoxyuridine, and ATP to inhibit photoinsertion. Differences in inhibition patterns of photoaffinity labeling correlated with kinetic differences between the wild-type and C336Y HSV-1 thymidine kinases. Cumulative results suggest that the acyclovir-resistant cysteine 336 mutation primarily affects the ATP binding site; yet it also leads to alteration in the binding affinity of nucleoside drugs in the thymidine site. In this study, azidonucleotide photoaffinity analogs are shown to be effective tools for studying the active-site environment of HSV-1 thymidine kinase and related site-specific mutants.
Interleukin-6 triggers human cerebral endothelial cells proliferation and migration: the role for KDR and MMP-9

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is involved in angiogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Using human cerebral endothelial cell (HCEC), we report for the first time that IL-6 triggers HCEC proliferation and migration in a dose-dependent manner, specifically associated with enhancement of VEGF expression, up-regulated and phosphorylated VEGF receptor-2 (KDR), and stimulated MMP-9 secretion. We investigated the signal pathway of IL-6/IL-6R responsible for KDR's regulation. Pharmacological inhibitor of PI3K failed to inhibit IL-6-mediated VEGF overexpression, while blocking ERK1/2 with PD98059 could abolish IL-6-induced KDR overexpression. Further, neutralizing endogenous VEGF attenuated KDR expression and phosphorylation, suggesting that IL-6-induced KDR activation is independent of VEGF stimulation. MMP-9 inhibitor GM6001 significantly decreases HCEC proliferation and migration (p<0.05), indicating the crucial function of MMP-9 in promoting angiogenic changes in HCECs. We conclude that IL-6 triggers VEGF-induced angiogenic activity through increasing VEGF release, up-regulates KDR expression and phosphorylation through activating ERK1/2 signaling, and stimulates MMP-9 overexpression.
Potentially traumatic events in a transgender sample: Frequency and associated symptoms.

The frequency of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and associated symptoms were examined in a cross-sectional study of 97 transgender participants who had been classified as male at birth. A tota...
Comparison of the Isothermal Oxidation Behavior of As-Cast Cu-17%cr and Cu-17%cr-5%al, Part 1 Oxidation Kinetics

The isothermal oxidation kinetics of as-cast Cu–17%Cr and Cu–17%Cr–5%Al in air were studied between 773 and 1,173 K under atmospheric pressure. These observations reveal that Cu–17%Cr–5%Al oxidizes at significantly slower rates than Cu–17%Cr. The rate constants for the alloys were determined from generalized analyses of the data without an a priori assumption of the nature of the oxidation kinetics. Detailed analyses of the isothermal thermogravimetric weight change data revealed that Cu–17%Cr exhibited parabolic oxidation kinetics with an activation energy of 165.9 ± 9.5 kJ/mol. In contrast, the oxidation kinetics for the Cu–17%Cr–5%Al alloy exhibited a parabolic oxidation kinetics during the initial stages followed by a quartic relationship in the later stages of oxidation. Alternatively, the oxidation behavior of Cu–17%Cr–5%Al could be better represented by a logarithmic relationship. The parabolic rate constants and activation energy data for the two alloys are compared with literature data to gain insights on the nature of the oxidation mechanisms dominant in these alloys.
Delivery Commitments in Stochastic Service Networks: Case of Automobile Service

Service firms have become highly competitive in terms of providing the delivery. The delivery quality in terms of delivery commitments. Delivery commitments impact the customer in deciding for the service. Computing the delivery commitments in stochastic service systems is a real challenge. Delivery commitment forms a key parameter in formulating the service level agreements in B2B markets. In our current work we propose a queuing theoretic approach for computing the delivery commitments. The authors employ basic Probability theory to propose two bounds on delivery commitment time. Further, we investigate the effect of learning in service networks. They believe that their work can provide a simple and easy framework for quality analysis in stochastic service networks.
Relative Importance of Perceived Understanding in Initial Interaction and Development of Interpersonal Relationships

Since it is not clear in what contexts perceived understanding is important in the development of relationships, the present study addressed whether perceived understanding is as important initially in the development of a relationship as in later stages. Analysis indicated that perceived understanding is less important in this study where subjects were in an initial stage of development of a relationship than in an earlier study where subjects were in a later stage. Perhaps perceived understanding may index intensity since it appears to be more important later.
The Reaction Mechanism of Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase HOW AN ENZYME ENFORCES STRICT BINDING ORDER

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is a nickel tetrahydrocorphinoid (coenzyme F430) containing enzyme involved in the biological synthesis and anaerobic oxidation of methane. MCR catalyzes the conversion of methyl-2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (methyl-SCoM) and N-7-mercaptoheptanoylthreonine phosphate (CoB7SH) to CH4 and the mixed disulfide CoBS-SCoM. In this study, the reaction of MCR from Methanothermobacter marburgensis, with its native substrates was investigated using static binding, chemical quench, and stopped-flow techniques. Rate constants were measured for each step in this strictly ordered ternary complex catalytic mechanism. Surprisingly, in the absence of the other substrate, MCR can bind either substrate; however, only one binary complex (MCR·methyl-SCoM) is productive whereas the other (MCR·CoB7SH) is inhibitory. Moreover, the kinetic data demonstrate that binding of methyl-SCoM to the inhibitory MCR·CoB7SH complex is highly disfavored (Kd = 56 mM). However, binding of CoB7SH to the productive MCR·methyl-SCoM complex to form the active ternary complex (CoB7SH·MCR(Ni(I))·CH3SCoM) is highly favored (Kd = 79 μM). Only then can the chemical reaction occur (kobs = 20 s(-1) at 25 °C), leading to rapid formation and dissociation of CH4 leaving the binary product complex (MCR(Ni(II))·CoB7S(-)·SCoM), which undergoes electron transfer to regenerate Ni(I) and the final product CoBS-SCoM. This first rapid kinetics study of MCR with its natural substrates describes how an enzyme can enforce a strictly ordered ternary complex mechanism and serves as a template for identification of the reaction intermediates.
Thermodynamic Investigation of Alkali‐Metal‐Induced High Temperature Embrittlement in Al‐Li Alloys

Alkali metals are undesirable impurity elements in aluminum-lithium alloys. Despite their trace amount, they lead to high temperature embrittlement (HTE). In the present work, the results of a thermodynamic investigation are presented to elucidate its mechanism and compared with available experimental data. HTE arises from an intergranular alkali-metal-rich liquid phase that segregates into grain boundaries from the matrix and significantly weakens their strength. A new model is developed to describe the tendency of HTE, which shows grain refinement can decrease the tendency.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND POPULATION ECOLOGY OF INTERTIDAL AND SUBTIDAL ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM (PHAEOPHYTA)

Morphological, demographic and physiological characteristics of Rhode Island intertidal and subtidal populations of Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis were compared in order to examine factors influencing vertical distribution. The two populations had distinctive morphologies: subtidal plants were narrower (more terete) and highly branched compared with intertidal plants. The subtidal population showed signs of necrosis and breakage, which was reflected in significantly shorter mean plant size. High survivorship and low recruitment of both population resulted in relatively constant densities, averaging 91 and 50 plants per m2 in the intertidal and subtidal habitats, respectively. Intertidal plants had higher mean annual growth rates (25 cm.yr−1) than subtidal plants (2 cm.yr−1). In general, intertidal plants had higher photosynthetic capacity and nutrient (NO3−) uptake rates than the subtidal population but maintained lower light-harvesting pigment and tissue nitrogen concentrations. Although Ascophyllum nodosum is capable of survival and growth in subtidal as well as intertidal areas, results of this study suggest that different selective pressures affect persistence in each habitat. The scarcity of plants in the subtidal environment may be due to the lack of a critical balance between algal production, allocation of photosynthate, and the negative effects of grazers or competitors.
Transient phenomena of shock-induced turbulent separation for a spikebody and stalling airfoil at transonic and supersonic speeds

The time-dependent, compressible, Reynolds-averaged, full Navier-Stokes equations are applied to solve an axisymmetric flow around a forward-facing stepbody (spikebody) at supersonic speeds and a stalling airfoil at transonic speeds. Important transient and unsteady phenomena, not yet well understood, are examined, and significant new findings of the present solution to the phenomena are discussed. The phenomena described in detail are as follows: The evolution of the shock wave pressure built up by the impact of the pressure waves, one from the trailing edge; the separation of the flow as influenced by the shock wave; the location of the reversed flow, the separation point, and the reattachment point; and the transient (or unsteady) phenomena of the flow pulsation, oscillation, and stalling of the body and airfoil wake flow. The numerical results show that the transient flow instability is caused by a supersonic jet induced in the separation bubble by the shock-bifurcation (lambda shock) mechanism between the separation shock and the reflected shock. Pulsation and stall phenomena are caused by a sudden increase in the leading-edge pressure due to the jet and the separation bubble interacting along the stagnation point flow.
Vitamin C and human wound healing

Clinical studies provide evidence that wound healing in subjects judged not deficient in vitamin C can be significantly accelerated with supplements of this nutrient above the recommended daily allowance (RDA). The authors administered daily dosages of 500 to 3,000 mg., which is roughly 8 to 50 times the RDA of 60 mg., to subjects recovering from surgery, other injuries, decubital ulcers, and leg ulcers induced by hemolytic anemia. Genetic impairment of collagen synthesis has also been observed to be responsive to ascorbic acid supplementation in an 8-year-old boy with Type VI Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Four grams of ascorbic acid daily produced a significant improvement in the quality of newly synthesized collagen but did not alter that formed prior to the supplementation of C. The combined evidence in this review provides a substantial base for further research, both clinical and experimental trials, concerning the interrelationships between vitamin C and the body's healing potential.
An evaluation of distinct volumetric and functional MRI contributions toward understanding age and task performance: A study in the basal ganglia

Prior work by our group and others has implicated the basal ganglia as important in age-related differences in tasks involving motor response control. The present study used structural and functional MRI approaches to analyze this region of interest (ROI) toward better understanding the contributions of structural and functional MRI measures to understanding age-related and task performance-related cognitive differences. Eleven healthy elders were compared with 11 healthy younger adults while they completed the “go” portion of a complex Go/No-go task. Separate ROI’s in the bilateral caudate (C) and putamen/globus pallidus (PGp) were studied based upon previous findings of age-related functional MRI differences in basal ganglia for this portion of the task. Structural volumes and functional activation (in percent area under the curve during correct responses) were independently extracted for these ROI’s. Results showed that age correlated with ROI volume in bilateral PGp and C, while multiple task performance measures correlated with functional activation in the left PGp. The Go/No-go task measures were also significantly correlated with traditional attention and executive functioning measures. Importantly, fMRI activation and volumes from each ROI were not significantly inter-correlated. These findings suggest that structural and functional MRI make unique contributions to the study of performance changes in aging.
Exertional fatigue due to skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUNDExertional fatigue in patients with chronic heart failure is usually attributed to skeletal muscle underperfusion. Recently, skeletal muscle atrophy, abnormal muscle metabolic responses, and reduced muscle enzyme levels have been noted in such patients, raising the possibility that some patients may develop muscle fatigue due to intrinsic muscle abnormalities. The present study was undertaken to determine if a subpopulation of patients with heart failure develops exertional fatigue due to skeletal muscle dysfunction rather than to reduced muscle flow.METHODS AND RESULTSAll exercise hemodynamic studies performed in our laboratory on patients with heart failure were reviewed to identify those who exhibited peak exercise VO2 levels < or = 18 ml.min-1 x kg-1 due to leg fatigue and who underwent insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter and leg blood flow catheter. Thirty-four patients were identified. Six normal subjects were also studied to define normal leg flow and femoral venous lactate responses to exe...
Cyclophosphamide Is Associated with Pulmonary Function and Survival Benefit in Patients with Scleroderma and Alveolitis

The presence of lung inflammation identified patients with scleroderma who are more likely to have worsening lung function. Survival and lung function outcomes are improved in patients with alveoli...
SELF-REPORTED COMPLICATION RATES FOLLOWING PRIMARY TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY IN IRELAND – FACT OR FICTION?

There are little data available on complication rates following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery in Ireland. To determine self-reported complication rates and national data for primary THA. A postal questionnaire surveyed Irish orthopaedic association consultant members. Additional data were obtained from the economic and social research institute (ESRI). We achieved an 83% response rate. 5,424 THAs were self-reported. Mean dislocation rates were 1%, but higher using a posterior surgical approach (p < 0.05). Mean deep infection rates were 0.4%. 29% were MRSA. No reduction was reported from additional barrier prophylaxes. Mean venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) rates were 3.5%. No reduction was reported from commencing prophylaxis preoperatively or extending treatment duration. National rates for dislocation, deep infection and VTE were 25.7, 0.87, and <0.1%, respectively. The creation of a National Hip Register is strongly recommended. A register would improve surgical practices and patient outcomes, and provide significant healthcare savings.
Leishmania: Immunochemical Comparison of the Secretory (Extracellular) Acid Phosphatases from Various Species

Promastigotes of all Leishmania species, except most Leishmania major stocks, synthesize and secrete extracellular soluble acid phosphatases [SAcP(s)] which are capable of dephosphorylating a wide range of substrates and, consequently, of modifying the parasite environment. To assess their antigenic/structural relatedness, the SAcP(s) from various species were compared immunochemically using both a monospecific rabbit antiserum and several monoclonal antibodies made against the purified promastigote SAcP of a cloned line of Leishmania donovani donovani. Results obtained from antibody-bridged enzyme activity assays demonstrated that these reagents quantitatively immunoprecipitated the enzymatic activities of SAcP(s) from 18 different W.H.O. reference stocks of Leishmania, including two L. major strains. Those results showed, for the first time, that all SAcP(s) possessed some common cross-reactive antigenic epitopes. Immunoprecipitates obtained from [35S]methionine, metabolically labeled promastigote culture supernatants of the various species, were analyzed by SDS-PAGE/fluorography. These analyses showed that marked differences existed among the SAcP(s) both in their relative mobilities and the number of constituent bands resolved. Tunicamycin treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the apparent molecular weights of SAcP(s) from three different isolates, confirming the presence of N-linked carbohydrate side chains in these enzymes. In addition, the SAcP released by L. donovani intracellular amastigotes was also immunoprecipitated with the monospecific rabbit antisera from the culture supernatant of infected macrophages. Cumulatively, these data demonstrate that despite individual species variations, the SAcP(s) from all Leishmania tested have retained certain common antigenic/structural epitopes and functional protein domains. Such conservation among SAcP(s) suggests that this enzyme must play an essential role in the survival of promastigotes and amastigotes of all Leishmania species.
Nucleosome Sliding via TBP DNA Binding In Vivo

Abstract Here, we show that a nucleosome obstructing transcription from the IFN-β promoter slides in vivo in response to virus infection, thus exposing the previously masked TATA box and the initiation site, a requirement for transcriptional activation. Our experiments also revealed that this mode of chromatin remodeling is a two-step reaction. First, the enhanceosome recruits the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex that modifies the nucleosome to allow binding of TBP. Second, DNA bending is induced by TBP binding, and the nucleosome slides to a new position. Experiments with other DNA binding proteins demonstrated a strong correlation between the ability to bend DNA and nucleosome sliding, suggesting that the sliding is induced by the bend.
THE PHENOMENON OF CONGLOMERATE CRYSTALLIZATION. PART 53. THE CRYSTALLIZATION BEHAVIOR OF TWO COBALT(III) CARBONATO AMINE COMPOUNDS

Abstract Two new cobalt(III) carbonato amine compounds were synthesized, and their crystal structures were determined. Compound (I), Na2[Co(tren)(CO3)]2(CIO4)4·3H2O, Co2C14CI4H42N8Na2O 25, crystallized as a racemate in the orthorhombic system, space group Pcab (No. 61). The cell dimensions, obtained from the centering of 25 reflections, are a = 10.684(5)a, b = 18.559(8)a, c = 37.528(10)a, V= 7441(5)a3. FW= 1028.18, Z= 8, F(000) = 4203.87, dc = 1.836 Mg·m−3, μ = 1.30 mm−3, λ = 0.70930a. A total of 3457 data were collected over the range of 4° ≤2θ ≤40°; of these, 2377 (independent and I≥2.5σ(I)) were used in the structural analysis. The final RF and Rw residuals were 0.055 and 0.064. Compound (II), [cis-β-Co(trien)(CO3)](HCO3)· H2O, CoC8H21N4O7, crystallized as a conglomerate in the orthorhombic system, space group P212121 (No. 19). The cell dimensions, obtained from the centering of 25 reflections, are a = 8.869(4)a, b = 12.032(8)a, c = 12.522(7)a, V = 1336(1)a3. FW = 344.20, Z = 4, F(000) = 713.62, dc = 1...
Heatline visualization of forced convection laminar boundary layers

Abstract This paper reports in closed form the similarity heatfunctions H for laminar boundary layer flow on a flat wall. Plots of the constant -H lines (‘heatlines’) show that the path of convection from a hot free stream to a cold wall is unlike the path of convection from a hot wall to a cold fluid. The true path of convection in laminar boundary layer flow is visualized in charts drawn for both heat transfer modes (cold wall, hot wall), several Prandtl numbers (0.02, 0.72, 7) and isothermal walls and constant-flux walls. The paper stresses the heat transfer features that are brought into view for the first time by the heatline patterns. As a supplementary contribution, the paper reports the exact similarity solution for the wall with uniform flux in the Pr → 0 limit, and proposes a closed-form local Nusselt number correlation that covers the entire Pr range.
Synthesis of a Low-Molecular-Weight Form of Exopolysaccharide by Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110

A novel extracellular low-molecular-weight polysaccharide was detected as a contaminant within extracellular cyclic β-1,6-β-1,3-glucan preparations from Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110 cultures. Compositional analysis, methylation analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that this low-molecular-weight polysaccharide was composed of the same pentasaccharide repeating unit previously described for the high-molecular-weight form of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesized by B. japonicum strains. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the size of this low-molecular-weight form of EPS was consistent with a dimeric form of the pentasaccharide repeating unit.
Entrepreneurial Orientation Theory and Research: Reflections on a Needed Construct:

This article introduces the Special Issue of Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice on the topic of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO). In addition to overviewing the preparation and structure of the S...
Trust, Trusts, and Accountability: The Role of States in College Saving Plans

With the adoption of Section 529 plans, states have played an increasing role in college savings. When parents prepay for their children's college education, states invest the proceeds with the expectation that the investment returns will cover tuition increases. In times of fiscal stress, states decrease funding for higher education, causing schools to increase tuition. Because current investment returns have not kept pace with tuition increases, state managers have an even greater burden to ensure that these funds are managed properly. Our research interest is the fiduciary role of state governments in managing these plans in a volatile investment market.
Evaluating Recent Changes in Homicide and Robbery Rates

This paper evaluates the Police Executive Research Forum's (PERF) recent warnings of a "gathering storm" of criminal violence in the United States. We argue that increases in violent crime during 2005 and 2006 were the expected result of year-to-year changes in the economy and imprisonment. Our argument is supported by an analysis of changes in homicide and robbery rates between 1970 and 2006 showing that short-run variation in homicide and robbery rates are a function of changes in imprisonment, the age composition of the population, and the economy. But PERF's warning of a new crime wave may simply have been premature. The steep economic downturn of 2008 portends a crime rise that may dwarf the 2005 and 2006 increases. Local communities and criminal justice practitioners should demand better research on crime trends that can help them evaluate current practice and plan for the future.
Atmospheric entry into Jupiter's atmosphere in view of recent flyby results

The paper examines the heating levels experienced by a probe entering Kliore's (1974) model of Jupiter's atmosphere and compares the results with those of the Jupiter model atmospheres given elsewhere (NASA SP-8069, 1971), with the heating levels of Tauber (1969) and Tauber and Wakefield (1971). The computations are made using a point-mass atmospheric entry trajectory program, i.e., the Allen-Eggers (1958) analysis and simple correlations of heating. Results of heating calculations are compared and discussed. It is found that the warm temperature bulge exists at a level too low in the atmosphere to affect any heating and that the nominal atmosphere fits Kliore's model atmosphere best insofar as heating is concerned. Previous estimates of the heating levels to be expected for a probe entering Jupiter's atmosphere are therefore unaffected by Kliore's postulated atmospheres.
Mechanical Behavior of Non-bonded Fiber Networks in Compression

Abstract The mechanical behavior of an ensemble of fibers which are not bonded to each other subjected to compression is studied using a numerical model. It is shown that the stress-strain curve is a power law and the strain energy is stored predominantly in the bending deformation mode of the fibers. Hysteresis is observed when the system is subjected to cyclic loading-unloading, with a stable hysteresis loop being obtained after few cycles. The deformation is not smooth; rather it is dominated by instabilities which lead to pronounced stress drops. These instabilities are due to relative fiber sliding and rearrangement and a correlation is observed between stress drops and collective sliding events. The resulting jerky flow is observed even in absence of friction between fibers and is a result of the evolution of the system over a rough energy landscape during compression.
Results from a university-wide local area network and word processing RFI

The faculty and administration of Louisiana State University recognized that word processing and text processors could facilitate and enhance our teaching, research, service, and administrative operations; however, we were concerned about the rapid proliferation of limited-function systems being purchased to meet critical present needs without a systematic plan for continued expansion. The unit cost for stand-alone word processors was usually rather high and the interactive or expansion capabilities were very limited; therefore, we sought to define a system or systems upon which we could base our developments in the areas of text processing utilizing current technology and which could expand with future developments.
Research and Regulation

In 1553 Michael Servetus paid the supreme penalty. He was burned at the stake in Champel, France, having earlier been burned in effigy for daring to disagree with the establishment. The establishment, in those days, was more likely to be the church than the state, and the court that tried and convicted him was dominated by John Calvin. Prominent among his heresies was his description—in fact, his discovery—of the pulmonary circulation of blood. The punishment meted out involved not merely burning of the author but apparently also the burning of his book, of which only very few copies survived. Almost a half century later, Giordano Bruno paid the same price, and among his crimes was an acceptance of many of the precepts of Copernicus, including the heliocentric theory. Later, in the 17th century, we read about the trial of Galileo, whose heresies also included a belief in the Copernican hypothesis. Either due to his great prestige as a scholar or due to the changing times of the developing Renaissance, Galileo escaped with his life on the condition that he publicly retract his heretical beliefs. He was, however, forbidden further to explore or to teach these radical ideas. Recently, Jacob Bronowski identified this specific judgment of the Roman Court of Inquisition as the immediate cause for the collapse of Italian leadership in the scientific Renaissance. Up to that moment in history, Italy enjoyed unquestioned dominance in the process of the rebirth of the scientific enterprise, and immediately thereafter this leadership was lost, to be promptly assumed by the more northerly states of continental Europe and England.
Computer assisted enhanced reflectance data acquisition

Abstract Accurate, reproducible reflectance measurements are shown to be possible in much less time than here-to-fore realized. Use is made of previously acquired stored data on reflectance ‘standards’ as well as the TTL compatibility which is now an integral part of the spectrophotometers available commercially. A comparison of typical data obtained by the old method with data obtained by this new technique is reported.
Durability of stabilized base courses subjected to wet–dry cycles

A laboratory study was undertaken to evaluate the durability of cementitiously stabilized aggregate specimens subjected to wet–dry (W-D) cycles, representing a base course in a pavement structure. Specifically, cylindrical specimens of aggregates stabilized with 15% cement kiln dust (CKD), 10% class C fly ash, or 10% fluidized bed ash were prepared, cured for 28 days, and then subjected to W-D cycles prior to testing for resilient modulus (M r). Four aggregates were selected in this experimental study: (1) Meridian, (2) Richard Spur, (3) Sawyer and (4) Hanson. Results showed that the M r values decreased as W-D cycles increased up to 30, except for Sawyer specimens stabilized with 15% CKD. These specimens exhibited an increase in M r values with W-D cycles up to 8, beyond which a reduction occurred. The performance of the stabilized specimens is believed to depend upon SAF (Silica, Alumina and Ferric Oxide compounds) and free lime of the stabilizing agents. Also, the optimum moisture content (OMC) and max...
Optimal short-range CDMA codes of length 16 for wireless communications

Rademacher-Walsh (RW) functions are optimal short-range CDMA codes in the sense that they offer the least sensitivity to time base error due to propagation delay differences. Unfortunately, they do not offer a good power spectral density (PSD). There were two approaches examined for improving the PSD. The first approach provides an improved PSD through spreading the RW functions with a long PN code while increasing sensitivity to time base error. The second method ensures that the system is less sensitive to time base errors by using a fixed sequence of the optimal set of RW functions based on cross-correlation values. Thus, for short-range applications RW functions may offer superior performance to that achieved by conventional CDMA. >
GATA2 deficiency: flesh and blood.

In this issue of Blood , Spinner et al and Dickinson et al describe a surprising breadth of clinical and laboratory findings associated with germ-line mutation of the gene encoding the GATA2 transcription factor.[1][1],[2][2] ![Figure][3] Protean manifestations of germ-line, heterozygous
A field study of developer pairs: productivity impacts and implications

Pair programming purportedly delivers quality code with little productivity loss. The authors' field study, outside the pair programming environment, shows that two-person teams working independently are more productive than those working concurrently; agile methods may overcome inherent productivity losses of concurrent development. This research contrasts starkly with our field study findings. We decided to reexamine our earlier productivity data from teams of two and ask: Would our previous findings of concurrent-work productivity loss be reversed if we look only at programming pairs rather than teams of all sizes? If so, we could conclude that pairs are naturally more productive than larger teams, regardless of the collaborative process. If not, we could conclude that the collaboration mechanisms prescribed in pair programming might overcome a natural loss of productivity from concurrent work. We offer these findings and their implications as a benchmark against which we might measure the potential of pair programming practices.
Sensitivity and response dynamics of elasmobranch electrosensory primary afferent neurons to near threshold fields.

Elasmobranch fishes localize weak electric sources at field intensities of <5 ηV cm−1, but the response dynamics of electrosensory primary afferent neurons to near threshold stimuli in situ are not well characterized. Electrosensory primary afferents in the round stingray, Urolophus halleri, have a relatively high discharge rate, a regular discharge pattern and entrain to 1-Hz sinusoidal peak electric field gradients of ≤20 ηV cm−1. Peak neural discharge for units increases as a non-linear function of stimulus intensity, and unit sensitivity (gain) decreases as stimulus intensity increases. Average peak rate-intensity encoding is commonly lost when peak spike rate approximately doubles that of resting, and for many units occurs at intensities <1 μV cm−1. Best neural sensitivity for nearly all units is at 1–2 Hz with a low-frequency slope of 8 dB/decade and a high-frequency slope of −23 dB/decade. The response characteristics of stingray electrosensory primary afferents indicate sensory adaptations for detection of extremely weak phasic fields near 1–2 Hz. We argue that these properties reflect evolutionary adaptations in elasmobranch fishes to enhance detection of prey, communication and social interactions, and possibly electric-mediated geomagnetic orientation.
A model of degradation and production of three pools of dissolved organic matter in an alpine lake

We investigated the transport and production of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in an alpine lake in the Colorado Front Range during snowmelt and the summer ice-free season by employing a new approach for distinguishing between three pools of DOM based on fractionation and spectroscopic characterization. Reactive transport modeling results confirm that terrestrially derived sources of humic DOM are dominant during snowmelt and that microbially derived humic and nonhumic DOM are produced in the lake in the summer, when rates of primary productivity are highest. DOM characterization and modeling results support the interpretation that losses of terrestrially derived humic DOM are dependent on photochemistry and indicate that the decay of nonhumic and microbially derived humic DOM is more influenced by heterotrophic degradation. Results suggest that production of nonhumic DOM can be directly related to chlorophyll a concentrations and that microbially derived humic DOM can be produced through condensation reactions. Furthermore, fluorescence and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) of DOM suggest that the rate of decay of microbially derived humic DOM decreases as the redox state of quinone-like moieties of the DOM becomes more oxidized. This study quantifies the influence of DOM source on the chemical and biological reactivity of DOM in lakes. The methods presented in this study provide a framework for testing hypotheses related to the effects of a changing climate on lake ecosystem structure and function.