cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Dependence of the Deformation of Mn1−δO; on the Deviation from Stoichiometry

The stress-strain behavior of single crystals of Mn1−δO has been measured for the first time. The experiments were performed at 1200°C varying the oxygen partial pressure ${{\rm{p}}_{{{\rm{O}}_2}}}$ from 10−12 to 10−5 atms which causes the deviation from stoichiometry δ to vary between 5×10−2 to 2 percent. The upper yield stress and the stress achieved at a zero work-hardening rate vary by a factor of 2 as a function of δ and exhibit a maximum at ${{\rm{p}}_{{{\rm{O}}_2}}} \sim {10^{- 9}}$ atms. The present results suggest that the diffusion of oxygen interstitials control deformation for large δ while oxygen vacancies control deformation for small δ, an interpretation used to explain the deformation Co1−δO. These results illustrate the intimate relationship between defect properties and deformation in nonstoichiometric oxides.
Use of acetone to attain highly active and soluble DNA packaging protein Gp16 of Phi29 for ATPase assay.

Abstract All the well-defined DNA-packaging motors of the dsDNA viruses contain one pair of nonstructural DNA-packaging enzymes. Studies on the mechanism of virus DNA packaging have been seriously hampered by their insolubility. Phi29’s DNA-packaging enzyme, gp16, is also hydrophobic, insoluble, and self-aggregating. This article describes approaches to obtain affinity-purified, soluble, and highly active native gp16 with the aid of polyethylene glycol or acetone. The specific activity of this native gp16 was increased 3400-fold when compared with the traditional method. This unique approach made the ATP–gp16 interaction study feasible. Gp16 binds strongly to ATP, binds to ADP with a lower efficiency, and binds very weakly to AMP. The order of gp16-binding efficiency to the four ribonucleotides is, from high to low, ATP, GTP, CTP, and UTP. The ATP concentration level required to produce 50% of maximum virus yield exhibited during in vitro phi29 assembly is around 45 μM, which is close to the gp16 and ATP dissociation constant of 65 μM. Mutation studies revealed that changing only one conserved amino acid, whether R 17 , G 24 , G 27 , G 29 , K 30 , or I 39 , in the predicted Walker-A ATP motif of gp16 caused ATP hydrolysis and viral assembly to cease, while such mutation did not affect gp16’s binding to ATP. However, mutation on amino acids G 248 and D 256 did not affect the function of gp16 in DNA packaging.
The give and take of online professional community

This study examines Online Professional Community (OPC) in two projects from inside/outside perspectives. Patterns of OPC participation and differences between online and f2f communities are discussed, as are means of facilitating the development of OPC. Both projects met cyber-archaeological criteria for OPC and cyber-ethnographic features contributing to OPC are identified. The majority of participants interviewed reported feeling a sense of belonging to OPC and engaged in the construction of online identities: 'Givers', 'Takers' or 'Lurkers'. The majority of project postings were contributed by a few participants, increasing the importance of understanding the factors that influence the construction of online identity.
Cognitive style revisited: The structure X cognition interaction

The present research investigates two cognitive style constructs: need for structure (the preference for simple cognitive structures) and need for cognition (the tendency to engage in effortful cognizing). We propose an interaction between structure and cognition, such that four meaningful and empirically distinct cognitive style types emerge. Further, we propose that these groups may be differentiated in terms of general negative affect. A survey study (n = 703 undergraduates) was conducted to determine the influence of structure and cognition on a number of related individual difference measures (i.e., anxiety, worry, self-efficacy). Regression analyses revealed significant structure x cognition interaction effects for several variables and generally supported the hypothesized relationship between the cognitive style groups and general negative affect.
Isomeric cross section ratios for some reactions induced by 14.8 MeV neutrons in Te isotopes

Abstract Fast neutron cross sections of tellurium have been measured using natural and enriched tellurium isotopes. A 7.6 × 7.6 cm NaI(Tl) detector was used for the radioactivity measurements and radiochemical separations were used in some cases. The cross sections measured are: 120 Te(n,2n) 119 Te, 535±85 mb; 120 Te(n,2n) 119g Te, 685±100 mb; 122 Te(n,2n) 121m Te, 530±80 mb; 122 Te(n,2n) 121g Te, 750±100 mb; 128 Te(n,2n) 127g Te, 760±100 mb; 130 Te(n,2n) 129m Te, 241±30 mb; 130 Te(n,2n) 129g Te, 435±50 mb; 126 Te(n,p) 126m Sb, 1.5±0.2 mb; 128 Te(n,p) 128m Sb, 1.0±0.1 mb; 128 Te(n,p) 128g Sb, 1.3±0.3 mb; 123 Te(n,α) 123g Sn, 0.8±0.1 mb; 128 Te(n,α) 125m Sn, 0.5±0.1 mb. The results obtained are compared with the existing data, and semi-empirical predictions of Gardner.
Persistent and recurrent hyperparathyroidism

Twenty-six patients with persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism after an initial cervical exploration are presented. Failure of the first operation was related in part to an ectopic location of the abnormal parathyroid tissue (in 58 percent), and to a discrepancy in the histologic diagnosis between the frozen-section analysis at the time of operation and the final pathologic interpretation (in 55 percent). Before secondary operation, selective venous sampling for parathormone levels and arteriography were accurate in localizing the lesion in 88 and 71 percent of cases, respectively. A plan for intraoperative management of these difficult problems is suggested.
Ras Activity Levels Control the Development of Pancreatic Diseases

Background & Aims Differentiated pancreatic acinar cells expressing endogenous levels of mutant K-Ras do not spontaneously develop pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, we hypothesized that acinar cells would develop PDAC in the presence of Ras activity levels mimicking those of human tumor cells. Methods We measured Ras activity in PDAC cells from mice and humans using a Raf pull-down assay. We compared the effects of acinar cell expression of mutant K-Ras at endogenous and elevated levels on Ras activity and on the development of PDAC. Results Ras activity was greatly elevated in PDAC cells compared with nontransformed cells expressing endogenous levels of mutant K-Ras. Expression of endogenous levels of mutant K-Ras in differentiated acinar cells resulted in moderately elevated Ras activity and in sparse murine pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (mPanINs) that did not spontaneously advance to PDAC unless the tumor suppressor p53 was simultaneously deleted. In contrast, expression of mutant K-Ras at higher levels generated Ras activity equal to that in PDAC. High Ras activity mimicking levels in PDAC led to acinar cell senescence and generated inflammation and fibrosis resembling the histologic features of chronic pancreatitis. With higher Ras activity in acinar cells, abundant mPanINs formed and spontaneously progressed to both cystic papillary carcinoma and metastatic PDAC. Conclusions There is an important relationship between Ras activity levels and the progression of PDAC. Sufficient Ras activity in pancreatic acinar induces several important pancreatic disease manifestations not previously reported and supports a potential direct linkage between chronic pancreatitis, cystic papillary carcinoma, and PDAC.
DEVELOPMENT OF A FILTER TO SELECTIVELY REMOVE COPPER FROM JET FUELS USING A POLY AMINE CHELANT IMMOBILIZED ON SILICA GEL

Dissolved copper in fuels is generally rendered chemically benign by complexing with soluble chelating agents. However, this still leaves the copper in the fuel. By attaching suitable chelants to a solid support, copper can be selectively removed from the fuel by passing through a column packed with this material. We are evaluating a candidate system in which diethylenetriamine (DETA) is densely immobilized onto silica gel (DETA-Si). Previous studies have shown that this system will remove copper to below detection levels from jet fuel passed through columns at up to 30 mL/min. In this study, we show that the efficiency of DETA-Si to extract copper is not diminished in the presence of metal deactivating additives. Moreover, MDA does not extract copper from DETA-Si in lab-scale flow tests. The impact of filtration through silica gel and DETA-Si on thermal stability is also addressed.
Niche differentiation among sulfur-oxidizing bacterial populations in cave waters

The sulfidic Frasassi cave system affords a unique opportunity to investigate niche relationships among sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, including epsilonproteobacterial clades with no cultivated representatives. Oxygen and sulfide concentrations in the cave waters range over more than two orders of magnitude as a result of seasonally and spatially variable dilution of the sulfidic groundwater. A full-cycle rRNA approach was used to quantify dominant populations in biofilms collected in both diluted and undiluted zones. Sulfide concentration profiles within biofilms were obtained in situ using microelectrode voltammetry. Populations in rock-attached streamers depended on the sulfide/oxygen supply ratio of bulk water (r=0.97; P 150), whereas Thiothrix dominated at low ratios (<75). In contrast, Beggiatoa was the dominant group in biofilms at the sediment-water interface regardless of sulfide and oxygen concentrations or supply ratio. Our results highlight the versatility and ecological success of Beggiatoa in diffusion-controlled niches, and demonstrate that high sulfide/oxygen ratios in turbulent water are important for the growth of filamentous epsilonproteobacteria.
Estrogen modulates sexually dimorphic contextual fear conditioning and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in rats

The present study examined the role of ovarian steroids in contextual fear conditioning and hippocampal synaptic plasticity in female rats. In experiment 1, adult female rats were ovariectomized and submitted to contextual fear conditioning, a procedure in which rats received unsignaled footshock in a novel observation chamber; freezing behavior served as the measure of conditional fear. Ovariectomized female rats froze at levels comparable to male rats, both of which froze significantly more than sham-operated female rats. In experiment 2, estrogen replacement in ovariectomized female rats reduced fear conditioning to a level comparable to that of sham-operated females in experiment 1. In experiment 3, the influence of estrogen on the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) at perforant path-dentate granule cell synapses in ovariectomized female rats was examined. Estrogen decreased both population spike LTP and EPSP-spike potentiation at perforant path synapses. Taken together, these experiments indicate that ovarian steroids regulate both sexually dimorphic behavior and hippocampal plasticity in a fear-conditioning paradigm.
Extensibility of Pericarp Tissue in Growing Citrus Fruits

The tensile force existing in the pericarp of a growing citrus (Citrus sinensis) fruit 17 to 19 centimeters in circumference was sufficiently high to cause a 3% shrinkage of the pericarp when it was excised. When a fruit was cut along the equator to the central axis, shrinkage of the pericarp resulted in the formation of a wedge-shaped gap at the cut. Stretch modulus of the pericarp was determined by measuring the force required to stretch excised strips of tissue to 1% longer than their excised length. Measurements were made on successive layers of pericarp tissue 5 millimeters wide and 1 millimeter thick taken from the fruit equator. All layers required more force for extension at lower temperatures and high water potentials than at high temperatures and low water potentials. The stretch modulus ranged from 0.88 to 2.16 kilograms per square millimeter depending upon the layer, temperature, and water potential. The inner layers, consisting primarily of mesocarp, had stretch moduli only 60 to 70% as great as the outer layer which consisted of exocarp tissue. Measurements of the stretch modulus of tissues from the pericarp support the hypothesis that changes in the tension existing in the pericarp depend upon conditions in the pericarp and are not related to changes in volume or pressure in the juice vesicles.
Exploiting nanotechnology to overcome tumor drug resistance: Challenges and opportunities

Tumor cells develop resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs through multiple mechanisms. Overexpression of efflux transporters is an important source of drug resistance. Efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein reduce intracellular drug accumulation and compromise drug efficacy. Various nanoparticle-based approaches have been investigated to overcome efflux-mediated resistance. These include the use of formulation excipients that inhibit transporter activity and co-delivery of the anticancer drug with a specific inhibitor of transporter function or expression. However, the effectiveness of nanoparticles can be diminished by poor transport in the tumor tissue. Hence, adjunct therapies that improve the intratumoral distribution of nanoparticles may be vital to the successful application of nanotechnology to overcome tumor drug resistance. This review discusses the mechanisms of tumor drug resistance and highlights the opportunities and challenges in the use of nanoparticles to improve the efficacy of anticancer drugs against resistant tumors.
Kinematic Modeling of the Shoulder Complex in Tetraplegia

In comparison to other joints in the human body, the shoulder complex is particularly reliant on the coordination of active muscle forces to generate both movement and stability during activities using the upper extremities. The resultant imbalance of muscle forces across the shoulder, coupled with the increased reliance on the shoulder for functional mobility, puts the individual with tetraplegia at great risk for developing shoulder pathology. The ability to quantify the movement of the shoulder, and in particular the sequence of shoulder complex movement components within functional tasks, can provide information to better inform clinical and surgical decision making. In this article, we will discuss the impact of tetraplegia on shoulder biomechanics and function, provide an overview of general principles and current status of kinematic modeling of the shoulder complex, and describe emerging applications of quantitative motion analysis of the shoulder complex.
Effects of fluoxetine on play dominance in juvenile rats

In a series of three studies, we investigated the influence of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine) on the rough-and-tumble play of juvenile rats. In Experiment 1, both members of eight pairs of solitary-housed juvenile rats received either vehicle, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg fluoxetine in a counterbalanced within-subject design 20 min before being allowed to play for 5 min periods on four successive test days. The 5 and 10 mg/kg pretreatments significantly reduced incidence of pins during play without affecting dorsal contacts. In Experiment 2, one member of each of 19 established play pairs received 5 mg/kg fluoxetine 20 min before play, while the other member received vehicle. Dominant rats showed no reduction in pins as a result of fluoxetine treatment, but subordinate rats who received fluoxetine exhibited significant reductions in pins. Subsequent dyadic analyses indicated that in pairs where the subordinate animal received fluoxetine, dominant animals maintained their pinning advantage over the 10 days of testing, but in pairs where the dominant animals received fluoxetine, this pinning asymmetry diminished. In Experiment 3, we replicated the above procedure with inexperienced play pairs, to control for the effects of prior social learning. Fluoxetine treatment (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced both pins and dorsal contacts in all treated rats. The results indicate that fluoxetine can reduce the playful pins of juvenile rats, but that prior social learning mediates the strength of these effects..
Equilibrium muscle crossbridge behavior: The interaction of myosin crossbridges with actin

Abstract The interaction of myosin crossbridges with actin under equilibrium conditions is reviewed. Similarities and differences between the weakly- and strongly-binding interactions of myosin crossbridges with actin filaments are discussed. A precise, narrow definition of weakly- binding crossbridges is given. It is postulated that the fundamental interaction of crossbridges with actin is that the crossbridge heads are mobile after attachment in the first case but not in the second. It is argued that because the weakly-binding crossbridge heads are mobile after attachment, the heads appear to function independently of each other. The lack of head mobility in attached strongly-binding crossbridges makes the strongly-binding crossbridge heads appear to act cooperatively. This model of the strongly-binding crossbridge gives an explanation for two important and otherwise unexplained observations. It explains why the rate constant of force decay after a small stretch is a sigmoidal function of nucleotide analogue concentration, and why, in the presence of analogues or in rigor, the rate constant of force decay after a small stretch is often significantly slower than the rate constant for myosin subfragment-1 detachment from actin in solution. The model of the weakly-binding crossbridge accurately describes the behavior of the myosin·ATP crossbridge.
iSlideShow: a seamless and dynamic slideshow system with content-based transitions

We present a photo slideshow system that automatically analyzes thematic information about the photo collection and utilizes such information to generate compositions and transitions in two modes: story-telling mode and person-highlighting mode. In the story-telling mode the system groups photos by a theme-based clustering algorithm and photos in each theme cluster are seamlessly tiled on a slide. Multiple tiling layouts are generated for each theme cluster and the slideshow is animated by intra-cluster transitions. In the person-highlighting mode, the system first recognizes faces from photos and creates photo clusters for individuals. It then uses face areas as ROI (Regions of Interests) and creates various content-based transitions to highlight individuals in a cluster. With an emphasis on content awareness, our system creates slideshows with more fluid, dynamic and visually pleasing structure compared to existing tiling slideshows [Chen06] and photo-to-video [Hua04] systems. Finally, the rendering of the slideshow is implemented in GPU, which significantly decreases the creation time of the slideshow and improves its quality.
In-training evaluation of surgical residents

Abstract On the basis of this experience it is suggested that an examination designed specifically for evaluation of surgical residents would provide important information about the strengths and weaknesses of training programs, would serve as a guideline for individual learning, and would be of interest and value to hospitals and training programs.
Oral rehydration in acute infantile diarrhea

Abstract The significance of acute diarrhea illness, a common disorder in infants and children, is presented. Although in developed countries this disease is seldom fatal, it is the second most common reason that children are hospitalized. Methods for managing acute diarrhea and its subsequent dehydration, including intravenous rehydration and refeeding, are discussed, with emphasis placed on the use of oral rehydration solutions.
Radiometric surface temperature calibration effects on satellite based evapotranspiration estimation

Agriculture on the Texas High Plains (THP) uses approximately 89% of groundwater withdrawals from the Ogallala Aquifer, leading to steady decline in water table levels. Therefore, efficient water management is essential for sustaining agricultural production in the THP. Accurate evapotranspiration (ET) maps provide critical information on actual spatio-temporal crop water use. METRIC (Mapping Evapotranspiration at High Resolution using Internalized Calibration) is a remote sensing based energy balance method that uses radiometric surface temperature (T s) for mapping ET. However, T s calibration effects on satellite based ET estimation are less known. Further, METRIC has never been applied for the advective conditions of the semi-arid THP. In this study, METRIC was applied and predicted ET was compared with measured values from five monolithic weighing lysimeters at the USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory in Bushland, Texas, USA. Three different levels of calibration were applied on a Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper's thermal image acquired on 23 July 2006 to derive T s. Application of METRIC on a MODTRAN calibrated image improved the accuracy of distributed ET prediction. In addition, ET estimates were further improved when a THP-specific model was used for estimating leaf area index. Results indicated that METRIC performed well with ET mean bias error±root mean square error of 0.4±0.7 mm d-1.
Sex, Pornography, and the Mass Media: How Should Social Studies Teachers Respond?

Many people fear that the current explosion in mass media technology is negatively affecting individuals and society via-a-vis considerations related to the accessibility of pornographic materials. The way this accessibility affects young people is of particular concern. In this article, the author addresses these concerns from the legal and media-effects perspectives. He argues that social studies teachers can respond to questions about pornography and the mass media in a more confident and informed manner if they gain some familiarity with court rulings and contemporary social science research relevant to the impact of the mass media in a democratic society. The author contends that education, not censorship, is the best way to address the issue.
An amended magnetohydrodynamic equation which predicts field-aligned current sheets

A derivation of the physical conditions for magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium from first principles establishes a set of equations which differ slightly from the usual ones. The difference is only relevant in the special case when the current is parallel to the magnetic field. What is noteworthy is that these modified equations predict that the simplest magnetohydrodynamic equilibria can only exist in regions of field-aligned current sheets. This prediction is entirely consistent with the observed large-scale structures in the Earth's magnetosphere.
The Radial Velocities of Globular Clusters, and de Sitter's Cosmology

IF R be the curvature radius of the world, an invariant of the manifold, de Sitter's empty space-time is characterised, in the two-dimensional case which interests us here, by the corresponding elliptic space being covered by the interval σ=o to ½π. With the observer's station O as origin, let a star be coerced to remain at a fixed distance r. Then, the permanence of atoms as natural clocks being granted, the observer should perceive a wave-length increment of a line of the stellar, as compared with his local spectrum, the latter for small r/R. This is de Sitter's own result (1917), a second-order effect due to mere distance, based upon the artificial assumption that the lightsource is at rest relatively to the observer. Its characteristic feature is that it gives always a positive or red-shift, as would be the common Doppler effect for a receding star. Since the B-stars were known to show a systematic displacement corresponding to about +4.5 km./sec., de Sitter welcomed them as so many supporters of his formula. Ascribing of the effect to their own gravitation, he represented the remaining by that formula, which, with r=3.107 as the average distance of these stars1, gave him R=7.109. This would, nowadays, seem rather too small, being just below Shapley's estimate, 9.109, of the semi-diameter of our galaxy. Such considerations, however, need not detain us.
POPULATION DYNAMICS OF A DAMSELFISH: EFFECTS OF A COMPETITOR THAT ALSO IS AN INDIRECT MUTUALIST

We estimated the population consequences to an inferior competitor from interactions with a superior competitor that also is an indirect mutualist. The competitors are two damselfishes, three-spot dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus) and orange-fin anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus), that vie for shelter space on a sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica). Anemonefish have an indirect positive effect on dascyllus populations due to the faster growth that anemones experience when they are occupied by Amphiprion. A long-term experiment revealed that anemonefish depressed dascyllus density (number of individuals per area of anemone per area of reef) more than abundance (number of individuals per reef area) because anemonefish caused a greater net increase in anemone surface area. We calculated that the effect of competition alone would depress dascyllus populations to near zero. The indirect positive interaction compensated for ∼67% of the direct negative effect. Failure to consider the indirect positive interaction in this system would lead to a gross underestimate of the strength of competition, and would not reveal the critical importance of the indirect mutualism in maintaining local populations of the inferior competitor. Indirect mutualisms are common in nature, and assessing how they mediate effects of other processes is crucial to a more accurate understanding of natural communities.
Genetics of the apnea hypopnea index in Caucasians and African Americans: I. Segregation analysis.

Differences in age of presentation and anatomic risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Caucasians and African Americans suggest possible racial differences in the genetic underpinnings of the disorder. In this study, we assess transmission patterns in a Caucasian sample consisting of 177 families (N = 1,195) and in an African American sample consisting of 125 families (N = 720) for two variables: 1) apnea hypopnea index (AHI) log transformed and adjusted for age, and 2) AHI log transformed and adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI). We allowed for residual familial correlations and sex-specific means in all models. Analysis of the Caucasian sample showed transmission patterns consistent with that of a major gene that were stronger in the age-adjusted variable than in the age- and BMI-adjusted variable. However, in the African American families, adjusting for BMI in addition to age gave stronger evidence for segregation of a codominant gene with an allele frequency of 0.14, accounting for 35% of the total variance. These results provide support for an underlying genetic basis for OSA that in African Americans is independent of the contribution of BMI.
Children's emotional experience of peer provocation: The relation between observed behaviour and self-reports of emotions, expressions, and social goals

For an experimental study of children’s responses to peer provocation, this investigation examined the correlations between children’s observed behaviours and their self-reports of their emotional experiences, expressions, and social goals provided in an interview immediately following the provocation. Participants were 565 children (approximate ages 8, 10, and 12 years old) who were provoked in two ways in an experimental play session: By losing at a computer game they were playing for a desirable prize, and by being taunted by a peer actor. Children’s responses to provocation were reliably coded for verbalisations, facial expressions, and gestures. Results indicated often significant but quite modest correlations between children’s self-reports of their emotional behaviour and their behaviours as coded during the play session. For the magnitude of these correlations, there were not significant developmental differences, and the strength of the correlations did not differ for same- or for other-gender dy...
How much does inclusion of non-linearity and multi-point pattern recognition improve the spatial mapping of complex patterns of groundwater contamination?

Abstract. In this brief communication, we discuss the implication of the hypothesis that "non-linearity and multi-point pattern recognition can improve the spatial mapping of complex patterns of groundwater contamination". The discussion is based on our recently published work in Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment. Therein we have found that the use of a highly non-linear pattern learning technique in the form of an artificial neural network (ANN) can yield significantly superior results under the same set of constraints when compared to the more linear two-point ordinary kriging method.
Diffusion of proteins and nonionic micelles in agarose gels by holographic interferometry

Diffusion coefficients measured by holographic interferometry are presented for two globular proteins and three nonionic surfactant species in agarose gels. The cloud points for the surfactants in agarose solutions are also given. In all cases, rates of diffusion in the gel are smaller than those in bulk solution, with the hindering effect of the gel increasing both with increasing gel concentration and with increasing solute size. It is shown that the diffusion rate of the surfactant micelles is very similar to that of proteins having similar hydrodynamic radii; it would therefore appear that the size and shape of the micelles in the solution and gel phases are similar. In addition, the measured rates of hindered diffusion agree very well with rates predicted by a rigorous hydrodynamic theory in which the solutes are modeled as hard spheres and the gel fibers are modeled as straight, cylindrical fibers. Hence, for the range of conditions considered, rates of hindered diffusion for both the globular proteins and the micellar species are determined primarily by hard-sphere hydrodynamic and steric interactions between the solute and the gel matrix.
Mechanistic understanding of Pyrococcus horikoshii Dph2 , a [ 4Fe –4S] enzyme required for diphthamide biosynthesis

Diphthamide, the target of diphtheria toxin, is a unique posttranslational modification on eukaryotic and archaeal translation elongation factor 2 (EF2). The proposed biosynthesis of diphthamide involves three steps and we have recently found that in Pyrococcus horikoshii (P. horikoshii), the first step uses an S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent [4Fe–4S] enzyme, PhDph2, to catalyze the formation of a C–C bond. Crystal structure shows that PhDph2 is a homodimer and each monomer contains three conserved cysteine residues that can bind a [4Fe–4S] cluster. In the reduced state, the [4Fe–4S] cluster can provide one electron to reductively cleave the bound SAM molecule. However, different from classical radical SAM family of enzymes, biochemical evidence suggest that a 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl radical is generated in PhDph2. Here we present evidence supporting that the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl radical does not undergo hydrogen abstraction reaction, which is observed for the deoxyadenosyl radical in classical radical SAM enzymes. Instead, the 3-amino-3-carboxypropyl radical is added to the imidazole ring in the pathway towards the formation of the product. Furthermore, our data suggest that the chemistry requires only one [4Fe–4S] cluster to be present in the PhDph2 dimer.
The risk of progression of lentigo maligna to lentigo maligna melanoma

SUMMARY An analysis is presented which estimates the risk of progression of lentigo maligna (LM) to lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) in U.S. whites using three data sources: (i) the Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I for estimation of the age-specific prevalence of LM; (ii) the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program for estimation of the age-specific incidence of melanoma; and (iii) the data from three melanoma registries for estimation of the age-specific case fraction of LMM among all invasive melanomas. The risk varies with age and is likely to be greater than estimated here for patients who present themselves for evaluation of changes in a lesion of LM. Our analysis suggests that the risk of progression from LM to LMM is substantially lower than is commonly believed.
Autoradiographic localization of radioactivity in the rat brain after the injection of 1,2-3H-testosterone.

The localization of radioactivity in the brain of immature intact and mature castrated Sprague—Dawley rats was investigated by drymount autoradiography at 1 hr after the injection of l,2–3H-testosterone. Radioactivity is found to be selectively concentrated and retained in specific neurons in the nucleus (n.) arcuatus and the n. ventromedialis hypothalami, the n. preopticus medialis, the n. interstitialis striae terminalis, the n. septi lateralis, the hippocampus and the amygdala. The topographic distribution of androgenconcentrating neurons agrees well with areas in the brain that have been associated with the regulation of gonadotropin secretion and male sex behavior. The autoradiographic data are consistent with the hypothesis that androgen feedback occurs at hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic sites in the central nervous system. (Endocrinology 92: 251, 1973)
Geophysical Monitoring of Ground Surface Deformation Associated with a Confined Aquifer Storage and Recovery Operation

One important issue in the storage of large volumes of fluids, mainly water and CO2, in the deep subsurface is to determine the resulting field-scale-induced displacements and consequences of overpressures on the mechanical integrity of the storage reservoir and surroundings. A quantifiable estimation of displacement can be made by combining the robust, cost-effective, and repeatable geophysical techniques of micro-gravimetry, differential global positioning system (DGPS), and differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry (DInSAR). These techniques were field tested and evaluated for the first time on an active large-volume aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) project in Pendleton, Oregon, USA, where three ASR wells are injecting up to 1.9 million m 3 year −1 into basalt aquifers to a depth of about 150 m. Injection and recovery of water at the wells are accompanied by significant gravity anomalies and vertical deformation of the ground surface localized to the immediate surroundings of the injection wells as evidenced by DGPS and gravity measurements collected in 2011. At a larger scale, and between 2011 and 2013, DInSAR monitoring of the Pendleton area shows sub- centimetric deformation in the western part of the city and close to the injection locations associated with ASR cycle. Deformations are found to be temporally out phased with the injection and recovery events due to complex groundwater flow. A numerical simulation of the effect of the water injection gives results in good agreement with the observations and confirms the validity of the approach, which could be deployed in similar geological contexts to look at the mechanical effects of water and gas injections.
Optical coherence tomography with plasmon resonant nanorods of gold

We explored plasmon resonant nanorods of gold as a contrast agent for optical coherence tomography (OCT). Nanorod suspensions were generated through wet chemical synthesis and characterized with spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, and OCT. Polyacrylamide-based phantoms were generated with appropriate scattering and anisotropy coefficients (30 cm−1 and 0.89, respectively) to image distribution of the contrast agent in an environment similar to that of tissue. The observed signal was dependent on whether the plasmon resonance peak overlapped the source bandwidth of the OCT, confirming the resonant character of enhancement. Gold nanorods with plasmon resonance wavelengths overlapping the OCT source yielded a signal-to-background ratio of 4.5 dB, relative to the tissue phantom. Strategies for OCT imaging with nanorods are discussed.
Time Domain Scattering Theory: The Physical Optics Approximation

For continuous wave (CW) waveforms, the physical optics (p.o.) model provides a basic understanding of the electromagnetic scattering process in high-frequency applications. Because its scattering equations are mathematically tractable, it is often the approximation of choice used to estimate radar cross sections. Based on experience with p.o. appproximations for CW waveforms, we decided to apply the p.o. approximation in the time domain as a way to quantify and understand scattering of signals from our impulsive ultra-wideband (IUWB) radar.
Preconsultation use of analgesics on adults presenting to the emergency department with acute appendicitis.

Objective: 279 cases of appendicitis were reviewed and compared for the difference between those patients who received pain medication before consulting a surgeon and those who were not treated with analgesics. Methods: All patients aged 15 years and older who underwent appendicectomy for appendicitis between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002 were divided into group 1 (those who received preconsultaion use of analgesics) and group 2 (those who were not treated with analgesics). The following measures were compared: age, sex, symptom duration, initial vital signs, white blood cell counts, frequency of imaging studies, time to operative intervention, and operative findings. Continuous and categorical variables were analysed using t and χ 2 tests, respectively. Results: A total of 279 patients were included for analysis. Patient details (age, sex, symptom duration) of the two study groups were similar. There was no statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 with respect to vital signs (systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, body temperature), white blood cell counts, and frequency of imaging studies (ultrasound, computed tomography). There was no significant difference in the rate of perforated appendicitis between the two study groups although a shorter median time to operative intervention has been found in the group who received analegesia. Conclusion: The preconsultation use of analgesics in ED patients with a final diagnosis of appendicitis is not associated with a longer delay to operative intervention and is not associated with an increased rate of perforated appendicitis.
An in vitro biomechanical comparison of a limited-contact dynamic compression plate fixation with a dynamic compression plate fixation of osteotomized equine third metacarpal bones

Objectives— To compare the monotonic biomechanical properties and fatigue life of a broad, limited contact, dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP) fixation with a broad, dynamic compression plate (DCP) fixation to repair osteotomized equine 3rd metacarpal (MC3) bones. Study Design— In vitro biomechanical testing of paired cadaveric equine MC3 with a mid-diaphyseal osteotomy, stabilized by 1 of 2 methods for fracture fixation. Animal Population— Twelve pairs of adult equine cadaveric MC3 bones. Methods— Twelve pairs of equine MC3 were divided into 3 test groups (4 pairs each) for (1) 4-point bending single cycle to failure testing, (2) 4-point bending cyclic fatigue testing, and (3) torsional single cycle to failure testing. An LC-DCP (8-hole, 4.5 mm) was applied to the dorsal surface of 1 randomly selected bone from each pair. One DCP (8-hole, 4.5 mm broad) was applied dorsally to the contralateral bone from each pair. All plates and screws were applied using standard AO/ASIF techniques to MC3 bones that had mid-diaphyseal osteotomies. Mean test variable values for each method were compared using a paired t-test within each group. Significance was set at P<.05. Results— The mean 4-point bending yield load, yield bending moment, composite rigidity, failure load, and failure bending moment of LC-DCP fixation were significantly greater (P<.01) than those of broad DCP fixation. Mean cycles to failure for 4-point bending was significantly (P<.001) greater for broad DCP fixation compared with broad LC-DCP fixation. Mean yield load, mean composite rigidity, and mean failure load in torsion was significantly (P<.02) greater for broad LC-DCP fixation compared with broad DCP fixation. Conclusion— Broad LC-DCP offers increased stability in static overload testing, however, it offers significantly less stability in cyclic fatigue testing. Clinical Relevance— The clinical relevance of the cyclic fatigue data supports the conclusion that the broad DCP fixation is biomechanically superior to the broad LC-DCP fixation in osteotomized equine MC3 bones despite the results of the static overload testing.
Trends In Disability And Related Chronic Conditions Among People Ages Fifty To Sixty-Four

Although still below 2 percent, the proportion of people ages 50–64 who reported needing help with personal care activities increased significantly from 1997 to 2007. The proportions needing help with routine household chores and indicating difficulty with physical functions were stable. These patterns contrast with reported declines in disability among the population age sixty-five and older. Particularly concerning among those ages 50—64 are significant increases in limitations in specific mobility-related activities, such as getting into and out of bed. Musculoskeletal conditions remained the most commonly cited causes of disability at these ages. There were also substantial increases in the attribution of disability to depression, diabetes, and nervous system conditions for this age group.
Diphenhydramine Suicide—Case Report

A suicidal death is described Involving diphenhydramlne. Toxicological analysis revealed the following concentration of this compound: blood, 31.0 mcg/ml; brain, 32.0 mcg/g; urine, 6.4 mcglml; gastric [total], 554 rag. Methods for the detection and quantltatlon of the drug are described.
cis- and trans-acting elements involved in regulation of norB (norZ), the gene encoding nitric oxide reductase in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The ability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to reduce nitric oxide (NO) may have important immunomodulatory effects on the host during infection. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanism of the nitric oxide reductase gene (norB) needs to be elucidated. To accomplish this, we analysed the functional regions of the norB upstream region. The promoter contains an extended -10 motif (TGNTACAAT) that is required for high-level expression. Deletion and substitution analysis of the norB upstream region revealed that no sequence upstream of the -10 motif is involved in norB regulation under anaerobic conditions or in the presence of NO. However, replacement of a 29 bp inverted repeat sequence immediately downstream of the extended -10 motif gave high levels of aerobic expression of a norB : : lacZ fusion. Insertional inactivation of gonococcal nsrR, predicted to bind to this inverted repeat sequence, resulted in the loss of norB repression and eliminated NO induction capacity. Single-copy complementation of nsrR in trans restored regulation of both norB transcription and NorB activity by NO. In Escherichia coli, expression of a gonococcal nsrR gene repressed gonococcal norB; induction of norB occurred in the presence of exogenously added NO. NsrR also regulates aniA and dnrN, as well as its own expression. We also determined that Fur regulates norB by a novel indirect activation method, by preventing the binding of a gonococcal ArsR homologue, a second repressor whose putative binding site overlaps the Fur binding site.
Indestructibility and level by level equivalence and inequivalence

If κ < λ are such that κ is indestructibly supercompact and λ is 2λ supercompact, it is known from [4] that {δ < κ | δ is a measurable cardinal which is not a limit of measurable cardinals and δ violates level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness} must be unbounded in κ. On the other hand, using a variant of the argument used to establish this fact, it is possible to prove that if κ < λ are such that κ is indestructibly supercompact and λ is measurable, then {δ < κ | δ is a measurable cardinal which is not a limit of measurable cardinals and δ satisfies level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness} must be unbounded in κ. The two aforementioned phenomena, however, need not occur in a universe with an indestructibly supercompact cardinal and sufficiently few large cardinals. In particular, we show how to construct a model with an indestructibly supercompact cardinal κ in which if δ < κ is a measurable cardinal which is not a limit of measurable cardinals, then δ must satisfy level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness. We also, however, show how to construct a model with an indestructibly supercompact cardinal κ in which if δ < κ is a measurable cardinal which is not a limit of measurable cardinals, then δ must violate level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Probabilistic Analysis and Optimization to Characterize Critical Water Distribution System Contamination Scenarios

AbstractCharacterization of critical water distribution system (WDS) contamination scenarios—defined by a set of attributes, a probability of occurrence, and a specific level of consequences—is a prerequisite for preparation of reliable and cost-effective mitigation, preparedness, and emergency response plans. This study develops Monte Carlo and risk-based optimization schemes to evaluate contamination risk of WDSs for generation of this important class of scenarios, which are representative of the most vulnerable aspects of the system. Defining attributes of contamination scenarios are identified as contaminant type and amount, contamination location, start time, duration, and time of year scenario occurs. Well-documented waterborne outbreaks reported in developed nations are analyzed to empirically estimate statistical characteristics of defining attributes in accidental events. Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to determine the probability distribution of public-health consequences, aggregate conditi...
Diabetes Self-Management Care via Cell Phone: A Systematic Review

It is an ongoing challenge to provide care and support that will produce and sustain the desired improvements in the health of persons with a chronic illness such as diabetes. Quality health care requires effective collaboration between clinicians and patients.1,2 Finding novel ways to enhance communication and improve the health of those with chronic diseases is also a continuing part of providing care. Interventions involving automated telephone message systems have been shown to improve knowledge and health outcomes.3–5 Telephone-based interventions have had positive results even among persons of low socioeconomic status and ethnic minorities.6 According to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, there are over 255 million cell phone subscribers in the United States.7 Although income may seem to be a major barrier in cell phone ownership, every two out of three households in the United States have a cell phone.8 In a survey of those owning a cell phone, 35% said that they use it for text messaging.9 There is a need to examine if the various functions of cell phones, including text messaging, can help with providing better health care and lead to improved health outcomes. Education and information technology are parts of diabetes care that have been studied. There are other reviews on health care telephone technology,10,11 automated telephone messages,4,12 cell phone technology,13 diabetes Web-assisted interventions,14 and diabetes-computerized learning technologies.15 However, no systematic review or meta-analysis of cell phone-based interventions for persons with diabetes and/or obesity exists to our knowledge that analyzes the evidence on the use of cell phones and text messaging interventions to improve health outcomes, processes of care, acceptance by users, and whether it is cost-effective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the evidence on the impact of cell phone interventions in improving health outcomes and/or processes of care for persons with diabetes and/or obesity. We systematically reviewed studies to evaluate the impact of care and support interventions via cell phone in improving health outcomes and processes of care for persons with diabetes and/or obesity.