cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Asthma and Emotion: A Review

This review of the empirical literature on the relationship between asthma and emotion presents an explanatory model of the connection between them. Asthmatics tend to report and display a high level of negative emotion, and asthma exacerbations have been linked temporally to periods of heightened emotionality. Causality may be bidirectional. Hypothesized mediators for the relationship between asthma and emotionality include vagal and alpha-sympathetic hyperreactivity, predominant obstruction in the larger airways, individual response stereotypy, direct effects of emotion-related facial muscle tension on the airways, the emotional effects of asthma medications, heightened respiratory drive, and hyperventilation. Predictions are presented for research on this model of asthma and emotion, and for the psychological treatment of asthma.
When beauty is beastly: The effects of appearance and sex on evaluations of job applicants for managerial and nonmanagerial jobs.

Abstract To explore the idea that the career opportunities of attractive women are hindered by their appearance an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of both appearance and sex on the evaluations of applicants for managerial and nonmanagerial positions. As predicted, attractiveness consistently proved to be an advantage for men but was an advantage for women only when seeking a nonmanagerial position. This was found to be the case in ratings of qualifications, recommendations for hiring, suggested starting salary, and rankings of hiring preferences. Additional results indicated that attractiveness exaggerated perceptions of gender-related attributes involving work behaviors. Taken together, these data were interpreted as supporting the idea that the effects of appearance are mediated by fluctuations in the perceived fit between applicant attributes and job requirements. The implications of these findings both for organizations and for women who seek to advance their careers are discussed.
Leadership, Solidarity and Conflict in West Indian Immigrant Associations

This paper examines the relationship between the style in which leadership roles are played and the development of factionalism and conflict in two West Indian immigrant associations in Montreal, the Civil Rights association and the Ethnic association. After considering several variables related to the occurrence of conflict and ineffectiveness in West Indian associations generally, it tries to isolate through a "deviant case" analysis, why, in two generally similar associations, one should have developed conflict and the other not. It suggests that leadership roles played according to values of particularism, affectivity, and diffuseness tend to minimize potential areas of incipient strain, while leadership roles played according to values of universalism, neutrality, and specificity tend to maximize these areas of potential strain, resulting in the development of factionalism and conflict which threaten the viability of the association.
Estimating the demand for risky assets via the indirect expected utility function

This article obtains demand functions for risky assets without making a priori assumptions about the form of the utility function. In a simple portfolio model, the envelope theorem is applied to the indirect expected utility function to derive estimating equations. Tests for the existence of constant absolute or constant relative risk aversion are also developed. Empirical estimation of the demand for financial assets held by U.S. households for the period 1946–1985 indicates that aggregate household behavior is consistent with the existence of constant relative risk aversion, with the coefficient of risk aversion having a value of approximately 1.3.
Inhibition of Deoxynucleoside Kinases in Human Thymocytes Prevents dATP Accumulation and Induction of Apoptosis

Thymocytes lacking adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, a purine metabolism enzyme, accumulate intracellular dATP and consequently undergo apoptosis during development. We have analyzed the effect of ADA enzyme inhibition in human thymocyte suspension cultures with regard to accumulation of intracellular dATP and induction of apoptosis. We demonstrate that while inhibition of deoxycytidine kinase will prevent the accumulation of dATP and induction of apoptosis to a large degree, inhibition of both deoxycytidine kinase and adenosine kinase completely abrogates the accumulation of dATP and significantly reduces the induction of apoptosis. Thus, both deoxynucleoside kinases are involved in this model of ADA deficiency.
Multiply branched DNA molecules from bacteriophage λ: Putative post-replicational repair DNA intermediates

Previous studies have shown that thymidine deprivation causes the formation of multiply branched molecules among bacteriophage lambda DNA replicative intermediates. In the present report, we present supporting evidence indicating that the induction of the SOS response is involved in this process. Moreover, close inspection of the DNA replicatives intermediates present in a recA deficient strain, shows an accumulation of gapped replicative intermediates. From these observations we postulate a model by which multiply branched DNA molecules may be intermediates or derived intermediates of a post-replicational repair pathway.
Census and Censure: Sacred Threshing Floors and Counting Taboos in 2 Samuel 24

Abstract Focusing on the mythological features in the story of David’s census and the plague at the threshing floor of Araunah in 2 Samuel 24, this paper argues that David, by conducting a census, transgressed the power of God by mimicking God’s creator/counter role. By examining the mythological aspects of the story, such as cosmogony, threshing floors, counting taboos, sacrifice and temple building, this paper argues that the narrative disparages David’s kingly status in order to assert God’s position as the ultimate king, creator and counter. Moreover, the story points towards the future function of Araunah’s threshing floor as the site of Solomon’s Temple, a place that would symbolize the continual presence, power and rule of the Israelite deity.
Carbon-assisted growth of SiOx nanowires

During attempts to fabricate ZnO nanowires, we accidentally observed the growth of SiOx nanowires on Au-coated Si substrate. Detailed characterizations on the resulting nanowires were carried out b...
From Src homology domains to other signaling modules : proposal of the 'protein recognition code'

The study of oncogenes has illuminated many aspects of cellular signaling. The delineation and characterization of protein modules exemplified by Src Homology domains has revolutionized our understanding of the molecular events underlying signal transduction pathways. Several well characterized intracellular modules which mediate protein-protein interactions, namely SH2, SH3, PH, PTB, EH, PDZ, EVH1 and WW domains, are directly involved in the multitude of membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear processes in multicellular and/or unicellular organisms. The modular character of these protein domains and their cognate motifs, the universality of their molecular function, their widespread occurrence, and the specificity as well as the degeneracy of their interactions have prompted us to propose the concept of the `protein recognition code'. By a parallel analogy to the universal genetic code, we propose here that there will be a finite set of precise rules to govern and predict protein-protein interactions mediated by modules. Several rules of the `protein recognition code' have already emerged.
Optimization of gene delivery methods in Xenopus laevis kidney (A6) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines for heterologous expression of Xenopus inner ear genes

The Xenopus inner ear provides a useful model for studies of hearing and balance because it shares features with the mammalian inner ear, and because amphibians are capable of regenerating damaged mechanosensory hair cells. The structure and function of many proteins necessary for inner ear function have yet to be elucidated and require methods for analysis. To this end, we seek to characterize Xenopus inner ear genes outside of the animal model through heterologous expression in cell lines. As part of this effort, we aimed to optimize physical (electroporation), chemical (lipid-mediated; Lipofectamine™ 2000, Metafectene® Pro), and biological (viral-mediated; BacMam virus Cellular Lights™ Tubulin-RFP) gene delivery methods in amphibian (Xenopus; A6) cells and mammalian (Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)) cells. We successfully introduced the commercially available pEGFP-N3, pmCherry-N1, pEYFP-Tubulin, and Cellular Lights™ Tubulin-RFP fluorescent constructs to cells and evaluated their transfection or transduction efficiencies using the three gene delivery methods. In addition, we analyzed the transfection efficiency of a novel construct synthesized in our laboratory by cloning the Xenopus inner ear calcium-activated potassium channel β1 subunit, then subcloning the subunit into the pmCherry-N1 vector. Every gene delivery method was significantly more effective in CHO cells. Although results for the A6 cell line were not statistically significant, both cell lines illustrate a trend towards more efficient gene delivery using viral-mediated methods; however the cost of viral transduction is also much higher. Our findings demonstrate the need to improve gene delivery methods for amphibian cells and underscore the necessity for a greater understanding of amphibian cell biology.
Postsurgical surveillance of patients with FIGO stage I/II endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Abstract Objective: To examine the effect of postsurgical surveillance on survival of patients with FIGO stage I/II endometrial adenocarcinoma. Methods: We examined the records of 354 patients who underwent primary surgical therapy for FIGO stage I/II endometrial adenocarcinoma. In patients who developed recurrent disease, we determined whether symptoms or signs of disease were present at recurrence and whether there was evidence of disease on Pap smear or chest radiograph. Results: Among the 354 patients in this study, 44 (12%) developed recurrent disease. Sites of recurrence included 12 (27%) isolated vaginal, 12 (27%) pelvis with vagina or abdomen, 4 (10%) isolated lung, 13 (29%) pelvic/abdominal with other distant sites, and 3 (7%) other distant sites. At diagnosis of recurrence 61% of patients had symptoms related to their cancer, 68% had physical exam findings suggestive of recurrence, and 84% had symptoms and/or signs. Findings consistent with recurrent cancer were detected by Pap smear in 25% and on chest radiograph in 20%. Among the 44 patients who developed recurrent disease, 8 (18%) remain alive without evidence of disease, including 6/12 (50%) with isolated vaginal disease and 2/34 (6%) with other patterns of recurrent disease ( P = 0.01). Among the 12 patients with isolated vaginal recurrence, 1/3 (33%) in whom recurrent disease was diagnosed by Pap smear alone was salvaged compared to 5/9 (56%) who had symptoms or signs of vaginal recurrence. None of the three patients in whom an abnormal chest radiograph was the only evidence of recurrence survived. Conclusions: Because of the low recurrence rate of FIGO stage I/II endometrial cancer and the paucity of effective second-line treatment, surveillance Pap smears and chest radiographs appear to have little impact on survival. Although few asymptomatic potentially curable recurrences were detected due to surveillance examinations, the value of psychological reassurance associated with a normal examination is difficult to quantitate.
An Economic Analysis of the Effects of the Uruguay Round Agreement and Full Trade Liberalization on the World Dairy Sector

A dairy trade model of the world dairy economy is developed. The model incorporates the allocation of milk fat and solids- nonfat among dairy commodities in a spatial equilibrium context. The model is used to simulate the market equilibrium impacts of the Uruguay Round Agreement and full free trade in the world dairy sector, including prices, production, consumption and trade flows. The free trade results indicate average world prices for farm milk near current U.S. levels, while farm milk prices in western Europe, Japan and Canada fall by 25.8%, 36.4% and 32.3%, respectively. In contrast, Australia and New Zealand farm milk prices rise by 22.5% and 50.8%, respectively. Un modele de l'economic laitiere mondiale est developpe. Le modele analyse l'allocation spatiale du lait, de ses composantes (c'est-a-dire, matiere grasse, proteine) et des produits laitiers. Il est utilise pour simuler les effets de l'accord de l'Uruguay et de la liberalisation des marches sur l'economie laitiere, y compris sur les prix, la production, la consommation et les echanges commerciaux. Les resultats indiquent qu‘en presence de marches libres, les prix mondiaux seraient proches des prix courants aux Etats-Unis, alors que leprix du lait diminuerait de 25,8 %, 36,4 % et 32,3 % en Europe de l'Ouest, au Japan et au Canada, respectivement. Par contraste, le prix du lait en Australie et en Nouvelle Zelande augmenterait respectivement de 22,5 % et 50,8 %.
A self-coordinating adaptive control scheme for HVDC transmission systems

The transients in a HVDC system can temporarily change line currents, voltages, and power substantially from the reference steady state values and the behavior of the system depends greatly upon the parameters of the converter controller. The DC system performances are affected by the AC system characteristics such as the short circuit ratio, and the AC system inertia. A controller which has good performance for a particular operating condition may not have sufficiently good performance under another operating condition or vice versa. Performance of the controller also depends on the impedance at the rectifier and the inverter bus, which may vary according to the operating conditions of the AC network. A controller with self-coordinating adaptive capability can perform better in various situations. The proposed controller is tested at a very low SCR, the most critical value for system performance evaluation, and at the low inertia of the AC system. Simulation results are compared between proposed controller, fuzzy tuned controller, gain scheduling controller, and fixed-parameter controller. All simulations are conducted using MATLAB/SIMULINK software package.
Surface soil water loss after summer rainfall in a semidesert grassland

Surface soil water contents were analyzed for bare and litter‐ or gravel‐covered soils for 20 drying periods after summer rainfall in southeastern Arizona. Water contents were measured every minute by fiberglass cells calibrated for the sandy‐loam soil, and 30‐ to 60‐min averages were stored by microloggers. Water loss to equivalent matric potentials of ‐1.5 MPa for bare surface soils (1–3 cm) was fast (1.2 ± 0.5 days), moderate (2.6 ± 0.9 days), or slow (5.9 ± 1.4 days) when the upper 15 cm of soil at the start of the drying period had 13.3, 27.1, and 36.1 cm of water, respectively. Those water contents are near saturation and near field capacity for slow and moderate drying rates, respectively. For fast drying rates, water content was near field capacity at 1–3 cm but dry below 8 cm. Litter or gravel mulches increased the time of surface soil water availability by 0.7 to 1.9 days for fast and moderate drying periods, respectively. Drying from the surface down into the soil profile averaged 3.6 cm day‐1....
The communicative impact of institutionalization for the elderly: The admissions process

Abstract It has been estimated that nearly 25% of all individuals living beyond their sixty-fifth birthday will spend a significant portion of time living or recuperating within a nursing home. While these individuals must cope with the physical problems which have necessitated their institutionalization, they must also adapt to a highly structured environment which often controls the communicative world of each individual effected by the institution. This article highlights the unique communicative world of the nursing home. Special attention is paid to the transition each elderly resident must make as he or she enters the nursing home and the limits placed on interpersonal activity by the rules and regulations of nursing homes. Finally, the initial interactions which do take place between staff and the new residents and the new residents with “tenured” residents are shown to highlight feelings of dependence and unhealthiness as fostered by the institution.
Mechanisms of reaginic hypersensitivity and immunotherapy.

Reaginic antibodies in hay fever patients belong to IgE. The immunoglobulin sensitizes basophilic granulocytes and mast cells from homologous species and mediates the release of chemical mediators which cause allergic symptoms. The sensitization is due to the binding of IgE to receptors on the target cells through the Fc portion of the molecules. High affinity of the molecules for the receptor is responsible for the biologic activity of IgE antibodies and for the persistence of sensitization with the antibodies. The initial step of the reaginic hypersensitivity reactions is bridging of cell-bound IgE antibody molecules by a multivalent antigen. Since IgE is firmly bound with receptors, cross-linkage of IgE molecules will cause a disturbance of membrane structure and/or interaction between receptor molecules at the cell membrane, which will activate membrane-associated enzymes. It appears that the activation of sequences of enzymes will lead to the release of chemical mediators from the cells.
Multifunctional ligands based on dihydrolipoic acid and polyethylene glycol to promote biocompatibility of quantum dots.

One of the common strategies to promote the transfer of quantum dots (QDs) to buffer media and to couple them to biological molecules has relied on cap exchange. We have shown previously that dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-appended DHLA can effectively replace the native ligands on CdSe-ZnS QDs. Here we explain in detail the synthesis of a series of modular ligands made of the DHLA-PEG motif appended with terminal functional groups. This design allows easy coupling of biomolecules and dyes to the QDs. The ligands are modular and each is comprised of three units: a potential biological functional group (biotin, carboxylic acid and amine) and a DHLA appended at the ends of a short PEG chain, where PEG promotes water solubility and DHLA provides anchoring onto the QD. The resulting QDs are stable over a broad pH range and accessible to simple bioconjugation techniques, such as avidin–biotin binding.
Electron microscopy elucidates eosinophil degranulation patterns in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Background In patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), eosinophils accumulate and release granule proteins onto esophageal epithelium. However, little is understood about the mechanism of eosinophil degranulation. Objective To determine and quantify eosinophil degranulation patterns, we studied esophageal biopsy specimens from both the proximal and distal esophagi of 9 randomly selected patients with EoE. Methods The specimens were fixed in glutaraldehyde, embedded, sectioned, and imaged by means of transmission electron microscopy. Eosinophils and their granules were identified by their distinctive morphology, and all eosinophils and granules were imaged. A total of 1672 images from 18 esophageal specimens were evaluated and graded. Eosinophils were categorized based on membrane integrity and by cytoplasmic vesiculation as evidence of piecemeal degranulation. Granules were categorized based on reversal of staining (eosinophil granule core lightening) and localization within and outside the cells. Results The results revealed that greater than 98% of eosinophils infiltrating the esophagus in patients with EoE demonstrate morphologic abnormalities ranging from granule changes with reversal of staining to marked cytoplasmic vesiculation to loss of cellular membrane integrity with cytolytic disruption and release of intact membrane-bound granules into the tissues. Approximately 81% of eosinophils showed membrane disruption. Extracellular granules were abundant in at least 70% of the images, and approximately 50% of these granules showed reversal of staining. On the basis of the prominence of tubulovesicular development, piecemeal degranulation appears closely related to the other morphologic changes seen in patients with EoE. Conclusion These findings reveal that eosinophils in esophageal biopsy specimens from patients with EoE are abnormal, with greater than 80% showing cytolysis, and therefore that evaluation by means of light microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin staining might not accurately reflect eosinophil involvement.
Prospects for US coal

Abstract As is all too frequent with energy discussions, appraisals of coal tend to be exaggerated in one direction or the other. Coal is either dismissed as an unattractive fuel or considered a cure-all. Realistically coal is an important present source of energy; coal consumption is growing and will continue to do so; serious questions exist about how much faster the growth can and should proceed. However, coal expansion is at least as plagued by policy barriers as is the development of other US energy resources.
Experimental creutzfeldt-jakob disease transmitted via the eye with infected cornea.

Scrapie of sheep, transmissible mink encephalopathy and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and kuru of man constitute the nosologic group of subacute spongiform virus encephalopathies.1 The possible transmi...
Tracking the influence of reflexive attention on sensory and cognitive processing.

Previously, we demonstrated that reflexive attention facilitates early visual processing during form discrimination (Hopfinger & Mangun, 1998). In the present study, we tested whether reflexive facilitation of early visual processing will be generated when task load is low (simple luminance detection). Target stimuli that were preceded at short cue-to-target intervals by irrelevant visual events (cues) elicited an enhanced sensory (P1) event-related potential (ERP) component as well as an enhanced longer latency, cognitive ERP component (P300). At long cue-to-target intervals, facilitation in these ERP components was no longer observed, and, although inhibition of return (IOR) was observed in reaction times, the ERPs did not show an inhibition of sensory processing. These results provide converging evidence that reflexive attention transiently facilitates neural processing of visual inputs at multiple stages of analysis (i.e., sensory processing and higher order cognitive processing) but question the view that IOR is manifest at the earliest visual cortical stages of analysis.
Improved determination of |Vub| from inclusive semileptonic B-meson decays

Abstract We reduce the perturbative uncertainty in the determination of |Vub| from inclusive semileptonic B decays by calculating the rate of B→X u lν events with dilepton invariant mass q 2 >M B −M D at subleading order in the hybrid expansion, and to next-to-leading order in renormalization-group improved perturbation theory. We also resum logarithmic corrections to the leading power-suppressed contributions. Studying the effect of different b-quark mass definitions we find that the branching ratio after the cut is Br (B→X u lν)=(20.9±4.0)|V ub | 2 , where the dominant error is due to the uncertainty in the b-quark mass. This implies that |Vub| can be determined with a precision of about 10%.
Stories of (social) distress: Applied narrative analysis and public policy for the homeless

Recent attention to the use of social science research in the formation of social policy highlights the role of narratives in the mediation of the relationships between research and practice, science and policy. This paper demonstrates the value of applied narrative analysis in revealing the function of narratives in this mediation. Public debate over a universal “right to shelter” for homeless persons in Washington D.C. is the central case study. The results illustrate the usefulness of applied narrative analysis in the study of social distress and in the forging of new links between research and policy.
An Ethnographic Study of an Urban Periodic Marketplace: Lessons from the Midville Farmers' Market

Abstract An ethnography of a midwestern farmers' market captures patterns of farmer/vendor behaviors and buyer-seller interactions. We used a variety of methods and media to produce a thick description of this periodic urban marketplace and to reveal a series of successful marketing practices. The paper uses an extended case study format as a baseline for interpreting the role of retail institutions in the social construction of community.
Growth of five families of Pinus taeda L during three years of ozone exposure

SUMMARY Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings of five half-sib families were grown for 3 yr in the field in open-top chambers. The seedlings were fumigated during the growing seasons (approximately April-October) with ozone at the following target levels: subambient (CF), ambient (AMB), and ambient+ 60 ppb (AMB +). At the end of the three growing seasons, no significant ozone effects on diameter, height or total biomass of the seedlings were detected, and no statistically significant ozone-family interactions were detected. Analysis of growth trends suggest that drought during the second and third growing seasons may have interacted with the ozone treatments. The importance of long-term studies under realistic field conditions is discussed.
Power System Static-State Estimation, Part II: Approximate Model

The static state of an electric power system is defined as the vector of the voltage magnitudes and angles at all network buses. The static-state estimator is a data-processing algorithm for converting redundant meter readings and other available information into an estimate of the static-state vector. Discussions center on an approximate mathematical model (related to the dc load-flow model). This model yields noniterative-state estimation equations, simplified prediction of effects of network and generation-load pattern changes on network flow, and simplified detection and identification of modeling errors. Results of some initial computer studies on the real power-voltage angle portion of the approximate model are discussed.
Sensing of electrically conductive textiles and capacitance sensor-embedded fabrics for parachutes

This paper evaluates the conductive properties and sensing capabilities of various smart materials being considered for enhancing parachute performance. In a previous review of sensing technologies, several materials showed potential for parachute implementation - specifically, electrically conductive textiles and dielectric electro-active polymers (DEAPs). Past efforts have been focused on mechanically testing and evaluating the sensing performance of conductive fabrics (coated with carbon nanotubes, polypyrrole and polyaniline) and DEAPs. While some of the conductive fabrics demonstrated sufficient sensing capability, they were not conductive enough to implement into an intelligent parachute sensor network for transmitting power or data. Also, attaching or stitching DEAPs to the parachute fabric has proven to be a challenge. The primary goal of this paper is to investigate the use of highly-conductive textiles in an intelligent textile sensor network for sensing and as a means to transmit power or electrical signals. The applications of the materials investigated in this paper may also extend beyond parachutes to any large-scale textile structure.
Development Through Work and Play

Abstract Adopting a work–play framework that attends to the adaptive, self-enhancing potential of play in work and human development contributes to an enhanced conceptualization of careers, both within career theory generally and the developmental perspective on careers specifically. Such a framework also promotes investigations of the connections between these life domains. Five proposals are made to imbue the developmental perspective on careers with a work–play fusion. These proposals examine how a work–play integration in vocational development theory, research, and counseling practice can foster optimal human development and therein aim to advance a revitalized developmental paradigm of career. Ultimately, theory construction and research inquiry that comprehends and investigates an integration of life roles in the domains of work and play could foster adaptability in human life-span development.
The Use of Specific Radioimmunoassays to Determine the Renal Clearance Rates of Estrone and 17β-Estradiol during the Menstrual Cycle

Specific RIAs requiring ether extraction only were established for estrone and 17β-estradiol both in plasma and in urine from the nonpregnant female. These assays were used to measure the renal clearance rates of estrone and of 17β-estradiol in eight ambulatory women in the follicular and in the luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. The mean (±SE) for the renal clearance rate of estrone was 0.71 ± 0.058 ml/min in the follicular phase and 1.26 ± 0.35 ml/min in the luteal phase. The mean (±SE) renal clearance rate of 17β-estradiol was 0.44 ± 0.055 ml/min in the follicular phase and 0.29 ± 0.043 ml/min in the luteal phase. There was no significant difference in the renal clearance rates of either estrone or of 17β-estradiol between the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle. The renal clearances of estrone and 17β-estradiol were highly correlated (r = 0.84; P < 0.01). The renal clearance rate of estrone was significantly greater than that of 17β-estradiol in both phases of the cycle (P < 0.01).
The Roles of Glycine Residues in the ATP Binding Site of Human Brain Hexokinase

Abstract Mutants of hexokinase I (Arg539→ Lys, Thr661 → Ala, Thr661 → Val, Gly534 → Ala, Gly679 → Ala, and Gly862 → Ala), located putatively in the vicinity of the ATP binding pocket, were constructed, purified to homogeneity, and studied by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and initial velocity kinetics. The wild-type and mutant enzymes have similar secondary structures on the basis of CD spectroscopy. The mutation Gly679 → Ala had little effect on the kinetic properties of the enzyme. Compared with the wild-type enzyme, however, the Gly534 → Ala mutant exhibited a 4000-fold decrease in k cat and the Gly862 → Ala mutant showed an 11-fold increase inK m for ATP. Glucose 6-phosphate inhibition of the three glycine mutants is comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme. Inorganic phosphate is, however, less effective in relieving glucose 6-phosphate inhibition of the Gly862 → Ala mutant, relative to the wild-type enzyme and entirely ineffective in relieving inhibition of the Gly534 → Ala mutant. Although the fluorescence emission spectra showed some difference for the Gly862 → Ala mutant relative to that of the wild-type enzyme, indicating an environmental alteration around tryptophan residues, no change was observed for the Gly534 → Ala and Gly679 → Ala mutants. Gly862 → Ala and Gly534 → Ala are the first instances of single residue mutations in hexokinase I that affect the binding affinity of ATP and abolish phosphate-induced relief of glucose 6-phosphate inhibition, respectively.
The Relationship between Stressful Life Events and School-Related Performances of Type a and Type b Adolescents

Previous research indicates that an individual's style of coping with stress and the nature of stressful events combine to mediate responses to stress. The present study investigated the responses of Type A and Type B high school students to controllable and uncontrollable stressful life events. Specifically, the associations between life stress and gradepoint average, extracurricular activity, sports involvement, days absent, and delinquent behavior were examined. The results revealed a negative relationship between life stress and school-related performance that was more pronounced for Type B than for Type A adolescents. These findings are discussed in terms of different coping mechanisms used by Type A's and B's when encountering environmental stress.
Demand and supply of Indian exports: A simultaneous equation approach

Abstract This paper is an attempt to apply a simultaneous demand and supply model to the Indian export market. The price, as well as, the quantity of exports demanded and supplied are treated as endogenous variables. Using data for the years 1960–1986, the parameters of this model are estimated. A stability test suggests that these coefficients are stable over this period. The demand for exports is unit elastic while the supply for exports is price elastic. The demand for exports is also world income elastic.
Analysis of page utilization and types of articles published in four major American cardiology journals in 1984

Abstract Several peer-review journals devoted exclusively to cardiology are published in the U.S.A. Although the types of articles and the authors of (and reviewers for) the articles in the various American cardiologic journals are similar, the numbers of articles and pages utilized for them in the various journals are quite different. This article summarizes the results of counting the numbers of editorial (non-advertising) pages published and the types of articles published during 1984 in the American Heart Journal, the American Journal of Cardiology, Circulation, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Assessment and mitigation of DNA loss utilizing centrifugal filtration devices

Abstract Maximizing DNA recovery during its isolation can be vital in forensic casework, particularly when DNA yields are expected to be low, such as from touch samples. Many forensic laboratories utilize centrifugal filtration devices to purify and concentrate the DNA; however, DNA loss has been reported when using them. In this study, all centrifugal filtration devices tested caused substantial DNA loss, affecting low molecular weight DNA (PCR product) somewhat more than high molecular weight DNA. Strategies for mitigating DNA loss were then examined, including pre-treatment with glucose, glycogen, silicone (RainX ® ), bovine serum albumin, yeast RNA, or high molecular weight DNA. The length of pre-treatment and UV irradiation of pre-treatment reagents were also investigated. Pre-treatments with glucose and glycogen resulted in little or no improvement in DNA recovery, and most or all DNA was lost after silicone pre-treatment. Devices pre-treated with BSA produced irregular and uninterpretable quantitative PCR amplification curves for the DNA and internal PCR control. On the other hand, nucleic acid pre-treatments greatly improved recovery of all DNAs. Pre-treatment time and its UV irradiation did not influence DNA recovery. Overall, the results show that centrifugal filtration devices trap DNA, yet their proper pre-treatment can circumvent that loss, which is critical in the case of low copy forensic DNA samples.
Epithelial, dendritic, and CD4(+) T cell regulation of and by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in allergic sensitization.

Abstract Background While many of the contributing cell types and mediators of allergic asthma are known, less well understood are the factors that induce allergy in the first place. Amongst the mediators speculated to affect initial allergen sensitization and the development of pathogenic allergic responses to innocuous inhaled antigens and allergens are exogenously or endogenously generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Scope of review The interactions between ROS/RNS, dendritic cells (DCs), and CD4+ T cells, as well as their modulation by lung epithelium, are of critical importance for the genesis of allergies that later manifest in allergic asthma. Therefore, this review will primarily focus on the initiation of pulmonary allergies and the role that ROS/RNS may play in the steps therein, using examples from our own work on the roles of NO2 exposure and airway epithelial NF-κB activation. Major conclusions Endogenously generated ROS/RNS and those encountered from environmental sources interact with epithelium, DCs, and CD4+ T cells to orchestrate allergic sensitization through modulation of the activities of each of these cell types, which quantitiatively and qualitatively dictate the degree and type of the allergic asthma phenotype. General significance Knowledge of the effects of ROS/RNS at the molecular and cellular levels has the potential to provide powerful insight into the balance between inhalational tolerance (the typical immunologic response to an innocuous inhaled antigen) and allergy, as well as to potentially provide mechanistic targets for the prevention and treatment of asthma.
Automated mass correction and data interpretation for protein open-access liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Characterization of recombinant protein purification fractions and final products by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) are requested more frequently each year. A protein open-access (OA) LC/MS system was developed in our laboratory to meet this demand. This paper compares the system that we originally implemented in our facilities in 2003 to the one now in use, and discusses, in more detail, recent enhancements that have improved its robustness, reliability, and data reporting capabilities. The system utilizes instruments equipped with reversed-phase chromatography and an orthogonal accelerated time-of-flight mass spectrometer fitted with an electrospray source. Sample analysis requests are accomplished using a simple form on a web-enabled laboratory information management system (LIMS). This distributed form is accessible from any intranet-connected company desktop computer. Automated data acquisition and processing are performed using a combination of in-house (OA-Self Service, OA-Monitor, and OA-Analysis Engine) and vendor-supplied programs (AutoLynx, and OpenLynx) located on acquisition computers and off-line processing workstations. Analysis results are then reported via the same web-based LIMS. Also presented are solutions to problems not addressed on commercially available, small-molecule OA-LC/MS systems. These include automated transforming of mass-to-charge (m/z) spectra to mass spectra and automated data interpretation that considers minor variants to the protein sequence—such as common post-translational modifications (PTMs). Currently, our protein OA-LC/MS platform runs on five LC/MS instruments located in three separate GlaxoSmithKline R&D sites in the US and UK. To date, more than 8000 protein OA-LC/MS samples have been analyzed. With these user friendly and highly automated OA systems in place, mass spectrometry plays a key role in assessing the quality of recombinant proteins, either produced at our facilities or bought from external sources, without dedicating extensive amounts of analyst resource. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biofuels: effects on land and fire.

IN THEIR REPORTS IN THE 29 FEBRUARY ISSUE ('LAND CLEARING AND THE BIOFUEL CARBON debt,' J. Fargione et al., p. 1235, and 'Use of U.S. croplands for biofuels increases greenhouse gases through emissions from land-use change,' T. Searchinger et al., p. 1238), the authors do not provide adequate support for their claim that biofuels cause high emissions due to land-use change. The conclusions of both papers depend on the misleading premise that biofuel production causes forests and grasslands to be converted to agriculture. However, field research, including a meta-analysis of 152 case studies, consistently finds that land-use change and associated carbon emissions are driven by interactions among cultural, technological, biophysical, political, economic, and demographic forces within a spatial and temporal context rather than by a single crop market. Searchinger et al. assert that soybean prices accelerate clearing of rainforest based on a single citation for a study not designed to identify the causal factors of land clearing. The study analyzed satellite imagery from a single state in Brazil over a 4-year period and focused on land classification after deforestation. Satellite imagery can measure what changed but does little to tell us why. Similarly, Fargione et al. do not rely onmore » primary empirical studies of causes of land-use change. Furthermore, neither fire nor soil carbon sequestration was properly considered in the Reports. Fire's escalating contribution to global climate change is largely a result of burning in tropical savannas and forests. Searchinger et al. postulate that 10.8 million hectares could be needed for future biofuel, a fraction of the 250 to 400 million hectares burned each year between 2000 and 2005. By offering enhanced employment and incomes, biofuels can help establish economic stability and thus reduce the recurring use of fire on previously cleared land as well as pressures to clear more land. Neither Searchinger et al. nor Fargione et al. consider fire as an ongoing land-management tool. In addition, deep-rooted perennial biofuel feedstocks in the tropics could enhance soil carbon storage by 0.5 to 1 metric ton per hectare per year. An improved understanding of the forces behind land-use change leads to more favorable conclusions regarding the potential for biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.« less
Lattice Theory for Helix-Coil Induced Reentrant Isotropic-Nematic Transitions

Abstract A lattice model is proposed to study reentrant isotropic-nematic phase transitions mediated by helix-coil transformations within individual liquid crystal molecules. The system consists of a racemic mixture of molecules in solution with a solvent capable of hydrogen bonding. We first introduce a model to describe helix-coil transformations in the presence of such a solvent. This model displays not only normal helix-coil transformations, but also inverted transformations (i.e. reentrant), as well as reversion to the coiled state at high temperatures. Secondly, we develop a model for the isotropic-nematic phase transition which incorporates intermolecular interactions on the same footing with the intramolecular interactions. Reentrance of the isotropic phase is driven by the inverted helix-coil transformation. Within the nematic phase the effect of induced rigidity is observed. In addition, when solvent-solvent bonding is important in the system, doubly reentrant phase diagrams are predicted. We st...
Searching for Quantum Gravity with High Energy Atmospheric Neutrinos and AMANDA-II

Abstract The AMANDA-II detector, operating since 2000 in the deep ice at the geographic South Pole, has accumulated a large sample of atmospheric muon neutrinos in the 100 GeV to 10 TeV energy range. The zenith angle and energy distribution of these events can be used to search for various phenomenological signatures of quantum gravity in the neutrino sector, such as violation of Lorentz invariance or quantum decoherence. We present the results of such searches using a likelihood method on data from 2000 to 2006. In the absence of new physics, we use the same methodology to constrain conventional models of the atmospheric neutrino flux. The next-generation IceCube detector, now over 50% complete, will provide even more sensitive tests of both conventional neutrino physics as well as physics beyond the Standard Model.
The sub-membrane reticulum of the human erythrocyte: a scanning electron microscope study.

A web-like reticulum underlying the human erythrocyte membrane was studied at a resolution of 5–10 nm by means of a scanning electron microscope. The network was visualized in isolated membranes (ghosts) torn open to reveal their interior space and in residues derived from ghosts extracted with Triton X-100. It formed a continuous (rather than patchy) cover over the entire cytoplasmic surface, except where lifted off or torn away. Filaments (5–40 nm in diameter), annular figures (40–60 nm in diameter), and nodes (30–100 nm in diameter) were prominent in different networks. The dimensions of the filaments and the interstices in the reticulum varied with conditions, suggesting that the network has elastic properties. This reticulum is probably related to the erythrocyte membrane proteins spectrin and actin.
Regional Brain Activation Evoked When Approaching a Virtual Human on a Virtual Walk

We investigated the necessity of biological motion for activation of the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) in circumstances in which the rapid approach of the observer to a virtual human induced the observer to make inferences about the characters intentions. Using a virtual reality environment, subjects experienced themselves walking towards a complex scene composed of animate and/or inanimate objects. During "person" trials, the scene contained a virtual human either making a simple gesture such as scratching his face (Study 1) or standing completely still (Study 2). During "object" trials, the scenes contained items such as furniture, a face portrait, and a clock, but not the virtual human. Using functional MRI to measure brain activity, we demonstrated strong activity in the pSTS while the observer approached the social scene, but only when the virtual human was making gestures. This result emphasizes the importance of biological motion in inferring the intentions of others.
Melynes, polyacetylene constituents from a vanuatu marine sponge

Abstract The structures of three long chain polyeneyne triols, melynes A, B, C are established from degradation reactions, from NMR data and from extensive HREIMS data.
Genome projects and gene pools: new germplasm for plant breeding?

Crop gene pools have adapted to and sustained the demands of agricultural systems for thousands of years. Yet, very little is known about their content, distribution, architecture, or circuitry. The presumably shallow elite gene pools often continue to yield genetic gains while the exotic pools remain mostly untapped, uncharacterized, and underutilized. The concept and content of a crop’s gene pools are being changed by advancements in plant science and technology. In the first generation of plant genomics, DNA markers have refined some perceptions of genetic variation by providing a glimpse of a primary source, DNA polymorphism. The markers have provided new and more powerful ways of assessing genetic relationships, diversity, and merit by infusing genetic information for the first time in many scenarios or in a more comprehensive manner for others. As a result, crop gene pools may be supplemented through more rapid and directed methods from a greater variety of sources. Previously limited by the barriers of sexual reproduction, the native gene pools will soon be complemented by another gene pool (transgenes) and perhaps by other native exotic gene pools through comparative analyses of plants’ biological repertoire. Plant genomics will be an important force of change for crop improvement. The plant science community and crop gene pools may be united and enriched as never before. Also, the genomes and gene pools, the products of evolution and crop domestication, will be reduced and subjected to the vagaries and potential divisiveness of intellectual property considerations. Let the gains begin.
Observation of double sign reversals in transient electromagnetic central induction soundings

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present transient electromagnetic (TEM) central induction data for the vertical magnetic field in which two sign changes were observed. The data were taken in northern Alaska where the geologic record and drilling and borehole data suggest that the earth can be reasonably taken as layered. Although lateral inhomogeneities remain a possible source of the unusual sign reversals, these are modeled here using a Cole-Cole conductivity for a layered earth to show that induced polarization (IP) is a possible mechanism for the observed signal.