cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sulfur Tolerant Anodes for SOFCs

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes, lanthanum strontium manganate cathodes, and La 1 - x Sr x BO 3 /YSZ anodes (where B = Mn, Cr, and Ti) were fabricated. The sulfur tolerance of the various perovskite-based anodes was examined at 1273 K in a H 2 /H 2 O fuel. The Sr 0 . 6 La 0 . 4 TiO 3 /YSZ (50/50 wt %) anode showed no degradation in the presence of up to 5000 ppm of H 2 S in a hydrogen fuel. This anode was also able to operate for 8 h with 1% H 2 S as a fuel and showed no degradation when the fuel was switched back to hydrogen.
Essential Elements, Cadmium and Lead in Fresh and Canned Corn (Zea mays L.)

The content of 16 essential elements and cadmium and lead was determined in fresh and canned corn (Zea mays L.) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Samples were taken during the canning process to determine where changes in element content occurred. The content of each sample was compared statistically to other samples taken within the process. RDAs and estimated safe and adequate daily dietary intake values as well as percent retention values were calculated. Element retention, excluding chloride and sodium, ranged from 43% to 98%.
The role of ortho-bromophenol in the nephrotoxicity of bromobenzene in rats

ortho-Bromophenol (1.92 mmol/kg, ip) caused a 50% decrease in renal glutathione levels within 90 min. In contrast, hepatic glutathione levels remained 80% of control values 5 hr after ortho-bromophenol administration. Renal glutathione was far more susceptible to the initial rapid depleting effects of ortho-bromophenol than was hepatic glutathione, the dose-response curve for hepatic glutathione depletion being shifted to the right. ortho-Bromophenol at doses greater than 1.6 mmol/kg caused severe renal necrosis in noninduced rats, with consequent elevations in BUN levels. This dose was one-fifth as large as that required by bromobenzene to produce a similar necrosis in phenobarbital-treated rats (W. D. Reid, Exp. Mol. Pathol., 19, 197-214, 1973). Phenobarbital pretreatment and depletion of tissue glutathione with diethyl maleate caused significant increases in BUN levels over controls. Pretreatment with piperonyl butoxide decreased the incidence of elevated BUN levels following ortho-bromophenol administration. While liver microsomes converted ortho-bromophenol to covalently bound material, kidney microsomes did not. However, in vivo, ortho-bromophenol covalently bound to kidney protein of control rats four times greater than to liver protein. Phenobarbital pretreatment increased the in vivo covalent binding to kidney protein but not to liver protein. The degree of covalent binding to kidney protein correlated with BUN levels (r = 0.91, p less than 0.001). The nature of the nephrotoxic metabolite of ortho-bromophenol is not known, but an intermediate may be generated in the liver and transported to the kidney. These findings suggest that ortho-bromophenol may play a role in the nephrotoxicity observed following bromobenzene administration.
Depictions of Injuries and Safety Gear Usage in the World’s Most Popular Video Games

Throughout the world, nearly 4 million children die annually as a result of an unintentional injury. From the perspectives of cultivation theory and social learning theory, children’s risk for injury may be influenced by a variety of sources, including media. Previous research suggests that many media sources, including television programs and popular movies, display risky behaviors and a general disregard for safety. The present study added to this literature by quantifying the extent to which a popular form of media, video games, displays injury events and appropriate utilization of safety gear. Research assistants coded trailers of the world’s most popular video games across 13 different genres. Acceptable reliability estimates across assistants were obtained, and results revealed that many video games do not portray safety restraint devices, helmets, or other safety gear. Less than 3% of games show primary characters wearing safety restraint devices while they are driving a vehicle, and helmets are ra...
Transforming growth factor-beta1 in a sterilized tissue derived from the pig small intestine submucosa.

The extracellular matrices of connective tissues contain growth factors such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1. The possibility arises, therefore, that animal connective tissues that have been excised and rendered acellular in the sterilization, lyophilization, and other preparative processes for human use may still retain active growth factors that could contribute to the clinical efficacy of the product. We therefore analyzed 4M guanidine HCl extracts of a sterilized, acellular matrix, Oasis Wound Matrix, for the presence of TGF-beta1 by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the soluble type II receptor for TGF-beta to capture the growth factor, and for biological activity by testing the capacity of the extracts to inhibit 3[H]thymidine incorporation into Mv1Lu cells (mink lung epithelial cells). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determined that TGF-beta1 was present at a concentration of 710.9 +/- 157.7 pg/g dry weight of tissue in Oasis and 768.1 +/- 182.1 pg/g dry weight of tissue in SIS (porcine small intestinal submucosa), the disinfected precursor of Oasis. The growth inhibition assays demonstrated that the Oasis extracts inhibited the proliferation of Mv1Lu cells in culture, consistent with the TGF-beta1 in the material having biological activity. Most of the TGF-beta1 survives the sterilization and lyophilization processes in the preparation of the Oasis Wound Matrix, and is functional in its ability to bind to its receptor and, apparently, in its capacity to inhibit growth.
Secure IRIS Verification

In this paper, we present a novel secure iris verification system, where a transformed version of the iris template instead of the plain reference is stored for protecting the sensitive biometric data. An error correcting code (ECC) technique is adopted to perform the comparison in the transformed domain. A two-segment method is proposed to execute the feature verification, where a Bose-Chaudhuri-Hochquenghem (BCH) code of a random bit-stream is introduced to eliminate the considerable differences between the features extracted from different scans of irises. A reliable bits selection process during the iris feature generation stage reduces the system error rate from 6.0% to 0.8%. The appropriate size of the set of reliable bits is determined by investigating the best match between the associated error correct cutting edge and the actual verification accuracy.
Mast cell-restricted p70 Stat6 isoform is a product of selective proteolysis.

Abstract Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)-6 is the principle Stat protein activated by interleukin (IL)-4. We defined a role for IL-4 in mast cell homeostasis through inhibiting expression of Kit and FcϵRI, and by inducing mast cell apoptosis. These effects required Stat6 expression. A molecular mechanism by which Stat6 directs these inhibitory actions in BMMC was potentially elucidated by the discovery of a carboxyl-truncated Stat6 isoform. Expression of this 70 kDa isoform was unique to cultured mast cells and mast cell lines. Furthermore, this isoform lacked a carboxyl-transactivation domain, suggesting that it might behave as a dominant negative isoform. To better understand this truncated Stat6, we characterized its origins. Using Western blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis, we assessed BMMC p70 Stat6 expression using standard and enhanced protease inhibitor cocktails. These experiments demonstrated that p70 Stat6 is derived by proteolysis during sample preparation, and has no cellular correlate. While some Stat family members are known to exist as naturally occurring truncated forms, p70 Stat6 does not appear to be such a case. Instead, the very high concentrations of proteases released during mast cell lysis result in selective proteolysis of the full-length Stat6, with p70 being the major degradation product.
1/f noise in metal films: The role of the substrate

Abstract We have examined the temperature dependence of voltage (“1/f”) noise in Cu and Ag films on quartz and sapphire substrates. Our data suggest that two types of voltage noise occur simultaneously in metal films. One type of noise depends on the substrate and is weakly temperature-dependent; the remaining noise is strongly temperature-dependent and independent of the substrate.
Compensating Defects in Highly Donor-Doped BaTiO3

Nb-doped BaTiO3 has been prepared with various Ba/(Ti + Nb) ratios such that single-phase products will be obtained if the charged donor center is assumed to be compensated in turn by Ba vacancies, Ti vacancies, equal concentrations of the two cation vacancies, oxygen interstitials, or electrons. For air-Fired samples, examination by transmission electron microscopy showed that only the composition adjusted for compensation by titanium vacancies was single phase. The other compositions contained a Ti-rich second phase in order to achieve a matrix with the appropriate concentration of titanium vacancies. When sintered in a reducing atmosphere, compensation was by electrons, and a Ba-rich second phase was present hi the composition adjusted to give compensation by titanium vacancies. The results indicate that for donor concentrations greater than ∼0.5 mol% in BaTiO3, charge compensation is achieved by Ti vacancies under oxidizing conditions, and by electrons (as is well-known) under reducing conditions.' The effect of compensating defects on grain growth is also discussed.
PNKD Functions in RIM-Dependent Pathway To Regulate Exocytosis (IN10-2.004)

Objective: We set out to determine the wild type function of the PNKD protein by identifying interactions with other proteins. Identification of pathway(s) in which PNKD functions could yield insights into the function of this protein. Background Paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD) is an autosomal dominant episodic movement disorder precipitated by coffee, alcohol, and stress. We previously identified the causative gene and generated a PNKD mouse model demonstrating dysregulated dopamine signaling. However, the normal function of the encoded protein remains unknown. Design/Methods: We utilized co-immunoprcipitation and mass spectrometry, sucrose gradiant centrifugation, immuno-gold electron microscopy, in vitro exocytosis assays, and standard slice electrophysiolgy. Results: Here, we show that PNKD localizes to the synaptic membrane and inhibits neurotransmitter release through its interaction with synaptic active zone proteins RIM1 and RIM2. Mutant PNKD protein is less effective than wild-type at inhibiting RIM2-dependent exocytosis in vitro . In PNKD -/- mouse brain, RIM1/2 protein levels are reduced and there is impairment of synaptic transmission and synaptic facilitation. Conclusions: Thus, the PNKD is a novel synaptic membrane protein with a role in synaptic regulation. Supported by: A Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation to Y.S. and a Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation Grant to L.J.P. Disclosure: Dr. Ptacek has nothing to disclose. Dr. Shen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Fu has nothing to disclose.
Lactate dehydrogenase activity in cultured neonatal rat heart cells exposed to doxorubicin

Doxorubicin (Adriamycin, ADR) is an anthracycline antineoplastic with the serious side effect of dose-related cardiomyopathy. A model of ADR cardiotoxicity was created to examine some subcellular toxic effects of ADR with cultured cardiac myocytes (CMCs) exposed to 1 x 10(-7) to 1 x 10(-5) M ADR for 24 to 48 hr. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was monitored in the CMC medium to monitor CMC damage as a function of ADR concentration. A four- to eightfold elevation of LDH activity in medium of CMCs exposed to 1 x 10(-6) to 1 x 10(-5) M ADR was found. No change in LDH activity was detected in medium of CMCs exposed to 1 x 10(-7) M ADR or in control CMCs after 24 or 48 h ADR exposure. Data suggest a dose-dependent effect of ADR on LDH activity in CMC medium. Serial monitoring of LDH in media of ADR-exposed CMCs may correlate with other evidence of ADR cardiotoxicity in vitro.
On the variable relationship between NISP and NTAXA in bird remains and in mammal remains

It has long been recognized that the minimum number of individuals (MNI) and the number of taxa identified (NTAXA) are both often tightly related to the number of identified specimens (NISP) in a collection. The relationship between NISP and NTAXA has been suggested to vary between bird remains and mammal remains for three reasons that concern the rate at which identifiable skeletal parts of each are input to the zooarchaeological record. Rigorous testing of the relationship using 59 pairs of assemblages of bird and mammal remains confirms that the NTAXA of birds increases more rapidly per NISP than does the NTAXA of mammals per NISP. Data also indicate that two of the three proposed reasons (bird taxa outnumber mammal taxa on the landscape; each mammalian individual contributes more NISP than each avian individual) are the likely causes for intertaxonomic variability in the relationship between NISP and NTAXA. The third reason (fragmentation reduces identifiability of bird remains more rapidly than it does mammal remains) has yet to be empirically evaluated but is logical.
Integrated Land Use and Transportation Planning and Modelling: Addressing Challenges in Research and Practice

Abstract Academic research in integrated land use and transportation modelling is on the rise, in no small part due to growing interest from public agencies that need to improve their capacity to respond to complex policy questions arising in the context of transportation, land use and environmental planning. But the process of taking models developed in an academic research setting, where theoretical validity and the advancement of methodology receive high priority, and moving them into public agency settings in which priorities such as reliability, ease of use and staff capacity to explain to stakeholders what the models are doing, and why, create predictable gaps in understanding and can undermine a project. In this paper, we develop lessons from the experiences of multiple planning agencies in applying UrbanSim in their operational agency settings and integrating it with their transport model systems. In contexts as varied as Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle and San Francisco, we find that...
Application of the Green's-function Monte Carlo method to the compact Abelian lattice gauge theory

We have applied the Green's-function Monte Carlo (GFMC) method to the Hamiltonian formulation of the compact U(1) lattice gauge theory in three and two (space) dimensions on small lattices, 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3 and 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}5. The GFMC method is a Monte Carlo method of finding the ground state of a quantum-mechanical system with many degrees of freedom, by iteration of an integral operator of which the ground state is an eigenstate. An interesting aspect of this method is an importance-sampling technique that makes use of a trial wave function to accelerate convergence of the Monte Carlo estimates. We used two importance functions in these calculations, which were designed to be accurate in the small- and large-coupling limits. These importance functions were optimized by the variational principle; the results of the variational calculations are interesting in their own right. Our Monte Carlo results exhibit evidence of the phase transition of the three-dimensional compact U(1) lattice gauge theory, and indicate the nonexistence of a phase transition in the two-dimensional theory.
Deposition-rate effects on rough surfaces formed by sedimenting particles

The quasi-two-dimensional sedimentation of silica particles in a viscous fluid results in quasi-one-dimensional surfaces. These surfaces are rough on all length scales between the particle size and the cell size, but different roughness exponents are observed in two well-defined length scale regimes. Hydrodynamic forces should play an important role in determining which, if either, length scale regime shows universal properties. The role of these hydrodynamic forces can be controlled through control of the deposition rate of particles into the cell. A range of different deposition rates has been examined, and a clear upward trend was observed in the scaling exponent found at long length scales, while the scaling exponent found at short length scales remained relatively constant and very consistent with results of previous experiments with a fixed number of particles but wherein cell length, cell width, and fluid viscosity were all varied with no effect on observed interfacial roughness.
Cardiac vibrational intensity and cardiac output

1. 1. An electronic heart sound meter has been devised to convert the complex pattern of low-frequency cardiac vibrations picked up at the chest wall into a simple “resultant frequency.” 2. 2. The “resultant frequency” varies during each heart cycle in a manner similar to the ventricular volume curve. 3. 3. Simultaneous records of the high-frequency ballistocardiograph and the heart sound meter made on rested, supine subjects show a close correlation between the cardiac output as calculated by Starr's formula, 11(I+J) C32 A and an “output” calculated from the formula, S=f12−f22 in which f1 is the maximum “resultant frequency” occurring at commencement of systole, and f2 is the minimum “resultant frequency” at the end of systole. 4. 4. Records of the ballistocardiograph and the heart sound meter taken immediately after exercise do not give comparable calculations of cardiac output. However, heart sound meter data after moderate exercise, after anoxia produced by breathing nitrogen, and after the Flack Test show qualitative and quantitative trends comparable to data obtained by other procedures.
On generation of internal waves by turbulence in the mixed layer

Abstract Turbulent fluctuations in active mixed layers can excite internal waves in stably stratified fluid regions adjoining them. Expressions are derived for the energy and momentum fluxes radiated away by internal waves from an oceanic mixed layer, in terms of the spectrum of the static pressure fluctuations imposed at the base of the mixed layer by the turbulent eddies. The role of these internal wave fluxes in questions such as the determination of the rate of deepening of the layer due to an applied surface stress and the origin of internal waves in the deep ocean is discussed.
Carbon Dioxide in Tissues, Cells, and Biological Fluids Detected by FTIR Spectroscopy†

Previous studies from this lab have demonstrated the presence of a novel absorption in infrared spectra of synovial fluid films (2337−2343 cm-1) which was suggested to arise from CO2 trapped within the organic matrix left after drying. In the present paper, we establish the presence of this absorption in a wide range of biological fluids, tissues, and cell suspensions. Results of studies with a range of common biological materials suggest that the CO2 interacts nonspecifically with the protein components of cells and fluids. Experiments with 13C-labeled glucose clearly demonstrate that this ubiquitous absorption is attributable to CO2 produced by glucose breakdown within cells, presenting the interesting possibility of monitoring cellular metabolism by infrared spectroscopy.
Examination of characteristics that may distinguish disease-causing from benign AChR-reactive antibodies in experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis

In summary, the strategies of the experimentation described above were designed to address the confusion resulting from observations concerning the lack of correlation between antibody titers and disease severity in MG patients. Lessons learned from these studies of EAMG suggest that if the proportion of the total expressed/produced anti-AChR antibody repertoire with disease-causing potential differs from patient-to-patient with MG, then assessment of the total antibody titer becomes meaningless unless a particular patient produces disease-causing reactivities that make up a major portion of the total titer. Not only may disease severity depend on the titer of a small subset of disease-causing antibody(s) reactive with a particular conformation-dependent AChR region, but may also depend on the relative contribution of additional subsets of antibody with functionally irrelevant or potentially protective activity. The key to exploiting the existence of antibody subsets with differing disease-causing potential will be to create probes that would allow the easy monitoring of the relevant reactivities. For instance, carefully selected anti-idiotypic antibodies (such as the 11E10 monoclonal antibody described above) may be of great value when specifically capable of recognizing idiotypes that are selectively associated with disease-causing anti-AChR antibodies and under-represented on antibodies lacking disease-causing capability. If, in addition, characteristics of helper T cells are identified that allow more accurate prediction of D+ Id production, exciting opportunities would become available to more directly evaluate disease mechanisms and to develop more highly efficacious immunotherapeutic strategies.
Preparing to Teach a Class by Internet

ing demands for advanced training (Lever 1993). Distance learning necessitates a redefinition of the role and work of facul ty. Professors must take on more than their "roles as developers of curricula, planners of educational experiences, and managers and facilitators of student learning" (Lever 1993, ix). They must be part of the change process and must be rewarded for their efforts if distance learning is to succeed (Dillon 1989). This study focuses on the experiences of one of us, Lorna Gifford, teaching a graduate course via the Internet as part of a pilot project initiated by Northwestern State University. Data for this report are based on my faculty logs of time devoted to class-related activities, my journal entries, and feedback received from the students. The graduate level course I taught, Research in Curriculum and Instruction, is required in the Master of Education program at the university. This course examines various approaches to curricu lum and instruction. Significant research over the last decade has strongly influ enced the development, design, and
Atypical behavior identification in large-scale network traffic

Cyber analysts are faced with the daunting challenge of identifying exploits and threats within potentially billions of daily records of network traffic. Enterprise-wide cyber traffic involves hundreds of millions of distinct IP addresses and results in data sets ranging from terabytes to petabytes of raw data. Creating behavioral models and identifying trends based on those models requires data intensive architectures and techniques that can scale as data volume increases. Analysts need scalable visualization methods that foster interactive exploration of data and enable identification of behavioral anomalies. Developers must carefully consider application design, storage, processing, and display to provide usability and interactivity with large-scale data. We present an application that highlights atypical behavior in enterprise network flow records. This is accomplished by utilizing data intensive architectures to store the data, aggregation techniques to optimize data access, statistical techniques to characterize behavior, and a visual analytic environment to render the behavioral trends, highlight atypical activity, and allow for exploration.
Extraction of nuclear glucocorticoid-receptor complexes with pyridoxal phosphate

Abstract Rat thymic lymphocytes have saturable, specific receptors for glucocorticoids, which are localized predominantly in the nucleus following exposure of thymocytes to dexamethasone at 37°C. The present results demonstrate the dose-dependent extraction by pyridoxal phosphate of dexamethasone-receptor complexes from isolated thymocyte nuclei. On an equal molar basis, pyridoxal phosphate is considerably more effective than pyridoxal; pyridoxine, pyridoxamine phosphate and 5-deoxypyridoxal are ineffective. The release of the nuclear dexamethasone receptor complex is dependent on the integrity of the C4′ carboxaldehyde group of pyridoxal phosphate as evidenced by the inhibition of extraction of dexamethasone-receptor complexes by either hydroxylamine or semicarbazide. The dexamethasone which pyridoxal phosphate liberates from thymus nuclei is bound to a macromolecule which is of smaller size than unactivated cytoplasmic dexamethasone receptor.
Reversible inhibition of intestinal alkaline phosphatase by inositol hexaphosphate and its Cu(II) coordinate complexes.

The influence of inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP) and its cupric ion chelate complexes on alkaline phosphatase (APase) catalysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis at pH 7.2 has been determined. Both IHP and (IHP-Cu) complexes, but not Cu(II) alone, are effective inhibitors of the enzyme and are of the strictly competitive type with Ki values in the μM range. Without added inhibitors present, the kinetic parameters are kcat 5.7 × 103 min−1; and KM, 18 μM. In the presence of 62 μM IHP, kcat was essentially unchanged with an apparent KM of 68 μM giving a Ki of 22 μM. In the presence of an (IHP-Cu) complex (62 μM IHP, 128 μM Cu(II)), the apparent KM was 55 μM and Ki was 30 μM. At a ratio of Cu(II):IHP of 6.0 (372:62 μM) the apparent KM was 30 μM and Ki was 94 μM. The inhibitory effect of (IHP-Cu) complexes thus decreases as the IHP binding sites for cupric ions become saturated. A high ionic strength environment markedly reduces the inhibitory effect of IHP. Previous studies have also shown that rates of APase inactivation by (IHP-Cu) complexes are also ionic strength sensitive [1]. The inhibition of APase activity by either IHP or its coordinate complexes with cupric ions is evidence for their interaction at the enzyme's catalytic sites. Such results thus provide support for an essential element of the mechanism previously suggested for the reversible inactivation (as opposed to inhibition) of APase by (IHP-Cu) chelate complexes, viz., that it may be due to a metal ion exchange reaction leading to the formation of a Cu(II)-substituted enzyme.
THE EFFECTS OF LOCAL TAXES AND PUBLIC SERVICES ON RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS

ABSTRACT. This paper incorporates an exogenous taxing and service-providing public sector into a dynamic residential land-use model in order to examine how local-government fiscal policies alter the pace and pattern of residential development. The model is used to derive the comparative-dynamic responses to variations in the income, sales, and property taxes and public-service time paths. The results show how tax and expenditure effects systematically depend upon the anticipated relative growth rates in rents to alternative uses and vary across locations within a given urban area as well as across urban areas themselves.
Optimal Algorithms for Image Understanding: Current Status and Future Plans

Abstract We discuss four image understanding problems: 2 1 2 D sketch, three-dimensional reconstruction from projections, shape from shading, and optical flow. We point out how known general optimality results may be applied to the first three problems. We indicate some preliminary results and work in progress, concerning the numerical solution of all four problems. Algorithms which differ from those currently used in practice are proposed.
The 2011 South Dakota Equitarian Survey and Comparative Analysis of Equine Welfare on a South Dakota Native American Reservation

Abstract Economic stress and geographic isolation are barriers to proper veterinary care for horses on Native American reservations. The 2011 South Dakota (SD) Equitarian Survey was distributed to 135 equine veterinarians in SD to detect perceptions of effectiveness and best methodologies for improving reservation equine welfare. There was a positive correlation ( P P = .05). Previous experience practicing on a reservation impacted how crucial they believed horse owner knowledge or awareness was in changing the health and welfare of reservation equines ( P P P
Influence of hormones on liver. I. Effects of steroids and thyroxine on pyridine nucleotide-linked dehydrogenases.

Modification of the endocrine milieu interieur by administration or withdrawal of hormones considerably influenced the concentration in liver of lactic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase. Hormones effective in this regard are thyroxine, estradiol-17beta, dihydrotestosterone, and 3alpha-hydroxysteroids in the androstane series. These hormonal effects are both organ-selective and, in liver, enzyme-selective. Thyroxine and steroids are not equivalent in their influence on the 3 hepatic dehydrogenases. Thyroxine was preeminent in this regard among hormones investigated in the present experiments. Each of the pyridine nucleotide-linked dehydrogenases in liver had an individually characteristic response to the administration of various hormones which was reflected in its hepatic level. The concentration in liver of lactic dehydrogenase was profoundly raised or lowered, respectively, by the administration of thyroxine or by thyroidectomy, and injection of steroids had small influence on its level. The levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and of 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase were considerably influenced by injection of thyroxine, estradiol-17beta, or testosterone. Sex steroids did not increase the levels of these enzymes in hypophysectomized or thyroidectomized rats unless thyroxine was administered concurrently. Under designated conditions, it was found that the concentration of 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase was increased by hormonal methods which did not elevate the concentration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. But high levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were not achieved without a considerable elevation of 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase as well.
Molecular Engineering of Microsomal P450 2a-4 to a Stable, Water-Soluble Enzyme

Abstract Peptitergented P450 2a-4 (Pepti-P450), a water-soluble form of the mouse microsomal P450 2a-4, was genetically engineered and expressed in Escherichia coli. The NH2-terminal hydrophobic sequence (positions 2 to 19) of Pepti-P450 was replaced by a peptitergent PD1, amphipathic peptide consisting of 24 residues (C. E. Schafmeister, L. J. Miercke, and R. M. Stroud (1993) Science 262, 734-738). The expression level of Pepti-P450 (90,000 molecules/cell) was at least four times greater than that of wild-type P450 2a-4. Since Pepti-P450 was quite stable and was expressed as a peripheral membrane protein, it can be easily purified from the membrane fraction treated with Na2CO3 without using any detergents during the chromatographic steps. The purified Pepti-P450 retained the spectral and catalytic properties of the unmodified enzyme with a similar Km value for steroid 15α-hydroxylase activity (19.7 μM in comparison to 14.2 μM of the wildtype). Gel permeation chromatography showed that the purified Pepti-P450 in the detergent-free buffer was an oligomer with an approximate molecular mass of 450 kDa. The replacement of the hydrophobic anchor domain with an amphipathic helix such as peptitergent, therefore, may provide a general method for engineering membrane-bound P450s to soluble enzymes.
Quantitative analysis of FRET assay in biology — New developments in protein interaction affinity and protease kinetics determinations in the SUMOylation cascade

Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques have been widely used in biological studies in vitro and in vivo and are powerful tools for elucidating protein interactions in many regulatory cascades. FRET occurs between oscillating dipoles of two fluorophores with overlapping emission and excitation wavelengths and is dependent on the spectroscopic and geometric properties of the donor-acceptor pair. Various efforts have been made to develop quantitative FRET methods to accurately determine the interaction affinity and kinetics parameters. SUMOylation is an important post-translational protein modification with key roles in multiple biological processes. Conjugating SUMO to substrates requires an enzymatic cascade. Sentrin/SUMO-specific proteases (SENP) act as endopeptidases to process the pre-SUMO or an isopeptidase to deconjugate SUMO from its substrate. Here we also summarize recent developments of theoretical and experimental procedures for determining the protein interaction dissociation constant, K d, and protease kinetics parameters, k cat and K m, in the SUMOylation pathway. The general principles of these quantitative FRET-based measurements can be applied to other protein interactions and proteases.
Cardiac output but not high pulmonary artery pressure varies with FIO2 in exercising horses.

Abstract Horses have high mean pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) both at rest and during exercise (≈30 and ≥ 80 mmHg, respectively). The mechanisms are unknown. To see if hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) plays a role, we compared pulmonary artery pressure-flow (Ppa-Q) curves when inspired O2 fraction (F i O2) was 0.16, 0.21, and 0.30, in 5 noraml Thoroughbred horses standing quitely and while galloping at 10 and 14 m/sec on a level treadmill. We calculated O2 consumption (VO2) from measurements of respired gas composition and flow, and calculated Q from VO2 and measurements of oxygen content in arterial and mixed venous blood (CaO2 and C v O2). VO2 was 3.8, 74 and 128 ml·mim−1·kg−1, at rest and at 10 and 14 m/sec, and did not vary with F i O2 at any speed. At 14 m/sec only, when F i O2 was lowered to 0.16, CaO2 fell (to 14.7 from 20 ml/dl on air), Q increased (to 0.86 from 0.66 L·min−1·kg−1 on air), and stroke volume increased (to 4.1 from 3.2 ml·kg−1 on air). Slopes and intercepts of Ppa-Q curves did not vary with F i O2. We concled that HPV does not contribute to the high Ppa of exercising horses breathing air near sea level.
Yields of holocellulose prepared from ruminant feces by acid chlorite treatment.

Summary Holocellulose was prepared from the feces of cows fed ten different forages as their entire ration. A procedure was used that was satisfactory for the preparation of holocellulose from the ten forages fed. Five of the feces samples gave satisfactory recoveries of the calculated theoretical holocellulose contents and five gave higher than the calculated content. Repeated acid chlorite treatments caused a loss of carbohydrate from the holocellulose fraction with certain samples. Reducing properties of the holocellulose hydrolyzates indicate that a noncarbohydrate and nonreducing carbohydrate constituent is present in the holocellulose preparations which gave high yields. A uniform number of acid chlorite treatments with the conditions studied will not prepare holocellulose in theoretical yields with all samples from a variety of feces.
Analgesic effects of the neurosteroid 3α-androstanediol

The efficacy of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (3 alpha-Androstanediol; 3 alpha-Diol) and 4-pregnen-3,20-dione (progesterone; P) in promoting analgesia was investigated. Ovariectomized rats received daily injections of 3 alpha-Diol (0.6, 3.0, 6.0 and 7.5 mg/kg) or vehicle and twice daily injections of estradiol-17 beta (E2: 1 microgram) for 2 days. Progesterone (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg) or its vehicle was given on the third day and nociceptive testing using the radiant heat tailflick method was carried out 4 h later. In Expt. 1, P and 3 alpha-Diol both produced analgesia and had biphasic dose-response effects when administered singly. 3 alpha-Diol (3.0 mg/kg) elevated tailflick latencies in E2-primed animals above those following vehicle, 6.0 or 7.5 mg/kg 3 alpha-Diol; 6.0 and 7.5 mg/kg produced elevations that were greater than vehicle but less than 3.0 mg/kg. Progesterone (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg) also elevated tailflick latencies above vehicle controls, while 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg produced intermediate effects. In Expt. 2, 3 alpha-Diol (3 alpha-Diol:BSA) and P (P:BSA) conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) were applied to the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and preoptic area (POA) to ascertain whether the steroids' analgesic actions were mediated by membrane actions in these sites. Free P and P:BSA both increased tailflick latencies when applied to the MBH, while 3 alpha-Diol and 3 alpha-Diol:BSA elevated latencies when applied to the POA, suggesting the steroids' effects occur in part at the neuronal membrane. In Expt. 3, free P or P:BSA applied to the MBH did not increase tailflick latencies if systemic P was given concurrently. Similarly, free 3 alpha-Diol and 3 alpha-Diol:BSA implants into the POA failed to increase tailflick latencies if s.c. 3 alpha-Diol was co-administered. These data indicate that P and 3 alpha-Diol at moderate doses have analgesic effects in part via membrane actions within the MBH and POA, respectively.
Influence of physical characteristics of coralline turf on associated macrofaunal assemblages

The influences of the physical structure of coralline algal turf on associated macrofaunal assemblages were examined on a rocky intertidal shore near Sydney, Australia. Patches of artificial turf were used in a field experiment to mimic the physical structure of natural coralline turf. After 2 and 4 mo, the macrofaunal assemblages in artificial turf were compared to those in natural coralline turf and several control treatments. The initial development of assemblages in artificial turf was different from that in natural coralline turf. After 4 mo, however, the composition of macrofauna did not differ between natural and artificial turf, although abundances of bivalves and amphipods were significantly greater in artificial turf. Because of the similarities between the macrofaunal assemblages in natural and artificial turf, it is clear that the physical structure of the habitat has a major influence on the biodiversity of these assemblages. Nevertheless, differences between assemblages in natural and artificial turf probably indicate either that there were artefacts associated with the artificial turf or that biological characteristics of coralline turf also contribute to the diversity and abundances of macrofauna.
Heavy-fermion behavior and the single-ion Kondo model.

Measurements of the temperature and concentration dependence of the specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical resistivity for ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{La}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Pb}}_{3}$ are presented. The data scale with the concentration of Ce ions over surprisingly large intervals of x and T. The low-temperature specific heat per Ce ion agrees quantitatively with that of an S=(1/2) Kondo impurity of ${T}_{K}$apeq23.3 K. These results strongly suggest that intersite correlations do not play the expected important role and that the high specific heat \ensuremath{\gamma} reported for ${\mathrm{CePb}}_{3}$ is mainly a manifestation of the single-ion Kondo resonance.
Growth of tray-cultured oysters (Carssostrea virginica Gmelin) in Chesapeake Bay

Abstract Growth rates of cultchless oysters raised in floating trays in a shallow tidal creek of Chesapeake Bay were examined. Growth of individuals from a population of Crassostrea virginica selectively inbred for fast growth was compared to growth of spat produced from the native parent stock. The oysters grew only during part of the year (July through October) and growth did not occur during the spring season even though the environmental conditions (temperature, salinity) were similar to those during the active growing season. All animals grew quickly in floating raft culture (10–15 mm/month) during the growing periods and at a relatively constant rate with respect to length. The selected animals exhibited significantly faster growth during both growth seasons examined in the study. The rates measured during the growing season suggest that oysters could be grown to market size in 6 months of continuous active growth.
The two forms of bronchiolitis obliterans in heart-lung transplant recipients

Bronchiolitis obliterans has emerged as the major long-term complication of heart-lung transplantation. We reviewed the histologic findings in lungs obtained from 11 patients who had received a combined heart-lung transplant at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Ten lungs were obtained at autopsy, and one was obtained from a patient who was retransplanted because of severe bronchiolitis obliterans. Bronchiolitis obliterans was identified in seven of these 11 lungs. Three of the seven lungs with bronchiolitis obliterans were from patients who had received their transplants more than 6 months previously; the bronchiolitis obliterans in these patients was characterized by a relatively acellular concentric fibrosing process that was limited to the terminal bronchioles. The bronchiolitis obliterans in these three patients was felt to be secondary to chronic lung allograft rejection. Four of the seven patients with bronchiolitis obliterans had received their transplants less than 6 months previously; the bronchiolitis obliterans in these patients was focal and cellular. It extended into the distal alveolar spaces and, in several cases, was associated with aspirated material and foreign body-type giant cells. All four of these patients had concurrent infections, aspiration, or large airway obstruction, which were felt to be responsible for the development of bronchiolitis obliterans. Bronchiolitis obliterans in lung allograft recipients may have a variety of etiologies, and the etiology of this process in a particular case can often be deduced by the morphologic appearance of this lesion.
Adolescent Depression as a Contributing Factor to the Development of Substance Use Disorders

An exploratory investigation of the variables linking adolescent substance abuse and depression was conducted using the “grounded theory” qualitative research approach. A convenience sample was dra...
Parathyroid hormone as a stimulus to mast cell accumulation in bone.

Low doses of parathyroid hormone were administered over a 30-day period to Sprague-Dawley weanlings rats. In 7 of 12 animals, mast cell hyperplasia occurred in the proximal tibial metaphyseal marrow, without an associated fall in serum phosphorus or rise in serum calcium. Further, no alteration occurred in body weight or skeletal ash weight relative to the control population. A third group, on a calcium-deficient diet containing adequate vitamin D, showed marked bone marrow mast cell hyperplasia in all animals.
RIP3: a molecular switch for necrosis and inflammation.

The receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3/RIPK3) has emerged as a critical regulator of programmed necrosis/ necroptosis, an inflammatory form of cell death with important functions in pathogen-induced and sterile inflammation. RIP3 activation is tightly regulated by phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and caspase-mediated cleavage. These post-translational modifications coordinately regulate the assembly of a macromolecular signaling complex termed the necrosome. Recently, several reports indicate that RIP3 can promote inflammation independent of its pronecrotic activity. Here, we review our current understanding of the mechanisms that drive RIP3-dependent necrosis and its role in different inflammatory diseases.
Evaluation of the aerosol scattering phase function from PGAMS observation of sky path radiance

A knowledge of the spectral and geometrical distribution of sky path radiance at the time a remote sensing image of the Earth's surface is acquired can greatly improve the application of atmospheric correction and vicarious calibration techniques. The focus of this investigation is to evaluate the sensitivity of the radiance exiting the bottom and top of the atmosphere to the representation of the aerosol single-scattering phase function for these applications. Hyperspectral almucantar sky path radiance measurements obtained with the Portable Ground-based Atmospheric Monitoring System (PGAMS) are compared to synthetic spectra generated by MODTRAN3.
Persistent Borna disease virus infection of neonatal rats causes brain regional changes of mRNAs for cytokines, cytokine receptor components and neuropeptides

Borna disease virus (BDV) replicates in brain cells. The neonatally infected rat with BDV exhibits developmental-neuromorphological abnormalities, neuronal cytolysis, and multiple behavioral and physiological alterations. Here, we report on the levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI), IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1R AcP) I and II, glycoprotein 130, and various neuropeptide mRNAs in the cerebellum, parieto-frontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus of BDV-infected rats at 7 and 28 days postintracerebral BDV inoculation. The data show that cytokine and neuropeptide mRNA components are abnormal and differentially modulated in brain regions. IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 mRNA levels were up-regulated in all brain regions following BDV inoculation. The same cerebellar samples from BDV-infected animals exhibited the highest levels of IL-1beta, IL-1Ra, TNF-alpha, IL-1RI, and IL-1R AcP II mRNA expression. The profiles of IL-1beta, IL-1Ra, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta1 mRNA induction in the cerebellar samples were highly intercorrelated, indicating an association among cytokine ligand mRNAs. Cytokine mRNA induction was differentially up-regulated among brain regions, except for TGF-beta1. Specificity of transcriptional changes in response to BDV infection is also suggested by the up-regulation of cytokine and neuropeptide Y mRNAs associated with down-regulation of pro-opiomelanocortin, and with no change of IL-1R AcPI, dynorphin and leptin receptor mRNAs in the same brain region samples. Other data also show a differential mRNA component modulation in distinct brain regions obtained from the same rats depending on the stage of BDV infection. The conclusion of these studies is that cytokines may play a role in the neuropathophysiology of neonatally BDV-infected rats.
Efficient Optimal RCPC Code Rate Allocation With Packet Discarding for Pre-Encoded Compressed Video

In an error-prone communication channel, more important video packets should be assigned stronger channel codes. With various packet sizes and distortions for each packet, we use the subgradient method to search in the dual domain for the optimal RCPC channel code rate allocation for each packet, to minimize the end-to-end video quality degradation for an AWGN channel. We exploit the advantage of not sending or not coding packets of lower importance.
Dealignment of Degree: Partisan Change in Britain, 1974–83

This paper investigates trends in party identification in Britain between 1974 and 1983, and assesses the impact of short-term forces on partisan change. Although panel data reveal that patterns of partisan migration after 1974 differed from those of the early 1970s, the net result was continuing dealignment. Multivariate analyses indicate that the strength and durability of party ties reflect evaluations of performance on salient issues and changing levels of party leader affect. Since party identification is endogenous to the set of forces operating in the electoral arena during particular time intervals, the future of Britain's partially dealigned party system is uncertain.
Development and validation of a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of isoniazid in human plasma.

Abstract An LC–MS/MS method for the determination of isoniazid in human plasma was developed and validated. Human plasma aliquots of 100 μL were used for analysis. The assay used nialamide as the internal standard. The calibration curve concentration range was 50–10,000 ng/mL. Sample preparation utilized protein precipitation, and the supernatant was directly injected onto silica column without reconstitution. The recovery was over 90% and matrix effect was negligible. The method is simple and fast, which is advantageous in respect to instability of isoniazid in human plasma and loss on reconstitution due to its low molecular weight.