cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic disorders of cholesterol biosynthesis in mice and humans.

Over the past few years, the number of identified inborn errors of cholesterol biosynthesis has increased significantly. The first inborn error of cholesterol biosynthesis to be characterized, in the mid 1980s, was mevalonic aciduria. In 1993, Irons et al. ( 1 ) (M. Irons, E. R. Elias, G. Salen, G. S. Tint, and A. K. Batta, Lancet 341:1414, 1993) reported that Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, a classic autosomal recessive malformation syndrome, was due to an inborn error of cholesterol biosynthesis. This was the first inborn error of postsqualene cholesterol biosynthesis to be identified, and subsequently additional inborn errors of postsqualene cholesterol biosynthesis have been characterized to various extent. To date, eight inborn errors of cholesterol metabolism have been described in human patients or in mutant mice. The enzymatic steps impaired in these inborn errors of metabolism include mevolonate kinase (mevalonic aciduria as well as hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome), squalene synthase (Ss-/- mouse), 3beta-hydroxysteroid Delta14-reductase (hydrops-ectopic calcification-moth-eaten skeletal dysplasia), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (CHILD syndrome, bare patches mouse, and striated mouse), 3beta-hydroxysteroid Delta8,Delta7-isomerase (X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia punctata type 2, CHILD syndrome, and tattered mouse), 3beta-hydroxysteroid Delta24-reductase (desmosterolosis) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid Delta7-reductase (RSH/Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and Dhcr7-/- mouse). Identification of the genetic and biochemical defects which give rise to these syndromes has provided the first step in understanding the pathophysiological processes which underlie these malformation syndromes.
Inflation variability and the Turkish economy

The present paper investigates the effects of inflation variability on the level of economic activity in Turkey during 1981:3–1989:12 by employing a seven-variable vector autoregressive (VAR) model including the money supply, interest rate, real exchange rate, price level, a measure of inflation variability, output and the trade balance. The empirical findings indicate that while the output, the money supply, and the real exchange rate respond negatively to a shock to inflation variability, the trade balance and the interest rate respond positively. The responses are usually significant at the initial stages and they level off after six months.
Depression in aphasic patients: Frequency, severity, and clinical–pathological correlations.

Abstract Twenty-five hospitalized nonfluent, fluent, and global aphasic patients who were several months past the onset of their illness were compared for presence and severity of depression based on four psychopathological measures. The nonfluent aphasic patients had both greater frequency and severity of depression than the other two groups. CT scans showed that the global aphasic patients had the largest lesion size (volumetric) and showed a strong correlation between lesion size and degree of depression. In contrast, patients with fluent aphasias showed an inverse correlation between severity of depression and lesion size; among the nonfluent aphasic patients there was no significant correlation. Depression appears to be common in this population of hospitalized aphasic patients with chronic illness and nonfluent patients are the most depressed group within this population. The increased frequency and severity of depression in the nonfluent patients did not appear to be related to their overall physical or cognitive impairment; two possible mechanisms are discussed.
Inhibition of zebrafish fin regeneration using in vivo electroporation of morpholinos against fgfr1 and msxb.

Increased interest in using zebrafish as a model organism has led to a resurgence of fin regeneration studies. This has allowed for the identification of a large number of gene families, including signaling molecules and transcription factors, which are expressed during regeneration. However, in cases where no specific inhibitor is available for the gene product of interest, determination of a functional role for these genes has been difficult. Here we demonstrate that in vivo electroporation of morpholino oligonucleotides is a feasible approach for protein knock-down during fin regeneration. Morpholino oligonucleotides against fgfr1 and msxb were utilized and knock-down of both proteins resulted in reduced fin outgrowth. Importantly, Fgfr1 knock-down phenocopied outgrowth inhibition obtained with an Fgfr1 inhibitor. Furthermore, this method provided direct evidence for a functional role for msxb in caudal fin regeneration. Finally, knock-down of Fgfr1, but not Msxb, affected the blastemal expression of msxc, suggesting this technique can be used to determine epistasis in genetic pathways affecting regeneration. Thus, this convenient reverse genetic approach allows researchers to quickly (1) assess the function of genes known to be expressed during fin regeneration, (2) screen genes for functional relevance during fin regeneration, and (3) assign genes to the molecular pathways underlying fin regeneration. Developmental Dynamics 235:336–346, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Selective Transfer Machine for Personalized Facial Action Unit Detection

Automatic facial action unit (AFA) detection from video is a long-standing problem in facial expression analysis. Most approaches emphasize choices of features and classifiers. They neglect individual differences in target persons. People vary markedly in facial morphology (e.g., heavy versus delicate brows, smooth versus deeply etched wrinkles) and behavior. Individual differences can dramatically influence how well generic classifiers generalize to previously unseen persons. While a possible solution would be to train person-specific classifiers, that often is neither feasible nor theoretically compelling. The alternative that we propose is to personalize a generic classifier in an unsupervised manner (no additional labels for the test subjects are required). We introduce a transductive learning method, which we refer to Selective Transfer Machine (STM), to personalize a generic classifier by attenuating person-specific biases. STM achieves this effect by simultaneously learning a classifier and re-weighting the training samples that are most relevant to the test subject. To evaluate the effectiveness of STM, we compared STM to generic classifiers and to cross-domain learning methods in three major databases: CK+, GEMEP-FERA and RU-FACS. STM outperformed generic classifiers in all.
Switched diffusion processes and systems of elliptic equations: a Dirichlet space approach

The switched diffusion process associated with a weakly coupled system of elliptic equations is studied via a Dirichlet space approach and is applied to prove the existence theorem of the Cauchy initial problem for the system. A representation theorem for the solution of the Dirichlet boundary value problem and a generalised Skorohod decomposition for the reflecting switched diffusion process are obtained.
A study of the response properties of retinula cells of flies using nonlinear identification theory.

The functional properties of retinula cells of the fly Calliphora crythrocephala (wild type) have been determined through the application of nonlinear identification theory using white-gaussian stimulus functions. These results are also compared to similiar recordings of lamina cells. The accuracy of the resulting models is shown by the fact that those obtained from just 30 sec tests predict the actual total responses to the white-gaussian stimuli with a mean square error of about 5% and for a 2200 sec test the error is reduced to 2%. It has been shown that the second order kernels define all of the nonlinear properties and are the primary terms in the models for describing the variations in functional responses with illumination level, changing adaptation conditions and even variations in the conditions of the intracellular preparations.
Automatic Bird Species Detection From Crowd Sourced Videos

To assist nature observation, we develop two algorithms to enable automatic bird species filtering using crowd sourced videos as inputs where camera motion and parameters are often unknown. The first algorithm recognizes the time series of salient extremities, which is the inter-wing tip distance (IWTD), from motion segmented bird contours. To analyze the feasibility of the proposed algorithm, we derive the probability that the salient extremity can be recognized from a video captured by an arbitrary camera with unknown parameters. We also prove that the periodicity of the IWTD in the image is the same as the wingbeat frequency in the 3D space regardless of camera parameters with the exception of ignorable degenerated cases. Therefore, the second algorithm applies Fast Fourier Transform to the series and classifies bird species using likelihood ratios. The algorithm outputs a ranked list of likelihood of candidate species. Experiment results validate our analysis and show that the algorithm is very robust to segmentation error and data loss up to 30%.
Crack propagation in an elastic solid subjected to general loading—I. Constant rate of extension

Abstract A particular motion of a half-plane crack in an elastic solid subjected to general loading is considered. The loading is prescribed so that the mode of deformation of the crack is the plane-strain opening mode. The crack is initially at rest and then, at a certain instant, begins to move with a constant velocity which is less than the Rayleigh wave speed. A fundamental solution is derived for particular loading on the body which makes it possible to obtain the solution for the complete dynamic stress field due to crack extension by linear superposition. The details of the solution are worked out for the dynamic stress intensity factor for the moving crack. It is found that the stress intensity factor varies almost linearly with the crack speed, from the static value at zero speed to zero at the Rayleigh wave speed. Some numerical results are also presented for the shape of the crack tip as a function of crack speed. Finally, the energy-release rate of the moving crack tip is plotted as a function of crack-tip speed.
An orientation-dependent defect in ion-implanted silicon☆

Abstract A new EPR spectrum is resolved in the N + -implanted silicon, and this center can be produced only by the 〈110〉 channeling ions in the region underneath the amorphous layer.
The Role of Furosemide in the Treatment of Left Ventricular Dysfunction Associated with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Fifteen patients with acute myocardial infarction and an elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were given 40 mg furosemide intravenously within 24 hr of diagnosis of infarction. We divided the patients into two groups on the basis of the diuretic response to furosemide: nine who responded with a diuresis of greater than 400 ml in two hours, and six with a lower diuresis. The nine patients who responded well had a 35% fall in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, from 21 to 12 mm Hg (P < 0.01), accompanied by a small but significant decrease in arterial pressure at the end of two hours. There was no apparent increase in left ventricular function in these patients as shown by the relationship of left ventricular filling pressure and stroke work index, but all survived. The nonresponders failed to show significant hemodynamic changes, were significantly older, had a higher serum urea nitrogen (SUN) than the responders and had higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. Despite further therapy with much h...
Weaving the tapestry: Tying themes and threads together

The final chapter highlights five themes that thread through this volume: awareness of self, awareness of others, community building, social action, and art as a context for learning.
Depression and Osteoarthritis

Depression is significant among patients with arthritis and musculoskeletal illnesses. However, the impact of depression on osteoarthritis has not been extensively studied. This article highlights the close links between these 2 prevalent chronic conditions, and the associated individual and societal burden. Results from a large clinical trial of depressed older patients with arthritis showed that a focused, collaborative depression care intervention not only decreased depression but also improved arthritis-associated outcomes, such as pain severity and arthritis-related limitations in daily activities. Relative to patients given usual care, patients receiving intervention also reported better health status and higher quality of life. Analyses of the depression interventions uncovered a reciprocal interrelation between depression and pain. Higher severity of either depression or pain decreased the benefits of systematic depression treatment and was associated with worse pain and depression outcomes. Current approaches to management of depression and arthritis do not reflect readily-available evidence-based treatment. A pilot study using a combined approach to address both depression and pain problems among elderly patients with depression and osteoarthritis suggested that benefits for depression, pain, and functional outcomes are strengthened by providing both pain and depression care management. An integrated depression and pain program using evidenced-based pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments is needed to achieve optimal depression and pain outcomes. Currently, a randomized trial is under way to evaluate effectiveness of a combined pain and depression intervention using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies. Key intervention components in these 2 innovative and integrated depression and pain programs can guide clinicians to treat both depression and pain with more focus and intensity.
2-Dimensional tunnel devices and circuits on graphene: Opportunities and challenges

2-dimensional (2D) electronic materials such as graphene have emerged as attractive candidates for tunnel devices and circuits for achieving ultra-high energy-efficiency. This paper highlights a few novel tunnel device and circuit concepts based on graphene. Major challenges of 2D materials relevant to such applications are discussed as well.
Identification of Metabolites from the Biological Transformation of the Nonionic Surfactant Residue Octylphenoxyacetic Acid and Its Brominated Analog

The aerobic biological transformation of octylphenoxyacetic acid (OP1EC) and its brominated analog (BrOP1EC) by groundwater enrichment cultures was studied, and persistent metabolites were identified by GC/MS. OP1EC is a representative of the class of alkylphenol ethoxycarboxylates (APEC), formed from alkylphenol polyethoxylate nonionic surfactants during sewage treatment. BrOP1EC is a byproduct formed during chlorine disinfection in the presence of bromide. The metabolite 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-pentanol was detected in stoichiometric quantities in OP1EC-metabolizing enrichment cultures, representing the intact alkyl side chain as a tertiary alcohol. BrOP1EC was transformed by the OP1EC-utilizing cultures only if OP1EC was simultaneously metabolized, suggesting a cometabolic mechanism of transformation. Brominated intermediates were also detected: brominated octylphenol and a compound tentatively identified as 2-aminomethoxy-3-bromo-5-(1,1,3,3-tetra- methylbutyl)phenol.
Renal Medullary Carcinoma: A Potential Sickle Cell Nephropathy of Children and Adolescents

An extremely aggressive malignant epithelial neoplasm of the kidney has recently been described and named renal medullary carcinoma. The finding of this tumor is highly predictive of drepanocytes (sickle cells) in tissue sections and thus the presence of sickle hemoglobin, specifically sickle cell trait, in the patient. We present a case report of this rare tumor in a 10-year-old male. The tumor displayed a variable histologic architecture including gland-like areas with intra- and extracytoplasmic material resembling mucin with hematoxylin and eosin stain. This material was negative with periodic acid-Schiff and mucicarmine stains, stained only weakly with Alcian Blue, and was positive using antibodies against peanut agglutinin. Tumor cells stained positively with antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin, vimentin, and Ulex europaeus lectin. The luminal face of tumor cells stained with peanut agglutinin. Stains using antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein were negative. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells were characterized by short microvilli lining the luminal surface and lateral complex infoldings of adjacent plasma membranes. We discuss the relationship of this neoplasm to another renal pelvic neoplasm, collecting duct carcinoma, which may rarely occur in children. Renal medullary carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of gross hematuria, which is most commonly benign self-limited hematuria, in young patients with sickle cell trait.
THE OXIDOREDUCTASE, BILIVERDIN REDUCTASE, IS INDUCED IN HUMAN RENAL CARCINOMA - pH AND COFACTOR-SPECIFIC INCREASE IN ACTIVITY

ABSTRACTPurpose: Biliverdin reductase is an oxidoreductase unique among all enzymes characterized to date in having dual pH/dual cofactor requirement - NADH and NADPH at 6.7 and 8.7, respectively. The protein shows extensive microheterogeneity that is caused by post-translational modification. The reductase converts the heme degradation product, biliverdin, to bilirubin. Bilirubin has been shown to inhibit responses of human lymphocytes, including phytohemagglutinin-induced proliferation, interleukin-2 production, and antibody dependent and independent cell mediated cytotoxicity. In addition to acting as an antioxidant, it inhibits protein phosphorylation and activity of enzymes such as protein kinase C and NADPH oxidase. This research was to evaluate whether renal cell carcinoma differs from normal tissue in regard to the expression and activity of the reductase.Materials and Methods: kidney tissue with or without visible renal carcinoma and normal kidney tissue from a brain dead patient were frozen at −...
Effect of cross-correlation on track-to-track fusion

R. K. SahaThe MITRE Corporation, Mail Stop 5221202 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01730ABSTRACTSince the advent of target tracking systems employing a diverse mixture of sensors, there has been increasingrecognition by air defense system planners and other military system analysts of the need to integrate these tracks so thata clear air picture can be obtained in a command center. A popular methodology to achieve this goal is to perform track-to-track fusion, which performs track-to-track association as well as kinematic state vector fusion. This paper seeks toanswer analytically the extent of improvement achievable by means of kinematic state vector fusion when the tracks areobtained from dissimilar sensors (e.g., Radar/ESMIIRSTIIFF). It is well known that evaluation of the performance ofstate vector fusion algorithms at steady state must take into account the effects of cross-correlation between eligibletracks introduced by the input noise which, unfortunately, is often neglected because of added computationalcomplexity. In this paper, an expression for the steady-state cross-covariance matrix for a two-dimensional state vectortrack-to-track fusion is obtained. This matrix is shown to be a function of the parameters of the Kalman filtersassociated with the candidate tracks being fused. Conditions for positive definiteness of the cross-covariance matrixhave been derived and the effect of positive definiteness on performance of track-to-track fusion is also discussed.SECTION 1
ON THE MECHANISM OF ION EXCHANGE IN ZIRCONIUM PHOSPHATES XXXIII. AN EQUILIBRIUM STUDY OF Na+-K+-H+ EXCHANGE ON CRYSTALLINE α-ZIRCONIUM PHOSPHATE

ABSTRACT An equilibrium study of the Na+-K+-H+ exchange on crystalline α-zirconium phosphate has been carried out. Isotherms for the Ion exchange have been determined and phases formed during the exchange have been identified. For 0-50% of exchange, the exchanger greatly prefers potassium to sodium. The sodium and potassium half-exchanged phases were found to be at equilibrium when the ratio of the sodium-potassium Ion concentration of the solution is 10:1. For the second half of exchange, sodium is slightly preferred to potassium. A phase diagram of the ternary system is given. From the sodium-potassium distribution on the exchanger, the amount of surface sites was found to be 0.039, 0.087, and 0.18 meq per g exchanger at alkali metal ion loadings of 1.4, 2.3, and 3.2 meq per g exchanger, respectively. The increase in surface sites with increased loading may result from fracturing of the crystals during exchange
Temperature and oxygen-nitrogen gas ratios affect fish survival in air-supersaturated water

Juvenile steelhead trout and juvenile chinook, coho and sockeye salmon were tested at different temperatures (8°, 9°, 10°, 12°, 15°, 18° and 20°C) at the same concentration of air-supersaturated water. Supersaturated water concentrations in different tests were 115, 116, 117, 118 and 120% saturation. Increased temperatures caused a significant (P< 0.005) increase in steelhead mortality, a significant increase (P < 0.025) in chinook deaths, but no significant effect on coho or sockeye mortality. Regression model data for steelhead indicate that a 10°C increase in temperature will decrease the time to 50% death by a factor of 2.7, e.g. from 190h at 8°C to 70h at 18°C, when tested at the same total dissolved gas pressure. Effects of different oxygen-nitrogen gas ratios on fish mortality at the same total dissolved gas pressure in supersaturated water were demonstrated with juvenile steelhead trout. Mortality was rapid (time to 50% death in 1–6 h) at 140, 135 and 130% saturation, with fish dying more rapidly as the ratio of oxygen-nitrogen decreased (decrease in O2, increase in N2) Mortality patterns were similar at 125%; time to 50% death occurred in 5–20 h, with more rapid deaths occurring as oxygen (O2/N2 ratio) was decreased.
Reply to Schlegel

SCHLEGEL'S objection to my calculation of the relativistic time keeping behaviour of terrestrial clocks1 brings up certain questions of semantics perhaps, but, more important, substantial and subtle aspects of the theory which when ignored or misunderstood often lead to confusion. I am convinced of the basic correctness of my conclusion that the theory predicts that the time recorded by a clock after circumnavigation of the Earth depends both on the direction of the circumnavigation and on the rotational speed of the Earth. The kinetic relativistic effect is not always “purely relational” for finite (non-infinitesimal) time intervals. That is, it does not depend solely on relative speed in all cases, for if it did there could be no theoretical resolution of the clock (or twin) paradox. Let us recall that this paradox is resolved by recognizing that at least one of the clocks must experience acceleration and that the Minkowski metric applies at all times only in the rest system of an unaccelerated clock. If in fact both clocks experience acceleration, a calculation employing the Minkowski metric cannot be done in the rest system of either clock, but must be done relative to an underlying inertial reference system. A similar issue is involved here.
The Divided Self in Adolescence

In contrast to positivistic self-concept psychology, the cognitive-developmental approach looks at concepts of selfhood itself. Interviews with adolescents reveal that they have a complex ‘divided met
Effects of progesterone on the urinary tract

The effects of progesterone on the urinary tract are not thoroughly discussed in the literature except with respect to hydronephrosis of pregnancy. This article is a comprehensive review of the effects of progestational agents on the ureter, bladder and urethra and the possible clinical uses of this hormone. From the data in the literature, it appears that progesterone brings about relaxation of smooth muscle in the urinary system, which may be important clinically in managing menopausal women on hormone replacement, as well as younger women using oral contraception.
Asymmetric Aging and Workload Sensitive Bias Temperature Instability Sensors

Asymmetric aging under different workload profiles requires on-chip aging sensors to be sensitive to signal edge degradation. The authors in this paper present a 45-nm on-chip aging sensor that directly monitors circuit performance degradation during dynamic operation.
Coping with Complexity and Organizational Interests in Natural Resource Management

To cope with the daunting challenges posed by system complexity while maximizing their organizational interests, resource management institutions must implement strategies aimed at reducing some of the particular dimensions of complexity. Virtually all of the recent initiatives to improve resource management—ecosystem management, adaptive management, stakeholder negotiation, disturbance prevention, multiple mandates for resource management agencies, resource homogenization, restoration ecology, the creation of protected areas, the restoration of local-user rights, and algorithmic resource exploitation rules—are vulnerable to inappropriate interest-driven simplifications, many of which result from patterns of perverse learning. A research agenda designed to identify better means of coping with complexity and the effects of organizational interests could help to improve resource and environmental management.
Titers of nine complement components, conglutinin and C3b-inactivator in adult and fetal bovine sera

Abstract Titers of nine complement components, conglutinin and C3b-inactivator in bovine serum are presented. C1, C4, C5, C7 and C9 titers were very high in adult bovine serum and C2 and C8 were relatively low. Cl, C2 and C8 were quite heat-labile at 56°C, and C7 was moderately so, while C3 and C6 titers increased after heating. Prolonged storage at 0–4°C had little effect on the Cl, C5–9, conglutinin and C3b-inactivator activity of fetal bovine sera, but adversely affected C4. Fetal bovine serum contained approximately 1–3% of adult levels of conglutinin, Cl and C6, and 5–50% of adult levels of the remaining components except C3. C3 activity was undetectable in fetal bovine serum but present at the time of birth. A comparison of the complement component titers in ‘good’ and ‘bad’ lots of fetal bovine serum showed no relationship to their ability to support or inhibit in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis. Slight contamination of commercial bovine serum albumin and γ-globulin with complement components was observed.
LECHAION, WESTERN PORT OF CORINTH: A PRELIMINARY ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY

Summary Lechaion was the western port of the prosperous city of Corinth, and thus much of the Corinthia, Argolid and Peloponnesos. The position of Lechaion ensured that the port was used for traffic with the western Mediterranean as well as central Greece. Lechaion was separated from the city by agricultural land, but remained a dependent entity; in the classical period the port was connected to the city by long walls. The port contained an outer and inner harbor with a combined area of approximately 150,000 m2 The outer harbor works consisted of two large moles; the inner harbor was artificially excavated. Multiple periods of construction are suggested by the archaeological remains. The construction phases of the harbor may be related to the expansive economic activity in Corinth at the beginning of the sixth century B. C., c. A.D. 45, and perhaps again c. A.D. 355.
Phase I clinical trial of hepatic arterial infusion of paclitaxel in patients with advanced cancer and dominant liver involvement

Purpose The survival of patients with liver metastases from solid tumors is poor. We conducted a phase I study of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) paclitaxel in patients with advanced cancer and predominant liver involvement.
Genetic and biochemical characterization of an α-L-arabinofuranosidase isolated from a compost starter mixture.

Abstract Enzymes that are involved in the breakdown of arabinoxylan biomass are becoming more important as the need to harness renewable energy sources becomes necessary. A gene encoding an α- l -arabinofuranosidase not previously described (1581 bp) was isolated from a culture seeded with a compost starter mixed bacterial population. Sequence analysis of the putative catalytic domain determined that the enzyme, termed deAFc, is a glycoside hydrolase family 43 member. The gene was cloned into Escherichia coli with a C-terminal His-tag and its recombinant product expressed and purified. deAFc appeared to be monomeric under the gel-permeation chromatography conditions employed, and kinetic analysis using several artificial glycoside substrates revealed Km values between 0.251 and 0.960 mM and kcat values between 0.13 and 1.22 s−1. The purified enzyme was stable up to 45 °C, had an activity temperature optimum of 47 °C, and a pH profile that was essentially invariant between pH 5 and 8.5. deAFc was observed to release xylose only when incubated with synthetic xylopyranoside substrates, while release of arabinose was observed from arabinoxylan and branched arabinan as well as from synthetic chromophore or fluorophore-tagged α- l -arabinofuranoside substrates.
Tritrichomonas foetus: purification and characterization of hydrogenosomal ATP:AMP phosphotransferase (adenylate kinase).

Abstract The hydrogenosomal enzyme ATP:AMP phosphotransferase (adenylate kinase) (EC 2.7.4.3) was purified to apparent homogeneity from the bovine parasite Tritrichomonas foetus . A fraction enriched for hydrogenosomes was obtained from cell homogenates which had been subjected to differential and isopycnic centrifugation. Adenylate kinase was solubilized in 50 m M Tris-HCl, pH 7.3, containing 0.8% Triton X-100, and purified by sequential Affi-Gel blue affinity chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography gel filtration. The purified enzyme, a monomer of M r 29,000, exhibited K m values of 100, 195, and 83 μM for ADP, ATP, and AMP, respectively. Substituting other mono-, di-, and trinucleotides for AMP, ADP, and ATP gave less than half the maximal activity. Full enzyme activity requires Mg 2+ , but Mn 2+ and Co 2+ yield half maximal activity. The enzyme has a broad optimal pH range between pH 6 and 9. The enzyme was competitively inhibited by P 1 ,P 5 -di(adenosine-5′)pentaphosphate, a specific adenylate kinase inhibitor: the K i was 150 n M . The enzyme was also inhibited with 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), and this inhibition could be reversed by the addition of 2 m M dithiothreitol. T. foetus adenylate kinase has similar catalytic and physical properties to that of the biologically closely related human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis .
Teaching for tolerance of diverse beliefs

(1997). Teaching for tolerance of diverse beliefs. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 36, Teaching Conflict Resolution: Prepration for Pluralism, pp. 32-38.
Incidence of concussion in high school football players of Ohio and Pennsylvania

Football injuries account for more concussions than any other sport in North America. A 1977 survey of high school football players in Minnesota found that 19% of players reported at least one concussion (characterized by loss of awareness) during a season. These results have not been confirmed in subsequent studies. This study sought to estimate the incidence of concussion among high school football players in our region, establish the frequency of the most common symptoms, and determine the duration of subsequent restriction from participation in the sport. The athletic boards of area high schools distributed a three-page survey to 450 high school football players. Of the 450 surveys distributed, 234 (52%) were returned, only 1 of which was excluded because of contradictory information. The incidence of concussion in football players was 47.2% (110/233, P < .001 versus a previously determined rate of 19%). Eighty-one of 233 players (34.9%) had multiple concussions. A total of 376 concussions were report...
Soft X-ray and vacuum ultraviolet beamlines at the national synchrotron light source 700 MeV storage ring

We summarize the characteristics of the first beamlines which are being installed and commissioned at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) 700 MeV storage ring at Brookhaven National Laboratory. We also give a progress report as of July 1982 on the early stages of beamline alignment and operation in which particular attention is paid to the 5 beamlines which NSLS has developed. The report describes in detail a novel method for beamline alignment which is of general application.
The Juristic Study of Law's Formal Character

. The author summarizes the essential elements of a general theory he is developing which he calls “The Formal Character of Law.” He explains that law's formal character is a potentially major branch of legal theory that is still relatively unexplored. In his view, it is possible to identify formal attributes in (1) legal rules, (2) other basic legal constructs such as interpretive method, the principles of stare decisis, legal reasons, and legislative and adjudicative processes, and (3) a legal system viewed as a whole. For example, a legal rule has, in varying degrees, such formal attributes as generality, definiteness, and simplicity. (Other constructs have other formal attributes.) Such attributes are formal in the sense that they apply to or accommodate highly variable content and do not prescribe or proscribe content. Of course, legal phenomena have other characteristics besides their formality. The author's main technique for developing his theory is to address a common set of questions to the varied formal attributes of (l), (2), and (3) above. Among other things, the answers to these questions further explicate how law is formal, demonstrate that law is not merely a means of serving problem-specific policy but also serves formal values (which may sometimes trump or limit policy), treats the relations between form and content—specially how good form begets good content and bad form bad content, explores the design and implementation of appropriate formality—its “anatomy and physiology,” and analyses the “pathology” of legal form including not only the “formalistic” (the overformal), but also the “sub-stantivistic,” and shows how the overall theory is important both jurisprudentially and in practical ways.
Corneal complications from herpes zoster ophthalmicus

Of 94 patients with acute herpes zoster ophthalmicus who were seen during a six-year period, 61 had corneal involvement. The corneal complications in the order of chronological clinical occurrence were punctate epithelial keratitis in 51%, early pseudodendrites in 51%, anterior stromal infiltrates in 41%, sclerokeratitis in 1%, kerato-uveitis/endothelitis in 34%, serpiginous ulceration in 7%, delayed corneal mucous plaques in 13%, disciform keratitis in 10%, neurotrophic keratitis in 25%, and exposure keratitis in 11%. Some of the earlier lesions seemed to result from viral infection, whereas later lesions resulted from limbal vasculitis, an immunologic mechanism to soluble viral antigen, a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, or damage to nerves and tissues. An elucidation of the lesions awaits better viral and immunologic detection techniques and further histopathologic study. Modern topical and systemic antiviral therapy, corticosteroids, and surgery have a role in treatment.
Infusing Creativity into Technology Education Through an Understanding of Neuroscience

This paper explores possibilities for infusing technology education with neuroscience principles in an effort to increase creativity. The decline in creativity among individuals in the United States is highlighted. Basic neuroscience fundamentals are covered and a framework for describing creativity in individuals is provided (Dietrich, 2004). Pedagogical connections and suggestions are provided for implementing neuroscience concepts in the classroom in an effort to promote creativity.
Stress-Lifetime Characterization of Proton Exchange Membrane Using 3-D Digital Image Correlation and Pressure-Loaded Blister Tests

The strength of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) and its ability to withstand cyclic, environmentally induced stresses plays an important role in membrane integrity and consequently, fuel cell durability. In this study, pressure loaded blister tests are used to characterize the biaxial strength of a model commercially available membrane, Gore-Select® series 57, at the 90°C dry condition under ramped, constant and cyclic pressure loading. Gas leakage is used as the failure criterion, making it analogous to the stresses and failures seen during fuel cell operation. Three-dimensional digital image correlation is used to measure the deformation of the bulging membrane. A quasi-static, spherical pressure vessel approximation of the central portion of the blister then allows the biaxial stress state at this location of the PEM to be tracked through time. A damage accumulation model is applied to the data taken during constant pressure loading to determine the damage parameters. The model is then used to predict the failure of blisters from ramped and cyclic fatigue test modes. The successful lifetime prediction suggests an understanding of the stress state in the blister test and the model’s ability to relate different mechanical loadings and predict failure.Copyright © 2011 by ASME and General Motors Corporation
GIS-based engineering management service functions : Taking GIS beyond mapping for municipal governments

A geographic information system (GIS) is found to be a platform of choice for meeting the needs of several core engineering functions. However, there is a dearth of GIS usage for engineering management service functions (EMSFs), which typically are specific to individual jurisdictions. This study outlines a simple approach for automating EMSFs on a GIS platform and demonstrates its efficacy. In the first phase of this research, a review of GIS applications in various municipal government functions is conducted. The review indicated that most municipal governments have currently employed GIS for a variety of general administrative services such as revenue collection, data archival, and information dissemination purposes. The proposed approach is demonstrated by developing a GIS model for a sanitary sewer reimbursement (GIS-MSSR) program at a fast-growing urban municipality. Data modeling issues related to representing complex management tasks within the context of a relational database model are discussed. Development of functional requirement specifications for GIS models and their implementation are also discussed. The effectiveness of the approach is verified by highlighting productivity gains resulting from the development of GIS-MSSR. The research concluded that several complex engineering service management functions can be automated on GIS platforms to realize substantial productivity gains. Automating multiple tasks, however small they might be, in an integrated environment can increase the productivity even further.
Dentist's influence on patient demand for local anesthesia with a chemomechanical system.

A chemomechanical system of removal of carious dentin from vital teeth has been shown to be effective, safe, and conservative.‘” A study designed to assess the Caridex caries removal system (CRS) (National Patent Dental Products, New Brunswick, N. J.) in all classes of cavities, comparing it with conventional treatment, was conducted at four dental school clinics. This study demonstrated that the Caridex CRS could remove all carious dentin in 76% of class I through class V cavities.4 Patients overwhelmingly preferred the Caridex system to conventional treatment.4 The need for local anesthetics was considerably reduced when the Caridex CRS was used as judged by patient demand.4s5 This report focuses on the effect of the dentist in influencing patient demand for local anesthetics.
Studies on solvent extraction techniques for activation analysis of serum

Abstract Studies on the possible use in neutron activation analysis of serum of solvent extraction before irradiation, are presented. Various chelating solvent extraction systems were studied with and without prior ashing or acid digestion of the serum sample. Solvent extraction eliminates most of the interfering sodium, potassium, and bromine in the extract, but extraction efficiencies of a variety of trace metals were variable and never quantitative.
Molecular interaction and orientation of selenourea on copper and silver electrode surfaces: A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic study

Abstract Surface-enhanced Raman spectra of selenourea on copper and silver electrodes have been obtained. The frequencies of vibrational modes involving CSe stretch for the free molecule were decreased upon adsorption, indicating a reduction in the C bond order. We conclude that selenourea is Se-bonded to the copper and silver surfaces.
The effects of barrier disruption and moisturization on the dynamic drying mechanics of human stratum corneum

We study the dynamic drying mechanics of human stratum corneum, the most superficial layer of skin and essential physical and chemical barrier to the external environment. Barrier disruption caused by a depletion of lipids ordinarily found in healthy stratum corneum can occur with ageing, aggressive cleansing or with dry skin disorders and diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. We establish the effects of severe barrier disruption on the dynamic drying mechanics of human stratum corneum by measuring variations in thickness and spatially resolved in-plane displacements in healthy and lipid depleted tissue samples drying in controlled environmental conditions. In-plane displacements recorded at regular intervals during drying are azimuthally averaged and fitted with a profile based on a linear elastic model. The measured thickness of the tissue sample is accounted for in each model fit. Dynamic variations in the drying stress and elastic modulus of the tissue are then established from the model fits. We find that barrier disruption causes dramatic reductions in drying timescales, increases in the elastic modulus of the tissue and larger drying stresses. We expect these changes to increase the propensity for cracking and chapping in skin. The maximum elastic modulus and drying stress of barrier disrupted stratum corneum (ESC=85.4±6.8 MPa, PSC=10.9±0.9 MPa) is reduced to levels comparable with stratum corneum containing lipids (ESC=26.1±3.2 MPa, PSC=2.58±0.45 MPa) after treatment with a 5% aqueous solution of glycerol. Neither 2% nor 5% glycerol solutions slow the accelerated drying timescales in barrier disrupted stratum corneum.
The modern religion

Abstract Nationalism is an essentially secular form of consciousness, one that, indeed, sacralizes the secular. This renders the temptation to treat it as a religion problematic. The framework of individual and collective identities in modern societies, nationalism both obscures the importance of the transcendental concerns that lie at the core of great religions and undermines their authority. Though instrumental in the development of nationalism, religion now exists on its sufferance and serves mainly as a tool for the promotion of nationalist ends, not vice versa.
Effect of peat re-wetting on carbon and nutrient fluxes, greenhouse gas production and diversity of methanogenic archaeal community

Abstract Many peatlands were affected by drainage in the past, and restoration of their water regime aims to bring back their original functions. The purpose of our study was to simulate re-wetting of soils of different types of drained peatlands (bogs and minerotrophic mires, located in the Sumava Mountains, Czech Republic) under laboratory conditions (incubation for 15 weeks) and to assess possible risks of peatland water regime restoration – especially nutrient leaching and the potentials for CO2 and CH4 production. After re-wetting of soils sampled from drained peatlands (simulated by anaerobic incubation) (i) phosphorus concentration (SRP) did not change in any soil, (ii) concentration of ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) increased, but only in a drained fen, (iii) DOC increased significantly in the drained fen and degraded drained bog, (iv) CO2 production decreased, (v) CH4 production and the number of methanogens increased in all soils, and (vi) archaeal methanogenic community composition was also affected by re-wetting; it differed significantly between drained and pristine fens, whereas it was more similar between drained and pristine bogs. Overall, the soils from fens reacted more dynamically to re-wetting than the bogs, and therefore, some nutrients (especially nitrogen) and DOC leaching may be expected from drained fens after their water regime restoration. However, if compared to their state before restoration, ammonium and phosphorus leaching should not increase and leaching of nitrates and DON should even decrease after restoration, especially during the vegetation season. Further, CO2 production in soils of fens and bogs should decrease after their water regime restoration, whereas CH4 production in soils should increase. However, we cannot derive any clear conclusions about CH4 emissions from the ecosystems based on this study, as they depend strongly on environmental factors and on the actual activity of methanotrophs in situ.
Legionella pneumophila SidD is a deAMPylase that modifies Rab1

Legionella pneumophila actively modulates host vesicle trafficking pathways to facilitate its intracellular replication with effectors translocated by the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS). The SidM/DrrA protein functions by locking the small GTPase Rab1 into an active form by its guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) and AMPylation activity. Here we demonstrate that the L. pneumophila protein SidD preferably deAMPylates Rab1. We found that the deAMPylation activity of SidD could suppress the toxicity of SidM to yeast and is required to release Rab1 from bacterial phagosomes efficiently. A molecular mechanism for the temporal control of Rab1 activity in different phases of L. pneumophila infection is thus established. These observations indicate that AMPylation-mediated signal transduction is a reversible process regulated by specific enzymes.
Multilevel halftone screen design: Keeping texture or keeping smoothness?

Multilevel halftoning algorithms are becoming increasingly important as the capabilities of image output devices improve. The traditional approach to multilevel halftoning is hampered by the appearance of contouring in the vicinity of native tones of the output device. To overcome this limitation, we propose a novel framework based on maintaining a consistent periodic, clustered-dot halftone texture across the tone scale. We develop metrics for granularity and structure dissimilarity, and show how these can be used to guide the manner in which the halftone texture evolves from native tone to native tone, across the tone scale. Experimental results confirm the benefits of our new approach.
Viscosity and density of aluminum oxide nanolubricant

Abstract This paper presents liquid kinematic viscosity and density measurements of a synthetic polyolester-based aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) nanoparticle dispersion (nanolubricant) at atmospheric pressure over the temperature range 288 K–318 K. Two Al 2 O 3 particles diameters were investigated: approximately 60 nm and 10 nm. A good dispersion of the spherical nanoparticles in the lubricant was maintained with a surfactant. Viscosity and density measurements were made for the neat lubricant along with twelve nanolubricants with differing nanoparticle and surfactant mass fractions. A new model was developed to predict the kinematic viscosity of the nanolubricant by summing the viscosities of the nanoparticle, the surfactant and the base lubricant. The resulting correlated model for the liquid kinematic viscosity was a function of temperature, nanoparticle mass fraction, surfactant mass fraction, and nanoparticle diameter. The measurements are important for the design of nanolubricants for heat transfer and flow applications.