cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MFN2 Influences Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathology

Objective: To better understand the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, we used sequence data from patients seen at the University of Utah to identify novel disease-associated loci. We utilized both in vitro and in vivo studies to determine the biological effect of patient mutations in MFN2. Methods: Sequence data for a total of 140 patients were run through VAAST and Phevor to determine genes that were more burdened with rare, nonsynonymous variants compared to control longevity cohort. Variants identified in MFN2 were expressed in Mfn2 knockout cells to determine if mutant MFN2 could rescue mitochondrial morphology defects. We identified additional rare, nonsynonymous variants in MFN2 in ALSdb that were expressed in knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Membrane potential was measured to quantify mitochondrial health upon mutant MFN2 expression. mfn2 knockout zebrafish were used to examine movement compared to wildtype and protein aggregation in brain. Results: MFN2 mutations identified in ALS patients from our University of Utah cohort and ALSdb were defective in rescuing morphological defects in Mfn2 knockout MEFs. Selected mutants showed decreased membrane potential compared to wildtype MFN2 expression. Zebrafish heterozygous and homozygous for loss of mfn2 showed increased TDP-43 levels in their hindbrain and cerebellum. Conclusion: In total, 21 rare, deleterious mutations in MFN2 were tested in Mfn2 knockout MEFs. Mutant MFN2 expression was not able to rescue the knockout phenotype, though at differing degrees of severity. Decreased membrane potential also argues for inhibited mitochondrial function. Increased TDP-43 levels in mutant zebrafish illustrates MFN29s function in ALS pathology. MFN2 variants influence ALS pathology and highlight the importance of mitochondria in neurodegeneration.
Basic Principles of Nonlinear Wave Interactions: Second Harmonic Generation and Four Wave Mixing

We now turn from our discussion of the nature of a material’s linear and nonlinear response to an external electric field, to the consequences of the latter. We have seen that we can decompose the electric dipole moment per unit volume into a linear portion, and a nonlinear portion, as in (1.7 a). When we Fourier transform all quantities with respect to time by writing $${E_a}(r,t) = \int\limits_{ - \infty }^{ + \infty } {\frac{{d\omega }}{{2\pi }}} {E_\alpha }(r,\omega ){e^{ - i\omega t}},$$ (4.1) then introduce the frequency dependent dielectric tensor, (1.3 a,b) become $$\nabla \cdot\left[ {\varepsilon (\omega ) \cdot {\text{E}}(r.\omega )} \right] = - 4\pi \nabla \cdot{P^{(NL)}}(r,\omega )$$ (4.2a) and $${\nabla ^2}E(r,\omega ) - \nabla (\nabla \cdot {\text{E}}(r,\omega )) + \frac{{{\omega ^2}}}{{{c^2}}}\varepsilon (\omega ) \cdot E(r,\omega ) = - \frac{{4\pi {\omega ^2}}}{{{c^2}}}{P^{(NL)}}(r,\omega ).$$ (4.2b)
Coherent artifact study of multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan

We study intensity-and-phase measurements of unstable trains of pulses using multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan (MIIPS). MIIPS retrieves only a coherent artifact and so can under-estimates pulse lengths, but wider measured traces can indicate instability.
On Living and Learning in Between the Past and the Future

In view of the continuum of human existence, it is apparent that we are always living in between the past and the future. Yet we intuitively and perpetually make arbitrary demarcations among the past, the present, and the future. Parallel to one’s memory of one’s lived early childhood experience, our collective memory of the past — especially the remote past — can be hazy, indefinite, and surrealistic. Just as one’s present state of mind shapes one’s understanding of one’s early childhood experiences, contemporaneous ideologies can circumscribe historical inquiries into the collective past. Thus, teaching about the past is always a value-laden inquiry. As Ann Chinnery is keenly aware of the interconnections between the aims and the methods of teaching about the past, she argues that teaching about the past must foster critical historical consciousness so learners may apprehend and appreciate difficult knowledge from the past. To Chinnery, cultivating critical historical consciousness differs from “a cognitive, knowledge-based approach” to recollecting the past. More specifically, Chinnery, in line with Emmanuel Levinas and Roger Simon, acknowledges and affirms that one’s “here and now subjectivity” has always been interwoven with the past at both individual and collective levels. Drawing from her teaching experience, Chinnery further concludes that cultivating critical historical consciousness need not rely upon personal testimony. Instead, teaching and learning about the past should focus on facilitating learners’ undertaking critical contextual inquiries into the formation of subjectivity and public policies. Such critical inquiries, while disquieting, can lead to recognizing our ethical responsibilities of “receiving the past” and “shaping the future.”
Dark Rate of a Photomultiplier at Cryogenic Temperatures

When cooled below room temperature, the pulse response of a photomultiplier in the absence of light (dark rate) initially decreases, but then turns around near 250 K and continues to rise all the way down to 4 K. When the photomultiplier is cold, its dark response is burst-like. We have measured the characteristics of the dark response of a photomultiplier.
Monotonic approach to central limits

The approach to limits guaranteed by the Central Limit Theorem appears to be monotonic in many cases. A variety of empirical examples are discussed. Proofs are given for some special cases of the binomial, gamma, and Poisson distributions. 1. MONOTONICITY PHENOMENON Let F be a distribution with mean ft and standard deviation a. Let XI,X2, X3, ... be a sequence of independent random variables all with distribution F. The Central Limit Theorem states that as n approaches infinity, the tail probability /n (1.1) P(I Xi ? > n i + Vnma will approach 1-19(m) where 19 is the cumulative distribution function of the standard normal distribution. Estimating how closely 1 @(m) approximates the tail probability is often important yet difficult. In many cases, though, the approach to the central limit is monotonic, which makes the problem of evaluating the accuracy of the estimates much easier. For discrete distributions, F, that take on only integer values, the values of (1.1) rise and fall as nru + rimc increases to and passes integer values. So, when F is discrete, (1.1) will be discussed only for those n where nrt + ?erimc is integral. The following notation will be used to represent probability distributions. BIN(N, p) will refer to the binomial distribution with N trials and probability of success p. In this case q will be used to represent 1 p. GAM(a) will refer to the gamma distribution with density I( )x-le-X for x > 0. POI(A) will refer to the Poisson distribution with mean A. Determining conditions under which the monotonicity of (1.1) holds is the subject of this paper. In Section 2 three theorems are presented. In Section 3 numerical evidence of monotonicity is discussed. 2. ANALYTIC RESULTS This section presents three results concerning the monotonicity of (1.1) in the special case where m -0. Received by the editors May 24, 1999 and, in revised form, November 15, 1999. 2000 Mathematzcs Subject Classification. Primary 62E20, 62F12, 62F05.
Particle image velocimetry measurements of the flow in the converging region of two parallel jets

Abstract The interaction between parallel jets plays a critical role in determining the characteristics of the momentum and heat transfer in the flow. Specifically for next generation VHTR, the output temperature will be about 900 °C, and any thermal oscillations will create safety issues. The mixing variations of the coolants in the reactor core may influence these power oscillations. Numerous numerical tools such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been used to support the reactor design. The validation of CFD method is important to ensure the fidelity of the calculations. This requires high-fidelity, qualified benchmark data. Particle image velocimetry (PIV), a non-intrusive measuring technique, was used to provide benchmark data for resolving a simultaneous flow field in the converging region of two submerged parallel jets issued from rectangular channels. The jets studied in this work had an equal discharge velocity at room temperature. The turbulent characteristics including the distributions of mean velocities, turbulence intensities, Reynolds stresses and z-component vorticity were studied. The streamwise mean velocity measured by PIV and LDV were compared, and they agreed very well.
Climbing‐ripple successions in turbidite systems: depositional environments, sedimentation rates and accumulation times

Climbing-ripple cross-lamination is most commonly deposited by turbidity currents when suspended load fallout and bedload transport occur contemporaneously. The angle of ripple climb reflects the ratio of suspended load fallout and bedload sedimentation rates, allowing for the calculation of the flow properties and durations of turbidity currents. Three areas exhibiting thick (>50 m) sections of deep-water climbing-ripple cross-lamination deposits are the focus of this study: (i) the Miocene upper Mount Messenger Formation in the Taranaki Basin, New Zealand; (ii) the Permian Skoorsteenberg Formation in the Tanqua depocentre of the Karoo Basin, South Africa; and (iii) the lower Pleistocene Magnolia Field in the Titan Basin, Gulf of Mexico. Facies distributions and local contextual information indicate that climbing-ripple cross-lamination in each area was deposited in an ‘off-axis’ setting where flows were expanding due to loss of confinement or a decrease in slope gradient. The resultant reduction in flow thickness, Reynolds number, shear stress and capacity promoted suspension fallout and thus climbing-ripple cross-lamination formation. Climbing-ripple cross-lamination in the New Zealand study area was deposited both outside of and within channels at an inferred break in slope, where flows were decelerating and expanding. In the South Africa study area, climbing-ripple cross-lamination was deposited due to a loss of flow confinement. In the Magnolia study area, an abrupt decrease in gradient near a basin sill caused flow deceleration and climbing-ripple cross-lamination deposition in off-axis settings. Sedimentation rate and accumulation time were calculated for 44 climbing-ripple cross-lamination sedimentation units from the three areas using TDURE, a mathematical model developed by Baas et al. (2000). For Tc divisions and Tbc beds averaging 26 cm and 37 cm thick, respectively, average climbing-ripple cross-lamination and whole bed sedimentation rates were 0·15 mm sec−1 and 0·26 mm sec−1 and average accumulation times were 27 min and 35 min, respectively. In some instances, distinct stratigraphic trends of sedimentation rate give insight into the evolution of the depositional environment. Climbing-ripple cross-lamination in the three study areas is developed in very fine-grained to fine-grained sand, suggesting a grain size dependence on turbidite climbing-ripple cross-lamination formation. Indeed, the calculated sedimentation rates correlate well with the rate of sedimentation due to hindered settling of very fine-grained and fine-grained sand–water suspensions at concentrations of up to 20% and 2·5%, respectively. For coarser grains, hindered settling rates at all concentrations are much too high to form climbing-ripple cross-lamination, resulting in the formation of massive/structureless S3 or Ta divisions.
Influence of implant angulation on the fracture resistance of zirconia abutments.

Purpose To investigate the effects of abutment design to correct for implant angulation and aging on the fracture resistance of zirconia abutments. Greater understanding of the fracture strength of the zirconia abutments under various clinical conditions may lead to improvement of clinical protocols and possibly limit potential failures of implant prosthetics. Materials and Methods Test specimens consisted of an implant-zirconia abutment-zirconia crown assembly with implant apex positioned at 0°, 20° to the facial (20F), and 20° to the lingual (20L) with respect to a constant crown contour. To keep the abutment design as the only variable, CAD/CAM technology was used to generate monolithic zirconia crowns identical both in external and internal dimensions and marginal contours to precisely fit all the abutments in an identical fashion. The monolithic zirconia abutments were designed to fit the constant crown contours and the internal connection of the implant at the three angulations. The customized abutments for the three implant angulations varied in emergence profile, screw hole location, and material thickness around the screw hole. Half the specimens from each group were subjected to steam autoclaving and thermocycling to simulate aging of the restorations in vivo. To mimic the off-axis loading of the central incisor, the specimens were loaded at the recommended cephalometric interincisal relationship of 135° between the long axis of the crown supported by the implant and the Instron force applicator simulating the mandibular incisor. The force applicator was positioned 2 mm from the incisal edge and loaded at a 1 mm/min crosshead speed. Data were evaluated by 2-way ANOVA (α = 0.05) and Tukey's HSD. Results The 20F group had the highest fracture values followed by the 0° group, and the 20L group had the lowest fracture values. Aging did not yield any significant difference in fracture force magnitudes. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, tilting the implant apex to the lingual significantly reduced the fracture strength of angle-corrected zirconia abutments. Accordingly, while the angle between the occlusal force application and the long axis of the implant decreases, the resistance (force) to fracture decreases.
Photoexcitation of a Light-Harvesting Supramolecular Triad: A Time-Dependent DFT Study

We present the first time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculation on a light-harvesting triad carotenoid-diaryl-porphyrin-C(60). Besides the numerical challenge that the ab initio study of the electronic structure of such a large system presents, we show that TDDFT is able to provide an accurate description of the excited-state properties of the system. In particular, we calculate the photoabsorption spectrum of the supramolecular assembly, and we provide an interpretation of the photoexcitation mechanism in terms of the properties of the component moieties. The spectrum is in good agreement with experimental data, and provides useful insight on the photoinduced charge-transfer mechanism which characterizes the system.
A self-consistent theoretical approach to polymer induced turbulent drag reduction

(1984). A SELF-CONSISTENT THEORETICAL APPROACH TO POLYMER INDUCED TURBULENT DRAG REDUCTION. Chemical Engineering Communications: Vol. 30, No. 1-2, pp. 99-111.
A Study of Particle Settling in Non-Newtonian Fluids—Part I: A New Method for the Study of Particle Settling in Drilling and Fracturing Fluids

A drag force measurement method is presented which makes it possible to study the settling of particles in transparent and opaque fluids. A dimensionless treatment that takes into account the shear thinning effects of fluids was applied to normalize the measured drag force data. A wide range of particle Reynolds numbers can be covered by this method and a profile of friction factor versus Reynolds number can be established by the proposed dimensionless treatment. An algorithm for the prediction of settling of particles in non-Newtonian fluids was introduced. It can be executed by a computer program. With a good set of experimental data, the settling velocities predicted by the computer model are very close to the measured ones in the fluids tested. This method can be used to study the suspension properties of drilling and fracturing fluids, transparent or opaque. The wide coverage of Reynolds number range simplifies the experiment.
Biochemical Characterization of Lauric Acid ω-Hydroxylation by a CYP4A1/NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Reductase Fusion Protein

The binding and hydroxylation of lauric acid by a genetically engineered and expressed fusion protein comprised of an N-truncated form of rat CYP4A1 linked to an N-truncated form of rat NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (OR) (constructed by Fisher et al., (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 10817-10822) has been characterized biochemically and compared to that shown by purified reconstituted rat CYP4A1 and liver microsomes from clofibrate-induced rats. In all systems lauric acid induced a Type I cytochrome P450 difference spectrum with Ks values in agreement with prior literature (range 10-18 μM). When provided with NADPH and oxygen but no other proteins or lipid, the fusion protein (called f4A1) catalyzed ω-hydroxylation of lauric acid with apparent Km and Vm of 3-4 μM and 4-5 nmol product/min/nmol P450 irrespective of buffer concentration or cation (NaPi or KPi, 25-200 mM); comparable values for reconstituted CYP4A1 and microsomes from clofibrate-induced rats are 9 μM and 34 min−1 and 5 μM and 10 min−1, respectively. (ω-1)-Hydroxylation of lauric acid was barely detectable (ω/(ω-1) = 135) with f4A1 or with reconstituted CYP4A1, but it accounted for up to 50% of total products formed by microsomes from clofibrate-induced rats. When added to the f4A1 system, OR stimulated hydroxylation up to fivefold at a OR:f4A1 ratio of 5:1; additionally, (ω-1)hydroxylation was routinely observed as a minor process (<4% of total product) in this system. These effects were also independent of buffer concentration. In contrast addition of cytochrome b5 (b5) caused a small (25%) decrease in ω-hydroxylation, while added phospholipid had no effect. However, the combination of OR, b5, and lipid stimulated turnover approximately 10-fold compared to f4A1 alone, and 11-hydroxylauric acid was regularly formed as a minor (3-4% of total) product. These observations indicate that the fusion protein f4A1 is functionally equivalent to reconstituted CYP4A1 with respect to binding and hydroxylation of lauric acid and suggest that it can be used as an alternative to reconstituted systems for structure-function and mechanistic studies of fatty acid ω-hydroxylation.
Applicability of Risk Transfer Tools to Manage Loss and Damage from Slow-onset Climatic Risks☆

This paper aims to provide inspiration for how risk transfer tools such as insurance can facilitate approaches to address loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change including slow-onset events. In particular it aims to show how insurance can be used in conjunction with a wide set of climate risk management tools to bolster societal resilience. The paper offers an overview of slow-onset climatic processes, provides a description on the current innovative tools and approaches to help reduce loss and damage associated with slow onset events provides case studies, and discussed some of the gaps and challenges related to implementation and enabling environment needed to manage climate risks in developing countries.
Genetics of male-specific glucose oxidase and the identification of other unusual hexose enzymes in Drosophila melanogaster

A glucose oxidase (GO) has been identified in the ejaculatory duct of male Drosophila melanogaster. Evidence is given that this enzyme was previously misidentified as HEX-1. Genetic analysis indicates that the Go structural gene is located on the third chromosome at 48 ± 0.5 cm. Go is polymorphic in males in populations of D. melanogaster and D. simulans located in Athens, Georgia. Two other hexose enzymes have also been tentatively identified for the first time in Drosophila. These are NAD(P)-glucose dehydrogenase (GODH) and NAD-gluconate dehydrogenase (GNDH). GODH and GNDH are found in both males and females and may circumvent the initial steps in the pentose shunt.
Neuropathic pain following sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible: prevalence, risk factors, and clinical course

Purpose To estimate the prevalence of, risk factors for, and clinical course of neuropathic pain (NPP) after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) of the mandible in a large cohort of patients. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort of all patients who underwent SSRO at 2 medical centers within Kaiser Permanente Northern California from January 2007 through September 2012 was assembled. Demographic, clinical, and surgical factors were abstracted from medical records and relevant comorbidities were identified. The prevalence of NPP in the cohort was calculated and the clinical signs, symptoms, temporal characteristics, and treatment response in affected patients were noted. Results The authors identified 1,778 patients who underwent SSRO and excluded 107 patients according to predefined criteria. The remaining 1,671 patients had a median age of 24 years (interquartile range, 19 to 35 yr) and 62.4% were women. Seven patients developed NPP after SSRO, which was an overall prevalence of 0.42%. All patients with NPP in this cohort were women and had a median age of 49 years. The risk factors for developing NPP after this surgery were older age ( P = .0098), depression ( P = .0100), and female gender. NPP developed an average of 30 days postoperatively (range, 18 to 56 days) and persisted for a median duration of 52 days (range, 30 to 69.5 days). All patients responded favorably to anticonvulsant (n = 6) or tricyclic (n = 1) medications, and no patients developed chronic postsurgical pain. Conclusions NPP was an infrequent complication after SSRO, occurring in 1 of 238 patients in this cohort. The short duration and positive response to medication are reassuring findings. The results of this investigation highlight the need for prospective studies to further understand the spectrum of postoperative NPP.
A Bargaining Theory of Distribution Channels

Abstract A critical factor in channel relationships between manufacturers and retailers is the relative bargaining power of both parties. In this article, the authors develop a framework to examine bargaining between channel members and demonstrate that the bargaining process actually affects the degree of coordination and that two-part tariffs will not be part of the market contract even in a simple one manufacturer–one retailer channel. To establish the institutional and theoretical bases for these results, the authors relax the conventional assumption that the product being exchanged is completely specifiable in a contract. They show that the institution of bargaining has force, and it affects channel coordination when the complexity of nonspecifiability of the product exchange is present. The authors find that greater retailer power promotes channel coordination. Thus, there are conditions in which the presence of a powerful retailer might actually be beneficial to all channel members. The authors rec...
Alternative mRNA Splicing of Corepressors Generates Variants That Play Opposing Roles in Adipocyte Differentiation

The SMRT and NCoR corepressors partner with, and help mediate repression by, a wide variety of nuclear receptors and non-receptor transcription factors. Both SMRT and NCoR are expressed by alternative mRNA splicing, resulting in the production of a series of interrelated corepressor variants that differ in their tissue distribution and in their biochemical properties. We report here that different corepressor splice variants can exert opposing transcriptional and biological effects during adipocyte differentiation. Most notably, the NCoRω splice variant inhibits, whereas the NCoRδ splice variant promotes, adipogenesis. Furthermore, the ratio of NCoRω to NCoRδ decreases during adipogenic differentiation. We propose that this alteration in corepressor splicing helps convert the cellular transcriptional program from one that maintains the pre-adipocyte in an undifferentiated state to a new transcriptional context that promotes differentiation and helps establish the proper physiology of the mature adipocyte.
Nanoparticles containing siRNA to silence CD4 and CCR5 reduce expression of these receptors and inhibit HIV-1 infection in human female reproductive tract tissue explants

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-type 1 (HIV- 1) binds to CD4 and CCR5 receptors on target cells in the human female reproductive tract. We sought to determine whether reducing levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts that encode these receptors in female reproductive tract cells could protect mucosal tissue explants from HIV- 1 infection. Explants prepared from the endometrium, endocervix, and ectocervix of hysterectomy tissues from HIV-1 sero-negative women were exposed to nanoparticles containing CD4- and CCR5-specific short-interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences. Explants were then exposed two days later to HIV-1, and HIV-1 reverse transcripts were measured five days post-infection. Explants treated with nanoparticles containing CD4- and CCR5-specific siRNA showed reduced levels of CD4 and CCR5 transcripts, and significantly lower levels of HIV-1 reverse transcripts compared to those treated with an irrelevant siRNA. In female reproductive tract explants and in peripheral blood cell cultures, siRNA transfection induced the secretion of IFN-alpha (IFN-α), a potent antiviral cytokine. In female mice, murine-specific Cd4-siRNA nanoparticles instilled within the uterus significantly reduced murine Cd4 transcripts by day 3. Our findings demonstrate that siRNA nanoparticles reduce expression of HIV-1 infectivity receptors in human female reproductive tract tissues and also inhibit HIV-1 infection. Murine studies demonstrate that nanoparticles can penetrate the reproductive tract tissues in vivo and silence gene expression. The induction of IFN-α after siRNA transfection can potentially contribute to the antiviral effect. These findings support the therapeutic development of nanoparticles to deliver siRNA molecules to silence host cell receptors in the female reproductive tract as a novel microbicide to inhibit mucosal HIV-1 transmission.
The Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Phosphatase Calcineurin Is the Major Elk-1 Phosphatase

The transcription factor Elk-1 is a component of ternary complex factor and regulates gene expression in response to a wide variety of extracellular stimuli. Phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain of Elk-1, especially at serine 383, is important for its transactivation activity. Recently mitogen-activated protein kinases, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase, stress-activated protein kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase have been demonstrated to be Elk-1 kinases. However, negative regulators of Elk-1, such as protein phosphatases, still remain to be identified. Here we report that COS cell lysates were able to dephosphorylate an extracellular signal-regulated kinase-phosphorylated glutathione S-transferase-Elkc fusion protein, including serine 383. The phosphatase activity was inhibited by cyclosporin A (a calcineurin inhibitor) but not by okadaic acid (a PP1 and PP2A inhibitor). Purified calcineurin also could efficiently dephosphorylate glutathione S-transferase-Elkc in vitro. Pretreatment of COS cells with cyclosporin A significantly enhanced epidermal growth factor-induced serine 383 Elk-1 phosphorylation whereas ionomycin inhibited the Elk-1 phosphorylation. These data provide both in vitro and in vivo evidence that calcineurin is the major Elk-1 phosphatase and plays a critical role in Elk-1 regulation. The identification of calcineurin as the major Elk-1 phosphatase may provide a mechanism for Elk-1 regulation by Ca2+ signals as well as a possible biochemical basis for the neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporin A.
Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry of Underivatized Bile Acids

Abstract Bile acids are important in the diagnosis of certain diseases. Their mass spectra are usually obtained by electron impact or chemical ionization and are dominated by fragment ions. We have investigated laser desorption (LD) as an ionization method for these compounds. The LD mass spectra contain abundant positive and negative quasimolecular ions. Bile acid salts can be successfully analyzed. In addition, the results help to elucidate details of the LD process.
Suppressive effects of metabolites from Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus spp. on phytopathogens of peach and pecan

Abstract Our objective was to determine the suppressive abilities of bacterial metabolites derived from Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus spp. on Glomerella cingulata, Phomopsis sp., Phytophthora cactorum, and Fusicladosporium effusum, which are fungal or oomycete pathogens of pecan, and Monilinia fructicola, a fungal pathogen of peach. In the first set of in vitro assays, when metabolites were compared based on initial bacterial cell count, X. bovienii (SN) metabolites generally exhibited the greatest suppression of phytopathogens and Xenorhabdus sp. (355) the least with Photorhabdus luminescens (Hb) and Xenorhabdus nematophila (All) being intermediate. In a second set of in vitro assays, in which metabolites were compared at 50 mg per ml acetone, P. luminescens (VS) exhibited greater suppression than P. luminescens (Hb), Photorhabdus sp. (MX4), X. bovienii (SN), and Xenorhabdus sp. (3 – 8b). In in vivo tests, 6 or 12% dilutions of X. bovienii (SN) or P. luminescens (Hb) metabolites caused 90 – 100% suppressi...
Bounds on the location of the maximum Stirling numbers of the second kind

Let S(n,k) denote the Stirling number of the second kind, and let K"n be such that S(n,K"n-1)=S(n,K"n+1). Using a probabilistic argument, we show that, for all n>=2, @?e^w^(^n^)@[email protected]?K"[email protected][email protected]?e^w^(^n^)@?+1, where @[email protected]? denotes the integer part of x, and w(n) denotes Lambert's W function.
The effect of lateral inertia on the propagation of plastic strain in a cylindrical rod

Abstract I t is reasonable to expect that under rapid dynamic loading lateral inertia effects would play a significant role in the propagation of an elastic-plastic pulse along a bar. The one-dimensional approximate equations of elasticity are modified to include the effect of lateral inertia. These equations are solved analytically for step function loading. The equations are then differenced and the stability of the resulting difference equations is discussed. Numerical solutions of the difference equations are compared with the analytic solutions. The equations are then modified to allow for plastic deformation and hysteresis in addition to the lateral inertia effect and are solved numerically. These solutions are compared with the results of strain-rate dependent and strainrate independent theories. It is concluded that some observations set forth as proof of the existence of a strain-rate effect might equally be explained, at least qualitatively, on the basis of a lateral inertia effect.
Potent and highly selective kappa opioid receptor agonists incorporating chroman- and 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-based constraints

Two novel chemical classes of kappa opioid receptor agonists, chroman-2-carboxamide derivatives and 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-2-carboxamide derivatives, were synthesized. These agents exhibited high and selective affinity for the kappa opioid receptor.
Dispersion Sources for Compact Geometries on Microchips

Folding the separation channel in a microchip device generally introduces an additional geometrical contribution to analyte dispersion through lateral variations in both migration distance and field strength. The geometrical dispersion generated depends on the ratio of the analyte transverse diffusion time to the time that the analyte band spends traversing the turn. A one-dimensional model has been developed which predicts the amount of excess dispersion introduced by turns in microchip channels. This model accounts for migration length differences, field strength differences, and transverse diffusion effects and accurately describes the experimental data. The introduction of turns into the channel on a microchip is shown to reduce separation efficiency compared to the same separation length in a straight channel, especially for molecules with small diffusion coefficients. Several methods to reduce geometrical dispersion are examined including the manipulation of channel width and analyte velocity and th...
“Big C, Little c” Creativity as a False Dichotomy: Reality is not Categorical

Comments and Corrections appearing in recent issues of the CRJ have explored (a) the Big C/little c distinction (Merrotsy, 2013a), (b) tolerance of ambiguity as part of the creative personality (Me...
Advanced thermal barrier system bond coatings for use on nickel-, cobalt- and iron-base alloy substrates

New and improved Ni-, Co-, and Fe-base bond coatings have been identified for the ZrO2-Y2O3 thermal barrier coatings to be used on Ni-, Co-, and Fe-base alloy substrates. These bond coatings were evaluated in a cyclic furnace between 1120 and 1175 C. It was found that MCrAlYb (where M = Ni, Co, or Fe) bond coating thermal barrier systems have significantly longer lives than MCrAlY bond coating thermal barrier systems. The longest life was obtained with the FeCrAlYb thermal barrier system followed by NiCrAlYb and CoCrAlYb thermal barrier systems in that order.
Trypanosoma gambiense and T. equiperdum: characterization of variant specific antigens.

Abstract It has been shown that by a simple procedure the variant specific protective antigen can be isolated from both T. gambiense and T. equiperdum . The protection afforded mice by this antigen is relatively long term and a high percentage of mice has complete protection. It has been suggested that the antigens are highly antigenic and although antigenically unique for each relapse strain, they have one or more common physical characteristic. It is therefore hypothesized that a multivalent vaccine might be prepared by similar procedures for protection against trypanosomiasis. The results have also suggested that the properties of agglutination and protection are due to two different antigens presumably located in the surface coat. These two variant specific antigens are further hypothesized to act as primary stimuli, resulting in the production of 19S antibodies. These were shown to protect animals passively against a challenge infection and appear to be correlated with the trypanosome relapse. It is therefore hypothesized that a 19S antibody is at least partially responsible for the relapse observed in infected rabbits.
The Effect of Physician Solicitation Approaches on Ability to Identify Patient Concerns

CONTEXT: Studies showing that physicians often interrupt the patient’s opening statement assume that this compromises data collection.
Titration calorimetry of anesthetic-protein interaction: negative enthalpy of binding and anesthetic potency

Anesthetic potency increases at lower temperatures. In contrast, the transfer enthalpy of volatile anesthetics from water to macromolecules is usually positive. The transfer decreases at lower temperature. It was proposed that a few selective proteins bind volatile anesthetics with negative delta H, and these proteins are involved in signal transduction. There has been no report on direct estimation of binding delta H of anesthetics to proteins. This study used isothermal titration calorimetry to analyze chloroform binding to bovine serum albumin. The calorimetrically measured delta H cal was -10.37 kJ.mol-1. Thus the negative delta H of anesthetic binding is not limited to signal transduction proteins. The binding was saturable following Fermi-Dirac statistics and is characterized by the Langmuir adsorption isotherms, which is interfacial. The high-affinity association constant, K, was 2150 +/- 132 M-1 (KD = 0.47 mM) with the maximum binding number, Bmax = 3.7 +/- 0.2. The low-affinity K was 189 +/- 3.8 M-1 (KD = 5.29 mM), with a Bmax of 13.2 +/- 0.3. Anesthetic potency is a function of the activity of anesthetic molecules, not the concentration. Because the sign of delta H determines the temperature dependence of distribution of anesthetic molecules, it is irrelevant to the temperature dependence of anesthetic potency.
New Concepts and Developments in Metabolism and Hemeostasis of Inorganic Elements in Dairy Cattle. A Review

Major routes of homeostatic control animals use to adapt to widely variable intakes of minerals and the necessity of keeping tissue content of functional forms relatively constant are changes in: (1) percentage absorbed, (2) urinary excretion, (3) tissue deposition in harmless or mobilizable reserve forms, (4) secretion into milk, and (5) endogenous excretion via feces. The importance of each varies greatly among elements. Changes in absorption are of major importance with calcium, iron, zinc, and manganese but not with cadmium or iodine. Urine is a major control route for magnesium, fluorine, selenium, iodine, sodium, chlorine, and potassium. Milk iodine varies almost directly with intake. Tissue deposition and withdrawal are key routes for iron, copper, fluorine, and calcium. Endogenous (metabolic fecal) excretion is crucial in manganese homeostasis. Biochemical details of most homeostatic control mechanisms have not been established. Apparently changes in body tissues control percentage absorption of several elements, including zinc, at the intestine which is the control site. Other major factors which may affect metabolism of several elements include chemical form, whether the elements include chemical form, whether the element is absorbed or injected, and genetic differences among animals. Several common pitfalls and special research problems are discussed. New research indicates that silicon, vanadium, nickel, tin, and fluorine are probably essential.
Perturbation Structures in Magnetized Relativistic Winds

A perturbation formulation is presented for steady three-dimensional compressible structures embedded in a background relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) radial outflow with spherical symmetry. The property of the two concurred RMHD fast and slow critical points is examined. Explicit perturbation solutions at large radii are derived analytically in a polytropic background wind. This perturbation approach for compressible structures together with our recent analyses on propagation of Alfvenic perturbations in a RMHD wind forms a useful starting basis for modeling a broad class of complex structures in magnetized relativistic astrophysical outflows.
Spin-Based Neuron Model With Domain-Wall Magnets as Synapse

We present artificial neural network design using spin devices that achieves ultralow voltage operation, low power consumption, high speed, and high integration density. We employ spin torque switched nanomagnets for modeling neuron and domain-wall magnets for compact, programmable synapses. The spin-based neuron-synapse units operate locally at ultralow supply voltage of 30 mV resulting in low computation power. CMOS-based interneuron communication is employed to realize network-level functionality. We corroborate circuit operation with physics-based models developed for the spin devices. Simulation results for character recognition as a benchmark application show 95% lower power consumption as compared to 45-nm CMOS design.
Comparison of cadmium cytotoxicity in human versus rat nasal epithelial cells in vitro

Abstract Differences in the sensitivity of human and Fischer 344 rat tissues to cadmium sulphate (CdSO4) toxicity were investigated in an in vitro model using human and rat nasal turbinate epithelial (NTE) cells. Both rat and human NTE cells were obtained from fresh, normal tissue. Methods were developed for isolating and culturing NTE cells from rat and human tissue using identical procedures, and for measuring the cellular nucleotides by high-performance liquid chromatography. Changes in adenylate energy charge and nucleotide levels were used as toxicity endpoints. Cellular Cd levels were measured by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and expressed per unit DNA. Cd uptake was significantly greater in human NTE cells than in rat cells, particularly at the highest exposure concentration (4.8 m m -CdSO4). The effects of CdSO4 on the adenylate energy charge of human and rat NTE cells were similar except at high exposure concentrations and after long exposure times; after a 2–4-hr exposure to 4.8 m m CdSO4 the adenylate energy charge of human cells was significantly less than that of the rat cells.
Pain, psychological variables, sleep quality, and natural killer cell activity in midlife women with and without fibromyalgia

In women with fibromyalgia (FM), central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction in pain, mood, and sleep processes could be associated with changes in immune system indicators. The primary purpose of this study was to compare pain, psychological variables, subjective and objective sleep quality, lymphocyte phenotypes and activation markers, and natural killer activity (NKA) in midlife women with and without FM. A secondary purpose was to explore relationships among these variables in a step-wise regression. Subjects had pain pressure tender points assessed, completed a psychiatric interview and questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory, SCL-90, Profile of Mood States, subjective sleep), and underwent polysomnograhic assessment for two consecutive nights. Lymphocyte phenotypes, activation markers, and NKA were assessed from blood drawn the morning after sleep laboratory night 2. Compared to controls, women with FM had lower pain thresholds, more psychological distress, higher depression scores, and reduced subjective and objective sleep quality. They also had fewer NK cells (p <.009) and more NK cells that expressed the IL-2 receptor (p <.04), but these differences were not statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. NKA was not statistically significantly lower in the women with FM compared to controls. In a multiple regression of age, tender point threshold, depression, psychological distress, and sleep efficiency, only the effect of group was significant (F = 5.479, p <.03) on NKA. In conclusion, we found little evidence to support the hypothesis that pain, mood, and sleep symptoms are associated with changes in the enumeration of peripheral lymphocytes or function in FM.
Tunable diode-laser measurement of carbon monoxide concentration and temperature in a laminar methane–air diffusion flame

The application of tunable diode lasers for in situ diagnostics in laminar hydrocarbon diffusion flames is demonstrated. By the use of both direct-absorption and wavelength-modulation (second-derivative) techniques, carbon monoxide concentrations and the local flame temperature are determined for a laminar methane–air diffusion flame supported on a Wolfhard–Parker slot burner. In both cases the results are found to be in excellent agreement with prior measurements of these quantities using both probe and optical techniques.
Inhibition of protein synthesis in cell-free systems by homocitrullylamino adenosine

Abstract Homocitrullylamino adenosine inhibits the incorporation of [ 14 C]amino acids into a hot acid-insoluble form in cell-free systems derived from Escherichia coli and rat liver. The concentration necessary for one-half maximal inhibition in the E. coli system is 1.1·10 −4 M. Addition of the intact molecule is necessary for the maximum inhibition. The inhibition does not appear to involve the activation of the amino acids or their transfer to s-RNA, but rather exerts its effect, like puromycin, at the level involving the s-RNA ribosomal complex.
Adenylate cyclase activity during development and reversal of cardiac hypertrophy

Inotropic responses to isoproterenol of hypertrophied hearts have been shown to be decreased. We have previously reported that in 13-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) this decrease is probably due to decreased beta-adrenergic receptor number, while in hearts from two kidney-one clip renal hypertensive rats (2K-1C RHR), this is due to a decreased nucleotide regulatory protein activity. We now show that changes in 2K-1C RHR are time dependent. One week after instituting development of hypertension the heart is already hypertrophied. Biochemical changes consistent with decreased glucagon receptors are seen, as well as beginning changes consistent with decreases in the nucleotide regulatory protein activity. By two weeks this is more evident. Hypertrophy and biochemical changes can be reversed up to six weeks, but by ten weeks the activity of the catalytic subunit of the adenylate cyclase system is decreased. In 1K-1C RHR, biochemical changes in the cyclase system are accelerated as compared with the 2K-1C model. In SHR, changes in 24-week-old rats are the same as in the 13-week-old rats. It is concluded that in cardiac hypertrophy associated with different models of hypertension the decreased inotropic responsiveness to isoproterenol is associated with different biochemical defects in the beta-adrenergic receptor response coupling pathway, and that reversal in function occurs only when there is no apparent change in the catalytic subunit of the adenylate cyclase complex.
A Bioassay for Determining Biotinidase Activity and for Discriminating Biocytin from Biotin using Holocarboxylase Synthetase-deficient Cultured Fibroblasts

Biotinidase [EC 3.5.1.12] catalyzes the removal of biotin from biocytin (e-N-biotinyl-lysine) or from the e-amino group of the lysyl residue in partially degraded carboxylases (Thoma and Petersen, 1954). We have recently shown that most individuals with late-onset multiple carboxylase deficiency (MCD) have deficient activity of serum biotinidase by measuring colorimetrically the liberation of p-aminobenzoate from the artificial substrate, N-biotinyl-p-aminobenzoate (Wolf et al., 1983a). We now report the development of a sensitive bioassay for the determination of biotinidase activity using a fibroblast line derived from a patient with a primary deficiency in the activity of holocarboxylase synthetase (Burri et ai, 1981). This enzyme links biotin covalently to the various apoenzymes forming their respective holocarboxylases.
THE PRODUCTION OF BACTERICIDAL SUBSTANCES BY AEROBIC SPORULATING BACILLI

Several species of aerobic sporulating bacilli recently isolated from soil, sewage, manure, and cheese, as well as authentic strains obtained from type culture collections, have been found to exhibit antagonistic activity against unrelated microorganisms. Cultures of these aerobic sporulating bacilli yield an alcohol-soluble, water-insoluble fraction,—tyrothricin,—which is bactericidal for most Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbial species. Two different crystalline products have been separated from tyrothricin. One, which may be called tyrocidine, is bactericidal in vitro for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species; the other substance, gramicidin, is effective only against Gram-positive microorganisms. In general, tyrocidine behaves like a protoplasmic poison and like other antiseptics, loses much of its activity in the presence of animal tissues. Gramicidin on the contrary exerts a much more subtle physiological effect on the susceptible bacterial cells and, when applied locally at the site of the infection, retains in vivo a striking activity against Gram-positive microorganisms.