cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rotational dynamics of actin-bound intermediates of the myosin adenosine triphosphatase cycle in myofibrils

We have used saturation transfer electron paramagnetic resonance (ST-EPR) to measure the microsecond rotational motion of actin-bound myosin heads in spin-labeled myofibrils in the presence of the ATP analogs AMPPNP (5'-adenylylimido-diphosphate) and ATP gamma S (adenosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)). AMPPNP and ATP gamma S are believed to trap myosin in two major conformational intermediates of the actomyosin ATPase cycle, respectively known as the weakly bound and strongly bound states. Previous ST-EPR experiments with solutions of acto-S1 have demonstrated that actin-bound myosin heads are rotationally mobile on the microsecond time scale in the presence of ATP gamma S, but not in the presence of AMPPNP. However, it is not clear that results obtained with acto-S1 in solution can be extended to actomyosin constrained within the myofibrillar lattice. Therefore, ST-EPR spectra of spin-labeled myofibrils were analyzed explicitly in terms of the actin-bound component of myosin heads in the presence of AMPPNP and ATP gamma S. The fraction of actin-attached myosin heads was determined biochemically in the spin-labeled myofibrils, using the proteolytic rates actomyosin binding assay. At physiological ionic strength (mu = 165 mM), actin-bound myosin heads were found to be rotationally mobile on the microsecond time scale (tau r = 24 +/- 8 microseconds) in the presence of ATP gamma S, but not AMPPNP. Similar results were obtained at low ionic strength, confirming the acto-S1 solution studies. The microsecond rotational motions of actin-attached myosin heads in the presence of ATP gamma S are similar to those observed for spin-labeled myosin heads during the steady-state cycling of the actomyosin ATPase, both in solution and in an active isometric muscle fiber. These results indicate that weakly bound myosin heads, in the pre-force phase of the ATPase cycle, are rotationally mobile, while strongly bound heads, in the force-generating phase, are rotationally immobile. We propose that force generation involves a transition from a dynamically disordered crossbridge to a rigid and stereospecific one.
Leakage, Crosstalk and Package Effects in Millimeter-Wave Integrated Circuits

Spurious effects in millimeter-wave packages can include crosstalk, power loss or ripples along the line, and coupling between lines. The mechanisms causing these effects can be the excitation of surface waves or parallel-plate substrate modes, or wave leakage from the dominant mode on the circuit's transmission lines, or the presence of additional modes on these lines. The talk will discuss all of these mechanisms, but will focus on wave leakage because the results are newer and also less well known. The focus in this talk, however, is on what types of changes can arise when these lines are placed in a package. It is important to note that the effects due to the presence of the top cover are quite different from those due to the side walls.
New insights into the fundamental nature of lignocellulosic fiber surface charge.

Abstract The surface and total charge density of industrially manufactured hardwood and softwood grade kraft lignocellulosic fibers can mainly be attributed to carboxylic acid functionalities as determined from topochemical adsorption of a cationic polymer (methyl glycol chitosan) and the use of conductometric titration. These charge density measurement methods have led to a powerful and accurate photometric method for the quantitative analysis of surface charge. The method is based on directly monitoring the iodide ion, the counterion of the chitosan polymer, which is released upon electroneutralization between a chitosan cationic site and an anionic site at the fiber surface, thereby directly providing the concentration of surface charge. The stoichiometry for the chitosan adsorption onto the fiber surfaces is unity despite pulp types and adsorption quantity of cationic polymer. Given the high charge density of the chitosan molecule and the determined physical charge density limitations for its distribution onto the surface of pulps, a new and heretofore unused concept referred to as the subsurface was posited to adequately describe the surface charge determination after the adsorption of cationic polymer on the fibers. More specifically, within the subsurface of the suspended fibers in solution, carboxylates (COO − ) were neutralized by the cationic sites of chitosan. The COO − sites in the subsurface can electrically attract positive sites of the cationic polymer, resulting in the complete release of counterions. To account for the charge density measurements, the charge measurement of the fibers includes not only nominal topochemical surface charges but also charges below this surface (subsurface).
Rice Cationic Peroxidase Accumulates in Xylem Vessels during Incompatible Interactions with Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae

A cationic peroxidase, PO-C1 (molecular mass 42 kD, isoelectric point 8.6), which is induced in incompatible interactions between the vascular pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae and rice (Oryza sativa L.), was purified. Amino acid sequences from chemically cleaved fragments of PO-C1 exhibited a high percentage of identity with deduced sequences of peroxidases from rice, barley, and wheat. Polyclonal antibodies were raised to an 11-amino acid oligopeptide (POC1a) that was derived from a domain where the sequence of the cationic peroxidase diverged from other known peroxidases. The anti-POC1a antibodies reacted only with a protein of the same mobility as PO-C1 in extracellular and guttation fluids from plants undergoing incompatible responses collected at 24 h after infection. In the compatible responses, the antibodies did not detect PO-C1 until 48 h after infection. Immunoelectron microscopy was used to demonstrate that PO-C1 accumulated within the apoplast of mesophyll cells and within the cell walls and vessel lumen of xylem elements of plants undergoing incompatible interactions.
Wave Pressure Gauge Analysis with Current

Bottom-mounted pressure gauges are used to measure waves in coastal inlets, where tidal currents are significant. Theoretically, neglect of the current in analysis of pressure data can lead to order-one errors in wave height estimates. Wave height is overestimated by neglecting flood current and underestimated by neglecting ebb current. A collocated wave buoy and bottom-mounted pressure gauge were deployed at Willapa Bay, Washington, to evaluate the significance of including current in pressure data analysis. Wave heights were overestimated by up to 20% if current was neglected. Larger current-induced errors in wave height were prevented by truncation of high-frequency energy to exclude pressure system noise. Truncation of the spectra leads to overestimates of mean wave period and underestimates of wave height. Adding a theoretical tail to the spectra reduces truncation errors. If current measurements are not available for pressure gauge analysis, reasonable results can be achieved by applying a conservative high-frequency cutoff and adding a theoretical tail.
Probing the chemical steps of nitroalkane oxidation catalyzed by 2-nitropropane dioxygenase with solvent viscosity, pH, and substrate kinetic isotope effects.

Among the enzymes that catalyze the oxidative denitrification of nitroalkanes to carbonyl compounds, 2-nitropropane dioxygenase is the only one known to effectively utilize both the neutral and anionic (nitronate) forms of the substrate. A recent study has established that the catalytic pathway is common to both types of substrates, except for the initial removal of a proton from the α carbon of the neutral substrates [Francis, K., Russell, B., and Gadda, G. (2005) J. Biol. Chem. 280, 5195−5204]. In the present study, the mechanistic properties of the enzyme have been investigated with solvent viscosity, pH, and kinetic isotope effects. With nitroethane or ethylnitronate, the kcat/Km and kcat values were independent of solvent viscosity, consistent with the substrate and product binding to the enzyme in rapid equilibrium. The abstraction of the proton from the α carbon of neutral substrates was investigated by measuring the pH dependence of the D(kcat/KNE) value with 1,1-[2H2]-nitroethane. The formation o...
The reaction of carboalkyxyclopropyltriphenylphosphonium salts with imide anions: a three-step synthesis of ± isoretronecanol

Abstract Reaction between carbethoxycyclopropyltriphenylphosphonium tetrafluoborate ( 1a ) and sodium succinimide affords the adduct ( 2a ) which was converted in two additional steps into ± isoretronecanol; some other condensations between ( 1a ) and imide salts are described.
Valproate hepatotoxicity syndrome: hypotheses of pathogenesis.

Therapeutic use of the anticonvulsant valproate (VPA) has been associated with a rare, but severe and often fatal hepatotoxicity. Cases usually present with lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting with rapid progression to coma. Liver histopathology is characterized by steatosis with and without necrosis. In some instances only necrosis was present. Several hypotheses of pathogenesis have been postulated. These deal mainly with biochemical systems that are known to be affected by VPA, or with the possible idiosyncratic production of toxic VPA metabolites, especially Δ4-VPA. At present, no hypothesis entirely explains the diverse characteristics of the disorder.
Sex differences in type of extramarital involvement and marital dissatisfaction

This study extends traditional sex roles to extramarital relationships in order to clarify sex differences in extramarital involvement and marital dissatisfaction. Both emotional and sexual extramarital involvement were studied, since women's greater emphasis on emotional intimacy was ignored in earlier extramarital studies which focused solely on sexual involvement. A purposive sample of 300 White middle-class men and women completed anonymous questionnaires about marital and extramarital relationships. Men's extramarital relationships are more sexual and women's are more emotional. Women involved in extramarital relationships report greater marital dissatisfaction than their male counterparts. For both sexes, those with combined sexual and emotional extramarital involvement report the greatest marital dissatisfaction. In sum, traditional sex roles that influence the expressions of sexuality and emotionality in premarital and marital relationships also appear to operate in extramarital relationships.
Functional genomics in the mouse

The mouse is the premier genetic model organism for the study of human disease and development. With the recent advances in sequencing of the human and mouse genomes, there is strong interest now in large-scale approaches to decipher the function of mouse genes using various mutagenesis technologies. This review discusses what tools are currently available for manipulating and mutagenizing the mouse genome, such as ethylnitrosourea and gene trap mutagenesis, engineered inversions and deletions using the cre-lox system, and proviral insertional mutagenesis in somatic cells, and how these are being used to uncover gene function.
An axiomatic approach for combining evidence from a variety of sources

Development of intelligent decision-making systems which operate in complex environments like an automated factory, needs effective procedures for combining evidence from a variety of sources. Currently there are many ad-hoc evidence combination formulae as well as those based on specific methodologies such as the Bayesian, likelihood, etc. However, the limitations of these approaches have been well documented. In this paper, we begin with the testable and desirable properties required in a special problem. These properties are termed as axioms. We then systematically develop various families of combination rules obeying subsets of these axioms. The existing combination formulae form a subset of the rules mentioned here. We discuss the appropriateness of the different families of combination formulae.
Flow rate dependent extra-column variance from injection in capillary liquid chromatography

Abstract Efficiency and resolution in capillary liquid chromatography (LC) can be significantly affected by extra-column band broadening, especially for isocratic separations. This is particularly a concern in evaluating column bed structure using non-retained test compounds. The band broadening due to an injector supplied with a commercially available capillary LC system was characterized from experimental measurements. The extra-column variance from the injection valve was found to have an extra-column contribution independent of the injection volume, showing an exponential dependence on flow rate. The overall extra-column variance from the injection valve was found to vary from 34 to 23 nL. A new mathematical model was derived that explains this exponential contribution of extra-column variance on chromatographic performance. The chromatographic efficiency was compromised by ∼130% for a non-retained analyte because of injection valve dead volume. The measured chromatographic efficiency was greatly improved when a new nano-flow pumping system with integrated injection valve was used.
L-carnitine protects fish against acute ammonia toxicity.

1. Juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 0.25 M mannitol followed 1 hr later by an i.p. challenge of ammonium acetate. 2. At 10.75 mmol ammonium acetate/kg body weight, 98% of the fish showed signs of ammonium toxicity and 69% died. 3. Substitution of L-carnitine (10-16 mmol/kg) for mannitol afforded striking protection from the subsequent challenge with ammonium acetate; 67% showed no signs of ammonia toxicity and only 4% died. 4. Of other quaternary amines tested, trimethylamine oxide also afforded protection, but betaine and choline did not.
Hypertrophy of pheochromocytoma cells treated with nerve growth factor and activators of adenylate cyclase

PC 12 pheochromocytoma cells treated with nerve growth factor (NGF) in combination with high concentrations of the activators of adenylate cyclase, forskolin or cholera toxin, become more neuron-like in size than cells treated with NGF or with activators of adenylate cyclase alone. Cells treated simultaneously with NGF plus forskolin or cholera toxin paradoxically show less process outgrowth than cells treated with NGF alone. Addition of forskolin or cholera toxin to cells pretreated with NGF, however, produces enlarged cells with intact processes that are indistinguishable from cultured neurons. One possible implication of these findings is that NGF might act in concert with agents that increase intracellular cyclic AMP to cause neuronal maturation during embryogenesis, and that the proper sequence of exposure to these signals is necessary for normal development. Specific activity of acetylcholinesterase is increased by NGF but is unaffected or slightly decreased by forskolin, suggesting that individual aspects of the developing neuronal phenotype are subject to different types of control.
Efficacy of tacrolimus in patients with steroid-resistant cardiac allograft cellular rejection.

Abstract Background Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive agent that is gaining widespread use in solid organ transplantation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of tacrolimus in treating steroid-resistant cellular myocardial rejection. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of rejection and clinical outcome of 21 heart transplant recipients who were electively converted from cyclosporine to tacrolimus for recurrent episodes of steroid-resistant cellular rejection. These were compared to a historic group of 6 hemodynamically stable patients who were treated electively with Orthoclone OKT3 (Muromonab/CD3) for recurrent rejection. Results Eighty five percent (56/66) of the episodes of rejection occurred within the first 3 months after heart transplantation. Tacrolimus was started 2.4 ± 2.0 months post-transplant, and the mean follow-up duration on tacrolimus was 11.0 ± 7.0 months. After conversion, a significant decline was noted in both the number of episodes of acute rejection per patient (3.14 ± 0.85–0.57 ± 0.87, p Conclusions Outpatient conversion to tacrolimus is safe, well tolerated, and an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of steroid-resistant cellular rejection in heart transplant recipients. It is more cost-effective than OKT3 in the hemodynamically stable patient and outcomes are similar.
Extrauterine listeriosis in the gravid mouse influences embryonic growth and development.

Gravid mice and other rodents inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes typically fail to clear an intrauterine infection and either succumb or expel their intrauterine contents. We took advantage of this property to investigate the effects of an extrauterine infection on parameters of pregnancy success. Pregnant mice were selected for our study if they showed no clinical signs of listeriosis following oral inoculation at 7.5 gestational days (gd), and had no detectable intrauterine colony forming units (cfu) at near term (18.5 gd). The range of oral doses employed was 106-108 cfu per mouse for two listerial serotype strains (4nonb and 1/2a). At all doses, inoculation resulted in a decrease in average near-term (18.5 gd) fetal weight per litter compared to sham inoculated controls. Additionally, embryonic death (indicated by intrauterine resorptions) was exhibited by some inoculated mice but was absent in all sham inoculated animals. In parallel experiments designed to detect possible loss of placental function, gravid uteruses were examined histopathologically and microbiologically 96 h after oral inoculation. Placental lesions were associated with high (> 106), but not low (< 102) or absent intrauterine cfu. In vitro, mouse embryonic trophoblasts were indistinguishable from mouse enterocytes in terms of their sensitivity to listerial exposure. A model consistent with our observations is one in which products (host or bacterial) generated during an acute infection enter embryos transplacentally and influences embryonic survival and slows normal growth in utero.
Demonstration of Blue Crab Culture in Inland Low‐Salinity Waters of West Alabama

Abstract The decline in natural stocks of blue crabs Callinectes sapidus in U.S. coastal waters has created more interest in the aquaculture of this species. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill threatened the health of blue crab populations in the Gulf of Mexico and spurred interest in alternative sources of blue crab harvest. Inland low-salinity waters (ILSW) of west Alabama have a proven potential for the culture of euryhaline crustaceans. This study sought to evaluate the potential for blue crab culture in ILSW for commercial aquaculture and as a potential nursery for restoration efforts. A 21-d bioassay was conducted using four different pond waters of differing ionic composition and salinity (2.0–5.7‰). No significant differences in survival, weight gain (%), and final weight were observed among different pond waters. An on-farm demonstration was conducted in a 1.5-acre low-salinity pond (5.0‰) at a shrimp farm in west Alabama. Crabs grew from 2.0 to 202.0 g in less than 120 d when offered a varied ...
Evidence for 1/f noise in diffusion current due to insulator trapping and surface recombination velocity fluctuations

In this paper, we present evidence for 1/f noise in diode diffusion current due to fluctuations in surface recombination velocity caused by insulator trapping. Using a unique structure consisting of a thin HgCdTe film with a pn junction on one side and an insulated gate on the other, we demonstrate that the noise measured in the junction is a strong function of the surface potential on the opposite side of the film. We compare the results to model predictions, finding good qualitative agreement.
Longevity of fixed partial dentures

Abstract Statement of problem. The anticipated length of service and reasons for replacement of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) are a frequent inquiry by patients. Previous reports have provided limited information on material and techniques used in restoration or standards in evaluations of restorations at delivery. Purpose. This study determined the reasons for failure and length of service for FPDs delivered with specific clinical, radiographic, and laboratory procedures. Methods. A clinical and retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients with FPDs who were treated in the prosthodontic clinic at the University of Iowa Hospital for routine dental hygiene recalls during a 6-month period. Fifty patients were examined with a total of 89 FPDs. Of the 89 FPDs, 13, or 15%, were identified as failures or had been replaced because of failure. Dental caries was the most frequent cause of failure (38%), followed by periapical involvements (15%), perforated occlusal surfaces (15%), fractured post and cores (8%), defective margins (8%), fractured teeth (7%), and porcelain failures (8%). The mean length of service for failed FPDs ranged from 16.0 years, because of failure from dental caries, to 4.1 years, because of a fractured post and core. Results. A linear regression model of years in service against number of failed FPDs indicated that the number of years in service provided no information on predictability of failure for FPDs. Conclusions. This study supported previous reports of dental caries as the primary cause for failure of FPDs, but specific radiographic, clinical, and laboratory procedures can increase the length of service of these restorations. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;78:127-31.)
Human resources reputation and effectiveness

The Human Resources (HR) function in organizations has had a long and well-documented history, during which it has evolved through a number of distinct stages from a mere record-keeping function to one of strategic importance and bottom-line impact. Implicit in such characterizations is the reputation of HR as well as its effectiveness, and the focus of this paper is to review the status of theory and research on HR reputation and effectiveness, and recommend directions for future work.
Effect of three n-acetylamino acids on N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS) and ndps metabolite nephrotoxicity in Fischer 344 rats.

The agricultural fungicide N -(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS) induces nephrotoxicity in mammals characterized as polyuric renal failure and proximal tubular necrosis. Recent studies have suggested that NDPS-induced nephrotoxicity may be mediated by metabolites arising from the nephrotoxic NDPS metabolites N -(3,5-dichlorophenyl)2-hydroxysuccinimide (NDHS) and/or N -(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-succinamic acid (2-NDHSA). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of N -acetylcysteine (NAC), a nucleophilic agent, and two nonnucleophilic N -acetylamino acids, N -acetylserine (NAS) and N -acetylalanine (NAA), on NDPS and NDPS metabolite-induced nephrotoxicity. Male Fischer 344 rats (4-8/group) were administered intraperitoneally (ip) an N -acetylamino acid (1 mmol/kg) 2 h before an ip injection of NDPS (0.4 mmol/kg), NDHS (0.1 mmol/kg), 2-NDHSA (0.1 mmol/kg), or vehicle. Renal function was then monitored at 24 and 48 h. NAC pretreatment markedly attenuated NDPS-, NDHS-, and 2-NDHSA-mediated nephrot...
Femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy of the B850 antenna complex of rhodobacter sphaeroides at room temperature

The photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides contains a light-harvesting antenna complex (LH2) with a ring of interacting bacteriochlorophyll molecules (B850). Excitation of membrane-bound LH2 complexes with low-intensity, femtosecond pulses causes changes in absorption and stimulated emission that initially depend on the excitation wavelength but relax to a quasiequilibrium with a time constant of 100 {+-} 20 fs. Excitation on the blue side of the B850 absorption band is followed by a shift of the signals to longer wavelengths and a decrease in amplitude, whereas the relaxations following excitation on the red side consist mainly of a decrease in amplitude. The signals have an apparent initial anisotropy of approximately 0.5 when the complex is excited with broadband pulses, and 0.35--0.4 with narrower pulses. The anisotropy decays to 0.1 with a time constant of about 30 fs. The anisotropies are similar at wavelengths on either side of the absorption band and are relatively insensitive to the excitation wavelength. Contributions of coherent pump-probe coupling and perturbed free induction decay to the measured anisotropies are considered. Pump-probe coupling could increase the initial anisotropy but cannot account for the decay kinetics. Using a density-matrix formalism, the authors show that the initial light-induced signals are consistent withmore » coherent excitation of multiple exciton levels in an inhomogeneous ensemble of LH2 complexes and that the main features of the spectral relaxations and the anisotropy can be explained by electronic dephasing and thermal equilibration within the manifold of exciton levels.« less
Profiling second language sociolinguistic development through dynamically administered strategic interaction scenarios

Grounded in Vygotskian sociocultural theory, this article explores an approach to qualitatively profiling second language sociolinguistic development through dynamically administered strategic interaction scenarios. The approach integrates dynamic assessment principles in order to arrive at a dual evaluation of a learner’s capacities: first, the zone of actual development, as evidenced by independent performance, and second, the zone of proximal development, as evidenced by what a learner is able to achieve with support. A single case analysis of one L2 French learner, Laurie, and her developing control over the variable use of the proclitic negative particle ne in verbal negation (i.e., presence vs. absence of ne) over a six-week period illustrates the approach to profiling L2 sociolinguistic development.
Depth measurements using alpha particles and upsetable SRAMs

A custom designed SRAM was used to measure the thickness of integrated circuit over layers and the epi-layer thickness using alpha particles and a test SRAM. The over layer consists of oxide, nitride, metal and junction regions.
BASE RELEASE OF SOME COMMERCIAL GLASSES AS DETERMINED BY ELECTRODIALYSIS

Nine commercial glasses were electrodialyzed, and the results were compared with those obtained by the American Ceramic Society No. 1 powder method. Data showing the rates at which bases were released have been included.
Successful subcutaneous growth and transplantation of human tumors in X-irradiated laboratory animals.

Summary(1) Of 100 human neoplasms implanted subcutaneously in X-irradiated rats and mice as sieved or minced cell suspensions, 33 had no mitotic cells at the end of the first generation (8 days), 34 showed cellular proliferation at the end of the first generation but could not be transferred successfully to a second, and 33 were transplanted for 2 generations or more with evidence of active growth and vascularization. (2) Epidermoid carcinomas were most successfully propagated. (3) Failures were in part due to infection and to delay between surgical removal of the tumor and its implantation in the heterologous hosts.
Mortality following the Haitian earthquake of 2010: a stratified cluster survey

Introduction Research that seeks to better understand vulnerability to earthquakes and risk factors associated with mortality in low resource settings is critical to earthquake preparedness and response efforts. This study aims to characterize mortality and associated risk factors in the 2010 Haitian earthquake.
Globus platform‐as‐a‐service for collaborative science applications

Globus, developed as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for research data management, also provides APIs that constitute a flexible and powerful Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) to which developers can outsource data management activities such as transfer and sharing, as well as identity, profile and group management. By providing these frequently important but always challenging capabilities as a service, accessible over the network, Globus PaaS streamlines web application development and makes it easy for individuals, teams, and institutions to create collaborative applications such as science gateways for science communities. We introduce the capabilities of this platform and review representative applications.
The TRUSPEAK Concept: Combining CMPO and HDEHP for Separating Trivalent Lanthanides from the Transuranic Elements

Combining octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl-carbamoylmethyl-phosphine oxide (CMPO) and bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) into a single process solvent for separating transuranic elements from liquid high-level waste is explored. Co-extraction of americium and the lanthanide elements from nitric acid solution is possible with a solvent mixture consisting of 0.1 M CMPO plus 1 M HDEHP in n-dodecane. Switching the aqueous-phase chemistry to a citrate-buffered solution of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) allows for selective stripping of americium, separating it from the lanthanide elements. Potential strategies have been developed for managing molybdenum and zirconium (both of which co-extract with americium and the lanthanides). The work presented here demonstrates the feasibility of combining CMPO and HDEHP into a single extraction solvent for recovering americium from high-level waste and its separation from the lanthanides.
Anion binding in self-assembled monolayers in mesoporous supports (SAMMS)

Abstract The binding of various anions to cationic transition metal complexes lining the pores of mesoporous silica is characterized and correlated to anion basicity.
Current “Mass Line” Tactics in Communist China.

The Problem. Chinese communist leaders generally attribute their conquest of power to the faithful pursuit of effective “mass line” tactics. They now regard a “correct” mass line as the essential prerequisite for the full consolidation of power, for the successful implementation of the ambitious and farreaching policies to which they are committed, and for the ultimate transition from the “people's democratic dictatorship” to the complete socialist order. Recognizing that large numbers of cadres adequately trained in mass line tactics are critically needed for these purposes, the Chinese Communist Party intensified its cadre training program in 1950–1951 to insure that all party (and other public) workers would be carefully indoctrinated in basic Marxist-Leninist mass line theory and practice. Training in mass line tactics ranges in scope from propaganda to public administration, but finds its principal focus in the delicate area of the Party's public relations with the great masses of Chinese people who have yet to be sold on the communist program. The problem is so serious, and the need for a solution so urgent, that the party leadership has temporarily deferred several important social reforms pending the completion of the current cadre training program.
Can conformational changes be responsible for solvent and excipient effects on the catalytic behavior of subtilisin Carlsberg in organic solvents

A growing number of studies are devoted to enhancing enzymatic activity in organic solvents. The authors developed and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) methodology for quantitatively assessing the secondary structure of proteins suspended in nonaqueous media. This methodology was used to measure the percentages of {alpha}-helices and {beta}-sheets of subtilisin Carlsberg, prepared under different conditions, placed in various organic solvents. The title question was addressed with respect to some instances of markedly influencing the subtilisin activity in organic solvents reported in the literature. It is concluded that the mechanism of subtilisin activation by KCl and N-Ac-L-Phe-NH{sub 2} present in the aqueous solution of the enzyme prior to lyophilization may be due to their preservation of the secondary structure, otherwise altered by the dehydration. Likewise, subtilisin inactivation in the protein-dissolving solvent DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is likely caused by enzyme denaturation (the loss of both {alpha}-helices and {beta}-sheets). On the other hand, some other ligands, as well as protein nondissolving organic solvents, while greatly affecting the subtilisin activity, have little effect on its secondary structure, thus ruling out the causal relationship between the two.
Predictive factors for prolonged survival in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) complicating the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is typically inexorably progressive with death usually occurring within 6 months of symptom onset. Occasional patients have been observed to survive longer than 1 year, often with remission of clinical features. In this study, we identify predictive factors for prolonged survival in patients with biopsy proven, AIDS-associated PML, by comparing 7 patients with survival exceeding 12 months from symptom onset with 45 patients with shorter survivals. PML was the presenting manifestation of AIDS in 5 (71.4%) of 7 long-term survivors compared with 8 (17.8%) of 45 short-term survivors. CD4 T-lymphocyte counts were substantially higher in the long-term survivors, with 3 (42.9%) of 7 having counts exceeding 300 cells/mm 3 in comparison with only 1 (4.3%) of 23 short-term survivors. Contrast enhancement on radiographic imaging was observed in 3 (50%) of 6 long-term survivors in comparison with 4 (8.9%) of 45 short-term survivors. Neurological recovery and radiographic improvement were not observed in any short-term survivors but were seen in 5 (71.4%) long-term survivors. There was no association between treatment modalities and survival. Predictors of long-term survival in AIDS patients with PML include PML as the heralding manifestation of AIDS, high CD4 T-lymphocyte count at disease onset, lesion enhancement on computed tomographic scan or magnetic resonance imaging, and evidence of recovery of neurological function.
Novel approaches to develop Rift Valley fever vaccines

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, and has spread into Madagascar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) of the family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus causes hemorrhagic fever, neurological disorders or blindness in humans, and high rate abortion and fetal malformation in ruminants. RVFV is classified as a Category A Priority pathogen and overlap select agent by CDC/USDA due to its potential impact on public health and agriculture. There is a gap in the safety and immunogenicity in traditional RVF vaccines; the formalin-inactivated RVFV vaccine TSI-GSD-200 requires three doses for protection, and the live-attenuated Smithburn vaccine has a risk to cause abortion and fetal malformation in pregnant ruminants. In this review, problems of traditional vaccines and the safety and efficacy of recently reported novel RVF candidate vaccines including subunit vaccines, virus vector, and replicons are discussed.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of different techniques for intraoperative infiltration of antibiotics into alloplastic implants for use in facial reconstruction.

isticsofthetissuethatneedstobereplaced.Facialwounds or reconstruction sites can be subject to contamination, thereby risking infection of any implanted material even under ideal circumstances. Particular areas of concern are sites where minimizing the bacterial contamination prior to placing an implant is difficult (eg, the oral cavity and internal nose). Reconstruction involves the facial subcutaneous soft tissue and/or bone, and the ideal implant provides support and natural feel, as well as a low risk of infection. The biocompatibility of alloplastic implants depends on the tissue inertness of the implant and the porosity, allowing connective tissue ingrowth, which in turn decreases the susceptibility to infection. Scalafanietaldemonstratedthatalloplasticimplantscontaminated prior to fibrovascular ingrowth had a much higher incidence of infection and rejection. Objective:To examine the effectiveness of several techniques for infiltrating antibiotics into alloplastic implants of different porosity using 2 commonly used alloplasticimplants,expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE, or GORE-TEX) and porous high-density polyethylene (Medpor). Results: Using an in vitro bacterial growth inhibition model, we found that suction infiltration of the implant with antibiotics was the most effective technique, with a statistically significant advantage over other techniques used. The advantages of the suction impregnation were seen to be most effective using alloplasts with a smaller pore size (20-30 µm) (P.001), but there was a statistically significant difference even with implants with a larger pore size (150-200 µm) (P.001). Conclusions:Suction infiltration of antibiotics into porousimplantsseemstobethemosteffectivemethodidentified using an in vitro testing protocol. Further experiments will be needed to confirm the effectiveness in reducing the perioperative risk of infection in vivo.
A Holistic View of Nursing Concepts and Theories in Practice

This article offers an alternative view to Hall's statements concerning concepts and theories in nursing practice. This article also represents an example of how journal articles can be forums for ongoing dialogue about the complex matters related to developing nursing knowledge. New ideas are presented by which the concept of self-transcendence, developmental theory, and theory in general are viewed from a holistic perspective rather than the perspectives offered in Hall's article. In contrast to Hall's claims about theory and about developmental theory in particular, theory is discussed as integral to holistic nursing practice.
Energetics of Transport

This brief review is intended specifically as a cementum to the papers in the section on physiology in this Symposium. Since those papers are diverse in approach and content this short essay can not cover the situation adequately. Much less could it aim at being comprehensive with respect to the field concerned with the energetics of transport processes. I felt it best simply to focus on some situations in which metabolic energy has been shown to be required for the movement of substances across cellular boundaries and to cover some of the mechanisms of energy transduction or utilization that have been suggested.
Chemical stabilization of soil organic nitrogen by phenolic lignin residues in anaerobic agroecosystems

This review summarizes independent reports of yield decreases in several agricultural systems that are associated with repeated cropping under wet or submerged soil conditions. Crop and soil data from most of these agroecosystems have led researchers to attribute yield decreases to a reduction in crop uptake of N mineralized from soil organic matter (SOM). These trends are most evident in several long-term field experiments on continuous lowland rice systems in the Philippines, but similar trends are evident in a continuous rice rotation in Arkansas, USA and with no-till cropping systems in North American regions with cool, wet climatic conditions in Spring. Soil analyses from some of these systems have found an accumulation of phenolic lignin compounds in SOM. Phenolic compounds covalently bind nitrogenous compounds into recalcitrant forms in laboratory conditions and occurrence of this chemical immobilization under field conditions would be consistent with field observations of reduced soil N supply. However, technological shortcomings have precluded its demonstration for naturally formed SOM. Through recent advances in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, agronomically significant quantities of lignin-bound N were found in a triple-cropped rice soil in the Philippines. A major research challenge is to demonstrate in the anaerobic agroecosystems that these lignin residues bind sufficient quantities of soil N to cause the observed yield decreases. A key objective will be to elucidate the cycling dynamics of lignin-bound N relative to the seasonal pattern of crop N demand. Anaerobic decomposition of crop residues may be the key feature of anaerobic cropping systems that promotes the accumulation of phenolic lignin residues and hence the covalent binding of soil N. Potential mitigation options include improved timing of applied N fertilizer, which has already been shown to reverse yield decreases in tropical rice, and aerobic decomposition of crop residues, which can be accomplished through field drainage or timing of tillage operations. Future research will evaluate whether aerobic decomposition promotes the formation of phenol-depleted SOM and greater in-season N mineralization, even when the soil is otherwise maintained under flooded conditions during the growing season.
Morphological design optimization of kinematically redundant manipulators using weighted isotropy measures

Kinematically redundant manipulators are coveted for their ability to perform more complex and a greater variety of tasks than their non-redundant counterparts. This increased utility demands that manipulator designs be carefully optimized to achieve the kinematic dexterity required to perform their numerous intended tasks. The optimization of redundant manipulator designs to improve isotropy has been studied at great length, but a vast majority of the work done focuses on planar manipulation tasks and workspaces that, unlike many modern manufacturing environments, offer few or no physical impediments to motion. In this paper we investigate the incorporation of secondary manipulation goals, in particular obstacle avoidance, into the calculation of kinematic isotropy measures. We will use these weighted isotropy measures as a performance metric for redundant manipulators working in obstacle-laden workspaces, and employ the metric as part of an objective function for a global search design optimization problem. The effectiveness of the weighted isotropy design optimization will be demonstrated by increasing the global dexterity of a sub-optimal seven degree-of-freedom manipulator design used for pick-and-place tasks within a small, enclosed workspace.
Design of hybrid systems with guaranteed performance

We show that, for a linear system, any worst-case energy gain greater than the optimal H/sub /spl infin// norm is achievable by a logarithmically quantized state feedback. We also show how to derive the coarsest logarithmic quantizer provable via quadratic Lyapunov functions for a given level of performance. The smallest logarithmic base, for a given performance level, is obtained via a bisection algorithm applied to a parametric feasibility LMI problem. The result highlights the trade-off between performance degradation versus coarseness of quantization. Simulations suggest that the upper bound derived is a realistic measure of the actual performance under logarithmic quantization. The end result is the systematic design of a discrete event controller that stabilizes a linear system and guarantees a certain level of performance measured in terms of the worst-case close loop energy gain. The resulting hybrid system is implicitly verified.
Iterative joint channel estimation and detection combined with pilot-tone symbols in convolutionally coded OFDM systems

This paper presents a maximum a posteriori (MAP) joint channel estimator and detector for convolutionally coded OFDM systems over mobile radio communication channels, which is suitable for turbo principles. To the purpose of the synchronization, the several papers where a known pilot-tone symbol [T.P. Holden and K. Feher, 1990], [P. Hoeher and F. Tufvesson, 1999] is transmitted simultaneously, were proposed. This pilot-tone symbol technique is applied to the channel estimation for OFDM systems, so that it gives the use of decision-directed algorithm based on the symbol-by-symbol MAP algorithm, which is optimal detection algorithm [L.R. Bahl et al., 1974] in terms of bit error rate (BER). However, in the presence of unknown quantities, since the symbol MAP algorithm is not optimal, the MAP algorithm, which is jointly linked with per-survivor processing (PSP) algorithm [R. Raheli, et al., 1995], is required. Instead of one 2-dimensional channel estimation scheme [P. Hoeher et al., 1997], two 1-dimensional channel estimation techniques with convolutional codes are presented in an iterative receiver structure. Hence, the proposed iterative joint estimation and detection algorithm gives the reliability values to the component decoder for convolutional codes, which is combined with pilot-tone technique, to obtain the better performance in the iterative way. Simulations demonstrate the performance of the proposed iterative joint channel estimator and detector.
User-friendly model for the energy distribution of electrons from proton or electron collisions

Abstract A model is presented which gives cross sections (differential in the ejected secondary electron energy) for the ionization of atoms and molecules in proton or electron collisions. The model is in the form of an analytical equation which holds for all primary and secondary energies and for any target gas for which certain parameters are known. The accuracy is estimated to be 15–20%. The model is based on the classical binary encounter model modified to agree with the Bethe theory at high energies and, for proton impact, with the molecular promotion model at low energies. For multi-shell targets, the partial cross sections for the shells are added. The model equation may be integrated to yield such quantities as the total ionization cross section, the stopping cross section due to ionization, and the average secondary electron energy. For proton impact the integrations must be done numerically or by using approximations. For electron impact the equation is simpler and may easily be analytically integrated.
Assessing Productivity of High-Level Design Methodologies for High-Performance Reconfigurable Computers

In spite of their potential to provide substantial performance improvements over traditional supercomputers, high-performance reconfigurable computers (HPRCs) and their broad acceptance have been hindered by productivity challenges. These challenges arise from increased design complexity, a wide array of custom design languages and tools, and often overblown sales literature. Therefore, it is essential to review, evaluate, and assess the productivity of this technology. This chapter presents a review and taxonomy of high-level languages (HLLs) for HPRCs and a framework for the comparative analysis of their features. It also introduces new metrics and an assessment model based on computational effort. The proposed concepts are inspired by Newton’s equations of motion and the notion of work and power in an abstract multidimensional space of design specifications. The metrics are devised to highlight two aspects of the design process: the total time-to-solution and the efficient utilization of user and computing resources at discrete time steps along the development path. The study involves analytical and experimental evaluations demonstrating the applicability of the proposed model.