cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cocrystallization of C-butyl pyrogallol[4]arene and C-propan-3-ol pyrogallol[4]arene with gabapentin

The single crystal X-ray diffraction structures for three cocrystals of C-butyl pyrogallol[4]arene and C-propan-3-ol pyrogallol[4]arene with the pharmaceutical gabapentin are described. The variation of solvent conditions and functionalities of the pyrogallol[4]arene tails demonstrates how these calixarene-like molecules can be used in the design of cocrystals with target molecules.
Common defects of mitochondria and iron in neurodegeneration and diabetes (MIND): A paradigm worth exploring

A popular, if not centric, approach to the study of an event is to first consider that of the simplest cause. When dissecting the underlying mechanisms governing idiopathic diseases, this generally takes the form of an ab initio genetic approach. To date, this genetic 'smoking gun' has remained elusive in diabetes mellitus and for many affected by neurodegenerative diseases. With no single gene, or even subset of genes, conclusively causative in all cases, other approaches to the etiology and treatment of these diseases seem reasonable, including the correlation of a systems' predisposed sensitivity to particular influence. In the cases of diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases, overlapping themes of mitochondrial influence or dysfunction and iron dyshomeostasis are apparent and relatively consistent. This mini-review discusses the influence of mitochondrial function and iron homeostasis on diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative disease, namely Alzheimer's disease. Also discussed is the incidence of diabetes accompanied by neuropathy and neurodegeneration along with neurodegenerative disorders prone to development of diabetes. Mouse models containing multiple facets of this overlap are also described alongside current molecular trends attributed to both diseases. As a way of approaching the idiopathic and complex nature of these diseases we are proposing the consideration of a MIND (mitochondria, iron, neurodegeneration, and diabetes) paradigm in which systemic metabolic influence, iron homeostasis, and respective genetic backgrounds play a central role in the development of disease.
The Holocaust and the foundations of moral judgment

This text may be contrasted with three others: one, by Rudolf Hoess, the commandant of Auschwitz, a second one by Adolf Eichmann, and finally that of an anonymous railroad official. Rudolf Hoess, while in prison in Poland awaiting his execution, wrote a very revealing autobiography. At its conclusion, referring to himself, he remarked that: "He too, had a heart, and . . . was not evil. ''2 Adolf Eichmann during his police interrogation in Jerusalem, and later on at his trial asserted that "he had lived his whole life according to Kant's moral precepts, and especially according to a Kantian definition of duty. ''3 Raul Hilberg, who wrote the first and in many ways still the most thorough history of the German administration of the Holocaust 4 recounts the following experience:
Epoxy Phosphonate Crosslinkers for Providing Flame Resistance to Cotton Textiles

Two new monomers (2-methyl-oxiranylmethyl)-phosphonic acid dimethyl ester (3) and [2-(dimethoxy-phosphorylmethyl)-oxyranylmethyl]-phosphonic acid dimethyl ester (6) were prepared and used with dicyandiamide (7) and citric acid (8) to impart flame resistance to cotton plain weave, twill, and 80:20-cotton/polyester fleece fabrics. Monomers 3 and 6 were prepared from methallyl chloride (1) and 3-chloro-2-chloromethylpropene (4) respectively via a two-step phosphorylation epoxidation sequence in 79.3 and 67.5% overall yields. 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatographic mass spectrometry (GCMS) data were used to confirm their structures. Decomposition of monomers 3 and 6 in nitrogen by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) occurred at 110 and 220°C, respectively. The mixtures of 3:7:8 and 6:7:8 (in 2:1:1 ratio) exhibited peak-curing temperatures by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) at 125 and 150°C and the temperatures were deemed suitable for curing treated fabrics without marring them. Flame-retardant treatments were applied by the pad-dry-cure methods. All untreated fabrics showed limiting oxygen index (LOI) values of about 18% oxygen in nitrogen. For formulations with monomer 3, LOI values for the three types of treated fabrics were greater than 25.5% when add-on values for the formulation were 17.4, 12.7, and 21.1%. For formulations comprising monomer 6, LOI values were greater than 28.6% when add-on values for the formulation were 18.3, 13.1, and 16.7%. With the formulation comprising monomer 3, the three fabrics passed the vertical flame test when add-on values were 21.6, 12.7, and 23.5%, respectively; and with the formulation comprising monomer 6, they passed the vertical flame test when add-on values were 13.8, 8.4, and 18.0%. In all cases char lengths of fabrics that passed the vertical flame test were less than 50% of original length and after-flame time was 0 sec and after-glow time was less than 2 sec. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive process in second language reading: transfer of L1 reading skills and strategies:

Two crosslinguistic experiments were conducted with 83 skilled readers from four contrasting L1 orthographic backgrounds. Experiment 1 tested the effects of blocking either visual or sound information on lexical decision-making. Experiment 2 examined the effects of heterographic homophones (e.g. eight and ate) on reading comprehension. Data from the two experiments demonstrate that the subjects utilize cognitive skills and strategies developed in their L 1 when reading English as an L2, suggesting that (a) L1-L2 cognitive process transfer does take place in L2 reading and also that (b) orthographic structure exerts a significant influence on cognitive processess in reading.
Fraternity Membership, the Display of Degrading Sexual Images of Women, and Rape Myth Acceptance

The present study was conducted to learn more about the association between fraternity membership and attitudes and behaviors associated with sexual aggression against women. A male experimenter took digital pictures of all of the images of women displayed in the rooms of 30 fraternity men and 30 non-fraternity men on a residential, small, liberal arts college campus. The men also filled out a rape myth acceptance scale. A total of 91 images were found in the form of posters, “pin-ups,” advertisements, or computer screen savers. It was found that fraternity men had significantly more images of women displayed in their rooms and that the images were rated significantly more degrading than those in the rooms of non-fraternity men. Fraternity men were found to have significantly higher scores on a rape supportive attitude scale (RSA). RSA scores were positively related to the amount of degradation in the images found in men's rooms. The possible purposes and consequences of the display of degrading sexual images are discussed.
Conceptual models governing leaching behavior and their long-term predictive capability

Abstract Six models that may be used to describe the interaction of radioactive waste solids with aqueous solutions are as follows: 1. 1. Simple linear mass transfer; 2. 2. Simple parabolic mass transfer; 3. 3. Parabolic mass transfer with the formation of a diffusion-limiting surface layer at an arbitrary time; 4. 4. Initial parabolic mass transfer followed by linear mass transfer at an arbitrary time; 5. 5. Parabolic (or linear) mass transfer and concomitant surface sorption; and 6. 6. Parabolic (or linear) mass transfer and concomitant chemical precipitation. Some of these models lead to either illogical or unrealistic predictions when published data are extrapolated to long times. These predictions result because most data result from short-term experimentation. Probably for longer times, processes will occur that have not been observed in the shorter experiments. This hypothesis has been verified by mass-transfer data from laboratory experiments using natural volcanic glass to predict the composition of groundwater. That such rate-limiting mechanisms do occur is reassuring, although now it is not possible to deduce a single mass-transfer limiting mechanism that could control the solution concentration of all components of all waste forms being investigated. Probably the most reasonable mechanisms are surface sorption and chemical precipitation of the species of interest. Another is limiting of mass transfer by chemical precipitation on the waste form surface of a substance not containing the species of interest, that is, presence of a diffusion-limiting layer. The presence of sorption and chemical precipitation as factors limiting mass transfer has been verified in natural groundwater systems, whereas the diffusion-limiting mechanism has not been verified yet.
The Scientific Study of Public Administration: A Short Essay on the State of the Field

This essay examines the development of a substantial social science data base in support of two major fields in public administration-public management and the interface of bureaucracy and democracy. Within public management several long term research projects involving government performance, public versus private sector organizations, network management, and managerial strategy have made great progress in creating a unique public administration literature. In terms of the bureaucracy and democracy question, the essay argues that the work done in public administration can correct the limitations of work done in political science and other social sciences.
Late-time coarsening dynamics in a nematic liquid crystal.

We have studied the coarsening dynamics of line defects in the uniaxial nematic liquid crystal 4-cyano-4'-n-pentylbiphenyl, subjected to a rapid pressure jump from the isotropic to the nematic phase. At late times, the density of disclination lines \ensuremath{\rho} is expected to scale with time as \ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\propto}${\mathit{t}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\nu}}$ with \ensuremath{\nu}=1. We have measured the scaling exponent to be \ensuremath{\nu}=1.02\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.09 over the region 16160 ${\mathrm{mm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$. In addition, we have measured the collapse of loops consisting of type-1/2 disclination lines. The loop radius r is expected to scale with time as r\ensuremath{\propto}(${\mathit{t}}_{0}$-t${)}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}$, where \ensuremath{\alpha}=1/2 and ${\mathit{t}}_{0}$ is the time at which the loop vanishes. We found \ensuremath{\alpha} to be 0.50\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03.
Method of Production and Natural History of Experimental Posterior Penetrating eye Injury in the Rhesus Monkey

We developed an experimental model for a posterior penetrating eye injury that resulted in traction retinal detachment in 21 rhesus monkey eyes. The standard injury was an incision through the pars plana with vitreous prolapse and incarceration; the wound was then carefully closed with microsurgical techniques. At one to two weeks after injury, detachment of the posterior vitreous occurred and detachment of the retina occurred between seven and 11 weeks. The development of retinal detachment was related to traction on the peripheral retina over the vitreous base; and to the contraction of epiretinal membranes on the peripheral and equatorial retina. Our study supports clinical observations on the importance of blood in the vitreous in the development of vitreous traction and traction retinal detachment after a posterior penetrating injury.
"Primary memory": The effects of redundancy upon digit repetition.

Ss tried to repeat series of 8 digits immediately after hearing them. Each series of digits had a predictable digit (a zero) in a known location, and Ss were told to omit this digit. Performance in this task is similar to the performance obtained in repetition of 8 non-redundant digits, although if the redundant element is near the center of the series, Ss can improve their recall of the other digits. Digit recall seems to be largely, but not entirely, a matter of “primary memory,” which involves a more or less faithful unrecoded replica of stimulus input.
An empirical evaluation of a methodology-tailoring information system development model

Over the years a multitude of methodologies of information systems development have emerged. While many of these methodologies have shown promise, prior research has shown that system development is a highly circumstantial process, and that no one methodology will be optimal for every context of every project. Research has also shown that system development practitioners have been using an ad hoc approach to modify formal methodologies in order to create a better fit for their circumstances. This article presents a more formal approach: a new model informed by the principles of general systems theory, which can be used to adapt existing information system development methodologies through the identification of general isomorphic properties. The results are reported from an experiment that was conducted to measure the model in terms of developer satisfaction with the finished product, the development process, and the problem solving process. Also, the results of an evaluation by expert judges on finished products created using the model are shown. These results show that there is promise in the new model and that more research needs to be conducted. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Innovation types and innovation management practices in service companies

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the different types of innovation that are predominant in companies in the UK services sector, the degree of innovativeness, the practices associated with the pursuit of innovation and their relationship with company performance.Design/methodology/approach – The empirical phase of the study was conducted using a two‐stage process initiated by interviews and completed with mail surveys. Interviews were held with six senior executives of leading service companies in the UK. 214 senior managers of UK service companies were surveyed. The response rate was 47 per cent. Relevant statistical analytical techniques including regressions were used to analyse the data.Findings – Product innovations are emphasized more in telecommunications and financial sectors than in transport and retail sectors while service innovations are emphasized more in retail and transport sectors. Radical and incremental innovations were found to be related to innovation performance. R...
Q 2 evolution of generalized Baldin sum rule for the proton

The generalized Baldin sum rule for virtual photon scattering, the unpolarized analogy of the generalized Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn integral provides an important way to investigate the transition between perturbative QCD and hadronic descriptions of nucleon structure. This sum rule requires integration of the nucleon structure function F{sub 1}, which until recently had not been measured at low Q{sup 2} and large x, i.e., in the nucleon resonance region. This work uses new data from inclusive electron-proton scattering in the resonance region obtained at Jefferson Lab, in combination with SLAC deep inelastic scattering data, to present first precision measurements of the generalized Baldin integral for the proton in the Q{sup 2} range of 0.3 to 4.0 GeV{sup 2}.
Diffusion‐controlled reactions: Mathematical formulation, variational principles, and rigorous bounds

This paper is concerned with the problem of predicting the effective rate constant k associated with diffusion‐controlled reactions in media composed of static and reactive traps (sinks) which are generally distributed randomly throughout a region containing reactive particles. The effective equation for diffusion‐controlled reactions is derived using the method of homogenization. This leads to a rigorous definition of k. General variational principles are then formulated to obtain rigorous upper and lower bounds on k. These variational principles are applied by evaluating them for three different types of admissible fields. The upper and lower bounds which result are computed for both random and periodic arrays of equisized spherical sinks.
Aural representation in the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area of the auditory cortex of the mustache bat.

In the mustache bat (Pteronotus pamellii rubiginosus) the frequency and amplitude of an acoustic signal are represented in the coordinates parallel to the surface of the Doppler-shifted-CF (constant frequency) processing area ofthe primary auditory cortex. In this area all cortical neurons studied were excited by contralateral stimuli, and almost all of them were either excited or inhibited by ipsilateral stimuli. These are called E-E (ipsilateral and contralateral excitatory) and I-E (ipsilateral inhibitory and contralateral excitatory) neurons, respectively. The I-E neurons are directionally sensitive, while the E-E neurons are not. The E-E neurons are equally sensitive to echoes between 30° contralateral and 30° ipsilateral. Of the electrode penetrations orthogonal to the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area, 57 percent were characterized by either E-E or I-E neurons. Thus, there are at least two types of binaural columns: E-E columns, mainly located in a ventral part of the Doppler-shifted-CF processing area, where neurons are tuned to weak echoes; and IE columns, mainly distributed in a dorsal part, where neurons are tuned to moderate to intense echoes. Therefore, neurons tuned to weaker echoes integrate or even multiply faint signals from both ears for effective detection of a distant small target, while neurons tuned to moderate to intense echoes are suited for processing directional information and are stimulated when a bat approaches a target at short range. The Doppler-shifted-CF processing area may be considered to consist of two functional subdivisions.
Adsorption and reactions of ethylsilane on Si(100)

Abstract The adsorption and thermal decomposition of ethylsilane was studied on the Si(100) 2 × 1 reconstructed surface using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption mass spectrometry. Ethylsilane dissociatively adsorbed on the surface at a saturation coverage of approximately 0.25 monolayers. Thermal decomposition of ethylsilane proceeded by β-hydride elimination, resulting in the desorption of ethylene at 700 K. Hydrogen adsorbed on the substrate as the 2 × 1 monohydride and desorbed at approximately 800 K, leaving behind a carbon-free surface.
Hyperthermia and polyamine biosynthesis: decreased ornithine decarboxylase induction in skin and kidney after heat shock.

Abstract The effect of hyperthermia treatments on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) induction in mouse tissue was determined both ` in ` vitro and ` in ` vivo . ` In ` vitro , the addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to adult mouse skin pieces incubated at 37°C in serum-free MEM led to a dramatic increase in epidermal ODC activity 5 hours following treatment. In contrast, incubation temperatures of 40°C for the entire 5 hour incubation period rendered the skin pieces unresponsive to TPA for ODC induction. This inhibition of ODC induction was not the result of thermal skin kill, inactivation of TPA, or a general effect on epidermal protein synthesis. The inhibition of ODC induction could be reversed by switching the incubation temperature back to 37°C. ` In ` vivo , raising the core body temperature in male mice to 41°C for 1 hour resulted in a 78% decrease in kidney ODC activity. The kidney DNA synthesis and protein synthesis remained unaltered following the whole body hyperthermia treatments.
The Fairy Tale Theme in Popular Culture: A Semiotic Analysis of Pretty Woman

(1993). The Fairy Tale Theme in Popular Culture: A Semiotic Analysis of Pretty Woman. Women's Studies in Communication: Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 86-104.
From a Ramanujan-Selberg continued fraction to a Jacobian identity

Jacobi proved an elegant identity involving eight-fold infinite products. In this paper, we give a new proof of this identity. A key ingredient of our proof is an identity satisfied by a Ramanujan-Selberg continued fraction.
Rate of de novo stress urinary incontinence after urethal diverticulum repair.

OBJECTIVES The most recognized complications after urethral diverticulum repair are urethrovaginal fistula, diverticula recurrence, and de novo urinary incontinence. Our objective was to determine the rate of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after urethral diverticulum repair. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of female patients who underwent urethral diverticulum repair without a simultaneous anti-incontinence procedure over 4.5 years. To determine the rate of SUI, we looked at responses to domain 3 of the urogenital distress inventory-short form (UDI-6), and the rate of subsequent procedures for the treatment of SUI. RESULTS A total of 50 female patients underwent urethral diverticulum repair. The median age was 44 years (range, 24 to 73) years. Median follow up was 23 months (range, 3 to 67 months). A total of 34 (68%) were white and 16 (32%) were black; 29 (58%) had simple diverticulum, 19 (38%) had horseshoe diverticulum, and 2 (4%) had circumferential diverticulum. Six (12%) had a history of recurrent diverticulum. Of 50 patients, 5 (10%) underwent a subsequent sling for SUI. Thirty-five patients completed the UDI-6. Eighteen (51%) patients reported no SUI, 10 (29%) reported "a little bit," 5 (14%) reported "moderate," and 2 (6%) reported being "greatly" bothered by SUI. Of patients with no preoperative urinary leakage, 5 of 15 (33%) had de novo SUI postoperatively. Of patients with preoperative urinary leakage, 8 of 11 (73%) had postoperative SUI. CONCLUSIONS De novo rate of SUI after diverticulum repair was 49% by UDI-6, although most often the SUI was mild. Twenty percent of patients reported moderate to severe bothersome SUI symptoms after diverticulum repair. Ten percent had a subsequent anti-incontinence procedure.
Trapping a Folding Intermediate of the α-Helix: Stabilization of the π-Helix†

We report the design, synthesis, and characterization of a short peptide trapped in a π-helix configuration. This high-energy conformation was nucleated by a preorganized π-turn, which was obtained by replacing an N-terminal intramolecular main chain i and i + 5 hydrogen bond with a carbon−carbon bond. Our studies highlight the nucleation parameter as a key factor contributing to the relative instability of the π-helix and allow us to estimate fundamental helix−coil transition parameters for this conformation.
Quadrupole oscillations of drops for studying interfacial properties

Abstract An acoustic method for suspending a drop in another liquid and deforming the drop has been combined with an optical detection scheme to measure the free quadrupole oscillation frequency and damping constant of the drop. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical predictions to deduce the dynamic interfacial properties. The systems studied are hexane drops of different radii in pure water and hexane drops in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) aqueous solutions of different concentrations (0.164 to 5.9 mM). The data for the pure water system support the theoretical predictions. For hexane drops in SDS aqueous solutions, it is found that the most important interfacial property is the Gibbs elasticity. Furthermore, the measured damping constants for SDS concentrations lower than 1.75 mM (cp. CMC 7.6 mM) are well described by employing an ideal equation of state for surfactants at the interface. The interfacial tension between hexane and SDS aqueous solutions of different concentrations is also reported. The method, which is nonperturbative and requires a very small amount of sample, may supplement other methods to measure the interfacial properties at a liquid-liquid interface.
A new method for obtaining barnacle cement in the liquid state for polymerization studies

A new method for collecting barnacle cement in the liquid state is described. This permits studies on the transformation of cement from liquid to solid states not heretofore possible. Preliminary analyses showed that polymerization, i.e., the in vitro change from a clear liquid to an opaque solid mass is not affected by temperatures ranging from-10° to 45°C, by diluting with distilled water up to two-fold, or by treating with selective enzymes; some chemical inhibitors induce the formation of a white precipitate, possibly indicating denaturation of the protein. It is concluded that the liquid cement contains all the necessary components for self-assembly, progressively changing from a clear liquid to an opaque rubbery insoluble mass. The polymerization process is time-dependent and requires no exogenous catalyst. A mechanism that may be involved in the adhesion process of the barnacle is suggested.
Mechanism for diffusion induced grain boundary migration

Abstract Grain boundaries are found to migrate under certain conditions when solute atoms are diffused along them. This phenomenon, termed diffusion induced grain boundary migration (DIGM), has now been found in six systems. The observed phenomenon and empirical data are used to discard certain concepts for the driving force and the mechanism. We propose a mechanism in which differences in the diffusion coefficients of the diffusing species along the grain boundary cause a self-sustaining climb of grain boundary dislocations and motion of their associated grain boundary steps.
Electronic absorption spectroscopy of cooled supersonic expansions: dynamics of the 1B1u state of trans-butadiene

Abstract An ultraviolet absorption technique is developed for studying molecules cooled in a supersonic expansion. In this experiment, the temperature-dependent contribution to the diffuseness of electronically excited states is reduced for CS 2 and butadiene. The broadness of the spectral features of the butadiene 1 B 1u state is independent of temperature
Voluntary consumption of cyclophosphamide by Mrl mice.

Abstract Fluid-deprived, lupus-prone Mrl-lpr lpr and congenic Mrl +/+ mice were provided with a single drinking bottle containing varying concentrations of cyclophosphamide (CY) dissolved in chocolate milk. Eighteen- and 20-week-old Mrl-lpr lpr males with manifest symptoms of autoimmune disease voluntarily consumed more of the CY solution than Mrl +/+ mice of the same age after 1 week of 1 hr/day exposures. The volume of CY-laced chocolate milk consumed was sufficient to attenuate lymphadenopathy and the elevated anti-DNA antibody titers in these animals. When testing began before the development of manifest symptoms of autoimmune disease, there were no differences between the two substrains. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that behavioral processes can act to correct homeostatic imbalances within the immune system.
The process of integrating DSM and supply resources in electric utility planning

Abstract Electric utilities increasingly look to the demand side to supplement traditional supply resources for meeting future energy and demand growth. The process of assessing the relative costeffectiveness of demand and supply resources involves two activities: (1) selecting an integrating method, and (2) deciding how to treat the three dimensions of resources (ie, financial, economic, and reliability). This paper looks at the integrating processes used by electric utilities in their short- and long-term planning. Although some evidence on the relationship between the way resource dimensions are treated and resource selection exists, little is known about the relationship between using different integrating methods and resource selection. Since integrating methods vary from the simple to the complex with a corresponding increase in cost to a utility, the paper concludes with a research agenda that will clarify the relationships between using different integrating methods in electric utility planning and the types of resources selected
Patient safety in emergency airway management and rapid sequence intubation: Metaphorical lessons from skydiving

Abstract Concern about patient safety and failed rapid sequence intubation has led to an increased awareness of potentially difficult laryngoscopy situations and algorithms promoting techniques in awake patients. Given the low overall incidence of failed laryngoscopy, however, prediction of difficult laryngoscopy has poor positive predictive value and uncertain clinical utility, especially in emergency settings. Non-rapid sequence intubation approaches have comparatively lower chances of intubation success, require more time, and are associated with more complications. As a specialty, emergency medicine has adopted rapid sequence intubation as the mainstay of emergency airway treatment for many appropriate reasons; the problem that must be addressed is how patient safety can be ensured while what is an inherently dangerous procedure is performed. A novel way to conceptualize patient risk and safety issues in rapid sequence intubation is to examine how inherent risk is managed in skydiving. Metaphorical lessons from skydiving that are applicable to rapid sequence intubation include (1) a redundancy of safety; (2) a methodic approach to primary chute deployment; (3) use of backup chutes that are fast, simple, and easy to deploy; (4) attention to monitoring; and (5) equipment vigilance. This article reviews how each of these lessons apply metaphorically to rapid sequence intubation, wherein the primary chute is laryngoscopy, the backup chute is rescue ventilation, and monitoring involves pulse oximetry. [ Ann Emerg Med. 2003;42:81-87.]
The effect of glyoxalase I on the metabolism of 4,5-dioxovaleric acid

Abstract Biosynthesis of 5-aminolevulinic acid in mammalian cells is catalyzed by aminolevulinic acid synthase in a condensation reaction utilizing glycine and succinyl · coenzyme A. An alternate pathway in mammalian cells may involve the biosynthesis of aminolevulinic acid via a transamination reaction in which L -alanine is the amino donor and 4,5-dioxovaleric acid is the acceptor. This transamination reaction, or one very similar, is employed by plants for the biosynthesis of aminolevulinic acid which is ultimately converted to chlorophyll. The effect of glyoxalase I on the diversion of dioxovaleric acid to other products was tested using both purified glyoxalase I and crude tissue homogenates. Glyoxalase I is a metalloenzyme and glutathione is a co-substrate. Purified glyoxalase I reduced the amount of aminolevulinic acid formed in the presence of dioxovaleric acid, L -alanine, glutathione, and purified L -alanine: 4,5-dioxovaleric acid aminotransferase (dioxovalerate transaminase). The conversion of dioxovaleric acid to aminolevulinic acid was inhibited by the addition of glutathione when a dialyzed bovine liver homogenate served as the source of both glyoxalase I and dioxovalerate transaminase. Removal of metals from bovine liver homogenates produced an 85% decrease in glyoxalase I activity. These ‘metal-free’ homogenates still affected the conversion of dioxovaleric acid to aminolevulinic acid after preincubation with MgSO4. The effect of glyoxalase I on the metabolism of dioxovaleric acid was also studied using a fluorometric enzyme assay for the quantification of dioxovaleric acid via a coupled enzyme reaction converting it to uroporphyrin. Homogenates of both liver and barley diminished the amount of dioxovaleric acid detected by the coupled assay, but this effect could be prevented by dialysis of the homogenates. Addition of glutathione to dialyzed homogenates markedly reduced the amount of uroporphyrin generated from dioxovaleric acid. Metal-free homogenates supplemented with glutathione reduced the conversion of dioxovaleric acid to uroporphyrin in the coupled assay, but preincubation with MgSO4 greatly augmented this effect. These studies point out the difficulty in evaluating dioxovaleric acid as a heme precursor using whole cell homogenates.
The Cyclic Stocking of Parentals in a Farm Pond to Produce a Population of Male Bluegill x Female Green Sunfish F 1 Hybrids and Male Redear Sunfish x Female Green Sunfish F 1 Hybrids

Abstract A population of male bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) x female green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) F 1 hybrids was established by parental stocking in a southern Illinois farm pond containing male redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) x female green sunfish F 1 hybrids and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). In 1967, male redear sunfish and female green sunfish parentals, along with fingerling bass, were stocked into a new farm pond. Nine years later in 1976, male bluegill and female green sunfish were stocked into the same pond. At the time of sampling in the fall of 1978, bluegill x green sunfish F 1 hybrids weighed an average of 3 g at annulus I, 24 g at annulus II, and 171 g at annulus III. Growth rates among the three year classes varied widely. The best growth was exhibited by the 1976 year class of bluegill x green sunfish F 1 hybrids. Redear x green sunfish F1 hybrids sampled in 1969 weighed an average of 32 g at annulus I, 118 g at annulus II, and 217 g at annulus III. Both F 1 hybrid su...
Two new bioactive triterpenoids from Melia volkensii (Meliaceae)

Abstract Meliavolin ( 1 ), a new triterpene with an apotirucallane skeleton, and meliavolkin ( 2 ), a new tetranortriterpene, together with melianin A, a known compound, have been isolated from the root bark of Melia volkensii (Meliaceae) by using activity-directed fractionation with brine shrimp. The structures have been elucidated by spectral data. The relative and absolute stereochemistry of meliavolin ( 1 ) was determined by analysis of Mosher ester derivatives, 1e and 1f , and by X-ray crystallographic analysis of meliavolin diacetate, 1c. 1 and melianin A showed marginal cytotoxicities to certain human tumor cell lines, but 2 was significantly more cytotoxic, showing equivalent potency to adriamycin against the human breast tumor cell line (MCF-7).
The effect of the word processor and the style checker on revision in technical writing : what do we know, and what do we need to find out?

This article surveys and critiques the literature on using style checkers and the text-editing capabilities of the computer to assist in revising technical writing. The literature on text-editing capabilities is inconclusive because it is largely anecdotal and methodologically flawed. The literature on style checkers is similarly inconclusive. To better assess the value of the computer, we need to examine the basic premise of the research on revising and word processing: that more revising leads to higher-quality writing. We need to be sure that our evaluative techniques for measuring writing improvement are valid; to focus our attention not only on computer novices but also on computer-experienced writers; to examine other factors that affect how writers use word processing and that in turn might affect writing quality; and to examine more carefully the differences among word processors and among the different style checkers to determine their effects on writing behavior and writing quality.
Generating DNA synbodies from previously discovered peptides

Creating protein capture reagents on a proteome-wide scale is a grand challenge in molecular medicine.[1] High quality reagents are critical for elucidating protein function, and developing diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Although antibodies remain the gold standard, their cumbersome production in animals is expensive, time consuming, and can fail for many targets.[2] Alternative technologies like single-chain antibodies and aptamers overcome some of these limitations, but still require many iterative rounds of selection and amplification to produce high quality binders.[3] Problems such as these have created a pressing need for next generation technologies that lend themselves as tools to explore the human proteome, but are more efficient and cost-effective to produce than existing reagents. Ideal protein capture reagents would be constructed with minimal effort from easy-to-assemble building blocks that are readily available and inexpensive.[4] The most promising reagents would function in assays that already exist for antibodies.
Differential cellular immunolocalization of renal tumour necrosis factor‐α production during ischaemia versus endotoxaemia

Both renal ischaemia and endotoxaemia provoke renal dysfunction and cellular injury. Although the clinical manifestation of each insult is similar (global renal dysfunction), ischaemia and endotoxaemia induce different patterns of cellular injury. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in both types of renal injury; however, it remains unknown whether differential cellular TNF-alpha expression accounts for these changes. We hypothesized that renal glomerular cells and tubular cells differentially express TNF-alpha in response to ischaemia compared with endotoxaemia. To investigate this hypothesis, male Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetized and exposed to various time-periods of renal ischaemia, with or without reperfusion (sham operation=negative control), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). The kidneys were harvested following renal injury, and rat TNF-alpha protein expression was determined (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), as were TNF-alpha bioactivity (by WEHI-164 cell clone cytotoxicity assay) and TNF-alpha cellular localization (by immunohistochemistry). TNF-alpha protein expression and TNF-alpha bioactivity peaked following 1 hr of ischaemia and 2 hr of reperfusion (48 +/- 11 pg/mg of protein, P < 0.05, and 12 +/- 0.5 x 10-3 units/mg of protein, P < 0.05, respectively). The concentration of TNF-alpha increased to a similar extent following exposure to LPS; however, while TNF-alpha production following ischaemia-reperfusion injury localized predominantly to renal tubular epithelial cells, animals exposed to LPS demonstrated a primarily glomerular distribution of TNF-alpha production. Hence, the cellular localization of renal TNF-alpha production appears to be injury specific, i.e. renal tubular cells are the primary source of TNF-alpha following an ischaemic insult, whereas LPS induces glomerular TNF-alpha production. The cellular source of TNF-alpha following different insults may have therapeutic implications for targeted inhibition of TNF-alpha production.
Stability and utilization of picloram, vitamins, and sucrose in a tissue culture medium

Nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, and picloram were stable in a liquid MS culture medium (pH 5.5–5.6) during autoclaving and during cell-free incubation in the dark at 5°C or 25°C for up to 6 weeks. Thiamine loss under the same conditions was 16% at 5°C and 18% at 25°C. Five percent of the sucrose in the liquid medium was hydrolyzed during autoclaving. During cell-free incubation in the light (100 μE m−2 s−1) at 25°C, pyridoxine was not detected after 6 days, while 78% of the picloram and 56% of the thiamine were degraded after 6 weeks. All of the niacin and pyridoxine, 13% of the picloram and 42% of the thiamine in a liquid MS culture medium were utilized in 4 days by potato (cv. Lemhi Russet) tuber suspension cultures growing in the dark at 25°C.
Towards robust indexing for ranked queries

Top-k query asks for k tuples ordered according to a specific ranking function that combines the values from multiple participating attributes. The combined score function is usually linear. To efficiently answer top-k queries, preprocessing and indexing the data have been used to speed up the run time performance. Many indexing methods allow the online query algorithms progressively retrieve the data and stop at a certain point. However, in many cases, the number of data accesses is sensitive to the query parameters (i.e., linear weights in the score functions).In this paper, we study the sequentially layered indexing problem where tuples are put into multiple consecutive layers and any top-k query can be answered by at most k layers of tuples. We propose a new criterion for building the layered index. A layered index is robust if for any k, the number of tuples in the top k layers is minimal in comparison with all the other alternatives. The robust index guarantees the worst case performance for arbitrary query parameters. We derive a necessary and sufficient condition for robust index. The problem is shown solvable within O(ndlog n) (where d is the number of dimensions, and n is the number of tuples). To reduce the high complexity of the exact solution, we develop an approximate approach, which has time complexity O(2dn(log n)r(d)-1), where r(d) = ⌈d/2⌉ + ⌊d/2⌋ ⌈d/2⌉. Our experimental results show that our proposed method outperforms the best known previous methods.
Geochronology of the Arabian Shield, western Saudi Arabia: K-Ar results

An orogenic event, correlated with the Pan-African event in eastern Africa, affected the Arabian Peninsula between 510 and 610 m.y. ago and is well-recorded geochronologically. The event probably included two thermal pulses or maxima, the first occurring between 560 and 610 m.y. ago and the second between 510 and 540 m.y. ago. The earlier pulse, the more severe one, included the majority of the igneous activity and metamorphism. During the last part of the 510- to 610-m.y. period, left-lateral strike-slip faulting occurred along a set of northwest-trending en echelon fracture zones, whose composite displacement may be as large as 240 km. At least one and probably more orogenic events affected the Arabian Peninsula before the Pan-African event, but only minimum ages can be assigned to these, because thermal effects of the 510- to 610-m.y. event have reset K-Ar ages. Major diorite-granite batholiths, however, formed before 760 m.y. ago.
Ultrasound‐guided injection of the median artery in the standing sedated horse

Summary Reasons for performing study Injection of the median artery of horses leads to better distribution and persistence of mesenchymal stem cells than i.v. regional limb perfusion. Due to technical difficulties, intra-arterial injections thus far have only been performed under general anaesthesia. Objectives To assess the feasibility of injection of the median artery in standing sedated horses. Study design Experimental study. Methods Six horses were included in the study. After median and ulnar regional analgesia, radiographic contrast material was injected in the median artery of both front limbs, using a catheter in one limb and a direct needle injection in the other. Ultrasound guidance was used for catheter and needle placement. Radiographs were obtained for confirmation of successful injection. Post procedural ultrasound examination was performed to assess vascular compromise. Results Catheter placement was successful in all 6 limbs, but in one limb injection was not possible due to arterial spasm. Movement of the limbs after the initial injection resulted in loss of functionality of the catheter in 2 other horses. Direct needle injection was successful on all 6 limbs, with periarterial extravasation observed in 2 limbs. No clinical complications were observed. Conclusions Injection of the median artery can be performed in standing horses under sedation. Direct needle injection is a more practical technique than catheterisation, as it is easier to perform and less likely to induce arterial spasm. Periarterial extravasation remains a possible limitation of the technique. Intra-arterial injections may be useful for administration of therapeutic agents such as mesenchymal stem cells on standing sedated horses.
Lipoxin A4 and aspirin-triggered 15-epi-lipoxin A4 inhibit human neutrophil migration: comparisons between synthetic 15 epimers in chemotaxis and transmigration with microvessel endothelial cells and epithelial cells.

Lipoxins (LX) are bioactive eicosanoids that can be formed during cell to cell interactions in human tissues to self limit key responses in host defense and promote resolution. Aspirin treatment initiates biosynthesis of carbon 15 epimeric LXs, and both series of epimers (LX and aspirin-triggered 15-epi-LX) display counter-regulatory actions with neutrophils. In this study, we report that synthetic lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)) and 15-epi-LXA(4) (i.e., 15(R)-LXA(4) or aspirin-triggered LXA(4)) are essentially equipotent in inhibiting human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in vitro chemotaxis in response to leukotriene B(4), with the maximum inhibition ( approximately 50% reduction) obtained at 1 nM LXA(4). At higher concentrations, 15-epi-LXA(4) proved more potent than LXA(4) as its corresponding carboxyl methyl ester. Also, exposure of PMN to LXA(4) and 15-epi-LXA(4) markedly decreased PMN transmigration across both human microvessel endothelial and epithelial cells, where 15-epi-LXA(4) was more active than LXA(4) at "stopping" migration across epithelial cells. Differences in potency existed between LXA(4) and 15-epi-LXA(4) as their carboxyl methyl esters appear to arise from cell type-specific conversion of their respective carboxyl methyl esters to their corresponding carboxylates as monitored by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Both synthetic LXA(4) and 15-epi-LXA(4) as free acids activate recombinant human LXA(4) receptor (ALXR) to regulate gene expression, whereas the corresponding methyl ester of LXA(4) proved to be a partial ALXR antagonist and did not effectively regulate gene expression. These results demonstrate the potent stereospecific actions shared by LXA(4) and 15-epi-LXA(4) for activating human ALXR-regulated gene expression and their ability to inhibit human PMN migration during PMN vascular as well as mucosal cell to cell interactions.
Efficient simulation of Ricean fading within a packet simulator

Packet level network protocol simulators use simple channel models for computational efficiency. A typical method for doing this is to compute a packet error probability assuming a certain fading distribution without taking into account time-correlation. This paper introduces work that has been done to model the effect of small-scale fading (Rayleigh and Ricean) within the ns network simulator. It allows for the faithful simulation of a complete fading envelope. The fading models have the appropriate statistics and also time correlational properties obtained from the Doppler spectrum. An efficient implementation based on a simple table lookup is described.
Effects of Valine on Protein Synthesis and Turnover in Pseudomonas saccharophila under “Nongratuitous” Inducing Conditions

Under “nongratuitous” inducing conditions, in Pseudomonas saccharophila, d-and l-valine and l-isoleucine inhibit net protein synthesis. At a concentration of 0.5 μmole or greater of valine per mg of bacterial protein, net protein synthesis declined approximately 70%. The inhibitory effect of valine is proportional to the exogenous valine concentration. Studies of 14C amino acid incorporation and 14C amino acid release from prelabeled cells indicate that valine stimulates protein turnover.
Mantle plumes and the periodicity of magnetic field reversals

Many geological phenomena show long term cyclical behavior. Of particular interest are mass extinctions and geomagnetic-field reversals, which may have correlated periodicities of approximately 30 myr. We propose that these cycles are governed by periodic instability of the thermal boundary layer (D″) at the base of the mantle. As this mobile layer thickens by thermal diffusion, it becomes dynamically unstable and hot material erupts from it. The layer, now thinner, extracts heat from the core at a greater rate, increasing the energy supply and hence the reversal frequency of the dynamo. The hot material from the D″ layer rises via mantle plumes to the surface where it causes increased volcanic activity which affects the climate and biota.
Masking failures of multidimensional sensors

A methodology for transforming a process control program that cannot tolerate sensor failure into one that can is presented. In this methodology, a reliable abstract sensor is created by combining information from several real sensors that measure the same physical value. To be useful, an abstract sensor must deliver reasonably accurate information at reasonable computational cost. The authors consider sensors that deliver multidimensional values (e.g. location or velocity in three dimensions). Geometric techniques are used to derive upper bounds on abstract sensor accuracy and to develop efficient algorithms for implementing abstract sensors. >