cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redox properties of the hydroxylase component of methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Effects of protein B, reductase, and substrate.

The reduction potentials of the hydroxylase component of the soluble methane monooxygenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) have been investigated through potentiometric titrations. The potentials were determined by EPR spectroscopic quantitation of the mixed valent hydroxylase as a function of added sodium dithionite in the presence of appropriate mediators. The reduction of the oxidized Fe(III).Fe(III) form to the mixed valent Fe(II).Fe(III) form occurs at 48 mV versus NHE while the potential for the formation of the fully reduced Fe(II).Fe(II) species from the mixed valent form was determined to be -135 mV. Addition of the substrate propylene to the hydroxylase did not have a major effect on the reduction potentials. Introduction of the protein B and the reductase components, however, completely inhibited reduction of the hydroxylase at potentials as far negative as -200 mV. Addition of propylene to all three methane monooxygenase components greatly facilitated hydroxylase reduction. Under these conditions, the fully reduced form of the protein was obtained at potentials of greater than 150 mV. This high redox potential indicates that the oxidized form of the protein is highly reactive, as required for methane oxidation. The present results reveal aspects of how both protein B and substrate can regulate electron transfer into and out of the hydroxylase component of methane monooxygenase.
Principles of Snow Hydrology: Snowpack management and modifications

Snow in the global environment is altered by human activity in many ways, some intentional and others inadvertent. Among the deliberate changes made to snowpacks are blowing-snow management to benefit agriculture and transportation, forest management to protect and enhance water yields from snowpacks, urban snow management to improve transportation and habitation in developed areas, albedo modification to enhance snowmelt rates, and ski-area management for enhanced and safe recreational opportunities. The major inadvertent change that may impact snowpacks is the possibility of climate change that is being forecast for the twenty-first century. This final chapter generally discusses these human–snow interactions from the viewpoint of the snow hydrologist. All management of snow should be based upon a thorough understanding of the processes involved at a given site and how they may be varied to accomplish a given goal. Furthermore, the management recommendations must consider acceptability, cost, ease of use, risks, maintenance requirements, and long-term environmental impacts. Many processes affecting snow that can be altered to meet management goals have been described in earlier chapters. Blowing-snow management Blowing-snow management generally has the objective of creating snow drifts in useful or non-problematic locations by using some type of barrier to the wind. Barriers take the form of constructed snow fences, rows of living shrubs or trees, and crop stubble. Farmers have realized for centuries that seeds and seedling plants survive and grow faster when located in furrows that accumulated small drifts of snow that supplemented soil moisture.
Effect of Technical and Functional Quality on Patient Perceptions of Pharmaceutical Service Quality

Purpose. To evaluate the relative importance of functional quality (how services were provided) and technical quality (what was received for those services) on patient perceptions of pharmaceutical service quality.
Breakdown in Nonlinear Regression

Abstract The breakdown point is considered an important measure of the robustness of a linear regression estimator. This article addresses the concept of breakdown in nonlinear regression. Because it is not invariant to nonlinear reparameterization, the usual definition of the breakdown point in linear regression is inadequate for nonlinear regression. The original definition of breakdown due to Hampel is more suitable for nonlinear problems but may indicate breakdown when the fitted values change very little. We introduce breakdown functions, which measure breakdown of the fitted values. Using the breakdown functions, we introduce a new definition of the breakdown point. For the linear regression model, our definition of the breakdown point coincides with the usual definition for linear regression as well as with Hampel's definition. For most nonlinear regression functions, we show that the breakdown point of the least squares estimator is 1/n. We prove that for a large class of unbounded regression func...
Shadow Science: Astronomy in the Schoolyard.

It is natural to study astronomy outdoors, but it is not quite as natural to study astronomy during the daytime. This lesson uses the Earth's closest star as a subject of study within the schoolyard. The importance of the rising sun is combined with hands-on inquiry in which students explore the properties of shadows. Students (a) complete a modified Know and Need to Know (KNK) chart about shadows, (b) complete task cards to help direct their inquiry, (c) develop two rules about shadows and the sun, and (d) reflect upon the experience through a writing assignment.
Waypoint Analysis for Command and Control

Command and Control (C2) in a military setting can be epitomized in battles-of-old when commanders would seek high ground to gain superior spatial-temporal information; from this vantage point, decisions were made and relayed to units in the field. Although the fundamentals remain, technology has changed the practice of C2; for example, enemy units may be observed remotely, with instruments of varying positional accuracy. A basic problem in C2 is the ability to track an enemy object in the battlespace and to forecast its future position; the (extended) Kalman filter provides a straightforward solution. The problem changes fundamen- tally if one assumes that the moving object is headed for an (unknown) location, or waypoint. This article is concerned with the new problem of estimation of such a waypoint, for which we use Bayesian statistical prediction. The computational burden is greater than an ad hoc regres- sion-based estimate, which we also develop, but the Bayesian approach has a big advantage in that it yields both a predictor and a measure of its variability. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 51: 1045-1067, 2004.
Pain sensitivity and recovery from mild chronic sleep loss.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine whether an extended bedtime in sleepy and otherwise healthy volunteers would increase alertness and thereby also reduce pain sensitivity. SETTING Outpatient with sleep laboratory assessments. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS Healthy volunteers (n = 18), defined as having an average daily sleep latency on the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) < 8 min, were randomized to 4 nights of extended bedtime (10 hr) (EXT) or 4 nights of their diary-reported habitual bedtimes (HAB). On day 1 and day 4 they received a standard MSLT (10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00 hr) and finger withdrawal latency pain testing to a radiant heat stimulus (10:30 and 14:30 hr). RESULTS During the four experimental nights the EXT group slept 1.8 hr per night more than the HAB group and average daily sleep latency on the MSLT increased in the EXT group, but not the HAB group. Similarly, finger withdrawal latency was increased (pain sensitivity was reduced) in the EXT group but not the HAB group. The nightly increase in sleep time during the four experimental nights was correlated with the improvement in MSLT, which in turn was correlated with reduced pain sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS These are the first data to show that an extended bedtime in mildly sleepy healthy adults, which resulted in increased sleep time and reduced sleepiness, reduces pain sensitivity.
Consciousness, folk psychology, and cognitive science

Abstract This paper supports the basic integrity of the folk-psychological conception of consciousness and its importance in cognitive theorizing. Section 1 critically examines some proposed definitions of consciousness and argues that the folk-psychological notion of phenomenal consciousness is not captured by various functional–relational definitions. Section 2 rebuts the arguments of several writers who challenge the very existence of phenomenal consciousness, or the coherence or tenability of the folk-psychological notion of awareness. Section 3 defends a significant role for phenomenal consciousness in the execution of a certain cognitive task, viz., classification of one′s own mental states. Execution of this task, which is part of folk psychologizing, is taken as a datum in scientific psychology. It is then argued (on theoretical grounds) that the most promising sort of scientific model of the self-ascription of mental states is one that posits the kinds of phenomenal properties invoked by folk psychology. Cognitive science and neuroscience can of course refine and improve upon the folk understanding of consciousness, awareness, and mental states generally. But the folk-psychological constructs should not be jettisoned; they have a role to play in cognitive theorizing.
Priorities of energy research and development

Abstract An analysis of national research and development priorities indicates that transportation is the most critical need. Four major points are covered: 1. (1) transportation is essential and the automobile is the major mode of choice; 2. (2) transportation is almost totally dependent upon oil, although domestic supplies are inadequate and foreign supplies are not assured; 3. (3) unlike other markets, such as industrial, residential and commercial, competitive alternatives for the transportation market do not exist and must be developed; and 4. (4) there are promising Research & Development possibilities for alternate fuels and vehicles but they are inadequately funded.
Rapid two-dimensional optical spectroscopy through acousto-optic pulse shaping

Phase-matching techniques are widely used to retrieve nonlinear optical signals of electronic and vibrational transitions. Here, collinear, phase cycled pulses are used to collect the same nonlinear signals in direct analogy to nuclear magnetic resonance studies. An acousto-optic pulse shaper is used to create suitable sequences of ultrashort pulses with arbitrary relative delays and phases. The rapid update rate of the acousto-optic modulator allows for impressive data rates.
Resection of a posterior pubic symphyseal protuberance using the electrocautery device

A posterior protuberance of the pubic symphysis can make a radical retropubic prostatectomy difficult. We describe a technique using electrocautery to remove this protuberance, which can be safely and easily performed.
Intracerebroventricular secretin enhances pancreatic volume and bicarbonate response in rats

Background. Although secretin has been found within the brain, its central role in pancreatic exocrine function has not been previously addressed. The hypothesis that intracerebroventricular secretin enhances pancreatic volume and bicarbonate output at doses that have no effect when given intravenously was tested. Methods. Sprague-Dawley rats had a cannula stereotactically placed into the left lateral cerebral ventricle 24 hours before study. At laparotomy the bile and pancreatic ducts were separately cannulated and excluded for tared collections and bicarbonate assay. Results. Increasing doses of intracerebroventricular secretin (0.005, 0.05, and 0.5 μg/1.0 μl) induced a significant dose-related increase in bicarbonate output (2.95, 3.32, and 4.02 μEq/30 min, respectively) above basal (2.62 μEq/30 min) compared with control or intracerebroventricular saline treated animals. Pancreatic volume increased to 59.7 μl at the lowest intracerebroventricular dose and increased (p Conclusions. These observations indicate that intracerebroventricular secretin stimulates pancreatic volume and bicarbonate output and suggest that central secretin may play a role in the regulation of exocrine pancreatic secretion.
The Clean Development Mechanism: Institutional breakthrough or institutional nightmare

The Clean Development Mechanism, defined in ArticleXII of the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, is a crucial instrument to enlist developing countries’ participation in emissions limitation, to reduce industrialized countries’ compliance costs, and to facilitate resource and technology transfers. However, the CDM contains perverse compliance incentives and is beset with problems of credit definition, monitoring, enforcement, and potentially high transactions costs. This paper defines some important design safeguards and suggests an alternative approach should the Kyoto Protocol eventually be renegotiated.
The Mechanics of the Condensation of Gases

An attempt is made to explain the phenomenon of condensation of the gas, on the basis of the classical mechanical model of a gas. The condensation of the gas is connected with a change in the topological structure of the energy surface in the $6N$-dimensional phase space. This occurs when the total energy is zero. The agreement with experiment is satisfactory.
TASK-1, a Two–Pore Domain K+ Channel, Is Modulated by Multiple Neurotransmitters in Motoneurons

Inhibition of "leak" potassium (K+) channels is a widespread CNS mechanism by which transmitters induce slow excitation. We show that TASK-1, a two pore domain K+ channel, provides a prominent leak K+ current and target for neurotransmitter modulation in hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs). TASK-1 mRNA is present at high levels in motoneurons, including HMs, which express a K+ current with pH- and voltage-dependent properties virtually identical to those of the cloned channel. This pH-sensitive K+ channel was fully inhibited by serotonin, norepinephrine, substance P, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine, a group I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist. The neurotransmitter effect was entirely reconstituted in HEK 293 cells coexpressing TASK-1 and the TRH-R1 receptor. Given its expression patterns and the widespread prevalence of this neuromodulatory mechanism, TASK-1 also likely supports this action in other CNS neurons.
Error estimates for random boundary value problems with applications to a hanging cable problem

By employing Green's function approach, random effects in nonlinear boundary value problems are analyzed. In particular, by developing analytic techniques, estimates on the absolute mean and p^t^h mean deviations of solutions of random boundary value problem from the smooth case are obtained. This methodology is applied to study the effects of randomness in hanging cable (telephone/power) problem. Furthermore, computational work is conducted to test and to compare the analytic results.
Small-amplitude cortical myoclonus in Parkinson's disease: Physiology and clinical observations

We studied the occurrence of small-amplitude myo- clonus in 20 idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients who had no evidence of dementia as defined by criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition. Parkinson's disease was diagnosed by United Kingdom Brain Bank criteria, and clinical assessment was performed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score, Hoehn and Yahr staging, and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Clinical assessment showed a range of mild-to-moderate disease severity. All patients underwent polygraphic electro-encephalographic-electromyographic (EMG) recording with back-averaging, somatosensory evoked potential testing, and attempted elicitation of long-latency EMG responses. Multichannel surface EMG recording during muscle activation showed irregular, multifocal, brief (<50 msec) myoclonus EMG discharges. Back-averaging consistently showed a focal, short-latency, electroencephalographic transient prior to the myoclonus EMG discharge. Cortical somatosensory evoked potential waves were not enlarged, and long-latency EMG responses at rest were not present. The small-amplitude myoclonus in such cases arises from an abnormal discharge from the sensorimotor cortex. The mechanism of this cortical myoclonus in Parkinson's disease has differences from the more common "cortical reflex myoclonus" physiology. Advanced parkinsonism is not a requirement for manifestation of this myoclonus type. Although the myoclonus occurred without dementia in these cases, its relationship to the subsequent development of cognitive impairment remains to be defined.
Recombinant replication-restricted VSV as an expression vector for murine cytokines

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a prototypic non-segmented, negative-strand RNA virus that rapidly and efficiently shuts down the production of host cell-encoded proteins and utilizes the cell's protein production machinery to express high levels of virally encoded proteins. In an effort to take advantage of this characteristic of VSV, we have employed a reverse genetics system to create recombinant forms of VSV encoding a variety of murine cytokines. Previous studies have revealed that cells infected with recombinant VSV that lack expression of the surface glycoprotein (G protein), designated deltaG-VSV, more efficiently express and secrete recombinant proteins than do recombinant "wild-type" VSV. Therefore, murine cytokine-expressing recombinants were produced as deltaG viruses. Propagation of these deltaG viruses in cells that transiently express G protein in vitro results in G-complemented virions that can infect cells, shut down host protein synthesis, and express at high levels each virally encoded protein (including the designated cytokine). We assessed the ability of each deltaG-VSV construct to express recombinant cytokine by infecting BHK cells and then monitoring/measuring the production of the desired cytokine. When possible, the bioactivity of the cytokine products was also measured. The results presented here reveal that large quantities of bioactive cytokines can be produced rapidly and inexpensively using deltaG-VSV as a protein expression system.
The greenschist facies in part of eastern Otago, New Zealand

Rocks of the greenschist facies in eastern Otago, New Zealand, have been investigated in an area some thirteen to sixteen kilometers wide and sixty-five kilometers long extending northeastwards approximately normal to the boundary of the schist with lower grade rocks. Quartzo-feldspathic schists predominate but greenschists and metacherts occur sporadically throughout the area. At the southwestern edge of the area schists are in the chlorite zone, slightly above the high-grade limit of pumpellyite. Metamorphic grade increases toward the northeast into the biotite zone which occupies about half the terrane studied and is believed to be everywhere little advanced in metamorphic grade past that of the biotite isograd. Some 130 mineral specimens have been partially analysed with the electron probe. Results derived from these data as well as other mineralogical investigation are as follows: Albite contains a maximum of 1% anorthite plus orthoclase in epidote-bearing rocks from all parts of the area.
Certain isometries of rectangular complex matrices

Abstract If s1(A) ⩾ ⋯ ⩾ sm(A) are the singular values of A ϵ Mm,n(C), and if 1 ⩽k ⩽m ⩽ and p ⩾ 1, then φ p,k (A) = ( ∑ i=1 k s i p (A) 1 p is a unitarily invariant norm. In this paper a complete determination of the extreme points on the corresponding unit spheres is accomplished in all cases, enabling the isometries with respect to Φp,k to be determined in the case p = 1. This removes the restriction m = n in an earlier paper of the author and Marcus.
A hydrodynamic/Brownian motion model of thermal diffusion in liquids

Abstract A recently modified formulation of fluid-mechanical transport processes, which has been shown to correctly predict the thermophoretic force on a rigid isolated particle in a single-component fluid continuum (gas or liquid), is combined with steady-state Stokes–Einstein-type sedimentation-equilibrium/Boltzmann distribution-like arguments appropriate to a dilute suspension of such particles, each regarded as Brownian, so as to furnish an elementary hydrodynamic theory for thermal diffusion separation phenomena in dilute binary liquid-phase mixtures (the Ludwig/Soret effect) for the case of a disparate solute/solvent molecular size ratio. The results of the theory are shown to accord well with experiments on polymer solutions in regard to both the magnitude and algebraic sign of the Soret coefficient, as well as with respect to the effects of temperature and mixture composition on this coefficient. An extension (albeit less rigorous) of the preceding theory to the case of nondilute, thermodynamically ideal, binary solutions of miscible liquids of comparable molecular size also yields results in reasonable accord with experiments.
Preparation and in vivo evaluation of radioiodinated closo-decaborate(2-) derivatives to identify structural components that provide low retention in tissues.

Introduction In vivo deastatination of 211At-labeled biomolecules can severely limit their use in endoradiotherapy. Our studies have shown that the use of closo-decaborate(2-) moiety for 211At-labeling of biomolecules provides high in vivo stability towards deastatination. However, data from those studies have also been suggestive that some astatinated closo-decaborate(2-) catabolites may be retained in tissues. In this study, we investigated the in vivo distributions of several structurally simple closo-decaborate(2-) derivatives to gain information on the effects of functional groups if catabolites are released into the blood system from the carrier biomolecule.
The Welfare Effects of Non-Price Competition Among Real Estate Brokers

This paper examines the role of brokers in economizing on transaction costs in the housing market. By lowering the cost of transactions, brokers create welfare gains compared to a market in which buyers and sellers transact on their own. However, if brokers engage in unproductive, non-price competition to acquire a larger share of available listings, then some of the welfare gains are dissipated. Using a partial equilibrium model, this paper shows how an excessive commission rate can lead to this result.
The effects of nesting stage, sex, and type of predator on parental defense by killdeer (Charadrius vociferous): testing models of avian parental defense

Two models predicting the temporal patterns of parental investment in offspring defense over the nesting cycle were tested. The first is based on offspring age, the other on the vulnerability of offspring to predation. Both models make very similar predictions for altricial species after eggs have hatched, i.e., increases in intensity of parental defense until fledging. For precocial species, however, the post-hatching predictions of each model are different: the offspring age model predicts a continued increase in defense intensity, while the vulnerability model predicts a decline. I examined the temporal patterns of parental defense of a precocial shorebird, the killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), and determined which model was supported. Killdeer responses to human and natural predators were observed. Killdeer were less willing to leave the nest, responded most intensely, and displayed closest to a potential predator around hatching. Defense intensity increased from early to late incubation as predicted by the offspring age model. However, after hatching killdeer parental defense declined for both males and females, thus supporting the vulnerability model for this stage. Males and females responded significantly differently to all types of predators. Males took greater risks, remained on the nest longer, defended offspring more intensely, and displayed closer to the predator than females at the approach of a potential predator. Responses to natural predators depended on the type of predator and the approach made by the predator; a greater range of defense behavior was used for predators approaching on the ground compared to aerial predators. In general, killdeer responses to humans were more intense and less variable than their responses to natural predators. This was most likely because the human intruder approached nests and chicks more directly and closer than natural predators.
Electron-impact induced fragmentation of some 5,10-di- hydrophenazastannines

Abstract The electron-impact induced fragmentation of four 5,10-dihydrophenazastannides [(I)-(IV)] was studied by low and high resolution mass spectrometry. Two of the compounds contain tin in the spiro position. To identify energetically favorable reaction paths, low electron-energy scans (12 eV) were taken along with 70 eV ones. The molecular ions fragment by consecutive ejection of the 10-substituents or, alternatively, by loss of R 2 Sn. Subsequent fragmentation is accompanied by complex skeletal rearrangements and hydrogen migrations. An example of SnBr bond formation has been discovered. Ions of the phenanthridine type (m/e 179, C 13 H 9 N) are formed via enlargement of the center heterocyclic ring and rearomatization. Tentative mechanistic pathways are derived for all major fragmentation sequences on the basis of computer-aided correlation of metastable peaks, accurate mass measurements (elemental composition) and shifts resulting from specific deuterium labelling.
Improved outcome after early fixation of acetabular fractures

This study was done in order to evaluate the effect of the timing of fixation for acetabular and pelvic ring fractures on patient outcome. Demographic, clinical and outcome data for 5821 trauma patients admitted from January 1993 through January 1996 were retrospectively reviewed. Pelvic fractures were classified according to Young and Burgess. Patients who had fixation within 24 h of admission were compared with those who had later operation. Main outcome measures were Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score according to Moore, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay and discharge disposition. Out of 416 patients with pelvic fractures, one hundred patients had fracture fixation [90 open reduction and internal fixation, 10 external fixation]. There were 59 acetabular fractures and 41 pelvic ring fractures. The overall mortality was 4%. Early fixation of acetabular fractures was associated with lower MODS (p < 0.006) and decreased total length of stay (p < 0.026). Length of hospital stay was also less with early fixation of pelvic ring fractures (p < 0.04). Functional outcome was improved in early fixation of acetabular fractures with a greater proportion of patients being discharged home rather than to rehabilitation or skilled care (p = 0.05). Patients who underwent early repair of acetabular and pelvic ring fractures had a shorter length of hospital stay compared to those with late fixation. Patients with early repair of acetabular fractures had significantly less organ dysfunction and exhibited improved functional outcome.
Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by Gi alpha

Evidence suggests that both alpha and beta gamma subunits of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) inhibit adenylyl cyclase. Although type I adenylyl cyclase is inhibited directly by exogenous beta gamma, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by Gi alpha has not been convincingly demonstrated in vitro. Concentration-dependent inhibition of adenylyl cyclases by purified Gi alpha subunits is described. Activated Gi alpha but not G(o) alpha was effective, and myristoylation of Gi alpha was required. The characteristics of the inhibitory effect were dependent on the type of adenylyl cyclase and the nature of the activator of the enzyme. The concentrations of Gi alpha required to inhibit adenylyl cyclase were substantially higher than those normally thought to be relevant physiologically. However, analysis indicates that these concentrations may be relevant and reasonable.
Applications of gas-phase electron-transfer equilibria in organometallic redox thermochemistry

Ionization energies and electron affinities are key quantities in characterizing the thermodynamics of oxidation-reduction reactions for molecules. Much is known about these intrinsic properties for atoms and organic molecules in the gas phase [1, 2]. Far fewer organometallic compounds have had their ionization energies determined and even fewer electron affinities are known for metal-containing molecules.
SciBrowser: a computational ethnography tool to explore open source science communities

Collaborative knowledge production in open source science communities such as Open Biomedical Ontologies (OBO) is poorly understood. In this paper, we present the components of a software system that is used to conduct computational ethnography and examine the growth and evolution of the OBO community. OBO is comprised of a global network of communities that are engaged in developing formal ontologies to standardize data acquisition and use in the health sciences community. The process involved in collecting and parsing open source data is presented along with a discussion of multiple socio-technical networks generated from the raw data. We evaluate the characteristics and topological change of the structure of a selected subdomain within the OBO community in terms of social network metrics.
Entanglement entropy across a deformed sphere

I study the entanglement entropy (EE) across a deformed sphere in conformal field theories (CFTs). I show that the sphere (locally) minimizes the universal term in EE among all shapes. In the work of Allais and Mezei [Phys. Rev. D 91, 046002 (2015)] it was derived that the sphere is a local extremum, by showing that the contribution linear in the deformation parameter is absent. In this paper I demonstrate that the quadratic contribution is positive and is controlled by the coefficient of the stress tensor two-point function, ${C}_{T}$. Such a minimization result contextualizes the fruitful relation between the EE of a sphere and the number of degrees of freedom in field theory. I work with CFTs with gravitational duals, where all higher curvature couplings are turned on. These couplings parametrize conformal structures in stress tensor $n$-point functions; hence I show the result for infinitely many CFT examples.
Nf1 Loss and Ras Hyperactivation in Oligodendrocytes Induce NOS-Driven Defects in Myelin and Vasculature

Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Costello syndrome Rasopathy have behavioral deficits. In NF1 patients, these may correlate with white matter enlargement and aberrant myelin. To model these features, we induced Nf1 loss or HRas hyperactivation in mouse oligodendrocytes. Enlarged brain white matter tracts correlated with myelin decompaction, downregulation of claudin-11, and mislocalization of connexin-32. Surprisingly, non-cell-autonomous defects in perivascular astrocytes and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) developed, implicating a soluble mediator. Nitric oxide (NO) can disrupt tight junctions and gap junctions, and NO and NO synthases (NOS1-NOS3) were upregulated in mutant white matter. Treating mice with the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine corrected cellular phenotypes. CNP-HRasG12V mice also displayed locomotor hyperactivity, which could be rescued by antioxidant treatment. We conclude that Nf1/Ras regulates oligodendrocyte NOS and that dysregulated NO signaling in oligodendrocytes can alter the surrounding vasculature. The data suggest that antioxidants may improve some behavioral deficits in Rasopathy patients.
Consumer Confidence Regarding the Safety of the US Food Supply

ABSTRACT This study assessed the perceptions of Kentucky consumers regarding the safety of the nation's food supply. Data were collected through a telephone survey of 728 respondents. Overall, most consumers were very or somewhat confident in the nation's food supply. Significant differences were noted among consumers based on age, gender and household income. The most likely locations for food safety problems were identified as food processing plants, followed by restaurants. Respondents that were most confident in the nation's food supply believed food poisoning occurred less frequently than those who were not confident in the food supply. Those consumers who were very confident and somewhat confident in the food supply had a significantly different perception of health risks in food from germs, pesticide residues and preservatives than those who had no confidence in the food supply. Respondents with someone in the household working in the foodservice industry were not significantly different in their c...
Design of Microfluidic Mixer Utilizing Pressure Disturbances

A novel micro mixer was designed and optimized by using numerical simulations. The performance of the mixer was tested by mixing two aqueous solutions under the microscope and the flow field was visualized using two different dyes. Efficient mixing was achieved by using pressure disturbances. Optimal mixing conditions were found by parametric studies using numerical simulations. Based on results of numerical simulation, more than 82% mixing can be finished within a mixing distance of less than 3.0mm for flow rates ranging from 1.2mul/min to 20mul/min. The mixing results were validated by comparing the flow patterns between numerical results and experimental results. There was a strong agreement between numerical results and experimental results
Access to the Internet and financial performance of small business households

With increased focus on survival strategies for small farm businesses, we investigate the impact of access to the Internet on household income and expenses of small farm businesses and households. Using a nationwide data from the U.S. and non-parametric matching estimators, the study finds a significant positive impact of access to the Internet on total household income and off-farm income. Our study suggests that small farm businesses benefit from Internet access as it increases business income, off-farm income and total household income. Also, access to the Internet reduces some input costs and household expenses.
Acute hemodialysis for hyperammonemia in small neonates

Neonatal metabolic emergencies require a multidisciplinary team approach for supportive management that has increasingly come to feature renal replacement therapies in addition to nutritional support, the use of pharmaceutical agents, and testing to guide management and provide a definitive diagnosis. An increased appreciation for the mechanisms involved in ammonia neurotoxicity has placed greater emphasis on the need for its rapid yet safe resolution to optimize long-term prognosis. We examined our experience of intermittent hemodialysis (HD) and considered (1) the feasibility of HD in low-weight neonates, (2) the rate of decrease in ammonia, (3) complications during HD in small neonates weighing <4 kg presenting at University Children′s Hospital between 1999 and 2002. Additionally, we review the current cellular and molecular mechanism of ammonia-induced brain injury. All patients tolerated intermittent HD and all required pressor agents. We primed all our patients with 20 U/kg of heparin and there was no subsequent need for further heparinization. We also noted that hemodynamic instability persisted during the first 1–2 h of the procedure and improved thereafter, as indicated by a decreased need for pressor agents. All neonates are alive to date. In conclusion, HD remains an effective and practical mode of renal replacement therapy having readily managed complications in preterm neonates weighing <4 kg with metabolic disorders.
Bound States of a One-Band Model for 3D Periodic Medium

We consider the bound states generated by impurities in a periodic three dimensional medium. The computations of eigenstates and eigenfunctions for a one-band model of the medium are carried out. Using numerical evaluation of the Green's function for bound eigenmode representations we achieve high accuracy in the computation of the eigenmodes and eigenstates for a variety of defects. For appropriately adjusted models these computations can be useful for numerical estimates of the minimal configuration of defects capable of introducing a bound state in a gap, as well as estimating the rate of the exponential decay of the bound state.
Characterization of c-myc-Transformed Rat Fibroblasts Resistant to Apoptosis Induced by Growth Factor Deprivation

Abstract Under appropriate conditions (e.g., growth factor withdrawal), the deregulated expression of c- myc in rodent fibroblasts leads to substantial cell death due to apoptosis. To better understand this process, we selected for c- myc -transformed Rat1A fibroblasts that were resistant to growth factor deprivation-induced cell death. One clonal isolate exhibited prolonged survival in serum-free medium and displayed reduced levels of apoptosis-related DNA fragmentation. These cells were also resistant to induction of apoptosis by the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine. They retained a transformed cell phenotype and expressed the proviral human c- myc allele in an unaltered fashion, strongly indicating that the mutation of a cellular gene other than c- myc accounts for the apoptosis-resistant phenotype. The results of somatic cell hybrid analysis of this cell line are consistent with a recessive mutation. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism for abrogation of apoptosis in neoplastic cells and provide a model system for the study of its role in tumorigenesis and resistance to antineoplastic therapy.
What Do Children Know About Sex

A review of literature with two tables showing responses to sex differentiation cues and methods of childbirth. The article concludes with a brief annotated bibliography.
Injuries to scrotal contents by blunt trauma.

Abstract Three unusual injuries to the scrotal contents following blunt trauma are reported. Early surgical exploration is recommended when significant ecchymosis or a hydrocele follows blunt scrotal trauma.
A comparative study of the physical properties of five commonly used root canal sealers

Abstract A series of test procedures were developed for the purpose of investigating the relative physical properties of a group of commercial root canal sealing agents. The setting time, film thickness, solubility, radiopacity, and sealing ability of the agents were investigated. Some variation was manifested in the setting time of the different materials, but all were considered to provide sufficient working time. A variation in the film thickness and solubility of the materials was also noted. However, since no correlation between either of these properties and sealing ability was detectable, it was concluded that the differences were not of sufficient magnitude to be of significance. All materials exhibited some degree of radiopacity. The results of the leakage tests conducted with Ca 45 suggest the importance of using a careful condensing technique in filling the root in order to achieve an efficient seal.
Morphology of nitric acid and water ice films

Ice films have been used to simulate stratospheric cloud surfaces in order to obtain laboratory data on solubilities and heterogeneous reaction rates. In the present study, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) is used to study thin films of both water ice and nitric acid ice near the composition of the trihydrate. The ices are formed by vapor deposition onto aluminum or borosilicate-glass substrates cooled to about 200 K. Micrographs are recorded during the deposition process and during subsequent annealing at higher temperatures. The results show that the ice films are composed of loosely consolidated granules, which range from about 1 to 20 microns in size at temperatures between 197 and 235 K. Cubic water ice is sometimes observed at 200 K, which converts to the hexagonal form at slightly higher temperatures. The loose packing of the granules confirms the high porosities of these films obtained from separate bulk porosity measurements. Average surface areas calculated from the observed granule sizes range from about 0.2 to 1 sq m/g and agree with surface areas obtained by gas-adsorption (BET) analysis of annealed ice films. For unannealed films, the BET areas are about an order of magnitude higher than the ESEM results, implying that the unannealed ices contain microporosity which is lost during the annealing process.
Telomere maintenance in telomerase-positive human ovarian SKOV-3 cells cannot be retarded by complete inhibition of telomerase

The two known mechanisms for telomere maintenance in eukaryocytes are telomerase in telomerase-positive cells and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) in telomerase-negative cells. We report here that telomere maintenance in the telomerase-positive human ovarian SKOV-3 cells was not affected by inhibition of telomerase. For comparison, the effect of telomerase inhibitors on telomere maintenance in another telomerase-positive cell line (i.e. human pharynx FaDu cells) and the telomerase-negative human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells was examined. Telomerase activity was measured using a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol and telomere length was measured using a solution hybridization-based method and fluorescence in situ hybridization. A reverse transcriptase inhibitor (3'-azido-deoxythymidine or AZT) and an antisense against a component of human telomerase RNA (antisense hTR) were used to inhibit telomerase. FaDu and SKOV-3 cells showed comparable baseline telomerase activity. Telomerase activity in both cells was inhibited about equally by AZT (maximal inhibition of approximately 80%) and by expression of antisense hTR (complete inhibition in SKOV-3 cells and maximal inhibition of approximately 80% in FaDu cells). However, treatment with telomerase inhibitors resulted in approximately 50% telomere shortening in FaDu cells but had no effect on SKOV-3 nor Saos-2 cells. SKOV-3 cells did not show the characteristic features of ALT (i.e. heterogeneous telomere length and promyelocytic leukemia bodies), whereas these ALT features were observed in Saos-2 cells. Collectively, these results suggest the existence of a telomerase-independent mechanism of telomere maintenance in the telomerase-positive SKOV-3 cells.
Alternative conformations of the archaeal Nop56/58-fibrillarin complex imply flexibility in box C/D RNPs.

Abstract The Nop56/58–fibrillarin heterocomplex is a core protein complex of the box C/D ribonucleoprotein particles that modify and process ribosomal RNAs. The previous crystal structure of the Archaeoglobus fulgidus complex revealed a symmetric dimer of two Nop56/58–fibrillarin complexes linked by the coiled-coil domains of the Nop56/68 proteins. However, because the A. fulgidus Nop56/58 protein lacks some domains found in most other species, it was thought that the bipartite architecture of the heterocomplex was not likely a general phenomenon. Here we report the crystal structure of the Nop56/58–fibrillarin complex bound with methylation cofactor, S -adenosyl-L-methionine from Pyrococcus furiosus , at 2.7 A. The new complex confirms the generality of the previously observed bipartite arrangement. In addition however, the conformation of Nop56/58 in the new structure differs substantially from that in the earlier structure. The distinct conformations of Nop56/58 suggest potential flexibility in Nop56/58. Computational normal mode analysis supports this view. Importantly, fibrillarin is repositioned within the two complexes. We propose that hinge motion within Nop56/58 has important implications for the possibility of simultaneously positioning two catalytic sites at the two target sites of a bipartite box C/D guide RNA.
Telemedicine: A Cost-Reducing Means of Delivering Psychotherapy to Rural Combat Veterans with PTSD

Abstract Background: Although effective psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exist, high percentages of Veterans in need of services are unable to access them. One particular challenge to providing cost-effective psychological treatments to Veterans with PTSD involves the difficulty and high cost of delivering in-person, specialized psychotherapy to Veterans residing in geographically remote locations. The delivery of these services via clinical videoteleconferencing (CVT) has been presented as a potential solution to this access to care problem. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective cost analysis of a randomized controlled trial investigating telemedicine service delivery of an anger management therapy for Veterans with PTSD. The parent trial found that the CVT condition provided clinical results that were comparable to the in-person condition. Several cost outcomes were calculated in order to investigate the clinical and cost outcomes associated with the CVT delivery m...
Self-assembled via axial coordination magnesium porphyrin-imidazole appended fullerene dyad: spectroscopic, electrochemical, computational, and photochemical studies.

Spectroscopic, redox, and electron transfer reactions of a self-assembled donor−acceptor dyad formed by axial coordination of magnesium meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (MgTPP) and fulleropyrrolidine appended with an imidazole coordinating ligand (C60Im) were investigated. Spectroscopic studies revealed the formation of a 1:1 C60Im:MgTPP supramolecular complex, and the anticipated 1:2 complex could not be observed because of the needed large amounts of the axial coordinating ligand. The formation constant, K1, for the 1:1 complex was found to be (1.5 ± 0.3) × 104 M-1, suggesting fairly stable complex formation. The geometric and electronic structures of the dyads were probed by ab initio B3LYP/3-21G(*) methods. The majority of the highest occupied frontier molecular orbital (HOMO) was found to be located on the MgTPP entity, while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) was on the fullerene entity, suggesting that the charge-separated state of the supramolecular complex is C60Im•-:MgTPP•+. Redox titration...
The interaction of ammonium and potassium hexabromoösmate(IV) and liquid ammonia at 25°—I. The ammonia-insoluble product

Abstract The ammonia-soluble product of the reaction between K 2 OsBr 6 and liquid ammonia at or near 25°C is shown to consist of diamagnetic μ-nitridobis-[dibrometrammineosmium(IV)] bromide which was isolated as the 3-hydrate, and converted to the corresponding iodide. The same product is formed when (NH 4 ) 2 OsBr 6 is used in the presence of NH 4 Br, but at the same time paramagnetic and ammonia-soluble hexammineosmium(III) bromide is produced; formation of the latter is attributed to a reaction between ammonium bromide and the ammonia-insoluble product, i.e. hexammineosmium(III) hexabromoosmate(III).
Medication in early pregnancy: prevalence of use and relationship to maternal characteristics.

Medication use was assessed in a population of 4186 women who were delivered of infants at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, between 1980 and 1982. The frequency of over-the-counter and prescription drug use, and the association of such use with maternal characteristics was studied. Of all women, 66% used at least one drug. The mean number of drugs used by all subjects was 1.3 and, among drug users, 2.9. Of all drugs used, 68% were over-the-counter and 32% were prescription preparations. Internal analgesics, autonomic drugs, antiinfective agents, and antacids were most frequently used. Women who used prescription drugs were also more likely to use over-the-counter medications. Maternal characteristics that were associated with an increase in both over-the-counter and prescription drug use were being white, smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day, using alcohol, using caffeine, and smoking marijuana. These findings suggest that women who engage in &#x201C;risk-taking behavior” during pregnancy are also more likely to use medications while pregnant.