cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The energetics of structural change in maltose-binding protein.

High-resolution structures of proteins and their complexes are now appearing in the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB) database at a tremendous rate. When analyzing the structures of proteins, it is often tempting to try to extract energetic contributions to stability or binding interactions. However, as many experiments have shown, some specific interactions that look important are not, whereas others that seem minor turn out to have key roles. In evaluating detailed structures, particularly to understand subtle structural differences in mutants, one always wants the highest-resolution structures available, and most of these come from crystallography. However, crystallography suffers from the “tyranny of the lattice” (the ability of the forces that stabilize the crystal lattice to alter the conformation of the molecules making up the crystal). Although this term has been used most often for nucleic acids (see ref. 1 for a discussion of the issues), the idea applies to proteins as well; there are many examples in which the structure of a loop is different in different crystal forms, leaving ambiguity as to the “true” conformation in solution. The relative positions of domains in multidomain proteins also can be affected by intermolecular interactions. In this issue of PNAS, an NMR approach for determining relative domain orientation in solution has been applied to a series of mutants of a two-domain protein (2). By combining this approach with energetic information derived from careful protein stability measurements, it became possible to provide remarkably detailed insight into the energetic cost of induced structural change and how it couples to ligand binding. The system studied was the periplasmic maltose-binding protein (MBP) from Escherichia coli , a member of a large class of proteins that aid in uptake of small molecules and also act as sensors for signaling through the chemotaxis system. These proteins have two …
Outcomes of Neonates Undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support Using Centrifugal Versus Roller Blood Pumps

Background Advances in centrifugal blood pump technology have led to increased use of centrifugal pumps in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits. Their efficacy and safety in critically ill neonates remains unknown. Blood cell trauma leading to hemolysis may result in end-organ injury in critically ill neonates receiving centrifugal pump ECMO. We hypothesized that neonates undergoing ECMO support using centrifugal pumps were at increased odds of hemolysis and subsequent end-organ injury. Methods Children 30 days of age or younger who received support with venoarterial ECMO and were reported to the Extracorporeal Life Support Registry during 2007 to 2009 underwent propensity score matching (Greedy matching 1:1) using pre-ECMO support characteristics. Results A total of 1,592 neonates receiving ECMO (centrifugal pump=163 and roller pump=1,492) were identified. Significant differences in demographic, presupport, and cannulation variables were present before matching. One hundred seventy-six neonates who were supported using either centrifugal (n = 88) or roller pumps (n = 88) were matched using propensity scoring. No significant differences in demographic, presupport, or cannulation variables were present after matching. Neonates undergoing support using centrifugal pumps had increased odds of hemolysis (odds ratio [OR], 7.7 [2.8–21.2]), hyperbilirubinemia (OR, 20.8 [2.7–160.4]), hypertension (OR, 3.2 [1.3–8.0]), and acute renal failure (OR, 2.4 [1.1–5.6]). Survival to discharge was not different between pump types. Conclusions Use of ECMO using centrifugal pumps is associated with increased odds of hemolysis that likely contributes to other end-organ injury. Research into the optimal use of centrifugal pumps and strategies to prevent support-related complications need to be investigated.
A Multilevel Parallelism Support for Multi-Physics Coupling

Abstract A new challenge in scientific computing is to merge existing simulation models to create new higher fidelity combined (often multi-level) models. While this challenge has been a driving force in climate modeling for nearly a decade, fusion energy and space weather modeling are starting just now to integrate different sub-physics into a single model. Hence, the demand for novel software paradigms and tools increases drastically. A programming style that mixes task and data parallelism and enables concurrent execution of independent tasks on disjoint processor subsets is called multi-level parallelism. Combined models naturally map into this style, such that sub-models run simultaneously on different processor subgroups. In authors’ previous work, software interfaces supporting the model coupling based on component representations are proposed and shown to successfully combine multi-physics packages via an inter-model solver. In this paper, the inter-model solver, called Coupler , is extended for the execution in multiple processes rather than as a single process. In essence, the multiple program multiple data paradigm is applied to multi-physics coupling. A pure C++ implementation has been developed to bypass the application adaptation to the Common Component Architecture (CCA) framework used in the previous work and to generalize the proposed approach.
Effects of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol administration on the rat renal vitamin K-dependent carboxylating system

We have shown previously that the in vitro activity of the renal vitamin K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylase toward synthetic oligopeptide substrates is stimulated by administration of either parathyroid hormone (PTH) or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3] to rats [(1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 12783-12786]. Here we report that administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 to rats increases their levels of endogenous carboxylase substrate as well. Rats fed a vitamin D-deficient diet had highly elevated serum PTH levels while vitamin D-replete animals had undetectable levels. Furthermore, since PTH increases 1,25(OH)2D3 levels by stimulating renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase, it is very likely that the stimulatory effects of PTH on the renal vitamin K-dependent carboxylating system are mediated by 1,25(OH)2D3.
Controller Synthesis for Periodic, Linear-Distributed Parameter Systems: Channel Flow Application

equations derived from Floquet analysis have shown that the instabilities are a direct result of the primary disturbance of the traveling wave but do not provide an analytical framework upon which to design a feedback controller. The necessary observation, although simple but subtle, is that the dynamics of the steady-state flow induced by a traveling wave must be linearized and decomposed in a frame of reference moving with the traveling wave. The resulting linear time-invariant equations are appropriate for system theoretic feedback control synthesis, i.e., H2 and H∞ methods. Although the linearization method produces a time-invariant linear system in the moving frame,thecontrollerisperiodicfromafixedreferenceframe.Thisapproachforconstructingatime-invariantsystem with periodic inputs is applicable to any system in which the dynamics are described as acombinationof astatic base and a periodic primary disturbance.
Effects of radiative cascades on hydrogenlike dielectronic satellite spectra

Effects of radiative cascades from higher-level satellite states on the intensities of dielectronic satellite lines of lower-lying states are investigated for selected hydrogenlike ions. The ratio of intensities of a particular satellite line from radiative cascades and from direct transitions is found to depend on the atomic number of the ion and the plasma temperature. For the most prominent satellite lines the increase in intensity is less than or equal to6%. Results are reported for hydrogenlike Ne, Si, Ar, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, and Ni at various plasma temperatures.
Procainamide-lnduced polymorphous ventricular tachycardia

Seven cases of procainamide-induced polymorphous ventricular tachycardia are presented. In four patients, polymorphous ventricular tachycardia appeared after intravenous administration of 200 to 400 mg of procainamide for the treatment of sustained ventricular tachycardia. In the remaining three patients, procainamide was administered orally for treatment of chronic premature ventricular contractions or atrial flutter. These patients had Q-T prolongation and recurrent syncope due to polymorphous ventricular tachycardia. In four patients, the arrhythmia was rapidly diagnosed and treated with disappearance of further episodes of the arrhythmia. In two patients, the arrhythmia degenerated into irreversible ventricular fibrillation and both patients died. In the seventh patient, a permanent ventricular pacemaker was inserted and, despite continuation of procainamide therapy, polymorphous ventricular tachycardia did not reoccur. These seven cases demonstrate that procainamide can produce an acquired prolonged Q-T syndrome with polymorphous ventricular tachycardia.
Myeloma tumor satellite DNA: A role in ribosomal RNA synthesis*

Summary The data in the present study is consistent with the concept of duplicated adjacent stretches of DNA coding for 16 and 28 S ribosomal RNA. The four-fold increase in hybrid formation between 16 S RNA and satellite DNA strongly suggests that satellite DNA codes for this RNA. The capacity for both DNA's to form hybrids with respect to 28 S RNA could mean that the DNA stretches coding for 28 S RNA are adjacent to those coding for 16 S RNA but are of slightly higher buoyant density. 10 S RNA appears to be coded for by the major band DNA only.
Fate of Jimsonweed Seed Alkaloids in Soybean Processing

The fate of Jimsonweed seed alkaloids (atropine and scopolamine) during solvent extraction of contaminated soybeans and alkali refining of crude oil was investigated. Extraction of a 50:50 mixture of soybeans and Jimsonweed seeds with petroleum ether yielded meal and crude oil fractions, in which chemical analyses showed that vitrually all the atropine and scopolamine remained in the meal. Alkali refining effectively removed atropine added to crude soybean oil.
Gaussian elimination on a hypercube automaton

An automaton is given for solving a full unstructured linear system, Ax = b, via Gaussian elimination with pivoting followed by back substitution. The automaton's cells are organized as a hypercube, communicating at a rate that is O(1). A square linear system of n equations can be solved on an automaton H, consisting of |H| = 22p cells. For 0 ⩽ p ⩽ log n − 12 log log n + O(1), the automaton uses O(n2/|H|) memory per cell and O(n3/|H|) time. Since Gaussian elimination uses ω(n3) arithmetic, the automaton performs the algorithm with a memory and cell · time product that are asymptotically optimal, when 1 ⩽ |H| ⩽ n2/log n. Showing that n2/log n processors suffice for achieving O(n log n) time improves the best previous result by a factor of log n processors, and is asymptotically optimal. A conclusion, nonetheless, is that for full unstructured systems, Gaussian elimination with pivoting generally is not well suited to the hypercube topology.
553 ETHNIC DETERMINATION OF THE PATHOGENS IN URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI) IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

553 ETHNIC DETERMINATION OF THE PATHOGENS IN URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI) IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN
Rank filters with adaptive length

In this paper rank filters of adaptive length are presented. The filtering objective of these filters is the suppression of impulsive noise while preserving as much image detail as possible, and also high computational efficiency. In the proposed scheme the window size and shape are adaptively adjusted based on the amount of impulsive noise in an initial starting window. Using smaller windows increases the computational efficiency. To further improve the computational efficiency, median data blocks are used. The loss of image detail is prevented by an adaptive algorithm. Filtering examples demonstrating noise suppression, detail preservation, and computational efficiency are presented.
Definition of Arousal and Mechanistic Studies in Intact and Brain-Damaged Mice

The existence of a primitive, elemental form of CNS arousal, "generalized arousal," has been hypothesized; it has been given an operational definition, and a high throughput assay has been assayed for it in mice. Many of the ascending and descending neuroanatomical pathways are fairly well understood. To begin experiments that might have potential implications for therapeutic measures, mice were rendered anoxic and it was shown that the assay can demonstrate behavioral abnormalities not detected with a standard neurological screen. These behavioral deficiencies are reminiscent of "sundowning," a form of dementia seen in hospitalized elderly patients. Electrical stimulation of neurons in medial thalamic cell groups can increase activity in the generalized arousal assay. Current studies include attempts to achieve temporal patterns of electrical stimulation that would take advantage of nonlinear properties of ascending arousal pathways.
Immunoblot and immunohistochemical comparison of murine monoclonal antibodies specific for the rat D1a and D1b dopamine receptor subtypes

The two D1-like dopamine receptor subtypes, D1a and D1b, are structurally similar and pharmacologically indistinguishable using currently available ligands. To differentiate between the D1-like dopamine receptor subtypes, murine monoclonal antibodies to the rat Dla and the rat D1b dopamine receptor have been prepared. Rat D1-like and D2-like dopamine receptors expressed in Sf9 cells were used to verify the immunospecificity of the monoclonal anti-(D1a dopamine receptor) and anti-(D1b dopamine receptor) antibodies using immunoblot and immunohistochemical techniques. These two antibodies were used to compare the temporal dynamics of D1-like dopamine receptors expressed in Sf9 cells following infection with recombinant baculovirus and to monitor the partial purification of detergent solubilized receptors following ion exchange chromatography. Immunoreactivity of the anti-(D1a receptor) antibody was observed in the striatum and cortical regions of the rat brain using immunoblot techniques. No reactivity on immunoblots was observed for the anti-(D1b receptor) antibody using rat brain tissue, probably due to the low levels of receptor expression. For immunohistochemical studies using rat brain slices, the anti-(D1a receptor) antibody heterogeneously labeled cells and punctate processes within the striatal neuropil while labeling in the adjacent cerebral cortex was weak. Anti-(D1b receptor) antibody immunoreactivity was weak in the .striatum and generally limited to sparse perikarya in the dorsal region. However, immunoreactivity was observed in numerous cells within the vertical and horizontal limbs of the diagonal band and in the ventral pallidum. Immunoreactivity of the anti-(D1b receptor) antibody was also observed in layer V pyramidal neurons of the frontal sensorimotor cortex.
Left Axis Deviation An Electrocardiographic-Pathologic Correlation Study

Our understanding of the meaning of the electrocardiogram is greatly furthered by careful comparison of cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac damage observed post mortem with electrocardiograms taken during the last weeks of life. An electrocardiographic-pathologic correlation of 672 cases is reported in which the roles of left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, and other factorsin the production of left axis deviation are examined. A heretofore unrecognized QRS-complex syndrome of infarction is described in which the QRS forces are diagnostically abnormal but no "Q waves" are seen in the conventional leads. The roles of hypertrophy, variations in body build, chronic pulmonary disease, and various types of "parietal block" in the production of left axis deviation are studied.
PHYSIOLOGY WITHOUT RESTRAINT IN DIVING MAMMALS

Forced submersions and natural dives are compared with regard to heart rate, blood distribution and O2 consumption. Heart rate has been used as a primary indicator of blood distribution. However, often the dive heart rate has been compared to inappropriate surface conditions, and it is suggested that it should be compared to resting apneusis in the arrhythmic breathing animal. Furthermore, natural dives are frequently short relative to the breathhold capacity of a diver, and often during these dives there is little change in heart rate or apparent kidney function from the resting state. Calculations are made to determine the breathhold limit without O2 conservation measures. Further calculations are made to estimate the expected metabolism and metabolite production during an exceptionally long dive in a seal when O2 conservation must be invoked. These results are compared to known values obtained from a Weddell seal that made a 61 min dive. Based on the results of these observations and calculations, three possible models of blood distribution during natural dives are discussed. This discussion shows the limitation of present data and the type of data needed to resolve the question of how aquatic vertebrates manage O2 stores during dives of varying durations.
An atmospheric pCO2 threshold for glaciation in the Late Ordovician

The Late Ordovician glaciation differs from other major Phanerozoic glaciations because of its short duration (∼1 m.y.). A satisfactory explanation for this glaciation must be able to account for its sudden initiation, short duration, and rapid termination; mechanisms operating on tectonic time scales appear to be precluded. Given recent studies of a major perturbation in the carbon cycle during the glaciation, a climate model investigation of the sensitivity of the Late Ordovician climate to changes in atmospheric p CO2 was undertaken. Under the condition of a 4.5% reduction in solar luminosity, permanent snow cover (taken as a key indicator of potential for glaciation) is dramatically different between five experiments. The range of 18X present atmospheric level CO2 (ice free) to 8X (“runaway” icehouse) lies within the uncertainty of previous geochemical estimates of Late Ordovician atmospheric p CO2. The strong sensitivity to the modest direct forcing from p CO2 changes is due to the ice-albedo feedback. A plausible increase in organic carbon burial could have drawn down enough atmospheric CO2 to have briefly lowered the climate system below a critical glacial inception threshold at the end of the Ordovician. Conversely, a high p CO2 is required for the rest of the early Paleozoic, which was essentially ice free.
Human Frequency-Following Responses to Two-Tone Approximations of Steady-State Vowels

Auditory nerve single-unit population studies have demonstrated that phase-locking plays a dominant role in the neural encoding of the spectrum of speech sounds. Since the scalp-recorded human frequen
Effects of temperature on the activity and orientation of goldfish (Carassi auratus)

Abstract 1. 1. The locomotor behavior of goldfish (Carassius auratus) was monitored at 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34°C in a circular tank divided into 16 peripheral cells and an open central area. 2. 2. Frequency of entries was lowest at 28°C, the final thermal preferendum for this species. 3. 3. Short distances (pathways between cells) were preferred to long ones, but pathway preference varied over temperature. 4. 4. Handedness (a preference for turning to the right or left) was not a function of temperature.
Host susceptibility to indoor air pollution

is no scientific evidence whatsoever that this syndrome even exists. The majority of these people, we think, have other kinds of problems."' The following discussion will deal with host factors and susceptibility to adverse indoor air pollution. An important question is whether the persons affected derive their response because of some preexisting "sensitivity" or "susceptibility" that puts them at an increased risk for evolving symptoms from low levels of indoor air pollutants.
Effects of agarose mould compliance and surface roughness on self‐assembled meniscus‐shaped constructs

The meniscus is a fibrocartilaginous tissue that is critically important to the loading patterns within the knee joint. If the meniscus structure is compromised, there is little chance of healing due to limited vascularity in the inner portions of the tissue. Several tissue engineering techniques to mimic the complex geometry of the meniscus have been employed. Of these, a self-assembly, scaffoldless approach employing agarose molds avoids drawbacks associated with scaffold use while still allowing formation of robust tissue. In this experiment two factors were examined, agarose percentage and mold surface roughness, in an effort to consistently obtain constructs with adequate geometric properties. Co-cultures of ACs and MCs (50:50 ratio) were cultured in smooth or rough molds composed of 1% or 2% agarose for 4 wks. Morphological results showed that constructs formed in 1% agarose molds, particularly smooth molds, were able to maintain their shape over the 4 wk culture period. Significant increases were observed for the collagen II to collagen I ratio, total collagen, GAG, and tensile and compressive properties in smooth wells. Cell number per construct was higher in the rough wells. Overall, it was observed that the topology of an agarose surface may be able to affect the phenotypic properties of cells that are on that surface, with smooth surfaces supporting a more chondrocytic phenotype. In addition, wells made from 1% agarose were able to prevent construct buckling potentially due to their higher compliance.
Sources of error in syllogistic reasoning

Abstract The experiment attempted to provide evidence that errors in reasoning do not imply that reasoning is not occurring at all. One suggestion has been that errors occur because S s misinterpret syllogistic premises in order to refer to simpler class relations. When S s were given modified syllogisms having these simpler relations as premises, they performed considerably better than when given traditional syllogisms. Furthermore, they responded to the traditional syllogisms as if they were the modified syllogisms, which accounted for their errors. A second source of error was traced to the logical structure of the syllogism. It was found that the more alternatives generated by a set of premises, the more difficult was the syllogism. It was argued that errors in reasoning are not the result of illogical or alogical processes, but are the result of an incomplete analysis of the logical structure of the syllogism.
Effect of waterborne fluoride on fluoride concentration and solubility of dental enamel

Enamel F level and depth of acid etch were measured in 166 teeth from 8 communities with water F ranging from .07-5.0 ppm. Enamel F decreased progressively from the surface inward and was positively correlated with water F. Depth of acid etch was inversely related to enamel F and water F. Relationships between water F, enamel F and enamel solubility were most consistent at water F levels up to 1.0-2.0 ppm.
Cold Waterflooding a Warm Reservoir

A thermal simulation program and a theoretical analysis consider the effects of cold waterflooding a warm reservoir. For the conditions investigated, the injected water quickly cools the region surrounding the wellbore and accounts for the major part of the pressure drop across the system. Heating the injected water or fracturing the formation each decrease the pressure drop and can be used to avoid an uncontrolled fracture or the need for costly, high-pressure surface injection equipment. The study showed that thermal effects can play a major role in the economics of waterflooding projects.
Saposin C protects glucocerebrosidase against α-synuclein inhibition.

Mutations in GBA1, the gene for glucocerebrosidase (GCase), are genetic risk factors for Parkinson disease (PD). α-Synuclein (α-Syn), a protein implicated in PD, interacts with GCase and efficiently inhibits enzyme activity. GCase deficiency causes the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease (GD). We show that saposin C (Sap C), a protein vital for GCase activity in vivo, protects GCase against α-syn inhibition. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, site-specific fluorescence, and Forster energy transfer probes, Sap C was observed to displace α-syn from GCase in solution and on lipid vesicles. Our results suggest that Sap C might play a crucial role in GD-related PD.
North Pacific decadal variability in the Community Climate System Model version 2

Abstract North Pacific decadal oceanic and atmospheric variability is examined from a 650-yr control integration of the Community Climate System Model version 2. The dominant pattern of winter sea surface temperature (SST) variability is similar to the observed “Pacific decadal oscillation,” with maximum amplitude along the Kuroshio Extension. SST anomalies in this region exhibit significant spectral peaks at approximately 16 and 40 yr. Lateral geostrophic heat flux divergence, caused by a meridional shift of the Kuroshio Extension forced by basin-scale wind stress curl anomalies 3–5 yr earlier, is responsible for the decadal SST variability; local surface heat flux and Ekman heat flux divergence act as a damping and positive feedback, respectively. A simple linear Rossby wave model is invoked to explicitly demonstrate the link between the wind stress curl forcing and decadal variability in the Kuroshio Extension. The Rossby wave model not only successfully reproduces the two decadal spectral peaks, but a...
Effects of snail-conditioned water from Biomphalaria glabrata on hatching of Echinostoma caproni miracidia

In vitro studies were done on Echinostoma caproni eggs with fully developed miracidia to determine the effects of snail-conditioned water (SCW) from Biomphalaria glabrata on miracidial hatching in the light. Observations were made on miracidial hatching at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h in multiwell chambers in the presence of SCW (experimentals) versus controls in artificial spring water (ASW). The number of hatched eggs was significantly greater (Student's t-test, P < 0.05) in SCW at all times as compared with those maintained in ASW. Significantly greater hatching was also obtained when snails were maintained in intact or perforated dialysis sacs in multiwell chambers as compared with sacs without snails. Agar plugs impregnated with SCW or the hydrophilic fraction of SCW that had been extracted in chloroform-methanol (2:1) did not influence significant hatching. However, the lipophilic fraction of the SCW extract caused significant hatching. Substances in SCW significantly increase hatching of E. caproni miracidia, but details on what these compounds are remain obscure.
Reactions in the Annual Medicago spp. Core Germ Plasm Collection to Phoma medicaginis

The annual Medicago spp. core collection, consisting of 201 accessions, represents the genetic diversity inherent in 3,159 accessions from 36 annual Medicago spp. This germ plasm was evaluated for resistance to spring black stem and leaf spot caused by Phoma medicaginis. Spring black stem and leaf spot is a major destructive disease in perennial alfalfa (Medicago sativa) grown in North America, Europe, and other temperate regions. Disease control is based principally on the use of cultivars with moderate levels of resistance. Evaluation of the core collection was conducted using standardized environmental conditions in growth chambers, and included the M. sativa standard reference cultivars Ramsey (resistant) and Ranger (susceptible). The degree of resistance found among accessions within species was variable, but most annual species and accessions were susceptible. Most accessions from 10 species exhibited high disease resistance. These included accessions of M. constricta, M. doliata, M. heyniana, M. laciniata, M. lesinsii, M. murex, M. orbicularis, M. praecox, M. soleirolii, and M. tenoreana. Most of the accessions within M. arabica, M. minima, M. lanigera, M. rotata, M. rugosa, M. sauvagei, and M. scutellata were highly susceptible. Disease reactions among some accessions within species were highly variable. On a 0-to-5 disease severity scale, ratings ranged from 0.67 (PI 566873) to 4.29 (PI 566883) within accessions of M. polymorpha. Most of the M. truncatula accessions were susceptible, with a mean of 3.74. Resistant reactions were similar to those found in incompatible interactions with P. medicaginis and alfalfa, which have been associated with specific genes leading to the production of isoflavonoid phytoalexins. The large genetic variability in annual Medicago spp. offers potential for locating and utilizing disease resistance genes through breeding or genetic engineering that will enhance the utilization of Medicago spp. as a forage crop.
Multivitamin-multimineral supplements and eye disease: age-related macular degeneration and cataract

The prevalence and effects of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract are increasing dramatically as the proportion of elderly in our population continues to rise. A multivitamin-multimineral supplement with a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc (with cupric oxide) is recommended for AMD but not cataract. Weak support exists for multivitamins or other vitamin supplements from observational studies of cataract. The results of observational studies suggest that a healthy lifestyle with a diet containing foods rich in antioxidants, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as n-3 fatty acids, appears beneficial for AMD and possibly cataract. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study II will evaluate some of these additional nutrients as dietary supplements in a randomized trial.
Deliberative democracy and intelligent design: The ruling in Kitzmiller v. Dover

The Federal District Court decision in Kitzmiller v. Dover halted a school board's attempts to introduce an `intelligent design' account of human origins into science classrooms as an alternative t...
Determination of Morphine, Morphine-3-glucuronide, and Morphine-6-glucuronide in Plasma after Intravenous and Intrathecal Morphine Administration Using HPLC with Electrospray Ionization and Tandem Mass Spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to atmospheric pressure ionization (API) mass spectrometry (MS) has become a useful technique in the direct analysis of low concentrations of conjugated opiate metabolites. Previous methods using HPLC with traditional detection methods do not have the sensitivity to detect low concentrations of most conjugated drug metabolites. Methods using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) require hydrolysis and derivatization of the sample followed by an indirect quantitation of conjugated metabolites. Recently, several reports have described direct analysis of opiates and their glucuronide conjugates by HPLC and API-MS. These methods report lower limits of detection than GC-MS methods and quantitation in the low nanogram-per-milliliter range for the glucuronide metabolites of morphine. This report describes an HPLC-electrospray-MS-MS method capable of detecting subnanogram concentrations of morphine (MOR) and its 3- and 6-glucuronide metabolites (M3G and M6G, respectively). The assay has a dynamic range of 250-10,000 pg/mL for M3G and M6G and 500-10,000 pg/mL for MOR. Inter- and intra-assay precision and accuracy varied by less than 8% for all analytes at 750-, 2500-, and 7500-pg/mL concentrations. This assay was used for the determination of MOR, M3G, and M6G in human plasma after intravenous (i.v.) and intrathecal (i.t.) administration of MOR and its effects on the ventilatory response to hypoxia. Peak plasma concentrations of MOR and M6G were measured 1 h after i.v. administration of MOR. Peak concentrations of M3G were measured 2 h after i.v. administration of MOR. After i.t. administration of MOR, peak concentrations of M3G were measured 8 h postdose. MOR was not detected in plasma of patients administered MOR i.t.. Subnanogram concentrations of M6G were measured in the plasma of five of nine patients administered MOR i.t..
The Recommendation To Not Use Bronchodilators Is Not Supported by the Evidence

We read with interest the current guidelines on the management of bronchiolitis.1 Here we raise our concern with the recommendation that bronchodilators not be used. The guideline authors imply that our randomized controlled trial in 703 children with bronchiolitis supports their assertion that “clinical scores may vary from between observers”.1,2 This is a selective reading of our Limitations section. The cited article in fact showed an 18% (adjusted relative risk: 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.36) relative increase in successful hospital discharges from the emergency department (ED) when albuterol rather than epinephrine was administered. … E-mail: pfwalsh{at}ucdavis.edu
The catalase activity of diiron adenine deaminase

Adenine deaminase (ADE) from the amidohydrolase superfamily (AHS) of enzymes catalyzes the conversion of adenine to hypoxanthine and ammonia. Enzyme isolated from Escherichia coli was largely inactive toward the deamination of adenine. Molecular weight determinations by mass spectrometry provided evidence that multiple histidine and methionine residues were oxygenated. When iron was sequestered with a metal chelator and the growth medium supplemented with Mn(2+) before induction, the post-translational modifications disappeared. Enzyme expressed and purified under these conditions was substantially more active for adenine deamination. Apo-enzyme was prepared and reconstituted with two equivalents of FeSO(4). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Mossbauer spectroscopy demonstrated that this protein contained two high-spin ferrous ions per monomer of ADE. In addition to the adenine deaminase activity, [Fe(II) /Fe(II) ]-ADE catalyzed the conversion of H(2)O(2) to O(2) and H(2)O. The values of k(cat) and k(cat)/K(m) for the catalase activity are 200 s(-1) and 2.4 × 10(4) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. [Fe(II)/Fe(II)]-ADE underwent more than 100 turnovers with H(2)O(2) before the enzyme was inactivated due to oxygenation of histidine residues critical for metal binding. The iron in the inactive enzyme was high-spin ferric with g(ave) = 4.3 EPR signal and no evidence of anti-ferromagnetic spin-coupling. A model is proposed for the disproportionation of H(2)O(2) by [Fe(II)/Fe(II)]-ADE that involves the cycling of the binuclear metal center between the di-ferric and di-ferrous oxidation states. Oxygenation of active site residues occurs via release of hydroxyl radicals. These findings represent the first report of redox reaction catalysis by any member of the AHS.
NSF budget for fiscal 1986

Congress recently passed its first authorization bill for the National Science Foundation (NSF) since fiscal year (FY) 1981. As part of specifying how NSF should spend its money, the bill (H.R. 1210) directs NSF to conduct biannual assessments of universities' needs for research facilities, as called for in the proposed University Research Facilities Revitalization Act (H.R. 2823) (Eos, September 17, 1985, p. 660). The NSF appropriation was of another bill (H.R. 3038) that provided more than $50 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and for 17 independent agencies. The appropriation bill calls for NSF to receive $45.6 million less for research and related activities than the budget request, $5 million less than the request for the U.S. Antarctic Program, but $5 million more than the request for science and engineering education (see Table 1).
Nominal Group Technique: An accessible and interactive method for conceptualizing the sexual self-advocacy of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities must often advocate for themselves in many facets of life, including sexuality. Because of this, sexual self-advocacy is an important concept...
Application of the von mises criterion to deformation twinning

Presentation d'une methode permettant de determiner si le maclage, represente par un ensemble de systemes de macles, satisfait au critere de Von Mises
On Iterative Learning Control of parabolic distributed parameter systems

The Iterative Learning Control (ILC) technique is extended to distributed parameter systems governed by parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs). ILC arises as an effective method to approach constrained optimization problems in PDE systems. We discuss both P-type and D-type ILC schemes for a distributed parameter system formulated as a general linear system ∑(A,B,C,D) on a Hilbert space, in which the system operator A generates a strongly continuous semigroup. Under the assumption of identical initialization condition (IIC), conditions on the learning parameters are obtained to guarantee convergence of the P-type and D-type ILC schemes. Numerical simulations are presented for a 1D heat conduction control problem solved using ILC based on semigroup analysis. The numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed ILC schemes.
PACE: Augmenting Personal Mobile Devices with Scalable Computing

In the near future personal mobile devices will become ingredients of the grid. Foreseeing this, the thesis work aims at leveraging scalable computing techniques to enhance mobile devices so that their interoperability with peers and grid infrastructure will be improved, and their unique resources could be better contributed to the grid. A middleware framework named personal augmented computing environment (PACE) is proposed, the research progress is reported, and future plan is introduced. The main contributions include 1) investigation of collaborative visualization using display clusters composed by mobile devices, 2) exploration of context- aware methods for mobile devices to achieve efficient utilization of peer and grid resources, and 3) development of novel scalable human-computer interaction techniques through seamless integration of mobile devices and environmental infrastructures.
Worlds Apart: A Social Theoretical Exploration of Local Networks, Natural Actors, and Practitioners of Rural Development in Southern Honduras

Abstract: This paper explores the importance of incorporating the socioecological realities of alternative networks into analyses of rural development. Cultural theory is examined, which provides a base upon which rural development can identify difference in worldviews based on difference in sociological conditions and environmental phenomena. Actor-oriented theory problematizes the ideal types of cultural theory, providing a means of give-and-take between actors’ worldviews of different networks. Actor-network theory breaks down the nature-culture dichotomy of actor-oriented theory, so that nature becomes as ‘active’ an actor as people and community. Actor-network theory brings nature and society together, perceiving the two as mutually inclusive and constitutive. Coupled with recognition of power associated with political economic/ecological forces, actor-network theory can encourage us to see the frequency of tropical storms in Honduras as being among the powerful actors that have played a significant, consistent role in shaping the mode of ordering of impoverished Honduran peoples. This paper concludes by exploring how alternative, agroecological networks established in a protected area in southern Honduras with ‘strong’ natural actors can be re-ordered by incorporating autonomy and resiliency into the network.
Perceptual speed, learning and information retrieval performance

Although the cognitive ability “perceptual speed” is known to influence search performance by end-users, previous research has not established the mechanism by which this influence occurred. Results from educational psychology suggest that learning that occurs during searching is likely to be influenced by perceptual speed. An experiment was designed to test how this cognitive ability would interact with a system feature designed to enhance learning of search vocabulary, specifically, presenting subject descriptors as the first element in the display of a reference. Results showed significant interactions between perceptual speed and the order of presentation of data elements in predicting both vocabulary learning and search performance. These results indicate that searchers with higher levels of perceptual speed will learn additional search vocabulary, and use that vocabulary to complete higher quality searches, when they use a system designed to optimize scanning of subject descriptors. This outcome supports the idea that cognitive abilities influence information system usability, and that usability is determined by interactions between characteristics of users and system features. The findings also suggest that system features that enhance the learning of search vocabulary, such as query expansion mechanisms, can have a significant positive effect on the quality of end-user searching.
Robust hybrid technique for calculating scattering by large and complex targets

A new and robust hybrid technique that combines the shooting-and-bouncing-ray method and the finite-element method is presented for a fast and accurate evaluation of electromagnetic scattering by large and complex targets with cracks, gaps, cavities and microstrip patch antennas. This technique has been applied successfully to realistic three-dimensional targets with remarkable accuracy and efficiency.
Structure of Cryptosporidium IMP dehydrogenase bound to an inhibitor with in vivo antiparasitic activity

Inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is a promising target for the treatment of Cryptosporidium infections. Here, the structure of C. parvum IMPDH (CpIMPDH) in complex with inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) and P131, an inhibitor with in vivo anticryptosporidial activity, is reported. P131 contains two aromatic groups, one of which interacts with the hypoxanthine ring of IMP, while the second interacts with the aromatic ring of a tyrosine in the adjacent subunit. In addition, the amine and NO2 moieties bind in hydrated cavities, forming water-mediated hydrogen bonds to the protein. The design of compounds to replace these water molecules is a new strategy for the further optimization of C. parvum inhibitors for both antiparasitic and antibacterial applications.
Survival and fertility of bovine sperm kept at variable temperatures in coconut milk extender

Bovine spermatozoa aged for 6–7 days at room temperatures (18–30° C.) in a coconut milk extender retained their fertilizing capacity. However, their fertilizing ability appeared to be impaired by environmental hazards in the form of oxygen damage, exposure to visible light, and temperature shock. Protective measures developed and used in the preparation and in the storage of the sperm suspensions to minimize premature loss of sperm function involved the addition of catalase and egg yolk to the extender and the maintenance of cell suspensions in the dark in vials containing a minimal air space. The experimental evidence obtained with this improved coconut milk extender established its ability to support and sustain the fertilizing capacity of bovine sperm for 6–7 days at room temperatures at a level comparable to the fertilizing capacity of refrigerated sperm in milk-glycerol or egg yolk-citrate-glycine extenders. The economic importance of this room temperature diluent is suggested by the fact that it eliminates the costly refrigeration required to maintain stored and shipped bovine semen at 5° C.Coconut milk extender modified by the addition of 5% egg yolk also proved to be a satisfactory storage medium for sperm at low temperatures. It was found to be superior to both egg yolk-citrate and skim-milk extenders in conserving motility at 5° C. The fertilizing capacity of Ayrshire and Brown Swiss sperm stored at 5° C. in coconut milk extender which contained 15% coconut milk and 5% egg yolk compared favourably with the fertilizing capacity reported for sperm stored at 5° C. in other more widely used diluents. The number of motile sperm recovered from this extender after freezing to −79° C. was comparable to the number of motile sperm recovered from the egg yolk-citrate and skim-milk test diluents. The results of this study indicate that coconut milk extender is a versatile, easily prepared medium which can be used to preserve functional sperm over a wide temperature range.
Case Study: Alex Charter School

This case discusses issues associated with charter schools. Topics include accounting, statistics, and economics. The focus is on profit planning and budgeting. Students will prepare an income statement, determine a break-even point for enrollment, contribution margin, elasticity of demand to assist in decision-making about tuition, averages, and a regression equation to estimate test scores, given class size. Finally, strategic thinking is required to write a conclusion.
Effect of Host Plants on Successful Parasitism by Haeckeliania sperata (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Eggs

Diaprepes abbreviatus L. is a highly polyphagous root weevil that causes damage to several fruit crops, ornamental plants, and other naturally occurring plants in Florida. Haeckeliania sperata Pinto is a gregarious endoparasitoid that attacks D. abbreviatus eggs. We hypothesized that the reproductive success of H. sperata is affected by the host plant of D. abbreviatus. Six host plants with varying degrees of pubescence were used to determine the effect of leaf trichomes on the searching behavior and success of parasitism by H. sperata. No-choice tests showed that H. sperata was able to parasitize Diaprepes eggs laid on the six host plants. However, the plants with a high trichome density on their leaves had a lower percent of parasitism than the plants with smoother leaves. Removing trichomes from a host plant showed that the presence of some leaf trichomes had a negative effect on the overall searching efficiency of H. sperata. The presence of trichomes decreased the total distance traveled and increased the total search time of H. sperata females, resulting in a lower searching speed. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between percent parasitism and leaf trichome density, leaf thickness, and the searching speed of H. sperata. Searching speed was the best predictor of percent parasitism; this parameter could be used to predict the suitability of host plants for the establishment of H. sperata. Our findings suggest that the reproductive success of H. sperata is affected by the host plant of D. abbreviatus.
In Vivo Ca2+ Imaging Reveals that Decreased Dendritic Excitability Drives Startle Habituation

Exposure to repetitive startling stimuli induces habitation, a simple form of learning. Despite its simplicity, the precise cellular mechanisms by which repeated stimulation converts a robust behavioral response to behavioral indifference are unclear. Here, we use head-restrained zebrafish larvae to monitor subcellular Ca(2+) dynamics in Mauthner neurons, the startle command neurons, during startle habituation in vivo. Using the Ca(2+) reporter GCaMP6s, we find that the amplitude of Ca(2+) signals in the lateral dendrite of the Mauthner neuron determines startle probability and that depression of this dendritic activity rather than downstream inhibition mediates glycine and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor-dependent short-term habituation. Combined, our results suggest a model for habituation learning in which increased inhibitory drive from feedforward inhibitory neurons combined with decreased excitatory input from auditory afferents decreases dendritic and Mauthner neuron excitability.
Interrogation of Patient Smartphone Activity Tracker to Assist Arrhythmia Management

A 42-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation of unknown duration. Interrogation of the patient's wrist-worn activity tracker and smartphone application identified the onset of the arrhythmia as within the previous 3 hours, permitting electrocardioversion and discharge of the patient from the ED.