cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepatic 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase. Use of site-directed mutagenesis to evaluate the roles of His-258 and His-392 in catalysis.

The current model for hepatic 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase divides the protein into two functional domains: an N-terminal kinase domain and a carboxyl-terminal bisphosphatase domain. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to evaluate the role of two putative bisphosphatase active site histidyl residues in catalysis. His-258 has been implicated as a phosphoacceptor (Pilkis, S. J., Lively, M. O., and El-Maghrabi, M. R. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 12672-12675), and the importance of this residue was confirmed when it was mutated to alanine and neither bisphosphatase activity nor a phosphoenzyme intermediate could be detected. Mutation of His-392 to alanine produced an enzyme which had five percent of wild-type fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase activity, and the rate of phosphoenzyme formations was decreased from 4800 nmol/min/mg to 2.9 nmol/min/mg. Mutation of His-392 to phenylalanine, lysine, or aspartic acid also produced proteins that did not hydrolyze fructose 2,6-bisphosphate or form a phosphoenzyme intermediate. These results are consistent with an important role for His-392 in the bisphosphatase reaction, probably as a proton donor, and with its designation as an active site residue based on homology modeling (Bazan (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 9642-9646). H258A had the same Vmax for 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase as the wild-type enzyme, and the mutant's kinase was inhibited by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation. In addition, H392F and H392K did not catalyze the kinase reaction, although H392D had normal kinase activity which was also modulated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation in the same manner as the wild-type enzyme. Thus, an active bisphosphatase domain is not a necessary condition for phosphorylation-induced changes in 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase activity. The results also suggest that structural and/or active site interactions exist between the two domains of the enzyme.
Vision-based non-smooth kinematic stratified object manipulation

This paper presents experimental demonstrations and verification of a vision-based stratified motion planning method for the case where the base manifold upon which the motion planning occurs is not smooth. Robotic applications of the method include motion planning for legged robotics over non-smooth (but known) terrain and manipulation of non-smooth objects with multiple robotic manipulators. Experimental results with multiple robots manipulating a common non-smooth object are presented.
A pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety study of intravenous cyclophosphamide with an oral casopitant antiemetic regimen in cancer patients.

Casopitant is a potent and selective neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist formerly under development for a number of indications, including the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. This study was an open-label, randomized, multi-center, two-period crossover casopitant-cyclophosphamide interaction study. Subjects were cancer patients receiving cyclophosphamide based chemotherapy. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of 3-day, repeat-dose, 150 mg oral casopitant on the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics (white blood cell count) of single-dose IV cyclophosphamide. PK data from 14 evaluable subjects showed the geometric least-squares mean ratios (90% CI) for cyclophosphamide and the metabolite 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide AUC (with:without casopitant) were 1.03 (0.975, 1.09) and 0.948 (0.835, 1.08), respectively. Administration of casopitant was well tolerated and did not impact the safety profile of the treatment regimen. Casopitant did not affect the expected bone marrow toxicity of cyclophosphamide. Co-administration of 150 mg oral casopitant with single-dose IV cyclophosphamide did not appear to result in a clinically relevant change in cyclophosphamide or 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide exposure or safety.
Comparison of transient elastography, serum markers and clinical signs for the diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis

Background and Aims: Non-invasive diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis is important. We therefore compared liver stiffness by transient elastography, APRI score, AST/ALT ratio, hyaluronic acid and clinical signs to determine which modality performed best at identifying compensated cirrhosis. Methods: Patients undergoing evaluation at a single center were recruited and had clinical, serological, endoscopy, radiological imaging, liver stiffness measurement and liver biopsy. Patients were stratified into cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic. Results: In 404 patients (124 cirrhosis), transient elastography was diagnostically superior to the other modalities yielding an AUC 0.9 ± 0.04 compared with hyaluronic acid (AUC 0.81 ± 0.04: P < 0.05), clinical signs (AUC 0.74 ± 0.04: P < 0.05), APRI score (AUC 0.71 ± 0.03: P < 0.05) and AST/ALT ratio (AUC 0.66 ± 0.03: P < 0.05). The optimum cut-off for transient elastography was 12 kPa giving a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 87% for cirrhosis. In 238 hepatitis C patients (87 cirrhosis), transient elastography yielded an AUC 0.899 ± 0.02 for cirrhosis and in 166 non-HCV patients (37 cirrhosis) the results were similar with an AUC 0.928 ± 0.03; with transient elastography being superior to HA, APRI, AST/ALT and clinical signs for all etiologies of cirrhosis (P < 0.05 for all). Importantly, transient elastography was statistically superior at identifying cirrhosis in 38 biopsy proven Childs Pugh A cirrhotics with no clinical, biochemical or radiological features of cirrhosis or portal hypertension (AUC 0.87 ± 0.04). Conclusion: Transient elastography accurately identified compensated cirrhosis; a liver stiffness of >12 kPa represents an important clinical measurement for the diagnosis of cirrhosis.
SESSION 2A: VALUES AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: The Middle-Class Consensus and Economic Development

Modern political economy stresses “society's polarization” as a determinant of development outcomes. Among the most common forms of social conflict are class polarization and ethnic polarization. The paper links the existence of class polarization to exogenous country characteristics such as resource endowments, along the lines of the provocative economic-history thesis of Engerman and Sokoloff that tropical commodity exporters are more unequal than other societies. This hypothesis is confirmed with cross-country data. This makes it possible to use resource endowments as instruments for inequality. A higher share of income for the middle class and lower ethnic polarization are empirically associated with higher income, higher growth, more education, better health, better infrastructure, better economic policies, less political instability, less civil war and ethnic minorities at risk, more social “modernization” and more democracy.
Dental care utilization over time.

Abstract Between 1950 and 1978, per capita real dental expenfitures in the U.S. grew at an average annual rate of 3.33%. Between 1978 and 1989 there was virtually no net growth in this measure of dental care utilization. This sharp curtailment of utilization growth has prompted debate about the sources of this change. Possible explanations include, among others, a reduction in dental disease due to increased exposure to flouridation, the substitution of noncaloric sweeteners for refined sugar, preventive dentistry, improved oral health habits, an increase in the net price of dental services, and the cost-containment efforts of insurers and employers. Changes have occured in all of these variables, but little has been done to isolate and quantify the individual effects. This decomposition is difficult, in part, because of the lack of an established model for time-series analysis of dental care utilization. A model of dental care demand, incorporating economic factors (out-of-pocket or net dental prices, per capita income, and nondental prices) as well as dietary factors (refined sugar consumption, noncaloric sweeteners, and exposure to flouridated water), is combined with a simple model of dental care supply within an equilibrium framework. A two-stage estimation procedure is applied, using U.S. aggregate time-series data for the period 1950–1989. Results show that economic and dietary factors are significantly related to changes in utilization. Net price and income elasticities of demand exhibit the expected signs and are compatible with estimates from cross-sectional studies. Decreases in cane and beet sugar consumption, facilitated by the increase in the use of noncaloric sweeteners, are associated with reductions in utilization. Flouridation appears to be weakly but positively related to utilization. There also appears to have been a significant structural shift in demand since 1978. Overall goodness-of-fit is strong and the model accurately tracks the 1978–1989 flattening of per capita real dental expenditures. Analysis of the relative contribution of each independent variable suggests that economic, dietary, and structural shift factors have contributed to this curtailment of growth.
Equivariant, Monotonic, 50% Breakdown Estimators

Abstract The median is equivariant, monotonic, and has 50% breakdown. No other estimator has all three properties.
Fast-switching elliptically polarized soft X-ray beamline X13A at NSLS

Abstract The X13A beamline at NSLS is dedicated to the generation and uses of fast-switching elliptically polarized soft X-ray radiation in the energy range from 250 to ~1600 eV. The source for this beamline is an elliptically polarized wiggler (EPW) that delivers linearly elliptically polarized soft X-rays at a switching rate, between right- and left-handed polarization, up to 100 Hz. The optical design is a spherical grating monochromator (SGM) that focuses and diffracts in plane orthogonal to the polarization switching direction. The X13A beamline scientific program is dedicated to spectroscopy and scattering studies of magnetism and magnetic materials. The fast-switching capability of the EPW enables the use of lock-in techniques, thereby greatly enhancing the detection sensitivity for small polarization-dependent signals.
Distinction of primary and metastatic mucinous tumors involving the ovary: analysis of size and laterality data by primary site with reevaluation of an algorithm for tumor classification.

Distinction of primary ovarian mucinous tumors from metastatic/secondary mucinous tumors involving the ovaries is often challenging, not only at the time of intraoperative assessment when requested for surgical management (staging decisions) but also for final pathologic diagnosis. Previous studies have shown that a simple algorithm using tumor size and laterality (bilateral tumors of any size, or unilateral tumor or =10 cm=primary) can accurately classify a substantial majority of tumors. To assess the general utility of this algorithm for distinction of primary and secondary mucinous tumors in the ovary and address the occurrence of exceptions (large unilateral metastases), analysis of tumor size and laterality data was performed using 194 tumors (52 primary tumors and 142 metastases), with metastases subclassified by primary site [colorectum (46), appendix (28 low-grade tumors, 20 carcinomas), pancreaticobiliary tract (20), small intestine (3), stomach (5), and endocervix (20)]. Performance of the algorithm was evaluated using the originally proposed method and modified size criteria were analyzed to optimize tumor classification. The original algorithm correctly classified 84% of tumors overall, including 100% of primary ovarian tumors and 77% of all metastases (colorectal: 74%; appendiceal: 79% of low-grade tumors, 100% of carcinomas; pancreaticobiliary: 95%; small intestinal: 33%; gastric: 80%; endocervical: 55%). By adjusting the size criterion to 12 cm, performance of the algorithm was both maintained for primary ovarian tumors and improved for metastases, with correct classification of 86% of tumors overall, including 100% of primary tumors and 80% of metastases. Performance was optimized at 13 cm, with correct classification of 87% of tumors overall, including 98% of primary tumors and 82% of metastases (colorectal: 80%; appendiceal: 79% of low-grade tumors, 100% of carcinomas; pancreaticobiliary: 100%; small intestinal: 33%; gastric: 100%; endocervical: 70%). Of the more common metastases, metastatic colorectal and endocervical carcinomas provided the greatest number of exceptions, even when analyzed with the optimized size criterion. Recognition that metastatic colorectal carcinomas represent the most common metastases and have a greater tendency to violate the algorithm should prompt lowering of the threshold for suggesting the possibility of metastatic colorectal carcinoma for tumors displaying any microscopic features suggestive of that diagnosis, even when a history of primary colorectal carcinoma is lacking. Use of the algorithm is intended as an adjunct to the complete clinicopathologic evaluation that ideally should occur when problematic mucinous tumors in the ovary are encountered.
The inheritance of the pigment dispersion syndrome in blacks.

Purpose Evidence has indicated that pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) is inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder in white patients, often with a high degree of penetrance. Because heredity patterns in blacks are unknown, an investigation was carried out to study inheritance of PDS in this population. Methods Six unrelated black adults (5 women, 1 man, age range 43-60 years) with PDS were identified from a primary eye care population at an inner city teaching clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Nineteen first-degree relatives (all siblings or children; age range 18-52 years) of these patients subsequently underwent thorough eye examination to look for signs of PDS. Results Among the relatives, two (12%) showed evidence of the condition (these two patients belonged to different families): one was a 42-year-old daughter of a 60-year-old proband, and the other was the 49-year-old sister of a 47-year-old proband. Both exhibited definite signs of PDS in one eye only. Conclusion Evidence of expression of PDS among family members of black probands with PDS is provided. Incomplete penetrance of PDS among the black pedigrees may be suggested by these data.
Thermal injury induces macrophage hyperactivity through pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways

C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a full thickness scald thermal injury covering 25% of their total body surface area, and thioglycollate elicited peritoneal macrophages (Mphi were isolated 4 days later. Mphi from injured mice produced significantly greater amounts of reactive nitrogen intermediates and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in response to lipopolysaccharide and lipid A. Pertussis toxin (PTX) treatment of Mphi dose-dependently inhibited reactive nitrogen intermediate production in Mphi from sham-treated mice; however, Mphi from injured mice were insensitive to PTX-mediated inhibition. Conversely, tumor necrosis factor-alpha production was enhanced by PTX treatment, with Mphi from injured mice being more sensitive than Mphi from sham-treated mice to this effect of PTX. These results indicate that thermal injury increases Mphi sensitivity to lipopolysaccharide by a mechanism that is both PTX sensitive and PTX insensitive, thereby suggesting a role for G proteins in the modulation of Mphi activity after thermal injury.
Educational attainment of children from single-parent families: Differences by exposure, gender, and race

This article examines the effect of living in a single-parent family on educational attainment by gender and race. According to household production theory, the reduction in parental resources for human capital investment in children living in a single-parent family should lower their educational attainment. Using matched mother-daughter and mother-son samples from the National Longitudinal Surveys, we constructed precise measures of the age and length of time a child lived in a single-parent family. Empirical findings show that the negative effect of living in a single-parent family (I) increases with the number of years spent in this type of family, (2) is greatest during the preschool years, and (3) is larger for boys than girls.
Establishing Factorial Validity of the Mathematics Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument

The Mathematics Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument (MTEBI) for preservice teachers resulted from the modification of the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument STEBI-B. The MTEBI consists of 21 items, 13 items on the Personal Mathematics Teaching Efficacy (PMTE) subscale and eight items on the Mathematics Teaching Outcome Expectancy (MTOE) subscale. Possible scores on the PMTE scale range from 13 to 65; MTOE scores may range from 8 to 40. The first version of the MTEBI had 23 items like the STEBI-B; however, subsequent analysis in this validation required two items be dropped. Reliability analysis produced an alpha coefficient of 0.88 for the PMTE scale and an alpha coefficient of 0. 75 for the MTOE scale (n = 324). Confirmatory factor analysis indicates that the two scales (PMTE and MTOE) are independent, adding to the construct validity of the MTEBI.
KHIP—a scalable protocol for secure multicast routing

We present Keyed HIP (KHIP), a secure, hierarchical multicast routing protocol. We show that other shared-tree multicast routing protocols are subject to attacks against the multicast routing infrastructure that can isolate receivers or domains or introduce loops into the structure of the multicast routing tree. KHIP changes the multicast routing model so that only trusted members are able to join the multicast tree. This protects the multicast routing against attacks that could form branches to unauthorized receivers, prevents replay attacks and limits the effects of flooding attacks. Untrusted routers that are present on the path between trusted routers cannot change the routing and can mount no denial-of-service attack stronger than simply dropping control messages. KHIP also provides a simple mechanism for distributing data encryption keys while adding little overhead to the protocol.
Temperature Dependence of the Spontaneous Emission Factor in Subwavelength Semiconductor Lasers

We perform a rigorous analysis of the temperature dependence of the spontaneous emission factor, β, in subwavelength semiconductor lasers. The analysis combines a recent formulation of the Purcell effect in semiconductor nanolasers with finite-element modeling and established theoretical models for temperature-dependent emission spectra. While the method is general, we apply it to a subwavelength metallo-dielectric nanolaser, and find that β of the dominant mode decreases sharply below a transition temperature. This result is found for both positive and negative thermo-optic coefficients of the semiconductor material, and occurs because of detuning between the dominant mode and peak emission. The analysis enables better understanding of nanolaser dynamics, as well as the design and characterization of high-β nanolasers.
Fit and shopping preferences by clothing benefits sought

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to determine whether clothing benefits sought (CBS) affected fit preferences, satisfaction with the fit of ready‐to‐wear, label style preferences, and shopping behaviors of US women.Design/methodology/approach – Written questionnaires were completed to determine the relationship between the CBS paradigm and the fit and shopping variables examined in the study. A larger study from which these findings are drawn involved behaviors related specifically to pants.Findings – Responses on questionnaires from 150 women indicated four CBS factors: Fashion Forward, Sexy, Reputation, and Individualist. Study participants who desired Fashion Forward benefits preferred to shop in specialty stores and a tighter fit. Participants who sought Sexy benefits spent the most money on average, for a new pair of pants, preferred a tighter fit, clothing sized by waist dimension, and shopping in specialty stores. Participants who desired Reputation benefits from clothing shopped in specialty...
Characterization of juvenile hormone esterase from genetically-determined wing morphs of the cricket, Gryllus rubens

Long-winged (LW) vs short-winged (SW) genetic stocks of the cricket Gryllus rubens differ in plasma juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) activity during the last stadium. These activity differences may be important in morph determination. In the present study, plasma JHEs from the LW vs SW stocks were characterized with respect to a variety of kinetic and physical characteristics. Gel permeation chromatography of LW or SW plasma each resulted in a single JHE peak of high molecular weight (190 kDa). This molecular weight is about twice as high as that of JHEs from most other insects. The apparent Michaelis constant for JH III ranged from 47 to 81 nM. Like JHEs from other insects, the enzyme from G. rubens was inhibited strongly by trifluoropropanone transition-state analogs and weakly by the general esterase inhibitors, eserine and DFP. JHEs from LW and SW plasma exhibited no significant differences in KM, inhibition by trifluoropropanone or general esterase inhibitors, thermal denaturation profiles or pH profiles. The absence of KM differences between LW and SW JHEs indicate that the 2–4 fold higher enzyme activity in LW plasma, previous documented in assays employing saturating substrate concentration, will exist under physiological substrate concentrations. Two isoforms (pI = 5.1, 4.2−4.1) were identified in SW plasma but only the more acidic form was observed in LW plasma. This is the first documentation of genetically-determined differences in JHE isozymes in any insect species. However, the functional significance of these isoform differences, if any, remains to be established. These results provide no evidence that the plasma JHE activity differences between LW and SW stocks results from allozymes or isozymes with altered kinetic or stability characteristics.
POPULATION PATTERNS ON THE ISLAND OF CEBU, THE PHILIPPINES: 1500 TO 1900†

ABSTRACT Cebu has long been one of the most heavily populated Philippine islands. Prior to 1900 the population growth rate on Cebu was higher than that of the whole Philippines because of a relative absene of malaria and the presence of a good harbor at Cebu City. The island experienced its most rapid population growth as an agricultural area during the nineteenth century. Since Cebu has become relatively so heavily populated, the major factors which affected population patterns there during several periods prior to 1900 were probably somewhat different from those effective on other islands during the same periods. Between 1500 and 1800, the dominant factor affecting population growth and distribution patterns was accessibility to the major trade and administrative center on the island. Thereafter, as population pressures on the land became rather great, land quality became the most significant factor. Other factors were probably minor in importance by comparison.
Plasma growth hormone response to oral l-dopa in infantile autism.

In order to assess further the occurrence of hypothalamic dysfunction in infantile autism and its possible relationship to dopaminergic abnormalities, the 1-dopa provocative test was performed in 22 patients fulfilling DSM-III criteria for this disorder. The results indicate a high incidence (at least 30%) of blunted plasma growth hormone (GH) responses following oral administration of 1-dopa in this sample. These data suggest an alteration of hypothalamic dopamine receptor sensitivity in the patients with blunted responses. Thus, a subgroup of autistic patients within a descriptively homogeneous diagnostic category shows evidence of hypothalamic dysregulation and dopaminergic abnormalities.
Resident and fellow state chapters: providing impact from the local level.

The ACR works to support radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists in their efforts to best serve patients. The College establishes quality standards for medical imaging, ensures effective legislative representation on Capitol Hill through its government relations office, and advocates for the future of our profession. However, the ACR would not be an effective organization without the strength of its state radiology societies, which provide forums to tackle local issues. Likewise, the national RFS is bolstered by active state RFS chapters. By increasing resident involvement at the state level, our national RFS will continue to grow its influence within the ACR. Why should we, as trainees, be involved in another organization at the state level? Although the thought of participating in an additional society and balancing the rigors of medical training may seem overwhelming, the significance of participation at the state level cannot be overstated. State chapters provide an arena for colleagues in training from multiple programs to discuss resident issues such as call and rotation distribution. These exchanges often cultivate ideas that can improve the overall training environment in individual states. State chapter radiology society meetings also offer opportunities to network with local radiology leaders from both private and academic settings. Moreover, consistent face-to-face interactions among colleagues at the local level provide greater opportunity for volunteer outreach efforts that demonstrate the often forgotten humanistic side of our profession. The returns of state chapter involvement are worth the additional time commitment. The successes of the Massachusetts and California RFS chapters have been documented previously [1]. Many other successful state RFS chapters are scattered throughout the country. New chapters are continually being established, with Missouri, Alabama, and Vermont initiating their chapters just this year. But how does a group of residents, who likely do not know one another and are often spread throughout an inconvenient geographic locale, organize themselves to establish a successful RFS? The answers are diverse. Chapters have had success with varying organizational approaches, but examining successful state RFS chapters reveals some common elements.
Occupancy-moderated zonal space-conditioning under a demand-driven electricity price

Abstract In this paper, we outline a framework and the algorithms that will enable a home controller to accomplish occupancy-moderated multi-zone, multi-inhabitant space-conditioning under a demand-driven pricing scheme for electricity. We investigated the effects that influencing factors such as the number of zones and inhabitants, randomness of occupancy patterns and thermal mass of the residence can have on the efficacy of occupancy-moderated zonal space-conditioning (OZS) under different scenarios. Simulations driven by real data and highly realistic proxy data reveal that OZS can achieve improvements averaging 23% over the case without under certain settings. Our investigations also revealed that a house with heavier thermal mass stands to gain as much as 15% from OZS with pre-conditioning than a lighter one. We further offer a few pointers on reducing the cost of space-conditioning using OZS under a demand-driven pricing scheme to the average homeowner based on our findings.
Lessons learned: research within an urban, African American district

For an African American female researcher whose race, class, and gender work as oppressive intersecting units shaping my contextualized experiences, meaning‐making, and self‐definition, the implications of my work with African American communities are complicated. In this article, I draw on culturally sensitive research practices, critical race theory, and Black feminist theory to deconstruct how race–gender–social class informed my own field experience. To these ends, I hope to advance the theoretical discussion of qualitative research with urban African American communities beyond abstraction to serious implications for practice and policy.
A Review of Nondestructive Methods for Residual Stress Measurement

This paper summarizes the findings of a study whose objective was to review the state of the art of nondestructive residual stress measurement methods, evaluate the practical applicability of each to metallic engineering components, place the methods in perspective with respect to each other, develop a prognosis for advancements, and determine the most prudent areas for research investment. Also, the study was to provide elementary descriptions of the important principles of the various techniques as well as the application and limitations of each.
Oxygen reactivity of an NADH oxidase C42S mutant: evidence for a C(4a)-peroxyflavin intermediate and a rate-limiting conformational change.

The flavoprotein NADH oxidase (O2 --> 2H2O) from Enterococcus faecalis 10C1 contains a cysteinyl redox center, in addition to FAD. We have proposed a cysteine-sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) structure for the oxidized form of Cys42; the presence of this redox center is consistent with the stoichiometries reported for earlier reductive titrations of wild-type oxidase, and we have proposed that Cys42-SH plays a key role in the overall four-electron reduction of O2 --> 2H2O. To test these proposals, we provide in this report an analysis of the oxidative half-reaction of an oxidase mutant in which Cys42 is replaced by Ser. NADH titrations lead to direct flavin reduction with 1.05 equiv of NADH/FAD and give rise to the formation of a very stable E-FADH2.NAD+ complex. Kinetic analyses indicate that this species is catalytically competent, and its reactivity with O2 has been analyzed in detail by stopped-flow spectrophotometry using both single-wavelength and diode-array modes of data acquisition. The combined results of this analysis demonstrate that replacement of Cys42 with Ser provides for an altered O2 reduction stoichiometry in which H2O2, not 2H2O, is the product. The two subunits of the reduced enzyme.NAD+ complex react with O2 in an asymmetric mechanism, consistent with an alternating sites cooperativity model such as that proposed [Miller, S. M., Massey, V., Williams, C. H., Jr., Ballou, D. P., and Walsh, C. T. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 2600-2612] for mercuric reductase. An FAD C(4a)-hydroperoxide is identified as the primary oxygenated intermediate in reoxidation of the complex, but the reaction of O2 with the complementary subunit does not proceed until full reoxidation has occurred at the primary subunit. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a C(4a)-peroxyflavin intermediate outside the flavoprotein monooxygenase class.
Mass-spectrometric evaluation of HLA-A*0201-associated peptides identifies dominant naturally processed forms of CTL epitopes from MART-1 and gp100.

Melanoma-reactive human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) mediate tumor regression in vivo through specific recognition of MHC-associated peptide epitopes, many of which are encoded by the melanocytic tissue differentiation proteins gp100/Pmel17 and MART-1/Melan-A. Vaccines using these peptides may induce protective or therapeutic immunity against melanoma. Rational design of such approaches is aided by a clear understanding of the identity of these antigenic peptides; however, most CTL epitopes described to date were identified indirectly. Especially where these peptides may be used in human clinical trials for the treatment or prevention of cancer, there is substantial need for direct evaluation of HLA-A*0201-associated peptides from MART-1 and gp100 that are naturally processed and presented. To that end, we have isolated peptides directly from HLA-A*0201 molecules of human melanoma cells and have determined that naturally processed epitopes for HLA-A*0201-restricted, melanoma-reactive CTLs include the nonamers MART-127–35 (AAGIGILTV), gp100154–162 (KTWGQYWQV), gp100209–217 (ITDQVPFSV) and gp100280–288 (YLEPGPVTA) and the decamer gp100476–485 (VLYRYGSFSV). Among these, the one that appears to be most abundant at the cell surface is gp100154–162 (KTWGQYWQV). The others are among the less abundant peptides. HLA-A*0201-restricted CTLs from one melanoma patient who has survived metastatic disease recognized MART-127–35 (AAGIGILTV), gp100280–288 (YLEPGPVTA) and gp100154–162 (KTWGQYWQV) and were cross-reactive on longer peptides that contained these nonamer sequences. These peptides, identified by both an indirect genetic approach and by a direct peptide approach, can be used for tumor vaccine strategies with confidence that they are identical to the naturally processed peptide epitopes presented at the surface of melanoma cells in association with HLA-A*0201 molecules. Int. J. Cancer 82:669–677, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Systemic and intra-rhinal-cortical 17-β estradiol administration modulate object-recognition memory in ovariectomized female rats.

Abstract Previous studies using the novel-object-preference (NOP) test suggest that estrogen (E) replacement in ovariectomized rodents can lead to enhanced novelty preference. The present study aimed to determine: 1) whether the effect of E on NOP performance is the result of enhanced preference for novelty, per se, or facilitated object-recognition memory, and 2) whether E affects NOP performance through actions it has within the perirhinal cortex/entorhinal cortex region (PRh/EC). Ovariectomized rats received either systemic chronic low 17-β estradiol (E2; ~ 20 pg/ml serum) replacement alone or in combination with systemic acute high administration of estradiol benzoate (EB; 10 μg), or in combination with intracranial infusions of E2 (244.8 pg/μl) or vehicle into the PRh/EC. For one of the intracranial experiments, E2 was infused either immediately before, immediately after, or 2 h following the familiarization (i.e., learning) phase of the NOP test. In light of recent evidence that raises questions about the internal validity of the NOP test as a method of indexing object-recognition memory, we also tested rats on a delayed nonmatch-to-sample (DNMS) task of object recognition following systemic and intra-PRh/EC infusions of E2. Both systemic acute and intra-PRh/EC infusions of E enhanced novelty preference, but only when administered either before or immediately following familiarization. In contrast, high E (both systemic acute and intra-PRh/EC) impaired performance on the DNMS task. The findings suggest that while E2 in the PRh/EC can enhance novelty preference, this effect is probably not due to an improvement in object-recognition abilities.
Compulsory Masculinity, Britain, and the Great War: The Literary-Historical Work of Pat Barker

Abstract Pat Barker's trilogy about World War I—Regeneration (1991), The Eye in the Door (1993). and The Ghost Road (1995)—intricately interweaves fact and fiction, deriving fictive scenarios from “factual” circumstances.
Laparoscopic creation of a continent cecal tube for antegrade colonic irrigation

Abstract Objectives The antegrade continence enema (ACE) procedure has been used for the treatment of overflow fecal incontinence or constipation in patients with spina bifida. The procedure requires an appendiceal reimplantation into the cecum with creation of a continent abdominal stoma for antegrade colonic washout. To preserve the appendix for potential use in urinary diversion, we developed two surgical techniques for tubularizing an antimesenteric cecal segment to use in place of the appendix. Methods The surgery was performed in 6 dogs. The first two procedures used an open surgical technique through a 10-cm midline laparotomy. The cecum was isolated, and a small cecotomy was made. A 10F red rubber catheter was introduced into the cecotomy, and a 4-cm length of cecum was tubularized along its antimesenteric border with a gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler over the catheter. A nipple was created at the base of the tube to enhance continence, and the tubular segment was brought through the lower abdominal wall to create a catheterizable stoma. After our success, four subsequent procedures were performed laparoscopically to create the same tubularized cecal segment. A 4-cm antimesenteric tubularized cecal segment with sufficient lumen to accommodate a 10F to 12F catheter was constructed using a laparoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler. Rather than creating a nipple at the base of the tubular segment, continence of the stoma was achieved by tunneling the cecal tube through a 2-cm lower quadrant subcutaneous tunnel. A flush stoma was then created and secured to the skin. Results Stoma viability was grossly confirmed in all 6 dogs during the postoperative period, with no incidence of bowel obstruction. Slight fecal leakage through the stoma was observed in 1 dog with a laparotomy but not in those with laparoscopy. Catheterization was easily performed in all dogs with a 10F red rubber catheter during the postoperative period. The dogs were killed on postoperative day 10, and gross anatomic and histologic examination of the cecal segment confirmed luminal patency and viability. Conclusions Open and laparoscopic continent cecostomies were successfully constructed in a canine model and are likely to be applicable to humans with neuropathic constipation.
Ionization Following Internal Conversion in Xenon

The predominant internal conversion accompanying the decay of 12-day $^{131}$Xe$^{m}$ from its metastable nuclear level to its stable ground state usually leaves the atoms in states of high multiple ionization, even though only a single primary electron vacancy is created in the initial process. The differential charge spectrum of the ions has been measured by the methods of magnetic analysis. Only 0$\cdot $62 $\pm $ 0$\cdot $08% of the decays leave the atom singly charged. The most probable state of ionization is 8, following 21$\cdot $06 $\pm $ 0$\cdot $21% of the nuclear transitions, and corresponding to the depopulation of the outer electron shell. Thereafter the probability of occurrence decreases toward the higher charges, twenty electrons being thrown off in 0$\cdot $003 $\pm $ 0$\cdot $002% of the decays, which presently is about as far as the sensitivity of the spectrometer carries the spectrum. The mechanism of this multiple ionization is discussed in terms of successive Auger events. An analysis of the intensity of the singly charged ions in particular, suggests that they result predominantly from a combination of direct internal conversion in the outer shell of the atom and of K-shell conversion followed by the (1s-5p) X-ray transition. The upper limit thereby set for the 5p shell conversion coefficient is 0$\cdot $28, and the upper limit for the intensity of the (1s-5p) line is 0$\cdot $011 in a total K-series intensity of 1.
Ecology of Sphaerotilus in an experimental outdoor channel

This paper describes ecological investigations performed in an outdoor experimental channel receiving Huron River water and beet sugar or crude molasses during two summers of operation (1965 and 1966). The channel was assembled in two lengths, 645 ft (1965) and 704 ft (1966), with sampling stations located one near the be Mnning, one in the middle and one near the end. At each station, three strands of knitting yarn were suspended and allowed to remain for 24 hr. After this time, the strands were removed, together with attached growth, and fresh strings replaced. The replicate strings were cut into 10 cm sections, with one-half of these sections used for dry weight determinations. The attached organisms were removed by violently shaking the strings suspended in a measured quantity of water. One drop was then removed and direct microscopic counts and identification made immediately. Dry weights were obtained by drying the strings in aluminum weighing pans overnight at 90 ° C. A total of 12 experiments was run, the duration of each being in most cases five days. In the first series of experiments flow through the channel was at 100 g/rain, at an essentially uniform velocity of I ft/sec. Nutrient concentration was varied from 1 mg/l as sucrose. In the last series of experiments, nutrient concentration was held at 5 mg/1 and velocity varied at the three stations by altering the height of an overflow weir between 0.0 and 0.6 ft, and changing the flow between 25 and 200 g/min. This provided a range of velocities at the station from 0.09 to 1.49 ft/sec. The results of attached organism determinations are presented following each experiment and their response to nutrient concentration and velocity summarized in the Discussion. Sphaerotilus-dominated biological flocs were stimulated to bloom proportions within 30 hr after the addition of as little as I rag/1 of sucrose. Maximum growth was obtained at a concen- tration of 5 rag/1 at velocities from 0.58 to 1.49 ft/sec in the temperature range of 20-28 ° C after around 72 hr of feeding. About this time, detaching and floating material was equivalent to new material being formed, and the term "saturation population" was proposed to describe this condition. The biological floc community was composed chiefly of Sphaerotilus natans, Melosira
Determination of Sight Distance on a Combined Crest and Circular Curve in a Three Dimensional Space

The sight distance (SD) on a two-dimensional (2-d) curve, namely, a vertical curve or a horizontal curve, has been well understood and documented for roadway geometric design in literature. In reality, three-dimensional (3-d) curves can be found along ramps, connectors, and often mountain roads. The sight distance on these 3-d curves, which may vary with driver's location, has not been tackled in literature on an exact analytic setting. By integrating human-vehicle-roadway interaction, the formulas for computing the SD on a 3-d curve are derived the first time on an analytic framework. The crest curve SD that has been used in various literatures, can be deduced from these derived formulas as special limiting cases. Practitioners can easily apply theses user-friendly formulas or equations on a Microsoft Excel spread sheet to calculate 3-d SD on a roadway with sufficient roadside clearance. In addition, this framework can be extended easily to cope with various scenarios in which obstacles partially blockin...
DERIVATIVE POLYNOMIALS FOR TANGENT AND SECANT

(1995). Derivative Polynomials For Tangent and Secant. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 102, No. 1, pp. 23-30.
MENTAL REPRESENTATION FROM THE BOTTOM UP

Commonsense psychology and cognitive science both regularly assume the existence of representational states. I propose a naturalistic theory of representation sufficient to meet the pretheoretical constraints of a “folk theory of representation”, constraints including the capacities for accuracy and inaccuracy, selectivity of proper objects of representation, perspective, articulation, and “efficacy” or content-determined functionality. The proposed model states that a representing device is a device which changes state when information is received over multiple information channels originating at a single source. The changed state of a representing device is a representation. The unitary information source which would give rise to the information impinging on the representing device, and hence, give rise to the representation, is the content of the representation. The model meets the pretheoretic constraints, and also conforms to available neurobiological data for two invertebrate species.
Hollow-core high-Q micro-cavities in three-dimensional photonic crystals

Hollow-core micro-cavities with quality factors up to 70,000 are designed in a 3D photonic crystal with only nine structural layers. A six-layer structure with hollow cavities in the 4th layer has been fabricated.
Characterization of cholesterol-free insect cells infectible by baculoviruses: effects of cholesterol on VSV fusion and infectivity and on cytotoxicity induced by influenza M2 protein.

Abstract The patented cell line from the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (High Five from Invitrogen) was found to grow readily under cholesterol-free (CF) culture conditions. Cellular cholesterol became undetectable by CF passage 4, while growth rate and overall cell morphology remained unaffected for at least 59 CF passages. The Golgi apparatus in CF cells was significantly smaller than in control cells, and the CF cells also concentrated a ceramide-based fluorescent Golgi marker to a greater extent, but endoplasmic reticulum morphology appeared unaffected. Two proteins were expressed in High Five cells from recombinant baculoviruses under CF and control conditions: the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) fusion glycoprotein G and the influenza virus ion channel M2. Both proteins were expressed in comparable amounts in CF and control cells. Both were properly assembled and transported to the plasma membrane in CF cells, indicating the presence of functional Golgi. Wild-type G protein expression resulted in extensive syncytia formation in both CF and control cells, showing that cholesterol is not required for VSV fusion. However, a mutant G protein lacking six transmembrane domain residues was inactive in both CF and control cells. Influenza M2 protein was functional in control cells, as indicated by its amantadine-inhibitable cytotoxicity, but cytotoxicity was absent in CF cells expressing this protein, indicating a cholesterol-dependence for the cytotoxic action of this protein. CF and control cells were both infectible with VSV. However, infected cell centers were modestly decreased (ca. 3.5-fold) in CF cells. CF cells offer a convenient and novel approach to the study of specific cholesterol functions.
P01.39. Synergism of herbs in classical Chinese medicine: evidence from HPLC

Purpose Classical Chinese herbal therapy uses herb combinations within formulas based upon the belief that there is a synergistic effect between herbs. Herbal pairs and combinations may change the hydrophobicity and ion concentration of the decoction. These changes may increase extraction of constituents from other herbs within the formula. Furthermore, herbs may react within the decoction medium to create new chemical structures. The purpose of this study is to compare chemical signatures of individual Chinese herbs with paired herbal formulas, as they are used in Classical Chinese medicine.
Short-term changes in the base neutralizing capacity of an acid Adirondack lake, New York

Concern and controversy over the effects of acidic deposition on low ionic strength surface waters has led to much discussion on the nature and extent of proton transformations within acid sensitive ecosystems1–4. The source of base neutralizing capacity (BNC) within acid surface waters has been attributed to atmospheric deposition of H2SO4 (or SO2)5,6 or HNO3 (ref. 7), as well as production of soluble organic acids from soils8. Unfortunately many of these studies have failed adequately to characterize aluminium, which is often a very significant component of BNC in acidic waters9. We have evaluated the nature of short-term changes in the BNC of an acidic clearwater lake. Our results suggest that much of the variation in hydrogen ion and aluminium BNC can be attributed to changes in nitrate concentration, rather than to variations in sulphate, chloride, or organic anion concentrations.
Suppression of HIV-1 Transcriptional Elongation by a DING Phosphatase

HIV-1 gene transcription is controlled by the cooperation of viral and host factors which bind to specific DNA sequences within the viral promoter spanning the long terminal repeat (LTR). Previously we showed that the St. John's Wort DING phosphatase, p27SJ, suppresses HIV-1 gene transcription by binding to the viral protein Tat and preventing its nuclear import. Here, we describe the inhibitory effect of p27SJ on the phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). This inhibition leads to the suppression of the association of RNAPII with the LTR. Inhibition of binding of RNAPII to LTR by p27SJ resulted in the suppression of LTR transcription elongation and a decrease in LTR transcriptional activity. Another form of the St. John's Wort DING phosphatase, p38SJ, also suppressed binding of RNAPII to the LTR, reduced transcription elongation and was even more powerful than p27SJ in inhibiting the transcriptional activity of the LTR. Our data suggest a possible mechanism by which the p27SJ/p38SJ DING phosphatase can regulate HIV-1 LTR expression by inhibiting phosphorylation of the CTD of RNAPII and suppressing LTR transcription elongation.