cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Phospholipid Fatty Acid Composition on Membranous Enzymes in Escherichia coli

Abstract The shape of an Arrhenius plot of glycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase activity of an unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph of Escherichia coli is identical in membranes containing cis-vaccenic, oleic, linoleic, or linolenic acid as sole unsaturated fatty acid. The curve is linear at low temperatures with a continuous decrease in slope above 15°. In membranes containing trans-unsaturated fatty acids as the sole unsaturated fatty acid, the decrease in slope occurs at 20°. Membranes from cells grown in the presence of oleic acid and then grown for one generation in the absence of unsaturated fatty acids contained 79% saturated fatty acids and 21% oleic acid. Temperature dependence of the enzyme activity in these membranes was intermediate between that observed in membranes containing trans-unsaturated fatty acids and those containing normal amounts of cis-unsaturated fatty acids. 1-Acylglycerol 3-phosphate acyltransferase activity exhibited a linear Arrhenius plot identical in slope in membranes containing cis-unsaturated fatty acids of varying degrees of unsaturation. Membranes from cells deprived of unsaturated fatty acids for one generation or those containing trans-unsaturated fatty acids exhibited a steeper slope. Membranous glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity appeared to be independent of membrane fatty acid composition. Linear Arrhenius plots of identical slope were observed in all membrane preparations described above. The difference in the dependence of the temperature characteristics of various membranous enzymes on membrane fatty acid composition suggests a heterogeneity in the relationship between membranous enzymes and membrane phospholipids.
On relationship between ITE and BDD

Properties of the if-then-else directed-acyclic graph (ITE) and its relation to the binary decision diagram (BDD) are investigated. It is shown that, for any given variable ordering, there are fewer exponential ITEs than BDDs, and that, for any function f, the size of its canonical ITE is bounded by 4* the size of its corresponding canonical BDD, i.e. //ITE(f)// >
Prolonged Photoresponses and Defective Adaptation in Rods of Gβ5-/- Mice

Timely deactivation of G-protein signaling is essential for the proper function of many cells, particularly neurons. Termination of the light response of retinal rods requires GTP hydrolysis by the G-protein transducin, which is catalyzed by a protein complex that includes regulator of G-protein signaling RGS9-1 and the G-protein β subunit Gβ5-L. Disruption of the Gβ5 gene in mice (Gβ5 -/- ) abolishes the expression of Gβ5-L in the retina and also greatly reduces the expression level of RGS9-1. We examined transduction in dark- and light-adapted rods from wild-type and Gβ5 -/- mice. Responses of Gβ5 -/- rods were indistinguishable in all respects from those of RGS9 -/- rods. Loss of Gβ5-L (and RGS9-1) had no effect on the activation of the G-protein cascade, but profoundly slowed its deactivation and interfered with the speeding of incremental dim flashes during light adaptation. Both RGS9 -/- and Gβ5 -/- responses were consistent with another factor weakly regulating GTP hydrolysis by transducin in a manner proportional to the inward current. Our results indicate that a complex containing RGS9-1-Gβ5-L is essential for normal G-protein deactivation and rod function. In addition, our light adaptation studies support the notion than an additional weak GTPase-accelerating factor in rods is regulated by intracellular calcium and/or cGMP.
Life-Threatening Adenovirus Infections in the Setting of the Immunocompromised Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

A single institution case series of adenovirus infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is presented to highlight the consideration for adenovirus infections as an etiology in patients with rapid hepatic or other sudden organ deterioration in the setting of apparent GVHD stabilization. The series also highlights that survival is limited with these infections often due in part to concomitant opportunistic infections. In addition, the pathophysiological events, such as GVHD and hepatic dysfunction, may complicate the clinical picture and delay therapy of an opportunistic infection. This is particularly true for adenoviral infections as they also have a distinct clinical picture in immunocompromised patients when compared to immune competent patients. Adenovirus infections also have the additional challenge that its treatment, cidofovir, has associated toxicities that can delay its administration. Recent developments has yielded an assay that can be used in the early detection and for serial determinations of adenovirus in patients with advanced GVHD, as well as a new therapeutic agent currently undergoing clinical trials.
A hyper-NA projection lens for ArF immersion exposure tool

Resolution enhancement in ArF dry lithography is limited by the numerical aperture (NA), which cannot be extended past the physical limit of 1.0. Immersion lithography is proposed as a candidate to overcome this limitation as resolution can be enhanced with a hyper-NA immersion projection lens. In addition, depth of focus (DOF) can be extended owing to the small incident angle for marginal rays onto the image plane. Our development of immersion optics can be divided into three phases. First, the initial evaluation has successfully been conducted in the engineering evaluation tool (EET), in which the projection optics is converted from dry-use to wet-use while retaining the same NA, 0.85. Second, the projection optics with 1.07NA has been developed aiming at devices with 50-55nm half-pitch (hp) patterns. The optics, comprising only the refractive elements, is exclusively dedicated to immersion usage. Third, catadioptric optics with 1.3NA targeting at 45nm hp devices is intensively studied. This paper will focus on the second and the third phases of the development.
Importance and economic significance of the Acremonium endophytes to performance of animals and grass plant.

Abstract Although fungal endophytes of grasses have been known since the 1930s, their economic importance was not recognized until an association was made in the late 1970s between Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams and a toxicity syndrome in livestock consuming tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Cattle consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue have reduced growth, conception, milk production, and intolerance to heat. In horses, high foal mortality and agalactia occur on endophyte-infected grass. Sheep consuming perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) infected with the endophyte Acremonium lolii Latch, Christensen and Samuels are afflicted with a staggers syndrome, resulting in reduced weight gain. Endophyte-free, as compared with infected tall fescue, can increase steer weight gains by 30 to over 100% and furnish normal conception and milkproduction in beef cows. Since most tall fescue pastures in the USA are infected with the endophyte, livestock economic losses are high. Beef cattle annual losses are conservatively estimated at $354 million in reduced calf numbers and $255 million in reduced weaning weights. The poor performance of beef steers on infected tall fescue pasture has prevented its use for stocker production, resulting in higher production costs on high-quality winter annual pastures. Foal mortality of mares grazing tall fescue can be high, but no estimate of losses is available. Wild rabbit populations are reduced when consuming tall fescue. The mutualistic symbiosis of the endophyte and the grass confers a number of benefits on the host plant such as insect and nematode resistance, drought tolerance, and improved competition with other plant species. Endophyte infection of turf grasses confers improved growth and resistance to environmental stresses. In contrast, the use of endophyte-free grass cultivars for improved animal performance results in plants less tolerant of pests, drought, and overgrazing. Stand losses of endophyte-free tall fescue have been greatest on farms in the southern part of the USA tall fescue belt where environmental stresses are greatest. Better grazing management practices are necessary to maintain stands and productivity of endophyte-free grass cultivars. Ideally, modification of the fungal endophyte to remove the harmful properties and maintain those beneficial to the host plant is the ultimate solution. The increasing number of scientists from many disciplines attracted to research on the grass-endophyte relationship offers much promise for the future.
The Welfare Loss of the Voluntary Export Restraint For Japanese Automobiles

The welfare loss from the voluntary export restraint (VER) on Japanese automobiles was estimated for the first year of the VER (April 1, 1981 to March 31, 1982). The impact of quantity reductions on the price of Japanese and domestic automobiles was used to estimate the welfare loss. Losses were estimated separately for the domestic small car market and the Japanese market in view of the existence of product differentiation. Welfare losses ranged from $446 million to $1,386 million depending on the price elasticity of demand assumed for Japanese automobiles. The welfare loss for domestic automobiles accounted for only a small proportion of this loss. The VER had a minor impact on the domestic automobile industry where sales remained low due to general economic conditions and limited substitutability between domestic and Japanese cars. However, the limited assistance provided by the VER to the domestic automobile industry entailed considerable costs as demonstrated by the magnitude of the welfare loss. A considerable part of this loss could have been avoided if other forms of trade protection such as tariffs had been used instead of the VER.
Cellulase‐Assisted Extraction of Oligosaccharides from Defatted Rice Bran

Defatted rice bran was subjected to cellulase treatment in order to increase its extractable oligosaccharides. Various combinations of enzyme concentration (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%), temperature (room, 30, 40, and 50 degrees C), and time (1, 3, 5, and 16 h) were tested to identify the optimum extraction conditions. The saccharide content and composition of the extracts were analyzed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). Digestibility was assayed in vitro with human salivary and porcine pancreatic alpha-amylases. Extraction yield ranged from 13.4% (without cellulase) to 39.9% (with 2% cellulase). Total carbohydrates, reducing sugars, and crude protein of the dried extracts ranged from 69.2% to 87.2%, 18.7% to 62.3%, and 7.1% to 22.3%, respectively. Mono- and disaccharides constituted more than 50% of the total carbohydrates in the extracts. Inherent oligosaccharides and those produced by cellulolysis made up less than 25%. The in vitro digestibility of the extracts by alpha-amylases was lower compared with that of the original rice bran sample and potato dextrin, which could be attributed to the increased concentrations of oligosaccharides and reducing sugars.
On the marine phycomycete Thraustochytrium proliferum

Resting spores, planont cleavage, flagellation, and sporangial development are described for a variant of Thraustochytrium proliferum Sparrow.
Variational Principles in Electromagnetism

The familiar relation between the potentials in electromagnetic theory is regarded as a consequence of the principles of angular momentum and center of mass expressed by the symmetry of the stress-energy tensor. The electromagnetic equations are derived from a Lagrangian function $L$ equal to an arbitrary function of the invariants ${E}^{2}\ensuremath{-}{H}^{2}$ and $E\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}H$ of the electromagnetic field and rules different from that of Schr\"odinger are given for the construction of a stress-energy-tensor.
Studies on Sargassum II. Quantitative ultrastructural changes in differentiated stipe cells during wound regeneration and regrowth

Quantitative electron micrograph analytical techniques were used to study cytological changes associated with the process of dedifferentiation and redifferentiation in mature, specialized cells of the stipe in the brown algaSargassum filipendula following wounding. Early cytological changes associated with this process appear to be those involved with formation of a protective layer of material at the wound surface. An increase in the volume of cytoplasm occupied by mitochondria, dictyosomes, and type A and B vesicles was evident by three days postwound. Cytoplasmic volume occupied by chloroplasts decreased during the early stages of wound reaction while the development of internal membranes (thylakoids) in these organelles increased. Cells at the cut surface eventually differentiated into one of two types of tissues: 1. A wound surface epidermal layer similar in cytological aspect to the epidermal layers of the intact and regenerated plant. 2. A meristematic “regeneration bud” from which developed the blade-like regeneration growth. The morphology and anatomy of the tissues of the regeneration blade resembled those of the blade of the intact plant rather than those of the stipe from which it originated. Percent difference values were obtained by comparing cytological features of the tissues from the regeneration blade with those of the intact stipe and blade. The comparisons supported previously obtained data indicating that the regeneration blade should be considered as a typical blade organ rather than a morphological variant of the stipe. Results of this study raises questions about possible physiological differences which may exist between stipe and blade organs in this plant.
Board Independence and Mutual Fund Manager Turnover

This paper studies the relationship between board independence and manager turnover in the mutual fund industry. Using the Lipper 2003 mutual fund board data, we find that manager turnover is more likely to happen to funds with poor prior performance and more independent boards. Consistent with previous studies such as Tufano and Sevick (1997), our research provides new evidence in support of the Securities and Exchange Commission's approach of improving fund governance by promoting board independence.
H ∞ neural network adaptive control

This paper introduces an H ∞ Adaptive Control architecture using neural networks for systems whose uncertainty has an unknown structure. This architecture merges ideas from robust control theory such as H ∞ control design, the Small Gain Theorem, and ℒ stability theory with Lyapunov stability theory and recent theoretical achievements in adaptive control to develop an adaptive architecture for a systems whose uncertainty satisfies a local lipschitz bound. The method permits a control designer to simplify the adaptive tuning process, band limit the adaptive control signal, and treat unmatched uncertainty in a single design framework. The design framework is similar to that used in robust control, but without sacrificing performance. All of this is accomplished while providing notions of transient performance bounds dependent on the characteristics of two linear systems and the adaptation gain.
GAP-43 as a 'calmodulin sponge' and some implications for calcium signalling in axon terminals.

Abstract In most neurons, the maturation of axonal growth cones to become stable synaptic terminals is accompanied by a dramatic decline in the abundance of a major growth cone component, GAP-43. Accumulation of GAP-43 persists, however, in a minority of mature synaptic terminals. What properties of axons and their terminals are affected by these changes in GAP-43 expression? Storm and colleagues first noted that the membrane- and calmodulin-binding properties of GAP-43 (a.k.a. P-57 or neuromodulin) could allow it to sequester a large fraction of calmodulin to the submembranous regions, and to release free calmodulin in response to protein kinase C activation. Analysis of evolutionarily conserved sequences in GAP-43 indicates that these properties are central to the biological effects of the protein. If GAP-43 is presumed to inactivate bound calmodulin, the network of GAP-43 in an axon terminal could be considered a regulatable calmodulin buffer, or ‘calmodulin sponge’, absorbing free calmodulin and releasing it in response to activation of protein kinase C. Such a calmodulin sponge has properties that could be useful in modulating the responses of membrane and cytoskeletal assembly events to calcium signals in growth cones, and in mediating long-term potentiation of neurotransmitter release from some pre-synaptic terminals.
Improved identification of acute coronary syndromes with second generation cardiac troponin I assay: utility of 2-hour delta cTnI ≥+0.02 ng/mL

It has been shown that the 2-h Stratus II delta creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) is more sensitive and is equally specific compared to a 2-h Stratus II CK-MB and to a 2-h Stratus II delta cardiac troponin-I (DeltacTnI) for identification of acute myocardial infarction and adverse outcome (AO). Because the newest generation of Stratus (Stratus CS) cTnI assay has an analytical sensitivity of 0.03 ng/mL, compared to 0.35 ng/mL for the first generation assay, we undertook a small pilot study of 120 chest pain patients to compare sensitivities and specificities for 30-day AO of the Stratus CS DeltacTnI immunoassay to the DeltaCK-MB and DeltacTnI, as measured by the Abbott Axsym immunoassay, and to the DeltaCK-MB, as measured by the Stratus CS. A Stratus CS DeltacTnI > or = +0.02 ng/mL in 2 h was more sensitive (61.9%) than an Axsym DeltaCK-MB > or = +1.3 ng/mL (38.1%; p = 0.03), a Stratus CS DeltaCK-MB > or = +0.4 ng/mL (38.1%; p = 0.03), and an Axsym DeltacTnI > or = +0.3 ng/mL (33.3%; p = 0.03) for 30-day AO. There were no differences in specificities. Our data support enhanced identification of ACS with a second generation cTnI assay. Pending larger studies, patients with a rise in DeltacTnI of > or = +0.02 ng/mL in 2 h, as measured by the Stratus CS immunoassay, should receive consideration for aggressive anti-ischemic therapy and further diagnostic testing prior to making an exclusionary diagnosis of non-ischemic chest pain.
Repeated Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Progressive Brain Metastases From Melanoma After Initial Treatment

FFLF (hazard ratio Z 0.16, p Z 0.02), while mMLCs trended towards improved FFLF (HR Z 0.16, p Z 0.09). Salvage therapy included WBRT (n Z 6), SRS (n Z 5), surgery (n Z 2), and surgery + SRS (n Z 1). Toxicity was acceptable with nZ3 developing biopsy proven radionecrosis. Conclusions: LINAC-based SRS for melanoma and RCC brain metastases was well tolerated. FFLF was lower than other histologies from historical reports, but consistent with data for melanoma and RCC. There is a trend toward worse DICF in patients with melanoma, suggesting that this patient subset may benefit from WBRT in addition to SRS consistent with level 1 evidence suggesting improved FFLF in patients receiving combined therapy. Author Disclosure: D.W. Golden: None. D.R. Raleigh: None. M. Surucu: None. K. Farrey: None. S.J. Chmura: None.
A spectroscopic and optically detected magnetic resonance study of PO-2 in potassium chloride. III. Photo-orientation

Abstract The small molecular anion PO − 2 has been incorporated at chloride ion vacancies in the potassium chloride lattice, where the relatively high symmetry of the crystal field permits a variety of crystallographically equivalent orientations of the ion within the vacancy site. Electronic excitation to the first excited singlet state of PO − 2 ( 1 B 2 ) is followed by rapid radiationless relaxation and intersystem crossing to the phosphorescent 3 B 1 state. Subsequent electronic relaxation to the ground state is found to proceed with a reorientation of the ion in the multi-minimum crystal potential. At temperatures sufficiently low that competitive thermal reorientation of the ions is quenched, it is possible to prepare photo-oriented arrays of PO − 2 ions in the anion vacancies by irradiation with plane polarized light at special angles. The temperature dependence of the rate of photo-orientation has been determined and it has been found possible to describe the observed kinetics in terms of a simple phenomenological rate equation. Photo-orientation-evidently results from an extraordinarily strong linear electron—phonon coupling and may be used for a detailed study of this type of interaction. The potential barrier for conversion between crystallographically equivalent sites is found to be 783 cm −1 .
Scheduling N products on a single facility with allowed backordering

There are N products, each demanded at a fixed rate rj per period, and a single facility which, if assigned to product j, will produce pj (>rj ) units per period. Given the initial inventory for each product and a finite planning horizon, then the problem is to identify the production schedule with the minimum inventory holding and backordering costs. Dominance relations between the products and a strong lower bound on the optimal cost are derived; together, they are used in a search procedure to generate the optimal schedule. The procedure is illustrated by a numerical example and tested on a set of 36 problems with varying parameters. For a problem of 8 products with a planning horizon of length 30 periods, the CPU time is less than half a minute.
In vitro comparison of cefpirome and four other beta-lactam antibiotics alone and in combination with tobramycin against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract In vitro susceptibility studies of cefpirome versus cefotaxime, ceftazidime, imipenem, and piperacillin alone and in combination with tobramycin were performed against 153 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from four medical centers. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each antibiotic alone was determined by a standardized dilution method. Antibiotic combination studies were performed using a modified checkerboard technique. Cefpirome alone was more active (MIC) 90 64 μg/ml) than piperacillin (MIC 90 128 μg/ml) or cefotaxime (MIC 90 256 μg/ml) but less active than imipenem (MIC 90 2 μg/ml) or ceftazidime (MIC) 90 32 μg/ml). The addition of tobramycin reduced the MICs of all of the beta-lactam antibiotics except for imipenem. The MIC 90 for cefpirome when combined with tobramycin was 8μg/ml compared to 16μg/ml for cefotaxime and piperacillin, 8 μg/ml for ceftazidime, and 4μg/ml for imipenem. The combination of tobramycin and cefpirome proved to be additive or synergistic for 82% of the isolates (highest rate) compared to 31% with imipenem (lowest rate). The potent in vitro antipseudomonal activity of cefpirome alone and in combination with an aminoglycoside (tobramycin) suggests that this agent may play a useful role in the therapy of infections due to P. aeruginosa .
Microprogramming in psychology

This paper describes the concept of application microprogramming. The major areas discussed are a definition of microprogramming, the invocation of microprograms from ordinary programming languages, the development cycle of a microprogram from initial design to final implementation, and the data processing tasks suitable for microprogramming, A calculation of “variance” with and without microcode enhancement is used for demonstration.
Assessing Environmental Risks: Lessons From Superfund

This essay analyzes the use of risk assessment in Superfund, the controversial American hazardous waste cleanup programme. We argue that risk assessment has been used in three ways in discussing policy options in this programme: as a metric for assessing performance; as a means for resolving conflicts; and as a tool for comparing different environmental initiatives. Use of risk reduction as an analytical tool in European efforts to clean up hazardous waste sites is discussed. We conclude that while risk assessment has potential utility for each of these applications, there are also accompanying technical and political difficulties.
Pup retrieval and maternal attraction to canine amniotic fluids.

Three purebred female beagles were observed with both their first and second litters. Dams were given three separate simultaneous-choice retrieval tests: In addition, the maternal response to amniotic fluids was observed when one pup in the litter was treated with amniotic fluids and all other pups were treated with water. There was no evidence to suggest that pups were retrieved preferentially on the basis of their sex. One female retrieved her own but not alien pups, whereas another female made no such discrimination and readily retrieved alien pups in addition to her own. Retrieval behavior developed at the time of each whelping and normally lasted until the pups were about 5 days old, although a bitch would retrieve younger (alien) pups up to 14 days post partum. Maternal bitches were strongly attracted towards amniotic fluids: they investigated pups daubed with amniotic fluids to a significantly greater extent than control pups treated with water. The attraction of maternal females towards amniotic fluids developed at the time of each whelping and persisted for up to 30 days, well beyond the time that a whelping bitch would normally be exposed to her own fetal fluids. A possible role for amniotic fluids in the development of maternal behaviour and the establishment of the maternal/puppy bond is discussed.
Hermeneutics, Semiotics, and the 19th-Century Quest for a Corporeal Self

In an attempt to better understand the societies they investigate, a growing number of intellectual historians have begun to tum their attention to examining cultural meanings as well as the structures of society. Drawing upon developments in intellectual history, as well as on social science theories that are concemed with hermeneutics (interpretation of texts) and semiotics (the study of signs and symbols), this paper discusses possible future directions for research in the history of sport and physical education. Two of many possible areas of investigation are suggested: (a) the rise of such 19th-century sporting spectacles as the Oxford-Cambridge crew race, the Harvard-Yale football game (the prototype for all similar American contests), and the modem Olympic Games, and (b) the impact of developments in 19th-century biology (the life sciences) on ideas about health, physical education, and athletic sport.
Continuous K/S minimizing distributions in Kubelka-Munk systems

The phenomenological model of Kubelka and Munk (KM) for describing the reflection and transmission of diffuse radiation in turbid, plane parallel media is utilized in investigating the nature of inhomogeneous distributions (i.e., the ratio of the absorption and scattering coefficients, K/S, is not necessarily constant) which satisfy certain constraints in finitely thick slabs. The distributions are constrained to be continuous and to minimize the integral of K2/S2 across the slab, while resulting in a specified reflectance when the slab rests upon a backing of specified reflectance. The form of the inhomogeneous distributions is obtained as the solution to the corresponding variational problem, and the associated Lagrange multiplier is found to be algebraically related to the transmittance. The sufficiency of the approach is justified a posteriori by direct comparison with the closed-form solutions of KM for homogeneous distributions. The qualitative nature of such optimal inhomogeneous distributions is discussed with regard to the effects of the boundary conditions and the scattering thickness and is found to be approximately exponential.
Hepatitis C virus among african-american persons

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the United States, approximately 2% of the general population has serum antibodies to HCV. Although African-American persons make up only 12% of the US population, they account for 22% of the estimated 2.7 million persons infected with chronic HCV. In addition, African-American persons with HCV appear to be at greater risk for cirrhosis and HCC, and are less likely to respond to current anti-HCV therapy. Although the explanation for the observed racial differences in HCV prevalence, complications, and response to therapy is unclear, it has been speculated that ethnic variations in viral kinetics, immunogenetics, hepatic steatosis, and hepatic iron concentration may be partly responsible. Unfortunately, limited data are currently available. Adequately powered and sized prospective trials are needed to further investigate these provocative hypotheses.
Mammalian tyrosinase: isolation by a simple new procedure and characterization of its steric requirements for cofactor activity.

Abstract A method for the isolation of tyrosinase is described, which involves preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, requires only 24 to 36 h to carry out, and yields ostensibly homogeneous enzyme. The ability of purified tyrosinase to utilize 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) analogs as cofactors was determined for both of the reactions catalyzed by tyrosinase: (i) tyrosine hydroxylation and (ii) dopa oxidation and melanin formation. The cofactor analogs studied included those in which steric modifying groups were added and those in which substitutions were made at the location of the amine, carboxylic acid, or hydroxyl groups of dopa. The results indicate that each of these groups is essential for maximal enzyme activity and that each is optimally located for tyrosinase activation when in the precise steric conformation found in l -dopa.
Microprocessor Control of Electric Space Heating

The recent arrival of inexpensive computer control systems based on microprocessors has significantly altered the economics of domestic space conditioning control systems. The extensive analysis of thermal systems may now be applied to real systems with satisfactory results. Some general guidelines are presented.
Ctr2 links copper homeostasis to polysaccharide capsule formation and phagocytosis inhibition in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a human opportunistic fungal pathogen responsible for ∼1/3 of HIV/AIDS deaths worldwide. This budding yeast expresses a polysaccharide capsule necessary for virulence. Capsule production inhibits phagocytosis by macrophages. Here we describe results that link copper homeostasis to capsule production and the inhibition of phagocytosis. Specifically, using Agrobacterium-mediated insertional mutagenesis, we identified an insertion in the promoter region of the putative copper transporter-encoding gene CTR2 that results in reduced expression of CTR2 and increased phagocytosis by murine RAW264.7 macrophages. The mutant also displayed sensitivity to copper starvation and defects in polysaccharide capsule production and melanization. These defects were all reversed by genetic correction of the promoter insertion by homologous targeting. Several melanization-defective mutants identified previously, those in the RIM20, RIM101, and VPS25 genes, also display sensitivity to copper starvation, reduced capsule production and increased phagocytosis. Together these results indicate a previously undescribed link between copper homeostasis to polysaccharide capsule production and phagocytosis inhibition in Cryptococcus neoformans.
Kinetics of Acetylcholine Synthesis and Hydrolysis in Myasthenia Gravis

Kinetic studies for choline-O-acetyltransferase (CAT) (E.C. 2.3.1.6) and acetylcholinesterase (E.C. 3.1.1.7) were performed on serum, skin fibroblasts in culture, and biopsied sartorius muscle from normal and myasthenic subjects. There was a significant decrease of CAT activity per milligram of protein in myasthenic muscle compared to normal muscle, and there was no difference in acetylcholinesterase activity per milligram of protein in the same muscle homogenates. Substrate concentration curves for acetyl coenzyme A and CAT also showed a significant reduction in the maximum rate of product formation (Vmax) per milligram of protein between myasthenic and normal muscle. It is postulated that binding of substrate to CAT is being inhibited by an inhibitor present in muscle.
Visual acuity of the midland banded water snake estimated from evoked telencephalic potentials

The visual acuity of seven midland banded water snakes was measured by recording evoked responses from telencephalon to temporally modulated square wave grating patterns. Using conventional electrophysiological techniques and signal averaging, high contrast square wave gratings of different spatial frequencies were presented. Acuity was estimated by extrapolating relative response amplitude/log10 spatial frequency functions which yielded an average acuity of 4.25 cycles/degree. Refractive state was also estimated by recording evoked potentials to intermediate spatial frequencies with different lenses in front of the eye. Polynomial fits indicated that under the experimental conditions the snakes were around 6.4 diopters hyperopic suggesting a corrected acuity of 4.89 cycles/degree. Reduction of grating luminance resulted in a reduction in evoked potential acuity measurements. These results indicate that the spatial resolution of midland banded water snakes is the equal of cat; about 20/120 in human clinical terms.
Regularization of ill-posed problems using (symmetric) Cauchy-like preconditioners

In certain applications, the discretization of 2D integral equations can lead to system involving matrices with block Toeplitz-Toeplitz block structure. Iterative Krylov subspace methods are sometimes employed to find regularized solutions to the related 2D discrete ill-posed problems; however, preconditioned which filter noise are needed to speed convergence to regularized solutions. We describe a preconditioning techniques based on the Toeplitz-type structure of the matrix which generalizes the approaches in (1) and (2) to take advantage of symmetry and real arithmetic operations. We use fast sine transforms to transform the original system to a system whose matrix has partially reconstructible Cauchy-like blocks. The preconditioner is a block diagonal, rank m approximation to this matrix, with Cauchy-like blocks each augmented by an identity of appropriate dimension. We note that the initialization cost is in general less than that for the similar 2D preconditioner in (2) which does not take advantage of symmetry. Several examples are given which illustrate the success of our preconditioned methods.
Structure-activity Relationships In Synthetic Systems Of Coupled Motor Proteins

Motor proteins play an essential role in regulating the internal organization of the cytoplasm by maneuvering a wide variety of vesicles and organelles. Many of these transport processes depend on the ability of motors to function collectively, in groups that contain more than one motor molecule. Utilizing protein engineering and DNA-self-assembly techniques, we have created experimental models of these multi-motor systems. Our synthetic assemblies afford precise control over the number of coupled motors in a construct, as well as their relative positions and the mechanical compliance of the linkage between each motor and the solid support to which it is anchored. Furthermore, the molecular architecture of these assemblies has been characterized using both bulk methods and single-molecule microscopy techniques. Our initial optical trapping experiments revealed rich behavior in a system of two coupled kinesin motors; the force-velocity relationship for individual constructs reveals that coupled kinesin motors can move at higher-than-predicted velocities when under high loads. Additionally, the system's stepping dynamics appears to vary significantly with applied load. Here, we discuss our efforts to characterize the effect of mechanical compliance and inter-motor separation upon these behaviors. Understanding these structure-activity relationships is critical to our broader goal of a comprehensive, mechanistic model of collective motor protein transport. Such a model would provide important insight into the process by which a cell controls its internal order.
Orthogonal polynomials, Gaussian quadratures, and PDEs

Orthogonal polynomials are important in mathematical analysis. They can be used to separate many partial differential equations (PDES) which makes them particularly important in solving physical problems. Also, Gaussian integration provides a highly accurate and efficient algorithm for integrating functions. The value of the methods I describe in this paper depends on the basic assumption that a finite-order polynomial can effectively approximate a function. Therefore, a finite sum of orthogonal polynomials can accurately represent this function. By using the ideas of Gaussian integration, a function can be integrated or expanded in terms of orthogonal polynomials.
Flat epithelial atypia with and without atypical ductal hyperplasia: to re-excise or not. Results of a 5-year prospective study

Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) of the breast have a tendency to calcify and, as such, are becoming increasingly detected by mammography. There is no consensus yet on whether to excise these lesions or not after diagnosis on core needle biopsies (CNB). We reviewed 3,948 cases of breast CNB between June 2004 and June 2009 correlating histomorphologic, radiological, and clinical features. There were 3.7 % (145/3,948) pure FEA and 1.5 % (58/3,948) concomitant FEA and atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH). In the pure FEA population, 46.2 % (67/145) had microcalcifications on mammography with 65.5 % (95/145) of patients undergoing subsequent excisional biopsies with the following findings: benign 20 % (19/95), ADH 37.9 % (36/95), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) 1.1 % (1/95), and DCIS and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) 2.1 % (2/95). In the concomitant FEA and ADH group, 86.2 % (50/58) patients had microcalcifications on radiograph with 74.1 % (43/58) of patients undergoing subsequent excisions with: benign 23.3 % (10/43), DCIS 9.3 % (4/43), DCIS and IDC 4.7 % (2/43), DCIS + lobular carcinoma in situ + invasive lobular carcinoma 2.3 % (1/43), and tubular carcinoma 2.3 % (1/43). The incidence of carcinoma in the FEA + ADH group is 18.6 % (8/43) and 3.2 % (3/95) for the pure FEA group. This difference is statistically significant (p = 0.0016). The relative risk of carcinoma in the ADH + FEA group versus the pure FEA group is 6.4773, with 95 % CI of 1.8432 and 22.76 24. Five-year mean follow-up in the unexcised pure FEA did not show any malignancies. These findings suggest that pure FEA has a very low association with carcinoma, and these patients may benefit from close clinical and mammographic follow-up while the combined pure FEA and ADH cases may be re-excised.
Coagulation in the equine intensive-care patient

Abstract Thrombotic disorders are common in the critically ill adult horse. Jugular vein phlebitis/thrombophlebitis, laminitis and organ, eg, colonic and/or pulmonary vessel thrombosis, are all important thrombotic disorders in the horse. Bleeding disorders are most commonly caused by thrombocytopenia or rupture of a large vessel. The measurement of clotting times, platelet number and function, fibrin degradation products and specific coagulation proteins, eg, Antithrombin III, can be routinely performed on the critically ill horse. Treatments for thrombotic disorders include fluids, plasma, anticoagulants and fibrinolytic enzymes. Treatments for bleeding disorders include fluids, blood products, aminocaproic acid, in addition to surgical repair or occlusion of an injured large vessel.
Weighted least squares stationary approximations to linear systems

The problem of replacing the time-varying linear system \dot{X} = A(t)X by a stationary one \dot{Y} = BY is investigated. The matrix B is selected so that X(t) = Y(t) in the interval [ 0, T ]. Several quadratic criteria are proposed to aid in determining suitable candidate systems. One criterion for choosing B is initial condition dependent, and another bounds the "worst case" homogeneous system performance. Both of these criteria produce weighted least squares fits to A(t) .
Evolution and cancer: Possible relationships to changes in environmental hydrogen ion concentration

Abstract Following the correlation of two modern theories dealing with the basic nature of cancer, the concept of H+ abnormalities is integrated as a para-hypoxic injury leading towards cancer metabolism. This concept is most likely to open new avenues in environmental prevention of cancer and can lead to a better understanding of some aspects of carcinogenesis and to the inhibition of active carcinogens by an H+ interference.
Implementing a Pediatric Pharmacy Educational Program for Health-System Pharmacists

Objective. To implement an educational program to improve pediatric content knowledge and confidence in providing pediatric care among health-system pharmacists.Design. Pharmacists were asked to voluntarily participate in this prospective, observational education program. A demographic assessment, pre- and post-intervention confidence assessments, and pre- and post-lecture competency assessments were conducted to evaluate the program.Assessment. Five of the 6 confidence scores improved from the preintervention to the postintervention stage. Test scores for 2 of the 8 postlecture tests improved significantly, and the average test scores for all postlecture tests combined were significantly higher than those for the prelecture tests.Conclusion. This study demonstrated significant improvements in both confidence and competence in pediatric pharmacotherapy among health-system pharmacists following implementation of a pediatric pharmacy education program.
Analysis of photoemission data for CuO: Revision of the configuration-energy scheme for cuprate materials

We have recently carried out a very careful analysis of photoemission and inverse photoemission (BIS) data for CuO,1 probably the most refined and thorough such analysis for any transition-metal compound to date. This has led to a configuration-energy scheme for cuprate materials which is quite different from the generally-accepted one, due largely to Sawatzky and co-workers.2-4 For example, it is commonly believed that the “doping holes” in La2-x Sr x CuO4 are hosted almost entirely within oxygen 2p orbitals. We find instead that these holes are shared roughly equally by 2p and 3d orbitals. In this report we shall sketch the motivations for this study, the main results, and some of the lessons and surprises encountered along the way.
Complete conformational analyses of perfluoro-n-pentane, perfluoro-n-hexane, and perfluoro-n-heptane

Abstract Complete conformational analyses of perfluoro- n -pentane, perfluoro- n -hexane, and perfluoro- n -heptane were carried out at both the semiempirical PM3 and the ab initio Hartree–Fock RHF/3-21G (*) levels of theory, and confirmed at the RHF/6-31G * level of theory, using the PC Spartan Pro computational package. These analyses indicated that the lowest-energy conformation of each of the perfluoroalkanes is helical. The conformational analyses also demonstrated that while helical or partially helical conformations dominate the lower-energy portions of the total conformational manifolds of these molecules, the fully staggered, zig-zag conformer analogous to the corresponding hydrocarbon molecules was also present in the lower-energy portions of the conformational manifolds of these molecules. The dihedral angle (∠F–C–C–F) leading to helical structures in these perfluorocarbon molecules ranges from approximately 46° at the ends of the molecules to approximately 49° near the centers of the molecular chains, compared to the 60° dihedral angle (∠H–C–C–H) expected for the fully staggered, zig-zag structure observed for hydrocarbons and also observed as higher-energy conformations in the perfluorocarbons.
Orientated swimming by megalopae of several eastern North Pacific crab species and its potential role in their onshore migration

Abstract The megalopal stage of most near shore and intertidal crabs must return to the coast to complete their development. Crab megalopae are strong swimmers and if they swam consistently shoreward they could conceivably swim back to shore. This hypothesis was tested for megalopae of Pachygrapsus crassipes (Randall), Lophopanopeus bellus bellus (Stimpson, 1860), Cancer oregonensis (Dana), and C. gracilis (Dana) by investigating their swimming orientation when housed in a transparent container with a view of the underwater illumination or swimming freely in the sea. In the transparent container, megalopae tended to swim in the direction of the sun's bearing. Free swimming megalopae swam straight courses and displayed significant preferred swimming directions. Pachygrapsus crassipes and L. bellus bellus megalopae swam at the sea surface and parallel to the current direction. Free swimming C. oregonensis and C. gracilis swam at about 3 to 5 m depth and in the direction of the sun's bearing. Megalopae of Pachygrapsus crassipes and C. oregonensis were observed on 4 and 3 days respectively and they did not preferentially swim in a shoreward direction. These results suggest that they do not migrate back to shore by swimming. The orientated swimming may, however, assist the megalopae in returning to shore or locating a settlement site. Swimming with the surface current might help megalopae to migrate shoreward in the convergence zone over internal waves or Langmuir circulation cells. Swimming in the direction of the sun's bearing might represent a search behavior for a benthic settlement site.
Brood parasitism by cowbirds: risks and effects on reproductive success and survival in indigo buntings

We observed brood parasitism by brown-beaded cowbirds (Molothrus atsr) on indigo buntings (Passerma cyanta) and estimated die impact of parasitism on the success of the individual buntings in their current nests and in their future survival and reproduction. Rates of parasitism over 8 years were 26.6% in 1040 nests and 19.8% in 693 nests in two areas in southern Michigan. Risk of parasitism was high early in the season; half the bunting nests were begun after the end of the cowbird season. Risk was independent of female age, plant containing the nest, or habitat The immediate cost of parasitism was 1.19 and 1.26 fewer buntings fledged per nest. Bunting success was lower in parasitized nests with cowbird eggs (nests were more likely to be deserted or predated), lower when the cowbird nestling failed (nests were more likely to be predated), and lower when the cowbird fledged (fewer buntings fledged) compared to nonparasitized nests. Costs were due to removal of a bunting egg when die cowbird laid its own egg and to competition for parental care of the cowbird and bunting nestlings. Buntings that fledged from nests where a cowbird also fledged were only 18% as likely to survive and return to their natal area in the next year as buntings from nests where a cowbird did not fledge. Long-term effects of cowbird parasitism on adult breeding later in the season, survival to the next season, and reproductive success in the next season were negligible when compared between birds that reared a cowbird and birds that reared only a bunting brood, or between birds that were parasitized and birds that escaped parasitism. The results indicate little long-term cost of brood parasitism on individual fitness of adult buntings beyond the impact on the current nest and the survival of buntings that fledge from it; nearly all cost is to the parasitized brood. Kty words: breeding seasons, brood parasitism, brown-headed cowbirds, cost of parasitism, cost of reproduction, indigo buntings, individual fitness, Molothrus ater, natal philopatry, nest predation, nestling competition, Passerrna cyanta, postfledging survival, reproductive success. [Behav Ecol 9:64-73 (1998)]