cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convergent series representation for the generalized oscillator strength of electron-impact ionization and an improved binary-encounter-dipole model

The use of the Bethe cross section in the binary-encounter-dipole (BED) model for electron-impact ionization is studied. While the dipole contribution in the Born approximation accounts for the longest-range interaction in electron-neutral atom/molecule inelastic collisions at any incident energy, the Bethe formula is applicable only at high energies. To derive a suitable representation of the Born cross section for dipole-allowed transitions, a convergent series representation for the generalized oscillator strength (GOS) of electron- impact ionization is studied. It is shown that by transforming to a new variable determined by the location of the singularities of the GOS on the complex plane of momentum transfer K, a series representation for the GOS is obtained that is convergent at all physically attainable values of K. An approximate representation of the GOS that truncates the series representation to the first three terms is also given. The approximate GOS describes the interaction of the electron with a shielded dipole potential and satisfies both Lassettre's limit theorem at $K=0$ and the asymptotic behavior at large K derived by Rau and Fano [A. R. P. Rau and U. Fano, Phys. Rev. 162, 68 (1967)]. The dipole-Born cross section so obtained is applicable at all incident energies and goes to the Bethe cross section at the high-energy limit. It provides a more suitable representation of the dipole contribution in the BED model than the Bethe cross section and is valid over the entire energy range. A similar analysis of the optical-oscillator strength (OOS) as a function of the complex momentum for the ejected electron ${k}_{p},$ plus the requirement that the OOS satisfies both the low- and $\mathrm{high}{\ensuremath{-}k}_{p}$ limits produces an analogous series representation for the OOS. An approximate one-term representation of the OOS is also developed that can be used in modeling calculations. Numerical examples of total ionization cross sections of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2},$ ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O},$ ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2},$ ${\mathrm{CH}}_{4},$ and ${\mathrm{CF}}_{4}$ using the new analytical representation are presented to illustrate the applicability of the improved BED model.
The lanthanoid(II) halides: Still a veritable gold mine

Abstract The preparative and structural chemistry of the lanthanoid(II) halides is reviewed with emphasis on recent developments in preparatory procedures and phase studies. The chemistry of those systems where uncertainty remains is emphasized. Some recent results of lanthanoid(II) solution chemistry and of both mixed cation and mixed anion solid state ternary-phase chemistry are discussed.
Product Branching Ratios of the HCO + NO2 Reaction

The reaction of HCO radicals with NO2 was studied at 298 K using time-resolved infrared diode laser spectroscopy to detect CO, CO2, and NO products. HCO was formed by the reaction of photolytically produced chlorine atoms with H2CO. After quantifying product yields and considering likely secondary reactions, we obtain the following product branching ratios: CO + NO + OH accounts for 63 ± 5%, and H + NO + CO2 accounts for the remaining 37 ± 5%. Upper limits of 10% are estimated for the CO + HONO and HNO + CO2 channels.
Urine but Not Plasma Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β1) Is Increased in Conjunction with Altered Renal Immunolocalization in Experimental Diabetes Mellitus

Urine but Not Plasma Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGF-β1) Is Increased in Conjunction with Altered Renal Immunolocalization in Experimental Diabetes Mellitus
Adenosine kinase activity during in vitro culture of human peripheral blood monocytes and pulmonary alveolar macrophages.

Abstract Adenosine kinase activity in in vitro human peripheral blood monocyte and human pulmonary alveolar macrophage cultures undergoes significant increases, 3- to 10-fold, in both total and specific activity during 14 days culture. Increased activity in monocyte cultures was not detected during the first 3 days of culture. Adenosine kinase activity in both mononuclear phagocyte cell cultures had a pH optimum at 6.0 and activity was dependent on the concentration of ATP and magnesium; 5 m M ATP and 2.5 m M MgCl were optimal. Increased concentrations of ATP or magnesium were inhibitory. Both dATP and GTP served as phosphate donors in the absence of ATP; in contrast, pyrimidine triphosphates were poor donors. Enzyme activity was inhibited by 1 μ M p -chloromercuribenzoate and substrate inhibition by excess adenosine was observed in 2-week pulmonary alveolar macrophage cultures but not in freshly isolated cells. The role of increased adenosine kinase activity in in vitro monocyte-macrophage differentiation is considered.
Dispersion tailoring in dual slot waveguide

Dual slot waveguides incorporate a sub-core in the slot, so that the guided beam is confined two-dimensionally. The modification enlarges the room for tailoring dispersive properties and birefringence. Both zero-dispersion and constant-dispersion points are demonstrated.
Optimal disc design for a confocal microscope

A packing algorithm has been developed to optimize the spinning disc design. This algorithm can generate spinning disc designs suitable for use in single-sided confocal microscopes. When an even number of spirals is chosen, the symmetrical arrangement of pinholes makes this algorithm suitable in designing spinning discs for tandem scanning confocal microscopes. The algorithm provides the possibility of maximizing pinhole packing density for improved image intensity, and maintains balanced field brightness and an equal degree of discrimination on pinhole crosstalk disregarding the location of the viewing field.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Progression and generalization of seizure discharge: anatomical and neurochemical substrates.

Summary: Seizure activity is generated and propagated by specific subcortical circuits. The substantia nigra (SN) and the area tempestas (AT) have been identified as two exemplary substrates for the control of experimental seizures. In animal models, GABAergic transmission has been shown to protect against seizures of different origins and methods of induction. Neuroactive peptides and excitatory amino acids may work with GABA in the SN to control the propagation of a wide variety of seizure types. In contrast, inhibition of AT pons selectively protects against seizures associated with limbic circuits. The AT is also a site from which bilaterally synchronous convulsions can be triggered in response to manipulations of cholinergic, GABAergic, and excitatory amino acid receptors. Definition of other pathways of seizure development and the effects of pharmacologic treatments on discrete brain regions await further research efforts.
Parahydrogen induced polarization and the oxidative addition of hydrogen to iridium tribromostannyl carbonylate anions.

Activation of dihydrogen by a system composed of (Bu4N)[IrBr2(CO)2] (1) and tin dibromide in varying ratios was studied using parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) which allows the detection of transient dihydrides not observable in conventional 1H NMR spectra. While the oxidative addition of dihydrogen to neutral and cationic Ir(I) species is common, there are only a few examples of H2 addition to anionic complexes. Tin dibromide reacts with iridium(I) complex 1 in acetone forming equilibrium mixtures of cis- and trans-tribromostannyl derivatives [IrBrn(SnBr3)2-n(CO)2]-, n = 0,1, the existences of which are inferred from the stereochemistries of the dihydrogen addition products determined using PHIP. The σ-donating effect of the SnBr3- ligand facilitates the oxidative addition to the iridium center. The structures of the dihydrides formed upon addition of dihydrogen are assigned on the basis of hydride chemical shifts and values of 2J(1H−117,119Sn). The only dihydride observed in conventional 1H NMR s...
Call Learning in Black-capped Chickadees (Parus atricapillus): The Role of Experience in the Development of ‘Chick-A-Dee’ Calls

The role of learning in the development of bird vocalizations other than territorial song is not well studied. The well-known role of direct imitation in the development of territorial song potentially masks the effects of other processes in the development of vocal behaviour. The ‘chick-a-dee’ call of black-capped chickadees is a good system in which to investigate more subtle developmental processes because this call is composed of a small number of distinctive note types. These note types may be classified objectively based on a simple set of acoustic variables, allowing for a quantitative assessment of vocal learning. We raised four groups of black-capped chickadees under different degrees of social and acoustic isolation. We then used a multivariate analysis of the acoustic structure of the introductory call notes (‘A-’ ‘B-’ and ‘C-notes’) to determine how similar the notes produced by these hand-reared birds were to the notes of wild birds. Hand-reared chickadees with greater exposure to normal phonology produced notes of all three note types that were more similar to those of wild birds. Regardless of experience, however, all birds produced A-notes that fell within the normal range of those produced by wild birds. By contrast, the development of normal B- and C-notes appears to be more dependent upon experience. These data suggest that learning may play a different role in the development of different phonological units within one vocalization. Our results also illustrate the importance of considering processes other than simple imitation in the development of avian vocalizations.
Simultaneous wavelet and spline smoothing of noisy data

Two data smoothing algorithms using wavelet transforms are proposed. These algorithms take advantage of the time and frequency localization capabilities of wavelets. The first, a finite impulse response (FIR) filtering algorithm, allows real-time smoothing of selected time epochs within each frequency band. The second, a wavelet-based generalized cross validation (GCV) algorithm, provides potentially more optimal smoothing than standard GCV algorithms by allowing for individual smoothing parameters for each frequency band, as opposed to a single smoothing parameter for the overall signal. >
Sel1p/Ubx2p Participates in a Distinct Cdc48p‐Dependent Endoplasmic Reticulum‐Associated Degradation Pathway

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves a critical role in the biogenesis of secretory proteins. Folding of nascent polypeptides occurs in the ER before anterograde transport through the secretory pathway, whereas terminally misfolded secretory proteins are recognized and eliminated by ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Here, we investigated the role of the ubiquitin regulatory X (UBX) domain-containing protein Sel1p in ER quality control and transport. Mutant sel1Δ yeast displayed a constitutively active unfolded protein response and a mildly reduced rate of secretory protein transport from the ER. Immunoisolation of Sel1p from detergent-solubilized ER microsomes revealed a protein complex containing both Cdc48p and Npl4p and suggested a direct role for Sel1p in ERAD. In cells that lack Sel1p, we observed a reduction in the level of Cdc48p bound to ER membranes and a decrease in the turnover rate of two model ERAD substrates, carboxypeptidase Y* and Ste6*. In addition, we found that Sel1p and a second UBX domain-containing protein, Shp1p, associated with Cdc48p in a mutually exclusive manner. Interestingly, the association of Sel1p with Cdc48p was regulated by ATP, while the interaction of Shp1p with Cdc48p was not influenced by ATP. Based on these findings, we conclude that Sel1p operates in the ERAD pathway by coupling Cdc48p to ER membranes and that Shp1p acts in a distinct Cdc48p-dependent protein degradation pathway.
The Experimental Production of External Otitis in Man1

Another report from this laboratory (1) has outlined a practical clinical approach to the problem of external otitis. It has been found that a thorough and thoughtful diagnostic study of the individual case can, in many instances, remove that case from the ranks of “idiopathic” external otitis by supplying a specific etiologic diagnosis. However, at other times, it is impossible to make a specific diagnosis and, at our present level of knowledge, idiopathic external otitis continues to be a very real problem to both the otologist and the dermatologist (2).
Software defined environments based on TOSCA in IBM cloud implementations

In recent years, the role of cloud computing in the information technology (IT) industry has been growing steadily, partly because IT developers are becoming empowered to provision, manage, and adjust IT resources through simple application programming interfaces. This enables the easy creation and manipulation of software defined environments consisting of server, storage, network, software, and the supporting management functions. Model-based deployment and management technologies that are based on upcoming standards such as the Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications (TOSCA) of the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) allow for describing models of different kinds of workloads such as topology patterns and management plans. The term "pattern" refers to a description of components of a service, e.g., an application or infrastructure, and their relationships. This approach provides a flexible combination of declarative and imperative models of workloads that can be seamlessly integrated with automation frameworks such as Chef for task-level automation as well as management services to drive resource orchestration and optimization. In this paper, we explain how the aforementioned concepts are used as foundational elements of the software defined environment. We use an actual example motivated by a real customer scenario, and we explain the relation to the IBM Cloud Computing Reference Architecture and how it is applied within IBM cloud implementations.
Reaction of ethanol on oxidized and metallic cobalt surfaces

Abstract The reaction of ethanol on metallic and oxidized cobalt surfaces was studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in order to determine the dependence of the reaction pathways on the cobalt oxidation state. The primary reaction for ethoxide species on metallic cobalt surfaces was decarbonylation producing CO, H 2 and carbon. This reaction was facile and occurred below 400 K. In contrast, CoO x surfaces which predominantly contained Co 2+ were selective for the dehydrogenation of ethoxide groups to produce acetaldehyde at 400 K. A fraction of the acetaldehyde molecules produced by this pathway were further oxidized to acetate which decomposed to produce CO 2 at 495 K. More highly oxidized Co surfaces that contained both CO 2+ and Co 3+ were active for the complete oxidation of ethanol producing CO, CO 2 , and H 2 O as the primary products. The insights that these results provide for understanding the mechanism of the steam reforming of ethanol on cobalt catalysts is discussed.
Store-operated calcium signaling in neutrophils

Calcium signals in neutrophils are initiated by a variety of cell-surface receptors, including formyl peptide and other GPCRs, FcRs, and integrins. The predominant pathway by which calcium enters immune cells is termed SOCE, whereby plasma membrane CRAC channels allow influx of extracellular calcium into the cytoplasm when intracellular ER stores are depleted. The identification of 2 key families of SOCE regulators, STIM calcium "sensors" and ORAI calcium channels, has allowed for genetic manipulation of SOCE pathways and provided valuable insight into the molecular mechanism of calcium signaling in immune cells, including neutrophils. This review focuses on our current knowledge of the molecules involved in neutrophil SOCE and how study of these molecules has further informed our understanding of the role of calcium signaling in neutrophil activation.
Stopping power of an electron gas for slow protons: Influence of damping

Abstract The stopping power of an electron gas for slow protons is calculated. When damping of the electron gas is included, there is no threshold for plasmon excitation at small proton velocities. For an electron gas corresponding to the conduction electron density in carbon, the electronic stopping power is increased by 15–25% over the “no-damping” result for protons with energies ⪅15 keV.
Integration of neural networks activated by amphetamine in females with different estrogen levels: A functional imaging study in awake rats

Previous studies demonstrate that schizophrenia symptomatology in women is dependent upon estrogen levels. Estrogen has beneficial properties when administered in conjunction with antipsychotics, and estrogen also alters, in rats, dopamine neurotransmission, which is a common target of all antipsychotic medications, suggesting a possible interaction between the two. The aim of the current study was to investigate this possible interaction using functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake, female rats. Amphetamine-sensitized, ovariectomized rats receiving no, chronic low, or phasic high levels of estradiol replacement were used, and changes in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal were recorded over time in response to an acute amphetamine injection. Increasing levels of estradiol enhanced BOLD activation in pathways previously known to be implicated in schizophrenia symptomatology, such as the mesocorticolimbic, habenular and olfactory pathways, as well as more widespread areas. We propose here the first comprehensive "amphetamine activation map" integrating brain regions where amphetamine-related BOLD activity is influenced by estrogen levels in sensitized female rats.
Large deviations for one-dimensional random walks on discrete point processes

Abstract Berger and Rosenthal introduced a random walk model on discrete point processes, that is, a simple random walk defined on a random subset of Z d . In this article, we study both the quenched and the annealed large deviations for the one-dimensional case. Their rate functions are linked via a variational formula, analogous to the classical one-dimensional random walk in random environment.
Leydig tumor cell protein phosphorylated in response to stimulation with choriogonadotropin or epidermal growth factor is identified as stathmin

Although hCG and mouse epidermal growth factor activate different signaling systems in a clonal strain of Leydig tumor cells (designated MA-10), both compounds are capable of increasing steroidogenesis, decreasing transcription of the LH/CG receptor gene, and attenuating adenylyl cyclase. We have recently identified a 21-kilodalton protein (p21) that is a potential intermediary in the actions of mouse epidermal growth factor and hCG. Characterization of p21 revealed similarities to stathmin, a ubiquitous phosphoprotein whose phosphorylation is associated with diverse second messenger pathways. Using two different experimental approaches, Western blotting and immunoprecipitation, we present data that identify p21 as stathmin.
Selective dissemination of information-a new approach to effective communication

A first pilot test of a system to disseminate pertinent documents to individual persons selectively has been tried using IBM Research personnel and a variety of document sources. A detailed study of the user populations was made by means of diaries, interviews, and a mail survey. The effectiveness of the system is measured by 1) the percentage of unwanted or "trash" documents sent to the user, and 2) the percentage of documents the user wants but are not sent by the system. User responses to systematically and randomly selected documents, both integral parts of the system, were used to estimate these parameters.
Maternal exposure to estradiol and endocrine disrupting compounds alters the sensitivity of sea urchin embryos and the expression of an orphan steroid receptor.

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are known to affect reproduction and development in marine invertebrates. In previous work, we have shown that developing sea urchin embryos were sensitive to estradiol and estrogenic EDCs at environmentally relevant concentrations in a tamoxifen-sensitive manner (Roepke et al. 2005. Aquat Toxicol 71:155–173). In this study, we report the effects of maternal exposure to EDCs on embryo sensitivity and regulation of an orphan steroid receptor in sea urchin eggs. Maternal exposures were conducted by injecting female Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sea urchins initiating oogenesis with two concentrations of estradiol, octylphenol, tributyltin and o, p-DDD for 8 weeks with an induced spawning before and after the injection cycle. Developing embryos were less sensitive to estradiol following maternal exposure to estradiol, octylphenol and DDD. The steroidogenesis inhibitor, spironolactone, and the aromatase inhibitor, formestane, affected normal sea urchin development with EC50 values of 18 and 2 µM, respectively. Binding of estradiol was demonstrated in homogenates supernatants of sea urchin embryos by filtration centrifugation and column chromatography, but saturation was not reached until 4–6 hr and was highly variable. Analysis of eggs from pre- and post-injection spawns using real-time Q-PCR for the mRNA of an orphan steroid receptor, SpSHR2, shows that receptor mRNA increased in eggs with estradiol, octylphenol and tributyltin but decreased with DDD. RIA showed that estradiol may be present during gastrulation. In summary, maternal exposure to estradiol and EDCs alters embryo sensitivity and regulates the expression of an orphan steroid receptor in the egg. J. Exp. Zool. 305A, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Succinic dehydrogenase and isocitric dehydrogenase activities in vitamin E-sufficient and -deficient fetal rats.

Die vergleichende Untersuchung der Aktivitat der Bernsteinsaure- und Isozitronensauredehydrogenase bei 15–21 Tage alten Rattenfoten mit Vitamin-E-Mangel und normalem Gehalt ergab keine bedeutenden Unterschiede zwischen den verschiedenen Organen. Die Gegenwart dieser Enzyme in Osteoblasten, Osteoclasten und Osteocyten ist auffallend.
Initial individualized selection of long-term anticonvulsant drugs by neurologists.

Until 10 years ago the initial selection of anticonvulsant drug treatment was relatively straightforward. Partial seizures with or without secondary generalization were typically treated with phenytoin or carbamazepine. Phenobarbital was a second choice because of its sedating side effects. Valproate, which obtained a formal indication for partial seizure treatment in 1996, was sometimes used as a first- or second-line agent. Primarily generalized epilepsy, with either absence or myoclonic seizures or generalized tonic–clonic attacks with 3-per-second spike–wave discharges on the EEG, was typically treated with valproate. For pure absence, ethosuximide was an alternative choice, especially for young children. In the past 10 years, eight new agents for the treatment of epilepsy have been introduced to the United States market, and an additional agent, vigabatrin, has been available in Canada and Europe. Although there are subtle differences in the formal indications for each of these agents approved by the FDA and by European licensing authorities, all of them have demonstrated efficacy as adjunctive treatment of partial seizures with or without secondary generalization. Oxcarbazepine and felbamate have been approved as initial monotherapy (although felbamate is not currently used as first-line treatment), and lamotrigine has been approved for conversion to monotherapy. By contrast, none of the new agents has a formal indication for the treatment of absence and other forms of primarily generalized epilepsy, although topiramate is indicated for the treatment of generalized tonic–clonic seizures. Although FDA-approved indications are generally based on evidence obtained from randomized double-blind trials and typically guide the initial use of new therapeutic agents, they …
Human p53 phosphorylation mimic, S392E, increases nonspecific DNA affinity and thermal stability.

DNA binding is crucial to the protective role of the tumor suppressor protein p53, a nuclear phosphoprotein and transcription factor. The mutant human p53 protein S392E is a phosphorylation mimic that has been previously demonstrated to represent an “activated” form of p53 in both in vivo and in vitro assays [Hupp and Lane (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 18165; Hao et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 29380]. Herein, we describe an analysis of structural and functional differences between this mutant and the wild-type protein. Structurally, the S392E protein exhibits increased thermal stability compared to wild-type p53, as monitored by circular dichroism and conformational antibody Ab1620 reactivity. These structural effects include alterations to the core DNA binding domain, remote in sequence space from the site of mutation. Functionally, the S392E mutation does not increase p53 binding to its 20 bp consensus DNA sequence in the absence of nonspecific DNA additives. In contrast, affinity of S392E for a 20 bp n...
Buying or Just Browsing? the Duration of Purchase Deliberation:

Newman and Staelin (1971) point to a lack of research addressing the important questions of “How long are buyers ‘in process’ on their purchasing decisions?” and “What factors are related to differ...
A decoupled exponential random graph model for prediction of structure and attributes in temporal social networks

The analysis of social networks often assumes time invariant scenario, while in practice actor attributes and links in such networks often evolve over time and are inextricably dependent on each other. In this article, we propose a new method to predict actor attributes and links in temporal networks. Our approach takes into account the attributes corresponding to the participating actors together with topological and structural changes of the network over time. This is achieved by building two conditional predictors to jointly infer links and actor attributes. The proposed prediction method was significantly more accurate than alternatives when evaluated on synthetic data sets and two well-studied real-life temporal social networks. In addition, the new algorithm is computationally more efficient than a related alternative scaling up linearly with the number of temporal observations and quadratically with the number of actors considered. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 4: 470–486, 2011 © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measuring switching costs in IT outsourcing services

Switching costs play a major role in managerial decisions to (dis)continue an IT outsourcing service. This paper emphasizes the importance of switching cost analysis to the understanding of interorganizational exchange relationships. Based on transaction cost theory and social exchange theory, we specify a second-order switching cost model that provides greater insight into the underlying dimensions influencing switching behavior. The multidimensional nature of the switching cost construct is modeled and tested using data from organizations that outsource the application development function. Findings provide support for a higher-order construct with implications for how switching costs are defined, measured and operationalized in larger nomonological models.
Innovative Concepts for Preventive Maintenance

The Michigan Department of Transportation is committed to the successful implementation of a preventive maintenance program to protect pavement and bridge structures, slow the rate of deterioration, and correct minor pavement deficiencies using surface treatments that primarily target pavement surface defects caused by the environment and deficiencies in pavement materials. Structural deficiencies of the pavement structure caused by traffic-loading are generally not corrected by this program. Many innovative concepts were incorporated in the Michigan Preventive Maintenance Program. The business processes were simplified, and more responsibility was given to the private sector. All preventive maintenance projects used standard specifications and contained a limited number of pay items. But perhaps the most substantial concept was the introduction of warranty specifications for all surface treatments. The implementation of warranty specifications involved mutual trust and cooperation between the department ...
Linguistics in a colonial world: a story of language, meaning and power

Linguistics in a colonial world: a story of language, meaning and power, by Joseph Errington, Oxford and Malden, MA, Blackwell, 2008, x + 199 pp., £50.00/$84.95 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-4051-0569-9; ...
The Tp38 (TpMglB-2) lipoprotein binds glucose in a manner consistent with receptor function in Treponema pallidum.

A 38-kDa lipoprotein of Treponema pallidum (Tp38) was predicted to be a periplasmic sugar-binding protein based on its sequence similarity to the glucose/galactose-binding (MglB) protein of Escherichia coli (P. S. Becker, D. R. Akins, J. D. Radolf, and M. V. Norgard, Infect. Immun. 62:1381-1391, 1994). Inasmuch as glucose is believed to be the principal, if not sole, carbon and energy source for T. pallidum and is readily available to the spirochete during its obligate infection of humans, we hypothesized that Tp38 may serve as the organism's requisite glucose receptor. For the present study, a nonacylated recombinant form of Tp38 was coexpressed with GroES and GroEL in E. coli to facilitate the isolation of soluble, properly folded Tp38. The highly sensitive method of intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, predicated on the manner in which tryptophan residues reside and move within protein microenvironments, was then used to assess sugar binding to Tp38. The intrinsic fluorescence of Tp38 was essentially unaltered when it was exposed to d-mannose, d-fucose, d-ribose, l-glucose, or l-galactose, but it changed markedly in the presence of d-glucose, and to a lesser extent, d-galactose, indicating binding. The Kd values for d-glucose and d-galactose binding to Tp38 were 152.2 ± 20.73 nM and 251.2 ± 55.25 nM, respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis of Trp-145, a residue postulated to contribute to the sugar-binding pocket in a manner akin to the essential Trp-183 in E. coli MglB, abolished Tp38's conformational change in response to d-glucose. The combined data are consistent with Tp38 serving as a glucose receptor for T. pallidum. These findings potentially have important implications for syphilis pathogenesis, particularly as they may pertain to glucose-mediated chemotactic responses by T. pallidum.
Braids and fibers: language constructs with architectural support for adaptive responses to memory latencies

As processor speeds continue to increase at a much higher rate than memory speeds, memory latencies may soon approach a thousand processor cycles. As a result, the flat memory model that was made practical by deeply pipelined superscalar processors with multilevel caches will no longer be tenable. The most common approach to this problem is multithreading; however, multithreading requires either abundant independent applications or well-parallelized monolithic applications, and neither is easy to come by. We present high-level programming constructs called braids and fibers. The programming constructs facilitate the creation of programs that are partially ordered, in which the partial orders can be used to support adaptive responses to memory access latencies. Braiding is simpler than parallelizing, while yielding many of the same benefits. We show how the programming constructs can be effectively supported with simple instruction set architecture extensions and microarchitectural enhancements. We have developed braided versions of a number of important algorithms. The braided code is easy to understand at the source level and can be translated into highly efficient instructions using our architecture extensions.
Complete laparoscopic ileal cystoplasty

Abstract Introduction. Laparoscopic enterocystoplasty provides a minimally invasive approach to bladder augmentation in the patient with a neurogenic bladder. In previously published reports, portions of the procedure were performed extracorporeally. We report our technique of complete intracorporeal laparoscopic enterocystoplasty. Technical Considerations. Important elements of the operation include (a) preoperative evaluation of patient compliance and videourodynamic studies; (b) cystoscopic placement of externalized ureteral stents; (c) transperitoneal placement of five radially dilating trocars; (d) identification of the cecum; (e) proximal mobilization of ileum sufficient for pelvic placement; (f) measurement of ileal length with segment of precut vessel loop; (g) vertical cystotomy after incising peritoneum and entering the space of Retzius; (h) ileal division and side-to-side anastomosis using endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis staplers; (i) detubularization and freehand intracorporeal suturing into a U-shaped configuration; (j) fixing ileal patch at the 6 and 11-o’clock positions; (k) completion of ileal-bladder anastomosis in quadrants with running sutures; (l) irrigation of bladder and placement of a closed suction drain in the pelvis; and (m) cystogram 4 weeks postoperatively. Conclusions. Pure laparoscopic enterocystoplasty is an advanced procedure that is technically feasible and yields excellent results, but has unproven benefits. We perform the entire operation intracorporeally with traditional instruments and do not rely on suturing devices or extracorporeal knots. Additional experience and technological developments may result in routine laparoscopic urinary augmentation and continent diversion.
Specific resistivity used to estimate fat-free mass from segmental body measures of bioelectric impedance.

This report provides estimates ofspecific resistivity for a sample of 123 chil- dren and adults aged 9-62 y. The mean muscle-specific resistivities for the upper and lower extremities (arm and leg) and trunk of these participants were used to compute estimates of fat-free mass (FFM) from the sum of the corrected total muscle conductive volumes of the arms, legs, and trunk. Mean values for predictions of FFM from S2/Z or from the product of total muscle conductive volume and the density of FFM were not significantly different from means of FFM estimated from body density by underwater weighing. This analysis demon- strates that an estimate of FFM can be obtained by summing the conductive muscle volumes of each body segment derived from the corresponding segment lengths squared, measures of bioelectric impedance, and mean muscle-specific resistivities. These mean estimates of FFM are notasaccurateasmean predictions of FFM from S2/Z inregression equations. Am J ClinNutr l988;48:7-l5.
Malfree web server response

The trend of spreading malicious web contents through legitimate but compromised websites is not very rare to find. Websites bearing the trust of millions of clients are chosen to exploit the trust of its users by installing unwanted and malevolent contents on client machines through drive by download. This stealthier mechanism is aimed to convert a client machine into a botnet and to gain access on its resources like stored passwords, sensitive information and fingerprinting of running softwares. To deal with it, there are different solutions like honeypots and system state observers but all these antidotes are client resident. In this paper we have devised a heuristic based solution which resides on web servers and circumvents the movement of malicious contents toward client machines while keeping the server repute trusted and its availability 24/7 even after the compromise. Instead of blocking the complete website or any of its page, only malevolent contents are sanitized which adds novelty to the proposed system.
Effect of Ion Bombardment on the Dopant Diffusion During Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) of Dielectric Films Deposited on Silicon

We report on the results obtained from a study conducted to understand the effect of reactive ion etching (RIE) of oxide films on the dopant diffusion in ion-implanted silicon. Thermally grown oxide films on silicon were plasma etched in a CHF3/CO2 plasma. The residual silicon surface damage created during plasma etching was removed by employing a low ion-bombardment, two-step surface plasma cleaning process. The samples with oxide films etched in a wet chemical etchant provided the control for evaluating the effect of the RIE process. The samples were implanted with boron and boron was activated under various conditions to form p-n junctions to obtain a range of boron doping profiles and junction depths. Some boron doped samples were implanted with arsenic to form a heavily doped n+ region at the silicon surface. The resulting doping profiles were analysed using spreading resistance profiling (SRP), four-point probe measurements, and secondary ion-mass spectrometry (SIMS) to understand the activation, diffusion, and precipitation of various dopants. Detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis was used to study the microstructural effects. It was observed that plasma etching of the oxide films prior to the formation of boron diffused surface regions in silicon resulted in significant changes in boron diffusion. For low boron implant doses, plasma etched silicon surfaces resulted in retarded boron diffusion. For high boron implant doses, plasma etched silicon surfaces lead to enhanced boron diffusion.
Homicide–Suicide in Ghana: Perpetrators, Victims, and Incidence Characteristics

Homicide-suicide in the industrialized West has been studied for many years. Yet, only limited scholarly research currently exists on the subject in Africa and other non-Western societies. The aim of the present descriptive study was to investigate homicide-suicides in contemporary Ghana. A content analysis of homicide-suicide reports in a major Ghanaian daily newspaper during 1990 to 2009 was conducted. The results overwhelmingly support findings in the literature, suggesting that homicide-suicides are extremely rare events in Ghana. The overwhelming majority of reported homicide-suicides were committed by males, with females substantially more likely to be the homicide victims. The offenders and victims were generally of low socioeconomic status. Most homicide-suicides involved victims and offenders who were intimately acquainted as family members. The majority of cases involved men who killed their wives on suspicion of infidelity; the next largest category involved men who murdered wives who threatened divorce or separation. The principal homicide and suicide methods were shooting with firearms, hacking with machetes, and stabbing with knives. The findings of the study are discussed in relation to Ghana's patriarchal family system and ideology and present socioeconomic issues in the country. This study recommends further research on this subject in Ghana and other African countries. This is necessary to further an understanding of homicide-suicide as a phenomenon, as well as a necessary prelude to the development and implementation of effective preventive programs.
Carbon monoxide down-regulates α4β1 integrin-specific ligand binding and cell adhesion: a possible mechanism for cell mobilization

Carbon monoxide (CO), a byproduct of heme degradation, is attracting growing attention from the scientific community. At physiological concentrations, CO plays a role as a signal messenger that regulates a number of physiological processes. CO releasing molecules are under evaluation in preclinical models for the management of inflammation, sepsis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and organ transplantation. Because of our discovery that nitric oxide signaling actively down-regulates integrin affinity and cell adhesion, and the similarity between nitric oxide and CO-dependent signaling, we studied the effects of CO on integrin signaling and cell adhesion. We used a cell permeable CO releasing molecule (CORM-2) to elevate intracellular CO, and a fluorescent Very Late Antigen-4 (VLA-4, α4β1-integrin)-specific ligand to evaluate the integrin state in real-time on live cells. We show that the binding of the ligand can be rapidly down-modulated in resting cells and after inside-out activation through several Gαi-coupled receptors. Moreover, cell treatment with hemin, a natural source of CO, resulted in comparable VLA-4 ligand dissociation. Inhibition of VLA-4 ligand binding by CO had a dramatic effect on cell-cell interaction in a VLA-4/VCAM-1-dependent cell adhesion system. We conclude that the CO signaling pathway can rapidly down-modulate binding of the VLA-4 -specific ligand. We propose that CO-regulated integrin deactivation provides a basis for modulation of immune cell adhesion as well as rapid cell mobilization, for example as shown for splenic monocytes in response to surgically induced ischemia of the myocardium.
Kinetics of p53 Binding to Promoter Sites In Vivo

Downstream target genes of p53 are thought to mediate its tumor-suppressive activity, but it is unknown whether differential transactivation of these genes is regulated at the level of p53 binding to their promoters. To address this issue, p53 binding in vivo to consensus sites in the p21(Waf1), MDM2, and PIG3 promoters was investigated in cells exposed to adriamycin (ADR) or ionizing radiation as well as in an inducible p53 cell line. p53-DNA complexes were cross-linked in vivo by treating the cells with formaldehyde and processed by chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR. This methodology allowed for the analysis of relevant p53-DNA complexes by preventing redistribution of cellular components upon collection of cell extracts. Increased p53 binding to the p21(Waf1), MDM2, and PIG3 promoters occurred within 2 h after p53 activation; however, significant increases in PIG3 transcription did not occur until 15 h after p53 binding. Gel shift analyses indicated that p53 had lower affinity for the consensus binding site in the PIG3 promoters compared to its consensus sites in the p21 and MDM2 genes, which suggests that additional factors may be required to stabilize the interaction of p53 with the PIG3 promoter. Further, acetylated p53 (Lys382) was found in chemically cross-linked complexes at all promoter sites examined after treatment of cells with ADR. In summary, the kinetics of p53 binding in vivo to target gene regulatory regions does not uniformly correlate with target gene mRNA expression for the p53 target genes examined. Our results suggest that target genes with low-affinity p53 binding sites may require additional events and will have delayed kinetics of induction compared to those with high-affinity binding sites.
Do “They all look alike?” The Effect of Race, Sex, Experience, and Attitudes on the Ability to Recognize Faces1

Legal scholars and social scientists have long assumed that there is a racial bias in facial recognition and eyewitness identifications, with persons being much more accurate in identifying persons of their own race, but corroborative research evidence is scanty. In the present study, black and white college students attempted to identify which of a series of facial photos they had seen earlier. As predicted, a strong race of subject by race of picture interaction was found; both black and white subjects were significantly more accurate in identifying pictures of their own race than pictures of the other race. However, contrary to assumptions made by many legal and criminal justice personnel, neither racial attitude nor reported amount of quality of interracial experience were related to ability to recognize pictures. Implications for eyewitness identifications of these and related findings are discussed.
Vaccination in Pregnancy

Vaccination is one of the most effective strategies employed to prevent morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Pregnancy is considered to be a time when women have consistent contact with their healthcare providers and it presents an opportunity for providers to review their immunization status and to advocate for appropriate vaccination antepartum and in the immediate postpartum period. All forms of immunization, with the exception of live viral or live bacterial vaccines are generally considered to be safe for administration during pregnancy. It is important that healthcare providers counsel pregnant women about the benefits of receiving the vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy as well as the potential risks to the developing fetus. It is imperative that obstetricians and primary care providers are aware of and implement the vaccination guidelines for women, both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.
A Review of the Motherhood Wage Penalty in the United States

On average, mothers earn lower wages than childless women. This well-established finding is referred to as the “motherhood penalty.” In this review, we summarize the main theoretical explanations for the motherhood penalty, and briefly discuss which theories have received empirical support. We evaluate research that explores variation in the motherhood penalty by important demographic and job-related characteristics. Additionally, we highlight recent methodological advances used to estimate the penalty. The review concludes with suggestions for future research in this area.
SOIL‐GEOMORPHIC HETEROGENEITY GOVERNS PATCHY VEGETATION DYNAMICS AT AN ARID ECOTONE

Soil properties are well known to affect vegetation, but the role of soil heterogeneity in the patterning of vegetation dynamics is poorly documented. We asked whether the location of an ecotone separating grass-dominated and sparsely vegetated areas reflected only historical variation in degradation or was related to variation in inherent soil properties. We then asked whether changes in the cover and spatial organization of vegetated and bare patches assessed using repeat aerial photography reflected self-organizing dynamics unrelated to soil variation or the stable patterning of soil variation. We found that the present-day ecotone was related to a shift from more weakly to more strongly developed soils. Parts of the ecotone were stable over a 60-year period, but shifts between bare and vegetated states, as well as persistently vegetated and bare states, occurred largely in small (<40 m2) patches throughout the study area. The probability that patches were presently vegetated or bare, as well as the probability that vegetation persisted and/or established over the 60-year period, was negatively related to surface calcium carbonate and positively related to subsurface clay content. Thus, only a fraction of the landscape was susceptible to vegetation change, and the sparsely vegetated area probably featured a higher frequency of susceptible soil patches. Patch dynamics and self-organizing processes can be constrained by subtle (and often unrecognized) soil heterogeneity.
Minimally invasive techniques in common surgical procedures: implications for training

Background Laparoscopic techniques are increasingly used in common surgical procedures. Many of these procedures are used to teach basic surgical trainees (BST) and therefore introduction of these techniques may have implications for training.