cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuous lactic acid fermentation of whey to produce a ruminant feed supplement high in crude protein

A mathematical model was developed to simulate, on a digital computer, the continuous fermentation of whey lactose to lactic acid with neutralization by ammonia. The simulation predicted the retention times for experimental test and the use of two stages for greatest efficiency. In the experimental tests, Lactobacillus bulgaricus was inoculated into whey in a 14-liter continuous fermentor at 44°C and with automatic pH control. A series of steady-state conditions was managed nonaseptically for 42 days without evident contamination and with an actual increase in the efficiency of conversion. Lactic acid was produced predominately' throughout the period, with less than 0.2% of other compounds. The product contained approximately 8 times as much crude protein (N × 6.25) as the original whey. In a single-stage fermentation at pH 5.5, a retention time of 15 hr resulted in a residual lactose concentration of 0.7%; and little improvement was realized by increasing the retention time. Increasing the pH to 5.8 resulted in a significant improvement, but further increasing the pH to 6.0 resulted in only a small additional gain. By the employment of two fermentors in series at pH 5.5 with a total retention time of 31 hr, the residual lactose was reduced to less than 0.1%. Lactic acid was produced as a function mainly of maintenance rather than growth metabolism.
Fossil eggs of probable piscine origin preserved on Pennsylvanian Sphenopteridium foliage from the Kinney Quarry, central New Mexico

ABSTRACT The Upper Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks exposed in the Kinney Brick Company quarry, central New Mexico, contain a diverse megaflora with abundant foliage of the pteridosperm Sphenopteridium manzanitanum. A few of the frond fragments carry many small (to 2.0 mm in diameter), compressed spherical bodies, which occur as linear or random groups on both foliar rachises and laminae; also present are two compact, isolated aggregates not attached to any organic substrate. The individual bodies are delimited by a thin, amorphous wall that evidently was membranous, flexible, and adhesive, forming flattened areas of mutual contact. These bodies are interpreted as animal eggs. Their association with spirorbid worm tubes and other evidence indicates that the eggs were deposited under water, on floating or suspended vegetation or in compact, unattached masses. Neither terrestrial nor aquatic invertebrates yield satisfactory clues as to the egg source. However, the aquatic or semi-aquatic vertebrates (fishes ...
Spectroscopic studies of single-stranded DNA ligands and oxazole yellow dyes

Interactions between short single-stranded DNA ligands and fluorescent DNA indicator dyes were used to investigate binding selectivity of the ligands. Conformational differences among four DNA ligands of different sequence and structure, including two that form a G-quartet and two that do not, were confirmed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Their interactions with indicator dyes YO-pro-1 iodide (YO) and YOYO-1 iodide (YOYO) were probed using measurements of dye absorbance; induced circular dichroism; and fluorescence spectra, anisotropy, and lifetime. Equilibrium binding constants and stoichiometry were determined as well. Results indicate significant differences among the dye interactions and binding stoichiometries of the four ligands. One of the G-quartet forming ligands, a 20-mer of sequence 5'-GGTTTTGGTTTTGGTTTTGG-3', shows distinctly different interactions from the other three ligands, all of which are 15-mers. These studies illustrate the importance of sequence and conformation in determining the binding interactions of short single-stranded DNA.
Software Security and Randomization through Program Partitioning and Circuit Variation

The commodity status of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) has allowed computationally intensive algorithms, such as cryptographic protocols, to take advantage of faster hardware speed while simultaneously leveraging the reconfigurability and lower cost of software. Numerous security applications have been transitioned into FPGA implementations allowing security applications to operate at real-time speeds, such as firewall and packet scanning on high speed networks. However, the utilization of FPGAs to directly secure software vulnerabilities is seemingly non-existent.Protecting program integrity and confidentiality is crucial as malicious attacks through injected code are becoming increasingly prevalent. This paper lays the foundation of continuing research in how to protect software by partitioning critical sections using reconfigurable hardware. This approach is similar to a traditional coprocessor approach to scheduling opcodes for execution on specialized hardware as opposed to running on the native processor. However, the partitioned program model enables the programmer the ability to split portions of an application to reconfigurable hardware at compile time. The fundamental underlying hypothesis is that synthesizing portions of programs onto hardware can mitigate potential software vulnerabilities. Further, this approach provides an avenue for randomization or diversity for software layout and circuit variation.
Leaders and Followers in the House of Representatives: Reflections on Woodrow Wilson's Congressional Government

This paper examines the role of leadership in the U.S. House in the context of arguments raised in Woodrow Wilson's Congressional Government. It begins with a discussion of the speakerships of Henry Clay and Thomas Reed as counterexamples to Wilson's generalizations (a model that links the degree of preference homogeneity among legislative followers to a leader's decision about whether to exert policy leadership is presented in an Appendix). Next we argue that preference homogeneity, leadership style and institutional structure form a kind of equilibrium, drawing on the history of the House for supporting evidence. Finally we discuss the application of our theory to House Democrats in the 1980s.
Leaving No Girl Behind: Clinical Intervention Effects on Adolescent Female Academic “High-Risk” Behaviors

Female adolescents are negatively impacted by the effects of dropping out of school. Considerable amounts of information regarding the causes of dropping out, and suggestions for intervention programs exists, however there is little on the effect of clinical programming on dropout prevention. Thus archival information from after-school and individual therapy services within a community agency were evaluated for overall clinical effect, with specific attention to the after-school program's effect on academic behaviors. Analysis indicated an overall positive therapeutic effect, as well as a positive change in academic behaviors for female participants in both programs.
Influences of Environmental Differentiation and Conceptual Tempo on Young Children's Spatial Coordination

This study examined the effects of stimulus differentiation on kindergartners' ability to coordinate spatial perspectives when classified by conceptual tempo. 33 children were asked to identify from an array of pictures the one which best represented a doll's view of the stimulus display. Two stimulus displays were constructed which differed in the degree of differentiation among their items. In one set, low differentiation, three three-dimensional cardboard forms were in the shape of houses, each house having minimal external cues. In the second set, high differentiation, were three three-dimensional house scenes with each house having numerous external cues. The subjects took longer to make an initial response, made more correct, and somewhat fewer egocentric responses under the high differentiation condition than under the low differentiation condition. There also was an interaction between conceptual tempo and environmental differentiation; the impulsive children's egocentric performances were more influenced by the stimulus conditions than were the reflective children's. These findings suggested that organismic and environmental conditions are both important factors in children's spatial cognition.
Future trends in the development of safer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, ranging from mild to life-threatening, are well-recognized sequelae to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. Recent improvements in our knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for NSAID-associated gastropathy have enabled several experimental approaches to decreasing the risk of these events. Whereas such strategies as preassociation of NSAIDs to zwitterionic phospholipids to prevent NSAID-mucosal interactions and concomitant administration of trefoil peptides to stimulate mucosal defense pathways represent novel approaches, their clinical feasibility remains to be determined. Other strategies that appear more immediately promising in the reduction of NSAID-associated GI toxicity are the coupling of NSAIDs to nitric oxide (NO)-releasing compounds and the introduction of NSAIDs that are preferential or specific for cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2), the isoform implicated in the inflammatory response. Clinical trials of several specific COX-2 inhibitors, as well as European clinical data for a preferential COX-2 inhibitor, meloxicam, suggest that COX-2 inhibitors provide an advantage over standard NSAIDs in terms of GI tolerability. However, as recent observations have implicated COX-2 as an integral component in the maintenance of physiologic homeostasis, careful scrutiny of both the beneficial and the deleterious effects of the selective COX-2 inhibitors is requisite before their approval and widespread use. Furthermore, based on the physiologic importance of COX-2, the preferential inhibitors may ultimately prove to represent the optimal compromise for the treatment of various arthritides.
Factors influencing regional differences in intestinal absorption of UK-343,664 in rat : Possible role in dose-dependent pharmacokinetics

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate potential contributions of intestinal export and metabolism to the oral dose-dependent pharmacokinetics of the human cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, UK-343,664. Differences between jejunal and ileal handling of this CYP3A and P-gp substrate were investigated. CYP3A and P-gp display differing activities in the upper and lower mammalian small intestine and their impact on variable drug absorption can be mechanistically assessed for individual compounds with in situ perfusion of rat's small intestine. Isolated segments of rat jejunum and ileum were perfused with UK-343,664 solution and measurements were made as a function of drug concentration for dose dependence and in the presence of CYP3A and P-gp inhibitors. Intestinal permeability and metabolism were measured by total drug disappearance and major metabolite, UK-347,334 ( N -desethyl metabolite), appearance in the intestinal lumen. Intestinal tissue and mesenteric blood measurements of drug and metabolite were also determined. The effective permeability ( P eff ) of UK-343,664 and metabolite formation ( F met ) increased as a function of concentration. Regional differences in P eff and F met were observed with low-intestinal metabolism of UK-343,664 in both regions ( P eff and F met in jejunum and ileum while ketoconazole, a P-gp and CYP3A inhibitor, has only limited effect on metabolism. In conclusion, UK-343,664 absorption is mainly regulated by P-gp in jejunum and ileum while CYP3A intestinal metabolism has minimal effect. This role of P-gp could explain the dose-dependent pharmacokinetics of UK-343,664 and its unusual behavior of t max as a function of dose. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association
Synthesis and biological activity of 2-fluoro adenine and 6-methyl purine nucleoside analogs as prodrugs for suicide gene therapy of cancer.

A novel series of 6-methylpurine nucleoside derivatives with substitutions at 5′-position have been synthesised. These compounds bear a 5′-heterocycle such as triazole or a imidazole with a two carbon chain, and an ether, thio ether or amine. To extend the SAR study of 2-fluoroadenine and 6-methyl purine nucleosides, their corresponding α–linker nucleosides with l-xylose and l-lyxose were also synthesized. All of these compounds have been evaluated for their substrate activity with E. coli PNP.
Exclusive W + +γ production in proton-antiproton collisions. I. General formalism

We present a detailed computation of the fully exclusive cross section of [ital p]+[ital [bar p]][r arrow][ital W][sup +]+[gamma]+[ital X] with [ital X]=0 and 1 jet in the framework of the factorization theorem and dimensional regularization. Order [alpha][sub [ital S]] and photon bremsstrahlung contributions are discussed in the M[bar S] mass factorization scheme. The resulting expressions are ready to be implemented numerically using Monte Carlo techniques to compute single and double differential cross sections and correlations between outgoing pairs of particles.
Impaired Insulin Sensitivity and Elevated Ectopic fat in Healthy Obese vs. Nonobese Prepubertal Children

Insulin sensitivity is impaired and ectopic fat (accretion of lipids outside of typical adipose tissue depots) increased in obese adults and adolescents. It is unknown how early in life this occurs; thus, it is important to evaluate young children to identify potential factors leading to the development of metabolic syndrome. We examined an ethnically diverse cohort of healthy, exclusively prepubertal children (N = 123; F = 57, M = 66; age 8.04 ± 0.77 years) to examine differences in insulin sensitivity and ectopic and visceral fat deposition between obese and nonobese youth. Obesity was categorized by age- and sex-adjusted BMI z-scores (nonobese = z-score <2 (N = 94) and obese = z-score ≥2 (N = 29)). Insulin sensitivity was assessed by both a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (S(i)) and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)). Intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs) from soleus and intrahepatic lipids (IHLs) were assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) by magnetic resonance imaging, and total body fat by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We also examined serum lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and blood pressure (diastolic and systolic). Obese children exhibited significantly lower S(i) (5.9 ± 5.98 vs. 13.43 ± 8.18 (mµ/l)(-1)·min(-1), P = 0.01) and HDL-C and higher HOMA(IR) (1.68 ± 1.49 vs. 0.63 ± 0.47, P < 0.0001), IMCL (0.74 ± 0.39 vs. 0.44 ± 0.21% water peak, P < 0.0001), IHL (1.49 ± 1.13 vs. 0.54 ± 0.42% water peak, P < 0.0001), VAT (20.16 ± 8.01 vs. 10.62 ± 5.44 cm(2), P < 0.0001), total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure relative to nonobese children. These results confirm significantly increased ectopic fat and insulin resistance in healthy obese vs. nonobese children prior to puberty. Excessive adiposity during early development appears concomitant with precursors of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.
Non-relativistic supersymmetry

Abstract The most general one- and two-body hamiltonian invariant under galilean supersymmetry is constructed in superspace. The corresponding Feynman rules are given for the superfield Green functions. As demonstrated by a simple example, it is straughtforward to construct models in which the supersymmetry is spontaneously broken by the non-relativistic vacuum.
A Boosting Method for Learning from Uneven Data for Improved Face Recognition

In this paper, we propose a multi-class boosting method (multiBoost.imb) to address difficulties of learning from imbalanced data set as well as employment of stable base learners. A random resampling strategy is incorporated to diversify the training data set and to recover balance among all classes. Extending AdaBoost by adding an error adjustment parameter, early termination in the training phase is avoided in multi-class scenarios. Experiments were conducted using three public face databases and two synthetic data sets. It is demonstrated that stable learners can be used in our ensemble method. In the multi-class problems, the ensemble overcomes the early termination even when stable learner is employed. It was evident that our method improves learning performance in all cases, especially when imbalance ratio is high. Comparison to the SMOTEboost and RUSboost also reveals the advantage of our method in handling multi-class, imbalanced face recognition problems.
Simian virus 40 DNA integration within the genome of virus-transformed mammalian cells.

Abstract The location of integrated SV40 DNA in a series of virus-free transformed murine cells was analyzed by characterizing the reiteration frequency of adjacent host cell DNA sequences. Cellular DNA was mechanically sheared to fragments approximately 8 × 10 6 or 7 × 10 5 daltons in size, separated into reiterated and nonreiterated fractions, and then examined for the presence of SV40 DNA. SV40 DNA sequences were associated with the nonreiterated fraction of mammalian DNA in each of the cell lines examined. In addition, the pattern of viral DNA distribution between the repetitive and unique cellular DNA fractions varied from cell line to cell line suggesting that integration of SV40 DNA may occur at different sites in each cell line examined.
Improved deprotection in solid phase reptide synthesis: removal of protecting groups from synthetic peptides by an SN2 mechanism with low concentrations of HF in dimethylsulfide

Abstract The use of a low-concentration HF in dimethylsulfide (1:3, v/v) for the removal of protecting groups from synthetic peptides has been found to be efficient and to eliminate several side reactions associated with the high-concentration HF in anisole (9:1, v/v) normally employed in peptide synthesis. The mechanism of the low-concentration HF cleavage is S N 2, in contrast to the S N 1 mechanism of the high-concentration HF cleavage, and consequently the reaction proceeds without generation of carbocation intermediates.
Free Extracellular Diffusion Creates the Dpp Morphogen Gradient of the Drosophila Wing Disc

Summary Background How morphogen gradients form has long been a subject of controversy. The strongest support for the view that morphogens do not simply spread by free diffusion has come from a variety of studies of the Decapentaplegic (Dpp) gradient of the Drosophila larval wing disc. Results In the present study, we initially show how the failure, in such studies, to consider the coupling of transport to receptor-mediated uptake and degradation has led to estimates of transport rates that are orders of magnitude too low, lending unwarranted support to a variety of hypothetical mechanisms, such as "planar transcytosis" and "restricted extracellular diffusion." Using several independent dynamic methods, we obtain data that are inconsistent with such models and show directly that Dpp transport occurs by simple, rapid diffusion in the extracellular space. We discuss the implications of these findings for other morphogen systems in which complex transport mechanisms have been proposed. Conclusions We believe that these findings resolve a major, longstanding question about morphogen gradient formation and provide a solid framework for interpreting experimental observations of morphogen gradient dynamics.
Earliness and tardiness single machine scheduling with proportional weights

This paper presents the first efficient method to solve an earliness-tardiness single machine n job scheduling model with idle times permitted. In this model the earliness and tardiness penalties are proportional to the processing times of the jobs. A two stage decomposition process builds the optimal job arrangement as a sequence of single and multijob blocks. The arrangement of the jobs within each multijob block is unspecified since it depends on the start time of this block. This process is followed by a procedure that drastically reduces the number of candidate optimal n job sequences. Finally an available optimal timing algorithm is recommended and implemented to select the best schedule among those sequences. The solution procedure tested on a PC on 400 examples for n=40 and 50 proves to be very fast.
Cultural socialization to computing in college

Abstract Today many people have their first sustained encounter with computing on college campuses. In part this experience consists of learning to use a machine. But in larger part this experience consists of encoutering an alien culture. A socialization model of that encounter and research based on that model are presented. Freshmen at two universities were surveyed and their responses about computer science courses were compared with their responses about other freshmen courses. Consistent with the model, students were more likely to report reality shock, confusion, control attempts, anger, and withdrawal in their computing courses than in other courses. This pattern was less typical of students in the teaching-oriented university than in the research-oriented one. In addition to the organizational difference, three factors were associated with fewer negative outcomes: being male, having taken a computing course in high school, and majoring in science or engineering in college. However, even male, experienced, engineering, and science students encountered computing as an alien culture.
Eocene Green River Formation “Oocardium tufa” reinterpreted as complex arrays of calcified caddisfly (Insecta: Trichoptera) larval cases

Abstract Fossil caddisfly (Insecta: Trichoptera) larval cases are preserved in some Eocene Green River Formation tufa, and well organized arrays of these calcified larval cases have been misidentified as “Oocardium tufa”. The arrays of caddisfly larval cases occur as superimposed layers of vertically oriented cases. The cases are parallel to each other, closely packed, equal in size, and are oriented perpendicular to the bedding planes of the tufa. In thin section, the cases are composed of detrital carbonate particles, ooids and quartz grains arranged in a single layer along the walls of the cases. The size and arrangement of the particles in the walls of the fossil caddisfly larval cases compares favorably with modern caddisfly larval cases. Correct identification of the origin of this unique tufa fabric enables us to better understand the important role of metazoans (Trichopteran larvae) in some Eocene Lake Gosiute paleoenvironments. Caddisfly larvae played direct and indirect roles in the deposition and erosion of tufa in Lake Gosiute during the deposition of the Laney Member of the Green River Formation.
Nano Filtration and Sensing of Aminoglycosides Using Whispering-Gallery Mode Resonators

For the first time optical WGM micro resonator embedded in a microelectrofluidic system with integrated functions in sensing and nano filtration was proposed. Aminoglycosides were considered as the analyte molecules. The filtration process and analyte concentration were traced by measuring the WGM resonance frequency shift. A correlation between the frequency shift, and the analyte feed concentration and the applied voltage gradient was obtained, which reveals a linear relationship between the resonance frequency shift and the analyte concentration and an exponential growth with the applied voltage gradient. The applied voltage gradient influences the filtration capability through its effect on adsorption and desorption processes. The second-order WGM was found to be able to provide a higher sensitivity as compared with the first-order. The WGM sensor was found to function at pico Molar concentration.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A New Twist on Cooperative Catalysis

The stereochemical configuration of an organic compound is often linked directly to its physical and biological properties. Larger molecules can contain multiple stereochemical elements, and chiral catalysts are often used to control each of these defined spatial arrangements in the efficient synthesis of a complex target ( 1 ). Many powerful enantioselective catalysts, which control the handedness or absolute configuration of a product, have been developed ( 2 ), but full control of the relative configuration in compounds can be a greater challenge if multiple stereocenters are generated; high diastereoselectivity, where one relative configuration is established, may be achieved, but access to the complementary diastereomeric product usually requires major redesign of the catalyst, substrate, and/or reaction conditions, and in some cases is not possible at all (see the figure, panel A) ( 3 ). On page 1065 of this issue, Krautwald et al. ( 4 ) demonstrate an elegant solution to this challenge based on the cooperative action of multiple chiral catalysts in a single reaction.
Carotid endarterectomy outcomes research: reduced resource utilization using a clinical protocol.

Abstract Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the necessity of intensive care unit (ICU) utilization following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and to identify patients who can be managed postoperatively on a vascular unit using a clinical protocol. Methods: Medical records of 50 patients admitted to the ICU following elective CEA were reviewed retrospectively for patient characteristics, morbidity, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and ICU intervention. Prospectively, the next 200 patients were routed to either a vascular unit or ICU, based on a clinical protocol. Endpoints were mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, total hospital LOS, ICU LOS, and ICU intervention. Results: There were no significant differences in morbidity or mortality between patients admitted to the vascular unit and those admitted to the ICU. Of patients evaluated prospectively, 129 (63%) were admitted directly to the vascular unit. Of the 73 patients admitted to the ICU, 63% required direct intervention compared with only 54% of patients in the retrospective series (P=0.001). In addition, after institution of the protocol, ICU LOS decreased significantly from 1.4 to 0.6 days (P Conclusions: A clinical protocol can select patients for admission to the ICU or the vascular unit following CEA without increase in morbidity or mortality. Selective use of the ICU conserved resources, decreased ICU LOS, and provided substantial cost savings.
Single molecule detection and photochemistry on a surface using near-field optical excitation.

We report the first photobleaching experiments of single molecules on a surface. Single molecules of rhodamine 6G are detected on a silica surface under ambient conditions using near-field scanning optical microscopy. Photobleaching of an individual molecule appears as an abrupt disappearance of fluorescence after seconds of constant excitation. Other reversible, upward and downward changes in fluorescence are observed, possibly due to reorientation of molecules on the surface.
Coherent backscatter model for the unusual radar reflectivity of icy satellites

The coherent backscatter model is investigated experimentally by means of an analog to examine the nature of the radar reflectivity of icy satellites. The laboratory analog involves the examination of He-Ne laser light with a wavelength of 0.633 microns reflected from 0.497-micron polystyrene beads suspended in water. A photomultiplier and a polarizing filter are employed to observe the radar at phase angles greater than zero which are extrapolated to infer observation at zero phase angle. The polarization angles measured at optical frequencies are found to be equivalent to those observed in the radar data. The results suggest that the regoliths of the icy satellites consist of matrices of small complex refractive indices which contain scatterers separated by distances of the order of a wavelength. The experiment explains the high reflectivity of Jupiter's icy satellites which results in the observation of narrow opposition-effects peaks at optical frequencies.
Boundary Conditions for Jet Flow Computations

Ongoing activities are focused on capturing the sound source in a supersonic jet through careful large eddy simulation (LES). One issue that is addressed is the effect of the boundary conditions, both inflow and outflow, on the predicted flow fluctuations, which represent the sound source. In this study, we examine the accuracy of several boundary conditions to determine their suitability for computations of time-dependent flows. Various boundary conditions are used to compute the flow field of a laminar axisymmetric jet excited at the inflow by a disturbance given by the corresponding eigenfunction of the linearized stability equations. We solve the full time dependent Navier-Stokes equations by a high order numerical scheme. For very small excitations, the computed growth of the modes closely corresponds to that predicted by the linear theory. We then vary the excitation level to see the effect of the boundary conditions in the nonlinear flow regime.
YKC1 encodes the depolarization-activated K+ channel in the plasma membrane of yeast.

Abstract Our previous patch-clamp studies showed that depolarization activates a K + -specific current in the plasma membrane of the binding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae [Gustin et al. (1986) Science 233, 1195–1197]. The yeast Genome Sequencing Project has now uncovered on the left arm of chromosome X an open reading frame (ORF) that predicts a 77-kDa protein reminiscent of a shaker -like α subunit with 6 membrane spans followed by a subunit with 2 spans. We found that deleting this ORF removes the yeast K + current. Furnishing the ORF from plasmids restores or even greatly amplifies this current. These manipulations have no effects on the 40-pS mechanosensitive conductance also native to this membrane. Thus, this ORF, named YKC1 here, likely encodes a structure for the K + -specific channel of the yeast plasma membrane. This and other K + channel subunits are compared and the possible uses of this gene in research are discussed. YKC1 has recently been shown by others to induce in frog oocytes a K + current. Its activation is coupled to E K + and its outward rectification depends on external divalent cations. We found the YKC1 channel in its native membrane activates at low voltages largely independent of E K + and it remains so despite removal of divalents by chelation.
T7 RNA Polymerase Transcription with 5-Position Modified UTP Derivatives

Seven UTP derivatives modified at the 5-position through an amide linkage were tested as substrates for T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) transcription. All UTP derivatives gave good yields of full-length transcript even from DNA templates that showed a significant number of abortive transcripts using unmodified UTP. A kinetic assay to determine the relative K(m) and V(max) for T7 RNAP transcription gave surprisingly similar values for UTP and the 5-position hydrophobic modifications phenyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyridyl, indolyl, and isobutyl. The 5-position modifications imidazole and amino, which could both be positively charged, gave K(m) values significantly higher than UTP. All seven UTP derivatives gave relative V(max) values similar to UTP, indicating that insertion of these modified bases into the transcript did not impede its elongation.
Do we know what common sense is and, can we improve it if we don't?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning, significance, and development, of common sense and to suggest an approach for enhancing it.Design/methodology/approach – Literature review and critical analysis of the way greater skill in decision‐making leads to “better” common sense.Findings – In light of the very limited coverage of common sense development in the literature, this paper may make a contribution to the awareness of the dimensions of common sense and to approaches that can help individuals develop what might be more appropriate decisions based on common sense – decisions that consider more of the relevant issues.Practical implications – Individuals – managers and leaders in all work and home activities – can enhance their common sense, and with it their decisions, by developing the habit of following the guidelines suggested by the paper, or equally appropriate ones.Originality/value – There does not appear to be anything as practically applicable to common sense development ...
Optimizing the Hot Isostatic Pressing Process

Abstract A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to optimize the hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) process for beryllium powder. The GA evaluates a HIPing model with different processing schedules in an effort to minimize temperature, pressure, processing time, ramp rates, grain growth, and distance to target relative density. It is shown that this is a constrained, multiobjective, noisy, optimization problem to which the GA is able to evolve a large number of viable solutions. However, for the GA to work in such a large multidimensional search space, it is suggested that the constraints be treated as objectives and then penalize the Pareto ranking for each constraint violated. This approach is necessary because a large-dimensional objective space naturally results in most members being Pareto rank 1.
Contour Lightness and Separation Effects in the Ebbinghaus Illusion

For 48 observers, the central circle of Ebbinghaus figures appeared smaller as the separation between it and the contextual circles increased. Lightness of the contours only affected the illusion when the contextual circles were large and located close to the central circle. An explanation incorporating size contrast and attraction between contours was offered.
The electrophoretic hemolytic plaque assay - theory

We use the mathematical theory of plaque qrowth to determine if there is merit in performing a hemolytic plaque assay in the presence of an external electric field. In particular, we study the effects of an electric field on the transport of antibodies secreted by a single lymphocyte and on the size and shape of the plaques they produce. Our results indicate that in the presence of an applied electric field: (1) The mobility of the antibodies produced by the antibody forming cell can be determined from the plaque shape. (In the electric field the plaques are no longer circular, but cigar shaped.) (2) By changing the magnitude or direction of the applied electric field more than one plaque can be generated by a single AFC. Thus changes in mobility or the rate of antibody secretion can be assayed. (3) Plaques will reach a steady state size; for good emitters (cells that secrete antibodies at a high rate or that secrete high affinity antibodies) this steady state will be achieved rapidly. Equations are given which describe both the temporal development and steady state plaque size and shape. From the equations, computer generated plots of plaques produced by typical antibody forming cells are presented. These plots are then used to show how pictures of plaques formed in an electric field can be analyzed to determine the antibody mobility.
Some aspects of space propulsion with extraterrestrial resources

Extraterrestrial resources for space processing of chemicals, in general, and propellants, in particular, are explored quantitatively. It is seen that, for several candidate space mission scenarios, space processing of both space resources and earth-carried resources can make decisive differences in the mission success for a given payload. To fix ideas and demonstrate trends, the specific case of water splitting to extract oxygen, discard (or use without storage) the resulting hydrogen, and burn earth-carried noncryogenic liquid fuel(s) in a simple rocket motor, designed for periodic thrusting, is treated in some detail. Experimental hardware is assembled and demonstrated to perform adequately, besides showing compactness of the space-packaged 'capsule' module that is self-contained. Building upon previous studies, the concept of in situ propellant production (ISPP) is reexamined in light of more recent energy and materials technologies. Missions to comets and Mars Sample Return are mentioned as candidate scenarios. The mission duration, reliability-repairability of hardware, resource availability in low earth orbit (LEO), and the thrust requirements are considered in turn. It is seen that space storage of hydrogen for extended durations (5-10 years) involves problems that require detailed studies, besides involving many presently unanswered issues. A study of the energy option in LEO and in deep space is developed in simple terms. The different solar, radioisotope, and nuclear power sources are mentioned. Storage and handling of raw and processed chemicals are considered.
Manifolds with quadratic curvature decay and slow volume growth

We give sufficient conditions for a noncompact Riemannian manifold, which has quadratic curvature decay, to have finite topological type with ends that are cones over spherical space forms.
Undominated candidate strategies under alternative voting rules

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the position-taking strategies that are un-dominated for different voting methods (VM). The impetuses for such an investigation include the following. Firstly, it is uncontroversial to assert that players in a game will not play dominated strategies; thus, if the set of un-dominated strategies is small, one can say something significant about electoral competition just by examining the dominance relation among strategies. Secondly, there is interest in characterizing un-dominated strategies in a general multidimensional context as a method of bolstering the equilibrium study: if it turns out that the set of un-dominated strategies is small when a small departure from symmetry in the distribution of ideal points is made, then one can argue that the symmetry-based results are not razor's edge phenomena. Thirdly, when equilibria in pure strategies fail to exist, one might turn to equilibriain mixed strategies, and the support set of any mixed strategy equilibrium would be contained in the set of un-dominated strategies.
Comparison of photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2 and limited nitrogen supply in soybean

Plants grown at elevated CO 2 often acclimate such that their photosynthetic capacities are reduced relative to ambient CO 2 -grown plants. Reductions in synthesis of photosynthetic enzymes could result either from reduced photosynthetic gene expression or from reduced availability of nitrogen-containing substrates for enzyme synthesis. Increased carbohydrate concentrations resulting from increased photosynthetic carbon fixation at elevated CO 2 concentrations have been suggested to reduce the expression of photosynthetic genes. However, recent studies have also suggested that nitrogen uptake may be depressed by elevated CO 2 , or at least that it is not increased enough to keep pace with increased carbohydrate production. This response could induce a nitrogen limitation in elevated-CO 2 plants that might account for the reduction in photosynthetic enzyme synthesis. If CO 2 acclimation were a response to limited nitrogen uptake, the effects of elevated CO 2 and limiting nitrogen supply on photosynthesis and nitrogen allocation should be similar. To test this hypothesis we grew non-nodulating soybeans at two levels each of nitrogen and CO 2 concentration and measured leaf nitrogen contents, photosynthetic capacities and Rubisco contents. Both low nitrogen and elevated CO 2 reduced nitrogen as a percentage of total leaf dry mass but only low nitrogen supply produced significant decreases in nitrogen as a percentage of leaf structural dry mass. The primary effect of elevated CO 2 was to increase non-structural carbohydrate storage rather than to decrease nitrogen content. Both low nitrogen supply and elevated CO 2 also decreased carboxylation capacity (V cmax ) and Rubisco content per unit leaf area. However, when V cmax and Rubisco content were expressed per unit nitrogen, low nitrogen supply generally caused them to increase whereas elevated CO 2 generally caused them to decrease. Finally, elevated CO 2 significantly increased the ratio of RuBP regeneration capacity to V cmax whereas neither nitrogen supply nor plant age had a significant effect on this parameter. We conclude that reductions in photosynthetic enzyme synthesis in elevated CO 2 appear not to result from limited nitrogen supply but instead may result from feedback inhibition by increased carbohydrate contents.
Ferric iron in sediments as a novel CO2 mineral trap: CO2-SO2 reaction with hematite

Thermodynamic simulations of reactions among SO2-bearing CO2-dominated gas, water and mineral phases predict that Fe III in sediments should be converted almost entirely to dissolved Fe II and siderite (FeCO3), and that SO2 should simultaneously be oxidized to dissolved sulfate. The reactions are however, subject to kinetic constraints which may result in deviation from equilibrium and the precipitation of other metastable mineral phases. To test the prediction, a laboratory experiment was carried out in a well stirred hydrothermal reactor at 150 C and 300 bar with hematite, 1.0 m NaCl, 0.5 m NaOH, SO2 in quantity sufficient to reduce much of the iron, and excess CO2. The experiment produced stable siderite and metastable pyrite and elemental S. Changes in total dissolved Fe are consistent with nucleation of pyrite at � 17 h, and nucleation of siderite at � 600 h. Dissolution features present on elemental S at the conclusion of the experiment suggest nucleation early in the experiment. The experiment did not reach equilibrium after � 1400 h, as indicated by coexistence of hematite with metastable pyrite and elemental sulfur. However, the results confirm that Fe III can be used to trap CO2 in siderite if partly oxidized S, as SO2, is present to reduce the Fe with CO2 in the gas phase.
ORBIT: an environment for component-based heterogeneous design and analysis

The development of large systems relies on the ability to manage complexity throughout the design cycle. Decomposition and component based design contribute substantially to effective design practice. In addition, maintaining heterogeneous models of the system allows separation of concerns; different analysis tools utilize different views of the model to assess the correctness and requirement satisfaction of the design in a complementary fashion. The paper presents a design framework that supports heterogeneous component based analysis and design. The design portion of the framework encapsulates a component such that different representations (including decomposition representations) are associated with each component. Top down and bottom up design as well as component reuse are supported naturally. Using configurations, the design tree is pruned to obtain a specific view of the design for analysis purposes. The analysis model allows composition of analyses to create analysis plans and to use different types of analyses collaboratively. An associated CAD environment provides useful distractions of the framework. The framework can be extended to support any component based design domain.
MOB1, an Essential Yeast Gene Required for Completion of Mitosis and Maintenance of Ploidy

Mob1p is an essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein, identified from a two-hybrid screen, that binds Mps1p, a protein kinase essential for spindle pole body duplication and mitotic checkpoint regulation. Mob1p contains no known structural motifs; however MOB1 is a member of a conserved gene family and shares sequence similarity with a nonessential yeast gene, MOB2. Mob1p is a phosphoprotein in vivo and a substrate for the Mps1p kinase in vitro. Conditional alleles of MOB1 cause a late nuclear division arrest at restrictive temperature. MOB1 exhibits genetic interaction with three other yeast genes required for the completion of mitosis, LTE1, CDC5, and CDC15 (the latter two encode essential protein kinases). Most haploid mutant mob1 strains also display a complete increase in ploidy at permissive temperature. The mechanism for the increase in ploidy may occur through MPS1 function. One mob1 strain, which maintains stable haploidy at both permissive and restrictive temperature, diploidizes at permissive temperature when combined with the mps1-1 mutation. Strains containing mob2Delta also display a complete increase in ploidy when combined with the mps1-1 mutation. Perhaps in addition to, or as part of, its essential function in late mitosis, MOB1 is required for a cell cycle reset function necessary for the initiation of the spindle pole body duplication.
Cytokine-directed therapies for asthma ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Increasing knowledge of the pathophysiologic roles of various cytokines in atopic diseases has provided the basis for the development of novel therapies. Strategic approaches for cytokine inhibition include the blocking of transcription factors that lead to their expression, blockade after their release, cytokine receptor antagonism, and the inhibition of signaling pathways that are activated after cytokine-receptor binding. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-5, IL-4, IL-13, and TNF-α are among the therapeutic targets. Results with a humanized anti-IL-5 have been disappointing. Although successful in markedly reducing circulating eosinophils and in preventing eosinophil accumulation in airways, the humanized anti-IL-5 was unable to affect early or late responses to allergen or to reduce airway reactivity to methacholine challenge in patients with asthma. On the other hand, a soluble IL-4 receptor antagonist has shown clinical benefits for patients with moderate asthma who require daily inhaled corticosteroids. Agents that target IL-13 and TNF-α remain to be evaluated in asthmatic inflammation. The use of cytokines with anti-inflammatory effects may also have therapeutic value. The evaluation of such agents in human beings, including IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ, is at a preliminary stage, but so far results have not been encouraging. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:S72-6.)
Transgenic expression of bean alpha-amylase inhibitor in peas results in altered structure and immunogenicity.

The development of modern gene technologies allows for the expression of recombinant proteins in non-native hosts. Diversity in translational and post-translational modification pathways between species could potentially lead to discrete changes in the molecular architecture of the expressed protein and subsequent cellular function and antigenicity. Here, we show that transgenic expression of a plant protein (R-amylase inhibitor-1 from the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Tendergreen)) in a non-native host (transgenic pea (Pisum sativum L.)) led to the synthesis of a structurally modified form of this inhibitor. Employing models of inflammation, we demonstrated in mice that consumption of the modified RAI and not the native form predisposed to antigen-specific CD4+ Th2-type inflammation. Furthermore, consumption of the modified RAI concurrently with other
Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy of an Alkanedithiol Self-Assembled Monolayer

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) of an alkanedithiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is investigated using a nanometer-scale device. The IETS spectrum of the octanedithiol device clearly shows vibrational signatures of an octanedithiolate, −SC8 H16S−, bonded to gold electrodes. The pronounced IETS peaks correspond to vibrational modes perpendicular to the junction interface, which include the stretching modes of Au−S (at 33 mV) and C−C (at 133 mV) and the wagging mode of CH2 (at 158 mV). The observed peak intensities and peak widths are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.