cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of aging on human aortic protein composition. II: Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis

Abstract Arterial intima proteins were extracted by 9 M urea from matching histologically atheroma-free areas of 27 human thoracic aortas of both sexes from younger (15–34) and older (35–82) age groups and studied after separation by high-resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Seventeen specific protein groups on each gel were identified according to their relative charges and molecular weights and their distribution in the two age groups compared. Some plasma-derived proteins occurred rarely in young aortas while they were consistently found in those from older cases, i.e., protein group 4 ( α 1 -antichymotrypsin) 1 13 (8%) vs 12 14 (86%), group 7 (haptoglobin β-chain) 1 13 (8%) vs 13 14 (93%) and groups 6 and 9 (IgG chains) 1 13 (23%) vs 9 14 (64%), respectively. Other plasma-derived proteins such as group 3 (albumin) and 5 ( α 1 -antitrypsin) were identified in all samples of both age groups but their expression in the aortic intima increased with age. Proteins which are typically found intracellularly such as those from groups 11 (actin), 12 (cytoskeleton proteins), and 13 (tropomyosin-like proteins) appeared in samples of intima of both age groups but were less apparent in older specimens. These studies suggest that the changes in aortic intima protein distribution in the absence of atherosclerosis closely correlate with histological changes such as intimal thickening often found with aging, providing new sensitive markers of vascular senescence.
A Response of High School Teachers to the Adoption of State Economics Standards

This paper addresses the recent adoption of economics standards in the state of Indiana. The analysis is based on responses to a survey instrument that was designed to obtain information about the demographic profile of high school economics teachers, their coverage of the topic areas included in the economics standards, and the critical challenges they face as high school economics teachers. We find that while virtually all teachers in our sample deviate from the standards, the magnitude of the deviation is small, and occurs in a predictable way. Most teachers appear to spend slightly less time on microeconomics (43.2% versus the mandated 50%) and international economics concepts (9.1% versus the mandated 12%) in favor of additional personal finance topics (19% versus 10%). As a result, the standards appear to be moderately successful in achieving its intended goal of creating convergence in content coverage in high school economics curricula.
Modeling Interactive Web Sources for Information Mediation

We propose a method for modeling complex Web sources that have active user interaction requirements. Here "active" refers to the fact that certain information in these sources is only reachable through interactions like filling out forms or clicking on image maps. Typically, the former interaction can be automated by wrapper software (e.g., using parameterized urls or post commands) while the latter cannot and thus requires explicit user interaction. We propose a modeling technique for such interactive Web sources and the information they export, based on so-called interaction diagrams. The nodes of an interaction diagram model sources and their exported information, whereas edges model transitions and their interactions. The paths of a diagram correspond to sequences of interactions and allow to derive the various query capabilities of the source. Based on these, one can determine which queries sire supported by a source and derive query plans with minimal user interaction. This technique can be used offline to support design and implementation of wrappers, or at runtime when the mediator generates query plans against such sources.
Regulation of Gene Expression by Action Potentials: Dependence on Complexity in Cellular Information Processing

Nervous system development and plasticity are regulated by neural impulse activity, but it is not well understood how the pattern of action potential firing could regulate the expression of genes responsible for long-term adaptive responses in the nervous system. Studies on mouse sensory neurons in cell cultures equipped with stimulating electrodes show that specific genes can be regulated by different patterns of action potentials, and that the temporal dynamics of intracellular signalling cascades are critical in decoding and integrating information contained in the pattern of neural impulse activity. Functional consequences include effects on neurite outgrowth, cell adhesion, synaptic plasticity and axon-glial interactions. Signalling pathways involving Ca2+, CaM KII, MAPK and CREB are particularly important in coupling action potential firing to the transcriptional regulation of both neurons and glia, and in the conversion of short-term to long-term memory. Action potentials activate multiple convergent and divergent pathways, and the complex network properties of intracellular signalling and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms contribute to spike frequency decoding.
On designing the optimal template waveform for UWB impulse radio in the presence of multipath

Using an appropriate template waveform matched to the received signal allows the energy of the received signal to be extracted efficiently. This efficiency becomes vital for ultra wide bandwidth (UWB) impulse radio in the presence of multipath, where each path undergoes a different channel, causing distortion in the received pulse shape due to a variety of factors, such as different amounts of attenuation for different frequencies (see Qui, R.C. and I-Tal Lu, IEEE Trans. on Vehicular Tech., vol.48, no.1, 1999; Qui, R.C., IEEE Vehicular Tech. Conf., 1998). In such a situation, using a clean ideal line of sight path signal as a template may degrade the performance due to the mismatches between the template waveform and the received signal. Furthermore, because of inherent filtering in the RF processing (i.e., antennas, amplifiers, etc.), it is often difficult to determine even such a clean line of sight pulse. Algorithms for designing optimal template waveforms for UWB impulse radio are developed and the improvement over a more traditional template waveform used for this kind of radio is illustrated.
Some auxiliary systems

Not only are the main systems of interest for the practicing engineer. He or she will have to handle with problems in the real life in the so called auxiliary systems. As one example of such system the high pressure reduction station is analyzed in Chap. 11. Single high pressure pipe break is analyzed and the consequences of such event are discussed. As a second example for processes in auxiliary systems an analysis of the physical and chemical processes of radiolysis gas production, air absorption, diffusion controlled gas release and transport in the coolant cleaning system of the research reactor FRM II is given.
L-Type Calcium Channels Contribute to the Tottering Mouse Dystonic Episodes

Tottering mice inherit a recessive mutation of the calcium channel alpha1A subunit that causes ataxia, polyspike discharges, and intermittent dystonic episodes. The calcium channel alpha1A subunit gene encodes the pore-forming protein of P/Q-type voltage-dependent calcium channels and is predominantly expressed in cerebellar granule and Purkinje neurons with moderate expression in hippocampus and inferior colliculus. Because calcium misregulation likely underlies the tottering mouse phenotype, calcium channel blockers were tested for their ability to block the motor episodes. Pharmacologic agents that specifically block L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels, but not P/Q-type calcium channels, prevented the inducible dystonia of tottering mutant mice. Specifically, the dihydropyridines nimodipine, nifedipine, and nitrendipine, the benzothiazepine diltiazem, and the phenylalkylamine verapamil all prevented restraint-induced tottering mouse motor episodes. Conversely, the L-type calcium channel agonist Bay K8644 induced stereotypic tottering mouse dystonic at concentrations significantly below those required to induce seizures in control mice. In situ hybridization demonstrated that L-type calcium channel alpha1C subunit mRNA expression was up-regulated in the Purkinje cells of tottering mice. Radioligand binding with [3H]nitrendipine also revealed a significant increase in the density of L-type calcium channels in tottering mouse cerebellum. These data suggest that although a P/Q-type calcium channel mutation is the primary defect in tottering mice, L-type calcium channels may contribute to the generation of the intermittent dystonia observed in these mice. The susceptibility of L-type calcium channels to voltage-dependent facilitation may promote this abnormal motor phenotype.
Connectivity of Pacemaker Neurons in the Neonatal Rat Superficial Dorsal Horn

Pacemaker neurons with an intrinsic ability to generate rhythmic burst-firing have been characterized in lamina I of the neonatal spinal cord, where they are innervated by high-threshold sensory afferents. However, little is known about the output of these pacemakers, as the neuronal populations which are targeted by pacemaker axons have yet to be identified. The present study combines patch clamp recordings in the intact neonatal rat spinal cord with tract-tracing to demonstrate that lamina I pacemaker neurons contact multiple spinal motor pathways during early life. Retrograde labeling of premotor interneurons with the trans-synaptic virus PRV-152 revealed the presence of burst-firing in PRV-infected lamina I neurons, thereby confirming that pacemakers are synaptically coupled to motor networks in the spinal ventral horn. Notably, two classes of pacemakers could be distinguished in lamina I based on cell size and the pattern of their axonal projections. While small pacemaker neurons possessed ramified axons which contacted ipsilateral motor circuits, large pacemaker neurons had unbranched axons which crossed the midline and ascended rostrally in the contralateral white matter. Recordings from identified spino-parabrachial and spino-PAG neurons indicated the presence of pacemaker activity within neonatal lamina I projection neurons. Overall, these results show that lamina I pacemakers are positioned to regulate both the level of activity in developing motor circuits as well as the ascending flow of nociceptive information to the brain, thus highlighting a potential role for pacemaker activity in the maturation of pain and sensorimotor networks in the CNS.
Selected Topics from Forty Years of Natural Products Research: Betalains to Flavonoids, Antiviral Proteins, and Neurotoxic Nonprotein Amino Acids†

The elucidation by NMR and chemical methods of the unique structure of betanidin, the aglycon of the red-violet beet pigment betanin, forty years ago at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, was the beginning of my plant chemistry research program. Many of the same chemical and spectral techniques developed in Zurich have been used at The University of Texas at Austin for the structure analysis of members of many other classes of natural products including especially flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Investigations at UT-Austin have concerned many topics such as biochemical and molecular systematics, biosynthetic pathways, structure-activity relationships, and the medicinal importance of natural products and included studies of antiviral proteins in the genus Phytolacca and neurotoxic nonprotein amino acids from cycads and other sources. Following the betalain story and an account of the early development of my UT-Austin biochemical systematic program, the Phytolacca and neurotoxin investigations are discussed herein.
Permeation Breakthrough Models for Associating and Solvating Penetrants in a Membrane

Transport models are developed for diffusion with self-association or intersolute solvation through a membrane. Permeation breakthrough is defined as the time at which a specified amount of penetrant has accumulated downstream of the membrane. Numerical solutions for the transient portion of the cumulative flux expression are used to determine the effect of association or solvation on the breakthrough time. At low fractions of unassociated or unsolvated penetrant at the upstream surface, the breakthrough time increases with decreasing mobility of the associated or solvated species. However, the effect of finite kinetics results in breakthrough times that are either greater or less than those at local equilibrium depending on the mobility of the associated or solvated species. These results are discussed in terms of local sources and sinks of penetrant. For materials of equivalent penetrant solubilities, those in which the equilibrium strongly favors the formation of immobile clusters or complexes will hav...
Synthesis of spore- and stalk-specific proteins during differentiation of Dictyostelium discoideum

Abstract The construction of mature fruiting bodies occurs during the culmination stage of development of Dictyostelium discoideum . These contain at least two different cell types, spores and stalks, which originate from an initially homogenous population of vegetative amoebas. As an attempt to identify proteins whose synthesis is regulated in each cell type during differentiation, we have analyzed the two-dimensional profiles of proteins synthesized by spore and stalk cells during the culmination stage. We have identified 5 major polypeptides which are specifically synthesized by spore cells during culmination and 9 which are only made by stalk cells. Furthermore, synthesis of about 20 polypeptides appears to be enriched either in the spore or in the stalk cells. We also show that synthesis of actin, a major protein synthesized during Dictyostelium development, is specifically inhibited in the spore cells during culmination. Synthesis of most of the cell type-specific proteins initiates at 19–20 hr, during culmination. Moreover, the proteins whose synthesis is induced after formation of tight aggregates, the time when the major change in gene expression occurs, are not specifically incorporated into spores or stalk cells, and appear to be synthesized by both cell types. We conclude that a new class of genes is expressed during the culmination stage in Dictyostelium , giving rise to specific patterns of protein synthesis in spore and stalk cells.
Lanchester models of the Ardennes campaign

A detailed data base of the Ardennes campaign of World War II (December 15, 1944 through January 16, 1945) has recently been developed. The present article formulates four Lanchester models of the campaign and estimates their parameters for these data. Two-sided time histories of warfare on battles and campaigns are very rare, so Lanchester models have seldom been validated with historical data. The models are homogeneous in that tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery, and manpower are weighted to yield a measure of strength of the Allied and German forces. This weighting is utilized for combat power and for losses. The models treat combat forces in the campaign (including infantry, armor, and artillery manpower) and total forces in the campaign (including both combat manpower and support manpower.) Four models are presented. Two models have five parameters (Allied individual effectiveness, German individual effectiveness, exponent of shooting force, exponent of target force, and a tactical parameter reflecting which side is defending and attacking.) The other two models remove the tactical parameter, which is not generally known prior to warfare, and estimate the other parameters without the tactical parameter. The main results of the research are (a) the Lanchester linear model fits the Ardennes campaign data in all four cases, and (b) when combat forces are considered Allied individual effectiveness is greater than German individual effectiveness, whereas when total forces are considered Allied and German individual effectiveness is the same. The interpretation of the latter result is that the two sides had essentially the same individual capabilities but were organized differently—the Allies chose to have more manpower in the support forces, which yielded greater individual capabilities in the combat forces. The overall superiority of the Allies in the campaign led to the attrition to the Allies being a smaller portion of their forces. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.1
Characterization and modification of enzymes in the 2-ketoisovalerate biosynthesis pathway of Ralstonia eutropha H16

2-Ketoisovalerate is an important cellular intermediate for the synthesis of branched-chain amino acids as well as other important molecules, such as pantothenate, coenzyme A, and glucosinolate. This ketoacid can also serve as a precursor molecule for the production of biofuels, pharmaceutical agents, and flavor agents in engineered organisms, such as the betaproteobacterium Ralstonia eutropha. The biosynthesis of 2-ketoisovalerate from pyruvate is carried out by three enzymes: acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS, encoded by ilvBH), acetohydroxyacid isomeroreductase (AHAIR, encoded by ilvC), and dihydroxyacid dehydratase (DHAD, encoded by ilvD). In this study, enzymatic activities and kinetic parameters were determined for each of the three R. eutropha enzymes as heterologously purified proteins. AHAS, which serves as a gatekeeper for the biosynthesis of all three branched-chain amino acids, demonstrated the tightest regulation through feedback inhibition by l-valine (IC50 = 1.2 mM), l-isoleucine (IC50 = 2.3 mM), and l-leucine (IC50 = 5.4 mM). Intermediates in the valine biosynthesis pathway also exhibit feedback inhibitory control of the AHAS enzyme. In addition, AHAS has a very weak affinity for pyruvate (KM = 10.5 μM) and is highly selective towards 2-ketobutyrate (R = 140) as a second substrate. AHAIR and DHAD are also inhibited by the branched-chain amino acids, although to a lesser extent when compared to AHAS. Experimental evolution and rational site-directed mutagenesis revealed mutants of the regulatory subunit of AHAS (IlvH) (N11S, T34I, A36V, T104S, N11F, G14E, and N29H), which, when reconstituted with wild-type IlvB, lead to AHAS having reduced valine, leucine, and isoleucine sensitivity. The study of the kinetics and inhibition mechanisms of R. eutropha AHAS, AHAIR, and DHAD has shed light on interactions between these enzymes and the products they produce; it, therefore, can be used to engineer R. eutropha strains with optimal production of 2-ketoisovalerate for value-added materials.
Role of p53 and apoptosis in cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage

Our previous studies indicate that apoptosis in endothelial cells of major cerebral arteries contributes to cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study examined the pathologic roles of tumor suppressor p-53 in cerebral vasospasm using an established dog double-hemorrhage model. Twenty mongrel dogs were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) SAH, (3) SAH+DMSO (vehicle), and (4) SAH+pifithrin-alpha (PFT) (p53 inhibitor). The p53 inhibitor (200 nmol/L) was injected into the cisterna magna daily from Day 0 through Day 3. Angiogram was performed on Day 0 and Day 7. Western blot, cell proliferation assay, histology, and TUNEL staining were conducted on the basilar arteries collected on Day 7 after SAH. The arterial diameter on Day 7 was 42%+/-4%, 40%+/-5%, and 59%+/-4% for SAH, SAH+DMSO, and SAH+PFT, respectively. In addition, positive staining of TUNEL and increased protein expression of p53, Bax, and PCNA in the basilar artery were observed on Day 7. PFT suppressed apoptosis in endothelial cells and proliferation in smooth muscle cells, and attenuated angiographic vasospasm. In conclusion, p53 may be a key factor in endothelial apoptosis and smooth muscle proliferation after SAH. Inhibition of p53 may potentially reduce or even prevent cerebral vasospasm.
The effects of loss and latency on user performance in unreal tournament 2003

The growth in the popularity of interactive network games has increased the importance of a better understanding of the effects of packet loss and latency on user performance. While previous work on network games has studied user tolerance for high latencies and has studied the effects of latency on user performance in real-time strategy games, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no systematic study of the effects of loss and latency on user performance. In this paper we study user performance for Unreal Tournament 2003 (UT2003), a popular first person shooter game, under varying amounts of packet loss and latency. First, we deduced typical real world values of packet loss and latency experienced on the Internet by monitoring numerous operational UT2003 game servers. We then used these deduced values of loss and latency in a controlled networked environment that emulated various conditions of loss and latency, allowing us to monitor UT2003 at the network, application and user levels. We designed maps that isolated the fundamental first person shooter interaction components of movement and shooting, and conducted numerous user studies under controlled network conditions. We find that typical ranges of packet loss have no impact on user performance or on the quality of game play. The levels of latency typical for most UT2003 Internet servers, while sometimes unpleasant, do not significantly affect the outcome of the game. Since most first person shooter games typically consist of generic player actions similar to those that we tested, we believe that these results have broader implications.
The social world of heavy television viewers

(1980). The social world of heavy television viewers. Journal of Broadcasting: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 5-11.
Speech simulation based on MR images of the vocal tract

There have been considerable research efforts in the area of vocal tract modeling, but there is still a very small body of information regarding direct 3D measurements of the vocal tract shape. The purpose of this study was to acquire, using MRI, an inventory of 3D vocal tract airway shapes that correspond to a particular set of vowels and consonants. The 3D shapes were analyzed to find the cross-sectional areas along the centerline extending from the glottis to the mouth to produce an 'area function'. These area functions were then used as input to a computer model of 1D acoustic wave propagation in the vocal tract. The final result was a simulation of the speech waveform radiated from the mouth and closely similar to the speech waveform recorded from the same subject.
Grain size stabilization of nanocrystalline copper at high temperatures by alloying with tantalum

Abstract Nanocrystalline Cu–Ta alloys belong to an emerging class of immiscible materials with potential for high-temperature applications. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Vickers microhardness, transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM/SEM), and atomistic simulations have been applied to study the structural evolution in high-energy cryogenically alloyed nanocrystalline Cu–10 at.%Ta. The thermally induced coarsening of the as-milled microstructure was investigated and it was found that the onset of grain growth occurs at temperatures higher than that for pure nanocrystalline Cu. The total heat release associated with grain growth was 0.553 kJ/mol. Interestingly, nanocrystalline Cu–10 at.%Ta maintains a mean grain size (GS) of 167 nm after annealing at 97% of its melting point. The increased microstructural stability is attributed to a combination of thermodynamic and kinetic stabilization effects which, in turn, appear to be controlled by segregation and diffusion of Ta solute atoms along grain boundaries (GBs). The as-milled nanocrystalline Cu–10 at.%Ta exhibits Vickers microhardness values near 5 GPa surpassing the microhardness of conventional pure nanocrystalline Cu by ∼2.5 GPa.
Zinc-oxide thin-film surface-wave transducers

The piezoelectric film layer transducer represents the most efficient method for generating and detecting surface acoustic waves on nonpiezoelectric substrates. ZnO, which has a strong piezoelectric effect and can readily be sputtered as an oriented crystalline composite on a wide variety of substrates, is a natural choice as the piezoelectric film layer. This paper summarizes a body of knowledge which has been developed on the characteristics of transducer quality ZnO film layers, and focuses attention on those sputtering parameters and microstructural properties which characterize a superior surface-wave transducer film. Requisite sputtering conditions are high substrate temperatures (150-300°C), modest deposition rates (0.5-1.0 µm/h), low background vapor pressures (<5 µm Hg) and an ultraclean vacuum system. Transducer quality surface-wave films are characterized by their optical clarity, high density, smooth surface, small crystallite size, and well-oriented crystallite axes. Such ZnO films will play an important role in future surface acoustic wave device technology.
Protection against alcohol-induced gastric mucosal injury by aluminum-containing compounds--sucralfate, antacids, and aluminum sulfate.

Previously, we demonstrated that both antacids and sucralfate can protect the gastric mucosa against alcohol injury. Since these compounds contain aluminum, we studied whether other aluminum compounds have cytoprotective properties as well. Fasted rats were pretreated intragastrically with A) 0.9% NaCl, B) sucralfate, C) aluminum-magnesium antacid gel, D) A12(S04), E) Al(OH)3, and 1 h later they received 2 ml 100% ethanol by gavage. The stomach was removed and assessed for injury 3 h after ethanol administration. Control (group A) rats had 39 ± 3% gross mucosal injury, which was reduced to 5 ± 1% with sucralfate, 7 ± 1% with A12(S04)., 12 ± 2% with Al(OH)3, and 16 ± 2% with aluminum-magnesium antacid gel pretreatment. Microscopic surface epithelial injury and submucosal edema were seen in all five groups, while deep mucosal necrosis was largely prevented by pretreatment in groups B to E. These findings indicate that aluminum in a wide variety of molecular forms can protect the gastric mucosa against alcoh...
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire®: The Classroom Edition

This paper introduces a version of the internationally popular television game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire® that has been created for use in the classroom using Microsoft PowerPoint®. A suggested framework for its classroom use is presented, instructions on operating and editing the classroom version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire® are provided, and sample feedback from students who have played the classroom version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire® is offered.
Estimation of stage-specific developmental times and survivorship from stage frequency data

An algorithm for estimating mean stage durations, the standard deviations associated with the means, and stage-specific survivorships from stage frequency data is presented. The algorithm is based on an age-structured, distributed delay simulation model which usesErlang distributions to determine the probability of maturity for individuals in each stage. If the data set extends beyond the first generation, the algorithm requires a fecundity rate, as well as stage frequencies, as input. Goodness-of-fit was measured using a weighted least squares calculation summed over all observed stages and all sampling dates.
A Survey of Applications of Biological Products for Drug Interference of Immunogenicity Assays

Biological drugs in circulation can interfere with anti-drug antibody (ADA) assays and cause false ADA negatives. We surveyed the applications of biological products approved by FDA during 2005–2011 for prevalence of drug interferences and proposed approaches to address this issue scientifically. The immunogenicity assay drug tolerance, steady-state drug concentrations, and immunogenicity rates were reviewed for 26 BLA/NDA and 2 sBLA. Many FDA approved biologics had higher steady-state drug concentrations than the drug tolerance of ADA assays, by 1.2- to 800-fold. Reported immunogenicity rates may be negatively impacted. Some sponsors triaged immunogenicity samples according to the drug tolerance, leaving some samples un-assayed or reporting them as inconclusive ADA; but these samples were interpreted as ADA− for calculating immunogenicity rates. Implementation of ADA assays that can tolerate therapeutic drug concentrations is imperative. Given drug interferences, we propose in this paper the following practices: (i) to measure drug concentrations in ADA samples, (ii) to explicitly list all ADA status, including inconclusive ADA and un-assayed samples, (iii) to calculate population immunogenicity rates based on only subjects with confirmed ADA+ and ADA−, and (iv) to make available ADA assay specifics relevant to the use of ADA data in disease management.
Understanding Older Adults¿ Physical Activity Behavior: A Multi-Theoretical Approach

Physical inactivity is a health issue with serious consequences for older adults. Investigating physical activity promotion within a multi-theoretical approach may increase the predictive strength of physical activity determinants and facilitate the development and implementation of effective interventions for older adults. This article examines constructs from the Transtheoretical Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Self-Determination Theory and their integration with the Stages of Change Model in order to understand physical activity behavior change among older adults. In addition, barriers and facilitators of physical activity are identified. The need for a comprehensive multi-theoretical approach in physical activity behavior change for older adults is reinforced and implications and research areas to be addressed are discussed.
Studies on the identity of ordinary and deuterio-phycocyanins: end-groups, amino acid compositions, minimum molecular weights, peptide maps.

Abstract New data on the amino acid composition of phycocyanins extracted from Phormidium luridum and Synechococcus lividus grown in H2O and in 99.7% 2H2O have been acquired. The presence of tryptophan in these phycocyanins has been established. The minimum molecular weight for phycocyanin from P. luridum is calculated to be 21 000 g/mole, and for phycocyanin extracted from S. lividus, 25 000 g/mole, values considerably smaller than those previously reported. N-terminal amino acid determinations of Plectonema calothricoides, P. luridum, and S. lividus phycocyanins by the 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene method showed methionine to be terminal in all the phycocyanins examined. Peptide maps of tryptic digests of both ordinary and deuterio-phycocyanins from P. calothricoides and P. luridum showed a close resemblance, and these serve to confirm the identity between hydrogen and deuterio-phycocyanins originating in a particular blue-green alga.
CUTANEOUS EFFECTS OF PULSED NITROGEN GAS LASER IRRADIATION

The effects of pulsed nitrogen gas laser emission (337.1 nm wavelength) were studied on human skin. The laser provides high-intensity monochromatic UVA radiation and can elicit delayed erythema in an actual exposure time of about 1 msec (105,000 pulses, each lasting 10 nsec, delivered over 210 sec). The effects of nitrogen laser irradiation were compared clinically and histologically with conventional erythemogenic UVA and UVB exposures from xenon arc or mercury arc lamps and were found to be similar in many respects. The minimal erythema dose is comparable to that obtained using more conventional continuous light sources which have more than 100 times lower intensity. A phototoxicity comparison of oral and topically applied psoralens is presented, indicating that the laser may prove useful in comparing photosensitizing capacity of certain compounds.
Benefits and burdens: Immigrant women and work in New York City

This article analyzes the complex and contradictory ways that migration changes women's status in New York City—both for better and for worse. The focus is on the impact of women's incorporation into the labor force. On the positive side, migrant women's regular access to wages—and to higher wages—frequently improves their position in the household, broadens their social horizons, and enhances their sense of independence. Less happily, many migrant women work in dead-end positions that pay less than men's jobs. Immigrant working wives also experience a heavy double burden since the household division of labor remains far from equal.
Crustal structure of the Yakutat terrane and the evolution of subduction and collision in southern Alaska

[1] We present a two-dimensional velocity model to constrain crustal thickness and composition of the Yakutat terrane in the northern Gulf of Alaska. The model was constructed using seismic reflection and refraction data along a ∼455 km onshore-offshore profile. Our model shows that the crystalline crust composing the Yakutat terrane is wedge-shaped, with crustal thickness increasing west to east from ∼15 km to ∼30 km. Crustal velocity and structure are continuous across the terrane, with lower crustal velocities >7 km/s, suggesting that the Yakutat terrane is an oceanic plateau across its entire offshore extent rather than a composite oceanic-continental terrane as previously proposed. The thickest Yakutat crust is entering the adjacent St. Elias orogen where elevated exhumation rates and concentrated seismicity in this vicinity are likely influenced by incipient Yakutat-North America collision. Our model includes a ∼8 km thick low-velocity crustal cap extending across the eastern portion of the profile where shallow basement is imaged on marine seismic reflection data. We interpret this cap as a lithified, metamorphosed remnant accretionary prism, providing evidence of a previous attempt at Yakutat subduction along its eastern margin prior to current emplacement at the southern Alaska margin.
Preferential cleavage in pre-ribosomal RNA by protein B23 endoribonuclease

Protein B23 is an abundant nucleolar protein and a putative ribosome assembly factor which possesses an intrinsic ribonuclease activity. In the current work, the effects of RNA sequence and secondary structure on the cleavage preference by protein B23 were studied. Protein B23 ribonuclease preferentially cleaved the single-stranded homopolymers poly(A), poly(U) and poly(C). However, double-stranded co-polymers and poly(G) were resistant to cleavage. No base specificity was observed with an oligoribonucleotide substrate. The action of protein B23 ribonuclease on different regions of pre-rRNA was studied using transcripts synthesized in vitro from cloned rDNA segments. Although no specific cleavages were detected in transcripts containing sequences from the 5' external transcribed spacer or the first internal transcribed spacer, the enzyme preferentially cleaved the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) approximately 250 nt downstream from the 3'-end of 5.8S rRNA. Preferential cleavage was retained when the transcript was extended by 100 nt at the 3'-end, but abolished in a transcript lacking this cleavage site. Furthermore, this site was not susceptible to cleavage by RNase A or RNase T1. These results, in conjunction with the sub-nucleolar localization of the protein with elements of the processing machinery, suggest that the protein B23 endoribonuclease could play a role in pre-rRNA processing in ITS2.
Development of future indications for BOTOX

Since the late 1970s, local injections of BoNT have provided clinical benefit for patients with inappropriately contracting muscles with or without pain or sensory disturbance. Marketing authorization for some BoNTs, depending on country, include core indications of dystonia (blepharospasm and cervical dystonia), large muscle spastic disorders (not yet approved in the United States, e.g., adult post-stroke spasticity and equinus foot deformity), hyperhidrosis and aesthetic. Subsequent development has extended to selected conditions characterized by recurrent or chronic pain (migraine headache), and urologic indications (neurogenic/idiopathic overactive bladder; prostate hyperplasia), with multiple additional opportunities available. Portfolio management requires a careful individual opportunity assessment of scientific and technical aspects (basic science foundation, potential to treat unmet medical need, product-specific risk in specific populations, therapeutic margin/safety profile, and probability of successful registration pathway). This article describes ongoing development targets for BOTOX.
Sorting and searching using lisp, functional programming, and recursion

This paper presents some commonly used algorithms and data structures using the Lisp language, functional programming style, and recursive thinking. Insertion sort, selection sort, quick sort, binary search tree, search, insertion, and deletion operations are presented. The algorithms are written in purely functional and recursive style using Lisp. Only a small subset of Lisp is used to write the algorithms. Various factors related to learning, teaching, and the curriculum are pointed out.
Modification of (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase by fluorescein isothiocyanate: Evidence for the involvement of different amino groups at different pH values

Abstract Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) reactivity with the (Na + + K + )-ATPase was studied at pH 6.5 and 9.0. Reaction with FITC is nearly complete in 30 min and is irreversible at both pH values. Differential inhibition of enzyme activity is observed at the two pH values as follows: at pH 6.5 the maximal inhibition reached is only 35–45% of the ATPase or p -nitrophenylphosphatase activities, whereas at pH 9.0 ATPase activity can be completely inhibited while maximal phosphatase inhibition is ca. 50%. At all concentrations of FITC tested, more FITC is incorporated into the enzyme at pH 9.0 than at 6.5. At both pH values NaCl increases the inhibition due to FITC while KCl protects against the inhibition. ATP protects the enzyme at both pH values with a K 0.5 in the range of 8–20 μ m . Enzyme that is partially inactivated at either pH shows no significant change in the K 0.5 values for Na + or K + or in the K m app for ATP or p -nitrophenylphosphate for the remaining activity. The binding of 48 VO 4 is not changed by reaction with FITC at either pH, while [ 3 H]ouabain binding is inhibited after reaction at pH 9.0 only in the presence of Mg +2 + Na + + ATP. [ 3 H]Ouabain binding in the presence of Mg +2 + inorganic phosphate is not inhibited by FITC reaction. Enzyme reacted at both pH values exhibits the expected fluorescein fluorescence (λ ex = 490, λ em = 520) but only with enzyme reacted at pH 9.0 is fluorescence quenching by K + or reversal by Na + observed. These results suggest that different classes of amino groups react with FITC at the two pH values tested, and that these groups have distinct roles in the different activities of the enzyme.
Female disclosure of HIV-positive serostatus to sex partners: a two-city study.

The aims of this article are (1) to describe the prevalence of disclosure of HIV serostatus to sex partners among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of HIV-positive women living in Hawai'i and Seattle, Washington; and (2) to examine factors related to disclosure and condom use with those sex partners. HIV-positive women have difficulties consistently disclosing serostatus to sex partners and using condoms. Little is known about the disclosure practices of women from Hawai'i or Seattle. A cross-sectional design with convenience and snowball sampling was used, and up to three recent sex partner experiences were assessed among the HIV-positive participants (N = 84). A total of 133 recent sex partners were reported, with disclosure and condom use frequencies of 75.2 and 59.9%, respectively. Women who knew when it was safe to disclose were more likely to disclose. Women who disclosed to recent sex partners were less likely to use condoms, while those in casual/anonymous partnerships were more likely to use c...
Thermal protection of transformers under overload conditions

The overloads recommended in the AIEE transformer subcommittee's report,1 ``Emergency Operation of Transformers,'' are based on considerably higher transformer hot-spot temperatures for short-time operation than those given in and used to derive the emergency overloads recommended in the American Standard Guides for Operation of Transformers and Regulators C57.3. Overloads may be obtained in close agreement with the recommended emergency overload curves by the use of a relay which is controlled by a specially designed heating coil or by a specially designed relay with a conventional heating coil. Since a relay operates at about the same temperature irrespective of time to avoid too high hotspot temperature for ultimate conditions, the relay and heating coil must have such characteristics as to permit the transformer hot-spot temperature to reach considerably higher values for short times than for ultimate steady-state conditions. A detailed study of this problem has shown that this may be accomplished satisfactorily by the use of a lagged heating coil which has a relatively large time constant in comparison with that of the transformer winding or by the use of a heating coil, the time constant of which is about the same as that of the winding for operating a relay that is compensated for the changes in ambient temperature. This relay which has been developed can be set to perform three separate functions: control fans, give a warning signal, and sound an alarm or, if desired, trip the transformer off the circuit.
Attractiveness and Learning

Summary Pictures of attractive, medium, and unattractive college males and females were paired with nonsense syllables to study the influence of attractiveness on learning and retention. Ss were 12 male and 12 female students. The results were as follows: (a) Nonsense syllables paired with both attractive and unattractive pictures were learned faster than those paired with moderately attractive pictures, and nonsense syllables paired with female pictures were learned faster than those paired with male pictures. (b) More attention was paid to attractive and unattractive pictures than to medium pictures. (c) The free associations made to the nonsense syllables when they were paired with attractive pictures were positive and pleasant. The free association findings suggest the kinds of retrieval cues involved.
Reflectance measurements of human skin from the ultraviolet to the shortwave infrared (250 nm to 2500 nm)

While published literature of the optical properties of human skin is prevalent for the visible region, data are sparse in the ultraviolet and shortwave infrared. Spectral imaging has expanded from primarily an earth remote sensing tool to a range of applications including medicine and security applications, as examples. These emerging applications will likely benefit from exemplar data of human skin spectral signatures that can be used in designing and testing spectral imaging systems. This paper details an initial study of the reflectance properties over the spectral range of the ultraviolet to the shortwave infrared. A commercial spectrophotometer was used to collect the directional-hemispherical reflectance of each participant’s skin from 250 nm to 2500 nm. The measurements are directly traceable to the national scales of reflectance and include estimated measurement uncertainties. The portion of skin under test was located on the participant’s forearm and was approximately 5 mm in diameter. The results provided in this study serve as one point of reference for the optical properties of skin that in turn will aid in the development of physical and digital tissue phantoms.
Model Reduction of Transfer Functions Using a Dominant Root Method

Transfer function methods are more efficient for solving long-time transient heat transfer problems than Euler, Crank-Nicolson, or other classical techniques. Transfer functions relate the output of a linear, time-invariant system to a time series of current and past inputs, and past outputs. Inputs are modeled by a continuous, piecewise linear curve. The computational effort required to perform a simulation with transfer functions can be significantly decreased by using the Pade approximation and bilinear transformation to determine transfer functions with fewer coefficients. This paper presents a new model reduction method for reducing the number of coefficients in transfer functions that are used to solve heat transfer problems. There are two advantages of this method over the Pade approximation and bilinear transformation. First, if the original transfer function is stable, then the reduced transfer function will also be stable. Second, reduced multiple-input single-output transfer functions can be determined by this method.
ANFIS Driven Strain Control of Thin-Shape Memory Alloy Wires Using Seebeck Voltage of a Shape Memory Alloy–Constantan Thermocouple

Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators exhibit considerable hysteresis between the supply voltage (conventionally used in resistive heating) and strain characteristics of the SMA. Hence, it is not easy to control the strain of a thin-SMA wire, unless a model is developed that can match the actuator’s nonlinearities for predicting the supply voltage required by the SMA system accurately. The work presented in this paper proposes the use of a blackbox technique called the adaptive neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to study the hysteretic behavior of SMAs. The input parameters for such an ANFIS model would be a physical variable at time t and at a time tþ n, where n is a time shift. The present work studies the effect of a time shift on the actuator nonlinearities for two ANFIS models. One of the models studies the relationship between the desired displacement of an SMA and the supply voltage across the SMA, while the other model predicts the actual displacement of an SMA from the feedback temperature. A novel SMA–Constantan thermocouple records the feedback temperature. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4028455]
Political and legal implications of water scarcity in Southwestern United States and alternatives of its proper utilization

The significance of this study has been to give an overall view of the use of water in the arid western United States and to evaluate the key geographical, political, and legal factors that affect the water resource development in the region. This study includes the availability of water resources; usage of water, especially for irrigation, industry, urban, and household consumption; and methods of conservation to meet the growing demands for scarce water resources. The solutions for conservation are interbasin transfers with appropriate apportionment among western states; conserving water through drip irrigation; desalination of saline water; decreasing demand through increasing efficiency; and establishing cooperation among the western states for equitable distribution of water. The western states have to realize that scarce water in the West should be used judiciously and conservation practices have to be followed strictly to meet the future need for water. In recent years, the federal government is becoming hesitant to extend large amount of money for water projects in the West because of growing federal deficits. Water may play an important role in maintaining the standard of living for the fast growing population in the sunbelt and in accelerating the pace of economic development in the western United States.
Maoists at the hearth: everyday life in Nepal’s civil war, by Judith Pettigrew, Philadelphia, PA, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013, 188 pp., US$55.00 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0-8122-4492-2

While many scholars have turned their attention to the decade-long armed conflict between Maoists and the Nepali state that ended in 2006, Judith Pettigrew’s book offers a different and valuable pe...