cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A STRUCTURE-BASED MODEL FOR CYTOCHROME P450CAM-PUTIDAREDOXIN INTERACTIONS

Abstract Putidaredoxin (Pdx) is a Fe2S2 ferrodoxin which acts as the physiological reductant of cytochrome P-450cam (CYP101). A model for the solution structure of oxidized Pdx has been determined using NMR methods (Pochapsky et al (1994) Biochemistry 33, 6424–6432). 1H15N correlations and redox-dependent amide exchange rates have also been described (Lyons et al (1996) Protein Sci 5, 627–639). Data obtained from mutagenesis and kinetic measurements concerning the interactions of Pdx and CYP101 are summarized. A model for the structure of the homologous ferredoxin adrenodoxin (Adx) is also described, and data concerning Adx activity are discussed in relation to this structure. The structures of Pdx and CYP101 were used as starting points for molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. Close approach between the metal centers of the two proteins and interaction between aromatic residues on the surfaces of the proteins are premised. The resulting complex exhibits three intermolecular salt bridges, five intermolecular hydrogen bonds and a 12 A distance between the metal centers. The first direct observations of interaction between Pdx and CYP101 (by two-dimensional NMR of 15N-labeled Pdx in solution with CYP101) are described. The results of the NMR experiments indicate that conformational gating of the electron transfer complex between CYP101 and Pdx may be important.
A minor pathway of postreplication repair in Escherichia coli is independent of the recB, recC and recF genes.

After ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, an Escherichia coli K12 uvrB5 recB21 recF143 strain (SR1203) was able to perform a limited amount of postreplication repair when incubated in minimal growth medium (MM), but not if incubated in a rich growth medium. Similarly, this strain showed a higher survival after UV irradiation if plated on MM versus rich growth medium (i.e., it showed minimal medium recovery (MMR]. In fact, its survival after UV irradiation on rich growth medium was similar to that of a uvrB5 recA56 strain, which does not show MMR or postreplication repair. The results obtained with a uvrB5 recF332::Tn3 delta recBC strain and a uvrB5 recF332::Tn3 recB21 recC22 strain were similar to those obtained for strain SR1203, suggesting that the recB21 and recF143 alleles are not leaky in strain SR1203. The treatment of UV-irradiated uvrB5 recB21 recF143 and uvrB5 recF332::Tn3 delta recBC cells with rifampicin for 2 h had no effect on survival or the repair of DNA daughter-strand gaps. Therefore, a pathway of postreplication repair has been demonstrated that is constitutive in nature, is inhibited by postirradiation incubation in rich growth medium, and does not require the recB, recC and recF gene products, which control the major pathways of postreplication repair.
New formulation of reflection coefficient in propagation theory for imaging inhomogeneous media and for nonuniform waveguides

This paper discusses apparent deficiencies of the reflection coefficient (R) for inhomogeneous media (IX) and single-mode nonuniform waveguides (NOW5) as used in current wave propagation theory for time-harmonic waves. A new formulation is proposed (Rn) which tracks energy transport spatially, unlike the classical Schelkunoff formulation (Re) which may not display, even approximately, this property. Although the paper is focused on electromagnetic waves, the new formulation is also applicable to acoustics and related wave types. The paper discusses why, after more than four decades of careful measurement and analysis, the deficiencies have apparently gone undetected.
Evaluating and managing adult PTSD in primary care.

Abstract Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder with a sustained and dysfunctional emotional reaction to a traumatic event, threat of injury or death, and pain.1,2
The Politics of Juvenile Justice: Then and Now

Legal scholar Roscoe Pound illustrated the ambivalent response to our separate system of justice for juveniles. In 1957, Pound declared that American juvenile courts were "the greatest step forward in Anglo-American Law since the Magna Carta." However, Pound also worried that the virtually unlimited powers of the children's court could make it resemble Star Chamber proceedings. Some of this ambivalence reflects contradictory sentiments about children. While countless voices celebrate our love of children and their importance for the future, one must recall W. C. Fields's famous line that "anyone who hates children and dogs can't be all bad."
Electric conductivities, electric fields and auroral particle energy injection rate in the auroral ionosphere and their empirical relations to the horizontal magnetic disturbances

Abstract Recent progress in modeling ionospheric current systems requires global conductivity models which can reflect substorm conditions on an instantaneous basis. For this purpose, empirical relations of the North-South component ( ΔH ) of the magnetic disturbance field observed at College with the Pedersen ( Σ p ) and Hall ( Σ H ) conductivities deduced from the Chatanika radar data and their ratio ( Σ H Σ p ) are examined. These empirical formulas allow us to construct approximate distribution patterns of Σ p and Σ > H over the entire polar region on the basis of the distribution of ΔH at given instants by devising an appropriate weighting function for both the polar cap and the subauroral region. The global conductivity distributions thus obtained are compared with those employed by Kamide et al. (1981) and Spiro et al . (1982). The comparisons show that the gross features are similar among them. In addition, we also examine the relationship of ΔH with the North-South component of the electric field with the particle energy injection rate ( u A ) estimated from the Chatanika radar data. Based on the empirical relation between Σ H and u A the global distribution of the latter over the entire polar region at particular instants can also be obtained.
Magnetic properties of nanostructured CoxFe3−xO4 (0 < x < 0.2) thin films obtained by a low-temperature soft solution processing method

Abstract Single phase, highly crystalline and uniform cobalt ferrite thin films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates in aqueous solutions at 80 °C through the liquid phase deposition (LPD) method. Regardless of the chemical composition, the Co x Fe 2− x O 4 (0 x
Altered Pharmacologic Responsiveness of Reduced L‐Type Calcium Currents in Myocytes Surviving in the Infarcted Heart

Altered Pharmacology of Ica,L in Myocytes From Infarcted Heart. The pharmacologic responses of macroscopic L-type calcium channel currents to the dihydropyridine agonist, Bay K 8644, and β-adrenergic receptor stimulation by isoproterenol were studied in myocytes enzymatically dissociated from the epicardial border zone of the arrhythmic 5-day infarcted canine heart (IZs). Calcium currents were recorded at 36° to 37° C using the whole cell, patch clamp method and elicited by applying step depolarizations from a holding potential of -40 mV to various test potentials for 250-msec duration at 8-second intervals. A Cs+ -rich and 10 mM EGTA-containing pipette solution and a Na+-and K+-free external solutions were used to isolate calcium currents from other contaminating currents. During control, peak Ica,L, density was found to be significantly less in IZs (4.0 ± 1.1 pA/pF) than in myocytes dispersed from the epicardium of the normal noninfarcted heart (NZs; 6.5 ± 1.8 pA/pF). Bay K 8644 (I μM) significantly increased peak Ica,L density 3.5-fold above control levels in both NZs (to 22.5 ± 6.2 pA/pF; n = 7) and IZs (to 12.8 ± 3.0 pA/pF; n = 5), yet peak Ica,L density in the presence of drug was significantly less in IZs than NZs. The effects of Bay K 8644 on kinetics of current decay and steady-state inactivation relations of peak Ica,L were similar in the two cell types. In contrast, the response of peak L-type current density to isoproterenol (1 μM) was significantly diminished in IZs compared to NZs regardless of whether Ba2+ or Ca2+ ions carried the current. Thus, these results indicate an altered responsiveness to β-adrenergic stimulation in cells that survive in the infarcted heart. Furthermore, application of forskolin (1 μM and 10 μM) or intracellular cAMP (200 μM), agents known to act downstream of the β-receptor, also produced a smaller increase in peak IBa density in IZs versus NZs, suggesting that multiple defects exist in the β-adrenergic signaling pathway of IZs. In conclusion, these studies illustrate that reduced macroscopic calcium currents of cells in the infracted heart exhibit an altered pharmacologic profile that has important implications in the development of drugs for the diseased heart.
New path integral treatment of liquid-gas transition

Abstract A new path integral method is proposed for the treatment of liquid-gas phase transition. The proposed method establishes a direct connection between the lattice and the continuous formulations of liquid-gas transitions and, being purely microscopic, accounts explicitly for the realistic interparticle potentials.
Design and Development of a Low-Cost Wireless Data Glove for Remote Robotic Hand Operation

The goal of this project is to develop a teleoperated robotic hand with an emphasis on minimizing cost. Traditionally, use of low-cost sensors meant a sacrifice in the positional accuracy of the finger joints due to noise and high degree of nonlinearity. External vision systems provide accurate data, but suffer from being limited to specific lighting conditions and are hardly mobile. We have developed a robust data glove with a wireless connectivity to a nearby PC that is networked to a robotic arm in the different laboratory through a wireless LAN. In its prototype stage, each finger is modeled as a single joint. To measure the relative angular displacement of each joint, a hollow transparent polyurethane tube is attached along the length of each finger. An Infrared LED and a matched phototransistor are attached at the opposite ends of each tube. The bending of each finger proportionally diminishes the intensity of the light seen by the phototransistor, as a fraction of emitted energy escapes through the bend of the transparent tube. To filter the affects of external lighting and mains coupling each IR source is modulated at different frequencies to prevent interference between the signals. The relationship between relative angular displacement and the sensor signal is a highly nonlinear function that we have linearized through a combination of a non-linear amplifier and a digital look-uptable (LUT). The LUT is generated by custom-designed computer vision software that fits the true angular displacements to the function generated by passing the signal through a non-linear amplifier stage. A low-cost onboard 8-bit microcontroller applies the stored LUT to the digitized measurements from the sensors. The 16-bit positional values are then transmitted by a UDP (Universal Data Protocol) to the client PC that outputs motor commands to the servos in the robotic hand. Positional accuracy, noise and linearity were then analyzed by the same machine vision software and its effectiveness compared to the pure machine vision approach.
Adaptive wavelet classification of acoustic backscatter and imagery

The utility and robustness of wavelet features is demonstrated through three practical case studies of detecting objects in multispectral electro-optical imagery, sidescan sonar imagery, and acoustic backscatter. Attention is given to choosing proper waveforms for particular applications. Using artificial neural networks (ANNs), evidence is fused from multiple-waveform types that detect local features. The wavelet waveforms and their dilation and shift parameters are adaptively computed with ANNs to maximize classification accuracy. Emphasis is placed on the acoustic backscatter case study, involving detecting a metallic man-made object from natural and synthetic specular clutter with reverberation noise. The synthetic clutter is shown to be a good model for the natural clutter, which appears promising for avoiding huge data collection efforts for natural clutter and for better delineating the classification boundary. The classifier computes the locations, sizes, and weights of Gaussian patches in time-scale space that contain the most discriminatory information. This new approach is shown to give higher classification rates than an ANN with commonly used power spectral features. The new approach also reduces the number of free parameters in the classifier based on all wavelet features, which leads to simpler implementation for applications and to potentially better generalization to test data.
A Comparison of Detergent Tests for Butterfat in Milk with Official Methods

Summary A collaborative comparison of the Schain and Dairy Products Section (DPS) tests with the official methods, the Babcock and Mojonnier tests, was performed by a group of experienced research workers. The volumetric tests were performed in duplicate by eight men; the Mojonnier test in quadruplicate by one man. Twelve cows, comprising four breeds with three cows of each breed, were used. Morning and evening milk was analyzed one day of the first, third, and fifth week. The Babcock test has a closer correlation with the Mojonnier test than does either the Schain or the DPS test. The Schain test correlation is .9889, the DPS .9886, and the Babcock .9963, whereas a perfect correlation is 1.000. The three volumetric tests averaged slightly higher than the Mojonnier: the Schain test 0.11% butterfat, the DPS 0.06%, and the Babcock 0.09%. The standard deviation between testers was 0.15%, 0.18%, and 0.10% for the Schain, DPS, and Babcock tests, respectively. Therefore, the tester is a significant variable in these tests. The butterfat content of the milk from these individual cows varied considerably, up and down, over the 5-wk. period. Differences of 1% fat were found in five out of the 12 cows, using the average of the morning and evening samples. This variation is far greater than that attributable to the analytical procedures or to the individual testers.
Reading between the lines: Subtle stereotype threat cues can motivate performance

This research examined the impact of subtle stereotype threat cues (i.e., no mention of group differences) on motivation. Recent research suggests that blatant manipulations of threat motivate targets to attempt to disprove relevant stereotypes, but this motivation can, in turn, undermine performance. On the other hand, research suggests that subtle cues lead individuals to expend resources so as to reduce uncertainty about the presence of bias. We tested the possibility that subtle threat could also motivate individuals to try to disprove stereotypes. The results indicate that similar to blatant threat, subtle threat cues motivated participants, and this motivation directly led to worse performance in this research because of an over-reliance on traditional solution approaches and a lack of flexibility (i.e., inflexible perseverance).
Effects of feeding by potato leafhopper nymphs (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) on growth and quality of established stand alfalfa.

Damage to alfalfa by nymphs of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), was assessed in field studies during 3 years. First-instar potato leafhoppers were caged on alfalfa regrowth to feed sequentially through nymphal development and early adulthood. A negative correlation existed between potato leafhopper density and the alfalfa growth parameters measured. Relationships were curvilinear. Correlation was highest between reduction in percent crude protein and potato leafhopper density. Damage was generally more severe on second- than on third-harvest alfalfa. Variability in damage between harvests was, in part, due to a crop effect. Plant height was reduced by 10.7–53.6% when one and eight potato leafhopper nymphs, respectively, attacked an alfalfa stem. Alfalfa dry weight declined 7.3 and 56.6% and crude protein declined 6.2 and 29.5% under these respective potato leafhopper densities. Damage per insect was maximum at one potato leafhopper per stem. Total protein yield per hectare was the most severely reduced parameter. Leaf to stem ratio shifted in favor of leaf development in alfalfa stressed by potato leafhopper nymphs.
Calcium-Induced Neuronal Degeneration: A Normal Growth Cone Regulating Signal Gone Awry (?)

The neuronal growth cone is involved in neurite elongation, directional pathfinding, and target recognition. These activities are essential for proper assembly of functional circuits within the developing nervous system, for regeneration of functional circuitry following damage, and also, perhaps, for remodeling of the nervous system in response to environmental stimuli. Our studies of both molluscan and mammalian neurons in culture have shown that neurite outgrowth can only proceed when intracellular calcium levels lie within a specific outgrowth-permissive range. Cessation of outgrowth can be induced by a variety of signals normally used for communication within the adult nervous system, including neurotransmitters, and action potentials; all of these signals elevate levels of intracellular calcium above the outgrowth-permissive range. For example, glutamate, whether added to the medium or released from co-cultured entorhinal explants, can selectively inhibit dendritic outgrowth. Conversely, inhibitory neurotransmitters can block the outgrowth-inhibitory effects of glutamate and actually promote expansion of dendritic arbors. Dendritic outgrowth is therefore regulated by a balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter activity. Extreme excitatory imbalance in neurotransmitter input to pyramidal neurons causes cell death. Each of these changes in neuroarchitecture is mediated by changes in levels of intracellular calcium. We therefore put forward the hypothesis that key mechanisms which normally control the development and plasticity of neural circuitry, are also involved in neurodegeneration. Local, moderate elevations in calcium result in dendritic pruning. Higher, global elevations in calcium result in cell death. This cell death may serve an important function during normal development; aging may result in the same mechanism being employed pathologically. When intracellular calcium levels are not regulated within normal limits, as may occur in aging, neurodegeneration may occur.
Resolution of D- and L-amino acids after precolumn derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde by mixed chelation with Cu(II)-L-proline

Abstract Highly selective separation of amino acids can be accomplished by reversed phase chromatography of mixed chelate complexes of the analyte acids with equimolar concentrations of Cu(II) and an optically active second amino acid in the mobile phase. Resolution of D - and L -Dns-amino acids was accomplished this way using L -proline or L -histidine as the second amino acids. We have now extended the mixed chelation approach to resolve o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatives. The free amino acid was reacted with OPA in the presence of N-acetyl- L -cysteine. High-performance liquid chromatography of the derivative was then perfortned on a reversed-phase column, with a mobile phase containing L -proline and Cu(II), using fluorescence detection. All primary amino acids reacted rapidly with OPA without measurable side products. The optical isomers were resolved. Study of the mechanism of optical selectivity confirmed that the chiral sulfhydryl reagent was responsible for the formation of diastereomeric mixed chelate complex and for the resolution of the isomers. The same approach was also applied to resolve stereoisomers of amines and sulfhydryl compounds.
Agent-based simulation of urinary tract infection leading to renal scarring

finding the equivalent of a wild-type thermodynamic state of an existing gene segment in other (unknown) instantiations of the biologic system, in both noncoding and coding gene regions. In coding regions, TT processes amino acid sequences in a codonbased 3-letter code with additional information about choice of codon alternatives. Differences in TT (mutant-wt, case-control) were used to assess objectives 1 and 2 for the genes coding for human CD14, TLR4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and activated protein C (APC). Results: Comparison of calculated TT profiles of the human CD14, TLR4, TNF, and APC genes with 16 species–based conservation profiles (ENCODE http://genome.ucsc.edu/) validated the evolutionary relevance of TT profiles, showing a significant correlation of interspecies conservation to low thermodynamically tolerant regions. Network analysis of context similarities captured by TT descriptors in TNF revealed a hierarchical block structure of this network that directly identifies precursor and mature protein segments, structural domains in the mature protein structure, and noncontiguous regions that are in direct contact in the folded TNF. For CD14 and APC, TT analysis gave insights with regard to protein-protein interaction sites in the oligomeric structure, and the correlation of structural periodicity to the periodicity of the TT characterization of the coding sequence. Thermodynamic tolerance profiles were used for interspecies comparisons of human-mouse (H-M) pairs, based on the assumption that optimal alignment of sequence H and M is the alignment in which the difference between TT(H) and TT(M) is minimal. This approach was used to obtain optimal unbiased differential TT potentials for H and M paralogs that were compared with various aspects of function. Conclusions: Thermodynamic tolerance analysis is a novel method that appears applicable to various types of analysis of inflammationrelated genes. This approach of using networks of TT-based similarities captured in corresponding adjacency matrices allows for the combination of both local and global impact of a given SNP at a particular locus. Differences between wild-type and mutant coding sequence TT descriptors in and adjacency matrices capturing networks of TT-based similarities are useful for the single sequence–based quantitative characterization of structural or functional impact of a mutation on a given gene.
Nonlinear relaxation of a nonneutral electron plasma due to elastic collisions with background neutral gas

The expansion and nonlinear relaxation of a strongly-magnetized nonneutral electron plasma due to elastic collisions with constant collision frequency νen between the plasma electrons and a low-density background neutral gas are investigated theoretically. An important consequence of the analysis is that electron-neutral collisions (νen ≠ 0) cause the electron density profile to relax to a (slowly expanding) quasi-equilibrium state with identical profile shape ηeq(ϱ) to that which would be produced by relaxation to thermal equilibrium by electron-electron collisions in the absence of background neutral gas (νen = 0).
RESONANCE PARAMETERS AND QUANTUM DEFECTS FOR SUPEREXCITED H2

Abstract The results of R-matrix calculations on electron collisions with H + 2 are presented. These calculations include the three lowest states of H + 2 ( 2 Σ + g , 2 Σ + u and 2 Π u ). Positions and widths of the Feshbach resonances converging to both the 2 Σ + u and 2 Π u states are given, as are autoionization branching ratios for resonances lying above the 2 Σ + u state. Complex quantum defects, calculated by performing scattering calculations above threshold, are presented for all three states considered. Results are tabulated for 12 symmetries ( 1 Σ + g , 1 Σ + u , 1 Π u , 1 Π g , 1 Δ g , 1 Δ u , 3 Σ + g , 3 Σ + u , 3 Π u , 3 Π g , 3 Δ g , 3 Δ u ) and 13 internuclear separations from 1 to 4 a 0 .
Power generation and distribution at air defense computing centers

Uninterrupted power for electronic computers at weapons direction centers, as provided by this diesel-power generation and distribution system, has been a primary design objective. By installing reserve generating capacity, duplexing the power-distribution system, and emphasizing equipment reliability, continuity is achieved.
The Myth of Motherhood: A Study of Attitudes Toward Motherhood

Traditional attitudes toward motherhood reflect many contradictions. The Motherhood Inventory (Ml), a 40 item questionnaire, has been developed to study attitudes toward motherhood and the motherhood myth. The Ml includes items relating to the control of reproduction, abortion, adoption, single motherhood, male-female relationships, and idealized and punitive attitudes toward mothers. The 301 subjects in this study were drawn largely from undergraduate and graduate students at an eastern university and their parents. Comparisons with scores on the Spence-Helmreich Attitudes toward Women Scale (AWS) revealed that the sample was more liberal than the original AWS sample. Men were found to hold significantly more traditional attitudes toward motherhood than women. Younger subjects also agreed more with the myth of motherhood as did unmarried subjects. Catholics more than non-Catholics rejected abortion and supported the primacy of the woman's role as mother. Education produced the most pronounced effect on attitudes toward motherhood with more liberal attitudes held by those who were college graduates.
Estimation of true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss in growing chicks fed conventional and low-phytate soybean meals.

This study evaluated regression of total P output against dietary P intake to simultaneously estimate endogenous P loss and true P utilization in broiler chicks. Soybean meal (SBM) served as the model ingredient, and a comparison was made between conventional and low-phytate SBM varieties. These feedstuffs were chosen to minimize nutritive differences to dietary phytate content. Low-phytate SBM contained 57% less phytate than conventional SBM. Four isocaloric diets were formulated to contain graded levels of each soybean meal (8 diets total); therefore, the diets also contained graded levels of dietary P. Chromium sesquioxide was included in diets as an indigestible marker, and free access to experimental diets was provided to 288 male broiler chicks from 15 to 22 d posthatch. The experiment was arranged as a randomized complete block design with 6 blocks of 8 cages (6 birds per cage) and similar initial BW across dietary treatments. As P intake ranged from 0.9 to 3.9 g/ kg of DM, apparent prececal P digestibilities increased (linear and quadratic, P 0.10), and an overall estimate of 235 mg of P/ kg of DM intake was observed. This study concluded 1) the regression approach may be applicable in the estimation of endogenous P loss in broiler chicks and 2) the difference in P utilization between conventional and low-phytate soybean meals is influenced by dietary phytate content when broiler chicks are fed P-deficient diets.
Buoyant boundary layer flows ― an analogy to the Ekman spiral

Abstract Flow details inside the buoyant boundary layer in the heat-up process of a contained, stably stratified, fluid are presented. Numerical solutions were obtained for the heatup problem in a cylinder considered by Sakurai and Matsuda (1972). By plotting the scaled vertical velocity W versus the scaled temperature θ as functions of the normal distance from the sidewall, the precise shape of the buoyant layer spiral is constructed. The analogy between this spiral and the Ekman spiral in rotating fluids is apparent. As the Rayleigh number Ra increases, the magnitude of the scaled vertical velocity increases substantially, but the scaled temperature does not vary appreciably. The buoyant layer thickness is determined by measuring the zero-crossing normal distance for the vertical velocity. The buoyant layer suction increases significantly as Ra increases. The effects of vertical level and of time on the qualitative behavior of buoyant layer flows are found to be small. The buoyant layer flows decay over...
Soman-induced convulsions affect the inositol lipid signaling system: Potentiation by lithium; Attenuation by atropine and diazepam

Effects of atropine or diazepam pretreatment on soman-induced convulsions and brain phosphoinositide (PI) metabolism, as assessed by brain regional inositol-1-phosphate (IP1) levels, were studied in saline and LiCl-pretreated rats. IP1, an intermediate in PI turnover, was measured in cortex, caudate, thalamus, hippocamupus, and cerebellum. Soman (100 μg/kg; sc) produced convulsions in 63% of the saline-pretreated rats, whereas with LiCl pretreatment all rats exposed to 100 μg/kg of soman had tonic-clonic convulsions. Thus, LiCl pretreatment potentiated soman-induced convulsions. Tissue IP1 increased severalfold in soman-exposed convulsing rats with the highest increases being in frontal cortex and caudate. In contrast, no marked increases of IP1 occurred in similarly treated nonconvulsing rats. LiCl treatment itself increased IP1 levels without causing convulsions. In LiCl-pretreated rats, soman again markedly elevated IP1 levels without causing convulsions. In LiCl-pretreated rats, soman again markedly elevated IP1 levels above LiCl alone in convulsing rats, whereas no such effect occurred in nonconvulsing rats. In LiCl-pretreated rats, the increased IP1 levels associated with soman-induced convulsions were greatest in hippocampus and piriform cortex. Thus, LiCl appears to lower the threshold for the spread of seizure activity through limbic structures, thereby potentiating cholinergic-induced convulsions. Diazepam and atropine both blocked soman-induced convulsions, and brain regional IP1 elevations were concomitantly abolished as well. These results indicate that soman-induced convulsions involve the inositol lipid signaling system. This involvement is potentiated by lithium but attenuated by atropine and diazepam.
Energy and angle-resolved studies of neutrals desorbed from ion bombarded polycrystalline metal surfaces

Abstract Angle-resolved energy distributions and energy-resolved angle distributions for atoms desorbed from polycrystalline In and Rh foils bombarded by 5-keV Ar + ions are reported. It is possible to record these data under low dose conditions using multiphoton resonance ionization detection for the neutrals after they have left the target. The results show that angle or energy integrated data agree reasonably well with energy transport theories, an observation confirmed by many previous workers. The energy-resolved angle distributions for both In and Rh, however, exhibit a near cos θ distribution for low energy particles and a near cos 2 θ distribution for the higher energy particles. The angle-resolved energy distributions also exhibit a shift in the peak position to lower values as θ is increased from 0 to 75°. Neither effects are predicted by theory. The results are discussed in terms of the anisotropy of the momentum distribution which apparently exists inside the solid during the evolution of the collison cascade.
Use of an Income-Equivalence Scale to Understand Age-Related Changes in Financial Strain.

The use of income-equivalence scales (IES) to adjust family income for differences in family size is described, with a novel application to derive out-of-pocket health costs that are adjusted for family income and family size. IES provide distinct advantages over the use of poverty indices. One important empirical advantage pertains to improved specification of hypothesized functional causal relationships involving objective measures of economic well-being. Causal relationships involving social structural variables and measures of objective and subjective economic well-being will be our initial focus for discussion. This will lead to a discussion and derivation of IES, which are necessary to specify this causal relationship. Then, in a unique application of IES, out-of-pocket health costs incurred by patients with recurrent cancer are adjusted for differences in family size and income and will be incorporated into an even broader index of overall objective family financial stress. Finally, curvilinear and moderated relationships based on this overall index and adult patient age will be tested in simultaneous causal relationships to three measures, in addition to a latent construct, of “subjective patient financial strain.”
Modeling of Gulf Stream boundary features in SAR imagery

Current measurements of a Gulf Stream boundary region off Cape Charles, VA, identified two current fronts with shear and convergent flows. Using these measured currents the authors have made predictions of the HH and VV radar return for P-, L-, and C- bands and compared them with simultaneously collected polarimetric SAR data. The ocean wave spectrum is computed using the wave-action equation with a Hughes-type source term. Radar cross sections are derived from the predicted wave field using a composite scattering Bragg model. Across the fronts wind waves are both refracted and shortened leading to modulations in their spectral density which is evident in the radar imagery. These current fronts produce significant densities of breaking waves which cannot be ignored in the radar predictions. The authors estimates of the radar cross section including breaking wave contributions are found to be consistent with the SAR data. >
“Left-Handed” Magnetic Granular Composites

We investigate the possibility of preparing left-handed materials in metallic magnetic granular composites. Based on the effective medium approximation, we show that by incorporating metallic magnetic nanoparticles into an appropriate insulating matrix and controlling the directions of magnetization of metallic magnetic components and their volume fraction, it may be possible to prepare a composite medium which is left handed for electromagnetic waves propagating in some special direction and polarization in a frequency region near the ferromagnetic resonance frequency. This composite may be easier to make on an industrial scale. In addition, its physical properties may be easily tuned by rotating the magnetization locally. The anisotropic characteristics of this material is discussed. The exactly solvable example of the multilayer system is used to illustrate the results of the effective medium calculation.
Distributed fuzzy control of flexible manufacturing systems

A flexible manufacturing system (FMS) consists of a set of machines that are connected via tracks over which parts may be transported from one machine to another for processing. As parts arrive at a machine via the tracks, they are put in a buffer (queue) where they are held before they are processed. There is a local controller (scheduling policy) at each machine which uses the machine's buffer levels to decide which part type to process next; hence the overall controller for the FMS is physically distributed across the entire FMS with local schedulers at each machine. In this paper the authors show how to design a fuzzy controller for a single machine and show via simulation that its performance is comparable to conventional schedulers. In addition, the authors introduce an adaptive fuzzy controller which can automatically synthesize itself (or tune itself if there are machine parameter variations) to achieve good throughput rates for the single machine as compared with conventional schedulers. Next it is shown via simulations that by using such adaptive fuzzy controllers in a distributed fashion, one obtains a distributed fuzzy controller (DFC) which can automatically synthesize itself and lower the maximum buffer level more effectively than conventional schedulers. Finally, the authors illustrate the ability of the DFC and conventional schedulers to automatically tune themselves in case there are unpredictable machine parameter changes in an FMS. These final results show that while sometimes the DFC performs in a superior fashion, better scheduling policies are needed to guarantee high performance FMS operation in case there are unpredictable machine parameter changes. >
Relationship between Serum Lipid Values and Atherosclerotic Burden in the Proximal Thoracic Aorta

BackgroundWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis in a population-based cohort to compare the strength of the associations among various lipid parameters and the presence of atherosclerotic plaque ...
The effect of globalization on the United Nations

In order to fill the gap between globalization and the future of the UN, this study examines the effects of Globalization on the United Nations. This is a two-part study that first examines the effect of globalization on the state and non–state actors; while the second part examines the impact globalization will have on UN power. 137 countries have been thoroughly examined between the years 1970-2006. The analysis finds that globalization affects the power transfer from states to the non–state actors and will eventually result in an increase in power for the UN and these effects are found to occur on a general level amongst the states.
The Dynameomics rotamer library: amino acid side chain conformations and dynamics from comprehensive molecular dynamics simulations in water.

We have recently completed systematic molecular dynamics simulations of 807 different proteins representing 95% of the known autonomous protein folds in an effort we refer to as Dynameomics. Here we focus on the analysis of side chain conformations and dynamics to create a dynamic rotamer library. Overall this library is derived from 31,000 occurrences of each of 86,217 different residues, or 2.7 × 109 rotamers. This dynamic library has 74% overlap of rotamer distributions with rotamer libraries derived from static high-resolution crystal structures. Seventy-five percent of the residues had an assignable primary conformation, and 68% of the residues had at least one significant alternate conformation. The average correlation time for switching between rotamers ranged from 22 ps for Met to over 8 ns for Cys; this time decreased 20-fold on the surface of the protein and modestly for dihedral angles further from the main chain. Side chain S2 axis order parameters were calculated and they correlated well with those derived from NMR relaxation experiments (R = 0.9). Relationships relating the S2 axis order parameters to rotamer occupancy were derived. Overall the Dynameomics rotamer library offers a comprehensive depiction of side chain rotamer preferences and dynamics in solution, and more realistic distributions for dynamic proteins in solution at ambient temperature than libraries derived from crystal structures, in particular charged surface residues are better represented. Details of the rotamer library are presented here and the library itself can be downloaded at http://www.dynameomics.org.
Natural infections of aposymbiotic Cassiopea xamachana scyphistomae from environmental pools of Symbiodinium

The ability to acquire different types of the symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium (zooxanthellae) from the environment was investigated using aposymbiotic scyphistomae of the jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana. Non-symbiotic scyphistomae were placed on an offshore Florida patch reef and in Florida Bay during 3- and 5-day periods in March, and 5-day exposures in May, August and December of 2003. Scyphistomae were maintained in culture for several months, after which members of clades A, B, C and D Symbiodinium were detected in these hosts by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analyses. These findings contrast with naturally collected C. xamachana medusa from Florida Bay where all specimens possessed only Symbiodinium type A1. Furthermore, the polyps did not acquire the symbionts found in nearby cnidarian colonies, suggesting that a diverse pool of symbiont lineages exists in the environment. These results support previous laboratory studies where aposymbiotic hosts were initially non-selective and capable of acquiring many kinds of Symbiodinium. The specificity seen in adult hosts is likely a result of post-infection processes due to competitive exclusion or other mechanisms. A higher percentage of polyps became infected after 5 days of exposure, compared to 3 days, and no infections were observed in laboratory controls held in filtered seawater. Infections were lowest (50% at both sites) in March of 2003, when seawater temperatures were at their annual minima. Infection was 100% in scyphistomae exposed for 5 days during the months of May, August and December of 2003. These findings suggest that this host system, in addition to addressing questions of host-symbiont selectivity, can be employed to monitor and define the abundance and distribution of natural pools of Symbiodinium.
Structural allografting in revision total knee arthroplasty

Between 1985 and 1991, 15 patients underwent structural allografting as part of revision total knee arthroplasty. All patients had large segmental, cavitary, or combination defects of the femur and/or tibia. Seven distal femurs and 12 proximal tibias required allografting. Patients were evaluated with physical examination, radiographs, and The Hospital for Special Surgery knee rating scale. Three patients died, leaving 15 allografts for follow-up study. The average age at surgery was 63 years. The follow-up period averaged 47 months (range, 30-101 months). Average range of motion before surgery was 4 degrees to 93 degrees, and after surgery, 2 degrees to 104 degrees. Average knee score was 47 before and 86 after surgery. Preoperative alignment averaged 5 degrees varus, ranging from 25 degrees valgus to 20 degrees varus, and postoperative alignment averaged 4 degrees valgus, ranging from neutral to 6 degrees valgus. All patients, except one, had improvement of pain and stability. All of the 15 allografts healed to host-bone and 13 showed evidence of incorporation. There were no infections or fractures of the allografts. One complication directly related to the allograft occurred; that patient had a tibial component fracture over a proximal tibial allograft 3 years after surgery. Three other complications occurred. One was tibial loosening in a patient who received a distal femoral allograft, the second was a proximal tibial fracture in a patient who received a distal femoral allograft, and the third was an intraoperative patellar tendon avulsion. These results suggest that structural allografting can provide a satisfactory method of managing large bone defects in the failed total knee arthroplasty.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: How to Start and Steer a Successful Program

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials by selecting the appropriate dose, duration, and route of administration. The appropriate use of antimicrobials has the potential to improve efficacy, reduce treatment-related costs, minimize drug-related adverse events, and limit the potential for emergence of antimicrobial resistance. OBJECTIVE: To summarize ASP tactics that can improve the appropriate use of antimicrobials in the hospital setting. Several measures can be used to implement such programs and gain multidisciplinary support while addressing common barriers. SUMMARY: Implementation of an ASP requires a multidisciplinary approach with an infectious diseases physician and a clinical pharmacist with infectious diseases training as its core team members. As identified by recently published guidelines, 2 proactive strategies for promoting antimicrobial stewardship include: (1) formulary restriction and pre-authorization, and (2) prospective audit with intervention and feedback. Other supplemental strategies involve education, guidelines and clinical pathways, antimicrobial order forms, de-escalation of therapy, intravenous-to-oral (IV-to-PO) switch therapy, and dose optimization. Several barriers exist to successful implementation of ASPs. These include obtaining adequate administrative support and compensation for team members. Gaining physician acceptance can also be challenging if there is a perceived loss of autonomy in clinical decision making. CONCLUSION: ASPs have the potential to reduce antimicrobial resistance, health care costs, and drug-related adverse events while improving clinical outcomes. The efforts and expense required to implement and maintain ASPs are more than justified given their potential benefits to both the hospital and the patient.
Kinematic and kinetic constraints on arm, trunk, and leg segments in target-reaching movements.

We studied target reaching tasks involving not only the arms but also the trunk and legs, which necessitated some trunk flexion. Such tasks can be successfully completed using an infinite number of...
Is it only diastolic dysfunction? Segmental relaxation patterns and longitudinal systolic deformation in systemic hypertension

Aims To investigate changes in longitudinal systolic function estimated by strain echocardiography in relation to global diastolic dysfunction and alterations in segmental relaxation patterns. Methods and results We studied 75 hypertensive patients, of whom 45 had diastolic dysfunction and normal EF, and 30 matched controls. All subjects had 2D and colour Doppler myocardial imaging. Mean longitudinal strain (S) and strain rate (SR) were averaged from the basal and mid-LV segments assessed in the longitudinal axis. Early to late diastolic SR ratio <1.1 was defined as altered segmental relaxation [segmental diastolic dysfunction (DD)]. The total number of segmental DD out of the 18 basal-mid-apical segments was calculated for all the participants. Longitudinal systolic function estimated by mean strain and SR was decreased in the hypertensive group, but was further deteriorated in the diastolic dysfunction group compared with controls. Altered Segmental Relaxation was highly correlated with longitudinal systolic dysfunction expressed by strain ( r : −0.56)or SR ( r : −0.57). A septal mitral annular Ea cut-off of 5.9 cm/s predicted longitudinal systolic dysfunction with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 70%. A multiple linear regression model proved LVMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and age as independent predictors of diastolic and longitudinal systolic dysfunction and BMI to independently related to diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion Longitudinal systolic dysfunction may be present in hypertensive patients with diastolic dysfunction, especially when septal Ea < 5.9 cm/s. Altered segmental relaxation pattern is highly correlated with longitudinal systolic dysfunction. LV hypertrophy, SBP and aging are important determinants of both diastolic and longitudinal systolic dysfunction, whereas obesity appears to contribute to the appearance of diastolic dysfunction.
The Origins of Cognitive Dissonance Evidence From Children and Monkeys

In a study exploring the origins of cognitive dissonance, preschoolers and capuchins were given a choice between two equally preferred alternatives (two different stickers and two differently colored M&M's®, respectively). On the basis of previous research with adults, this choice was thought to cause dissonance because it conflicted with subjects' belief that the two options were equally valuable. We therefore expected subjects to change their attitude toward the unchosen alternative, deeming it less valuable. We then presented subjects with a choice between the unchosen option and an option that was originally as attractive as both options in the first choice. Both groups preferred the novel over the unchosen option in this experimental condition, but not in a control condition in which they did not take part in the first decision. These results provide the first evidence of decision rationalization in children and nonhuman primates. They suggest that the mechanisms underlying cognitive-dissonance reduc...