cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Caspase-7 Activation by the Nlrc4/Ipaf Inflammasome Restricts Legionella pneumophila Infection

Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila), the causative agent of a severe form of pneumonia called Legionnaires' disease, replicates in human monocytes and macrophages. Most inbred mouse strains are restrictive to L. pneumophila infection except for the A/J, Nlrc4−/− (Ipaf−/−), and caspase-1−/− derived macrophages. Particularly, caspase-1 activation is detected during L. pneumophila infection of murine macrophages while absent in human cells. Recent in vitro experiments demonstrate that caspase-7 is cleaved by caspase-1. However, the biological role for caspase-7 activation downstream of caspase-1 is not known. Furthermore, whether this reaction is pertinent to the apoptosis or to the inflammation pathway or whether it mediates a yet unidentified effect is unclear. Using the intracellular pathogen L. pneumophila, we show that, upon infection of murine macrophages, caspase-7 was activated downstream of the Nlrc4 inflammasome and required caspase-1 activation. Such activation of caspase-7 was mediated by flagellin and required a functional Naip5. Remarkably, mice lacking caspase-7 and its macrophages allowed substantial L. pneumophila replication. Permissiveness of caspase-7−/− macrophages to the intracellular pathogen was due to defective delivery of the organism to the lysosome and to delayed cell death during early stages of infection. These results reveal a new mechanism for caspase-7 activation downstream of the Nlrc4 inflammasome and present a novel biological role for caspase-7 in host defense against an intracellular bacterium.
MULTIFACTOR POPULATION LIMITATION: VARIABLE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL CONTROL OF SPIDERS ON GULF OF CALIFORNIA ISLANDS

Spider density on desert islands in the Gulf of California is a joint function of variable productivity (bottom-up effects) and consumer intensity (top-down effects). Data from 20 islands and five years (1990–1994) show that the cumulative productivity of islands, a sum of the input of marine detritus and terrestrial plant productivity, varies spatially and temporally. Marine inputs are a function of the perimeter/area ratio and are thus relatively greater on smaller islands. Land plant productivity, a function of precipitation, is negligible in most years but can increase greatly (10–160× in plant cover) with heavy rains from El Nino events (e.g., 1992–1993). Consumer intensity is a function of the continual influence of predaceous scorpions and the sporadic occurrence of parasitoid spider wasps (Pompilidae); the importance of these factors varies greatly, both because scorpions are absent on some islands and because parasitoid densities show extreme year-to-year oscillations. El Nino rains produced large changes in the quantity and quality of plant resources and the control of spider populations. Spider densities doubled in 1992 in response to high levels of prey that followed heavy rains but crashed in 1993, despite continued high plant productivity and prey availability. The appearance of copious nectar and pollen, food of adult parasitoid wasps, caused wasp populations to erupt in 1993. Wasps emerged as a major, but previously hidden, trophic influence and greatly suppressed spider populations. Pompilids act as nonequilibrium agents—they are regulated by factors other than prey (spider) availability. In general, smaller spider populations were more variable year to year in the magnitude of their increases and decreases. In spite of the great temporal and spatial variability, consistent changes in plant, prey, spider, and wasp dynamics occurred repeatedly and apparently independently on islands throughout the archipelago. Such patterns of concerted change strongly suggest that general processes related to productivity and consumption are key to understanding the dynamics of this system.
Interracial Group Dynamics: A New Perspective.

Abstract This article examines interracial group dynamics from the perspective of coalitions that are formed by the racial identity attitudes of group members, not only by their racial categorization. A case study illustrating coalitions that were formed between group members from the same and different racial groups is provided.
Conducting Research on Practice

This article explores two forms of research on practice: formal research and practical inquiry. Formal research is undertaken by researchers and practitioners to contribute to an established and general knowledge base. Practical inquiry is undertaken by practitioners to improve their practice. It is suggested that practical inquiry is more likely than formal research to lead to immediate classroom change; that these two forms of research are fundamentally different; and that both are useful to practice, but in different ways.
Allosteric catch bond properties of the fimh adhesin from Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium

Despite sharing the name and the ability to mediate mannose-sensitive adhesion, the type 1 fimbrial FimH adhesins of Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli share only 15% sequence identity. In the present study, we demonstrate that even with this limited identity in primary sequence, these two proteins share remarkable similarity of complex receptor binding and structural properties. In silico simulations suggest that, like E. coli FimH, Salmonella FimH has a two-domain tertiary structure topology, with a mannose-binding pocket located on the apex of a lectin domain. Structural analysis of mutations that enhance S. Typhimurium FimH binding to eukaryotic cells and mannose-BSA demonstrated that they are not located proximal to the predicted mannose-binding pocket but rather occur in the vicinity of the predicted interface between the lectin and pilin domains of the adhesin. This implies that the functional effect of such mutations is indirect and probably allosteric in nature. By analogy with E. coli FimH, we suggest that Salmonella FimH functions as an allosteric catch bond adhesin, where shear-induced separation of the lectin and pilin domains results in a shift from a low affinity to a high affinity binding conformation of the lectin domain. Indeed, we observed shear-enhanced binding of whole bacteria expressing S. Typhimurium type 1 fimbriae. In addition, we observed that anti-FimH antibodies activate rather than inhibit S. Typhimurium FimH mannose binding, consistent with the allosteric catch bond properties of this adhesin.
Cyber victimization in middle school and relations to social emotional outcomes

Abstract Cyber or electronic bullying is a growing problem among school-aged children and research on cyberbullying is still relatively young. The primary purposes of the current study were: (a) to investigate gender and grade level differences among cyber victims (b) to investigate the overlap between traditional victimization and cyber victimization and (c) to investigate the associations among cyber victimization and social emotional outcomes. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires on cyber victimization, traditional victimization, and social-emotional outcomes in a school-based sample of 106 middle school students. Results demonstrated that levels of cyber victimization did not differ by grade or by gender, cyber victimization and traditional victimization are distinct but related constructs, and relations between cyber victimization and social emotional outcomes varied by gender, with girls suffering more than boys. This study also confirmed that traditional bullying continues to be significantly related to a number of negative outcomes for all students. These findings, as well as implications and direction of future research, are discussed.
Crystalline d-glycero-L-gluco-octulose, crystalline methyl d-glycero-α-L-gluco-octulopyranoside, and some related compounds

Abstract Several compounds in the D - threo - L - ido -octose series are described. Syrupy D - threo - L - ido -octose was found to be converted, by long standing, into D - glycero - L - gluco -octulose ( 3 ). The same octulose has also been obtained by oxidation of D - threo - L - gulo -octitol with Acetobacter suboxydans . Treatment of D - glycero - L - gluco -octulose with methanol and an acid catalyst produced methyl D - glycero -α- L - gluco -octulo-pyranoside, whose structure was proved by degradation to methyl α- L - gluco -heptulo-pyranoside, the enantiomorph of methyl α- D - gluco -heptulopyranoside, whose pyranoside structure was proved in 1942. Some other compounds derived from octulose 3 are also described.
Do Clark’s nutcrackers demonstrate what-where-when memory on a cache-recovery task?

What-where-when (WWW) memory during cache recovery was investigated in six Clark's nutcrackers. During caching, both red- and blue-colored pine seeds were cached by the birds in holes filled with sand. Either a short (3 day) retention interval (RI) or a long (9 day) RI was followed by a recovery session during which caches were replaced with either a single seed or wooden bead depending upon the color of the cache and length of the retention interval. Knowledge of what was in the cache (seed or bead), where it was located, and when the cache had been made (3 or 9 days ago) were the three WWW memory components under investigation. Birds recovered items (bead or seed) at above chance levels, demonstrating accurate spatial memory. They also recovered seeds more than beads after the long RI, but not after the short RI, when they recovered seeds and beads equally often. The differential recovery after the long RI demonstrates that nutcrackers may have the capacity for WWW memory during this task, but it is not clear why it was influenced by RI duration.
ON THE DETERMINATION OF THE MELTING POINT OF SEMICRYSTALLINE POLYMER BY DSC

This is a study for criteria to judge the melting point of semi-crystalline polymers from the DSC endotherm for polymer melting. Beyond standard indium DSC melting results an evaluation has been made on a series of polyethylenes for which crystal sizes were measured and predicted from Raman LAM analysis. The results confirm the conclusion of Prof. Wunderlich that the DSC content of melting is the proper basis of reporting melting points.
Earthquake simulation by nuclear explosions

A country wishing to evade a comprehensive test ban treaty could disguise a clandestine nuclear test as a natural earthquake by detonating a sequence of explosions, one of which would be caused by the device of interest.
Effects of dietary administration of 5-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-ethylbarbituric acid (dichlorophenobarbital) to rats: Emphasis on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes and morphology

Dietary administration of 5-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-ethylbarbituric acid (0.002–0.054% drug diets) to rats for 30 days resulted in centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes and dose-related increases in liver weight, hepatic microsomal protein, and the rate of p -nitroanisole O-demethylation in liver homogenates. The increase in microsomal protein was evident by electron microscopy as an increased amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. When rats were returned to a control diet for 2 weeks after treatment, liver weight, the concentration of microsomal protein, and the rate of p -nitroanisole metabolism were comparable to control values. Hypertrophy of the thyroid observed at the end of treatment was reversible upon withdrawal of dichlorophenobarbital. The results demonstrated that dichlorophenobarbital is a potent inducer of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes, and that most of the effects are rapidly reversible upon cessation of treatment.
Achievement Contexts: Effect on Achievement Values and Causal Attributions

ABSTRACT This study investigated some antecedents of achievement attributions and achievement values. Antecedents included demographics (gender, age, socioeconomic status, and race) and six achievement context choices (school, work, family, social, aesthetic, and sport). It was expected that individuals would be more motivated to achieve in some contexts and less motivated to achieve in others, and that this would affect their achievement attributions and values. The subjects were 1,164 9th and 12th graders from six Illinois high schools that were balanced on rural, inner-city, and urban locations. Canonical correlation analysis was used to determine that demographics shared 13.7% of the variance in optimally weighted linear combinations of achievement contexts, but only a small amount of the variance in causal attributions and achievement values. Achievement contexts, controlling for demographics, shared 50.1% of the variance in optimally weighted linear combinations of achievement values and 20% of the ...
A 260GHz amplifier with 9.2dB gain and −3.9dBm saturated power in 65nm CMOS

Terahertz and millimeter-wave systems are known to have unique and significant applications in health, security and industry. Recently, CMOS technology is used to implement these systems for applications such as imaging, high-speed communication and radar [1]. Signal amplification for the target THz and high mm-Wave applications entails daunting design challenges, as operation frequency is getting closer to the Maximum Oscillation Frequency (fmax) of the transistors. This is mostly because the maximum available gain (Gma) drops significantly below useful levels at frequencies close to fmax. In this paper we introduce an amplifier that can boost the gain of the transistors close to the maximum fundamental value and achieves 9.2dB of gain and -3.5dBm of saturated output power at around 260GHz.
Isopropyl alcohol intoxication: A diagnostic challenge

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is an ingredient of commonly used household solutions. Accidental and suicidal ingestion of IPA sometimes can be fatal if it goes unrecognized and untreated. There are few published reports on IPA intoxication. We describe a case of repeated IPA ingestion in a single individual, followed by a review of the literature on the subject. The differential diagnosis, diagnostic pitfalls, and therapeutic interventions in patients with IPA intoxications are discussed.
Estimation of the Effective Dielectric Constant of Cyclodextrin Cavities Based on the Fluorescence Properties of Pyrene-3-Carboxaldehyde

The microscopic dielectric constant of the cyclodextrin (CD) interior is a fundamental property of these microheterogeneous environments. Polarity and dielectric constant play a crucial role in the understanding of spectroscopy and chromatography. Bulk measurements of these properties are not suitable for the evaluation of inclusion cavities, and frequently luminescent probes are employed to estimate these parameters. Recently, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon probes have been used to evaluate the effective polarity of the CD cavity, and the approximate formation constants were estimated for inclusion complexes of the variety: PAH + CD ⇌ [PAH − CD] (1) [PAH − CD] + CD ⇌ [CD − PAH − CD] (2) [PAH − CD] + PAH ⇌ [PAH − PAH − CD] (3) [PAH − CD] + [PAH − CD] ⇌ [CD − PAH − PAH − CD] (4)
DICTIONARY CONSTRUCTION BY DOMAIN EXPERTS

Sites participating in the recent message understanding conferences have increasingly focused their research on developing methods for automated knowledge acquisition and tools for human-assisted knowledge engineering. However, it is important to remember that the ultimate users of these tools will be domain experts, not natural language processing researchers. Domain experts have extensive knowledge about the task and the domain, but will have little or no background in linguistics or text processing. Tools that assume familiarity with computational linguistics will be of limited use in practical development scenarios.
NaCl Interactions with Phosphatidylcholine Bilayers Do Not Alter Membrane Structure but Induce Long-Range Ordering of Ions and Water

It is generally accepted that ions interact directly with lipids in biological membranes. Decades of biophysical studies on pure lipid bilayer systems have shown that only certain types of ions, most significantly large anions and multivalent cations, can fundamentally alter the structure and dynamics of lipid bilayers. It has long been accepted that at physiological concentrations NaCl ions do not alter the physical behavior or structure of bilayers composed solely of zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine (PC) lipids. Recent X-ray scattering experiments have reaffirmed this dogma, showing that below 1 M concentration, NaCl does not significantly alter bilayer structure. However, despite this history, there is an ongoing controversy within the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation community regarding NaCl/PC interactions. In particular, the CHARMM and GROMOS force fields show dramatically different behavior, including the effect on bilayer structure, surface potential, and the ability to form stable, coordinated ion–lipid complexes. Here, using long-timescale, constant-pressure simulations under the newest version of the CHARMM force field, we find that Na+ and Cl− associate with PC head groups in a POPC bilayer with approximately equal, though weak, affinity, and that the salt has a negligible effect on bilayer structure, consistent with earlier CHARMM results and more recent X-ray data. The results suggest that interpretation of simulations where lipids interact with charged groups of any sort, including charged proteins, must be carefully scrutinized.
Getting it together: Social and institutional obstacles to getting off the streets

Avoiding macrostructural or individualistic explanations as to why homeless individuals cannot get off the streets, this paper examines the social structure of street life as it impinges on a sample of homeless persons' chances of obtaining nonshelter housing. Specifically, by interviewing 42 homeless individuals about a housing grant offered by New York State and the possibility of obtaining shared housing arrangements with such a grant, this study documents possible ways in which the social relations homeless people have with institutions and each other may dash potential efforts to obtain nonshelter housing. The research finds that distrust of the homeless among landlords and a high level of contingency with respect to welfare cases interact with distrustful personal relations among the sample of homeless themselves to reduce the likelihood of successful utilization of the housing grant. Due to sample limitations, findings from this study cannot be generalized to all homeless; nonetheless they offer insight into a dynamic which may be similar to those at work among other homeless sub-populations as well.
Complementary role of CT and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of desmoid tumor of abdominal wall

Abstract Seven desmoid tumors of anterior abdominal wall in three patients were scanned with ultrasound. These include one tumor in each of two patients and five tumors in another patient who had familial colonic polyposis (i.e. Gardner's syndrome). The tumors were echo-free and sharply and smoothly defined simulating cysts. CT on the patient with multiple masses, however, showed the density of the masses to be that of soft tissue. Combined ultrasonography and CT, a homogeneous tumor of abdominal wall such as desmoid can be suggested.
Ultraviolet quantum detection efficiency of potassium bromide as an opaque photocathode applied to microchannel plates.

The quantum detection efficiency (QDE) of potassium bromide as a photocathode applied directly to the surface of a microchannel plate over the 250-1600 A wavelength range has been measured. The contributions of the photocathode material in the channels and on the interchannel web to the QDE have been determined. Two broad peaks in the QDE centered at about 450 and about 1050 A are apparent, the former with about 50 percent peak QDE and the latter with about 40 percent peak QDE. The photoelectric threshold is observed at about 1600 A, and there is a narrow QDE minimum at about 750 A which correlates with 2X the band gap energy for KBr. The angular variation of the QDE from 0 to 40 deg to the channnel axis has also been examined. The stability of Kbr with time is shown to be good with no significant degradation of QDE at wavelengths below 1216 A over a 15-day period in air.
Positive Assessment of Mill Stream Endosperm Purity Using Chemical Imaging

Direct measurement of wheat endosperm content, the product of flour milling, is now a reality. The cumulative endosperm mass balance calculated from a series of unit processes provides an overall assessment of separation efficiency, which varies with adjustments made to the operational settings of the individual processing steps. A summation of endosperm concentration multiplied by the flow rates of the individual unit processes is used to calculate the endosperm mass balance. Chemical imaging and endosperm yield are included for 15 product output streams from the Hal Ross flour mill (Kansas State University [KSU]). Results, including cumulative endosperm yield obtained using the new quantitative near infrared (NIR) imaging system are stated in the context of cumulative ash and ferulic acid curves that have been reported previously for two experimental wheats. Cumulative millers' curves from previous large-scale (22 bu) millings on a 23 stream KSU pilot mill were applied for the same two experimental whea...
Reduced order models for random functions. Application to stochastic problems

Abstract A method is developed for constructing reduced order models for arbitrary random functions. The reduced order models are simple random functions, that is, functions with a finite range ( x 1 , … , x m ) . The construction of the reduced order models involves two steps. First, a range ( x 1 , … , x m ) is selected based on somewhat heuristic arguments. Second, the probabilities ( p 1 , … , p m ) of ( x 1 , … , x m ) are obtained from the solution of an optimization problem. Reduced order models are applied to calculate the distributions of the modal frequencies of a linear dynamic system with random stiffness matrix and statistics of the hydraulic head in a soil deposit with random heterogeneous conductivity. The performance of reduced order models in both applications is remarkable.
Ascetic Theology Before Asceticism? Jewish Narratives and the Decentering of the Self

The study of early Christian asceticism, which formerly focused strictly on ascetic practices, has been transformed in recent years. In addition to ascetic practices, scholars analyze the discourse of asceticism, which emphasizes the decentering of the self, the problematizing of the person's ability to govern the body and be considered righteous before God. Although this approach has pushed back the origins of ascetic discourses in Christianity, the decentering of the self can be observed in Qumran texts. In the present article this ascetic discourse of the decentered self is traced in other pre-Christian Jewish texts and in an unexpected context-novelistic texts. This approach allows for an exploration of literary, ritual, and ascetic aspects of the texts, and some consideration is given to the social context of these important developments.
Defining the binding site of homotetrameric R67 dihydrofolate reductase and correlating binding enthalpy with catalysis.

R67 dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is a novel protein that possesses 222 symmetry. A single active site pore traverses the length of the homotetramer. Although the 222 symmetry implies that four symmetry-related binding sites should exist for each substrate as well as each cofactor, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies indicate only two molecules bind. Three possible combinations include two dihydrofolate molecules, two NADPH molecules, or one substrate with one cofactor. The latter is the productive ternary complex. To evaluate the roles of A36, Y46, T51, G64, and V66 residues in binding and catalysis, a site-directed mutagenesis approach was employed. One mutation per gene produces four mutations per active site pore, which often result in large cumulative effects. Conservative mutations at these positions either eliminate the ability of the gene to confer trimethoprim resistance or have no effect on catalysis. This result, in conjunction with previous mutagenesis studies on K32, K33, S65, Q67...
Factors regulating residual aluminium concentrations in treated waters

Elevated concentrations of residual aluminium (Al) is an important issue for water treatment facilities. Concerns associated with high concentrations of residual aluminium include increased turbidity in drinking water, reduced effectiveness of disinfection, decreased carrying capacity of the water distribution system as well as potential effects on human health. The objectives of this study were to review the literature on mechanisms for controlling residual aluminium concentrations and to conduct a field study to evaluate the forms of residual aluminium in three water treatment plants. Both the literature review and results of the field study suggest that elevated concentrations of residual aluminium appear to occur largely in either of two forms; particulate aluminium or dissolved (monomeric) aluminium. To decrease concentrations of residual aluminium which largely occur as monomeric aluminium, it is necessary to maintain the pH of treated water near the pH of minimum Al(OH)3 solubility (6.5–7.0), remembering that this value varies with temperature. Elevated concentrations of residual aluminium associated with particulate aluminium may be due to influent suspensions with a high aluminium content or relatively large amounts of aluminium coagulant per amount of particulate matter in raw water. The results of this study suggest that filtered water turbidity should be less than 0.1 NTU to minimize particulate aluminium concentrations that contribute to residual aluminium.
Managing Risk in Secure System: Antecedents to System Engineers' Trust Assumptions Decisions

Operating within a system context, security requirement engineers or analysts face enormous, diverse, and timely security requirement decisions today more than ever, primarily because of the complexities, rapidity, and evolving continuum of security threats that exist today, in part because of advances in technological capabilities and limited available resources. Although literature has shown that requirement engineers use trust assumption in limiting the scope of information systems security requirement analysis in their risk management strategy, examination of precursors to trust assumption decision is very limited. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to conceptualize, examine, and analyze the antecedents to requirement engineers trust assumption decisions. First, the study used problem frame approach to analyze the context and design decisions and to show the physical model of the system under investigation. Second, the paper used hypothesis testing to examine causality between the constructs and the phenomenon. Hence, this study argues that an analyst's trust assumption decisions of whether to include or exclude software, system, or subsystem from security requirement analysis is not made in a vacuity, but on the predisposition of the trust or and the characteristics of the trustee. The result indicates that the predisposition of the trust or and the characteristics of trustee are precursors to requirement engineers' trust assumption decisions.
Genetic mapping of stem rust resistance gene Sr13 in tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum L.).

Wheat stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, can cause significant yield losses. To combat the disease, breeders have deployed resistance genes both individually and in combinations to increase resistance durability. A new race, TTKSK (Ug99), identified in Uganda in 1999 is virulent on most of the resistance genes currently deployed, and is rapidly spreading to other regions of the world. It is therefore important to identify, map, and deploy resistance genes that are still effective against TTKSK. One of these resistance genes, Sr13, was previously assigned to the long arm of chromosome 6A, but its precise map location was not known. In this study, the genome location of Sr13 was determined in four tetraploid wheat (T. turgidum ssp. durum) mapping populations involving the TTKSK resistant varieties Kronos, Kofa, Medora and Sceptre. Our results showed that resistance was linked to common molecular markers in all four populations, suggesting that these durum lines carry the same resistance gene. Based on its chromosome location and infection types against different races of stem rust, this gene is postulated to be Sr13. Sr13 was mapped within a 1.2–2.8 cM interval (depending on the mapping population) between EST markers CD926040 and BE471213, which corresponds to a 285-kb region in rice chromosome 2, and a 3.1-Mb region in Brachypodium chromosome 3. These maps will be the foundation for developing high-density maps, identifying diagnostic markers, and positional cloning of Sr13.
Kinetic basis for selective inhibition of cyclo-oxygenases.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the formation of prostaglandins by cyclo-oxygenases (COX). The discovery of a second COX isoform (COX-2) associated with inflammation led to agents that selectively inhibit COX-2, e.g. celecoxib. We evaluated the kinetics of inhibition of celecoxib and several NSAIDs. Celecoxib displays classic competitive kinetics on COX-1 (Ki=10-16 microM). An initial competitive interaction with COX-2 can also be discerned with celecoxib (Ki=11-15 microM), followed by a time-dependent interaction leading to potent inhibition, characterized as inactivation (Kinact=0.03-0.5 s-1). Half-maximal inhibition (IC50) using end-point assays reflects the competitive component on COX-1 (IC50=4-19 microM) and the inactivation component on COX-2 (IC50=0.003-0.006 microM). NSAIDs exhibit four distinct modes of COX inhibition based on kinetic behaviour: (1) competitive, e.g. ibuprofen; (2) weak binding, time-dependent, e.g. naproxen, oxicams; (3) tight binding, time-dependent, e.g. indomethacin; (4) covalent, e.g. aspirin. In addition, most NSAIDs display different kinetic behaviour for each isoform. Weakly binding inhibitors show variable behaviour in enzyme assays, with apparent inhibitory activity being markedly influenced by experimental conditions; determination of kinetic constants with this class is unreliable and IC50 values are strongly dependent on assay conditions. Although IC50 determinations are useful for structure/activity analyses, the complex and distinct mechanisms of enzyme inhibition of each COX isoform by the NSAIDs renders comparison of inhibitory activity on COX-1 and COX-2 using IC50 ratios of questionable validity.
The mode of transmission of electrical effects: evidence from infrared stretching frequencies

The transmission of the universal electrical effect in infrared stretching frequencies is well fit by the modified field effect model with m ≈ −1.5 ± 0.2. The considerable variation in rm/p, the ratio of transmission of the electrical effect through meta-substituted benzene derivatives to that through para-substituted benzene derivatives and rc/t, the ratio of the transmission of the electrical effect through the s-cis conformer to that through the s-trans conformer and the failure of these ratios to show a Gaussian distribution provides further evidence against the existence of the inductive effect. The values of rm/p obtained show that, in the general case, the Hammett equation is inferior to either di- or tri-parametric equations, as it assumes the equality of ρm and ρp. This is also true of the Yukawa–Tsuno equation. It has been shown that the inductive effect does not fit the experimental data on the transmission of electrical effects in a range of chemical reactions and in infrared stretching frequencies. Recent quantum chemical calculations support the field effect as the mode of electrical effect transmission. The inductive effect model of electrical effect transmission should be abandoned. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for metabolism of 1-methyladenine during induction of starfish oocyte maturation in Vitro

The purine 1-methyladenine induces meiotic maturation in isolated oocytes of the starfish. Oocytes retained radioactively labeled purine (3H-1-methyladenine) after in vitro incubation. To investigate the chemical nature of this radioactivity, oocytes were incubated with purified 3H-1-methyladenine, subsequently homogenized, and centrifuged and the distribution of radioactivity in the supernatants assessed following Sephadex G-25 gel filtration. Greater than 90% of the radioactivity eluted from the column existed as a single peak which preceded 1-methyladenine and did not appear to be adenine. Conversion of 1-methyladenine to the new unknown compound was observed even prior to the beginning of oocyte nuclear maturation. Formation of the new compound from 1-methyladenine did not occur when cell integrity was disrupted before incubation. These results demonstrate that 1-methyladenine is altered or possibly metabolized by starfish oocytes and suggest that this change may be relevant to the mechanism by which oocyte maturation is induced.
Sediment response to the present hydraulic regime on the Central New Jersey Shelf

ABSTRACT Petrographic data, from vibracores and grab samples collected on the Central New Jersey Shelf, suggest a substrate still actively responding to the hydraulic regime. Radiocarbon dates of shell material from the ridge and swale topography indicates aggradation of the ridge's crest during the last 500 years and exposure of earlier Holocene material in the deeper troughs of the area. The samples from both the cores and the surficial samples were investigated for heavy mineral percentages and grain size analysis in addition to radiocarbon dating. The concentration of heavy minerals into disseminated bands, as observed in the vibracores, is compatible with sediment transport by sand ripples on the ridge's flanks. The grain size variation was subjectively analyzed by applying a Q-mode facto analysis which produced three distinct groupings of the grain size distribution. Each grouping is found to characterize a particular part of the ridge topography. Fine sand and moderate sorting occurs on the flanks, medium to fine sand and moderate sorting occurs on the crests whereas two populations are found in the troughs; coarse, poorly sorted sands and very fine, well sorted sands. This textural variation supports a hypothesis of up-flank rheologic and suspensive transport of medium and fine sand during intense storms and subsequent down-flank winnowing of fine sand during less intense meterological events. The radiocarbon dates indicate that size fractionation and heavy mineral concentrations are subsequent to isolation from a beach environment.
Single-fed Circularly Polarized Antenna Element With Reduced Coupling for GPS Arrays

A single-fed circularly polarized stacked patch antenna is proposed to cover all GPS bands, including the E5a/E5b band for the Galileo system. The small aperture size (lambda/8 at 1176 MHz, the L5 band) makes this antenna attractive for small GPS arrays. Also, in contrast to previous GPS antennas, the presented design uses a single feed for circular polarization. In this paper, we present the design procedures and performance of the designed GPS antenna and discuss issues relating to coupling between array elements. Modifications to reduce coupling are then presented.
Effect of neonatal diethylstilbestrol exposure on luteinizing hormone secretion following ketamine anesthesia and gonadotropin-releasing hormone in castrated postpubertal rats.

Neonatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure diminishes pituitary responsiveness to GnRH in castrated postpubertal rats 4 h after placement of intra-atrial cannulae under ketamine anesthesia. Ketamine anesthesia has been reported to blunt the preovulatory LH surge in female rats and to decrease baseline LH levels in males immediately following administration, although its effect lasted less than 2 h. It is not known what impact ketamine has on baseline LH levels or on GnRH-stimulated LH release in estrogen-exposed castrated rats. This study was designed to determine 1) whether the changes in GnRH-induced LH secretion in DES-exposed castrated rats are partially attributable to a direct effect of ketamine; 2) the gender-specific effects of ketamine on LH secretion; and 3) the DES-dependent effects of ketamine on LH secretion. In this experiment we ascertained the effect of ketamine anesthesia for right heart cannulation on LH levels in male and female 42-day-old castrated rats that were exposed to either corn oil or DES (0.1 jpg/day) on Days 1 through 10 of life. LH secretion in DES-exposed animals increased, in contrast to that in control animals, immediately (< 10 min) after anesthesia and cannulation. Mean LH levels in DES-exposed females were lower than in controls before GnRH administration and were blunted following GnRH. While ketamine and catheterization were associated with decreased LH titer in males, the extent of that decrease was not dependent on exposure to DES. Both sexes and exposure groups achieved baseline catheter LH values by 4 h. This experiment demonstrates that 1) the pituitary response to ketamine anesthesia and catheterization depends on gender and neonatal DES exposure and 2) the previously reported decreases in GnRH-induced LH secretion due to neonatal treatment with DES cannot be attributed to ketamine-induced suppression of basal gonadotropin secretion.
Using Big Data and Smart Field Technology for Detecting Leakage in a CO2 Storage Project

Smart Fields are distinguished with two characteristics: Big Data and Real-Time access. A small smart field with only ten wells can generate more than a billion data points every year. This data is streamed in real-time while being stored in data historians. The challenge for operating a smart field is to be able to process this massive amount of information in ways that can be useful in reservoir management and relevant operations. In this paper we introduce a technology for processing and utilization of data generated in a smart field. The project is CO2 storage in Citronelle Dome, Alabama and the objective is to use smart field technology to build a real-time, long-term CO2 Intelligent Leakage Detection System (ILDS). The main concern for geologic CO2 sequestration is the capability of the underground carbon dioxide storage to confine and sustain the injected CO2 for very long time. If a leakage from a geological sink occurs, it is crucial to find the approximate location and amount of the leak in order to take on proper remediation activity. To help accommodate CO2 leak detection, two PDGs (Permanent Down-hole Gauges) have been installed in the observation well. A reservoir simulation model for CO2 sequestration in the Citronelle Dome was developed. Multiple scenarios of CO2 leakage is modeled and high frequency pressure data from the PDGs in the observation well are collected. The complexity of the pressure signal behaviors and the reservoir model makes the use of inverse solution of analytical models impractical. Therefore an alternate solution is developed for the ILDS, based on Machine Learning. High Frequency Data Streams are processed in real-time, summarized (by Descriptive Statistics) and transformed into a format appropriate for pattern recognition technology. Successful detection of location and amount of CO2 leaking from the reservoir using the real-time data streams demonstrates the power of pattern recognition and machine learning as a reservoir and operational management tool for smart fields.
Timetraveler: exploiting acyclic races for optimizing memory race recording

As chip multiprocessors emerge as the prevalent microprocessor architecture, support for debugging shared-memory parallel programs becomes important. A key difficulty is the programs' nondeterministic semantics due to which replay runs of a buggy program may not reproduce the bug. The non-determinism stems from memory races where accesses from two threads, at least one of which is a write, go to the same memory location. Previous hardware schemes for memory race recording log the predecessor-successor thread ordering at memory races and enforce the same orderings in the replay run to achieve deterministic replay. To reduce the log size, the schemes exploit transitivity in the orderings to avoid recording redundant orderings. To reduce the log size further while requiring minimal hardware, we propose Timetraveler which for the first time exploits acyclicity of races based on the key observation that an acyclic race need not be recorded even if the race is not covered already by transitivity. Timetraveler employs a novel and elegant mechanism called post-dating which both ensures that acyclic races, including those through the L2, are eventually ordered correctly, and identifies cyclic races. To address false cycles through the L2, Timetraveler employs another novel mechanism called time-delay buffer which delays the advancement of the L2 banks' timestamps and thereby reduces the false cycles. Using simulations, we show that Timetraveler reduces the log size for commercial workloads by 88% over the best previous approach while using only a 696-byte time-delay buffer.
Mobile gazing two-ways: Visual layering as an emerging mobile communication service

The emerging era of mobile communication transcends the traditional privileging of text and voice to draw upon sensations of augmented reality, especially in terms of the visual domain. Thus one will be able to have new views of the local environment (mobile visual services). In terms of the former, the sense of sight is increasingly being brought to bear on the nexus of physical environment and digital information, yielding literally novel and unprecedented views. This article assesses examples of these services and the way they inter-mix previously separate domains, but also create new layers of monitoring of self and others. In particular, it notes conflicts at the levels of public policy and individual privacy and autonomy.
Theoretical Modeling of the Possibility of Acid Producing BacteriaCausing Fast Pitting Biocorrosion

Biocorrosion, also known as microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), is caused by various corrosive biofilms. So far, laboratory experimental MIC pitting tests in the published literature have overwhelmingly focused on sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) that use sulfate as the terminal electron acceptor because SRB and sulfate are often found at anaerobic pitting sites. Many laboratory pure-culture SRB pitting corrosion data have been reported and they are often less than or not much greater than 1 mm/year. There are also some limited data available for nitrate reducing bacteria (NRB) that use nitrate or nitrite as the terminal electron acceptor. Dedicated laboratory studies are lacking on anaerobic corrosion by acid producing bacteria (APB) that undergo anaerobic fermentation instead of anaerobic respiration in the absence of an external terminal electron acceptor such as sulfate and nitrate. Failures in pipelines carrying crude oil and produced water purportedly due to MIC have been reported in the literature. Some point to very high pitting corrosion rates (as high as 10 mm/year) that are much higher than the short-term laboratory MIC pitting corrosion rates for SRB. The pipeline failure cases discussed in this work occurred in relatively low sulfate conditions. This work explored the possibility of very high MIC pitting corrosion rates due to free organic acids (represented by acetic acid) and acidic pH corrosion through mechanistic modeling to show that APB biofilms are capable of very fast MIC pitting while mass transfer limitation on sulfate diffusion from the bulk-fluid phase to the biofilm cannot support very fast pitting caused by sulfate reduction in a low sulfate concentration environment. More efforts should be devoted to MIC by APB instead of focusing too much on SRB.
Improved derivation of input function in dynamic mouse [18F]FDG PET using bladder radioactivity kinetics.

Purpose Accurate determination of the plasma input function (IF) is essential for absolute quantification of physiological parameters in positron emission tomography (PET). However, it requires an invasive and tedious procedure of arterial blood sampling that is challenging in mice because of the limited blood volume. In this study, a hybrid modeling approach is proposed to estimate the plasma IF of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) in mice using accumulated radioactivity in urinary bladder together with a single late-time blood sample measurement.
Direct Measurement of the Effective Rate Constant for Primary Charge Separation in Isolated Photosystem II Reaction Centers

Transient absorption measurements of the pheophytin a anion band and Qx band bleach region using preferential excitation of P680 are performed on isolated photosystem II reaction centers to determine the effective rate constant for charge separation. A novel analysis of the Qx band bleach region explicitly takes the changing background into account in order to directly measure the rate of growth of the bleach. Both spectral regions reveal biphasic kinetics, with a ca. (8 ps)-1 rate constant for the faster component, and a ca. (50 ps)-1 rate constant for the slower component. We propose that the faster component corresponds to the effective rate constant for charge separation from within the equilibrated reaction center core and provides a lower limit for the intrinsic rate constant for charge separation. The slower component corresponds to charge separation that is limited by slow energy transfer from a long-wavelength accessory chlorophyll a.
Reconstructing the Stage: The Use of Instant Messaging to Restructure Meeting Boundaries

We use Goffmans characterization of "front" and "backstage" interaction practices to analyze how the use of instant messaging in both face-to-face and technology-mediated meetings alters interaction boundaries. In an interview study of workers in two organizations, we found that workers used instant messaging during both face-to-face and technology-mediated meetings (1) to participate concurrently in "front" and "backstage" interactions, (2) to participate in multiple, concurrent, "backstage" conversations, and (3) to manage and influence front stage activities through concurrent backstage conversations. These interactions would be either physically impossible or socially constrained without the use of instant messaging. We draw on psychology, GSS, and communication studies to consider the implications for group effectiveness.
Massless conformal fields, AdS(d + 1)/CFTd higher spin algebras and their deformations

Abstract We extend our earlier work on the minimal unitary representation of SO ( d , 2 ) and its deformations for d = 4 , 5 and 6 to arbitrary dimensions d . We show that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the minrep of SO ( d , 2 ) and its deformations and massless conformal fields in Minkowskian spacetimes in d dimensions. The minrep describes a massless conformal scalar field, and its deformations describe massless conformal fields of higher spin. The generators of Joseph ideal vanish identically as operators for the quasiconformal realization of the minrep, and its enveloping algebra yields directly the standard bosonic AdS ( d + 1 ) / CFT d higher spin algebra. For deformed minreps the generators of certain deformations of Joseph ideal vanish as operators and their enveloping algebras lead to deformations of the standard bosonic higher spin algebra. In odd dimensions there is a unique deformation of the higher spin algebra corresponding to the spinor singleton. In even dimensions one finds infinitely many deformations of the higher spin algebra labelled by the eigenvalues of Casimir operator of the little group SO ( d − 2 ) for massless representations.