cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of the lower sulfonated subsidiary colors in FD&C Yellow No. 6 by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Data are presented for the determination of 5-(phenylazo)-6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid (ANSC) and 4-[(2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-yl)azo]benzenesulfonic acid (BNSC) in FD&C Yellow No. 6 by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The method employs gradient elution with a water-tetrahydrofuran solvent system buffered with ammonium acetate and quantitation in the UV (254 nm) and visible (490 nm) regions. The external calibration method was used with twelve data points for each analyte. Each analysis was performed in duplicate. In analyses of commercial FD&C Yellow No. 6, ANSC was found at levels ranging from none to 0.52, and BNSC was found at levels ranging from none to 0.73%. The identities of the analytes were confirmed by using a rapid-scan diodearray spectrophotometer to obtain the electronic absorption spectra during RP-HPLC analysis.
Transdisciplinary Science: The Nexus Between Communication and Public Health

Theory development and empirical research conducted at the intersection of communication and public health are advancing both academic disciplines and accelerating progress toward important societal goals. An exciting emergent new research framework that combines key aspects of these 2 disciplinary perspectives has developed and become known as public health communication. This article examines the major intersections between health communication and public health scholarship that underlies public health communication; identifies unique theoretical, methodological, and societal contributions from the nexus between these 2 disciplines; and suggests fruitful directions for future collaborations. We also examine ways that collaboration between health communication and public health scholars has begun to generate important transdisciplinary scientific outcomes.
Direct methanol fuel cells: progress in cell performance and cathode research

Abstract Research presented in this paper focuses on several factors affecting the performance of direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) under development for either transportation or portable power applications. In particular, we discuss long-term stability of the anode, and crossover of methanol. We report on recent accomplishments in cell performance, fuel utilization, overall conversion efficiency, and lowering Pt loading in DMFCs designed for the potential use in automotive transportation. We describe a method of evaluation of cathode performance based on cathode polarization curves, generated from DMFC data. With this method, we have studied the effect of variation of temperature on DMFC cathode potential. Our results show that Pt-rich DMFC cathodes, operating on ambient air at 60 °C, can deliver high performance of more than 0.85 V versus RHE at 0.100 A cm −2 .
Optical multiplexing of two 21.5 Gb/s DPSK signals into a single 43 Gb/s DQPSK channel with simultaneous 7-fold multicasting in a single PPLN waveguide

We demonstrate optical multiplexing of two 21.5 Gb/s DPSK signals into a single 43 Gb/s RZ-DQPSK channel with simultaneous 7-fold multicasting of the multiplexed 43 Gb/s RZ-DQPSK signal in a single periodically-poled lithium-niobate waveguide. We also demonstrate direct 7-fold multicasting of a single 43 Gb/s RZ-DQPSK signal and give a comparison of the two schemes. A bit error rate of 10−9 with power penalties ≪ 5 dB was obtained for all multicasted RZ-DQPSK signals with 100 GHz channel spacing.
An explanation of the coming stagnation of information search services

Analyses of the on‐line search market have been subject to several serious misconceptions concerning the service retailers, i.e. the information search services (ISS). One of the consequences of this is that the ISS growth potential has been overestimated. The paper points out that, even if there is an overall growth in on‐line searching, the individual ISSs will typically show a stagnation after just over two years. Since the average operative age of an ISS is about two years, it is possible that even the aggregate growth in the next few years will be less than the present. This decline in growth rate is not inevitable but likely.
Copper dependence of the biotin switch assay: Modified assay for measuring cellular and blood nitrosated proteins

Studies have shown that modification of critical cysteine residues in proteins leads to the regulation of protein function. These modifications include disulfide bond formation, glutathionylation, sulfenic and sulfinic acid formation, and S-nitrosation. The biotin switch assay was developed to specifically detect protein S-nitrosation (S. R. Jaffrey et al., Nat. Cell Biol. 3:193-197; 2001). In this assay, proteins are denatured with SDS in the presence of methyl methane thiosulfonate (MMTS) to block free thiols. After acetone precipitation or Sephadex G25 separation to remove excess MMTS, HPDP-biotin and 1 mM ascorbate are added to reduce the S-nitrosothiol bonds and label the reduced thiols with biotin. The proteins are then separated by nonreducing SDS PAGE and detected using either streptavidin-HRP or anti-biotin-HRP conjugate. Our examination of this labeling scheme has revealed that the extent of labeling depends on the buffer composition and, importantly, on the choice of metal-ion chelator (DTPA vs EDTA). Unexpectedly, using purified S-nitrosated albumin, we have found that "contaminating" copper is required for the ascorbate-dependent degradation of S-nitrosothiol; this is consistent with the fact that ascorbate itself does not rapidly reduce S-nitrosothiols. Removal of copper from buffers by DTPA and other copper chelators preserves approximately 90% of the S-nitrosothiol, whereas the inclusion of copper and ascorbate completely eliminates the S-nitrosothiol in the preparation and increases the specific biotin labeling. These biotin switch experiments were confirmed using triiodide-based and copper-based reductive chemiluminescence. Additional modifications of the assay using N-ethylmaleimide for thiol blockade, ferricyanide pretreatment to stabilize S-nitrosated hemoglobin, and cyanine dye labeling instead of biotin are presented for the measurement of cellular and blood S-nitrosothiols. These results indicate that degradation of S-nitrosothiol in the standard biotin switch assay is metal-ion dependent and that experimental variability in S-nitrosothiol yields using this assay occurs secondary to the inclusion of metal-ion chelators in reagents and variable metal-ion contamination of buffers and labware. The addition of copper to ascorbate allows for a simple assay modification that dramatically increases sensitivity while maintaining specificity.
HEARING IMPAIRED ADOLESCENTS' COMPREHENSION OF ANAPHORIC RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN CONJOINED SENTENCES:

Thirty-two hearing impaired adolescents were administered a test instrument assessing comprehension of three anaphoric forms within conjoined sentences: repeated noun, personal pronouns, and null form. The null form was presented in two semantic environments. One environment allowed use of the object-subject deletion rule, a deviant rule found in the language of some hearing impaired students. In this environment, use of the deviant rule produced a conceptually acceptable event. Use of the deviant rule in the second environment, however, produced a conceptually unacceptable event. The null form anaphora in the semantically acceptable environment was significantly more difficult than the other anaphora. Implications for teaching language and development of reading materials for hearing impaired students are discussed.
A 1.56THz compact radar range for W-band imagery of scale-model tactical targets

A new very high-frequency compact radar range has been developed to measure scale models of tactical targets. This compact range has demonstrated very good signal-to-noise and is useful in measuring low observable targets. In addition to normal ISAR imaging of targets (range vs. horizontal cross- range), the system can also produce two-dimensional images in azimuth and elevation (vertical cross-range vs. horizontal cross-range). The 1.56 THz transceiver uses two high-stability optically pumped far-infrared lasers, microwave/laser side- band generation for frequency sweep, and a pair of Schottky diode receivers for coherent integration. Measurements made on 1/16th scale models of tactical targets, simulating W-band frequencies, allows the formation of images of very high cross-range resolution (3.5 cm full scale) while still integrating over a reasonably small angular extent (2.5 degrees). The results from several targets that have been recently measured will be presented.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dementia, Nutrition, and Self-Feeding: A Systematic Review of the Literature

SUMMARY The outcomes of feeding training are typically evaluated in terms of feeding skills and swallowing abilities rather than the ultimate goal of feeding, namely, adequate nutritional status. To increase occupational therapy practitioners' awareness of nutritional status as an outcome of feeding training, a systematic review of the research literature was conducted to examine the relationship between nutritional status and self-feeding skills in people with dementia. Studies were evaluated by the strength of their evidence and analyzed to determine the relationships among dementia, nutritional status, and the ability to feed one's self. Results revealed that although nutritional status in people with dementia is variable, there is a tendency for lower body weight, lower measures of body composition, and lower body mass indexes in persons with dementia compared to those with no cognitive impairment. Individuals who feed themselves tend to weigh more compared to those who need assistance for feeding. There is also evidence to support that as feeding status improves or declines, body weight similarly increases or decreases.
Ruvalcaba-Myhre-Smith syndrome: a new consideration in the differential diagnosis of intestinal polyposis

We present a case of Ruvalcaba-Myhre-Smith syndrome, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported in the radiologic literature. This rare entity is characterized by intestinal polyps, macrocephaly, and hyperpigmented genital macules. The differentiation of this syndrome from other polyposis syndromes is discussed.
Social Psychology, Competency, and Individual Differences in Communicative Action:

The generativist conception of linguistic competence and its idealisa tion of a homogeneous speech community must be overcome if analyses of individual differences in language and communication are to receive the attention they merit. Development of a qualitative, multiple competencies conception of linguistic and communicative abilities offers promise of transcending the limita tions of the generativist approach while maintaining its concern with fundamental form-meaning covariations in language usage. Within such an expanded concep tion of competence, an interpretive-contextual social psychology can make im portant contributions to our understanding of individual differences in communi cative action.
Re-engineering Tube Feeding Ordering, Delivery, And Administration In A 690-bed Tertiary Care Facility

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of an RD's intervention in leading an interdisciplinary quality team toward process improvement in tube feeding ordering, delivery, and administration. An opportunity was identified by clinical nutrition services to improve the process of tube feeding (TF) within the medical treatment facility. Findings suggested a large number of patients received less than 75% of total ordered volume of formula after 72 hours of infusion, some formulas were being diluted with free water, and numerous inconsistencies in ordering were identified. In addition, no universal procedure existed that delineated the role of the physician, nurse, or dietitian in TF administration. An interdisciplinary process improvement group was formed and led by the Director, Clinical Nutrition Services. The group met monthly for one year. A medical center instruction was developed to clearly delineate standards of practice and the roles and responsibilities of providers. Standardized adult and pediatric TF order forms were created to lessen the number of transcription errors in ordering, and to serve as an educational tool for our large number of house staff and residents. To limit the risk of cross contamination, decrease workload, and improve the hang-time of product, a closed-system of formula delivery was implemented. Previously identified problems with inappropriate site infusion and lack of tube flushing drove the change to use strictly Quantum ® feeding pumps. Finally, an intensive education and training program was conducted on each nursing unit prior to implementing change. Benefits of this process improvement include actual annual cost savings of $55,000 in feeding bag supplies, $6,200 in nourishment worker man-hours, and $51,100 in nursing personnel expense. The potential cost-avoidance of clogged enteral tubes and replacement is roughly $43,350 monthly. Additionally, marked improvements were realized in the accuracy of TF ordering, attainment of nutritional goals, and level of satisfaction among medical staff. Registered dietitians can and should be pioneers of change in leading interdisciplinary groups to deliver cost-effective medical nutrition therapy.
Hollow cathode metal ion lasers

A new class of metal ion lasers with significant CW output power in the UV (220-320 nm) and near IR (800-2000 nm) spectral regions is described. In a hollow cathode discharge the upper laser levels are excited via charge transfer collisions between ground state buffer gas ions and ground state metal atoms. At the present stage of development, hollow cathode metal ion lasers are shown to be comparable in UV output power to rare-gas ion lasers but with lower threshold currents by a factor of more than twenty. Visible output powers are lower than rare-gas ion lasers. In the text we present device progress to date, measurements of important plasma parameters, and an outline of potential applications of hollow cathode metal ion lasers.
Interactions between modified phage T4 particles and spheroplasts.

Abstract Two types of contracted phage particles with full heads were compared. Artificially contracted T4 phage particles were produced by treatment with urea (UTφ), and naturally contracted T4 phage particles lacking gene 12 product were recovered after temporary adsorption to bacteria (ads12−φ). Both types can infect T4-resistant bacteria if the bacterial envelope is altered by penicillin or lysozyme-EDTA treatment. Both are inactivated by cell membrane preparations and by low concentrations of phosphatidylglycerol which cause the particles to release DNA. Both are sensitive to trypsin. Differences in the particles as to the type of spheroplasts they can infect and the degree of their sensitivity to phosphatidylglycerol and DNase are correlated with mode of contraction rather than with phenotype. The properties of these contracted phage are described in terms of the properties expected for particles at intermediate stages of adsorption. Several mutants in other baseplate genes were tested, and it was found that genes 9, 11, and 12 are unnecessary for infection of spheroplasts. We conclude that baseplates, as well as long tail fibers and their corresponding receptors in the bacterial envelope, do not play a part in the infection process of these contracted particles. This suggests to us that these organelles are necessary only during the initial stages of infection.
HG-03A NOVEL MOUSE MODEL OF YOUNG ADULT GLIOBLASTOMA: IN VIVO EXPRESSION OF MUTATED IDH1 (R132H) GENE USING THE SLEEPING BEAUTY TRANSPOSASE SYSTEM

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a malignant primary brain tumor. Genomic analysis of GBMs revealed somatic mutations associated with particular subtypes, which correlate with age at the time of diagnosis. Young adult GBMs include a mutation in Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 gene (IDH1-R132H) and mutations in epigenetic regulators, ATRX and H3.3G34, which define an epigenetic and biological subgroup. IDH1-R132H results in gain of an alternative enzymatic function producing the metabolite 2-hydroxglutarate (2HG) and alterations in histone methylation patterns. Animal models are critical to study and understand disease progression and pathogenesis; therefore we developed an in vivo model of young adult GBM through expression of IDH1-R132H, H3.G34 and ATRX knockdown in neonatal mouse brain using the Sleeping Beauty Transposase system. In this model we are studying the effects of these genetic lesions in tumor development and DNA repair mechanisms. The tumors were induced by injection of NRAS and shP53 plasmids in the lateral ventricle of C57BL/6 neonatal mice with or without pKT/IDH1-R132H, Pkt/H3.G34 or PT2/shATRX. Plasmid delivery into stem cells lining the lateral ventricle and tumor progression was monitored by luciferase imaging. The tumors were also used to generate neurospheres for genetic analysis; moribund animals were perfused and analyzed using immunocytochemistry. IDH1-R132H expression increased the levels of H3K27me3 and enhanced median survival of the mice. The groups representing young adult GBM: NRAS/shP53/shATRX/IDH1-R132H and NRAS/shP53/shATRX/H3.G34 also exhibited increased survival compared with the control (NRAS/shP53) and the pediatric (NRAS/shP53/shATRX) groups. Mice developed brain tumors harboring key features of young adult GBMs. We aim to determine the impact of these genetic lesions in median survival, tumor progression and DNA repair mechanisms “in vivo”. Supported by NIH-NINDS grants, the Department of Neurosurgery and Leah's Happy Hearts Foundation to MGC and PRL, and very generous support from Phil F. Jenkins.
Sudden disruption of a thin current sheet in collisionless Hall magnetohydrodynamics due to secondary tearing and coalescence instabilities

A numerical simulation of impulsive growth and sudden disruption of a thin current sheet due to inward boundary flows in a collisionless plasma, governed by the equations of Hall magnetohydrodynamics, is presented. After a period of slow growth followed by a much shorter period of impulsive enhancement, the thin current sheet becomes unstable to secondary tearing instabilities which produce multiple islands. These secondary islands coalesce to form a large plasmoid. Much of the thin current sheet disrupts rapidly to produce magnetic turbulence in less than a characteristic Alfven time. Possible implications for magnetotail substorms are discussed.
Silver-stained structures in mammalian meiotic prophase

Silver staining of mammalian spermatocytes revealed, in light microscopy, synaptonemal complex and structures within the sex vesicle. It is feasible to follow the chromosome pairing phenomenon from zygotene to pachytene by examining the behavior of synaptonemal complexes. Nucleolus organizer regions take heavy silver stain in pachytene but are no longer detectable in later stages of meiosis.
Selected enzyme activities in Physa gyrina (Gastropoda) tissues

1. 1. The specific activities of six lysosomal enzymes from Physa gyrina (Gastropoda) were determined. 2. 2. Lysozyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, β-glucuronidase, cathespin C and lipase, all were detected in whole hemolymph, and in both the 4000 g centrifuged pellet and supernant and 10,000 g pellet. 3. 3. β-Glucuronidase exhibited the highest specific activity while cathespin C showed the lowest. 4. 4. These enzymes are thought to be produced by cells within the head-foot, hemolymph and digestive gland cells of P. gyrina.
Targeted cleavage of mRNA by human RNase P

Abstract Ribonuclease P from Escherichia coli can cleave RNAs in simple, hydrogen-bonded complexes of two oligoribonucleotides that resemble the aminoacyl stem and 5' leader sequence of tRNA precursors. RNase P from human (HeLa) cells cannot catalyze the cleavage in vitro of the 5'-proximal oligoribonucleotide that contains the leader sequence in such simple complexes but can do so when the 3'-proximal oligoribonucleotide (external guide sequence) is altered to resemble three-quarters of a tRNA molecule. In such a complex, the efficiency of cleavage of the mRNA for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, as the 5'-proximal oligoribonucleotide, depends on the structural details of the external guide sequence and on the choice of target site within the mRNA. The presence of the appropriately designed external guide sequence in cells in tissue culture reduces chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity and the level of the corresponding intact mRNA in the cells. Thus, it appears that the use of such external guide sequences may provide a general technique for gene inactivation.
Nanostructured anodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have much promise as efficient devices for the direct conversion of the energy stored in chemical fuels into electricity. The development of highly robust SOFC that can operate on a range of fuels, however, requires improvements in the electrodes, especially the anode, where nanoscale engineering of the structure is required in order to maximize the number of sites where the electrochemical reactions take place. In this article we review the approaches that are currently being used to improve anode performance and microstructure with a focus on new materials and synthesis techniques.
Comparison of variable selection methods for PLS-based soft sensor modeling

Abstract Data-driven soft sensors have been widely used in both academic research and industrial applications for predicting hard-to-measure variables or replacing physical sensors to reduce cost. It has been shown that the performance of these data-driven soft sensors could be greatly improved by selecting only the vital variables that strongly affect the primary variables, rather than using all the available process variables. In this work, a comprehensive evaluation of different variable selection methods for PLS-based soft sensor development is presented, and a new metric is proposed to assess the performance of different variable selection methods. The following seven variable selection methods are compared: stepwise regression (SR), partial least squares with regression coefficients (PLS-BETA), PLS with variable importance in projection (PLS-VIP), uninformative variable elimination with PLS (UVE-PLS), genetic algorithm with PLS (GA-PLS), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso), and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling with PLS (CARS-PLS). Their strengths and limitations for soft sensor development are demonstrated by a simulated case study and an industrial case study.
Patterns of allometry in the pelvis of higher primates

Patterns of allometric variation are compared between the pelves of six primate taxa, Pongidae, Hylobatidae, Cercopithecinae, Colobinae, Atelinae and Cebinae, using a sample of 488 specimens. The study focuses on four variables, ischium length, pubis length, lower iliac height and sagittal diameter, that were shown to be especially important in producing discrimination in a previous canonical analysis of these specimens. Ischium length, a major discriminator between colobine and cercopithecine monkeys is found to have similar coefficients of allometry in these two groups. The difference between them is more a function of position on a graph (a combination of slope and intercept) rather than allometry. The differences between these groups is shown to be significant at 95% confidence even in the smaller size range where the lines converge somewhat. Sagittal pelvic diameter was analysed in terms of two of its components—lower iliac height and pubis length. Analysis of these variables is more difficult than that of ischium length because several biomechanical factors are effected by their variation. Hypotheses are suggested about the relative significance of these factors and the specific field data required to test them are indicated.
Chromosomal instability is demonstrated by fibroblasts derived from the tunica of men with Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease is a fibrotic disorder, a condition characterized by cellular proliferation and excess extracellular matrix production. Previous work in related conditions has demonstrated chromosomal instability. This investigation was undertaken to analyze fibroblasts derived from Peyronie's disease tunical tissue for abnormalities of chromosome number and progression of cytogenetic aberrations during cell culture. Tunical tissue was excised from men with Peyronie's disease from both plaque and nonplaque tissue and cells were explanted in culture. Control cells were derived from both neonatal foreskins and normal tunica from men with congenital penile curvature. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was used to probe for chromosomes 7, 8, 17, 18, X and Y. Control cells demonstrated normal copy number for all chromosomes analyzed. In contrast, Peyronie's disease plaque-derived fibroblasts demonstrated frequent aneusomies in chromosomes 7, 8, 17, 18 and X and recurrent deletions of chromosome Y. Peyronie's disease nonplaque tunica-derived fibroblasts demonstrated infrequent chromosomal changes early in culture; however, with repeated passaging the majority of cell cultures demonstrated aneusomies in at least one chromosome. These data indicate that Peyronie's disease plaque-derived fibroblasts have consistent aneusomies even at early passage and that nonplaque tunica-derived cells from men with Peyronie's disease also demonstrate chromosomal instability. This suggests that the tunica albuginea of men with Peyronie's disease may be predisposed to undergoing unregulated fibrosis. These findings confirm the transformed nature of the Peyronie's disease tunical fibroblasts studied in this analysis. While the etiology of these findings is not clear, it is likely that these pathobiological characteristics contribute to the pathophysiology of this disease process.
Metal-nitroxyl interactions. 32. Spin-spin splitting in EPR spectra of spin-labeled pyridine adducts of a cobalt(II) porphyrin in frozen solution

Abstract Frozen solution EPR spectra have been obtained for 12 spin-labeled pyridines coordinated tocobalt(II)tetra( p -tritluoromethylphenyl)porphyrin. The spectra were computer simulated using a perturbation calculation. Absolute values of the exchange coupling constant, J , ranged from −4 cm −1 to 900 × 10 −4 cm −1 . The interspin distance, r ranged from 10 to > 12 A. The dependence of the value of the exchange coupling constant J on the bonding pathway between the cobalt and the mtroxyl NO group was similar to that observed previously for the same ligands coordinated to copper bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonate).
GABAB RECEPTOR-MEDIATED RESPONSES IN GABAERGIC PROJECTION NEURONES OF RAT NUCLEUS RETICULARIS THALAMI IN VITRO

1. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were obtained from GABAergic neurones of rat nucleus reticularis thalami (NRT) in vitro to assess pre- and postsynaptic GABAB receptor-mediated responses. Presynaptic inhibition of GABA release was studied at terminals on local axon collaterals within NRT as well as on projection fibres in the somatosensory relay nuclei. 2. The GABAB receptor agonist (R)-baclofen (10 microM) reduced monosynaptically evoked GABAA-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in NRT and somatosensory relay cells to 11 and 12% of control, respectively. 3. Action potential-independent miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) were observed in both cell types. Mean mIPSC amplitude was 20 pA in both NRT and relay cells at a holding potential of 0 mV. The mean mIPSC frequencies were 0.83 and 2.2 Hz in NRT and relay cells, respectively. Baclofen decreased mIPSP frequency by about half in each cell type without affecting amplitude. 4. Paired-burst inhibition of evoked IPSCs was studied in relay and NRT cells by applying pairs of 100 Hz stimulus bursts separated by 600 ms. The mean ratio of second to first peak IPSC amplitudes was 0.77. 5. In NRT cells baclofen induced a linear postsynaptic conductance increase of 0.82 nS with an associated reversal potential of -121 mV. A small (0.14 nS) GABAB component of the evoked IPSC was detected in only a minority of NRT cells (3 of 18). 6. All pre- and postsynaptic effects of baclofen, as well as PBI, were largely reversed by the specific GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 35348 (0.5 mM). 7. We conclude that activation of GABAB receptors in NRT leads to presynaptic autoinhibition of IPSCs in both NRT and relay cells, and to direct activation of a small linear K+ conductance. In addition our experiments suggest that reciprocal connectivity within NRT can be partially mediated by a small GABAB inhibitory event.
An (R)-specific N-methyltransferase involved in human morphine biosynthesis.

Abstract The biosynthesis of morphine, a stereochemically complex alkaloid, has been shown to occur in plants and animals. A search in the human genome for methyltransferases capable of catalyzing the N-methylation of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, as biosynthetic precursors of morphine, yielded two enzymes, PNMT (EC 2.1.1.28) and NMT (EC 2.1.1.49). Introduction of an N-terminal poly-histidine tag enabled purification of both proteins by immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Recombinant PNMT and NMT were characterized for their catalytic activity towards four benzylisoquinolines: tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), 6-O-methyl-THP, 4′-O-methyl-THP and norreticuline. Human PNMT accepted none of the offered alkaloids and was only active with its established substrate, phenylethanolamine. The second enzyme, human NMT, converted all four benzylisoquinolines, however, with a strict preference for (R)-configured morphine precursors. Determination of kinetic parameters of NMT for the four (R)-configured benzylisoquinoline alkaloids by LC–MS/MS revealed (R)-norreticuline to be the best substrate with an even higher catalytic activity as compared to the previously reported natural substrate tryptamine. In addition, isolation of the morphine precursor salutaridine from urine of mice injected (i.p.) with (R)-THP provides new evidence that the initial steps of morphine biosynthesis in mammals occur stereochemically and sequentially differently than in plants and suggests an involvement of the herein characterized (R)-specific NMT.
On Some Cosmological Theories and Constants

It is certainly desirable, or perhaps even necessary, to review from time to time the state of the exact or applied sciences. This attitude definitely holds in the case of cosmology. Granted, cosmology and cosmogony—this separation of terms has become obsolete today—are, no doubt, two of the oldest examples of man’s innate curiosity. Although thousands of years ago they already contained traces of scientific elements and sometimes even noteworthy attempts at more or less plausible theories—nevertheless, cosmology and cosmogony have retained, in the main, their speculative character.(1)
Energy-balanced task allocation for collaborative processing in wireless sensor networks

We propose an energy-balanced allocation of a real-time application onto a single-hop cluster of homogeneous sensor nodes connected with multiple wireless channels. An epoch-based application consisting of a set of communicating tasks is considered. Each sensor node is equipped with discrete dynamic voltage scaling (DVS). The time and energy costs of both computation and communication activities are considered. We propose both an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation and a polynomial time 3-phase heuristic. Our simulation results show that for small scale problems (with ≤ 10 tasks), up to 5x lifetime improvement is achieved by the ILP-based approach, compared with the baseline where no DVS is used. Also, the 3-phase heuristic achieves up to 63% of the system lifetime obtained by the ILP-based approach. For large scale problems (with 60-100 tasks), up to 3.5x lifetime improvement can be achieved by the 3-phase heuristic. We also incorporate techniques for exploring the energy-latency tradeoffs of communication activities (such as modulation scaling), which leads to 10x lifetime improvement in our simulations. Simulations were further conducted for two real world problems - LU factorization and Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). Compared with the baseline where neither DVS nor modulation scaling is used, we observed up to 8x lifetime improvement for the LU factorization algorithm and up to 9x improvement for FFT.
Antibody Vectors for Imaging

Noninvasive molecular imaging approaches include nuclear, optical, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, and photoacoustic imaging, which require accumulation of a signal delivered by a probe at the target site. Monoclonal antibodies are high affinity molecules that can be used for specific, high signal delivery to cell surface molecules. However, their long circulation time in blood makes them unsuitable as imaging probes. Efforts to improve antibodies pharmacokinetics without compromising affinity and specificity have been made through protein engineering. Antibody variants that differ in antigen binding sites and size have been generated and evaluated as imaging probes to target tissues of interest. Fast clearing fragments, such as single-chain variable fragment (scFv; 25 kDa), with 1 antigen-binding site (monovalent) demonstrated low accumulation in tumors because of the low exposure time to the target. Using scFv as building block to produce larger, bivalent fragments, such as scFv dimers (diabodies, 50 kDa) and scFv-fusion proteins (80 kDa minibodies and 105 kDa scFv-Fc), resulted in higher tumor accumulation because of their longer residence time in blood. Imaging studies with these fragments after radiolabeling have demonstrated excellent, high-contrast images in gamma cameras and positron emission tomography scanners. Several studies have also investigated antibody fragments conjugated to fluorescence (near infrared dyes), bioluminescence (luciferases), and quantum dots for optical imaging and iron oxides nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging. However, these studies indicate that there are several factors that influence successful targeting and imaging. These include stability of the antibody fragment, the labeling chemistry (direct or indirect), whether critical residues are modified, the number of antigen expressed on the cell, and whether the target has a rapid recycling rate or internalizes upon binding. The preclinical data presented are compelling, and it is evident that antibody-based molecular imaging tracers will play an important future role in the diagnosis and management of cancer and other diseases.
Global behavior of solutions of

Our aim is to investigate the boundedness character and the oscillatory nature of solutions of the difference equation where .
Endoscopic optic nerve decompression for traumatic blindness.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to compare the outcome of patients with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) treated with high-dose steroids with the outcome of patients with TON treated with en...
REACTIONS, EXPECTANCIES, AND COLLEGE STUDENTS' DRINKING

This study examined the relationship between adolescent girls' drinking behavior and the expected reactions of parents and friends to this behavior. Analysis indicated that friends were expected to be generally more approving than parents of frequency and quantity of current drinking. The discussion focused on these results and their relationship to competing hypotheses about adolescents' alcohol use.
A quantitative basis for antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 infection

Antiretroviral drug combinations for the treatment of HIV-1 infection have been determined on the basis of clinical trial outcomes, but without clear insight into why certain combinations are superior to others. Robert Siliciano and his colleagues present a quantitative basis for determining efficacious antiretroviral drug combinations.
Report on DC Transmission Session

This report briefly summarizes the seven papers in the session on DC Transmission. The papers represent a wide range of HVDC topics including control, protection, overvoltages caused by HVDC breakers, ground electrodes and harmonics. Many questions of interest have been put forward and these are accompanied by brief remarks. The purpose is to broaden the scope of discussion on each topic beyond that of the papers and stimulate discussion.
Principles of Tumor Suppression

Molecular genetic studies of familial cancer syndromes identified and defined the recessive nature of tumor suppressor genes and resolved the paradox of why tumors arising in such families exhibited an autosomally dominant pattern of inheritance. Subsequent characterization of tumor suppressor proteins revealed their widespread involvement in sporadic cancers and pinpointed key mechanisms that protect animals against tumor development. We now recognize that tumor suppressor genes regulate diverse cellular activities, including cell cycle checkpoint responses, detection and repair of DNA damage, protein ubiquitination and degradation, mitogenic signaling, cell specification, differentiation and migration, and tumor angiogenesis. Their study has become a centerpiece of contemporary cancer research.
Successful management of Histoplasma capsulatum infection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract A 65-year-old woman with disseminated histoplasmosis underwent resection of an atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm. Yeast forms of Histoplasma capsulatum were present in the aneurysm. Surgical resection and revascularization with a Dacron graft followed by systemic amphotericin B therapy and chronic ketoconazole suppressive therapy have resulted in a patient without symptoms 15 months postoperatively. It is important to be aware of the potential for atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm involvement by H. capsulatum . (J VASC SURG 1986;3:649-51.)
Disparate Host Immunity to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Antigens in Calves Inoculated with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, M. avium subsp. avium, M. kansasii, and M. bovis

The cross-reactivity of mycobacterial antigens in immune-based diagnostic assays has been a major concern and a criticism of the current tests that are used for the detection of paratuberculosis. In the present study, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis recombinant proteins were evaluated for antigenic specificity compared to a whole-cell sonicate preparation (MPS). Measures of cell-mediated immunity to M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis antigens were compared in calves inoculated with live M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, M. avium subsp. avium (M. avium), Mycobacterium kansasii, or Mycobacterium bovis. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) responses to MPS were observed in all calves that were exposed to mycobacteria compared to control calves at 4 months postinfection. Pooled recombinant M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis proteins also elicited nonspecific IFN-γ responses in inoculated calves, with the exception of calves infected with M. bovis. M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis proteins failed to elicit antigen-specific responses for the majority of immune measures; however, the expression of CD25 and CD26 was upregulated on CD4, CD8, gamma/delta (γδ) T, and B cells for the calves that were inoculated with either M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis or M. avium after antigen stimulation of the cells. Stimulation with MPS also resulted in the increased expression of CD26 on CD45RO(+) CD25(+) T cells from calves inoculated with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and M. avium. Although recombinant proteins failed to elicit specific responses for the calves inoculated with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, the differences in immune responses to M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis antigens were dependent upon mycobacterial exposure. The results demonstrated a close alignment in immune responses between calves inoculated with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and those inoculated with M. avium that were somewhat disparate from the responses in calves infected with M. bovis, suggesting that the biology of mycobacterial infection plays an important role in diagnosis.
Low-k dielectrics for ULSI multilevel interconnections: thickness-dependent electrical and dielectric properties

Electrical and dielectric properties of a promising low-dielectric constant (low-k) crystalline polymer thin film are investigated for deep-submicron multilevel interconnection applications. Filmetrics F20, I-V characteristic measurement, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to characterize the low-k film. The dc dielectric breakdown strength and the dielectric constant are obtained as a function of film thickness, and a model for the film thickness dependent breakdown strength is also discussed.
Software process evolution at the SEL

The Software Engineering Laboratory of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Space Flight Center has been adapting, analyzing, and evolving software processes for the last 18 years (1976-94). Their approach is based on the Quality Improvement Paradigm, which is used to evaluate process effects on both product and people. The authors explain this approach as it was applied to reduce defects in code. In examining and adapting reading techniques, we go through a systematic process of evaluating the candidate process and refining its implementation through lessons learned from previous experiments and studies. As a result of this continuous, evolutionary process, we determined that we could successfully apply key elements of the cleanroom development method in the SEL environment, especially for projects involving fewer than 50000 lines of code (all references to lines of code refer to developed, not delivered, lines of code). We saw indications of lower error rates, higher productivity, a more complete and consistent set of code comments, and a redistribution of developer effort. Although we have not seen similar reliability and cost gains for larger efforts, we continue to investigate the cleanroom method's effect on them. >
Bidirectional Crosstalk between Leptin and Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Signaling Promotes Invasion and Migration of Breast Cancer Cells via Transactivation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

Obesity is an independent risk factor for breast cancer, and obese breast cancer patients exhibit a higher risk for larger tumor burden and increased metastasis. Obesity, as associated with metabolic syndrome, results in an increase in circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF), which acts as a mitogen. In addition, higher plasma level of adipocytokine leptin is associated with obesity. In the present study, we show that cotreatment with leptin and IGF-I significantly increases proliferation as well as invasion and migration of breast cancer cells. We found a novel bidirectional crosstalk between leptin and IGF-I signaling; IGF-I induced phosphorylation of leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) and leptin induced phosphorylation of IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), whereas cotreatment induced synergistic phosphorylation and association of Ob-Rb and IGF-IR along with activation of downstream effectors, Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Leptin increased phosphorylation of IGF signaling molecules insulin-receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-2. Interestingly, we found that leptin and IGF-I cotreatment synergistically transactivated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), depending on the proteolytic release of EGFR ligands, as the broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001 could inhibit this effect. Using clinically relevant EGFR inhibitors, erlotinib and lapatinib, we found that inhibition of EGFR activation effectively inhibited leptin- and IGF-I-induced invasion and migration of breast cancer cells. Taken together, these data suggest a novel bidirectional crosstalk between leptin and IGF-I signaling that transactivates EGFR and promotes the metastatic properties as well as invasion and migration of breast cancer cells. Our findings indicate the possibility of using EGFR inhibitors erlotinib and lapatinib to counter the procancerous effects of leptin and IGF-I in breast cancers.
Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Components of Civic Action: Towards an Integrated Measure of Civic Engagement.

Using data from 8th grade participants in the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, factor analytic procedures were used to explore a model of active, engaged citizenship, termed Civic Identity/Civic Engagement (CICE). We identified a higher order factor model in which CICE is a second-order latent variable that is comprised of several dimensions including civic duty, civic skills, and civic participation, adult social connection, peer social connection, and neighborhood social connection. Covariation was assessed between CICE scores and participation in youth development organizations, such as 4-H. Participation in 4-H was related to higher scores on five of the six factors as well as the overall CICE score. Both limitations of this study and the need for longitudinal assessments of CICE are noted and the implications of the presence of an integrated construct of civic engagement for the conduct of youth programs is discussed.
Interplay of Positive and Negative Regulators in Transcription Initiation by RNA Polymerase II Holoenzyme

Activation of protein-encoding genes involves recruitment of an RNA polymerase II holoenzyme to promoters. Since the Srb4 subunit of the holoenzyme is essential for expression of most class II genes and is a target of at least one transcriptional activator, we reasoned that suppressors of a temperature-sensitive mutation in Srb4 would identify other factors generally involved in regulation of gene expression. We report here that MED6 and SRB6, both of which encode essential components of the holoenzyme, are among the dominant suppressors and that the products of these genes interact physically with Srb4. The recessive suppressors include NCB1 (BUR6), NCB2, NOT1, NOT3, NOT5, and CAF1, which encode subunits of NC2 and the Not complex. NC2 and Not proteins are general negative regulators which interact with TATA box binding protein (TBP). Taken together, these results suggest that transcription initiation involves a dynamic balance between activation mediated by specific components of the holoenzyme and repression by multiple TBP-associated regulators.
Phylogenetic analysis of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) and IGFBP-related protein gene families

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) activity is regulated by six high affinity binding proteins (IGFBPs) and possibly by some of the nine IGFBP-related proteins (IGFBP-rPs). To determine the phylogenetic relationship of this proposed gene superfamily, we conducted maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference analyses on a matrix of amino acid sequences from a diversity of vertebrate species. A single most likely phylogram, ML bootstrap, and Bayesian consensus tree of 10,000,000 generations revealed a monophyletic IGFBP lineage independent of the IGFBP-rPs. The IGFBPs segregated into three distinct clades: IGFBP-1, -3, and -6. Subsequent gene duplication events within the IGFBP-1 and -3 clades resulted in the production and divergence of IGFBP-2 and -4 within the IGFBP-1 clade and IGFBP-5 in the IGFBP-3 clade. By contrast, the IGFBP-rPs were distributed paraphyletically into two clades: IGFBP-rP1, 5, and 6 in one clade and the CCN family (IGFBP-rP2-4,7-9) in another. A recently identified IGFBP-3 homolog in rainbow trout localized to the IGFBP-2 subclade. Subsequence analysis identified a RGD motif common to IGFBP-2 orthologs, but did not identify the nuclear localization sequence present in IGFBP-3 and -5 homologs. The putative trout IGFBP-3 was 36-55% identical to different IGFBP-2 proteins, but only 24-27% identical to IGFBP-3 proteins. These results suggest that the IGFBPs and IGFBP-rPs are at best distantly related and that the limited similarities likely resulted from exon shuffling. They also suggest that rainbow trout, and possibly other salmonids, possess two IGFBP-2 paralogs as the putative trout IGFBP-3 is misannotated.