cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of bacterial and animal rhodopsins by hydrogen exchange studies

RHODOPSIN is deeply embedded in a hydrocarbon membrane, yet hydrogen exchange (HX) studies show that about 70% of its peptide hydrogens are freely exposed to solvent water1. This contrasts with other membrane-bound proteins and even aqueous proteins which generally involve about 70% of their peptide hydrogens in internal H-bonding. It has been suggested that the large fraction of disordered polypeptide chain indicated for rhodopsin resides in and acts to stabilise a channel of water penetrating into the membrane, and further that this channel must be quite large, perhaps 12 A or more in diameter1. Unwin and Henderson2 described an electron diffraction model for the purple membrane protein of Halobacterium halobium (bacteriorhodopsin) which compares interestingly with the suggested structure of animal rhodopsin; membrane-embedded bacteriorhodopsin is arranged in a three-molecule circle surrounding an open space 20 A in diameter. This space, however, is filled not with water but with lipid, and the protein walls of this blind channel are formed of a double rank of α helices which account for most of the bacteriorhodopsin polypeptide chain, so that bacteriorhodopsin, unlike animal rhodopsin, must be as extensively H-bonded as is the usual protein. We report here a HX study of bacteriorhodopsin. In agreement with the electron diffraction model, our HX results show that this protein, unlike animal rhodopsin, has about 75% of its peptides internally H-bonded. These and previous results, however, suggest a fundamental structural similarity between the two rhodopsins.
On covariant scalar green functions in a weak gravitational field

Abstract By applying the proper-time method to a scalar field in interaction with a weak gravitational field, the coordinate arbitrariness of the linearized gravitational theory is treated as the counterpart of electromagnetic gauge. The calculation of the scalar Green function is developed and shown to possess manifest coordinate-gauge covariance; the explicit contribution of the gauge function isolated by such a procedure is evaluated. A line-integral choice of form for the gauge function when re-expressed in terms of the fields produces the path-dependent Mandelstam line integral upon a change of base gauge. The space-like path averaging of gauge-independent line-integral expressions of the first-order fields does not correspond to a familiar gravitational gauge. Gauge-invariant gravitational potentials are constructed in the case of constant curvature. The exact expression obtained for the corresponding Green function exhibits the expected singularities of the flat space-time case.
Aortic Valve Involvement in Calciphylaxis: Uremic Small Artery Disease With Medial Calcification and Intimal Hyperplasia

Calciphylaxis is a rare manifestation of abnormal calcium metabolism seen in some patients with renal disease. We describe the transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) findings in a patient with calciphylaxis. These findings included calcification of ascending aorta and aortic valve. TEE was normal before the development of calciphylaxis.
Golgi α-mannosidase II deficiency in vertebrate systems: implications for asparagine-linked oligosaccharide processing in mammals

The maturation of N-glycans to complex type structures on cellular and secreted proteins is essential for the roles that these structures play in cell adhesion and recognition events in metazoan organisms. Critical steps in the biosynthetic pathway leading from high mannose to complex structures include the trimming of mannose residues by processing mannosidases in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex. These exo-mannosidases comprise two separate families of enzymes that are distinguished by enzymatic characteristics and sequence similarity. Members of the Class 2 mannosidase family (glycosylhydrolase family 38) include enzymes involved in trimming reactions in N-glycan maturation in the Golgi complex (Golgi mannosidase II) as well as catabolic enzymes in lysosomes and cytosol. Studies on the biological roles of complex type N-glycans have employed a variety of strategies including the treatment of cells with glycosidase inhibitors, characterization of human patients with enzymatic defects in processing enzymes, and generation of mouse models for the enzyme deficiency by selective gene disruption approaches. Corresponding studies on Golgi mannosidase II have employed swainsonine, an alkaloid natural plant product that causes “locoism”, a phenocopy of the lysosomal storage disease, α-mannosidosis, as a result of the additional targeting of the broad-specificity lysosomal mannosidase by this compound. The human deficiency in Golgi mannosidase II is characterized by congenital dyserythropoietic anemia with splenomegaly and various additional abnormalities and complications. Mouse models for Golgi mannosidase II deficiency recapitulate many of the pathological features of the human disease and confirm that the unexpectedly mild effects of the enzyme deficiency result from a tissue-specific and glycoprotein substrate-specific alternate pathway for synthesis of complex N-glycans. In addition, the mutant mice develop symptoms of a systemic autoimmune disorder as a consequence of the altered glycosylation. This review will discuss the biochemical features of Golgi mannosidase II and the consequences of its deficiency in mammalian systems as a model for the effects of alterations in vertebrate N-glycan maturation during development.
Changes in motor cortical activity during visuomotor adaptation

We examined neuronal activity in three motor cortical areas while a rhesus monkey adapted to novel visuomotor transforms. The monkey moved a joystick that controlled a cursor on a video screen. Each trial began with the joystick centered. Next, the cursor appeared in one of eight positions, arranged in a circle around a target stimulus at the center of the screen. To receive reinforcement, the monkey moved the joystick so that the cursor contacted the target continuously for 1s. The video monitor provided continuous visual feedback of both cursor and target position. With those elements of the task constant, we modified the transform between joystick movement and that of the cursor at the beginning of a block of trials. Neuronal activity was studied as the monkey adapted to these novel joystick-cursor transforms. Some novel tasks included spatial transforms such as single-axis inversions, asymmetric double-axis inversions and angular deviations (also known as rotations). Other tasks involved changes in the spatiotemporal pattern and magnitude of joystick movement. As the monkey adapted to various visuomotor tasks, 209 task-related neurons (selected for stable background activity) showed significant changes in their task-related activity: 88 neurons in the primary motor cortex (M1), 32 in the supplementary motor cortex (M2), and 89 in the caudal part of the dorsal premotor cortex (PMdc). Slightly more than half of the sample in each area showed significant changes in the magnitude of activity modulation during adaptation, with the number of increases approximately equaling the number of decreases. These data support the prediction that changes in task-related neuronal activity can be observed in M1 during motor adaptation, but fail to support the hypothesis that M1 and PMdc differ in this regard. When viewed in population averages, motor cortex continued to change its activity for at least dozens of trials after performance reached a plateau. This slow, apparently continuing change in the pattern and magnitude of task-related activity may reflect the initial phases of consolidating the motor memory for preparing and executing visuomotor skills.
The impact of evaporator fouling and filtration on the performance of packaged air conditioners

Abstract The goal of the study presented in this paper was to evaluate the impact of different filter types on the performance of three typical packaged air conditioners under both clean and fouled conditions. In a companion paper, combinations of six different levels of filtration and four different coils were tested under clean and fouled conditions. From the tests, it was found that fouling has a relatively small impact on air-side effective heat transfer coefficient, but can have a large impact on coil pressure drop. Data from the experimental study were used in developing simulation models for the three packaged air conditioners. Simulations show that the equipment cooling capacity is reduced with fouling primarily because of a decrease in air flow due to the increased pressure drop. In most cases, EER (energy efficiency ratio) was reduced with fouling primarily due to increased fan power. However, the changes in EER were relatively small, in the range of 1–10%. Equipment having low efficiency filters had higher EER after fouling than equipment with high efficiency filters, because high efficiency filters result in significantly higher pressure drops than low efficiency filters. The impact of the evaporator side fan efficiency was found to be significant. The energy penalty associated with high efficiency filters was reduced greatly when fan efficiency increased. Although high efficiency filters cause higher energy penalties they provide considerably better air quality. The quantity of dust passing through the coil with an MERV14 filter was approximately 30 times less than the dust passing the coil with an MERV4 filter. This difference was doubled when the MERV14 filter was compared to a case with no filter in place.
Comparing longitudinal profile patterns of Mathematics and Reading in early child longitudinal study, kindergarten: The Profile Analysis via Multidimensional Scaling (PAMS) approach

The aim of the study is to compare longitudinal patterns from Mathematics and Reading data from the direct child assessment of Early Child Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten (ECLS-K, US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics 2006), utilizing Profile Analysis via Multidimensional Scaling (PAMS). PAMS has been used initially to discover profile patterns in crosssectional data, and further applied to uncover longitudinal patterns by considering each time point as a coordinate of longitudinal patterns. The ECLS-K data analyzed here included longitudinal information about student achievement. The current study applied longitudinal PAMS to the data and examined how much the longitudinal patterns predict the fifth-grade achievement scores. Results showed that the longitudinal patterns that depicted the growing trend and the growing–decaying trend were significantly related to the fifth-grade achievement scores. Educational implications and discussions of longitudinal patterns were included.
Overexpression of Human UDP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase Rescues Galactose-1-Phosphate Uridyltransferase-Deficient Yeast

To better understand the pathophysiology of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) deficiency in humans, we studied the mechanisms by which a GALT-deficient yeast survived on galactose medium. Under normal conditions, GALT-deficient yeast cannot grow in medium that contains 0.2% galactose as the sole carbohydrate, a phenotype of Gal(-). We isolated revertants from a GALT-deficient yeast by direct selection for growth in galactose, a phenotype of Gal(+). Comparison of gene expression profiles among wild-type and revertant strains on galactose medium revealed that the revertant down-regulated genes encoding enzymes including galactokinase, galactose permease, and UDP-galactose-4-epimerase (the GAL regulon). By contrast, the revertant strain up-regulated the gene for UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, UGP1. There was reduced accumulation of galactose-1-phosphate in the galactose-grown revertant cells when compared to the GALT-deficient parent cells. In vitro biochemical analysis showed that UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase had bifunctional properties and could catalyze the conversion of galactose-1-phosphate to UDP-galactose in the presence of UTP. To test if augmented expression of this gene could produce a Gal(+) phenotype in the GALT-deficient parent cells, we overexpressed the yeast UGP1 and the human homolog, hUGP2 in the mutant strain. The Gal(-) yeast transformed with either UGP1 or hUGP2 regained their ability to grow on galactose. We conclude that revertant can grow on galactose medium by reducing the accumulation of toxic precursors through down-regulation of the GAL regulon and up-regulation of the UGP1 gene. We speculate that increased expression of hUGP2 in humans could alleviate poor outcomes in humans with classic galactosemia.
The effects of magnesium starvation on the ribosome content of Escherichia coli

Abstract Escherichia coli cells incubated for long periods in a growth medium complete except for magnesium suffer loss of their ribosomes. There is no concomitant loss in viability. Cell extracts prepared after various times show first a loss of 70-S and 100-S ribosomes, and after some 24 h only 5 % of the original ribosomes remain. Re-addition of magnesium ions to the medium causes renewed growth at a steadily increasing rate with ribosomes increasing exponentially. The rate of protein synthesis is proportional to the ribosome content. Ribosomes are degraded during starvation to structures of low S number but the RNA is not broken down to small molecules nor is it re-utilized for ribosome synthesis on renewed growth.
Smart Grid at National Grid

Many electric utilities are investigating or implementing a Smart Grid. Smart Grid is expected to be the new industry platform. Since this is a work in progress it is in the industry's interest to discuss not only achievements but also the vision for this new platform. In this way industry norms for Smart Grid can be allowed to develop in an efficient and collective manner. This paper describes National Grid's vision for Smart Grid in its franchise area, implementation to date of that vision, and its achievements to date.
In-vivo Light dosimetry for pleural PDT

In-vivo light Dosimetry for patients undergoing photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the important dosimetry quantities critical for predicting PDT outcome. This study examines the light fluence (rate) delivered to patients undergoing pleural PDT as a function of treatment time, treatment volume and surface area, and its accuracy as a function of the calibration accuracies of each isotropic detector and the calibration integrating sphere. The patients studied here were enrolled in Phase II clinical trial of Photofrin-mediated PDT for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with pleural effusion. The ages of the patients studied varied from 34 to 69 year old. All patients were administered 2mg per kg body weight Photoprin 24 hours before the surgery. Patients undergoing photodynamic therapy (PDT) are treated with laser light with a light fluence of 60 J/cm^2 at 630nm. Fluence rate (mW/cm^2) and cumulative fluence (J/cm^2) was monitored at 7 different sites during the entire light treatment delivery. Isotropic detectors were used for in-vivo light dosimetry. The anisotropy of each isotropic detector was found to be within 30%. The mean fluence rate delivery varied from 37.84 to 94.05 mW/cm^2 and treatment time varied from 1762 to 5232s. We have established a correlation between the treatment time and the treatment volume. The results are discussed using an integrating sphere theory and the measured tissue optical properties. The result can be used as a clinical guideline for future pleural PDT treatment.
AN ESTIMATION OF THE VOLUME OF WATER MADE AVAILABLE BY ROOT EXTENSION.

Modern views on plant-soil moisture relations stress the importance of continuous elongation of roots into new regions of the soil as an important factor in making water available to plants. It was long believed that as roots absorb the available water from the soil particles with which they are in direct contact more water is made available by capillary movement from more distant soil particles. Investigations conducted during the past 15 years indicate that this belief is not true, capillary movement of water toward the roots being so slow under average field conditions that it is of negligible importance. A brief discussion of soil-water relations will show why capillary movement is relatively unimportant. If a limited amount of water is applied to a large volume of soil a part of the soil will be wetted uniformly while the remainder is unaffected. This situation is often observed after a shower which has wetted the upper three or four inches of soil, leaving a sharp line of demarcation between the moist soil and the dry soil beneath. The movement of water in a dry soil can occur only from larger to smaller capillaries. As Puri (6) has indicated, water will move from a wet soil to a dry soil only if the dry soil contains some capillaries smaller than the largest ones in the wet soil which are full of water. Water movement from wet soil to dry soil continues until contact is broken between the smaller capillaries of the dry soil which are responsible for the movement. When continuity of the liquid phase is thus broken visible movement of water ceases. The swelling of certain types of soil colloids when wetted is also of importance in inhibiting water movement by reducing the size of capillaries to a diameter so small that water molecules cannot readily pass. The amount of water held by capillarity in the soil after it has been uniformly distributed by gravitational and capillary forces is usually termed the field capacity (Veihmeyer and Hendrickson, 10). Under field conditions well drained soils are usually assumed to be at their field capacity a day or two after being wetted by rain or irrigation. Shantz (7) stated that on theoretical grounds the capillary movement of water from moister to drier regions in soils at or below their field capacity would be very slow and this was experimentally verified by Keen (3) and Veihmeyer and Hendrickson (9). According to Puri (6) when soil moisture is restricted to capillaries formed by particles having a diameter of 0.001 mm. or smaller relatively little water is available to plants. He considers that particles coarser than clay are mainly responsible for retaining moisture available to plants, whereas clay aids in the conservation of
Economic effects of right to work laws

This article examines the effects of Right to Work laws on wages, unionization, and strikes in the context of a simultaneous equation framework. Unlike most past studies, the effects of the factors leading to the existence of a Right to Work law are separated from the effects of the Right to Work laws themselves. Both state and individual data are examined. The results show that the Right to Work laws do not have the negative effects often attributed to them.
The Unified Z Transform Theory Of Morphological And General Image Processing

The conventional Z transform for images is used in creating a spatial parallel algorithm for convolution. Z transforms and corresponding spatial algorithms are also given for wraparound convolution, Mellin convolution as well as for the grey value dilation and erosion operations in mathematical morphology.
Overview of high-rate deep-space laser communications options

With the advent of efficient fiber laser and amplifiers, low noise photon-counting detectors, turbo-codes, and low-cost ground receiver architectures, it is now feasible to consider very high rate data links from deep space. A set of options leading to a 10-100 Mbps link from Mars to Earth is described.
Fatal complication of subclavian catheter

A case is presented, where a Rochester needle, easily introduced into the subclavian vein and producing good venous blood return, in fact perforated the superior vena cava inside the pericardium and within a few minutes caused fatal cardiac tamponade.
Lower critical dimension of the random-field Ising model: a Monte Carlo study

This paper presents extensive Monte Carlo simulations of the random-field Ising model in various dimensions for long times in moderately large systems, and specifically addresses the question of whether the lower critical dimension is 2 or 3. The authors find long-range order for $d=3$ and no long-range order for $d=2$. The marginality of the $d=2$ case is further checked by studying a system in $d=\frac{\mathrm{ln}8}{\mathrm{ln}3}\ensuremath{\approx}1.89$ dimensions simulated by a fractal; the authors thus conclude that the lower critical dimension is 2.
Scopolamine impairs performance of a place and cue task in rats.

Using a within-subjects design, rats were trained to run in a radial maze for sucrose reward with a procedure that involved two kinds of learning (place and cue) and two memory functions (working and reference memory). Injections of saline and 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg of scopolamine were administered using a Latin-square design. Increasing doses of scopolamine slowed running times, decreased the number of trials that were completed, resulted in similar impairments on both the place and cue tasks, and caused deficits in both working and reference memory. The pattern of results was different from that found following damage to the hippocampus. The results are interpreted as indicating a nonspecific effect of scopolamine on arousal and/or attention.
Teaching Psychosomatic Medicine: Utilizing Concurrent Perspectives

Teaching psychosomatic medicine is a challenge in the contemporary medical culture that rewards technology and empiricism. The biopsychosocial model of disease offers an overview about psychosomatic m
The separation of the aspartyl- and asparaginyl- RNA synthetases of Lactobacillusarabinosus

The purification of aspartyl-RNA synthetase from extracts of Lactobacillusarabinosus has recently been reported (Norton, etal., 1963). Since there is little information available on an amino acyl-RNA synthetase which is specific for asparagine, it was of interest to determine whether extracts of L.arabinosus contain an asparaginyl-RNA synthetase, and, if so, whether this activity can be separated from the aspartyl-RNA synthetase activity. In the present investigation, it was found that extracts of L.arabinosus catalyze the transfer of C14-asparagine to RNA and that this activity can be separated from the aspartyl-RNA synthetase activity.
Expansion of FOXP3high regulatory T cells by human dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro and after injection of cytokine-matured DCs in myeloma patients

CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg's) play an important role in the maintenance of immune tolerance. The mechanisms controlling the induction and maintenance of Treg's in humans need to be defined. We find that human myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) are superior to other antigen presenting cells for the maintenance of FOXP3+ Treg's in culture. Coculture of DCs with autologous T cells leads to an increase in both the number of Treg's, as well as the expression of FOXP3 protein per cell both in healthy donors and myeloma patients. DC-mediated expansion of FOXP3high Treg's is enhanced by endogenous but not exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2), and DC-T-cell contact, including the CD80/CD86 membrane costimulatory molecules. DCs also stimulate the formation of Treg's from CD25- T cells. The efficacy of induction of Treg's by DCs depends on the nature of the DC maturation stimulus, with inflammatory cytokine-treated DCs (Cyt-DCs) being the most effective Treg inducers. DC-induced Treg's from both healthy donors and patients with myeloma are functional and effectively suppress T-cell responses. A single injection of cytokine-matured DCs led to rapid enhancement of FOXP3+ Treg's in vivo in 3 of 3 myeloma patients. These data reveal a role for DCs in increasing the number of functional FOXP3high Treg's in humans.
Concurrent identification of calpains I and II from chicken skeletal muscle.

A single anion-exchange column resolved two peaks of calcium-activated neutral protease activity, corresponding to the two calpain forms from chicken skeletal muscle. Multiple columns have previously been needed to resolve the two isoforms from avian tissue. Calcium requirement assays confirmed one form to require approximately 100 μM Ca2+ for half-maximal activity, while the other required approximately 500 μM Ca2+. Electrophoresis revealed that the enzymes were not purified to homogeneity.
Development and characterization of a scalable microperforated device capable of long-term zero order drug release.

A drug delivery system that consists of microperforated polyimide microtubes was developed and characterized. Two groups of polyimide tubes were used. One set consisted of microtubes (I.D. = 125 μm) with 32.9 ± 1.7 μm size holes. The second set consisted of larger tubes (I.D. = 1000 μm) with 362–542 μm holes. The number of holes was varied between 1 and 3. The small tubes were loaded with crystal violet (CV) and ethinyl estradiol (EE) and the drug release studies were performed in 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.1–7.4) at 37.0 ± 1.0°C for upto 4 weeks. The large tubes were loaded with CV and the drug release was studied in vitro in PBS and also ex vivo in rabbit’s vitreous humor. Linear release rates with R2 > 0.9900 were obtained for all groups with CV and EE. Release rates of 7.8 ± 2.5, 16.2 ± 5.5, and 22.5 ± 6.0 ng/day for CV and 30.1 ± 5.8 ng/day for EE were obtained for small tubes. For large tubes, a release rate of 10.8 ± 4.1, 15.8 ± 4.8 and 22.1 ± 6.7 μg/day was observed in vitro in PBS and a release rate of 5.8 ± 1.8 μg/day was observed ex vivo in vitreous humor.
Externalizing Behavior in the Life Course The Transition From School to Work

This paper uses data from the National Child Development Study to study the long-term experiences of boys who display externalizing behavior problems. Analyses examine the transition from school to work by bringing together variables used in life-course analyses of the transition to adulthood (e.g., family background, individual ability, aspirations, school placements) with variables often employed in longitudinal studies of children with behavior problems (e.g., behavior problems, family difficulties, special educational services). A substantial amount of variance is accounted for by variables that are conventionally employed in life-course analyses. However, academic ability, parental aspirations, and private/grammar school placement have significantly smaller effects on some outcomes for boys who display externalizing behavior than for boys who do not display such behavior. The discussion emphasizes the importance of including both sets of factors when explaining the life-course experiences of boys who...
The fertility plateau in Costa Rica: a review of causes and remedies

Costa Rica achieved a substantial reduction in its overall fertility rate in a very short period of time. The halving of the fertility rate which occurred in less than ten years in Costa Rica transpired over the course of 100 years in France and 170 in Sweden. The level of contraceptive use in Costa Rica is twice that in other Central American nations. The authors summarize the recent demographic history of Costa Rica and review factors influencing its remarkable fertility decline. They then discuss possible explanations for the ensuing fertility plateau and conclude by suggesting strategies for affecting a further decrease in fertility rates. With regard to the reasons for the fertility plateau cultural factors socioeconomic factors declining government commitment and family planning services education and the Church are considered. To reduce the level of fertility even further the authors recommend that the government adopt a clear population policy which could serve as a basis for other changes such as increased support of family planning programs improvements in the educational system increased womens status and employment opportunities and extensive education in schools and through the mass media on the socioeconomic and environmental effects of overpopulation. It is important to increase Costa Ricans understanding of the negative impacts of continued population growth and the role of individual family planning decisions in that growth.
Intense-field scattering and capture of an electron by a model atom

We have solved numerically the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation for an electron in a superstrong laser field while it undergoes a collision with a model one-dimensional hydrogen atom. We show that a certain fraction of the electron can be trapped by the atom in superstrong fields. This trapped portion has a dichotomous spatial probability distribution, corresponding to an effective excitation of Kramers-Henneberger field-dressed states, which is quite resistant against subsequent detachment. By varying the incoming electron's kinetic energy these states can be selectively excited.
The oxidized-metallic and grassy flavor components of autoxidized milk fat

OCt-1-en-3-one accounts for the metallic flavor of autoxidized milk fat. In combination with small amounts of aldehydes it gives an oxidized flavor to milk. The grassy flavor component observed in autoxidized milk fat is shown to betrans- cis-2,6-nonadienal. Mechanisms are proposed for the production of oct-l-en-3-one from linoleate and 2,6-nonadienal from linolenate.
Development of non-local Wigner-like correlation-energy density functionals through coordinate scaling requirements and evaluation of contraint obedience in the construction of density functionals

Abstract Uniform coordinate scaling requirements for a correlation-energy density functional in density functional theory (DFT) led to the development of the Wilson—Levy (WL) functional. The numerical results of the functional, which is non-local and Wignerlike, are compared to results of recent and traditional functionals. Values calculated from the correlation-energy functionals of both the original Wigner and the VWN are also tabulated. Additional functionals were constructed to address the question as to whether constraint-obedience is a valuable tool for correlation-energy functional construction. Comparison of functionals with varying degrees of constraint obedience, including functionals that obey few or no contraints, is made for both local and non-local formulas. Parameterization of the WL functional is explained and the functional derivative of both the close-shell and open-shell forms of the WL is presented.
A quality by design approach to impurity method development for atomoxetine hydrochloride (LY139603).

Abstract The development of an ion-pairing HPLC method and associated system suitability parameters for the analysis of atomoxetine hydrochloride (LY139603 HCl) using a quality by design approach is described. Potential method conditions were evaluated for their ability to meet design requirements and statistically designed experiments were used to optimize conditions and demonstrate method robustness for the separation of atomoxetine and impurities. The separation of two early eluting impurities, phenyl methylaminopropanol (PMAP (±)3-methylamino-1-phenylpropanol) and mandelic acid is correlated to the separation of other impurities that elute near the main sample component and the resolution of this peak pair is used as a system suitability test without the need for impurity reference standards.
Detection of marijuana smoke in the atmosphere of a room.

Mit einer Analysenmethode gelingt es, Marijuanarauch von einer Zigarette oder weniger durch Kombination von Anreicherungsverfahren mit hochauflosender Gaschromatographie in Zimmerluft nachzuweisen. Charakteristische Profile von 200 bis 300 Komponenten (darunter Cannabinoide), die sich deutlich von denen von Tabakrauch unterscheiden, wurden mit Hilfe von Glaskapillarsaulen gewonnen.
Air-Sea Interaction as a Propagator of Equatorial Ocean Surface Temperature Anomalies

Abstract The westward propagation of equatorial sea surface temperature anomalies exceeds the surface drift velocity and is probably associated with propagating changes in the depth of the surface mixed layer and upper thermocline. These can be caused by equatorial Rossby waves and/or by air-sea interactions. In the present paper, it is shown that changes in the stress and heat flux associated with the passage of air over an ocean surface of variable temperature can produce a westward propagation of the temperature pattern regardless of Coriolis effects. The phenomenon is investigated in the framework of a two-layer channel model. A physical description of the mechanism is followed by the discussion of an approximate solution to the steady state and by a linear wave analysis which deals with the propagation and modification of an initially stipulated departure from the equilibrium.
Testosterone Supplementation Improves Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Some Older Men with Abdominal Obesity.

Background/Objectives: The effects of testosterone supplementation on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in obese older men are uncertain. We conducted a single-arm open-label prospective pilot study to investigate the effects of testosterone supplementation on central and peripheral insulin sensitivity in older men with upper body obesity and insulin resistance. Subjects/Methods: Twenty men (62-78 years-old) with morning testosterone levels <13.9 nmol/L (400 ng/dL), waist circumference ≥ 102 cm, and HOMA-IR ≥ 4.0 or HgbA1C 5.7-6.4% applied transdermal testosterone (10 mg) daily for 20 weeks. Insulin sensitivity (Si) was determined by a 2-stage glucose clamp, liver and intramyocellular lipid by 1H-MR spectroscopy and body composition by DEXA. Results: Testosterone supplementation significantly reduced total fat (-1.9 ± 2.4 kg, p=0.002), trunk fat (-1.3 ± 1.4 kg, p=0.0007) and extremity fat (-0.7 ± 1.1 kg, p=0.01), and increased extremity lean tissue (+1.3 ± 1.4 kg, p=0.0006). Whole body (WB) Si improved by 21% (0.76 ± 1.57 dL/min per μU/mL, p=0.04) and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (Rd) by 24% (0.91 ± 1.74 dL/min per μU/mL, p=0.03). Improvements in glucose kinetics were limited to men with reductions in trunk and extremity fat greater than median declines for the entire group. Reductions in intramyocellular lipid were associated with improvements in WB Si (p=0.04) and Rd (p=0.03). Change in Rd accounted for 90% of the change in WB Si. Hepatic glucose output and liver lipid/H2O were unchanged (p>0.05). Multivariable analyses revealed that reductions in extremity fat, trunk fat, and FFA levels during the clamp accounted for 45% (p=0.004), 31% (p=0.002) and 8% (p=0.04) of respective changes in Rd. Triglycerides decreased by -0.40 ± 0.67mmol/L (p=0.02), LDL-C by-0.35 ± 0.57 mmol/L (p=0.02), and HDL-C by -0.14 ± 0.19 mmol/L (p=0.004). Conclusions: Testosterone supplementation that resulted in greater reductions in regional adiposity was associated with improved insulin sensitivity, lower LDL-C and fasting triglycerides, but lower HDL-C. Placebo controlled trials need to further examine the potential cardiometabolic risks/benefits of androgen supplementation for older men with low testosterone levels, central obesity, and insulin resistance.
A Review of Research on Turbomachinery at MIT Traceable to Support From Mel Hartmann

Research conducted at MIT since 1968 stemming from early initiatives on the Blowdown Compressor Experiment and on transonic three dimensional CFD, is reviewed from the viewpoint of the consequences of enlightened support of research by exceptionally capable leaders of government research. Among the consequences in this case are development of detailed understanding of the unsteady flows in transonic compressors and their contribution to losses, and the ability to compute the three-dimensional transonic flow in such machines. Analogous results for turbines include the ability to measure and compute the unsteady heat flux distribution on turbine blades and vanes as well as the flow field. In addition to these research results, the programs which are traceable to Mel Hartmann’s early support have produced more than seven faculty members who continue to teach and conduct research in aircraft propulsion and closely related fields, and a corresponding number of students.Copyright © 1993 by ASME
Hyperglycemia in patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm surgery: Its association with long-term gross neurologic and neuropsychological function

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether elevated intraoperative blood glucose concentrations are associated with an increased risk of long-term neurologic dysfunction in patients at risk for ischemic brain injury. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data from 1000 patients were retrieved from the Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial database. All patients were recruited between February 2000 and April 2003, and underwent surgery for aneurysm clipping within 14 days of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Gross neurologic and neuropsychological function was evaluated at 3 months after surgery using certified observers and standardized assessment instruments. Intraoperative blood glucose concentrations, measured once when the aneurysm clip was placed, were correlated with neurologic outcome using both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Blood glucose concentrations at the time of aneurysm clipping ranged from 59 to 331 mg/dL. At 3 months after surgery, those with blood glucose concentrations of 129 mg/dL or more (upper 2 quartiles) were more likely to have impaired cognition (P=.03). Those with glucose concentrations of 152 mg/dL or more (upper quartile) were more likely to experience deficits in gross neurologic function assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (P CONCLUSION In patients at high risk for ischemic brain injury, intraoperative hyperglycemia, of a magnitude commonly encountered clinically, was associated with long-term changes in cognition and gross neurologic function.
Biliary reconstruction and complications after living-donor liver transplantation.

Abstract Background The technique of biliary reconstruction remains controversial in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of biliary complications after LDLT based on the reconstruction technique. Methods Between 1997 and 2007, 30 patients underwent LDLT. The type of allograft was the right lobe in 15, left lobe in 4 and left lateral sector in 11 patients. There were 18 adult and 12 paediatric recipients. The mean follow-up was 48 months (range 18–120 months). Biliary complications were defined as leak or stricture requiring intervention. Results Biliary reconstruction was achieved with Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (RYCJ) in 17 patients and duct-to-duct (DD) anastomosis in 13 patients. An external biliary stent was placed in all patients (except one) in the RYCJ group and reconstruction over a T-tube was done in 6 out of 13 patients in the DD Group. Twenty-five (83.3%) patients had one biliary anastomosis and the remaining five (16.7%) had multiple anastomoses (one in the RYCJ group and four in the DD group). The overall incidence of biliary complications was 30%.; 29.4% in the RYCJ group and 38.4% in the DD group ( P = 0.6). Biliary complications occurred equally in patients with and without an external stent or T-tube stenting (12.5% vs. 18.8%). The incidence of biliary leakage was 23.5% for RYCJ and 15.3% for DD ( P = 0.4). Although the incidence of biliary stricture was significantly higher in the DD (23.1%) compared with the RYCY group (5.9 %) ( P P Conclusions Although there was a higher rate of biliary stricture formation in the DDCC group, we feel that because of physiological bilioenteric continuity, comparable incidence of leakage and easy endoscopic access, DD reconstruction is the preferred approach for biliary drainage in LDLT. After LDLT, the endoscopic approach has been shown to provide effective treatment of most biliary complications.
Recovery of stream invertebrates after catastrophic flooding in southeastern Minnesota, USA

Widespread catastrophic flooding struck coldwater streams in southeastern Minnesota in August 2007, drastically scouring and altering stream channels and their biota. Post-flood invertebrate abundances and assemblages in streams in and near Whitewater State Park were compared to data collected from these same streams prior to flooding. Flooding reduced invertebrate densities by 75–95% in some streams. Taxa richness was reduced by 30–70%, and assemblage structure was reduced to poor and very poor levels in first- and second-order streams but not in the larger (fourth-order) system. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera were especially impacted in small streams, and amphipods were virtually eliminated from both large and small streams. Densities of some invertebrate groups recovered within months of the flood, but others were still recovering after nearly two years. Taxa richness and community structure returned to pre-flood levels at most sites within one year, but total densities at many sites remain...
Three Problems in Learning Mixed-Strategy Nash Equilibria

This paper discusses three problems that can prevent the convergence of learning mechanisms to mixed-strategy Nash equilibria. First, while players′ expectations may converge to a mixed equilibrium, the strategies played typically fail to converge. Second, even in 2 × 2 games, fictitious play can produce a sequence of frequency distributions in which the marginal frequencies converge to equilibrium mixed strategies but the joint frequencies violate independence. Third, in a three-player matching-pennies game with a unique equilibrium, it is shown that if players learn as Bayesian statisticians then the equilibrium is locally unstable. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C72, C73, D83.
Identification of Raf-1 S471 as a Novel Phosphorylation Site Critical for Raf-1 and B-Raf Kinase Activities and for MEK Binding

The Ras-Raf-MAPK cascade is a key growth-signaling pathway and its uncontrolled activation results in cell transformation. Although the general features of the signal transmission along the cascade are reasonably defined, the mechanisms underlying Raf activation remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that Raf-1 dephosphorylation, primarily at epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced sites, abolishes Raf-1 kinase activity. Using mass spectrometry, we identified five novel in vivo Raf-1 phosphorylation sites, one of which, S471, is located in subdomain VIB of Raf-1 kinase domain. Mutational analyses demonstrated that Raf-1 S471 is critical for Raf-1 kinase activity and for its interaction with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). Similarly, mutation of the corresponding B-Raf site, S578, resulted in an inactive kinase, suggesting that the same Raf-1 and B-Raf phosphorylation is needed for Raf kinase activation. Importantly, the naturally occurring, cancer-associated B-Raf activating mutation V599E suppressed the S578A mutation, suggesting that introducing a charged residue at this region eliminates the need for an activating phosphorylation. Our results demonstrate an essential role of specific EGF-induced Raf-1 phosphorylation sites in Raf-1 activation, identify Raf-1 S471 as a novel phosphorylation site critical for Raf-1 and B-Raf kinase activities, and point to the possibility that the V599E mutation activates B-Raf by mimicking a phosphorylation at the S578 site.
Integrated a-Si:H Source Drivers for 4 $^{\prime\prime}$ QVGA Electrophoretic Display on Flexible Stainless Steel Substrate

Integrated source drivers for a 4'' Quarter Video Graphics Array (QVGA) electrophoretic display have been developed using amorphous silicon TFTs on flexible stainless steel substrate. The current design reduces the number of column interconnects to the display by more than 3times compared to a display with external drivers. This integration reduces cost and improves reliability
Presentation of Qualitative Data

In Chaps. 2 and 3 we concentrated on approaches for collecting, presenting, and analyzing quantitative data. Here, and in Chap. 5, we turn our attention to qualitative data. Quantitative data is simple to identify; for example, sales revenue in dollars, number of new customers purchasing a product, and units of a SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) sold in a quarter. Similarly, qualitative data is easily identifiable. It can be in the form of such variables as date of birth, country of origin, and revenue status among a sales force (1st, 2nd, etc.).
Stage-specific innate immune recognition of Aspergillus fumigatus and modulation by echinocandin drugs.

The pulmonary innate immune system clears inhaled Aspergillus fumigatus conidia (spores) from terminal airways. Failure to control conidial germination in immune compromised hosts can result in hyphal tissue invasion and fatal disease. Insight into the molecular recognition of A. fumigatus by host leukocytes indicates that the innate immune system exploits obligate changes in fungal cell wall composition that occur at the first stage of germination, conidial swelling. Germinating spores activate at least two host signal transduction pathways. Surface exposure of fungal b-(1,3) glucan, a polysaccharide constituent of the fungal cell wall, triggers dectin-1 signaling by host phagocytes. Spore germination leads to the induction of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling as well. This stage-specific recognition mechanism focuses host antifungal responses on cells with the potential for tissue invasion and may serve to limit potentially deleterious effects of inflammation in space and time. Fungal b-(1,3) glucan not only activates host innate immune responses but also represents the target of echinocandin drugs. The activity of echinocandin drugs has largely been understood on the basis of pharmacologic growth inhibition of yeast and moulds, resulting in lysis of yeast cells and stunting of dysmorphic hyphae. The recognition that fungal b-1,3 glucan activates dectin-1 signaling suggests that echinocandin drugs may exert immune modulatory effects by altering innate immune responses to drug-treated fungal cells, a view supported by recent data from studies on C. albicans, A. fumigatus, and non-Aspergillus moulds.
Detecting the integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect with high-redshift 21-cm surveys

We investigate the possibility to detect the integrated Sachs-Wolfe (ISW) effect by cross-correlating 21-cm surveys at high redshifts with galaxies, in a way similar to the usual CMB-galaxy cross-correlation. The high-redshift 21-cm signal is dominated by CMB photons that travel freely without interacting with the intervening matter, and hence its late-time ISW signature should correlate extremely well with that of the CMB at its peak frequencies. Using the 21-cm temperature brightness instead of the CMB would thus be a further check of the detection of the ISW effect, measured by different instruments at different frequencies and suffering from different systematics. We also study the ISW effect on the photons that are scattered by HI clouds. We show that a detection of the unscattered photons is achievable with planned radio arrays, while one using scattered photons will require advanced radio interferometers, either an extended version of the planned Square Kilometre Array or futuristic experiments such as a lunar radio array.
A method for numerical calculation of z transforms

A method is presented for numerical calculation of z transforms of functions specified by rational Laplace transforms. The method uses a conversion to an equivalent differential system and calculation of the impulse response at equally spaced sample instants.
From Leakages to Linkages: Local-Level Strategies for Capturing Tourism Revenue in Northern Thailand

Abstract Tourism in the rural areas of developing countries is expanding at a rapid pace and is often a primary means of income in these areas. However, high levels of leakage dramatically reduce the economic impact of such tourism. While the problem of economic leakage in rural peripheries is well documented, there is a paucity of research on strategies to reduce leakage. Strategies that can be employed at the village level may be especially useful as they do not require the co-operation of outside stakeholders who may profit from the leakage out of the village. This study identifies three such strategies employed in rural villages in northern Thailand and uses the case-study method to evaluate their effectiveness. It concludes with a discussion of the applicability of these strategies to other locations.