cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic induction in the oceans and inferences on the constitution of the earth

This review concentrates on the uncertainties surrounding interpretation of sea floor impedance measurements. Oceanic motionally induced signals prove to be ‘noise’ generators which limit the low frequency range of usable signals. At high frequencies the screening by a thick ocean and by the sediments and rocks of layer two present insuperable barriers to detection of poorly conducting rocks in the depth range 2 to 30 km below the sea bottom by usual methods. The conductivity of this layer is important for the interpretation of all ocean impedance measurements because it determines the width of a boundary zone at the continental margins of the ocean. If the conductivity is as low as 10−5 S/m the bounding zone begins to fill the whole ocean. It is suggested that use of an active, manmade EM source can provide signals at the sea bottom capable of resolving the uncertainty.
HEPATIC INTRACELLULAR OSMIOPHILIC DROPLETS: Effect of Lipid Solvents during Tissue Preparation

Lipid solvent extraction of aldehyde-fixed hepatic tissue of rats caused disappearance of all intravascular and hepatocellular osmiophilic droplets normally present, thus indicating their lipid content. Intramitochondrial dense granules and osmiophilic droplets in lysosomes also disappeared after this treatment. Lipid solvents extracted 43.8 to 92.6% of the radioactivity from aldehyde-fixed rat liver with C14-labeled lipids. Only 0.7 to 5.8% of the radioactivity was extracted when the hepatic proteins were labeled. When tissue was fixed with OsO4, the lipid solvents extracted only 0.7 to 7.2% of the radioactivity from lipid-labeled liver and only 0 to 0.7% when proteins were labeled. Thin layer chromatography of the lipid solvents used in extraction of formaldehyde-fixed tissue revealed that triglyceride, phospholipid, and cholesterol and other lipid classes had been removed. However, acetone extracted less phospholipids than did ethanol or methanol-chloroform. During fat absorption the number and size of osmiophilic droplets increased in the nongranular endoplasmic reticulum. In animals fasted up to 5 days, 250-A osmiophilic particles were still present in the Golgi vesicles, other cytoplasmic vesicles, and in the space of Disse. These were considered possibly to represent lipoprotein being synthesized in the liver cell and secreted into the blood.
Lattices in a split solvable Lie group

Given a Lie group, it is often useful to have a parametrization of the set of its lattices. In Euclidean space ℝ n , for example, each lattice corresponds to a basis, and any lattice is equivalent to the standard integer lattice under an automorphism in GL( n , ℝ). In the nilpotent case, the lattices of the Heisenberg groups are classified, up to automorphisms, by certain sequences of positive integers with divisibility conditions (see [ 1 ]). In this paper we will study the set of lattices in a class of simply connected, solvable, but not nilpotent groups G . The construction of G depends on a diagonal n × n matrix Δ with distinct non-zero eigenvalues, of trace 0; we will write formula here
Dynamics in the Early Stages of Decomposition in Liquid Nitromethane and Nitromethane-Diethylamine Mixtures

Laser-initiated decomposition of single aerosol particles in the source region of a time-of-flight spectrometer, followed by vacuum ultraviolet laser ionization and mass analysis of the reaction products, reveals the identity of species formed in the early stages of condensed-phase decomposition in nitromethane and nitromethane−diethylamine mixtures. In pure nitromethane, the initial stages of decomposition are characterized by unimolecular processes. At near-threshold energies, the cleavage of the C−N bond to form CH3 and NO2 dominates the dynamics, and at higher energies we find evidence of rearrangement to methylnitrite, followed by the formation of CH3O and NO. In nitromethane seeded with 0.1% diethylamine, an additional channel is observed which produces ionic intermediates. Detection of protonated diethylamine and the nitromethane aci-anion confirm that an acid−base reaction is involved in this case. We also detect the radical anion, NO2-, whose production is correlated with an increase in methyl ra...
LEDGF/p75 Proteins with Alternative Chromatin Tethers Are Functional HIV-1 Cofactors

LEDGF/p75 can tether over-expressed lentiviral integrase proteins to chromatin but how this underlies its integration cofactor role for these retroviruses is unclear. While a single integrase binding domain (IBD) binds integrase, a complex N-terminal domain ensemble (NDE) interacts with unknown chromatin ligands. Whether integration requires chromatin tethering per se, specific NDE-chromatin ligand interactions or other emergent properties of LEDGF/p75 has been elusive. Here we replaced the NDE with strongly divergent chromatin-binding modules. The chimeras rescued integrase tethering and HIV-1 integration in LEDGF/p75-deficient cells. Furthermore, chromatin ligands could reside inside or outside the nucleosome core, and could be protein or DNA. Remarkably, a short Kaposi's sarcoma virus peptide that binds the histone 2A/B dimer converted GFP-IBD from an integration blocker to an integration cofactor that rescues over two logs of infectivity. NDE mutants were corroborative. Chromatin tethering per se is a basic HIV-1 requirement and this rather than engagement of particular chromatin ligands is important for the LEDGF/p75 cofactor mechanism.
INCORPORATION OF 3H-ARGININE IN CHROMOSOMES OF VICIA FABA.

Abstract 3H-arginine was used in an effort to label the nuclear protein of Vicia faba root meristem cells. Prior to labeling, the root tips were treated for 24 hr with 5-aminouracil in order to synchronize cell divisions and obtain a large proportion of mitolic figures. Autoradiographs of chromosomes from the first and second division after labeling were examined. Almost 100 per cent of the chromosomes in the first division were labeled. The marked absence of label in metaphase chromosomes at second division suggests turnover of a major fraction of nuclear protein during one cell division cycle.
Ber-EP4, CK1, CK7 and CK14 are useful markers for basaloid squamous carcinoma: a study of 45 cases.

Diagnosis of basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSCC) currently relies mainly on histological criteria, with variable immunohistochemical results reported in small series. We explored the use of a battery of immunohistochemical stains to elucidate this diagnosis on 45 cases of BSCC. To further elucidate the immunohistochemical profile of BSCC, to explore potential genetic pathways of malignant transformation using proliferation markers, and to investigate a possible link with Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Forty-five cases of BSCC and 34 site-matched cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were obtained from the archives of the pathology department at our institution. Extensive literature review was undertaken utilizing Medline. Ber-EP4 is a useful diagnostic marker for BSCC, positive in 82% (37/45) of the cases and in 68% (23/34) of SCC. An alternative is the combination of cytokeratins CK14 and CK7, known to be negative, and CK1, known to be positive, which achieves an accuracy of 73% (33/45) in BSCC and 88% (30/34) in SCC. The two diagnostic approaches were in agreement in 66% of the cases; both methods were equally accurate in the divergent cases. Increased expression of the proliferation markers supports the concept that BSCC is a rapidly growing tumor. Results of p16 stains support an etiological link between BSCC and HPV; interestingly, HPV was present significantly more in BSCC (71% (32/45)), than in SCC (59% (20/34)) in this study (P = 0.02).
A least squares finite element approach to unsteady gas dynamics

A numerical technique for solving unsteady gas dynamic equations is presented. The technique is based on least squares finite element concepts with elements that are constructed in both space and time. Both linear and quadratic interpolation is used on individual elements. The technique is tested against a problem whose solution is known so that numerical accuracy can be ascertained.
Template-Synthesis: A Method for Enhancing the Ionic and Electronic Conductivity in Electronically Conductive Polymers

Abstract : Template-synthesis entails the synthesis of an electronically conductive polymer (or other material) within the pores of a microporous membrane. The membranes used have cylindrica pores of equivalent pore diameter; as a result, polymeric fibers are obtained, where the diameters of the fibers are determined by the diameter of the pores in the template membrane. We show in this paper that template-synthesized polypyrrole fibers show faster rates of charge transport, during electrochemical undoping, and dramatically higher electronic conductivitie than conventional forms (e.g. electrochemically-synthesized film) of this polymer.
Perceived health competence, health locus of control, and patient adherence in renal dialysis

An emerging view in the literature regarding health locus of control (HLC) and health behavior suggests that HLC beliefs might affect behavior only through the interaction of HLC with other health-related expectancies. We examined internal and powerful others HLC beliefs as moderators of the relationship between a recently developed measure of “perceived health competence” and medical regimen adherence in 81 renal dialysis patients. The hypothesized interaction was significant, suggesting a moderating role for HLC. The pattern of the interaction differed from prediction. Greater perceived health competence was associated with more favorable adherence only for those patients scoring low on internal and high on powerful others HLC. This pattern suggests that a high degree of perceived competence is advantageous for those patients with predominant confidence in the actions of their health-care providers.
Criterion for binding of two electrons in two dimensions

Abstract We apply our method for testing the existence of a many-body bound state to two electrons in 2D, orbiting about an attractive center but repelling each other. We find the break-up boundary, on which this three-body state is unstable against ionization of one of the electrons. The result is significantly different in 2D than our earlier result in 1D. We show why this method is exact in dimensions d ⩽ 2, but yields merely an upper bound for d > 2.
EFFECT OF POST-HARVEST TREATMENT ON THE SHELF LIFE OF SUMMER CROP POTATOES

During the first week after harvest, potatoes from the field were divided into four lots and held at 7°C and 66% relative humidity (RH), 15°C and 47% RH, 24°C and 22% RH, and 24°C and 81% RH, respectively. Subsequently, all four lots were held at 15°C and 47% RH for the second week and 24° C and 22% RH for the third and fourth weeks. Those potatoes held at 24° C and 81% RH for the initial week after harvest had a longer shelf life with fewer potatoes showing rot and excessive shriveling than those held at the other temperatures and lower relative humidifies. These were followed respectively by potatoes stored at 15, 24, and 7°C giving progressively shorter shelf life and greater amounts of rot and shriveling.
Systematic searches for hypohamiltonian graphs

A graph G is called hypohamiltonian if G is not hamiltonian but every vertex-deleted subgraph G-v is hamiltonian. The existence of a p-vertex hypohamiltonian graph is open only for p = 14,17, and the existence of a p-vertex, cubic hypohamiltonian graph is open only for p = 14,16,24,32. With the aid of a computer we have established that there is no hypohamiltonian graph of order 14, and no cubic hypohamiltonian graph of order 14 or 16. In addition, there is no hypohamiltonian graph of order 17 with girth ≥ 5. On the other hand, new p-vertex, cubic hypohamiltonian graphs have been found for p = 18,22.
A process to recover carbon fibers from polymer-matrix composites in end-of-life vehicles

Because of their high strength-to-weight ratios, carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composite (PMC) materials are being evaluated for use in the automotive industry. The major barriers to their widespread use are their relatively high cost and the uncertainty about whether they can be recycled. A process to recover carbon fibers from obsolete PMC materials has been developed at Argonne National Laboratory. The process was tested using PMC samples made with different thermoset or thermoplastic substrates. For most mixtures of PMCs, the process can be energy self-sufficient using the polymer substrate as an energy source. An evaluation of the recovered samples found that the fibers appear to have retained good properties and characteristics and are suitable for short fiber applications. This paper describes the process and the characteristics and properties of the recovered fibers.
Antibiotic Development by Investigation of the glmS Riboswitch

Although bacterial infections have always been of significant interest to researchers and physicians, the drug-resistant bacterial strains that have recently developed are causing new concerns and are much more difficult to combat. Our current methods for treating bacterial infections include broad-spectrum antibiotics which target only a small number of bacterial processes. However, with the discovery of riboswitches, we are developing new ways to fight bacterial infections which make use of their own natural metabolic pathways, essentially causing bacteria to destroy themselves. Riboswitches are found in non-coding regions of messenger RNAs and these RNA elements bind to ligands to control the expression of nearby genes. The glucosamine-6-phosphate (glmS) riboswitch is unique in that upon binding its ligand, glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P), it undergoes self-cleavage and is therefore also a catalytic RNA. The cleavage event targets the RNA for subsequent degradation, thereby repressing further gene expression. To study the glmS riboswitch, initial experiments were performed to determine the mechanism followed upon binding of the natural ligand. Since then, analogs of the natural ligand have been obtained and are being tested for their catalytic capabilities through kinetic analyses and rate constant calculations. Once successful candidates have been determined, these non-natural ligands will be introduced into live bacterial cultures, hopefully disrupting normal cell metabolism and reproduction. If successful, these analogs could be used as novel antibiotics, offering a more specific mode of targeting a wide variety of bacterial species.
The Lessons of Artistic Creativity for Pastoral Theologians

This article applies David W. Galenson’s (2006) typology of artistic creativity to pastoral theology. Galenson identifies two types of painters—conceptualists and experimentalists—and shows that their most important innovations occur at different stages of an artist’s career, that their methods are very different, and that each type produces predictable career frustrations which may, however, be counteracted. The fact that these types are found among sculptors, poets, novelists and film directors leads Galenson to propose that they are also found among scholars, thus inviting application of the findings of the study to pastoral theology as a discipline and to individuals who identify themselves as pastoral theologians. Galenson’s work is supplemented by Thomas Dormandy’s (2000) study of older painters.
Information, Incentives, and Property Rights: The Emergence of an Alternative Paradigm

My task in this paper is to elaborate the tenets of what Randall calls the PC/I "school" in his most useful paper. I see much merit in the PC/I paradigm, but in my opinion it is not free from a problem or two. My approach will be to set forth the principal arguments for the paradigm, relying primarily on the work of practicing members of the school. In his Nobel lecture, George Stigler (1983) discusses why economists seem unable to agree on which theories are most valid. Even if we agreed that empirical testing of theories is the foundation of good science, it is seldom that a theory in economics has a well-defined domain of applicability. Thus, no opportunity exists to construct a definitive test of the alternative paradigms (Kuhn). The reasons are the a priori deductive character of our theory and the nature of our data, which for the most part result from human decisions and thus cannot be controlled so that postulated causal relationships can be tested adequately. Both points have been centerpieces of Austrian economics, the chief cornerstone of the PC/I paradigm. The Austrians fault the mainstream neoclassical paradigm on two counts: (a) its science is flawed, and (b) insufficient attention is given to incentives and the institutional milieu in which decisions are made.
Growth hormone levels in chemical diabetes.

: Chemical diabetes is an incompletely defined form of glucose intolerance which is more common in the later decades of life. Long-term observations indicate that in half of the patients with persistent chemical diabetes, overt diabetes mellitus develops in the course of one decade of aging. Other studies have established that chemical diabetes is characterized by hyperinsulinemia which may be preceded by an initial lag in the insulin responses to oral administration of glucose. As a group, persons with chemical diabetes manifest higher serum triglyceride levels, a greater frequency of electrocardiographic abnormalities, and increased proteinuria. The data presented describe growth hormone patterns in chemical diabetes. The findings indicate that the lower serum growth hormone levels of obese adults of all age decades are also evident during glucose tolerance tests indicative of mild or moderate chemical diabetes. However, more severe degrees of glucose intolerance and chemical diabetes in obese persons are characterized by further decreases in growth hormone indices beyond those characteristic of obesity alone.
Heart block caused by fat infiltration of the interventricular septum (cor adiposum)

Abstract A case of extensive fat infiltration of the right ventricle and interventricular septum of the heart is presented. The clinical manifestations of chronic right-sided heart failure and heart block is attributed to this anatomic change.
Pulse forming and triggering using resonant tunnelling diode structures

Resonant tunnelling diodes (RTDs) monolithically integrated with coplanar transmission lines have been used for pulse formation, with measured rise times as low as 6 ps. Triggering at 60 GHz was performed by using the RTD pulser structures as trigger circuits. >
Political Rationales and Ideological Stances of the Standards-Based Reform of Teacher Education in the US.

Abstract Movements to reform teacher education are underway in many parts of the world, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the US. These attempts at reform are motivated by various forces, but appear to reflect an international convergence toward uniformity, conformity, and compliance. Our purpose here is to analyze the forces and contradictions that currently shape the education of teachers and the nature of their work in the US. Given the scarcity of debate and research in the face of the sweeping implementation of reform mandates, we raise here critical questions about their political, philosophical, and intellectual integrity and their intended and unintended consequences for teaching and for teachers’ autonomy. In this article we analyze teacher education reforms in the US in three steps. First, we examine the policies that have shaped the implementation of standards-based reform in teacher education, the assumptions that underlie them, and the means by which they are promoted (e.g., standards, assessment, increased regulations). Second, we analyze these reform policies and practices in the context of globalization and the global economy, forces that seem to define the ideological stances of the reform. Finally, we conclude by considering the implications for teaching, teacher knowledge, and teacher education.
Development of engineered pancreatic β-cell lines for cell therapy of diabetes

Insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cell lines represent a promising approach for treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Our laboratory has developed a number of highly-differentiated beta-cell lines in transgenic mice. These cells produce insulin amounts comparable to normal pancreatic islets and release it in response to physiological insulin secretagogues. Using a reversible transformation system it has become possible to tightly regulate cell replication in these beta-cell lines both in culture and in vivo. By employing adenovirus genes which downreguate antigen presentation and increase cell resistance to cytokines mouse beta cells could be transplanted across allogeneic barriers. These approaches could be applied to the development of human beta-cell lines by genetic engineering of isolated human islets.
EEG ACTIVITY AND THE PROCESSING OF TELEVISION COMMERCIALS

This article introduces the reader to the EEG via a literature review and then presents data from a study that uses television commercials to modify EEG. Data show correlations between level of EEG activity and several measures of learning and affect. Further analysis presents a method to evaluate EEG change across half-second increments of the commercial. Speculations are made as to meaning and value of the EEG method.
The Structure of Motives

It is argued that decisions are processes that occur in the ordinary course of a human life and that actions taken in life, when they are not habitual, follow such decisions. Decisions are undertaken in the framework of socially validated identities and are accompanied by vocabularies of motive which serve to guide ac0’on as well as to justify them. How then are these decisions reached? These decisions are reached, it is argued, by using various objective structures and three cases-Astrology in Ceylon, the Cuban Missile crisis and the Azande Oracles are used to support this claim and to propose a dialectical and interactionist theory of the relationship between actor and motives. The availability of such objective structures allows an actor to use them to legitimize his lines of action as well as to justify them in any future challenges.
TGF-β Induces Surface LAP Expression on Murine CD4 T Cells Independent of Foxp3 Induction

Background It has been reported that human FOXP3+ CD4 Tregs express GARP-anchored surface latency-associated peptide (LAP) after activation, based on the use of an anti-human LAP mAb. Murine CD4 Foxp3+ Tregs have also been reported to express surface LAP, but these studies have been hampered by the lack of suitable anti-mouse LAP mAbs.
Second order Raman spectrum and phonon density of states of silicon

Abstract Second order Raman (SOR) scattering from a silicon web (111) surface has been measured. It is found that the overtone process makes the main contribution to the second order spectrum. A comparison with the calculated density of states shows better agreement with the Born-von Karman model than with the shell model.
Substrate size mediates thermal stress in the rocky intertidal

Variation in physical factors, such as slope, orientation, and wind exposure, shapes thermal conditions. Variation in substrate size is common in many habitats, but its thermal consequences for organisms are not well characterized. Larger substrates should remain more thermally stable and act as thermal refuges for associated organisms during short, thermally stressful periods such as midday temperature peaks or tidal exposure. In observations and a transplant and thermal integration experiment, we found that larger rock substrates stayed cooler and facilitated greater survival of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides in the high intertidal relative to small substrates during the hot summer months in southern New England, USA. However, in thermally benign northern New England, rock substrate size had no effect on barnacle distributions, indicating that the thermal effects of substrate size are mediated by regional climate.
Short- and long-term effects of cromolyn sodium on the airway reactivity of asthmatics.

Abstract To study the effects of cromolyn sodium on the airway reactivity of asthmatics, we performed a randomized, double-blind, crossover study in which 11 atopic asthmatics inhaled 20 mg of cromolyn sodium or a matching placebo four times daily for 4 wk each, while in their allergy-season. Bronchial challenges consisting of either eucapnic hyperventilation with frigid air or methacholine were performed before, in the middle, and at the end of each treatment period. Stimulus-response relationships were assessed with the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV 1 ). The level of ventilation (V E ) and the provocative dose of methacholine (meth) required to reduce the FEV 1 20% from control were recorded as the PD 20 V E and PD 20 meth, respectively. There were no significant differences in the baseline FEV 1 on any study day. The short-term administration of cromolyn brought about a significant increase in PD 20 V E prior to both the placebo and active phases of the study. Placebo had no effect on airway reactivity. After 2 wk of cromolyn, PD 20 V E rose significantly and stayed elevated during the course of the study. Neither the short- nor long-term administration of cromolyn had any effect on the responsiveness to methacholine. These results demonstrated that long-term therapy can attenuate the responsiveness to naturally occurring asthmogenic stimuli even when nonspecific reactivity is unchanged.
Identification of Edc3p as an Enhancer of mRNA Decapping in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The major pathway of mRNA decay in yeast initiates with deadenylation, followed by mRNA decapping and 5′-3′ exonuclease digestion. An in silico approach was used to identify new proteins involved in the mRNA decay pathway. One such protein, Edc3p, was identified as a conserved protein of unknown function having extensive two-hybrid interactions with several proteins involved in mRNA decapping and 5′-3′ degradation including Dcp1p, Dcp2p, Dhh1p, Lsm1p, and the 5′-3′ exonuclease, Xrn1p. We show that Edc3p can stimulate mRNA decapping of both unstable and stable mRNAs in yeast when the decapping enzyme is compromised by temperature-sensitive alleles of either the DCP1 or the DCP2 genes. In these cases, deletion of EDC3 caused a synergistic mRNA-decapping defect at the permissive temperatures. The edc3 Δ had no effect when combined with the lsm1 Δ, dhh1 Δ, or pat1 Δ mutations, which appear to affect an early step in the decapping pathway. This suggests that Edc3p specifically affects the function of the decapping enzyme per se . Consistent with a functional role in decapping, GFP-tagged Edc3p localizes to cytoplasmic foci involved in mRNA decapping referred to as P-bodies. These results identify Edc3p as a new protein involved in the decapping reaction.
Experimental determination of dynamic models for commercial HVAC loads

The intrinsic energy storage built into many electrical loads can be leveraged to ease the integration of time-intermittent renewable generation into the electrical grid. The thermal storage of buildings makes HVAC systems just such a load. Here, we focus on large commercial HVAC systems that are controlled by building automation systems (BAS). Via the BAS, the temperature set points of many or all of the thermostats may be changed in a global, coordinated fashion to modify the power consumption of the HVAC system. Global set point control has many advantages including ease of implementation, maintenance of minimum ventilation requirements and, perhaps more importantly, a known impact on end-user comfort and satisfaction. A significant drawback is that the electrical load is only indirectly controlled via the global set point changes. We present the results of our experiments on the time response of a large commercial HVAC system to global set point control and the reduction of these results to a dynamic model suitable for design of a feedback system to control HVAC electrical load. Scott Backhaus
Immunohistochemical localization of two monoclonal antibody-defined carbohydrate antigens during early murine embryogenesis

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies designated “C6” and “A5” identify cell surface carbohydrates shared by embryonal carcinoma cells and early mouse embryos. The binding of both antibodies to F9 embryonal carcinoma cells was inhibited by N-acetyllactosamine. While antibody C6 did not agglutinate human erythrocytes, antibody A5 agglutinated adult, but not fetal, erythrocytes of both type A and O, suggesting partial specificity for branched polylactosamine structures. Antibodies C6 and A5 did not label preimplantation stage embryos; however, labeling with both antibodies was observed following treatment of embryos with neuraminidase. In paraffin sections of postimplantation stage embryos, C6 and A5 exhibited similar yet distinct patterns of labeling, restricted primarily to the luminal surfaces of ectodermal and visceral endodermal epithelia. Neuraminidase treatment was found to expose additional patterns of C6 and A5 labeling within the ectoderm and mesoderm of the postimplantation embryo, not restricted to periluminal surfaces. These results suggest that cell surface carbohydrates are modified during early embryogenesis, in part, by selective patterns of sialylation.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors of the eye-a review

AbstractThe development of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, their first application in glaucoma therapy, and recent investigations concerning these medications are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on those studies that attempt to explain the causes of side effects which frequently result in patient intolerance or noncompliance. With this information, it is possible to develop a rational therapeutic approach that incorporates knowledge of serum chemical changes and dose-response relationships.
AhpF can be dissected into two functional units: tandem repeats of two thioredoxin-like folds in the N-terminus mediate electron transfer from the thioredoxin reductase-like C-terminus to AhpC.

AhpF, the flavin-containing component of the Salmonella typhimurium alkyl hydroperoxide reductase system, catalyzes the NADH-dependent reduction of an active-site disulfide bond in the other component, AhpC, which in turn reduces hydroperoxide substrates. The amino acid sequence of the C-terminus of AhpF is 35% identical to that of thioredoxin reductase (TrR) from Escherichia coli. AhpF contains an additional 200-residue N-terminal domain possessing a second redox-active disulfide center also required for AhpC reduction. Our studies indicate that this N-terminus contains a tandem repeat of two thioredoxin (Tr)-like folds, the second of which contains the disulfide redox center. Structural and catalytic properties of independently expressed fragments of AhpF corresponding to the TrR-like C-terminus (F[208−521]) and the 2Tr-like N-terminal domain (F[1−202]) have been addressed. Enzymatic assays, reductive titrations, and circular dichroism studies of the fragments indicate that each folds properly and retai...
Race, inequality and the medicalization of drug addiction: An analysis of documentary films

AbstractThe increased medicalization of traits and behaviors signifies a society eager for more humane approaches to social problems such as drug addiction. Yet, scholars have only begun to understand how medicalization processes might perpetuate inequality. One type of disparity could be symbolic if media campaigns represent people differently. For example, to what extent does the neuroscience approach define all addicts as patients suffering a brain disease? Our paper begins to address this question by analyzing documentary films between 1991 and 2008. We found evidence of symbolic inequality by race in both the representation of addicts and explanations of their addictions. White addicts were portrayed as patients suffering disease and in need of treatment despite their heavy criminal involvement. Overall, minorities were under-represented in medicalized narratives. When depicted, minority addicts were discussed with criminal narratives, highlighting personal choice, deviance and state control. We end ...
Nontelomeric splice variant of telomere repeat-binding factor 2 maintains neuronal traits by sequestering repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor

Telomere repeat-binding factor 2 (TRF2) is critical for telomere integrity in dividing stem and somatic cells, but its role in postmitotic neurons is unknown. Apart from protecting telomeres, nuclear TRF2 interacts with the master neuronal gene-silencer repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST), and disruption of this interaction induces neuronal differentiation. Here we report a developmental switch from the expression of TRF2 in proliferating neural progenitor cells to expression of a unique short nontelomeric isoform of TRF2 (TRF2-S) as neurons establish a fully differentiated state. Unlike nuclear TRF2, which enhances REST-mediated gene repression, TRF2-S is located in the cytoplasm where it sequesters REST, thereby maintaining the expression of neuronal genes, including those encoding glutamate receptors, cell adhesion, and neurofilament proteins. In neurons, TRF2-S–mediated antagonism of REST nuclear activity is greatly attenuated by either overexpression of TRF2 or administration of the excitatory amino acid kainic acid. Overexpression of TRF2-S rescues kainic acid-induced REST nuclear accumulation and its gene-silencing effects. Thus, TRF2-S acts as part of a unique developmentally regulated molecular switch that plays critical roles in the maintenance and plasticity of neurons.
Very Low Energy Collision Induced Vibrational Relaxation: An Overview

Recent experimental and theoretical studies of very low energy collision induced vibrational relaxation in diatomic and polyatomic molecules are surveyed. Emphasis is placed on the novel features of the very low energy process; these require a full quantum mechanical treatment of the collision to account for the observations.
Surreptitious bleeding in surgery: A major challenge in coagulation

Apart from inadequate surgical haemostasis, postoperative bleeding can be related to acquired disorders of platelet number, platelet function or coagulation proteins (e.g. Vitamin K deficiency, DIC or liver injury). We highlight our experience with three patients who suffered life-threatening bleeding in the postoperative setting. The three patients - a 47-year-old man and 70- and 74-year-old women - all had negative histories for excessive bleeding with prior surgeries, and all had normal preoperative PT and aPTT tests. Surgeries were resection of ischaemic bowel, cholecystectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting. All patients experienced unexpected bleeding within the first few postoperative days requiring multiple red cell transfusions and surgical re-explorations. Evaluations within the first 4-7 days after surgery revealed that these three patients had developed prolonged aPTT due to demonstrable factor VIII antibodies initially at low titre. One patient was treated with high doses human factor VIII, corticosteroids, intravenous gammaglobulin and plasma exchanges. The inhibitor was no longer demonstrable after 6 weeks of such therapy, and he has remained in remission without therapy. The second patient was initially treated with high-dose human factor VIII infusions. Five months later, prednisone and 6-mercaptopurine were begun for worsening inhibitor titre and diffuse purpura and subcutaneous haematomas. The factor inhibitor remitted, but the patient died from liver failure related to post-transfusion hepatitis. The third patient was initially managed with high-dose human factor VIII. Two months later, worsening inhibitor titre and tongue haematoma was treated with activated prothrombin complex, corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Eight years later, she is on no therapy, demonstrates a mild bleeding tendency and has a stable low-titre inhibitor. There have been a few case reports of inhibitors to coagulation factors including factor VIII becoming manifest in the postoperative setting but surgery has not been widely recognized as an underlying cause for acquired haemophilia. This paper speculates on pathogenesis and reviews treatment options. This syndrome is remarkable for its abrupt onset in the first few postoperative days and for its substantial morbidity. The problem is potentially reversible with immunosuppressive therapy. Clinicians should be aware of this syndrome, considering acquired haemophilia in patients with unexpected postoperative bleeding.
3D-Plex grammars

Abstract The plex grammar proposed by Feder is extended to describe 3D structures. Several useful algorithms, including a derivation algorithm, an object construction algorithm, an connectivity table construction algorithm and a parsing algorithm, are presented. Examples are given to illustrate the algorithms.
Mediating Abundance and Scarcity: Implementing an HIV/AIDS-Targeted Project Within a Government Hospital in Tanzania

While free antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Tanzania has undeniably increased accessibility of services, the effects of ART programs as they are brought into existing health facilities are more ambiguous. As transnational nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) establish clinics within government hospitals, we see a telling example of how NGOs are providing services from within the state. The conditions of NGO-operated clinics within government health facilities act as a daily reminder of the failures of the government to provide health workers with that to which they feel entitled: adequate pay, access to sophisticated technology, upgraded training, extra-duty allowances, and a professional working environment. At the same time, health personnel compete to position themselves in such a way to be able to make claims on the state through these NGO clinics, which is the only means available for them to access the very resources to which they feel entitled by their profession.
Abnormal involuntary movements and chronic schizophrenic disorders

We hypothesized that chronic schizophrenic patients with abnormal involuntary movements would exhibit specific psychopathological, neurological, and cognitive disturbances at a more severe level than those free of such movements. Twenty-two chronic schizophrenic patients were assessed for abnormal movements, cognitive impairmement, psychopathology, and medication history. Unequivocal evidence of movements abnormality on the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale divided the subjects into groups with (n = 13) and without (n = 9) involuntary movement anomaly. Age, education, length of illness, depressive symptoms, total symptom ratings, and medication variables did not differ in the two groups. However, the group with involuntary movements had more negative symptomatology, greater impairment on voluntary motor tasks, lower premorbid intelligence, and a trend toward poorer recall on mental status examination. These results demonstrate that schizophrenic patients with abnormal involuntary movements have more severe psychopathology as reflected in certain defect symptoms, more abnormal voluntary movements, and more cognitive impairment than schizophrenic patients without involuntary movements.
Energy Correlated Damage Indices in Fatigue Crack Extent Quantification

Signals received by piezoelectric transducers (PZT) network can be influenced by many factors. Apart from environmental conditions, whose variability should be compensated, significant difference in a signal can be also caused by relative geometry changes of a designed sensors node, e.g. the damage localization and its orientation with respect to sensors location in the node. In the adopted approach a set of damage indices (DIs), carrying marginal signal information content and correlated with the total energy received by a given sensor are proposed. These are sensitive to the two main modes of guided wave interaction with a fatigue crack, i.e. its transmission and reflection from a damage. Detailed description of DIs detection capabilities are delivered in the paper. Two dimensional reduction techniques: Principal Component Analysis and Fishers Linear Discriminant are compared. The results of the data collected from specimen fatigue test are used to compare several classification models based on the emerged effective damage indices.
A methodology for organizing performance requirements for complex dynamical systems

An orderly methodology for establishing performance requirements for complex systems is described. The systems engineering performance methodology uses a top-down approach. Connections between the system high level mission requirements and the lower level functional performance requirements are made in a series of steps. The steps include identification of system activities, identification of activity-derived state vector elements, definition of state maintenance functions, and identification of functional components. Examples of the application of the methodology to a space station flight control problem are presented, and a discussion of application considerations is given.
A DILEMMA FOR SENTENTIAL DUALISM

Since 1957 many philosophers have pursued H. P. Grice's program of intention-based semantics. A basic aim of this program is to reduce semantic facts to psychological facts, specifically facts involving intentional psychological behavior. Another central aim of this program, at least as understood by proponents sympathetic to physicalism, is to reduce the relevant psychological facts, specifically propositional-attitude facts such as belief-facts, to physical facts. In Remnants of Meaning (Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press, 1987), Stephen Schiffer opposes this Gricean program, and presents a novel approach to truths affirming the existence of propositional-attitudes. He calls this approach sentential dualism. I shall show that Schiffer's sentential dualism faces a fatal dilemma. But first I need to outline Schiffer's position on belief-affirming truths. (All subsequent parenthetical page-numbers refer to Remnants of Meaning.)
Batch sequential design of optimal experiments for improved predictive maturity in physics-based modeling

The focus of nuclear fuel design and maintenance has been shifting from a primarily empirical endeavor to that of highly advanced simulations characterized by experiment-based calibration, validation and uncertainty quantification. The experimental data available for calibration and validation, however, is limited by the availability of resources. This limitation poses difficulties especially if the model is to be executed to predict at different settings and/or regimes within a domain. To assure that the model exhibits predictive maturity throughout the domain of applicability, a sufficient number of experiments must be conducted to explore this domain. Given the limited resources, it is therefore crucial to design validation experiments to maximize the improvement in the predictive capability of the physics-based numerical models. This article contributes to the recent developments in the optimal design of validation experiments by evaluating the performance of several experiment selection criteria that specify the specific benefits desired from future experiments. Our focus is on the Batch Sequential Design methods, which for a given set of initial experiments and a selection criteria, iteratively select a batch of future experiments. The performance of various selection criteria in improving model predictiveness are compared considering not only the empirically identified model discrepancy, but also the coverage of the domain of applicability. The manuscript provides an extensive simulation-based study on a polycrystal plasticity material model, utilizing an established index that quantifies predictive maturity of numerical models.
A zebrafish model for uremic toxicity: Role of the complement pathway

Many organic solutes accumulate in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and some are poorly removed with urea-based prescriptions for hemodialysis. However, their toxicities have been difficult to assess. We have employed an animal model, the zebrafish embryo, to test the toxicity of uremic serum compared to control. Serum was obtained from stable ESRD patients predialysis or from normal subjects. Zebrafish embryos 24 h postfertilization were exposed to experimental media at a water:human serum ratio of 3:1. Those exposed to serum from uremic subjects had significantly reduced survival at 8 h (19 ± 18 vs. 94 ± 6%, p 50 kDa, respectively). Heating serum abrogated its toxicity. EDTA, a potent inhibitor of complement by virtue of calcium chelation, reduced the toxicity of uremic serum compared to untreated uremic serum (96 ± 5 vs. 28 ± 20% survival, p < 0.016, chelated vs. nonchelated serum, respectively). Anti-factor B, a specific inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway, reduced the toxicity of uremic serum, compared to untreated uremic serum (98 ± 6 vs. 3 ± 9% survival, p < 0.016, anti-factor B treated vs. nontreated, respectively). Uremic serum is thus more toxic to zebrafish embryos than normal serum. Furthermore, this toxicity is associated with a fraction of large size, is inactivated by heat, and is reduced by both specific and nonspecific inhibitors of complement activation. Together these data lend support to the hypothesis that at least some uremic toxicities may be mediated by complement.
A new fast multipole boundary element method for solving large-scale two-dimensional elastostatic problems

A new fast multipole boundary element method (BEM) is presented in this paper for large-scale analysis of two-dimensional (2-D) elastostatic problems based on the direct boundary integral equation (BIE) formulation. In this new formulation, the fundamental solution for 2-D elasticity is written in a complex form using the two complex potential functions in 2-D elasticity. In this way, the multipole and local expansions for 2-D elasticity BIE are directly linked to those for 2-D potential problems. Furthermore, their translations (moment to moment, moment to local, and local to local) turn out to be exactly the same as those in the 2-D potential case. This formulation is thus very compact and more efficient than other fast multipole approaches for 2-D elastostatic problems using Taylor series expansions of the fundamental solution in its original form. Several numerical examples are presented to study the accuracy and efficiency of the developed fast multipole BEM formulation and code. BEM models with more than one million equations have been solved successfully on a laptop computer. These results clearly demonstrate the potential of the developed fast multipole BEM for solving large-scale 2-D elastostatic problems. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The KSU CRYEBIS

Abstract We are in the process of installing a cryogenic electron beam ion source which was designed to produce bare and almost bare, slow heavy ions and will allow us to explore the physics of slow collisions involving highly charged ions. The collision energy can be varied over two orders of magnitude. A part of the design of this novel ion source is discussed in this article.
Mechanical and thermal anti-nociception in rats after systemic administration of verapamil.

Abstract Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels expressed in neurons may contribute to nociceptive information processing. However, the role of L-type Ca2+ channels in pain transmission is not well understood. In this study, we examined the effects of systemically administered verapamil, an antihypertensive agent and L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, on mechanical and thermal withdrawal thresholds in rats. Intraperitoneal injections of verapamil induced dose-dependent (3–18 mg/kg) mechanical and thermal anti-nociception in adult rats without altering their sensorimotor abilities. Our data suggest that L-type Ca2+ channels contribute to acute nociceptive signaling and that anti-nociceptive effects may result from the blockade of these channels.