cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degree of Participation of Exogenous Thymidine in the Overall Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Escherichia coli

Utilization of labeled exogenous deoxythymidine (TdR) for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis is widely used as a measure of DNA synthesis itself, on the assumption that the degree of participation (DP) of TdR in the overall synthesis of deoxythymidine monophosphate in DNA is constant under a variety of conditions. It is now found that in Escherichia coli DP (ratio of exogenous TdR incorporated into DNA to total TdR content of DNA) depends on many factors. In basal medium, DP is 38% in wild-type strain K-12SH and 48% in strain K-12SH28 mutated in the TdR phosphorylase gene. In thymine-requiring (T(-)) mutants having a functional TdR phosphorylase, DP is less than 100%. Shortening the doubling time of the cells by supplementing basal medium with all amino acids increases DP of K-12SH and K-12SH28 by 25%, and T(-) strains do reach 100%. Slowing cell growth by lowering the temperature to 30 C results in a decrease of DP by 15%. In the logarithmic phase, DP is higher than in the beginning of the stationary phase. It appears that exogenous TdR is more convenient for DNA synthesis during faster cell growth.
Abstract W P327: Defect-Free Stroke Care Results in Lower Hospitalization Costs

Background: Defect-free hospital care suggests greater quality and may provide better outcomes for acute ischemic stroke(AIS) patients. Previously we reported a 5-item stroke care bundle that was associated with an increased likelihood of favorable discharge status (home/acute rehabilitation). The effect of defect-free care on total cost of hospitalization remains unknown. Hypothesis: Defect-free compliance to a 5-item stroke care bundle will result in significant cost savings while improving clinical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized AIS patients 18 years or older was conducted at 6 Intermountain Healthcare facilities from 2009-2012. Defect-free care was defined as compliance with 5 care measures: ED arrival to head CT <25 minutes, DTN <60 minutes, discharge on an anti-platelet, anticoagulation for patients with atrial fibrillation, and statin medication at discharge. All patients who met eligibility criteria for any measure were included. Generalized Linear Mixed (GLIMMIX) ...
Diffusion in a glassy polymer with discontinuous swelling. II. Concentration distribution of diffusant as function of time

The time dependence of concentration distribution of diffusant in front of the advancing boundary between the core of the amorphous glass and the swollen surface layer was calculated under the assumption that 1. in the core the diffusion is FICKian and the diffusion constant D is independent of concentration; 2. the transition from the maximum concentration co in the core and the higher concentration c∞, in the swollen polymer occurs in a very thin boundary layer; 3. the boundary layer moves with constant velocity v; 4. the permeability of the swollen polymer is so high and hence requires such a small concentration gradient that it may be neglected (c = c∞ in the whole region). The concentration distribution in the core starts with a very fast drop which gradually decreases and approaches that of the limiting exponential distribution exp (-yv/D). The time t∞, for practically reaching the steady state distribution equals 4 D/v2. Die zeitabhangige Konzentrationsverteilung der diffundierenden Flussigkeit von der fortschreitenden Trennflache zwischen dem unveranderten glasigen Kern und der gequollenen Oberflachenschicht des amorphen Hochpolymeren wurde unter folgenden Annahmen berechnet: 1. die Diffusion im Kern befolgt das FICKsche Gesetz mit konzentrationsunabhangiger Diffusionskonstante D; 2. der Ubergang von der maximalen Konzentration co im Kern zu der hoheren Konzentration c∞ im gequollenen Hochpolymeren findet in emer sehr dunnen Trennschicht statt; 3. die Trennschicht hat eine konstante Fortschreitungsgeschwindigkeit v; 4. die Permeabilitat des equollenen Hochpolymeren ist genugend hoch und verlangt deshalb ein entsprechend kleines Konzentrationsgefalle, das man dann vernachlassigen darf (c = c∞). Die Konzentrationsverteilung im Kern zeit am Versuchsanfang ein sehr hohes Gefale, das schnell abnimmt und dem Wert der exponentiellen Grenzverteilung exp (-yv/D) zustrebt. Die Zeit t∞ zur praktischen Erreichung der stationaren Varteilung ist ungefahr gleich 4 D/v2.
The uvulopalatal flap

The uvulopalatal flap was initially described by Powell and Riley in 1996 and has become a popular surgical option for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A number of advantages exist over the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, and these include reduced risk of velopharyngeal insufficiency and nasopharyngeal stenosis, potential to be reversible, improved velopalatal opening from preserved uvular muscle, low risk of bleeding, and reduced pain. An extensive preoperative workup should be performed to evaluate the patient, and the procedure is indicated in patients who demonstrate velopharyngeal obstruction, and who are refractory to conservative medical management. Studies have confirmed that the uvulopalatal flap results in both objective and subjective improvements in OSA. Complications are rare and typically minor. As a result, the uvulopalatal flap has become a popular option and the palatal procedure of choice for OSA for many otolaryngologists.
Differential expression of individual members of the histone multigene family due to sequences in the 5' and 3' regions of the genes

Histone proteins are encoded by a multigene family. The H3.2(614) and H2a(614) genes are present as single copies which are expressed at high levels, accounting for 30 to 40% of the H3 and H2a mRNAs, respectively, in different types of mouse cells. The other genes which have been isolated each contribute only a very small amount to the total type-specific mRNA pool. We demonstrate here that the differences in the level of expression of these genes are partly due to differences in their transcription rates. To investigate the sequences responsible for these differences in expression among the members of each family, we carried out DNA-mediated gene transfer experiments with both intact and chimeric histone genes. The 5' region of a highly expressed gene [H3.2(614) or H2a(614)] was attached to the 3' region of a histone gene which was expressed at low levels (H3-221 or H2a-291) and vice versa. The results show that sequences in both the 5' and 3' regions of the H3.2(614) and H2a(614) genes contribute to their high level of mRNA production by two independent mechanisms. The effect of the 3' sequences on mRNA accumulation has been narrowed to a 65-base-pair region including the 3'-terminal palindrome and downstream signal implicated in mRNA processing.
CCR2 expression determines T1 versus T2 polarization during pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection.

Pulmonary clearance of the encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans requires the development of T1-type immunity. The objective of this study was to determine the role of CCR2 in leukocyte recruitment and development of T1-type cell-mediated immunity during pulmonary C. neoformans infection. Intratracheal inoculation of C. neoformans into CCR2 knockout (CCR2−/−) mice produced a prolonged pulmonary infection (5000-fold CFU at 6 wk compared with CCR2+/+ mice) and significant dissemination to the spleen and brain (160- and 800-fold greater). In addition, CCR2 deficiency resulted in significantly reduced recruitment of macrophages (weeks 1–3) and CD8+ T cells (weeks 1–2) into the lungs. The immune response in CCR2−/− mice was characterized by chronic pulmonary eosinophilia, crystal deposition in the lungs, pulmonary leukocyte production of IL-4 and IL-5 but not IFN-γ, lack of anticryptococcal delayed-type hypersensitivity, and high levels of serum IgE. These results demonstrate that expression of CCR2 is required for the development of a T1-type response to C. neoformans infection and lack of CCR2 results in a switch to a T2-type response. Thus, CCR2 plays a critical role in promoting the development of T1- over T2-type immune responses in the lung following cryptococcus infection.
A novel position sensorless power transfer control of lumped coil-based in-motion wireless power transfer systems

Traditional in-motion (dynamic) wireless power transfer (WPT) is based on elongated power transmitting tracks. It suffers from low efficiency, having complex and not fully utilized magnetic structures, among other drawbacks. In the case of lumped transmitter coils commeasurable in size with the receiver coil, which has been recently proposed for the in-motion WPT, the power transfer is intermittent with variable power transfer efficiency. Although it is characterized by a very high efficiency when the pads are aligned (>90%), high efficiency of the overall energy transfer will be maintained only if the transmitter coil is energized in a proper, synchronized manner with respect to the position of the receiver coil. Considering the actual state of communication and sensing technology, identification of the actual position of the receiver pad in realtime would be a very challenging task and no reliable solution has been proposed so far in the WPT arena. This paper provides a thorough analysis of the power transfer characteristics of an in-motion system with lumped coils, meaning the analytic description of time-varying power transfer and efficiency profiles. Possible compensation topologies are studied and the most suitable structure is selected. A control algorithm is proposed to control the amount of energy transferred to the receiver, without the utilization of any position detection system. The energizing profiles are designed to maximize energy efficiency, while at the same time transferring the required amount of energy to the receiver. The control algorithm is analyzed by using analytical modeling of the WPT system and then verified by MATLAB-Simulink simulation tool. A scaled-down hardware prototype is developed and employed to test the operation of the control algorithm for different transferred energies.
Statistical inference with dependent observations: Extensions of classical procedures☆

Abstract Some standard statistical procedures for independent observations are extended to long stationary time series in which observations widely spaced in time are practically independent. A sequence of many successive observations on a single subject “at asymptote” will often have this property. A generalized t statistic permits inferences concerning a subject's mean performance level. And a generalization of the one-way analysis of variance yields an F test for differences in stable performance levels between several subjects working under the same experimental condition. This test can also be used to compare several performances of a single subject serving as his own control under different experimental conditions, provided there is no carry-over between conditions. In the final section the F test is used to demonstrate substantial individual differences in asymptotic performances in a probability learning experiment, contrary to the predictions of various learning models.
Offline Configuration Resources about Smart Substation Multi-Dimensional and Multi-Objective Customization and Information Merger

Offline Configuration Resources about Smart substation Multi-dimensional and multi-objective customization and information merger is an important means of the development for the large-scale grid operation. In this paper, the method of smart substation model customization and information merger for multi-level control center is proposed. This paper puts forward the scheme、data flow and key technologies of model customization and information merger. The software of model customization and information merger, which can flexibly configure the rule of model reduction and information merger according to different scenarios, is designed and developed. The software is validated in the laboratory, which illustrates that idea of this paper has good potential value.
Differential survival among individuals with active and healed periosteal new bone formation.

Abstract Periosteal new bone formation is frequently used in paleopathological and paleoepidemiological studies to diagnose particular diseases or to assess non-specific stress in past populations. Many researchers distinguish between active (woven or unremodeled) and healed (sclerotic or remodeled) periosteal lesions during data collection, but few published studies maintain a distinction between these two activity categories in analysis or interpretation. Though it has been suggested that healed periosteal lesions might indicate relatively good health and enhanced survivorship, no study has explicitly examined this possible relationship in a large skeletal sample that includes both children and adults. This study examines the relationship between periosteal lesion activity (active vs. healed) and survival using a sample of 538 individuals from several medieval London cemeteries, which in combination span the period 1120–1538. The results of Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicate that healed periosteal lesions are associated with survival advantages compared to both those with active lesions and those without any lesions at all. These results suggest that active periosteal lesions might most closely reflect high frailty and bioarchaeological studies should focus on the distinction between the presence or absence of healing rather than merely on the presence of periosteal lesions irrespective of their activity.
Comparing Diffusion Approximation with Radiation Transfer Analysis for Light Transport in Tissues

The diffusion model that is an approximation of the equation of radiation transfer is typically used to describe photon migration in scattering-dominant media. In general biological tissue is highly scattering and very weakly absorbing against near-infrared light, yet it is heterogeneous and may contain relatively highly absorbing or low-scattering regions. Here applicability of the diffusion approximation over the radiative transfer theory for describing ultrafast laser transport in biological tissues is numerically studied and investigated over different kinds of tissue conditions and geometries. Tissues having tumors of different sizes, locations and nature as well as dual-tumor and low-scattering conditions are considered. Radiation transfer analysis is taken as a comparison objective and it is initially proved to be accurate in benchmark comparisons with Monte Carlo simulation. The results predict systematically about the compatible conditions where and when we can use the diffusion approximation and the conditions in which the diffusion approximation may provide misleading results.
Composition and Pressure Dependence of the Elastic Constants of Gold-Nickel Alloys

Measurements of the elastic constants of single crystals of gold and gold-nickel alloys have been made by the ultrasonic pulse-superposition method at room temperature, with pressures varying from atmospheric to 10 Kbar. The values of the adiabatic elastic stiffnesses of gold obtained at atmospheric pressure are $C=4.200$, ${C}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1.473$, and ${B}_{S}=17.28$, in units of ${10}^{11}$ dyne/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The pressure derivatives of the elastic constants of gold are $\frac{\mathrm{dC}}{\mathrm{dP}}=1.84$, $\frac{d{C}^{\ensuremath{'}}}{\mathrm{dP}}=0.438$, and $\frac{d{B}_{S}}{\mathrm{dP}}=6.15$. The shear constants $C$ and ${C}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ increase nonlinearly as a function of nickel concentration, whereas the bulk modulus, ${B}_{S}$, decreases initially on alloying. The experimental results for dilute solutions were interpreted in terms of a model which assumes that the dominant contribution to $C$, ${C}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, and ${B}_{S}$ arises from gold-gold ion-core repulsive interactions. Using an exponential form for the ion-core potential, it was also possible to calculate the variation with composition of the shear constants for concentrated solutions. The ion-core contribution to the heat of formation was also calculated, and this appears to be in good agreement with the thermodynamic data. These results have led to an interpretation of the strain-energy term in alloy formation as arising from the changes in the short-range repulsive interaction between neighboring ions.
Effects of Selection on Plasma Thyroxine Concentrations in Japanese Quail Under Thiouracil and Protein Stress

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to measure changes in plasma thyroxine (T4) concentrations occurring in male and female Japanese quail in response to treatment with dietary thiouracil (TU) and different CP levels prior to sexual maturity and to determine the influence of selection for growth under TU and protein stress on this response. Selected and unselected lines of quail were fed diets containing .2% TU or two levels of CP (20 or 28%) or both from 0 to 4 wk of age. Body weight and plasma T4 were measured at 5, 7, and 9 wk of age in Experiments 1 and 2. In Experiment 3, body weight was measured at 2, 4, 5, 7, and 9 wk and T4 at 4, 7, and 9 wk. Thiouracil inhibited growth to a greater degree than did decreased dietary CP. However, offspring from selected quail were more resistant to dietary TU when selection diets contained TU. When fed as part of a selection regimen rather than to unselected birds, low CP, TU diets inhibited body weight increase to a greater degree and longer after birds were returned to control diets. Thyroxine concentrations between 4 and 9 wk were affected by TU but not by CP level. Thiouracil significantly reduced T4 during treatment; however, T4 was elevated by 3 wk after cessation of TU treatment. Increases in T4 were greater and more immediate in selected than in unselected birds. These findings reveal the ability of quail to compensate for thyroid suppression after TU is removed from the diet and the influence of selection on this compensatory response.
Biochemical genetics of resistance to MGBG in tobacco: Mutants that alter SAM decarboxylase or polyamine ratios, and floral morphology

Previously we reported the isolation of Nicotiana tabacum cell lines resistant to methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG) an inhibitor of the polyamine synthetic enzyme s-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMde). Here we report that these mutants fall into several distinct classes on the basis of their biochemical characteristics. At least two lines, Mgr12 and Mgr16, have a SAMdc that displays increased resistance to MGBG in in vitro enzyme assays, suggesting that these two alleles have altered the SAMdc enzyme itself, and thus they may serve to identify the SAMdc structural gene. Other cell lines have elevated levels of some of the polyamines or polyamine-conjugates: Mgr11 and Mgr14 have high levels of putrescine and high levels of activity of putrescine synthesizing enzymes; Mgr23 and Mgr3 have elevated spermidine and spermidine-conjugate levels, with Mgr23 also having elevated putrescine levels. Mgr12 and Mgr3 have been analyzed genetically through F1 crosses with wild-type tobacco, and subsequently by a backcross of an F1 plant to wild type; however, the total number of seeds obtained in each cross was very small. The results of the genetic analysis are consistent with Mgr12 and Mgr3 being nuclear dominant traits. The floral abnormalities previously reported as associated with these mutations display linkage with the MGBG resistances. At least for Mgr12 we have thus obtained evidence as to the precise nature of the mutation, an altered SAMdc, and demonstrated that this is likely to be genetic cause of the altered flower phenotype.
Childrearing history, marital quality, and maternal affect: Intergenerational transmission in a low-risk sample

In order to test the hypothesis that the relation between childrearing history and parental behavior varies as a function of marital quality, retrospectively reported childrearing histories obtained from 92 middle- and working-class mothers-to-be in the last trimester of pregnancy were used to predict maternal positive and negative affect when children were 3-years-old. As anticipated on the basis of findings from high-risk samples, the intergenerational transmission process appeared to vary as a function of marital quality, with problematic histories predicting negative maternal affect when marriages were less positive/more negative and supportive histories predicting positive maternal affect when marriages were more positive/less negative. Unanticipated results also revealed that reports of supportive and rejecting parenting in childhood were associated with low-negative maternal affect when marriages were of high quality. These findings were interpreted in terms of buffering and gatekeeping processes, whereby marital quality defines both conditions of continuity and discontinuity with respect to the intergenerational transmission of parenting. Follow-up analyses revealed that physical attractiveness might determine which women with more problematic childrearing histories end up in more positive/less negative marriages that function protectively with respect to the intergenerational transmission of parenting. These results are particularly relevant to the study of developmental psychopathology not only by revealing risk and protective factors, but also by showing that processes at work in high-risk samples also seem to function under lower risk conditions.
Simultaneous mainstream-sidestream smoke exposure systems II. The rat exposure system.

Abstract A system for exposing rats to mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) smoke simultaneously from the same cigarette, and monitoring procedures, are described in detail. The equipment and procedures were used to expose Sprague-Dawley rats to mainstream smoke and to target deliveries of 10, 25, or 50% of the total SS smoke for 17 weeks. The estimated total particulate matter (TPM) dose was highly correlated with the increase in percent COHb for MS and SS smoke, but the COHb/TPM relationships were different for the 2 kinds of smoke. All SS TPM doses were much lower than the MS TPM dose, and the COHb/TPM ratio for SS smoke was much higher than for MS smoke. The TPM dose and per cent COHb for SS smoke were highly correlated with the per cent of SS sent to the exposure chambers. There were no significant differences in the total weight changes during the study for any of the smoke exposed groups, but weight changes during the 12–17-week period for sidestream exposed groups were inversely correlated with the level of sidestream exposure.
Novel Partial Esterification Reaction in Poly(amic acid) and Its Application for Positive-Tone Photosensitive Polyimide Precursor

We found novel quantitative esterification in poly(amic acid) (PAA) by reacting with N,N-dimethylformamide dialkyl acetals (DFAs). Different alkyl ester was obtained by changing the alkyl group in DFAs. The esterification ratio was determined by amount of DFAs. The reaction proceeds under mild condition without any catalysis. It has not been reported such a kind of quantitative partial esterification before. The partial esterification allowed us to control the solubility of PAA to alkaline solutions. The strict solubility rate control to alkaline solution of PAA was quite important for positive tone photosensitive polyimide (posi PSPI). The partial esterification of PAA gave us a way to strict dissolution control. By using it, we could obtain posi PSPI just mixing with diazonaphthoquinone compound.
Searching for the Lowest Price When the Distribution of Prices Is Unknown

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the process of searching for the lowest price when the distribution of prices is unknown. Economists are interested in the rules that searchers follow because these rules determine the demand functions that sellers in such markets face and also determine, in part, the nature of the markets themselves. Although the only way to settle the question of what rules searchers follow is by observation, very little empirical work has been done on this problem. The qualitative behavior of persons searching optimally from unknown distributions is the same as that of persons searching optimally from known distributions. The problem is best stated by focusing on a very general and abstract formulation of the problem of optimal search. Economists can without great loss assume that the qualitative properties of demand functions that arise from optimal search from unknown distributions are the same as those that arise from optimal search from known distributions.
Surface detection with subvoxel accuracy using 3D directional derivatives

A surface detection method using 3D directional for extracting surface points of a solid object from its cross- sectional slices' CT images is presented. The formulas for calculating 3D directional derivatives are derived using facet model. The subvoxel accuracy is obtained by locating the zeros of the 3D second directional derivative along the estimated gradient. Experiments for applying this method to CT images of real industrial parts are performed and some results are shown.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Patients with Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase-2 Mutations

Mutations in LRRK2 are the single most common known cause of Parkinson's disease (PD). Two new PD patients with LRRK2 mutation were identified from a cohort with extensive postmortem assessment. One of these patients harbors the R793M mutation and presented with the typical clinical and pathological features of PD. A novel L1165P mutation was identified in a second patient. This patient had the classical and pathological features of PD, but additionally developed severe neuropsychological symptoms and dementia associated with abundant neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampal formation; features consistent with a secondary diagnosis of tangle-predominant dementia. alpha-Synuclein-containing pathological inclusions in these patients also were highly phosphorylated at Ser-129, similar to other patients with idiopathic PD. These two PD patients also were characterized by the presence of occasional cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions in the temporal cortex, a finding that was not observed in three other patients with the G2019S mutation in LRRK2. These findings extend the clinical and pathological features that may be associated with LRRK2 mutations.
The effect of suntan parlor exposure on delayed and contact hypersensitivity.

Abstract Cutaneous and systemic immune function are believed to play an important role in cutaneous carcinogenesis. We therefore sought to determine whether the suntan parlor radiation sources commonly used in the United States cause measurable qualitative suppression of immune function and quantitative alterations in circulating T cell subpopulations. Subjects (n = 22) were recruited and randomly assigned to receive suntan parlor exposures (10 full-body UV exposures over a 2 week period, shielding only the right flexural arm) or no exposure. Baseline circulating T lymphocyte subpopulations (T helper lymphocyte, CD4; T suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocyte, CD8) were measured. Two weeks later (upon completion of UV exposures for those in this group), circulating T cell subpopulations were measured and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) sensitization (in the UV group, on the UV-exposed buttock) was performed. Subsequent DNCB elicitation was performed in a bilateral fashion (in the UV group, on the right UV-shielded and...
Baryon form factors at high Q2 and the transition to perturbative QCD

Abstract The status of electromagnetic form-factors of nucleons and non-strange nucleon resonances is rewiewed. Of special interest is the question of what regions in Q2 correspond to the breakdown of the validity of constituent quark models, and the region of Q2 corresponding to the onset of the validity of perturbative QCD. Theoretical models based on perturbative QCD are reviewed and results of calculations compared to available experimental data. It is observed that relativistic constituent quark models become invalid for Q2 greater than about 2 GeV2/c2, compared with available experimental data. The Q2 dependence of experimental form-factors appears to begin to follow perturbative QCD scaling rules for Q2 as low as 5 or 6 GeV2/c2. A notable exception is the δ(1232), whose form-f actor decreases faster than other states. However the normalized magnitudes of form-factors at experimentally accessible values of Q2 obtained with perturbative QCD sum rule techniques is controversial and currently unsettled. The diquark model is discussed as a possible bridge between low and high-Q2 kinematic regions.
Congo red inhibition of initiation by rat liver DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Abstract DNA-dependent RNA polymerases A and B were isolated from rat liver. The effect of Congo Red was measured on the capacity of these enzymes to incorporate UMP- 3 H in reconstituted systems using heterologous DNA as template. It was found that there was a differential sensitivity of the two enzymes to the Congo Red; A was inhibited to 50% by 16 micromolar dye whereas B required only 2 micromolar. This effect was independent of added protein (BSA) and identical conditions for maximal incorporation were found for the inhibited and uninhibited enzymes. Time course studies in which the order and the time of addition of the DNA and dye were varied suggested that the loss of activity was related to the preferential binding of the dye to the template reading site. Experiments with gamma labeled ATP revealed that both enzymes did indeed initiate during the course of the incubation, and that Congo Red promptly prevented further initiation upon addition to B. The effect on enzyme A was different in that parallel but slightly reduced initiation curves were found.
Differences in Kansas Soil Temperatures Between the 1990s and 2000s

Near-surface soil temperatures are important because they have implications for climate change and agricultural productivity worldwide. Nonetheless, historic records of soil temperature are much less common than records of air temperature or precipitation. Those that exist do not indicate a predominant global trend in soil temperature over the last century, but suggest regional and seasonal differences that include both cooling and warming. In this paper, we compared the annual date at which near-surface soil temperatures in Kansas reached each of seven thresholds (five degree increments between 40 and 70° F) for each of two decades (the 1990s and 2000s) in order to see if soil temperatures warmed earlier in the year in one decade than in the other. Of the 13 stations tested, only Colby warmed more quickly in the 2000s than in the 1990s for all seven thresholds, and no station warmed more quickly in the 1990s across all thresholds. Typically lower thresholds that occur in the winter were reached earlier in the 1990s than in the 2000s, while higher temperature thresholds that occur in the spring were reached earlier in the 2000s than in the 1990s. These results generally reflect changes in temperature and precipitation during these two decades. Despite the relatively short duration of the data, these findings for Kansas show some similarities to those from studies in other parts of North America and the world. Most notably, areas with warming soil temperatures are often in areas with cooler climates.
Using Catalytic Atom Maps to Predict the Catalytic Functions Present in Enzyme Active Sites

Catalytic atom maps (CAMs) are minimal models of enzyme active sites. The structures in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) were examined to determine if proteins with CAM-like geometries in their active sites all share the same catalytic function. We combined the CAM-based search protocol with a filter based on the weighted contact number (WCN) of the catalytic residues, a measure of the "crowdedness" of the microenvironment around a protein residue. Using this technique, a CAM based on the Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad of trypsin was able to correctly identify catalytic triads in other enzymes within 0.5 A rmsd of the CAM with 96% accuracy. A CAM based on the Cys-Arg-(Asp/Glu) active site residues from the tyrosine phosphatase active site achieved 89% accuracy in identifying this type of catalytic functionality. Both of these CAMs were able to identify active sites across different fold types. Finally, the PDB was searched to locate proteins with catalytic functionality similar to that present in the active site of orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase (ODCase), whose mechanism is not known with certainty. A CAM, based on the conserved Lys-Asp-Lys-Asp tetrad in the ODCase active site, was used to search the PDB for enzymes with similar active sites. The ODCase active site has a geometry similar to that of Schiff base-forming Class I aldolases, with lowest aldolase rmsd to the ODCase CAM at 0.48 A. The similarity between this CAM and the aldolase active site suggests that ODCase has the correct catalytic functionality present in its active site for the generation of a nucleophilic lysine.
Dipeptidase-A: A polymorphic locus in Drosophila melanogaster

Dipeptidase A (Dip-A), a new peptidase locus in Drosophila melanogaster, is located on the second chromosome at map position 55.2 and in the 41A-B; 42A2-3 interval in the salivary gland chromosomes. Three alleles are reported. In the Carpenter, North Carolina population the allele frequencies are: Dip-A 6 (fastest)=0.064; Dip-A 4 (intermediate)=0.920; and Dip-A 2 (slowest)=0.015.
Novel therapeutic strategies for multiple sclerosis — a multifaceted adversary

Therapeutic strategies for multiple sclerosis have radically changed in the past 15 years. Five regulatory-approved immunomodulatory agents are reasonably effective in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and appear to delay the time to progression to disabling stages. Inhibiting disease progression remains the central challenge for the development of improved therapies. As understanding of the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis has advanced, a number of novel potential therapeutics have been identified, and are discussed here. It has also become apparent that traditional views of multiple sclerosis simply as a CD4+ T-cell-mediated disease of the central nervous system are incomplete. The pathogenic role of other immune components such as the innate immune system, regulatory T cells, T helper 17 cells and B cells is reaching centre stage, opening up exciting avenues and novel potential targets to affect the natural course of multiple sclerosis.
Growth of microbes in an oil-continuous environment

The growth of microorganisms in fermentations where oil had been maintained as the continuous phase was examined to determine whether advantage could be gained from the increased solubility of oxygen in hydrocarbon. Although cell concentrations were highest in the aqueous phase of oil-continuous systems, due to the large oil fraction, productivities achieved per unit fermenter volume were generally equivalent to those obtained from water-continuous systems. With the oil-continuous emulsions, the power requirement for aeration and mixing was less, and phase reversal resulted in a threefold concentration of cells in the aqueous medium, thereby facilitating their recovery.
Temporal control in a complex environment: An analysis of schedule-related behavior

Three experiments conducted in an automated ten-compartment chamber recorded collateral activities of rats reinforced for lever pressing on differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedules. In Experiment 1, the rate of lever pressing increased when stimulus support for collateral activities was removed, thus confirming earlier findings. However, there were no temporal or sequential patterns of collateral activities that predicted operant responding. In Experiment 2, the rate of lever pressing increased only if (a) access to all stimulus support for collateral activities was simultaneously prevented, and (b) the rat was forced to remain in the presence of the lever and food tray. The availability of any of the stimuli related to collateral activity was sufficient to keep lever-pressing rates from increasing. Experiment 3 examined collateral activities under a signaled differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedule. Preventing access to stimuli supporting collateral activities had little effect on stable lever pressing when the signal was maintained. When the signal was removed, collateral activities continued, but lever-pressing rates increased in three of the four rats and rates of food presentation declined in all rats. Hypotheses that collateral activities have (a) a timekeeping or discriminative function, or (b) directly inhibit operant responding were not supported. The results suggest that collateral activities may facilitate operant responding by simply removing the subject from the presence of reinforcement-related stimuli.
Numerical Representation of Planetary Ephemerides

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory provides high-precision numerically integrated planetary and lunar ephemerides in support of spacecraft navigation and other activities relating to solar system bodies. Hundreds of users around the world have requested copies of the ephemerides. In the interests of compactness and utility, techniques have been developed for (1) the generation of the coefficients of an interpolating polynomial based on output from the integrator, and (2) transformation of the contents of an ephemeris file to a standard form usable on virtually any computer.
Enhanced sensitivity of the nucleus accumbens proenkephalin system to alcohol in rats selectively bred for alcohol preference.

Evidence suggests that alcohol-induced activation of the endogenous opioid system is part of a neurobiological mechanism that may be functionally involved in alcohol reinforcement and high alcohol drinking behavior. We postulate that a genetic predisposition toward alcohol drinking is accompanied by increased responsiveness of the opioid system to alcohol. To test this hypothesis, the present study compared the effect of an acute alcohol challenge on enkephalin gene expression in discrete brain regions which are high in preproenkephalin (PPENK) mRNA content and/or are important in mediating alcohol reward in rats selectively bred for alcohol preference (P) or nonpreference (NP). PPENK mRNA content was measured by in situ hybridization performed with a 36 base oligonucleotide probe for PPENK mRNA and was quantified using a computerized image-analysis system. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and rate of alcohol elimination following alcohol infusion were similar in P and NP rats. P and NP rats did not differ in basal content of PPENK mRNA in any of the brain areas examined prior to onset of infusion. An intragastric (I.G.) infusion of alcohol (2.5 g/kg b.wt) produced a significant increase in PPENK mRNA in the nucleus accumbens (both shell and core) of P but not NP rats at 1 h after the onset of infusion which coincided with the time at which peak BAC was attained. In contrast, at 8 h after the onset of the alcohol infusion, when BAC was falling toward baseline, PPENK mRNA was decreased in the nucleus accumbens of both P and NP rats and in the anterior striatum and amygdala of NP rats. The results suggest that enhanced responsiveness of the enkephalinergic system to alcohol is associated with, and may be functionally involved in, mediating high alcohol drinking behavior.
Dietary protein and muscle in older persons.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this study is to highlight recent advances in nutrition and protein research that have the potential to improve health outcomes and status in ageing adults.Recent findingsThe beneficial effects of dietary protein on muscle health in older adults continue to be refined
Skin-associated lymphoid tissues (SALT): origins and functions

The skin has an unusual set of immunologic requirements. It is confronted by a specialized set of pathogenic organisms and environmental chemicals that represent a distinctive spectrum of antigenic specificities. Skin is subjected to physicochemical stresses such as irradiation with ultraviolet light that alter dramatically its immunologic properties. It is proposed that nature has provided skin with a unique collection of lymphoid cells, reticular cells, and organized lymphoid organs to deal with these special demands. Evidence in favor of the existence of skin-associated lymphoid tissues (SALT) includes (1) the cutaneous microenvironment is capable on its own of accepting, processing, and presenting nominal antigen; (2) strategically located peripheral lymph nodes are able to accept immunogenic signals derived from skin; (3) subsets of T lymphocytes display differential affinity for skin and its associated peripheral nodes; and (4) acquisition of this affinity by T cells is determined at least in part by differentiation signals received in situ from resident cutaneous cells. Responsibility for the establishment and integration of SALT rests with keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, and immunocompetent lymphocytes, each of which contributes uniquely to the synthesis. Together they provide skin with immune surveillance that effectively prejudices against the development of cutaneous neoplasms and persistent infection with intracellular pathogens. In patients who have been under long-term immunosuppressive therapy, the large majority of nonlymphoid malignancies arise within the skin, rather than other types of tissues. These data suggest that immune surveillance, once thought to be an immune defense operative in all somatic tissues, is a specialized immune function dedicated to the skin and mediated by SALT.
Food Acquisition Habits, Nutrient Intakes, and Anthropometric Data of Havasupai Adults

Abstract Objective To describe the dietary patterns, anthropometric data, and food sources of Havasupai adults (≥18 years old) and determine the effect of age and gender. Design Dietary intakes (one 24-hour recall), anthropometric measures (body mass index [BMI], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]) and demographic data, including sites of food purchases, were obtained. Food sources of selected nutrients were calculated from diet recalls. Setting/subjects 92 adults (60 women, 32 men) from the Havasupai Reservation, Supai, Ariz. Statistical analyses Descriptive statistics were generated for demographic data. Nutrient intakes, BMI, and WHR were compared across gender and age groups ("younger" [18 to 59 years old] vs "older" [≥60 years old]) by one-way analysis of variance. Two-tailed t tests identified significant differences in selected food practices by age group. Results Diets were moderately high in fat (35% of energy), saturated fat (12%), and sugar (14%); intakes of zinc, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, and folate were frequently inadequate (less than two thirds of the Recommended Dietary Allowance). Of the 92 subjects, 76 (83%) were obese (BMI≥27). Fifty-four of the 60 women (90%) and 24 of the 32 men (75%) exhibited abdominal obesity (no age effect). Thirty-nine of the subjects (42%) consumed at least one food item purchased off the reservation on the day of the recall; the remaining 53 subjects (58%) consumed only food purchased or acquired on the reservation. Older Havasupai were significantly more dependent on the tribal store and other village food sources than were younger adults. Food sources of key nutrients did not differ by age or gender. Applications The dietary patterns of isolated populations may be shaped by the unique limitations of their food sources as well as by factors such as age and gender. Individual and community wide efforts to improve nutrient intakes and food patterns must recognize these geographic limitations. For populations such as the Havasupai, cooperative marketing and health promotion efforts between tribal officials, health care providers, and managers of the cafe and tribal store could improve the availability and consumption of a wider range of health-promoting foods. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97:1275-1282.
Experimentation with telerobotics for use in space systems

This paper summarizes the results of a number of experiments that were conducted to identify some of the critical parameters associated with using telerobotics in performing man-like tasks in space systems.
Encoding Selectivity of a Transmembrane Channel

Membrane channel proteins of the aquaporin family are integral plasma membrane proteins that are highly selective for permeation of specific small molecules, with absolute exclusion of ions including protons or OHanions and charged solutes, and without dissipating the electrochemical potential across the cell membrane. There are 11 human family members. The family includes channels that conduct water, called aquaporins, and channels that conduct glycerol or other linear polyalcohols (aquaglyceroporins), and ion conducting channels. The E. coli glycerol facilitator (GlpF) was cloned, expressed, purified, and crystallized with its primary permeant substrate glycerol. The crystal structure of GlpF, determined by multiple isomorphous replacement at 2.2 A resolution illustrate the basis for its selectivity. Glycerol molecules G1, G2, G3 line up in an amphipathic channel in single file. In the narrow selectivity filter of the channel, the glycerol alkyl backbone is wedged against a hydrophobic corner and successive OH groups form hydrogen bonds with a pair of acceptor, and donor atoms. These hydrogen bonds serve to orient the CHXOH groups within the narrower regions of the channel, and explain the stereo, and enantio selectivity measured for this channel. Two conserved -Asn Pro Alamotifs meet in the center of the membrane and form a conserved interface between two gene-duplicated segments that each encode three and one half membrane spanning helices around the channel. This structure elucidates the mechanism of selective permeability for linear carbohydrates and suggests how ions and water are excluded. A functional assay was developed, and shows that the channel is both stereoand enantio-selective. The conservation of sequence shows how the water channels of the same family conduct water and exclude glycerol.
A game-theoretic model for repeated assignment problem between two selfish agents

This paper addresses a distributed system where a manager needs to assign a piece of equipment repeatedly between two selfish agents. On each day, each agent may encounter a task—routine or valuable—and can request the use of the manager's equipment to perform the task. Because the equipment benefits a valuable task more than a routine task, the manager wants to assign the equipment to a valuable task whenever possible. The two selfish agents, however, are only concerned with their own reward and do not have incentive to report their task types truthfully. To improve the system's overall performance, we design a token system such that an agent needs to spend tokens from his token bank to bid for the equipment. The two selfish agents become two players in a two-person non-zero-sum game. We find the Nash equilibrium of this game, and use numerical examples to illustrate the benefit of the token system.
The effect of rest interval length on metabolic responses to the bench press exercise

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different rest interval (RI) lengths on metabolic responses to the bench press. Eight resistance-trained men performed 10 randomized protocols [five sets of bench press with 75 or 85% of 1RM for ten (10REP) and five repetitions (5REP), respectively, using different RI (30 s, 1, 2, 3, 5 min)]. Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured during exercise and for 30 min post exercise. For 30-s and 1-min RI: reductions (15–55%) in resistance and volume were observed (set 5 5REP for all RI except 1-min. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was elevated similarly for each protocol. Post exercise, VO2, V E, and RER were elevated through 30 min. No differences between RI were observed following 10REP; however, VO2 after 30-s was higher than 2-, 3-, and 5-min and 1-min was higher than 5-min during 5REP. Fatigue rate was correlated (r = 0.30–0.49) to all metabolic variables. A continuum of performance reductions and metabolic responses were observed. The largest reductions in performance occurred with very short RI (<1 min), and performance was maintained during the first 3–4 sets when 3- and 5-min RI were used.