cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catalytic Aspects of the Glycation Hot Spots of Proteins

Summary A systematic investigation of the protein structural factors that could determine the chemical reactivity of the amino groups of proteins for nonenzymic glycation (glycation hot spots) has been carried out. The studies suggest that the microdomains of the glycation hot spots of proteins are Amadori rearrangement catalytic centers. The isomerization reaction catalysed by these microdomains is comparable to the reactions catalyzed by glucose isomerase and triose phosphate isomerase. The protein microdomains containing a constellation of positively charged functional groups thereby generating a proton rich microenvironment seem to act as the Amadori rearrangement catalytic centers. The α and/or the e-amino groups located in such microdomains and accessible to aldoses to form the aldimine adducts are the glycation hot spots of proteins. It is suggested that the catalytic power of the glycation hot spots of proteins may have some role in the post glycation reactions leading to the generation of the advanced glycation end products and thus in the pathophysiology of diabetes.
A Synthesis of Long-Term Environmental Change in Santa Rosa, Costa Rica

Long-term monitoring is an essential component of primate conservation, and much of this research is explicitly concerned with how primates respond to and cope with diverse forms of environmental change. Here, I synthesize over four decades of data on environmental change in the Santa Rosa sector the Costa Rica’s Area de Conservacion Guanacaste, to stimulate new research on the impacts of environmental change beyond seasonality on Santa Rosa’s primates. Focusing on climate variables and landscape-scale vegetation phenology, I describe and quantify typical seasonal patterns, interannual variability, and long-term trends. Santa Rosa’s highly seasonal rainfall patterns show marked interannual variability that is largely driven by the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The wettest and driest periods on record have occurred in association with powerful cold ENSO episodes (La Nina) and warm ENSO episodes (El Nino), respectively. Start dates for the wet season can vary by 40 days, but no long-term linear trend was evident in the wet season start dates or in total annual rainfall. Temperature anomalies in Santa Rosa are also strongly associated with ENSO conditions over a backdrop of long-term warming. The annual cycle of plant phenology is dominated by large-scale leaf shedding during the long dry season. The timing and degree of seasonal phenological peaks show complex relationships with rainfall. Long-term data, in combination with the site’s natural environmental variability, provide uniquely quantitative context for understanding primate adaptations to changing environments – a framework that can be extended to ecological forecasting under future environmental change.
Does the International Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Employment Market Value Awareness of Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability

Stakeholder theory posits that corporations invest in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to gain competitive advantage. To implement CSR, corporations need employees committed to, and knowledgeable about, corporate citizenship. Our research explores the extent that the International Masters of Business Administration (MBA) marketplace values MBA graduate commitment to, and awareness of, corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability. We study the effects of MBA program characteristics and student attributes, including CSR awareness, on alumni salary, which served as a proxy measure of market value. Surprisingly, corporate recruiters' assessment of student awareness of corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability was negatively related with alumni salary. This unique finding may indicate that the MBA marketplace does not value awareness of green management issues with respect to MBA graduate compensation, despite the fact that corporations' publically advocate CSR.
Enhanced fluidization of nanosized TiO2 by a microjet and vibration assisted (MVA) method

Abstract A microjet and vibration assisted (MVA) fluidized bed was developed to enhance the fluidization quality of nanosized TiO2 particles. Two commercially available TiO2 nanopowders, P25 and P90, were tested. Fluidization quality was assessed by determining the non-dimensional bed height as well as the non-dimensional pressure drop. Smooth fluidization of the TiO2 nanopowders was observed in the MVA system. The non-dimensional bed height for the nanosized TiO2 in the MVA system optimized at about 5 and 7 for P25 and P90 TiO2, respectively, at a resonance frequency of 50 Hz. The non-dimensional pressure drop was also determined and showed that the MVA system exhibited a lower minimum fluidization velocity for both of the TiO2 types as compared to fluidization that employed only vibration assistance. Additional experiments were conducted with the MVA to characterize the synergistic effects of vibrational intensity and gas velocity on the P25 and P90 fluidized bed heights. Mathematical relationships were developed to correlate vibrational intensity, gas velocity, and fluidized bed height in the MVA. To test the mathematical model, 18 additional experimental points were gathered for both P25 and P90 under varying conditions. The actual and model-predicted non-dimensional bed heights were found to correlate well, with less than 14% error between values. The non-dimensional bed height in the MVA system is comparable to previously published P25 TiO2 microjet assisted (MA) fluidization employed with the addition of an alcohol that was used to minimize electrostatic attraction within the system. However, the MVA system achieved similar results without the addition of a chemical, thereby expanding the potential chemical reaction engineering and environmental remediation opportunities for fluidized nanoparticle systems. Fluidized bed stability was greatly improved when the dual effects of vibration and microjet assistance were used.
Man versus machine? Acquired long QT syndrome in a patient with anorexia nervosa.

Computer-generated Bazett-corrected QT (QTcB) algorithms are common in clinical practice and can rapidly identify repolarization abnormalities, but accuracy is variable. This report highlights marked rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation not detected by the computer algorithm. A 26-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa was admitted with severe hypokalemia and ventricular ectopy. Computer-generated QTcB was 485 ms, while manual adjudication yielded a QTcB of 657 ms and a Fridericia-corrected QT (QTcF) interval of 626 ms using digital calipers. Computer-generated QTc intervals may aid in clinical decision-making. However, accuracy is variable, particularly in the setting of ectopy, and requires manual verification.
Nanomaterial Effects on Viral Infection

The potential for environmental and occupational exposures of populations to nanomaterials (NMs) has fostered concerns of associated adverse health effects, with a particular emphasis on pulmonary injury and disease. Many studies have revealed that several types of NMs can evoke a variety of biological responses, such as pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress, which contribute to allergy, fibrosis, and granuloma formation. Less attention has been paid to health effects that may result from exposure to NMs and additional stressors such as pathogens, with a particular focus on susceptibility to viral infection. This chapter will summarize the current body of literature related to NMs and viral exposures with a primary focus on immune modulation. A summary of the studies performed and major findings to date will be discussed, highlighting proposed molecular mechanisms behind NM-driven host susceptibility, challenges, limitations, and future research needs. Specific mechanisms discussed include direct interaction between NMs and biological molecules, activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and related signaling pathways, production of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammasome activation, and modulation of lipid signaling networks.
Sounding out Synthesis: Investigating How Educators in a Teaching with Technology Course Use Sonic Composition to Remix Reflection.

This study explores how educators (n = 23) in a graduate-level “teaching with technology” course used the affordances of digital composing, and sonic composition in particular, to “sound out” refle...
Complex assemblies and crystals guided by DNA.

The complexity of DNA-programmed nanoparticle assemblies has reached an unprecedented level owing to recent advances that enable delicate and comprehensive control over the formation of DNA bonds.
A Single-Board Computing Constellation Supporting Integration of Hands-On Cybersecurity Laboratories into Operating Systems Courses.

Integration of relevant hands-on cybersecurity content into laboratories supporting our required operating systems course helps to provide all computing students a baseline level of cybersecurity knowledge, even if those students never enroll in a dedicated cybersecurity course. However, these hands-on laboratories often require rebuilding of kernels, capturing network traffic, running offensive cybersecurity tools, so that they either require dedicated computer infrastructure, thus increasing the costs in budget-strapped higher education institutions or frequent administrative actions in case of shared infrastructure. To address this problem, we have developed a low-cost single-board computing constellation and support infrastructure as a cost-effective means of delivering both instruction in traditional operating systems topics and related cybersecurity concepts, such as two-factor authentication and isolation via virtualization.
Consistent ultra-long DNA sequencing with automated slow pipetting

Background: Oxford Nanopore Technologies instruments can sequence reads of great length. Long reads improve sequence assemblies by unambiguously spanning repetitive elements of the genome. Sequencing reads of significant length requires the preservation of long DNA template molecules through library preparation by pipetting reagents as slowly as possible in order to minimizing shearing. This process is time consuming and inconsistent at preserving read length as even small changes in volumetric flow rate can result in template shearing. Results: We have designed SNAILS (Slow Nucleic Acid Instrument for Long Sequences), a 3D-printable instrument that automates slow pipetting of reagents used in long read library preparation for Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Across six sequencing libraries, SNAILS preserved more reads exceeding one hundred kilobases in length and increased the average read length of its libraries over manual slow pipetting. Conclusions: SNAILS is a low-cost, easily deployable solution for improving sequencing projects that require reads of significant length. By automating the slow pipetting of library preparation reagents, SNAILS both increases the consistency and throughput of long read Nanopore sequencing.
Controversy over Smoking in COVID-19 - A Real World Experience in New York City.

Background Data is conflicting regarding the impact of tobacco smoking in people with pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). Methods We performed a retrospective multicentre cohort study of 9,991 consecutive patients hospitalized in a major New York academic centre between March 7th and June 5th, 2020 with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. The clinical outcomes assessed included risk of hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and need for mechanical ventilation among smokers (current and former). Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score models were built to adjust for potential confounders. Findings Among 9,991 consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19, 2,212 (22.1%) patients were self-reported smokers (406 current and 1806 former). Current smoking was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (propensity score [PS]-adjusted OR 0.91; p=0.46), in-hospital mortality (PS-OR 0.77; p=0.12), ICU admission (PS-OR 1.18; p=0.37), or intubation (PS-OR 1.04; p=0.85). Similarly, former smoking was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (PS-OR 0.88; p=0.11), in-hospital mortality (PS-OR 1.03; p=0.78), ICU admission (PS-OR 1.03; p=0.95), or intubation (PS-OR 0.93; p=0.57). Furthermore, smoking (current or former) was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (PS-OR 0.85; p=0.05), in-hospital mortality (PS-OR 0.94; p=0.49), ICU admission (PS-OR 0.86; p=0.17), or intubation (PS-OR 0.79; p=0.06). Interpretation Smoking is a well-known risk factor associated with greater susceptibility and subsequent increased severity of respiratory infections. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, smokers may have increased risk and severe pneumonia. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, smokers are believed to have an increased risk of mortality as well as severe pneumonia. However, in our analysis of real-world clinical data, smoking was not associated with increased in-patient mortality in COVID-19 pneumonia, in accordance with prior reports. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Rosalie Kane: There are Never Enough Questions.

Rosalie Kane. Those two words are a complete sentence–including a verb! As most of us get older we get more gray hair; she got more ideas … ideas for research projects, books, advocacy efforts, and...
Additional intervention evidence on the relationship between public service motivation and ethical behavior

The nascent scholarship on public service motivation (PSM) and ethics exhibits mixed findings. This research article aims to describe and relate the current landscape of findings in this arena and to conduct an experiment that addresses design weaknesses that may explain some past null findings. Using a national sample of college-age respondents, we found that although self-reported PSM was positively correlated with ethical intentions, prosocial priming did not increase ethical intentions or behavior. We contextualize these findings in terms of previous studies, to inform our understanding of the efficacy of prosocial interventions. While our research suggests that self-reported PSM can predict, if not influence, ethical intention, we are unable to make conclusions about PSM’s effects on ethical behavior. Second, similar to past studies, we are not able to confirm specific mechanisms or interventions that might be used to increase ethical behavior or intentions.
Study on Cu Ion Migration Factors and its Mechanism

In this paper, we investigate the potential factors involved in the critical processes from copper chemical and mechanical planarization (CMP) to nitride capping that can lead to copper (Cu) migration into the oxide-nitride interface. Cu migration creates weak points that can accelerate the failure of a MOM capacitor under high voltage, therefore it is important to understand the factors and mechanism of Cu migration to prevent it from happening. Based upon our experimental results, we gain further insight into this phenomenon, and propose a new approach for the mechanism of Cu migration.
Measurement and Modeling of Silicon Heterostructure Devices

Contents Measurement and Modeling Overview: Measurement and Modeling J.D. Cressler Best-Practice AC Measurement Techniques R.A. Groves Industrial Application of TCAD for SiGe Development D.C. Sheridan, J.B. Johnson, and R. Krishnasamy Compact Modeling of SiGe HBTs: HICUM M. Schroter Compact Modeling of SiGe HBTs: MEXTRAM S. Mijalkovic CAD Tools and Design Kits S.E. Strang Parasitic Modeling and Noise Mitigation Approaches in Silicon Germanium RF Designs R. Singh Transmission Lines on Si Y.V. Tretiakov Improved De-Embedding Techniques Q. Liang
El uso religioso de la política y/o el uso político de la religión: la ideología-sucedáneo versus la religión-sucedáneo

This article analyses the relationships existing between religion and politics, particularly in totalitarian regimes. One of these relationships is the role played by «ersatz religion» in political religions, which in turn link up with secularization processes. Offered as a contrast to the interventionist role of the State in political religion is the liberal model of friendly separation between Church and State or the hostile model of this separation, when cultural pluralism is rejected. Another kind of relationship is «ersatz ideology» in politicized religion, a good example of which is Spanish national Catholicism. Political and religious nationalism is also analysed with reference, among others, to the Basque case. The article finishes with an examination of the express, latent functions of politicized religion and how it differs from political religion, besides the implications this has as regards religion and politics. In an authoritarian setting, as was the Spanish case, politicized religion can be a latent element of political pluralism.
Esteratic reactions catalyzed by subtilisins.

Abstract The kinetics of hydrolysis of N-benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester and of N-acetyl-l-tyrosine ethyl ester by subtilisins from the Carlsberg, Novo, and BPN' strains of Bacillus subtilis have been studied. The Km values for both substrates were similar for all three enzymes, but the Vmax values obtained with Carlsberg subtilisin were considerably higher than those obtained with the Novo and BPN' enzymes. The hydrolysis of benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester by Carlsberg subtilisin showed a sigmoid pH-velocity profile which could be fitted with a calculated titration curve for a single group with a pK' of 6.58 at 37° and 7.01 at 17°, giving a ΔHi of -7.3 kcal per mole at 0°. These data suggest that the enzyme requires a nonprotonated imidazole group for activity. Km for benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester showed little variation from pH 5.5 to 9.0, indicating that Km is probably a dissociation constant. Aromatic compounds such as indole, phenol, and hydrocinnamate were competitive inhibitors of the hydrolysis of N-acetyl-l-tyrosine ethyl ester, but were noncompetitive inhibitors of the hydrolysis of benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester. Methyl butyrate, an extremely poor substrate of the subtilisins, was a competitive inhibitor of N-acetyl-l-tyrosine ethyl ester hydrolysis. The Ki values for phenol, indole, hydrocinnamate, and methyl butyrate were similar for all three subtilisins. N-Benzoyl-l-argininamide was not hydrolyzed by the subtilisins to a measurable extent, and N-acetyl-l-tyrosinamide was hydrolyzed at a rate at least 105 times slower than the corresponding ester. The subtilisins thus resemble trypsin and chymotrypsin with respect to the relative rates of cleavage of ester and amide substrates.
The Role of Debt in Interactive Corporate Governance

Most of the corporate governance literature rests on a premise that the interests of various stakeholder groups conflict and that managerial loyalty is more likely to be captured by shareholders than any other constituency. Yet, stakeholder interests do converge in the objective of controlling managerial slack and non-equity constituents have substantial influence over firm decisions. Although the study of governance has taken early steps to abandon its preoccupation with equity-centered solutions and identify interdependencies existing among a broader range of stakeholders, governance scholars have missed an important element of interactivity. A stakeholder reacts to the actions of others and thereby contributes to the collective interest in controlling slack. Each stakeholder has a window on the firm through which it can acquire some type of information at lower cost than other stakeholders. When a stakeholder detects an unsatisfactory state of affairs, it reacts by choosing to exit or exercise voice. The exercise of either the voice or exit option may pressure management to correct the unsatisfactory state of slack. More to the point, however, a stakeholder's exit bears important information for other stakeholders, at least some of whom may be better placed to take action that corrects the slack. This Article describes an interactive system of corporate governance and provides a stylized theory of the role of lenders within this system. The divergence in the interests of these lenders and other stakeholders does not preclude interactive governance, but it does threaten to reduce the net benefits from the process. Therefore, the authors identify a number of legal and institutional mechanisms that help to channel the efforts of the lender toward the common goal of containing and correcting managerial slack. The interactive perspective thus permits new explanations for phenomena such as debt covenants, bankruptcy preference rules and lender liability laws. For example, the definition of debt covenants and events of default in lending agreements raise the likelihood that the lender exit is prompted by slack rather than lender opportunism and thereby enhances the informational value of the exit. Bankruptcy preference rules encourage early exit before the firm becomes insolvent, thereby enabling remaining stakeholders to take action before the firm's condition becomes irreparable. Thus, debt covenants and preference rules provide a window that increases the value of lender exit in prompting the correction of managerial slack.
The physical organic chemistry of very high-spin polyradicals

Abstract This review outlines the design and characterization of very high-spin polyradicals. The rational, “bottom-up” design and characterization of polyarylmethyl polyradicals with increasing number of exchange coupled unpaired electron spins are described.
The Density-Matrix Renormalization Group for Fermion Systems

We discuss techniques of the density matrix renormalization group and their application to interacting fermion systems in more than one dimension. We show numerical results for equal-time spin-spin and singlet pair field correlation functions, as well as the spin gap for the Hubbard model on two chains. The system is a gapped spin liquid at half-filling and shows weak algebraic d-wave-like pair field correlations away from half-filling.
Diversity And Adaptive Distributed Learning In New Wave Organizations

This is where diversity management comes into play as a major component of the solution. The paper offers the way of breaking such mutually destabilizing influence of environmental and internal reorganizational instability by providing analysis of the fundamental sources of inefficiency of the past approaches and proposing a design allowing to stabilize change management architectures. The proper use of diversity management and creativity of different autonomic positions allows organizations to be always on top of new waves of developments (be always a New Wave Organization) since the innovations can be absorbed and managed within the stabilized architecture decreasing the shocks of adaptive transformations continuous. The stabilization of the common view on various architectural aspects supports common language allowing for a more strategic and focused approach to the transformation projects and their administration, discuss sought outcomes, and weigh risks and benefits of the corresponding resource allocation.
Diagnosis of burn depth in tissues using diffusing temporal correlation

Summary form only given. The authors have recently shown that the correlation diffusion equation (CDE) accurately predicts the temporal correlation function for turbid systems with spatially varying dynamics and that the dynamical properties of such systems can be imaged using standard reconstruction algorithms. In this contribution, the authors investigate the sensitivity of temporal field correlation measurements to burn thickness and the applicability of the CDE for absolute determinations of burn thickness. Using burn phantoms, the authors demonstrate sensitivity to changes in the near-surface burn thickness of less than 100 /spl mu/m. Furthermore, the authors find that simple solutions of the CDE agree well with the measurements, and should provide quantitative information about the thickness and optical properties of burns.
Differences in Kinematics and Electromyographic Activity between Men and Women during the Single-Legged Squat*:

Background: Numerous factors have been identified as potentially increasing the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in the female athlete. However, differences between the sexes in lower extremity coordination, particularly hip control, are only minimally understood. Hypothesis: There is no difference in kinematic or electromyographic data during the single-legged squat between men and women. Study Design: Descriptive comparison study. Methods: We kinematically and electromyographically analyzed the single-legged squat in 18 intercollegiate athletes (9 male, 9 female). Subjects performed five single-legged squats on their dominant leg, lowering themselves as far as possible and then returning to a standing position without losing balance. Results: Women demonstrated significantly more ankle dorsiflexion, ankle pronation, hip adduction, hip flexion, hip external rotation, and less trunk lateral flexion than men. These factors were associated with a decreased ability of the women to maintain a varus knee position during the squat as compared with the men. Analysis of all eight tested muscles demonstrated that women had greater muscle activation compared with men. When each muscle was analyzed separately, the rectus femoris muscle activation was found to be statistically greater in women in both the area under the linear envelope and maximal activation data. Conclusions: Under a physiologic load in a position commonly assumed in sports, women tend to position their entire lower extremity and activate muscles in a manner that could increase strain on the anterior cruciate ligament. © 2003 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
A SUCCESSFUL APPROACH TO EDUCATING ENGINEERING LEADERS AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL

We need to develop future engineering leaders who have the capability to lead teams in efficiently and effectively delivering projects and products for their stakeholders.This paper describes the methodology used by the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program at Northeastern University to teach Engineering Leadership at the graduate level to achieve this goal.The approach utilized in the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program (GEL) involves an integrated course which has a close alignment with industry and leverages five primary elements: Leadership Capabilities, Leadership Laboratories, Product Development, Scientific Foundations and a Challenge Project. This paper outlines two critical areas, the use of a leadership capability framework linked to interactive leadership laboratories and the use of mentoring to maximize the educational value of the “Challenge project”.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in bladder cancer: Systematic review and technology update

A sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node to drain a solid tumor and likely the first place metastasis will travel. SLN biopsy has been well established as a staging tool for melanoma and breast cancer to guide lymph node dissection (LND); its utility in bladder cancer is debated. We performed a systematic search of PubMed for both human and animal studies that looked at SLN detection in cases of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. We identified a total of nine studies that assessed a variety of imaging techniques to identify SLNs in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Eight studies investigated human patients while one looked at animal (dog) models. Seven studies representing 156 patients noted the negative predictive value of the SLN to predict a metastasis free state was 92% (92/100). The SLN biopsy was less accurate in metastatic patients with a positive predictive value of only 77% (43/56) with a false negative range of in individual studies of 0-19%. Clinically, positive nodes routinely do not take up the pharmaceutical agent for SLN. Therefore, SLN biopsy is a promising concept with a 92% negative predictive value; however, the false negative rates are high which may be improved by standardizing populations and indications. Novel technologies are improving the detection of SLN and may provide the surgeon with an improved ability to detect micrometastasis, guide surgery, and reduce patient morbidity.
Nociceptors—Noxious Stimulus Detectors

Clinical pain is a serious public health issue. Treatment of pain-related suffering requires knowledge of how pain signals are initially interpreted and subsequently transmitted and perpetuated. This review article is one of three reviews in this issue of Neuron that address our understanding of the pain process and possible solutions to the problem from both cellular- and systems-level viewpoints. In order to deal effectively with danger, it is imperative to know about it. This is what nociceptors do—these primary sensory neurons are specialized to detect intense stimuli and represent, therefore, the first line of defense against any potentially threatening or damaging environmental inputs. By sensing noxious stimuli and contributing to the necessary reactions to avoid them—rapid withdrawal and the experience of an intensely unpleasant or painful sensation, nociceptors are essential for the maintenance of the body's integrity. Although nociceptive pain is clearly an adaptive alarm system, persistent pain is maladaptive, essentially an ongoing false alarm. Here, we highlight the genesis of nociceptors during development and the intrinsic properties of nociceptors that enable them to transduce, conduct, and transmit nociceptive information and also discuss how their phenotypic plasticity contributes to clinical pain.
Hydrostatic pressure to 400 atm does not induce changes in the cytosolic concentration of Ca2+ in mouse fibroblasts: measurements using fura-2 fluorescence.

Abstract Hydrostatic pressure has a pronounced effect on the morphology and cytoskeletal organization of mammalian tissue cells. At pressures of about 300 atm (30 MPa), cells “round up”—they withdraw their lamellar extensions and greatly rearrange actin, tubulin, and several other cytoskeletal proteins. It has been proposed that these changes are caused by a pressure-induced elevation of cytosolic Ca2+concentrations. To test this hypothesis we constructed a miniature optical pressure chamber for fluorescent light microscopy to allow measurement of cytosolic Ca2+concentrations with the intracellular fluorescent indicator fura-2. This chamber and fura-2 were used to measure the concentrations of Ca2+in a mouse fibroblast line (C3H 10T1/2) at pressures up to 400 atm (40 MPa). Controls includedin vitrotests with standard buffers to determine the effect of pressure on fura-2 fluorescence. These controls detected a change in fura-2 fluorescence with increasing pressure, but the data indicated that pressure affects fura-2 fluorescence indirectly, by altering the pH of the solution via pressure-induced changes in the ionization of the pH buffer. Thesein vitrochanges in fura-2 fluorescence, nevertheless, were small relative to changes in fura-2 fluorescence produced by elevation in intracellular Ca2+concentrations in response to physiological stimulation of the cells (serum feeding after serum starvation). The mouse fibroblasts rounded at pressures of 275 atm or greater, as expected. However, no changes in cytosolic Ca2+concentrations were detected at any pressure, at the onset of pressure, during periods of high pressure (up to 10 min), or at the release of pressure. These results strongly suggest that the mechanism by which pressure alters cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization must, at least in these cells, be something other than elevation of cytosolic Ca2+concentrations.
Thermosensitivity of a DNA recognition site: activity of a truncated nutL antiterminator of coliphage lambda

Antitermination is an important transcriptional control. In bacteriophage lambda, the presence of the nut antiterminators between the promoters and terminators results in relatively unhindered transcription when the lambda N gene product and necessary host factors are supplied. This antitermination system has been rendered thermosensitivity by modification of the nut site. A fragment of lambda DNA [74 base pairs (bp) in length]that contained the 17-bp nutL core sequence, but lacked the 8-bp boxA sequence, was cloned in a pp-N-tL1-galK plasmid between the pp promoter and gene N. This fragment mediated antitermination of transcription at 30 degrees C, as measured by assaying galK gene expression in Escherichia coli. At 42 degrees C, however, antitermination at the lambda tL1 terminator was abolished. Antitermination at 42 degrees C was restored by replacing the 74-bp nutL fragment with longer sequences containing both nutL and boxA or by cloning a synthetic boxA sequence ahead of the 74-bp nutL fragment. Thus, efficient antitermination required both boxA and the 17-bp nutL core, with the latter becoming conditionally defective when the boxA sequence was deleted.
Pd nanoparticles deposited on poly(lactic acid) grafted carbon nanotubes: synthesis, characterization and application in Heck C-C coupling reaction

Herein we described the synthesis of a novel f-CNTs-Pd nanocatalyst by covalent grafting of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and subsequent deposition of Pd nanoparticles. Prior to grafting of PLA, CNTs were oxidized with a mixture of HNO(3)/H(2)SO(4) and successively activated with thionyl chloride. The PLA grafted CNTs (f-CNTs) were then used as platform for in-situ deposition of Pd nanoparticles. The formation of f-CNTs-Pd nanocatalyst was analyzed by UV-vis, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, powder XRD, energy dispersive spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The morphologies of the nanocatalyst were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The f-CNTs stabilized Pd nanoparticles are found to be more effective in the promotion of Heck cross-coupling reaction between aryl halides and n-butyl acrylate. The f-CNTs-Pd nanocatalyst was regenerated for three cycles of reaction without any significant loss in its activity.
Technology, productivity, and industry structure

Abstract This paper examines the controversy as to the particular firm size or industry structure that is most conducive to innovation. Four major conclusions emerge from the considerations advanced here. First, contrary to the focus of the controversy, the relevant issue is not one of the economic statics. Rather, it is one of technological dynamism. Second, variety is an essential ingredient of innovative activity, which can be sustained only through equivalent variety in firm size and industry structure. Thus, there is no one single optimum firm size or industry structure. Third, the origin of interindustry differences in innovation and productivity growth lies in certain processes of cumulative causation involving a multiplicity of variables rather than any one single factor at the exclusion of all others. In consequence, we find that productivity does not advance in a uniform manner across various industries. Rather, it is characterized by an inherently uneven pattern of growth. Fourth, it is pointless to strive for a balanced growth between various sectors of the economy. Rather, an effective policy is one of deliberately lopsided growth whereby fuller development of progressive industries makes it possible to generate the additional resources required for investment in the backward industries. Finally, while the policy to stimulate technical progress and productivity growth must be formulated in a broader socioeconomic context, its focus ought to be on the internal dynamics of technical change processes.
Activity of the yeast FLP recombinase in Arabidopsis

The coding sequence for FLP recombinase, originally from the 2 mu plasmid of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was introduced into Arabidopsis behind the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. FLP activity was monitored by the glucuronidase activity resulting from inversion of an antisense-oriented GUS reporter gene flanked by a pair of FRT target sites in inverted repeat. FLP-dependent Gus activity was observed in both transient assays and transgenic plants. The FLP system will be useful for a variety of in planta genetic manipulations.
Safety of long-acting beta-agonists--an urgent need to clear the air.

Dr. Fernando Martinez describes the evidence that indicates that regular treatment with long-acting beta-agonists is associated with increased risks of severe exacerbations of asthma and of death from asthma in a small but not inconsequential subgroup of patients.
Heat Denatured Enzymatically Inactive Recombinant Chlamydial Protease-Like Activity Factor Induces Robust Protective Immunity Against Genital Chlamydial Challenge

We have shown previously that vaccination with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (rCPAF) plus interleukin-12 as an adjuvant induces robust protective immunity against primary genital Chlamydia muridarum challenge in mice. Since CPAF is a protease, we compared the effects of enzymatically active and inactive (heat denatured) rCPAF to determine whether proteolytic activity is expendable for the induction of protective immunity against chlamydial challenge. Active, but not inactive, rCPAF immunization induced high levels of anti-active CPAF antibody, whereas both induced robust splenic CPAF-specific IFN-γ production. Vaccination with active or inactive rCPAF induced enhanced vaginal chlamydial clearance as early as day 6 with complete resolution of infection by day 18, compared to day 30 in mock-vaccinated and challenged animals. Importantly, significant and comparable reductions in oviduct pathology were observed in active and inactive rCPAF-vaccinated mice compared to mock-vaccinated animals. Thus, rCPAF induced anti-chlamydial immunity is largely independent of enzymatic activity and secondary or higher order protein conformation.
Cloning, expression, and characterization of a class-mu glutathione transferase from human muscle, the product of the GST4 locus.

Abstract A class-mu glutathione transferase cDNA clone, GTHMUS, was isolated from human myoblasts and its sequence was determined. The sequence predicts a protein of molecular weight 25,599 whose 24 amino-terminal residues are identical to those of the class-mu isoenzyme expressed from the GST4 locus. The GTHMUS cDNA shares 93.7% nucleotide sequence identity with a human liver cDNA clone, GTH411, that is encoded at the GST1 locus. Comparison of the liver and muscle cDNA sequences shows two regions of remarkable sequence conservation: a 140-nucleotide region in the 5' coding portion of the molecule that has a single silent nucleotide substitution, and a 550-nucleotide region, including the entire 3' noncoding region, that has only three nucleotide substitutions or deletions. This sequence conservation suggests that gene conversion has occurred between the human GST1 and GST4 glutathione transferase gene loci. The human muscle and liver glutathione transferase clones GTHMUS and GTH411 have been expressed in Escherichia coli. The kinetic mechanism of the muscle enzyme was examined in product inhibition studies. The inhibition patterns are best modeled by a steady-state ordered bi-bi reaction mechanism. Glutathione is the first substrate bound and chloride ion is the first product released. Chloride ion inhibits the muscle enzyme.
Hydrolysis of p-Nitrophenyl Esters in the Presence of Polymer Micelles. Selectivity and Biphasic Behavior with Increasing Ester Concentration

The polymer micelle poly[(N-(n-dodecyl)-4-vinylpyridinium-co-N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium) bromide], PDE(30), promotes selectivity in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters, 1. The hydrolysis rate of 1 (n = 8) is faster than the hydrolysis of 1 (n = 6, 10, 12, and 14) in 0.0125 M borate buffer at pH 8.9 and 30 °C. Interesting biphasic behavior is observed with increasing concentration of ester, and this is attributed to a change in the organization of the PDE(30)/ester coaggregates. The reported results are believed to be due to the response of a multicomponent system to the formation of differently organized phases with different levels of reactivity in the reaction mixture.
Popular Mass Entertainment in Japan: Manga, Pachinko, and Cosplay

The Japanese, just like any other people of the world, love entertainment. In this article we discuss and analyze three kinds of popular, Japanese mass entertainment utilizing a semiotic approach. We are concerned with what and how manga (Japanese comics), pachinko (vertical Japanese pinball machines), and cosplay (costume play) represent and reflect Japanese-ness: its culture, tradition, history, and society.
Empirical Formulas for Ballistic Re-Entry Trajectories

An empirical method is presented for determining the range, t ime of flight, and maximum deceleration associated with the re-entry of a ballistic nose cone. Simple equations are presented which permit calculation of actual range and actual t ime of flight compared to the range and t ime of flight under conditions of no atmosphere. Coefficients are plotted which relate range and t ime of flight to the initial re-entry conditions and ballistic coefficient W/Cz>A. These coefficients were determined from a series of trajectories obtained on a digital computer for various initial conditions.
The everyday concerns of mothers of young children and the motivation to seek ongoing parenting support from experts

Despite a significant body of work that documents the importance of mother–child relationships, the studies on programmes that support these relationships are few, particularly with respect to subclinical populations. In this report, we coded the responses of 114 mothers of infants and toddlers to open-ended questions in order to identify the nature and frequency of the concerns that prompted them to participate in mother–child groups. The responses were coded by two independent raters who achieved a strong inter-rater reliability on the 21-item coding system that was developed. Mothers who reported concerns about their confidence/ambivalence about being a mother and those who indicated a desire for support and guidance from others were significantly more likely to continue to seek ongoing assistance with parenting and enrol for more semesters than mothers who did not express such concerns at intake.
The influence of supernovae and passing stars on comets in the Oort cloud

It is demonstrated here that the passage of luminous stars through the Oort Cloud over the age of the solar system will subject all comets to heating episodes up to at least 16 K, and a sizeable fraction to 30 K. Stochastic supernovae have even more striking effects during monthlong events; conservative estimates of the supernovae are in the Galactic disk suggest that most comets have been heated to 45 K, and a fraction to about 60 K. These results imply that comets are not fully pristine relics of solar system formation.
A novel NF-κB pathway involving IKKβ and p65/RelA Ser-536 phosphorylation results in p53 inhibition in the absence of NF-κB transcriptional activity

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) plays an important role in regulating cellular transformation and apoptosis. The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I protein, Tax, which is critical for viral transformation, modulates the transcription of several cellular genes through activation of NF-κB. We have demonstrated previously that Tax inhibits p53 activity through the p65/RelA subunit of NF-κB. We now present evidence that suggests that the upstream kinase IKKβ plays an important role in Tax-induced p53 inhibition through phosphorylation of p65/RelA at Ser-536. First, mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) IKKβ–/–cells did not support Tax-mediated p53 inhibition, whereas MEFs lacking IKKα allowed Tax inhibition of p53. Second, transfection of IKKβ wild type (WT), but not a kinase-dead mutant, into IKKβ–/–cells rescued p53 inhibition by Tax. Third, the IKKβ-specific inhibitor SC-514 decreased the ability of Tax to inhibit p53. Fourth, we show that phosphorylation of p65/RelA at Ser-536 is important for Tax inhibition of p53 using MEF p65/RelA–/–cells transfected with p65/RelA WT or mutant plasmids. Moreover, Tax induced p65/RelA Ser-536 phosphorylation in WT or IKKα–/– cells but failed to induce the phosphorylation of p65/RelA Ser-536 in IKKβ–/–cells, suggesting a link between IKKβ and p65/RelA phosphorylation. Consistent with this observation, blocking IKKβ kinase activity by SC-514 decreases the phosphorylation of p65/RelA at Ser-536 in the presence of Tax in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-transformed cells. Finally, the ability of Tax to inhibit p53 is distinguished from the NF-κB transcription activation pathway. Our work, therefore, describes a novel Tax-NF-κB p65/RelA pathway that functions to inhibit p53 but does not require NF-κB transcription activity.
Computed Tomography-Guided Access to the Cisterna Chyli: Introduction of a Technique for Direct Lymphangiography to Evaluate and Treat Chylothorax

The purpose of this report is to introduce a technique of direct lymphangiography to enable chylothorax treatment. Using a hybrid computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy imaging system, a 21-gauge needle was placed under CT guidance into the cisterna chyli to allow contrast lymphangiography and CT lymphangiography in two patients with presumed postoperative chylothorax. Water-soluble contrast media injection demonstrated the thoracic duct anatomy in both patients. Further successful needle disruption of the cisterna chyli was performed in one patient to interrupt lymph flow and stop the chylous leak, with subsequent resolution of the chylothorax.
Magnetic Structure of Fe-doped CoFe(2)O(4) Probed by X-ray Magnetic Spectroscopies

The magnetic properties of iron-doped cobalt ferrite (Co${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Fe${}_{2+x}$O${}_{4}$) (001) thin films grown epitaxially on MgO (001) substrates are investigated by superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry and soft x-ray magnetic linear and circular dichroisms. All Co${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Fe${}_{2+x}$O${}_{4}$ (0.01 \ensuremath{\leqslant} $x$ \ensuremath{\leqslant} 0.63) samples have out-of-plane magnetic easy axes and large coercive fields, unlike Fe${}_{3}$O${}_{4}$, due to a large Co${}^{2+}$ orbital moment. The magnetic moments for those samples are significantly reduced from their bulk values; however, as $x$ increases, the magnetic moments tend nearer to their bulk values and increase more rapidly as $x$ approaches 1. This reduction in magnetic moment is attributed to spin canting among the Co${}^{2+}$ cations, owing to a small in-plane tensile strain in the film and to an increased antiferromagnetic alignment among all the cations caused by a partially inverse spinel cubic structure and the likely presence of antiphase boundaries. Our results show that small changes in stoichiometry can lead to significant changes in the magnetic moment of Co${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Fe${}_{2+x}$O${}_{4}$, especially at large values of $x$.
Comparison of the effects of amino acid mixture and placebo on plasma tryptophan to large neutral amino acid ratio

To assess the possible role of altered central serotonin function in psychiatric disorders, investigators have utilized pharmacological challenge testing with an amino acid mixture to decrease blood tryptophan concentration and, indirectly, brain serotonin levels. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of a modified amino mixture, administered in capsule form, in decreasing plasma tryptophan levels. Studies were conducted in six healthy, medication-free female volunteers. Following double-blind, randomized, cross-over design, subjects received on separate days capsules containing a tryptophan-free amino acid mixture (31.5 grams) or lactose placebo. Over the six hours following amino acid administration, plasma tryptophan concentrations decreased to 21% of baseline values, while the tryptophan/large neutral amino acid ratio decreased to 6% of baseline. Subjects reported minimal symptoms of nausea or other side effects following amino acid administration. The results suggest that the modified amino acid mixture may be useful in assessing behavioral responses to acute tryptophan depletion challenge testing.