cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The life history of Cryptocotyle lingua (Creplin), with notes on the physiology of the metacercariae†

The various stages in the life history of Cryptocotyle lingua are identified and described. Adults naturally occur in the intestine of fish-eating birds and mammals. They were experimentally obtained in the cat, white rat, and guinea-pig. The development of the miracidium was followed within the egg. Larval stages occur in the marine snail, Littorina littorea. The structure of the redia and cercaria is described in detail, and evidence is submitted to show that the cercaria is identical with Cercaria lophocerca Lebour, described from the same snail on the British coast. Penetration and encystment of the cercaria in the skin of the cunner were experimentally secured. Excystment of the metacercaria was obtained both in experimental animals and in vitro. The metacercariae were maintained in culture media for as long a time as is required for them to attain sexual maturity in the final host. The host relations and specificity of the parasite are discussed on the basis of infection experiments. The cercaria is compared with similar larvae and its taxonomic position determined.
A source of thermocouple error in radiofrequency electric fields

When thermocouples are exposed to radiofrequency fields, the unequal resistances of the two wires cause electrical currents to flow through the junction. The junction is thereby heated, resulting in erroneously high temperature readings. Experimental documentation for the effect and a theoretical explanation are presented. Methods to minimise the error are also suggested.
Electronic structure and photoemission studies of late transition-metal oxides - Mott insulators and high-temperature superconductors

Abstract Stimulated by the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity, the electronic structure of late 3d transition-metal oxides is presently one of the most extensively studied subjects in condensed matter physics. In this review, we hope to summarize the progress we have made and the problems we are facing. The emphasis of the review is on the latest angle-resolved photoemission studies that have provided much insight towards the understanding of these materials. This includes the recent experiments from transition-metal mono-oxides, normal state electronic structure and Fermi surface mapping of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ, Bi2Sr2CuO6+δ, YBa2Cu3O7−x, YBa2Cu4O8, Nd2−xCexCuO4, and the superconducting gap of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ. For the transition-metal mono-oxides, we discuss the experimental manifestation of the four aspects of the electronic structure that make these Mott Hubbard insulators so interesting. This includes the large Coulomb interaction U (on the cation sites), the charge transfer as a result of strong hybridization, the energy dispersion in the crystal lattice, and the multiplet and magnetic splittings. For the high-temperature superconductors, we concentrate on the low energy excitations, the topology of the Fermi surface in the normal state, and the superconducting gap. Angle-resolved photoemission data show that the oxide superconductors have well defined Fermi surfaces. The volume of the Fermi surface in the high doping regime appears to be consistent with the results of band calculations. A striking feature of the low energy excitations is the presence of some very flat bands (due to a saddle point singularity in the band structure) which lie near the Fermi energy in p-type compounds near their optimal doping levels for superconductivity. The corresponding flat bands are well below the Fermi energy in n-type cuprates. The energy position of these flat bands is expected to have wide ranging effects on the physical properties of these materials, including the temperature dependence of the resistivity and the superconducting transition temperature. High-resolution photoemission has also been successfully applied to the study of the superconducting gap in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ. While the presently attainable energy resolution is poorer than that of many other spectroscopies, photoemission has the advantage that it is k-resolved as well as being very direct. This unique capability has enabled recent photoemission experiments to reveal the highly anisotropic nature of the superconducting gap in the a−b plane. This suggests the possibility of a detailed experimental determination of the superconducting order parameter.
Comparison of morphologic features of clear corneal incisions created with a femtosecond laser or a keratome

Purpose To compare the morphology of clear corneal incisions (CCIs) created with a femtosecond laser (Catalys) or a keratome (2.65 mm steel) during phacoemulsification using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and analyze the intended versus the achieved morphologic characteristics of femtosecond laser–generated CCIs. Setting Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Design Comparative case series. Methods Eyes with femtosecond CCIs and age-matched eyes with the keratome CCIs underwent AS-OCT of the incisions 1 month after phacoemulsification. ImageJ software was used to evaluate AS-OCT images for CCI length, endothelial gaping, endothelial misalignment, and Descemet membrane detachment. Results In the femtosecond group (20 eyes) and keratome group (16 eyes), the mean values were CCI length, 1.99 mm ± 0.07 (SEM) versus 2.04 ± 0.23 mm ( P = .39); endothelial gaping, 0.14 ± 0.03 mm versus 0.19 ± 0.09 mm ( P = .03); endothelial misalignment, 0.04 ± 0.03 mm versus 0.08 ± 0.06 mm ( P = .022). No eye in the femtosecond group and 3 eyes in the keratome group had a Descemet membrane detachment ( P = .04). Six femtosecond eyes and 11 keratome eyes had posterior wound retraction ( P = .02). The mean CCI length was 94.9% of the intended 2.1 mm, the posterior plane depth was 93.3% of the intended 70%, and the posterior side-cut angle was 91.7% of the intended 45 degrees. Conclusion Femtosecond laser–generated CCIs had significantly lower endothelial gaping, endothelial misalignment, Descemet membrane detachment, and posterior wound retraction than keratome-created CCIs and were within 10% of the intended length, depth, and angle measurements. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Velocity dependence of Vernier and letter acuity for band-pass filtered moving stimuli.

Abstract The ability to see fine detail diminishes when the target of interest moves at a speed greater than a few deg/s. The purpose of this study was to identify fundamental limitations on spatial acuity that result from image motion. Discrimination of Vernier offset was measured for a pair of vertical abutting lines and letter resolution was measured using a four-orientation letter ‘T’. These stimuli were digitally filtered using one of five band-pass (bandwidth=1.5 octaves) filters with a center frequency between 0.83 and 13.2 c/deg, and presented at velocities that ranged from 0 to 12 deg/s. Filtered and unfiltered stimuli were presented for 150 ms at a constant multiple (4× or 2×) of the contrast-detection threshold at each velocity. For stimuli of low to middle spatial frequency (up to 3.3 c/deg), Vernier and letter acuity for equally detectable targets are essentially unaffected by velocity up to 12 deg/s, i.e., for temporal frequencies of motion (velocity × spatial frequency) up to approximately 50 Hz. For stimuli of higher spatial frequency, acuity remains essentially constant until the velocity corresponds to a temporal frequency of about 30 Hz, and increases thereafter. Both Vernier and letter acuities worsen by approximately a factor of two for each one-octave decrease in filter spatial frequency. Both types of acuities worsen also as the contrast of the stimulus is reduced, but Vernier discrimination exhibits a stronger contrast-dependence than letter resolution. Our results support previous suggestions that a shift in the spatial scale used by the visual system to analyze spatial stimuli is principally responsible for the degradation of acuity in the presence of image motion. The results are consistent with a spatio-temporal-frequency limitation on spatial thresholds for moving stimuli, and not with a temporal-frequency limitation per se.
Dietary phosphorus is associated with greater left ventricular mass

Dietary phosphorus consumption has risen steadily in the United States. Oral phosphorus loading alters key regulatory hormones and impairs vascular endothelial function, which may lead to an increase in left ventricular mass (LVM). We investigated the association of dietary phosphorus with LVM in 4494 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, a community-based study of individuals who were free of known cardiovascular disease. The intake of dietary phosphorus was estimated using a 120-item food frequency questionnaire and the LVM was measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Regression models were used to determine associations of estimated dietary phosphorus with LVM and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Mean estimated dietary phosphorus intake was 1167mg/day in men and 1017mg/day in women. After adjustment for demographics, dietary sodium, total calories, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and established LVH risk factors, each quintile increase in the estimated dietary phosphate intake was associated with an estimated 1.1g greater LVM. The highest gender-specific dietary phosphorus quintile was associated with an estimated 6.1g greater LVM compared with the lowest quintile. Higher dietary phosphorus intake was associated with greater odds of LVH among women, but not men. These associations require confirmation in other studies.
Ivan Kuščer, Orthogonality and All That

Abstract In memoriam Ivan Kuscer, born Vienna, 06 17, 1918, died Ljubljana 01 31, 2000. My close association with Ivan began in 1963 and continued up to 1999. In this article I describe some of our interactions, both in physics and in our personal lives. One focal point is Ivan's classic article (with McCormick and Summerfield) on the partial-range orthogonality of Case's singular eigenfunctions. Some of the work inspired by this article is described. Also, Ivan's love–hate relationship with mathematics is discussed in some detail.
Lectures on Black Holes and Information Loss

In these lectures, the author's point of view on the problem of Hawking Evaporation of Black Holes is explained in some detail. A possible resolution of the information loss paradox is proposed, which is fully in accord with the rules of quantum mechanics. Black hole formation and evaporation leaves over a remnant which looks pointlike to an external observer with low resolving power, but actually contains a new infinite asymptotic region of space. Information can be lost to this new region without violating the rules of quantum mechanics. However, the thermodynamic nature of black holes can only be understood by studying the results of measurements that probe extremely small (sub-Planck scale) distances and times near the horizon. Susskind's description of these measurements in terms of string theory may provide an understanding of the Bekenstein-Hawking (BH) entropy in terms of the states of stranded strings that cross the horizon. The extreme nonlocality of string theory when viewed at short time scales allows one to evade all causality arguments which pretend to prove that the information encoded in the BH entropy can only be accessed by the external observer in times much longer than the black hole evaporation time. The present author believes however that the information lost in black hole evaporation is generically larger than the BH entropy, and that the remaining information is causally separated from the external world in the expanding horn of a black hole remnant or cornucopion. The possible observational signatures of such cornucopions are briefly discussed.
Equatorial measurements of the [OI] 5577 Å emission of the dayglow with a rocket photometer☆

Abstract Observations of the [OI] 5577 A emission of the dayglow have been obtained with a rocket photometer from the equatorial launch site at Natal, Brazil. Our observations show that the contribution to the [OI] 5577 A emission of the dayglow comes from three different ranges of altitudes. The lower layer is around 96 km, with half emission width of about 23 km and peak emission of about 330 photon/cc. This layer contributes about 40 per cent of the total emission, and is similar to the one which contributes most of the [OI] 5577 A emission of the nightglow. The excitation is of chemical origin. The second layer is in the altitude range of 110–150 km. The probable excitation mechanism is the photodissociation of O 2 . The third layer is above 150 km. The excitation mechanism is the process of recombination of O 2 + and ionospheric electrons, and also the excitation of O 2 by photoelectrons. This contributes about 30 per cent to the dayglow emission.
Pump-probe polarization anisotropy study of femtosecond energy transfer within the photosynthetic reaction center of Rhodobacter sphaeroides R26

The energy transfer from the accessory bacteriochlorophylls (B) to the special pair (P) in the photosynthetic reaction center has been time resolved with pump−probe polarization anisotropy measurements using 20−25 fs duration pulses near 800 nm. The experiments were carried out at low pulse energies (500 pJ in a 34 μm spot), low repetition rates (5 kHz), and high sample flow velocities (100 cm/s) to avoid artifacts from saturation and photoexcitation of incompletely relaxed reaction centers. The pump excitation corresponds to 1.4 × 106 photons/μm2: the “saturation intensity” for the charge separation quantum yield is 3 × 107 photons/μm2. Magic angle pump−probe transients can be satisfactorily fit as biexponential, with an ∼120 fs bleach decay followed by a 2.8 ps bleach rise. (An ∼400 fs bleach decay seen in several previous experiments arises from unrelaxed reaction centers.) The initial pump−probe anisotropy is 0.4 and decays with an ∼80 fs time constant, which we attribute to dipole reorientation by e...
Altered GLUT1 and GLUT3 gene expression and subcellular redistribution of GLUT4 : Protein in muscle from patients with acanthosis nigricans and severe insulin resistance

Multiple isoforms of glucose transporters are found in muscle, the tissue that normally accounts for 85% of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Glucose uptake into muscle cells in the fasting state is mediated primarily by GLUT1 and GLUT3 glucose transporters, whereas postprandial (insulin-stimulated) and exercise-related increments in muscle glucose uptake are mediated primarily by GLUT4. To determine if glucose transporters are abnormally expressed in muscle from insulin-resistant subjects, muscle samples were obtained from 10 normal subjects and 6 obese, nondiabetic subjects with severe insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans. Both GLUT4 total protein and mRNA were normal in the insulin-resistant subjects. Muscle GLUT3 protein and mRNA were lower than controls by 62% and 71%, respectively. GLUT1 mRNA was twice normal, whereas GLUT1 protein content was not significantly increased. GLUT4 protein was markedly redistributed to the muscle plasma membrane in subjects with severe insulin resistance compared with normals (92% v 40% GLUT4 in plasma membrane-enriched fractions, P <.001), whereas the percentage of GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein found in the plasma membrane-enriched fractions was not different from controls. These data document differences in the expression of genes for GLUT1 and GLUT3 in muscle from normal and insulin-resistant subjects. Further, insulin resistance with fasting hyperinsulinemia was associated with a redistribution of GLUT4 to the muscle cell surface with no change in total GLUT4 protein. These data suggest that glucose transporter gene expression and their basal distribution in human muscle are related to insulin resistance and could be determinants of whole body insulin responsiveness.
A uniaxial bioMEMS device for imaging single cell response during quantitative force-displacement measurements

A microfabricated device has been developed for imaging of a single, adherent cell while quantifying force under an applied displacement. The device works in a fashion similar to that of a displacement-controlled uniaxial tensile machine. The device was calibrated using a tipless atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever and shows excellent agreement with the calculated spring constant. A step input was applied to a single, adherent fibroblast cell and the viscoelastic response was characterized with a mechanical model. The adherent fibroblast was imaged by use of epifluorescence and phase contrast techniques.
Transition Solutions in the Taylor Problem

In this paper we determine transition solutions (i.e., heteroclinic orbits) connecting the trivial solution with bifurcating steady solutions of the smallgap Taylor problem. It is shown that determining transition solutions of the Taylor problem is equivalent to determining solutions of a "singular" timedependent equation (g) y2 dw + Low- 2(L + yM) w + B(w) + TQ(w) =0, w~ ~..~. dt
The results of competition between integrated-services telecommunications carriers

Abstract This paper investigates the results of competition between two profit-seeking telecommunications carriers, as might occur when cable TV providers compete with local exchange carriers. Each firm has a fixed capacity that it can use to offer two different services, such as telephony or video. We explore whether an equilibrium exists at which no carrier has any incentive to change its prices and outputs. For arbitrary services and demand, we show that an equilibrium may not exist, or that multiple equilibria may exist which means non-market forces such as regulation and entry strategy might determine the final outcome of competition. Furthermore, it is shown that a firm may not choose to compete in the market for one of the services, and thus, the lack of market share does not imply a barrier to entry. However, we also show that these confounding phenomena are less likely to occur with the services that will probably be offered first on commercial integrated-services networks, like telephony, pay-per-view movies, and email.
Intensification of antiretroviral therapy accelerates the decay of the HIV-1 latent reservoir and decreases, but does not eliminate, ongoing virus replication.

This study evaluated whether intensification of standard antiretroviral therapy with abacavir, with or without efavirenz, leads to better viral suppression and acceleration of the rate of HIV-1 decay. Ten HIV-1-infected individuals were enrolled in a prospective, open-label study and received standard, combination antiretroviral therapy with either 3 or 4 agents. The rate of decay of the HIV-1 latent reservoir and the frequency of intermittent viremia were compared between 5 patients who underwent treatment intensification and 5 control subjects with comparable baseline characteristics. When compared with control patients, the median half-life (t 1/2 ) of the latent reservoir decreased from 31 to 10 months (P = 0.016) in subjects who had treatment intensification. The frequency of intermittent viremia/year also decreased in 4 of 5 individuals following intensification (2.4/y vs. 0.8/y). These data suggest that ongoing virus replication during standard antiretroviral therapy is due, in part, to the inadequate antiviral potency of current regimens. Despite better viral suppression, treatment intensification did not completely block viral replication, as evidenced by continuing intermittent viremia in some individuals. Additional studies are needed to understand the host- and pathogen-related determinants of incomplete pharmacologic control of HIV-1 replication.
Botulinum Toxin A Injection to Facial and Cervical Paraspinal Muscles in a Patient With Stiff Person Syndrome: A Case Report

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurologic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by increased resting muscle tone, progressive rigidity, and stiffness of the axial musculature. We present a case of a 48-year-old male patient with SPS who experienced facial and neck muscle spasms that were uncontrolled with oral medications and the use of an intrathecal baclofen pump. Botulinum toxin A injections into the bilateral masseter and neck paraspinal muscles provided pain relief and spasm control, illustrating the use of botulinum toxin A injections in the small muscles of face and neck in patients with SPS.
A Fate Map of Chick Otic Cup Closure Reveals Lineage Boundaries in the Dorsal Otocyst

The vertebrate inner ear is structurally complex, consisting of fluid-filled tubules and sensory organs that subserve the functions of hearing and balance. The epithelial parts of the inner ear are derived from the otic placode, which deepens to form a cup before closing to form the otic vesicle. We fate-mapped the rim of the otic cup to monitor the cellular movements associated with otocyst formation and to aid in interpreting the changing gene expression patterns of the early otic field. Twelve sites around the rim, defined as positions of a clock face, were targeted by iontophoretic injection of fluorescent, lipophilic dye. Labeled cells were imaged 24 and 48 h after injection. The data show that the entire dorsal rim of the otic cup becomes the endolymphatic duct (ED), while the posteroventral rim becomes the lateral otocyst wall. Two intersecting boundaries of lineage restriction were identified near the dorsal pole: one bisecting the ED into anterior and posterior halves and the other defining its lateral edge. We hypothesize that signaling across compartment boundaries may play a critical role in duct specification. This model is discussed in the context of mouse mutants that are defective in both hindbrain development and ED outgrowth.
Intestinal folate transport: identification of a cDNA involved in folate transport and the functional expression and distribution of its mRNA.

Abstract Although the mechanism of folate intestinal transport has been the subject of intensive studies, very little is known about the molecular iventity of the transport system(s) involved. In this investigation, we screened a mouse intestinal cDNA library using as probe the cDNA clone of a reduced folate carrier ( RFC1 ) of mouse leukemia L1210 cells, and identified a positive clone, IFC1(RFC1) . The cloned cDNA consisted of 2274 base pairs with an open reading frame that encoves a putative polypeptive of 512 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 58 112 daltons and 12 putative transmembrane domains. The polypeptive appears to carry a net positive charge (p I = 8.6) which may be important for its interaction with the negatively charged substrate. Functional iventity of the IFC1(RFC1) clone was established by expression in Xenopus oocytes. An 11-fold increase in 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) uptake was observed in oocytes injected with 10 ng IFC1(RFC1) cRNA compared to water-injected controls. The expressed folate uptake in the cRNA injected oocyte was: (1) 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS)-sensitive; and (2) saturable with an apparent K m of 1.99 ± 0.32 μ M, and a V max of 3782 ± 188 fmol/oocyte per h. The distribution of mRNA species complementary to IFC1(RFC1) in different mouse tissues was examined by Northern blot analysis. In addition to the small intestine, expression of such mRNA species were also found in the kidney, large intestine, brain, heart and liver. Furthermore, mRNA species complementary to IFC1(RFC1) were also vetected by Northern blot analysis in the small intestine of human and other animal species (rat and rabbit). Expression of mRNA complementary to IFC1(RFC1) was markedly higher in rat intestinal villus cells than in crypt cells. These results represent the first iventification of a folate transporter in mammalian intestine.
A secondary gate as a mechanism for inhibition of the M2 proton channel by amantadine.

The mechanism of inhibition of the influenza A virus M2 proton channel by the antiviral drug amantadine has been under intense investigation. The importance of a mechanistic understanding is heightened by the prevalence of amantadine-resistant mutations. To gain mechanistic insight at the molecular level, we carried out extensive molecular dynamics simulations of the tetrameric M2 proton channel in both apo and amantadine-bound forms in a lipid bilayer. The simulation of the apo form revealed that Val27 from the four M2 subunits can form a secondary gate near the channel entrance and break the water wire in the channel pore. This gate arises from physical occlusion and the elimination of hydrogen-bonding partners for water molecules. In the presence of amantadine, the secondary gate formed by Val27 and the drug molecule lying just below form an extended blockage, which breaks the water wire throughout the simulation. The location and orientation of amantadine inside of the channel pore as found in our sim...
Gender differences in children's reactions to success and failure with computers

Abstract This study examined an attributional style explanation for gender differences in computer use and attitudes. A total of 127 Grade 5 subjects filled out questionnaires assessing computer experience. Surprisingly, there were no gender differences in liking for computers. However, consistent with previous research, boys thought that they had more ability with computers, boys used computers more frequently, and more boys had computers at home. Subjects were then randomly assigned to use either a “failure” computer program, a “success” program, or no program. Results showed that boys provided unstable attributions for failure with the computer (e.g., bad disk, lack of effort) more often than girls did, whereas girls provided unstable attributions for success (e.g., easy program, effort) with the computer more often than boys did. Both boys and girls who made stable attributions for success or unstable attributions for failure were more enthusiastic about using computers in the future, indicating that gender differences in attitudes toward computer use can be explained by gender differences in attributions for performance. The data also suggest that gender differences in relaxation and expectations for improvement were due to gender differences in stability of attributions, frequency of previous computer use, and perceived competence with computers.
Multiple Bcl-2 family members demonstrate selective dimerizations with Bax

Abstract A family of Bcl-2-related proteins regulates cell death and shares highly conserved BH1 and BH2 domains. BH1 and BH2 domains of Bcl-2 were required for it to heterodimerize with Bax and to repress apoptosis. A yeast two-hybrid assay accurately reproduced this interaction and defined a selectivity and hierarchy of further dimerizations. Bax also heterodimerizes with Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, and A1. A Gly-159-->Ala substitution in BH1 of Bcl-xL disrupted its heterodimerization with Bax and abrogated its inhibition of apoptosis in mammalian cells. This suggests that the susceptibility to apoptosis is determined by multiple competing dimerizations in which Bax may be a common partner.
Attitudes toward teen mothers among nursing students and psychometric evaluation of Positivity Toward Teen Mothers scale

To prepare future nurses who can deliver high quality nursing care to teen mothers, a better understanding of the nursing students' perception of teen mothers is needed. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 228 nursing students to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Positivity Toward Teen Mothers (PTTM) scale, to explore nursing students' general empathy and attitudes toward teen mothers, and to investigate the predictors of nursing students' attitudes toward teen mothers. Principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation resulted in a 19-item PTTM-Revised scale with Non-judgmental and Supportive subscales. Cronbach's alphas for the subscales were 0.84 and 0.69, respectively, and 0.87 for the total scale. Simultaneous multiple regression models showed that general empathy and having a teen mother in the family or as an acquaintance were significant predictors of positive attitudes toward teen mothers, whereas age was a significant negative predictor. The PTTM-Revised scale is a promising instrument for assessing attitudes toward teen mothers.
AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on SiC with f/sub T/ of over 120 GHz

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) grown on semi-insulating SiC substrates with a 0.12 /spl mu/m gate length have been fabricated. These 0.12-/spl mu/m gate-length devices exhibited maximum drain current density as high as 1.23 A/mm and peak extrinsic transconductance of 314 mS/mm. The threshold voltage was -5.2 V. A unity current gain cutoff frequency (f/sub T/) of 121 GHz and maximum frequency of oscillation (f/sub max/) of 162 GHz were measured on these devices. These f/sub T/ and f/sub max/ values are the highest ever reported values for GaN-based HEMTs.
Insights into a putative hinge region in elastin using molecular dynamics simulations.

Abstract The resiliency and elasticity of vertebrate tissues are traced to elastin, a crosslinked protein with extensive hydrophobic regions. There is little discussion in the literature on the structure and dynamics of the alanine-rich crosslinking regions of elastin that comprise a significant part of the native protein. In particular, the region encoded by exons 21 and 23, a contiguous splice form found in all types of human elastin, is believed to be strategically positioned for proper function of the protein, namely, in the reversible elongation and contraction of tissue. Hence, molecular dynamics (MD) calculations on the EX21/23 domain are reported here. This crosslinking domain has been assumed to adopt an architecture in which the putative hinge region links two α-helices. In this paper, we use a homology-based approach to obtain starting structures in the hinge region. The subsequent MD brings new insights into the possibility of fluctuations between “open” and “closed” states, as well as distinguishing structural features of the latter. The significance of these findings towards an enhanced understanding of structure–function relationships in elastin and the elastic fiber is discussed.
RNA1P, A RAN/TC4 GTPASE ACTIVATING PROTEIN, IS REQUIRED FOR NUCLEAR IMPORT

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene, RNA1, encodes a protein with extensive homology to the mammalian Ran/TC4 GTPase activating protein. Using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, we have demonstrated that rna1-1 mutant cells are defective in nuclear import of several proteins. The same result is obtained when nuclear import is examined in living cells using a nuclear protein fused to the naturally green fluorescent protein. These findings suggest a role for the Rna1p in trafficking of proteins across the nuclear membrane. To investigate this role more directly, an in vitro import assay that monitors the import of a fluorescently labeled substrate into the nuclei of semi-intact yeast cells was used. Import to the nucleus requires the addition of exogenous cytosol. Results indicate that, in contrast to wild-type cytosols, extracts made from rna1-1 mutant cells are unable to support import of the fluorescently labeled substrate into competent nuclei. Immunoblotting demonstrates that these mutant-derived extracts are depleted of Rna1p. However, when purified Rna1p is added back to these extracts the import activity is restored in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that Rna1p plays a direct role in the import of proteins into the nucleus.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of polymerized whole ragweed for immunotherapy of ragweed allergy

Immunotherapy with polymerized ragweed (PRW) has been demonstrated to be safe and effective when compared with monomeric ragweed or untreated controls. To further establish the efficacy of PRW, a trial was conducted comparing PRW, placebo, and no treatment in ragweed-sensitive individuals. In a double-blind manner, 21 patients were treated before the 1981 ragweed season with 15 weekly injections of PRW totaling about 50,000 PNU and 1200 microgram antigen E, while 19 patients were treated with 15 weekly injections of a caramelized glucose and histamine placebo. An additional control group received no injections. Blood was drawn for IgE against ragweed antigen E (IgE-a-AgE) and for blocking antibody against AgE before treatment, after treatment (before season), and after season. In the untreated patients, blood was drawn before season and after season. Daily symptom score sheets were completed by patients each day of the ragweed season. Blocking antibody rose more than 40-fold with treatment (p = 0.0001) in the PRW group but was unchanged in the placebo group with treatment. IgE-a-AgE rose with PRW therapy. Clinical efficacy of PRW was again confirmed in this study. Symptom score mean in the PRW group was statistically lower than the mean in the placebo group (p = 0.022) and in the untreated group (p = 0.018). There were no systemic reactions and only minor local reactions during treatment. In summary, PRW is an improved form of immunotherapy.
Phosphoinositide-dependent Kinase-2 Is a Distinct Protein Kinase Enriched in a Novel Cytoskeletal Fraction Associated with Adipocyte Plasma Membranes

By recombining subcellular components of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a test tube, early insulin signaling events dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) were successfully reconstituted, up to and including the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 by the serine/threonine kinase, Akt (Murata, H., Hresko, R.C., and Mueckler, M. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 21607-21614). Utilizing the advantages provided by a cell-free methodology, we characterized phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 2 (PDK2), the putative kinase responsible for phosphorylating Akt on Ser-473. Immunodepleting cytosolic PDK1 from an in vitro reaction containing plasma membrane and cytosol markedly inhibited insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt at the PDK1 site (Thr-308) but had no effect on phosphorylation at the PDK2 site (Ser-473). In contrast, PDK2 activity was found to be highly enriched in a novel cytoskeletal subcellular fraction associated with plasma membranes. Akt isoforms 1-3 and a kinase-dead Akt1 (K179A) mutant were phosphorylated in a phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent manner at Ser-473 in an in vitro reaction containing this novel adipocyte subcellular fraction. Our data indicate that this PDK2 activity is the result of a kinase distinct from PDK1 and is not due to autophosphorylation or transphosphorylation of Akt.
The influence of the JDR 3rd fund on “business and society”: Incorporating corporate social responsibility in the business curriculum

The ideal of corporate social responsibility as a management orientation and as a field of study in business schools was given support by John D. Rockefeller 3rd (JDR 3). He attempted to promote this concept in the Committee on Economic Development and in certain business schools. This attempt was not very effective in academe, due partly to a lack of understanding about how universities function. As a result, an adequate academic infrastructure was slow to develop.
The residence time of particulate organic carbon in the surface layer of the ocean

Part of the primary production of organic matter in the open ocean is driven by regenerated nutrients and part by the transport of nutrients from the water below the euphotic zone. If we consider time and space scales sufficiently large, it is clear that the upward transport of nitrate from below and the resulting new production must be equivalent to the downward transport of nitrogen in the sinking organic particles. We hypothesize that new production and sinking are coupled and that is possible to calculate the residence time of organic particles and their recycling time via consumption and decomposition in the surface layer. Comparison of new production and the sinking flux of particulate organic carbon (POC) measured with sediment traps is consistent with this hypothesis. A study in the Southern California Bight showed variations in τPOC from 3 to >100 days between seasons and years while the recycling time of POC in the surface layer was fairly uniform at about 11 days.
Carcinoma and diffuse interstitial fibrosis of lung

A review of 16 cases of diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the lung revealed three cases of coexistent carcinoma of the lung. All three tumors occurred in regions of severe fibrosis. There was one instance each of squamous cell carcinoma, small cell undifferentiated carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. The three patients were men with a mean age of 66 years. Review of the tissue sections of the diffuse interstitial fibrosis suggests an apparent transition from atypical or dysplastic bronchiolar-alveolar epithelium to carcinoma. The greater rarity of pulmonary carcinomas in diffuse interstitial fibrosis, as contrasted with localized or focal interstitial fibrosis, may be related to the shortening of life by the diffuse lesion.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Preserve White Matter Structure and Function during Ischemia by Conserving ATP and Reducing Excitotoxicity

The importance of white matter (WM) injury to stroke pathology has been underestimated in experimental animal models and this may have contributed to the failure to translate potential therapeutics into the stroke clinic. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are neuroprotective and also promote neurogenesis. These properties make them ideal candidates for stroke therapy. In a pure WM tract (isolated mouse optic nerve), we show that pan- and class I-specific HDAC inhibitors, administered before or after a period of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD), promote functional recovery of axons and preserve WM cellular architecture. This protection correlates with the upregulation of an astrocyte glutamate transporter, delayed and reduced glutamate accumulation during OGD, preservation of axonal mitochondria and oligodendrocytes, and maintenance of ATP levels. Interestingly, the expression of HDACs 1, 2, and 3 is localized to astrocytes, suggesting that changes in glial cell gene transcription and/or protein acetylation may confer protection to axons. Our findings suggest that a therapeutic opportunity exists for the use of HDAC inhibitors, targeting mitochondrial energy regulation and excitotoxicity in ischemic WM injury.
Spectral power and irradiance responsivity calibration of InSb working-standard radiometers

New, improved-performance InSb power-irradiance meters have been developed and characterized to maintain the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) spectral responsivity scale between 2 and 5.1 mum. The InSb radiometers were calibrated against the transfer-standard cryogenic bolometer that is tied to the primary-standard cryogenic radiometer of the NIST. The InSb radiometers serve as easy-to-use working standards for routine spectral power and irradiance responsivity calibrations. The spectral irradiance responsivities were derived from the spectral power responsivities by use of the measured area of the apertures in front of the InSb detectors.
Interface studies during vertical Bridgman CdTe crystal growth

Abstract The purpose of this study was to reveal the shape of the melt/solid interface, and its influence on boule quality, during the vertical Bridgman melt growth of CdTe crystals. 111In, with a half-life of 2.8 days, was used as a radiotracing dopant, and sharp growth rate perturbations were used to incorporate it in bands corresponding to the melt/solid interface during otherwise normal crystal growth. Autoradiography was used to reveal their actual shapes, which were found to be almost flat. Slightly convex interface shapes were generated by thermal modifications, but no significant improvements in grain structure (large grain, polycrystalline) were noted. Growth rate histograms showed that furnace end effects can be a dominant factor in Bridgman systems, and can cause significant differences between imposed and actual growth rates.
Preferential incorporation of eicosanoid precursor fatty acids into human umbilical vein endothelial cell phospholipids.

Abstract We have examined the preferential incorporation of specific fatty acids into phospholipid classes of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Pulse-labeling of human umbilical vein endothelial cell phospholipids with radiolabeled fatty acids and inhibition of radiolabeled fatty acid incorporation by competition with excess, unlabeled fatty acids in pair-wise combinations revealed two distinct classes of esterification systems into human umbilical vein endothelial cell phospholipids. The eicosanoid precursor fatty acids, including arachidonate, 8,11,14-eicosatrienoate (ETA) and 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoate (EPA), exhibited high affinity incorporation into total phospholipids, whereas other fatty acids, including docosahexaenoate and monohydroxy eicosatetraenoates, showed low affinity incorporation. The relative degree of incorporation of eicosanoid precursor fatty acids into phospholipid classes was phosphatidylcholine (PC) > phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) > phosphatidylinositol (PI) > phosphatidylserine (PS). The specific activity of [ 14 C]arachidonic acid-labeled PI was two times higher than that of any other radiolabeled phospholipids. When competitive incorporation of eicosanoid precursor fatty acids into phospholipid classes was studied, they were found to be acylated into different phospholipid classes at different rates. Although eicosanoid precursor fatty acids were not preferentially incorporated into PC, arachidonic acid was preferentially incorporated into the other phospholipids and exhibited particular selectivity in comparison with the other eicosanoid precursor fatty acids for incorporation into PI. These results demonstrate that human umbilical vein endothelial cells possess selective incorporation mechanisms for specific fatty acids into various phospholipids via the deacylation-reacylation pathway.
Frequency dependence of Na,K-ATPase function in magnetic fields

Abstract The mobile charge interaction (MCI) model of signal transduction in electromagnetic fields was developed to explain how electric and magnetic field affects on Na,K-ATPase are closely linked to the activation, a property of the enzyme that determines its ability to function in the absence of an external field. The MCI model predicts that the frequency dependence of Na,K-ATPase function in magnetic fields should be comparable with the previously determined dependence in electric fields, and we have determined the magnetic field dependence in the range 1–3000 Hz. In the range 3–3000 Hz, the frequency dependence of the small (∼ 5–10%) effect appears to be similar to the dependence in electric fields. This is also true of 1 Hz fields (and in some experiments with DC fields), where there is no effect of magnetic field on enzyme function. The frequency dependence appears to be smaller than the dependence on the level of Na,K-ATPase activation, especially at low levels of activation. These results are consistent with the MCI model, where an interaction with either an electric or a magnetic field alone depends upon the same charge transfer processes within the enzyme.
Linear transformations preserving symmetric rank one matrices

Let 1’ be the space of n x n symmetric matrices over a commutative ring R (with unit), and let Y = Y(R) be the subset of rank < 1 (that is, the matrices where all 2 x 2 minors are zero). Our purpose is to study the invertible linear transformations z on V preserving Y. The study of such maps falls into two parts, the first of which has already been carried out: we know explicitly all the invertible T that formally preserve the vanishing of 2 x 2 minors. The basic maps of that kind are in fact just the ones that first come to mind, T(X) = ;1UXU” for invertible U and A. However, as I explained in [S], descent theory shows that these mappings (for even n) automatically produce certain others as well, and we call that larger set the natural transformations preserving rank d 1 (an explicit description of them is given in Section 1 below). More precisely, the theorem already known is this:
Acclimation to a low oxygen environment alters the hematology of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

One of the most severe impacts of urbanization on aquatic systems is the increasing presence of low oxygen environments caused by anthropogenic sources of pollution. As urbanization increases nationally and globally, it is becoming exceedingly important to understand how hypoxia affects aquatic fauna, especially fish species. In an effort to better understand the impacts of prolonged hypoxia on fishes, largemouth bass were held at 3.0 and 9.0 mg L−1 for 50 days, which has previously shown to be temporally sufficient to impart plastic phenotypic changes. Following the holding period, fish from each group were subjected to a low dissolved oxygen (DO) challenge of 2.0 mg L−1 for 6 h, and their physiological and hematological parameters were compared with control fish held for 6 h with no change in DO. There were no differences in the physiological stress responses between the two holding groups; however, the low oxygen holding group had increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels following the 6-h low oxygen challenge compared with the high oxygen group. These results suggest largemouth bass exposed to chronic low oxygen conditions, either naturally or anthropogenically, may possess a beneficial advantage of increased oxygen uptake capacity during periods of low oxygen.
Temperature dependence of reorientational diffusion in hexafluorobenzene

Abstract Raman bandwidths of the CF stretching [ν 1 (a 1g ) and ν 15 (e 2g ] and ring stretching [ν 2 (a 1g ) and ν(e 2g ] vibrational modes of hexafluorobenzene were analyzed as a function of temperature in the liquid phase. Values of the perpendicular (‘tumbling’) diffusion coefficients, D???, calculated from agreed well with earlier reports in the literature. It was determines both of the e 2g vibrational bandshapes were artificially broadened by presence of closely lying combination modes superposed upon the bandsh of the fundamental vibrations. Following decomposition of the bands in their individual components, the parallel (‘spinning’) diffusion constant, D 1 , calculated from ν 15 and ν 16 were in excellent agreement with each other at all temperatures, and also agreed quite well with values of D 1 predicted by the Free Rotor model of molecular reorientation.
Spontaneous and amplified radiation at the initial stage of a SASE FEL

At the initial stage of a self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) free-electron laser (FEL), spontaneous undulator radiation in certain experimental configurations can dominate the amplified signal over an extended undulator distance. In this paper they study both the spontaneous and the amplified radiation in the framework of the paraxial wave equation and determine the transition from the dominance of spontaneous emission to exponential amplification. They compare theoretical expectations with SASE simulation codes GINGER and GENESIS.
Cohesive strength of alumina powder compacts

Abstract In order to characterize the nature of the interparticle forces that causes particle agglomeration in submicron size alumina particles, eight commercial alumina powders were investigated. Since the strength of the agglomerates depends upon the interparticle forces and the packing density of the particles the Hartley model which relates the tensile strength, packing density of a powder compact, to the interparticle force has been applied. The present experimental results suggest that in the absence of any electrostatic forces (either force of attraction or repulsion between particles) van der Waals force is responsible for the agglomeration of alumina particles.
A computer program for the synthesis of decoupled multivariable feedback systems

Recently Gilbert [6] obtained general solution results on the decoupling of multivariable systems by state feedback. This paper presents a general-purpose computer program which carries out all of the calculations necessary for reducing these results to a useful synthesis procedure. The program is described in general terms and several examples of its application are given.