cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antibody and Cytokine Responses to the Cilium-Associated Respiratory Bacillus in BALB/c and C57BL/6 Mice

The cilium-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus is a gram-negative, gliding bacterium that causes persistent respiratory tract infections in rodents despite histologic and serologic evidence of a marked immune response. To assess humoral immunity and cytokine responses in CAR bacillus disease, 6-week-old female BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were inoculated intratracheally with 10(5) CAR bacillus organisms. CAR bacillus-specific serum immunoglobulins (immunoglobulin M [IgM], IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, and IgA) and local pulmonary cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], gamma interferon [IFN-gamma], and interleukin-4 [IL-4]) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay every 7 days for 49 days. BALB/c mice developed CAR bacillus-induced lesions early in the course of disease that became more severe with time. Correlating with increasing disease severity, BALB/c mice had elevations in all antibody isotypes tested, and elevations in pulmonary TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-4. C57BL/6 mice developed mild lesions with mild increases in serum IgM, IgG1, IgG2b, and IgG3 levels and minimally detectable IgG2a and IgA. Cytokine perturbations were not detected in C57BL/6 mice. The persistence of infection in BALB/c mice with vigorous serum antibody responses and increased IFN-gamma and IL-4 responses suggests that humoral immunity and T-cell responses are ineffective at preventing CAR bacillus disease. Furthermore, the lackluster antibody responses and undetectable cytokine responses in C57BL/6 mice suggest that humoral immunity and T-cell responses are not critical in resistance to CAR bacillus-induced disease.
Estrogen receptor binding characteristics of 1,11β-ethanoestradiol : effect of A 1,11β-bridge on steroidal estrogen

Abstract As part of an ongoing program to develop high affinity estrogenic ligands we have synthesized the 11β-vinyl, 11β-ethyl- and 1,11β-ethanoestradiols. Because the 1,11β-ethanoestradiol had not been previously reported in the literature, the investigation of its receptor binding characteristics would provide valuable insight into the effect of 1/11β-substitution. The data obtained in this study indicate that although significant estrogen receptor affinity is present for the 1,11β-ethano derivative, the RBA values, 5–22.4%, were far less than those observed (5–300-fold less) for the corresponding 11β-ethyl and 11β-vinyl estradiols and less than those for the 1-methyl and 11β-methyl estradiols. These results suggest that the orientation that the 11β-substituent must occupy is directed away from the A-ring and that substituents in the 1–11 pocket produce a detrimental effect on receptor interactions.
Replication Protein A Unfolds G-Quadruplex Structures with Varying Degrees of Efficiency

Replication Protein A (RPA) is known to interact with G-rich sequences that adopt G-quadruplex (GQ) structures. Most studies in the literature have been performed on GQ formed by homogenous sequences, such as the human telomeric repeat, and RPA’s ability to unfold GQ structures of differing stability is not known. We compared the thermal stability of three potential GQ forming DNA sequences (PQS) to their stability against RPA mediated unfolding using single molecule FRET and bulk biophysical and biochemical experiments. One of these sequences is the human telomeric repeat and the other two located in the promoter region of tyrosine hydroxylase gene are highly heterogeneous sequences, which better represent PQS in the genome. The three GQ constructs have thermal stabilities that are significantly different from each other. Our measurements showed that the most thermally stable structure (Tm= 86 °C) was also the most stable against RPA mediated unfolding, although the least thermally stable structure (Tm= 69 °C) had at least an order of magnitude higher stability against RPA mediated unfolding compared to the structure with intermediate thermal stability (Tm= 78 °C). The significance of this observation becomes more evident when considered within the context of cellular environment where protein-DNA interactions can be an important determinant of GQ viability. Considering these, we conclude that thermal stability is not necessarily an adequate criterion for predicting physiological viability of GQ structures. Finally, we measured the time it takes for an RPA molecule to unfold a GQ from a fully folded to a fully unfolded conformation using a single molecule stopped-flow type method. All three GQ structures were unfolded within Δt≈0.30±0.10 sec, a surprising result as the unfolding time does not correlate with thermal stability or stability against RPA mediated unfolding. These results suggest that the limiting step in G-quadruplex unfolding by RPA is simply the accessibility of the structure to the RPA protein.
Isoperimetric Constants of Infinite Plane Graphs

Let G be an infinite locally finite plane graph with one end and let H be a finite plane subgraph of G . Denote by a(H) the number of finite faces of H and by l(H) the number of the edges of H that are on the boundary of the infinite face or a finite face not in H . Define the isoperimetric constant h (G) to be inf H l(H) / a(H) and define the isoperimetric constant h (?) to be inf G h (G) where the infimum is taken over all infinite locally finite plane graphs G having minimum degree ? and exactly one end. We establish the following bounds on h (?) for ? ? 7 : $$ {{(\delta -6)(\delta^2 -8 \delta + 15)}\over {(\delta-4)(\delta^2 - 8\delta + 13)}} \le h (\delta) \le \sqrt {{\delta-6}\over {\delta-2}}. $$
A/H1N1 Vaccine Intentions in College Students: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

AbstractObjective: To test the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in college students who have not previously received the A/H1N1 vaccine. Participants: Undergraduate communication students at a metropolitan southern university. Methods: In January–March 2010, students from voluntarily participating communication classes completed a hardcopy survey assessing TPB and clinically significant constructs. Hierarchical regression equations predicted variance in vaccine intentions of students who had not received a flu shot (N = 198; 70% Caucasian). Results: The TPB model explained 51.7% (p < .001) of variance in vaccine intentions. Controlling for side effects, self-efficacy and perceived comparative susceptibility predicted intentions when entered in the first block, whereas attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly contribute when entered in the second block. Conclusions: For students who have not previously received a flu vaccine, vaccine communication sho...
Ambivalent desires and the problem with reduction

Ambivalence is most naturally characterized as a case of conflicting desires. In most cases, an agent’s intrinsic desires conflict contingently: there is some possible world in which both desires would be satisfied. This paper argues, though, that there are cases in which intrinsic desires necessarily conflict—i.e., the desires are not jointly satisfiable in any possible world. Desiring a challenge for its own sake is a paradigm case of such a desire. Ambivalence of this sort in an agent’s desires creates special problems for the project of reducing all facts about an agent’s desires to facts about his or her preferences over options. If this reductive project fails, there is reason to suspect that the Decision Theory cannot give us a complete theory of Humean rationality.
Control of fifth-order aberrations in modular optical design

Optical design modules may be used to initiate an optical design for which third-order spherical aberration and astigmatism are equal to zero. Equations have previously been available to make other third-order aberrations and primary color aberrations equal to zero also. Equations are here derived that may be used to make any of the fifth-order aberrations equal to zero as well. Details of the derivation are shown for fifth-order astigmatism, and results are given for the other fifth-order aberrations. Sample calculations demonstrate the use of the equations.
Do Daughters Really Cause Divorce? Stress, Pregnancy, and Family Composition

Provocative studies have reported that in the United States, marriages producing firstborn daughters are more likely to divorce than those producing firstborn sons. The findings have been interpreted as contemporary evidence of fathers’ son preference. Our study explores the potential role of another set of dynamics that may drive these patterns: namely, selection into live birth. Epidemiological evidence indicates that the characteristic female survival advantage may begin before birth. If stress accompanying unstable marriages has biological effects on fecundity, a female survival advantage could generate an association between stability and the sex composition of offspring. Combining regression and simulation techniques to analyze real-world data, we ask, How much of the observed association between sex of the firstborn child and risk of divorce could plausibly be accounted for by the joint effects of female survival advantage and reduced fecundity associated with unstable marriage? Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79), we find that relationship conflict predicts the sex of children born after conflict was measured; conflict also predicts subsequent divorce. Conservative specification of parameters linking pregnancy characteristics, selection into live birth, and divorce are sufficient to generate a selection-driven association between offspring sex and divorce, which is consequential in magnitude. Our findings illustrate the value of demographic accounting of processes which occur before birth—a period when many outcomes of central interest in the population sciences begin to take shape.
SLEEP RESTRICTION, ETHANOL EFFECTS AND TIME OF DAY

The sedative and performance-disruptive effects of ethanol as a function of basal level of sleepiness/alertness and circadian time was studied. Ethanol (0.5 g/kg) or placebo was administered to 12 healthy, normal-sleeping men, aged 21 to 45 years, at two different times of the day (09.00 and 16.00 h) after 8 h time in bed (TIB) the previous night and at 16.00 h after 4 h TIB. The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) was conducted at 1, 3, 5, and 7 h post-ethanol consumption in a day drinking and in two evening drinking conditions. Auditory vigilance and divided attention performance was assessed 1 and 5 h post-ethanol. A significant difference in MSLT scores was found between the 4-h and 8-h TIB conditions reflecting increased sleepiness. The significant reduction in MSLT scores after morning ethanol was not seen in either of the evening ethanol conditions (8-h or 4-h TIBs). Performance on the auditory vigilance task 1 h post-administration was disrupted by ethanol consumption in the morning, but not in the evening conditions (8-h or 4-h TIBs).
Nuclear matrix proteins as biomarkers in prostate cancer.

The nuclear matrix (NM) is the structural framework of the nucleus that consists of the peripheral lamins and pore complexes, an internal ribonucleic protein network, and residual nucleoli. The NM contains proteins that contribute to the preservation of nuclear shape and its organization. These protein components better known as the NM proteins have been demonstrated to be tissue specific, and are altered in many cancers, including prostate cancer. Alterations in nuclear morphology are hallmarks of cancer and are believed to be associated with changes in NM protein composition. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in American men and many investigators have identified unique NM proteins that appear to be specific for this disease. These NM protein changes are associated with the development of prostate cancer, as well as in some cases being indicative of cancer stage. Identification of these NM proteins specific for prostate cancer provides an insight to understanding the molecular changes associated with this disease. This article reviews the role of NM proteins as tumor biomarkers in prostate cancer and the potential application of these proteins as therapeutic targets in the treatment of this disease.
Assessment of Death Attitudes: An Empirical Approach

The Threat Index and the Death Anxiety Scale were administered to 228 subjects. Based on the high/low criterion scores, 105 subjects were assigned to the following four groups: (a) high death threat/high death anxiety, (b) high death threat/low death anxiety, (c) low death threat/high death anxiety, and (d) low death threat/low death anxiety. During the experimental phase of the study, subjects viewed a filmstrip on death rituals in various cultures. A recall test was then administered. Results indicated no significant group differences on recall performance. Initial no-show rates for the second part of the experiment were observed in the four groups reflecting a significant negative relationship between death anxiety and initial no-show rates. The possibility of defensive responding on the Death Anxiety Scale was suggested.
Algal Mat Productivity: Comparisons in a Salt Marsh

This paper documents the role of salt marsh algal mats in the productivity of a southern California tidal wetland. The productivity of the mats, which are composed of filamentous bluegreen and green algae and diatoms, varies both temporally and spatially in relation to tidal inundation and overstory vegetation. The estimates of net primary productivity (NPP) were highest under the canopy ofJaumea carnosa (Less.) Gray (341 g C m−2 yr−1) at low elevation. Elsewhere, NPP appeared to be limited by low light (276 g C m−2 yr−1 underSpartina foliosa Trin.) and desiccation (185 g C m−2 yr−1 underBatis martima L. and 253 g C m−2 yr−1 underMonanthochloe littoralis Engelm).
Why Put All Your Eggs in One Basket? A Competition-Based View of How Technological Uncertainty Affects a Firm’s Technological Specialization

Conventional wisdom suggests that when a firm faces technological uncertainty, it responds by becoming less technologically specialized so as to remain adaptable to subsequent resolution of this uncertainty. We adopt a competition-based view of technological uncertainty to identify an opposite effect in competitive settings: the firm may instead become more specialized when faced with greater technological uncertainty so as to focus on advancing its technologies against competition and influence the resolution of uncertainty in its favor over rivals. We propose that this effect is accentuated when the firm expects that it cannot easily adapt to rivals’ technologies subsequently, specifically when rivals are a greater deterrent through being litigious or innovative. Using U.S. government funding for fuel cell research as a policy shock, with stock option-implied volatilities to measure expected uncertainty, we find empirical support for our propositions among firms active in research and development in the U.S. communications equipment industry. Through these findings, we demonstrate that a competition-based view of uncertainty identifies an alternative path for the firm’s resource accumulation under uncertainty, and we stress that the resolution of uncertainty can be something the firm attempts to influence rather than adapt to.
Fluorinated anaesthetic nephrotoxicity: an update

The potential for fluorinated anaesthetic agents to cause nephrotoxicity can be summarized in two figures: Figure 2 illustrates the time course of anaesthetic defluorination following administration of methoxyflurane, enflurane and isoflurane; Figure 5 depicts changes in urinary osmolality in response to ADH administration versus peak serum fluoride levels after anaesthesia. Figure 2 clearly demonstrates that the shapes of the serum inorganic fluoride curves are different after methoxyflurane, enflurane and isoflurane anaesthesia. Despite the fact that inorganic fluoride has a half life in blood of only 90 minutes, peak levels were maintained for three days after administration of methoxyflurane. By contrast, peak fluoride levels after administration of the other two agents were reached shortly after the end of anaesthesia and they declined rapidly in the postanaesthetic period. To account for the prolonged postanaesthetic elevation of fluoride levels, one only must realize that methoxyflurane is approximately ten times more lipid soluble than either enflurane or isoflurane. Thus, methoxyflurane is present in the body for days after its administration has ended and is available for postoperative metabolism to inorganic fluoride. Peak fluoride levels also are considerably higher after methoxyflurane anaesthesia than after administration of the other two agents. That is because, on a molar basis, methoxyflurane is biochemically more unstable than either enflurane or isoflurane and is metabolized more per unit of time. Consequently, the area under the fluoride curve is much greater after methoxyflurane anaesthesia than after either enflurane or isoflurane. It is the area under the curve which probably best correlates with nephrotoxicity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutants and photosynthesis of marine phytoplankton: a reassessment

The chlorinated hydrocarbons DDT and PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyls), ubiquitous pollutants of the marine environment, have been observed to reduce the cell division rate of marine phytoplankton, thereby indirectly reducing the total photosynthetic carbon fixation in treated cultures. The photosynthetic capacity of each cell was not affected. Total marine photosynthesis will likely remain undiminished by these compounds, although alterations in phytoplankton communities through selective toxicity could effect herbivore populations.
Strategies to use phytoextraction in very acidic soil contaminated by heavy metals.

Abstract In microcosm experiments, the use of inorganic and organic amendments has been studied as potential agents to reduce heavy metal bioavailability in an acidic soil highly contaminated by Cu, Zn and Ni, that has to be remediated by phytoremediation. The concentrations of heavy metals in the original soil (O-Soil) produced phytotoxic effects with a strong reduction in biomass yield that hinder the utilization of this technology. To overcome phytotoxicity the use of three immobilizing agents was evaluated. The results obtained showed that all the strategies decreased the mobile fractions of heavy metals in soil and increased the metal removal efficiency. In the case of Brassica juncea the best results for Zn and Ni were obtained after zeolites addition (Z-Soil) with an increase of about 6 times with respect to the value found in the O-Soil. In the case of Cu, the more efficient treatment was Ca(OH) 2 addition (Ca-Soil). The B. juncea plants accumulated Cu amounts 8 times greater than in the O-Soil. For this metal, relevant results were obtained also with compost, that increased the amount of Cu in the plants of 7 times with respect to the O-Soil. Similar results were obtained with Helianthus annuus the highest Zn and Ni accumulation was detected in the Z-Soil and compost-treated soils (C-Soil), with an increase of nearly 11 times with respect to the accumulation in the O-Soil. In the case of Cu the highest increase of total uptake was found in the C-Soil: 28 times higher than in the O-Soil. Total accumulation in Poa annua plants showed the highest removal efficiency in the Z-Soil for all metals. The values obtained increased of 4, 11 and 12 times for Cu, Zn and Ni, respectively.
Neuroendocrine regulation of stress in birds with an emphasis on vasotocin receptors (VTRs)

The neuroendocrine stress response of vertebrates, particularly mammals, comprises at least two types of neuropeptide containing neurons, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP) neurons, and four receptors [CRH receptor one (CRH-R1) and two (CRH-R2) and VP receptor 1a (V1aR) and 1b (V1bR)]. The avian neuropeptide CRH, a 41-amino acid peptide, has been shown to have the same amino acid sequence as humans while nonapeptide neurohormone arginine-vasotocin (AVT) is regarded as highly conserved having a single amino acid substitution compared to mammalian arginine vasopressin. Similar to mammals, birds have two receptor subtypes (CRH-R1 and CRH-R2) for CRH, however, four vasotocin receptors have been identified. Less is known about the functions of the four avian vasotocin receptors compared to homologous ones found in mammals and other vertebrate classes. Recently, chicken vasotocin receptor two (VT2R) and four (VT4R) have been characterized utilizing immunocytochemistry and an imposed stress test. The purpose of this review is to present evidence that the VT2R and VT4R are involved in the avian stress response and that the cephalic lobe of the anterior pituitary appears specialized for this function as it contains the major population of corticotropes and necessary neuroendocrine receptors to respond to stressors impacting avian species.
PANTHEISM RECONSTRUCTED: ECOTHEOLOGY AS A SUCCESSOR TO THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN, ENLIGHTENMENT, AND POSTMODERNIST PARADIGMS

. The Judeo-Christian, Enlightenment, and postmodernist paradigms have become intellectually and ethically exhausted. They are obviously failing to provide a conceptual framework conducive to eliminating some of humanity's worst scourges, including war and environmental destruction. This raises the issue of a successor, which necessitates a reexamination of first principles, starting with our concept of God. Pantheism, which is differentiated from panentheism, denies the existence of a transcendent, supernatural creator and instead asserts that God and the universe are one and the same. Understood via intuition, modern cosmology, and other natural sciences, it offers an alternative worldview that posits the divine and sacred nature of the universe/creation. By asserting the fallacy of the creator/creation dichotomy and any attempts to anthropomorphize or personalize God, pantheism precludes hubris stemming from erroneous notions of divine favoritism. The links between Judeo-Christianity and the Enlightenment are traced and a case made that the latter has resulted in the equally erroneous and hubristic notion of human ascendancy to a Godlike status, with the concept of progress providing a secular version of the Christian belief in salvation. By reestablishing the natural sciences’metanarrative, even as it asserts the divinity of the material universe, pantheism simultaneously demotes postmodernism and reconciles science with religion. Pantheism provides a theological foundation for deep ecology and also stakes out a viable third position in relation to the ongoing dispute between advocates of intelligent design and the scientific establishment.
Choroid plexus papilloma: light and electron microscopic study of three cases.

Three cases of choroid plexus papilloma were studied by light and electron microscopy. All had the typical papillary pattern, and, in addition, two exhibited solid areas of tumor growth which predominated in one case. PAS positive (diastase resistant) and argyrophilic cytoplasmic inclusions were present in all three tumors but were particularly abundant in the predominantly solid one. Ultrastructurally, the inclusions appeared as irregularly shaped structures containing lipid droplets, filamentous material and microtubules, and resembled the “silver bodies” of Biondi found in normal choroid plexus. Along with other ultrastructural features of normal choroid plexus, these cytoplasmic inclusions may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of papillary tumors involving the ventricular system.
Microstructural Evolution in Ti-5111 Friction Stir Welds

The microstructural evolution occurring during friction stir welding of a near-α titanium alloy, Ti-5111, has been examined by backscattered electron imaging and electron backscatter diffraction. The unaffected baseplate (BP) microstructure consists of millimeter-scale prior β grains containing ~100 μm large colonies of aligned α laths, related to each other by a strain-accommodating Burgers orientation relationship. The α laths are separated by fine, 100 to 150-nm-thick, interlath β ribs. A heat-affected zone (HAZ) is observed ~1.5 to 2.5 mm from the tool surface, characterized by a thickening of the β ribs and the formation of secondary α platelets within them closer to the tool. There is a narrow thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ), comprised of outer and inner regions, observed ~1.0 to 1.5 mm from the tool surface. Deformation is first observed in a ~200-μm-wide outer TMAZ, where the microstructure is refined through an increase in fine secondary (α laths) α laths and the lattice orientations rotate to align the close-packed \(\langle{11\bar{2}0}\rangle\) directions with the shear direction (SD). Continued deformation closer to the tool produces periodic shear bands within a ~300-μm-wide inner TMAZ, resulting in alternating regions of material that are deformed below and above the β transus. Material in the stir zone (SZ) within ~1 mm of the tool surface consists of fine (~10 to 20-μm diameter) equiaxed prior β grains that are delineated by ~500-nm-thick α and contain 150-500-nm thick α laths. The texture exhibits both \(D_1({\bar{1}\bar{1}{2}})[111]\) bcc and \({P_1({1}\bar{1}00)}[11\bar{2}0]\) hcp shear texture components, indicating that this material exceeded the β transus during welding.
Inhibition of gram-positive bacteria by Mucor pusillus.

Abstract Culture filtrates of Mucor pusillus NRRL 2543 contained an inhibitory substance active against Gram-positive microorganisms. Common organic solvents failed to extract the inhibitor. The active principle was precipitated by ammonium sulfate and ethanol, which suggested that it may be a polypeptide-type compound.
Stress Deformation and Fluid Pressure of Bone Specimens under Cyclic Loading

Cyclic loading has been known to induce fluid flow and thus mechanotransduction in bones. In the past, four-point bending tests have been used exclusively in studying fluid flow in bones. In order to better understand the mechanism of deformation and fluid flow under loading, compression tests were done on trabecular bone specimens under drained and undrained conditions. In the drained tests, the volume change was observed, whereas in the undrained tests, excess pore fluid pressure was measured. Cyclic loading tests were conducted in addition to monotonic loading tests to observe the permanent volume change or excess pore fluid pressure with loading cycles. A fast loading rate gave a sharp rise in the excess fluid pressure compared to a slow loading rate. The strength and stiffness of the specimens appeared to deteriorate with an increased speed of loadings, but there was no appreciable difference between the results obtained from drained and undrained tests. The drained and undrained tests as described allowed a better understanding of bone behavior under loadings for a coupled stress-flow analysis.
Extreme domain wall - black hole complementarity in N=1 supergravity with a general dilaton coupling

Abstract We study supersymmetric (extreme) domain walls in four-dimensional (4 d ) N =1 supergravity theories with a general dilaton coupling α>0. Type I walls, which are static, planar (say, in ( x , y ) plane) configurations, interpolate between Minkowski space-time and a vacuum with a varying dilaton field. We classify their global space-time with respect to the value of the coupling α . N =1 supergravity with α =1, an effective theory from superstrings, provides a dividing line between the theories with α > 1, where there is a naked (planar) singularity on one side of the wall, and the theories with α t , z ) direction) of the extreme walls with the coupling α is the same as the global space-time (in ( t , r ) direction) of the extreme magnetically charged black holes with the coupling 1/α.
Transcriptional Activation of the Escherichia coli Adaptive Response Gene aidB Is Mediated by Binding of Methylated Ada Protein EVIDENCE FOR A NEW CONSENSUS SEQUENCE FOR Ada-BINDING SITES

The Escherichia coli aidB gene is part of the adaptive response to DNA methylation damage. Genes belonging to the adaptive response are positively regulated by the ada gene; the Ada protein acts as a transcriptional activator when methylated in one of its cysteine residues at position 69. Through DNaseI protection assays, we show that methylated Ada (meAda) is able to bind a DNA sequence between 40 and 60 base pairs upstream of the aidB transcriptional startpoint. Binding of meAda is necessary to activate transcription of the adaptive response genes; accordingly, in vitro transcription of aidB is dependent on the presence of meAda. Unmethylated Ada protein shows no protection against DNaseI digestion in the aidB promoter region nor does it promote aidB in vitro transcription. The aidB Ada-binding site shows only weak homology to the proposed consensus sequences for Ada-binding sites in E. coli (AAANNAA and AAAGCGCA) but shares a higher degree of similarity with the Ada-binding regions from other bacterial species, such as Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis. Based on the comparison of five different Ada-dependent promoter regions, we suggest that a possible recognition sequence for meAda might be AATnnnnnnG-CAA. Higher concentrations of Ada are required for the binding of aidB than for the ada promoter, suggesting lower affinity of the protein for the aidB Ada-binding site. Common features in the Ada-binding regions of ada and aidB are a high A/T content, the presence of an inverted repeat structure, and their position relative to the transcriptional start site. We propose that these elements, in addition to the proposed recognition sequence, are important for binding of the Ada protein.
Irrigation-dependent wetlands versus instream flow enhancement: economics of water transfers from agriculture to wildlife uses.

Irrigated agriculture throughout western North America faces increasing pressure to transfer water to nonagricultural uses, including instream flows for fish and wildlife management. In an important case, increased instream flows are needed in Nebraska’s Platte River for recovery of threatened and endangered fish and wildlife species. Irrigated agriculture in the Laramie Basin of southeast Wyoming is a potential water source for the effort to enhance instream flow. However, flood irrigation of hayfields in the Laramie Basin has created many wetlands, both ephemeral and permanent, over the last century. Attempting to increase Platte River instream flows by purchasing water rights or improving irrigation efficiency in the Laramie Basin would transform irrigated agriculture, causing a substantial fraction of the Laramie Basin’s wetlands to be lost. A creative solution is needed to prevent the sacrifice of one ecosystem on behalf of another. A rotating short-term water-leasing program is proposed. The program allows Laramie Basin producers to contribute to instream flows while continuing to support local wetlands. Permanent wetland desiccation is prevented and regional environmental water needs are met without impairing local ecological resources. Budget analysis is used to provide an initial cost estimate for acquiring water from agriculture through the short-term leasing program. The proposed approach is more expensive than traditional programs but allows contribution to instream flows without major wetland loss. Short-term leasing is a more efficient approach if benefits from wetlands exceed the difference in cost between the short-term lease program and programs that do not conserve wetlands.
Reinventing Marketing to Manage the Environmental Imperative

Abstract Marketers in the past have based their strategies on the assumption of infinite resources and zero environmental impact. With the growing recognition of finite resources and high environmental costs, marketers need to reexamine their theory and practices. They need to revise their policies on product development, pricing, distribution, and branding. The recent financial meltdown has added another layer of concern as consumers adjust their lifestyles to a lower level of income and spending. Companies must balance more carefully their growth goals with the need to pursue sustainability. Increased attention will be paid to employing demarketing and social marketing thinking to meet the new challenges.
Energy gaps measured by scanning tunneling microscopy

A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has been used to measure energy gaps in the charge-density-wave (CDW) phases of the layer-structure dichalcogenides and in the high-temperature superconductor ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8}$. Measured values of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathrm{CDW}}$ at 4.2 K for 2H-${\mathrm{TaSe}}_{2}$, 2H-${\mathrm{TaS}}_{2}$, and 2H-${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{2}$ are 80, 50, and 34 meV giving values of 2${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathrm{CDW}}$/${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ equal to 15.2, 15.4, and 23.9, indicating strong coupling in these CDW systems. Measured values of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathrm{CDW}}$ at 4.2 K in 1T-${\mathrm{TaSe}}_{2}$ and 1T-${\mathrm{TaS}}_{2}$ are \ensuremath{\sim}150 meV for both materials giving 2${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}_{\mathrm{CDW}}$/${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$\ensuremath{\approxeq}5.8. STM scans of ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ at 4.2 K resolve atoms on the ${\mathrm{BiO}}_{\mathit{x}}$ layer and show possible variations in electronic structure. The energy gap determined from I versus V and dI/dV versus V curves is in the range 30--35 meV giving values of 2\ensuremath{\Delta}/${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$\ensuremath{\approxeq}8. Spectroscopy measurements with the STM can exhibit large zero-bias anomalies which complicate the analysis of the energy-gap structure, but adequate separation has been accomplished.
An educational laboratory in contemporary digital design

Formal education in computer architecture rests upon the integration of numerous specialized courses. One such course, a new laboratory concerning contemporary, register-transfer level digital design, is described. Design in the course proceeds at the level of interconnection of memories, arithmetic logic units, I/O interfaces, and buses, rather than at the individual gate level associated with traditional combinational and sequential logic design. The principle items of hardware used in the laboratory are DEC Register Transfer Modules, the DEC PDP/16M, and the INTEL SIM8-01 Microcomputer. Numerous software packages have been developed to support activities within the lab including an RTM simulator, a graphical simulation of an RTM control sequencer, a PDP/16M assembler, a microcode generator, and SIM8-01 utility routine, assembler, and simulator. During one fourteen-week term, students are expected to complete six assigned lab projects and one special project. Examples of projects are described. A critique based upon the students' reactions and the technician's experience with the equipment is given together with proposals for future additions to the course.
Theory of scattering from multilayered bodies of arbitrary shape

Abstract Green 's functions and boundary integral equation methods are used to derive a matrix set of equations for scattering from a multilayered homogeneous elastic body embedded in an infinite elastic material. The surfaces separating the layers have arbitrary shape. The formalism for the three-layer material is derived in detail and generalized to N -layers. A matrix factorization method (MFM) is shown to considerably simplify the computational problem. The relation to the problems of acoustic waves in fluids and electromagnetic waves in a dielectric material is briefly indicated.
Benzene: Environmental partitioning and human exposure

A multimedia transport model was used to evaluate the environmental partitioning of benzene. Measured and predicted environmental concentrations were used to estimate the accumulation of benzene in the food chain and the subsequent extent of human exposure from inhalation and ingestion. Results show that benzene partitions mainly into air (99.9%) and that inhalation is the dominant pathway of human exposure, accounting for more than 99% of the total daily intake of benzene. Ingestion of contaminated food items represents only a minor pathway of human exposure. The long-term average daily intake of benzene by the general population of the U.S. was estimated using three independent methods. Intake estimates based on measured personal air exposures, measured exhaled air concentrations, and a pharmacokinetically derived adipose tissue concentration (73, 63, and 72 micrograms/day, respectively) are in good agreement. Although inhalation is the primary route of human exposure to background levels of benzene in the environment, smoking was found to be the largest anthropogenic source of background human exposure to benzene.
Magnetic Field Dependence of Ultrasonic Attenuation in Metals at Low Temperatures

A theory of the effect of a constant magnetic field on the behavior of ultrasonic attenuation in normal metals at low temperatures of the order of liquid helium temperatures is given. The ideas are of the same kind as those suggested by Pippard to account for the attenuation in the absence of an external field. The different geometries are specified by the directions of three vectors, the wave vector q of the acoustic wave, the direction of polarization ${\mathbf{u}}_{0}$, and the external magnetic field ${\mathbf{H}}_{0}$. The analysis shows that, for a transverse wave polarized in the direction of ${\mathbf{H}}_{0}$ (i.e., ${\mathbf{u}}_{0}$ and ${\mathbf{H}}_{0}$ are parallel and both are perpendicular to q) the attenuation decreases as ${|{\mathbf{H}}_{0}|}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ for large fields. When ${\mathbf{u}}_{0}$ and ${\mathbf{H}}_{0}$ are perpendicular and q is perpendicular to both, the attenuation increases as ${|{\mathbf{H}}_{0}|}^{2}$ for large|${\mathbf{H}}_{0}$|. For a wave such that ${\mathbf{u}}_{0}$ and q are parallel and ${\mathbf{H}}_{0}$ is perpendicular to q, the attenuation increases asymptotically to a constant value as ${|\mathbf{H}}_{0}$| increases. The maxima and minima obtained experimentally by Morse and co-workers cannot be explained on this model. An absorption similar to that occurring in cyclotron resonance absorption is obtained in the attenuation of transverse waves (${\mathbf{u}}_{0}$ perpendicular to q) when ${\mathbf{H}}_{0}$ is parallel to q.
Collection of inertialess particles on elliptical and irregular cylinders with electrical forces and gravitation

Abstract Particle trajectories and collection efficiencies are predicted for the collection of fine, inertialess, charged particles on a single elliptical-cylinder or ribbon collector in a gaseous flow field under the influence of electrical forces and gravitation. The two electrical forces considered are the coulombic-type force with a charged collector combined with the force due to a uniform external electric field directed at an arbitrary angle to the flow. Theory indicates the method of solution to be independent of the shape of the cylindrical collector. For any given collector geometry, results show that, under many conditions, the collection efficiency and deposition density are the same for a wide variety of stationary incompressible flows. With the coulombic force alone, particle collection is independent of both collector geometry and the flow field.
Rhodopsin-iCre transgenic mouse line for Cre-mediated rod-specific gene targeting.

Retinal photoreceptors are highly differentiated postmitotic neurons that transduce photons into electrical signals. While the functions of many photoreceptor-specific genes can be evaluated by direct gene targeting, here we facilitate the studies of nonphotoreceptor-specific genes in these cells by developing an Opsin-iCre transgenic mouse line, iCre-75, in which a 4-kb mouse rod opsin promoter drives the expression of bacteriophage P1 Cre recombinase. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that Cre recombinase is present exclusively in the outer nuclear layer of iCre75 mouse retina. Cre expression is found only in rods and not in cones. The expression level reached 188 ± 44 ng per retina at postnatal day (pnd) 11 and increased to 687 ± 56 ng at 2 months and older. Cre-mediated excision of floxed genomic DNA was absent at pnd 4, became detectable at pnd 7, and was completed by pnd 18. Retinal morphology and electroretinograms were normal in 8-month-old transgenic animals. The iCre-75 transgenic mice are thus suitable for future genetic studies of essential genes in retinal rod photoreceptors. genesis 41:73–80, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Off-Target Effects of the Septin Drug Forchlorfenuron on Nonplant Eukaryotes

ABSTRACT The septins are a family of GTP-binding proteins that form cytoskeletal filaments. Septins are highly conserved and evolutionarily ancient but are absent from land plants. The synthetic plant cytokinin forchlorfenuron (FCF) was shown previously to inhibit budding yeast cell division and induce ectopic septin structures (M. Iwase, S. Okada, T. Oguchi, and A. Toh-e, Genes Genet. Syst. 79:199–206, 2004, http://dx.doi.org/10.1266/ggs.79.199). Subsequent studies in a wide range of eukaryotes have concluded that FCF exclusively inhibits septin function, yet the mechanism of FCF action in nonplant cells remains poorly understood. Here, we report that the cellular effects of FCF are far more complex than previously described. The reported growth arrest of budding yeast cells treated with 1 mM FCF partly reflects sensitization caused by a bud4 mutation present in the W303 strain background. In wild-type (BUD4+) budding yeast, growth was inhibited at FCF concentrations that had no detectable effect on septin structure or function. Moreover, FCF severely inhibited the proliferation of fission yeast cells, in which septin function is nonessential. FCF induced fragmentation of budding yeast mitochondrial reticula and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Mitochondria also fragmented in cultured mammalian cells treated with concentrations of FCF that previously were assumed to target septins only. Finally, FCF potently inhibited ciliation and motility and induced mitochondrial disorganization in Tetrahymena thermophila without apparent alterations in septin structure. None of these effects was consistent with the inhibition of septin function. Our findings point to nonseptin targets as major concerns when using FCF.
Performance optimization of pipelined primary cache

The CPU cycle time of a high-performance processor is usually determined by the access time of the primary cache. As processors speeds increase, designers will have to increase the number of pipeline stages used to fetch data from the cache in order to reduce the dependence of CPU cycle time on cache access time. This paper studies the performance advantages of a pipelined cache for a GaAs implementation of the MIPS based architecture using a design methodology that includes long traces of multiprogrammed applications and detailed timing analysis. The study evaluates instruction and data caches with various pipeline depths, cache sizes, block sizes, and refill penalties. The impact on CPU cycle time of these alternatives is also factored into the evaluation. Hardware-based and software-based strategies are considered for hiding the branch and load delays which may be required to avoid pipeline hazards. The results show that software-based methods for mitigating the penalty of branch delays can be as successful as the hardware-based branch-target buffer approach, despite the code-expansion inherent in the software methods. The situation is similar for load delays; while hardware-based dynamic methods hide more delay cycles than do static approaches, they may give up the advantage by extending the cycle time. Because these methods are quite successful at hiding small numbers of branch and load delays, and because processors with pipelined caches also have shorter CPU cycle times and larger caches, a significant performance advantage is gained by using two to three pipeline stages to fetch data from the cache.
Relationships between diversity of interests, age, job satisfaction and job performance

The relationships between age and diversity of interests in general, and in job-specific occupational areas on the one hand, and salary treatment (as a measure of performance) and intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction on the other hand, were investigated for 291 scientists and engineers. Results for young and old but not intermediate-age subjects indicated that high diversity of interests in general occupational areas, as measured by the Strong Vocational Interest Blank, was related to a salary-based measure of performance. Diversity of interests in general and in job-specific occupational areas was linearly and positively related to intrinsic satisfaction. Age demonstrated a significant positive relationship to extrinsic satisfaction.
Commentary: Linking particulate matter and sulphur concentrations to air pollution annoyance: problems of measurement, scale and control

Jacquemin et al. address an important topic in the field of epidemiology and public health by increasing understanding of the triggers of air pollution annoyance across 25 population centres in 14 countries in Europe. No study, however commendable, is without its limitations and this one is no exception. We offer a commentary of their article ‘Annoyance Due to Air Pollution in Europe’ as a means to enhance future study of air pollution perceptions. Our assessment focuses on three elements of their research: (i) measurement of the dependent variable, air pollution annoyance; (ii) problems associated with the spatial scale used to estimate air pollution exposure and (iii) the exclusion of statistical controls routinely used in the risk perception literature.
Eukaryotic initiation factor 2-associated glycoprotein, p67, shows differential effects on the activity of certain kinases during serum-starved conditions.

Abstract Phosphorylation of the α-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 is the major regulatory step in the initiation of protein synthesis in mammals. P67, a cellular glycoprotein, protects phosphorylation of eIF2α from kinases. P67 has five conserved amino acid residues at the D251, D262, H331, E364, and E459 positions. To determine the roles of these conserved amino acid residues in eIF2α phosphorylation during serum-starved conditions, we constitutively expressed D251A, D262A, H331A, E364A, and E459A mutants in rat tumor hepatoma cells. We find that the point mutants D251A, H331A, and E364A lower the levels of eIF2α phosphorylation. These low levels of phosphorylation decrease when serum-starved cells are grown in medium containing serum. To understand the mechanism of action of the p67 mutants in eIF2α phosphorylation during serum-starvation, we performed detailed biochemical analyses with the D251A mutant. We find that neither the O-GlcNAc modification on the D251A mutant nor the binding of D251A mutant with eIF2γ has significant effects on eIF2α phosphorylation during serum-starved conditions. However, the D251A mutant inhibits p67’s activity to suppress the activity of ERK1/2. Our data suggest that both p67 and the D251A mutant bind to ERK1, thus strengthening the idea that p67 regulates the activity of ERK1. During serum-starvation conditions, both PKR and PERK are phosphorylated and the D251A mutant shows increased stability of PERK as well as a slight decrease in its activity. Altogether, our data provide evidence to suggest that p67 modulates the expression and activity of certain eIF2α-specific kinases.