cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of an extracellular Mn(II)-dependent peroxidase from the lignin-degrading basidiomycete, Phanerochaete chrysosporium

A Mn(II)-dependent peroxidase found in the extracellular medium of ligninolytic cultures of the white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, was purified by DEAE-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography, Blue Agarose chromatography, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis indicated that the homogeneous protein has an Mr of 46,000. The absorption spectrum of the enzyme indicates the presence of a heme prosthetic group. The pyridine hemochrome absorption spectrum indicates that the enzyme contained one molecule of heme as iron protoporphyrin IX. The absorption maximum of the native enzyme (406 nm) shifted to 433 nm in the reduced enzyme and to 423 nm in the reduced-CO complex. Both CN- and N-3 readily bind to the native enzyme, indicating an available coordination site and that the heme iron is high spin. The absorption spectrum of the H2O2 enzyme complex, maximum at 420 nm, is similar to that of horseradish peroxidase compound II. P. chrysosporium peroxidase activity is dependent on Mn(II), with maximal activity attained above 100 microM. The enzyme is also stimulated to varying degrees by alpha-hydroxy acids (e.g., malic, lactic) and protein (e.g., gelatin, albumin). The peroxidase is capable of oxidizing NADH and a wide variety of dyes, including Poly B-411 and Poly R-481. Several of the substrates (indigo trisulfonate, NADH, Poly B-411, variamine blue RT salt, and Poly R-481) are oxidized by this Mn(II)-dependent peroxidase at considerably faster rates than those catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase. The enzyme rapidly oxidizes Mn(II) to Mn(III); the latter was detected by the characteristic absorption spectrum of its pyrophosphate complex. Inhibition of the oxidation of the substrate diammonium 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethyl-6-benzothiazolinesulfonate) (ABTS) by Na-pyrophosphate suggests that Mn(III) plays a role in the enzyme mechanism.
Residual Nonmalignant Pulmonary Nodules in Choriocarcinoma

Successful chemotherapeutic treatment of metastatic choriocarcinoma of the lungs is usually accompanied by disappearance of the metastases on the roentgenogram and restoration of elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels to normal. A patient is presented who had residual persistent pulmonary nodules following chemotherapy despite a return of HCG levels to normal. Histologic examination of one of the persisting nodules revealed no residual tumor. Residual pulmonary nodules in choriocarcinoma can be assumed to be benign under the following circumstances: (1) the elevated HCG titers return to and remain in the normal range; (2) other metastases completely resolve; and (3) the residual nodules show no increase in size.
Abraxas and RAP80 Form a BRCA1 Protein Complex Required for the DNA Damage Response

The BRCT repeats of the breast and ovarian cancer predisposition protein BRCA1 are essential for tumor suppression. Phosphopeptide affinity proteomic analysis identified a protein, Abraxas, that directly binds the BRCA1 BRCT repeats through a phospho-Ser-X-X-Phe motif. Abraxas binds BRCA1 to the mutual exclusion of BACH1 (BRCA1-associated C-terminal helicase) and CtIP (CtBP-interacting protein), forming a third type of BRCA1 complex. Abraxas recruits the ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM)–containing protein RAP80 to BRCA1. Both Abraxas and RAP80 were required for DNA damage resistance, G2-M checkpoint control, and DNA repair. RAP80 was required for optimal accumulation of BRCA1 on damaged DNA (foci) in response to ionizing radiation, and the UIM domains alone were capable of foci formation. The RAP80-Abraxas complex may help recruit BRCA1 to DNA damage sites in part through recognition of ubiquitinated proteins.
On the convergence of spectral multigrid methods for solving periodic problems

The spectral multigrid method combines the efficiencies of the spectral method and the multigrid method. In this paper, we show that various spectral multigrid methods have constant convergence rates (independent of the number of unknowns in the linear system, to be solved) in their multilevel iterations for solving periodic problems.
Users and their needs: what do we really know about them?: report of a program

This program was sponsored by the ALCTS Collection Management & Development Section, Collection Development Issues for the Practitioner Committee, Continuing Education Committee and Quantitative Me...
A passive gust alleviation system for light aircraft

A passive aeromechanical gust alleviation system was examined for application to a Cessna 172. The system employs small auxiliary wings to sense changes in angle of attack and to drive the wing flaps to compensate the resulting incremental lift. The flaps also can be spring loaded to neutralize the effects of variations in dynamic pressure. Conditions for gust alleviation are developed and shown to introduce marginal stability if both vertical and horizontal gusts are compensated. Satisfactory behavior is realized if only vertical gusts are absorbed; however, elevator control is effectively negated by the system. Techniques to couple the elevator and flaps are demonstrated to restore full controllability without sacrifice of gust alleviation.
Resocializing Young Offenders in the Kibbutz

This article is based on a longitudinal study that examined the resocialization of 26 young offenders placed in separate kibbutzim within the framework of the Kibbutz Resocialization Program in lieu of the final third of their prison sentences. The offenders were interviewed and followed up for an average of 36.7 months. The findings of this study indicate that most of the offenders did not recidivate. They acquired social and work skills and changed their delinquent cognitions and deviant lifestyles. They enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces, found employment in the community or as kibbutz members and candidates, and married. Thus, by all these criteria, they were successfully rehabilitated.
Problem solving: Increased planning with practice

Two experiments using two isomorphs of the Tower of Hanoi show that participants increase the amount of planning they do as they learn that it increases problem solving efficiency. In addition, competition among different approaches emerged as participants gained more experience with the task, with an optimal strategy gradually replacing a less effective, though easier one. It is hypothesized that the competition among approaches is mediated by the costs incurred in terms of the number of moves needed to solve the problems. An ACT-R model of participant performance is used to validate this hypothesized mechanism and to examine many of the details of participants' performance. This model corresponds closely to the observed data, from overall performance in terms of number of moves to details of participants' strategy choices and variability in strategy use among individuals.
Seeking research-enhanced geoscience outreach that complements subject knowledge with pedagogical expertise

This new volume in Springer’s series on Innovations in Science Education and Technology, edited by Tong, provides a window into geoscience education outreach projects and programmes developed and i...
Structure of the cone photoreceptor mosaic in the retinal periphery of adult humans: analysis as a function of age, sex, and hemifield.

We have analyzed variation in the structure of the human photoreceptor mosaic as a function of age, sex, and retinal location using the nearest neighbor and density recovery profile methods. In contrast to most previous work, we have focused our analysis on the mid- and far-peripheral human retina. Video-enhanced differential interference contrast optics was used to characterize differences in the nasal and temporal periphery of unstained wholemounts from 12 males and 12 females ranging in age from 15- to 83-years-old. At sites matched for cone density (∼5,000 cones/mm2), the mosaic is far more orderly in the temporal than in the nasal periphery. This is true at all ages and in both sexes. Despite their increased local order, regularity ratios of adjacent temporal fields tend to be much more variable than are those of adjacent nasal fields. These marked nasal-temporal differences are eliminated when eccentricity is held constant and cone density is allowed to vary. There is a mild, statistically significant age-related decline in the regularity of the cone mosaic, but only in the nasal periphery. There are no significant differences in the precision of the cone mosaic between sexes. The equivalence of the regularity of the mosaic at matched eccentricities, but not at matched cone densities, suggests that the irregularity of the mosaic is secondary to developmental gradients and, more generally, to reduced selection for high acuity vision in the retinal periphery.
SU-FF-T-527: Patient's Variation On Tumor Control Probability for Lung Cancer Treatment

Purpose: Many protocols have been applied on Stereotactic Body Radio Therapy (SBRT) and Stereotactic Radio Surgery (SRS) for lungcancers. This work is to investigate the effect of patient variation on tumor control probabilities (TCP) for SBRT,SRS as well as standard fractionated radio therapy for lungcancer treatment. Method and Materials: Linear‐quadratic (LQ) model was used in our TCP analysis. Three different protocols were investigated with the same parameters for LQ model: 1 fraction with 22 Gy total dose, 4 fractions with 48 Gy total dose and 33 fractions with 6600 Gy total dose. The dose inhomogeneity was assumed with a Gaussian distribution with a deviation of σdose. The patient's variation of radio‐sensitivity for a population was added assuming Gaussian distributions for LQ parameters αand β with σα and σβ, respectively. Results: Although dose inhomogeneity's existence requires high total dose to achieve the same TCP, for most clinic cases, the dose increase is very limited and TCP could be evaluated base on single prescribed dose for these plans. Patient's variation σα has more impact on 33 fractions IMRT treatment, the total dose needs to increase by 15%, 19% and 26% to maintain 95% TCP in SRS,SBRT and IMRT when σα increases from 0.0 to 0.2. At the same time, Patient's variation σβ has more impact on SRS, the total dose needs to increase by 17%, 12% and 5% to keep 95% TCP in SRS,SBRT and IMRT while patient variation σβ increases from 0.0 to 0.2. Conclusion: LungSRS and SBRT provide better tumor control for lungcancer than standard IMRT. However, patient variation should be considered when SRS and SBRT are designed for lungcancer treatment. SRS and SBRT also may lead to more lung complications.
Fluids and the Heart Mountain fault revisited

Stable isotopic results from the Heart Mountain fault in northwestern Wyoming show that fluids migrated along the detachment during faulting. We report herein calcite (δ 18 O and δ 13 C values in fault breccias, shifted by as much as −15‰ o (relative to SMOW) and −5‰ o (relative to PDB), respectively, which demonstrate focusing of meteoric waters along the detachment. The isotopic depletions systematically increase toward the northwestern margin of the fault terrane, where Absaroka intrusive centers may have provided a source region for hydrothermal fluids. In addition, isotopic disequilibrium between vein and wallrock samples and enhanced 18 O and 13 C depletions in lower-plate calcite veins suggest that the fluids were externally derived and migrated upward to the detachment. We advocate a model in which Heart Mountain faulting and syntectonic fluid flow occurred beneath a continuous allochthon.
Microfabricated Shear-Stress Sensors, Part 3: Reducing Calibration Uncertainty

A calibration procedure for wall shear-stress sensors based on continuum isothermal compressible e ow has been developed. Microfabricated electromechanical e oating element sensors for direct measurement of wall shear stress are chosen for calibration. The calibration equation states a linear relation between the channel height and the calibrated shear stress, resulting in an overall calibration uncertainty as a result of inaccuracy in the channel height measurement. A novel microstrip technique using basic principles of microwave engineering is used to measure the channel height with a high degree of accuracy. The uncertainties involved in the measurement of all of the parameters that are related in any way to the calibration equation are identie ed, measured, evaluated, and integrated into the equation to obtain a complete error analysis of the calibration procedure. The calibration of shear-stress sensors is successfully completed with an overall accuracy of 2%.
COXSACKIE VIRUS INFECTIONS: CLINICAL AND LABORATORY STUDIES.

The Coxsackie viruses are recognized as important causes of illness in infants, children,and adults. This report presents data from studies of hospitalized patients and from children followed longitudinally for viral infections which attest to the ubiquitous nature and perennial occurrence of these viruses. The viruses were more frequently recovered in monkey kidney cell cultures than in a continuous cell culture of skin. The Coxsackie viruses were isolated from patients with a wide spectrum of clinical illness and from many who had no apparent illness.
Use of Trimethyl Borate as a Chemical Ionization Reagent for the Analysis of Biologically Active Molecules

The use of dimethoxyborinium ion as a chemical ionization reagent for biologically active organic molecules containing functional groups of Lewis basicity was investigated. Both the efficiency of borinium adduct formation and the degree of structural information obtained from collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) spectra of the adducts were evaluated relative to that of the protonated molecules. The borinium ion adducts include two main species: [M+73]+, which corresponds to the analyte bound to one dimethoxy borinium ion, and the [M+41]+ species, which corresponds to the [M+73]+ adduct after a loss of methanol. CAD of these dimethoxyborinium ion adducts often yields a large number of fragments. While fragments may not occur in high yield, they may serve as highly effective fingerprints which are useful for compound identification. Mechanistic explanations for some of the predominant fragments are proposed in an attempt to rationalize the structures of the borinium ion adducts. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
An instrument for measuring thermal neutron flux

AN INSTRUMENT has been developed to measure thermal neutron flux directly and automatically in the range from 1013 to 1014 neutrons per square centimeter per second at ambient temperatures up to 350 C. When two nearly identical elements, one containing enriched, and the other natural uranium are placed together in a neutron flux, a temperature difference will exist between them caused by fissioning in the fueled element. Since both are heated equally by gamma radiation, this temperature difference can be related to neutron flux. If the element containing natural uranium is heated electrically to the temperature of the fueled element, the electric power required will be proportional to the difference in heat generated between the two elements and to the neutron flux. The system, shown in Fig. 1, functions as follows: When a temperature differential exists because of fissioning in the sensing element, the electric potential in the differential thermocouple actuates a proportioning controller, which regulates the power output of a magnetic amplifier supplying electric heating power to the balancing element. This automatic adjustment of power to the balancing element continues until the temperature difference between the sensing and balancing element is zero. The equivalent of the net fission power is read directly from a wattmeter.
Position of probe determines prognostic information of brain tissue PO2 in severe traumatic brain injury.

Progress in the management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) has largely been through improvements in prehospital care, development of imaging techniques, and improved neurocritical care management. No specific therapies have been shown to improve neurological recovery. The major goal of neurocritical care management is to prevent secondary brain injury. Present strategies in the management of patients with brain injury revolve around maintaining and improving cerebral oxidative metabolism.1 Monitoring brain tissue PO2 (PbtO2) is part of multimodality monitoring of patients with TBI and is becoming more widely used in the management of patients with TBI, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and other acute neurological problems.2,3 PbtO2 monitoring in patients with TBI may help optimize cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) by providing continuous data regarding regional or global brain oxygenation, and PbtO2-directed therapies may improve outcome.4,5 However, PbtO2 measurement is a localized sampling of only a small area of tissue immediately surrounding the sensor tip. Because of the heterogeneous nature of the brain injury in TBI and such localized measurement of the PbtO2 with this technique, probe position is a critical aspect in correctly interpreting the resulting data. In general, placement of the PbtO2 probe in normal brain is thought to give a measure of global brain tissue oxygenation, whereas the probe placed in or near injured brain reflects only local oxygenation in the surrounding brain tissue. Probe location (within normal brain vs injured brain) can therefore influence the detection of cerebral hypoxia and consequently patient management. There has been no general consensus on which position is the best strategy for brain tissue oxygen monitoring after severe TBI, and often the probe is placed on the basis of convenience (ie, at the site of the intracranial pressure [ICP] monitor) rather than as a result of a strategic clinical decision. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of catheter location on the relationship between PbtO2 and long-term neurological outcome.
The case for improving vitamin D status

Evidence from both physiological experiments and randomized trials demonstrates that elevating vitamin D status above levels prevailing in the North American and European adult populations improves calcium absorption and reduces fall risk and osteoporotic fractures. Additionally observational data suggest that raising vitamin D status protects against various cancers and autoimmune disorders as well. Hence a strong case can be made for immediate improvement in vitamin D status of the general population.
A parietal–temporal sensory–motor integration area for the human vocal tract: Evidence from an fMRI study of skilled musicians

Several sensory-motor integration regions have been identified in parietal cortex, which appear to be organized around motor-effectors (e.g., eyes, hands). We investigated whether a sensory-motor integration area might exist for the human vocal tract. Speech requires extensive sensory-motor integration, as does other abilities such as vocal musical skills. Recent work found that a posterior superior temporal-parietal region, area Spt, has both sensory (auditory) and motor response properties (for both speech and tonal stimuli). Brain activity of skilled pianists was measured with fMRI while they listened to a novel melody and either covertly hummed the melody (vocal tract effectors) or covertly played the melody on a piano (manual effectors). Activity in area Spt was significantly higher for the covert hum versus covert play condition. A region in the anterior IPS (aIPS) showed the reverse pattern, suggesting its involvement in sensory-manual transformations. This finding suggests that area Spt is a sensory-motor integration area for vocal tract gestures.
Parametric Study of Nanopore Versus Analyte Dimensions for Viral Detection Optimization

Developing our ability to quickly and accurately assess the presence of potentially harmful biomaterials is an essential endeavor for several reasons, including public health and national security. In particular, current approaches for detecting viruses are quite sensitive, but often require labeling for virus identification and may take hours for detection and up to several days for confirmation.The resistive pulse technique was introduced in 1970 as a candidate for rapid, label-free viral sensing in which viruses suspended in an electrolyte were driven through a single pore hundreds of nanometers in diameter embedded in a micron-thick polymer membrane. By characterizing the magnitude and duration of ionic current blockages, the virion's size and geometry could be extracted. However, due to the dimensions of the system relative to the size of viruses (∼25nm to 600nm), these early devices could not achieve the sensitivity required. Recently, researchers have taken advantage of developments in nanofabrication techniques to create smaller pores and thinner membranes to address device sensitivity.Building on these recent reports, we systematically investigate the role of membrane thickness and pore diameter relative to the size of the analyte using a focused ion beam to prepare nanopores in silicon nitride membranes. Employing synthetic nanospheres as models for viral particles, we explore a representative range of particle sizes to optimize device performance. In doing so, we aim to not only present a more complete assessment of the limitations of this approach (including the need for tailored pores or multiplexed platforms to detect a broad range of viruses) but also illustrate pathways to address these through straightforward modifications to the fundamental sensor design.This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. LLNL-ABS-502091
Airway narrowing in healthy humans inhaling methacholine without deep inspirations demonstrated by HRCT.

Normal subjects prevented from taking a deep breath show changes in airflow similar to those of asthmatics when challenged with methacholine (MCh). To confirm airway narrowing by MCh in this setting and to determine its location, we concurrently measured changes in airway lumenal area using high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and airflow using partial spirometry in five normal subjects challenged with increasing doses of MCh under prohibition of deep breaths. In an attempt to improve imaging accuracy, we corrected for the changes in lung volume during bronchoprovocation. At every step of the provocation, scanning was performed at approximately the same lung volume. On the HRCT images, airway area decreased in response to the increasing doses of MCh to 91 ± 2%, 88 ± 2%, and 80 ± 2% of baseline at the doses of MCh 0.25, 0.75, and 2.5 mg/ml, respectively (p < 0.001). Airway narrowing showed no predilection for particular airway sizes and occurred in a heterogeneous pattern. The changes in the mean air...
Evaluation of a Formal Methodology for Developing Aircraft Vertical Flight Guidance Training Material

Aircraft automation, particularly the automation surrounding vertical navigation, has been cited as an area of training difficulty and a source of confusion during operation. A number of incidents have been attributed to a lack of crew understanding of what automation is doing. This paper describes the translation of information from a formal methodology used in design of automated vertical guidance system to a training package, and an experiment that tested the new training.
The quadrupole coupling constant of HNC

The letter reports resolved measurements of the quadrupole hyperfine structure of HNC (hydrogen isocyanide). These measurements were made in the direction of the cool interstellar dust cloud L134, and were used to make an experimental determination of a fundamental spectroscopic constant of HNC, its quadrupole coupling constant.
Isolation, characterization, and mapping of gene encoding dihydrolipoyl succinyltransferase (E2k) of human [alpha]-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex

We have isolated and sequenced cDNAs representing the full-length (2987-bp) gene for dihydrolipoyl succinyltransferase (E2k component) of the humanα-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase comple (KGDHC) from a human fetal brain cDNA library. The E2k cDNA was mapped to human chromosome 14 using a somatic cell hybrid panel, and more precisely to band 14q24.3 by in situ hybridization. This cDNA also cross-hybridized to an apparent E2k pseudogene on chromosome 1p31. Northern analysis revealed the E2k gene to be ubiquitously expressed in peripheral tissues and brain. Interestingly, chromosome 14q24.3 has recently been reported to contain gene defects for an early-onset form of familial Alzheimer's disease and for Machado-Joseph disease. Future studies will be necessary to determine whether the E2k gene plays a role in either of these two disorders.
Cardiac interstitium in health and disease: the fibrillar collagen network

Composed of type I and III collagens, the valve leaflets, chordae tendineae and collagen matrix of the myocardium form a structural continuum. Synthesized by cardiac fibroblasts, these fibrillar collagens support and tether myocytes to maintain their alignment, whereas their respective tensile strength and resilience resist the deformation, maintain the shape and thickness, prevent the rupture and contribute to the passive and active stiffness of the myocardium. An acquired or congenital defect in this collagen network can lead to abnormalities in myocardial architecture, mechanics or valve function. In the hypertrophic process that accompanies a pressure overload, for example, increased collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation and a structural and biochemical remodeling of the matrix are seen. This includes distinctive patterns of reparative and reactive myocardial fibrosis, each of which alters diastolic and systolic myocardial stiffness and may lead to pathologic hypertrophy. Alternatively, a loss of collagen tethers or decline in matrix tensile strength can be responsible for regional or global transformations in myocardial architecture and function seen in the reperfused ("stunned") myocardium and in dilated (idiopathic) cardiopathy. Inherited disorders in the transcriptional and posttranslational processing of collagen can also alter the biophysical properties of the network. Future studies into collagen gene regulation, gene switching events and the control of collagen synthesis and degradation are needed to develop a more complete understanding of the relation between the collagen network and acquired and inherited forms of heart disease and to utilize therapeutics that will prevent, retard or regress abnormal collagen matrix remodeling.
Mannosyltransfer reactions in rabbit liver microsomes.

Abstract Rabbit liver microsomes catalyzed mannosyltransfer from GDP-[14C]mannose to free D -mannose resulting in the synthesis of α-1,2-, α-1,3-, and α-1,6-mannosyl-mannose. Whereas formation of α-1,2-mannosyl-mannose was stimulated by the addition of manganese chloride or nickel chloride and was inhibited by EDTA, synthesis of α-1,3-mannosyl-mannose was unaffected by manganese or EDTA and was inhibited by nickel. Formation of α-1,6-mannosyl-mannose appeared to be stimulated by manganese and inhibited by nickel. These results suggest that three different mannosyltransferases were involved in the synthesis of mannosyl-mannose glycosidic linkages in rabbit liver.
Fireworks and Other Profane Illuminations: Color and the Experience of Wonder in Modern Visual Culture

Laura Anne Kalba is an assistant professor of art history at Smith College in Northampton, MA. The research presented here is partially derived from her book project, tentatively titled Color in the Age of Impressionism: Technology, Commerce, and Art, which examines the impact of new color technologies on French material and visual culture from the early commercialization of synthetic dyes to the Lumiere brothers’ perfection of the autochrome photography process. Fireworks and Other Profane Illuminations: Color and the Experience of Wonder in Modern Visual Culture
dc-Induced Optical Second-Harmonic Generation in the Inert Gases

We have measured dc-induced optical second-harmonic generation by a focused laser beam; we verify the predicted dependence on geometric and physical parameters, thus providing a novel method of probing the confocal parameter at the laser focus. In addition, we have deduced values of ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\mathrm{yyyy}}(\ensuremath{-}2\ensuremath{\omega};0,\ensuremath{\omega},\ensuremath{\omega})$ for the inert gases, and we find good general agreement with various other data.
Los sermones de ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib en la confluencia entre las enseñanzas islámicas del Corán y la ética cultural basada en las tradiciones orales sobre la naturaleza de la Arabia del siglo VII

Sermons attributed to ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib (c. 600-661, first Shi‘a imam and fourth Sunni caliph) promoted core Qur’anic doctrine and ethics through an aesthetic steeped in the oral, nature-based, poetic culture of seventh-century Arabia. Using traditional Arabian metaphors of camels, watering holes, and pithy, rhythmic, orality-grounded cadences, ‘Ali urged his audience to worship the One God, follow the guidance of His prophet Muhammad, shun worldliness, perform good deeds, and prepare for the imminent hereafter. Through a close reading of his most celebrated discourses, this paper explores these teachings and their religious and cultural underpinnings.
Optical space communications and networks

Optical space communications is now a reality. It will be a key building block for wide-area space data networks of the future. This new technology will provide quantum-leap improvements to satellite network performance and cost and have profound transforming effects on space system architectures and applications.
Purification of dihydrofolic reductase from chicken liver by affinity chromatography

Summary The procedure for coupling methotrexate (4-amino-10-methylpteroylglutamic acid) to Sepharose via a six carbon chain is described. An affinity column prepared from this material quantitatively adsorbs the dihydrofolic reductase activity from a partially purified extract of chicken liver. Elution of the enzyme readily occurs with dilute K 2 HPO 4 in the presence of dihydrofolate. Approximately 250-fold purification occurs by affinity chromatography yielding a preparation which appears to be homogeneous.
T-cell colonies recognize antigen in association with specific epitopes on Ia molecules

The products of the I region of the major histocompatibility complex have a role in many immunological processes and are intimately involved with, if not identical to, the genes controlling specific immune responses (Ir). Alloantibodies to I region-associated (Ia) antigens have proved extremely useful in defining the relationship between la antigens and Ir gene product function1. We have recently reported data which suggest that monoclonal anti-Ia antibodies interact with different epitopes (antigenic determinants) on macrophage Ia molecules and that distinct epitopes, though on the same Ia molecule, are recognized by T cells in association with different antigens or antigen fragments2. We have now used these monoclonal xenogeneic antibodies to guinea pig Ia antigens together with antigen-specific T-cell colonies to analyse further the role of macrophage Ia antigens in T-cell activation. We demonstrate here that the proliferative responses of individual antigen-specific T-cell colonies were often completely inhibited by only one of several anti-Ia monoclonal antibodies. These results strongly support the notion that monoclonal anti-Ia antibodies can be used to define epitopes on Ia molecules that have unique functions in the activation of antigen-specific T cells, and that individual T-cell colonies recognize antigen in association with functionally distinct epitopes on Ia molecules.
Generation of Coherent Ultraviolet Radiation by Efficient Frequency Conversion Based on Nitride Heterostructures

We show that waveguides made of GaN/AlGaN heterostructures can be used for efficient parametric up and down conversion under transverse geometry. The conversion efficiency for generation of coherent ultraviolet radiation reaches 1%.
Winning plays and winning ways in master customer management

Business has undergone phenomenal change in the past 20 years as a result of various economic, social, and political events including Black Monday in 1987, the reunification of Germany in 1990, Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Netscape's world famous 1995 initial public offering, the Thai Baht and Russian currency crisis of 1998, the technology wreck of 2000, and the credit crunch of 2007. Looking at change from a cumulative economic perspective, China today stands third to the United States powerhouse as measured by its contribution to global gross domestic product. This is in stark contrast to China's relevance in the early 1980s, where she was merely a blip on the economic world stage. So what does this change, in its various forms - emergent, episodic, incremental, continuous, transitional, transformative - mean? Quite simply, it means opportunity even for the most cynical personalities out there.
Application of network theory to the analysis of rotating machinery part II ¿ Commutating machines

The procedure used in arriving at the differential equations of the commutating machine is identical to that used on the noncommutating machines discussed in reference 1. However, the techniques used in processing the resulting equations is somewhat different. In the study of commutating machines, two problems are of interest: 1. How can the machine be analyzed along with its associated network to determine the external characteristics? 2. Will the machine commutate satisfactorily under the conditions of operation?
The effects of acute stress on learning and memory in bumblebees

Abstract Stress has complex effects on learning and memory, depending on both the type of stress and when the animal experiences it. Honeybees and bumblebees are agriculturally important pollinators for whom the effects of stress are extremely relevant. These pollinators are often transported long distances during which colonies experience severe physical disturbance, causing stress to individuals prior to their release for pollination. Under natural foraging conditions, bees are excellent at learning about the flowers they forage from, including associations between floral stimuli and rewards. However, it is not clear how stress might affect bees’ abilities to learn and remember floral features. Here we address the effects of acute stress on learning and memory in the bumble bee, Bombus impatiens. Using the Proboscis Extension Response (PER) protocol, we look at stress effects on learning and memory in three experiments. After being trained to a conditioned stimulus, we addressed: (1) the effect of 24 h and (2) 30 min of stress on the recall of this learned association and (3) the effect of stress on subsequently learning an association. We found that 24 h of stress after learning appeared to improve memory recall, and there was a trend in the same direction for 30 min of stress. However, bees that were stressed prior to learning an association did not differ from unstressed bees in their ability to learn or remember an association. Our finding that stress has effects on memory in the bumblebee could have implications for their use in behavioral experiments and for promoting the success of both managed and wild populations.
Fractal aggregates, and the current lines of their electrostatic potentials

Abstract We have constructed diffusion limited aggregates off-lattice, that is, using Brownian motion instead of random walk, and the equipotential and the current lines have also been computed in the continuous plane. This construction (describes as being off off-lattice) is illustrated for the composite of a circular and a cylindrical DLA cluster. The striking new finding we report is that the current lines form trees with nearly straight branches.
Restoring Trust in the Human Resource Management Profession

The human resource management profession faces a crisis of trust and a loss of legitimacy in the eyes of its major stakeholders. The two-decade effort to develop a new ‘strategic human resource management’ role in organizations has failed to realize its promised potential of greater status, influence, and achievement. To meet contemporary and future workplace challenges, HRM professionals will need to redefine their role and professional identity to advocate and support a better balance between employer and employee interests at work. Specifically, the next generation of HR professionals will need to be more externally focused and skilled at building networks and productive alliances with other groups and institutions, become more analytical and able to document the benefits associated with effective HR policies and practices, and be skilled at managing in an increasingly transparent society and information savvy workforce. The changing gender composition of the HR profession may affect its success in mak...
A novel microstream injection molding method for thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers to promote mechanical isotropy: A matrixing microbeam X-ray study

Abstract The effects of flow-altering inserts and mold cavity geometry on the mechanical properties of an injection molded liquid crystalline polymer were studied to produce parts with properties approaching macroscopically isotropic state. By inserting fine metal mesh barriers to the gates of the mold cavities, a large number of highly oriented microstreams are produced. After their creation these highly oriented streams of differing flow vectors intertwine and this texture remains reasonably intact even after substantial shearing and extension history imparted on them during ensuing flow into the cavity. This method is effective in the interior away from the skin regions formed under the shearing flow during injection. The local molecular orientation was determined using a matrixing microbeam WAXS technique that allows precision movement of the sample in the microbeam X-ray. Samples produced with the 1.0 mm2 mesh showed large variations in the local symmetry axis with respect to the machine as measured by microbeam X-ray diffraction incrementally from the edge to the core of the parts. In comparison, samples with no mesh insert showed only gradual changes in the tilt angle (angle between local symmetry axis and flow direction). The modulus and tensile strengths of all samples with the 1.0 mm2 mesh inserts were found to approach virtual global mechanical isotropy.
Need States Based on Eating Occasions Experienced by Midlife Women

Objective To identify a comprehensive set of distinct “need states” based on the eating occasions experienced by midlife women.
Genetic polymorphisms, hormone levels, and hot flashes in midlife women.

Objective Hot flashes disrupt the lives of millions of women each year. Although hot flashes are a public health concern, little is known about risk factors that predispose women to hot flashes. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine whether sex steroid hormone levels and genetic polymorphisms in hormone biosynthesis and degradation enzymes are associated with the risk of hot flashes.
Global Power Transitions and Regional Interests

A number of studies have examined and largely validated power transitions as necessary conditions for war, yet the second critical element of power transition (PT) theory—a challenger's dissatisfac...
Poor Short-Term Survival and Low Use of Cardiovascular Medications in Elderly Dialysis Patients After Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: β-Blockers, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are standard therapies after myocardial infarction (MI) in the general population. Their use and association with mortality in elderly dialysis patients after MI have not been studied sufficiently. Methods: Claims records from Medicare and Medicaid patients aged 65 years and older who participated in prescription benefit plans of 2 eastern states were used to identify dialysis patients with MI between 1995 and 2003. Study outcomes were outpatient use of β-blockers, statins, and ACE inhibitors and/or ARBs within 90 days after MI. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess predictors of such use. Multivariate Cox regression was applied to test for associations between β-blocker, statin, and ACE-inhibitor and/or ARB use and 1-year mortality. Results: We identified 902 dialysis patients who were hospitalized with MI. Of these, 39.5% died within 90 days and 63.6% died within 1 year after MI. Of 494 patients who were discharged within 21 days or less and survived longer than 90 days, 31.0% were administered an ACE inhibitor and/or ARB; 19.4%, a statin; and 34.2%, a β-blocker after discharge. Use of ACE inhibitors and/or ARBs was associated with a 30% reduction in 1-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50 to 0.98), whereas statin (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.45) and β-blocker use (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.78 to 1.43) were not. Conclusion: Elderly dialysis patients have excessively high mortality and low use of standard therapies after MI. Only ACE inhibitors and/or ARBs were associated with a reduced risk for death at 1 year in this population. Whether the high mortality rate in this population is attributable to such low use of preventive cardiovascular medications remains uncertain.
High speed power system for Josephson logic

The design of an ac power distribution system suitable for 16 chips with 1k Josephson logic circuits each was tested for power signal amplitude variations and phase skews over the frequency range 0-500 MHz. The lowest resonant frequency resulting from transformer inductance and power line capacitance to ground occurs at 450 MHz - somewhat higher, and therefore better, than that predicted by simulations. The frequency response of ac currents delivered to the chips is nearly flat from 50 MHz to 250 MHz. Below 50 MHz, currents, decrease because the resistive load becomes comparable to the inductive; and above 250 MHz, currents increase as the frequency approaches the resonance. Amplitude and phase variations are independently measured by a novel technique using Josephson devices on chip. Phase skews in the system are quite small, for example, at 200 MHz the maximum phase difference in the system is less than 2 degrees. Amplitude variations are more significant - about 16 % at 200 MHz which while acceptable, are larger than anticipated below the lowest resonant frequency and may be due to test limitations arising from placing the entire system on a single chip.
Atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is unrelated to cardiac abnormalities detected by transesophageal echocardiography.

UNLABELLED Atrial fibrillation is a common complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery that is associated with adverse patient outcomes. We evaluated whether preexisting abnormalities of cardiac structure or function detected with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are prevalent in patients later developing atrial fibrillation after CABG surgery. TEE imaging was performed after induction of general anesthesia, but before primary CABG surgery, in 62 consecutive patients without cardiac valvular disease or preexisting atrial fibrillation. Measurements included left atrial diameter, left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions and fractional area change. Pulsed-wave Doppler measurements of pulmonary venous and trans-mitral blood flow velocity were obtained. Continuous monitoring with telemetry electrocardiography for the development of atrial fibrillation was performed. Eighteen patients (29%) developed postoperative atrial fibrillation. There were no significant differences in left atrial or left ventricular TEE variables or pulsed-wave Doppler pulmonary venous flow measurements between patients with and without postoperative atrial fibrillation. After adjusting for age and duration of aortic cross-clamping, there were no differences in the transmitral Doppler diastolic filling variables between these same groups. These data suggest that atrial fibrillation commonly occurs after CABG surgery in the absence of atrial enlargement or Doppler-derived cardiac functional abnormalities. The data imply that the use of TEE immediately before surgery would be an insensitive means for routine identification of patients susceptible to this arrhythmia. IMPLICATIONS Transesophageal echocardiography performed immediately before coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is not useful for prediction of susceptibility to develop atrial fibrillation postoperatively. Postoperative atrial fibrillation commonly occurs after CABG surgery in the absence of preoperative atrial enlargement or Doppler derived functional abnormalities.
Learning with Minimum Supervision: A General Framework for Transductive Transfer Learning

Transductive transfer learning is one special type of transfer learning problem, in which abundant labeled examples are available in the source domain and only \textit{unlabeled} examples are available in the target domain. It easily finds applications in spam filtering, microblogging mining and so on. In this paper, we propose a general framework to solve the problem by mapping the input features in both the source domain and target domain into a shared latent space and simultaneously minimizing the feature reconstruction loss and prediction loss. We develop one specific example of the framework, namely latent large-margin transductive transfer learning (LATTL) algorithm, and analyze its theoretic bound of classification loss via Rademacher complexity. We also provide a unified view of several popular transfer learning algorithms under our framework. Experiment results on one synthetic dataset and three application datasets demonstrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm over the other state-of-the-art ones.
Integrated Microsensors: Design And Fabrication Constraints

This presentation addresses critical issues one faces in the design and fabrication of microsensors and associated 'on chip' circuitry. It focuses on the constraints which result from the merging of microelectronics and sensors to yield the integrated microsensor. Guidelines for successful microsensor design are given.
Characterization of the Effects of Low Salt (LS) Diet and Cyclosporin-A (CsA) on Rat Kidney Renin Enzymatic Activity. † 1678

It has been shown that chronic CsA treatment is associated with increased expression of an acidic renin isoform and the development of arteriolopathy in rat kidney. Since dietary sodium restriction enhances these effects, it is hypothesized that renal renin enzymatic activity also will be changed by these conditions. Male Sprague Dawley rats received a LS diet for 3 (n=4) or 5 (n=4) weeks. In addition, an equal number of rats in each group received CsA 25 mg/kg/d orally, a dose known to cause renal toxicity. Kidneys were removed and homogenized. Renin enzymatic activity was measured for 1 hr at 37°C in rat kidney homogenate at pH 6.2, the optimum pH, and pH 5.2. Angiotensin I assayed by RIA indicated renin enzymatic activity in the samples. Data are expressed as ng AI/ mg protein/hr. Table