cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two Types of Binding of Erythromycin to Ribosomes from Antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant Bacillus subtilis 168

Abstract The reversible binding of erythromycin to ribosomes of Bacillus subtilis 168 has been studied with two bacterial strains, one sensitive to low levels of the antibiotic and the other a relatively resistant mutant. Each ribosome from the sensitive strain binds approximately 1 molecule of erythromycin when a concentration of 4 x 10-7 m is reached. As the concentration of antibiotic is raised to 10-5 m no further binding takes place. At still higher concentrations, multiple interactions of erythromycin and the ribosomes occur. In contrast to the 1st molecule of erythromycin, which is specifically bound to the 50 S ribosomal subunit, the additional antibiotic molecules are bound nonspecifically to either the 30 S or 50 S particles. When resistant ribosomes are studied, a single molecule of erythromycin can bind to each 50 S subunit, so long as the concentration of antibiotic is kept below 10-5 m. At higher concentrations, multiple interactions can take place, as with sensitive ribosomes. The main difference between sensitive and resistant ribosomes is that, with the former, the 1st erythromycin molecule is bound with sufficiently high affinity to produce a discontinuity in the curve relating the amount bound and the concentration. The 1st molecule of antibiotic is bound to each type of ribosome in the concentration range believed to exist within the cell when multiplication (protein synthesis) is inhibited. With either sensitive or resistant ribosomes, it appears that it is the 1st bound molecule of antibiotic which affects bacterial protein synthesis. Measurements of erythromycin binding under equilibrium conditions have revealed association constants of 2.6 x 107 and approximately 8 x 105 m-1 for sensitive and resistant ribosomes, respectively. Thus the mutant B. subtilis is probably resistant to erythromycin because of some change in ribosomal structure resulting in a lowered binding affinity for this antibiotic. Binding of the 1st molecule of erythromycin to sensitive ribosomes is dependent on the presence of monovalent cations (40 mm NH4+ or K+). The bound erythromycin is freely exchangeable with erythromycin of the medium, and the binding is unaffected by the presence of tetracycline, chlortetracycline, or chloramphenicol. Implications regarding the identity of the site (donor or receptor) occupied by erythromycin are discussed.
1,5‐Diaza‐cis‐decalin

S,S-[219522-28-8] C8H16N2 (MW 140.13) InChI = 1S/C8H16N2/c1-3-7-8(9-5-1)4-2-6-10-7/h7-10H,1-6H2/t7-,8-/m0/s1 InChIKey = RQPDLNSKAAOHTF-YUMQZZPRSA-N R,R-[219522-27-7] InChI = 1S/C8H16N2/c1-3-7-8(9-5-1)4-2-6-10-7/h7-10H,1-6H2/t7-,8-/m1/s1 InChIKey = RQPDLNSKAAOHTF-HTQZYQBOSA-N (chiral ligand for asymmetric reactions such as asymmetric lithiation and biaryl coupling) Alternate Name: (S,S)-cis-decahydro-1,5-naphthyridine. Physical Data: oil at room temperature and a waxy solid at −15 °C. [α]D −33.5 (c, 0.74, EtOH, rt, 98% ee). Solubility: soluble in CH2Cl2, MeOH, CH3CN. Handling, Storage and Precautions: storage under nitrogen at −15 °C is recommended; should be handled under nitrogen as the reagent is hygroscopic and oxidizes readily upon exposure to air; acetate, hydrochloride, and tartrate salts can be stored indefinitely at ambient temperature.
Plantae Colombianae, VII: Novae notiones generis Paullinia

The following novelties in the sapindaceous genus Paullinia were collected during recent explorations in the upper reaches of the Apaporis River drainage in eastern Colombia.
Electron‐Nuclear Interactions

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Electron–Nuclear Interactions in Mononuclear Systems 3 Exchange Coupling and its Influence on Electron–Nuclear Interactions 4 Concluding Remarks 5 Biographical Sketches
The Stature and Body Mass of Mexicans in the Nineteenth-Century United States

Data taken from nineteenth-century American prison records reveal that the statures of Mexicans born in Mexico declined, whereas the statures of Mexicans born in the United States increased. The body mass indexes of both Mexicans born in Mexico and in the United States, however, remained approximately constant throughout the nineteenth century. The evidence suggests that even though the two groups shared a common background, their biological living conditions differed markedly.
Antenna Patterns with Arbitrary Side Lobe Topography

A perturbation technique which will modify Taylor-type linear and circular aperture distributions to give sum and difference patterns with arbitrary side lobe topography is described and illustrated by several practical cases. A new technique for discretizing the resulting continuous aperture distributions is presented and shown to be superior to the conventional method of sampling. Experimental support of the theory is referenced for the case of a nineteen element linear slot array. Application to the design of digital filters is indicated.
Using the discussion board in the undergraduate biochemistry classroom: Some lessons learned*

The discussion board feature that is included with most course management software packages is a potentially valuable tool to augment instructor-student interactions in science lecture courses and increase student motivation. However, many teachers seem to have been frustrated that students do not readily make use of this feature when it is added to the course resources. The author has been using a discussion board in undergraduate biochemistry lecture courses for six years and has learned to use it to evolve a system that students use and that seems to increase interaction with students while requiring less time than traditional face-to-face meetings outside of the lecture. The aspects that the author emphasizes for efficient discussion board use are timing, creating a safe virtual environment for the students, “seeding” with simulated questions, setting boundaries, and being self-conscious about the attitude that the instructor projects to the students.
Output saturation in fiber lasers.

An analytical theory is developed for a four-level cw fiber laser which accounts for saturation of the output due to bleaching of the pump transition. A simple closed form expression is obtained which relates the pump power and output power. Output saturation is most important for systems having at least one long lived excited state other than the upper laser level. The model is used to optimize the fiber length, core radius, and mirror reflectivities for an Er3+ doped fluorozirconate fiber laser operating at 2.7 μm. The optimized efficiency is found to be independent of pump power. Maximum efficiencies of 9.8 and 12.9% are calculated for fibers with attenuation coefficients of 100 and 10 dB/km, respectively.
Anticipatory stress reduction among chronic pain patients

Stress has long been viewed as a contributor to the pain experienced by chronic pain patients. The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between anticipated and experienced stress and anticipated and experienced pain levels among three patient groups: chronic pain patients, patients about to receive molar extraction (acute pain group), and a no-pain comparison group. Results showed that chronic pain patients anticipated significantly more stress than did an acute pain or a non-pain comparison patient group but reported non-significant differences in the actual level of stress experienced. A secondary purpose of this study was to examine cognitive factors, such as perceived daily hassles, which may contribute to this increased anticipatory stress. Results showed that there was consistency among the chronic pain patients as to the types of anticipated stressors, which were similar to those previously reported by chronic headache sufferers.1 The chronic pain group had significantly higher scores than the two remaining groups on the stress they anticipated from hassles related both to practical considerations (F2,45= 3.5, p c 0.05) and to health (F2,45= 9.37, p < 0.001). Strategies the dentist can use in combination with dental therapy to reduce cognitive-based anticipatory stress as well as strategies for collaboration with the patient and a mental health therapist are discussed. Summary This research shows that elevated levels of anticipatory stress mark this chronic orofacial patient group. Specific stressors such as maintaining high standards and wasting time seem to be one source of this anticipatory stress. Dentists are encouraged to combine their dental therapy with referral to a mental health care professional and to use simple psychological interventions such as guided imagery, deep breathing, and positive self-talk. These strategies can effectively reduce this patient group's anticipatory stress and its resulting deleterious effects.
Semiconductor surface diffusion: Nonthermal effects of photon illumination

Nonthermal influences of photon illumination on surface diffusion at high temperatures have been measured experimentally. Activation energies and pre-exponential factors for diffusion of germanium, indium, and antimony on silicon change by up to 0.3 eV and two orders of magnitude, respectively, in response to illumination by photons having energies greater than the substrate band gap. The parameters decrease for n-type material and increase for p-type material. Aided by results from photoreflectance spectroscopy, we suggest that motion of the surface quasi-Fermi-level for minority carriers accounts for much of the effect by changing the charge states of surface vacancies. An additional adatom-vacancy complexation mechanism appears to operate on p-type substrates. The results have significant implications for aspects of microelectronics fabrication by rapid thermal processing that are governed by surface mobility. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Universality of “four-coordinated” correlated percolation and random percolation

Abstract We consider a site-correlated percolation problem, recently introduced in connection with the anomalous properties of liquid water. Within a position-space renormalization group approach, this problem is shown to belong to the same universality class as random percolation.
The distributions of certain record statistics from a random number of observations

Abstract Suppose we observe a random number N of independent identically distributed random variables in sequence. The record values are the successive maxima of this sequence. Assuming that N and the observations are independent, we obtain the joint distribution of the number of records and their values. Using this, the dependence structures of record values and interrecord counts are studied; this yields a necessary and sufficient condition for N to have geometric tail. In addition, we obtain the distribution of the number of records. When N is negative binomial, the expressions can be simplified; in one case the number of records has an exact Poisson distribution. Our results are applied to point process models considered by Gaver (1976) and Westcott (1977). Our results remain applicable when the assumption of identical distribution is relaxed to allow the distribution to change after a record event, as proposed by Pfeifer (1982).
Glycophorin is linked by band 4.1 protein to the human erythrocyte membrane skeleton

The cytoskeleton underlying the membrane of erythrocytes is thought to control changes in cell shape such as the diskocyte to the echinocyte. Since the binding of lectins to the transmembrane protein glycophorin blocks the cell shape change, we have proposed that the cytoplasmic end of glycophorin is linked to the cytoskeleton. Here we show that the cytoskeletal protein known as band 4.1 specifically associates with the cytoplasmic domain of glycophorin on inside-out erythrocyte membrane vesicles and also with glycophorin reconstituted into phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The binding of band 4.1 to glycophorin is saturable and inhibitable by antibodies which bind specifically to the cytoplasmic domain of glycophorin. We therefore believe that band 4.1 protein provides the link between glycophorin and the cytoskeleton.
Naltrexone decreases craving and alcohol self- administration in alcohol-dependent subjects and activates the hypothalamo--pituitary--adrenocortical axis.

Background: This laboratory study investigated the mechanisms by which the opioid antagonist, naltrexone, reduces the risk of relapse to heavy drinking in individuals with alcohol dependence. Methods: Eighteen alcohol-dependent, non-treatment-seeking volunteers were randomized to 50 mg naltrexone or placebo for 6 days and participated in an alcohol self-administration experiment on the sixth day. Following baseline assessments of craving and endocrine levels, subjects were first administered a priming drink designed to raise blood alcohol levels to 0.03 g/dl and then had the opportunity to drink up to eight additional drinks or to receive US $3 for each drink not consumed over a 2-h period. Each additional drink was designed to raise blood alcohol levels by 0.015 g/dl. Results: At baseline, naltrexone treatment resulted in higher cortisol levels and lower levels of craving than placebo treatment. Although there were no significant differences in response to the priming dose, naltrexone-treated subjects drank fewer drinks, consumed them more slowly, and reported lower levels of alcohol craving during the alcohol self-administration portion of the experiment. Naltrexone also resulted in higher levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol than placebo treatment, and levels of cortisol were negatively correlated with intensity of alcohol craving. The number of drinks chosen was positively correlated with level of alcohol craving. Ratings of nausea were low and did not differ between the naltrexone and placebo groups at any point in the study. Conclusions: These results confirm the hypothesis that naltrexone reduces desire to drink and the amount of alcohol consumed in alcohol-dependent subjects. It is hypothesized that naltrexone may reduce drinking via suppressing craving for alcohol and that this effect may be related in part to naltrexone's ability to activate the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical axis.
Computer-guided design, synthesis, and protein kinase C affinity of a new salicylate-based class of bryostatin analogs.

Bryostatin 1 is in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease and is a candidate for a first-in-class approach to HIV/AIDS eradication. It is neither readily available nor optimally suited for clinical use. Using a function oriented synthesis strategy, a new class of bryostatin-inspired analogs was designed with a simplified salicylate-derived subunit, enabling step-economical synthesis (23 total steps) of agents exhibiting bryostatin-like affinity to protein kinase C (PKC).
Linking Aβ and Tau in Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease: A Dual Pathway Hypothesis

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by abnormal elevation of Abeta peptide and abnormal hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein. The "amyloid hypothesis," which is based on molecular defects observed in autosomal-dominant early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD), suggests a serial model of causality, whereby elevation of Abeta drives other disease features including tau hyperphosphorylation. Here, we review recent evidence from drug trials, genetic studies, and experimental work in animal models that suggests that an alternative model might exist in late-onset AD (LOAD), the complex and more common form of the disease. Specifically, we hypothesize a "dual pathway" model of causality, whereby Abeta and tau can be linked by separate mechanisms driven by a common upstream driver. This model may account for the results of recent drug trials and, if confirmed, may guide future drug development.
Transport of cholesterol autoxidation products in rabbit lipoproteins

Abstract Radiolabeled pure (4- 14 C]cholesterol was kept at 60°C under air to autoxidize for 5 weeks, after which approximately 12% cholesterol oxidation products were formed. The mixture, suspended in gelatin, was given to rabbits by gastric gavage. Rabbits were killed 4, 24, and 48 h after treatment. Cholesterol and its autoxidation products were separated by thin-layer chromatography into 5 fractions and radioactivities of each fraction were measured. Percentages of each fraction of cholesterol oxidation products and cholesterol in the original mixture before administration and in the rabbit sera after administration were similar, suggesting that the rates of absorption of cholesterol oxidation products are not significantly different from that of cholesterol. Lipoproteins were fractionated by ultracentrifugation into VLDL, LDL and HDL. Radioactivities of each fraction in lipoproteins separated by thin layer chromatography showed that fractions containing cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol, 7α- and 7β-hydroxycholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol were more selectively transported in VLDL, whereas most of the 25-hydroxycholesterol was present in LDL. HDL contained only minute amounts of cholesterol oxidation products.
Photorefractive materials, effects, and applications

The photorefractive effect is a phenomenon in which the local index of refraction is changed by the spatial variation of the light intensity. Such an effect was first discovered in 1966. The spatial index variation leads to the distortion of the wavefront, and such an effect was referred to an 'optical damage'. The photorefractive effect has since been observed in many electro-optic crystals, including LiNbO3, BaTiO3, SBN, BSO, BGO GaAs, InP, etc. Photorefractive materials are, by far, the most efficient media for the recording of dynamic holograms. In these media, information can be stored, retrieved and erased by the illumination of light. In addition to the holographic properties, energy coupling occurs between the recording beams and also between the reading beam and the scattered beam. In this Lecture, we first briefly describe the photorefractive effect. The band transport mode is introduced to analyze the process involved in the photo- induced index variation. This is followed by a more detailed analysis of the dynamics of grating formation. We then describe the interaction between electromagnetic waves propagating inside photorefractive media. Nonlinear optical processes including two-wave mixing, four-wave mixing and phase conjugation are discussed. We also point out some fundamental including two-wave mixing, four-wave mixing and phase conjugation are discussed. We also point out some fundamental properties of grating diffraction. Then we demonstrate the applications of the photorefractive effect including volume holographic data storage, image processing, optical interconnections, computing and neural networks. Finally, we discuss some recent developments in photorefractive materials and applications. As an example, we describe an application of photopolymers in a flat-topped tunable filter for optical fiber communication.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Quantitative micro-method for measuring antibody utilizing the bromoacetyl cellulose immunoadsorbant.

Abstract The bromoacetyl cellulose immunoadsorbant has been adapted for use as a quantitative micro-method for the measurement of antibody in small amounts of serum (0·1–0·2 ml). The technique is sensitive enough to measure 25 μg antibody/ml serum with an error of ±5 per cent. Smaller amounts of antibody can be measured under closely controlled conditions, but with a greater degree of error. The use of this method circumvents many of the difficulties involved in measuring small amounts of antibody by the precipitin reaction or by indirect, relative methods. The immunoadsorbant micro-technique is especially useful with synthetic polypeptide antigen systems.
Administrative Justice in India

Foreword Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Evolutionary Pattern Contextual Overview Orgaisational Analysis The Adjudicating Process Imperatives of Jurisdiction Conclusions and Suggestions Appendix A Summary of the Recommendations of the Franks Committee Appendix B Summary of the Recommendations of the Law Commission of India Appendix C Tribunals in the State of Orissa Analysed in this Monograph Appendix D Case Studies of Tribunals in Orissa Appendix E Original Suits Under Rent Laws before Revenue Cours (1969-onwards) Table of Cases
Mapping of R-SNARE function at distinct intracellular GLUT4 trafficking steps in adipocytes

The functional trafficking steps used by soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins have been difficult to establish because of substantial overlap in subcellular localization and because in vitro SNARE-dependent binding and fusion reactions can be promiscuous. Therefore, to functionally identify the site of action of the vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) family of R-SNAREs, we have taken advantage of the temporal requirements of adipocyte biosynthetic sorting of a dual-tagged GLUT4 reporter (myc-GLUT4-GFP) coupled with small interfering RNA gene silencing. Using this approach, we confirm the requirement of VAMP2 and VAMP7 for insulin and osmotic shock trafficking from the vesicle storage sites, respectively, and fusion with the plasma membrane. Moreover, we identify a requirement for VAMP4 for the initial biosynthetic entry of GLUT4 from the Golgi apparatus into the insulin-responsive vesicle compartment, VAMP8, for plasma membrane endocytosis and VAMP2 for sorting to the specialized insulin-responsive compartment after plasma membrane endocytosis.
Chromatin changes in the development and pathology of the Fragile X-associated Disorders and Friedreich ataxia

The Fragile X-associated disorders (FXDs) and Friedeich ataxia (FRDA) are genetic conditions resulting from expansion of a trinucleotide repeat in a region of the affected gene that is transcribed but not translated. In the case of the FXDs, pathology results from expansion of CGG•CCG-repeat tract in the 5′ UTR of the FMR1 gene, while pathology in FRDA results from expansion of a GAA•TTC-repeat in intron 1 of the FXN gene. Expansion occurs during gametogenesis or early embryogenesis by a mechanism that is not well understood. Expansion then produces disease pathology in various ways that are not completely understood either. In the case of the FXDs, alleles with 55–200 repeats express higher than normal levels of a transcript that is thought to be toxic, while alleles with >200 repeats are silenced. In addition, alleles with >200 repeats are associated with a cytogenetic abnormality known as a fragile site, which is apparent as a constriction or gap in the chromatin that is seen when cells are grown in presence of inhibitors of thymidylate synthase. FRDA alleles show a deficit of the FXN transcript. This review will address the role of repeat-mediated chromatin changes in these aspects of FXD and FRDA disease pathology.
Genetics of mosquitoes

Beginning in the mid-1950s, much progress has been made in studying various aspects of the genetics of mosquitoes, particularly involving several species of three principal genera,Aedes, Culex andAnopheles, that transmit important human diseases. Here I discuss selected areas of research involving formal genetics; genome structure, organization and evolution at the interspecific and intraspecific level; and evolutionary genetics of theAedes scutellaris group. Information and insights gained from in-depth analyses of these areas, particularly transmission genetics, cytogenetics and genetics of chromosomal rearrangements, and of mutagen-induced sexual sterility, have proved invaluable for the development of the theory and evaluation of feasibility of genetic control of natural populations. As a result, mosquitoes represent some of the best studied taxa at various levels of genetic organization. Recent developments in molecular genetics offer exciting possibilities for extension of these concepts.
Past Temperatures Directly from the Greenland Ice Sheet

A Monte Carlo inverse method has been used on the temperature profiles measured down through the Greenland Ice Core Project (GRIP) borehole, at the summit of the Greenland Ice Sheet, and the Dye 3 borehole 865 kilometers farther south. The result is a 50, 000-year-long temperature history at GRIP and a 7000-year history at Dye 3. The Last Glacial Maximum, the Climatic Optimum, the Medieval Warmth, the Little Ice Age, and a warm period at 1930 A.D. are resolved from the GRIP reconstruction with the amplitudes -23 kelvin, +2.5 kelvin, +1 kelvin, -1 kelvin, and +0.5 kelvin, respectively. The Dye 3 temperature is similar to the GRIP history but has an amplitude 1.5 times larger, indicating higher climatic variability there. The calculated terrestrial heat flow density from the GRIP inversion is 51.3 milliwatts per square meter.
Preference for sodium chloride over sodium carbonate by sodium deficient rats.

Abstract During a brief two bottle test sodium deficient rats consumed more of a 0.3 M NaCl than a 0.03 M Na 2 CO 3 solution. It was concluded that the two solutions did not taste highly similar and that the NaCl solution was more palatable than the Na 2 CO 3 solution to sodium deficient rats.
Empirical research of creativity: Possible heuristics for studying a complex phenomenon

Evaluation du role du contexte social et scientifique sur l'etude de la creativite, en se centrant sur les developpements methodologiques, les hypotheses empiriques et les pratiques des chercheurs
Plasmin-induced migration requires signaling through protease-activated receptor 1 and integrin α9β1

Plasmin is a major extracellular protease that elicits intracellular signals to mediate platelet aggregation, chemotaxis of peripheral blood monocytes, and release of arachidonate and leukotriene from several cell types in a G protein-dependent manner. Angiostatin, a fragment of plasmin(ogen), is a ligand and an antagonist for integrin α9β1. Here we report that plasmin specifically interacts with α9β1 and that plasmin induces of cells expressing migration recombinant α9β1 (α9-Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells). Migration was dependent on an interaction of the kringle domains of plasmin with α9β1 as well as the catalytic activity of plasmin. Angiostatin, representing the kringle domains of plasmin, alone did not induce the migration of α9-CHO cells, but simultaneous activation of the G protein-coupled protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 with an agonist peptide induced the migration on angiostatin, whereas PAR-2 or PAR-4 agonist peptides were without effect. Furthermore, a small chemical inhibitor of PAR-1 (RWJ 58259) and a palmitoylated PAR-1-blocking peptide inhibited plasmin-induced migration of α9-CHO cells. These results suggest that plasmin induces migration by kringle-mediated binding to α9β1 and simultaneous proteolytic activation of PAR-1.
Evolution of an on-orbit debris cloud

Abstract This paper examines the evolution of the debris cloud resulting from the Landsat 3 rocket body explosion that occurred in January 1981. The right ascension and argument of perigees distribute themselves as orbital mechanics predicts. Drag is shown to be the major contributor to the long term evolution of the cloud. The rate of decay for a debris piece is shown to be related to its initial period after the fragmentation. This requires that the change of velocity imparted to a debris piece is related to its ballistic coefficient. A long term change in inclination for the Landsat 3 rocket body debris cloud is discovered. The cause of this inclination change is most likely a geopotential source, resulting in the moving of the debris into relatively unpopulated inclinations.
NEAR-INFRARED OBSERVATIONS OF KH 15D THROUGH THE 2003 FEBRUARY ECLIPSE

We report 0.9–2.5 μm spectroscopic observations of the young stellar object KH 15D at several points on the light curve through the eclipse of 2003 February. The out-of-eclipse infrared spectra confirm the spectroscopic identification of approximately K7 V, without evidence for selective extinction. As the star entered eclipse and the intensity dropped by ~1 mag, the spectra and synthetic J-H and H-K magnitudes derived from the spectra indicated a slight blueing, which however requires further confirmation. On coming out of eclipse, the spectral colors showed no change (≤0.03 mag) compared with the colors when the eclipsed intensity had dropped by 1 mag. The gray extinction suggests that the particle sizes in the obscuring disk or ring are large, with radii ≥2.5 μm.
Electrophoresis in Polymer Solutions: Mechanisms of Molecular Sieving

Passsage of rigid, “spherical” proteins in the range of 2−5 nm radius, R (40−500 kDa molecular weight), through semidilute solutions of a representative polymer, polyethylene glycol in the molecular weight range of (0.6−8) × 106, gives rise to a size dependent retardation (“molecular sieving”) analogous to that in a porous network composed of random planes. The average distance between those planes being equal to the screening length, ξ, the retardation can be described by log(μ/μ0) = −(ARc0.75) where A is a constant dependent on solvent and type of monomer and c is the polymer concentration.
Circuits for a Cubic-Millimeter Energy-Autonomous Wireless Intraocular Pressure Monitor

Circuit blocks for a 1.5 mm3 microsystem enable continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure. Due to power and form-factor limitations, circuit blocks are designed at nanowatt power levels not completely explored before. The system includes a 75% efficient 90 nW DC-DC converter which is the most efficient reported sub- μW converter in literature. It also includes a novel 4.7 nJ/bit FSK radio that achieves 10 cm of transmission range at 10 -6 BER which is also the lowest number reported for short-range through-tissue wireless links for biomedical implants. A MEMS capacitive sensor and ΣΔ capacitance-to-digital converter measure IOP with 0.5 mmHg accuracy. A microcontroller processes and saves IOP data and stores it in a 2.4 fW/bitcell SRAM. The microsystem harvests a maximum power of 80 nW in sunlight with a light irradiance of 100 mW/cm2 AM 1.5 from an integrated 0.07 mm2 solar cell to recharge a 1 mm2 1 μAh thin-film battery and power the load circuits. The design achieves zero-net-energy operation with 1.5 hours of sunlight or 10 hours of bright indoor lighting daily.
Self-Other Perspective and Sexual Attitudes Affect Estimates of Sexual Risk

This study evaluated the effects of self-other perspective, sexual attitudes, and a sexual victimization history on women’s estimates of sexual risk for a set of vignettes describing situations that they may face when interacting socially with men. One hundred and twenty-four women from a medium sized southwestern university in the US were assigned to two different conditions (imagine self vs. an anonymous woman) and asked to rate how risky the situations described were in terms of having an unwanted sexual experience. Results revealed that participants asked to imagine an anonymous woman estimated sexual risk as higher than participants asked to imagine themselves, and that participants reporting liberal sexual attitudes estimated sexual risk as lower than participants reporting more conservative attitudes.
The ugly laws: disability in public

by Susan M. Schweik, New York, New York University Press, 2009, xii + 431 pp., US$65.00, ISBN 978-0-81-474057-6, ISBN 0-81-474057-X The ‘ugly laws,’ a term for ordinances designed to restrict the a...
Developmental regulation of key gluconeogenic molecules in nonhuman primates

Aberrant glucose regulation is common in preterm and full-term neonates leading to short and long-term morbidity/mortality; however, glucose metabolism in this population is understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate developmental differences in hepatic gluconeogenic pathways in fetal/newborn baboons. Fifteen fetal baboons were delivered at 125 day (d) gestational age (GA), 140d GA, and 175d GA (term = 185d GA) via cesarean section and sacrificed at birth. Term and healthy adult baboons were used as controls. Protein content and gene expression of key hepatic gluconeogenic molecules were measured: cytosolic and mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C and PEPCK-M), glucose-6-phosphatase-alpha (G6Pase-α), G6Pase-β, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), and forkhead box-O1 (FOXO1). Protein content of PEPCK-M increased with advancing gestation in fetal baboons (9.6 fold increase from 125d GA to 175d GA, P < 0.001). PEPCK-C gene expression was consistent with these developmental differences. Phosphorylation of FOXO1 was significantly lower in preterm fetal baboons compared to adults, and gene expression of FOXO1 was lower in all neonates when compared to adults (10% and 62% of adults respectively, P < 0.05). The FOXO1 target gene G6Pase expression was higher in preterm animals compared to term animals. No significant differences were found in G6Pase-α, G6Pase-β, FOXO1, and FBPase during fetal development. In conclusion, significant developmental differences are found in hepatic gluconeogenic molecules in fetal and neonatal baboons, which may impact the responses to insulin during the neonatal period. Further studies under insulin-stimulated conditions are required to understand the physiologic impact of these maturational differences.
Changes in teleost yolk proteins during oocyte maturation: Correlation of yolk proteolysis with oocyte hydration

Abstract 1. 1. Yolk proteins of prematuration occytes and postmaturation eggs were compared by SDS gel electrophoresis in several teleosts, including freshwater species that produce demersal eggs, estuarine and marine species with demersal eggs, and marine species with pelagic eggs. 2. 2. In certain teleosts distinct changes in yolk protein banding patterns during oocyte maturation are suggestive of extensive secondary proteolysis of yolk proteins at this time; proteolysis is most pronounced in marine fishes with pelagic eggs. 3. 3. In many teleosts the oocyte swells by hydration during maturation; this hydration is also most pronounced in marine fishes with pelagic eggs. 4. 4. The extent of yolk proteolysis is well correlated with the extent of oocyte hydration during maturation.
Parathyroidectomy and the induction of thymic atrophy in normal, adrenalectomized and orchidectomized rats.

Parathyroidectomy or thyroparathyroidectomy in the male rat results in the severe atrophy of the thymus gland. This effect is not mediated by a secondary release of the cytolytic adrenal or gonadal steroids since it also occurs in adrenalectomized and orchidectomized animals. The loss of the parathyroid gland decreases the flow of thymic lymphocytes into mitosis; this inhibition of cell production leads to the marked decline in thymic weight. The effect can be partially prevented by administration of parathyroid hormone or calcium gluconate.
Differentiated QoS-aware priority handoff in cell-based multimedia wireless network

One key issue of providing multimedia services over a mobile wireless network is the quality of service (QoS) support in the presence of changing network connectivity. The trend of using pico-cells in wireless networks to gain more spatial efficiency increases the rate of call handoffs when mobile users move from one cell to another. Frequent handoffs make it very difficult to support QoS for multimedia applications. In this research, we investigate a potential solution to meet the challenge of seamless resource transition during frequent handoffs by combining the differentiated QoS service model and the priority handoff mechanism. We perform simulations with OPNET. Results show a tradeoff between system utilization and handoff blocking rates for different QoS classes.
Super-resolution Imaging Of Ca2+ Flux Through IP3Rs With Millisecond Temporal Resolution And Nanometer Spatial Resolution

Advanced imaging techniques such as PALM and STORM have broken the diffraction limit of conventional optical microscopy through their ability to turn fluorescent molecules on and off at low enough densities such that the positions of single molecules can be determined, one at a time, with a precision of ∼10 nm (Gustafsson, 2008). However, these techniques involve the use of fluorescently tagged proteins or antibodies, which may alter protein properties and provide only positional, not functional information. Thus, we have developed a technique termed Single Channel Ca2+ Nanoscale Resolution (SCCaNR), based on similar principles except that it generates a super-resolution image by using Ca2+ sensitive fluorescent dyes to image the stochastic openings and closings of Ca2+ permeable ion channels. Subsequently, the point spread function resulting from the diffusion of calcium bound to the indicator dye can be fit to a 2-D Gaussian function, allowing the position of functional calcium channels to be localized with much higher precision (∼40 nm) than previously possible.The inositol triphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an ER Ca2+ channel that is both facilitated and inhibited by Ca2+ itself. This property enables a functional coupling between IP3Rs, which underlies the generation of localized Ca2+ events known as puffs (Yao, et al, 1995). This same property makes IP3Rs highly dependent on their spatial proximity to one another. Using our SCCaNR technique, we have found that the concerted opening of 4-10 IP3R channels likely underlies the generation of Ca2+ puffs in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. These puffs arise from clusters of IP3Rs approximately 300 nm in diameter, a dimension below the resolution limit of conventional optical microscopy.
Neutrino-astrophysics, nuclear physics, and particle physics at intense, pulsed, stopped-pion sources

Intense pulsed proton beams of ∼ 1 GeV impinging on high-Z targets are intense sources of νμ from the (τ=26 ns) decay of π +, and $$\bar \nu _\mu $$ and ν e from the stopped μ + decays. A pulse structure, narrow in time, allows the separation of reactions due to νμ from those from reactions involving $$\bar \nu _\mu$$ and νe. The energy spectra are in the energy range of interest to nuclear astrophysics. A number of possible experiments relevant to solar neutrinos, supernovae collapse, weak interactions in nuclei, and intrinsic properties of neutrinos are discussed.
The surgeon general’s call to breastfeeding action-policy and practice implications for nurses

The lack of breastfeeding in the United States is a public health crisis. The World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and multiple other professional organizations all recommend that infants are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months; in the United States, however, only 13.6% of infants receive exclusive human milk for this time period. A 2010 study in the United States reported that 911 infant deaths could be prevented if breastfeeding rates were improved. On January 20, 2010, with the release of the Surgeon General’s Call to Breastfeeding Action, the US government released the most comprehensive plan to date of what needs to occur to improve breastfeeding outcomes and the health of our nation.
Mazzola's response to Marsden's text

This text contains Mazzola's comments on Alan Marsden's position paper Counselling a better relationship between mathematics and musicology.
The importance of family factors to protect against substance use related problems among Mexican heritage and White youth

Abstract Introduction This study examined the ability of family cohesion, parental control, and parent–child attachment to prevent adolescents with a history of drug or alcohol use from experiencing subsequent problems related to their use. Methods Data came from Wave I and Wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and included Mexican heritage and White adolescents who reported alcohol use (n = 4894, 25% prevalence) or any other drug use (n = 2875, 14% prevalence) in their lifetime. Results Logistic regression results indicate greater parent–child attachment predicted lower risk of experiencing drug use problems (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.77–0.98) while stronger family cohesion predicted lower odds of experiencing drug- (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.70–0.97) or alcohol-related (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.65–0.84) problems. Parental control was also negatively associated with odds of problems related to drug use (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.86–0.99) or alcohol use (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.90–0.99). Results also indicated family cohesion was the only protective factor for Mexican heritage youth while family cohesion and parent–child attachment were protective among White youth. Parental control protected White female adolescents from drug use problems more than males. Mexican heritage male adolescents experienced more protection from drug problems compared to females. Conclusion Findings highlight the need for prevention interventions to emphasize parent–child attachment for White youth and family cohesion for both Mexican-heritage and White youth to decrease adolescent substance users’ drug- and alcohol-related problems.
Outcomes of Intraoperative Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Versus Cardiopulmonary Bypass During Lung Transplantation

Background The intraoperative use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in lung transplantation has been associated with increased rates of pulmonary dysfunction and bleeding complications. More recently, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as a valid alternative method of support and has been our preferred method of support since March 2012. We compared early and midterm outcomes of these 2 support methods. Methods Between July 2007 and April 2013, 271 consecutive patients underwent lung transplant using CPB (n = 222) or ECMO (n = 49). We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of these patients requiring CPB or ECMO during lung transplant. Results The CPB and ECMO groups had comparable demographic and operative characteristics; however, the ECMO group had higher mean lung allocation scores (73 vs 52, p p = 0.04) or temporary tracheostomy (44.6% vs 28.6%, p = 0.05). Patients in the CPB group had a higher rate of renal failure requiring dialysis than the ECMO group (22.1% vs 8.2 %, p = 0.028). There were no differences in severe PGD requiring postoperative circulatory support ( p = 0.83) or the need for perioperative red blood cell transfusions ( p = 0.64) between the groups. No differences in 30-day (5% CPB vs 4.1% ECMO) or 6-month mortality (14.4% CPB vs 14.3% ECMO) were noted. Conclusions The use of ECMO in lung transplant is safe and in our experience was associated with decreased rates of pulmonary and renal complications, as compared with CPB. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has become our preferred method of intraoperative support during lung transplantation.
Effects of Anger, Guilt, and Envy on Moral Hypocrisy:

In the current article the authors examined the impact of specific emotions on moral hypocrisy, the tendency among people to judge others more severely than they judge themselves. In two studies, they found that (a) anger increased moral hypocrisy, (b) guilt eliminated moral hypocrisy, and (c) envy reversed moral hypocrisy. In particular, these findings were observed in two domains. In Study 1, participants responded to moral dilemmas describing unethical behavior and rated how acceptable it would be if others engaged in the unethical behavior, or alternatively, if they themselves engaged in the unethical behavior. In Study 2, participants were asked how much they would like to donate to research on cancer, or alternatively, how much they think others should donate. The results demonstrate that specific emotions influence moral decision making, even when real money is at stake, and that emotions of the same valence have opposing effects on moral judgment.
Pilot plant performance of a SDA/FF on a simulated MSW flue gas

Abstract A mobile spray dryer absorber (SDA) and a fabric filter (FF), both rated at 3000 cfm (85 m 3 /min), have been connected to a natural gas-fired modular incinerator to study their efficiency in controlling acid gases generated during the combustion of municipal solid waste (MSW). The MSW flue gas was simulated by doping the off-gas from the natural gas-fired incinerator with controlled amounts of water, HCl, SO 2 , and flyash. The flyash was obtained from a municipal waste incinerator. In addition to the four variables mentioned above, the other variables were the stoichiometric amount of lime slurry used and the inlet and outlet temperatures of the SDA. The test matrix consisted of 72 runs. The SDA/FF system was able to achieve removal efficiencies of greater than 95% for the HCl and greater than 90% for the SO 2 .
Estimating parameters of real business cycle models

Abstract The calibration technique is the most common procedure to match the data generated from an equilibrium business cycle model with actual macroeconomic time series. This paper goes a step further and tests and applies a maximum likelihood procedure, in combination with the simulated annealing, to estimate the parameters of a baseline RBC model from U.S. macroeconomic time series data. The procedure is tested on a simulated data set where the parameters are known and then applied to U.S. time series data. This permits us to evaluate the efficiency of the procedure and the extent to which the RBC model is a good representation of macroeconomic data.
Screening for Lung Cancer: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (2nd Edition)

Background Lung cancer typically exhibits symptoms only after the disease has spread, making cure unlikely. Because early-stage disease can be successfully treated, a screening technique that can detect lung cancer before it has spread might be useful in decreasing lung cancer mortality. Objectives In this article, we review the evidence for and against screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT and offer recommendations regarding its usefulness for asymptomatic patients with no history of cancer. Results Studies of lung cancer screening with chest radiograph and sputum cytology have failed to demonstrate that screening lowers lung cancer mortality rates. Published studies of newer screening technologies such as low-dose CT and “biomarker” screening report primarily on lung cancer detection rates and do not present sufficient data to determine whether the newer technologies will benefit or harm. Although researchers are conducting randomized trials of low-dose CT, results will not be available for several years. In the meantime, cost-effectiveness analyses and studies of nodule growth are considering practical questions but producing inconsistent findings. Conclusions For high-risk populations, no screening modality has been shown to alter mortality outcomes. We recommend that individuals undergo screening only when it is administered as a component of a well-designed clinical trial with appropriate human subjects' protections.
Sound generated by vortex ring impingement on a heated wall

Abstract An analysis is made of the sound generated when a vortex ring impinges normally on a heated section of a plane wall. The unsteady convective diffusion occurring when the vortex is close to the wall causes a rapid increase in heat transfer and the emission of sound of monopole type. The approximate dependence on vortex Reynolds number of the enhancement of heat transfer is deduced from recent experiments reported by Arevalo et al. [Vortex ring head-on collision with a heated vertical plate, Physics of Fluids 19 (2007) 083603-1–083603-9], and is used to derive a scaling law for the acoustic pressure. The sound pressure signature is dominated by a large amplitude pulse associated with an explosive, but brief increase in the rate of heat transfer at the start of the vortex–wall interaction. The quadrupole sound pressure also produced during impingement on the wall is found to be smaller than the thermally induced sound by a factor proportional to M 2 T 0 / ( T w - T 0 ) where M, T w , T 0 respectively denote the Mach number of the vortex motion, the mean wall temperature and the fluid temperature at large distances from the wall.