cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The nucleation and growth of ice particles in the upper mesosphere

Abstract The highest clouds and the coldest temperatures in the Earth's atmosphere exist in the region of the summer mesopause at high latitudes. The presence of ice particles in the region leads to several unique phenomena, including sharply bounded layers in which electrons, and occasionally positive ions, are severely depleted (“biteouts”), and intense radar echoes. This paper reviews some of the recent advances in our understanding of the ways in which these ice particles form and grow. Nucleation can occur on heavy positive ions, but the smoke and dust particles resulting from meteor ablation are more likely condensation nuclei. Ice particles probably form mainly near the mesopause and grow as they sediment downward, but the presence of strong horizontal and vertical winds in the region complicate this simple picture. While biteouts are now generally recognized as being due to scavenging of electrons by particles, the reasons for their existence in narrow sharply bounded layers remain unclear. While the subvisible ice particles are likely to be negatively charged under normal conditions, it is pointed out that under conditions of low ionization in the region, negatively and positively charged particles probably exist in roughly equal numbers, leading to the possibility of enhanced growth by coagulation of oppositely charged particles.
Electromyographic Analysis of Thigh Muscles in PNF Patterns of the Lower Extremity: Muscle Activities in the Lengthened Range.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the activity levels of the thigh muscles (Vastus medialis oblique muscle, VMO; Rectus Femoris muscle, RF; Vastus Lateralis muscle, VL; and Biceps Femoris muscle, BF) during 4 basic patterns of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) techniques of the lower extremity with the knee straight. Ten healthy adult volunteers (5 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 21.7 ± 3.2 years) who were knowledgable about PNF patterns were involved in this study. Surface electromyography (Furusawa Labo) was performed and recorded by bipolar miniature silver-silver chloride electrodes, from which rectified filtered electromyograms (RFEMG) obtained. Each PNF pattern was examined under maximal isometric contraction against manual resistance in the lengthened range. Normalized data (%RFEMG) were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparison. The results allowed us to divide PNF patterns into two types: the type containing a flexor component, and that containing an extensor component. In the first type of PNF, %RFEMG was highest in RF > VL > VMO > BF and in second type of PNF, %RFEMG was highest in BF > VMO > VL > RF. RF was found to be primarily active in the first type of PNF, while BF was primarily involved in the second type of PNF. VMO tended to be involved in PNF patterns containing components of adduction and external rotation. VL activity did not differ significantly among PNF patterns.
Carbonyl groups at positions C2 and C3 enhance stereochemical inversion at C7 in norbornane compounds

Abstract It is known that the presence of a carbonyl group at C2 in norbornane compounds aids in the SN2 displacement of substituents at C7. In this study, we report a significant enhancement in reactivity at C7 by a second carbonyl group at C3. These diketones undergo rapid inversion at 80°C, while the monoketone does not exhibit any reactivity at this temperature. The increase in reactivity is attributed to electric field effects.
Divisors on the blow-up of the projective plane

We study the ampleness of divisors on the blow-up of the complex projective plane atk generic points, and give an affirmative answer to a question of Fujita.
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells with nanoengineered AuPt catalysts at the cathode

Abstract The report describes the findings of an investigation of nanoengineered gold–platinum (AuPt) catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The membrane electrode assembly was prepared using carbon-supported Au n Pt 100− n nanoparticles with controlled sizes and bimetallic compositions that were thermally treated under controlled temperature, atmosphere, and time. Examples shown in this report included Au 22 Pt 78 /C and Au 49 Pt 51 /C catalysts treated at 400–500 °C. The electrocatalytic performances of these catalysts in the fuel cells was found to be dependent on the bimetallic composition and the nanoscale phase properties which are controlled by the thermal treatment parameters (temperature and time). Excellent fuel cell performance was observed for the catalysts which are characteristic of an alloyed AuPt phase with a lattice parameter approaching that for an Pt-rich alloy phase. The results have also demonstrated excellent stability of the nanoengineered AuPt catalysts in fuel cells. The observed combination of high activity and high durability of the selected AuPt catalysts indicated that this nanoengineered bimetallic catalyst system, upon further refinement and optimization of the nanoscale phase properties and durability serve as a promising candidate of electrocatalysts for the practical application in Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells.
Isotopic Enrichment and Thermal Neutron Cross Section Measurement of Erbium-167

The thermal neutron cross section of Er167 has been obtained by measuring the relative number of Erl68 atoms formed by radiative neutron capture, when isotopically pure Er167 samples were exposed to a highly-thermalized neutron flux. A four-stage mass spectrometer was used to provide a 106/1 isotopic enrichment of Er167. It was also employed it measure the postirradiation Er168/Er167 isotopic ratios of the samples, which were placed in the D2O moderated Argonne CP-5 reactor. The integrated neutron flux, and effective neutron temperature in this reactor were also monitored mass spectrometrically, by observing isotopic ratio changes in nuclides whose cross section as a function of temperature are known. Two rare earth isotopes Sm149 and Gd157, were selected as the "non-l/v" absorbers that yielded this data. The effective neutron cross section of Er167 was found to be 740 ± 21 barns, at an effective neutron temperature of 42.8 + 2.5°C, with an integrated neutron flux of 3.37 ± 0.08 × 1019 neutron/cm2. The thermal (2200 m/sec) neutron cross section of Er167 was then calculated to be 699 ± 20 barns.
If not apoptosis, then what? Treatment-induced senescence and mitotic catastrophe in tumor cells.

Inhibition of the program of apoptosis has been reported to have little or no effect on clonogenic survival after treatment with drugs or radiation in several tumor cell lines. A decrease in apoptosis is compensated in such cell lines by an increase in the fractions of cells that undergo permanent growth arrest with phenotypic features of cell senescence, or die through the process of mitotic catastrophe. Most of the tested tumor cell lines have retained the capacity of normal cells to undergo accelerated senescence after treatment with DNA-interactive drugs, ionizing radiation, or cytostatic agents. p53 and p21(Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1) act as positive regulators of treatment-induced senescence, but they are not required for this response in tumor cells. The senescent phenotype distinguishes tumor cells that survived drug exposure but lost the ability to form colonies from those that recover and proliferate after treatment. Although senescent cells do not proliferate, they are metabolically active and may produce secreted proteins with potential tumor-promoting activities. The expression of such proteins is mediated at least in part by the induction of p21(Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1). The other anti-proliferative response of tumor cells is mitotic catastrophe, a form of cell death that results from abnormal mitosis and leads to the formation of interphase cells with multiple micronuclei. Mitotic catastrophe is induced by different classes of cytotoxic agents, but the pathways of abnormal mitosis differ depending on the nature of the inducer and the status of cell-cycle checkpoints. Mitotic catastrophe can also develop as a consequence of aberrant reentry of tumor cells into cell cycle after prolonged growth arrest. Elucidation of the factors that regulate different aspects of treatment-induced senescence and mitotic catastrophe should assist in improving the efficacy and decreasing side effects of cancer therapy.
Effects of Composts and their Combinations with Other Materials on Nutrient Accumulation in Tomato Leaves

Abstract Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants were grown in container culture in a greenhouse. Media were composts based on agricultural waste (poultry manure and cranberry presscake), sewage-sludge biosolids, and yard waste (mostly leaves). The composts were used straight or mixed with peat moss, soil, or soil and peat moss. Leaves were analyzed for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) at the developmental stage of fruit initiation. Total accumulation of nutrients was calculated from their concentrations in leaves and mass of leaves. The agricultural-waste compost was a more nutrient-rich compost than the other two and generally led to higher concentrations and total accumulation of nutrients in leaves. Plants in all media responded with increased growth and to increased nutrient accumulation with addition of a complete NPK fertilizer. Additions of peat moss and soil appeared to dilute the concentrations of nutrients in the media and increased the need fo...
Electrochemical deposition of zinc from zinc oxide in 2:1 urea/choline chloride ionic liquid

Abstract To overcome the major difficulties involved in the electrodeposition of zinc (Zn) from traditional aqueous solvents, it is important to discover novel electrolytes that are eco-friendly and highly efficient. Zinc oxide (ZnO) was dissolved in eutectic mixture of urea/choline chloride (2:1 molar ratio) at different temperatures (343-373K). Electrochemical measurements confirmed that the onset reduction potential for Zn2+ to Zn occur at ∼-1.05V using cyclic voltammetry. A linear relationship was obtained between cathodic peak current and square root of scan rate, thus indicating the reaction was governed by diffusion-controlled mechanism. Electrodeposition of Zn followed three dimensional (3D) instantaneous nucleation and growth mechanism for various reduction potentials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the formation of hexagonal-shaped Zn particles at lower applied potentials, while plate-like structures of Zn metal were deposited at higher applied potentials. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirmed the presence of high-pure Zn metal electrodeposits on Cu cathode.
Influence of Exposure Duration on the Effectiveness of Changeable-Message Signs in Controlling Vehicle Speeds at Work Zones:

In work zones, drivers do not slow down in response to conventional signs. Changeable-message signs (CMSs) equipped with a radar unit can be used to display specific warning messages to speeding drivers. The radar unit detects the speed of each vehicle entering the work zone and can be programmed to activate the CMS if the speed of the vehicle exceeds a preset threshold value. A two-phase longitudinal study was conducted. The first phase, conducted by Garber and Patel, examined the short-term effectiveness of the CMS with radar in reducing vehicle speeds in work zones. The second phase, some of the results of which are presented, evaluated the influence of the duration of exposure of the CMS with radar on its effectiveness in reducing speeds in work zones. Speed and volume data for the population were collected at the study sites by automatic traffic counters placed at the beginning, middle, and end of each work zone. In addition, the speeds of individual drivers who triggered the CMS by exceeding the thr...
Correlation of linear and nonlinear radome error induced miss distance predictions

A linear radome error model is defined which bridges the gap between nonlinear and linear radome error miss distance predictions. The model includes an effective slope and an effective noise variance. The effective slope and effective noise are a function of gimbal angle motion which is dependent upon guidance system disturbances such as target maneuver and range independent noise. Analytical expressions for effective slope and effective noise are derived for a sinusoidal radome error. Miss distances using the linear model correlate well with those using the sinusoidal radome.
Caval contribution to flow in the branch pulmonary arteries of Fontan patients with a novel application of magnetic resonance presaturation pulse.

Background—A complete understanding of fluid mechanics in Fontan physiology includes knowledge of the caval contributions to right (RPA) and left (LPA) pulmonary arterial blood flow, total systemic venous return, and relative blood flow to each lung. Methods and Results—Ten Fontan patients underwent cine MRI. Three cine scans of the pulmonary arteries were performed: (1) no presaturation pulse, (2) a presaturation pulse labeling inferior vena cava (IVC) blood (signal void), and (3) a presaturation pulse labeling superior vena cava (SVC) blood. The relative signal decrease is proportional to the amount of blood originating from the labeled vena cava. This method was validated in a phantom. Whereas 60±6% of SVC blood flowed into the RPA, 67±12% of IVC blood flowed toward the LPA. Of the blood in the LPA and RPA, 48±14% and 31±17%, respectively, came from the IVC. IVC blood contributed 40±16% to total systemic venous return. The distributions of blood to each lung were nearly equal (RPA/LPA blood=0.94±11). C...
Synthesis and Characterization of Site-Isolated Hexarhodium Clusters on Titania Powder

[Rh6(CO)16] was prepared on the surface of TiO2 (calcined at 200 or 400 °C) by deposition from n-hexane solution and by a surface-mediated synthesis from TiO2-supported [Rh(CO)2(acac)] in the prese...
Development and Psychometric Testing of the Dogs and WalkinG Survey (DAWGS)

Purpose Dog owners represent 40% of the population, a promising audience to increase population levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a new instrument to assess social-cognitive theory constructs related to dog walking. Method Dog owners (N = 431) completed the Dogs and WalkinG Survey (DAWGS). Survey items assessed dog-walking behaviors and self-efficacy, social support, outcome expectations, and outcome expectancies for dog walking. Test–retest reliability was assessed among 252 (58%) survey respondents who completed the survey twice. Factorial validity and factorial invariance by age and walking level were tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Results DAWGS items demonstrated moderate test–retest reliability (ρ = .39–.79; k = .41–.89). Acceptable model fit was found for all subscales. All subscales were invariant by age and walking level, except self-efficacy, which showed mixed evidence of invariance. Conclusions The DAWGS is ...
An isopiestic study of aqueous solutions of the alkali metal hydrogensulfates at elevated temperatures

Abstract Isopiestic molalities of LiHSO 4 (aq), KHSO 4 (aq), and CsHSO 4 (aq) have been measured over the temperature range 383.46 K to 498.19 K with NaCl(aq) serving as the reference electrolyte for the calculation of excess thermodynamic quantities. Molalities of the reference electrolyte ranged from about 0.5 mol ·kg −1 . The ion-interaction model of Pitzer gave an excellent description of the experimental results when the solutions were treated as mixed-electrolyte systems resulting from partial ionization of HSO 4 - (aq). A simple polynomial model for the temperature dependence of the ion-interaction parameters is sufficient to reproduce the experimental results. When calculated as stoichiometric activity coefficients for 1 –2 charge types, the resulting quantities are quite small, especially when compared with activity coefficients based on the assumption of a 1 –1 charge type. The activity coefficients are consistent with limited dissociation of the hydrogensulfate anion which decreases with increasing temperature.
Chemical dosimetry of ethyl nitrosourea in the mouse testis.

Abstract [ 3 - Et ]Nitrosourea was administered to male (101 × C3H)mice by i.p. injection at exposure levels of 10 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg. At intervals from 1 h to 6 days following treatment, the ratio of O 6 -ethylguanine to N 7 -ethylguanine in testis DNA averaged 1.13 following the 100 mg/kg exposure and 0.72 following the 10 mg/kg exposure. The amount of O 6 -ethylguanine recovered after the 100 mg/kg exposure was 40% greater than predicted from a linear extrapolation of the amount of O 6 -ethylguanine recovered after the 10 mg/kg exposure. We suggest that the high (100 mg/kg) exposure to ethyl nitrosourea results in depletion of the O 6 -alkylguanine acceptor protein within the testis and permits O 6 -ethylguanine to persist at higher levels than would be predicted from lower exposure data. W.L. Russell et al. (1982), W.L. Russell (1984) have found that specific-locus mutation frequencies induced in mouse spermatogonial stem cells are 5.8-fold greater after a single 100 mg/kg exposure to ethyl nitrosourea than after 10 weekly exposures to 10 mg/kg. The finding that the corresponding ratio for O 6 -ethylguanine formed in the testis is only 1.4 may be interpreted in a number of possible ways. If O 6 -ethylguanine is an important lesion for producing specific-locus mutations, then its formation in the stem cells must be at least 4-fold greater than that for the whole testis as the ENU exposure goes from 10 to 100 mg/kg; alternatively, the rate of repair of this lesion by the stem cells must decrease at least 4-fold, relative to the average testicullar cell. Other explanations for the difference in mutation response of the stem cells to acute vs. chronic ethyl nitrosourea-exposures include the possibility that other DNA lesions may be responsible for many of the mutations or that two hits on the DNA may be required to produce an effect.
Recognition of tRNA by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases.

A new method is described for the detection of tRNA in complex with an aminoacyl tRNA synthetase. Escherichia coli isoleucyl tRNA synthetase complexes only with tRNA Ile and tyrosyl tRNA synthetase complexes exclusively with tRNA Tyr . ATP and amino acid are not required to establish the complex, which also forms equally well whether the tRNA is acylated or not. Quantitative analysis of the binding curves suggests a single binding site per enzyme particle which binds either aminoacylated or unacylated tRNA, both tRNA's having an association constant of approximately 10 8 liters/mole. The binding technique also provides a short and direct procedure for obtaining tRNA highly enriched for a selected acceptor.
The Mζ X rays of Y to Rh in photoelectron spectrometry

Abstract Widths, relative intensities and other parameters relevant to photoelectron spectrometry were determined for the Mζ lines of Y to Rh. Good photon sources are obtained with Y, Zr, and Nb. Use of an electron energy analyzer as a soft X-ray spectrometer of high resolution is demonstrated.
Control and compensation: laws governing extracorporeal generative materials.

The Vatican Instruction advocates laws banning in vitro fertilization, gamete donation, embryo donation, and surrogate motherhood. The OTA Report Infertility provides a range of policy choices for handling these reproductive procedures. The choice among these alternative regulations needs to be developed within the framework of the right to privacy of the U.S. Constitution, which provides support for an approach that allows the progenitors to control the uses made of their generative materials and to receive compensation for them, subject to laws which facilitate informed consent and attempt to assure quality.
Cost-effectiveness comparison of therapy for psoriasis with a methotrexate-based regimen versus a rotation regimen of modified cyclosporine and methotrexate

Abstract Background: Because health care resources are limited, therapeutic regimens should be assessed for their relative costs and effectiveness. Objective: We assessed cost-effectiveness for treating psoriasis using two strategies: one consisted principally of methotrexate and the other was principally a rotational schedule of modified cyclosporine (Neoral) with methotrexate. Methods: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using a computerized decision analytic model of simulated patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with one of the two strategies. Direct costs included acquisition of medications, laboratory and physician fees, and costs of treating side effects. Because of uncertainty regarding rates of clearing of psoriasis, the relative efficacy of methotrexate and cyclosporine was varied over a wide range in a sensitivity analysis. Results: In the base case over a 10-year treatment period, the methotrexate strategy cost $33,000 and provided approximately 2 years clear of psoriasis compared with $38,000 and approximately 4 years clear of psoriasis for the rotational strategy. When the relative effectiveness of cyclosporine to methotrexate in clearing psoriasis varied from approximately 1 to 20, the rotational strategy cost from $4100 to $2700 per incremental clear year. Conclusion: In selecting therapies for psoriasis patients, both costs and effectiveness should be considered. In this simulation, patients could obtain additional periods clear of psoriasis at an incremental cost by using cyclosporine in rotation with methotrexate. If even a small utility gain accompanies the complete clearing of psoriasis, such a strategy may be a worthwhile investment of resources comparable to other healthcare interventions. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;46:242-50.)
Synthesis of 5,12-diazadibenz[a,h]anthracene

5, 12-Diazadibenz[a,h]anthracene (20) was synthesized in 21% overall yield for seven steps. Salient features of the synthesis include the initial, one-step conversion of trans, trans-1,4-bis-(β-nitrovinyl)benzene into 2,2″-dinitro-p-terphenyl by Diels-Alder condensation plus elimination, monocyclization of the derived 2,2″-diformylamino-p-terphenyl to give 8-(2-amino-1-phenyl)-phenanthridine (10) in the presence of fortified polyphosphoric acid, and accomplishment of a second cyclization step only after reduction of the heteroring in 10 (by means of diisobutyl-aluminum hydride) plus formylation. The 6-methyl and 6,13-dimethyl derivatives of 20 were prepared similarly.
An integrated model for evaluating hydrology, hydrodynamics, salinity and vegetation cover in a coastal desert wetland

Abstract An integrated model describing hydrology, hydrodynamics, salt dynamics and vegetation was developed to predict the evolution of the Cienega de Santa Clara, a non-tidal, anthropogenic wetland located in the Colorado River Delta. The Cienega, an important part of the Delta ecosystem, is supported by saline groundwater from the U.S. that is sent to Mexico to control salinity in the U.S. The future of this water source is uncertain, and thus, the model was developed to predict how the Cienega would respond to changes in the quantity and salinity of its inflow. Over the calibration period, 1993–2007, modeled results of wetland surface area, the fraction of the wetland covered in vegetation and salinity concentrations compare well to actual data. The model shows that between 1993 and 2007 evapotranspiration rates range from 0 to 8 mm/day, wetland surface area increases 44% from 4500 to 6500 ha, the fraction of the wetland covered in vegetation decreases slightly from 0.92 to 0.88, and the mean salinity concentration in the wetland increases from 3100 to 6700 ppm. The model was used to run nine hypothetical scenarios, representing the range of inflow quantity and salinity to the Cienega that could occur if the source of the inflow is altered, including the possible re-opening of the Yuma Desalting plant. Model results show that the Cienega ecosystem is more sensitive to changes in salinity than to changes in flow. However, in almost all cases, an increase in salinity and/or a decrease in flow would cause a significant decrease in vegetation cover, compromising a large portion of the habitat currently available to wildlife at the Cienega.
Evidence for metabolic turnover of monoterpenes in peppermint.

Two types of experimental evidence are presented which suggest that the monoterpenes of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) are subject to metabolic turnover. In kinetic studies with 14CO2, peppermint cuttings rapidly incorporate label into the monoterpenes and then lose most of the label from the monoterpenes, without corresponding changes in the amount of monoterpenes present. When peppermint plants are grown in a controlled environment (16-hr photoperiod, 24° day, 8° night) and analyzed at intervals leaf pair by leaf pair, there is a steady increase in monoterpenes until the time of floral initiation, followed by a rapid decrease. It is suggested that monoterpenes may serve as substrates for energy metabolism in the secretory cells after other stored substrates have been depleted.
Extended supergravity on the supergroup manifold: N = 3 and N = 2 theories

In this paper I construct the group-manifold first-order formulation of N = 2 and N = 3 supergravity based on the Osp(42) and Osp(43) supergroups, respectively. In the case N = 2, a group manifold version of the theory was already presented in a previous paper. Here a simpler formulation is given which shows exact factorization in the SO(2) subgroup absent in the previous one. Particular attention is paid to the algebraic role played by the spin-12 field which is the novel feature of the N = 3 case with respect to N = 2. It is shown how the “non-geometrical” term in the gravitino transformation law in the N = 2 theory arises from the rheonomic symmetry mechanism.
Mutations in the ATP-binding domain affect the subcellular distribution of mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (MCAK).

Mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (MCAK) is important for anaphase chromosome segregation. MCAK is diffusely localized to both the cytoplasm and the nucleus during interphase. At prophase MCAK is recruited to mitotic centromeres. It is associated with centromeres throughout mitosis and then returns to exhibiting a diffuse nuclear and cytoplasmic localization during interphase. MCAK has several predicted nuclear localization sequences. The subcelluar distribution of expressed deletion constructs of GFP-MCAK suggest that the nucleocytoplasmic ratio of MCAK protein is dependent on a balance between several predicted nuclear localization sequences (NLS) and a putative nuclear exclusion sequence (NES) in the amino-terminal region of MCAK. Amino acid substitutions in the ATP-binding domain of the MCAK motor affect nuclear localization, which, in turn, influences the degree of centromere binding.
An electron-microprobe technique for detecting low carbon concentrations in iron

Abstract A technique is described for detecting low carbon concentrations in iron alloys. A detectibility limit of less than 0.03% C is achieved routinely using relatively standard procedures on an instrument which also must meet varied service requirements. The key development, an effective anticontamination device, is described and its effectiveness demonstrated quantitatively using carefully prepared standard specimens and established statistical procedures.
The carboxy terminus of AFAP-110 modulates direct interactions with actin filaments and regulates its ability to alter actin filament integrity and induce lamellipodia formation.

The actin filament-associated protein AFAP-110 is an SH2/SH3 binding partner for Src. AFAP-110 contains several protein-binding motifs in its amino terminus and has been hypothesized to function as an adaptor molecule that could link signaling proteins to actin filaments. Recent studies using deletional mutagenesis demonstrated that AFAP-110 can alter actin filament integrity in SV40 transformed Cos-1 cells. Thus, AFAP-110 may be positioned to modulate the effects of Src upon actin filaments. In this report, we sought to determine whether (a) AFAP-110 could interact with actin filaments directly and (b) deletion mutants could affect actin filament integrity and cell shape in untransformed fibroblast cells. The data demonstrate that the carboxy terminus of AFAP-110 is both necessary and sufficient for actin filament association, in vivo and in vitro. Analysis of the carboxy terminus revealed a mean 40% similarity with other known actin-binding motifs, indicating a mechanism for binding to actin filaments. AFAP-110 can also induce lamellipodia formation. Contiguous with the alpha-helical, actin-binding motif is an alpha-helical, leucine zipper motif. Deletion of the leucine zipper motif (AFAP(Deltalzip)) followed by cellular expression enabled AFAP(Deltalzip) to alter actin filament integrity and cell shape in untransformed cells as evidenced by the induction of lamellipodia formation. We hypothesize that AFAP-110 may be an important signaling protein that can directly modulate changes in actin filament integrity and induce lamellipodia formation.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) May Integrate Responses of Hypothalamic Feeding Systems and the Hypothalamo‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a powerful stimulus to food intake in the rat. Exogenous NPY given into the third ventricle or into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus stimulates both food consumption as well as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Presumably NPY activates the adrenocortical system through direct stimulation of CRF containing cells in the PVN. Food intake is also a major regulator of adrenocortical activation. Rhythms in HPA axis activity follow rhythms in food consumption, and rats that have been food deprived overnight have inhibited HPA axis responses to restraint stress and corticosteroid feedback the following morning. To investigate the interaction of NPY with both feeding and HPA axis activation three sets of experiments were performed: Animals fed ad lib were injected icv with NPY (2.5 μg) and allowed access to food or not post injection; animals were fasted overnight prior to NPY injection; finally, dose response experiments were performed to examine the relative sensitivities of feeding and HPA axis activation to exogenous NPY. Ad lib fed animals allowed access to food after NPY injection had slightly greater ACTH responses to NPY while glucocorticoid and insulin responses were not significantly different from ad lib fed animals not allowed access to food post injection. Animals allowed to eat post injection had significantly decreased food consumption the night following injection, however, total 24 h food consumption was not different between these animals and those given food 8 h post NPY injection. In overnight fasted animals NPY injections produced ACTH responses of equal magnitude to those in ad lib fed animals. Insulin responses to NPY were significantly elevated compared to CSF controls in overnight fasted animals. Dose response studies revealed that the adrenocortical system responds to icv NPY with at least as great sensitivity as feeding systems. NPY is discussed as a potential integrator of feeding and responsiveness in the HPA axis.
Drug-Induced Aseptic Meningitis Associated With Intrathecal Trastuzumab.

Objective: To report a case of drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM) in a patient receiving intrathecal trastuzumab (ITT) for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) secondary to HER-2/neu positive bre...
Capsid-like Arrays in Crystals of Chimpanzee Adenovirus Hexon

Abstract The major coat protein, hexon, from a chimpanzee adenovirus (AdC68) is of interest as a target for vaccine vector modification. AdC68 hexon has been crystallized in the orthorhombic space group C 222 with unit cell dimensions of a = 90.8 A, b = 433.0 A, c = 159.3 A, and one trimer (3 × 104,942 Da) in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract to 2.1 A resolution. Initial studies reveal that the molecular arrangement is quite unlike that in hexon crystals for human adenovirus. In the AdC68 crystals, hexon trimers are parallel and pack closely in two-dimensional continuous arrays similar to those formed on electron microscope grids. The AdC68 crystals are the first in which adenovirus hexon has molecular interactions that mimic those used in constructing the viral capsid.
Involvement of phylogenetically conserved acidic amino acid residues in catalysis by an oxidative DNA damage enzyme formamidopyrimidine glycosylase.

Formamidopyrimidine glycosylase (Fpg) is an important bacterial base excision repair enzyme, which initiates removal of damaged purines such as the highly mutagenic 8-oxoguanine. Similar to other glycosylase/AP lyases, catalysis by Fpg is known to proceed by a nucleophilic attack by an amino group (the secondary amine of its N-terminal proline) on C1‘ of the deoxyribose sugar at a damaged base, which results in the departure of the base from the DNA and removal of the sugar ring by β/δ-elimination. However, in contrast to other enzymes in this class, in which acidic amino acids have been shown to be essential for glycosyl and phosphodiester bond scission, the catalytically essential acidic residues have not been documented for Fpg. Multiple sequence alignments of conserved acidic residues in all known bacterial Fpg-like proteins revealed six conserved glutamic and aspartic acid residues. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to change glutamic and aspartic acid residues to glutamines and asparagines, respect...
Six-quark resonance structures in nucleon-nucleon scattering.

The effects of short-range QCD models on two-hadron reactions are quantitatively predictable using R-italic-matrix theory. Inelastic resonances are predicted in the two-nucleon S-italic-state channels. The positions and magnitudes of these resonances are model sensitive but their widths, energy splitting, and inelastic modes are characteristic of the six-quark states (dibaryons). With a coupled-channel model for the two-baryon long-range wave function, the MIT bag model is found to be inconsistent with known phase shifts, but the cloudy bag model is consistent and predicts resonances near 2.7 GeV/c-italic/sup 2/ mass. The observables have been calculated for p-italicp-italic and n-italicp-italic scattering with reasonable assumptions about the background phases, and several are shown to have excitation function structures that are detectable.
The relationship between communication attitude, anxiety, and depression in stutterers and nonstutterers.

People who stutter are frequently viewed as more anxious than nonstutterers and as being depressed. Further, a strong and pervasive stereotype is held by nonstutterers that people who stutter are g...
A general education course in tangible interaction design

The authors created a general education undergraduate course, Tangible Interaction Design. We describe our learning goals, the course structure, "Tiddles" (in-class exercises that promote creativity), and three student final projects. The paper contributes to the literature on teaching interaction design by describing what's achievable with undergraduates at a public university in a general education context.
Suture refixation and recentration of a subluxated capsular tension ring-capsular bag-intraocular lens complex.

We describe a 3-point ab externo technique to refixate and recenter a subluxated Cionni capsular tension ring (CTR )– intraocular lens (IOL)–capsular bag complex to the sclera. A 9-0 polypropylene suture on a curved needle is looped through the eyelet of the CTR and back through a Hoffman scleral tunnel. Two other sutures passed in a similar fashion through the fibrotic continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) edge are used to complete a tripod fixation, which centers and stabilizes the IOL. This surgical approach avoids the surgical trauma of removing and replacing a subluxated CTR–IOL–capsular bag complex, retains the optimal anatomical position, and ensures centration of the IOL. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Crack and the Political Economy of Social Suffering

A comparison of cocaine, crack and heroin epidemics documented through participant-observation methods in the United States and Canada reveals dramatically distinct patterns of abuse across differentially vulnerable population groups. Political economic and cultural forces, rather than pharmacology shape the trajectory of drug epidemics. The de facto apartheid of the U.S. inner city and its associated prison industrial complex spawned the massive epidemic of crack smoking in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A contradictory Canadian public policy of police repression combined with centralized, paternalistic social services explains that country's particularly destructive intravenous cocaine epidemic, particularly among its aboriginal and francophone urbanized populations. The United States suffers from the iatrogenic consequences of its failed war on drugs. Heroin and cocaine have never been purer or cheaper despite the massive investment of U.S. public resources in repression at great humanitarian cost.
Estimates of the cost of new electricity generation in the South

Future demand for electricity can be met with a range of technologies, with fuels including coal, nuclear, natural gas, biomass and other renewables, as well as with energy efficiency and demand management approaches. Choices among options will depend on factors including capital cost, fuel cost, market and regulatory uncertainty, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental impacts. This paper estimates the costs of new electricity generation. The approach taken here is to provide a transparent and verifiable analysis based mainly on recent data provided to public utility commissions by electric utilities. As new data become available, this analysis can be readily updated.
School refusal behavior associated with separation anxiety disorder: A cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment

School refusal behavior can lead to disruptions in both educational attainment and social development. One of the common causes of school refusal behavior is separation anxiety disorder (SAD). Research suggests that children with SAD and school refusal behavior show an increased rate of psychiatric consultation and a decreased likelihood of becoming parents in adulthood, likely indicating limited social skills (Flakierska-Praquin, Lindstrom, & Gillberg, 1997). This article provides a brief overview of the current literature on the association between SAD and school refusal behavior, as well as a proposed treatment for school refusal behavior associated with SAD based on cognitive-behavioral theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Distinct characteristics of Ca2+-induced depolarization of isolated brain and liver mitochondria

Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial depolarization was studied in single isolated rat brain and liver mitochondria. Digital imaging techniques and rhodamine 123 were used for mitochondrial membrane potential measurements. Low Ca(2+) concentrations (about 30--100 nM) initiated oscillations of the membrane potential followed by complete depolarization in brain mitochondria. In contrast, liver mitochondria were less sensitive to Ca(2+); 20 microm Ca(2+) was required to depolarize liver mitochondria. Ca(2+) did not initiate oscillatory depolarizations in liver mitochondria, where each individual mitochondrion depolarized abruptly and irreversibly. Adenine nucleotides dramatically reduced the oscillatory depolarization in brain mitochondria and delayed the onset of the depolarization in liver mitochondria. In both type of mitochondria, the stabilizing effect of adenine nucleotides completely abolished by an inhibition of adenine nucleotide translocator function with carboxyatractyloside, but was not sensitive to bongkrekic acid. Inhibitors of mitochondrial permeability transition cyclosporine A and bongkrekic acid also delayed Ca(2+)-depolarization. We hypothesize that the oscillatory depolarization in brain mitochondria is associated with the transient conformational change of the adenine nucleotide translocator from a specific transporter to a non-specific pore, whereas the non-oscillatory depolarization in liver mitochondria is caused by the irreversible opening of the pore.
Effect of maternal diabetes on fetal bile acid metabolism in the rat

Abstract Effect of diabetes induced by streptozotocin during pregnancy on fetal bile acid metabolism was investigated in the rat. Serum bile acid levels of diabetic pregnant rats were higher than those of control pregnant rats. Total pool of primary bile acids (cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids) in fetuses of diabetic mothers was significantly lower than that of control fetuses. However, the concentration of secondary bile acids, i.e., lithocholic, deoxycholic, and 3β, 12α-dihydroxycholanoic acids, was significantly higher in fetuses of diabetic mothers. These results suggest that the alteration in bile acid metabolism noted previously (4) in neonates of diabetic mothers is probably a manifestation of the effect of maternal diabetes at the fetal level.
Effects of calcium on frequency-modulated secretion of vasopressin from isolated murine neural lobes.

Abstract The relationship between external calcium and frequency-facilitated arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion from the murine neurointermediate lobe was examined in vitro. We evaluated the calcium-dependency of frequency-dependent release in this system, and found that log AVP secretion versus log external calcium plots gave slopes of 0.71, 0.92 and 1.2 for 5, 10 and 20 Hz stimulation, respectively. These slopes are considerably lower than the slopes of 3–4 Hz found at conventional synaptic junctions.
Providing fault tolerance in extreme scale parallel applications: what can the HPC community learn from the database community?

The database community has a long history of considering fault tolerance, in HPC fault tolerance has been limited to simple checkpoint/restart strategies. On emerging extreme scale compute facilities these simple techniques are no longer feasible and the HPC community will need to consider more advanced strategies. In this paper we discuss ongoing and planned work regarding fault tolerance in the context of large scale HPC calculations. Issues ranging from the detection of hard faults, recovery and continued execution, to handling soft errors will be discussed. As fault tolerance is a cross cutting theme for both databases and HPC applications it is hoped that this position paper will lead to a lively exchange of insights.
Efficient real gas Navier-Stokes computations of high speed flows using an LU scheme

An efficient method to account for the chemically frozen thermodynamic and transport properties of air in three dimensional Navier-Stokes calculations was demonstrated. This approach uses an explicitly specified equation of state (EOS) so that the fluid pressure, temperature and transport properties are directly related to the flow variables. Since the pressure is explicitly known as a general function of the flow variables no assumptions are made regarding the pressure derivatives in the construction of the flux Jacobians. The method is efficient since no sub-iterations are required to deduce the pressure and temperature from the flux variables and allows different equations of state to be easily supplied to the code. The flexibility of the EOS approach is demonstrated by implementing a high order TVD upwinding scheme based upon flux differencing and Van Leer's flux vector splitting. The EOS approach is demonstrated by computing the hypersonic flow through the corner region of two mutually perpendicular flat plates and through a simplified model of a scramjet module gap-seal configuration.
TISSUE LYSYL OXIDASE ACTIVITY IS DECREASED IN MENKES' DISEASE

The X-linked recessively inherited disorder, Menkes' disease, is characterised by progressive cerebral degeneration and connective tissue abnormalities. Although the basic defect remains unknown, it appears to render copper unavailable to copper-dependent enzymes. The connective tissue defects are thus explicable on the basis of reduced activity of lysyl oxidase, which initiates the crosslinking of collagen and elastin. Since tissue levels of this enzyme have not previously been determined in Menkes' disease, we have measured its activity in extracts of skin and aorta from a patient who died at 11 months of age with unusually marked connective tissue involvement, i.e. osteoporosis, Wormian bones, pathological fractures, cutis laxa, bladder diverticula and tortuosity of arteries. We found it, indeed, to be only 10-15% of that in extracts from age-matched controls. Despite this, the ratio of β to α components of pepsin-extracted type I collagen from these two tissues appeared to be normal, and it may be that low levels of lysyl oxidase affect the crosslinking of elastin to a greater extent than that of collagen.
A New Approach to Determine the Pilot Sample Size in Two-Stage Sampling

In a two-stage sampling design, one gathers data in at most two steps. In the first step, known as Stage 1, one records a set of pilot observations of size m. Then, one proceeds to the second step, known as Stage 2, to gather all remaining observations if needed. Next, based on the observations combined from both Stages 1 and 2, one proceeds with the required inference procedure(s) that demand implementation of a two-stage sampling design in the first place. In this article, we introduce an easy-to-implement criterion through the Fisher information for the determination of a pilot sample size. Both versatility and practicality of this approach are substantiated with the help of a series of interesting and substantive examples. In the last example, we have given an ad-hoc and yet intuitive version of the approach since in this situation we are unable to proceed with the Fisher information in the first place.
Exploring the architectural trade space of NASAs Space Communication and Navigation Program

NASAs Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) Program is responsible for providing communication and navigation services to space missions and other users in and beyond low Earth orbit. The current SCaN architecture consists of three independent networks: the Space Network (SN), which contains the TDRS relay satellites in GEO; the Near Earth Network (NEN), which consists of several NASA-owned and commercially operated ground stations; and the Deep Space Network (DSN), with three ground stations in Goldstone, Madrid, and Canberra.
Bioavailability and pharmacological effects of two slow-release theophylline preparations: intrasubject tablet-to-tablet variability

The bioavailability and pharmacological effects of slow-release preparations oxtriphylline (Choledyl SA) and anhydrous theophylline (Theo-Dur) were compared in a single-blind, randomized, crossover study in 10 normal men. Subjects were administered three doses from the same lot of each preparation at weekly intervals. Plasma concentration of theophylline was measured at timed intervals for 33 hr by high-pressure liquid chromatography.Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that Choledyl SA peaked earlier (4.7 ± 1.0 hr) than did Theo-Dur (9.6 ± 8.2 hr), with higher peak concentrations, 6.4 ± 0.7 μg/ml versus 4.1 ± 0.5 μg/ml for Theo-Dur, and greater area under the curve, 102.4 ± 15.7 μg/ ml x hr versus 75.3 ± 9.1 μglml x hr for Theo-Dur. 88% absorption was achieved in 6 hr with Choledyl SA versus 10 hr with Theo-Dur. Wide intra- and intersubject variations were observed with both preparations. Likewise, variable effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse were observed with both preparations. The ef...