cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Site-directed parallel spin-labeling and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement in structure determination of membrane proteins by solution NMR spectroscopy.

A major challenge for the structure determination of integral membrane proteins by solution NMR spectroscopy is the limited number of NOE restraints in these systems stemming from extensive deuteration. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) by means of nitroxide spin-labels can provide valuable long-range distance information but, in practice, has limits in its application to membrane proteins because spin-labels are often incompletely reduced in highly apolar environments. Using the integral membrane protein OmpA as a model system, we introduce a method of parallel spin-labeling with paramagnetic and diamagnetic labels and show that distances in the range 15−24 A can be readily determined. The protein was labeled at 11 water-exposed and lipid-covered sites, and 320 PRE distance restraints were measured. The addition of these restraints resulted in significant improvement of the calculated backbone structure of OmpA. Structures of reasonable quality can even be calculated with PRE distance restraints ...
STATIONARY TANGENT: THE DISCRETE AND NON-SMOOTH CASE

. In Keich (2000),we define a stationary tangent process, or a locally optimal stationary approximation, to a real non-stationary smooth Gaussian process. This paper extends the idea by constructing a discrete tangent – a `locally' optimal stationary approximation – for a discrete time, real Gaussian process. Analogously to the smooth case, our construction relies on a generalization of the recursion formula for the orthogonal polynomials of the spectral distribution function. More precisely, we use a generalization of the Schur parameters to identify the stationary tangent. By way of discretizing, we later demonstrate how this tangent can be used to obtain `good' local stationary approximations to non-smooth continuous time, real Gaussian processes. Further, we demonstrate how, analogously to the curvatures in the smooth case, the Schur parameters can be used to determine the order of stationarity of a non-smooth process.
Response and selectivity characteristics of alkylammonium ion-selective electrodes

Abstract A series of poly(vinyl chloride) matrix coated-wire electrodes based on dinonylnaph-thalene sulfonic acid (DNNS) selective to various alkylammonium ions was prepared and selectivity characteristics were evaluated. A set of tributylammonium electrodes was used to study the interference by a homologous series of alkylammonium ions. Selectivity coefficient ( k pot i,j ) values for alkylammonium ions at a given carbon number decreased in the order primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary. A linear increase in log k pot i,j with carbon number was observed in each series. Two additional sets of electrodes selective to dodecylammonium ion and to di- n -hexylammonium ion were evaluated for response to other C-12 amines. Electrodes for primary amines showed little or no response to secondary and tertiary amines, while electrodes for tertiary amines responded strongly to primary amines and less strongly to secondary amines. The effect of structural modifications was evaluated in a study of N-substituted cydohexylamines. The dependence of the magnitude of k pot i,j on the concentration of the interference was determined for both strongly and weakly interfering species. For strong interferences, k pot i,j was observed to increase to a maximum value of characteristic concentration. For weak interferences, the k pot i,j variation with concentration was markedly less. Guides for estimating the response to an interfering species based on its structure and molecular weight were obtained. The results are compared to analogous solvent-extraction systems. The significance of these results is discussed in terms of quantifying different components in binary mixtures using several electrodes simultaneously.
Directly Questioning Children and Adolescents About Maltreatment A Review of Survey Measures Used

The methodological, legal, and ethical issues related to questioning children about their maltreatment experiences in research studies are complex. A review of the literature was conducted examining what studies to date have directly asked children about victimization and how study investigators dealt with the human participants issues related to subsequent disclosure. This article examines how different studies have defined and operationalized abuse in survey questions for children, reports prevalence rates when available, describes the differing methods used to collect child self-report data, and highlights how investigators have dealt with the ethical issues related to informed consent and disclosure up to this point.
Shear sensitivity of plant cells in suspensions present and future

Plant cells are a source of pharmaceuticals, fragrances, flavors, and dyes that are traditionally produced by extraction of tissues from whole plants. Recent trends in plant product research, transformed cell lines, and conservation policies place increased demand on plant cell culture technology. Unlike processing of microbial and animal cells in bioreactors, no economically viable process based on the suspension culture of plant cells in bioreactors has yet been possible in North America. It is proposed that the suspended-cell bioreactor is the method of choice and that plant cells respond to fluid forces (defined as laminar shear and turbulent eddies-based and bubble-based forces) differently from their animal cell counterparts in bioreactors. Although plant cells produce a tough cell wall, fluid forces, although not lethal within normal range, impact the membrane transport processes and metabolic function of plant cells; these effects are termed sublytic. Previous approaches to shear sensitivity of plant cells are reviewed in the context of these sublytic effects. A model for systematic evaluation of fluid-mechanical causes and physiological mechanisms behind sublytic effects is proposed. It is further proposed that, once understood, the plant cell’s sublytic responses to fluid force can be used advantageously in stirred suspension cultures.
Surface chemkin: A general formalism and software for analyzing heterogeneous chemical kinetics at a gas‐surface interface

This article describes a general kinetic formalism for treating the details of heterogeneous reactions at a gas-solid interface. We develop a nomenclature for treating reactions between the gas phase and surface species residing on any number of surface site types and bulk-phase species residing in bulk-phase mixtures or in pure bulk phases. The rate of progress of surface reactions follows the law of mass-action. We discuss the relationship between macroscopic conservation laws for mass and energy and the microscopic surface reaction rates as they might appear in boundary conditions for a chemically reacting flow. The formalism developed has been implemented in a general package of Fortran computer codes for the evaluation of complex surface-reaction kinetics called Surface Chemkin.
Robust and Affordable Multicoefficient Methods for Thermochemistry and Thermochemical Kinetics: The MCCM/3 Suite and SAC/3

Scaling all correlation (SAC) and multicoefficient correlation methods (MCCMs) have been shown to provide excellent ratios of accuracy to cost for the calculation of atomization energies. Inspired by this success, we have now fine-tuned the choices of correlation-energy levels and basis sets to determine the four most promising MCCMs and the most promising SAC method, and we optimized them against a larger and more diverse database than has previously been used for MCCM methods; the new database, called Database/3, consists of atomization energies, ionization potentials, electron affinities, and reaction barrier heights. The end results of this process are labeled as MCCM-version 3 (or MCCM/3) and SAC/3; the members of MCCM/3 are labeled MC-CO/3, MC-UT/3, MC-QCISD/3, and MCG3/3. The new methods are compared to other single-level ab initio methods, to hybrid density functional theory, and to the G3, G3S, and CBS-Q schemes. For neutral molecules, the mean unsigned error in atomization energies per bond usin...
(Aminoalkyl)trimethylgermanes, the first organogermanium mechanism-based enzyme inactivators: A new class of monoamine oxidase inactivators

Abstract (Aminoalkyl)trimethylgermanes, Me 3 Ge(CH 2 ) n NH 3 + ( n = 1–3), are synthesized and shown to be mechanism-based irreversible inactivators of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase. At least two different adducts are formed by the three compounds. These are the first mechanism-based organogermanium inactivators of any specific enzyme.
In vitro synthesis of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase monomers

Abstract Messenger RNA-directed in vitro synthesis of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase monomers is described. Using a cell-free amino acid incorporation system to which had been added RNA preparations extracted from E. coli constitutively synthesizing alkaline phosphatase, the monomers were synthesized from radioactive amino acids. Immediately after the period of synthesis, the radioactive monomers were captured into alkaline phosphatase dimers by adding a high concentration of non-radioactive monomers. The dimers were then purified away from the other radioactive polypeptides synthesized in the system. An RNA preparation from derepressed wild-type E. coli was active in directing monomer synthesis but RNA extracted from repressed wild-type cells was inactive. The implication of these results regarding the control mechanism of alkaline phosphatase synthesis is discussed.
Neural networks for vector quantization of speech and images

Using neural networks for vector quantization (VQ) is described. The authors show how a collection of neural units can be used efficiently for VQ encoding, with the units performing the bulk of the computation in parallel, and describe two unsupervised neural network learning algorithms for training the vector quantizer. A powerful feature of the new training algorithms is that the VQ codewords are determined in an adaptive manner, compared to the popular LBG training algorithm, which requires that all the training data be processed in a batch mode. The neural network approach allows for the possibility of training the vector quantizer online, thus adapting to the changing statistics of the input data. The authors compare the neural network VQ algorithms to the LBG algorithm for encoding a large database of speech signals and for encoding images. >
Patients with condyloma acuminatum exhibit decreased interleukin-2 and interferon gamma production and depressed natural killer activity.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 20 untreated condyloma acuminatum patients and from an equal number of sex- and age-matched controls and assayed for cell surface antigen expression, natural killer activity, and lymphokine production. Patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells had significantly lower helper-to-suppressor T-cell ratios (Leu3/Leu2) (P less than 0.05) and significantly higher percentages of Leu 2+ Tac+ cells (activated suppressor/cytotoxic cells) (P less than 0.05) and Leu 2+ OKM1+ cells (suppressor cells) (P less than 0.01). Natural killer activity of condyloma acuminatum patients was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than that of controls. Production of interleukin-2 and interferon gamma, but not interferon alpha, was significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased in condyloma acuminatum patients. There was an inverse correlation between the in vitro production of interleukin-2 and interferon gamma and the percentage of Leu 2+ OKM1+ cells (suppressor) (P less than 0.01). Thus, patients with condyloma acuminatum differ from controls by demonstrating decreased natural killer-cell activity, decreased production of lymphokines which enhance natural killer-cell activity (i.e., interferon gamma and interleukin-2), and an increased proportion of T cells with a suppressor phenotype.
Burrowing, byssus, and biomarkers: behavioral and physiological indicators of sublethal thermal stress in freshwater mussels (Unionidae)

Recent research has elucidated the acute lethal effects of elevated water temperatures to glochidia (larvae), juvenile, and adult life stages of freshwater mussels (Order Unionida), but few studies have focused on sublethal effects of thermal stress. We evaluated the sublethal effects of elevated temperature on burrowing behavior and byssus production in juveniles, and on enzymatic biomarkers of stress in adults in acute (96 h) laboratory experiments in sediment, with two acclimation temperatures (22 and 27 °C) and two experimental water levels (watered and dewatered) as proxies for flow regime. Increasing temperature significantly reduced burrowing in all five species tested, and the dewatered treatment (a proxy for drought conditions) reduced burrowing in all but Amblema plicata. Production of byssal threads was affected most drastically by flow regime, with the probability of byssus presence reduced by 93–99% in the dewatered treatment, compared to the watered treatment (a proxy for low flow conditions...
Monitoring Changes of Clouds

An analysis of the spatial and temporal scales of cloud variability and their coupling provided by the results from existing cloud observing systems allows us to reach the following conclusions about the necessary attributes of a cloud monitoring system. (1) Complete global coverage with uniform density is necessary to obtain an unbiased estimate of cloud change and an estimate of the reliability with which that change can be determined. (2) A spatial sampling interval of less than 50 km is required so that cloud cover distributions will generally be homogeneous, or statistically homogeneous, within a sample. (3) A sampling frequency of at least six times a day ensures not only that the diurnal and semi-diurnal cycles are not aliased into long term mean values, but also that changes in them can be monitored. (4) Since estimated climate changes are only evident on a decadal time-scale, unless cloud monitoring is continuous with a record length greater than 10 years and has very high precision (≈ 1%) instrument calibration with overlapping observations between each pair of instruments, it will not be possible either to detect or to diagnose the effects of cloud changes on the climate.
2,4-Bis(dimethyl­amino)-1,3,5-trimethyl-6-(nitro­oxy)borazine

In the title compound, C7H21B3N6O3, the r.m.s. deviation of the borazine ring atoms is 0.019 A. The dimethyl­amino groups are orientated at 41.80 (7) and 36.43 (7)° with respect to the borazine ring. The nitro­oxy group is almost normal to the borazine ring [dihedral angle = 85.33 (14)°]. The methyl C atom trans to the NO3 group is displaced by −0.512 (3) A from the ring plane, whereas the two ortho-methyl C atoms are displaced by 0.239 (3) and 0.178 (3) A.
Using risk-management tools on B2Bs: An exploratory investigation

Abstract Business-to-Business exchanges (B2Bs) have given procurement managers of certain non-commodity products and services such as chemicals, semi-conductors, or bandwidth access to spot markets and risk management tools such as futures or forward contracts. Our goal in this paper is to show how managers can integrate B2Bs and the risk management tools they provide with the traditional practice of signing long-term contracts with preferred suppliers. Specifically, we model a scenario where a manager has two procurement channels: the preferred supplier with an exogenously determined contract price and the B2B with an uncertain spot price. The manager can, however, buy forward contracts (for a cost) to mitigate price volatility. Facing uncertain demand, our model helps managers decide on the optimal “portfolio” of procurement options, i.e., the quantity to buy from the preferred supplier, number of forward contracts to write, and when necessary, use the spot market to satisfy demand.
Daptomycin in experimental murine pneumococcal meningitis.

Daptomycin, a lipopeptide antibiotic, could be an alternative to vancomycin for treatment of pneumococcal meningitis. We determined the activity of daptomycin versus vancomycin, with dexamethasone as an adjuvant, in a murine model of pneumococcal meningitis. Ninety-six 25–30 gram mice were inoculated intracisternally with serotype 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae modified by the integration of a luminescent lux operon. All mice were treated with either dexamethasone 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally every 6 hours alone or in combination with either vancomycin or daptomycin, also administered intraperitoneally. Serum antimicrobial concentrations were selected to approximate those achieved in humans. Following treatment, bioluminescence and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bacterial concentrations were determined. Caspase-3 staining was used to assess apoptosis on brain histopathology. Sixteen hours post intracisternal inoculation, bacterial titers in CSF were 6.8 log10 cfu/ml. Amongst the animals given no antibiotic, vancomycin 50 mg/kg at 16 and 20 hours or daptomycin 25 mg/kg at 16 hours, CSF titers were 7.6, 3.4, and 3.9 log10 cfu/ml, respectively, at 24 hours post infection (p-value, < 0.001 for both vancomycin or daptomycin versus no antibiotic); there was no significant difference in bactericidal activity between the vancomycin and daptomycin groups (p-value, 0.18). CSF bioluminescence correlated with bacterial titer (Pearson regression coefficient, 0.75). The amount of apoptosis of brain parenchymal cells was equivalent among treatment groups. Daptomycin or vancomycin, when given in combination with dexamethasone, is active in the treatment of experimental pneumococcal meningitis.
Immunogenicity of Constrained Monoclonal Antibody A32-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Env gp120 Complexes Compared to That of Recombinant HIV Type 1 gp120 Envelope Glycoproteins

One strategy for the generation of broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies (NA) against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) primary isolates is to use immunogens that have constrained HIV-1 envelope gp120 conformations reflective of triggered envelope on the surface of virions. A major change in gp120 following binding to CD4 is the enhanced exposure of the CCR5 binding site. One inducer of CCR5 binding site epitopes on gp120 is the human anti-gp120 monoclonal antibody, A32. We have made cross-linked A32-rgp120(89.6) and A32-rgp120(BaL) complexes and have compared their immunogenicities to those of uncomplexed recombinant gp120(BaL) (rgp120(BaL)) and rgp120(89.6). A32-rgp120(89.6) and A32-rgp120(BaL) complexes had stable induced CCR5 binding site expression compared to that of uncomplexed rgp120s. However, the A32-rgp120 complexes had similar capacities in guinea pigs for induction of NA against HIV-1 primary isolates versus that of rgp120 alone. A32-rgp120(89.6) induced antibodies that neutralized 6 out of 11 HIV-1 isolates, while rgp120(89.6) alone induced antibodies that neutralized 4 out of 11 HIV-1 isolates. A32-rgp120(BaL) complexes induced antibodies that neutralized 4 out of 14 HIV-1 isolates while, surprisingly, non-cross-linked rgp120(BaL) induced antibodies that neutralized 9 out of 14 (64%) HIV-1 isolates. Thus, stable enhanced expression of the coreceptor binding site on constrained gp120 is not sufficient for inducing broadly neutralizing anti-HIV-1 NA. Moreover, the ability of HIV-1 rgp120(BaL) to induce antibodies that neutralized approximately 60% of subtype B HIV-1 isolates warrants consideration of using HIV-1 BaL as a starting point for immunogen design for subtype B HIV-1 experimental immunogens.
Longitudinal patterns of HIV type 1 RNA among individuals with late disease progression.

Longitudinal measurements of plasma HIV RNA were analyzed using novel segmented regression models for 62 men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study who at enrollment in 1985 were HIV seropositive and who had stable CD4+ lymphocyte counts and no clinical disease progression for a 6-year period between 1985 and 1991. Through 1996, 20 of the men developed clinical AIDS or died (late progressors) and 42 remained asymptomatic (nonprogressors). Using segmented regression model methods, we estimated, for each individual, the time when a change in HIV RNA trajectory was most likely to have occurred. Prior to this time, late progressors and nonprogressors had stable plasma HIV RNA levels, although the mean level in late progressors was 0.42 log10 copies/ml higher than in nonprogressors (p = 0.018). Furthermore, late progressors showed significant increases in HIV RNA levels of 0.23 log10 copies/ml/year (1.7-fold increase/year). This increase in HIV RNA in the late progressors began approximately 1.1 years prior to t...
RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TAKOTSUBO CARDIOMYOPATHY AND ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN MEN AND WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM) patients have clinical presentation similar to Acute ST Elevation Myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Although predominately occurring in women, it is unknown whether risk factors for the two clinical conditions differ between men and women. Patients from National
Comments on ‘The state of macroeconomic forecasting’

I enjoyed reading this useful survey. But I think it was a little too negative about the quality of economic forecasts. And there is one recommendation for future research that I think deserves a little more emphasis. I like to tell students that they should take the Henny Youngman approach to evaluation of economic models or forecasts. I am referring to the old comedy routine in which a straight man asks Henny Youngman, ‘‘How s your wife?’’ And Youngman replies, ‘‘Compared to what?’’ Similarly, when one is told that an economic forecast does well, or poorly, I believe that one should ask ‘‘Compared to what?’’ Complaints that forecasts are biased (or are too tied to current conditions, or imply serially correlated forecast errors. . .) are best made while offering alternative forecasts that suffer less from these failings. Of course, it is useful as well to compare a forecast to an ideal one–one that is unbiased, uncorrelated with information known when the forecast is made, has serially uncorrelated forecast errors. . . In general, I think the authors have been a bit too negative about the record of economic forecasters, in part because of an unfair, or too narrow, standard of comparison. Two examples. First, I am not as sure as the authors are that a professionwide tendency to underestimate growth or inflation when either accelerates, or to overestimate when either declines, is in and of itself a sign of serious trouble. In Section 2.1.1, the authors cite the well-known Samuelson (1996) point that such a tendency to underor overestimate is a property of optimal forecasts. But they dismiss this point a bit too quickly. Of course, one would like to have advance warnings of recessions or of a resurgence in inflation. But insofar as either event is caused by a large unpredictable shock, we have to reconcile ourselves to the inability of statistical procedures to reliably produce a warning. As well, it is incumbent upon us to educate
A novel 1,4 cyclohexenone annulation

Abstract A new cyclohexenone annulation has been developed which involves the reaction of α- n -butylthiomethylene ketones with 1-lithio-1-methoxycyclopropane to afford α-n-butylthiomethylene spirocyclobutanones which, as their trimethylsilyl cyanohydrins, undergo thermal ring expansion.
Cenozoic Foraminiferal Zonation and Basinal Development for Part of Philippines: ABSTRACT

Foraminiferal analyses of Cenozoic strata of Central Valley, Luzon and southern Iloilo, Panay, indicate a general planktonic zonation for the middle and later Cenozoic which is similar to that recognized in equivalent strata of other tropical areas of the world. There is generally parallel basinal development in Central Valley and Iloilo beginning in the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene interval. The cycle commenced with shelf conditions and orbitoidal facies giving way upward and with time to increasingly deeper-water facies of the bathyal zone. Maximum water depths of at least 1,000-2,000 meters were attained during the Miocene as indicated by Pullenia bulloides, Osangularia bengalensis, Laticarinina pauperata, and others. The parallel history in the two areas stops in the Late Miocene when Central Valley experienced prominent basin-filling and a transition to shallow-water paralic facies. In Iloilo, deep basinal conditions prevailed into the Middle Pliocene before basin-filling occurred. The more complete planktonic sequence is that of Iloilo. Late Oligocene time is suggested by Globigerina ciperoensis in at least one part of the basin. Early Miocene is represented by a lower Globigerina dissimilis zone and an upper Globoquadrina rohri zone. Middle Miocene time is indicated by a lower Globorotalia fohsi fohsi left-coiling zone giving way upward to the right-coiling populations of Globorotalia fohsi robusta and Globorotalia menardii (primitive form). From bottom to top, the Late Miocene zones include a basal Globoquadrina dehiscens advena zone, a Globoquadrina altispira altispira zone (top of occurrence), a Globigerina nepenthenes zone (top of occurrence), and at the top a Globoquadrina altispira globosa-Globoquadrina dehiscens dehiscens zone. Early Pliocene populations are characterized by Sphaeroidinella dehiscens dehiscens and Globigerina eggeri. Middle Pliocene populations lack these but include an abundance of Globorotalia truncatulinoides and Globorotalia menardii. Pulleniatina obliquiloculata is common to abundant in the Middle and Early Pliocene and rare in the Late Miocene. It is dominantly right-coiling in the Middle and most of the Early Pliocene, left-coiling at the base of the Pliocene, right-coiling and rare in the latest Miocene, and mostly left-coiling and very rare below. End_of_Article - Last_Page 260------------
In vitro evolution of a T cell receptor with high affinity for peptide/MHC

T cell receptors (TCRs) exhibit genetic and structural diversity similar to antibodies, but they have binding affinities that are several orders of magnitude lower. It has been suggested that TCRs undergo selection in vivo to maintain lower affinities. Here, we show that there is not an inherent genetic or structural limitation on higher affinity. Higher-affinity TCR variants were generated in the absence of in vivo selective pressures by using yeast display and selection from a library of Vα CDR3 mutants. Selected mutants had greater than 100-fold higher affinity (KD ≈ 9 nM) for the peptide/MHC ligand while retaining a high degree of peptide specificity. Among the high-affinity TCR mutants, a strong preference was found for CDR3α that contained Pro or Gly residues. Finally, unlike the wild-type TCR, a soluble monomeric form of a high-affinity TCR was capable of directly detecting peptide/MHC complexes on antigen-presenting cells. These findings prove that affinity maturation of TCRs is possible and suggest a strategy for engineering TCRs that can be used in targeting specific peptide/MHC complexes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Bands and bonds of B12.

Using an expansion of \ensuremath{\sim}2870 plane waves, we have performed ab initio calculations of the energy bands, equilibrium lattice constants and atomic positions, and cohesive energy of ${\mathrm{B}}_{12}$. We find an indirect gap of 1.427 eV and a direct gap of 1.780 eV. The lattice constants and atomic positions are in good agreement with x-ray data, and charge-density contour plots reveal strong intraicosahedral and interplanar intericosahedral bonding but weak intraplanar intericosahedral bonding.
Shared Traditions: SOUTHERN HISTORY AND FOLK CULTURE

Grounded in Charles Joyner's unique blend of rigorous scholarship and genuine curiosity, these thoughtful and incisive essays by the eminent southern historian and folklorist explore the South's extraordinary amalgam of cultural traditions. By examining the mutual influence of history and folk culture, "Shared Traditions" reveals the essence of southern culture in the complex and dynamic interactions of descendants of Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans. The book covers a broad spectrum of southern folk groups, folklore expressions, and major themes of southern history, including antebellum society, slavery, the coming of the Civil War, economic modernization in the Appalachians and the Sea Islands, immigration, the civil rights movement, and the effects of cultural tourism. Joyner addresses the convergence of African and European elements in the Old South and explores how specific environmental and demographic features shaped the acculturation process. He discusses divergent practices in worship services, funeral and burial services, and other religious ceremonies. He examines links between speech patterns and cultural patterns, the influence of Irish folk culture in the American South, and the southern Jewish experience. He also investigates points of intersection between history and legend and relations between the new social history and folklore. Ranging from rites of power and resistance on the slave plantation to the creolization of language to the musical brew of blues, country, jazz, and rock, "Shared Traditions" reveals the distinctive culture born of a sharing by black and white southerners of their deep-rooted and diverse traditions.
Noncovalent DNA Binding Drives DNA Alkylation by Leinamycin: Evidence That the Z,E-5-(Thiazol-4-yl)-penta-2,4-dienone Moiety of the Natural Product Serves as an Atypical DNA Intercalator

Molecular recognition and chemical modification of DNA are important in medicinal chemistry, toxicology, and biotechnology. Historically, natural products have revealed many interesting and unexpected mechanisms for noncovalent DNA binding and covalent DNA modification. The studies reported here characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the efficient alkylation of duplex DNA by the Streptomyces-derived natural product leinamycin. Previous studies suggested that alkylation of duplex DNA by activated leinamycin (2) is driven by noncovalent association of the natural product with the double helix. This is striking because leinamycin does not contain a classical noncovalent DNA-binding motif, such as an intercalating unit, a groove binder, or a polycation. The experiments described here provide evidence that leinamycin is an atypical DNA-intercalating agent. A competition binding assay involving daunomycin-mediated inhibition of DNA alkylation by leinamycin provided evidence that activated leinamycin b...
Quantification of urinary histamine by a new radioenzymatic assay: Documentation of assay specificity and establishment of normal excretion rates

Abstract The goals of this study were to evaluate the specificity of a new radioenzymatic assay for histamine when it is used for urinary-histamine determinations and to establish normal rates of urinary-histamine excretion for male and female subjects. Specificity of the assay was characterized by reacting urine samples at two different incubation temperatures and with varying amounts of highly purified histamine N -methyltransferase and S-adenosyl-l-[methyl- 3 H]methionine. The radiolabeled products were then separated by thin-layer chromatography and visualized by fluorescence-enhanced autoradiography. Our results indicate that at least one other substrate for histamine N -methyltransferase in addition to histamine is present in human urine, although the identity of this compound could not be determined. Optimization of enzyme-reaction conditions eliminated the methylation of this unidentified substrate while the methylation of histamine was maintained. The average urinary excretion of histamine determined for male subjects (N = 37) and female subjects (N = 111) was 18.7 μg/24 hr and 27.3 μg/24 hr, respectively. More than 12% of the normal female subjects examined had urinary-histamine excretion rates in excess of 50 μg/24 hr, which overlaps into the range previously considered to be indicative of abnormal mast cell secretion. In summary, this is the first radioenzymatic assay for histamine with documented specificity for the measurement of histamine in human urine.
Forbidden transitions in absorption bands for symmetric molecules of the type AB...XYZ3

In an earlier work, the vibration-rotation interaction has been considered in the computation of intensities for molecules of the type AB … XYZ 3 . This yielded the usual selection rules Δ J = 0,AK = 0 for pure rotation bands, Δ J = 0, ± 1,AK = 0 for parallel bands and Δ J = 0, ± 1, Δ K = Δ l = ± 1 for perpendicular bands. However, further computations involving small terms indicate that the forbidden transitions Δ K = ±3 for pure rotation; and Δ K = ± 2 for parallel and perpendicular bands should also be allowed.
Response to Comment on “Redefining the Age of Clovis: Implications for the Peopling of the Americas”

Haynes et al . misrepresent several aspects of our study. Our revised dates and other archaeological data imply that Clovis does not represent the earliest occupation of the Americas, and we offered both human migration and technology diffusion as hypotheses to explain the expansion of Clovis. We stand by the data and conclusions presented in our original report.
Underassessment of weight and weight management in patients with diabetes: One more reason in support of weight management advice

Abstract Aims The purpose of this study was to determine whether underassessment of weight affects weight management behaviors of overweight and obese individuals with diabetes and to determine whether weight management advice from health care professionals modifies the effect of underassessment of weight. Methods Data ( n =979) from the 2006 and 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with underassessment of weight, weight management behaviors, and receipt of weight management advice from health care professionals. Results Underassessment of weight was common (26%). Men, overweight persons, Blacks and Hispanics were more likely to underassess their weight. Those who underassessed their weight were 53% less likely to report weight management behaviors, odds ratio 0.47 (95% CI=0.31–0.73). Weight management advice increased weight management behaviors among individuals who underassessed their weight, 3.49 (95% CI=1.70–7.18). Conclusions Underassessment of weight can negatively affect weight management behaviors of overweight and obese individuals with diabetes. Weight management advice from health care professionals is important, and can modify the effect of underassessment of weight on weight management behaviors in this high risk group.
Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic study of the interaction of CH3ReO3 with NH3.

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with infrared spectroscopy to identify and characterize the product of the codeposition of CH3ReO3 with NH3 into inert matrices at 14 K. This codeposition led to the formation of the isolated 1:1 complex between these two reagents and its isolation in argon and nitrogen matrices. The complex is characterized by perturbations to all of the vibrational modes of the NH3 subunit in the complex, including a large, 185 cm−1 blue shift of ν2, the symmetric deformation mode. In addition, shifts of the ReO3 antisymmetric stretch and ReO3 symmetric bending of the CH3ReO3 subunit in the complex were observed. This complex, while predicted theoretically, has not been reported previously.
History of Antibiotics: From Fluoroquinolones to Daptomycin (Part 2)

In the Modern Era, physicians attested to the reciprocal influence among a technologically advanced society, rapid scientific progresses in medicine, and the need for new antimicrobials. The results of these changes were not only seen in the prolongation of life expectancy but also by the emergence of new pathogens. We first observed the advent of Gram-negative bacteria as a major source of nosocomial infections. The treatment of these microorganisms was complicated by the appearance and spread of drug resistance. We first focused on the development of two major classes of antimicrobials still currently used for the treatment of Gram-negative bacteria, such as fluoroquinolones and carbapenemes. Subsequently, we directed our attention to the growth of the incidence of infections due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although the first MRSA was already isolated in 1961, the treatment of this new pathogen has been based on the efficacy of vancomycin for more than four decades. Only in the last 15 yr, we assisted in the development of new antimicrobial agents such as linezolid and daptomycin.
Serum Potassium Predicts Time to Blood Pressure Response Among African-Americans with Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis

Serum potassium predicts time to blood pressure response among African Americans with hypertensive nephrosclerosis
A Macroevolutionary Explanation for Energy Equivalence in the Scaling of Body Size and Population Density

Abstract: Across a wide array of animal species, mean population densities decline with species body mass such that the rate of energy use of local populations is approximately independent of body size. This “energetic equivalence” is particularly evident when ecological population densities are plotted across several or more orders of magnitude in body mass and is supported by a considerable body of evidence. Nevertheless, interpretation of the data has remained controversial, largely because of the difficulty of explaining the origin and maintenance of such a size‐abundance relationship in terms of purely ecological processes. Here I describe results of a simulation model suggesting that an extremely simple mechanism operating over evolutionary time can explain the major features of the empirical data. The model specifies only the size scaling of metabolism and a process where randomly chosen species evolve to take resource energy from other species. This process of energy exchange among particular spec...
Beginning Teacher Problems: Areas for Teacher Education Improvement

(1992). Beginning Teacher Problems: Areas for Teacher Education Improvement. Action in Teacher Education: Vol. 14, At the Crossroads: Visionary Leadership for Teacher Education, pp. 18-25.
A Note on Deriving the Information Matrix for a Logistic Distribution

Abstract Application of generating functions and other well-known calculus techniques provides a straightforward derivation of the information matrix of the two-parameter logistic distribution.
X-ray photoelectron studies of thorium, uranium, and their dioxides

The valence-band structures of the light actinides thorium, uranium, and their dioxides have been investigated by means of x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. This study shows that the electronic structures of Th${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and U${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ are quite similar, except for the presence of $5f$ electrons in U${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ which lie close to the Fermi level. It is these low-binding-energy $5f$ electrons that give rise to the most dramatic differences in physical properties, notably the magnetism, electrical conductivity, and color. Conduction in U${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ apparently occurs via holes created by excitation of rather localized $5f$ electrons from the uranium to interstitial oxygen-acceptor sites. Sputtering experiments on thin oxide film and bulk samples show Fermi-level shifts in x-ray photoemission spectra associated with doping changes that result from preferential removal of interstitial ("impurity") oxygen atoms. The deep-trap and polaron conduction models have been reexamined. It is our view, at this time, that neither model can be ruled out. For the pure metal thorium, valence-band spectra were compared with the available density-of-states calculations and satisfactory agreement was obtained. For $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{uranium}$, no detailed band calculation exists. However, the results agree with the qualitative density-of-states picture presented by Friedel.
Functional distribution of right and left stellate innervation to the ventricles

Changes of the electrocardiogram and of ventricular refractory period were measured following either unilateral stellate ganglion stimulation or ablation in the open chest dog preparation. Right stellate ganglionectomy or left stellate stimulation produces prolonged Q-T intervals and increased T-wave amplitude. Left stellate ganglionectomy or right stellate stimulation produces increased T-wave negativity without measurable change in the Q-T interval. The differing patterns of electrocardiographic wave form resulting from changes in sympathetic tone mediated by right and left stellate innervation could be correlated with changes in ventricular refractory period. Following right stellate ganglionectomy, refractory period prolongations were most marked over the anterior ventricular surface; left stellate ganglionectomy produced the greatest prolongation on the posterior surface. Although the right and left stellate innervations of the ventricles overlap, the left stellate influence is predominant over the posterior wall of the ventricles, while right stellate influence dominates the anterior ventricular walls. The electrocardiographic form changes observed following unilateral alteration of sympathetic tone paralleled those electrocardiographic abnormalities seen in patients with lesions of the central nervous system, suggesting a possible functional explanation for these clinical findings.
Stable isotope geochemistry of acid mine drainage: Experimental oxidation of pyrite

Sulfate and water from experiments in which pyrite was oxidized at a pH of 2.0 were analyzed for sulfur and oxygen stable isotopes. Experiments were conducted under both aerobic and anaerobic sterile conditions, as well as under aerobic conditions in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, to elucidate the pathways of oxidation. Oxygen isotope fractionation between SO2−4 and H2O varied from +4.0 %. (anaerobic, sterile) to + 18.0 %. (aerobic, with T. ferrooxidans.). The oxygen isotope composition of dissolved oxygen utilized in both chemical and microbially-mediated oxidation was also determined (+11.4 %., by T. ferrooxidans; +18.4 %., chemical). Contributions of water-derived oxygen and dissolved oxygen to the sulfate produced in the oxidation of pyrite could thus be estimated. Water-derived oxygen constituted from 23 to ~ 100 percent of the oxygen in the sulfate produced in the experiments, and this closely approximates the range of contribution in natural acid mine drainage. Oxidation of sulfides in anaerobic, water-saturated environments occurs primarily by chemical oxidation pathways, whereas oxidation of sulfides in well-aerated, unsaturated zone environments occurs dominantly by microbially mediated pathways.
Functional testing of the Laser Intersatellite Transmission Experiment (LITE) engineering model

Acquisition and tracking performance of a space-based optical communications system engineering model has been quantitatively measured using a dedicated optical test set. The test set includes a beacon with simulated angle jitter for tracking, a heterodyne optical receiver, and an accurate, calibrated line- of-sight monitor. The system has the capability of measuring each component of the pointing and tracking budget with angles down to approximately 1% of a diffraction-limited bandwidth. Acquisition and handover-to-tracking probabilities exceeding 99.9% are achieved at power levels 9-dB below expected on-orbit levels, and tracking rejection with jitter amplitudes comparable to expected spacecraft levels has been measured optically at -70 dB. Point- ahead angle repeatability over a POM 15 bandwidth range is found to be better than 0.01 beamwidths.
THE OTC DRUG REVIEW - SWITCH WITHOUT REGULATION OR APPLICATION

The FDA is in the second stage of the most comprehensive scientific assessment of non-prescription drugs ever undertaken. Because of the sheer volume of OTC drugs, a product-by-product review is not feasible. We are therefore basing our review on the ingredients used in these products. Based upon that review, a tentative monograph, a standard of acceptable active ingredients and labeling has been completed for over 90 categories of drugs. The third and final phase of the process - which will take several more years- will re.rult in a final monograph for each category of OTCproducts.
Maximal Dexamethasone Inhibition of Luminal Epithelial Proliferation Involves Progesterone Receptor (PR)- and Non-PR-Mediated Mechanisms in Neonatal Mouse Uterus

Progesterone (P4) and the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) inhibit luminal epithelial (LE) proliferation in neonatal mouse uteri. This study determined the roles of progesterone receptor and estrogen receptor 1 (PR and ESR1, respectively) in P4- and Dex-induced inhibition of LE proliferation using PR knockout (PRKO) and Esr1 knockout (Esr1KO) mice. Wild-type (WT), heterozygous, and homozygous PRKO female pups were injected with vehicle, P4 (40 μg/g body weight), or Dex (4 or 40 μg/g body weight) on Postnatal Day 5, then 24 h later immunostained for markers of cell proliferation. In WT and heterozygous mice, P4 sharply reduced LE proliferation, and Dex produced dose-responsive decreases equaling those of P4 at the higher dose. Critically, although both doses of Dex similarly decreased proliferation compared to vehicle-treated PRKOs, treatment of PRKO pups with the high Dex dose (40 μg/g) did not inhibit LE as much as treatments of WT mice with this Dex dose or with P4. Stromal proliferation was stimulated by P4 in WT but not PRKO mice, and Dex did not alter stromal proliferation. Uteri of all genotypes strongly expressed glucocorticoid receptor (GR), demonstrating that impaired Dex effects in PRKOs did not reflect GR deficiency. Furthermore, inhibition of LE proliferation by Dex (40 μg/g body weight) in Esr1KO mice was normal, so this process does not involve ESR1. In summary, inhibitory Dex effects on LE proliferation occur partially through non-PR-mediated mechanisms, presumably GR, as indicated by Dex inhibition of LE proliferation in PRKOs. However, maximal inhibitory Dex effects on uterine LE proliferation are not seen in PRKO mice with even high Dex, indicating that maximal Dex effects in WT mice also involve PR.
Localized Ductility of Irradiated Zircaloy-2 Cladding in Air and Iodine Environments

A laboratory testing method which is capable of imposing plane-stress and localized plane-strain loading conditions on tubing specimens was used to examine effects of annealing temperature and test environment on the strength and ductility of neutron irradiated Zircaloy-2 tubing. Tests were performed at 350°C in both air and iodine environments on specimens previously irradiated at 327°C in a helium atmosphere to fluences ranging between 1.26 and 1.60 x 10 2 1 neutrons (n)/cm 2 (E > 1 MeV). The tensile ductility under plane-strain loading conditions depended on preirradiation annealing temperature, with recrystallized specimens showing the largest plastic strain at maximum load (6 to 10 percent) in air. By way of comparison, stress-relieved specimens showed the largest plastic strain at maximum load (4 to 5 percent) under conditions of plane-stress loading in air. An iodine environment reduced the load-carrying capacity of the cladding (plane-strain loading) and lowered the strain at maximum load to near the detection limit of the test technique (approximately 1 percent), regardless of prior heat treatment. A change in failure mode from dimpled ductile rupture to quasicleavage and fluting accompanied this loss of ductility.
A high-output, high efficiency femtosecond laser based on a single-stage multipass amplifier

A kilohertz laser producing 4 mJ pulses with 25 fs duration and 26% conversion efficiency was developed using a single-stage multi-pass amplifier. The laser signal spot size inside the Ti:sapphire gain medium was changed in a unique way to obtain high gain and high efficiency without damaging the crystal. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest pulse energy ever obtained from kHz lasers with a single-stage multi-pass amplifier