cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel non-radioactive primase–pyrophosphatase activity assay and its application to the discovery of inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis primase DnaG

Bacterial DNA primase DnaG synthesizes RNA primers required for chromosomal DNA replication. Biochemical assays measuring primase activity have been limited to monitoring formation of radioactively labelled primers because of the intrinsically low catalytic efficiency of DnaG. Furthermore, DnaG is prone to aggregation and proteolytic degradation. These factors have impeded discovery of DnaG inhibitors by high-throughput screening (HTS). In this study, we expressed and purified the previously uncharacterized primase DnaG from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb DnaG). By coupling the activity of Mtb DnaG to that of another essential enzyme, inorganic pyrophosphatase from M. tuberculosis (Mtb PPiase), we developed the first non-radioactive primase–pyrophosphatase assay. An extensive optimization of the assay enabled its efficient use in HTS (Z′ = 0.7 in the 384-well format). HTS of 2560 small molecules to search for inhibitory compounds yielded several hits, including suramin, doxorubicin and ellagic acid. We demonstrate that these three compounds inhibit Mtb DnaG. Both suramin and doxorubicin are potent (low-µM) DNA- and nucleotide triphosphate-competitive priming inhibitors that interact with more than one site on Mtb DnaG. This novel assay should be applicable to other primases and inefficient DNA/RNA polymerases, facilitating their characterization and inhibitor discovery.
A Complement to the Fredholm Theory of Elliptic Systems on Bounded Domains

We fill a gap in the theory of elliptic systems on bounded domains, by proving the -independence of the index and null-space under "minimal" smoothness assumptions. This result has been known for long if additional regularity is assumed and in various other special cases, possibly for a limited range of values of . Here, -independence is proved in full generality.
Pregnancy and epilepsy:update on pregnancy registries.

In the United States, about 1 million women of childbearing age have epilepsy. Estimates vary as to the percentage of these women who consider pregnancy, but epilepsy is the most common neurologic condition encountered in pregnancy. Women with epilepsy express significant interest in receiving guidance about pregnancy and the effects of seizures and anticonvulsant treatments on the developing fetus, but clinicians often are hard-pressed to find accurate and relevant information to share.
Impacts of tug and debris sizes on electrostatic tractor charging performance

Abstract Active debris removal techniques enable relocating noncooperative geosynchronous (GEO) debris objects into graveyard orbits. One proposed method is the electrostatic tractor concept. Here a tug vehicle approaches a target debris object and emits an electron beam onto the debris. The charging that results yields an attractive electrostatic force that is used to tow the debris object into a new orbit. In this study, the impacts of relative sizing between tug and debris on the efficacy of this charge transfer process are considered. By applying a charging model and incorporating nominal, quiet GEO space weather conditions, limitations on the size ratio that preclude charge transfer are identified for different levels of beam energy. The resulting electrostatic forces and impacts on reorbiting performance are studied. The results indicate that a larger tug vehicle will enable the tugging of a broader range of debris sizes, and that the tug size should be roughly as large as the expected debris size.
Reference crop evapotranspiration over Greece

Abstract Monthly evapotranspiration (ET) estimates for 31 locations in Greece are calculated by the Penman, Priestley-Taylor and Thornthwaite methods. The analysis of 27 years of routine meteorological data indicates that annual amounts of ET obtained by Priestley-Taylor or Thornthwaite methods do not generally agree very well with Penman ET (ETPEN) predictions. There are some advantages of using Priestley-Taylor over Thornthwaite method but both underestimate ET compared with Penman estimates. Priestley-Taylor's and Thornthwaite's monthly estimates are very close to ETPEN for the wet stations and underestimate ETPEN to a great degree for the medium wetness and dry stations. The methods give widely different results during the winter months and during the dry season when the “etesians” (high local winds) prevail, especially in Eastern Greece.
NEW TECHNIQUE FOR CALCULATING CORRELATIONS FOR VACANCY DIFFUSION

A method is described for calculating correlation factors for diffusion of vacancy-impurity pairs. The calculation is shown for the case in which the correlation is neglected unless the vacancy and impurity are nearest neighbors, but the correlations may have much longer ranges. The case of graphite-type structure is considered as an example. The method is applicable to both isotropic and anisotropic diffusion. (T.F.H.)
Stratigraphy and Facies Relationships of Silurian (Wenlockian) Rochester Shale: Layer Cake Geology Reinterpreted: ABSTRACT

Along its east-west trending outcrop belt in western New York and Ontario, the Silurian Rochester Shale displays classic "layer cake" stratigraphy. Lower and upper members and their component beds are traceable for distances exceeding 62 mi (100 km) east-to-west, without substantial change in lithology, fossil content, or relative thickness. In contrast, abrupt facies changes occur within the Rochester along short, 3 to 6 mi (5 to 10 km) north-south oriented sections (e.g., Niagara Gorge). Fossil-rich calcareous mudstones and thin limestones tongue out southward and are replaced by sparsely fossiliferous shales. Similarly, the frequency of storm-generated coquinites and calcisiltites decreases to the south. These observations indicate that facies belts are elongate east-w st, perpendicular to a gently south-dipping paleoslope, and subparallel to the modern outcrop belt. Vertical facies changes in the Rochester Shale at local sections reflect lateral (north or south) shifting of environmental tracts, due to migration of the northern paloeshoreline. The entire formation appears to comprise two transgressive-regressive sequences; the lower (Lewiston) member represents a symmetrical deepening-shallowing cycle, while the upper units (Burleigh Hill-Stoney Creek members) record a shallowing-upward hemicycle. Facies tongues in the north-south sections confirm these interpretations. Layer-cake stratigraphy in the Rochester Shale is thus an artifact of parallelism between the outcrop belt and depositional strike. As such, the Rochester provides a useful paradigm for understanding numerous similar stratigraphic units in the northern Appalachian basin. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1165------------
“‘Making History’ Queerly: Touches across Time through a Biblical Behind”

Historical approaches to sexuality, in and outside of biblical studies, have tended to stress either continuities or ruptures. Yet, such approaches set a series of limits for tracing and assessing dynamics of gender, sexuality, and embodiment, where one might tap into a more resistant or disruptive strain in queer theory. A more thorough engagement with thinkers (queer and feminist) like Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick and Judith Butler will indicate that there might be a third way to explore issues of origin, continuity, and difference in biblical argumentation. With help from queer thinkers reflecting on other eras, then, this third kind of approach can explore the many senses of "making history" by remaining invested in, but not particularly bound to historiography. The utility of such methodological reflections will be briefly demonstrated by suggesting different interpretive strategies and results for interpreting passionately-cited biblical literature like Paul's letter to the Romans.
Neurobehavioral abnormalities after posterior fossa surgery in children

At least 10% of children who undergo resection of a cerebellar vermian tumor experience a so-called 'posterior fossa syndrome' that begins 16 days postoperatively and gradually resolves over months in most cases. The most common feature of this syndrome is mutism, often referred to as 'cerebellar' mutism. In reality, mutism comprises only one component of a much more complex neurobehavioral symptom complex, which can include oropharyngeal dyspraxia, impaired initiation of complex voluntary movements, oculomotor apraxia, incontinence, emotional lability and bizarre personality changes. In this review, the clinical features, neuroanatomic substrate, possible pathogenic processes, and implications for patient care of this syndrome are reviewed in light of our experience with a large case series of children undergoing resections of cerebellar tumors and other reports in the literature. The evidence from the posterior fossa syndrome support an important role for the cerebellum and/or its afferent and efferent ...
Bibliography on emission microscopy, mirror electron microscopy, low-energy electron microscopy and related techniques: 1985–1991

Abstract This paper contains a bibliography on emission microscopy (e.g. photoelectron emission microscopy), mirror electron microscopy, low energy electron microscopy and related techniques: 1985–1991. Citations to other types of photoelectron imaging such as photoelectron spectromicroscopy (e.g. magnetic projection photoelectron microscopy, and micro-ESCA), photoelectron imaging with synchroton radiation, and scanning photoelectron microscopy are included.
What is Non-Epistemic Seeing?

It was first suggested by Warnock' and later developed by Dretske2 that there is no essential connection between seeing and knowing. Putting the issue of non-epistemic seeing this broadly lets us mention the topic of this paper without prejudice. For, as with many issues, more than one thesis goes by the name of non-epistemic seeing. What I should like to do, via portions of Dretske's account, is to sort some of the varieties of non-epistemic seeing and to consider which are uninteresting, problematic, and so on.
Tight-binding molecular-dynamics study of amorphous carbon

The structural and electronic properties of amorphous carbon are studied with tight-binding molecular-dynamics simulations. An amorphous carbon structure with 216 atoms obtained from our simulation gives a structure factor [ital S]([ital Q]) in very good agreement with the results of neutron scattering from a sputtered [ital a]-C sample. We found that the amorphous structure consists of graphitelike fragments embedded in a matrix of both twofold and fourfold coordinated atoms. We also found a small pseudogap in the electronic density of states at the Fermi level.
Intracanal cementosis following induced apical closure.

This case report details the treatment of a maxillary central incisor with an incomplete apex following trauma to the tooth. An apexification procedure was carried out and the patient was asymptomatic until the time of a subsequent accident. The tooth was fractured in the cervical third of the root, extracted and examined microscopically following decalcification. An interesting pattern of apical closure was noted, where in addition to an apical cementum bridge, a layer of cementum had been deposited along the walls of the root canal to the junction of the middle and cervical thirds.
Telomerase confers resistance to caspase-mediated apoptosis.

There is growing evidence that accelerated telomeric attrition and/or aberrant telomerase activity contributes to pathogenesis in a number of diseases. Likewise, there is increasing interest to develop new therapies to restore or replace dysfunctional cells characterized by short telomeric length using telomerase-positive counterparts or stem cells. While telomerase adds telomeric repeats de novo contributing to enhanced proliferative capacity and lifespan, it may also increase cellular survival by conferring resistance to apoptosis. Consequently, we sought to determine the involvement of telomerase for reduced apoptosis using ovarian surface epithelial cells. We found that expression of hTERT, the catalytic component of telomerase, was sufficient and specific to reduce caspase-mediated cellular apoptosis. Further, hTERT expression reduced activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9, reduced expression of pro-apoptotic mitochondrial proteins t-BID, BAD, and BAX and increased expression of the anti-apoptotic mitochondrial protein, Bcl-2. The ability of telomerase to suppress caspase-mediated apoptosis was p-jnk dependent since abrogation of jnk expression with jip abolished resistance to apoptosis. Consequently, these findings indicate that telomerase may promote cellular survival in epithelial cells by suppressing jnk-dependent caspase- mediated apoptosis.
MEASURING THE INTERVENTIONS USED IN THE SHORT-TERM INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERARY OF DEPRESSION

This paper describes a method for measuring the interventions employed by psychotherapists in the short-term interpersonal treatment of depressive disorders. The psychotherapy techniques are described, and the methodology for measuring these techniques is presented. These are illustrated with the findings of the collaborative Boston-New Haven project.
Distinctive regions of 3D surfaces

Selecting the most important regions of a surface is useful for shape matching and a variety of applications in computer graphics and geometric modeling. While previous research has analyzed geometric properties of meshes in isolation, we select regions that distinguish a shape from objects of a different type. Our approach to analyzing distinctive regions is based on performing a shape-based search using each region as a query into a database. Distinctive regions of a surface have shape consistent with objects of the same type and different from objects of other types. We demonstrate the utility of detecting distinctive surface regions for shape matching and other graphics applications including mesh visualization, icon generation, and mesh simplification.
Pulmonary toxicity and fibrogenic response of carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been a subject of intensive research for a wide range of applications. However, because of their extremely small size and light weight, CNTs are readily inhaled into human lungs resulting in increased rates of pulmonary disorders, most notably fibrosis. Several studies have demonstrated the fibrogenic effects of CNTs given their ability to translocate into the surrounding areas in the lung causing granulomatous lesions and interstitial and sub-pleural fibrosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the disease process remain obscure due to the lack of understanding of the cellular interactions and molecular targets involved. Interestingly, certain physicochemical properties of CNTs have been shown to affect their respiratory toxicity, thereby becoming significant determinants of fibrogenesis. CNT-induced fibrosis involves a multitude of cell types and is characterized by the early onset of inflammation, oxidative stress and accumulation of extracellular matrix. Increased reactive oxygen species activate various cytokine/growth factor signaling cascades resulting in increased expression of inflammatory and fibrotic genes. Profibrotic growth factors and cytokines contribute directly to fibroblast proliferation and collagen production. Given the role of multiple players during the pathogenesis of CNT-induced fibrosis, the objective of this review is to summarize the key findings and discuss major cellular and molecular events governing pulmonary fibrosis. We also discuss the physicochemical properties of CNTs and their effects on pulmonary toxicities as well as various biological factors contributing to the development of fibrosis.
Semipermeable membrane devices accumulate conserved ratios of sterane and hopane petroleum biomarkers.

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) are commonly used as a time-integrated measure of aqueous concentrations of persistent hydrophobic chemicals, including PAH, pesticides, dioxins, and PCBs. Another class of persistent hydrophobic chemicals is petroleum biomarker compounds (hopanes and steranes) that are used for hydrocarbon source identification and allocation. In this study three different passive sampling device designs were exposed to a complex hydrocarbon mixture (Alaska North Slope crude) in a laboratory experiment to determine uptake rates of biomarkers into SPMDs. In addition to the standard triolein filled SPMDs, iso-octane filled SPMDs (ISPMDs) and unfilled low-density polyethylene strips (PESDs) were tested. Uptake rates and effective sampling rates were determined for 53 compounds. There was little variation in sampling rates among the individual biomarkers; average values (l d � 1 ) for hopanes were 0.43 � 0.07 (PESD), 0.33 � 0.06 (SPMD), and 0.44 � 0.03 (ISPMD) and average sterane sampling rates were 0.57 � 0.04 (PESD), 0.42 � 0.03 (SPMD), and 0.53 � 0.03 (ISPMD). The primary reason for biomarker analysis is for source discrimination of petroleum. Nineteen different diagnostic ratios were measured, and were found to be remarkably well conserved between the oil, water, and all three devices. This indicates that SPMDs, PESDs, and ISPMDs should each be effective for source discrimination studies of petroleum contamination. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The parent magmas of the cumulate eucrites: A mass balance approach

The cumulate eucrite meteorites are gabbros that are related to the eucrite basalt meteorites. The eucrite basalts are relatively primitive (nearly flat REE patterns with La approx. 8-30 x CI), but the parent magmas of the cumulate eucrites have been inferred as extremely evolved (La to greater than 100 x CI). This inference has been based on mineral/magma partitioning, and on mass balance considering the cumulate eucrites as adcumulates of plagioclase + pigeonite only; both approaches have been criticized as inappropriate. Here, mass balance including magma + equilibrium pigeonite + equilibrium plagiociase is used to test a simple model for the cumulate eucrites: that they formed from known eucritic magma types, that they consisted only of magma + crystals in chemical equilibrium with the magma, and that they were closed to chemical exchange after the accumulation of crystals. This model is tested for major and Rare Earth Elements (REE). The cumulate eucrites Serra de Mage and Moore County are consistent, in both REE and major elements, with formation by this simple model from a eucrite magma with a composition similar to the Nuevo Laredo meteorite: Serra de Mage as 14% magma, 47.5% pigeonite, and 38.5% plagioclase; Moore County as 35% magma, 37.5% pigeonite, and 27.5% plagioclase. These results are insensitive to the choice of mineral/magma partition coefficients. Results for the Moama cumulate eucrite are strongly dependent on choice of partition coefficients; for one reasonable choice, Moama's composition can be modeled as 4% Nuevo Laredo magma, 60% pigeonite, and 36% plagioclase. Selection of parent magma composition relies heavily on major elements; the REE cannot uniquely indicate a parent magma among the eucrite basalts. The major element composition of Y-791195 can be fit adequately as a simple cumulate from any basaltic eucrite composition. However, Y-791195 has LREE abundances and La/Lu too low to be accommodated within the model using any basaltic eucrite composition and any reasonable partition coefficients. Postcumulus loss of incompatible elements seems possible. It is intriguing that Serra de Mage, Moore County, and Moama are consistent with the same parental magma; could they be from the same igneous body on the eucrite parent asteroid (4 Vesta)?
In vitro release kinetics of nisin as affected by Tween 20 and glycerol co-encapsulated in spray-dried zein capsules

Delivery systems with sustained release of antimicrobials have been proposed to improve long-term effectiveness of antimicrobials in foods. In this work, we studied the effect of Tween 20 and glycerol in spray-drying formulations on resultant microstructures of zein capsules and release profiles of encapsulated nisin. Tween 20 and glycerol changed capsules from a continuous matrix to shell-type structures. All samples showed complete release of nisin in 30 min at pH 2.0. Capsules with a higher amount of Tween 20 showed more complete release of nisin at pH 8.0, in contrast to no apparent impact by glycerol. Addition of 0.05% Tween 20 or glycerol in the feed both reduced the burst release of nisin at pH 6.0, but no conclusive trends were observed for the impact of their usage levels. Our work showed that an appropriate formulation is needed to obtain desirable delivery systems of antimicrobials such as nisin.
The clinical and cost-effectiveness of treating recurrent preterm labor with subcutaneous terbutaline

Abstract Objective: To compare clinical and cost-effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous terbutaline (SQT) versus oral tocolytic agents (PO) for tocolytic maintenance after recurrent preterm labor (RPTL) in singleton gestations. Methods: A retrospective, matched cohort design was used to identify patients from a perinatal database of women who received home care services from April 1995 to December 1998. Inclusions: singleton gestation, received PO after initial preterm labor at more than 20 weeks, were hospitalized with RPTL at less than 35 weeks, available outcome data. Exclusions: indicated deliveries related to hypertension, diabetes, or fetal conditions. Data were divided by treatment after RPTL (SQT or continued PO). Patients were matched for gestational age (GA) at RPTL. A standardized cost model was applied to compare total antepartum hospital (HSP), nursery, and outpatient charges. Results: There were 279 women per group. Gestational age at RPTL was 31.6 ± 2.2 weeks. Of SQT patients, 70.6% reached at least 36 weeks versus 56.6% of PO patients (P Conclusion: Fewer HSP and nursery days, as well as less utilization of the neonatal intensive care unit, suggest cost-effectiveness of SQT for the treatment of RPTL in singleton gestations. legend . legend PO (n = 279) SQT (n = 279) P value Gestational age at delivery, weeks 35.7 ± 2.8 36.5 ± 2.1 BW 38.0% 20.8% NICU admission 26.2% 18.6% 0.003 Nursery days 8.7 ± 16.0 4.9 ± 9.8 Total charges, $ 21,935 ± 33,107 16,649 ± 21,701 0.017 legend All data are the means ± SD, or percentage, as indicated. BW indicates birth weight; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit.
Evidence for the existence of gonadotropin receptors in the nuclei isolated from rat ovary

Specific binding of radiolabeled human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to nuclei isolated from pseudopregnant rat ovaries was studied. Incubation of cultured luteal cells or isolated nuclei with fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated hCG showed concentration of fluorescence in the nuclear region. Isolated nuclei exhibited saturable high affinity binding of radiolabeled hCG with an apparent Kd of 3.42 × 10−10 M. The binding was inhibited by increasing concentrations of unlabeled hCG. Under dissociating conditions, the bound hCG was dissociated from the nuclei. However, unlike the plasma membranes, the hCG bound to nuclei was not degraded before dissociation. Radiolabeled hCG bound to the nuclei could also be dissociated by brief exposure to MgCl2 or acidic incubation medium. The bound hCG was not extractable with 4M KCl or 2% Triton X-100. The available evidence suggest that nuclear receptors are distinct from plasma membrane receptors for hCG.
Gout as a Source of Sesamoid Pain

Isolated gout of a great toe sesamoid has not been described previously. We present a case of gout of the medial sesamoid in a young athlete. Because a diagnosis is often elusive in patients with sesamoid pain, it is possible that other cases of gout of a hallucal sesamoid have gone unrecognized. Consideration of this diagnosis might lead to curative medical therapy precluding the need for surgical intervention.
Small cell lung cancer: how should we treat it? what is it?

In this issue of The Annals, the Osaka group reports their experience with 91 patients undergoing pulmonary resection for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) based on the new 1997 TNM staging system [1]. These results mimic those already seen in the literature using the 1987 TNM classification. Although not conclusive, it does appear that perioperative chemotherapy, either preoperative, postoperative or both, improves survival as long as a complete course (four cycles or more) of chemotherapy is administered. The significance of this has to be the recommendation that for those patients operated upon without a diagnosis and found to have small cell lung
Oxidized LDL Regulates Macrophage Gene Expression through Ligand Activation of PPARγ

Abstract Macrophage uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is thought to play a central role in foam cell formation and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We demonstrate here that oxLDL activates PPARγ-dependent transcription through a novel signaling pathway involving scavenger receptor-mediated particle uptake. Moreover, we identify two of the major oxidized lipid components of oxLDL, 9-HODE and 13-HODE, as endogenous activators and ligands of PPARγ. Our data suggest that the biologic effects of oxLDL are coordinated by two sets of receptors, one on the cell surface, which binds and internalizes the particle, and one in the nucleus, which is transcriptionally activated by its component lipids. These results suggest that PPARγ may be a key regulator of foam cell gene expression.
Sensitivity of Engine-Component Wear to Lubricant-Additive and Contact Conditions Using an Antiwear Film Formation Model

Traditional engine wear models link wear rates to detailed material and contact conditions. Effects of lubricant and additive characteristics are often described by and lumped in empirical parameters such as wear coefficients. With increased environmental concern that lubricant and additives impact emissions and exhaust treatment catalysts, there is increasing interest in optimizing the lubricant and additive combination while providing adequate protection against engine wear. While the mechanisms of anti-wear film formation have been studied in great detail, engineering models of component wear incorporating lubricant chemistry are just beginning to emerge. These models build on the understanding of anti-wear film mechanisms developed and published over the years on the one hand, and on classical wear models for rough surfaces on the other. One such model has been applied to study the sensitivity of the following effects on component wear: Kinetics of ZDDP, which vary according to type and formulation, surface characteristics, contact loads and temperatures, as well as the replenishment and depletion rates of lubricant-additive to the surface-lubricant interfaces. The calculations are done for several engine components under real-world operating conditions.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
A model for close encounters in the planetary problem

A model is proposed for single close encounters between two small masses, m1 and m2, which orbit a much larger mass, M. The main new feature of the model is the assumption of conic motion of the center of mass of m1 and m2 in the gravitational field of M. Comparisons of the model with the three-body equations of motion indicate that the model is a useful approximation for m1, m2 not exceeding 0.00001 M. The model is therefore applicable for encounters between bodies of the order of an earth mass or smaller in the presence of the sun. Comparisons are also made of outcomes obtained by the model with outcomes of numerical integration for a large variety of close encounters. The above comparisons reveal that for many purposes the model is an adequate approximation for encounters with an eccentricity of the hyperbolic orbit of m1 about m2 not less than 4.
Scanning tunneling microscopy investigation of the TiO 2 anatase (101) surface

We report the first scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study of single-crystalline anatase. Atomically resolved images of the (101) surface are consistent with a bulk-truncated $(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ termination. Step edges run predominantly in the [010], $[1\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}11],$ and $[1\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}1\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}1]$ directions. The surface is stable with very few point defects. Fourfold-coordinated Ti atoms at step edges are preferred adsorption sites and allow the identification of tunneling sites in STM.
Regularity for solutions of nonlocal, nonsymmetric equations

We study the regularity for solutions of fully nonlinear integro differential equations with respect to nonsymmetric kernels. More precisely, we assume that our operator is elliptic with respect to a family of integro differential linear operators where the symmetric parts of the kernels have a fixed homogeneity σ and the skew symmetric parts have strictly smaller homogeneity τ. We prove a weak ABP estimate and C1,α regularity. Our estimates remain uniform as we take σ→2 and τ→1 so that this extends the regularity theory for elliptic differential equations with dependence on the gradient.
High-speed computer in turbine-generator design

SINCE 1956, an IBM 704 electronic data-processing machine has been used by the authors' company in the design of large steam turbine-generators. The computer has been an effective aid in both advance engineering and design engineering work for these machines.
Comparison of adenylate cyclase activity in segments of rat sciatic nerve with a condition/test or test lesion.

Abstract A prior “conditioning” lesion enhances the rate of nerve regeneration after a subsequent “test” lesion made proximal to the first injury. This effect has been observed in several species and in both peripheral and central neurons. Nonetheless, the molecular basis of the conditioning effect remains uncertain. The initiation of regeneration and its progress appear to depend on separate processes, and either or both may be affected in different species. This investigation focused on rat sciatic nerve, where only the rate of elongation appears to be consistently enhanced. I investigated the distribution of adenylate cyclase activity in various segments of the injured nerves to determine if cyclic AMP might modulate some aspect of the regeneration process. Adenylate cyclase activity accumulated at the point of injury and was significantly increased in regenerating nerve tips, as determined by the pinch test, in both condition/test- and test-lesion nerves. The sole significant difference between these experimental groups was an increase in adenylate cyclase activity immediately distal to the test lesion and immediately distal to the regeneration point in the condition-lesion nerves. I suggest that an increase in cyclic AMP concentration in nerve segments distal to a lesion may condition the local environment to enhance axon sprouting or elongation. Nerve growth stimulated by a local increase in cyclic AMP, however, may require additional cell body-supplied material to be sustained.
Fabrication of Shape Controllable Janus Alginate/pNIPAAm Microgels via Microfluidics Technique and Off-Chip Ionic Cross-Linking

A novel method to fabricate shape controllable alginate/pNIPAAm complex microgels is reported. Monodisperse alginate/pNIPAAm droplets are created via microfluidics and cross-linked in different concentrations of hot glycerol/barium acetate water solutions. By changing the initial droplet size and glycerol concentration of the collecting solution, the resultant microgel shape and surface details can be systematically tuned. High-speed imaging is used to visualize and explain the microgel formation process.
Childhood lichen planus—A question of therapy

Diffuse lichen planus, a rare disorder in children, was observed in an 8-year-old boy. Effective therapy in this disease remains a problem and currently relies predominantly, on the use of the corticosteroids. The complications attendant with corticosteroid administration in children are discussed and a review of alternate modes of therapy for lichen planus is presented.
Longitudinal Study of Mucosal Candida Species Colonization and Candidiasis among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Seropositive and At-Risk HIV-Seronegative Women

Acquisition and loss rates and estimates of duration of oral and vaginal Candida species colonization and candidiasis were examined among 868 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive and 437 at-risk HIV-seronegative women monitored prospectively during 1993-1999. Colonization and candidiasis acquisition rates, both oral and vaginal, were significantly higher among HIV-seropositive women; the magnitude of increase in candidiasis outcomes for HIV-seropositive women was greater for oral candidiasis than for vaginal candidiasis. Loss rates and estimates of duration of incident outcomes indicated that persistent mucosal colonization was more likely among HIV-seropositive women. However, results did not suggest persistent mucosal candidiasis. Higher HIV loads were significantly associated with increased odds of incident or persistent oral and vaginal colonization and candidiasis, an effect significantly reduced by highly active antiretroviral therapy for the incident outcomes of oral candidiasis and vaginal colonization. Cell-mediated immunodeficiency (CD4(+) lymphocyte count <500 cells/mm(3)) was significantly associated with increased odds of oral colonization or candidiasis, but not with vaginal colonization or candidiasis. In HIV-seropositive women, mucosal candidiasis is the consequence of multiple interacting factors.
Discs large (Dlg1) complexes in lymphocyte activation

T cell antigen recognition involves the formation of a structured interface between antigen-presenting and T cells that facilitates the specific transmission of activating and desensitizing stimuli. The molecular machinery that organizes the signaling molecules and controls their disposition in response to activation remains poorly understood. We show here that in T cells Discs large (Dlg1), a PDZ domain-containing protein, is recruited upon activation to cortical actin and forms complexes with early participants in T cell activation. Transient overexpression of Dlg1 attenuates basal and Vav1-induced NFAT reporter activation. Reduction of Dlg1 expression by RNA interference enhances both CD3- and superantigen-mediated NFAT activation. Attenuation of antigen receptor signaling appears to be a complex, highly orchestrated event that involves the mutual segregation of important elements of the early signaling complex.
Practical color-based motion capture

Motion capture systems have been widely used for high quality content creation and virtual reality but are rarely used in consumer applications due to their price and setup cost. In this paper, we propose a motion capture system built from commodity components that can be deployed in a matter of minutes. Our approach uses one or more webcams and a color shirt to track the upper-body at interactive rates. We describe a robust color calibration system that enables our color-based tracking to work against cluttered backgrounds and under multiple illuminants. We demonstrate our system in several real-world indoor and outdoor settings.
Fine-Scale Staging of T Cell Lineage Commitment in Adult Mouse Thymus

T cell development is marked by the loss of alternative lineage choices accompanying specification and commitment to the T cell lineage. Commitment occurs between the CD4 and CD8 double-negative (DN) 2 and DN3 stages in mouse early T cells. To determine the gene regulatory changes that accompany commitment, we sought to distinguish and characterize the earliest committed wild-type DN adult thymocytes. A transitional cell population, defined by the first downregulation of surface c-Kit expression, was found to have lost the ability to differentiate into dendritic cells and NK cells when cultured without Notch-Delta signals. In the presence of Notch signaling, this subset generates T lineage descendants in an ordered precursor–product relationship between DN2, with the highest levels of surface c-Kit, and c-Kit–low DN3 cells. These earliest committed cells show only a few differences in regulatory gene expression, compared with uncommitted DN2 cells. They have not yet established the full expression of Notch-related and T cell differentiation genes characteristic of DN3 cells before β selection. Instead, the downregulation of select stem cell and non-T lineage genes appears to be key to the extinction of alternative lineage choices.
Leaders and Followers In Student Online Project Teams

This paper reports an empirical study that explores how leadership behaviors emerge and are distributed in online student teams, and the relationship of emergent leadership patterns to various outcomes. Two patterns of emergent leadership were identified: strong and weak leadership. Results suggest that weak leadership is at least equally effective and may be more effective than strong leadership in producing positive team outcomes. Weak leadership may also produce interaction patterns more conducive to the educational objectives of a "community of inquiry" model.
Free Indexation: Combinatorial Analysis and A Compositional Algorithm

The principle known as 'free indexation' plays an important role in the determination of the referential properties of noun phrases in the principle-and-parameters language framework. First, by investigating the combinatorics of free indexation, we show that the problem of enumerating all possible indexings requires exponential time. Secondly, we exhibit a provably optimal free indexation algorithm.
Visual and Auditory Imagery Associated with Children's Imaginary Companions:

In this study we interviewed children about their experiences of visual and auditory images when interacting with imaginary companions, and explored the extent that the nature of those experiences ...
Stokes emission in GdF3:Nd3+ nanoparticles for bioimaging probes

There is increasing interest in rare earth (RE) doped nanoparticles (NPs) due to their sharp absorption and photoluminescence (PL) in the near infrared (NIR) spectral region. These NIR based nanoparticles (NPs) could allow biological imaging at substantial depths with enhanced contrast and high spatial resolution due to the absence of auto fluorescence in biological samples under infrared excitation. Here, we present the highly efficient infrared photoluminescence in GdF₃:Nd(3+) nanoparticles under 800 nm excitation within the hydrodynamic size limitations for bio-applications. The downconversion (Stokes emission) absolute quantum yields (QY) in powder, polymaleic anhydride-alt-1-octadicene (PMAO) coated powder and colloidal solutions have been investigated. QY measurements have revealed that downconversion (Stokes emission) QYs of approximately 5 ± 2 nm sized GdF₃:1% Nd(3+) colloidal NPs are 2000 times higher than those of efficient upconversion (UC) particles NaYF₄:20% Er/2% Yb of the same size. Furthermore, the utility of these NIR emitting nanoparticles for bioimaging probes has been demonstrated by confocal imaging and spectroscopic study.
A Statistical Approach for Determining the Technological Value of Cotton Using HVI Fiber Properties

A statistical approach for determining the technological value of a variety of cotton is presented. The approach suggests that the market value of cotton should correspond to its technological valu...
Direct foliar effects of simulated acid rain. II: Leaf surface characteristics

Summary The effects of foliar applications of simulated acid rain (pH 5–6, 4.0, 3.0 and 2.0) were observed for seedlings of four deciduous tree species native to the eastern United States, Liriodendron tulipifera L., Platanus occidentalis L., Liquidambar styracifiua L., and Robinia pseudo-acacia L. Damage occurred only at pH 2.0. Liriodendron was least damaged, Platanus the most. For Liriodendron and Platanus, older leaves showed more damage than younger ones, whereas for Robinia the opposite was true. No age effect was noted for Liquidambar. Height growth was reduced at pH 20 in Platanus and Robinia, and less so in Liquidambar. Total biomass was significantly reduced at pH 2.0 for Platanus and Liquidambar, resulting mainly from reduction in stem and root biomass. Leaf biomass was not greatly affected in any of the species. Photosynthetic rates in Platanus were reduced after exposure to rain of pH 20, and were the result of changes in mesophyll conductance to CO2, as stomata! conductances were not affected. In Liquidambar, stomatal conductances to water vapour were lowered after exposure to rain of pH 2.0. Results show that under greenhouse conditions only rain of extremely low pH causes foliar damage and growth reductions. Lowered rates of photosynthesis in Platanus may have contributed to the observed reductions in growth.
Comparative metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene by liver microsomes of channel catfish and brown bullhead

We investigated the metabolism of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by liver microsomes of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) pretreated with 3-methylcholanthrene. The catfish liver microsomes metabolized BaP at a considerably lower rate than did the brown bullhead liver microsomes. Although the BaP metabolites produced by the liver microsomes of the two species were qualitatively similiar, there were considerable differences in the relative proportions of individual metabolites formed. The catfish liver microsomes produced a considerably lower proportion of benzo-ring diols of BaP including BaP-7,8-diol (the proximate carcinogenic metabolite of BaP) than did the bullhead liver microsomes. Compared to the bullhead liver microsomes, the catfish microsomes converted a higher proportion of BaP to phenolic metabolites.
Lay Observers, Telegraph Lines, and Kansas Weather: The Field Network as a Mode of Knowledge Production

This paper examines the field network – linking together lay observers in geographically distributed locations with a central figure who aggregated their locally produced observations into more general, regional knowledge – as a historically emergent mode of knowledge production. After discussing the significance of weather knowledge as a vital domain in which field networks have operated, it describes and analyzes how a more robust and systematized weather observing field network became established and maintained on the ground in the early twentieth century. This case study, which examines two Kansas City-based local observer networks supervised by the same U.S. Weather Bureau office, demonstrates some of the key issues involved in maintaining field networks, such as the role of communications infrastructure, especially the telegraph, the procedures designed to make local observation more systematic and uniform, and the centralized, hierarchical power relations that underpinned even a low-status example of knowledge production on the periphery.
Vascular smooth muscle responsiveness to nitric oxide is reduced in healthy adults with increased adiposity

Vascular smooth muscle responsiveness to nitric oxide, as assessed by nitroglycerin-induced dilation (NID), is impaired in clinical cardiovascular disease, but its relation to adiposity is unknown....
Refractive index of nanolayered polymeric optical materials

We experimentally tested a predictive model of refractive index proposed for nanolayered polymer films for use in designing and fabricating biologically inspired GRIN lenses, which enables good estimation of index based on component weight fractions.
VII. The Liberal Leadership and the Lords' Veto, 1907–1910

The official biographers of H. H. Asquith believed that his sole difference of any importance with Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman in the period when Asquith served as his principal lieutenant rose in connexion with the Trade Disputes Act of 1906. In fact, another important difference divided them in the following spring, this one rising out of their respective views on the proper mode of limiting the veto of the house of lords. That of Campbell-Bannerman is well known. He sponsored a plan of suspensory veto that could conceivably limit the period in which the lords' veto operated to little more than six months. Under its terms a bill sent up to the house of lords would go to a small conference representing each house equally when the two houses were in disagreement. Should the conference fail, the bill or another like it could be reintroduced in the house of commons after an interval of at least six months, passed under drastic closure, and sent once more to the house of lords. The impasse continuing, a second conference might be held; and a second failure at this juncture could entail a repetition of the whole process. But if a third conference proved unsuccessful, the bill could become law without the consent of the house of lords. Known subsequently as the C-B veto plan, it was made public by the Prime Minister in a speech in the house of commons, on 24 June 1007, when he also introduced and carried by a large majority a resolution asserting that the power of the house of lords to alter or reject bills should be so restricted by law as to secure that the decision of the house of commons should prevail within the limits of a single parliament.
Fair Value's Affect on Accounting's Ability to Predict Future Cash Flows: A Glance Back and a Look at the Potential Impact of Reaching the Goal

As the FASB implements accounting standards with fair value accounting components, discussions have centered around relevance and reliability of the reported values. Discussions primarily focus on potentially increased relevance weighed against issues of reliability rather than considering the potential impact on the predictive objective of accounting. The current study instead frames the issue based on financial reporting objectives as stated in SFAC No. 1. We show that, even with recent standard's fair value requirements, correlations between current accounting numbers and current market data have not improved through time, nor have correlations between current accounting numbers and future cash flows improved. Most importantly, we find that correlations between market data (in essence, fair values) and future cash flows are significantly lower than correlations between current accounting and future cash flows. That is, achieving fair value accounting would reduce the predictive ability of financial reporting for future cash flows.
The general psychiatrist's evaluation of competency

7a standard for assessing competency has not yet penetrated into everyday clinical practice. Yet, especially in an environment in which every physician must at least be concerned with the adequacy of informed consent, a practical approach for the clinician warrants review. In this article, I define relevant terms, outline the difference between legal and clinical concepts of competency, and describe a scheme for use by the general psychiatrist.