cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloning, characterization, and functional expression of acs, the gene which encodes acetyl coenzyme A synthetase in Escherichia coli.

Acetyl coenzyme A synthetase (Acs) activates acetate to acetyl coenzyme A through an acetyladenylate intermediate; two other enzymes, acetate kinase (Ack) and phosphotransacetylase (Pta), activate acetate through an acetyl phosphate intermediate. We subcloned acs, the Escherichia coli open reading frame purported to encode Acs (F. R. Blattner, V. Burland, G. Plunkett III, H. J. Sofia, and D. L. Daniels, Nucleic Acids Res. 21:5408-5417, 1993). We constructed a mutant allele, delta acs::Km, with the central 0.72-kb BclI-BclI portion of acs deleted, and recombined it into the chromosome. Whereas wild-type cells grew well on acetate across a wide range of concentrations (2.5 to 50 mM), those deleted for acs grew poorly on low concentrations ( or = 25 mM), and those deleted for acs, ackA, and pta did not grow on acetate at any concentration tested. Expression of acs from a multicopy plasmid restored growth to cells deleted for all three genes. Relative to wild-type cells, those deleted for acs did not activate acetate as well, those deleted for ackA and pta displayed even less activity, and those deleted for all three genes did not activate acetate at any concentration tested. Induction of acs resulted in expression of a 72-kDa protein, as predicted by the reported sequence. This protein immunoreacted with antiserum raised against purified Acs isolated from an unrelated species, Methanothrix soehngenii. The purified E. coli Acs then was used to raise anti-E. coli Acs antiserum, which immunoreacted with a 72-kDa protein expressed by wild-type cells but not by those deleted for acs. When purified in the presence, but not in the absence, of coenzyme A, the E. coli enzyme activated acetate across a wide range of concentrations in a coenzyme A-dependent manner. On the basis of these and other observations, we conclude that this open reading frame encodes the acetate-activating enzyme, Acs.
Osteoactivin is a novel osteoclastic protein and plays a key role in osteoclast differentiation and activity

This study presents gene expression, protein expression, and in situ immunohistochemical evidence that osteoclasts express high levels of osteoactivin (OA), which had previously been reported to be an osteoblast-specific protein in bone. OA expression in osteoclasts was up-regulated upon receptor activator of NFkappaB ligand-induced differentiation. Suppression of functional activity of OA with neutralizing antibody reduced cell size, number of nuclei, fusion, and bone resorption activity of osteoclasts. OA was co-immunoprecipitated with integrin beta3 and beta1, indicating that OA co-localizes with integrin beta3 and/or beta1 in a hetero-polymeric complex in osteoclasts. These findings indicate that OA is a novel osteoclastic protein and plays a role in osteoclast differentiation and/or activity.
Efficacy of implantable cardioverter defibrillator in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a well-known risk in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This study tests the hypothesis that implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may prevent SCD in children with DCM. Methods: The medical records of 48 children (0–17.9 yrs, mean 7.1 6.7 yrs) with DCM were reviewed to determine the incidence of arrhythmias, their treatment and complications including SCD. Results: All patients were treated with digoxin, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and diuretics and 75% were on a beta-blocker. Arrhythmias were detected in 18 (38%) patients: ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 16 and atrial flutter-fibrillation in 2. The mean interval from DCM diagnosis to arrhythmia onset was 3.3 4.4 years. Left ventricular ejection fraction was the same in patients with or without arrhythmias (28 9.8% versus 24 5.6%, p 0.14). Twelve patients (75%) with VT had an ICD implanted. Amiodarone was used in 7 patients with VT, in 3 it was discontinued after ICD placement due to side effects. Over 2.5 2.0 years of follow-up, ICD patients received 26 appropriate shocks (0.8 shock per patient-year), and 2 inappropriate shocks (0.06 shock per patient-year). In the arrhythmia group, 5 patients underwent cardiac transplant and 5 patients died (3 SCD all occurred in patients without ICD, 2 of whom had atrial flutter/ fibrillation only). In the non-arrhythmia group 12 patients received transplants and 4 died, none of them had SCD. Conclusions: VT is the most common arrhythmia in children with DCM. ICD can effectively rescue patients from lethal arrhythmias with minimal complications. In severe DCM the use of ICD may be warranted in patients with atrial flutter/fibrillation.
Evaluation of Shifts in White-Tailed Deer Winter Yards in the Adirondack Region of New York

Abstract In the Adirondack region of northern New York, USA, severe weather and deep snow typically force white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to congregate in areas of dense coniferous cover and along watercourses at lower elevations. We examined 16 yards in the Adirondacks and explored the observation that deer have changed their movement behavior to incorporate residential communities within their wintering areas. We compared locations of deer herds in 2003 and 2004 to deer wintering areas mapped during the 1960s and 1970s. Deer were predominantly absent in 9 of 16 historical yards but were present in residential communities within the same drainage. Yarding areas to which deer shifted contained more residential, deciduous, and mixed cover than yards where no shift occurred, indicating that deer in residential areas were using conifer and mixed cover at a finer scale than deer in nonresidential areas. Smaller winter ranges and core areas of marked deer in a residential winter yard further imply g...
Estimation of the full Nye’s tensor and its gradients by micro-mechanical stereo-inference using EBSD dislocation microscopy

Abstract A novel method of micromechanical stereoinference is reported which yields components and gradients of Nye’s GND tensor which are inaccessible by surface EBSD. In particular, it determines the Nye’s tensor gradients going into the sample bulk. The method overcomes limitations imposed by metal’s electron opacity by combining experimentally-accessible Nye’s tensor components and measured infinitesimal elastic distortion tensors with a solution to the underlying stress equilibrium equations. The full Nye’s tensor can be transformed into a crystal coordinate frame and interpreted in the context of slip systems, a more physical sense than in the sample or experimental frame. A demonstration of the method is given for a simulated microstructure. The method is largely robust to random experimental noise but may be sensitive to pattern-center errors.
WebCAT: The Development, Performance Analysis, And Deployment of a Web-based Crime Analysis Toolkit

The Systems and Information Engineering Department at the University of Virginia has teamed with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services since 2000 to develop WebCAT, the Web-based Crime Analysis Toolkit. WebCAT provides crime analysts with a tool to access Virginia's statewide crime data and effectively analyze it. The authors have prepared WebCAT for deployment by finishing its development, conducting an integrated system performance evaluation, and performing a life cycle analysis. Regarding deployment, the data acquisition, query time efficiency, and spatial mapping capabilities have been improved. A performance evaluation assessed the effectiveness of WebCAT's developments to ensure that it is now a more efficient tool. Finally, the life cycle analysis provided a methodology for maintaining WebCAT after deployment. The work done this year guarantees that WebCAT is not only ready for deployment, but also that it will be a sustainable toolkit that will aid in crime prevention in years to come.
Factors in the learning behavior of the albino rat

The table of intercorrelations published by Dr. R. L. Thorndike in theGenetic Psychology Monographs, 1935,17, No. 1, has been reanalyzed into ten factors. Rotation of the reference vectors resulted in a configuration which, for all practical purposes, may be said to show a simple structure and (except for one variable on one factor) a positive manifold. Five of the factors can be interpreted with some confidence, one only with considerable caution; three factors are specific to the apparatus employed, and for the one remaining factor, no interpretation is attempted; it appears to be a residual plane.
SPELLING ACCURACY AS A FUNCTION OF REPRESSION‐SENSITIZATION

Summary. Whether an individual's spelling accuracy is related to personality apart from general intellectual capacity was investigated by giving a spelling test to 80 undergraduates, 40 repressers and 40 sensitizers identified on the basis of scores received on Byrne's Repression-Sensitization Scale. The sensitizers were clearly superior to the repressers in their spelling accuracy, and this difference was not an artefact of differences in intellectual aptitude as determined by SAT verbal and quantitative scores. In fact, among the male subjects the repressers, with lower spelling scores, had higher quantitative SAT scores than sensitizers.
q -functional equations and some partition identities

Abstract We use q -functional equations to prove some ( n + t )-color partition identities. Generating functions for all odd-even partitions, odd-even partitions with rank ≡ 0 (mod 4) and odd-even partitions with rank ≡ 2 (mod 4) are also obtained via q -functional equations.
Evidence for a defect in NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) in Huntington's disease

We evaluated electron transport chain activity in platelet mitochondria taken from HD patients. All 5 patients studied had striking depressions of NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity (complex I) (5.36 ± 2.91 nmol/min/mg; control mean, 19.12 ± 5.64 nmol/min/mg). Other electron transport chain activities were not significantly different from control values. HD may be caused by a mutation in 1 of the nuclear coded subunits of NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase.
The occurrence of aligned microstructures in directionally solidified aluminum-bismuth alloys

In a recent paper, Parr and Johnston ~ reported that an aligned fibrous composite structure did not form in pure binary A1-Bi monotectic alloy, but that it did so with small additions (e .g., 0.2 wt pct) of iron. Examination of monotectic alloys in several other systems 2 has shown that an aligned fibrous structure is generally formed in systems where the liquid miscibility gap is high, i .e. , where there is a large temperature difference between the monotectic horizontal and the upper consolute temperature. In the A1-Bi system the miscibility gap is relatively high ( 6 0 0 K), and we would have expected that the pure binary monotectic alloys should solidify directionally to give an aligned fibrous structure; moreover, we understand from other workers 3 that they cannot confirm the results of Parr and Johnston. Therefore, we have repeated some of the experiments to resolve an apparent anomaly and contradiction. Alloy samples were prepared from pure (>99.95 pct) components by melting under argon in graphite crucibles and were subsequently frozen undirectionally in 3 mm bore alumina tubes. The experimental assembly was very similar to that used by Parr and Johnston, and the traction rate of (1 to 10 /xm s -~) and t e m p e r a t u r e g r ad i en t o f ( -15 K mm -1) at the monotectic temperature of 930 K coincided closely with their growth conditions. We found that the pure binary, A1-3.5 wt pct Bi alloy, solidified at rates below 5 /xm s -~ to give regularly spaced rods of bismuth in an aluminum matrix (Figure 1 (a) and (b). At higher growth rates the rod-like structure broke down to a fine globular dispersion of Bi droplets, and, as in other systems, 2 there was a small range of rate close to 5 / ~ m s -1 where the droplet arrangement was periodic with the plane of the solidification front. We did not observe evidence of rods breaking down to aligned droplets by perturbation behind the monotectic front, and whether this happens in the course of directional growth remains something of an open question. Six monotectic alloys were then prepared with minor additions of iron (concentrations of 0.05 and 0.2 wt pct), and these were solidified at 2 .5 /xm s -~. No perceptible change in the microstructures was detected at low iron content, but with 0.2 wt pct the bismuth occurred as globules and as larger, less regular, and widely spaced rods. A sample quenched during growth revealed (Figure 2) that the growth front was just cellular and the bismuth collected at some of the cell boundaries, rather than forming as fine evenly spaced fibers.
Vocal Range and Intensity in Actors: A Studio Versus Stage Comparison

A voice range profile (VRP) was obtained from each of eight professional actors and compared with two speech range profiles (SRPs). One speech profile was obtained during the dramatic reading of a scene in the laboratory and the other during a performance on stage in a professional theater. The objective was to determine the pitch and loudness ranges used by the actors in speech relative to the VRP. The principal question of interest was whether the actors stayed within the center of the VRP, or whether they tended to drift toward the boundaries of intensity and frequency. A second question was whether the performance within the laboratory accurately reflects that of a stage performance. The results suggest that some subjects tend to exceed the center of the VRP during the stage performance. It is hypothesized that these actors may stress their vocal mechanism during performance and are more likely candidates for vocal injury.
Gastrointestinal tissue engineering

Tissue engineering is an emerging discipline that combines engineering principles and the biological sciences toward the development of functional replacement tissue. Virtually every tissue in the body has been investigated and tremendous advances have been made in many areas. This article focuses on the gastrointestinal tract and reviews the current status of bioengineering gastrointestinal tissues, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon. Although progress has been achieved, there continues to be significant challenges that need to be addressed.
In Situ and Immunohistochemical Analysis of Endogenous Opioid Receptor mRNA and Protein Expression in the Developing Human Brain. • 1745

In the extremely premature neonate, much CNS development is undertaken ex utero, while the infant is exposed to multiple environmental and pharmacological stressors. Although there is a wealth of information concerning long-term outcomes of premature survivors, little is known regarding the effects of environmental influences on their developing brain, particularly on their developing opioid receptor systems. Premature neonates are regularly exposed to exogenous opiates (e.g., morphine, fentanyl) while critically ill, and this may permanently alter their opioid receptor profile as adults. In order to better study this, it is important to first learn the expression of opioid receptors during normal human CNS development. Fresh post-mortem brain specimens were obtained at various gestational ages (16 to 36 wk). Brain specimens were blocked, immersed in Zamboni's fixative for 100-200 days, soaked in 10% sucrose, quick-frozen in isopentane, then cryostat cut into 15μm sections. For human mu immunohistochemistry, tissue was incubated in primary rabbit antiserum directed against the C-terminal sequence of the rat mu receptor protein, then it was visualized using nickel chloride and diaminobenzidine. Pre-absorption controls were performed using 2μM protein absorption of primary antiserum prior to tissue incubation. For in situ hybridization, (35)S-labeled cRNA probes were generated against the human mu and kappa receptors and enkephalin peptide. After in situ hybridization was completed, sections were then opposed to X-ray film for several weeks prior to developing. Labeling of mRNA in parietal cortex was robust for enkephalin peptide in tissue at all gestational ages, and at 20-36 weeks for kappa receptor. Mu receptor mRNA was not detected in this area until 25 weeks gestation. Striatal labeling was strong at 16 weeks using enkephalin probe, but no kappa or mu mRNA was seen in this area until after 22 weeks. Mu immunostaining was observed in the striatum, entorhinal and cerebral cortex, and several additional forebrain and brainstem nuclei These regions are similar to those described previously in rat. Comparisons to distribution of mu receptor in the developing rat brain is also discussed. Supported by NIDA Grant T32DA07268.
Where China Meets Latin America: Implications For Economic Growth

This paper examines the sources of economic growth for a group of Latin American countries in relation to their export performance in China. The analytical framework is based on an extended normalized quadratic profit function. The ensuing econometric results confirm that a favorable export record with China represents a positive source of growth for Latin America. However, it also creates long-run dependability conditions in terms of reduced prices and thinner profits that weaken its growth capacity. Latin American countries must seek product diversification away from their current commodity base and aggressively climb up the value chain to remain competitive worldwide.
Impaired neuronal positioning and dendritogenesis in the neocortex after cell-autonomous Dab1 suppression.

Reelin and Disabled 1 (Dab1) are essential for positioning migrating neurons in the developing neocortex. Cell-autonomous RNA interference-mediated suppression of Dab1 in migrating neurons destined for layer 2/3 shifted the median position of these cells to deeper positions within the cortex. At the time of migration arrest [embryonic day 20 (E20) to E21], Dab1-suppressed cells were underrepresented in the upper ∼40 μm of the cortex compared with controls, suggesting that Dab1 is essential for somal translocation through the cell-dense cortical plate. Closer examination of the morphology of Dab1-suppressed neurons at E20 revealed simplified leading processes that are less likely to contact the marginal zone (MZ), in which high levels of Reelin are expressed. Examination of Dab1-suppressed cells 3 d later (postnatal day 2) revealed simplified dendrites that are also less likely to contact the MZ. These data reveal a cell-autonomous role of Dab1 in dendritogenesis in the neocortex and suggest that remodeling of the leading process of a migrating neuron into a nascent dendrite by Reelin/Dab1 signaling plays an important role in cell positioning.
Kinetics of the interaction of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs with prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-1 studied by limited proteolysis.

Many nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) bind to prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS) and induce a conformational change in the PGHS apoprotein that renders it resistant to cleavage...
Preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of methylamine dehydrogenase and methylamine dehydrogenase--amicyanin complexes from Paracoccus denitrificans.

Single crystals of methylamine dehydrogenase and of complexes between methylamine dehydrogenase and both amicyanin and apo-amicyanin from Paracoccus denitrificans have been prepared by the vapour diffusion method. The methylamine dehydrogenase crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P212121 and have unit cell parameters a = 151·78 A, b = 135·84 A and c = 55·14 A. The two complex crystals are isomorphous and are tetragonal, space group P41212 or its enantiomer, and have cell parameters a = b = 124·6 A and c = 247·3 A. The crystals diffract to beyond 2·8 A resolution.
The diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a pediatric population: To CT or not to CT

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if focused appendiceal computed tomography with colon contrast (FACT-CC) increases the accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. Methods: A 5-year retrospective review was conducted of a university hospital database of 283 patients (age 0.8 to 19.3 years; mean, 11.3 years) treated with appendectomy for presumed acute appendicitis. Results: Of the 283 patients in whom appendectomies were performed, 268 were confirmed by pathologic analysis of the specimen to have acute appendicitis for a diagnostic accuracy in our institution of 94.7%. Ninety-six patients (34%) underwent FACT-CC scans as part of their preoperative evaluation. The sensitivity of the computed tomography (CT) scan was 94.6%, and the positive predictive value was 95.6%. In girls older than 10 years, CT imaging was not significantly more accurate in predicting appendicitis than examination alone (93.9% v. 87.5%; P =.46). Conclusions: Preoperative FACT-CC did not increase the accuracy in diagnosing appendicitis when compared with patients diagnosed by history, physical examination and laboratory studies. If there was a strong suspicion of appendicitis, a negative CT scan did not exclude the diagnosis of appendicitis. However, focused appendiceal CT scan is a sensitive test with a high positive predictive value and may be useful in a patient with an atypical history or examination. J Pediatr Surg 38:367-371. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Quantitative analysis of the Dermott-Gold theory for Uranus's rings

A summary is presented of an investigation which supplements the largely qualitative analysis conducted by Dermott and Gold (1977). Dermott and Gold have attempted to explain the locations of Uranus's rings in terms of resonances between ring particles and pairs of satellites. An equation of motion, analogous to that of a pendulum, is derived, taking into account a study by Wilkens (1933) of possible three-body resonances involving one minor and two major planets. Dermott and Gold had concluded that the observed pattern is probably due primarily to the effect of Ariel-Titania and Ariel-Oberon pairs. However, on the basis of the values derived in the reported investigation it is seen that Miranda plays the key role rather than Ariel, in spite of the small mass of the former. It is concluded that a decisive test of the Dermott-Gold theory has to await further observational details concerning the Uranus's rings.
The Fall of China

The Communist conquest of China has been the topic of a heated American debate. This debate has been concerned mainly with American politics, and has often been based more on opinion than on knowledge and has dealt more with political argument than with historical fact. The result has been a good deal of confusion and of misinformation, which is always hard to eradicate. However, as we gain more perspective on the events of the Chinese tragedy, it is becoming possible to reconstruct the basic story of the fall of China.This story cannot be understood merely by tracing Chinese postwar developments: the moves of the Chinese Communists, the obvious weaknesses of the National government, the question of American support to the Nationalist side, and of aid given by the Russians to their fellow Communists. These developments have to be seen against the double background of world Communism and the modern history of China. The Communist victory in China is but one case of a worldwide struggle, the special problems of which must be examined within the setting of the Communist system, its general aims, its strategy and tactics, its use of dogma, and its inner conflicts.
The development of proline‐containing extracellular connective tissue fibrils by chick notochordal epithelium in vitro

Notochords were isolated from Hamburger-Hamilton stages 13–15 chick embryos by trypsinization and microdissection. These were shown by electron microscopy to be completely devoid of extracellular materials or mesenchymal contaminants. Cultivation of notochordal isolates was carried out on a non-collagenous (Falcon Plastic) substratum for 0 to 48 hours. At 12 hours of in vitro incubation, a discontinuous basal lamina could be demonstrated on the surface of notochordal cells. This was followed by the appearance of microfibrils of various sizes and other components of the extracellular matrix. By 48 hours of in vitro incubation, the same extracellular materials which surround the notochord in vivo (notochord sheath) could be demonstated in vitro. Autoradiographic studies show that tritiated proline is taken up by notochordal cells and secreted to the extracellular space where label is associated with basal lamina, microfibrils and ground substance. When cis-hydroxyproline, a known collagen-specific inhibitor is added to the system, tritiated proline label is located primarily intracellularly and fewer areas of active fibrillogenesis are noted. This suggests that ultrastructurally recognizable materials produced by notochordal cells in vitro may be at least partially collagenous. Significantly, these materials are produced in vivo at the same time (following stage 10) that notochordal tissues actively induce somite differentiation and cartilage formation. It seems reasonable that a biochemically or ultrastructurally identifiable component of the extracellular matrix may possibly mediate such induction.
Quantitative Analysis of G-Actin Transport in Motile Cells

Cell migration is based on an actin treadmill, which in turn depends on recycling of G-actin across the cell, from the rear where F-actin disassembles, to the front, where F-actin polymerizes. To analyze the rates of the actin transport, we used the Virtual Cell software to solve the diffusion-drift-reaction equations for the G-actin concentration in a realistic three-dimensional geometry of the motile cell. Numerical solutions demonstrate that F-actin disassembly at the cell rear and assembly at the front, along with diffusion, establish a G-actin gradient that transports G-actin forward "globally" across the lamellipod. Alternatively, if the F-actin assembly and disassembly are distributed throughout the lamellipod, F-/G-actin turnover is local, and diffusion plays little role. Chemical reactions and/or convective flow of cytoplasm of plausible magnitude affect the transport very little. Spatial distribution of G-actin is smooth and not sensitive to F-actin density fluctuations. Finally, we conclude that the cell body volume slows characteristic diffusion-related relaxation time in motile cell from approximately 10 to approximately 100 s. We discuss biological implications of the local and global regimes of the G-actin transport.
The bZip Dimerization Domain of the Epstein–Barr Virus BZLF1 (Z) Protein Mediates Lymphoid-Specific Negative Regulation

Abstract The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) immediate-early (IE) protein, BZLF1 (Z), initiates the switch from latent to lytic infection. Z transactivation of an early viral promoter, BMRF1, is relatively inefficient in lymphoid cells (compared with epithelial cells), unless the other EBV IE protein, BRLF1, is also present. Cellular proteins, including the p65 component of NF-κB, have been shown to interact directly with Z in vitro through the bZip dimerization domain and inhibit Z-induced transactivation. Here we precisely define a residue within the bZip dimerization domain of Z (amino acid 200) which is required for interaction in vitro with the p65 component of NF-κB, but is not essential for Z homodimerization. In lymphoid cells, a Z mutant which has been altered at amino acid 200 (tyrosine to glutamic acid) transactivates both the early BMRF1 promoter and the immediate-early BZLF1 promoter (Zp) four- to fivefold better than wild-type Z. In contrast, mutation of amino acid 200 does not affect Z transactivator function in epithelial cells. The results suggest that Z function is specifically inhibited by a lymphoid-specific protein(s) through amino acid 200 in the bZip dimerization domain. Modulation of Z's activator function may help to regulate the stringency of viral latency in lymphocytes.
Endorsement of Growth Factors in Experiential Training Groups

The purpose of this study was to identify student growth factors during a semester long Master's level group counseling class. Results indicated that 12 growth factors accounted for 86% of the total number of critical incidents that participants reported as influencing their personal growth and awareness during the group experience. Two other factors, Outside Dynamics (OD) and Regular Attendance and Active Participation (RA) also emerged and formed a secondary factors category, accounting for 100% of all the critical incidents. Implications for future research and training are discussed.
Accumulation and efflux of nickel from cultured pneumocytes.

SAITO, K. and MENZEL, D.B. Accumulation and Efflux of Nickel from Cultured Pneumocytes. Tohoku J. exp. Med., 1986, 148 (3), 295-302 - The accumulation and efflux of nickel from three kinds of cultured pneumocytes were studied. Nickel rapidly penetrated the cells examined. The concentration of nickel in the cells was related to the volum of cytoplasm and surface area of the cells. Some metabolic inhibitors (NaN3, NaCN, NaAsO2) reduced the accumulation of nickel by up to 74% . Extracellular calcium regulated the accumulation of nickel into the cells. CaCl2 at 10mM inhibited partially the accumulation of nickel, while nickel accumulation was enhanced in calcium free medium. From the efflux experiment, nickel was shown to be distributed to three different compartments in the cells, i.e., cell membrane, cytoplasm and intracellular constituents. Three rate constants were determined as k1=1.67-5.33, k2=0.031-0.037 and k3=0.002-0.007min-1. These results suggest that cell membrane is readily permeable to nickel and that saturable nickel-binding sites might exist in the pneumocytes examined.
Different effects of nerve growth factor on cultured sympathetic and sensory neurons.

Abstract Long-term cultures of dissociated nodose ganglion (NG) and superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons from newborn rabbits were used to compare their response to nerve growth factor (7S NGF). SCG neurons required added NGF for their survival and a concentration of 1 μg/ml was found to be optimal. NG neurons, on the other hand, survived well for a long term without addition of NGF, but its application (1 μg/ml) was found to be effective in accelerating the growth of fibers (neurites) and neuronal somata. It is concluded that unlike SCG, NG neurons do not depend on exogenous NGF but may require an intrinsic trophic-like factor which may be contained in the serum of the medium, emanating from glial cells or by metabolic cooperation between neurons.
Time- and space-efficient flow-sensitive points-to analysis

Compilation of real-world programs often requires hours. The term nightly build known to industrial researchers is an artifact of long compilation times. Our goal is to reduce the absolute analysis times for large C codes (of the order of millions of lines). Pointer analysis is one of the key analyses performed during compilation. Its scalability is paramount to achieve the efficiency of the overall compilation process and its precision directly affects that of the client analyses. In this work, we design a time- and space-efficient flow-sensitive pointer analysis and parallelize it on graphics processing units. Our analysis proposes to use an extended bloom filter, called multibloom, to store points-to information in an approximate manner and develops an analysis in terms of the operations over the multibloom. Since bloom filter is a probabilistic data structure, we develop ways to gain back the analysis precision. We achieve effective parallelization by achieving memory coalescing, reducing thread divergence, and improving load balance across GPU warps. Compared to a state-of-the-art sequential solution, our parallel version achieves a 7.8 × speedup with less than 5p precision loss on a suite of six large programs. Using two client transformations, we show that this loss in precision only minimally affects a client’s precision.
Reaction Intermediates in the Catalytic Mechanism of Escherichia coli MutY DNA Glycosylase

The Escherichia coli adenine DNA glycosylase, MutY, plays an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability by catalyzing the removal of adenine opposite 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine or guanine in duplex DNA. Although the x-ray crystal structure of the catalytic domain of MutY revealed a mechanism for catalysis of the glycosyl bond, it appeared that several opportunistically positioned lysine side chains could participate in a secondary β-elimination reaction. In this investigation, it is established via site-directed mutagenesis and the determination of a 1.35-A structure of MutY in complex with adenine that the abasic site (apurinic/apyrimidinic) lyase activity is alternatively regulated by two lysines, Lys142 and Lys20. Analyses of the crystallographic structure also suggest a role for Glu161 in the apurinic/apyrimidinic lyase chemistry. The β-elimination reaction is structurally and chemically uncoupled from the initial glycosyl bond scission, indicating that this reaction occurs as a consequence of active site plasticity and slow dissociation of the product complex. MutY with either the K142A or K20A mutation still catalyzes β and β-δ elimination reactions, and both mutants can be trapped as covalent enzyme-DNA intermediates by chemical reduction. The trapping was observed to occur both pre- and post-phosphodiester bond scission, establishing that both of these intermediates have significant half-lives. Thus, the final spectrum of DNA products generated reflects the outcome of a delicate balance of closely related equilibrium constants.
Oxidation of diazinon by anodic Fenton treatment

Abstract Anodic Fenton treatment (AFT) is a new technology that has several advantages over classic Fenton treatment and electrochemical Fenton treatment. The oxidation of diazinon by AFT using different electrolytes has been investigated. NaCl, KCl and Na 2 SO 4 show similar effects on the extent and rate of oxidation, and the data can be fitted quite well by the AFT kinetics model. Use of NaNO 3 as the electrolyte causes low-efficiency electrolysis and a subsequent low oxidation rate for diazinon. The NaCl concentration level in the anodic half-cell and the concentration ratio between the two half-cells is optimized at 0.04 M and 4:1 (cathodic/anodic), respectively. The activation energy of diazinon oxidation by anodic Fenton treatment is estimated to be 12.6±0.6 kJ mol −1 , which is less than half of that for aqueous chlorine treatment. Diazoxon is the intermediary oxidation product. The oxidation of diazinon as a formulated product has also been investigated. Its dissipation kinetics can also be fitted quite well by the AFT model. Compared with the oxidation of pure diazinon, the oxidation rate of formulated diazinon is much lower, an indication that many formulation ingredients compete with diazinon for reaction with the hydroxyl radical.
Tau induces cooperative Taxol binding to microtubules

Taxol and tau are two ligands that stabilize the microtubule (MT) lattice. Taxol is an anti-mitotic drug that binds β tubulin in the MT interior. Tau is a MT-associated protein that binds both α and β tubulin on the MT exterior. Both Taxol and tau reduce MT dynamics and promote tubulin polymerization. Tau alone also acts to bundle, stiffen, and space MTs. A structural study recently suggested that Taxol and tau may interact by binding to the same site. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, we find that tau induces Taxol to bind MTs cooperatively depending on the tau concentration. We develop a model that correctly fits the data in the absence of tau, yields the equilibrium dissociation constant of ≈2 μM, and determines the escape rate of Taxol through one pore to be 1.7 × 103 (M·s)–1. Extension of the model yields a measure of Taxol cooperativity with a Hill coefficient of at least 15 when tau is present at a 1:1 molar ratio with tubulin.
Heuristic versus optimization methods for solving muscle load-sharing problems

It is shown that the reductionist approach for solving the classical muscle load-sharing problem can be viewed as an inflexible heuristic optimization strategy created in the mind of the investigator based on limited information. In general, such techniques, even when carefully based on physiological and biomechanical conditions, are quite limiting. In contrast, optimization methods allow flexible solutions, take advantage of information on muscle dynamics and task history in making decisions on neuromotor strategy, and often provide illuminating solutions. However, these come at great computational cost. Also, the best performance criterion depends on the type of task and on the goal of the subject. A hybrid approach involving lower-level hard-wired heuristics driven by goal-specific optimization is proposed as a good approximation of the neuromotor system. >
Evaluation of aquaculture effluents

Abstract Water quality data were collected from six Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (FAS) aquaculture ponds at the University of Florida and two ponds at each of four private farms. Effluents from four of the FAS channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ponds were treated by pumping the water into a retention pond or vegetated ditch. At the stocking rates used, little relationship existed between harvest densities (kg·ha−1) and water quality parameters; however, harvest densities were lower than in most intensive production systems. Total suspended solids (TSS) were elevated by seining; however, if pumping did not occur immediately after seining, the TSS settled prior to pumping. Passing water through a retention pond or vegetated ditch reduced TSS. Mean water quality parameters in channel catfish fingerling ponds and sportfish (largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides; bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus; redear sunfish, L. microlophus) fingerling ponds were generally lower than in the food-size channel catfish ponds except for dissolved oxygen. This study was conducted to develop a water quality database from a variety of soil types and cultured species. These data along with data from one catfish farm located in Northwest Florida were evaluated to determine if effluents from these farms meet Florida water quality standards. Using these data, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER) developed a general permit for fish farms. Sufficient data from ornamental fish farms were available, and therefore ornamental fish farms were included in the permit without additional data collection.
Method of Identifying the Batch of Origin in Semi-Continuous Cheese Making Processes

Abstract Annatto, β-carotene, canthaxanthan, and turmeric were investigated as possible color markers to be used for on-line, colorimetric batch identification in semi-continuous cheese making processes. Color markers were compared with respect to instrumental detectability, effects on sensory attributes of the cheese, and marker cost. Each marker was added to stirred curd cheese over normal annatto coloration (at three levels, one being a zero level control). Nine batches of cheese (three replicates of each of three concentration levels) were made for each marker. Four readings were taken on all batches of cheese using a spectrocolorimeter. Linear regression and analysis of variance were used to determine the smallest amount of each marker that could be added to a batch of cheese to give an instrumental color response significantly different from control. An untrained consumer panel was used to evaluate the sensory attributes of selected batches of cheese. Comparison of marked batches of cheese with control batches indicated that addition of marker at levels sufficient to be detectable instrumentally did not negatively affect the color as perceived by panelists. Marker addition did not significantly affect consumer preference based on color or flavor.
Conduction and Mass Transfer in Reinforced Cation Exchange Membranes

Abstract The transport of sodium chloride and calcium chloride through two types of reinforced perfluorinated cation exchange membranes under an electrical field gradient was studied to determine the effect of calcium ion interferences to sodium ion migration. Electromigration-electroosmosis experiments were performed in a diaphragm cell. The concentration of all ions in each half cell was maintained constant by a feedback mechanism. For single salt experiments, the salt flux of calcium ions was half the salt flux for sodium ions. The water flux was higher for the membrane with the greater reinforcement. The effect of two cations competing for migration to the membrane matrix was studied by experiments utilizing a feedback mechanism for each cation. The flux ratio of sodium ions to calcium ions decreased as the concentration of calcium chloride was increased for experiments where the solutions contained mixtures of sodium chloride and calcium chloride. The electrical conductivity of the membranes was meas...
A Rao-Blackwellized particle filter for topological mapping

We present a particle filtering algorithm to construct topological maps of an uninstrument environment. The algorithm presented here constructs the posterior on the space of all possible topologies given measurements, and is based on our previous work on a Bayesian inference framework for topological maps (A. Ranganathan and F. Dellaert, 2004). Constructing the posterior solves the perceptual aliasing problem in a general, robust manner. The use of a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter (RBPF) for this purpose makes the inference in the space of topologies incremental and run in real-time. The RBPF maintains the joint posterior on topological maps and locations of landmarks. We demonstrate that, using the landmark locations thus obtained, the global metric map can be obtained from the topological map generated by our algorithm through a simple post-processing step. A data-driven proposal is provided to overcome the degeneracy problem inherent in particle filters. The use of a Dirichlet process prior on landmark labels is also a novel aspect of this work. We use laser range scan and odometry measurements to present experimental results on a robot
Signers and Co-speech Gesturers Adopt Similar Strategies for Portraying Viewpoint in Narratives

Gestural viewpoint research suggests that several dimensions determine which perspective a narrator takes, including properties of the event described. Events can evoke gestures from the point of view of a character (CVPT), an observer (OVPT), or both perspectives. CVPT and OVPT gestures have been compared to constructed action (CA) and classifiers (CL) in signed languages. We ask how CA and CL, as represented in ASL productions, compare to previous results for CVPT and OVPT from English-speaking co-speech gesturers. Ten ASL signers described cartoon stimuli from Parrill (2010). Events shown by Parrill to elicit a particular gestural strategy (CVPT, OVPT, both) were coded for signers' instances of CA and CL. CA was divided into three categories: CA-torso, CA-affect, and CA-handling. Signers used CA-handling the most when gesturers used CVPT exclusively. Additionally, signers used CL the most when gesturers used OVPT exclusively and CL the least when gesturers used CVPT exclusively.
Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCGM1179

We report the annotated genome sequence of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain NCGM1179, which is highly resistant to carbapenems, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones and is emerging at medical facilities in Japan.
Task force on technologies in several countries

A short problem or topic description is given by the task force leader, followed by the title, author, and short abstract of the working papers that were prepared in advance. The papers were: interface problem in international group DSS, group decision support systems, culture-specific research issues, Pacific Rim nations. >
Overall kinetics of hot gas ignition

Abstract Overall rate expressions have been developed to describe the ignition of nearly stagnant fuel-air mixtures in a vertical jet of hot, inert gas. Kinetic parameters, frequency factor A, activation energy E, fuel power C and oxygen power D, were computed to match experimental ignition results in the rate expression where (C + D) = total order of reaction Mf = molecular weight of fuel Mo = molecular weight of oxygen P = total pressure (1.0 atomspheres in this study) R = gas constant T = absolute temperature of hot gas ignition measured at jet base °K Wf = fuel mass rate of consumption gm/cm3 sec Yf = fuel mole fraction Yo = oxygen mole fraction Because the current hot gas ignition system is similar to a dilute batch or plug flow reactor at constant density, a simplifying correlation of where ucl , = center line velocity of hot gas z = ignition distance from jet base at constant composition yielded a straight line with a slope of −E/R. This correlation proved to be valid for all ignition experiments r...
Cryptococcal chorioretinitis with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome.

Immune Reconstitution Inflammatoty Syndrome (IRIS) is an inflammatory syndrome in the context of immune restoration directed at a specific infectious antigen despite resolution of infection, often associated with opportunistic infections. IRIS has been reported in 30% to 35% of HIV patients who have cryptococcosis in whom antiretroviral therapy was initiated. We would like to report a case of IRIS localized to the eye secondary to cryptococcal infection.
A peanut factor for haemostasis in haemophilia.

IT is known that there are unpredictable apparent remissions of clinical symptoms enjoyed by haemophiliacs; but these remissions have not been correlated with any influences such as time of year, food eaten, weather conditions, other diseases, or physical condition of the patient. The lack of ‘antihaemophilic factor’ associated with classic haemophilia has been attributed1 to a hypothetical block during the metabolic synthesis of the factor resulting from the action of the mutant gene of haemophilia, such as occurs in the nutritional mutants of Neurospora and in eye pigment development in certain mutants of Drosophila 2. In the cases of Neurospora, and Drosophila, and other organisms studied, the addition of the substances the synthesis of which is blocked genetically results in normal metabolism. If this is the case in haemophilia, it may be possible to supply, by mouth or injection, the unavailable material necessary for normal production of the haemostatic substance lacking in haemophiliacs. However, the few instances of success of various supplements, such as vitamins E and B12, X-rays, and œstrogen, have not been confirmed3–7.
Mass Producing the Personal: The Greeting Card Industry's Approach to Commercial Sentiment

The greeting card industry manages the challenge of mass-producing images and texts for use in interpersonal communication through both specific production techniques and narratives that “make sense” of this seemingly paradoxical task. The mass production of the personal is negotiated in the processes of writing sentiments and creating designs, as well as in identifying sending situations for cards. At Hallmark, the approach to creating emotional, relational communication for anonymous others is captured by the phrase “universal specificity,” which suggests that people's emotions are essentially universal, and that the industry can meet the nation's social expression needs by customizing these core insights. This view justifies the high level of concentration in this cultural industry. “Universal specificity” as a logic of cultural production conflicts with other, arguably more dominant theories of what constitutes authentic communication, in which emotional expression should be original, unique, and eman...