cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental and numerical investigations into the transient multi-wafer batch atomic layer deposition process with vertical and horizontal wafer arrangements

Abstract This paper investigates two types of wafer arrangements, vertical and horizontal, in a multi-wafer atomic layer deposition (ALD) reactor. The growth rate of ALD deposited alumina thin film is characterized and compared experimentally and numerically. It’s found that the wafer layout influences the deposition process significantly. Vertical multi-wafer arrangement is shown superior to the horizontal arrangement in terms of film deposition rate because of the enhanced collisions between precursor molecules and wafer surfaces in vertical arrangement. Studies using three-dimensional transient numerical model of fluid dynamics and surface reaction kinetics in multi-wafer batch ALD reveal the self-limiting details on the physical and chemical nature of ALD process. First, the deposition process is shown highly “self-limited”: surface reactions in ALD are completely terminated once surface species conversion comes to the end. Second, deposition process is found under a joint influence of precursor concentration and surface site saturation status. Before deposition rate reaches its peak, the precursor concentration is dominant in determining the deposition rate, but it is largely confined by the available surface reactive sites after the peak. Position dependence of deposition rate as shown by both experiments and simulations is weak and negligible.
Gene therapy for hemophilia

Publisher Summary Most gene therapy studies have focused on the treatment of hemophilia A or B. Currently, hemophilia is treated with protein replacement therapy. For most patients, treatment occurs in response to bleeding episodes rather than as a prophylactic measure. Protein replacement therapy is limited by the high cost of production of purified recombinant protein, the short half-life of clotting factors, the requirement for repeated intravenous administration, and the development of host antibodies to the protein. Gene therapy strategies may be ideal for the treatment of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, in that disease results from mutations of single genes that have been well characterized and a wealth of information exists concerning the effects of therapeutic recombinant proteins on affected individuals. Five different vector systems are being investigated at present for their potential use as gene therapy vectors for the treatment of hemophilia. These include non-viral DNA, adenovirus, retrovirus, lentivirus, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. AAV-mediated gene therapy strategies for the treatment of hemophilia A are more complex than for factor IX therapy. One disadvantage of AAV as a gene therapy vector is the limited carrying capacity of approximately 4.7 kb, which necessitates manipulation or truncation of larger genes. The chapter describes several protocols are routinely used in assessing the success of gene therapy vector treatment in the animal models of hemophilia.
Cooperation between herpes simplex virus type 1-encoded ICP0 and Tat to support transcription of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat in vivo can occur in the absence of the TAR binding site.

Expression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) provirus can be stimulated by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection; the stimulation occurs at the level of transcriptional activation of the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) and is mediated by both cellular and HSV-1-encoded transactivators. We have shown in this study that HSV-1 immediate-early gene ICP0 cooperates effectively with the HIV-1-encoded transactivator, Tat, in the stimulation of HIV-1 LTR-directed transcription. The cooperation between ICP0 and Tat is specific for the HIV-1 LTR and was not observed with other promoters (e.g., ICP0) that can be transactivated by ICP0 but not by Tat. Analyses of HIV-1 LTR deletion mutants have shown that ICP0 not only transactivates an HIV-1 LTR mutant that is unresponsive to NF-kappaB and Tat-mediated transactivation, such as the HIV-1 LTR with the enhancer deleted (-83 LTR) and TAR deleted (+20 to +81), but also restores responsiveness to Tat. ICP0 also showed cooperation with Gal4-Tat fusion protein-mediated transactivation of Gal4-HIV-1 LTR with TAR deleted. Enhancement of the transcriptional activation of ICP0 by Tat requires both the cysteine-rich and core domains of Tat and is inhibited by RO5-3335. ICP0 stimulates transcription of not only the HIV-1 LTR but also the TAR-defective HIV-1 provirus. We suggest that ICP0 can (i) recruit Tat to the vicinity of the HIV-1 promoter, thereby providing an alternative binding site for Tat, and (ii) substitute for the enhancer-binding proteins that are required for efficient Tat transactivation in T cells.
Increasing Food Aid: Prospects For The 1990s

Abstract When carefully targeted, food aid stabilizes domestic supplies in food-insecure countries and alleviates hunger. Conflicting objectives have marked food aid since the 1950s: humanitarian relief, surplus disposal and expansion of export markets, support of foreign policy, and overseas economic development. In recent years, world-wide food aid has fluctuated between 10 and 13 million tons, over half provided by the US. At least a doubling or more of food aid in the 1990s is justified and even current allocations can be made more effective if addressed to the needs of the hungry. Prospects for enhanced food aid, however, appear dim unless broad public support can be mobilized or current objectives change in the context of realigning economic relations among states.
Analytical Methods, Automated

Automated analyzers were developed to improve the processes and methodologies of analyzing specimens and samples. Specific progress in specimen handling and collection, automated analyzers, chemistry analyzers, and clinical laboratory automation along with some financial implications will be discussed. Keywords: phlebotomy; automated analyzers; point-of-care analyzers; chemistry analyzers; work cell model
Researches in binocular vision.

Original orange cloth cover, 345 pages, 182 figures in text. This is an original printing in 1950. The Nathan Library holds a copy of the 1964 reprint (cat No 509).
Polymatroidal structure in the multiple access channel with general message sets

The conditions which govern reliable communication over networks are often given as a union of polyhedra. As increasingly larger networks are considered, these conditions become unwieldy and intractable, unless useful structure can be found in them. An example of a polyhedron with a useful underlying structure is a polymatroid, which despite its exponential number of defining inequalities, has a simple and explicit formula for its vertices. For the multiple access channel with general message sets, we show that each capacity characterization in a large class of capacity characterizations involves polymatroids.
Physical and biological factors influencing environmental sources of fecal indicator bacteria in surface water

Early studies that examined the survival of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in water and their potential impact on water quality were focused on the influence of point source (sewage) contamination and dilution in the nearshore coast. Wave action is one of the primary means by which Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria may be transported from distant source water to beach sand. Alderisio and DeLuca found that the potential impact of fecal coliforms from bird feces is not only related to the numbers and types of birds, but also to the duration and time of day that the birds roost on the surface water and their defecation rates. Microbial occurrence, survival, and growth in natural environments such as soil, sediments, and water are influenced by various physical, chemical, and biological factors, the extent of which may vary by environment. A section in the chapter addresses how environmental factors, such as temperature, moisture, predation, and competition, influence the population dynamics of FIB in the environment. A number of complex and often interrelated physical processes control the levels of FIB in nearshore waters including turbulent diffusion and dispersion, alongshore transport, dilution, advection, sedimentation, and resuspension. These physical processes control the distribution of FIB in recreational water, which influences estimates of nearshore beach water quality.
Applications of Approximate Dynamic Programming in Power Systems Control

This chapter presents application examples in the field of power systems control using adaptive-critic designs. These adaptive-critic techniques were introduced in Chapters 3 and 4, but this chapter does contain an in-depth review of the basic ideas and how they apply to the specific problems examined in this chapter. The primary systems examined here are the three-phase micro-alternators at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa. The design and training of the procedure for the critic and action networks are described in detail. Both simulation results and actual hardware implementations are discussed. Detailed results are presented that compare how different adaptive-critic schemes perform and what type of performance can be expected with realistic problems. For another discussion about control of realistic power systems see Chapter 23.
The four-domain architecture: an approach to support enterprise architecture design

Managing an enterprise architecture is a challenging task. While careful planning typically goes into its design, an enterprise architecture actually emerges as a result of implementing individual projects. It is this de facto architecture, not the conceptual one, that provides the capabilities for executing business strategies, and understanding this emergent architecture is of paramount importance. In this paper, we present the Four-Domain Architecture (FDA), which integrates business process, information, knowledge, and elements pertaining to infrastructure and organization. The FDA approach can help guide the development of both the conceptual and emergent architecture. The FDA helps an enterprise in the definition, design, and creation of a set of tools and methods to support frameworks such as the Zachman framework.
Linear chromosomes in bacteria: no straight edge advantage?

The beginning of 2007 brought us the complete genome of the yeast Pichia stipitis, five archaeal and more than 25 completely sequenced bacterial genomes (Table 1). In addition, there were two genomics-related papers that deserve a special discussion. One of them (Fuchs et al., 2007) described an unfinished genome of the ubiquitous marine phototrophic bacterium Congregibacter litoralis, while the other (Cui et al., 2007) examined the properties of the Escherichia coli K-12 strains with a linear chromosome.
Human Metapneumovirus Inhibits IFN-β Signaling by Downregulating Jak1 and Tyk2 Cellular Levels

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a leading cause of respiratory tract infections in infants, inhibits type I interferon (IFN) signaling by an unidentified mechanism. In this study, we showed that infection of airway epithelial cells with hMPV decreased cellular level of Janus tyrosine kinase (Jak1) and tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2), due to enhanced proteosomal degradation and reduced gene transcription. In addition, hMPV infection also reduced the surface expression of type I IFN receptor (IFNAR). These inhibitory mechanisms are different from the ones employed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which does not affect Jak1, Tyk2 or IFNAR expression, but degrades downstream signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins 2 (STAT2), although both viruses are pneumoviruses belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. Our study identifies a novel mechanism by which hMPV inhibits STAT1 and 2 activation, ultimately leading to viral evasion of host IFN responses.
Plasmodium falciparum calcineurin and its association with heat shock protein 90: mechanisms for the antimalarial activity of cyclosporin A and synergism with geldanamycin

Geldanamycin (GA), an antibiotic of the ansamycin family and an inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), was previously shown to inhibit the malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Here we report that cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of parasitic cyclophilin (Cyp) and protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin, CN), acted synergistically with GA to inhibit the erythrocytic growth of the parasite. Parasitic calcineurin associated with Hsp90 in vivo, and GA inhibited the association, but CsA had no effect. In a number of CsA-resistant (CsA(R)) P. falciparum clones mutations were detected in functionally significant amino acid residues of the catalytic and regulatory subunits of calcineurin (CnA and CnB, respectively) and in two out of three parasitic cyclophilins, namely Cyp19A and Cyp19B. No mutation was detected in the third cyclophilin, Cyp24. Further analysis of the mutant CnA revealed that its protein phosphatase activity was highly CsA-resistant in vitro. Similarly, one of the mutant Cyp19A proteins was purified and found to be unable to inhibit parasitic CN in the presence of CsA. Together, these results underscore the importance of the proper assembly and function of CN in plasmodial biology and suggest that the inhibition of CN can be a potential mechanism behind the CsA-sensitivity of the malaria parasite.
Death in ventricular fibrillation induced by isoproterenol in doca-salt pretreated rats preceded by changes in myocardial electrolytes

Abstract Serum and tissue content of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium was determined in controls and desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treated rats to determine whether electrolyte changes preceded the development of isoproterenol-induced death in ventricular fibrillation. Control Sprague Dawley, male rats, were injected subcutaneously (s.c.) with either saline (Group A) or actinomycin D (0.1 mg/kg; Group B) once daily for 4 days. Other rats received 20 mg of DOCA by implantation, drank normal saline and were injected with either saline (Group C) or actinomycin D (Group D) once daily for 4 days. In the first part of the experiment, it was determined that none of 15 rats from Group C died when challenged with isoproterenol (150 μg/kg, s.c.) six days later: however, 13 out of 15 rats from Group D died within 29.1±15.0 minutes (mean±S.D.) from isoproterenol injection. Myocardial sodium was elevated (48.8±3.8 versus 36.3±1.9 and potassium decreased (60.4±3.4 versus 70.6±3.3, meq/kg wet weight, mean ± S.D.) in rats that had succumbed to isoproterenol. In the second part of the experiment serum and tissues were removed from control and DOCA-saline pretreated rats before they died in ventricular fibrillation, 20 minutes after isoproterenol. DOCA-saline pretreated rats were hypernatremic and hypokalemic and exhibited higher sodium and lower potassium in skeletal muscle than control rats. Isoproterenol elicited hypokalemia in all rats, but it only elevated sodium and decreased potassium content in the myocardium of rats of Group D, that were more prone to die in ventricular fibrillation. It is concluded that myocardial electrolyte changes precede the onset of ventricular fibrillation and may be associated with the development of this dysrhythmia.
Evaluating Title Coverage of Full-text Periodical Databases.

Abstract This article provides a methodology for evaluating title coverage of full-text periodical databases in relation to a library’s print journal collection. A pretest of that methodology is presented along with a discussion of collection development principles for an effective evaluation of full-text databases.
Joint density-functional theory for electronic structure of solvated systems

We introduce a form of density-functional theory for the ab initio description of electronic systems in contact with a molecular liquid environment. This theory rigorously joins an electron density functional for the electrons of a solute with a classical density-functional theory for the liquid into a single variational principle for the free energy of the combined system. We then present an approximate functional in which orientational ordering appears only through a simple model dielectric response. Even with the shortcomings of this preliminary functional, the resulting theory predicts, without any fitting of parameters to solvation data, solvation energies as well as state-of-the-art quantum-chemical cavity approaches, which do require such fitting. Future work should focus on including orientational ordering in the joint density functional.
Oral “pacification” and arousal in the human newborn

Abstract Response to oral nipple stimulation was studied in human infants as a function of their prestimulation arousal levels. The general procedure consisted of a five-minute baseline period followed by 15 seconds of stimulation. Level of arousal was assessed by observational and stabilimetric ratings over corresponding time samples. In the initial study, the direction and magnitude of activity change was found to vary inversely with the pre-stimulus arousal level. Succeeding studies replicated the initial findings and indicated that convergence of activity at an intermediate level during intraoral stimulation could not be explained on the basis of spontaneous activity cycles, the influence of stimulation per se, or procedural artifact. The phenomenon was discussed in terms of the “law of initial values.”
Apparently the first closed-from solution of inhomogeneous elastically restrained vibrating beams

Abstract In this paper we consider free vibration of inhomogeneous Bernoulli–Euler beam which is clamped at one end and elastically restrained at the other. The closed-form solution is obtained for the beam of constant material density and constant cross-section but of modulus of elasticity, which varies in a polynomial manner. The semi-inverse method is utilized; namely, the fundamental mode of vibration is postulated as a polynomial too. It turns out that such a formulation leads to infinite number of solutions; one can obtain an unique solution by introducing an additional requirement inherent in vibration tailoring: namely, designing the system that possesses the pre-specified natural frequency. It is shown that if in addition to the fundamental mode shape the natural frequency is also specified, the unique solution is derived.
Experiments on over-stable thermal convection in mercury

In this paper experiments on the onset of thermal instability in rotating layers of mercury are described. In agreement with the recent theoretical work of Chandrasekhar the experiments show that the instability sets in as oscillations of increasing amplitude. Both the temperature gradients at which the instability sets in and periods of the oscillations in the marginal state are in agreement with the theoretical predictions.
Total replacement of fish meal by soy bean meal, with various percentages of supplemental L‐methionine, in diets for blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus (Lesueur)

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted in aquaria with juvenile (8.9 g) blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus (Lesueur), to examine effects of totally replacing fish meal with a high (65%) percentage of soy bean meal (SBM) in prepared diets. Five isonitrogenous (35% protein) and isocaloric (10.5 kJ digestible energy g−1 of diet) diets were formulated. Diet 1 was similar to a high-quality commercial channel catfish diet, containing 15% fish meal and 42% SBM. Diets 2-5 contained 0% fish meal and 70% SBM with various amounts (0.0%. 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%) of L-methionine added. After 12 weeks, individual weight, weight gain, survival, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and food intake were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among treatments and averaged 36 g, 302%, 100%, 1.6% day−1. 2.4,1.3, and 3.4% body weight, respectively. Whole-body compositions of fish were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among treatments and averaged 75%, 61% and 27% for percentage moisture, protein and fat, respectively. These data suggest that a diet with an all-plant protein source (SBM) can totally replace fish meal in a diet for blue catfish, without adverse affects on weight gain or body composition, when the dietary protein level is 35% and fish are fed to satiation.
EPR studies of spin-labeled bovine plasma amine oxidase: The nature of the substrate-binding site

The carbonyl cofactor of bovine plasma amine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6), recently shown to be 6-hydroxydopa (also known as topa), has been spin labeled to the extent of one label per enzyme dimer molecule, using 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO) and 4-hydrazino-TEMPO followed by reduction with borohydride. By studying the EPR spectra of the labeled enzyme, it has been deduced that there is no magnetic interaction between the copper and the spin label, and that the spin label is at least 1.3 nm distant from the copper(II) ion in the resting enzyme. The bound label is strongly immobilized, is in a sterically constricted environment, and is not accessible to small anions. Removal of the copper does not alter the EPR spectrum of the label. The results are similar to results for porcine plasma amine oxidase, and show that the copper is not close to, and does not directly interact with, the topa-bound substrate.
MicroRNA dysregulation during chemical carcinogenesis

MicroRNAs, potent negative modulators of gene expression, are involved in the regulation of fundamental cellular processes, including cell differentiation, metabolic regulation, signal transduction, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Aberrant levels of miRNAs have been documented in all major human cancers, leading to the suggestion that deregulation of miRNA expression might be significant in tumorigenesis. This review presents the current evidence that demonstrates the involvement of miRNA deregulation in the early stages of lung, liver and breast carcinogenesis induced by chemical carcinogens, suggesting their major role as contributors to the pathogenesis of cancer.
XPS and scanning tunneling microscopy studies of oxidized cobalt particles on graphite

Abstract Measurements of X-ray photoelectrons from oxidized Co particles on a smooth graphite substrate were made for comparison with the photoelectron spectra of cobalt oxide (CoO). The spectra appear similar for particle sizes of approximately 3.7 nm. The average diameter of the particles was determined by scanning tunneling microscopy. For oxidized particles of larger size, the metallic character of Co can be seen in the spectra.
Contribution of the ventricles and the atrial appendages to the elevation of plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) during pacing-induced heart failure in conscious dogs.

The goal of our study was to determine whether the elevation in plasma ANF was produced by the atrial appendages or ventricular tissue during pacing-induced heart failure in chronically instrumented conscious dogs (sham) or dogs with bilateral atrial appendectomy. Acute volume expansion caused a significant elevation of plasma ANF from 80±8 to 149±26 pg/ml (p 0.05) in atrial appendectomized dogs. In response to volume expansion, there were further increases in LVEDP and LAP in both groups of dogs, but plasma ANF was not elevated (288±39 pg/ml) in sham dogs and only slightly increased (132±7 pg/ml) in atrial appendectomized dogs. Our results suggest that, during pacing-induced heart failure, the atrial appendages are the major source of elevated plasma ANF, and the remaining atrial and ventricular tissue, even when maximally stretched, can only modestly increase plasma ANF.
Resolved shear stress intensity coefficient and fatigue crack growth in large crystals

Fatigue crack growth in large grain Al alloy was studied. Fatigue crack growth is caused primarily by shear decohesion due to dislocation motion in the crack tip region. The crack paths in the large crystals are very irregular and zigzag. The crack planes are often inclined to the loading axis both in the inplane direction and the thickness direction. The stress intensity factors of such inclined cracks are approximated from the two dimensional finite element calculations. The plastic deformation in a large crystal is highly anisotropic, and dislocation motion in such crystals are driven by the resolved shear stress. The resolved shear stress intensity coefficient in a crack solid, RSSIC, is defined, and the coefficients for the slip systems at a crack tip are evaluated from the calculated stress intensity factors. The orientations of the crack planes are closely related to the slip planes with the high RSSIC values. If a single slip system has a much higher RSSIC than all the others, the crack will follow the slip plane, and the slip plane becomes the crack plane. If two or more slip systems have a high RSSIC, the crack plane is the result of the decohesion processes on these active slip planes.
Exploring the representation of complex processes in information-intensive services

It is well known that Information-Intensive Services (IIS), such as financial services, information technology services, healthcare, telecommunications and broadcasting, and education have shown some of the highest growth rates in the service sector of the US economy. In such services, the business processes are often complex, involving a number of different parties. For example, multiple people from both the service supplier and the customer participate to co-produce a desired service outcome. Through a few case studies, we observe a set of common characteristics of such complex service processes. To obtain a systematic understanding of such processes, we explore the possibility of applying existing modelling or representation frameworks and evaluate them based on how well they address the characteristics of complex processes in IIS as well as other analysis requirements.
The effect of beliefs on maximum weight-lifting performance

The role of beliefs based on perceived external cues in determining maximum-strength lifting performances on a resistance exercise machine was examined. The task in question was a single maximum inclined bench press performed with other strength tests once per week for 6 weeks. Forty-eight college male volunteers engaged in physical education activities unrelated to strength development were randomly assigned to three groups. All subjects lifted for 3 weeks to establish baseline strength before the resistance settings were deceptively altered for testing under the treatment conditions. In one treatment the resistance was altered so that more weight was being pressed than the subject believed. Another treatment involved lifting less weight than the subject believed, and the third treatment was performed while subjects were denied direct knowledge of weight being pressed. A control group lifted each week without any manipulation of the resistance. Treatment groups were counterbalanced for order effect. Analysis of variance of mean differences for both groups and treatments showed significant (p <.05)main effect for treatments. A posteriori comparison revealed significantly higher strength performances when the resistance was greater than the subject believed. This performance difference was attributed to subjects' attempts to remain consistent with self-expectations based upon environmental cues.
Differential Testing and the Evaluation of Thermal Activation Parameters

Thermally activated mechanisms of dislocation motion and interaction account for the dependence of stress on strain, temperature, and time during plastic deformation. Much of the recent activity in identifying particular mechanisms has involved the use of differential type thermomechanical tests. Due to certain basic and recurrent oversights in applying thermal activation theory to such test data, the results are oftentimes misleading. These limitations are identified and explored. Minimum requirements for an accurate characterization of strain history effects are established. A limited amount of self-contained isothermal data, for aluminum and lead, have been obtained in the intermediate strain-rate range which critically test the hypotheses. The present results indicate that the results reported by others may be in substantial error. Much of the discussion presented also applies, in its most basic form, to the evaluation of constitutive models which are not microstructurally based.
On Minimal graphs of maximum even girth

Abstract The existence of regular undirected finite graphs with degree d >2, diameter k , girth 2k and order n =2(( d −1) k −1)/( d −2) is studied. For k other than 2,3, 4, and 6, no graphs exist. For k=2 there is one graph for each d For k=3 and k=4 there is one graph for each finite projective geometry with d points on a line, of dimensions 2 and 3, respectively.
Therapeutic vaccines for prostate cancer: what have we learned?

Several characteristics of prostate cancer make it an attractive target for immunotherapy. The majority of tumors are relatively indolent, allowing for sufficient time to generate an immune response prior to disease progression. In addition, given the relatively few cytotoxic therapies of proven benefit, a large number of patients with advanced prostate cancer have had limited or no prior chemotherapy that can decrease the ability to mount an immune response. In recent years, numerous preclinical and clinical studies have investigated a variety of approaches to prostate cancer immunotherapy, including the use of vaccines consisting of whole tumor cells, antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and poxvirus-based vaccines. These trials are not only providing initial evidence of clinical efficacy, they are highlighting the importance of end points and patient selection in clinical trial design. This editorial reviews a few promising vaccines for prostate cancer and how clinical trials of these agents alone inform us about immunotherapy clinical trial design for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Chemical modification of bile acid : CoA ligase

Abstract The effect of chemical modification of bile acid:CoA ligase on its enzymatic activity was examined. Reagents which modify tyrosine and carboxyl groups did not affect the activity of either the purified enzyme or the enzyme in its native microsomal environment. The modification of arginine residues with either diacetyl or phenylglyoxal resulted in a loss of activity for both the purified and microsomal forms of the enzyme. ATP was able to protect the enzyme from inactivation. Neither cholate nor CoA were able to alter the time-course of inactivation. The sulfhydryl reagent N-ethylmaleimide (MalNEt) produced a biphasic effect on both the purified and microsomal forms of the enzyme. At short reaction times ligase activity increased, but further reaction lead to nearly complete inactivation. With the purified enzyme, ATP increased the extent of activation by MalNEt and decreased the rate of inactivation. With microsomes, ATP did not affect the extent of activation by MalNEt, but did slow the rat of inactivation. For both the purified and microsomal forms cholate provided no protection. Treatment of both forms of the enzyme with the sulfhydryl reagent iodoacetic acid produced a similar biphasic activation/inactivation of the ligase. It was hypothesized that modification of a fast-reacting cysteine leads to activation while a slower-reacting cysteine leads to inactivation. This latter cysteine appeared to be in the ATP-binding site on the enzyme.
Refractory status epilepticus

Refractory status epilepticus is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency. It requires early diagnosis and treatment. There is a lack of consensus upon its semantic definition of whether it is status epilepticus that continues despite treatment with benzodiazepine and one antiepileptic medication (AED), i.e., Lorazepam + phenytoin. Others regard refractory status epilepticus as failure of benzodiazepine and 2 antiepileptic medications, i.e., Lorazepam + phenytoin + phenobarb. Up to 30% patients in SE fail to respond to two antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and 15% continue to have seizure activity despite use of three drugs. Mechanisms that have made the treatment even more challenging are GABA-R that is internalized during status epilepticus and upregulation of multidrug transporter proteins. All patients of refractory status epilepticus require continuous EEG monitoring. There are three main agents used in the treatment of RSE. These include pentobarbital or thiopental, midazolam and propofol. RSE was shown to result in mortality in 35% cases, 39.13% of patients were left with severe neurological deficits, while another 13% had mild neurological deficits.
A critical review of experimental results and constitutive models for BCC and FCC metals over a wide range of strain rates and temperatures

Abstract Four currently utilized constitutive models for metals (i.e. Johnson–Cook, Zerilli–Armstrong, Bodner–Partom and Khan–Huang) are investigated and used to predict the mechanical behaviors of the materials and compared with experimental results. Limitations for each model in describing work-hardening behavior of metals are discussed.
Welfare and product testing by a regulated monopolist

This paper studies a monopoly firm with the ability to conduct costly pre-market testing of its product in order to predict how safe this product is to consume. While there are private incentives to test, the amount of testing effort supplied by a monopolist need not be optimal. In a model which allows for an imperfect system of liability, we characterize and compare the allocations of testing effort and output at the full social optimum, the pure monopoly solution, and the second-best regulated optimum wherein the regulator chooses testing effort and the monopolist chooses output and price.
Effects of electrosurgery on cardiac pacemakers.

This paper discusses the various types of pacemakers available, the possible effects of electrosurgery on the pacemaker patient and suggestions to prevent mishap.
Free-radical-generated F2-isoprostane stimulates cell proliferation and endothelin-1 expression on endothelial cells.

Free-radical–generated F 2 -isoprostane stimulates cell proliferation and endothelin-1 expression on endothelial cells. Background Free-radical–generated F 2 -isoprostane stimulates DNA synthesis and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression on endothelial cells. 8-Iso-prostaglandin F 2α (8-iso-PGF 2α ) is a member of the recently discovered family of prostanoids, the F 2 -isoprostanes, produced in vivo by cyclooxygenase-independent, free-radical-catalyzed lipid peroxidation. The goal of our study is to establish the effect of isoprostane on ET-1 production by endothelial cells, as well to determine the receptors responsible for these effects. Methods The proliferative effect of isoprostanes was measured as an increase of viable cell number and [ 3 H]-thymidine uptake. ET-1 gene expression and protein synthesis were determined by Northern blot and radioimmunoassay, respectively. We also determined inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate synthesis. Thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) receptor antagonist SQ29,548 was used to establish the role of TXA 2 receptor in isoprostane effect, as well as to determine the type of receptors involved in these effects. Results Our results show that physiological concentrations of 8-iso-PGF 2α stimulated cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and ET-1 mRNA and protein expression in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). The proliferative effect was partially abolished by treatment with anti-endothelin antibody. 8-Iso-PGF 2α also increased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation in these cells. These effects were partially inhibited by SQ29,548. In competitive binding assays, two binding sites were recognized on BAECs with dissociation constants (Kd) and binding site densities at equilibrium similar to those previously described in smooth muscle cells and likely represent [ 3 H]-8-iso-PGF 2α binding to its own receptor (high-affinity binding site) and cross-recognition of the TXA 2 receptor (low-affinity binding site). Conclusion These studies expand the potential scope of the pathophysiologic significance of F 2 -isoprostanes, released during oxidant injury, to include alteration of endothelial cell biology.
Exploring technology acquisition in Oregon, Turkey and in the U.S. electronics manufacturing companies

Abstract This paper presents the results of the research projects on technology acquisition in the electronics industry of Oregon, in several industries of Turkey and in the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry. The objective of the projects was to identify the alternative channels used for technology acquisition for companies and to explain the implications of the various alternatives. This study is filling an important gap that has been a challenge for many decision makers who implement technology acquisition strategies in their organizations. The missing link has been the determination of which acquisition strategies to use to achieve the goals of the organization. This paper is presenting the key relationships between a company's background, goals, and technology acquisition strategies.
Leakage-free redactable signatures

Redactable signatures for linear-structured data such as strings have already been studied in the literature. In this paper, we propose a formal security model for leakage-free redactable signatures (LFRS) that is general enough to address authentication of not only trees but also graphs and forests. LFRS schemes have several applications, especially in enabling secure data management in the emerging cloud computing paradigm as well as in healthcare, finance and biological applications. We have also formally defined the notion of secure names. Such secure names facilitate leakage-free verification of ordering between siblings/nodes. The paper also proposes a construction for secure names, and a construction for leakagefree redactable signatures based on the secure naming scheme. The proposed construction computes a linear number of signatures with respect to the size of the data object, and outputs only one signature that is stored, transmitted and used for authentication of any tree, graph and forest.
Diallel Analysis of Resistance in White Clover to Southern Root-Knot Nematode

Persistence of white clover, Trifolium repens L., is reduced in areas infested with the southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood, in the southern USA. Little information is available on the resistance of white clover to M. incognita. This study was conducted to determine the relative importance of general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability, and maternal and non-maternal reciprocal effects on resistance to M. incognita in selected white clover plants. Three M. incognita-resistant and three susceptible white clover plants were used as parents in a diallel cross (.)
Some intellectual correlates of biochemical variability

The relation between physiological factors and personal and intellectual factors is a subject about which much is surmised and little is known. To what extent does the mind depend on the body? This paper describes an experiment which attempts to throw some new light on this question which has been asked since time immemorial.
The effect of dialectical thinking on the integration of contradictory information

Although lower dialectical thinking has been associated with greater extremity in consumer responses to univalent information, we demonstrate that low, as compared to high, dialectical thinkers express more moderate attitudes when they result from processing contradictory information. Specifically, our studies find that contradictory product information is less fluently processed by consumers low (vs. high) in dialectical thinking, which reduces their judgmental confidence and, in turn, generates more moderate attitudes. We contribute to the literature by showing that in contexts of contradictory information integration, current theory regarding the consequences of dialectical thinking needs to be extended to include not only an attenuation of the extremity effect prior research has found, but a complete reversal. Our results further imply that processing fluency not only impacts attitude valence but, more generally, attitude extremity.
Human striatum: Chemoarchitecture of the caudate nucleus, putamen and ventral striatum in health and Alzheimer's disease

The morphology and distribution of perikarya positive for choline acetyltransferase, somatostatin, calcium binding protein (calbindin D28K) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase were surveyed in the human striatum. Choline acetyltransferase and somatostatin antibodies labeled separate populations of large striatal interneurons. Somatostatin immunoreactivity and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (nitric oxide synthase) activity were completely co-localized. Calbindin antibody identified two distinct groups of striatal neurons: (1) numerous medium-sized, lightly stained neurons, probably analogous to striatopallidal projection neurons in the rat, and (2) much less numerous, large, darkly stained neurons. Half of the latter group, but none of the former, were also nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase-positive. Somatostatin-positive and medium-sized, calbindin-positive neurons were more numerous in the caudate nucleus than in the putamen or ventral striatum. By contrast, large calbindin-immunoreactive neurons were more frequently encountered in the putamen. Choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons were evenly distributed across striatal components. In aged control subjects, the size of large, darkly stained calbindin-positive neurons was reduced relative to young subjects. Aging had no effect on somatostatin-, medium-sized calbindin-, or choline acetyltrans-ferase-positive neurons. However, in histologically confimed cases of Alzheimer's disease, there was a selective, 75% loss of choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive perikarya from the ventral striatum, but not from the dorsal striatum, compared to aged controls. Furthermore, the remaining cholinergic neurons in the ventral striatum of Alzheimer's disease cases were significantly smaller than similar neurons in controls. These results indicate that various striatal components which have been shown to differ in their anatomical connectivity and functional specialization, also differ in their neurochemical signatures. The specific and marked loss of choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons from the ventral striatum in Alzheimer's disease is consistent with the characteristic cholinergic and ‘limbic’ pathology in this disease.
Heritability of life span in the Old Order Amish.

Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health,Bethesda, MarylandAlthough a familial contribution to humanlongevity is recognized, the nature of thiscontribution is largely unknown. We haveexamined the familial contribution to lifespan in the Old Order Amish (OOA) popula-tion of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.Analyses were conducted on 1,655 indivi-duals, representing all those born prior to1890 and appearing in the most widelyavailable genealogy, surviving until at leastage 30 years, and with known date of death.Mean age at death ( SD) in this populationwas 70.7 15.6 years, and this did not changeappreciably over time. Parental and off-spring ages at death were signiﬁcantlycorrelated, as were ages of death amongsiblings. Offspring longevity was correlatedwith longevity of both parents, and in moreor less additive fashion. For example, meanoffspring age atdeath was 69.4 15.3 yearsinindividuals for whom both parents diedbefore the age of 75 years (n‹280) andincreased to 73.5 16.0 years in individualsfor whom neither parent died before the ageof 75 years (n‹311). These differences werehighly signiﬁcant (P‹0.006). We estimatedheritability of life span to be 25% 5%,suggesting that the additive effects of genesaccount for one quarter of the total varia-bility in life span in the OOA. We concludethat longevity is moderately heritable in theOOA, that the genetic effects are additive,and that genetic inﬂuences on longevity arelikely to be expressed across a broad rangeof ages.
Measuring the temperature of fluid in a micro-channel using thermochromic liquid crystals

Thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) thermometry, which has been previously used at the macro-scale, is applied quantitatively in a microfluidic device for the first time. Much like the micro-scale version of the PIV technique, TLC thermometry implementation at the micro-scale must account for constraints on imaging and illumination configurations and the proximity of the measurements to interfaces and surfaces from which light scatters. Unlike μPIV, TLC thermometry requires the use of white light, so unwanted reflections are managed using circular polarization filtering, which is implemented for the first time and may also have applications at the macro-scale. The validity and precision of the TLC thermometry technique are tested by imposing a linear temperature gradient along a micro-channel filled with stationary fluid. Additional work is required to develop the technique into a fully functional form and to realize the potential for use in various microfluidic applications including “lab-on-a-chip” devices, MEMS switches, inkjet printer nozzles, and for use with simultaneous velocity measurements.
REACTIVITY OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS IN HUMAN MIXED LYMPHOCYTE CULTURE

SUMMARY Loss of antigenicity in the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) reaction of lymphocytes precultured at 22°C for 7–10 days was accompanied by a decrease in bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells) from 22 ± 1% to 13 ± 1%, and an increase in thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) from 65 ± 2% to 83 ± 1% (P < 0.001). Depletion of B cells from a fresh lymphocyte suspension by either antihuman immunoglobulin-coated column fractionation or by sheep red blood cell (SRBC) rosette formation resulted in a significant reduction of the cell's ability to stimulate in MLC (P < 0.001). Coating of lymphocytes with rabbit antihuman brain serum abrogated their ability to respond but not the ability to stimulate in MLC.
Thoughts on information and integration in honey bee colonies

Solving the puzzle of colony integration in honey bees requires understanding how a worker bee acquires the information that she needs to decide correctly, moment-by-moment, what task to perform and how to perform it. To help us understand how the bees inside a beehive acquire this information, I share some thoughts about information flow within honey bee colonies. These thoughts are based on recent findings about how a colony works as a unified whole in gathering its food. © Inra/DIB/AGIB/Elsevier, Paris
Engineering dynamics of growth factors and other therapeutic ligands

Peptide growth factors and other receptor-binding cytokine ligands are of interest in contemporary molecular health care approaches in applications such as wound healing, tissue regeneration, and gene therapy. Development of effective technologies based on operation of these regulatory molecules requires an ability to deliver the ligands to target cells in a reliable and wellcharacterizable manner. Quantitative information concerning the fate of peptide ligands within tissues is necessary for adequate interpretation of experimental observations at the tissue level and for truly rational engineering design of ligand-based therapies. To address this need, we are undertaking efforts to elucidate effects of key molecular and cellular parameters on temporal and spatial distribution of cytokines in cell population and cell/matrix systems. In this article we summarize some of our recent findings on dynamics of growth factor depletion by cellular endocytic trafficking, growth factor transport through cellular matrices, and growth factor production and release by autocrine cell systems.