cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heparin Promotes Proteolytic Inactivation by Thrombin of a Reactive Site Mutant (L444R) of Recombinant Heparin Cofactor II

Abstract A heparin cofactor II (HCII) mutant with an Arg substituted for Leu444 at the P1 position (L444R-rHCII) was previously found to have altered proteinase specificity (Derechin, V. M., Blinder, M. A., and Tollefsen, D. M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 5623-5628). The present study characterizes the effect of glycosaminoglycans on the substrate versus inhibitor activity of L444R-rHCII. Heparin increased the stoichiometry of inhibition of L444R-rHCII with α-thrombin (compared with minus glycosaminoglycan) but decreased it with R93A,R97A,R101A-thrombin, a mutant thrombin that does not bind glycosaminoglycans. Dermatan sulfate decreased the stoichiometry of inhibition of L444R-rHCII with both proteinases. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed no proteolysis of L444R-rHCII when incubated with R93A,R97A,R101A-thrombin in the absence or the presence of glycosaminoglycan or with α-thrombin and dermatan sulfate. In contrast, greater than 75% of the L444R-rHCII was converted to a lower molecular weight form when incubated with α-thrombin/heparin. A time course of α-thrombin inhibition by L444R-rHCII/heparin showed a rapid but transient inhibition with approximately 80% of the α-thrombin activity being regained after 6 h of incubation. In contrast, all other combinations of inhibitor, proteinase, and glycosaminoglycan resulted in complete and sustained inhibition of the proteinase. Heparin fragments of 8-20 polysaccharides in length rapidly accelerated L444R-rHCII inhibition of both α-thrombin and R93A,R97A,R101A-thrombin. After extended incubations, R93A,R97A,R101A-thrombin was completely inhibited by L444R-rHCII with all the heparin fragments, but approximately 30-50% of α-thrombin activity remained with fragments long enough to bridge HCII-thrombin. These results collectively indicate that ternary complex formation, mediated by heparin, increases L444R-rHCII inactivation by α-thrombin.
Phosphorylated Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) Is Tagged for Inhibition through Association with 7SK snRNA

The positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), comprising CDK9 and cyclin T, stimulates transcription of cellular and viral genes by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II. A major portion of nuclear P-TEFb is sequestered and inactivated by the coordinated actions of the 7SK snRNA and the HEXIM1 protein, whose induced dissociation from P-TEFb is crucial for stress-induced transcription and pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. The 7SK·P-TEFb interaction, which can occur independently of HEXIM1 and does not by itself inhibit P-TEFb, recruits HEXIM1 for P-TEFb inactivation. To study the control of this interaction, we established an in vitro system that reconstituted the specific interaction of P-TEFb with 7SK but not other snRNAs. Using this system, together with an in vivo binding assay, we show that the phosphorylation of CDK9, on possibly the conserved Thr-186 in the T-loop, was crucial for the 7SK·P-TEFb interaction. This phosphorylation was not caused by CDK9 autophosphorylation or the general CDK-activating kinase CAK, but rather by a novel HeLa nuclear kinase. Furthermore, the stress-induced disruption of the 7SK·P-TEFb interaction was not caused by any prohibitive changes in 7SK but by the dephosphorylation of P-TEFb, leading to the loss of the key phosphorylation important for 7SK binding. Thus, the phosphorylated P-TEFb is tagged for inhibition through association with 7SK. We discuss the implications of this mechanism in controlling P-TEFb activity during normal and stress-induced transcription.
Recurrent malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: radiological manifestations

To describe the CT imaging findings of recurrent malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in patients who underwent debulking surgery. The history, clinical and laboratory data, and imaging studies of 13 patients with histologically proven diagnosis of Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma (MPM) and their recurrence following cytoreductive surgery were reviewed. CT studies were reviewed for presence of ascites, peritoneal, mesenteric and omental involvement, presence of solid abdominal viscera involvement, gastrointestinal involvement, presence and location of enlarged lymph nodes and extra abdominal sites of involvement. The most common finding at recurrence was ascites (n = 6). Peritoneal thickening was seen in five patients, infiltration of the peritoneum resembling omental caking was seen in one patient, and low density implants mimicking pseudomyxoma peritonei was seen in another patient. None of the peritoneal implants showed calcification. Three patients had large discrete soft tissue masses in the omentum and/or peritoneum. Multifocal serosal implants were seen in four patients; one had low grade small bowel obstruction which was managed conservatively. Three patients had evidence of intrathoracic disease seen as soft tissue pericardial mass and malignant pleural effusions. CT findings of recurrent MPM resemble primary MPM, metastatic or granulomatous diseases. Radiologist should be aware of its appearance and forms of recurrence which may be seen at extra abdominal sites.
Leucine-764 near the extreme C-terminal end of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I is important for activity.

Abstract Muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (M-CPTI) catalyzes the conversion of long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs to acylcarnitines in the presence of l -carnitine. To determine the role of the C-terminal region of M-CPTI in enzyme activity, we constructed a series of deletion and substitution mutants. The mutants were expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris , and the effect of the mutations on M-CPTI activity and malonyl-CoA sensitivity was determined in isolated mitochondria prepared from the yeast strains expressing the wild-type and deletion mutants. Deletion of the last 210, 113, 44, 20, 10, and 9 C-terminal amino-acid residues resulted in an inactive M-CPTI, but deletion of the last 8, 7, 6, and 3 C-terminal residues had no effect on activity, demonstrating that leucine-764 (L764) is essential for catalysis. Substitution of L764 with alanine caused a 40% loss in catalytic activity, but replacement of L764 with arginine resulted in an 84% loss of activity; substitution of L764 with valine had no effect on catalytic activity. The catalytic efficiency for the L764R mutant decreased by 80% for both substrates. Secondary structure prediction of the M-CPTI sequence identified a 21-amino-acid residue, 744–764, predicted to fold into a coiled-coil α-helix in the extreme C-terminal region of M-CPTI that may be important for native folding and activity. In summary, our data demonstrate that deletion of L764 or substitution with arginine inactivates the enzyme, suggesting that L764 may be important for proper folding of M-CPTI and optimal activity.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Fe(III)W11O39FH4]6−, A NEW MEMBER OF THE 1:11 HETEROPOLYOXOFLUOROTUNGSTATE ANIONS

The X-ray powder pattern of crystalline (NH4)6[Fe(III) W11O39FH4·7H2O shows that the anion has a structure similar to the distorted Keggin structure. Supporting evidence from elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy are presented. The Fe(III) ion is believed to occupy the octahedral site vacated by the missing W(VI) ion of the Keggin structure.
An analysis of hydrogen production from ammonia hydride hydrogen generators for use in military fuel cell environments

Abstract In an effort to simultaneously improve upon existing power storage and generation devices while supplying America’s war fighters with state-of-the-art equipment, the US military has focused on fuel cell technology for several military applications. These applications include soldier and sensor power (0–100 W) and auxiliary power units (500–3000 W). Over the past few years, the fuel cell industry has realized remarkable decreases in the size and weight of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems. However, a safe and affordable means of storing and generating hydrogen does not yet exist to justify their transition into the field. In order to assess the hydrogen storage capacity and hydrogen generation rates of ammonia (NH3) based systems, the US Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC), tested several ammonia hydride hydrogen generator systems built by Hydrogen Components Inc. (HCI). Experimental results and analysis illustrate that while there are developments necessary at the sub-system level, the hydrogen generators are ideal energy storage devices for low power (5 W) operations over wide temperature ranges. The results show that the hydrogen generators are capable of operating autonomously for over 50+ h of operation (at a 5 W load) and producing hydrogen delivery system energy densities of 480 Wh/kg.
A two-parameter method for the measurement of neutron energy spectra☆

Abstract A technique for measuring neutron energy spectra which makes use of both time-of-flight and pulse height information derived from a single detector is described. Interpretation of the two-parameter distribution is discussed, and its usefulness in the identification and elimination of background is demonstrated. A detailed procedure for conversion of the two-parameter distribution into a neutron-energy spectrum is described.
Pyk2 Amplifies Epidermal Growth Factor and c-Src-induced Stat3 Activation

Signal transducers and activators of transcription factors (STATs) mediate many of the cellular responses that occur following cytokine, growth factor, and hormone signaling. STATs are activated by tyrosine and serine phosphorylation, which normally occurs as a tightly regulated process. Dysregulated STAT activity may facilitate oncogenesis, as constitutively activated STATs have been found in many human tumors as well as in v-abl- and v-src-transformed cell lines. Pyk2 is a member of the focal adhesion kinase family and can be activated by c-Src, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Janus kinase 1, tyrosine kinases, and G-protein-coupled receptor signaling. Although Pyk2 has been implicated in Janus kinase-dependent activation of MAPK and Stat1, no role for Pyk2 in the activation of other STAT proteins has been ascribed. Here, we provide evidence that Pyk2, along with c-Src, facilitates EGFR-mediated Stat3 activation. Pyk2 expression in HeLa cells induces Stat3 reporter gene activation and Stat3 phosphorylation on amino acid residues Tyr-705 and Ser-727. Together Pyk2 and c-Src potently activate Stat3, and Pyk2 enhances Stat3-induced cell proliferation. Moreover, the expression of a dominant negative version of Pyk2 impairs c-Src-induced Stat3 activation and cell proliferation. The treatment of A431 cells with EGF results in the recruitment of c-Src, Pyk2, and Stat3 to the EGFR and the phosphorylation of c-Src, Pyk2, and Stat3. Expression of constructs for dominant negative forms of either Pyk2 or c-Src impair EGF-induced Stat3 phosphorylation. These results indicate that Pyk2 facilitates EGFR- and c-Src-mediated Stat3 activation, thereby implicating Pyk2 activation as a potential co-mediator in triggering Stat3-induced oncogenesis.
ALCOHOL AND VICTIM COMPENSATION AS DETERMINANTS OF RESPONSIBILITY ATTRIBUTION IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

This paper reports the results of a study designed to investigate several variables which may underlie the variance in subjects' attributions of responsibility--the effects of the subject's sex, attitudes toward women, locus of control, the driver's sex, the driver's level of intoxication, and victim compensation. It was found that attributions of responsibility and assignment of penalties for fictional traffic accidents were determined mostly by the driver's level of intoxication. Other situational factors and respondent characteristics had little effect.
The l-arabinose permease system in Escherichia coli B/r

Abstract The l -arabinose permease system of Escherichia coli B/r was characterized by measuring l -[ i - 14C ]arabinose uptake by an l -arabinose isomerase-less mutant. This organism accumulates l -arabinose via an inducible, energy-dependent system that exhibits the kinetic properties of permease-mediated transport. The system consists of at least 2 parts: an entrance reaction that obeys Michealis-Menten kinetics and an exit reaction with a high temperature coefficient that exhibits first-order kinetics. Inhibition studies indicate that the system may also mediate the transport of d -xylose, d -frucose, and d -galactose. A “cold shock” phenomenon which results in a rapid loss in accumulated carbohydrates is described.
Chitin synthesis inhibiting insect growth regulators do not inhibit chitin synthase

Tunicamycin, an antibiotic, and 5 insect growth regulators (diflubenzuron, Bay Sir 6874, Bay Sir 8514, CGA-19255 and Lilly 494) do not inhibit chitin synthase obtained from 4-day-oldStomoxys calcitrans pupae.
Increasing illumination and sensitivity of reverse-time migration with internal multiples

Reverse-time migration is a two-way time-domain finite-frequency technique that accurately handles the propagation of complex scattered waves and produces a bandlimited representation of the subsurface structure that is conventionally assumed to be linear in the contrasts in model parameters. Because of this underlying linear singlescattering assumption, most implementations of this method do not satisfy the energy conservation principle and do not optimally use illumination and model sensitivity of multiply scattered waves. Migrating multiply scattered waves requires preserving the non-linear relation between the image and perturbation of model parameters. I modify the extrapolation of source and receiver wavefields to more accurately handle multiply scattered waves. I extend the concept of the imaging condition in order to map into the subsurface structurally coherent seismic events that correspond to the interaction of both singly and multiply scattered waves. This results in an imaging process referred to here as non-linear reverse-time migration. It includes a strategy that analyses separated contributions of singly and multiply scattered waves to a final non-linear image. The goal is to provide a tool suitable for seismic interpretation and potentially migration velocity analysis that benefits from increased illumination and sensitivity from multiply scattered seismic waves. It is noteworthy that this method can migrate internal multiples, a clear advantage for imaging challenging complex subsurface features, e.g., in salt and basalt environments. The results of synthetic seismic imaging experiments, including a subsalt imaging example, illustrate the technique.
Known and emerging biomarkers of leptomeningeal metastasis and its response to treatment

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is the metastatic dissemination of malignant cells to the leptomeninges and the subarachnoid space of the CNS, affecting approximately 8% of all cancer patients. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology is currently the gold standard for diagnosis of LM and assessment of treatment response, but it has relatively low sensitivity. Thus, specific biomarkers of LM may allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment. This article reviews known tumor markers for LM and describes recent work to find LM-specific markers, such as angiogenesis-related proteins. Novel methods of protein profiling that may aid this search are also described; these methods still need to be standardized and validated to gain widespread acceptance. Nevertheless, we anticipate that future biomarkers will have not only the potential to detect LM, but to predict its progression and response to treatment.
Fault diagnosis and Fault Tolerant Control design for aerospace systems: A bibliographical review

This paper gives an overview of recent progress in theory and methods to analyze and design fault diagnosis and fault tolerant control techniques for aerospace systems. Passive and active approaches are presented and analyzed. Strongpoint and shortcomings of each approach are pointed out. Open problems related to the topic are also highlighted. The paper is written in a tutorial fashion to summarize some of the recent results in the subject area without going into details. A bibliographical review summarizing a decade of references is provided to allow interested readers to obtain more detailed information about the recent contributions in the field. Since the general areas of Fault Tolerant Control (FTC) and Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) draws from a number of different technical areas in engineering and applied mathematics, no survey paper could hope to capture all existing contributions in the field.
Individual andorgan-specific variations of human acid phosphatase.

Variations in acid phosphatase were studied in extracts of seven different organs from postmortem examinations of 14 individuals and in 1200 individual placentas. Four different electrophoretically distinct acid phosphatase components, called A, B, C, and D, in order of decreasing anodal mobility, were found. All components reacted with a specific rabbit antiserum and were inhibited by l-tartrate, while there were differences with respect to pH optima, heat stability, and content of sialic acid. Typical organspecific patterns were found. The C component was present in 1200 placentas, but in none of the other organs examined. The ABD pattern predominates in kidney; BD in liver, intestine, heart, and skeletal muscle; B in skin; and D in pancreas. Individual variations affecting the electrophoretic mobility of the C and D zones were found in 3 out of 1200 placentas.
Topological instabilities and phase behavior of fluid membranes

A phenomenological model of membrane phase behavior is presented in which the lamellar (${\mathit{L}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}$) phase is subject to two instabilities, one towards the formation of multiply connected, nearly minimal surfaces, and the other toward the formation of disconnected, nearly spherical surfaces. It is shown that upon dilution, fluctuations generally drive the system through one of these instabilities at a lamellar spacing ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{c}}$ less than the persistence length ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\kappa}}}$ beyond which they destroy its mean rigidity, resulting when ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{c}}$\ensuremath{\ll}${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\kappa}}}$ in isotropic phases of quasirigid membranes with well-defined preferred topologies.
Economic Freedom, Democracy, and the Quality of Life

Summary Many empirical studies indicate that economic freedom in society is positively correlated with prosperity and growth, while democracy exhibits mixed correlations. However, these studies do not control for the possible interaction of these two types of freedoms or their respective influences on social welfare. This empirical analysis examines the interaction of economic freedom and democracy on measures of health, education, and disease prevention in society. The results imply that greater economic freedom consistently enhances these welfare measures, even among more democratic countries. Democracy has a smaller positive influence that disappears for many welfare measures in countries with more economic freedoms.
Structure and development of antennae in a moth, Manduca sexta☆

Abstract The antenna of the moth, Manduca sexta , comprises two small basal segments and a long (2 cm) flagellum, which is divided into nearly 80 annuli. The annuli bear cuticular scales and small sensory organs, sensilla. A trachea, a blood vessel, and two nerve trunks run through the lumen of the antenna and into the head. Sensilla are arranged in an orderly pattern that is repeated on each flagellar annulus. Each flagellum bears about 10 5 sensilla, which contain about 2.5 × 10 5 primary sensory neurons. Clumps of undifferentiated cells (imaginal disks), present in the larva, form pupal antennae during the larval-pupal molt. During the subsequent metamorphic development of the adult, cell divisions, changes in cell shape, and cellular differentiation transform pupal into adult antennae. Sensilla and scales arise and differentiate in the antenna during metamorphosis; regions in which sensilla and scales will arise can be recognized before overt differentiation occurs. All of the flagellar annuli develop synchronously. The dense innervation and neuronal simplicity of antennal flagella, as well as their synchronous development at a late and accessible stage in the animal's life cycle, suit them for studies of neuronal differentiation.
A scanning electron microscope comparison of basidial structures in Filobasidiella neoformans and Filobasidiella bacillispora

A comparison of basidial structures in the two species of Filobasidiella by scanning electron microscopy showed similar morphology for the basidia. Globose swellings developed into oval to clavate mature basidia which produced chains of basidiospores by budding at four points on the apical surface, with sterigmata lacking. F. bacillispora sometimes developed a typical basal swelling during enlargement of the clavate basidium. The basidiospores of F. neoformans were larger, with irregularly roughened walls and lemon-shaped to oval in contrast to the smooth, rod-shaped basidiospores of F. bacillispora.
A Comparison of the Predictive Validity of Typical and Maximal Personality Measures.

Abstract Most personality tests are based on concepts assessing typical performance, and tests of this sort have not been generally successful in predicting criterion behaviors with useful levels of efficiency. Ability tests, which call for maximal performance, have been much more successful as predictors of criterion outcomes. Following a model derived from ability tests, predictors requiring separate typical and maximal self-reports of emotional expressivity were compared to measures of typical and maximal emotional expression in the laboratory. For angry expression, self-reports of maximal expressivity tended to outpredict self-reports of typical expressivity for both typical and maximal laboratory measures of angry expression. Although similar trends were observed for elation, the advantage of maximal self-report measures over typical self-report measures was negligible. Results were discussed in terms of both experimental and clinical implications.
Dietary Salt Intake and the Clonidine Suppression Test

We studied the effects of one week of dietary salt restriction and one week of salt loading on hemodynamic and plasma catecholamine responses to clonidine. Among 11 outpatients with essential hypertension, urinary sodium excretion averaged 29 mEq/d during salt restriction and 322 mEq/d during salt loading. Among eight inpatient normotensive subjects, urinary sodium excretion averaged 11 mEq/d during salt restriction and 300 mEq/d during salt loading. Three hours after administration of oral clonidine 300 micrograms, the hypertensive patients had an average (+/- one standard deviation) decrease in mean arterial pressure of 20 +/- 6% while receiving the low salt diet and 19 +/- 9% while taking the high salt diet, with decreases in venous plasma norepinephrine (NE) of 61 +/- 15% and 61 +/- 16%, respectively. The normotensive subjects had a decrease in mean arterial pressure of 16 +/- 8% with the low salt diet and 15 +/- 9% with the high salt diet, with decreases in venous plasma NE of 64 +/- 10% and 66 +/- 8%. Thus, in neither group were the percent decreases in plasma NE or in mean arterial pressure after clonidine affected by diet. Short-term, large-magnitude changes in dietary intake of sodium do not affect the sympathetic contribution to blood pressure as indicated by percent responses of plasma NE or of mean arterial pressure to clonidine administration.
Vibrational spectra and the structure of pure vitreous B 2 O 3

We report the polarized Raman spectra, the infrared reflectivity, and the infrared dielectric constant of vitreous ${\mathrm{B}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, for vibrational frequencies up to 1800 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Longitudinal- and transverse-mode frequencies are identified. The dominant Raman line, at 808 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, is extremely narrow (\ensuremath{\sim}15 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) and is highly polarized, with peak intensities in the ratio HH/HV \ensuremath{\sim}28. (Here HH means that the incident and scattered electric vectors are parallel, while HV indicates that they are perpendicular.) The spectra are analyzed using a nearest-neighbor central-force network-dynamics model, and by comparison with data obtained from selected molecular species. The results favor a structural model containing a large fraction of boroxyl rings.
Constructing operational value systems for proposed two-unit coalitions

A methodology is described for exploration and systematic development of the basis for a coalition of two social units. Considerable computer assistance is possible in developing the structural character of the basis. A joint intent structure and a conflict structure form the basis for consideration of a coalition, with three types of cycles being of special concern in the exploration.
Twisting the Th1/Th2 immune response via the retinoid X receptor: lessons from a genetic approach.

The immune system is influenced by environmental factors such as hormones and nutrients. Previous studies have suggested that vitamins A and D influence the process of naive T helper (Th) cell differentiation into Th1 or Th2 cells. Vitamins A and D signal through the retinoid X receptor (RXR), which partners with either the retinoic acid receptor or the vitamin D receptor. Most previous studies into the role of RXR in Th differentiation have been performed in vitro and it was necessary for these to be verified in a physiological environment. However, in vivo study has been hindered since RXRα deficient mice are embryonic lethal. Du et al. in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, overcome this obstacle using “pinkie” mice that harbor a hypomorphic mutation in the Rxrα gene. The authors report that the mutant mice have an exaggerated Th1 immune response which is attributed to the aberrant antigen-presenting cell and CD4 T cell function. This study confirms previous studies indicating that RXR signaling plays an important role in Th cell differentiation and also provides a valuable tool with which to study the mechanisms and the in vivo functions of this signaling pathway. See accompanying article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200535366
Dynamical Fluctuating Charge Force Fields: The Aqueous Solvation of Amides

The fluctuating charge (FQ) force field, a polarizable potential model in which point charges on atomic sites fluctuate in response to the environment, is applied to the aqueous solvation of acetamide and trans- and cis-N-methylacetamide (NMA). Two parameters are assigned to each kind of atom, corresponding to an electronegativity and a hardness. The FQ model accurately reproduces both the gas-phase and aqueous-phase charge distributions of these molecules and is therefore effective in treating the influence of functional group substitutions, conformation changes, and solvent on the charge distribution. The FQ model does this in a way that is computationally efficient by propagating the charges in time using an extended Lagrangian method. Solvation free energy calculations are done using both an explicit (FQ) solvent and a dielectric continuum solvent. Both solvent models predict a negligible free energy difference between trans- and cis-NMA, in agreement with experimental estimates. The explicit solvent ...
Comparison of In Vitro Activities of the New Triazole SCH56592 and the Echinocandins MK-0991 (L-743,872) and LY303366 against Opportunistic Filamentous and Dimorphic Fungi and Yeasts

The in vitro antifungal activities of SCH56592, MK-0991, and LY303366 against 83 isolates of Acremonium strictum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Bipolaris spp., Blastomyces dermatitidis, Cladophialophora bantiana, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Histoplasma capsulatum, Phialophora spp., Pseudallescheria boydii, Rhizopus arrhizus, Scedosporium prolificans, and Sporothrix schenckii were compared. The in vitro activities of these agents against 104 isolates of yeast pathogens of Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, and Trichosporon beigelii were also compared. MICs were determined by following a procedure under evaluation by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) for broth microdilution testing of the filamentous fungi (visual MICs) and the NCCLS M27-A broth microdilution method for yeasts (both visual and turbidimetric MICs). The in vitro fungicidal activity of SCH56592 was superior (minimum fungicidal concentrations [MFCs], 0.25 to 4 microgram/ml for 7 of 18 species tested) to those of MK-0991 and LY303366 (MFCs, 8 to >16 microgram/ml for all species tested) for the molds tested, but the echinocandins had a broader spectrum of fungicidal activity (MFCs at which 90% of strains are inhibited [MFC90s], 0.5 to 4 microgram/ml for 6 of 9 species tested) than SCH56592 (MFC90s, 0.25 to 8 microgram/ml for 4 of 9 species tested) against most of the yeasts tested. Neither echinocandin had in vitro activity (MICs, >16 microgram/ml) against C. neoformans and T. beigelii, while the SCH56592 MICs ranged from 0.12 to 1.0 microgram/ml for these two species. The MICs of the three agents for the other species ranged from <0.03 to 4 microgram/ml. These results suggest that these new agents have broad-spectrum activities in vitro; their effectiveness in the treatment of human mycoses is to be determined.
Prehistoric, historic, and present settlement patterns related to ecological hierarchy in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, U.S.A.

The distribution of human occupation across a landscape provides informationabout how people use the landscape, about patterns of economic development,and about social interactions of human groups. When the distributions areexamined over several thousand years, we gain an evolutionary understanding,not only of the people and their cultural patterns, but also of physicallandscape development. The focus of this assessment was to examine andcompare settlement patterns of prehistoric, historic, and present timeperiods, based on known cultural sites in the Eastern Upper Peninsula ofMichigan, U.S.A., and to generate hypotheses about the interaction ofsettlement pattern and landscape change at multiple scales. Patterns ofsettlement among the three time periods were compared at three geographicscales: by subregional ecosystems, by landscape ecosystems and by terraincharacteristics. The Michigan Bureau of History database of archaeologicalsites was searched for prehistoric habitation sites of Middle or LateWoodland period (ca. 3000-300 years before present). Historic occupationswere drawn from pre-European settlement landscape data based on General LandOffice survey notes of the 1850s. We extracted “urban” categories from landcover classified from Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery to measure presentoccupations. Spatial patterns and dynamics of settlement areas in each timeperiod were examined using the ARC/INFO geographic information system (GIS).Results showed a tendency for settlement in all time periods on the bedrockand lowland landscape groups near Great Lakes shorelines, generally occupyingslopes less than two percent. The distribution of present occupations, interms of both slope aspect and geographic subregion (multi-scalar), wassimilar to the distribution of prehistoric occupations. Both prehistoric andpresent sites were primarily south facing and were frequently found alongGreen Bay and Lake Michigan shorelines.
Mimicking Portfolios with Conditioning Information

Mimicking portfolios have long been useful in asset pricing research. In most empirical applications, the portfolio weights are assumed to be fixed over time, while in theory they may be functions of the economic state. This paper derives and characterizes mimicking portfolios in the presence of predetermined state variables, or conditioning information. The results generalize and integrate multifactor minimum variance efficiency (Fama, 1996) with conditional and unconditional mean variance efficiency (Hansen and Richard (1987), Ferson and Siegel, 2001).
Systemic cholesterol microembolization syndrome masquerading as giant cell arteritis

Two patients with clinical features consistent with giant cell arteritis were found to have systemic cholesterol microembolization syndromes. Diagnostic confirmation was established by a muscle biopsy in one patient and by a kidney biopsy in the other. Systemic cholesterol embolization can masquerade as a variety of disorders, including vasculitis, and should be considered in a patient with suspected giant cell arteritis who has a negative temporal artery biopsy.
Sexuality Education of Clergy In Seminaries and Theological Schools: Recommended Readings and Texts

Sexuality education has been widely available to college students and is often part of professional training for medicine, psychology, and education in the United States. Rationale is given for sexuality education of clergy in seminaries and theological schools as well. Print resources can provide effective and acceptable integration of sexuality content into existing courses such as ethics, pastoral care and counseling theology. Methods are described for selecting current readings and texts addressing sensitive issues in sexuality with a religious perspective. Criteria applied include: characteristics of clergy students, educational goals, recommendations from reliable sources, inclusive language, and interpretation of sexual orientation. Eleven annotated sources are recommended including four library references, three books, two denominational statements and two periodicals.
Characterization of bacterial actuation of micro-objects

In recent years, flagellar motors of bacteria have not only inspired design of an entirely new category of microrobots, they have also been interfaced with synthetic components and used for controlled actuation of microscale objects. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to develop bio-hybrid swimming micro-robots which use bacteria for actuation, control, and sensing. As bacteria begin to become an integral part of microscale engineered systems, there is a great need for characterizing their performance and understanding the forces involved in interfacing them with synthetic components. In this work repeatability and endurance (performance as a function of time) of an ensemble of bacteria used for actuation of 10 µm polystyrene micro-beads are characterized. Moreover, a series of adhesion assay methods are introduced and used to determine the strength and timeline of adhesion of Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) bacteria to hydrophobic and hydrophilic polystyrene surfaces.
Rotation symmetry group detection via frequency analysis of frieze-expansions

We present a novel and effective algorithm for rotation symmetry group detection from real-world images. We propose a frieze-expansion method that transforms rotation symmetry group detection into a simple translation symmetry detection problem. We define and construct a dense symmetry strength map from a given image, and search for potential rotational symmetry centers automatically. Frequency analysis, using discrete Fourier transform (DFT), is applied to the frieze-expansion patterns to uncover the types and the cardinality of multiple rotation symmetry groups in an image, concentric or otherwise. Furthermore, our detection algorithm can discriminate discrete versus continuous and cyclic versus dihedral symmetry groups, and identify the corresponding supporting regions in the image. Experimental results on over 80 synthetic and natural images demonstrate superior performance of our rotation detection algorithm in accuracy and in speed over the state of the art rotation detection algorithms.
A Simple Strategy for Glycosyltransferase-Catalyzed Aminosugar Nucleotide Synthesis

A set of 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl glucosamino-/xylosaminosides were synthesized and assessed as potential substrates in the context of glycosyltransferase-catalyzed formation of the corresponding UDP/TDP-α-D-glucosamino-/xylosaminosugars and in single-vessel model transglycosylation reactions. This study highlights a robust platform for aminosugar nucleotide synthesis and reveals OleD Loki to be a proficient catalyst for U/TDP-aminosugar synthesis and utilization
Phase-field simulations of intermetallic compound growth in Cu/Sn/Cu sandwich structure under transient liquid phase bonding conditions

Abstract The microstructural evolution of η(Cu6Sn5) and e(Cu3Sn) in a Cu/Sn/Cu structure under transient liquid phase bonding conditions is numerically investigated through the use of the multiphase-field method. The material parameters and reaction conditions were adopted from relevant experimental research. Simulation results were then analyzed and compared with the experiments in terms of morphology of intermetallic compound (IMC) grains, growth ratio of the η layer with respect to the e layer, evolution of each layer and roughness of each interface. Additionally, it is shown through the use of simulation data that, while liquid Sn is present, the growth of the η IMC layers is dominant and that, upon the exhaustion of liquid Sn, the η grains of the upper and lower layers impinge on one another, at which time the larger grains continue to coarsen at the expense of the smaller grains. Concurrently, the growth of the e layers becomes significant and continues to increase until the η layer is fully consumed or the reaction is thermally arrested. Overall, the simulations were found to be in good qualitative agreement with experiments for morphology of the IMC grains, while showing good quantitative agreement, in spatial extent and elapsed time frames, for the evolution of each of the IMC layers and the derived growth ratio of the η layer with respect to the e layer. Furthermore, it is shown that the results corresponding to different thickness values for the initial Sn layer suggest that the IMC evolution can be reasonably predicted in advance of experimental studies.
Point-spread function of the ocean color bands of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer on Aqua

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua platform has nine spectral bands with center wavelengths from 412 to 870 nm that are used to produce the standard ocean color data products. Ocean scenes usually contain high contrast due to the presence of bright clouds over dark water. About half of the MODIS Aqua ocean pixels are flagged as spatial stray light contaminated. The MODIS has been characterized for stray light effects prelaunch. In this paper, we derive point-spread functions for the MODIS Aqua ocean bands based on prelaunch line-spread function measurements. The stray light contamination of ocean scenes is evaluated based on artificial test scenes and on-orbit data.
A dynamic algorithm for approximate flow computations

In this paper we consider the problem of approximating the set of states reachable within a time bound T in a linear dynamical system, to within a given error bound e. Fixing a degree d, our algorithm divides the interval [0,T] into sub-intervals of not necessarily equal size, such that a polynomial of degree d approximates the actual flow to within an error bound of e, and approximates the reach set within each sub-interval by the polynomial tube. Our experimental evaluation of the algorithm when the degree d is fixed to be either 1 or 2, shows that the approach is promising, as it scales to large dimensional dynamical systems, and performs better than previous approaches that divided the interval [0,T] evenly into sub-intervals.
Lithium-related genetics of bipolar disorder

Lithium is a potent prophylactic medication and mood stabilizer in bipolar disorder. However, clinical outcome is variable, and its therapeutic effect manifests after a period of chronic treatment, implying a progressive and complex biological response process. Signal transduction systems known to be perturbed by lithium involve phosphoinositide (PI) turnover, activation of the Wnt pathway via inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), and a growth factor-induced, Akt-mediated signalling that promotes cell survival. These pathways, acting in synergy, probably prompt the amplification of lithium signal causing such immense impact on the neuronal network. The sequencing of the human genome presents an unparallelled opportunity to uncover the full molecular repertoire involved in lithium action. Interrogation of high-resolution expression microarrays and protein profiles represents a strategy that should help accomplish this goal. A recent microarray analysis on lithium-treated versus untreated PC12 cells identified multiple differentially altered transcripts. Lithium-perturbed genes, particularly those that map to susceptibility regions, could be candidate risk-conferring factors for mood disorders. Transcript and protein profiling in patients could reveal a lithium fingerprint for responsiveness or nonresponsiveness, and a signature motif that may be diagnostic of a specific phenotype. Similarly, lithium-sensitive gene products could provide a new generation of pharmacological targets.
Resolving Pronominal Reference to Abstract Entities

This paper describes PHORA, a technique for resolving pronominal reference to either individual or abstract entities. It defines processes for evoking abstract referents from discourse and for resolving both demonstrative and personal pronouns. It successfully interprets 72% of test pronouns, compared to 37% for a leading technique without these features.
Role of N-linked carbohydrate processing and calnexin in human hepatic lipase secretion.

The addition and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) glucosidase processing of N-linked glycans is essential for the secretion of rat hepatic lipase (HL). Human HL is dis- tinct from rat HL by the presence of four as opposed to two N-linked carbohydrate side chains. We examined the role of N-linked glycosylation and calnexin interaction in human HL secretion from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing a human HL cDNA. Steady-state and pulse-chase labeling experiments established that human HL was syn- thesized as an ER-associated precursor containing high mannose N-linked glycans. Secreted HL had a molecular mass of , 65 kDa and contained mature N-linked sugars. In- hibition of N-linked glycosylation with tunicamycin (TM) prevented secretion of HL enzyme activity and protein mass. In contrast, incubation of cells with the ER glucosi- dase inhibitor, castanospermine (CST), decreased human HL protein secretion by 60%, but allowed 40% of fully ac- tive HL to be secreted. HL protein mass and enzyme activity were also recovered from the media of a CHO-derivative cell line genetically deficient in ER glucosidase I activity (Lec23) that was transiently transfected with a human HL cDNA. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that newly synthesized human HL bound to the lectin-like ER chaperone, calnexin, and that this interaction was inhib- ited by TM and CST. These results suggest that under normal conditions calnexin may increase the efficiency of HL export from the ER. Whereas a significant proportion of human HL can attain activity and become secreted in the absence of glucose trimming and calnexin association, these interrelated processes are nevertheless essential for the expression of full HL activity. —Boedeker, J. C., M. Doolittle, S. Santamarina-Fojo, and A. L. White. Role of N-linked carbohydrate processing and calnexin in human hepatic lipase secretion. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 1627-1635.
Models for strongly-nonlinear evolution of long internal waves in a two-layer stratification

Models describing the evolution of long internal waves are proposed that are based on different polynomial approximations of the exact expression for the phase speed of uni-directional, fully-nonlinear, infinitely-long waves in the two-layer model of a density stratified environment. It is argued that a quartic KdV model, one that employs a cubic polynomial fit of the separately-derived, nonlinear relation for the phase speed, is capable of describing the evolution of strongly-nonlinear waves with a high degree of fidelity. The marginal gains obtained by generating higher-order, weakly-nonlinear extensions to describe strongly-nonlinear evolution are clearly demonstrated, and the limitations of the quite widely-used quadratic-cubic KdV evolution model obtained via a second-order, weakly-nonlinear analysis are assessed. Data are presented allowing a discriminating comparison of evolution characteristics as a function of wave amplitude and environmental parameters for several evolution models.
The Impact of Migration on Parallel Job Scheduling for Distributed Systems

This paper evaluates the impact of task migration on gang-scheduling of parallel jobs for distributed systems. With migration, it is possible to move tasks of a job from their originally assigned set of nodes to another set of nodes, during execution of the job. This additional flexibility creates more opportunities for filling holes in the scheduling matrix. We conduct a simulation-based study of the effect of migration on average job slowdown and wait times for a large distributed system under a variety of loads.We find that migration can significantly improve these performance metrics over an important range of operating points. We also analyze the effect of the cost of migrating tasks on overall system performance.
The evaluation and treatment of men with asymptomatic prostate nodules in primary care: a decision analysis.

Background Whether to perform periodic rectal examinations in asymptomatic men as a screening test for prostatic cancer remains controversial. A randomized clinical trial that tests the efficacy of further evaluation and treatment of men who have been found to have asymptomatic prostate nodules may never be carried out. Decision analysis was therefore used to further investigate this clinical issue. Methods A decision tree was developed to model the decision of whether to biopsy an asymptomatic prostate nodule found by digital rectal examination in a 65-year-old man by his primary care physician. Test operating characteristics, probabilities of disease at different stages, probabilities of side effects from various treatments, and average life expectancies were obtained from the medical literature. Utilities for the various possible health outcome states were obtained from ratings by two experienced primary care physicians using the Kaplan-Anderson Quality of Well-Being Scale. These were used to adjust the quality-of-life expectancies for each outcome state. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the conclusions. Results Disregarding patient utilities, the average survival benefit of evaluation and treatment is 1.1 months. When quality-of-life adjustments are included in the analysis, evaluation and treatment results in an average loss of 3.5 quality-adjusted months of life. Factors that shift the decision toward evaluation and treatment include a positive predictive value of a prostate nodule for cancer of 49% or greater, specificity of prostate biopsy of 98.3% or greater, and the availability of much more effective treatment for stage D cancers. Factors that do not substantially affect the decision are cancer-free life expectancy, the percentage of cancers that are stage B at time of discovery, the sensitivity of prostate biopsy, and more effective treatment for stage C cancer, assuming the same rate of adverse consequences from treatment. Conclusions The evaluation and treatment of prostatic nodules found by digital rectal examination in asymptomatic men in the primary care setting does not lead to significant improvement in life expectancy and adversely affects quality of life. Digital rectal examination should not be performed by primary care physicians as a screening test for prostate cancer.