cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ribosome hibernation: a new molecular framework for targeting nonreplicating persisters of mycobacteria

Treatment of tuberculosis requires a multi-drug regimen administered for at least 6 months. The long-term chemotherapy is attributed in part to a minor subpopulation of nonreplicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells that exhibit phenotypic tolerance to antibiotics. The origins of these cells in infected hosts remain unclear. Here we discuss some recent evidence supporting the hypothesis that hibernation of ribosomes in M. tuberculosis, induced by zinc starvation, could be one of the primary mechanisms driving the development of nonreplicating persisters in hosts. We further analyse inconsistencies in previously reported studies to clarify the molecular principles underlying mycobacterial ribosome hibernation.
A Rubbished World: White Supremacy’s Complicated Love Affair with Garbage

In this article I offer a comparative analysis of the relationship between waste and large-scale social crises. Drawing on the history of extremes, the history of Nazi Germany to be precise, I argu...
Ureteroileostomy in renal transplant patients

Abstract Five patients have received renal homografts with urinary drainage into ileal conduits since March 1970. The renal vessels were anastomosed end-to-side into the terminal vena cava and aorta. The ureter, in its normal dependent position, entered a short ileal segment. The only complication in the series was a parastomal hernia developing thirty-three months after the transplant. We believe this technique offers several advantages over those previously described.
Abstract P5-05-10: Leptin peptide receptor antagonist linked to nanoparticles: A novel adjuvant therapy for triple negative breast cancer

Background: Obesity and high leptin levels are strongly associated with breast cancer, relapse, drug resistance, and poor patient outcomes. Over expression of leptin and its receptor, Ob-R, induce cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). This aggressive form of the disease has no targeted therapy and chemotherapeutics show several undesirable side effects. We have created a Leptin Peptide Receptor Antagonist, LPrA2, which has been shown to effectively prevent leptin signaling. LPrA2 was coupled to iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and used to determine its potential use as an adjuvant to chemotherapeutics. Methods: IONPs, bound to LPrA2, were confirmed by Western Blot. TNBC cells were then treated with IONP-LPrA2 plus Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Paclitaxel, Cyclophosphamide, and Sunitinib. Subsequently, the TNBC cells were analyzed for proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis with the Cellometer Vision Image Cytometer ®. Results: IONP-LPrA2 was found to cause a greater decrease in DNA synthesis during the S phase of the cell cycle in TNBC cells than LPrA2 alone. Additionally, IONP-LPrA2 when combined with chemotherapeutics or anti-angiogenic drugs showed synergistic effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Conclusion: These findings indicate that IONP-LPrA2 may be useful in the prevention and treatment of TNBC. Further IONP-LPrA2 treatment may increase the efficiency of chemotherapeutics. These results could be particularly relevant for obese patients, whom show high incidence and the poorest outcome of TNBC. Acknowledgements: This work was partially supported by the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute Grant 1SC1CA138658-05 and U54 CA118638, and DOD Idea Award BC 123427 to RRGP; and facilities, and support services at Morehouse School of Medicine (NIH RR03034 and 1C06 RR18386) and NIH/NCRR grant 1G12RR026250-03. Citation Format: Tia L Harmon, Adriana Harbuzariu, Courtney D Dill, Lily Yang, Ruben R Gonzalez-Perez. Leptin peptide receptor antagonist linked to nanoparticles: A novel adjuvant therapy for triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-05-10.
The Ewing’s Sarcoma Gene Product Functions as a Transcriptional Activator

The Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) proto-oncogene can give rise to a variety of different tumors because of the generation of transforming EWS fusion proteins upon chromosomal translocation. However, the cellular function of the EWS protein itself was hitherto not established. We show that EWS is a nuclear protein, whose nuclear localization is dependent upon its transactivating NH2 terminus. EWS COOH-terminal amino acids suppress this NH2-terminal activation domain in the context of a Gal4 fusion protein, which may explain why none of the EWS fusion proteins in cancer cells contains the EWS COOH terminus. Furthermore, EWS expression enhances c-fos, Xvent-2, and ErbB2 promoter activity in a cell-type-dependent manner, indicating that EWS is a transcriptional regulator. Also, the EWS protein stimulates transcription mediated by the COOH-terminal transactivation domain of the cofactor CREB-binding protein (CBP). Coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that EWS forms a complex with CBP and the homologous p300 protein. A COOH-terminal region of EWS is both required for the physical interaction with CBP/p300 and sufficient to mediate c-fos activation. In addition, suppression of CBP/p300 function by the adenoviral E1A protein abolishes c-fos activation by EWS, indicating that EWS-mediated gene regulation depends on CBP/p300. In conclusion, the nuclear EWS proto-oncoprotein can function as a transcriptional cofactor in conjunction with CBP/p300.
Enhanced inflammatory gene expression in bronchial epithelial cells from asthmatic patients: Attenuation by a Brd4 mimic

Rationale: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. The airway epithelium is a major source of inflammatory mediators. The transcription factor NF-kB drives inflammation by recruitment of transcriptional cofactors such as the bromodomain-containing protein Brd4. Brd4 binds acetylated lysine residues and links NF-kB activation with inflammatory gene expression and may represent a novel anti-inflammatory target. Aim: To determine whether human bronchial epithelium (HBE) cells from asthmatics have a greater inflammatory gene expression than from healthy subjects and if this is due to enhanced Brd4 and p65 interaction and binding inflammatory genes. Methods: Primary asthmatic and normal HBE cells were treated with JQ1 (200nM), a Brd4 inhibitor, or AS602868 (10µM), an NF-kB inhibitor. After IL-1β (1nM) stimulation the production of CXCL8, IL-6 and GM-CSF was measured. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed for p65 and Brd4 association. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis of p65 and Brd4 binding to inflammatory gene promoters was performed in the presence of JQ1 and IL-1β. Results: Inflammatory gene expression was higher in asthmatic HBEs. NF-kB and Brd4 inhibition attenuated inflammatory gene and protein production in all HBEs. The association between Brd4 and p65 was similar in asthmatic and normal HBEs and unaffected by IL-1β stimulation. ChIP shows that JQ1 reduced p65 and Brd4 binding to IL8, IL6 and CSF2 promoters. Conclusion: Asthmatic HBE cells produce more inflammatory mediators than cells from healthy subjects that are not due to increased Brd4-NF-kB binding. Inhibiting Brd4 may prevent asthmatic inflammation.
Essential Role of the MyD88 Pathway, but Nonessential Roles of TLRs 2, 4, and 9, in the Adjuvant Effect Promoting Th1-Mediated Autoimmunity

Induction of tissue-specific experimental autoimmune diseases involves an obligatory adjuvant effect to trigger an innate response of a type that will drive a Th1-biased adaptive response. This is achieved by use of CFA containing mycobacteria ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis ), whose recognition by cells of the innate immune system depends on TLRs that signal through the adaptor molecule MyD88. We examined the role of selected components of the MyD88 pathway in promoting experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Mice deficient in MyD88, TLR2, TLR4, or TLR9 were immunized with the retinal Ag interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein in CFA, and their EAU scores and associated immunological responses were examined. MyD88 −/− mice were completely resistant to EAU and had a profound defect in Th1, but not Th2, responses to autoantigen challenge. Surprisingly, TLR2 −/− , TLR4 −/− , and TLR9 −/− mice were fully susceptible to EAU and had unaltered adaptive responses to interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. Examination of IL-1R family members, which share the common adaptor MyD88 with the TLR family, revealed that IL-1R-deficient mice, but not IL-18-deficient mice, are resistant to EAU and have profoundly reduced Th1 and Th2 responses. These data are compatible with the interpretation that TLR9, TLR4, and TLR2 signaling is either not needed, or, more likely, redundant in the adjuvant effect needed to induce EAU. In contrast, signaling through the IL-1R plays a necessary and nonredundant role in EAU and can by itself account for the lack of EAU development in MyD88 mice.
Plasticity in Adult Avian Central Nervous System: Possible Relation Between Hormones, Learning, and Brain Repair

The sections in this article are: 1 Description of Song 2 Song Learning in Birds 3 Temporal Constraints on Learning: Possible Role for Hormones 4 Hypoglossal Dominance: Animal Example of Handedness 5 Central Pathways for Song Control 6 Hemispheric Dominance and its Reversal 7 Sexual Dimorphism in Brain Anatomy and Function 8 Ontogeny of a Sexual Dimorphism: Early Hormonal Effects 9 Peripheral Effects of Testosterone 10 Testosterone Induces Dendritic Growth and Synaptogenesis in Adulthood 11 Space for Learned Skill 12 Seasonal Effects on Male Central Pathways for Song Control 13 Neurogenesis in Adulthood 14 Neuronal Replacement 15 Significance of Neuronal Replacement 16 Conclusion
A simple model for the dynamics towards metastable states

Circumstances under which a quenched system will “freeze” in a metastable state are studied in simple systems with long-range order. The model used is the time-dependent pair approximation, based on the most probable path (MPP) method. The time dependence of the solution is shown by means of flow diagrams. The fixed points and other features of the differential equations in time are independent of the choice of the rate constants. It is explained qualitatively how the system behaves under varying descending temperatures: the role of the initial conditions, the dependence on the quenching rate, and the response to precooling.
Lewis Acidity of Polar Organic Solvents from Thermodynamic Measurements.

A quantitative measure of the Lewis acidity of common organic solvents is given by the equilibrium constant for complex formation between the solvent and a π-donor such as an aromatic hydrocarbon. Lewis acidities are reported for 12 solvents from new distribution and vapor-pressure measurements.
Transmutation and functional representation of heterogeneous landscapes

Models of local small-scale ecological processes can be used to describe related processes at larger spatial scales if the influences of increased scale and heterogeneity are carefully considered. In this paper we consider the changes in the functional representation of an ecological process that can occur as one moves from a local small-scale model to a model of the aggregate expression of that process for a larger spatial extent. We call these changes “spatial transmutation”. We specifically examine landscape heterogeneity as a cause of transmutation. Spatial transmutation as a consequence of landscape heterogeneity is a source of error in the prediction of aggregate landscape behavior from smaller scale models. However, we also demonstrate a procedure for taking advantage of spatial transmutation to develop appropriately scaled landscape functions. First a mathematical function describing the process of interest as a local function of local variables is defined. The spatial heterogeneity of the local variables is described by their statistical distribution in the landscape. The aggregate landscape expression of the local process is then predicted by calculating the expected value of the local function, explicitly integrating landscape heterogeneity. Monte Carlo simulation is used to repeat the local-to-landscape extrapolation for a variety of landscape patterns. Finally, the extrapolated landscape results are regressed on landscape variables to define response functions that explain a useful fraction of the total variation in landscape behavior. The response functions are hypotheses about the functional representation of the local process at the larger spatial scale.
Parameter optimization methods for estimating dynamic origin-destination trip-tables

Dynamic origin-destination tables help in on-line control of traffic facilities and, consequently, are of significant use in alleviating traffic congestion. Such tables find useful applications in the contexts of Advanced Traffic Management Systems and Advanced Traveler Information Systems. This paper considers the estimation of split parameters that prescribe an origin-destination trip-table based on dynamic information regarding entering and exiting traffic volumes through an intersection or a small freeway segment. Two models are developed and motivated for this problem, one based on a least-squares estimation approach and the other based on a least absolute norm approach. Both models enhance existing dynamic origin-destination trip-table estimation models in that they also consider freeway segments having differing time-dependent transfer lags between different pairs of entrances and exits. A projected conjugate gradient scheme is employed for solving the constrained least-squares problem and is compared against a standard commercial software. The least absolute norm estimation problem is posed as a linear programming problem and is also solved using a commercial software for the sake of comparison. Computational results are presented on a set of test problems using synthetic as well as realistic simulated data, involving the determination of origin-destination trip tables for both intersection and freeway scenarios, in order to demonstrate the viability of the proposed methods. These results exhibit that, unlike as reported in the literature based on previous efforts, properly designed parameter optimization methods can indeed provide accurate estimates in a real-time implementation framework. Hence, these methods provide competitive alternatives to the iterative statistical techniques that have been heretofore used because of their real-time processing capabilities, despite their inherent inaccuracies.
Neurobehavioral functioning and magnetic resonance imaging findings in young boxers

✓ In a prospective investigation of neurobehavioral functioning in young boxers, 13 pugilists and 13 matched control subjects underwent tests of attention, information-processing rate, memory, and visuomotor coordination and speed. The results disclosed more proficient verbal learning in the control subjects, whereas delayed recall and other measurements of memory did not differ between the two groups. Reaction time was faster in the boxers than in the control subjects, but no other differences were significant. Ten subjects in each group were retested 6 months later and exhibited improvement in their neuropsychological performance as compared to baseline measurements. However, there were no differences in scores between the boxers and the control subjects at the follow-up examination or in the magnitude of improvement from baseline values. Magnetic resonance imaging, which was performed in nine of the boxers, disclosed normal findings.
The Paired Assignment Problem

We consider a variation of the maximum bipartite matching problem where each completed task must have at least two agents assigned to it. We give an integer programming formulation for the problem, and prove that the basic solutions of LP-relaxation are half-integral. It is shown that a fractional basic solution can be further processed to obtain an optimal solution to the problem.
NMR determination of pKa values for Asp, Glu, His, and Lys mutants at each variable contiguous enzyme-inhibitor contact position of the turkey ovomucoid third domain.

From the larger set of 191 variants at all the variable contact positions in the turkey ovomucoid third domain, we selected a subset that consists of Asp, Glu, His, and Lys residues at eight of the nine contiguous P6−P3‘ positions (residues 13−21), the exception being P3-Cys16 which is involved in a conserved disulfide bridge. Two-dimensional [1H,1H]-TOCSY data were collected for each variant as a function of sample pH. This allowed for the evaluation of 31 of the 32 pKa values for these residues, the exception being that of P5-Lys14, whose signals at high pH could not be resolved from those of other Lys residues in the molecule. Only two of the titrating residues are present in the wild-type protein (P6-Lys13 and P1‘-Glu19); hence, these measurements complement earlier measurements by A. D. Robertson and co-workers. This data set was supplemented with results from the pH dependence of NMR spectra of four additional single mutants, P1-Leu18Gly, P1-Leu18Ala, P2-Thr17Val, and P3‘-Arg21Ala, and two double mu...
Roadrunners: Activity of Captive Individuals

Two roadrunners, Geococcyx californianus, readily accepted an activity wheel as an outlet for locomotor activity. The birds were strictly diurnal and tended to be most active per unit of time in the predusk hours. There was less activity on partly overcast days than on clear days. Dim light and darkness were strongly inhibitory, even during daytime hours; bright light was stimulatory, even during nighttime hours. These findings appear to open the way for quantitative comparative studies of the influences of environmental factors on the activity of cursorial birds.
Maternal Caffeine Consumption and Small for Gestational Age Births: Results from a Population-Based Case–Control Study

Caffeine is consumed in various forms during pregnancy, has increased half-life during pregnancy and crosses the placental barrier. Small for gestational age (SGA) is an important perinatal outcome and has been associated with long term complications. We examined the association between maternal caffeine intake and SGA using National Birth Defects Prevention Study data. Non-malformed live born infants with an estimated date of delivery from 1997–2007 (n = 7,943) were included in this analysis. Maternal caffeine exposure was examined as total caffeine intake and individual caffeinated beverage type (coffee, tea, and soda); sex-, race/ethnic-, and parity-specific growth curves were constructed to estimate SGA births. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95 % confidence intervals were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Interaction with caffeine exposures was assessed for maternal smoking, vasoconstrictor medication use, and folic acid. Six hundred forty-eight infants (8.2 %) were found to be SGA in this analysis. Increasing aORs were observed for increasing intakes of total caffeine and for each caffeinated beverage with aORs (adjusting for maternal education, high blood pressure, and smoking) ranging from 1.3 to 2.1 for the highest intake categories (300+ mg/day total caffeine and 3+ servings/day for each beverage type). Little indication of additive interaction by maternal smoking, vasoconstrictor medication use, or folic acid intake was observed. We observed an increase in SGA births for mothers with higher caffeine intake, particularly for those consuming 300+ mg of caffeine per day. Increased aORs were also observed for tea intake but were more attenuated for coffee and soda intake.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Gastrointestinal Complications After Indomethacin Therapy and Surgical Ligation in Premature Infants With Patent Ductus Arteriosus

BACKGROUND: Indomethacin is the most frequently used pharmacological agent for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants. However, reports of complications, particularly, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and isolated gastrointestinal perforation have generated concerns about the use of this medication. OBJECTIVES: A retrospective study to compare the incidence of NEC, NEC-related gastrointestinal complications and isolated gastrointestinal perforation among premature infants treated for a PDA with either, indomethacin alone (I), surgical ligation alone (L), or indomethacin followed by surgical ligation (I–L). METHODS: The medical records of 224 infants that underwent treatment, either pharmacological or surgical, for a PDA, confirmed by echocardiography, over a 4-year period (1995 to 1998) were analyzed. Treatment history and gastrointestinal complications were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 224 infants, 108 (48.2%) were treated with I, 50 (22.3%) by L, 66 (29.5%) with I–L. The clinical characteristics of the three treatment groups were similar and no differences in the incidence of NEC were observed between groups. NEC occurred in 14 (13%) of the I group, seven (14%) of the L group, and eight (12%) of the I–L group. The rate of NEC related gastrointestinal complications and isolated gastrointestinal perforation were also similar among groups. CONCLUSION: In this large retrospective study, indomethacin treatment for a significant PDA in premature infants was not associated with a greater risk for NEC or NEC-related gastrointestinal complications than surgical ligation.
Effect of gammexane on the durability of paper.

THE use of 'Gammexane' has been recommended for controlling insect pests in libraries and record offices, where insect infestation is a serious problem especially in a tropical climate. 'Gammexane' smoke generators appeared to be particularly suitable for this purpose owing to the ease and safety with which they can be handled. But no information about its effect on paper1 was available, and the use of a new insecticide for the disinfestation of documents of a unique and irreplaceable nature had therefore to be scrutinized from the preservation point of view.
Sensor integration for tomographic image segmentation

An expert vision system is proposed which integrates knowledge from diverse sources for tomographic image segmentation. The system mimicks the reasoning process of an expert to divide a tomographic brain image into semantically meaningful entities. These entities can then be related to the fundamental biomedical processes, both in health and in disease, that are of interest or of importance to health care research. The images under study include those acquired from X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. Given a set of three (correlated) images acquired from these three different modalities at the same slicing level and angle of a human brain, the proposed system performs image segmentation based on (1) knowledge about the characteristics of the three different sensors, (2) knowledge about the anatomic structures of human brains, (3) knowledge about brain diseases, and (4) knowledge about image processing and analysis tools. >
Textural and compositional analysis of multiple dolomite generations from the Latemar buildup, Dolomites, northern Italy

Fine-scale chemical variations and reaction mechanisms of dolomitization on the Latemar buildup are related to temperatures of, and contact time with, dolomitizing fluids. Dolomites formed at the highest temperatures are the most magnesian and those formed at the lowest temperatures are the most calcian. Three generations of dolomite, formed under subaerial sedimentary to subsurface hydrothermal conditions, partially replace Triassic Latemar limestones. Vadose crusts, which cap shallowing-upwards cycles, are partially altered to microcrystalline calcian dolomite (1 to 10 μm crystals, poorly ordered, 52 to 57 mole % CaCO3) that formed at earth surface temperatures. These dolomites are fabric-retentive replacements of allochems and micritic coatings on grains as well as void-lining cements. Subsurface hydrothermal dolomite, formed by platform-scale circulation of hot Triassic seawater, comprises a kilometer-scale mushroom-shaped body of massive replacement dolomite and saddle dolomite cement that crosscuts platform sediments (Wilson et al. 1990; Hardie et al. 1991). Temperatures and fluid flow rates of dolomitizing fluids decreased upwards and outwards through the body (Wilson et al. 1990; Hardie et al. 1991). The intensity of dolomitization and reaction mechanisms of dolomitization vary with temperature and fluid flow rate, hence position within the massively dolomitized body. Dolomite from the stem consists of dolomite breccia and saddle dolomite cement. Saddle dolomite cement compositions range from 49 to 55 mole % CaCO3, and dolomite breccia compositions range from 52 to 56 mol % CaCO3. Dolomite from the base of the dolomite body is the least calcian dolomite on the Latemar buildup. Dolomite from the top of the dolomite body is more calcian that that from the base, but less calcian than that in the vadose crusts. Fabric-destructive dissolution and precipitation dominates towards the base of the dolomite body, whereas fabric-retentive dissolution and precipitation is more common towards the top. Cementation takes place throughout the dolomite body.
Automated, eight-cage indirect calorimetry in rats

Abstract We have constructed an automated, eight-cage indirect calorimeter (AIC) for the measurement of energy expenditure in rats. We compared the measurements of resting energy expenditure (REE) in rats during a 30-h fast obtained with the AIC with those obtained with a manual indirect calorimetry (MIC) system. There was both a high degree of correlation between the two techniques during the initial 18 h of the fast ( r = 0.90, P −0.75 · d −1 [mean ± SD, P −0.75 · d −1 [ P = NS]). During the final 12 h of the fast, agreement between the two systems gradually dissipated and correlation was poor ( r = 0.375, P
Why a laptop orchestra

In 2005, the Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk), an ensemble of fifteen laptop-based meta-instruments, began its first season. In this article, the author explores the motivations for starting a laptop orchestra, both in musical and cultural terms, and some of the aesthetic, technical, and compositional issues that face those interested in working with such an ensemble.
Sex stereotypes in the United States revisited: 1972–1988.

This was a 1988 replication of a sex stereotype study conducted in 1972. The new subjects were 100 university students who individually responded to each of the 300 items of the Adjective Check List by indicating whether it was more frequently associated with men or with women or was not differentially associated. For each item, an index score (0 to 100) was computed with high scores indicating association with males, low scores indicating association with females and scores in the mid-range indicating that the items were not sex stereotyped. The correlation between the 1972 and 1988 arrays of index scores across all 300 items was .90. No changes were found across the sixteen years in the affective meaning (Favorability, Strength and Activity) associated with the male and female stereotypes. In contrast, an analysis of the stereotypes in terms of Transactional Analysis ego states indicated that, across the time interval, the male stereotype decreased in Adult and Nurturing Parent and increased in Free Child, while the female stereotype decreased in Free Child and showed a trend toward an increase in Adult. It was concluded that while there had been some minor qualitative changes, there was no evidence that the two stereotypes had become less differentiated across the sixteen year period.
A Carbon-Nitrogen Lyase from Leucaena leucocephala Catalyzes the First Step of Mimosine Degradation

The tree legume Leucaena leucocephala contains a large amount of a toxic nonprotein aromatic amino acid, mimosine, and also an enzyme, mimosinase, for mimosine degradation. In this study, we isolated a 1,520-bp complementary DNA (cDNA) for mimosinase from L. leucocephala and characterized the encoded enzyme for mimosine-degrading activity. The deduced amino acid sequence of the coding region of the cDNA was predicted to have a chloroplast transit peptide. The nucleotide sequence, excluding the sequence for the chloroplast transit peptide, was codon optimized and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant enzyme was used in mimosine degradation assays, and the chromatogram of the major product was found to be identical to that of 3-hydroxy-4-pyridone (3H4P), which was further verified by electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The enzyme activity requires pyridoxal 5'-phosphate but not α-keto acid; therefore, the enzyme is not an aminotransferase. In addition to 3H4P, we also identified pyruvate and ammonia as other degradation products. The dependence of the enzyme on pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and the production of 3H4P with the release of ammonia indicate that it is a carbon-nitrogen lyase. It was found to be highly efficient and specific in catalyzing mimosine degradation, with apparent Km and Vmax values of 1.16×10(-4) m and 5.05×10(-5) mol s(-1) mg(-1), respectively. The presence of other aromatic amino acids, including l-tyrosine, l-phenylalanine, and l-tryptophan, in the reaction did not show any competitive inhibition. The isolation of the mimosinase cDNA and the biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme will be useful in developing transgenic L. leucocephala with reduced mimosine content in the future.
Nonequilibrium radiative heating of a Jovian entry body

The influence of nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) radiative transfer on radiative and convective heating of a Jovian entry body is investigated. The flow in the shock layer is assumed to be axisymmetric, viscous, and in chemical equilibrium. The chemical species considered for the collisional deactivation processes are H2, H, H+. The NLTE radiative transfer equations are derived for multilevel energy transitions. The rotational and vibrational energy modes are assumed to be in local thermodynamic equilibrium. The results indicate that higher-level energy transitions have little influence on the overall NLTE results. The NLTE results, however, are found to be greatly influenced by the temperature distributions in the shock layer. The convective and radiative heating to the entry body are reduced significantly because of the NLTE conditions; the reduction in convective heating, however, is relatively small. The influence of NLTE is found to be greater at higher entry altitudes.
On the Importance of Environmental Claims-Making: The Role of James O. Wright in Promoting the Drainage of Florida's Everglades in the Early Twentieth Century

Responding to recent calls to analyze the authoritative role of scientists in producing environmental knowledge, this article conceptualizes applied scientists as “environmental claims-makers” who play an influential role in shaping how the public perceives and interacts with the environment. Analyzing the knowledge claims of scientists, particularly applied scientists, requires a consideration of both cognitive and interpretive claims-making activities. The concept of environmental claims-making is used in analyzing the historical geography of one of North America's most famous wetland landscapes—the Florida Everglades. Specifically, we examine the role played by engineer James O. Wright in making scientific claims about the Everglades and its climate and how he (and others) used these claims to promote reclamation of this wetland during the early twentieth century. Our study critiques Wright's claims-making activities, evaluating the quality of environmental knowledge he constructed, the social and econ...
Persisting changes in basolateral amygdala mRNAs after chronic ethanol consumption

Abstract Adolescent alcohol use is common and evidence suggests that early use may lead to an increased risk of later dependence. Persisting neuroadaptions in the amygdala as a result of chronic alcohol use have been associated with negative emotional states that may lead to increased alcohol intake. This study assessed the long-term impact of ethanol consumption on levels of several basolateral amygdala mRNAs in rats that consumed ethanol in adolescence or adulthood. Male Long-Evans rats were allowed restricted access to ethanol or water during adolescence (P28, n = 11, controls = 11) or adulthood (P80, n = 8, controls = 10) for 18 days. After a sixty day abstinent period, the brain was removed and sections containing the basolateral amygdala were taken. In situ hybridization was performed for GABA A α 1 , glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD 67 ), corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), and N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) NR2A mRNAs. A significant decrease was observed in GABA A α 1 , GAD 67 , and CRF, but not NR2A, mRNAs in adult rats that consumed ethanol in comparison to controls. No significant changes were seen in adolescent consumers of ethanol for any of the probes tested. A separate analysis for each probe in the piriform cortex ascertained that the changes after ethanol consumption were specific to the basolateral amygdala. These results indicate that chronic ethanol consumption induces age-dependent alterations in basolateral amygdala neurochemistry.
Phasic myocardial blood flow in hemorrhagic hypotension. Effect of beta sympathetic blockade.

Abstract The systolic phase of coronary blood flow is markedly impeded in early hemorrhagic hypotension. When pronethalol is administered, it returns to a nearly normal level, and total coronary blood flow is significantly increased. The myocardial lesions that usually occur in hemorrhagic hypotension are markedly reduced by administration of pronethalol regardless of heart rate. These findings demonstrate the role of intense positive inotropic stimulation in the production of myocardial lesions in a situation in which coronary perfusion pressure is decreased.
Quantitative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of ampicillin

Abstract A reversed-phae high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the potency determination of the trihydrate and anhydrous forms of ampicillin and its sodium salt. An acid phosphate-acetonitrile mobile phase was used with caffeine as an internal standard. Efficiencies exceeding 15,000 plates per meter (or reduced plate height of 13) were obtained with precision normally better than 2% and a good linear range of detection (0.7—36 μg) at 254 nm. Good statistical correlations were shown when the results obtained from the RP-HPLC method were compared to those from the official methods.
Compact Verilog-A modeling of silicon traveling-wave modulator for hybrid CMOS photonic circuit design

A compact Verilog-A model of silicon-based junction traveling-wave Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) is developed for hybrid CMOS and photonic system-level simulation in Cadence environment. Critical device functions such as the voltage depen- dent change of refractive index, small-signal RLGC parameters for the MZM arms are extracted from the photonic device characterization from OpSIS foundry. Thermo-optical coefficient is also considered in the model. Simulation results including electro-optic S21 is characterized for the phase modulator's bandwidth. Also, transient MZM operation with non-return to zero (NRZ) data transmission at 10 Gb/s and 20 Gb/s rates are demonstrated. Index Terms—CMOS Photonics, Compact model, MZM, NRZ, Verilog-A.
Nonparametric Functional Estimation by Asymptotic Regression

Nonparametric density estimates are obtained by the method of asymptotic regression (AR) on empirical stochastic processes. Rates of convergence for the density estimator are obtained in various norms. The methodology is applied to density estimation in two inverse problems: deconvolution and Wicksell's corpuscle problem.
Processing of pro-opiocortin in Cushing tumors

Recent work in several laboratories has proven that ACTH, LPH-endorphin, and another peptide of 103 amino acids (the N-terminal fragment) all derive from a single polypeptide, pro-opiocortin. Recently we showed that the pro-opiocortin produced by a pituitary tumor from a patient with Nelson syndrome was indistinguishable from the pro-opiocortin produced by an ectopic ACTH-producing tumor, suggesting both eutopic and ectopic ACTH arise from the same gene (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 77: 5211, 1980). We have now analyzed tissue from a tumor producing Cushing disease. Two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis of proteins synthesized and labeled in vitro with [35S] methionine and [3H] glucosamine indicates that pro-opiocortin is processed by the same scheme in Cushing tumors as in Nelson tumors and mouse AtT-20 cells. The 35 kilodalton pro-opiocortin is first glycosylated, then the βLPH moiety is cleaved off, followed by cleavage of the ACTH moiety, leaving the glycosylated N-terminal fragment. No further cleavage of the N-terminal fragment was detected. Electrophoresis of tryptic peptides of pro-opiocortin labeled with [35S] methionine and [3H] glucosamine confirms the conclusion from the 2-D gels that the single glycosylation site of human pro-opiocortin lies in the N-terminal fragment.
Cavernous malformation within a schwannoma: review of the literature and hypothesis of a common genetic etiology

The finding of cavernous malformations within tumors of the central or peripheral nervous system is a rare occurrence. We report a case of a histologically proven cavernous malformation found within an eighth cranial nerve schwannoma in a 76-year-old man. The patient presented with progressive loss of hearing on the left, facial pain and dysesthesia. Symptoms improved significantly after the tumor was subtotally resected through a left retrosigmoid craniotomy. Including the present report, 34 cases of cavernous malformations associated with tumors of nervous system origin, 24 cases (71%) involving tumors of Schwann cell origin, and 9 cases (26%) involving gliomas have been published. The cases were classified into two forms based on the type of association. Conjoined association, in which the cavernous malformation is located within the tissue of the nervous system tumor, and discrete association, in which the cavernous malformation and nervous system tumor are in separate locations. We explore the etiology of this association and hypothesize that a common genetic pathway may be involved in a majority of these cases.
Differential effects of serotonin-specific and excitotoxic lesions of OFC on conditioned reinforcer devaluation and extinction in rats

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is critical for behavioral adaptation in response to changes in reward value. Here we investigated, in rats, the role of OFC and, specifically, serotonergic neurotransmission within OFC in a reinforcer devaluation task (which measures behavioral flexibility). This task used two visual cues, each predicting one of two foods, with the spatial position (left-right) of the cues above two levers pseudorandomized across trials. An instrumental action (lever press) was required for reinforcer delivery. After training, rats received either excitotoxic OFC lesions made by NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartic acid), serotonin-specific OFC lesions made by 5,7-DHT (5,7-dihydroxytryptamine), or sham lesions. In sham-lesioned rats, devaluation of one food (by feeding to satiety) significantly decreased responding to the cue associated with that food, when both cues were presented simultaneously during extinction. Both types of OFC lesions disrupted the devaluation effect. In contrast, extinction learning was not affected by serotonin-specific lesions and was only mildly retarded in rats with excitotoxic lesions. Thus, serotonin within OFC is necessary for appropriately adjusting behavior toward cues that predict reward but not for reducing responses in the absence of reward. Our results are the first to demonstrate that serotonin in OFC is necessary for reinforcer devaluation, but not extinction.
Domain structure and impurity length-scale effects in switching charge-density-wave conductors.

We explore the internal structure and the relative coherence of sliding charge-density-wave (CDW) domains in switching crystals of pure and iron-doped ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{3}$. CDW domain coherence is examined by studying the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics when a temperature gradient is applied across a switching sample. We use a noninvasive voltage-probe technique to further determine the structure of switching domains. We find that drastically different results are obtained depending on the unperturbed nature of a sample's I-V characteristic, and suggest that this large variation in switching crystal I-V characteristics originates from differences in the distribution of the switch-causing ultrastrong impurities. These results are discussed in terms of a phase-slip model of switching.
TU-FF-A2-01: Feasibility of Cone-Beam CT Based Treatment Planning

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT)‐based treatment planning.Methods: HU of material disks in Catphan, HU profiles for homogeneous and inhomogeneous phantoms, and HU values in different tissue areas of brain, thorax and prostate patients were compared in CBCT and CTimages. Plans with one beam based on CBCT and CT of phantoms and patients were compared using MU/cGy values and isodose distributions. For patient cases, 3D plans and IMRT plans based on CTimages were generated, and then verification plans based on CBCT were generated. The isodose distributions and dose values at the isocenter were compared between two plans. Results: HU values of CBCT are very close to those of CT in Catphan. However, HU profiles of homogeneous and inhomogeneous phantoms in CBCT show inhomogeneous distribution compared to those in CT with large scatter. Large scatter contribution becomes greater in patient cases. The lung or fatty tissue appears with even lower HU values in CBCT than in CT. Resulting MU/cGy differences are generally within 2%, but a beam passing through a significant amount of the lung or bone shows 2 – 3% of MU/cGy difference. The isodose distributions of CBCT‐based verification plans and CT‐based plans for brain and prostate patients are very similar with the dose values less than 2% different. The dose value is about 4% higher in CBCT‐based verification plan than in CT‐based plan for the thorax patient and the isodose distributions in the high dose area inside of the lung shows disagreement between the two plans. Conclusion: This study validates CBCT‐based treatment planning by comparing with the gold standard CT‐based treatment planning. CBCT‐based plans could be used for most cases. However, beams should be selected with a consideration to avoid a large part of lung. Research partially sponsored by Varian Medical System.
Association between statin use and Alzheimer's disease.

Context: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been associated with a decreased risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective:
Lattice instabilities near the critical V-V separation for localized versus itinerant electrons in LiV 1 − y M y O 2 (M=Cr or Ti) Li 1 − x VO 2

From the compositional dependences of the lattice parameters in the system ${\mathrm{LiV}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{y}}$Cr $_{\mathrm{y}}\mathrm{O}_{2}$, a critical V-V separation ${\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{c}}$=2.90\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 \AA{} has been determined for an array of octahedral-site ${\mathrm{V}}^{3+}$ ions sharing common octahedral-site edges with six like nearest neighbors. A first-order transition on passing from the itinerant-electron regime R${\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ to the localized-electron regime Rg${\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ was also established. In ${\mathrm{LiVO}}_{2}$, the electron instability associated with an R\ensuremath{\approx}${\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ is manifest by ${\mathrm{V}}_{3}$ trimer formation at temperatures T490 K with R${\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ within a trimer and Rg${\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ between trimers. Introduction of a mixed valence in ${\mathrm{Li}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{VO}}_{2}$ results in a two-phase mixture in the interval 0\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.12; the metastable ${\mathrm{Li}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{VO}}_{2}$ phase in the interval 0.12\ensuremath{\lesssim}x\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.33 disproportionates above a ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{t}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$\ensuremath{\approx}550 K into ${\mathrm{LiVO}}_{2}$ and Li[${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$]${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. Comparisons are made between the instabilities associated with a W\ensuremath{\approx}U in the copper oxide superconductors and those in the layered and spinel vanadium oxides. In particular, attention is called to evidences for dynamic charge-density fluctuations that appear to be associated with superconductivity in the coper oxides, but not in the vanadium oxides.
Formation and stability of refractory metal diborides in an Fe3Al matrix

Abstract The feasibility of forming refractory diboride particles in an Fe 3 Al matrix by conventional casting techniques is examined; the microstructural stability of such particles upon subsequent exposure to elevated temperatures is discussed. Four different alloys were cast (Fe–Al–Ti–B, Fe–Al–Zr–B, Fe–Al–Nb–B, and Fe–Al–Ta–B); the nominal composition in each case was intended to yield stoichiometric Fe 3 Al with 10 vol% of the stoichiometric refractory diboride. As-cast, annealed and heat treated alloys were examined using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy to understand the formation and thermal stability of refractory diborides (TiB 2 , ZrB 2 , TaB 2 , NbB 2 ) in Fe 3 Al. In all four cases, refractory diborides formed; the Fe–Al–Ti–B and Fe–Al–Zr–B alloys yielded a two-phase microstructure of Fe 3 Al and the diboride. The Ti and Zr diboride reinforcements were stable and showed minimal coarsening following high temperature exposure. The Nb- and Ta-containing quaternary alloys, in addition to the respective diborides, included a eutectic reaction at temperatures between 1150°C and 1200°C that results in the formation of an Fe-rich phase thought to be Fe 2 B.
Actin Protofilament Orientation in Deformation of the Erythrocyte Membrane Skeleton

The red cell's spectrin-actin network is known to sustain local states of shear, dilation, and condensation, and yet the short actin filaments are found to maintain membrane-tangent and near-random azimuthal orientations. When calibrated with polarization results for single actin filaments, imaging of micropipette-deformed red cell ghosts has allowed an assessment of actin orientations and possible reorientations in the network. At the hemispherical cap of the aspirated projection, where the network can be dilated severalfold, filaments have the same membrane-tangent orientation as on a relatively unstrained portion of membrane. Likewise, over the length of the network projection pulled into the micropipette, where the network is strongly sheared in axial extension and circumferential contraction, actin maintains its tangent orientation and is only very weakly aligned with network extension. Similar results are found for the integral membrane protein Band 3. Allowing for thermal fluctuations, we deduce a bound for the effective coupling constant, alpha, between network shear and azimuthal orientation of the protofilament. The finding that alpha must be about an order of magnitude or more below its tight-coupling value illustrates how nanostructural kinematics can decouple from more macroscopic responses. Monte Carlo simulations of spectrin-actin networks at approximately 10-nm resolution further support this conclusion and substantiate an image of protofilaments as elements of a high-temperature spin glass.