cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Interferon-Stimulated Gene BST2 by a lncRNA Transcribed from a Shared Bidirectional Promoter.

Recent genome-wide studies have revealed the presence of thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), some of which may play critical roles in the cell. We have previously shown that a large number of lncRNAs show differential expression in response to IFNα stimulation in primary human cells. Here we show that a subset of IFN-induced lncRNAs are positioned in proximity of IFN-stimulated protein-coding genes (ISGs). The majority of gene pairs originated from bidirectional promoters and showed positively correlated expression. We focused our analysis on a pair consisting of the known protein-coding ISG, BST2, and an unstudied putative lncRNA originating from the promoter region of BST2 in a divergent orientation. We showed that this transcript was a multi-exonic, polyadenylated long RNA which lacked protein-coding capacity. BST2 and the lncRNA were both induced in response to IFNα in diverse cell types. The induction of both genes was mediated through the JAK-STAT pathway, suggesting that IFN-stimulated response elements within the shared promoter activated the transcription of both genes. RNAi-mediated knockdown of the lncRNA resulted in downregulation of BST2, and we could show that this downregulation occurred at the level of transcription. Forced overexpression of this lncRNA, which we named BST2 IFN-Stimulated Positive Regulator (BISPR), resulted in upregulation of BST2, indicating that the regulation of expression of BST2 by BISPR is mediated through interactions involving BISPR RNA itself, rather than the impact of its transcription from an adjacent locus. Importantly, upon IFN stimulation, transcriptional activation of BISPR preceded the induction of BST2, suggesting that expression of BISPR facilitated the initiation of transcription in its paired protein-coding gene. The lncRNA-mediated transcriptional regulation described in this study may help govern the expression of additional protein-coding RNAs involved in IFN response and other cellular processes.
Anthropometry and methods of body composition measurement for research and field application in the elderly

Evaluation of body composition is important in the study of human energy and protein metabolism as methods are available for quantifying energy stores and protein content at a single point in time; energy–protein balance can be monitored over time; and dynamic measures of energy and protein metabolism can be referenced to body mass and related measurable components for between-individual comparisons. This review emphasizes the need for considering subject age when developing body composition component prediction models that are applied in elderly populations. An overview of body composition research is provided that emphasizes compartment and level definitions and interrelations. Two broad method categories, mechanistic and descriptive, are then critically examined in relation to their role in energy-protein metabolism and aging research. Our collective review indicates that all major body composition components are now measurable using one or more methods that are based on non age-dependent assumptions. We also found that some methods, particularly descriptive field methods (eg anthropometry), may be based on age-sensitive assumptions and measurements and suggestions for future development of these methods are provided. Lastly, as body composition differences between races, cultures, and countries are now recognized, it would be useful to create international cooperative groups with the aim of developing widely applicable descriptive field methods based on simple available techniques such as anthropometry and bioimpedance analysis. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, Suppl 3, S26–S32
Development of a Multi-Joint Postural Exposure Assessment Tool for Job Rotation

With practitioners more often adopting job rotation practices in their facilities, there is an increased necessity for effective methods to measure the complex exposures in the diverse jobs that may be selected for a particular job rotation scheme. Potential methods need to be both versatile and simple, ensuring easy application and low cost. The current study developed and evaluated the potential of a video-based analysis method that combines the exposure measure of four body regions: neck, shoulder, low back, and hand/wrist. Three experienced analysts assessed the postural load for all jobs within fifteen different job rotation schemes at a manufacturing facility. Several potential indices were developed, computed and discussed. Overall, the video-based analyses evaluated in the current study provide an easy and cost effective method that allows a practitioner to compare multiple stressors at one time. Future work will evaluate the effectiveness of the method in actually controlling musculoskeletal diso...
Engraftment and tumorigenesis of HTLV-1 transformed T cell lines in SCID/bg and NOD/SCID mice

Human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is recognized as the etiological agent of adult T cell leukemia (ATL). Although HTLV-1 can immortalize human lymphocytes in culture, identification of molecular events leading to tumorigenesis after HTLV-1 infection remain elusive. SCID/bg and NOD/SCID mice have reduced natural killer (NK) cell activity and were inoculated intraperitoneally with HTLV-1 transformed cells to refine and characterize the SCID mouse as a small animal model for investigation of HTLV-1 tumorigenesis. HTLV-1 transformed cell lines originally derived by cocultivation of uninfected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with lethally irradiated leukemic cells from patient samples (SLB-1, MT-2 and HT-1-RV) were lymphomagenic when inoculated into NOD/SCID mice. In contrast, immortalized cell lines generated by transfection PBMC with an infectious molecular clone of HTLV-1 (ACH or ACH.p12) were not tumorigenic. The differing behaviors of HTLV-1 infected cell lines in NOD/SCID mice indicates that viral infection and immortalization of human PBMC for growth in culture is not sufficient for induction of a tumorigenic phenotype. The higher level of engraftment of HTLV-1 transformed cell lines in NOD/SCID mice suggests that this is an effective animal model to investigate molecular determinants of HTLV-1 lymphomagenesis.
Injections of Propidium Iodide Into HeLa Culture Cells Using a Nanoinjection Lance Array

Nanoinjection lance arrays have been used to inject propidium iodide, a dye, into living cells. The lance arrays consist of approximately four million needle-like structures on a 2 × 2 cm silicon chip, fabricated using standard methods for silicon wafers. A culture of HeLa cancer cells, commonly used in genetic research, has been employed for testing the nanoinjection process. Propidium iodide at several concentrations has been used as the dye for cell injection. The dye binds to nucleic acids after injection, and does not fluoresce when not bound, allowing accurate flow cytometry measurement of successful injections. Over 200 wells were tested to gather reliable testing data, consisting of negative controls (no treatment), positive controls (dye added with no injection), and samples (dye added and injection performed). Tests were performed for dye concentrations of 20, 40, 60, and 80 μL per 1 mL of cell media solution, for two different lance array geometries. The multi-cell nanoinjection process presented in this paper has proven to produce positive dye uptake results in injected cells while maintaining high cell viability, with an average uptake rate of about 52% for cells injected with the highest concentration of dye. Reviewing all data, the average sample success rate is 8 times higher than the rate of dye uptake in the positive controls. Cell viability in these tests is on average 96.2%. The process may be used in a variety of research areas.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The open video project: research-oriented digital video repository

A future with widespread access to large digital libraries of video is nearing reality. Anticipating this future, a great deal of research is focused on methods of browsing and retrieving digital video, developing algorithms for creating surrogates for video content, and creating interfaces that display result sets from multimedia queries. Research in these areas requires that each investigator acquire and digitize video for their studies since the multimedia information retrieval community does not yet have a standard collection of video to be used for research purposes. The primary goal of the Open Video Project is to create and maintain a shared digital video repository and test collection to meet these research needs.
FDG uptake in sternoclavicular joint synovitis: Mimic of internal mammary adenopathy.

False-positive FDG uptake has been noted in a wide range of benign processes. In this report, we describe a case of FDG uptake in unilateral sternoclavicular synovitis which mimicked an internal mammary node in appearance. Knowledge of this potential false-positive is particularly important in breast cancer patients with a propensity of internal mammary nodal metastases.
ADAPTATION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN LAMINARIA SACCHARINA (PHAEOPHYTA) TO CHANGES IN GROWTH TEMPERATURE

The effect of growth temperature on photosynthetic metabolism was studied in the kelp Laminaria saccharina (L.) Lamour. Photosynthesis was subject to phenotypic adaptation, with almost constant photosynthetic rates being achieved at growth temperatures between 0 and 20° C. This response involved: (1) an inverse relationship between growth temperature and photosynthetic capacity, (2) a reduction in the Q10 value for photosynthesis of L. saccharina grown at 0 and 5° C compared with 10, 15 and 20° C grown sporophytes, and (3) an acquired tolerance of photosynthesis to temperatures between 15–25° C (which inhibited photosynthesis in 0 and 5° C grown L. saccharina) in sporophytes grown at 10, 15 and 20° C. The physiological basis of these adaptations is discussed in terms of observed changes in activities and kinetics of the Calvin cycle enzyme ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase (oxygenase) and efficiency of light harvesting-electron transport systems.
New magnetically ordered materials with high Tc

Abstract Magnets comprised of molecules, ions, and polymers is a focus of contemporary materials science research. The anticipated attributes of organic/molecular-based magnetic materials may enable their use in future generations of electronic, magnetic and/or photonic/photronic devices. Some organometallic solids comprising linear chains of alternating metallocenium donors, D, and cyanocarbon acceptors, A, i. e., -D-+A D+A, exhibit cooperative magnetic phenomena, i. e., ferro-, antiferro-, ferri-, and metamagnetism. For [FeIII(C5Me5)2]-+[TCNE] - (Me = methyl; TCNE = tetracyanoethylene) bulk ferromagnetic behavior is observed below the critical (Curie) temperature, Tc, of 4.8 K. Replacement of FeIII with MnIII leads to a ferromagnet with a Tc of 8.8 K in agreement with mean-field models developed for this class of materials. Extension to the reaction of a vanadium(0) complex with TCNE lead to the isolation of a magnet with a Tc ∼ 400 K which exceeds the thermal decomposition of the material. A new class ...
A subject-based shared approval plan for consortia purchasing of U.S. university press books

While consortia have been successful in cooperating among members for the purpose of sharing electronic resources, they have struggled to extend that level of cooperation to print materials. OhioLINK is investigating methods to accomplish this goal. This paper expands on that initiative and presents a method for creating a shared approval plan for purchasing U.S. university press titles. It presents a subject-based solution stemming from a prior research initiative with OCLC for establishing financial commitments and randomized ownership of materials to be shared among consortium member libraries. This study projects results of this method by applying a prior year's publication output. The results do not describe a perfect plan but one worth exploring as a means to cooperatively purchase and share print books.
CO2 Mobility Control

As early as 1955, surfactants were recognized for their effectiveness in lowering gas mobility in reservoir cores by in-situ foam generation. For commercial field application a specific surfactant must have several important characteristics. It must be (1) highly effective with low cost, (2) chemically stable, soluble, and surface active in oilfield brines, and (3) unaffected by contact with crude oil or reservoir minerals. A static foam generator, an adaptation of a conventional blender, was used to screen more than 150 candidate surfactants. Promising additives were then ranked in a unique dynamic test, developed at New Mexico State U., that involves sequential liquid/gas flow in a vertical tube packed with glass beads. Conventional flow tests in tight, unconsolidated sandpacks show good correlation with the dynamic and static screening tests, especially those data obtained in the dynamic experiment. Some synergism exists between additives with amine oxides and amides having the most beneficial effect on foam stability and gas mobility control. The utility of cosurfactant stabilization was demonstrated in linear, two-phase flow tests through tight, unconsolidated sandpacks involving brine and gas. A solution containing 0.45% Alipal CD-128 /SUP TM/ and 0.05% Monamid 150-AD /SUP TM/ can decrease gas mobility over 100-fold. The effectmore » appears to be time independent, indicative of good foam stability. Alipal CD-128 alone reduces gas mobility even more, usually by a factor of two. The moderating influence of a cosurfactant could be beneficial in avoiding ''overcontrol'' of mobility, especially in low-permeability reservoirs.« less
Effect of aggregate and cementitious material on properties of lightweight self-consolidating concrete for prestressed members

Abstract Forty-one concrete mixtures were used to examine the effects of cementitious material and aggregate type and content on flow and compressive strength of expanded clay and shale lightweight self-consolidating concrete. Type III cement was required to produce compressive strengths in excess of 28 MPa at one day, and high cementitious materials contents were required for adequate fresh and hardened properties. A limiting difference in slump and J-Ring flow of 100 mm is recommended for similar concrete mixtures. Moduli of elasticity measured for selected mixtures were accurately predicted by the ACI equation, and shrinkage was less than predicted by typical models.
Procalcitonin and acute coronary syndromes: a new biomarker for an old disease

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a pro-peptide produced in C-cells by the thyroid gland under normal physiological condition. In some clinical conditions of stress, as in sepsis and septic shock, the PCT level is elevated, and its levels are correlated to the severity of the infection; therefore, it has been proposed as a specific marker of sepsis [1]. However, the PCT level also increases moderately in other clinical settings such as trauma, major cardiac surgery, pancreatitis, and cardiogenic shock, showing that it is not a specific marker for sepsis. PCT, although not a specific component of the inflammatory cascade, is released, as most cytokines, under stimulation by bacteria and bacterial components as lipo-polysaccharide (LPS), but its relations with inflammation are complex. Despite much evidence that has shown that PCT levels increase in infectious diseases, the biological mechanisms leading to its production remain unknown. Some authors report that PCT is produced by liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) [2]. They also state that there is a correlation between cytokines (like IL-1, IL-6, TNF-a), LPS and PCT, suggesting that the increased levels of cytokines during infection may induce the production of extra-thyroid PCT. In vitro and clinical studies, however, have shown that LPS is the strongest inducer of PCT release [2, 3]. Moreover, clinical studies show that, in comparison with sterile pancreatitis, patients with infected pancreatitis, have significantly increased levels of PCT, whereas IL-8 levels are not modified [4]. Taken all together, these findings suggest that an increase in PCT levels is more pronounced in infections than in non-infectious systemic inflammatory responses, and this phenomenon is related to a great amount of released LPS. As a marker of sepsis, PCT has been compared with C-reactive protein (CRP), with conflicting results [5, 6]. The ambiguous conclusions regarding the diagnostic accuracy of CRP and PCT may be due to different cutoff values and heterogeneous populations. In particular there is not a standardized cutoff value, but various studies suggest that the range for the diagnosis of sepsis is between 0.6 and 5 ng/mL, which is quite large. However, either CRP or PCT is released in sepsis and in non-infectious inflammatory disease, and they are effective but not perfect in distinguishing infection from non-infectious inflammatory disease.
Spectral statistics on zoll surfaces

The subject of this article is a family of (partly conjectural) spectral invariants of a Laplace operator with a discrete spectrum λ j known as its k-level correlation functions ρ k and level spacings distribution ν. The 2-level (or pair) correlation function ρ 2 , for instance, measures the asymptotic number of spacings λ i * − λ j * between normalized eigenvalues λ i * as the eigenvalues tend to infinity. The normalization is so that the mean level spacing λ i+1 * − λ i * is one. These invariants have been studied by many physicists, including Wigner, Dyson, and Berry, and are conjectured to have certain universal forms depending on the qualitative behaviour of the corresponding classical (geodesic) flow
PREDICTION OF RARE-PLANT OCCURRENCE: A SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN EXAMPLE

Ecologically sound efforts to manage or reintroduce populations of rare species require detailed knowledge of species habitat requirements. However, the fact that such species are rare implies that the data needed for habitat characterization are sparse and that species might well be absent from favorable sites due to chance aspects of dispersal or mortality. We use four rare plant species endemic to southern Appalachian high-elevation rock outcrops, to illustrate how nonparametric and parametric logistic regression can yield predictive models of the probability that a species will occur, given certain site conditions. Models were constructed for each species at two scales: 100-m2 plots and 1-m2 subplots. At the 100-m2 plot scale, absences beyond the current geographic range were excluded. At the 1-m2 subplot scale, absences from subplots were only included if the species occurred elsewhere on the 100-m2 plot. Six significant models resulted; no significant model could be constructed for Solidago spithama...
A New Class of Improved Convex Underestimators for Twice Continuously Differentiable Constrained NLPs

We present a new class of convex underestimators for arbitrarily nonconvex and twice continuously differentiable functions. The underestimators are derived by augmenting the original nonconvex function by a nonlinear relaxation function. The relaxation function is a separable convex function, that involves the sum of univariate parametric exponential functions. An efficient procedure that finds the appropriate values for those parameters is developed. This procedure uses interval arithmetic extensively in order to verify whether the new underestimator is convex. For arbitrarily nonconvex functions it is shown that these convex underestimators are tighter than those generated by the ?BB method. Computational studies complemented with geometrical interpretations demonstrate the potential benefits of the proposed improved convex underestimators.
The Napoleonic tradition

Purpose – This paper intends to provide a framework for understanding the concept of administrative tradition, and then applies it to Napoleonic administrative systems.Design/methodology/approach – The analysis involves the creation of a number of dimensions that can be used to analyze traditions, and the paper demonstrates the range of application of the dimensions.Findings – Provides findings from a number of studies of public administration.Originality/value – This framework is applied primarily to industrialized democracies in this paper but can be used across the full range of administrative systems, and is a significant augmentation of existing frameworks for comparative analysis.
Approximation spaces in granular computing

Most data mining and granular computing systems extract knowledge or concept patterns from inexact and uncertain contexts. These patterns are usually approximated by a set of certain and exact components or granules. Therefore, research on approximation spaces becomes the bottleneck of granular computing and data mining. A variety of approximation spaces have been proposed and extensively investigated. Some typical approximation spaces are summarized and compared in this paper, including fuzzy sets, rough sets, near sets and neighborhood systems. Their characteristics and application domains are analyzed and compared. These approximation spaces are unified under the framework of neighbor systems.
Proponents Bear the Burden of Proof

Richard Gardner claimed to be able to diagnose parental alienation among contentious parents disputing custody, and asserted that his “syndrome” is supported by scientific and legal authority. Despite influencing many custody proceedings, Gardner's ideas fail to meet even minimal scientific standards. The burden of proving any new hypothesis falls on its proponents, and given the complete absence of objective replication, parental alienation syndrome (PAS) must be viewed as nothing more than a hypothesis. The lack of clear guidance in the law allows concepts like PAS to gain temporary credibility, as judges look to mental health professionals for help in making decisions under the vague best interests standard.
A Transketolase Assembly Defect in a Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Patient

Thiamine deficiency, a frequent complication of alcoholism, contributes significantly to the development of damage in various organ systems, including the brain. The molecular mechanisms that underlie the differential vulnerabilities to thiamine deficiency of tissue and cell types and among individuals are not understood. Investigations into these mechanisms have examined potential variations in thiamine utilizing enzymes. Transketolase is a homodimeric enzyme containing two molecules of noncovalently bound thiamine pyrophosphate. In the present study, we examined a his-tagged human transketolase that was produced in and purified from Escherichia coli cells. Previous findings demonstrated that purified his-transketolase had a Km app for cofactor and a thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent lag period for attaining steady-state kinetics that was similar to transketolase purified from human tissues. Interestingly, the time of the lag period, which is normally independent of enzyme concentration, was found herein to be dependent on the concentration of the recombinant protein. This atypical behavior was due to production in E. coli. Generation of the normal, enzyme concentration-independent state required a cytosolic factor(s) derived from human cells. Importantly, the required factor(s) was found to be defective in a Wernicke-Korsakoff patient whose cells in culture show an enhanced sensitivity to thiamine deficiency.
On the interaction of F-actin with fibrin.

Abstract It was found that F-actin combined with fibrin but not with fibrinogen. At saturating concentrations, two actin molecules were found to combine with one fibrin molecule. These experiments also revealed that under certain conditions thrombin was capable of fragmenting actin.
Make your garden grow: designing a physical activity estimation improvement game

We present a novel game and virtual world based application that is aimed at improving the physical activity estimation skills of parents. It has been well established that lack of proper estimation of preschool children’s activity levels may be one of the main causes for childhood obesity. Childhood obesity has several long term health effects ranging from cardio-vascular disease to type II diabetes and obese preschool children are at risk for later life. We have developed an application that caters to both the parent and the child and uses a virtual garden as a fledgling ecosystem controlled both by the parent and the child. By using a low-cost activity monitoring device and combining the data collected from the device with the estimation inputs from the parent the ecosystem manifests into real life-like visualizations that are updated on a daily basis. The goal of the design is to promote a two way intervention: 1)provide parents with a tool to daily estimate and monitor their child’s activity levels and 2)motivate the child to achieve built in goals and keep the ecosystem lively and flourishing. We believe that our design will lead to improved outcomes in physical activity levels as well as long term retention and reuse by the parents. In this paper we are providing the design of the system and in future plan to present the results of a pilot trial.
On the monotone convergence of algorithmic models

In this paper we provide first monotone convergence conditions for general algorithmic models. Practical conditions for linear spaces are then derived from the general theory. In particular our results can apply to show monotone convergence of Newton-like methods.
Effectiveness of fuel reduction treatments: Assessing metrics of forest resiliency and wildfire severity after the Wallow Fire, AZ

Abstract Landscape-scale wildfire has occurred in higher frequencies across the planet. Fuel reduction treatments to fire-adapted systems have been shown to reduce the impact to human values-at-risk. However, few studies have examined if these treatments contribute to ecosystem resilience, or the capacity of a system to absorb perturbation and return to a similar set of structures or processes. We defined short-term metrics of resiliency to test the hypothesis that fuel reduction treatments in mixed conifer forests increased a fire-adapted system’s resiliency to uncharacteristically severe wildfire. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that fuel reduction treatments reduced burn severity, thereby increasing protection for adjacent human communities. We examined a mixed conifer forested landscape in the southwestern U.S. that was burned by a landscape-scale “mega-fire” in 2011; fuel reduction treatments had been established around communities in the 10 years prior to the fire. Fire effects were highly variable in both treated and untreated forests. However, analysis of resiliency metrics showed that: (a) treated units retained a higher proportion of large trees and had post-fire tree densities within the natural range of variability; (b) the understory herbaceous community had significantly higher cover of native grasses in the treated units, but no significant differences in nonnative cover between treated and untreated units; and (c) high-severity patch sizes were significantly larger in untreated stands and covered a larger proportion of the landscape than historical reference conditions. Fire severity, as defined by overstory mortality and basal area loss, was significantly lower in treated units; on average, trees killed per hectare in untreated units was six times the number of trees killed in treated units. Fuel reduction treatments simultaneously reduced fire severity and enhanced short-term metrics of ecosystem resiliency to uncharacteristically severe fire.
Cor Pulmonale Revisited

I remember first being introduced to the term cor pulmonale in medical school, which was used to describe right heart failure due to chronic lung disease, and I still have a mental picture of the typical patient as a former heavy smoker, dyspneic at rest, and cyanotic with neck vein distention and
Signaling and myosin binding protein C

Myosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C) is a thick filament protein consisting of 1274 amino acid residues (149 kDa) that was identified by Starr and Offer over 30 years ago as a contaminant present in a preparation of purified myosin. Since then, numerous studies have defined the muscle-specific isoforms, the structure, and the importance of the proteins in normal striated muscle structure and function. Underlying the critical role the protein plays, it is now apparent that mutations in the cardiac isoform (cMyBP-C) are responsible for a substantial proportion (30–40%) of genotyped cases of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although generally accepted that MyBP-C can interact with all three filament systems within the sarcomere (the thick, thin, and titin filaments), the exact nature of these interactions and the functional consequences of modified binding remain obscure. In addition to these structural considerations, cMyBP-C can serve as a point of convergence for signaling processes in the cardiomyocyte via post-translational modifications mediated by kinases that phosphorylate residues in the cardiac-specific isoform sequence. Thus, cMyBP-C is a critical nodal point that has both important structural and signaling roles and whose modifications are known to cause significant human cardiac disease.
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON OXIDIZING ENZYMES OF ROSE MALLOW SEEDS.

The power of plant tissues to break up hydrogen peroxide into water and molecular oxygen was known long before catalase was recognized as an enzyme, discovered, and named by Loew (18) in 1901. This discovery opened a new field for investigation and many studies were undertaken. The wide distribution of catalase in plant and animal tissue led Loew to conclude that it might serve as a protective measure against the injurious protoplasmic effects of hydrogen peroxide and possibly other related compounds formed in respiration. Dixon (8) has shown that when purine bases are oxidized by molecular oxygen in the presence of xanthine-oxidase as a catalyst, the oxidase undergoes destruction during the course of the reaction owing to the hydrogen peroxide that is formed. He found that this destruction could be prevented by the addition of catalase. Pneumococci in contact with a free supply of oxygen produced hydrogen peroxide in sufficient amount to inhibit their growth, but if catalase were added the bacteria grew vigorously. A close correlation between catalase activity and respiration was found in potatoes (2), in rice grains germinated under water (22), and in sweet corn (3). Crocker and Harrington (6) found this same correlation in the seeds of Johnson grass but not in Amaranthus. Rhine (26) using a number of different seeds concluded that catalase activity is a measure of the metabolic activity only when there is a rapid change in respiration. The absence of catalase activity in certain blue green algae (14) and in anaerobic bacteria (20) indicates that catalase is not essential to the respiration of all cells. McLeod and Gordon (20) consider it possible that catalase destroys some injurious substance such as H202 which is produced by aerobic organisms and by anaerobic organisms in the presence of oxygen ; thus anaerobic organisms lacking catalase would be injured when exposed to oxygen. A variation in catalase activity was observed by Pope (24, 25) in the different parts of the same barley plant. The relation of the catalase activity to physiological breakdown in Jonathan apples convinced Neller (23) that catalase activity could be used as a true index of the rate of metabolic activity. Heinicke (15,16) concluded that catalase activity is a highly sensitive index to changes in the internal condition of the apple tree, and that this activity varies with the season, with the part of the tree tested, and with
THE EFFECT OF PRESENTATION FORM ON JUDGMENT CONFIDENCE IN PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

This paper reports the results of an experiment designed to determine if a numeric presentation form is associated with high decision confidence and recognition of information consistency. Financial analysts were provided with a description of companies engaged in research and development or production within the chemical industry; financial statements for each company; and comments made by each company's president. These comments contained either numeric or nonnumeric information about the company, and also a statement by the president regarding his satisfaction with that particular year's financial performance. Subjects were requested to evaluate how well each company had performed financially, and were asked to express the confidence they had in the correctness of each of their evaluations. Statistical results show that higher decision confidence is associated with nonnumeric information but that numeric information makes the recognition of information (in) consistency easier.
What's it worth to you?: the costs and affordances of CMC tools to asian and american users

In recent years, a growing number of studies examining how culture shapes computer-mediated communication (CMC) have appeared in the CHI and CSCW literature. Findings from these studies reveal that cultural differences exist, but no clear underlying explanation can account for results across studies. We describe several limitations of the theoretical frameworks used to motivate many of the prior studies over the past decade, most notably the assumption that tasks and media used in these studies are perceived similarly by participants from different cultural backgrounds. We then describe an interview study in which we asked 22 participants from America, Korea, India and China about their perceptions of media and motivations for media choices in different hypothetical settings. The results suggest cultural differences in how media are perceived, specifically, that the ability for media to support social in addition to task processes is more important for participants from China, Korea and India than for participants from the U.S. We conclude with some recommendations for enhancing CMC theories to account for cultural differences.
Growth hormone in health and disease: Long-term GH therapy--benefits and unanswered questions.

A major limitation in determining the effects of growth hormone (GH) therapy on overall health has been the duration of studies, which have previously ranged from 1 year to 5 years. Elbornsson et al. now report the outcome of 15 years of GH treatment on body composition and lipid profile in patients with GH deficiency, but some questions remain unanswered.
Dynamical Supersymmetric Dirac Hamiltonians

Most recently a relativistic quantum mechanical approach to nuclear physics has proven promising.1 However we know from the interacting boson model of nuclei2 and the fermion dynamical symmetry model of nuclei3–5 that nuclear spectra exhibit dynamical symmetries.* Perhaps these symmetries have their basis in a realtivistic theory, particularly since the spinorbit potential is a relativistic effect. For this reason I would like to explore in this Symposium certain Dirac Hamiltonians, although I don’t pretend to come anywhere near the above-stated goal in this talk. The Dirac Hamiltonian I would like to consider is that of a neutral fermion interacting with a tensor field, say for example the electromagnetic field tensor. In this paper I shall use the language of QED since it is our best known realtivistic quantum theory. However, the Hamiltonians can have a more general applicability for example to QHD1 or QCD6.
Thin-film permanent magnet requirements for magnetic devices in MMIC†

The use of sputtered thin-film permanent magnets for biasing microwave devices in planar geometries compatible with monolithic integration is considered. Possible geometries are presented for biasing a reciprocal microstrip phaser at 7 GHz, a stripline circulator at 15 GHz, and a magnetostatic wave delay line at 3 GHz. Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) is assumed to be the ferrite used in each of these devices. It is concluded that the in-plane magnetization orientation is more useful than normal magnetization, and thick films (100-150 μm) are needed with high magnetization ( > 16 kG) and moderate coercivity ( > 2 kOe). Below-resonance devices are preferable because of their modest field requirements and tolerance to bias field inhomogeneities.
Analysis of the cercosporin polyketide synthase CTB1 reveals a new fungal thioesterase function

The polyketide synthase CTB1 is demonstrated to catalyze pyrone formation thereby expanding the known biosynthetic repertoire of thioesterase domains in iterative, non-reducing polyketide synthases.
Relationships between tobacco mosaic virus biosynthesis and the nitrogen metabolism of the host.

1. Comparisons of the nitrogen content of TMV-infected and uninfected tobacco leaf discs at various times after inoculation show that virus synthesis is associated with a net increase in protein content. This excess protein is due to: ( a ) TMV, ( b ) an excess in insoluble protein which develops soon after inoculation and ends about 100 hours before cessation of TMV synthesis, and ( c ) an excess in soluble non-virus protein, which is variable in size and which only occurs during the time of virus synthesis. A deficiency in non-protein nitrogen occurs during the time when virus appears. 2. Isotope experiments with N15-labelled nutrient show that: ( a ) The bulk of TMV nitrogen is derived from the free ammonia of the host tissue. ( b ) Amino acid residues of TMV protein are not derived from the corresponding free amino acids in the host. ( c ) The appearance of TMV is preceded by the synthesis of an insoluble precursor of the virus which is then converted into TMV or some soluble intermediate protein. This effect is associated with a cell particulate which represents a small fraction of the total insoluble protein. ( d ) Infected tissue synthesizes de novo small amounts of soluble non-virus protein, which may represent intermediates in TMV synthesis. ( e ) Infected tissue fails to synthesize a rapidly turned-over soluble protein which is synthesized in comparable uninfected tissue. ( f ) TMV synthesis is preceded by a temporary enhancement of the metabolic stability of an insoluble protein component. 3. The results lead to the conclusion that TMV formation is due to diversion of some part of the host's protein-synthesizing apparatus from its normal course.
An effective longitudinal space-charge impedance model for beamswith non-uniform and non-axissymmetric transverse density

Use of a one-dimensional model of longitudinal space-charge(SC) impedance has been proposed for studying the microbunchinginstability in single-pass delivery systems relevant for the nextgeneration of FELs. For beams with uniform transverse density andcircular cross-section of radius r_b the SC impedance can be expressed ina handy analytical form, making this model particularly convenient. Inthis report we show how with an appropriate choice of r_b one can usethis as an effective-beam model to approximate beams with non-axissymmetric and non-uniform transverse densities.
Aging-based leakage energy reduction in FPGAs

The presence of process variation (PV) in deep submicron technologies has become a major concern for energy optimization attempts on FPGAs. We develop a negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) aging-based post-silicon leakage energy optimization scheme that stresses the components that are not used or are off the critical paths to reduce the total leakage energy consumption. Furthermore, we obtain the input vectors for aging by formulating the aging objectives into a satisfiability (SAT) problem. We synthesize the low energy design on Xilinx Spartan6 FPGA and evaluate the leakage energy savings on a set of ITC99 and Opencores benchmarks.
Seizure-susceptibility and decreased taurine transport in the genetically epileptic rat.

Abstract P 2 fractions from brains of genetically seizure-susceptible (SS) rats as compared to seizure-resistant (SR) rats show decreased high affinity uptake of taurine. Uptakes of GABA and glutamate into P 2 fractions did not differ between the substrains. In neonatal SS rats that had never had a seizure, the uptake of taurine is decreased both into the whole brain in vivo and into P 2 fraction in vitro , as compared to age-matched SR rats. This indicates that decreased uptake is not a consequence of seizure activity per se . In non-seizure susceptible progeny of SS rats, the uptake of taurine into P 2 fraction did not differ significantly from that of SR rats. In kidney cortex slices from SS rats, taurine uptake is slightly greater than in slices from SR rats. We propose that the decreased taurine transport in the P 2 fraction of the brains of SS rats may reflect a defect in transport in vivo that contributes to seizure-susceptibility.
Clinical teaching: The difficulty of learning

Physicians-in-training face major barriers to effectively learning both the technical and artistic sides of medicine. In both hospital and office settings, inadequate attention has been paid to the context and work environment for learning. The system of care itself is one of the major teachers of the practice of medicine; it must be optimized to produce maximal learning.
Mercury-tainted overbank sediment from past gold mining in north Georgia, USA

Gold was discovered in 1829 and mined until about 1940 in north Georgia, particularly within an area known as the Dahlonega mining district. The mining operations there, which involved mercury amalgamation in stamp mills and sluices, delivered significant quantities of mercury waste to streams. This paper focuses on the downstream dispersal and storage of mercury in streambank sediments of two watersheds near Dahlonega, Georgia. Mercury concentrations for individual samples of historical sediment range from 0.02 to 12.00 ppm, with average values in streambanks near the core of the mining district ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 ppm. Mercury levels rapidly decrease in the downstream direction to concentrations that are slightly above a background level of 0.04±0.02 ppm. Mercury concentrations also appear to decrease with increasing distance from streambanks. Similar levels of mercury contamination from former gold mines probably exist in many other parts of the gold-bearing rocks of the Piedmont of the eastern United States. The bioavailability and environmental hazard posed by the contaminated sediment is not certain.
Stimulus-response correspondence across peripersonal space is unaffected by chronic unilateral limb loss.

Previous findings show an advantage in response speed when stimulus and response correspond spatially (i.e., the Simon effect). Chronic unilateral amputees show altered spatial perception near their affected hand, providing an opportunity to investigate whether experience also affects the visuomotor stimulus–response (S–R) mapping that underlies the Simon effect. We used a two-alternative, forced-choice paradigm to probe the spatial correspondence between visual cues and responses, in 14 unilateral upper limb amputees and 14 matched controls. We presented visual stimuli in 5 different locations within peripersonal space, including the midline, and found a smooth gradient of S–R correspondence effects. This is consistent with the hypothesis that S–R correspondence is represented along a spatial gradient. Unilateral amputees performed indistinguishably from matched controls, regardless of whether stimuli appeared in the hemispace ipsi- or contralateral to their missing limbs. This is inconsistent with the hypothesis that experience-dependent visual distortions entail changes in the S–R mapping; alternatively, it could reflect a complete experience independence of the Simon effect. We propose that the affordance competition hypothesis (Cisek in Philos Trans R Soc B Biol Sci 362:1585–1599, 2007) explains the Simon effect and the underlying gradient of S–R correspondence.
Hα Tail, Intracluster H II Regions, and Star Formation: ESO 137-001 in Abell 3627

We present the discovery of a 40 kpc Hα tail and at least 29 emission-line objects downstream of a star-forming galaxy, ESO 137-001, in the rich, nearby cluster A3627. The galaxy is known to possess a dramatic 70 kpc X-ray tail. The detected Hα tail coincides positionally with the X-ray tail. The Hα emission in the galaxy is sharply truncated on the front and the sides near the nucleus, indicating significant ram pressure stripping. ESO 137-001 is thus the first cluster late-type galaxy known unambiguously to have both an X-ray tail and an Hα tail. The emission-line objects are all distributed downstream of the galaxy, with projected distances of up to 39 kpc from the galaxy. From the analysis on the Hαoff frame and the estimate of the background emission-line objects, we conclude that it is very likely that all 29 emission-line objects are H II regions in A3627. The high surface number density and luminosities of these H II regions (up to 1040 ergs s-1) dwarf the previously known examples of isolated H II regions in clusters. We suggest that star formation may proceed in the stripped ISM in both the galactic halo and intracluster space. The total mass of formed stars in the stripped ISM of ESO 137-001 may approach several times 107 M☉. Therefore, stripping of the ISM not only contributes to the ICM, but also adds to the intracluster stellar light through subsequent star formation. The data also imply that ESO 137-001 is in an active stage of transformation accompanied by the buildup of a central bulge and depletion of the ISM.
Automated Battery Tester Data Acquisition System Using LabVIEW

Well logging, measurement while drilling, and seismic acquisition require custom power sources. These custom power sources are safely manufactured and tested for operations in subsurface environments. Currently at DynaTech, Ltd. Inc., battery assembly and testing are done manually. An automated battery testing data acquisition system has been developed to enhance the manufacturing process. The battery data acquisition system utilizes PC-based hardware from National Instruments and software (LabVIEW) to perform automated measurements of an alkaline battery such as measuring open circuit voltage, load voltage and continuity. This paper describes the process for software development of the tools and equipment used for data acquisition.
Police chief leadership: styles and effectiveness

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the leadership styles of police chiefs and how these styles related to demographic, personality, and effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach – Participants included 161 police chiefs in Texas who completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5X-Short) leader form, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and a background characteristics form. Findings – Results indicate that the police chiefs were fairly evenly classified across leadership styles with the Transformational leaders rated as most effective. Transformational leaders are characterized as confident, energetic, and open-minded. Although few of the demographic variables predicted leadership styles, several of the personality characteristics were significant predictors. Originality/value – Few previous studies have reported the relationship between police leadership style, personality, and effectiveness. This study adds to the body of knowledge regarding the relationship between these ...
Bladder leiomyoma: a rare cause of pelvic pain.

Abstract Leiomyoma of the bladder is an unusual cause of persistent bladder or pelvic pain. Traditional modalities may enable the clinician to suspect the diagnosis, which should be confirmed by transurethral biopsy. Except in rare circumstances, the treatment of choice is a suprapubic abdominal approach for removal of the bladder tumor.