cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cultural Influences on Healthy Weight Care in Karen Children.

Abstract Purpose Although the rates of childhood obesity are disproportionately higher in children of racial and ethnic minorities, research rarely addresses possible cultural factors. The purpose of this study was to discover cultural influences that contribute to or prevent childhood obesity from the perspectives of Burmese-American children and adolescents of Karen ethnicity in the southeast U.S. Design and methods The ethnonursing research method was used to seek perspectives of healthy weight care from Karen children between 8 and 15 years-of-age (n = 10). Karen parents (n = 5) and non-Karen community members (n = 13) were also interviewed. Data sources – interviews, fieldnotes, and observation notes – were analyzed using the four phases of the ethnonursing method. Results Four themes important to healthy weight care in Karen children were discovered: views of a healthy child, food and food preparation, physical activity, and mutual support among family and community. These themes revealed both Karen and non-Karen influences. Conclusions Most Karen cultural influences promote healthy weight care in Karen children and adolescents which may protect them from childhood obesity. Lack of after-school transportation, limited space to play/exercise, and the sedentary tendencies of girls could limit healthy weight care. Practice implications Pediatric nurses may use knowledge gained from this study for promotion of healthy weight care in Karen families and to advocate for community changes which could benefit all children.
Insights into the Observed trans-Bond Length Variations upon NO Binding to Ferric and Ferrous Porphyrins with Neutral Axial Ligands.

NO is well-known for its trans effect. NO binding to ferrous hemes of the form (por)Fe(L) (L = neutral N-based ligand) to give the {FeNO}7 (por)Fe(NO)(L) product results in a lengthening of the axial trans Fe-L bond. In contrast, NO binding to the ferric center in [(por)Fe(L)]+ to give the {FeNO}6 [(por)Fe(NO)(L)]+ product results in a shortening of the trans Fe-L bond. NO binding to both ferrous and ferric centers involves the lowering of their spin states. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to probe the experimentally observed trans-bond shortening in some NO adducts of ferric porphyrins. We show that the strong σ antibonding interaction of d z2 and the axial (L) ligand p orbitals present in the Fe(II) systems is absent in the Fe(III) systems, as it is now in an unoccupied orbital. This feature, combined with a lowering of spin state upon NO binding, provides a rationale for the observed net trans-bond shortening in the {FeNO}6 but not the {FeNO}7 derivatives.
Understanding Perspective Transformation among Recently Diagnosed Cancer Patients in Western India

Accumulating evidence indicates that some patients perceive positive life changes in the aftermath of serious illness. Construed as perspective transformation or posttraumatic growth, these health outcomes have received increasing attention from investigators. However, little is known about these outcomes in cultural settings outside of Western developed societies or the basic processes that contribute to positive changes. The current study examined communicative dimensions and cultural representations of perspective transformation among cancer patients receiving active treatment in Western India. Specific dimensions of perspective transformation, processes of change, and associated features were explored using narrative data. Individuals high in perspective transformation described changes in life review, life satisfaction, forgiveness, spirituality, and altruism. Among the factors associated with perceived growth was purposeful reflection and efforts to make sense of illness, to find benefits, and to use social support. Results provide an initial picture of perspective transformation among Indian cancer patients and point the way toward further research.
Classical Nonlinear Optics

Many problems of interest in optics and virtually all of those in this book involve nonlinear interactions that occur when the electromagnetic interaction becomes too large for the medium to continue to respond linearly. We have already seen how a nonlinearity plays an essential role in the free electron laser pendulum equation (1.131). In another example that we discuss in detail in Chap. 6, the output intensity of a laser oscillator builds up until saturation reduces the laser gain to the point where it equals the cavity losses. In situations such as second harmonic generation, one uses the fact that nonlinearities can couple electromagnetic field modes, transferring energy from one to another. Such processes can be used both to measure properties of the nonlinear medium and to produce useful applications such as tunable light sources.
Is the cosmic microwave background telling us that dark matter is weaker than weakly interacting

If moduli, or other long-lived heavy states, decay in the early universe in part into light and feebly interacting particles (such as axions), these decay products could account for the additional energy density in radiation that is suggested by recent measurements of the cosmic microwave background. These moduli decays will also, however, alter the thermal history of the early universe, potentially reducing the thermal relic abundance of dark matter. If this is the case, then dark matter particles must annihilate with an even lower cross section than required in the standard thermal scenario ($⟨\ensuremath{\sigma}v⟩\ensuremath{\ll}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}26}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{s}$) if they are to make up the observed density of dark matter. This possibility has significant implications for direct and indirect searches for dark matter.
High data rate applications of ACTS technology

The author discusses the existing broadband integrated services digital network (BISDN) service and delivery method as defined by the International Consultative Committee for Telephone and Telegraph (CCITT) and satellites' role in provisioning those services. The NASA high-data-rate Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) experiment efforts are also summarized. The ACTS Program will conduct high-data-rate (HDR) experiments that will be applicable to the emerging broadband services of the telephony market. The deployment of the BISDN may require a period of time extending over one or more decades, as operators seek to find the most economic means of evolving current networks to the BISDN. Satellites will find a role in this evolutionary process as a transition service, alternate service, and service of choice. The extent of satellites' role in the deployment of BISDN will depend on the development of standards, market use of the services, and the capability of satellite systems to provide the desired services. >
Changes in the Differential Leukocyte Count of Chicks Inoculated with Salmonella

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of Salmonella anatum and S. heidelberg infections on the differential leukocyte counts of baby chickens. Newly hatched broiler-type chicks were inoculated in the yolk sac with suspensions of either S. anatum or S. heidelberg. At 0, 24, 48, and 72 hr after inoculation, blood was taken by heart puncture from chicks of both inoculated groups and from a group of uninoculated chicks. The averages of the leukocyte counts of three or four chicks from each group were used as the blood values for specific time intervals. The six classes of leukocytes counted were lymphocytes, monocytes, juveniles, heterophils, eosinophils, and basophils. The leukocytes classified as juveniles were immature or degenerate heterophils and were found almost exclusively in the infected chicks. Changes in heterophil, juvenile, and lymphocyte counts were affected by both the number of cells in the inoculum (300 versus 3 million cells of S. anatum) and species (S. anatum and S. heidelberg). Infection with either Salmonella species resulted in the development of a severe heterophilic leukopenia, and a significant increase in the percentage of both juveniles and lymphocytes by 48 hr postinoculation. Mortality rate was higher in groups of chicks inoculated with S. heidelberg than in groups given S. anatum.
The variance of production cost

A procedure to calculate the mean and the variance of energy production and its cost is outlined. The method uses the probability density function of hourly loads and machine outage representations. The results indicate that the variance of the cost is a very small percent of the mean. The method of modeling of the load has no effect on the mean of cost. However, the method of modeling the load has a great bearing on the value of the variance obtained. The effects of load modeling and the implicit assumptions regarding the outage characteristics of the machine on the variance of production cost are discussed. >
The interplay between stress and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to menace developed and developing nations alike. However, in the United States alone, 40.5% of the population is projected to have CVD or a closely related disorder by 2030 (Heidenreich et al., 2011). Within the same time frame, costs associated with CVD are expected to balloon up to $818 billion (Heidenreich et al., 2011). These societal strains are increasing parallel to rising mental health disorders and psychosocial stress (Centers for Disease Control, 2011). In this context, stress refers to both physical and emotional challenges, some of which may be transient and rather innocuous (e.g., final examinations, strenuous exercise) with potential positive adaptations. Other stress may be chronic and uncontrollable (e.g., caregiving for a loved one with a terminal illness), which may produce excessive wear and tear, resulting in lasting and harmful insults to one's physical and mental health (McEwen, 2007). The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that 72% of Americans perceived that their stress increased or held steady from 2007 to 2011. Fourth fifths of this population reported an increase from 2010 to 2011 (American Psychological Association, 2012).
Algebraic structure in a family of Nim-like arrays

Abstract We study aspects of the algebraic structure shared by a certain family of recursively generated arrays related to the operation of Nim-addition. We first observe that each individual array represents a countably infinite, commutative loop (in the sense of quasigroups). We then prove that each loop in the family is monogenic (generated by a single element in a non-associative fashion), and use this to determine all loop homomorphisms between members of the family.
Studies on the possible role of vitreous humor on protein synthesis and morphology of organ cultured adult rabbit lens. II. Epithelial cells.

Abstract The protein synthetic activities of epithelial cells of lenses organ-cultured without adhered vitreous humor manifest significant increase compared to the epithelial cells of lenses incubated with attached vitreous humor. This effect is not due to trauma of vitreous removal, as the addition of freeze-dried vitreous humor to the culture medium of lenses without attached viterous humor could inhibit protein synthesis. However, the protein synthesis inhibitor in the vitreous humor has no visible effect on the lens morphology. It was also found that the factor from vitreous humor has no effect on mRNA production or cell-free protein synthesis. Thus, it seems that the effect on protein synthesis must be mediated via some other pathway.
Disparity of reperfusion arrhythmias after reversible myocardial ischemia in open chest and conscious dogs

Myocardial reperfusion after brief, reversible ischemia is frequently associated with malignant arrhythmias in experimental animals. These observations have been extrapolated to humans despite being restricted to anesthetized, open chest preparations. No data are available regarding the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmias after reversible ( Coronary reperfusion after 15 minutes of occlusion is unlikely to precipitate ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the conscious, trained dog, even after severe ischemia. The occurrence of these rhythm disorders in anesthetized models may reflect the influence of surgical trauma or excessive adrenergic activity, or both. Reperfusion arrhythmias after reversible ischemia may be considerably less common in the clinical setting than previously postulated on the basis of open chest animal experiments.
Effects of the consumption of fully cooked red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) on the growth rate of rats and the morphology of the gut wall

Over an 8-week period six rats were fed a fixed quantity of a diet consisting of a purified diet (AIN76A) into which red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L), previously cooked at 100° for 30min, dried and ground, were incorporated at the level of 100 g kg−1. Another six rats were fed AIN76A as a control diet. Weekly weight, weight gain and efficiency of feed conversion were noted for each rat. Six days prior to the end of the experiment, faeces were collected daily from each rat and the moisture, protein and lipid content as well as the bacterial flora of the pooled sample for each rat were determined. At the end of the 8-week period the rats were anaethetised with ether and decapitated. Two areas of the gut wall were examined histologically, and the serum was analysed for protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, cholesterol, urea N, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartine aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lipase, total bilirubin, sodium, potassium, chlorine and carbon dioxide. Whereas no damage to the gut wall of the control animals was observed, varying amounts of damage were evident in the test animals. Serum cholesterol in the test animals was also significantly lower compared with the controls.
The Persian Gulf Theater in World War II

Although coveted by the Axis powers for its rich oil supplies, the Persian Gulf Theater was the scene of very little fighting in World War II due to strategic allied victories on the distant periphery. The theater remained important, however, for several reasons. The early years of World War II saw Anglo and Anglo-Russian military attacks on two Gulf regimes sympathetic to the Axis, Iraq and Iran. Logistics delivery to Soviet Russia, furthermore, brought for the first time a substantial American military presence to the Gulf, which totaled at its peak approximately 65,000 civilians and uniformed service members of the United States, primarily in Iran. The potential loss of the Gulf's prolific oil fields became a key concern early in the war, and a dialogue arose between Western diplomats, military leaders, and oil company executives over who should defend them, and if needed, who should destroy them to deny their use by invading Germans. This article analyzes the significance of the Persian Gulf Theater d...
Strong population structure characterizes weediness gene evolution in the invasive grass species Brachypodium distachyon

Mediterranean annual grasses have invaded California and have replaced vast areas of native grassland. One of these invasive grasses is Brachypodium distachyon, a new model species for the grasses with extensive genomic resources and a nearly completed genome sequence. This study shows that the level of genetic variation in invaded California grasslands is lower compared to the native range in Eurasia. The invaded regions are characterized by highly differentiated populations of B. distachyon isolated by distance, most likely as a result of founder effects and a dearth of outcrossing events. EXP6 and EXP10 encoding α-expansins responsible for rapid growth, and AGL11 and AGL13 encoding proteins involved in vegetative phase regulation, appear to be under purifying selection with no evidence for local adaptation. Our data show that B. distachyon has diverged only recently from related Brachypodium species and that tetraploidization might have been as recent as a few thousand years ago. Observed low genetic variation in EXP10 and AGL13 appears to have been present in Eurasia before tetraploidization, potentially as a result of strong selective pressures on advantageous mutations, which are most likely responsible for its fast growth and rapid completion of its life cycle.
Is There Clear and Convincing Evidence of Cardiovascular Risk with Rosiglitazone

, 1988Over the past decade, we have witnessed several controversial incidents of com-mon therapies causing uncommon adverse events. Here, we present one such contro -versy regarding rosiglitazone, a thiazo-lidinedione drug that was approved in the United States in 1999 on the basis of improvement in the surrogate outcome of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Within a few years of approval, early storm clouds began to gather—it was suggested that the drug was associated with hemodilution, anemia, weight gain, edema, and increased risk of heart failure. This was followed by thunder rumbles arising from cardiovascular ischemic events in pre-diabetic and diabetic patients. Eventually, the lightning strike caused by Nissen and Wolski’s highly publicized meta-analysis
Energy Dependence of Hyperthermal Oxygen Atom Erosion of a Fluorocarbon Polymer: Relevance to Space Environmental Effects

The origin of the inconsistency in the erosion phenomena of fluorocarbon polymers between a ground-based atomic-oxygen test environment and the low Earth orbital space environment has been investigated. A detailed experiment was performed in order to study the effect of the high-energy component in the atomic-oxygen beam pulses on the erosion. The experiment was carried out with the combination of a polymer-coated quartz crystal microbalance and a high-speed chopper wheel installed in a laser-detonation atomic-oxygen facility. It was clearly observed that the mass-loss rates of both polyimide and fluorocarbon polymers depend on the impact energy of atomic oxygen. However, the energy dependence is more significant on the fluorocarbon polymer compared with that on polyimide. Collisions of atomic oxygen with translational energies higher than ∼5 eV induce a significant mass loss on the fluorocarbon polymer. These experimental findings agree with earlier measurements of the volatile products released during h...
News coverage of drought impacts and vulnerability in the US Carolinas, 1998–2007

Regional newspaper coverage from 1998 to 2007 is examined to expand our understanding of the complexity of drought impacts and vulnerability in the Carolinas. Coverage at the height of two droughts reports drought effects extending beyond first-order impacts on broadly recognized sectors, such as agriculture, livestock, and water supplies to recreation and tourism and impacts on businesses, manufacturing, and households. Impacts were accompanied by social controversies with near-term and long-term planning and development implications. Key concepts in vulnerability analysis were used to structure the review of vulnerability reporting. The coverage of differential vulnerability, although limited, identified individual, household, local, and cross-scale factors that influenced the severity of impacts. Articles also highlighted additional interacting stresses in some sectors contributing to the severity of impacts experienced. An elaborated understanding of drought impacts and vulnerabilities is a necessary, early step in advancing efforts to developing a risk-based drought management approach.
VMA21 Deficiency: A Case of Myocyte Indigestion

The Vma21p protein in yeast is an essential assembly chaperone for the vacuolar ATPase, the major proton pump of cellular membranes. In this issue, Ramachandran et al. (2009) report that mutations in the gene encoding the human homolog VMA21 cause the disease X-linked myopathy with excessive autophagy through an unexpected mechanism.
On the accuracy and efficiency of a finite element tensor product algorithm for fluid dynamics applications

Abstract A finite element numerical solution algorithm is derived for application to problems in computational fluid dynamics. Through extension of the basic error extremization constraints offered using the method of weighted residuals, a selective dissipation mechanism is introduced to control phase error and/or non-linearly induced error. Using an implicit integration algorithm, the Jacobian of a Newton iteration procedure is replaced by a tensor matrix product construction for solution economy. Numerical results for multi-dimensional equations, modeling the substantial time derivative within the Navier-Stokes system, are utilized to assess solution accuracy, stability and error control.
High intake of palatable food predicts binge-eating independent of susceptibility to obesity: an animal model of lean vs obese binge-eating and obesity with and without binge-eating

To determine the stability of individual differences in non-nutritive ‘junk’ palatable food (PF) intake in rats; assess the relationship of these differences to binge-eating characteristics and susceptibility to obesity; and evaluate the practicality of using these differences to model binge-eating and obesity. Binge-eating prone (BEP) and resistant (BER) groups were identified. Differential responses to stress, hunger, macronutrient-varied PFs, a diet-induced obesity (DIO) regimen and daily vs intermittent access to a PF+chow diet, were assessed. One hundred and twenty female Sprague–Dawley rats. Reliability of intake patterns within rats; food intake and body weight after various challenges over acute (1, 2, 4 h), 24-h and 2-week periods. Although BEP and BER rats did not differ in amount of chow consumed, BEPs consumed >50% more intermittent PF than BERs (P<0.001) and consistently so (α=0.86). BEPs suppressed chow but not PF intake when stressed, and ate as much when sated as when hungry. Conversely, BERs were more affected by stress and ate less PF, not chow, when stressed and were normally hyperphagic to energy deficit. BEP overeating generalized to other PFs varying in sucrose, fat and nutrition content. Half the rats in each group proved to be obesity prone after a no-choice high fat diet (DIO diet) but a continuous diet of PF+chow normalized the BEPs high drive for PF. Greater intermittent intake of PF predicts binge-eating independent of susceptibility to weight gain. Daily fat consumption in a nutritious source (DIO-diet; analogous to a fatty meal) promoted overeating and weight gain but limiting fat to daily non-nutritive food (PF+chow; analogous to a snack with a low fat meal), did not. The data offer an animal model of lean and obese binge-eating, and obesity with and without binge-eating that can be used to identify the unique physiology of these groups and henceforth suggest more specifically targeted treatments for binge-eating and obesity.
A comparison of experts' and high tech students' ethical beliefs in computer-related situations

Sixty-five computer science and computer information systems students were surveyed to ascertain their ethical beliefs on seven scenarios and nineteen ethical problems. All seven scenarios incorporated computer-related problems facing programmers and managers in the high tech world. Hypotheses were tested for significant differences between the students' beliefs and the beliefs of experts in the field who responded to the same scenarios. The first two hypothesis tested whether female and male high tech students have the same ethical beliefs as the experts who first examined these scenarios. The female students did not agree with the experts in seven of the nineteen problems while the male students did not agree with the experts in eight of the nineteen problems. Both computer information systems and computer science majors disagreed with the experts in ten cases. The last three hypotheses tested whether students from different income levels agreed with the experts. All three groups disagreed significantly with the experts on eight problems.
Effects of Brood Pheromone Modulated Brood Rearing Behaviors on Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Colony Growth.

A hallmark of eusociality is cooperative brood care. In most social insect systems brood rearing labor is divided between individuals working in the nest tending the queen and larvae, and foragers collecting food outside the nest. To place brood rearing division of labor within an evolutionary context, it is necessary to understand relationships between individuals in the nest engaged in brood care and colony growth in the honey bee. Here we examined responses of the queen, queen-worker interactions, and nursing behaviors to an increase in the brood rearing stimulus environment using brood pheromone. Colony pairs were derived from a single source and were headed by open-mated sister queens, for a total of four colony pairs. One colony of a pair was treated with 336 µg of brood pheromone, and the other a blank control. Queens in the brood pheromone treated colonies laid significantly more eggs, were fed longer, and were less idle compared to controls. Workers spent significantly more time cleaning cells in pheromone treatments. Increasing the brood rearing stimulus environment with the addition of brood pheromone significantly increased the tempo of brood rearing behaviors by bees working in the nest resulting in a significantly greater amount of brood reared.
Dehydration tolerance of the Rocky Mountain wood tick, Dermacentor andersoni stiles (Acari: Ixodidae), matches preference for a dry environment

Abstract Peak activity of the medically significant Rocky Mountain wood tick, Dermacentor andersoni Stiles (Acari: Ixodidae), during hot summer months in the Rocky Mountains and southwestern Canada was evaluated by determining water balance characteristics for each of its developmental stages. This tick is dry-adapted and has a water balance classification as xerophilic based upon interspecific comparison with other ticks and a low net transpiration (water loss) rate as the distinguishing feature. All stages (eggs excepted) rely on water vapor as the primary source of water, as evidenced by critical equilibrium humidity assessments and an inability to drink free water from droplets. A relatively low dehydration tolerance limit and high net transpiration rate is reported for the larva, indicating that it is the most sensitive stage to water stress in the lifecycle. The xerophilic nature of D. andersoni makes it less dependent upon a moisture-rich environment and identifies overhydration, although unstudied...
Female urethral adenocarcinoma : evidence for more than one tissue of origin ?

Adenocarcinoma of the female urethra accounts for 10% of all urethral cancers. Controversy continues to exist over the origin of primary urethral adenocarcinomas. The periurethral (Skene's) glands appear to be the homologues of the male prostate as defined by authors evaluating cadaver-derived periurethral glands pathologically and immunohistochemically (prostate-specific antigen (PSA)). It is traditionally assumed that the origin of female urethral adenocarcinoma is the Skene's gland. However, no one has evaluated a series of primary urethral adenocarcinomas in an effort to scrutinize this assumption. We, therefore, evaluated 13 primary adenocarcinomas of the female urethra comparing histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics. Tumors were classified into two major histologic groups: columnar/mucinous (11) and clear cell (2). Excluding one case, the columnar/mucinous tumors resembled either endometrial or colonic adenocarcinoma. The exception was a case bearing a striking resemblance to prostatic adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical results revealed positive PSA staining for this tumor alone. The patient's preoperative serum PSA was elevated, but rapidly declined postoperatively. Based on immunohistochemical findings and the presence of distinct histologic subtypes (columnar/mucinous, clear cell), it appears that female urethral adenocarcinoma has more than one tissue of origin with a minority arising from the Skene's glands.
Two-Dimensional Low Mach Number Heat Transfer Simulation of Turbine Blade Leading-Edge Model

A subsonic, viscous, laminar flow and heat transfer is simulated in the present study over a two-dimensional, isothermal, bluff-body representing a turbine blade leading-edge. The purpose of this simulation is to predict local Frossling number; to determine the accuracy of the predictions as compared to experimental results, and to compare the results from two flow solvers, Fluent and Cobalt. The geometry consists of a half-cylinder of diameter 8.89 cm and a flat after-body, and represents to the model used in the corresponding experimental investigations. The simulations are performed on a multi-block, hybrid grid topology developed using GridGen as the grid generation software. Researchers have earlier investigated heat transfer over a similar model. Utilizing computational modeling techniques, a representative simulation of the physical flow mechanism enables further investigation into the characteristics of the flow. The boundary conditions for the problem are identified as no-slip and isothermal on the bluff body, and uniform velocity is assumed at the inlet. Results are presented in the form of the Frossling number, defined as the Nusselt number divided by the square root of Reynolds number. The results are compared with published experimental data for the experimental geometry described earlier, and the cross-flow-cylinder, to assess the validity of the numerical approaches.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Characterization of pulsed dc magnetron sputtering plasmas

Pulsed dc magnetron reactive sputtering of dielectrics provides a deposition process without arcing. The deposition process is usually carried out with pulsing frequencies in the range 10–350 kHz and duty cycles in the range 50–90%. The operating conditions are typically optimized empirically and are critically dependent on the properties of the pulsed plasma in the immediate vicinity of the magnetron. We show how a combination of time-resolved Langmuir probe measurements and time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy can be used to characterize the pulsed magnetron plasma and gain insights that can only be obtained conclusively by correlating the results obtained by both techniques. The pulsed dc sputtering of Al and Ti targets and the reactive sputtering of their oxides were used as examples in our experiments. Our experiments were carried out at total pressures in the range 0.4–1.3 Pa in either pure Ar ('metallic' mode) or in Ar–O2 mixtures ('oxide' or 'reactive' mode) with mixing ratios from 1:1 to 1:4.
Candidate Division BD: Phylogeny, Distribution and Abundance in Soil Ecosystems

Summary Oligonucleotide primers were designed and used to amplify partial 16S rDNA sequences of the recently identified bacterial group BD from four diverse soils. Phylogenetic analysis of 34 BD group sequences supports division-level status for the group and also indicates that the BD group consists of at least 3 subdivision-level groups. Sequence divergence (21%) amongst these BD group sequences was found to be near the average for bacterial division-level lineages. An intercalating dye-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was used to quantify BD phylogenetic group 3 16S rDNA in Wyoming shortgrass steppe soils. Although BD phylogenetic group 3 16S rDNA sequence numbers were high, averaging 3 × 10 8 copies per g soil, no significant correlations were found between their abundance and soil organic matter content, inorganic N concentration, or pH. Based on microscopically estimated cell numbers and the range of rRNA operons per genome in the bacterial domain, we estimate that BD group 3 represents between 0.75% and 10.7% of the microbial population in a shortgrass steppe soil. Our results indicate that the BD group is widely distributed in the environment and present in significant numbers in Wyoming shortgrass steppe soils.
Facilitation of discrimination learning-set in squirrel monkeys by colored food stimuli

Two groups of squirrel monkeys were trained on discrimination learning-set problems in Phase I. The experimental group discriminated between differently colored edible stimuli which were also reinforcers. In each problem, one colored stimulus tasted sweet and one colored stimulus tasted bitter. Control subjects discriminated between differently colored stimulus blocks upon which identically colored edible reinforcers were placed. In Phase II, both groups were trained on the control task. During Phase I, experimental subjects evidenced significant learning while the control group did not. In Phase II, the experimental group performed significantly above chance, indicating positive transfer between the experimental and control tasks. The results, besides showing the efficiency of the ingested stimulus procedure, indicated a close association between correct and random responding during learning-set acquisition in primates.
On a discrete West Nile epidemic model

A West Nile epidemic model in discrete-time is proposed. The model consists of two interacting populations, the vector and the avian populations. The avian population is classified into susceptible, infective, and recovered classes while an individual vector is either susceptible or infective. The transmission of the disease is assumed only by mosquitoes bites and vertical transmission in the vector population. The model behavior depends on a lumpedparameter R0. The disease-free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable if R0 1. Consequently, the disease can persist in the populations if R0 > 1.
Computational modeling of cardiac growth in the post-natal rat with a strain-based growth law.

Introduction The postnatal heart grows mostly in response to increased hemodynamic load. However, the specific biomechanical stimuli that stimulate cardiac growth as a reaction to increased hemodynamic load are still poorly understood. It has been shown that isolated neonatal rat cardiac myocytes normalize resting sarcomere length by adding sarcomeres in series when subjected to uniaxial static strain. Because there is experimental evidence that myocytes can distinguish the direction of stretch, it was postulated that myocytes also may normalize interfilament lattice spacing as a response to cross-fiber stretch.
Flow of Gas at Low Pressure

WHEN the diameter of a round tube is very much larger than the mean free path (m.f.p.) of the molecules of a gas flowing through it the volumetric flow F of the gas in the axial z direction is given by the expression where a, μ, and p are the tube radius, and the gas viscosity and pressure, respectively.
Microtubule and cortical forces determine platelet size during vascular platelet production

Megakaryocytes release large preplatelet intermediates into the sinusoidal blood vessels. Preplatelets convert into barbell-shaped proplatelets in vitro to undergo repeated abscissions that yield circulating platelets. These observations predict the presence of circular-preplatelets and barbell-proplatelets in blood, and two fundamental questions in platelet biology are what are the forces that determine barbell-proplatelet formation, and how is the final platelet size established. Here we provide insights into the terminal mechanisms of platelet production. We quantify circular-preplatelets and barbell-proplatelets in human blood in high-resolution fluorescence images, using a laser scanning cytometry assay. We demonstrate that force constraints resulting from cortical microtubule band diameter and thickness determine barbell-proplatelet formation. Finally, we provide a mathematical model for the preplatelet to barbell conversion. We conclude that platelet size is limited by microtubule bundling, elastic bending, and actin-myosin-spectrin cortex forces.
MNFL: the monitoring and notification flow language for assistive monitoring

Assistive monitoring analyzes data from sensors and cameras to detect situations of interest, and notifies appropriate persons in response. Customization of assistive technology by end-users is necessary for technology adoption and retention. We introduce MNFL, the Monitoring and Notification Flow Language, developed over the past several years to allow lay people without programming experience, but with some technical acumen, to effectively program customized monitoring and notification systems. MNFL is a graphical flow language having intuitive yet sufficiently powerful execution semantics and built-in constructs for assistive monitoring. We describe the language's semantics and built-in constructs, demonstrate the language's use for customizing several common assistive monitoring tasks, and provide results of initial usability trials showing that lay people with almost no training on MNFL can more than 50% of the time and in just a few minutes select and connect the right 1-2 blocks to complete basic applications that have 4-5 blocks total.
5,6-Dihydropyran-2-ones possessing various sulfonyl functionalities: potent nonpeptidic inhibitors of HIV protease.

On the basis of previous SAR findings and molecular modeling studies, a series of compounds were synthesized which possessed various sulfonyl moieties substituted at the 4-position of the C-3 phenyl ring substituent of the dihydropyran-2-one ring system. The sulfonyl substituents were added in an attempt to fill the additional S3‘ pocket and thereby produce increasingly potent inhibitors of the target enzyme. Racemic and enantiomerically resolved varieties of selected compounds were synthesized. All analogues in the study displayed decent binding affinity to HIV protease, and several compounds were shown to possess very good antiviral efficacy and safety margins. X-ray crystallographic structures confirmed that the sulfonamide and sulfonate moieties were filling the S3‘ pocket of the enzyme. However, the additional substituent did not provide improved enzymatic inhibitory or antiviral activity as compared to the resolved unsubstituted aniline. The addition of the sulfonyl moiety substitution does not appe...
CB2 receptor-mediated migration of immune cells: it can go either way

Though many studies have examined the role of CB2 receptors in immune cell migration, it has been difficult to form definitive conclusions about the physiopathological role of these receptors in regulating immune responses and how this might be pharmacologically targeted for therapy. Do cannabinoids promote inflammation through the recruitment of immune cells, or reduce inflammation by interfering with the action of other chemoattractants? Is therapeutic intervention with an agonist or antagonist more appropriate for the reduction of inflammation? In this review, we will summarize the progress that has been made in answering these questions and outline current hypotheses.
Boundary value formulation and integro-differential equations for electromagnetic scattering theory

Abstract Time dependent boundary conditions for the boundary values of the electromagnetic fields are obtained for time dependent electromagnetic scattering from bounded material media, and are used to obtain the time dependent integral equation of electromagnetic scattering theory.
Low-Frequency Kelvin Wave Reflection Coefficient

Abstract An analytic method is presented for determining the reflection coefficient of a low frequency Kelvin wave propagating into a semi-infinite channel. The method yields an exact expansion in frequency, which in this note is carried out to an error of order (ω/f)5. Application is made to the reflection of a low frequency Kelvin wavepacket. The lowest order terms in the expansion are shown to correspond to a time lag and a distortion of the waveform.
Asthma education: different viewpoints elicited by qualitative and quantitative methods

Objective: This project began as a qualitative examination of how asthma education provided by health professionals could be improved. Unexpected qualitative findings regarding the use of Asthma Ac...
Enhanced degradable yard waste collection bag behavior in a field-scale composting environment

The degradation of four formulations of yard waste-filled collection bags was evaluated in a field-scale test of 15.5- or 31-m-long windrows at a community yard waste composting site. Variables of bag contents, bag chemical composition, and length of exposure were evaluated. Chemical compositions of the bags included (1) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) + 6% cornstarch + 2 levels of prooxidant, (2) LDPE + 9% cornstarch + prooxidants, and (3) LDPE without cornstarch but with photooxidation enhancers. Results showed that all products weakened and/or disintegrated to some extent. However, the bags with 6% starch disintegrated too slowly to allow timely processing of the compost. The bags with 9% starch and other additives to promote multiple degradation mechanisms degraded at the fastest rate of those evaluated here. The photodegradable bags with solar exposure during composting disintegrated rapidly, but when turned to expose new surfaces to light, further strength losses occurred slowly.
Metal-ion affinity and specificity in EF-hand proteins: coordination geometry and domain plasticity in parvalbumin.

Abstract Background: The EF-hand family is a large set of Ca 2+ -binding proteins that contain characteristic helix-loop-helix binding motifs that are highly conserved in sequence. Members of this family include parvalbumin and many prominent regulatory proteins such as calmodulin and troponin C. EF-hand proteins are involved in a variety of physiological processes including cell-cycle regulation, second messenger production, muscle contraction, microtubule organization and vision. Results: We have determined the structures of parvalbumin mutants designed to explore the role of the last coordinating residue of the Ca 2+ -binding loop. An E101D substitution has been made in the parvalbumin EF site. The substitution decreases the Ca 2+ -binding affinity 100-fold and increases the Mg 2+ -binding affinity 10-fold. Both the Ca 2+ - and Mg 2+ -bound structures have been determined, and a structural basis has been proposed for the metal-ion-binding properties. Conclusions: The E101D mutation does not affect the Mg 2+ coordination geometry of the binding loop, but it does pull the F helix 1.1 A towards the loop. The E101D–Ca 2+ structure reveals that this mutant cannot obtain the sevenfold coordination preferred by Ca 2+ , presumably because of strain limits imposed by tertiary structure. Analysis of these results relative to previously reported structural information supports a model wherein the characteristics of the last coordinating residue and the plasticity of the Ca 2+ -binding loop delimit the allowable geometries for the coordinating sphere.
Hydrogen transport through annealed and deformed armco iron

The effect of deformation and annealing on hydrogen transport through Armco Iron H.P. membranes was studied with an electro-chemical flux monitoring technique sensitive to 6 × 1010 atoms H/cm2-s. Hydrogen entry was effected by cathodic polarization at 1.8 mA/ cm2 in a 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution. Steady state hydrogen transport at 300 K was virtually independent of processing history. The activation energy for permeation through annealed iron was 9.4 ± 0.5 kcal/mol, in reasonable agreement with previous results at higher temperatures. Two types of hydrogen traps were indicated by transient measurements on membranes with different processing histories. Type 1 traps could not be removed by annealing and are therefore thought to be deformation-induced microvoids. They explain the thickness-dependent diffusivities observed with annealed iron membranes in this and several earlier investigations. In agreement with this suggestion, membranes chemically reduced in thickness exhibited higher diffusivities than those mechanically reduced prior to annealing. Type 2 traps are also caused by deformation, but anneal out in the recovery range by a process which is not singly activated. These traps are not readily explained in terms of the stress field of a single dislocation and are probably associated with some feature of the dislocation cell structure caused by deformation.
Turbulence correlations in a compressible wake

Space-time correlations have been measured in the turbulent supersonic wake behind a slender axisymmetric body. The data were obtained with two independently-positioned hot-wire anemometers, and interpreted with the aid of an extension of compressible anemometry theory. Comparison with earlier single-point Eulerian spectra showed a breakdown of Taylor's hypothesis near the wake edge, and thus also the expected differences in the scale lengths. The eddy convection speed appears equal to that of the mean flow, and the eddy shape is inclined to the wake axis, although it becomes nearly parallel to it at the wake edge. As a consequence, radial and longitudinal space correlation functions appear nearly equal. An upstream-downstream asymmetry was noted in the latter.
SHP2 Regulates Chondrocyte Terminal Differentiation, Growth Plate Architecture and Skeletal Cell Fates

Loss of PTPN11/SHP2 in mice or in human metachondromatosis (MC) patients causes benign cartilage tumors on the bone surface (exostoses) and within bones (enchondromas). To elucidate the mechanisms underlying cartilage tumor formation, we investigated the role of SHP2 in the specification, maturation and organization of chondrocytes. Firstly, we studied chondrocyte maturation by performing RNA-seq on primary chondrocyte pellet cultures. We found that SHP2 depletion, or inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway, delays the terminal differentiation of chondrocytes from the early-hypertrophic to the late-hypertrophic stage. Secondly, we studied chondrocyte maturation and organization in mice with a mosaic postnatal inactivation of Ptpn11 in chondrocytes. We found that the vertebral growth plates of these mice have expanded domains of early-hypertrophic chondrocytes that have not yet terminally differentiated, and their enchondroma-like lesions arise from chondrocytes displaced from the growth plate due to a disruption in the organization of maturation and ossification zones. Furthermore, we observed that lesions from human MC patients also display disorganized chondrocyte maturation zones. Next, we found that inactivation of Ptpn11 in Fsp1-Cre-expressing fibroblasts induces exostosis-like outgrowths, suggesting that loss of SHP2 in cells on the bone surface and at bone-ligament attachment sites induces ectopic chondrogenesis. Finally, we performed lineage tracing to show that exostoses and enchondromas in mice likely contain mixtures of wild-type and SHP2-deficient chondrocytes. Together, these data indicate that in patients with MC, who are heterozygous for inherited PTPN11 loss-of-function mutations, second-hit mutations in PTPN11 can induce enchondromas by disrupting the organization and delaying the terminal differentiation of growth plate chondrocytes, and can induce exostoses by causing ectopic chondrogenesis of cells on the bone surface. Furthermore, the data are consistent with paracrine signaling from SHP2-deficient cells causing SHP2-sufficient cells to be incorporated into the lesions.
Effects of ultracentrifugation on the interphase nucleus of somatic cells with special reference to the nuclear envelope-chromatin relationship

Ultracentrifugation of living cells from the liver of the mouse, rat, dog, frog, Necturus, follicle cells, of grasshopper testis, and meristem of the onion root tip shows evidence that the interphase chromatin is attached to the nuclear envelope. Because of its relatively high density, the bulk of the interphase chromatin, and often the nucleoli, are displaced to the centrifugal side of the nucleus and, when this occurs, the chromatin bodies attached to the centripetal side of the nucleus are drawn out into long filaments which extend across the nucleus centrifugally. They generally break before becoming detached from the envelope. Onion root tip chromosomes in early prophase also appear to be attached to the nuclear envelope. The Barr body strongly adheres to the nuclear envelope as evidenced by the high centrifugal force necessary to displace it. Nucleoli of ultracentrifuged meristematic cells of the onion root show evidence of a stratification of materials within them.