cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of an Active Na,K-ATPase with an α-Subunit Lacking All Twenty-three Native Cysteine Residues

We have constructed a mutant Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit with all native cysteine residues replaced. Using the baculovirus system, this cysteine-less α1-subunit and wild-type β1-subunit were expressed in High Five cells. After 3 days of infection, cells were fractionated, and endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and plasma membranes were isolated. The molecular activity of the cysteine-less mutant in the plasma membranes was close to the wild-type protein (8223 min−1 versus 6655 min−1). Cation and ATP activation of Na,K-ATPase activities revealed that replacing all 23 cysteines resulted in only a 50% reduction of Km for Na+, a 2-fold increase in Km for K+, and no changes in Km for ATP. The distribution of α-subunits among the membranes showed a high percentage of cysteine-less protein in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus compared with the wild-type protein. Furthermore, the cellular stability of the αβ assembly appeared reduced in the cysteine-less mutant. Cells harvested after more than 3 days of infection showed extensive degradation of the cysteine-less α-subunit, which is not observed with the wild-type enzyme. Thus the Na,K-ATPase contains no cysteine residues that are critical for function, but the folding and/or assembly pathway of this enzyme is affected by total cysteine substitution.
Isolation of experimental anti-AIDS glycerophospholipids by micro-preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract The experimental anti-AIDS glycerophosphatidic acid: nucleoside ( sn -1/ sn -2 diacylglycerol:dideoxynucleotide) drugs 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine monophosphate diglyceride (AZT-MP-DG) and 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine monophosphate diglyceride (ddC-MP-DG) were isolated and purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The chromatographic separation was based on the glycerophospholipid moiety of the drugs and detection of the nucleoside component. The separations were optimized on method development columns packed with the stationary phase to be used in the micro-preparative column and monitored by a UV detector. Fractions were collected and analyzed for purity by analytical-scale HPLC and by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The purity of the recovered drugs based on UV and light-scattering detection and on TLC was greater than 99%. The purified compounds were isolated for studies on structure confirmation, physical, biophysical and formulation properties and anti-HIV efficacy in culture.
Inflaming the Brain: CRPS a Model Disease to Understand Neuroimmune Interactions in Chronic Pain

We review current concepts in CRPS from a neuroimaging perspective and point out topics and potential mechanisms that are suitable to be investigated in the next step towards understanding the pathophysiology of CRPS. We have outlined functional aspects of the syndrome, from initiating lesion via inflammatory mechanisms to CNS change and associated sickness behavior, with current evidence for up-regulation of immunological factors in CRPS, neuroimaging of systemic inflammation, and neuroimaging findings in CRPS. The initiation, maintenances and CNS targets implicated in CRPS and in the neuro-inflammatory reflex are discussed in terms of CRPS symptoms and recent preclinical studies. Potential avenues for investigating CRPS with PET and fMRI are described, along with roles of inflammation, treatment and behavior in CRPS. It is our hope that this outline will provoke discussion and promote further empirical studies on the interactions between central and peripheral inflammatory pathways manifest in CRPS.
DEFINING THE STATE OF REDUCTION OF A PADDY SOIL

Summary The empirical terms ‘oxidizing conditions’, ‘healthy reducing conditions’, and ‘extreme reducing conditions’ as they are applied to paddy soils are discussed. The expression rEh= Eh+ 0.180 pH is used to define these conditions more precisely, on the assumption that the presence of ferrous and ferric iron is necessary for healthy reducing conditions for rice. The concept may be useful in both well-established and newly developing rice-growing areas.
An approach for demand response to alleviate power system stress conditions

Along with the growth of electricity demand and the penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources, electric power systems face more and more stress conditions especially in distribution networks. To alleviate power system stress conditions, this paper proposes an approach for implementation of demand response to control 240V loads at the distribution level. These loads include HVACs, water heaters, and clothes dryers. A multi-layer demand response model is developed that takes into account both utilities' concern of load reduction and consumers' concerns of convenience and privacy. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is adopted to take into consideration opinions from all stakeholders in order to determine the priority and importance of various consumer groups. The proposed demand response strategy also includes the control algorithms at the appliance level, considering their dynamic priorities based on the consumers' real-time needs. Simulation results show that the proposed demand response strategy is capable of managing the distribution circuit loads to alleviate power system stress conditions.
Nano-to-macro scale engineering applications of nuclear technology: an overview

Nuclear science and technology offers the capability for radical industrial innovations from the nano-to-macro scales and is a field that already impacts over $600 billion in annual worldwide activity. The areas impacted are as diverse as medicine, industrial process control, energy, explosives, materials processing, agriculture, food preservation, sterilisation and non-destructive interrogation for the molecular structure of compounds to use as tracers for transport and the tracking of fluids. This paper focuses on novel nano-to-macro scale peaceful applications for the oil-gas industry, for the metals industries, for enabling fundamental advances in boiling heat transfer and for induction of super compression in imploding bubbles, to then lead to thermonuclear fusion and energy amplifications of 106 times greater than chemical sources, to generation of nanopores in materials that may see applications such as for high-efficiency membranes for use in batteries and for dialysis and to the development of a novel class of low cost, multidisciplinary, fundamental particle detection systems.
Surface micromachined polysilicon heart cell force transducer

A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) force transducer system, with a volume less than 1 mm/sup 3/ millimeter, has been developed to measure forces generated by living heart muscle cells. Cell attachment and measurement of contractile forces have been demonstrated with a commercially fabricated surface-micromachined hinged polysilicon device. Two freestanding polysilicon clamps, each suspended by a pair of microbeams, hold each end of a heart cell. When the cell contracts, the beam bend and force is determined from the measured deflection and the spring constant in the beams. The average maximal force over seven contractile experiments using a calcium solution stimulus was F/sub max/=12.6/spl plusmn/4.66 /spl mu/N. Normalizing to a cross-sectional area, F/sub max//area was 23.7/spl plusmn/8.6 mN/mm/sup 2/. These force data were also correlated to optically imaged striation pattern periodicity. Intermediate forces were also measured in response to a calcium solution gradient and showed similar behavior to those measured in other laboratories. This MEMS force transducer demonstrates the feasibility of higher fidelity measurements from muscle cells and, thus, an improved understanding of the mechanisms of muscle contraction.
Emergence of species in evolutionary simulated annealing

Which factors govern the evolution of mutation rates and emergence of species? Here, we address this question by using a first principles model of life where population dynamics of asexual organisms is coupled to molecular properties and interactions of proteins encoded in their genomes. Simulating evolution of populations, we found that fitness increases in punctuated steps via epistatic events, leading to formation of stable and functionally interacting proteins. At low mutation rates, species form populations of organisms tightly localized in sequence space, whereas at higher mutation rates, species are lost without an apparent loss of fitness. However, when mutation rate was a selectable trait, the population initially maintained high mutation rate until a high fitness level was reached, after which organisms with low mutation rates are gradually selected, with the population eventually reaching mutation rates comparable with those of modern DNA-based organisms. This study shows that the fitness landscape of a biophysically realistic system is extremely complex, with huge number of local peaks rendering adaptation dynamics to be a glass-like process. On a more practical level, our results provide a rationale to experimental observations of the effect of mutation rate on fitness of populations of asexual organisms.
Nitrogen loss on tile-drained Mollisols as affected by nitrogen application rate under continuous corn and corn-soybean rotation systems

Helmers, M. J., Zhou, X., Baker, J. L., Melvin, S. W. and Lemke, D. W. 2012. Nitrogen loss on tile-drained Mollisols as affected by nitrogen application rate under continuous corn and corn-soybean rotation systems. Can. J. Soil Sci. 92: 493-499. Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) loss from production agricultural systems through subsurface drainage networks is of local and regional concern throughout the Midwestern United States. The increased corn acreage and the practice of growing continuous corn instead of a corn-soybean rotation system due to the increasing demand for food and energy have raised questions about the environmental impacts of this shift in cropping systems. The objective of this 4-yr (1990-1993) study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) application rate (0-168 kg N ha-1 for corn following soybean and 0-224 kg N ha-1 for corn following corn) on NO3-N concentration, NO3-N losses, and crop yields in continuous corn and corn-soybean production systems on tile-drained Mollisols in north central...
Teamwork education improves trauma team performance in undergraduate health professional students

PURPOSE Effective trauma resuscitation requires efficient and coordinated care from a team of providers; however, providers are rarely instructed on how to be effective members of trauma teams. Team-based learning using Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) has been shown to improve team dynamics among practicing professionals, including physicians and nurses. The impact of TeamSTEPPS on students being trained in trauma management in an undergraduate health professional program is currently unknown. We sought to determine the impact of TeamSTEPPS on team dynamics among undergraduate students being trained in trauma resuscitation. METHODS We enrolled teams of undergraduate health professional students from four programs: nursing, physician assistant, radiologic science, and respiratory care. After completing an online training on trauma resuscitation principles, the participants completed a trauma resuscitation scenario. The participants then received teamwork training using TeamSTEPPS and completed a second trauma resuscitation scenario identical to the first. All resuscitations were recorded and scored offline by two blinded research assistants using both the Team Emergency Assessment Measure (TEAM) and Trauma Team Performance Observation Tool (TPOT) scoring systems. Pre-test and post-test TEAM and TPOT scores were compared. RESULTS We enrolled a total of 48 students in 12 teams. Team leadership, situational monitoring, and overall communication improved with TeamSTEPPS training (P=0.04, P=0.02, and P=0.03, respectively), as assessed by the TPOT scoring system. TeamSTEPPS also improved the team's ability to prioritize tasks and work together to complete tasks in a rapid manner (P<0.01 and P=0.02, respectively) as measured by TEAM. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating TeamSTEPPS into trauma team education leads to improved TEAM and TPOT scores among undergraduate health professionals.
Family-School Connectedness and Children's Early Social Development

This study examined the extent to which teacher ratings of the frequency of parent– teacher contacts and quality of parent–teacher relationships in prekindergarten were associated with teachers’ perceptions of the quality of their relationship with children and children’s social development. Participants were a diverse sample of 2966 fouryear-olds who attended publicly funded prekindergarten programs in the USA. Results indicated that after controlling for child and family characteristics, the perceived quality of the parent–teacher relationship during prekindergarten was associated with prekindergarten teachers’ ratings of children’s social development during prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers’ ratings at the beginning of kindergarten. Furthermore, the association between quality of the parent–teacher relationship and reductions in problem behavior was stronger among children who experienced social/ economic risks.
Cooperative and competitive price bidding in a duopoly game

Nine dyads played 20 trials of a duopoly price bidding game. On each trial Ss submitted bids and received information about their own profits and the other's bid. Both Ss had identical cost and revenue functions and the payoff relation between dyad members was symmetrical. Over 60 percent of the price bids in the game were at or below the zero profit point and only 12 percent of the bids were at the cooperative maximally profitable price. Structurally and empirically the game had characteristics similar to the mixed motive Prisoner's Dilemma. Although Ss followed a strategy recommended by economic theory, the dilemma characteristics forced Ss to carry the strategy into the bid region below the lower limit suggested by economic considerations. Directions of bid shifts were strongly influenced by relative position (high or low bidder) on the previous trial and by both the player's own previous bid and the other's previous bid. Bids tended to shift gradually to the next higher or lower bid or were maintained and responses to other's previous bid showed a similar pattern. Ss in dyads who won more or lost less money than their partners chose lower bids and responded differently to bids than did the other dyad member. Bidding was used as a signalling channel to the other subject to overcome the lack of overt communication between dyad members.
Radical pelvic resection and intraoperative radiation therapy for recurrent endometrial cancer: Technique and analysis of outcomes

Objective. To describe the technique and assess outcomes and morbidity following radical resection combined with intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer. Methods. From 1986 to 2002, 25 patients received treatment including radical resection and IOERT for recurrent endometrioid, endometrial cancer. Relevant clinical information was extracted through retrospective chart review. Results. Treatment prior to referral included radiation in 56% and either a secondary surgery or chemotherapy in 48%. External radiation (EBRT) was administered in addition to IOERT in 84%. Radical procedures performed at the time of IOERT included resection of the pelvic sidewall en bloc with the obturator nerve, external iliac vein, psoas, iliacus, or obturator internus muscles, ureter, or boney ileum. Seven patients required exenteration in combination with resection of the pelvic sidewall. The median IOERT dose was 1500 cGy (range 1000–2500 cGy). Overall five-year survival was 47% vs. 71% for those with a gross total resection but close margins. Two patients with recurrences limited to the para-aortic area are alive without evidence of disease at 54 and 71 months. Proportional hazards modeling showed concurrent EBRT, tumor size after resection, grade, and age to be associated with improved survival. The most common complications were peripheral neuropathy, functional ureteral obstruction, and fistula formation. Conclusions. With an aggressive treatment approach including radical resection combined with IOERT, long-term survival is possible in a significant number of patients with localized recurrent endometrial cancer. Preoperative radiation paired with complete surgical resection utilizing extended procedures is paramount to achieving optimal outcomes.
Uptake of Hypobromous Acid (HOBr) by Aqueous Sulfuric Acid Solutions: Low-Temperature Solubility and Reaction

Abstract. Hypobromous acid (HOBr) is a key species linking inorganic bromine to the chlorine and odd hydrogen chemical families. We have measured the solubility of HOBr in 45-70wt% sulfuric acid solutions representative of upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric aerosol composition. Over the temperature range 201-252 K, HOBr is quite soluble in sulfuric acid, with an effective Henry's law coefficient, H*=104-107mol L-1atm-1. H* is inversely dependent on temperature, with ΔH=-45.0±5.4 kJ mol-1 and ΔS=-101±24 J mol-1K-1 for 55-70wt% H2SO4 solutions. Our study includes temperatures which overlap both previous measurements of HOBr solubility. For uptake into 55-70wt% H2SO4, the solubility is described by log H*=(2349±280)/T-(5.27±1.24). At temperatures colder than ~213K, the solubility of HOBr in 45wt% H2SO4 is at least a factor of five larger than in 70wt% H2SO4, with log H*=(3665±270)/T-(10.63±1.23). The solubility of HOBr is comparable to that of HBr, indicating that upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric aerosols should contain equilibrium concentrations of HOBr which equal or exceed those of HBr. Upon uptake of HOBr into aqueous sulfuric acid in the presence of other brominated gases, particularly for 70wt% H2SO4 solution, our measurements demonstrate chemical reaction of HOBr followed by evolution of gaseous products including Br2O and Br2.
How Fair Are Water Tariffs? Some Evidence From California

An understanding of the "fairness" of a tariff or price schedule can be useful for many types of policy analysis. The Gini coefficient is suggested as one way to assess fairness where user groups are well defined. The Gini coefficient is calculated for a sample of California water purveyors over a ten-year period.
On checking an adder

It is widely known that a computer adder can be checked by a completely independent circuit using check symbols that are residues of the numbers modulo some base. This paper describes such a residue checking system and shows, moreover, that independent adding and checking circuits are possible only with systems of this type. The discussion includes a method of handling residue-class check symbols when overflow occurs.
Wireless Intraocular Pressure Sensing Using Microfabricated Minimally Invasive Flexible-Coiled LC Sensor Implant

This paper presents an implant-based wireless pressure sensing paradigm for long-range continuous intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring of glaucoma patients. An implantable parylene-based pressure sensor has been developed, featuring an electrical LC-tank resonant circuit for passive wireless sensing without power consumption on the implanted site. The sensor is microfabricated with the use of parylene C (poly-chloro-p-xylylene) to create a flexible coil substrate that can be folded for smaller physical form factor so as to achieve minimally invasive implantation, while stretched back without damage for enhanced inductive sensor-reader coil coupling so as to achieve strong sensing signal. A data-processed external readout method has also been developed to support pressure measurements. By incorporating the LC sensor and the readout method, wireless pressure sensing with 1-mmHg resolution in longer than 2-cm distance is successfully demonstrated. Other than extensive on-bench characterization, device testing through six-month chronic in vivo and acute ex vivo animal studies has verified the feasibility and efficacy of the sensor implant in the surgical aspect, including robust fixation and long-term biocompatibility in the intraocular environment. With meeting specifications of practical wireless pressure sensing and further reader development, this sensing methodology is promising for continuous, convenient, direct, and faithful IOP monitoring.
A Simple Optical Pyrometer for in Situ Temperature Measurement During Cw Argon Laser Annealing

A standard optical disappearing hot wire micropyrometer was modified with a long working distance magnifier to enlarge the laser heated spot so that the maximum temperature of the center of the spot could be observed and measured with some certainty. In situ temperature measurements were made on As ion implanted Si chips using an Argon Ion laser with the beam slightly defocused to a 50–100µm diameter spot on the Si surface. The data curves show a linear function of measured temperature with laser power up until the melting point is reached. By using the Si m.p. as a calibration point, the temperature can be reproducibly measured within a few tens of degrees. Comparisons of actual re-growth rates with those calculated from the well known solid state Si regrowth expression as a function of temperature yields good agreement between measured and calculated temperature.
AIMing 2 detect foreign DNA.

Foreign genomic DNA can be detected by immune cells in the cytoplasm, triggering reactions such as cell death and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 1β (IL-1β). Several studies have now elucidated the mechanism for this response. The HIN-200 (hematopoietic interferon-inducible nuclear proteins with a 200–amino acid repeat) family member AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2) binds and oligomerizes on cytoplasmic DNA through a HIN domain. The oligomerized AIM2 recruits the adaptor ASC (apoptosis-associated specklike protein containing a CARD) through homotypic pyrin domain interactions and binds caspase-1, forming an inflammasome that generates IL-1β. Together with previous studies, this work demonstrates that immune detection of foreign nucleic acids occurs through several distinct signaling pathways, leading to diverse immune outcomes.
Relationship Success for Pharmacy-Third Party Relationships: A Political Economy

ABSTRACTExchange relations between pharmacies and third-party payers have a pervasive impact on the practice of pharmacy. Researchers have tended to evaluate the success of pharmacy-third party relations solely from a financial perspective. In this study, we assessed three aspects of relationship success: efficiency, satisfaction, and adaptability. Also, we developed and tested hypotheses about associations between the success of relationships and the environment, economy, and polity of pharmacy-third party relations. The constructs in the political economy framework produced significant regression equations for all three components of relationship success.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β/δ: a new antihypertrophic drug target?

See article by Planavila et al. [6] (pages 832–841) in this issue. In the normal adult heart, plasticity of ATP production is provided by coordinated changes in the expression of genes involved in cellular fatty acid (FA) utilization and glucose oxidation. The phenotypes of acquired forms of heart failure in human and animal models are associated with energy substrate changes accompanying a reduced mitochondrial FA oxidative capacity and a shift to glucose metabolism, resembling the fetal metabolic program [1]. High glucose conditions, initially serving as a protective response to support contractile function, stimulate the production of angiotensin II (Ang II), a known pathological modulator of cardiac remodeling [2]. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are gene regulatory systems that regulate the transcription of an array of genes involved in cellular fatty acid utilization pathways. PPARs are ligand-dependent transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. They are designed to rapidly respond to fluctuating substrate and metabolic intermediates. They regulate pathways involved in FA utilization upstream to the transcriptional regulatory network including nuclear respiratory factors 1 and 2 and mitochondrial transcription factor A [3]. PPARs have 3 isoforms, α, β/δ, and γ, that regulate lipid and glucose metabolism, participate in the regulation … *Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 513 558 2374; fax: +1 513 558 1778. Email address: petrasnn{at}email.uc.edu
Onset of three-dimensionality, equilibria, and early transition in flow over a backward-facing step

A numerical study of three-dimensional equilibria and transition to turbulence in flow over a backward-facing step is performed using direct numerical solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The numerical method is a high-order-accurate mixed spectral/spectral-element method with efficient viscous outflow boundary conditions. The appearance of three-dimensionality in nominally two-dimensional geometries is investigated at representative Reynolds numbers ranging from the onset of three-dimensional bifurcation to later transitional stages. Strongly three-dimensional regions are identified through standard correlation coefficients and new three-dimensionality indices, as well as through instantaneous and time-average streamline patterns and vorticity contours. Our results indicate that onset of three-dimensionality occurs at the boundaries between the primary and secondary recirculating zones with the main channel flow, the latter being the most stable flow component. There is. therefore, strong secondary instability in the shear layers, mainly due to the one emanating from the step corner.The flow further downstream is excited through the action of the upstream shear layers acquiring a wavy form closely resembling Tollmien–Schlichting waves both spatially and temporally with a characteristic frequency f1; upstream, at the shear layer another incommensurate frequency, f2, is present. The two-frequency flow locks-in to a single frequency if external excitations are imposed at the inflow at a frequency close to f1 or f2; the smaller amplitude excitations, however, may cause a strong quasi-periodic response. Such excitations may significantly increase or decrease (by more than 20%) the length of the primary separation zone XR at lock-in or quasi-periodic states. The equilibrium states resulting from the secondary instability at supercritical Reynolds numbers produce a flow modulated in the spanwise direction, with corresponding variations in the reattachment location XR. While three-dimensionality explains partially the discrepancy between numerical predictions and experimental results on XR at higher Reynolds number Re, the main source of discrepancy is attributed to the inflow conditions, and in particular to external disturbances superimposed on the mean flow, the latter being the main reason also for the somewhat earlier transition found in laboratory experiments.
Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Johnny Darters (Pisces: Percidae) from Eastern Kentucky Supports Stream Capture for the Origin of Upper Cumberland River Fishes

Abstract The Poor Fork of the Cumberland River has been interpreted as an area of secondary contact and hybridization between Etheostoma nigrum and the closely related E. susanae. I examined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity among E. nigrum populations in the adjacent Kentucky River drainage, E. susanae populations in the Cumberland River drainage, and the population of E. nigrum occurring in the putative hybrid zone of the Poor Fork. Fifteen restriction enzymes revealed the presence of four mtDNA haplotypes, two each in the Kentucky and Cumberland rivers. Etheostoma nigrum from the Kentucky River had two haplotypes (K1 and K2), which differed by a single restriction site. All E. susanae from the Cumberland River had a distinctive haplotype (S1), while E. nigrum from the upper Poor Fork had a unique haplotype (CN1). Johnny darters from the upper Poor Fork of the Cumberland River were phenotypically and genetically more similar to E. nigrum populations in tributaries of the upper Kentucky River than to E...
Diurnal rhythm of pituitary-thyroid axis in male rats and the effect of adrenalectomy.

Levels of TSH, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma (TSH, T4, T3) and pituitary (TSH) of 60-day old male Long-Evans rats. Definite diurnal rhythms were demonstrated in pituitary TSH, plasma TSH and T3 in intact rats, evidenced by the statistically significant differences between zenith and nadir for pituitary TSH, plasma TSH and T3. The zenith value of pituitary TSH and the nadir values of plasma TSH, T4 and T3 were observed at the same time (2400 h) as were the nadir value of pituitary TSH and the zenith values of plasma TSH, T4, and T3 (at 1200 h). Our results indicate that the rhythmicity of pituitary TSH content is a mirror image of that of plasma TSH. Adrenalectomy not only reduced plasma corticosterone levels to almost zero, but also decreased plasma T3 and T4, levels. In adrenalectomized rats, the absolute concentration of pituitary and plasma TSH increased at 1200 h and at 2400 h and, in both cases, the difference between values at 1200 h and at 2400...
Egg Losses Caused by Cold Snap in the Black-Headed Gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus L.

ABSTRACT Short- and medium-distance migrant birds that return to the breeding grounds early can usually take better-quality territory leading to higher breeding success than of congeners arriving later. On the other hand, early breeders usually have to face severe weather conditions. 109 Black-headed Gulls which had begun laying in a breeding colony (N-Poland) earlier than the remaining 960 females lost 66.2% of eggs because of severely adverse weather. On 9 April 2012 ambient temperature fell to -4.6°C during the first two hours after sunrise (06:00–07:59) resulting in eggs cracking during the adults' first feeding bout after the night. Up to 1 mm wide cracks in eggshells were from 3 mm to 24 mm long; in some eggs the external shell membrane also broke. Pairs that lost eggs did not repeat broods. In this way in 2012 this colony suffered the greatest loss of eggs during its 15-years history. This event showed that even in the temperate climate, adverse weather, a consequence of the global climate change, ...
An Unintentional, Robust, and Replicable Pro-Black Bias in Social Judgment

Empirical evidence and social commentary demonstrate favoring of Whites over Blacks in attitudes, social judgment, and social behavior. In 6 studies (N > 4,000), we provide evidence for a pro-Black bias in academic decision making. When making multiple admissions decisions for an academic honor society, participants from undergraduate and online samples had a more relaxed acceptance criterion for Black than White candidates, even though participants possessed implicit and explicit preferences for Whites over Blacks. This pro-Black criterion bias persisted among subsamples that wanted to be unbiased and believed they were unbiased. It also persisted even when participants were given warning of the bias or incentives to perform accurately. These results suggest opportunity for theoretical and empirical innovation on the conditions under which biases in social judgment favor and disfavor different social groups, and how those biases manifest outside of awareness or control.
Thermomechanical Processing of Ferrous Alloys

Thermomechanical treatments have demonstrated great promise for increasing the strength and other mechanical properties of ferrous alloys. Various types of thermomechanical treatments can be defined, depending on the position in the heat-treatment cycle where the deformation is introduced. The characteristics of various treatments are briefly described. After a discussion of the inherent limitations of thermomechanical processing, examples are given from recent U.S. programs and from the Soviet literature of a number of components which have been produced by thermomechanical processing. Reasons for the lack of commercial utilization of these processes in the face of the widespread interest are presented.
Sperm Antibodies in Vasectomized Men

Blood and semen samples were collected from 37 men before and 6 weeks after vasectomy; blood samples were also collected from 27 men 1 year postvasectomy. Standard immunological procedures were used to determine if sperm-agglutinating or sperm-immobilizing antibodies were present. Uric acids were determined in sera collected from the 37 men before and 6 weeks after vasectomy. Circulation sperm-agglutinating antibodies were demonstrated in 15 of 27 men 1 year postvasectomy and in 19 of 37 men 6 weeks after vasectomy. Sperm-immobilizing antibodies were present in 11 of 27 men a year postvasectomy and were found only when sperm-agglutinating antibodies were present. Sperm-immobilizing antibodies were present in 14 of 37 men six weeks postvasectomy although 4 had no sperm-agglutinating antibodies. None of these men had demonstrable sperm antibodies prior to vasectomy. Only 1 of the 37 semen samples 6 weeks postvasectomy contained motile spermatozoa and none had sperm antibodies.
Patients Want to Meet With Imaging Experts

Abstract Purpose The evolving health care landscape demands a multidisciplinary approach to care and increased emphasis on patient engagement. Radiologists may play an important role in this respect, by improving patient agency and understanding through direct patient interaction. The purpose of this study is to assess patient preferences and perceptions regarding direct communication with radiologists, focusing on a medically underserved demographic. Methods Our institutional review board approved this HIPAA-compliant study. English- and/or Spanish-speaking adults undergoing imaging studies across two tertiary-care hospitals and a busy outpatient center were surveyed over a consecutive two-month period, to assess knowledge of the role of a radiologist, interest in, and perceived benefits of reviewing examination results with imaging experts. Results A total of 628 surveys were completed: 20% of total respondents accurately identified the role of radiologists; 28% identified radiologists as doctors. A total of 68% of respondents expressed an interest in receiving imaging results immediately, or whenever results became available, regardless of when referring physicians received results. An interest in reviewing imaging results with an expert was indicated by 81% of respondents; 88% anticipated that reviewing imaging results with an expert would be beneficial. Although 58% of respondents indicated that they might be willing to pay out of pocket for such a service, 50% selected $0 when asked to indicate an amount. Conclusions Although most patients do not know the role of radiologists, they want immediate results, and perceive value in consulting directly with imaging experts.
Microembolization is associated with transient cognitive decline in patients undergoing carotid interventions

Abstract Objective Carotid interventions are important in helping to reduce the risk of stroke for patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis; however, subclinical cerebral microemboli can occur during these procedures. Associations have been found between the incidence of microemboli and postoperative decline in memory. We therefore sought to determine whether this decline persisted long-term and to assess changes in other cognitive domains. Methods Patients were prospectively recruited under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol at a single academic center. Neuropsychological testing was administered preoperatively and at 1-month and 6-month intervals postoperatively. Cognitive domains that were evaluated included verbal memory, visual memory, psychomotor speed, dexterity, and executive function. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequencing was performed preoperatively and ≤48 hours postoperatively to identify procedure-related microemboli. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to identify relationships among microembolization, demographics, and cognition. Results Included were 80 male patients with an average age of 69 years. Forty patients underwent carotid artery stenting and 40 underwent carotid endarterectomy. Comorbidities included diabetes in 45%, coronary artery disease in 50%, and prior neurologic symptoms in 41%. New postoperative microemboli were found in 45 patients (56%). Microembolization was significantly more common in the carotid artery stenting cohort ( P P = .04) and preoperative symptomatic stenosis (OR, 3.2; P = .026) were independent predictors of decline for the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Short Delay measure at 1 month. At 6 months, no significant relationship was found between emboli and decline on Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Short Delay, but age (OR, 1.1, P = .005) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 7.1, P = .018) were significantly associated with decline at 6 months after the intervention. Conclusions Microembolization that is associated with carotid artery intervention predicts short-term cognitive decline. However, some of these cognitive deficits persist at 6 months after the intervention, and further investigation is warranted to determine individual patient risk factors that may affect recovery.
Cost consideration and a possible construction timeline of the CEPC-SPPC

This paper discusses the cost consideration and a possible construction timeline of the CEPC-SPPC study based on a preliminary conceptual design that is being carried out at the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) in China.
Back to the Future: Popular Belief in Russia Today

Interest in folklore and popular belief increases as a result of important political changes, especially when a nation needs to re-discover its national identity and find a way to move forward after a crisis. Not unexpectedly, the collapse of the Soviet political system and dramatic social and economic changes in Russia have given rise to a new wave of interest in Russian history, the Orthodox Church, Russian self-perception and identity, and Russian culture, art, literature and folklore. In the last two decades, the system of popular belief in Russian folklore has become one of the most discussed and studied topics among scholars in Russia, Europe and America; it has also experienced a commensurate revival among the populace. We examine the state of popular Orthodoxy in Soviet and post-socialist Russia with a focus on two popular saints, Saint Matrona Moskovskaia and Saint Xenia. Of particular note are attitudes, both within the official Orthodox Church hierarchy and among the laity, toward this folk revival and towards the Soviet era itself. While the laity may view that period with nostalgia and embrace vernacular religion, the Church (officially) cannot. However, it does capitalize (at least on the local level) on these socio-cultural tendencies. There exist multiple strains in the development of the vernacular belief system itself from pre-Christian polytheism to Christian doctrine to non-canonical sources and even socialist tenets, all which intersect at different cultural levels and in coherent ways.
Prevention of child sexual abuse.

Comprehensive child sexual abuse programs must address a series of themes regarding what sexual abuse is and a series of formats within which a program may be structured. Effective programs must address the total community around the child. Elementary school-aged children are a primary target of school based programs, but programs may be presented at other sites and address other age groups, including programs concerned with infants and with addressing the perinatal period by educating pregnant mothers and prospective fathers.
High performance bias-selectable three-color Short-wave/Mid-wave/Long-wave Infrared Photodetectors based on Type-II InAs/GaSb/AlSb superlattices

We propose a new approach in device architecture to realize bias-selectable three-color shortwave-midwave-longwave infrared photodetectors based on InAs/GaSb/AlSb type-II superlattices. The effect of conduction band off-set and different doping levels between two absorption layers are employed to control the turn-on voltage for individual channels. The optimization of these parameters leads to a successful separation of operation regimes; we demonstrate experimentally three-color photodiodes without using additional terminal contacts. As the applied bias voltage varies, the photodiodes exhibit sequentially the behavior of three different colors, corresponding to the bandgap of three absorbers. Well defined cut-offs and high quantum efficiency in each channel are achieved. Such all-in-one devices also provide the versatility of working as single or dual-band photodetectors at high operating temperature. With this design, by retaining the simplicity in device fabrication, this demonstration opens the prospect for three-color infrared imaging.
A Generalized Chinese Remainder Theorem

(2002). A Generalized Chinese Remainder Theorem. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 33, No. 4, pp. 279-282.
Block staining of botanical materials.

Plant materials, including coleus stem tips, Psilotum stems and onion root tips, were stained in iron-mordanted celestine blue and safranin (Gray and Pickle 1956) prior to embedding and sectioning. Mitotic figures as well as general morphological and anatomical features are adequately stained by this procedure. The plant materials, subdivided so that the largest dimension is about 8-10 mm, are stained for 12-48 hr. The time is dependent upon the tissue and dilution of the stain used. Excess stain is washed out and the tissues are dehydrated, embedded, sectioned and mounted on slides in the usual manner. Following removal of the wax by xylene the sections may be counterstained, or a cover slip may be added immediately.
Engineering and Characterization of Peptides and Proteins at Surfaces and Interfaces: A Case Study in Surface-Sensitive Vibrational Spectroscopy

ConspectusUnderstanding molecular structures of interfacial peptides and proteins impacts many research fields by guiding the advancement of biocompatible materials, new and improved marine antifouling coatings, ultrasensitive and highly specific biosensors and biochips, therapies for diseases related to protein amyloid formation, and knowledge on mechanisms for various membrane proteins and their interactions with ligands. Developing methods for measuring such unique systems, as well as elucidating the structure and function relationship of such biomolecules, has been the goal of our lab at the University of Michigan. We have made substantial progress to develop sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy into a powerful technique to study interfacial peptides and proteins, which lays a foundation to obtain unique and valuable insights when using SFG to probe various biologically relevant systems at the solid/liquid interface in situ in real time. One highlighting feature of this Account is t...
Ultraviolet germicidal coil cleaning: Decreased surface microbial loading and resuspension of cell clusters

Abstract Cooling coil surfaces within building ventilation systems are ideal sites for biofilm formation due to the presence of adequate nutrients (deposited particles) and moisture (condensate). In this study, a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) test apparatus was built consisting of two parallel ducts, each with its own cooling coil. One coil was exposed to ultraviolet germicidal coil cleaning (UVG-CC) while the other was the comparison control to investigate the impact of UVG-CC on surface microbial loading and bacterial attachment. Surface samples were collected by swabbing a uniform area of coil surface and airborne samples were collected isokinetically with sterile funnel filters. All samples were quantified via direct epifluorescent microscopy. Prior to irradiating, higher concentrations of surface microbial loading were found on the downstream side of both cooling coils under condensing conditions. Conversely, under dry surface conditions with downstream UV irradiance, surface concentrations were higher upstream. UVG-CC (at an average 200 uW/cm 2 on the coil surface) reduced surface microbial loading by 55% on average during condensing conditions and inhibited bacterial attachment causing clusters of bacterial matter to become airborne downstream of the cooling coil. Additionally, it was found that desiccation also inhibited surface microbial loading and yielded cluster detachment but to a lesser degree than UVG-CC treatment.
The Geography of Giftedness

Rurality is best understood, not by census information, but by examination of the space between people. Distance between people and resources shape rural culture; and space can propagate independence, adaptability, lateral and critical thinking, and creativity.
Detection of Penicillin and Streptomycin in Milk by Impedance Microbiology 1,2.

A Bactometer 123 impedance instrument detected .001 IU penicillin or streptomycin/ml of sterile milk inoculated with 5% active lactic culture. Results were available in 5 to 10 h. Inactive lactic culture produced results in less than 24 h. Impedance instruments can monitor incoming milk supplies simultaneously for bacterial load, abnormal milk, and antibiotics.
Reduced-Diameter Designs of Coax-Fed Microwave Ablation Antennas Equipped With Baluns

We present a technique for minimizing the impact of coaxial baluns on the invasiveness of coax-fed microwave ablation (MWA) antennas. The technique uses an air-filled coax section at the end of a Teflon-filled coaxial feedline. The air-filled coax section has a smaller outer-conductor diameter compared to the Teflon-filled coax section for the same inner conductor diameter and characteristic impedance. Therefore, the coaxial balun used in a typical MWA antenna can be implemented on the air-filled coax section without exceeding the outer diameter of the Teflon-filled coaxial feedline. The efficacy of this technique is demonstrated for two different MWA antennas, a choke dipole and a floating sleeve dipole. Prototypes of these antennas as well as prototypes of their unmodified versions were designed, fabricated, and used to perform ablation experiments in ex vivo porcine muscle at 7 GHz with a power level of 30 W for 5 min. Simulation and measurement results confirmed that the modified antennas had similar responses as the unmodified antennas while offering 30% smaller diameters compared to their conventional balun-equipped coax-fed MWA antennas. Specifically, the antennas exhibited good impedance matching and produced localized ablation zones with shapes and dimensions similar to those produced by the original designs.
Ewald: an extended wide-angle Laue diffractometer for the second target station of the Spallation Neutron Source

Visualizing hydrogen atoms in biological materials is one of the biggest remaining challenges in biophysical analysis. While X-ray techniques have unrivaled capacity for high-throughput structure determination, neutron diffraction is uniquely sensitive to hydrogen atom positions in crystals of biological materials and can provide a more complete picture of the atomic and electronic structures of biological macromolecules. This information can be essential in providing predictive understanding and engineering control of key biological processes, for example, in catalysis, ligand binding and light harvesting, and to guide bioengineering of enzymes and drug design. One very common and large capability gap for all neutron atomic resolution single-crystal diffractometers is the weak flux of available neutron beams, which results in limited signal-to-noise ratios giving a requirement for sample volumes of at least 0.1 mm3. The ability to operate on crystals an order of magnitude smaller (0.01 mm3) will open up new and more complex systems to studies with neutrons which will help in our understanding of enzyme mechanisms and enable us to improve drugs against multi resistant bacteria. With this is mind, an extended wide-angle Laue diffractometer, `Ewald', has been designed, which can collect data using crystal volumes below 0.01 mm3.