cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methyl β-(2-Methyl-5-Oxocyclopentenyl-) Propionate and Ethyl 3-Methyl-6-Oxohepta-2, 4-Dienoate

Abstract As part of a broad study of γ-diketone synthesis2 by way of cyclopropanation of enol ethers or esters with diazoacetic ester or diazomethyl ketones followed by hydrolytic cyclopropane scission it became of interest to learn whether ester carbonyl groups within interacting distance of the diazocarbonyl unit would interfere in the cyclopropanation step and whether furans can be made to undergo cyclopropanation like enol ethers. The following two investigations were undertaken to resolve these issues.
A novel method for determining source spectrum/detector spectral response in X-ray imaging

Knowledge of the X-ray spectrum in diagnostic imaging is important for dose calculations and correction for beam-hardening artifacts. This work investigates the possibility of determining the X-ray source spectrum from transmission data of a known phantom. In addition to the design of the phantom, the novel aspect of this work is the application of the expectation-maximization method, widely used in tomographic image reconstruction, in solving the ill-posed problem of finding the X-ray spectrum from transmission data.
Influence of canopy closure and shrub coverage on travel along coarse woody debris by eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus)

Abstract We investigated relationships between canopy closure, shrub cover and the use of coarse woody debris as a travel path by eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) in the north central United States. Fine scale movements of chipmunks were followed with tracking spools and the percentage of each movement path directly along coarse woody debris was recorded. Availability of coarse woody debris was estimated using line intercepts. We predicted that, if chipmunks used coarse woody debris to reduce their risk of predation, movement along coarse woody debris would be greater for animals tracked at sites with open canopies and thick shrub cover. Travel along coarse woody debris was negatively associated with canopy closure and positively associated with the percent of coarse woody debris available at a site and the percentage of shrub cover at a site. Sex and age of eastern chipmunks did not appear to influence the amount of use of coarse woody debris. Our results suggest that coarse woody debris is more impor...
Implementation of vision based 2-DOF underwater Manipulator

Manipulator is of vital importance to the remotely operated vehicle (ROV), especially when it works in the nuclear reactor pool. Two degrees of freedom (2-DOF) underwater manipulator is designed to the ROV, which is composed of control cabinet, buoyancy module, propellers, depth gauge, sonar, a monocular camera and other attitude sensors. The manipulator can be used to salvage small parts like bolts and nuts to accelerate the progress of the overhaul. It can move in the vertical direction alone through the control of the second joint, and can grab object using its unique designed gripper. A monocular vision based localization algorithm is applied to help the manipulator work independently and intelligently. Eventually, field experiment is conducted in the swimming pool to verify the effectiveness of the manipulator and the monocular vision based algorithm.
The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the local structure of K1-xNaxTaO3 and KTa1-xNbxO3

We report the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the local structural distortions in K 0.15 Na 0.85 TaO 3 and KNb 0.87 Ta 0.13 O 3 . The results show that as expected the unit cell dimensions and the Nb off center displacements decrease with increasing pressure. In contrast the oxygen rotation angles in K 0.15 Na 0.85 TaO 3 increase with pressure. We also observe an anomalous increase in the Nb - 4th oxygen Debye-Waller factor which shows that pressure can induce disordered oxygen octahedra rotations in a crystal with no such rotations at ambient pressure.
Effectiveness of Chemically Decontaminated Neodiprion sertifer Polyhedral Inclusion Body Suspensions

Sodium Omadine® (sodium salt of 1-hydroxypyridine-2-thione) was used to eliminate bacterial contaminants from Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy) polyhedral inclusion body (PIB) suspensions. Neither the treatment nor the elimination of the contaminants reduced the effectiveness of the PIB suspensions. At high concentrations, Sodium Omadine alone was lethal to the larvae; at lower concentrations, it caused significantly higher (χ2, P = 0.05) virus mortality (20–56%) than was observed in the controls (10.3%).
Discretization Methodology for High Aspect Ratio Prismatic Grids

The stability and accuracy of several discretization schemes are evaluated for high aspect ratio prismatic grids. Both inviscid and viscous discretizations are studied using the method of manufactured solutions by systematically varying parameters such as the aspect ratio, mesh stretching, curvature, skewness, and non-planar faces. For the inviscid terms, gradient reconstruction based on cell least squares and nodal Green-Gauss are considered. In particular, high curvature grids are shown to lead to instabilities with both classes of schemes and a new Green-Gauss scheme based on nodal projection is developed that retains stability and formal second-order accuracy under all conditions. A further advantage of the nodal Green-Gauss schemes is that the nodal values can be used in the viscous discretization as well. All the viscous schemes tested here are demonstrated to preserve second-order accuracy. Finally, for three-dimensional prismatic meshes, triangulation of non-planar faces is found to be necessary to preserve second-order accuracy.
Serum enzymes following repetitive hyperthermia.

SummaryThe artificial heating of dogs to rectal temperatures of 41.5° on 4 consecutive days resulted in an increase in the serum enzymes SGOT and SGPT and in isocitric dehydrogenase. Blood samples were taken prior to the first heating and prior to the fifth heating so that body temperatures and plasma hemoglobin values were at normal levels. No significant enzyme changes were noted in a group of control dogs subjected to the same procedures as the hyperthermic group except the repeated heating. The results indicate acute hepatic injury.
Expanding rural access to mental health care through online postgraduate nurse practitioner education

Background and purpose Workforce shortages in mental health care are especially relevant to rural communities. People often turn to their primary care providers for mental healthcare services, yet primary care providers indicate that more education is needed to fill this role. Rural primary care nurse practitioners (NPs) are ideal candidates for educational enhancement. Online programs allow NPs to continue living and working in their communities while developing the competencies to provide comprehensive and integrated mental healthcare services. This article presents a review of current online postgraduate psychiatric mental health NP (PMHNP) options. Methods Website descriptions of online PMHNP programs were located using keywords: PMHNP or psychiatric nurse practitioner, postgraduate or post-master's, and distance or online. Conclusions Across the United States, 15 online postgraduate certificate programs were located that are designed for primary care NPs seeking additional PMHNP specialization. Implications for practice For rural primary care NPs who are ready, willing, and able, a postgraduate PMHNP specialty certificate can be obtained online in as few as three to four semesters. The expected outcome is a cadre of dually credentialed NPs capable of functioning in an integrated role and of increasing rural access to comprehensive mental healthcare services.
Immunology of Gonorrhea and Syphilis

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the immunology of gonorrhea and syphilis. Secretory IgA antibodies against gonococci have been demonstrated in vaginal washings. The antibodies appear promptly after infection and disappear soon after treatment. They seem to show no amanestic response to a second infection. Preliminary work has also shown these antibodies in urethral secretions of males with gonorrhea. Cellular antibody responses detected by lymphocyte transformation have also been found in both males and females with gonorrhea. Females with gonococcal complications do not show a greater degree of transformation than females who were asymptomatic carriers of gonorrhea. Clq, a complement component reacts with gonococcal endotoxin as well as with other bacterial endotoxins. This can conveniently be shown by a gel precipitin reaction. In contrast to the situation in rheumatoid arthritis, levels in the joint fluid of several patients with gonococcal arthritis show that the total complement levels of Clq are not depressed.
Presentation of the Mineralogical Society of America Award for 2002 to John M. Eiler

President Ewing, members of the Society, and guests: John Eiler grew up in the Midwest and got his start in geology at Beloit College and the University of Iowa where he studied high-grade metamorphic rocks with Henry Woodard and Tom Foster. Tom’s letter of recommendation said simply, John is the best of 450 geology majors I have taught. How refreshingly clear and accurate! I first got to know John, the summer before he started graduate school at the University of Wisconsin. He was van driver for an Adirondack field trip after the 1989 IMA meeting in Washington, D.C. My first impression has been lasting. John was equally cheerful arguing arcane points in metamorphic petrology as he was changing a flat tire. In fact, he can do both at the same time! This versatility has become the hallmark of John’s stable isotope research: the formulation of new theory and hands-on development of new analytical technology to test the resultant hypotheses. John’s research is also distinguished by the ease with which he moves among different research communities, and his good taste in problems. I will describe just some of John’s research, there is much …
Chapter IX: Insulating films

The references presented in this chapter are concerned with the electrical properties of organic film or fiber insulation. The literature search was based largely on Chemical Abstracts and Science Abstracts. Other sources of relevant information included the 1964 Conference on Electrical Insulation, NAS-NRC; Conference of Dielectric and Insulating Materials (London: IEE, 1964); and the magazine Insulation which provided both original articles and abstracts of the European literature.
ER Stress Promotes Inflammation through Re-wIREd Macrophages in Obesity

A new mechanism linking ER dysfunction to metabolic inflammation is discovered in a recent study by Shan et al. (2017), which demonstrated ER stress-induced rewiring of adipose tissue macrophage polarization by IRE1α activation, leading to impaired systemic glucose homeostasis.
Simultaneous Quantitation of Glycoprotein Degradation and Synthesis Rates by Integrating Isotope Labeling, Chemical Enrichment, and Multiplexed Proteomics

Protein glycosylation is essential for cell survival and regulates many cellular events. Reversible glycosylation is also dynamic in biological systems. The functions of glycoproteins are regulated by their dynamics to adapt the ever-changing inter- and intracellular environments. Glycans on proteins not only mediate a variety of protein activities, but also creates a steric hindrance for protecting the glycoproteins from degradation by proteases. In this work, a novel strategy integrating isotopic labeling, chemical enrichment and multiplexed proteomics was developed to simultaneously quantify the degradation and synthesis rates of many glycoproteins in human cells. We quantified the synthesis rates of 847 N-glycoproteins and the degradation rates of 704 glycoproteins in biological triplicate experiments, including many important glycoproteins such as CD molecules. Through comparing the synthesis and degradation rates, we found that most proteins have higher synthesis rates since cells are still growing ...
Delineation of a Major Karst Basin with Multiple Input Points, Roaring River, Tennessee

Karst aquifers that are dominated by conduit recharge are at high risk of contamination because there is little filtration or sorption of contaminants in the water. Identifying flow paths through conduit aquifers is required in order to delineate basin boundaries and potential areas at risk from groundwater contamination. In this study we report on the first continuous (~1 year) discharge and water quality data set ever collected from the Boils spring on the Highland Rim of middle Tennessee. The Boils drains the Roaring River-Spring Creek system, a State Scenic River and Wildlife Management Area. We also report on the results of a quantitative dye trace that was done to identify surface contributions to this spring. At the Boils, we measured discharge, temperature, and specific conductance for an approximate one-year period. The average annual discharge of the Boils during 2015 was 2.1 m3/s, with storm discharge reaching as much as 14 m3/s. Conductivity at the Boils spring ranged from 310 μS at baseflow to 290 μS during storm events. Water temperature of the spring varied seasonally from 9 to 22 °C. The dye trace revealed a direct connection to the Boils from a sink located 9 km away (straight-line distance), with a travel time of about 12 h. A second trace at another sink covered a straight-line distance of 1.5 km in 4 h. The rapid travel times suggest that this aquifer is dominated by conduit flow and that further research to sample water quality is warranted. Our data help to fill an important gap in data about major spring discharge and water quality in Tennessee.
When Equity Seems Unfair: The Role of Justice Enforceability in Temporary Team Coordination

Temporary teams can accomplish tightly coupled complex work even without the shared experience that enables coordination in longstanding teams. To advance understanding of this process, I conducted...
Strategies for Enhanced Crop Resistance to Insect Pests

Insect pests are responsible for substantial crop losses worldwide through direct damage and transmission of plant diseases, and novel approaches that complement or replace broad-spectrum chemical insecticides will facilitate the sustainable intensification of food production in the coming decades. Multiple strategies for improved crop resistance to insect pests, especially strategies relating to plant secondary metabolism and immunity and microbiome science, are becoming available. Recent advances in metabolic engineering of plant secondary chemistry offer the promise of specific toxicity or deterrence to insect pests; improved understanding of plant immunity against insects provides routes to optimize plant defenses against insects; and the microbiomes of insect pests can be exploited, either as a target or as a vehicle for delivery of insecticidal agents. Implementation of these advances will be facilitated by ongoing advances in plant breeding and genetic technologies.
Microfluidic ELISA employing an enzyme substrate and product species with similar detection properties.

The requirement for an enzyme label to carry out a chemical reaction directly at the signaling region of the enzyme substrate in order to produce a large change in its detectability places a significant constraint on the scope of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). In particular, this requirement limits the kinds of enzyme label–substrate couples employable in ELISAs and prevents their independent optimization with respect to the enzyme reaction and the detectability of the enzyme reaction substrate/product. The detection limit and multiplexing capabilities of the assay are consequently restricted in addition to rendering the technique applicable to a narrow range of assay conditions/samples. Attempting to address some of these limitations, the current article describes a microfluidic ELISA method that does not require the enzyme label to act around the signaling region of the substrate molecule. A highly detectable rhodamine based substrate was synthesized to demonstrate the reported assay which upon cleavage by the enzyme label, alkaline phosphatase, transformed from a monoanionic to a monocationic species, both of which had nearly identical fluorescence properties. These species were later separated based on their charge difference using capillary zone electrophoresis in an integrated device yielding a quantitative measure for the analyte (human TNF-α) in our sample. Impressively, the noted approach not only enabled the use of a new kind of enzyme substrate for ELISAs but also allowed the detection of human TNF-α at concentrations over 54-fold lower than that possible on commercial microwell plates primarily due to the better detectability of the rhodamine dye.
An anticoagulation protocol for use after congenital cardiac surgery.

Abstract Background Patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease are at high risk for bleeding as well as thrombosis in the postoperative period. The objective of the study was to describe the design and effects of implementing a standardized unfractionated heparin anticoagulation protocol for children after congenital heart surgery. Methods We created a tiered guideline for the postoperative management of bleeding and thrombosis. In patients treated with unfractionated heparin, anti-factor Xa activity level as well as activated partial thromboplastin time were used for dose titration. Clinical outcomes, including bleeding and thrombosis events, were prospectively collected for 5 months before and after protocol implementation and adjudicated as either minor, clinically relevant nonmajor, or major. Results Among 792 surgical patients followed during the study period, a total of 203 patients (87 preimplementation, 116 postimplementation) were treated with therapeutic unfractionated heparin over a total of 1481 patient days. Of these, 28% were neonates and 35% were infants (29 days to 1 year), with a trend toward fewer neonates and lower Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS) scores after protocol implementation. Among 1321 time-matched pairs, activated partial thromboplastin time and antifactor Xa activity levels were poorly correlated (r2 = 0.33). Clinically relevant bleeding events, which required increased medical care, including blood transfusion, decreased after protocol implementation (4.14 vs 1.62 bleeding events per 100 patient-days; risk ratio, 0.39 [0.20-0.75]; P = .005), even after correcting for differences in age and RACHS scores (P = .006). This finding was primarily found after RACHS category 1 to 3 procedures (risk ratio, 0.27 [0.10-0.73]; P = .0099) and in noninfants (risk ratio, 0.25 [0.09-0.65]; P = .005). There were no significant differences in the incidences of major bleeding (P = .88) or any thrombosis (P = .55). Conclusions The use of a standardized anticoagulation protocol is feasible and might reduce the incidence of bleeding and thrombosis events in postcardiotomy patients.
Effective methods for disseminating research findings to nurses in practice

Professionals in all disciplines are challenged by the proliferation of new knowledge. Nurses, too, must find cost-effective ways of ensuring that their patients are benefiting from the most current knowledge about health and illness. The methods of research dissemination to clinicians described in this article are presumed to be effective because of anecdotal reports, conference evaluations, or clinician surveys. The profession needs more sophisticated evaluations of the effectiveness of various dissemination methods. In the meantime, whether you are a researcher, an administrator, an educator, or a clinician, you have a role to play in improving research dissemination. Implement just one strategy from this article and evaluate the results. Each contribution moves nursing toward research-based practice.
3D Ego-Pose Estimation via Imitation Learning

Ego-pose estimation, i.e., estimating a person’s 3D pose with a single wearable camera, has many potential applications in activity monitoring. For these applications, both accurate and physically plausible estimates are desired, with the latter often overlooked by existing work. Traditional computer vision-based approaches using temporal smoothing only take into account the kinematics of the motion without considering the physics that underlies the dynamics of motion, which leads to pose estimates that are physically invalid. Motivated by this, we propose a novel control-based approach to model human motion with physics simulation and use imitation learning to learn a video-conditioned control policy for ego-pose estimation. Our imitation learning framework allows us to perform domain adaption to transfer our policy trained on simulation data to real-world data. Our experiments with real egocentric videos show that our method can estimate both accurate and physically plausible 3D ego-pose sequences without observing the cameras wearer’s body.
Postinternationalism on Technology, Change and Continuity

Postinternationalism provides a flexible theoretical perspective to explore technology in its manifold variations and diverse impacts on global politics, economics, security and identity. Postinternationalism embraces a broad and non-deterministic conception of technology. This epistemological and ontological position enables its representatives to analyse technology’s ambivalent and multifaceted impact on the global system more effectively than other IR theories, which often emphasize very narrowly defined factors as pivotal for their explanatory models. In this context, Postinternationalism perceives technology as a man-made enabler of diverse and often seemingly contradictory processes ranging from the integration of polities and transnational interaction processes to opposite processes resulting in the fragmentation of polities and even a potential slowdown of globalization. As such, Ferguson argues that technology must become a greater focus of scholarly exploration to further deepen our understanding of the driving forces behind change and continuity in global affairs.
The Development of Clean Steels for Steam Turbine Applications: Their Demand and Use

The failures of discs on large steam turbines that occurred in the 1960s presented the electric power generation industry with a formidable problem. These fractures were intergranular and often appeared to initiate in the keyway of the disc as a result of steam condensation and subsequent corrosion. The steels that were used to make these discs were usually of the Cr-Mo type and had the required room temperature and elevated temperature strength. However, in some cases they were also found to be brittle at or even above room temperature. This brittleness was a result of temper embrittlement which in turn was caused by impurity segregation to grain boundaries. Early results also suggested that this impurity segregation might enhance the stress corrosion process as well. Consequently, great advances were made in steelmaking to provide steels of extremely high purity. While these steels did become available, several factors limited their use. These included their cost, the fact that the overall purity of conventional steels improved through appropriate scrap selection and other processing improvements, better control of steam chemistry, designs that eliminated the keyways, and improved plant practice. This chapter reviews the history of this problem, the development of the clean steels, and the ultimate combination of factors that were brought together to solve this problem. In considering such a complex problem, it is useful to think in terms of technology interaction spheres, that is, interactions between technologies brought about by many individuals, that help solve such a problem.
Circuit Elements, Circuit Diagrams, and Kirchhoff’s Laws

In this chapter, we define a few important circuit elements and introduce circuit diagrams. We describe how circuit diagrams are annotated; that is, how voltages and currents are denoted in a manner that permits and facilitates analysis. We present Kirchhoff’s laws, which are the fundamental laws of circuit analysis, and the principle of superposition, which is a powerful tool for analysis of linear circuits.
Using a co-twin control design to evaluate alternative trait measures as indices of liability for substance use disorders.

Abstract To establish a trait-dispositional variable as an indicator of liability for the development of substance use disorders (SUDs), the trait must share heritable variance with SUDs and its association should not be primarily attributable to a direct impact of SUDs on characteristics that define the trait. The current work applied a co-twin control (CTC) modeling approach to data from two monozygotic twin samples to investigate the degree to which different measures of trait-impulsiveness represent indicants of vulnerability to SUDs (liability indicators), or outcomes or concomitants of SUDs (exposure indicators). The Five Factor Model (FFM) trait of conscientiousness was assessed via self-report, and a counterpart neurobehavioral trait of disinhibition was assessed both through self-report and using self-report and brain response measures combined. FFM trait data were available for one twin sample (N = 298); data for variants of P3 brain response were available along with a scale measure of disinhibition in the other (N = 258). CTC analyses revealed only an exposure effect of SUD symptomatology on FFM conscientiousness, indicating that this self-report assessed trait does not index liability for SUDs. By contrast, the disinhibition scale measure showed pronounced liability and weaker exposure-based associations with SUDs – and when quantified using scale scores together with P3 brain response, the exposure-based association was eliminated, such that this disinhibition measure related to SUD symptoms exclusively as a function of liability influences. These findings highlight a distinct advantage of quantifying traits in neurobehavioral terms – namely, the capacity to effectively index dispositional liability for psychopathological outcomes.
Crimea in War and Transformation. By Mara Kozelsky. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2019. Pp. xi, 280. $74.00.)

Mara Kozelsky's second monograph is a welcome study of the Crimean War (1853‐1856). A logical follow‐up to her previous work on Crimean history, Kozelsky's book is based on exhaustive study of Russ...
The Two Components of Beneficence and Wellbeing in Medicine: A Restatement and Defense of the Argument

The interests of a patient are not only related to objective ideas about health, but are also determined by the patient’s own view of the good. To act in the best interests of a patient requires co...
Explore Retailers’ Merchandising Strategy for Sustainable Cotton Apparel in the U.S. Retail Market

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine U.S. retailers’ merchandising strategy for sustainable cotton apparel, focusing on their product assortment and pricing practices. The findings of this study will fulfill a critical research gap and significantly enhance our understanding of U.S. apparel retailers’ business strategy for sustainability. The findings of the study can also provide valuable inputs for fashion companies interested in exploring the promising, competitive, and dynamic sustainable cotton apparel market in the U.S.
Timely recognition of retinal hemorrhage in pediatric abusive head trauma evaluation

Background Distinct patterns of retinal hemorrhages (RHs) are suggestive of abusive head trauma in the context of unexplained intracranial injury. Current recommendations encourage an eye examination within 48 hours of admission due to the rapid resolution of RH. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with a delay in funduscopic examination outside the recommended 48 hours. Methods Retrospective chart review was completed on all inpatient consultations by the Child Protection Team with evidence of intracranial injury on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging over 3 years at a large children's hospital. Extracted data included demographic characteristics, history of intubation, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission, extraventricular drain placement, seizures, use of vasopressor support, and presence of other injuries. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the patient population, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with delayed eye examinations. Results A total of 203 patients met inclusion criteria. Of those, 39 (19.2%) had a delay in initial funduscopic examination. Multivariate analyses revealed that PICU admission, surgical intervention, and seizure activity were significant predictors of delayed examination after controlling for multiple clinical factors. Neurosurgical consultation was shown to be protective against a delayed examination. Conclusions Rapid resolution of RH may occur in child abuse. Prompt ophthalmology examinations and neurosurgery consultation when child abuse is suspected help avoid a delay in diagnosis.
Functional Domains, Functions, and the Notion of Complexity: The Systems of Reference

Abstract The present study addresses the issues of (1) how to define complexity in the study of functions, (2) how to measure complexity in the study of functions, and (3) the benefits of the notion of semantic complexity in the analysis of language. This argues for a metric of complexity narrowed to single domains, something that has been already mentioned in some other studies. Such measures of complexity can then point to areas of further studies, both synchronic and diachronic. Two metrics of complexity are proposed: The first one involves the number of functions encoded in the given domain. The second is the number of functions that the speaker needs to take into consideration in realizing the functions encoded in the given domain. The argumentation for the proposed approach to complexity is based on cross-linguistic examination of the systems of reference of languages belonging to different families. The implication of this study is that the complexity of functional domains is the fundamental motivation of the complexity of the formal means of coding.
Why Moral Enhancement is Unavoidably Normative.

Fabiano makes a case for a virtue-theoretical account of moral enhancement projects in order to safeguard against some common objections like that of “moral uncertainty.” Fabiano’s account is compe...
Natural Catastrophe: Climate Change and Neoliberal Governance

Radically revises our conception of climate change as a political problem, not a natural phenomenon.Brian Elliott persuasively argues that climate change is, in fact, a symptom of neoliberal governance. This helps us to understand how, across wealthy liberal democracies, environmental concern has increasingly been framed as a consumer responsibility issue rather than as a matter of structural social-political transformation.Thinking of a world truly beyond climate change requires us to reimagine the state beyond its current neoliberal configuration. Elliott argues that, in order to achieve this, environmental politics in the west needs to renew the Marxist challenge to the global market's benign production of social utility and construct a new non-apocalyptic politics of nature.
Synergistic experimental and computational approach identifies novel strategies for polyhydroxybutyrate overproduction

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a sustainable bioplastic produced by bacteria that is a potential replacement for conventional plastics. This study delivers an integrated experimental and computational modeling approach to decipher metabolic factors controlling PHB production and offers engineering design strategies to boost production. In the metabolically robust Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009, PHB production significantly increased when grown on the carbon- and electron-rich lignin breakdown product p-coumarate (C9H8O3) compared to virtually no PHB titer from acetate (C2H3NaO2). The maximum yield did not improve further when grown on coniferyl alcohol (C10H12O3), but comparison of the PHB profiles showed that coniferyl alcohol's higher carbon content resulted in a higher rate of PHB production. Combined experimental results revealed that cytoplasmic space may be a limiting factor for maximum PHB titer. In order to obtain a systems-level understanding of factors driving PHB yield, a model-driven investigation was performed. The model yielded several engineering design strategies including utilizing reduced, high molecular weight substrates that bypass the thiolase reaction (phaA). Based on these strategies, utilization of butyrate was predicted and subsequently validated to produce PHB. Model analysis also explained why nitrogen starvation was not essential for PHB production and revealed that renewable and abundant lignin aromatics are ideal candidates for PHB production. Most importantly, the generality of the derived design rules allows them to be applied to any PHB-producing microbe with similar metabolic features.
College Students' Reasons for Using JUULs.

Purpose:To identify reasons that college students use JUUL and explore associations between reasons for using JUUL and social and behavioral (tobacco use) factors.Design:On-line, cross-sectional su...
Leucine Guides Meal Distribution of Dietary Protein for Muscle Protein Synthesis and Mass

Efficiency of indispensable amino acid (IAA) utilization for muscle protein synthesis (MPS) decreases in adults. Potential causes include reduced blood flow, membrane transports & sensitivity to anabolic signals including growth factors (insulin) and amino acids (Leu). The objective was to determine if meal distribution of dietary Leu within complete meals impacts MPS and ultimately muscle mass. Adult rats (350 g) consumed 3 meals/d of complete diet for 11 wk to test the importance of meal protein distribution and Leu content on MPS, muscle mass and body composition. Expt. 1, rats received identical macronutrient diets with whey protein either in a balanced (BD) or unbalanced distribution (UD). BD provided 16% En as protein at each meal and UB had 8% at 7:00 and 13:00h and 27% at 18:00h. BD had greater MPS and translation factor (4E-BP1 & S6K) activation at 7:00h and greater muscle mass after 11 wk. Expt. 2, rats received identical 16% diets that differed in source of protein and Leu content [wheat (Leu: ...
Algorithmic Procedures, Generalized Turing Algorithms, and Elementary Recursion Theory

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the algorithmic procedures, generalized Turing algorithms, and elementary recursion theory. Turing's analysis gives a mathematical analysis of configurational computations. The difference between configuration computations and algorithmic procedures is twofold. Firstly, in configurational computations the objects are symbols, whereas in algorithmic procedures the objects operated on are unrestricted. Secondly, in configurational computations at each stage one has a finite configuration whose size is not restricted before computation. In algorithmic procedures, one fixes beforehand a finite number of registers to hold the objects. The chapter presents mathematical analysis of algorithmic procedures with and without counting. Important features of elementary recursion theory are discussed. Effective definitional schemes, or equivalently, generalized Turing algorithms to generalize elementary recursion theory are applied. Turing's analysis could be improved in relation to configurational computability.
Interaction between genetic background and training intensity influences training responses (LB802)

The aim of this study was to determine the intensity of exercise training that is required to maximize training adaptations in low responding mice. Male mice from three inbred strains: SJL/J, C57BL/6J, and NON/ShiLtJ completed a graded exercise test before and after four weeks of treadmill running. Mice from each strain were assigned to one of three groups (n=6/group): sedentary control (SED), continuous running (65% of max) and high-intensity interval training (HIT) (6 x 85% of max for 8 min, 50% of max for 2 min). Exercise capacity was improved by continuous running compared with SED in mice from all strains (P < 0.05). For HIT, only NON/ShiLtJ mice showed a significant improvement in exercise capacity relative to SED mice from that strain. Protein content for PGC-1alpha, NRF-1 and mtTFA was examined in plantaris muscle to assess the metabolic adaptation to the different intensities of exercise training. Overall, exercise training induced relatively small changes in protein content in the plantaris. For...
Development and validation of a behavioral sex-role inventory

To develop and validate a sex-role inventory of traditional versus nontraditional behaviors for women, 574 single and 265 married females as well as 407 males completed the Robinson Behavioral Inventory (RBI). Thirty-four-item final versions of the two forms were established through criteria requiring items to be both reliable and reported at differential rates by male versus female or by traditional versus nontraditional women. High reliability of the total scale was evident by a measure of internal consistency as well as by a measure of equivalence. The validity of the total scale was established by demonstrating the RBI as positively correlated with an attitudinal measure of women's roles but as showing discriminant validity with a social desirability scale, a political orientation scale, and an assertiveness scale. Age, income, and educational level were used as covariates to partial out possible confounding effects. Future use of the RBI would suggest extending the sample to less well-educated and a greater variety of SES populations and to women who are not members of organizations. The value of the measure lies in the collection of specific behavioral data as distinct from broad attitudinal constructs allowing for determining the attitude-behavior relationship in the area of sex roles. As a tool for evaluating outcome studies measuring changes in sex roles, this inventory is unique.
Information-theoretic mapping using Cauchy-Schwarz Quadratic Mutual Information

We develop a computationally efficient control policy for active perception that incorporates explicit models of sensing and mobility to build 3D maps with ground and aerial robots. Like previous work, our policy maximizes an information-theoretic objective function between the discrete occupancy belief distribution (e.g., voxel grid) and future measurements that can be made by mobile sensors. However, our work is unique in three ways. First, we show that by using Cauchy-Schwarz Quadratic Mutual Information (CSQMI), we get significant gains in efficiency. Second, while most previous methods adopt a myopic, gradient-following approach that yields poor convergence properties, our algorithm searches over a set of paths and is less susceptible to local minima. In doing so, we explicitly incorporate models of sensors, and model the dependence (and independence) of measurements over multiple time steps in a path. Third, because we consider models of sensing and mobility, our method naturally applies to both ground and aerial vehicles. The paper describes the basic models, the problem formulation and the algorithm, and demonstrates applications via simulation and experimentation.
Toward Effective Criminal Discovery in California--A Practitioner's View

In 1957, John Dyson Powell sought and was granted by the Supreme Court of California the right to inspect and copy his own signed statement to the police and a typed transcript of another statement allegedly made by him at the police station.' In 1965, less than ten years later, the defendant in People v. Bazaure2 asserted and secured the right to inspect the statements of some 35 people who might have had some knowledge of the murder with which he was charged. During the intervening period, California courts expanded the right to criminal discovery in an ever-widening manner. Today, we are told, in Cash v. Superior Court,3 that in certain respects this right is inherent in the concept of a fair trial. Tomorrow, arguments will be joined as to what extent discovery is constitutionally required and how effective such discovery must become to satisfy the constitutional requirements of due process and equal protection. In civil litigation there is both a statutory framework for discovery and a general acceptance of its processes.4 Each party may compel the other to disclose the evidence on which he proposes to rely, and failure to comply with such disclosure is discouraged by multiple sanctions.5 But in criminal litigation, the defendant may claim his fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination, and the reluctance of prosecutors to divulge their secrets without a reciprocal right to discover the defendant's case is understandable. Equally predictable, perhaps, is the
A Turn for the Worse: Foreign Relations, Corporate Human Rights Abuse, and the Courts

This Note examines recent interventions in corporate human rights lawsuits by the executive branch from both legal and political perspectives. It first identifies a nascent trend in human rights litigation in U.S. courts-namely, the propensity of the Bush administration to intervene on behalf of corporate defendants accused of violating human rights in the developing world-by examining the factual and procedural history of three contemporary lawsuits. It then explores the role of the political question, act of state, and international comity doctrines in these and similar suits, and advances a method for applying all three doctrines in a "human rights-friendly" manner. Finally, the Note examines the Bush administration's interventions from a human rights policy perspective and concludes that for political, in addition to legal reasons, the executive branch should desist from intervening on behalf of corporate defendants in human rights lawsuits.
DNA-induced dimerization of the Escherichia coli rep helicase. Allosteric effects of single-stranded and duplex DNA.

The Escherichia coli Rep helicase is a stable monomer (Mr = 72,802) in the absence of DNA; however, binding of single-stranded (ss) or duplex (ds) DNA induces Rep monomers to dimerize. Furthermore, a chemically cross-linked Rep dimer retains both its DNA-dependent ATPase and helicase activities, suggesting that the functionally active Rep helicase is a dimer (Chao, K., and Lohman, T. M. (1991) J. Mol. Biol. 221, 1165-1181). Using a modified "double-filter" nitrocellulose filter binding assay, we have examined quantitatively the equilibrium binding of Rep to a series of ss-oligodeoxynucleotides, d(pN)n (8 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 20) and two 16-base pair duplex oligodeoxynucleotides, which are short enough so that only a single Rep monomer can bind to each oligonucleotide. This strategy has enabled us to examine the linkage between DNA binding and dimerization. We also present a statistical thermodynamic model to describe the DNA-induced Rep dimerization in the presence of ss- and/or ds-oligodeoxynucleotides. We observe quantitative agreement between this model and the experimental binding isotherms and have analyzed these isotherms to obtain the seven independent interaction constants that describe Rep-DNA binding and Rep dimerization. We find that Rep monomers (P) can bind either ss-DNA (S) or ds-DNA (D) to form PS or PD, respectively, which can then dimerize to form P2S or P2D. Furthermore, both protomers of the DNA-induced Rep dimer can bind DNA to form either P2S2, P2D2 or the mixed dimer species P2SD and ss- and ds-DNA compete for the same sites on the Rep protein. When bound to DNA, the Rep dimerization constants are approximately 1-2 x 10(8) M-1 (6 mM NaCl, pH 7.5, 4 degrees C), which are greater than the dimerization constant for free Rep monomers by at least 10(4)-fold. The Rep-ss-DNA interaction constants are independent of base composition and sequence, consistent with its role as a nonspecific DNA-binding protein. Allosteric effects are associated with ss- and ds-DNA binding to the half-saturated Rep dimers, i.e. the affinity of either ss- or ds-DNA to the free promoter of a half-saturated Rep dimer is clearly influenced by the conformation of DNA bound to the first protomer. These allosteric effects further support the proposal that the Rep dimer is functionally important and that the Rep-DNA species P2S2 and P2SD may serve as useful models for intermediates that occur during DNA unwinding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Pathomechanics of Closed Rupture of the Flexor Tendon Pulleys in Rock Climbers

We performed a study on twenty-one cadaveric fingers (seven non-paired forearms) to determine the pathomechanics of closed traumatic rupture of the flexor tendon pulleys in rock climbers. The ages of the individuals at the time of death ranged from sixty-one to eighty-four years (mean, seventy-four years). The forearm was placed in a custom-made loading apparatus, and individual fingers were tested separately under simulated in vivo loading conditions. The flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons of each digit were attached to computer-controlled linear stepper motors that were equipped with force transducers, and the force in the tendons was simultaneously increased until avulsion of the tendons or osseous failure occurred. The force in the tendons, the excursion of the tendons, and the force at the fingertip were measured. Damage to the pulleys and bowstringing of the tendons were visualized with a fiberoptic camera. Two fingers fractured before complete rupture of the pulleys. Seventeen of the remaining nineteen fingers sustained an isolated rupture of either the A2 or the A4 pulley as the initial failure event; the A4 pulley ruptured first in fourteen digits (p < 0.001). The A3 and A4 pulleys ruptured simultaneously in one finger, and the A2, A3, and A4 pulleys ruptured simultaneously in another. Subtle bowstringing of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon occurred only after two consecutive pulleys had ruptured (either the A2 and A3 pulleys or the A3 and A4 pulleys). Rupture of all three pulleys was required to produce obvious bowstringing. Isolated rupture of the A2 or A4 pulley did not result in detectable bowstringing of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. The A1 pulley always remained intact. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bowstringing of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon across the proximal interphalangeal joint with resisted flexion of the fingertips has been considered diagnostic for isolated closed rupture of the A2 pulley. The results of the present study, however, suggest that isolated injury of the A2 pulley rarely occurs. On the basis of our findings, we believe that reliance on bowstringing of the tendon at the proximal interphalangeal joint as an indicator of an isolated rupture of the A2 or A4 pulley may be misleading.