cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Competitive Parasitic Fitness of Mefenoxam-Sensitive and -Resistant Isolates of Phytophthora erythroseptica under Fungicide Selection Pressure.

Chapara, V., Taylor, R. J., Pasche, J. S., and Gudmestad, N. C. 2011. Competitive parasitic fitness of mefenoxam-sensitive and -resistant isolates of Phytophthora erythroseptica under fungicide selection pressure. Plant Dis. 95:691-696. A 2-year field and laboratory experiment was initiated to study the competitive parasitic fitness of mefenoxam-resistant (50% effective concentration [EC50] > 100 µg ml –1 ) and mefenoxam-sensitive (EC50 = 0.07 µg ml–1) isolates of Phytophthora erythroseptica with equal aggressiveness. The competitive ability of the mefenoxam-resistant and -sensitive isolates was tested under no selection pressure (nonfungicide treated) as well as under the influence of mefenoxam and nonmefenoxam (phosphorous acid) fungicides. P. erythroseptica isolates were combined in four ratios of mefenoxam-resistant (R) to mefenoxam-susceptible (S) (0R:0S, 1R:1S, 3R:1S, and 1R:3S) and subsequently infested into the soil at the time of planting. In-furrow mefenoxam applications were applied to the soil immediately following infestation with P. erythroseptica. Phosphorous acid was applied at tuber initiation and 14 days after tuber initiation. Noninfested, nonfungicide-treated plots served as controls. P. erythroseptica isolates recovered from field-infected pink rot tubers at harvest and 3 to 4 weeks after harvest were tested for mefenoxam sensitivity in vitro. In vivo studies were performed by challenge inoculating a zoospore suspension in the four ratios described above onto potato tubers harvested from nontreated, phosphorous acid-treated, or mefenoxam-treated field plots. These field plots were not infested with P. erythroseptica at planting. Results from both field and in vivo studies demonstrate that mefenoxam-resistant isolates of P. erythroseptica are as fit as sensitive isolates in the absence of selection pressure or in the presence of a phosphorous acid fungicide treatment. Under mefenoxam selection pressure, mefenoxam-resistant P. erythroseptica isolates were more parasitically fit than -sensitive isolates. These studies suggest the lack of an apparent fitness penalty in mefenoxam-resistant P. erythroseptica populations under field conditions and that these isolates could be stable in most agroecological systems. Based on these results, mefenoxam-based fungicides are no longer recommended for the management of pink rot once mefenoxam-resistant P. erythroseptica populations are detected in a specific field.
Missile Shapes of Minimum Ballistic Factor

The class of slender, axisymmetric missiles of given length, thickness, and specific weight is considered under the assumptions that the pressure distribution is modified Newtonian and the surface-averaged skin-friction coefficient is constant. The problem of minimizing the ballistic factor is formulated and solved first by direct methods for the class of power-law bodies and then by the indirect methods of the calculus of variations.
Cytokines and neutrophils responses in influenza pneumonia

This case report shows a striking correlation of remarkable brief high levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines coupled with increased neutrophil activation, followed by a sharp decrease in cytokine levels and increased neutrophil apoptosis associated with the favorable clinical outcomes of a patient with severe influenza infection. The host response examined in our case is not complete, given it did not assess the full spectrum of host response. The brief neutrophil and cytokine response seen in our case in the absence of antiviral therapy and in the presence of methotrexate immunosuppressive therapy rise the question as to whether the latter optimally modulated the macrophage function, resulting in a favorable outcome of severe influenza viral infection.
Hepatitis B virus DNA forms in nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of infected human liver.

Human liver tissues obtained at autopsy from two patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) were found to contain several distinct species of HBV DNA. Southern blot analysis using a nick-translated HBV [32P]DNA probe identified specific DNA bands migrating at the positions expected for linear double-stranded DNA of 3.6 and 2.0 kb. These DNA bands were shown to represent relaxed circular and closed circular (supercoiled) HBV DNA, respectively. In addition to these distinct bands several minor bands as well as a heterogeneous population of HBV DNA molecules were present. When infected cell nuclei were isolated, and the nuclear and cytoplasmic nucleic acid separately analyzed, the nuclear fraction contained the 2.0-kb DNA species. This species was shown to be supercoiled 3.2-kb HBV DNA by electron microscopy, restriction endonuclease digestion, and thermal denaturation. The cytoplasmic fraction contained DNA forms similar to those found in virions isolated from plasma (i.e., migration in the position of linear double-stranded molecules of 3.6 and 3.2 kb) and no supercoiled DNA was detected. Particles isolated from the cytoplasmic fraction were able to incorporate dNTPs into viral DNA sequences. Southern blot analysis of the nucleic acid isolated from the particles revealed the presence of HBV DNA forms migrating in positions expected for 3.6- and 3.2-kb linear double-stranded molecules as well as a heterogeneous population of HBV molecules. The 3.6- and 3.2-kb species were identified as relaxed circular and double-stranded linear genome-length HBV DNA. Digestion of the viral nucleic acid with pancreatic ribonuclease increased the electrophoretic mobility of a portion of the heterogeneous HBV molecules and resulted in the appearance of a distinct 1.9-kb DNA band suggesting the same viral DNA was complexed with RNA. Experiments to be reported elsewhere showed this DNA species to be genome-length minus-strand HBV DNA which was released from DNA-RNA hybrid molecules by RNase digestion. Thus, supercoiled HBV DNA exists free in the nucleus of infected liver cells and cytoplasmic particles contain relaxed circular and linear HBV DNA as well as a heterogeneous population of HBV DNA and DNA-RNA hybrid molecules, and a DNA polymerase reaction in the particles results in incorporation of dNTP into DNA strands of these molecules.
The avian as an animal model for the study of the vitamin D endocrine system

This paper presents a summary of experimental studies which utilized the White Leghorn cockerel, Gallus domesticus, as a suitable avian model for a detailed analysis of the mode of action of the seco-steroid vitamin D. It is now apparent that there exists a complex endocrine system which coordinates the metabolism of the parent vitamin D into a family of over 30 metabolites; the principal metabolites are 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24R,25(OH)2D3, which together orchestrate the spectrum of biological responses attributable to vitamin D. Key advances in elucidation of the scope of vitamin D endocrine system include the tissue distribution of both its steroid receptor and its gene-induced product, a 28,000 dalton calcium binding protein, termed calbindin-D28k. To date no less than 23 tissues have been found to have specific 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors; of these at least 10 were identified in avian studies. Similarly, nine avian tissues have been found to express the vitamin D-induced calcium binding protein, calbindin-D28k. These observations collectively demonstrate both the broad scope of the vitamin D endocrine system and the appropriateness of using avians as valid models for vitamin D endocrine research which has applicability and validity for mammals, including man.
Clinically Recognized Cardiac Dysfunction: An Independent Determinant of Mortality Among Critically III Patients : Is There a Role for Serial Measurement of Cardiac Troponin I?

Objective To determine the relative importance of clinically recognized cardiac dysfunction and unrecognized cardiac injury to hospital mortality. Design Prospective, blinded, single-center study. Setting Medical ICU of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, a university-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients Two hundred sixty adult patients requiring admission to the medical ICU. Interventions Daily blood collection. Main outcome measures The presence of cardiac dysfunction (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiac arrest, or congestive heart failure) as determined by the physicians responsible for the care of the patient. Daily measurement of levels of cardiac troponin I, a sensitive, highly specific, and long-lived marker of myocardial injury. Results Fifty-five (21.2%) patients had clinical evidence of cardiac dysfunction, among whom 22 (40%) had an elevated level of cardiac troponin I. A total of 41 (15.8%) patients had evidence of acute myocardial injury based on elevated levels of cardiac troponin I. Patients with clinically recognized cardiac dysfunction had a significantly greater hospital mortality rate compared to patients without clinically recognized cardiac dysfunction (45.5% vs 10.2%; p Conclusion Among critically ill medical patients, clinically recognized cardiac dysfunction is an independent determinant of hospital mortality. The identification of unrecognized cardiac injury, using serial measurements of cardiac troponin I, did not independently contribute to the prediction of hospital mortality.
Long-term changes in the phosphorus loading to and trophic state of the Salton Sea, California

The Salton Sea (Sea) is a eutrophic to hypereutrophic lake characterized by high nutrient concentrations, low water clarity, and high biological productivity. Based on dissolved phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations and N:P ratios, P is typically the limiting nutrient in the Sea and, therefore, should be the primary nutrient of concern when considering management efforts. Flows in the major tributaries to the Sea have been measured since 1965, whereas total P (TP) concentrations were only measured intermittently by various agencies since 1968. These data were used to estimate annual P loading from 1965 to 2002. Annual loads have increased steadily from ∼940,000 kg around 1968 to ∼1,450,000 kg in 2002 (∼55% increase), primarily a result of increased TP concentrations and loads in the New River. Although the eutrophic condition of the Salton Sea is of great concern, only limited nutrient data are available for the Sea. It is difficult to determine whether the eutrophic state of the Sea has degraded or possibly even improved slightly in response to the change in P loading because of variability in the data and changes in the sampling and analytical methodologies.
Fluorine Treatments of Soda‐Lime Silicate Glass Surfaces

A series of soda-lime silicate glasses was treated for varied times at different temperatures with 1, 1-difluoroethane. Sodium and calcium fluorides formed on the surface of the treated glasses. Formation of NaF is proportional to the square root of time, implying a diffusion-controlled reaction. Structural relaxation decreases the rate of bloom formation at high temperatures.
Removal of indigenous rotaviruses during primary settling and activated-sludge treatment of raw sewage

An eight month study of indigenous rotavirus removal during primary settling and activated sludge treatment of raw sewage was made in a plant in Houston, Texas treating 1.5 million gal day−1. An average reduction of 44–55% was obtained by primary settling and a 93–99% reduction was achieved in final chlorinated effluents. Composite sampling at 1 h intervals over a 24 h period indicated average removals of 85% compared to a misleading 6% indicated by one set of grab samples of raw sewage and effluent collected simultaneously. Quantification of rotaviruses was made by immunofluorescent foci counts 24 h after addition of sample concentrates to coverslip cultures of fetal rhesus kidney cells. Rotaviruses varied from 40–5101−1 of raw sewage and from 0 to 25 in the final chlorinated effluent.
PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECTS FROM CHLOROPHYLL a IN BILAYER MEMBRANES

— Light flashes generated voltage transients across bilayer membranes in air-saturated solutions which had chlorophyll a (Chi a) incorporated from one side. No other membrane or solution asymmetry was required. Symmetrical membranes containing Chi a also produced photovoltages after transmembrane NaCl gradients were established, and large membrane conductance changes when irradiated in the presence of Nal. The latter two effects were reduced when the oxygen tension was reduced, and are consistent with photoionization of Chi a producing porphyrin radicals and superoxide. Other oxidizing agents, CuS04, FeCl3, K3Fe(CN)6, (NH4)2Ce(N03)6 and S-(2-methyl-l,4-naphthquinonyl-3)-gutathione, increased the photoelectric effect's amplitudes when they came into contact with Chi a. The quantum efficiency with 5 mM K3Fe(CN)6 was estimated by the dual flash method to be 0.2 ± 0.1.
Oral caffeine administration ameliorates acute colitis by suppressing chitinase 3-like 1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells

The initial trigger of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be partly attributed towards the interaction and invasion of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and submucosal compartments. Identifying safe and economical methods to block these interactions may help prevent the onset of early colitis. Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) is an inducible host protein that facilitates bacterial attachment and invasion on/into IECs. Therefore, we test the hypothesis of inhibiting CHI3L1 using the pan-chitinase inhibitor caffeine to reduce the likelihood of early colitis onset. IEC lines were treated with caffeine (2.5 or 5 mM) and analyzed for CHI3L1 expression and the impact on bacterial invasion. In vivo, mice were treated with 2.5 mM caffeine and induced with 3.5 % dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-mediated colitis and subsequently analyzed colitis development. In vitro, caffeine treatment in IEC lines down-regulated CHI3L1 mRNA expression, which resulted in the reduction of bacterial invasion in a caffeine dose-dependent manner. In vivo, mice treated with caffeine displayed a delayed response towards DSS-induced colitis, characterized by lower body weight loss, clinical and histological scores. Bacterial translocation into other organs and pro-inflammatory cytokines production were also reduced in the caffeine-treated mice with DSS-induced colitis. Caffeine treatment also resulted in the loss of CHI3L1-associated AKT signaling pathway activation both in vitro and in vivo. Development of acute colitis is reduced upon caffeine treatment. The mechanism involves the down-regulation of CHI3L1 expression and its associated bacterial interaction effect. Therefore, caffeine is proposed as a safe and economical candidate for successful IBD management.
Prevalence of Nontraditional Dental Hygiene Practice

There is little knowledge of the number or the work characteristics of dental hygienists outside the private-practice setting. This survey was conducted to determine the percentage of hygienists practicing in nontraditional (nonprivate-practice) settings and the types of settings in which they are employed. Mail questionnaires were returned from a total of 21,847 (56.9%) of the hygienists in the survey sample. The percentage of active hygienists practicing in nontraditional settings was 11.8. Dental or dental hygiene schools, and government and nongovernment-supported clinics were the most frequent nontraditional practice settings. State supervision requirements were found to be associated significantly with the prevalence of nontraditional hygiene practice.
Pure culture of the Trichomycete, Amoebidium parasiticum.

THE Trichomycetes as defined by Duboscq et al. 1 include four orders of little-known fungi. Common characteristics of this class include a polarized thallus of limited growth, a basal holdfast, and association with various arthropods, usually as endocommensals in the digestive tract.
Energy-Efficient p m -ary Signaling for Ultra-High-Speed Optical Transport

The future optical transport networks will be affected by limited bandwidth of information infrastructure, high power consumption, and heterogeneity of network segments. As a solution to all these problems, the multidimensional signaling has been proposed recently. In this invited paper, we follow a different strategy. Instead of conventional binary and 2 m ary signaling (m≥1) we propose to use the nonbinary p m -ary signaling, where p is a prime larger than 2. With p m -ary signaling we can improve the spectral of conventional 2 m -ary schemes by log 2 p times for the same bandwidth occupancy. At the same time the energy efficiency of pm-ary signaling scheme is much better than that of 2 m -ary signaling scheme based on binary representation of data. We further study the energy-efficient coded modulation for p m -ary signaling. The energy-efficient signal constellation design for pm-ary signaling is discussed as well. We will demonstrate that with the proposed p m -ary signaling in combination with energy-efficient signal constellation design, spectral-multiplexing, and polarization-division multiplexing, we can achieve beyond 1 Pb/s serial optical transport without a need for introduction of spatial-division multiplexing.
Design and synthesis of a novel protected mixed ligand siderophore.

A novel siderophore analog (4) has been designed to facilitate iron transport-mediated drug delivery and drug release. This mixed ligand siderophore analog includes three bidentate ligands intended to octahedrally coordinate iron (III). The ligands include a 2,3-dihydroxy benzoic acid moiety, N5-acetyl-N5-hydroxy-l-ornithine, and a β-N-hydroxy-α,β-diaminopropionic acid derivative. The total synthesis of 15, a form of 4 that is suitably protected, yet contains a free carboxylic acid for subsequent drug conjugation, is described.
Studies of cluttering: Perceptions of cluttering by speech-language pathologists and educators

Abstract Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and educators were surveyed by mail regarding their views on the problem of cluttering. The average respondent was aware of a few clutterers, and these individuals were most likely to be placed, educationally, either in a regular classroom or learning disabilities setting. “Clutterer” was the preferred label for these individuals by the majority of respondents. most respondents did not feel adequately trained to manage clutterers. SLPs' knowledge of cluttering symptoms and etiology were surprisingly consistent with the literature. Reports of therapy with clutterers were inconsistent and typically pessimistic.
Struggling to Excel: A Field Study of Challenges Faced by Spreadsheet Users

Spreadsheets have become one of the most widely-adopted software technologies. They have proven useful for performing numeric computations as well as for organizing, manipulating, exploring, and visualizing data. Yet only one aspect of spreadsheets, formulas, has received extensive attention in field studies to date. In this paper, we describe a three-part field study that widens this focus to uncover a broader range of challenges that people encounter when creating and using spreadsheets. This study has revealed several opportunities to improve spreadsheet editors, including developing different modes for spreadsheet creation, improving support for spreadsheet reuse, and helping users to find and use features.
Perceptions of Bullying and Associated Trauma during Adolescence.

Connections between exposure to bullying and trauma were explored with 91 sixth-grade adolescents who experienced exposure to bullying in a school environment. Levels of trauma were rated as high with greater exposure to bullying. Significant predictors were frequency of exposure to bullying and participant sex. Implications for school counselors working with students who experience bullying-related trauma are discussed.
Morphological correlation and mean absolute error criteria

The mean absolute error criterion for signal detection and matching is linked with a morphological signal correlation (a sum of minima). Several properties of this nonlinear correlation are investigated, its performance for signal detection is compared with that of the classical (sum of products) linear correlation, and its statistical form is calculated for speckle patterns. >
Effects of Intermittent and Continuous Noise on Serial Search Performance

To determine whether high intensity broadband noise has an adverse effect on human performance when special conditions related to type of task, length of testing, and intensity of noise exposure ar...
Still No Evidence For Temporally Extended Shock-frequency Reduction As A Reinforcer.

There is no consensus and very little overlap in the criticisms of my target article. Because the primary consequences of avoidance behavior are by definition alterations in the distribution of shocks in time, any theory about the reinforcement of such behavior necessarily must begin with that dimension. However, the safety-signal version of two-process theory calls on positively and negatively correlated stimuli, including the responses themselves serving as stimuli, to transmit the effects of those alterations to the relevant behavior. Meanwhile, the Herrnstein—Hineline single-process theory hypothesizes an additional source of reinforcement: a direct effect of reduction in the density of shock over some extended period of time. I can find no data that selectively support that hypothesis.
Simulating Radiating and Magnetized Flows in Multiple Dimensions with ZEUS-MP

This paper describes ZEUS-MP, a multi-physics, massively parallel, message-passing implementation of the ZEUS code. ZEUS-MP differs significantly from the thoroughly documented ZEUS-2D code, the completely undocumented (in peer-reviewed literature) ZEUS-3D code, and a marginally documented “version 1” of ZEUS-MP first distributed publicly in 1999. ZEUS-MP offers an MHD algorithm which is better suited for multidimensional flows than the ZEUS-2D module by virtue of modifications to the Method of Characteristics scheme first suggested by Hawley & Stone (1995). This MHD module is shown to compare quite favorably to the TVD scheme described by Ryu et al. (1998). ZEUS-MP is the first publicly-available ZEUS code to allow the advection of multiple chemical (or nuclear) species. Radiation hydrodynamic simulations are enabled via an implicit flux-limited radiation diffusion (FLD) module. The hydrodynamic, MHD, and FLD modules may be used, singly or in concert, in one, two, or three space dimensions. Additionally, so-called “1.5-D” and “2.5-D” grids, in which the “half-D” denotes a symmetry axis along which a constant but non-zero value of velocity or magnetic field is evolved, are supported. Self gravity may be included either through the assumption of a GM/r potential or a solution of Poisson’s equation using one of three linear solver packages (conjugategradient, multigrid, and FFT) provided for that purpose. Point-mass potentials are also supported. Because ZEUS-MP is designed for large simulations on parallel computing platforms, considerable attention is paid to the parallel performance characteristics of each module in the code. Strong-scaling tests involving pure hydrodynamics (with and without self-gravity), MHD, and RHD are performed in which large problems (256 3 zones) are distributed among as many as 1024 processors of an IBM SP3. Parallel efficiency is a strong function of the amount of communication required between processors in a given algorithm, but all modules are shown to scale well on up to 1024 processors for the chosen fixed problem size. Subject headings: hydrodynamics – methods:numerical – methods:parallel – MHD – radiative transfer
After all, pain is a complex sensory and emotional experience (IASP, 1994). Clinical economics and the treatment of persistent pain.

Persistent pain is a clinical and economic problem at all levels of the healthcare system. Although epidemiologicandeconomicestimatesareoftensensitive to variations in definitions, methods of data collection, and other assumptions used in these studies, even conservative estimates indicate that many millions of individuals worldwide experience persistent pain and that associated costs are not only in the tens to hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars a year, but that indirect costs— mainly lost productivity—account for the bulk of these expenditures. As a result, Drs. Gatchel and Okifuji suggest that persistent pain is better viewed as a disease of functioning rather than simply one of pain. 5 Cost-Effectiveness Given the importance of functioning in understanding the effects of persistent pain on society, it makes sense to examine the evidence of cost-effectiveness of treatments for persistent pain. The results of formal cost-effectiveness analysesareexpressedintermsofcostperoutcome,suchas dollars per life saved. 3 Thus, one important question has to do with the choice of outcome. In some conditions, such as asthma, the symptom-free day is used, and a variation on this theme may be useful in assessing the cost-effectiveness of treatment for persistent pain. 9 Looking more closely at the calculation presented in this review, lifetime costs attributedtotreatmentinacomprehensiveprogramaresubtracted from costs associated with conventional treatment. No outcome is explicitly defined, suggesting that there is no difference in effectiveness between conventional care and multidisciplinary treatment, an assumption that is contrary to the evidence presented in this review. In fact, when considered side by side, the lower estimated lifetime costs of at least $357,000 per person treated in comprehensive pain programs, including disability costs, and evidence of clinical efficacy suggest that treating persons with persistent pain in comprehensive pain programs may dominate conventional care. Yet, there are some potentially important limitations of these estimates. First, concluding dominance in cost-effectiveness requires that an intervention be both less expensive and more effective (not just efficacious under tightly controlled conditions) than the comparator strategy. 3 Most healthcare interventions are purchased with a tradeoff of cost and effectiveness. We may gain effectiveness at a higher price or be willing to accept lower effectiveness to obtain a lower price. Second, the authors
Visualization of the intensity field of a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) source in situ

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can provide a means of noninvasive ablation of tissues such as tumors. However, currently the gold standard for monitoring HIFU is MRI temperature mapping. Because of the expense, lack of portability and slow update of temperature maps from MRI, ultrasonic solutions to monitoring of HIFU remain an important clinical goal. Real-time visualization of the field distribution of the HIFU source during treatment would allow the localization of the intersection of the beam with the tissue. Real-time visualization of the beam in the context of the tissue is important for proper placement of therapy especially during tissue motion. To visualize the HIFU field in a tissue, a reconstruction technique was employed using a Fourier-domain f-k migration approach with a linear array system co-aligned with the HIFU source. The reconstruction technique used the scattered signal from the medium to reconstruct the intensity field pattern of the HIFU field in situ and superimpose the intensity field image on a B-mode of the scattering medium. A 6-MHz single-element transducer (f/3) was used as the HIFU source and aligned perpendicular to the field of a linear array (L14-5) operated by a SonixRP system equipped with a Sonix-DAQ. The array had 128 elements and a measured center frequency of 6.5 MHz. The 6-MHz HIFU source was pulse excited and the fields scattered from a sample, i.e., a homogeneous tissue-mimicking phantom or a chicken breast, were received by each element of the linear array. Beam forming based on Fourier-domain f-k migration techniques were applied to the channel data to reconstruct the intensity field pattern from the HIFU source. For comparison, a wire target was placed in the field and the intensity field pattern was reconstructed by moving the wire throughout the focal region. The intensity field pattern reconstructed from the sample was compared to the field characteristics of the 6-MHz source characterized by the wire technique. The intensity field pattern was then superimposed on a registered B-mode image of the sample acquired using conventional B-mode imaging with the linear array and the SonixRP to provide context to the therapy beam placement. The beam width estimates at the HIFU focus using the in situ reconstruction technique and the wire technique were 1.7 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. The depth of field estimates for the in situ reconstruction technique and the wire technique were 20.1 mm and 19.0 mm, respectively. Therefore, the novel reconstruction technique was able to accurately visualize the field of a focused source in the context of the interrogated medium. The visualization technique would allow real-time adjustment of the HIFU beam location in tissues during therapy.
Heterologous Expression of a Bioactive β-Hexosyltransferase, an Enzyme Producer of Prebiotics, from Sporobolomyces singularis

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are indigestible dietary fibers that are able to reach the lower gastrointestinal tract to be selectively fermented by health-promoting bacteria. In this report, we describe the heterologous expression of an optimized synthetically produced version of the β-hexosyltransferase gene (Bht) from Sporobolomyces singularis. The Bht gene encodes a glycosyl hydrolase (EC 3.2.1.21) that acts as galactosyltransferase, able to catalyze a one-step conversion of lactose to GOS. Expression of the enzyme in Escherichia coli yielded an inactive insoluble protein, while the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris GS115 produced a bioactive β-hexosyltransferase (rBHT). The enzyme exhibited faster kinetics at pHs between 3.5 and 6 and at temperatures between 40 and 50°C. Enzyme stability improved at temperatures lower than 40°C, and glucose was found to be a competitive inhibitor of enzymatic activity. P. pastoris secreted a fraction of the bioactive rBHT into the fermentation broth, while the majority of the enzyme remained associated with the outer membrane. Both the secreted and the membrane-associated forms were able to efficiently convert lactose to GOS. Additionally, resting cells with membrane-bound enzyme converted 90% of the initial lactose into GOS at 68% yield (g/g) (the maximum theoretical is 75%) with no secondary residual (glucose or galactose) products. This is the first report of a bioactive BHT from S. singularis that has been heterologously expressed.
Presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in South Florida native plants

The roots of 27 species of South Florida plants in 15 families (including one cycad, six palms, one Smilax, and 19 dicotyledons) native to pine rockland and tropical hardwood hammock communities were examined for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). These plants grow in the biologically diverse but endangered Greater Everglades habitat. Roots from field-grown and potted plants were cleared and stained. All 27 species had AMF and include 14 species having an endangered or threatened status. The Paris-type colonization occurred in two species in the families Annonaceae and Smilacaceae. The Arum-type occurred in 22 species in the families Anacardiaceae, Arecaceae (Palmae), Boraginaceae, Cactaceae (questionable), Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Melastomataceae, Polygalaceae, Rubiaceae, Simaroubaceae, Ulmaceae, and Zamiaceae. Three species in the families Fabaceae, Lauraceae, and Simaroubaceae had a mix of Paris- and Arum-types. The results have implications for the restoration of these endangered plant communities in the Everglades.
Hagfish embryos again: the end of a long drought.

Hagfishes have long held a key place in discussions of early vertebrate evolution. Frustratingly, one basis for such discussions—namely hagfish embryology—is very incompletely known, because the embryos of these animals are notoriously difficult to obtain.1,2 Fortunately, a recent publication on a Far Eastern hagfish3 describes a workable procedure for obtaining embryos and then uses this precious material to show that the hagfish neural crest arises by cell delamination as in other vertebrates—and not by epithelial outpouchings from the wall of the neural tube as previously claimed.4 Importantly, because hagfish embryos should now be available on a regular basis, the way is open for additional morphological and developmental genetic investigations to help evaluate existing evolutionary scenarios and perhaps suggest new ones. BioEssays 29:833–836, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermodynamics of error correction: speed-error-dissipation tradeoff in copying

The thermodynamics of computation is well understood for computing engines (rdquoBrownian computersrdquo) that are ideal in the sense that they can make forward and backward steps along the intended computation path, but not transitions to unrelated states. The thermodynamics of error-prone computations and error-correcting mechanisms is less well understood. We explore the speed-error-dissipation tradeoff for a family of hypothetical coupled chemical reaction schemes loosely patterned on RNA and DNA polymerases, which suffer errors at some intrinsic hardware rate and, in the case of DNA polymerases, use proofreading - cyclic dissipative reaction path - to correct most of the errors initially introduced. Even simple non-proofreading systems exhibit nontrivial features, for example a regime where the copying process is pulled slowly forward, against a backward external driving force, by the entropy of incorporated errors.
Opt‐e‐scrip, Inc.

Opt–e–scrip, Inc., has developed a patented test for determining the efficacy of drugs in individual patients so that doctors can prescribe the drug that really works for each person. In addition, ...
Gender and patterns of language development in mother-toddler and father-toddler dyads

The study examined parent, child, and dyadic gender effects in parent reports of words and MLUs. Mothers and fathers from 113 families completed the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory: Toddlers when the toddlers were 1;7; half completed a follow-up at 2;0. Child gender differences in words and MLUs increased over time and parent gender differences decreased. Dyadic analyses revealed bidirectional influences. At 1;7, dyadic scores for words and MLUs displayed a descending pattern from mother—daughter, to mother—son, to father—daughter, to father—son dyads. At 2;0, the most and fewest words were reported in mother—daughter and mother—son dyads, respectively; and the longest and shortest MLUs in father—daughter and father—son dyads, respectively. The data raise questions about the ‘bridge hypothesis.’ They suggest that fathers are more likely to provide a bridge for daughters than for sons; daughters may play an active role in eliciting this behavior.
Lecithin requirements of juvenile Australian red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

Australian red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus is considered a popular crustacean species in several countries around the world because of its large size potential and resemblance to high-priced American lobsters. However, little is currently known of the nutrient requirements and practical diet formulations for red claw. Lecithin has been shown to be required in the diets of several crustacean species, but there are no reports of dietary lecithin requirements for red claw. A 10-week feeding trial was conducted in an effort to evaluate lecithin requirements for juvenile red claw. Juvenile red claw (mean individual weight of 1.6 ± 0.91 g) were individually stocked in a recirculating system at random into 80 plastic-mesh culture units, each containing its own individual water line. There were 20 red claw per treatment (diet). Water was recirculated through biological and mechanical filters. Four semi-purified diets were formulated to contain increasing percentages of commercial soya bean lecithin (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%). Diet ingredients included solvent-extracted menhaden fish meal (FM), casein, dextrin, wheat flour, pellet binder, vitamin and mineral mix, cod liver oil, and corn oil. Semi-purified diets were formulated to contain 40% protein using casein, menhaden FM, and wheat flour as protein sources. After 10 weeks, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in final weight, percentage weight gain and specific growth rate with average values of 13.0 g, 934%, and 3.14% day )1 , respectively. Percentage survival was high during the 10-week period (100, 95, 100 and 95%) as only two individuals died during the study; one of these, because of an escape from the culture unit. There was also no significant differences (P > 0.05) in percentage moisture, protein, fat and ash in whole-body red claw carcasses (wet-weight basis) among any treatment (diet) and averaged 77.1, 12.6, 1.3 and 6.2%, respectively. Based upon the present study, these results indicate that a diet containing 5% cod liver oil and 1% corn oil, and having no supplemental lecithin, may be sufficient for growth and survival of juvenile red claw crayfish.
Asymptotic Connectivity in Wireless Networks Using Directional Antennas

Connectivity is a crucial issue in wireless networks. Gupta and Kumar show that with omnidirectional antennas, the critical transmission range for a wireless network to achieve asymptotic connectivity is O(radiclog n/n) if n nodes are uniformly and independently distributed in a disk of unit area. In this paper, we investigate the connectivity problem when directional antennas are used. We find that there also exists a critical transmission range, which corresponds to a critical transmission power. We show that in the same propagation environment, when directional antennas use the optimal antenna pattern, the critical transmission power could be much smaller than that in networks using omnidirectional antennas. Moreover, to achieve asymptotic connectivity, it is known that each node has to have O(log n) neighbors when using omnidirectional antennas. We show that even using the transmission power level at which each node has only O(1) neighbors when using omnidirectional antennas, we can still achieve the asymptotic connectivity with directional antennas.
Differential tolerance to repeated daily injections of N-allylnormetazocine and its enantiomers in the rat.

Abstract This study was designed to compare the development of tolerance to the effects of N-allylnormetazocine (SKF-10,047) and its enantiomers on the EEG and on behavior. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with chronic cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) recording electrodes in the temporalis muscle and with permanent cannulae in the external jugular vein. In non-tolerant rats, 10 mg/kg (i.v.) injections of SKF-10,047 racemate produced primarily aroused wakefulness for about 120min, that was associated with alternation between desynchronized EEG and theta waves in the EEG. After these rats received a series of automatic, intravenous injections of SKF-10,047 racemate, the aroused wakefulness state induced by SKF-10,047 racemate lasted for about 40 min. In non-tolerant rats, 2.5 mg/kg (i.v.) injections of (+)-SKF-10,047 induced a psychotomimetric EEG and behavioral state for about 30 min, which included continuous theta wave activity in the EEG. After chronic treatment with (+)-SKF-10,047, the psychotomimetic state induced by (+)-SKF-10,047 persisted for about 20 min. In non-tolerant rats, 2.5 mg/kg (i.v.) injections of (−)-SKF-10,047 produced an aroused EEG and behavioral wakefulness for about 30 min, which was then followed by slow-wave bursts in the EEG and associated behavioral stupor for about 90 min. After chronic treatment with (−)-SKF-10,047, injection of (−)-SKF-10,047 produced predominantly aroused wakefulness for about 45 min. The data suggest that (+)-SKF-10,047 exerts psychotogenic properties, but not opioid properties. On the other hand, the data suggest that (−)-SKF-10,047 possesses opioid properties.
Equivocal evidence for a thermostat and unusually low levels of coral bleaching in the Western Pacific Warm Pool

[1] An ocean “thermostat” was recently proposed that limits Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) sea surface temperature (SST) causing anomalously low coral bleaching rates. We analyze WPWP SST trends and bleaching using HadISST data and a coral bleaching database and find no strong evidence for a thermostat or for anomalously low bleaching. A region within the WPWP has a trend of maximum SST near zero, but this signal is not robust – by using different data or periods the signal disappears. We do find a negative correlation between the average warmest month for the years 1950–1969 (average SST max) and the linear trend of maximum monthly temperatures for the years 1950–2006 (linear trend SST max). However this correlation is not unique to the WPWP, it is also observed in a cooler region. Consequently it can not be explained by a thermostat. The observed sparsity of bleaching observations in the WPWP is not in agreement with estimated bleaching likelihood. The sparsity of observations is more likely due to the WPWP's remoteness.
Cutaneous aging: A review of the process and topical therapies

Over the past 20 years there has been an increase in the interest of anti-aging medicine. Along with this drive to modify the aging pathway comes a new focus on research into the forces that drive this inevitable process. Understanding the physiologic changes seen with aging helps us to better target and intervene in the process. Numerous agents are available for the treatment of aging, including topical agents, fillers, lasers and toxins. This article will focus on the topical treatments for aging, including antioxidants, retinoids and bioengineered molecules.
The hybrid method for the PDF equations of turbulent reactive flows: consistency conditions and correction algorithms

The hybrid method solves the modeled transport equation for the joint PDF of velocity, turbulence frequency, and compositions for turbulent reactive flows. A finitevolume (FV) method is used to solve the mean conservation equations for mass, momentum, and energy and the mean equation of state; and a particle method is used to solve the modeled PDF equation. The method is completely consistent at the level of the governing equations solved by the FV and particle algorithms. In this work, the conditions to be fulfilled for full consistency at the numerical solution level are examined and the independent consistency conditions are identified. Then correction algorithms are developed to enforce these independent consistency conditions to achieve full consistency at the numerical solution level. In addition, a new formulation of the energy equation and the equation of state is developed which is both general and simple. The hybrid method is applied to a non-premixed piloted-jet flame. The numerical results show that the correction algorithms are completely successful in achieving consistency. The convergence of the method is demonstrated and, in particular, it is shown that the bias error is dramatically reduced (compared to that in previous PDF calculations). In addition, the results are shown to be in a good agreement with some earlier PDF calculations and also with the available experimental data. Because of the substantially reduced numerical error (for given grid size and number of particles), the present hybrid method represents a significant advance in the computational efficiency of particle/mesh method for the solution of PDF equations. c ∞ 2001 Academic Press
MULTIPLE OSTEOCARTILAGINOUS EXOSTOSES WITH NEUROLOGICAL MANIFESTATION

1. A case of multiple osteocartilaginous exostoses is reported. 2. No known hereditary history could be obtained. 3. Sixteen exostoses were made out from palpation and roentgenograms. 4. An exostosis was found at the left side of the bodies of the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebrae. This caused cord pressure symptoms. 5. There is a marked cavus deformity of the right foot with clawing of the four small toes. 6. Three officially reported and three mentioned and recorded cases of multiple exostoses with neurologic findings were found from a partial review of the English literature.
Sapphire substrate-induced effects in VO2 thin films grown by oxygen plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition

We investigate the structural and electronic properties of VO2 thin films on c-plane sapphire substrates with three different surface morphologies to control the strain at the substrate-film interface. Only non-annealed substrates with no discernible surface features (terraces) provided a suitable template for VO2 film growth with a semiconductor-metal transition (SMT), which was much lower than the bulk transition temperature. In addition to strain, oxygen vacancy concentration also affects the properties of VO2, which can be controlled through deposition conditions. Oxygen plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition allows favorable conditions for VO2 film growth with SMTs that can be easily tailored for device applications.
Adverse family experiences, child mental health, and educational outcomes for a national sample of students.

Exposure to adversity in childhood, including domestic violence, parental mental illness, loss, and poverty, is a known risk factor for long-term physical and mental health problems. This secondary data analysis uses the National Survey of Children’s Health 2011/12 to examine the association between exposure to family adversity and academic outcomes, as mediated by child mental health. The analytic sample included 65,680 children between the ages of six and 17, representative of the US child population. Family adversity, as mediated by child mental health status, was negatively associated with school engagement and positively associated with being retained in grade and being on an Individualized Education Program. Male gender, family economic hardship, living in an unsafe neighborhood, and poor caregiver mental health were additional risk factors. Results suggest the need for improved mental health screening for students who exhibit internalizing and externalizing symptoms.
A Multifactorial Approach to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Now More Than Ever

Managing cardiovascular (CV) risk is an important part of caring for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as the disease itself confers CV risk. Many CV risk factors (such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity) have been found to be more common among individuals with diabetes than in the general population. A growing body of evidence provides guidance for clinicians on how to balance control of hyperglycemia with management of these risk factors. Newer classes of antihyperglycemic agents have been associated with beneficial effects on several CV risk factors; several studies evaluating the effect of these newer diabetic medications on CV outcomes have been published, and several more are in progress. While evidence continues to unfold about the benefits of risk factor control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, this article reviews evidence related to risk-factor control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as recent findings on the effect of newer drug classes on CV risk factors and outcomes. Favorably altering CV risk factors appears to improve outcomes, and is more important now than ever before.
Warthin's tumor with malignant lymphoma: DNA analysis of paraffin-embedded tissue

The authors report a case of malignant lymphoma, small lymphocytic type, involving the lymphoid stroma of a Warthin’s tumor of the parotid gland. This was confirmed by the presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement, demonstrated by Southern blot hybridization of DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue. Similar techniques showed only germline immunoglobulin gene bands in two control cases of Warthin’s tumor.