cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of titanosilicate ETS-4 with controlled morphology and investigation of its crystallization kinetics

Abstract ETS-4 crystals with controlled morphology were hydrothermally synthesized at 448 K under static conditions by changing their pH through variation of the amount of sulfuric acid added ( x =3.3–4.4). The overall molar composition was 3.6SiO 2 : 1TiO 2 : 5.5Na 2 O : x H 2 SO 4 : 230.2H 2 O. An increase of the initial pH from 11.50 ( x =4.4) to 12.90 ( x =3.3) resulted in a change of morphology of the ETS-4 product from spherulitic particles of submicron crystallites to monolithic crystals with rectangular prism morphology (average dimensions ∼1 × 15 × 2 μm). With the increase of initial pH, the polycrystalline particles resulted in progressively fewer and larger crystallites. The presence of growth spirals on the {1 0 0} surfaces of monolithic crystals suggested that high alkalinities resulted in low supersaturation of the (titano)silicate species, producing monolithic crystals with the largest dimension coinciding with linear –OTiOTiO– chains running in the [0 1 0] direction. Crystallization kinetics of ETS-4 was found to depend on the alkalinity of the synthesis mixture. The induction period decreased from ∼30 to ∼4 h when the initial pH increased from 11.50 to 12.90. The crystallization rate increased somewhat upon increase of the initial pH from 11.50 to 12.60 ( x =3.6) only to decrease substantially upon further increase of the initial pH. These results indicate a complex growth process of ETS-4 spherulites, including both branching and spiral growth mechanisms.
Semiclassical corrections to a static Bose-Einstein condensate at zero temperature

In the mean-field approximation, a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate at zero temperature is described by the Gross-Pitaevskii equation for the condensate or, equivalently, by the hydrodynamic equations for the number density and current density. These equations receive corrections from quantum field fluctuations around the mean field. We calculate the semiclassical corrections to these equations for a general time-independent state of the condensate, extending previous work to include vortex states as well as the ground state. In the Thomas-Fermi limit, the semiclassical corrections can be taken into account by adding a local correction term to the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. At second order in the Thomas-Fermi expansion, the semiclassical corrections can be taken into account by adding local correction terms to the hydrodynamic equations. [copyright] [ital 1999] [ital The American Physical Society]
Seasonal variation in plasma sex steroid concentrations in juvenile American alligators

Seasonal variation in plasma sex steroid concentrations is common in mature vertebrates, and is occasionally seen in juvenile animals. In this study, we examine the seasonal pattern of sex hormone concentration in juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and make a limited comparison of these seasonal patterns on two different lakes in Florida. Male juvenile alligators from a reference lake, Lake Woodruff, displayed temporal patterns in plasma testosterone (T) concentrations that appear to be seasonal. A similar pattern in plasma estradiol-17β (E2) was observed in juvenile females from Lake Woodruff. Males had significantly elevated T concentrations during the spring and late summer, whereas females had elevated E2 in the spring and late summer and significantly depressed E2 concentrations during the winter. A limited 4-month survey of animals from contaminated Lake Apopka found a lack of such seasonality. These results suggest that: (1) healthy wild populations of juvenile alligators have a prolonged peripubescent period that is marked by seasonal hormonal cycles, (2) juvenile alligators exposed to environmental contaminants can lack such seasonal cyclicity, and (3) future studies of juvenile alligators should incorporate such seasonality into the experimental design.
Reassignment of the methine resonances of D-fructose based on the carbon-13 N.M.R. spectrum of 3-O-methyl-D-fructose.

Abstract Several disagreements in the 13 C n.m.r. assignments of the methine carbons of D-fructose exist in the literature. In order to settle these inconsistencies, we examined the 13 C n.m.r. spectrum of 3-O-methyl-D-fructose. By following the methyl induced shift in this spectrum, as compared to the parent sugar, we identified the alkylated C-3 resonance of all four tautomeric forms of D-fructose. This information, together with our previous identification of the C-5 resonances of the α- and β-forms of D-fructofuranose 6-phosphate, allow the unambiguous identification of all methine carbons of D-fructose in its 13 C n.m.r. spectrum. The tautomeric composition of 3-O-methyl-D-fructose at 16.5°, in aqueous solution, was found to be as follows: α-pyranose 18%, β-pyranose 37%, α-furanose 11% and β-furanose 34%.
Multiculturalism, Diversity, and African American College Students Receptive, yet Skeptical?

Diversity in higher education is a systematic blending of academic programs, recruitment, retention, policies, and curriculum that provide college students with an enriched multicultural environment for learning. Among those who administer, teach, and conduct research in higher education, there is a general consensus that diversity is a necessary component of a well-rounded education. Future college graduates will face not only a diverse American society (Population Reference Bureau, 1997) but also an interdependent world that is highly divergent in terms of race, ethnicity, nationalism, language, and culture. These future politicians, business leaders, scholars, and caregivers will need to know how to think critically, how to engage effectively in intercultural communication, and how to work productively within this diverse society. In spite of all the promotion for multicultural education, there is growing concern that college students are resisting diversity and multicultural educational programs. There appears to be a widespread rejection of the objectives of diversity and the usefulness of it. White college students are rebelling against diversity because they believe that it is an anti-White, preferential system that favors the needs of students of color (Gomez, 1992; Lopez, Holliman, & Peng (1995). There is also evidence that students of color, especially those attending predominately White colleges and universities (PWCUs), have less than positive attitudes toward diversity. These
Energy transfer in oligotyrosyl compounds: fluorescence quenching as a function of the ionization of the phenolic hydroxyl groups.

Abstract The fluorescence intensity at 305 nm of several oligotyrosyl compounds was measured as a function of the percentage of ionization of the phenolic hydroxyl group. For the dityrosyl compounds, the efficiency of electronic energy transfer between neutral tyrosyl and ionized tyrosyl residues was between 66% and 100%. The splitting of the individual phenolic ionizations was calculated on the basis of 100% energy transfer. The magnitude of the splitting was consistent with that determined for other diprotic compounds. Therefore, energy transfer is most likely 100% efficient for these particular oligotyrosyl compounds.
An analysis of settlement characterization in central Europe using SIR-B radar imagery

Abstract Understanding the consistencies and changes in settlement detection ability related to radar system and environmental parameters is of potential interest to applications-oriented users as well as to those interested in improving our understanding of basic system-target interactions. Previous efforts in radar settlement detection have contributed to an eclectic collection of data, but few studies have been able to employ multiple images of the same area. In this experiment, L-band, like-polarized SIR-B radar imagery of southern Germany and northeastern France are examined. Three data takes at three different incident angles and two different look directions covering some 20,000 square kilometers comprised the study area. Two analyses were performed: one of the entire imaged areas, and one limited to similar terrain conditions to focus on look direction effects. Errors of omission and commission were calculated and accuracies tabulated for both tests. Results indicated that steep incident angles were of minimal utility, generating the highest omission and commission errors. Accuracy improved as incident angle increased, up to a point, and then decreased. The results obtained over mixed terrain were not in accord with those obtained over similar terrain.
Spatial and character situation model updating

During text comprehension, people create situation models to understand the described events. When a change in the situation happens, model updating can occur along multiple dimensions. Prior studies have looked at the separate effects of dimensional shifts finding an increase in processing time when a shift occurs. This reading time study used spatial and character shifts to assess the impact of updating on each other. Specifically, does a prior spatial shift affect character updating and vice versa? This follows recent work exploring the distinction between incremental and global updating. An experiment that manipulated spatial and character shifts as well as their order found influences of both shift types on comprehension, but they did not influence one another. A second experiment revealed that extensive prior knowledge of the spatial environment did not impact the pattern of results. Overall, these results are consistent with the idea that during the comprehension of continuous text event shifts are...
A closer look at Neanderthal postcanine dental morphology: The mandibular dentition

Neanderthals are known to exhibit unique incisor morphology as well as enlarged pulp chambers in postcanine teeth (taurodontism). Recent studies suggest that their overall dental pattern (i.e., in morphologic trait frequencies) is also unique. However, what this means in a phylogenetic sense is not known. Although exploring the polarity of dental morphologic characters is essential to understanding the phylogenetic implications of unique patterns of variation, few have undertaken this task. This study moves beyond standard scoring methods, which are based on modern humans, to include several postcanine traits that have not been considered previously. In addition, Homo erectus is used as an outgroup to Neanderthals and modern humans to explore the polarity of these traits. The findings of this study suggest that Neanderthals are not only unique in their pattern of dental trait frequencies (as found in previous studies) but that they present several dental autapomorphies, as well. These include a high frequency of the mid-trigonid crest in lower molars and unique morphology of the lower premolars. Interestingly, these characters are not observed in the Mauer mandible, which some have claimed to be a member of a chronospecies that is a unique ancestor to Neanderthals.
Actualistic approaches to the systematics and facies relations of clastic karst deposits

Clastic karst deposits occur at different positions within karst areas, whereas surface karst deposits, sediments of the crack filling facies, the cave entrance facies and the inner cave facies have to be distinguished. The karstification itself is of minor importance for the formation of clastic deposits. Except for incasional debris and impure limestones or marls the contribution of carbonate rocks to clastic karst deposits is low. The majority of clastic material is allogenic and siliciclastic. Regarding the depositional processes cave sediments can be divided into fluvial cave deposits, gravitative or percolative deposits, decomposition deposits and rock breakdown. An actualistic approach could be a useful tool for the identification of fluvial cave deposits. By means of the depositional features of recent cave sediments and classical sedimentological features cave deposits of unknown origin can be classified.
Magnetic Perturbation Spectrum Produced by Non‐Axisymmetric Scrape‐Off Layer Current and the X‐Point Shadow

The applied magnetic perturbation spectrum produced by non-axisymmetric scrape-off layer current is calculated for the symmetric two-wire model of a diverted plasma at large aspect-ratio. The spectral peak lies close to the magnetic field line pitch-resonance condition near the separatrix, but moves toward larger poloidal harmonics on flux surfaces in the core. Dissipative and kinetic effects limit the ability of the asymmetric parallel current to reach the midplane when the biasing region is sufficiently close to the strike point. Thus, the X-point casts a thin “shadow” across the separatrix where it is not possible to drive current. The size of the region of reduced current drive efficiency is estimated based on fluid and kinetic limits (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of habitat nutrients and seed sources on growth and expansion of Typha domingensis.

Abstract Field reciprocal transplanting and outdoor tank experiments were conducted to determine the relative importance of habitat nutrients, particularly phosphorus (P), and seed sources on the growth and expansion of cattail ( Typha domingensis Pers.) in Everglades slough areas. Cattail plants originating from seeds collected at a P enriched site and two unenriched sites were reciprocally transplanted, and also planted in outdoor tanks. Significant site effects were found in the reciprocal transplanting experiment. After 7 months, plants (per genet) transplanted to the enriched site exhibited a greater biomass (dry weight) accumulation (152 versus 13 g), tissue nutrient concentrations, and proportional leaf biomass allocation than plants transplanted to the unenriched sites. Each original plant transplanted to the enriched site produced an average of 6.7 new ramets and covered approximately 1.2 m 2 . However, no ramets were produced at unenriched sites. After 2.5 years, the total biomass for plants transplanted at unenriched sites was only about 6% of that of plants at the enriched site measured 2 years prior. While the field transplanting experiment highlighted the significance of site effects, the outdoor tank experiment demonstrated the importance of seed sources. The light saturated photosynthesis rates of plants from enriched and unenriched sites were 45.1, 19.9, and 17.0 μmol CO 2 m −2 s −1 , respectively, and the relative growth rates were 26.9, 18.3, and 19.0 mg (dry weight) g −1 per day, respectively. This study provides evidence for the importance of P availability in species expansion in wetland ecosystems. Whether differences among cattail plants originating from different seed sources were phenotypic and/or genotypic needs to be further studied.
Implementation of a Converter in Sequence Domain to Counter Voltage Imbalances

This paper demonstrates the basic problem of the conventional d-axis and q-axis control applied to a voltage source converter (VSC) during a system imbalance. The specific imbalances studied are a balanced fault and an unbalanced fault at the terminals of the converter. The dc link voltage of the VSC is disturbed during the unbalanced fault due to negative sequence components in the system. The sequence characteristics of the system during an imbalance are further analyzed. A novel controller in the sequence domain is proposed. The positive sequence components of the control are implemented in the positive synchronous reference frame and the negative sequence components of the control are implemented in the negative synchronous reference frame. The negative sequence components are commanded to zero in the control. The approach demonstrates the stabilization of the voltage to a greater extent. The control also points out the need for a storage element when the VSC is to be used for application with that of a Doubly-Fed Induction Generators (DFIG) in wind turbines.
Notch and Wingless Regulate Expression of Cuticle Patterning Genes

The cell surface receptor Notch is required during Drosophila embryogenesis for production of epidermal precursor cells. The secreted factor Wingless is required for specifying different types of cells during differentiation of tissues from these epidermal precursor cells. The results reported here show that the full-length Notch and a form of Notch truncated in the amino terminus associate with Wingless in S2 cells and in embryos. In S2 cells, Wingless and the two different forms of Notch regulate expression of Dfrizzled 2, a receptor of Wg; hairy, a negative regulator of achaete expression; shaggy, a negative regulator of engrailed expression; and patched, a negative regulator of wingless expression. Analyses of expression of the same genes in mutant N embryos indicate that the pattern of gene regulations observed in vitro reflects regulations in vivo. These results suggest that the strong genetic interactions observed between Notch and wingless genes during development of Drosophila is at least partly due to regulation of expression of cuticle patterning genes by Wingless and the two forms of Notch.
Using neuroimaging to evaluate and guide pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments for mood disorders in children

Mood disorders are increasing in childhood, and often require multimodal and comprehensive treatment plans to address a complex array of symptoms and associated morbidities. Pharmacotherapy, in combination with psychotherapeutic interventions, is essential for treatment and stabilization. Current evidence supports the use of a number of interventions in children and adolescents diagnosed with DSM-5 mood spectrum disorders, which are associated with impairments in prefrontal-striatal-limbic networks, which are key for emotional functioning and regulation. Yet, little is known about the neurobiological effects of interventions on the developing brain. This chapter provides a synopsis of the literature demonstrating the neural effects of psychotropic medications and psychotherapy in youth with depressive or bipolar spectrum disorders. Additional longitudinal and biological studies are warranted to characterize the effects of these interventions on all phases and stages of mood illness development in children and adolescents.
Mapping and imputing potential productivity of Pacific Northwest forests using climate variables

Regional estimation of potential forest productivity is important to diverse applications, including biofuels sup- ply, carbon sequestration, and projections of forest growth. Using PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) climate and productivity data measured on a grid of 3356 Forest Inventory and Analysis plots in Oregon and Washington, we evaluated four possible imputation methods to estimate potential forest productivity: nearest neigh- bour, multiple linear regression, thin plate spline functions, and a spatial autoregressive model. Productivity, measured by potential mean annual increment at culmination, is explained by the interaction of annual temperature, precipitation, and climate moisture index. The data were randomly divided into 2237 reference plots and 1119 target plots 30 times. Each imputation method was evaluated by calculating the coefficient of determination, bias, and root mean square error of both the target and reference data set and was also tested for evidence of spatial autocorrelation. Potential forest productivity maps of culmination potential mean annual increment were produced for all Oregon and Washington timberland. Resume: L'estimation regionale de la productivite forestiere potentielle est importante pour diverses applications, y compris les stocks de biocarburants, la sequestration du carbone et les projections de la croissance forestiere. A l'aide des donnees climatiques PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) et des donnees de producti- vite mesurees sur une grille de 3356 placettes du programme d'analyse et d'invcntaire forestiers dans les Etats de l'Oregon et de Washington, nous evaluons quatre methodes d'imputation pour estimer la productivite forestiere potentielle :le plus proche voisin, la regression lineaire multiple, les fonctions dinterpolation spline et un modele spatial autoregressif. Me- suree par I'accroisscmeru annuel moyen potentiel (AAMP) maximum, la productivite est expliquee par I'interaction de la temperature annuelle, des precipitations et de I'indice d'humidite du climat. Les donnees ont etc repartics au hasard dans 2237 placettes de reference et 1119 placettes cibles une trentaine de fois. En plus d'etre testee pour la presence d'autocor- relation spatiale, chaque methode d'imputation a ete evaluee al'aide du coefficient de determination, du biais et de l'erreur quadratique moyenne calculecs pour les ensembles de donnees cibles et de reference. Les cartes de productivite for- estiere potentielle de I' AAMP maximum ont ete produites pour I'ensemble du territoire forestier exploitable des Etats de l'Oregon et de Washington. (Traduit par la Redaction)
The effectiveness of collaborative technologies in remote lab delivery systems

The remote lab is an innovative approach in engineering and technology education which allows learners to access traditional laboratory facilities through on-line connections which use Internet interfacing technology. While simulations are important instructional tools, they do not fully emulate the lab learning environment. The validity of the on-line lab approach was validated in 2002 when ABET published draft standards for on-line lab sessions. Collaboration, namely students working in teams on lab exercises, is a key ingredient in creating an effective lab experience. While work continues globally on development, a definitive approach does not yet exist for the design of virtual collaborative learning methodologies. Accordingly, the design of remote lab delivery systems that foster and support virtual or social presence is an important issue as this technology continues to advance. This paper reviews the pedagogical basis for presence and collaboration in the remote lab environment and presents summary data from research involving the usability and performance of commercially available web collaboration tools to deliver remote lab learning experiences. The remote lab involved in the study allows students to execute lab exercises on industrial automation equipment including educational robots, programmable logic controllers, and associated peripheral hardware and software.
Solid-State Lighting: An Integrated Human Factors, Technology, and Economic Perspective

Solid-state lighting is a rapidly evolving technology, now virtually certain to someday displace traditional lighting in applications ranging from the lowest-power spot illuminator to the highest-power area illuminator. Moreover, it has considerable headroom for continued evolution even after this initial displacement. In this paper, we present a high-level overview of solid-state lighting, with an emphasis on white lighting suitable for general illumination. We characterize in detail solid-state lighting's past and potential-future evolution using various performance and cost metrics, with special attention paid to inter-relationships between these metrics imposed by human factors, technology, and economic considerations.
Serially concatenated codes for aeronautical telemetry

We develop bandwidth-efficient serially concatenated coded (SCC) continuous phase modulation (CPM) techniques for aeronautical telemetry. The concatenated code consists of an inner and an outer code, separated by an interleaver in most configurations, and is decoded using relatively simple near-optimum iterative decoding algorithms. CPM waveforms such as shaped-offset quadrature phase shift keying (SOQPSK) and pulse code modulation/frequency modulation (PCM/FM), which are currently used in military satellite and aeronautical telemetry standards, can be viewed as inner codes due to their recursive nature. For the outer codes, we apply turbo-product codes (TPC) and serially concatenated convolutional codes (SCCC) because of their large coding gains, high coding rates, and because their decoding algorithms are readily implemented. High-rate codes are of special interest in aeronautical telemetry applications due to recent reductions in available spectrum and ever-increasing demands on data rates. We evaluate the proposed coding schemes with a large set of numerical simulation results and make a number of recommendations based on these results.
Optimal Boundary Control for a Non-linear Distributed System†

ABSTRACT The non-linear generalization of an optimal control problem of Butkovskii and Sakawa is considered, in which a system satisfying a diffusion-like non-linear partial differential equation is controlled by regulating conditions in the medium in contact with the system at one of its spatial boundaries. A necessary condition in the form of a minimum principle is developed, and a algorithm for steep descent calculation is obtained. A numerical example for a special case is included.
Fetal growth velocity and the effect of maternal physical activity

CAMERON MOURO, AMANDA HORTON, JOHN THORP, AMY HERRING, KELLY EVENSON, JEANINE MATUSZEWSKI, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Biostatistics, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina OBJECTIVE: Growth velocity curves using ultrasound data and birth weight provide an accurate model to assess the influence of various factors, including exercise, on fetal growth. Our objective was to define the effects of physical activity during pregnancy on fetal growth using both antepartum ultrasound measurements and birth weight. STUDY DESIGN: A secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition (PIN) Study was conducted. 2006 women ! 20 weeks with a singleton fetus were enrolled. The type, intensity, and duration of physical activity were assessed via validated telephone interviews at 17-22 and 27-30 weeks. A subset of women also underwent serial fetal growth measurements by ultrasound at 15-20 and 24-29 weeks. Two groups, physically active and non-physically active, were created based on the activity data. Physically active women were defined as those who reported engaging in somewhat hard to hard exercise activities. The physically active group was further divided based on type and intensity of activity. Growth velocity curves were generated by mixed model analysis using weight estimates and birth weight, and compared between physically active and inactive women, after adjusting for race, parity, smoking, diabetes, and fetal gender. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 1,192 participants. The rate of physical activity significantly decreased between second and third trimesters (45% vs 40%, p !0.001) There were no significant differences in mean birth weights between physically active and non-physically active women (3309 vs 3274 g, p = 0.3). After adjusting for race, parity, smoking status, fetal gender, and presence of diabetes, fetal growth velocity curves were the similar for physically active and inactive mothers regardless of the type or intensity of activity (p = 0.580). CONCLUSION: Women can be reassured that being physically active during pregnancy does not adversely affect fetal growth.
Are Members of Business for Social Responsibility More Responsible

This study examines the association between corporate social performance practices and membership in Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) between 1992 and 2006. BSR is a business association that seeks to help its members adopt enhanced corporate social performance practices. While there is an emerging literature examining voluntary initiatives as alternative policy mechanisms to regulations, most research is focused on initiatives that emphasize environmental protection. Further, studies suggest that membership in strictly voluntary initiatives tends to be associated with lower environmental performance because of “free-riding” behavior by participants. BSR differs along two dimensions when compared with other voluntary initiatives examined in the literature. First, it is a comprehensive voluntary social initiative that helps firms from diverse industries address multiple corporate social performance issues simultaneously. Second, it might limit opportunism by not offering blanket certification to its participants. Our results indicate that BSR members exhibit greater levels of positive social impacts without demonstrating significantly different levels of negative social impacts. This suggests that participation in voluntary initiatives that avoid granting blanket certifications may be associated with the adoption of new corporate social responsibility practices but not linked to the shedding of entrenched routines that produce negative externalities.
The Need-Threat Analysis: A Scoring System for the Children's Apperception Test.

The study of childhood stress provides a useful perspective for assessing children's emotional status. Thematic projective techniques, like the Children's Apperception Test (CAT), may be useful in exploring children's perception of stress. For this purpose, a need-threat analysis is recommended to identify those underlying needs and threats that are likely to make a particular event or situation important, and hence potentially stressful, to an individual child. This paper introduces a scoring system for the CAT based on the analysis of thematic data in terms of five need-threat binaries, which serve as scoring categories. Preliminary data on reliability are presented.
Physics of unsteady blunt-fin-induced shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions

Fluctuating wall-pressure measurements have been made on the centreline upstream of a blunt fin in a Mach 5 turbulent boundary layer. By examining the ensemble-averaged wall-pressure distributions for different separation shock foot positions, it has been shown that local fluctuating wall-pressure measurements are due to a distinct pressure distribution, [weierp ]i, which undergoes a stretching and flattening effect as its upstream boundary translates aperiodically between the upstream-influence and separation lines. The locations of the maxima and minima in the wall-pressure standard deviation can be accurately predicted using this distribution, providing quantitative confirmation of the model. This model also explains the observed cross-correlations and ensemble-average measurements within the interaction. Using the [weierp ]i model, wall-pressure signals from under the separated flow region were used to reproduce the position–time history of the separation shock foot. The unsteady behaviour of the primary horseshoe vortex and its relation to the unsteady separation shock is also described. The practical implications are that it may be possible to predict some of the unsteady aspects of the flowfield using mean wall-pressure distributions obtained from either computations or experiments; also, to minimize the fluctuating loads caused by the unsteadiness, flow control methods should focus on reducing the magnitude of the [weierp ]i gradient (∂[weierp ]i/∂x).
The Metastatic Suppressor Nm23-H1 Interacts with EBNA3C at Sequences Located between the Glutamine- and Proline-Rich Domains and Can Cooperate in Activation of Transcription

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a lymphotrophic herpesvirus infecting most of the world's population. It is associated with a number of human lymphoid and epithelial tumors and lymphoproliferative diseases in immunocompromised patients. Recent studies have shown an in vitro and in vivo interaction between the EBV nuclear antigen 3C (EBNA3C) and the metastatic suppressor Nm23-H1, known to be downregulated in human invasive breast carcinoma. In this study, we have identified the domain of EBNA3C that specifically binds to Nm23-H1. This domain lies within the region comprising amino acids 637 to 675 of EBNA3C flanked by the proline- and glutamine-rich domains. Furthermore, we show that Nm23-H1 activates transcription when fused to the Gal4 DNA-binding domain and is coexpressed with a luciferase reporter construct containing the Gal4 binding sites upstream of a basal promoter. Gal4-Nm23-H1, when tethered to the promoter by binding to the Gal4 DNA binding sequences, consistently activated transcription. The level of activation increased when increasing amounts of Gal4-Nm23-H1 were introduced into the system. Moreover, EBNA3C when cotransfected with Gal4-Nm23-H1 enhanced the transcriptional activity. These results suggest that Nm23-H1 may have intrinsic transcription activities in EBV-infected cells and that this activity can be modulated in the presence of the essential latent antigen EBNA3C.
Why Do Ineffective Audit Committee Members Experience Turnover

Using information accompanying the audit committee (AC) member voting recommendations of a proxy advisory service, we examine the circumstances that condition when and why ineffective AC members experience subsequent turnover from the board of directors. We broadly classify the sources of ineffectiveness as (1) characteristics of individual AC members, such as overcommitment or questionable independence, and (2) financial reporting failures, such as restatements or material weaknesses in internal controls. We then estimate a model that conditions turnover reactions to these two general concerns on the corresponding degrees of shareholder dissent revealed in ratification voting. For the first category, we find that individual characteristics of ineffectiveness are associated with lower AC member turnover in the absence of shareholder dissent, but that the association becomes significantly positive as shareholder dissent increases. Conversely, financial reporting failures appear to exert a more systematic positive effect on turnover, even among “tainted” AC members who were not present when the event precipitating the reporting failure occurred. Together, these findings are consistent with an institutional-theoretic perspective that boards take remedial action only when circumstances present direct threats to the company’s image.
Accuracy of RUC-1 and RUC-2 Wind and Aircraft Trajectory Forecasts by Comparison with ACARS Observations

Abstract As part of an investigation into terminal airspace productivity sponsored by the NASA Ames Research Center, a study was performed at the Forecast Systems Laboratory to investigate sources of wind forecast error and to assess differences in wind forecast accuracy between the 60-km Rapid Update Cycle, version 1 (RUC-1), and the newer 40-km RUC-2. Improved knowledge of these errors is important for development of air traffic management automation tools under development at NASA Ames and elsewhere. This information is also useful for operational users of RUC forecast winds. To perform this study, commercial aircraft reports of wind reported through Aircraft Communications, Addressing, and Reporting System (ACARS) were collected in a region over the western and central United States for a 13-month period, along with RUC-1 and RUC-2 wind forecasts. Differences between forecasts and ACARS observations and estimates of ACARS wind observation error itself were both calculated. It was found that rms vector...
Nuclear Protein-Only Ribonuclease P2 Structure and Biochemical Characterization Provide Insight into the Conserved Properties of tRNA 5' End Processing Enzymes.

Protein-only RNase Ps (PRORPs) are a recently discovered class of RNA processing enzymes that catalyze maturation of the 5' end of precursor tRNAs in Eukaryotes. PRORPs are found in the nucleus and/or organelles of most eukaryotic organisms. Arabidopsis thaliana is a representative organism that contains PRORP enzymes (PRORP1, PRORP2 and PRORP3) in both its nucleus and its organelles; PRORP2 and PRORP3 localize to the nucleus and PRORP1 localizes to the chloroplast and the mitochondria. Apart from their identification, almost nothing is known about the structure and function of PRORPs that act in the nucleus. Here, we use a combination of biochemical assays and X-ray crystallography to characterize A. thaliana PRORP2. We solved the crystal structure of PRORP2 (3.2A) revealing an overall V-shaped protein and conserved metallonuclease active-site structure. Our biochemical studies indicate that PRORP2 requires Mg(2+) for catalysis and catalyzes the maturation of nuclear encoded substrates up to 10-fold faster than mitochondrial encoded precursor nad6 t-element under single-turnover conditions. We also demonstrate that PRORP2 preferentially binds precursor tRNAs containing short 5' leaders and 3' trailers; however, leader and trailer lengths do not significantly alter the observed rate constants of PRORP2 in single-turnover cleavage assays. Our data provide a biochemical and structural framework to begin understanding how nuclear localized PRORPs recognize and cleave their substrates.
The Precise Issue Henry Adams, Global War, and the Role of Force in American History

Abstract War, imperialism, interstate conflict, military force—highlighting and reevaluating these concerns as central to the content, form, and context of Henry Adams’s History of the United States lays the groundwork for a new interpretation of the categories of war and force in his thought.
GFP in living animals reveals dynamic developmental responses to ecdysone during Drosophila metamorphosis.

Abstract Studies of Drosophila metamorphosis have been hampered by our inability to visualize many of the remarkable changes that occur within the puparium. To circumvent this problem, we have expressed GFP in specific tissues of living prepupae and pupae and compiled images of these animals into time-lapse movies. These studies reveal, for the first time, the dynamics and coordination of morphogenetic movements that could only be inferred from earlier studies of dissected staged animals. We also identify responses that have not been described previously. These include an unexpected variation in some wild-type animals, where one of the first pairs of legs elongates in the wrong position relative to the second pair of legs and then relocates to its appropriate location. At later stages, the antennal imaginal discs migrate from a lateral position in the head to their final location at the anterior end, as leg and mouth structures are refined and the wings begin to fold. The larval salivary glands translocate toward the dorsal aspect of the animal and undergo massive cell death following head eversion, in synchrony with death of the abdominal muscles. These death responses fail to occur in rbp5 mutants of the Broad-Complex (BR-C), and imaginal disc elongation and eversion is abolished in br5 mutants of the BR-C. Leg malformations associated with the crol3 mutation can be seen to arise from defects in imaginal disc morphogenesis during prepupal stages. This approach provides a new tool for characterizing the dynamic morphological changes that occur during metamorphosis in both wild-type and mutant animals.
Superconducting Bi2Te : Pressure-induced universality in the (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n series

Using high-pressure magnetotransport techniques we have discovered superconductivity in Bi2Te, a member of the infinitely adaptive (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n series, whose end members, Bi and Bi2Te3, can be tuned to display topological surface states or superconductivity. Bi2Te has a maximum Tc = 8.6 K at P = 14.5 GPa and goes through multiple high pressure phase transitions, ultimately collapsing into a bcc structure that suggests a universal behavior across the series. High-pressure magnetoresistance and Hall measurements suggest a semi-metal to metal transition near 5.4 GPa, which accompanies the hexagonal to intermediate phase transition seen via x-ray diffraction measurements. In addition, the linearity of Hc2 (T) exceeds the Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg limit, even in the extreme spin-orbit scattering limit, yet is consistent with other strong spin-orbit materials. Furthermore, considering these results in combination with similar reports on strong spin-orbit scattering materials seen in the literature, we suggest the need for a new theory that can address the unconventional nature of their superconducting states.
Angiotensin AT2 Receptors in Blood Pressure Regulation

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a major physiological regulator of body fluid volume, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure (BP). The mechanisms by which these actions occur remain incompletely understood in spite of intensive study over decades. Prior to the late-1980s, it was thought that the major RAS effector peptide, angiotensin II (Ang II), acted by binding to a single Ang II receptor (1, 2, 3, 4). However, this principle was disproved when highly specific nonpeptide Ang II receptor antagonists revealed two distinct receptor subtypes, termed AT1 and AT2 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). AT1 receptors were defined as those selectively inhibited by biphenylimidazoles (prototype losartan), whereas AT2 receptors were blocked with tetrahydroimidazopyridines (prototype PD-123319) (5,6).
Learner‐Centered Faculty Development

To maximize their effectiveness, faculty developers should not merely advocate for an active learning approach but also enact it in their own workshops and service-oriented interactions with faculty, even extending to their use of outreach and social media.
Reactions to radiocontrast material. Anaphylactoid events in radiology.

The first relatively nontoxic, organic, iodinated contrast material (RCM) was created and successfully tested by Moses Swick, an intern from Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City while on fellowship in Germany in 1929 (1). He produced a monoiodinated pyridone ring from which commercially prepared di-iodinated pyridone rings were available for the next 20 years. Swick also helped in the development of the tri-iodinated, completely substituted six-carbon ring that has been the standard since the 1950s. The first of these agents, whether as diatrizoate or iothalamate, was an ionic benzoate, iodinated at positions 2, 4, and 6 wi th substituted side chains at 3 and 5 to increase solubility (Fig. 1). With three iodines per molecule, it is fairly easy to reach a concentration of 300 mg I / m L which is necessary for most imaging. The cations of choice for these ionic compounds are sodium or the sugar, meglumine, or a combination of the two. These are relatively inexpensive compounds to produce, but the drawback is that for an ionic compound to achieve such a high concentration of iodine, it must be hypertonic relative to blood. In fact, these iodinated, ionic, conventional contrast agents are about five times the osmolality of plasma, and this h igh osmolality results in significant problems. The problems include nausea and vomit ing on injection, pain at the injection site, skin s loughing from inadvertent sc injection, and endothelial irritation and occasional
Abstract 601: Antioxidant inhibition of GSK-3β stabilizes anti-apoptotic factor Mcl-1 leading to decreased apoptosis and increased cell survival.

Antioxidant-mediated stabilization of Nrf2 is known to up-regulate anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL that leads to reduced apoptosis and increased cell survival. In this report we investigated and found that anti-apoptotic factor Mcl-1 is coordinately induced with Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL factors in response to antioxidants. However, unlike Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, Nrf2 did not control antioxidant-mediated up-regulation of Mcl-1. Further studies revealed that ERK1/2 phosphorylation of Mcl-1T163 primes Mcl-1 for phosphorylation by GSK3β at position S159. This modification degrades Mcl-1 and contributes to the maintenance of physiological level of Mcl-1 and cellular apoptosis. Exposure of Hep-G2 cells to antioxidant tert-butyl hydroquinone (t-BHQ) for 4-16h led to time dependent Akt-mediated inactivation of GSK3β, decreased Mcl-1S159 phosphorylation resulting in stabilization of Mcl-1 protein. Antioxidant-mediated increased Mcl-1 heterodimerized with Bim and Bax and down regulated cellular apoptosis. The contribution of antioxidant increased Mcl-1 in reduced apoptosis was further confirmed by siRNA-mediated inhibition of Mcl-1 that increased susceptibility to etoposide-mediated cell death and reduced cell survival through the activation of caspases 3/7. These results provided evidence that antioxidant control of GSK-3β led to increase in Mcl-1 that contributed to decreased apoptosis and increased cell survival. The results collectively suggest that antioxidant stabilized Nrf2 and GSK3β both through distinct mechanisms lead to increased anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 that reduces apoptosis and promotes cell survival. Citation Format: Suryakant K. Niture, Anil K. Jaiswal. Antioxidant inhibition of GSK-3β stabilizes anti-apoptotic factor Mcl-1 leading to decreased apoptosis and increased cell survival. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 601. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-601
Comparison of the curative effect for epidural anesthesia in modified cesarean section by two methods of anesthesia

Objective:To explore the clinical effect for epidural anesthesia in modified cesarean section by two methods of anesthesia.Methods :160 cases of patients need to do cesarean section operation were randomly divided into the observation group(n=80)and control group(n=80).Choice anesthesia were chloramine(20~30mg)+lidocaine(400mg),the puncture point selection T12~L1 as observation group and lidocaine(400mg)the puncture point select L2~L3 as control group.The analgesic effect、neonatal Apgar score and adverse reaction were observed respectively.Results : The times of anesthesia onset and pain sense disappearance in observation group were significantly shorter control group(P0.05);The percentage of plane of T6 block plane in observe group were Higher than the control group;The percentage of motor block in observation group were higher than in control group during the first 10 minutes anesthesia(P0.05);The analgesic effect in observation group were significantly better than that control groups(P0.01);The adverse reaction in observation group were significantly lower than the control groups(P0.01).Conclusion:Chloramine(20~30mg)with lidocaine and puncture point selection T12~L1 can obtain more ideal effect and less adverse reaction for epidural anesthe sia in modified cesarean section
Modern Approaches to Initiating Antihypertensive Therapy

From the five broad classes of antihypertensive drugs that have been in use long enough for adequate clinical experience to be obtained, the most recent report of the Joint National Committee on Hypertension recommends drugs from two older classes-the diuretics and the beta-adrenergic blockersas first-line treatment. This article argues that newer drugs and in particular the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may be equally or more appropriate as first choice. Physicians should choose on the basis of a drug's pharmacologic properties and the patient's clinical profile, rather than according to a generic set of rules. Considering that the goals of modern antihypertensive therapy are not only lowering of blood pressure to prevent complications, but also long-term cardioprotection without adverse effects on the quality of life, some newer drugs might even prove more costeffective in the long run.