cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and Identification of a Novel Subunit of Protein Serine/Threonine Phosphatase 4

The catalytic subunit of protein serine/threonine phosphatase 4 (PP4C) has greater than 65% amino acid identity to the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2AC). Despite this high homology, PP4 does not appear to associate with known PP2A regulatory subunits. As a first step toward characterization of PP4 holoenzymes and identification of putative PP4 regulatory subunits, PP4 was purified from bovine testis soluble extracts. PP4 existed in two complexes of approximately 270-300 and 400-450 kDa as determined by gel filtration chromatography. The smaller PP4 complex was purified by sequential phenyl-Sepharose, Source 15Q, DEAE2, and Superdex 200 gel filtration chromatographies. The final product contained two major proteins: the PP4 catalytic subunit plus a protein that migrated as a doublet of 120-125 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The associated protein, termed PP4R1, and PP4C also bound to microcystin-Sepharose. Mass spectrometry analysis of the purified complex revealed two major peaks, at 35 (PP4C) and 105 kDa (PP4R1). Amino acid sequence information of several peptides derived from the 105 kDa protein was utilized to isolate a human cDNA clone. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence revealed 13 nonidentical repeats similar to repeats found in the A subunit of PP2A (PP2AA). The PP4R1 cDNA clone engineered with an N-terminal Myc tag was expressed in COS M6 cells and PP4C co-immunoprecipitated with Myc-tagged PP4R1. These data indicate that one form of PP4 is similar to the core complex of PP2A in that it consists of a catalytic subunit and a "PP2AA-like" structural subunit.
Tensile Deformation Study on Biological Cells

We demonstrate experimental mechanical testing of single live biological cells in-situ under an optical microscope. Tensile loading was the mode of load application and the response of live biological cells were observed in-situ. The experimental set-up is small enough to fit within the stage of a fluorescence microscope. Bovine Aortic Endothelial cells were tested in this study and were found to be able to undergo very large applied strains without loss of cell’s mechanical integrity.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
High-Pressure Pocket Damper Seals: Leakage Rates and Cavity Pressures

The turbomachinery component of interest in this paper, the pocket damper seal, has the dual purpose of limiting leakage and providing an additional source of damping at the seal location. The rotordynamic coefficients of these seals (primarily the direct stiffness and damping) are highly dependent on the leakage rates through the seals and the pressures in the seals’ cavities. This paper presents both numerical predictions and experimentally obtained results for the leakage and the cavity pressures of pocket damper seals operating at high pressures. The seals were tested with air, at pressures up to 1000 Psi (6.92 MPa), as the working fluid. Earlier flow-prediction models were modified and used to obtain theoretical reference values for both mass flow-rates and pressures. Leakage and static pressure measurements on straight-through and diverging-clearance configurations of eight-bladed and twelve-bladed seals were used for code validation and for calculation of seal discharge coefficients. Higher than expected leakage rates were measured in the case of the twelve-bladed seal, while the leakage rates for the eight-bladed seals were predicted with reasonable accuracy. Differences in the axial pitch lengths of the cavities and the blade profiles of the seals are used to explain the discrepancy in the case of the twelve-bladed seal. The analysis code used also predicted the static cavity pressures reasonably well. Tests conducted on a six-bladed pocket damper seal to further investigate the effect of blade profile supported the results of the eight-bladed and twelve-bladed seal tests and matched theoretical predictions with satisfactory accuracy.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Variable ordering for efficient SAT search by analyzing constraint-variable dependencies

This paper presents a new technique to derive an initial static variable ordering for efficient SAT search. Our approach not only exploits variable activity and connectivity information simultaneously, but it also analyzes how tightly the variables are related to each other. For this purpose, a new metric is proposed – the degree of correlation among pairs of variables. Variable activity and correlation information is modeled (implicitly) as a weighted graph. A topological analysis of this graph generates an order for SAT search. Also, the effect of decision-assignments on clause-variable dependencies is taken into account during this analysis. An algorithm called ACCORD (ACtivity – CORrelation – ORDering) is proposed for this purpose. Using efficient implementations of the above, experiments are conducted over a wide range of benchmarks. The results demonstrate that: (i) the variable order generated by our approach significantly improves the performance of SAT solvers; (ii) time to derive this order is a fraction of the overall solving time. As a result, our approach delivers faster performance as compared to contemporary approaches.
tir- and stx-Positive Escherichia coli in Stream Waters in a Metropolitan Area

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, which may include the enteropathogenic E. coli and the enterohemorrhagic E. coli, are a significant cause of diarrheal disease among infants and children in both developing and developed areas. Disease outbreaks related to freshwater exposure have been documented, but the presence of these organisms in the urban aquatic environment is not well characterized. From April 2002 through April 2004 we conducted weekly surveys of streams in the metropolitan Baltimore, Md., area for the prevalence of potentially pathogenic E. coli by using PCR assays targeting the tir and stx1 and stx2 genes. Coliforms testing positive for the presence of the tir gene were cultured from 653 of 1,218 samples (53%), with a greater prevalence associated with urban, polluted streams than in suburban and forested watershed streams. Polluted urban streams were also more likely to test positive for the presence of one of the stx genes. Sequence analysis of the tir amplicon, as well as the entire tir gene from three isolates, indicated that the pathogenic E. coli present in the stream waters has a high degree of sequence homology with the E. coli O157:H7 serotype. Our data indicate that pathogenic E. coli are continually deposited into a variety of stream habitats and suggest that this organism may be a permanent member of the gastrointestinal microflora of humans and animals in the metropolitan Baltimore area.
System-of-Systems Modeling of Performance in Complex Construction Projects: A Multi-Method Simulation Paradigm

In this paper, a framework is proposed for the investigation of base level components in the assessment of performance in construction projects. A multi- method simulation paradigm is proposed to provide a structure for bottom-up abstraction and modeling of construction projects based on micro-behaviors at the base level. The proposed framework and the model are used in a numerical example related to concrete pouring to evaluate the impacts of micro-behaviors at the base level on project performance. The findings of the case study highlight the importance of modeling the base level components and demonstrate the capability of the proposed framework in enhancing the assessment of performance in construction projects.
Teachers' Understanding of the Nature of Science and Classroom Practice: Factors That Facilitate or Impede the Relationship.

The purpose of this multiple case study was to investigate the relationship of teachers' understanding of the nature of science and classroom practice and to delineate factors that facilitate or impede a relationship. Five high school biology teachers, ranging in experience from 2 to 15 years, comprised the sample for this investigation. During one full academic year, multiple data sources were collected and included classroom observations, open-ended questionnaires, semistructured and structured interviews, and instructional plans and materials. In addition, students in each of the teachers' classrooms were interviewed with respect to their understanding of the nature of science. Using analytical induction, multiple data sources were analyzed independently and together to triangulate data while constructing teacher profiles. The results indicated that teachers' conceptions of science do not necessarily influence classroom practice. Of critical importance were teachers' level of experience, intentions, and perceptions of students. The results have importnat implications for teacher education as well as the successful implementation of current reforms. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 36: 916–929, 1999
THE FUTURE ROAD SYSTEM OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK1

ABSTRACT The fundamental internal conflict in the National Park Service mandate—“to conserve (the parks) … and provide for the enjoyment of the same,” is well illustrated by the roads of Yellowstone National Park. Provisions must be made for sharply increasing park visitation. Yet, even the present solution of modernizing park roads is having an adverse effect on the natural environment. Methods suggested to relieve traffic without increasing the number of traffic lanes, such as public transportation or converting the road system to one way traffic, are unrealistic for Yellowstone Park. However, by completely separating the opposing lanes of a four lane highway (double-tracking) a solution is possible which will adequately handle park traffic for several decades, preserve “park-type” roads, and interfere with park wilderness to a minimum degree.
Acceptable recipient outcomes with the use of hearts from donors with hepatitis-B core antibodies.

Abstract Background The shortage of available donors limits cardiac transplantation. Use of hearts from patients with hepatitis-B core antibodies could expand the donor pool but are usually avoided because of concern about virus transmission. We conducted a retrospective review to determine the safety of transplanting hearts from donors with hepatitis-B core antibodies. Methods We reviewed donor and recipient charts for patients who underwent transplantation at our center between January 1, 1997, and December 1, 2002. Results A total of 541 heart transplantations were performed in this time period. Thirty-three patients (aged 47.5 ± 18.8 years) received hearts from core-antibody-positive donors (aged 37.7 ± 10.8 years). Of these, 5 patients received prophylactic antibiotic treatment with lamivudine after transplantation. Only 1 patient (baseline surface-antigen-negative and without prophylaxis) experienced donor-transmitted hepatitis B infection 10 months after transplantation that was treated with lamivudine. Two patients (baseline surface-antibody-negative) had hepatitis B seroconversion, becoming surface-antibody positive without evidence of infection. None of the 5 patients who received prophylaxis with lamivudine had donor-transmitted hepatitis, and only 1 lamivudine-treated patient had surface antibodies. Post-transplant survival in this small cohort was similar to that for all patients who underwent transplantation at our center during this time period. Conclusions Transplantation of hearts from donors with hepatitis-B core antibodies is associated with a small viral-transmission risk, with or without post-transplant, anti-viral prophylaxis. Use of these donor hearts should be considered safe and may help to augment the available donor pool.
Crystallization and aldo-keto reductase activity of Gcy1p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of Gcy1p, an aldo–keto reductase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have been performed. Both the wild type and a double-mutant form of Gcy1p were crystallized using the hanging-drop method at 298 K; however, only the double-mutant form has so far yielded crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis. These crystals belonged to the primitive monoclinic space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 50.94, b = 65.64, c = 86.23 A, β = 92.64°. Diffraction data were collected to 2.5 A. Assuming two 35 kDa subunits in the asymmetric unit yielded a Vm of 2.06 A3 Da−1. Additionally, a kinetic study performed by measuring the rate of oxidation of NADPH in the presence of several substrates indicates that both wild-type and double-mutant proteins are enzymes possessing NADPH-dependent reductase activity.
Crystal structures of α‐dioxygenase from Oryza sativa: Insights into substrate binding and activation by hydrogen peroxide

α-Dioxygenases (α-DOX) are heme-containing enzymes found predominantly in plants and fungi, where they generate oxylipins in response to pathogen attack. α-DOX oxygenate a variety of 14–20 carbon fatty acids containing up to three unsaturated bonds through stereoselective removal of the pro-R hydrogen from the α-carbon by a tyrosyl radical generated via the oxidation of the heme moiety by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). We determined the X-ray crystal structures of wild type α-DOX from Oryza sativa, the wild type enzyme in complex with H2O2, and the catalytically inactive Y379F mutant in complex with the fatty acid palmitic acid (PA). PA binds within the active site cleft of α-DOX such that the carboxylate forms ionic interactions with His-311 and Arg-559. Thr-316 aids in the positioning of carbon-2 for hydrogen abstraction. Twenty-five of the twenty eight contacts made between PA and residues lining the active site occur within the carboxylate and first eight carbons, indicating that interactions within this region of the substrate are responsible for governing selectivity. Comparison of the wild type and H2O2 structures provides insight into enzyme activation. The binding of H2O2 at the distal face of the heme displaces residues His-157, Asp-158, and Trp-159 ∼2.5 A from their positions in the wild type structure. As a result, the Oδ2 atom of Asp-158 interacts with the Ca atom in the calcium binding loop, the side chains of Trp-159 and Trp-213 reorient, and the guanidinium group of Arg-559 is repositioned near Tyr-379, poised to interact with the carboxylate group of the substrate.
Dissociative recombination contributions to I(5577) and I(6300) [OI] and NmF2 enhancements resulting from moderate proton PCA events

We investigate the dissociative recombination contribution to I(5577) and I(6300) of [OI] as a function of low energy cutoff for two measured solar proton spectra. The volume ionization rate profiles used in the calculation are obtained using a detailed atomic cross section approach in the continuous slowing down approximation. The ratio of the dissociative recombination contribution to the direct impact contribution for both the 5577 A and 6300 A [OI] emissions is found to be dependent upon the low energy cutoff. This ratio has a nominal value of ∼2.0 for the 5577 A [OI] emission and ∼0.25 for the 6300 A [OI] emission. The I(5577)/I(3914) and I(6300)/I(3914) ratios including the direct and dissociative recombination contributions are strongly dependent upon the low energy cutoff of the spectrum. We have also investigated F-layer enhancements resulting from the low energy spectrum component. For the Mizera et al. (1972) spectrum with a low energy cutoff of 12.4 keV, we find an NmF2 of ∼4.5 × 103 electrons/cm3 or about 10 per cent of the ionization required to maintain the dip pole at a value of 5 × 104 electrons/cm3. Extension of the cutoff to 1 keV results in ∼1 × 104 electrons/cm3, or about 20 per cent of the required maintenance ionization.
Control of Functional Responses Via Reversible Oxygen Loss in La1‐xSrxFeO3‐δ Films

La0.3 Sr0.7 FeO3-δ films undergo dramatic changes in electronic and optical properties due to reversible oxygen loss induced by low-temperature heating. This mechanism to control the functional properties may serve as a platform for new devices or sensors in which external stimuli are used to dynamically control the composition of complex oxide heterostructures.
Conjugated linoleic acid reduces adiposity and increases markers of browning and inflammation in white adipose tissue of mice

The objective of this study was to examine the mechanism by which conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat. Young male mice were fed three combinations of fatty acids at three doses (0.06%, 0.2%, and 0.6%, w/w) incorporated into AIN76 diets for 7 weeks. The types of fatty acids were linoleic acid (control), an equal mixture of trans-10, cis-12 (10,12) CLA plus linoleic acid, and an equal isomer mixture of 10,12 plus cis-9, trans-11 (9,11) CLA. Mice receiving the 0.2% and 0.6% dose of 10,12 CLA plus linoleic acid or the CLA isomer mixture had decreased white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass and increased incorporation of CLA isomers in epididymal WAT and liver. Notably, in mice receiving 0.2% of both CLA treatments, the mRNA levels of genes associated with browning, including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), UCP1 protein levels, and cytochrome c oxidase activity, were increased in epididymal WAT. CLA-induced browning in WAT was accompanied by increases in mRNA levels of markers of inflammation. Muscle cytochrome c oxidase activity and BAT UCP1 protein levels were not affected by CLA treatment. These data suggest a linkage between decreased adiposity, browning in WAT, and low-grade inflammation due to consumption of 10,12 CLA.
What Is the Best Way to Schedule Patient Follow-up Appointments?

Article-at-a-Glance Background What is the best way to schedule follow-up appointments? The most popular model requires the patient to negotiate a follow-up appointment time on leaving the office. This process accounts for the majority of follow-up patient scheduling. There are circumstances when this immediate appointment arrangement is not possible, however. The two common processes used to contact patients for follow-up appointments after they have left the office are the postcard reminder method and the prescheduled appointment method. Methods In 2001 the two methods used to contact patients for follow-up appointments after they had left the clinic were used for all 2,116 reappointment patients at an ophthalmology practice at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. The number of completed successful appointments, the no-show rate, and patient satisfaction for each method were calculated. Results A larger number of patient reappointments were completed using the prescheduled appointment procedure than the postcard reminder system (74% vs 54%). The difference between completed and pending appointments (minus no-shows) of the two methods equaled 163 patients per quarter, or 652 patients per year. Additional revenues associated with use of the prescheduled appointment letter method were estimated at $594,600 for 3years. Summary Using the prescheduled appointment method with a patient notification letter is advised when patients do not schedule their appointments on the way out of the office.
A test for the linearity of the nonparametric part of a semiparametric logistic regression model

A semiparametric logistic regression model is proposed in which its nonparametric component is approximated with fixed-knot cubic B-splines. To assess the linearity of the nonparametric component, we construct a penalized likelihood ratio test statistic. When the number of knots is fixed, the null distribution of the test statistic is shown to be asymptotically the distribution of a linear combination of independent chi-squared random variables, each with one degree of freedom. We set the asymptotic null expectation of this test statistic equal to a value to determine the smoothing parameter value. Monte Carlo experiments are conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed test. Its practical use is illustrated with a real-life example.
Experimental Concept for a Precision Measurement of Nuclear Recoil Ionization Yields for Low Mass WIMP Searches

Understanding the response of dark matter detectors at the lowest recoil energies is important for correctly interpreting data from current experiments or predicting the sensitivity of future experiments to low mass weakly interacting massive particles. In particular, the ionization yield is essential for determining the correct recoil energy of candidate nuclear recoil events; however, few measurements in cryogenic crystals exist below 1 keV. Using the voltage-assisted calorimetric ionization detection technique with a mono-energetic neutron source, we show that it is possible to determine the ionization yield in cryogenic crystals down to an energy to 100 eV. This measurement will also determine the statistics of ionization production at these low energies.
Effect of Phlorhizin on Renal Glucose and Phosphate Transport in the Dog

Summary 1. Clearance and micropuncture studies were performed in 19 thyroparathyroidectomized dogs to examine the inter-relationship between the renal transport of sodium, glucose and phosphate. 2. All experiments were carried out before and after the intravenous administration of phlorhizin [7 mg (15 pnol)/kgl with a sustaining infusion of the same dose/h. Thirteen dogs were studied during hydropenia (group I) and six dogs in the volumeexpanded state (group 11). 3. In the proximal tubule, phlorhizin significantly reduced sodium reabsorption in hydropenic dogs, but had no effect in volume-expanded dogs. Proximal tubular glucose reabsorption was completely inhibited by phlorhizin in both groups, but no significant change in phosphate reabsorption was observed. 4. Fractional glucose excretion in the urine reached 83-89% after phlorhizin, values significantly less than loo%, suggesting a residual reabsorption of glucose in a more distal segment or in deep nephrons. The changes in fractional excretion of sodium and phosphate were significantly correlated. 5. The effect of phlorhizin on both sodium and glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule in hydropenic dogs suggests the existence of a cotransport mechanism, whereas the absence of an effect on sodium transport in volume-expanded dogs despite complete inhibition of glucose reabsorption indicates the existence of a sodiumCorrespondence: Dr Sung-Feng Wen, Nephrology Section, H4/5 10, Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53192, U.S.A. independent component of net proximal tubular glucose transport. 6. Absence of the effect of phlorhizin on proximal tubular phosphate transport in the face of a significant reduction in sodium reabsorption implies that the reciprocal relationship between glucose and phosphate transport could be masked by the changes in sodium transport. Thus the sodium-phosphate transport relationship may prevail over that of glucosephosphate in the proximal tubule.
An active-passive hybrid method for optimization of rotor blades with trailing edge flaps

A hybrid design approach for low vibration systems is studied. Active trailing edge flap design is integrated with blade structural optimization. The finite element method is used to model the rotor undergoing elastic deflections in flap, lag and torsion. Aerodynamic loads generated by the trailing edge flap are calculated using classical incompressible theory. For a given set of blade structural properties and active flap control, a coupled propulsive trim is implemented to simultaneously determine the blade nonlinear response, vehicle orientation and helicopter control settings. An integrated optimal control/optimization process is developed to simultaneously determine the active control efforts and optimal passive blade structural parameters. The objective of the optimization is to simultaneously minimize the hub vibratory loads and active flap control angles by selecting the optimum passive design parameters. The study shows that retrofitting an active flap to a baseline blade or to an optimal passive blade configuration might not provide us with the best result. It is shown that the activepassive hybrid method can outperform these configurations and achieve more vibration reduction with less control efforts.
Methyl bromide as a building disinfectant: interaction with indoor materials and resulting byproduct formation.

Abstract Several buildings were contaminated with Bacillus anthracis in the fall of 2001. These events required consideration of how to disinfect large indoor spaces for continued worker occupation. The interactions of gaseous disinfectants with indoor materials may inhibit the disinfection process, cause persistence of the disinfectant, and lead to possible byproduct formation and persistence. Methyl bromide (CH3Br) is a candidate for disinfection/deactivation of biological agents in buildings. In this study, 24 indoor materials were exposed to CH3Br for 16 hr at concentrations ranging from 100 to 2500 ppm in 48–L electropolished stainless steel chambers. CH3Br concentrations were measured during and after disinfection. Its interactions with materials were observed to be small, with nearly complete and rapid desorption. Between 3% and 8% of CH3Br adsorbed to four materials (office partition, ceiling tile, particle–board, and gypsum wallboard with satin paint), and the degree of adsorption decreased with ...
Microbial keratitis secondary to unintended poor compliance with scleral gas-permeable contact lenses.

Purpose To report a case of neurotrophic keratitis in which scleral contact lenses improved vision from 20/100 to 20/20, however, due to poor lens care, an incident of microbial keratitis developed. Methods A 64-year-old man with an ocular history of neurotrophic keratitis secondary to herpes simplex in each eye was successfully fit with scleral lenses. He subsequently developed microbial keratitis due to a number of risk factors. Results The lesion was culture negative, yet was very responsive to treatment with moxifloxacin. The lesion fully healed, and the patient did not suffer additional vision loss. Conclusions This case demonstrates the ability of scleral lenses to correct visual impairments secondary to poor epithelial integrity and illustrates the importance of the practitioner providing detailed lens care instruction.
Spore Germination in Sordaria Fimicola

Recently Olive (4) demonstrated that cross-karyogamy and segre? gation occur in the homothallic ascomycete Sordaria fimicola Ces. and de Not. These findings will no doubt stimulate genetic studies of this fungus. Some investigators, however, have failed to obtain good ger? mination of the ascospores. Greis (3) germinated the spores on a medium composed of beer wort and horse dung decoctions. He isolated the spores from each of 14 asci; only from two asci did he obtain a complement of eight viable spores. In an apparently unsuccessful attempt to increase spore ger? mination he modified the nutrition and pH value of the medium. He then concluded that the pH value of the medium was of little importance to germination. Spores would not germinate on media lacking horse dung extract. In 1954 Bretzloff (1) initially experienced difficulty in germinating the ascospores, but later increased germination from 5-10 percent to 68-70 percent by replacing the sugar in the medium of Westergaard and Mitchell (5) with 0.5 percent potassium or sodium acetate. He used a liquid medium at pH 6.0. Poor germination was also encountered by the writer. Spores from a culture selected for use in studies with alpha radiation germinated ap? proximately 25 percent on horse dung decoction agar, and less than one percent on Czapek's agar. Ultimately nearly 100 percent germination was obtained in 13 strains on potato-dextrose agar (PDA) and meat extract-tryptose-glucose agar adjusted to the pH range 4.5-5.0. This result was duplicated many times, over a period of five years. The pH value of the medium was critical for maximum germination. For example, spores from two strains, S-l and B-l, germinated 96 percent on PDA at pH 5.0, and 1.5 and zero percent respectively at pH 7.0.
National Income Accounting and Distributive Trade Cost

The dearth of current information on trends in distribution cost is regrettable, with social concern about marketing at new and rising heights. Because the majority of distribution costs are incurr...
Population biology of Porites astreoides and Diploria strigosa on a shallow Caribbean reef

The detrimental impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on tropical coral reefs have been studied in detail, but there have been limited efforts to determine which corals might endure these adverse conditions. This study focused on 2 Caribbean corals that have survived better than most in recent years on shallow reefs (5 to 9 m depth) in St. John, US Virgin Islands, and it used demo- graphic models to explore their responses to disturbance. The species studied were Porites astreoides, which has weedy life-history characteristics, and Diploria strigosa, which is relatively non-weedy and in this location appears robust against environmental assaults. Populations were cen- sused on varying schedules from 1994 to 2007, and a tag-and-resurvey procedure for individual colonies was repeated annually between 1999 and 2007 (P. astreoides) or 2002 and 2007 (D. strigosa). The results were used to parameterize size-based matrix models (size classes: I, ≤40 mm; II, 41 to 80 mm; and III, ≥81 mm diameter), and bootstrap resampling was used to attach confidence intervals to population parameters and projections. In contrast to the declining population of the historically dominant coral Montastraea annularis in St. John, the intrinsic rate of population increase (λ) rose gradually for P. astreoides between 1999 and 2007. For D. strigosa, while λ behaved somewhat errat- ically from 2002 to 2007, the overall trend was also upward. For both species, λ was >1 at the end of the study, showing that the populations were growing. Over the next 100 yr, projections suggest that P. astreoides and D. strigosa will increase in abundance, even when impacted by recurrent distur- bances, variable recruitment, and varied success of the largest colonies; size-frequency distributions demonstrated that their populations will remain dominated by medium (>23 and >25%, respectively) and large (>20 and 24%, respectively) colonies, regardless of the conditions investigated. The suc- cess of P. astreoides and D. strigosa in St. John is strongly related to the dynamics of the largest colonies — notably their low mortality and high chance of remaining in the largest size class — and these characteristics favor sustained population growth in an era when many corals are declining in abundance. P. astreoides and D. strigosa now appear poised to experience a period of enhanced abundance on reefs in at least one Caribbean location.
Nonequilibrium synthesis of silica-supported magnetite tubes and mechanical control of their magnetic properties.

Materials synthesis far from thermodynamic equilibrium can yield hierarchical order that spans from molecular to macroscopic length scales. Here we report the nonequilibrium formation of millimeter...
Comprehensive Evaluation Method for Vertical Sealing of Fault and Its Application

Based on the in-depth study of vertical sealing mechanism of fault and its influencing factors and using Darcy's law,this paper established a comprehensive evaluation index v D by calculating percolation velocity of oil and gas at target zones through fault under the given action of external stress,and applied it in evaluation of vertical sealing properties of W1and W5faults in Wangjiatun gas field of northern Songliao basin as well as No.1to No.7faults(Qingshankou formation)in Nanshanwan-Dalai area,obtaining v D of W1and W5is7.0%and8.6%,respectively,showing good vertical sealing capacity;No.1to No.5faults in Nanshanwan-Dalai area are of good vertical sealing property;while No.6and No.7faults are of medium one.It is indi -cated that this method can be used for quantitative evaluation of vertical sealing feature of faults as an effective evaluating tool.
Invasive fire ants contain high levels of mercury

Mercury contamination is a serious environmental concern usually associated with aquatic food webs. We tested for the presence of mercury in winged queens and males of four ant species and found that invasive red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) contain high levels of mercury typical of aquatic insects. Mercury concentrations in male fire ants were 51 % higher than those in females and 89–199 % higher than those in other ant species from the same location. Fire ant sexuals fly long distances on their mating flights and are a major food source for arthropod and vertebrate predators and may thus transfer mercury through food webs.
Party connections, interest groups, and the slow diffusion of infrastructure: Evidence from Britain's first transport revolution

Economic and political interests often block or delay infrastructure improvements. This paper examines their effects by studying Britain's river navigation improvements in the early 1700s—a subject of intense lobbying in parliament. It shows that stronger party connections and influence in neighboring areas likely to oppose or support projects affected whether a town got a river navigation act. Their estimated effects are comparable to geography and town economic characteristics in magnitude, and help explain whether towns were blocked from getting navigation improvements. The findings address institutions following the Glorious Revolution, and broader issues concerning infrastructure, technology diffusion, and political connections. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Gram‐Scale Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopropane‐Containing Drugs and Drug Precursors with Engineered Myoglobin Catalysts Featuring Complementary Stereoselectivity

Engineered hemoproteins have recently emerged as promising systems for promoting asymmetric cyclopropanations, but variants featuring predictable, complementary stereoselectivity in these reactions have remained elusive. In this study, a rationally driven strategy was implemented and applied to engineer myoglobin variants capable of providing access to 1-carboxy-2-aryl-cyclopropanes with high trans-(1R,2R) selectivity and catalytic activity. The stereoselectivity of these cyclopropanation biocatalysts complements that of trans-(1S,2S)-selective variants developed here and previously. In combination with whole-cell biotransformations, these stereocomplementary biocatalysts enabled the multigram synthesis of the chiral cyclopropane core of four drugs (Tranylcypromine, Tasimelteon, Ticagrelor, and a TRPV1 inhibitor) in high yield and with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivity (98-99.9% de; 96-99.9% ee). These biocatalytic strategies outperform currently available methods to produce these drugs.
Predictors of recurrence in postmastectomy patients with one to three positive lymph nodes.

1118 Background: Although the role of post mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) is well established in women with ≥ 4 positive axillary lymph nodes (ALN), its indications in patients with 1-3 positive ALN is controversial. A recent large meta-analysis suggested a survival benefit in patients with 1-3 positive ALN who received PMRT. However, because recurrence rates in this group are low, identifying a subgroup of patients at higher risk for locoregional recurrence (LRR) could aid decision-making about PMRT. Methods: From an institutional database, 1,333 breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy between 1996 and 2006 and had 1-3 positive ALN were identified. Among these, T3/T4 tumors and those who received PMRT were excluded. 926 patients were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression was used to explore clinicopathologic features that predicted LRR, distant metastases (DM), and recurrence-free survival (RFR). Results: Median follow-up was 7yrs. LRR occurred in 49 patients and DM in 126 pat...
Going Native on Social Media: The Effects of Social Media Characteristics on Native Ad Effectiveness

An online survey (N = 320) was conducted to examine the effects of social media characteristics on native ad effectiveness. Results show perceived intimacy, professionalism, and anonymity positivel...
Performance of Low-Dose Perfusion Scintigraphy and CT Pulmonary Angiography for Pulmonary Embolism in Pregnancy

Background The symptoms of normal pregnancy overlap those of pulmonary embolism (PE). Limited literature suggests that low-dose perfusion scanning (LDQ), which yields lower maternal–fetal radiation exposure than CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA), performs well in excluding PE in pregnant patients. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of sequential pregnant women who underwent imaging for PE with LDQ or CTPA between 2008 and 2013 at Montefiore Medical Center. Our practice recommends LDQ for patients with negative results on chest radiographs. Patients were categorized according to initial imaging modality, and a subgroup analysis was performed in patients with asthma. The primary outcome was the negative predictive value (NPV) of imaging determined by VTE diagnosis within 90 days. Results Of 322 pregnant women (mean age, 27.3 ± 6.3 years), initial imaging was positive for PE in 2.7% (6 of 225) of LDQs and 4.1% (4 of 97) of CTPAs, negative in 88.0% (198 of 225) of LDQs and 86.6% (84 of 97) of CTPAs, and indeterminate/nondiagnostic in 9.3% (21 of 225) of LDQs and 9.3% (9 of 97) of CTPAs ( P = .79). Ten patients (3.1%) were treated for PE. The NPV was 100% for LDQ and 97.5% for CTPA. Subgroup analysis of patients with asthma (23.9% of this population) revealed a high likelihood of a negative study in the LDQ and CTPA groups (74.1% and 87.0%, respectively) and 100% NPV for both modalities. Conclusions PE is an uncommon diagnosis in pregnancy. LDQ and CTPA perform well, with less maternal–fetal radiation exposure with LDQ. Therefore, when available, LDQ is a reasonable first-choice modality for suspected PE in pregnant women with a negative result on chest radiograph.
Operationalizing Relative Customer Value

AbstractThe construct of “value” has been central to explaining economic exchange since the time of Adam Smith. Despite its central importance, debate still exists as to what value entails. Absent ...
Food Shopping and Acquisition Behaviors in Relation to BMI among Residents of Low-Income Communities in South Carolina

Low-income areas in which residents have poor access to healthy foods have been referred to as “food deserts.” It is thought that improving food access may help curb the obesity epidemic. Little is known about where residents of food deserts shop and if shopping habits are associated with body mass index (BMI). We evaluated the association of food shopping and acquisition (e.g., obtaining food from church, food pantries, etc.) with BMI among 459 residents of low-income communities from two South Carolina counties, 81% of whom lived in United States Department of Agriculture-designated food deserts. Participants were interviewed about food shopping and acquisition and perceptions of their food environment, and weight and height were measured. Distances to food retail outlets were determined. Multivariable linear regression analysis was employed. Our study sample comprising largely African-American women had an average BMI of 32.5 kg/m2. The vast majority of study participants shopped at supermarkets (61%) or supercenters/warehouse clubs (27%). Shopping at a supercenter or warehouse club as one’s primary store was significantly associated with a 2.6 kg/m2 higher BMI compared to shopping at a supermarket, independent of demographics, socioeconomics, physical activity, and all other food shopping/acquisition behaviors. Persons who reported shopping at a small grocery store or a convenience or dollar store as their tertiary store had a 2.6 kg/m2 lower BMI. Respondents who perceived lack of access to adequate food shopping in their neighborhoods as a problem had higher BMI. Living in a food desert census tract was not significantly associated with BMI. Other shopping attributes, including distance to utilized and nearest grocery stores, were not independently associated with BMI. These findings call into question the idea that poor spatial access to grocery stores is a key underlying factor affecting the obesity epidemic. Future research should consider assessing foods purchased and dietary intake within a comprehensive study of food shopping behaviors and health outcomes among persons living in food deserts.
Laboratory Rearing of Pepper Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Using Artificial Leaf Balls and a Boll Weevil Diet

Abstract The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most economically important insect pest of peppers. Management studies for A. eugenii require a large and readily available supply of the insects. Our objective was to develop a rearing method for A. eugenii in the laboratory using 1.5-cm diameter glass balls covered with pepper leaves and Parafilm® M (American National Can, Greenwich, CT). Adults collected from either field or laboratory colonies were equally suitable for initiating colonies or for use in experiments. Glass balls with a layer of pepper leaves covered with parafilm provided an effective substrate for obtaining eggs and larvae when maintained at 26 ± 2°C, 60 ± 20% relative humidity, and at a 14:10 h (L:D) photoperiod. Under these conditions, the highest egg production from colonies using leaf balls and supplemental nourishment was obtained from mature, untreated pepper leaves. Mean (± SE) durations of the pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-ovipositi...
An Empirical Analysis of Lead-Lag Relationship of the Movements of Various Financial Markets

The efficient-market hypothesis (EMH) asserts that financial markets are "informationally efficient," i.e. all relevant information will be fully and immediately reflected in a security's market price. Other researchers however, have disputed the efficient-market hypothesis both empirically and theoretically. If efficient market hypothesis is held true, then we should expect to see a simultaneous co-movement among different security markets with information; while on the other hand, if different security markets digest and reflect information with different speeds, then we should expect to see some lead-lag movements among various security markets. In this paper, we study the question whether or not investment information will be reflected in different security markets simultaneously by empirically testing the lead-lag movement among various financial indices. We focus on three major financial markets: stock market, derivative markets and fixed-income markets and investigate the movement of major financial indices which are proxies of these security markets. Our overall findings suggest that all three major financial markets (equity, fixed income and derivative) are closely correlated with each other. However, we do see some level of lead-lag relationships among our variables and thus provide certain evidence that is against the efficient market hypothesis. Our results will also offer insights towards a better understanding about how quickly different security markets process and reflect information and at the same time benefit investors who wish to profits from arbitraging among different security markets by taking advantage of the different speeds that information is processed and reflected in different security market.
Basins of Attraction for Generative Justice

It has long been known that dynamic systems typically tend towards some state – an “attractor” – into which they finally settle. The introduction of chaos theory has modified our understanding of these attractors: we no longer think of the final “resting state” as necessarily being at rest. In this essay we consider the attractors of social ecologies: the networks of people, technologies and natural resources that makeup our built environments. Following the work of “communitarians” we posit that basins of attraction could be created for social ecologies that foster both environmental sustainability and social justice. We refer to this confluence as “generative justice”; a phrase which references both the “bottom-up”, self-generating source of its adaptive meta stability, as well as its grounding in the ethics of egalitarian political theory.
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNITS

This chapter discusses the designs of computer systems, such as IBM 1620, CDC 1604, IBM 1401, KDF 9, and CDC 6600. The CDC 1604 has a core memory of 32,768 words. It has an accumulator and an MQ register, index registers, and a control register. Numbers can be represented as binary integers or as binary floating-point numbers. The IBM 1620 is a decimal machine with a memory organized into characters. The memory is made of magnetic cores and each core represents one bit but the machine regards a group of six cores as one unit and uses the group of six to represent one decimal digit. The IBM 1401 has a magnetic core memory that contains 1400, 2000, 4000, 8000, or 16,000 characters. Each character consists of 8 bits. The two extra bits, compared with the 6-bit characters of the 1620, enable the 1401 to store either decimal or alphabetic information in one character. The KDF 9 computer has a magnetic core memory of 32,768 words. Each word holds 48 bits. Each word can be regarded as a 48 bit integer or as a floating-point number or as eight 6 bit characters or as six 8 bit syllables. The CDC 6600 was first delivered in 1964. It consists of one central processor, 10 peripheral processors, and the usual peripheral equipment. The CDC 6600 has an operating system that controls the use of the peripheral processors and the input–output equipment.
Estimating the Absolute Risk of Disease Associated with Identified Mutations

For a given mutation status, we define the absolute risk as the chance that disease develops in a defined age interval, given that the person is well at the beginning of the interval. Absolute risk is reduced by competing risks of mortality, that may cause the person to die before the disease of interest develops. We distinguish absolute risk from the pure cumulative risk of disease that is often estimated in the genetic epidemiologic literature, and we concentrate on estimating marginal risks for members selected at random from the population, rather than family specific risks. We review cohort, population-based case–control, case–control family, and kin-cohort designs for estimating absolute and pure cumulative risks associated with a measurable genetic mutation.
Dosing vancomycin in the super obese: less is more.

Background Vancomycin remains the mainstay of empirical therapy directed against MRSA. National guidelines recommend empirical dosing based on total body weight with trough-level therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), which may not be optimal in obese and super obese patients. Furthermore, nomograms for empirical vancomycin dosing by estimated kidney function pre-date standardization of creatinine assays. Objectives To determine an empirical vancomycin dosing strategy for obese and super obese adults that is consistent with the AUC monitoring paradigm. Methods We conducted a population pharmacokinetic study using data obtained from routine peak and trough TDM of vancomycin in obese and super obese adults. An empirical dosing nomogram was developed using Monte Carlo simulation to identify vancomycin doses that optimize the probability of efficacy and minimize the probability of acute kidney injury based on AUC. Results A total of 346 patients were included encompassing a wide range of body weight (69.6-293.6 kg) and BMI (30.1-85.7 kg/m2) values. In the final model, vancomycin clearance (CLV) was described using a linear combination of age, serum creatinine, sex and allometrically scaled body weight. Monte Carlo simulation demonstrated that maintenance doses >4500 mg/day were not required to achieve pharmacodynamic AUC targets in obese and super obese patients at clinically relevant values of CLV. Conclusions Empirical vancomycin dosing informed by common clinical variables, including standardized creatinine, with subsequent individualization using AUC-targeted TDM can optimize therapy in obese and super obese adults.