cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complex interactions of transcription factors in mediating cytokine biology in T cells

T-helper (Th) cells play critical roles within the mammalian immune system, and the differentiation of naive CD4(+) T cells into distinct T-helper subsets is critical for normal immunoregulation and host defense. These carefully regulated differentiation processes are controlled by networks of cytokines, transcription factors, and epigenetic modifications, resulting in the generation of multiple CD4(+) T-cell subsets, including Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Treg, and Tfh cells. In this review, we discuss the roles of transcription factors in determining the specific type of differentiation and in particular the role of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in promoting or inhibiting Th differentiation. In addition to discussing master regulators and subset-specific transcription factors for distinct T-helper cell populations, we focus on signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins and on the cooperative action of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) with activator protein 1 (AP-1) family proteins and STAT3 in the assembly of complexes that broadly influence T-cell differentiation.
Estimates of atmospheric attenuation sensitivity with respect to absolute humidity at 337 GHz

A 640-m field transmissometer was operated for a three-day period during late July 1986. Using an optically pumped, near-millimeter wave laser as the source, clear-air relative attenuation measurements were collected at an operating frequency of 337 GHz. The ambient and dew point temperatures were recorded concurrent with the relative attenuation measurements. An expression was synthesized to provide absolute humidity measurements from the recorded temperatures. By assuming static attenuation due to atmospheric constituents other than water vapor, the sensitivity of attenuation to absolute humidity at 337 GHz was estimated at a number of temperatures. Comparison of these estimates to a previous investigation at the same frequency indicates general agreement. >
Employee Ownership in America: The Equity Solution

The article reviews the book “Employee Ownership in America: The Equity Solution,” by Corey M. Rosen, Katherine J. Klein and Karen Young.
A novel role for Gqα in α-thrombin-mediated mitogenic signalling pathways

Abstract α-Thrombin activates several G-proteins including members of the Gq, Gi, and G12/13 families, although the physiological importance of these proteins is still not completely understood. We specifically investigated the role of Gqα in modulating α-thrombin-induced mitogenesis. In Gqa1 cells, a stable cell line expressing reduced amounts of Gqα, concentrations of α-thrombin (1 NIH unit/ml), which induce cell cycle reentry and progression into S phase in wild-type IIC9 cells, do not stimulate phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis, the rapid early phase of ERK activity, and transit through G1 into S phase as quantified by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4–cyclin D activity and [3H]thymidine incorporation. Interestingly, high concentrations of α-thrombin restore these activities and cell cycle progression into S phase. While, it is well documented that α-thrombin-induced sustained ERK activity mediates important responses for transit through G1 into S phase, the importance of the rapid, Gq-dependent phase as a prerequisite for α-thrombin-mediated mitogenesis has not been appreciated.
Sensitivity of the NOy budget over the United States to anthropogenic and lightning NOx in summer

[1] We examine the implications of new estimates of the anthropogenic and lightning nitrogen oxide (NOx) source for the budget of oxidized nitrogen (NOy) over the United States in summer using a 3‐D global chemical transport model (Model of Ozone and Related Tracers‐4). As a result of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State Implementation call, power plant NOx emissions over the eastern United States decreased significantly, as reflected by a 23% decrease in summer surface emissions from the 1999 U.S. EPA National Emissions Inventory to our 2004 inventory. We increase the model lightning NOx source over northern midlatitude continents (by a factor of 10) and the fraction emitted into the free troposphere (FT, from 80% to 98%) to better match the recent observation‐based estimates. While these NOx source updates improve the simulation of NOx and O3 compared to the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment‐North America aircraft observations, a bias in the partitioning between nitric acid (HNO3) and peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN) remains especially above 8 km, suggesting gaps in the current understanding of upper tropospheric processes. We estimate a model NOy export efficiency of 4%−14% to the North Atlantic in the FT, within the range of previous plume‐based estimates (3%−20%) and lower than the 30% exported directly from the continental boundary layer. Lightning NOx contributes 24%−43% of the FT NOy export from the U.S. to the North Atlantic and 28%−34% to the NOy wet deposition over the United States, with the ranges reflecting different assumptions. Increasing lightning NOx decreases the fractional contribution of PAN to total NOy export, increases the O3 production in the northern extratropical FT by 33%, and decreases the regional mean ozone production efficiency per unit NOx (OPE) by 30%. If models underestimate the lightning NOx source, they would overestimate the background OPE in the FT and the fractional contribution of PAN to NOy export. Therefore, a model underestimate of lightning NOx would likely lead to an overestimate of the downwind O3 production due to anthropogenic NOx export. Better constraints on the lightning NOx source are required to more confidently assess the impacts of anthropogenic emissions and their changes on air quality over downwind regions.
Potentiation by carbon tetrachloride of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in lung microsomes.

Abstract NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation occurs in rat lung microsomes in vitro . Expressed per wet weight of tissue we found that lung had only 1 100 the activity of liver. However, examination of the rate of malonyl dialdehyde production with different concentrations of NADPH revealed that the kinetics of lipid peroxidation in lung microsomes was indistinguishable from that of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in liver microsomes. With lung microsomes supplemented with NADPH, lipid peroxidation was potentiated by CCl 4 and inhibited by EDTA, Mn 2+ , and cytochrome c .
Dynamics of hydrocarbon biosynthesis and transport to the cuticle during pupal and early adult development in the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Hydrocarbons are synthesized at specific time periods during pupal development: between 40–90 h after the pupal molt and 10–12 h before adult emergence, with very low levels of synthesis at other times. These newly synthesized hydrocarbons remain internal and are not deposited on the pupal cuticle. Methylalkanes are synthesized between 40–90 h after the pupal molt while n- alkanes appear at the end of the pupal stage. Hydrocarbon is synthesized by the tissue associated with the pupal case and it is then transferred to an, as yet undetermined, internal storage site. Approximately 5 h before the adult emerges, methylalkanes are deposited on the adult cuticle and deposition continues, although at a slower rate, during the following 24 h. n- Alkanes appear on the adult cuticle 1 day after emergence. Trichoplusia ni does not reabsorb its cuticular hydrocarbons prior to molting, but rather discards them with the cast skin. Internal hydrocarbons synthesized during the previous stadium are deposited on the cuticle of the new instar upon molting. Adult males and females incorporate both [1-14C]acetate and [1-14C]propionate into hydrocarbons but no newly synthesized hydrocarbons are deposited on the adult cuticle.
SEA LEVEL CHANGE AND THE DEPOSITIONAL HISTORY OF A SHALLOW, COASTAL AQUIFER SYSTEM, NORTHERN MONTEREY, CA, BASED ON INDICATOR GEOSTATISTICS

We conducted a multidisciplinary investigation of shallow aquifers and confining layers within a coastal groundwater basin in northern Monterey County, CA. Shallow sediments within this basin comprise a Holocene, unconfined, aeolian and valley-fill aquifer, and an underlying, Pleistocene aquifer of fluvial and alluvial silt, sand, and gravel. These two aquifers are separated by a confining unit of clay, silt, and sand, previously interpreted to be a lagoonal and shallow marine deposit of latest Pleistocene to Holocene age. The 40 km2 study area contains 231 wells and borings, from which cuttings and core description data were digitized and compiled at 0.6-m depth intervals. Additional geophysical logging (natural gamma-ray and induction resistivity) data was collected in 55 wells. This information was used for proxy lithological identification based on calibration from core descriptions, and combined with the core and cuttings data to generate a database of lithological interpretations at 22,000 X-Y-Z locations. These data were used to generate geostatistical realizations, using a binary (clay versus not clay) indicator scheme for the confining unit and shallow, valley-fill aquifers. The realizations indicate a complicated, three-dimensional geometry that is not apparent in earlier cross-sections of the confining unit, and appears to record multiple sealevel changes, most likely associated with isotope Stage 5. This interpretation has important implications for the hydrogeology of this site and the Salinas Valley in general, as well as other coastal California basins.
Neurohormonal Signaling Pathways and the Regulation of Alzheimer β-Amyloid Precursor Metabolism

Postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement appear to have their relative risk of developing Alzheimer's disease diminished by about one half. Because brain amyloid accumulation plays a key role in initiating Alzheimer's pathology, it is attractive to postulate that estrogen might modulate Alzheimer's risk by inhibiting amyloid accumulation. Data and cell biological models supporting such a scenario are reviewed here.
Fluoride and Bone Health

This paper reviews some of the studies related to the effect of fluoride on the skeletal system of humans and outlines the knowns and unknowns of fluoride and bone health. Current research indicates that, in large enough doses, fluoride stimulates bone formation by osteoblastic stimulation, increases bone formation earlier and to a larger extent in trabecular bone compared to cortical bone, and increases spinal bone density. There is controversy, however, concerning the efficacy of fluoride as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of osteoporosis. Some clinical studies have found a reduction in vertebral fracture rates while others have not. To date, only ecologic studies have been conducted on the association between water fluoridation and hip fractures. The inability of ecologic studies to control for confounding variables makes their interpretation difficult. Based on the literature presented, it is concluded that there are more unknowns than knowns in terms of fluoride's effect on bone, osteoporosis, and fractures. One of the major unknowns in the relationship between fluoride and bone health is dose and duration. Two studies are underway that attempt to describe the dose-response relationship between waterborne fluoride and osteoporosis. These studies will be completed in the near future and their results, while providing new insight into fluoride's effects on bone, will by no means answer all the questions raised on this issue.
Time- and dose-dependent effects of dietary cyclopropenoid fatty acids on the hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase system of rainbow trout

Abstract Rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) were fed diets containing various levels of cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA's) and sampled at several time intervals to measure the effects on the mixed function oxidase (MFO) system. Feeding rainbow trout a diet containing 300 ppm CPFA's for 1 wk was sufficient to cause measurable changes in hepatic cytochrome P -450 content, microsomal protein content, NADPH—cytochrome creductase activity, and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity. After 3 wk, diets containing 50, 150 or 300 ppm CPFA's caused variable effects on mixed function oxidase (MFO) enzyme activities; however, diets containing 450 and 600 ppm CPFA's suppressed NADPH—cytochrome c reductase, ethoxycoumarin- O -deethylase, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, p -nitroanisole- O -demethylase, epoxide hydrase, and glutathione transferase activities and decreased cytochrome P -450 and microsomal protein content compared to controls. The suppressive effects of dietary CPFA's on the trout MFO system is consistent with the decreased ability of liver from trout fed CPFA's to biotransform aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) to less active derivatives. The S20 liver fraction from trout fed diets containing CPFA's however, did not enhance the mutagenic activity of AFB 1 using Salmonella typhinurium TA 98. The results indicate that dietary CPFA's in trout do not induce the cytochrome P -450 dependent microsomal MFO system which converts AFB 1 to the active 2,3-oxide. The mechanism by which dietary CPFA's act as synergists with AFB 1 seems to be through the post-initiation promotion of AFB 1 formed lesions rather than through alteration of the MFO system or AFB 1 metabolism.
Both genetic and non-genetic risk factors of alzheimer's disease must continue to be evaluated

Abstract Although a genetic role of Alzheimer's disease remains an intriguing, but unproven possibility, attempts to map gene defects and to define aberrant genetic control elements will likely provide important information in the future. However, the study of non-genetic risk factors should be incorporated into current research and thinking concerned with potential genetic factors.
The Sense of Taste in the Fowl

Abstract A DESCRIPTION of taste easily lends itself to the bias of the investigator. This is particularly true in the case of animals since little fundamental information is available. The present study concerns itself with the sense of taste in domestic fowl. The word taste in the narrowest sense refers to the sensation mediated through the taste buds. However, general usage includes olfaction, gustation, the common chemical sense and the sense of touch and pressure. Taste interpretation is also influenced by temperature, the shape and color of food, and prior experience. The literature contains a substantial number of papers on taste in the class Aves. Since Rennie’s (1835) early studies on the faculties of birds many reports on the senses of birds have become available. A summary of the work on the diverse species would suggest the conclusion, albeit not unanimous, that the bird has more than a rudimentary sense of …
Deriving cluster analytic distance functions from Gaussian mixture models

The reliable detection of clusters in datasets of non-trivial dimensionality is notoriously difficult. Clustering algorithms are generally driven by some distance function (usually Euclidean) defined over pairs of examples, which implicitly treats distances within and between clusters alike. In this paper, a more effective distance measure is proposed, derived from an a priori estimated Gaussian mixture model. Examples are given to illustrate how the proposed approach can effectively de-emphasise within-cluster structure, and thus implicitly magnify the separation between regions of high data density.
Multi-sample Couette viscometer for polymer formulations

We describe a prototype scalable viscometer aimed at facilitating rapid measurements of multiple samples. The device simultaneously measures the viscosity of four samples in an array of Couette cells. Each cell contains a rotor with an embedded permanent magnet that is driven by an oscillating magnetic field generated by a two-axis Helmholtz coil. The angular displacement of the rotors is recorded by a charge-coupled device camera. Image analysis determines the amplitude and phase of the rotors with respect to the coil's sinusoidal current. The viscosity of each sample influences the amplitude and phase of the rotor, which can be predicted with a viscously damped oscillator model. We present data for Newtonian fluids with viscosities from 50 to 2000 mPa s.
Peritoneal host defenses are less impaired by laparoscopy than by open operation.

There is a growing body of evidence that laparoscopic surgery is physiologically less injurious than open surgery. We hypothesized that the open technique results in a greater impairment of peritoneal and systemic defense mechanisms than does the laparoscopic technique. Nissen fundoplication, standardized in technique and duration, was performed in 16 pigs. The procedure was performed through a standard midline incision (OPEN, n=8) or with laparoscopic technique and CO2 pneumoperitoneum (LAP, n=8). The peritoneal cavity was instilled with 400 cc of normal saline, either alone (not contamined, n=8) or containing 109 E. coli/ml (contaminated, n=8). Quantitative cultures, cell count, and flow cytometry were performed on blood and peritoneal fluid samples obtained at timed intervals. We found that host defense processes were better preserved after LAP than by OPEN surgery. Peritoneal and systemic monocyte class II antigen expression, and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha activity was greater in the OPEN group compared with the LAP group, but peritoneal bacterial clearance was more efficient in the LAP group. These data may illustrate a potential benefit of laparoscopic surgery in cases of peritoneal contamination.
Dimeric ruthenium complexes of dicyanopyrazines: complexes with an unstable mixed-valence state

Abstract Pentaammineruthenium complexes bridged by 2,3-dicyanopyrazine and 2,3-dicyano-5, 6-dimethylpyrazine have been prepared and characterized. The bridging ligand binds to the metal atoms through the cyano nitrogen. Complexes can be prepared in the +4 and +6 oxidation states but the mixed-valence, +5, state is not observed experimentally, unlike the previously prepared 1,2-dicyanobenzene dimer which does have a stable +5 state. A simple electronic model is constructed from the spectroscopic data and is used to show that the electronic perturbations caused by the uncomplexed nitrogen atoms in the pyrazine ring are sufficient to drive the disproportionation reaction of the +5 state.
Replica Ornstein−Zernike Equations and Simulations of the Structure of a Simple Fluid in Disordered Porous Media. Application to Monomolecular Adsorption

A two-dimensional (2D) model for a simple fluid adsorbed in a disordered porous medium is investigated by means of the replica Ornstein−Zernike (ROZ) equations with the hypernetted chain (HNC) and ...
Toward an Evolution of Mind: Implications for the Faithful?

Ever since its inception, Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has challenged assumptions about the nature of humankind and human institutions. It did not escape the notice of Darwin, sympathetic allies, or hostile contemporaries that his theory had profound implications for ethics and theology. In this paper I review some current sociobiological hypotheses about the mind that are based on the theory that the human mind is primarily a social tool. Many researchers now believe that both complex human within-group cooperation and between-group competition are the anvils that may have shaped the modules of the mind. Given this evolutionary theory of the mind, the Darwinian challenge to theism, ethics, and faith is now being relaunched with a vengeance. However, I suggest that modern physics, evolutionary biology, and cognitive science all seem to fit nicely into the atheistic and phenomenological niche defined by Buddhism.
Tots on bots

Tots on Bots is a research project developing robotic-based mobility platforms for children with motor impairments. Independent mobility is crucial in the development of typical infants, and is missed by children with physical disabilities. We are looking to provide mobility to children as young as six months old using robot-powered devices. Children use the system by sitting on top of a Wii Fit Balance Board, which is seated on a Pioneer 3 robot. Our software allows infants to "drive" by leaning to one side or reaching, with sonar sensors and a remote control for added safety. This video explains the need for such a system, how it is built, some clips of children during our pilot testing phase, and discusses future work.
Operator scheduling in data stream systems

In many applications involving continuous data streams, data arrival is bursty and data rate fluctuates over time. Systems that seek to give rapid or real-time query responses in such an environment must be prepared to deal gracefully with bursts in data arrival without compromising system performance. We discuss one strategy for processing bursty streams - adaptive, load-aware scheduling of query operators to minimize resource consumption during times of peak load. We show that the choice of an operator scheduling strategy can have significant impact on the runtime system memory usage as well as output latency. Our aim is to design a scheduling strategy that minimizes the maximum runtime system memory while maintaining the output latency within prespecified bounds. We first present Chain scheduling, an operator scheduling strategy for data stream systems that is near-optimal in minimizing runtime memory usage for any collection of single-stream queries involving selections, projections, and foreign-key joins with stored relations. Chain scheduling also performs well for queries with sliding-window joins over multiple streams and multiple queries of the above types. However, during bursts in input streams, when there is a buildup of unprocessed tuples, Chain scheduling may lead to high output latency. We study the online problem of minimizing maximum runtime memory, subject to a constraint on maximum latency. We present preliminary observations, negative results, and heuristics for this problem. A thorough experimental evaluation is provided where we demonstrate the potential benefits of Chain scheduling and its different variants, compare it with competing scheduling strategies, and validate our analytical conclusions.
Reduction of renal dopamine receptor expression in obese Zucker rats: role of sex and angiotensin II

Dopamine produced by renal proximal tubules increases sodium excretion via a decrease in renal sodium reabsorption. Dopamine natriuresis is impaired in obese Zucker rats; however, the mechanism is not fully understood. To test the hypothesis that renal expression of one or more of the subtypes are altered in these rats, we measured whole kidney protein levels by immunoblotting of D1-like (D1R and D5R) and D2-like (D2R, D3R, and D4R) dopamine receptors in both male and female obese and lean Zucker rats. In obese males on 1% NaCl diet, D1R, D2R, D4R, and D5R were decreased, while D3R was increased, relative to lean rats. Under a 4% NaCl diet, D2R and D3R levels in obese rats were restored to lean levels. 4% NaCl diet reduced D5R in both body types, relative to 1% NaCl diet. Female rats had higher expression of D1R and D3R than did male; however, the sex difference for D1R was markedly blunted in obese rats. In obese rats, dietary candesartan (angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker) normalized downregulated D1R and D2R, but either decreased (D3R), did not affect (D4R), or further downregulated (D5R) the other subtypes. Candesartan also decreased D4R in lean rats. In summary, reduced renal protein levels of D1R, D2R, D4R, and D5R in obese Zucker rats could induce salt sensitivity and elevate blood pressure. Increased angiotensin II type 1 receptor activity may be mechanistically involved in the decreased expression of D1R and D2R in obese rats. Finally, reduced D1R and D3R in male rats may contribute to sex differences in blood pressure.
A critical examination of the "bad luck" explanation of cancer risk

Tomasetti and Vogelstein (1) argue that lifetime cancer risk for particular tissues is mostly determined by the total number of stem cell (SC) divisions within the tissue, whereby most cancers arise due to "bad luck"—mutations occurring during DNA replication. We argue that the poorly substantiated estimations of SC division parameters and assumptions that oversimplify somatic evolution prevent such a conclusion from being drawn.
Propagation Along a Braided Coaxial Cable in a Circular Tunnel

The modes of propagation along a coaxial structure contained within a circular tunnel are considered. The primary objective is to develop an approximate impedance boundary condition at the outer surface of the shielded cable that can be used in previously developed formalisms for axial conductors in tunnels. It is assumed that the metal braid can be characterized by a surface-transfer impedance. We also account for the possibility that a Iossy film exists on the outer surface of the dielectric jacket of the cable.
The serologic detection of HL-A antigens in human milk.

The whey prepared from human milk has been shown to contain the HL-A antigens of the milk donor. The inhibition of specific and nonspecific anti-HL-A alloantisera by the antigens in whey was assessed by a microcytotoxicity assay employing 51Cr release. After centrifugation at 100,000 g for 1 h, significant serologic activity could be demonstrated by the antigens contained in both the insoluble fraction and the soluble fraction. The serologic activity of the HL-A antigens in whey was specific and dose-dependent. The HL-A antigens were not equally represented within the soluble fraction when compared to their distribution in the insoluble fraction, and this may indicate some antigen destruction upon solubilization.
Race and Racism in the Works of David Hume

African Americans who must work with historical and philosophical texts face a dilemma. On one hand they wish to make use of the information contained in the texts they study; but they must at the same time be aware that the information is often tainted by views which define as universal things which are not. And when they examine these supposed universals, they discover that the latter’s proponents are Europeans who did not intend for their universals to include non-Europeans. Furthermore, they find that those who are not included in the universals have been consciously excluded and that this exclusion has provided the justification for racial events and theories which set-up the framework for white supremacy in history, politics, and scholarship.
Morphological modulation of bimetallic nanostructures for accelerated catalysis

Bimetallic nanostructures are of significant technological interest due to their ability to uniformly combine properties of two distinct metals, giving rise to multimodal characteristics. In this work, we have synthesized Au/Ag core/shell bimetallic nanostructures and investigated the role of temperature in controlling the morphological evolution and the corresponding impact on catalytic transformation. By increasing the reaction temperature from 35 °C to 80 °C, the edge morphologies of Au/Ag nanostructures evolved from rounded to sharp corners, which directly impact the catalytic properties. The size of the bimetallic nanostructures also increased when the temperature was raised due to faster Ag+ reduction along specific crystallographic planes, giving rise to red shifts in the plasmon resonance. The catalytic activity of Au/Ag nanostructures was compared to commercially purchased Ag nanospheres for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol with NaBH4. The reaction rate for 4-nitrophenol reduction was significantly higher on Au/Ag-NSs relative to the Ag nanospheres, while the induction time was lowest on the Ag nanospheres. These observations were attributed to the simultaneous effects of (i) surface area available for catalytic reaction, (ii) crystallographic facets supporting the nanostructures, (iii) surface ligands, and (iv) composition of the metal nanostructures.
On a Control Algorithm for Time-Varying Processor Availability

We propose an anytime algorithm for control when the processor resource availability is limited and time-varying. The basic idea behind the algorithm is to calculate the components of the control input vector sequentially to maximally utilize the processing resources available at every time step. For the LQR case, we present a Markovian jump linear system formulation that provides analytical performance and stability expressions. For more general cases, we present and analyze a receding horizon control based formulation. The improvement in performance is also illustrated through numerical simulations.
Physiological and Proteomic Analysis of Escherichia coli Iron-Limited Chemostat Growth

Iron bioavailability is a major limiter of bacterial growth in mammalian host tissue and thus represents an important area of study. Escherichia coli K-12 metabolism was studied at four levels of iron limitation in chemostats using physiological and proteomic analyses. The data documented an E. coli acclimation gradient where progressively more severe iron scarcity resulted in a larger percentage of substrate carbon being directed into an overflow metabolism accompanied by a decrease in biomass yield on glucose. Acetate was the primary secreted organic by-product for moderate levels of iron limitation, but as stress increased, the metabolism shifted to secrete primarily lactate (∼70% of catabolized glucose carbon). Proteomic analysis reinforced the physiological data and quantified relative increases in glycolysis enzyme abundance and decreases in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme abundance with increasing iron limitation stress. The combined data indicated that E. coli responds to limiting iron by investing the scarce resource in essential enzymes, at the cost of catabolic efficiency (i.e., downregulating high-ATP-yielding pathways containing enzymes with large iron requirements, like the TCA cycle). Acclimation to iron-limited growth was contrasted experimentally with acclimation to glucose-limited growth to identify both general and nutrient-specific acclimation strategies. While the iron-limited cultures maximized biomass yields on iron and increased expression of iron acquisition strategies, the glucose-limited cultures maximized biomass yields on glucose and increased expression of carbon acquisition strategies. This study quantified ecologically competitive acclimations to nutrient limitations, yielding knowledge essential for understanding medically relevant bacterial responses to host and to developing intervention strategies.
Sources of academic and self-regulatory efficacy beliefs of entering middle school students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Bandura’s (1997) hypothesized sources of self-efficacy on the academic and self-regulatory efficacy beliefs of entering middle school students (N = 263) and to explore whether these sources differ as a function of gender, reading ability, and race/ethnicity. For the full sample, mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasions, and physiological state independently predicted academic and self-regulatory self-efficacy, with mastery experience proving the strongest predictor. Mastery experience and social persuasions predicted girls’ academic and self-regulatory self-efficacy, whereas mastery and vicarious experiences predicted these self-beliefs for boys. African American students’ mastery experiences and social persuasions predicted their academic self-efficacy. Mastery experience did not predict the self-efficacy beliefs of low-achieving students. Findings support and refine the theoretical tenets of Bandura’s social cognitive theory.
You be the Board Member: an Exercise in Setting Executive Pay

This exercise requires students to work in small teams to determine executive pay for an actual CEO. The exercise illustrates several relevant theories of executive compensation, and may comprise one 75-minute class session or be divided into two parts. This activity has increased meaning for students because the instructor customizes it for local corporations and executives. Instructions are provided for adapting the exercise for use at any university.
Engineering performance analysis of the TOPEX radar altimeter

Describes the Wallops Flight Facility continuing work in engineering performance analysis for the NASA radar altimeter of the TOPEX/POSEIDON mission (referred to simply as the TOPEX altimeter). Because an altimeter measuring range at two frequencies allows the ionosphere-caused error to be corrected, the TOPEX altimeter comprises a primary radar altimeter at Ku-band (13.6 GHz) and a secondary radar altimeter at C-band (5.3 GHz). For the TOPEX Ku and C altimeters the authors report performance and calibration results for range and for the radar surface backscattering cross-section /spl sigma//sup 0/. Except for the antenna the TOPEX altimeter has two redundant systems, sides A and B. Only side A has been operated since launch, and this paper discusses only side A. >
Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and the digestible and metabolizable energy content of dry extruded-expelled soybean meal and its effects on growth performance of pigs.

We conducted three experiments to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids (Exp. 1), metabolizable and digestible energy (Exp. 2), and feeding value (Exp. 3) of dry extruded-expelled soybean meal with (DEH) or without (DENH) hulls compared with solvent-extracted soybean meal with hulls removed (SBMNH). Soybeans used to produce DEH were unadulterated prior to extrusion, but those used for DENH were dehulled prior to extrusion. In Exp. 1, six nonlittermate barrows (initially 39 kg) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design digestion trial. Experimental diets (0.80% total lysine) were cornstarch-based and contained soybean meal from one of the three different sources as the sole source of lysine. Apparent ileal digestibilies of nutrients were similar (P > 0.10) for DEH and DENH. Apparent ileal digestibilies of CP, Lys, Ile, Leu, Arg, Phe, and Val were greater (P 0.10) for DEH and DENH and both had greater (P 0.10) than that of pigs fed corresponding diets containing SMBH or SBMNH. Pigs fed ESBM had lower (P < 0.05) ADG and G/F compared with its corresponding SBMH and soy oil diet. In conclusion, DEH and DENH are more digestible than conventional soybean meal and can be successfully used in swine diets.
The Aeroce Project

The Atmospheric/Ocean Chemistry Experiment (AEROCE), a coordinated multi-institutional atmospheric and marine chemistry research program, will establish a network of four stations in the North Atlantic (Barbados; Bermuda; Mace Head, Ireland; and Tenerife). Using proven measurement technologies, this program will address three major scientific issues: the climatology of background tropospheric ozone in the northern mid-latitudes; the export of combustion sulfur and nitrogen from North America; the flux of mineral aerosol and trace metals to the North Atlantic from the continents. As instruments are developed and proven for continuous field use, we hope to examine a range of atmospheric chemistry issues including the importance of chemistry in the budget of tropospheric ozone, the role of biogenic sources of sulfur in sulfate deposition to the ocean, and the flux of continentally derived organics to the surface of the North Atlantic. Furthermore, this network of chemical observations will provide a framework for developing intensive studies of such specific processes as atmospheric oxidation, the sulfur cycle, and heterogeneous removal.
Biobibliographical Note on T'ang Chün-i

Professor Chun-i T'ang was born in 1909 in Szechwan. He received his college education at National Central University in Nanking. Later he became a professor there and taught at various institutions on the mainland. In 1949 he came to Hong Kong and was one of the founders of New Asia College, which has as its primary goal the reconstruction of the traditional cultural spirit. New Asia in 1963 became one of the foundation colleges of the present Chinese University of Hong Kong. Professor T'ang has been a prolific writer. Except for a few articles in English, most of his important works are in Chinese.
Pathogen and Prevention of Infant's Developmental Defect

This paper discusses the pathogen of infant's developmental defect, enhances the medicine understanding of the pregnant woman, definites the relationship between the medicine and teratogenesis, avoids some disadvantages of embryos'diagnosis measures. The development encircles the childbirth timehealth care, reduces the embryo baby to grow the flaw disease incidence rate, reduces the sequela, the true fetus protection babyhealth, improves the humanity physical quality.
Detection of pilot contamination attack in T.D.D./S.D.M.A. systems

In a time-division duplex (TDD) multiple antenna system, the channel state information (CSI) can be estimated using reverse training. A pilot contamination attack occurs when during the training phase, an adversary also sends identical training (pilot) signal as that of the legitimate receiver. This contaminates channel estimation and alters the legitimate pre-coder design, facilitating eavesdropping. We investigate superimposing a random sequence on the training sequence at the legitimate receivers and then using source enumeration methods to detect pilot contamination attack. The proposed method extends an existing TDD/TDMA uplink approach to TDD/SDMA uplink scenario. The detection performance is illustrated via simulations.
Effects of High Molecular Weight Urinary Macromolecules on Crystallization of Calcium Oxalate Dihydrate

Abstract Timed urinary collections from 8 normal (N1) persons or 11 stone forming (SF) patients were passed through ultrafiltration apparatus to remove macromolecules in the ranges 1000–30,000 d, 30,000–50,000 d, and over 50,000 d. No macromolecules could be recovered from either group in the 30,000–50,000 d range, and no low molecular weight macromolecules (LMWMM) (
Engaging the Vulnerabilities of Alzheimer’s disease: a Care Ethics Perspective

This paper shows that beyond the ethical issues of autonomy and human dignity there some dynamics of vulnerabilities elicited by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It therefore underscores how the ethics of care moral lens offers ethically sensitive ways of engaging the individual and social vulnerabilities of associated with AD. Ultimately, the paper highlights some of the social implications of such an approach.
Effect of Zishen Yutai Pill on Embryo Implantation Rate in Patients Undergoing Fertilization Embryo Transfer in vitro

Objective: To observe the effect of Zishen Yutai pill (ZYP) on embryo implantation rate in luteal phase of patients undergoing fertilization embryo transfer in vitro. Methods: One hundred and forty subjects were divided into two groups, they were all administered with human chorionic gonadotropin to improve the luteal function. To Group A, ZYP were given additionally for 6 g, three times a day for 14 consecutive days. Results: In Group A, mean serum progesterone, embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate was 15.42±1 91μg/L, 24 12% and 51.52% respectively, significantly higher than those in Group B, 13.92±1 96μg/L,16 67% and 34.78% (P0 001, P0 05 and P0 05). Conclusion: Oral administration of ZYP in luteal phase could raise the embryo implantation rate effectively.
Mito-magneto: a tool for nanoparticle mediated mitochondria isolation.

The field of intracellular organelle targeting using nanoparticle (NP) is mushrooming rapidly. Thus, the area of nanotechnology-enabled targeting of mitochondrion, the cellular powerhouse, for diseases characterized by mitochondrial dysfunctions such as cancer, diseases of the central nervous system, and cardiovascular diseases is also growing at a rapid pace. Optimization of a NP's ability to target the mitochondria requires quantification of the particles in this subcellular organelle and isolation of mitochondria from the cells. Conventional gradient centrifugation used in currently available methods may not be appropriate for NP containing mitochondria isolation as these particles undergo Brownian motion under centrifugal forces yielding irreproducible results. There is only one method for centrifugation-free mitochondria isolation; however, this method requires immunoprecipitation. Thus, a reliable centrifugation and immunoprecipitation free method is urgently needed to support this growing field of nanotechnology-based mitochondria targeting. Here, we report a mitochondria-targeted magnetic NP, Mito-magneto, to avoid centrifugation and immunoprecipitation methods for isolation of functional, respiration active pure mitochondria, which can be used to analyze and quantify mitochondria targeting properties of various NPs as an important tool for the growing field of “mitochondrial nanomedicine”.
Are Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis-Related Ovarian Teratomas Distinct? Possible Role of Immunopathological Pathway

Objectives: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis has been recently associated with ovarian teratomas in young women. The clinical importance of encephalitis has been established; however, teratomas in these patients have seldom been systematically analyzed. Methods: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis-associated teratomas were studied clinicopathologically. Their histomorphology and immunohistochemistry were compared with 23 control teratomas (13 ovarian, 4 mediastinal, 6 testicular). Results: From 1995 to date, three women …
Consistent Estimation of Functions of Data Missing Non-Monotonically and Not at Random

Missing records are a perennial problem in analysis of complex data of all types, when the target of inference is some function of the full data law. In simple cases, where data is missing at random or completely at random (Rubin, 1976), well-known adjustments exist that result in consistent estimators of target quantities. Assumptions underlying these estimators are generally not realistic in practical missing data problems. Unfortunately, consistent estimators in more complex cases where data is missing not at random, and where no ordering on variables induces monotonicity of missingness status are not known in general, with some notable exceptions (Robins, 1997), (Tchetgen Tchetgen et al, 2016), (Sadinle and Reiter, 2016). In this paper, we propose a general class of consistent estimators for cases where data is missing not at random, and missingness status is non-monotonic. Our estimators, which are generalized inverse probability weighting estimators, make no assumptions on the underlying full data law, but instead place independence restrictions, and certain other fairly mild assumptions, on the distribution of missingness status conditional on the data. The assumptions we place on the distribution of missingness status conditional on the data can be viewed as a version of a conditional Markov random field (MRF) corresponding to a chain graph. Assumptions embedded in our model permit identification from the observed data law, and admit a natural fitting procedure based on the pseudo likelihood approach of (Besag, 1975). We illustrate our approach with a simple simulation study, and an analysis of risk of premature birth in women in Botswana exposed to highly active anti-retroviral therapy.
Phase Coexistence and Kinetic Arrest in the Magnetostructural Transition of the Ordered Alloy FeRh

In materials where two or more ordering degrees of freedom are closely matched in their free energies, coupling between them, or multiferroic behavior can occur. These phenomena can produce a very rich phase behavior, as well as emergent phases that offer useful properties and opportunities to reveal novel phenomena in phase transitions. The ordered alloy FeRh undergoes an antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition at ~375 K, which illustrates the interplay between structural and magnetic order mediated by a delicate energy balance between two configurations. We have examined this transition using a combination of high-resolution x-ray structural and magnetic imaging and comprehensive x-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy. We find that the transition proceeds via a defect-driven domain nucleation and growth mechanism, with significant return point memory in both the structural and magnetic domain configurations. The domains show evidence of inhibited growth after nucleation, resulting in a quasi-2nd order temperature behavior.
Agricultural EconomicDevelopment at the Rural-Urban Interface: Community Organization, Policy andAgricultural Change

Utilizing data from a survey of key informants from U.S. counties at the rural-urban interface (RUI) with substantial agricultural production, this paper explores the relationship between the existence of formal organizations focused on agricultural economic development or food policy and the existence of other types of farm business or local food-system development programs. The research draws on concepts associated with traditional community-development theory and tests whether there is a relationship between the existence of social organizational capacity and various activities and outcomes. The analysis includes descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses of data from over 500 U.S. counties located at the RUI. We find that counties that have formally organized, such as through the formation of a committee to support agricultural economic development or the formation of a food policy council, also have more agricultural business and local food-system development programs and policies. We also find that the counties with greater formal organizational development in support of agriculture are counties with larger populations, greater rural population densities, and larger numbers of farms compared to counties with less organizational development. We also find that the existence of these organizations is associated with greater optimism about the future of local agriculture among county key informants. The results suggest that local community development policy in support of agriculture at the RUI is warranted and the findings suggest opportunities for further research.
Relational Ways of Knowing in Middle School: A Case Report of Conversation in the Discovery Team

If we see knowing not as having an essence, to be described by scientists or philosophers, but rather as a right, by current standards, to believe, then we are well on the way to seeing conversatio...
Spring Constant Characterization of a Thermally Tunable MEMS Regressive Spring

Springs are a widely utilized component in the Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) industry, especially in inertial devices. Many of these devices rely on the restoring forces of springs to return the device to equilibrium, such as in an accelerometer. By adding external springs with negative spring constant behavior, the total spring constant can be modified. Previous work at AFIT investigated the spring characteristics of a buckled MEMS Si/SiO2 membrane. This research followed on previous work and attempted to modify the spring behavior. A Ti/Au meander resistor was deposited atop the membrane in an effort to actuate the membrane and change the spring constant. Membrane buckling was investigated through analytical equations and Finite Element analysis (FEA) to predict device behavior. Membrane deflections and thermal effects were measured using an interferometric microscope (IFM) and showed a deflection change of 13.3–22.2 μm in the square style of resistor and 15.1–23.5 μm in the spiral type of resistor. The results concluded that by introducing a thermal stress, the membrane could be actuated with a subsequent change in spring constant. From the initial position to the fully thermally actuated position, we expect the spring to undergo a threefold increase in spring stiffness in the linear region.