cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Acceptor Stem Conformation in tRNAVal Recognition by Its Cognate Synthetase

Although the anticodon is the primary element in Escherichia coli tRNAValfor recognition by valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS), nucleotides in the acceptor stem and other parts of the tRNA modulate recognition. Study of the steady state aminoacylation kinetics of acceptor stem mutants of E.coli tRNAValdemonstrates that replacing any base pair in the acceptor helix with another Watson-Crick base pair has little effect on aminoacylation efficiency. The absence of essential recognition nucleotides in the acceptor helix was confirmed by converting E.coli tRNAAlaand yeast tRNAPhe, whose acceptor stem sequences differ significantly from that of tRNAVal, to efficient valine acceptors. This transformation requires, in addition to a valine anticodon, replacement of the G:U base pair in the acceptor stem of these tRNAs. Mutational analysis of tRNAValverifies that G:U base pairs in the acceptor helix act as negative determinants of synthetase recognition. Insertion of G:U in place of the conserved U4:A69 in tRNAValreduces the efficiency of aminoacylation, due largely to an increase in K m. A smaller but significant decline in aminoacylation efficiency occurs when G:U is located at position 3:70; lesser effects are observed for G:U at other positions in the acceptor helix. The negative effects of G:U base pairs are strongly correlated with changes in helix structure in the vicinity of position 4:69 as monitored by19F NMR spectroscopy of 5-fluorouracil-substituted tRNAVal. This suggests that maintaining regular A-type RNA helix geometry in the acceptor stem is important for proper recognition of tRNAValby valyl-tRNA synthetase.19F NMR also shows that formation of the tRNAVal-valyl-tRNA synthetase complex does not disrupt the first base pair in the acceptor stem, a result different from that reported for the tRNAGln-glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase complex.
Bacteria Associated with Giblets of Commercially Processed Turkeys

Abstract CONTAMINATED products made from turkey meat are important sources of food borne intoxications and infections. Dack (1962) reported that turkeys accounted for 14 of 137 outbreaks of staphylococcal food poisoning during the years 1956–1961. According to Dauer (1961) turkey meat was associated with four outbreaks involving 350 cases of salmonellosis and eight outbreaks responsible for 682 cases of staphylococcal food poisoning in 1960. The most probable source of salmonellae on turkey carcasses has been reported to be the viscera and intestinal contents (Gunderson et al., 1954). Morris and Ayres (1960) recovered Salmonella spp. from only 12 of 2,500 samples taken in a federally inspected turkey processing plant. None of the positive cultures were recovered from the carcass surface after evisceration or from the drainage from giblets. Sadler et al. (1961) isolated Salmonella species from 2.4% of the intestinal or cecal samples of turkeys on the processing line. Incidence and…
A chromosomal rearrangement in a P. falciparum histidine-rich protein gene is associated with the knobless phenotype.

A chromosomal rearrangement in a P. falciparum histidine-rich protein gene is associated with the knobless phenotype
Economic decision model for low-volume roads

Presented is the low-volume roads economic decision model (RED), developed to improve the decision-making process for the development and maintenance of low-volume roads of key importance in Africa. The model performs an economic evaluation of road investment options by using the consumer surplus approach. It is customized to the characteristics of low-volume roads such as the high uncertainty of assessment of model inputs, particularly traffic and the condition of unpaved roads, the importance of travel times for model validation, and the need for a comprehensive analysis of generated traffic, and to clearly define all accrued benefits. RED computes benefits for normal, generated, and diverted traffic and takes into account changes in road length, condition, geometry, type, accidents, and days per year when the passage of vehicles is further disrupted by a highly deteriorated road condition. Users can add other benefits to the analysis, such as nonmotorized traffic, social services, and environmental eff...
Kuroshio Extension Variability and Forcing of the Pacific Decadal Oscillations: Responses and Potential Feedback

Abstract A forcing mechanism is sought for the large-scale circulation changes in the Kuroshio Extension region of the western North Pacific Ocean as inferred by TOPEX/Poseidon sea surface height (SSH) data. The low-frequency signal of the Kuroshio Extension over the last decade was characterized by a modulation in its zonal mean flow intensity: the mean Kuroshio Extension jet weakened progressively from 1993 to 1996 and this trend reversed after 1997. The ability to simulate the major trends in the observed SSH signals with linear vorticity dynamics leads the authors to conclude that the modulation in the zonal mean jet was remotely forced by wind stress curl anomalies in the eastern North Pacific Ocean related to the Pacific decadal oscillations (PDOs). To be specific, the weakening (strengthening) trend in 1993–96 (1997–2001) was caused by westward expansions of negative (positive) SSH anomalies south of the Kuroshio Extension and positive (negative) SSH anomalies north of the Kuroshio Extension. Emerg...
Routing on a curve

Relentless progress in hardware technology and recent advances in sensor technology, and wireless networking have made it feasible to deploy large scale, dense ad-hoc networks. These networks together with sensor technology can be considered as the enablers of emerging models of computing such as embedded computing, ubiquitous computing, or pervasive computing. In this paper, we propose a new paradigm called trajectory based forwarding (or TBF), which is a generalization of source based routing and Cartesian routing. We argue that TBF is an ideal technique for routing in dense ad-hoc networks. Trajectories are a natural namespace for describing route paths when the topology of the network matches the topography of the physical surroundings in which it is deployed which by very definition is embedded computing.We show how simple trajectories can be used in implementing important networking protocols such as flooding, discovery, and network management. Trajectory routing is very effective in implementing many networking functions in a quick and approximate way, as it needs very few support services. We discuss several research challenges in the design of network protocols that use specific trajectories for forwarding packets.
THE MIDFACIAL DEGLOVING PROCEDURE FOR NASAL, SINUS, AND NASOPHARYNGEAL TUMORS

The midfacial degloving approach is more technically involved than a lateral rhinotomy and requires a basic level of proficiency and understanding of closed rhinoplasty incisions and anatomy of the nose, paranasal sinuses, and skull base structures. Current applications of the midfacial degloving procedure have allowed expansion of indications for this technique through the use of complementary endoscopic and subcranial approaches, permitting the exposure and removal of extensive skull base lesions without disfiguring facial incisions. Fundamental in these approaches is the basic midfacial degloving exposure, which is discussed in this article, along with the applications for treatment of skull base lesions.
A Novel Mode of Chaperone Action HEME ACTIVATION OF Hap1 BY ENHANCED ASSOCIATION OF Hsp90 WITH THE REPRESSED Hsp70-Hap1 COMPLEX

Molecular chaperones Hsp90 and Hsp70 control many signal transducers, including cyclin-dependent kinases and steroid receptors. The yeast heme-responsive transcriptional activator Hap1 is a native substrate of both Hsp90 and Hsp70. Hsp90 and Hsp70 are critical for the precise regulation of Hap1 activity by heme. Here, to decipher the molecular events underlying the actions of Hsp90 and Hsp70 in heme regulation, we purified various multichaperone-Hap1 complexes and characterized the complexes linked to Hap1 repression and activation by two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis. Notably, we found that in vitro Hap1 is associated continuously with Ssa and its co-chaperones, and this association is not weakened by heme. Heme enhances the interaction between Hap1 and Hsp90. In vivo, defective Ssa, Ydj1, or Sro9 function causes Hap1 derepression in the absence of heme, whereas defective Hsp90 function causes reduced Hap1 activity at high heme concentrations. These results show that continuous association of Hap1 with Ssa, Ydj1, and Sro9 confers Hap1 repression, whereas enhanced association of Hsp90 with the repressed Hap1-Ssa-Ydj1-Sro9 complex by heme causes Hap1 activation. This novel mechanism of chaperone action may operate to control the activity of other important signal transducers.
Release of biologically functional interferon-alpha from a nanochannel delivery system.

Metastatic melanoma lesions often are unresectable due to their size and/or location near critical structures. These lesions represent a significant challenge for the oncologist, because radiation therapy and chemotherapy are infrequently successful in halting tumor growth. Of primary concern is the fact that these lesions are usually painful and present a cosmetic dilemma. We hypothesized that the development of a silicon-based nano-device capable of delivering antitumor compounds (e.g. immune modulators), locally, at a constant rate, to the tumor microenvironment could avoid the toxicity of systemic administration and the inconvenience of frequent clinic visits for local injections. Because of its diminutive size, such a device could be implanted using a minimally invasive procedure in close proximity to unresectable melanoma lesions. The current report uses interferon alpha-2b (IFN-α) as a model antitumor agent, since it is commonly used in the treatment of malignant melanoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. In this system, IFN-α is delivered directly to the tumor microenvironment by a novel nanochannel delivery system (nDS) that is capable of zero order release of small molecules. We have demonstrated that the IFN-α released from the nDS is functionally active on both host immune cells and a human melanoma cell line in vitro. This drug delivery platform could be used to develop alternative strategies for the treatment of unresectable tumors.
Apoptosis and autophagy in the regulation of T lymphocyte function

During the development and normal function of T lymphocytes, the cells are subject to several checkpoints at which they must “decide” to live or die. At these critical times and during homeostasis, the molecules that regulate the classical apoptotic pathways and survival pathways such as autophagy have critical roles in controlling this decision. Our laboratory has focused on the roles of apoptotic and autophagic proteins in T lymphocyte development and function. Using genetic models in mice and in vitro analyses of T cell functions, we have outlined critical roles for the Bcl-2 family (regulators of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis), c-FLIP (an anti-apoptotic protein in the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis), and autophagy in T lymphocytes.
Parameterizing mental model ascription across intelligent agents

Mental model ascription – also called mindreading – is the process of inferring the mental states of others, which happens as a matter of course in social interactions. But although ubiquitous, mindreading is presumably a highly variable process: people mindread to different extents and with different results. We hypothesize that human mindreading ability relies on a large number of personal and contextual features: the inherent abilities of specific individuals, their current physical and mental states, their knowledge of the domain of discourse, their familiarity with the interlocutor, the risks associated with an incorrect assessment of intent, and so on. This paper presents a theory of mindreading that models diverse artificial intelligent agents using an inventory of parameters and value sets that represent traits of humans and features of discourse contexts. Examples are drawn from Maryland Virtual Patient, a prototype system that will permit medical trainees to diagnose and treat cognitively modeled virtual patients with the optional assistance of a virtual tutor. Since real patients vary greatly with respect to physiological and cognitive features, so must a society of virtual patients. Modeling such variation is one of the goals of the overall OntoAgent program of research and development.
Tools to improve built environment data collection for indoor microbial ecology investigations

Abstract Recent studies have greatly increased our knowledge of microbial ecology of the indoor environments in which we live and work. However, the number of studies collecting robust, long-term data using standardized methods to characterize important building characteristics, indoor environmental conditions, or human occupancy – collectively referred to as “built environment data” – remain limited. Insufficiently described built environment data can limit our ability to compare microbial ecology results from one indoor environment to another or to use the results to assess how best to control indoor microbial communities. This work first reviews recent literature on microbial community characterization in indoor environments (primarily those that utilized molecular methods), paying particular attention to the level of assessment of influential built environment characteristics and the specific methods and procedures that were used to collect those data. Based on those observations, we then describe a large suite of indoor environmental and building design and operational parameters that can be measured using standardized methods to inform experimental design in future studies of the microbial ecology of the built environment. This work builds upon the recently developed MIxS-BE package that identifies high-level minimal built environment metadata to collect in microbial ecology studies, primarily by providing more justification, detail, and context for these important parameters and others from the perspective of engineers and building scientists. It is our intent to provide microbial ecologists with knowledge of many of the tools available for built environment data collection, as well as some of the constraints and considerations for these tools, which may improve our ability to design indoor microbial ecology studies that can better inform building design and operation.
Analysis of intermodulation distortion in GaAs/AlGaAs HBT's

An attempt has been made to explain the third-order intermodulation distortion properties of the heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) at millimeter wave frequencies. The frequency and bias dependence of the third-order intercept point is presented for a typical HBT. A conventional tuner system was used for measurements from 8 to 16 GHz. Beyond 27 GHz, an active load pull system was used to circumvent insertion loss problems. Appropriate corrections to the active load pull intercept measurements are described. To aid in understanding the measured results, a simple model which includes transit time effects was developed. From the measured and modeled results, it was found that reductions in V/sub ce/ resulted in a reduction in third-order intercept point. This degradation was attributed to increased nonlinearity in base collector capacitance. >
Stratification, Ideology, and Opportunity Beliefs among Black Soldiers

While many social observers feel that the military offers blacks better opportunities than do civilian institutions, the overwhelming majority of the 454 black soldiers sampled in this study either equate the two sectors or rate civilian institutions as superior. Both position in the military hierarchy (rank) and ideological orientation (separatist, pluralist, or assimilationist) provide some assistance in differentiating those soldiers more likely to cite the military as comparatively advantageous for blacks. The author, who is presently researching political socialization among college students and continuing analysis of the data upon which this article is based, was Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame last year.
Empirical and theoretical studies of the simulated evolution method applied to standard cell placement

The authors present a quantitative analysis of the simulated evolution (SE) technique based on a variety of parameters. The measurement results and their relevance to practical implementations are discussed. A mathematical formulation of the SE algorithm is introduced. The associated Markov chain model is thoroughly analyzed. It is shown that the algorithm will hit a global minimum with probability one. The theoretical analysis suggests some modifications to a previously published SE-based method that was applied to cell placement problems. In order to compensate for additional computation times required by the new technique, the authors also introduce a novel hierarchical placement method. It has inherent advantages over the flat method in both CPU time requirements and result quality. It is also shown how a windowing method can be used to significantly reduce computation times. >
Building k edge-disjoint spanning trees of minimum total length for isometric data embedding

Isometric data embedding requires construction of a neighborhood graph that spans all data points so that geodesic distance between any pair of data points could be estimated by distance along the shortest path between the pair on the graph. This paper presents an approach for constructing k-edge-connected neighborhood graphs. It works by finding k edge-disjoint spanning trees the sum of whose total lengths is a minimum. Experiments show that it outperforms the nearest neighbor approach for geodesic distance estimation.
Forest Clearing Among Farm Households in the Maya Biosphere Reserve

Abstract Central America's tropical forests have been felled more rapidly than those of any other world region during the latter half of the twentieth century. During this time, nearly half of Guatemala's forests were eliminated. Most of this deforestation has been concentrated in the northern department of Peten. The remaining forests in Peten are now mainly concentrated in the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), the heart of the largest lowland tropical forest in Central America. The pace, magnitude, and geography of this trend is of critical importance to forest conservation and rural development efforts. This article examines socioeconomic, political, demographic, and ecological factors behind settler land use and forest clearing among 241 farm households in the Sierra de Lacandon National Park (SLNP), a core conservation zone of the MBR. Some of the factors positively related to forest clearing were household size, Q'eqchi Maya ethnicity, land owned in the previous residence, farm size, land title, and the...
Sensor Fusion and Bang-Bang Control with Nonholonomic Constraints

A bang-bang control law is used to provide guidance for a car's steering system. The control law uses a proportional plus derivative error function which operates on the output of an observer and is suitable for embedded control of a car. The observer fuses sensor data from sensors whose reliability is inversely related to their availability. An erroneous plant model is present and is subject to nonholonomic and kinematic constraints. The sensors measure the plant with 25% systematic error at 100 hertz. Internal sensors are sampled at 20 hertz and have 10% error. External sensors are sampled at 5 hertz and have no error. The observer performs dead reckoning during the intervals of time when the external sensors are not available. There are two internal sensors, an odometer and a steering-wheel angle meter. The odometer is used to compute a linear approximation to the speed of the plant. The steering-wheel angle meter measures the steering-wheel deflection relative to the longitudinal centerline of the plant. There are three external sensors which are used to measure the pose of the plant.
Selection and characterization of cells resistant to diphtheria toxin and pseudomonas exotoxin A: presumptive translational mutants

Two classes of diphtheria toxin-resistant variants were selected from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells: permeability variants, in which uptake of toxin was impaired, and a new class of cytoplasmic variants, which were cross-resistant to Pseudomonas exotoxin. EF-2 prepared from the cytoplasmic variants was resistant to ADP-ribosylation by either toxin. The evidence presented suggests that these are translational variants possessing a mutationally altered EF-2 gene product. These studies also confirmed that Pseudomonas toxin ADP-ribosylates EF-2 in toxin-sensitive intact cells, as well as in cell-free systems.
Reflectarray phase analysis: A simple and intuitive understanding

The concept of “microstrip reflectarray” antenna has attracted significant research interest as it offers a potentially attractive alternative solution to reflector antennas and antenna arrays [1]. It combines some of the best features of parabolic reflectors and the conventional antenna arrays. A reflectarray surface is illuminated by a feed antenna and it consists of isolated radiating elements. These radiating elements are predesigned with a particular phase delay to re-radiate and scatter the incident field to form the desired wavefront (planar) in front of the aperture [2]. The design of these elements entails the use of reflection phase-design curves [3]. An ideal reflectarray element can be broadly defined as the one which provides maximum possible reflection phase swing and has minimum losses.
Having the Last Word An Examination of Rape Survivors' Participation in Sentencing

How should feminists concerned about women's experiences with rape prosecution position themselves relative to victims' rights legislation? This interview-based study focuses on rape survivors' talk about their participation in the criminal justice process and their emotional investments in prosecution. The authors examine how they account for their participation in sentencing—in particular, how they justify having pursued particular kinds of involvements or not. The authors identify four motivations to write to the court and to attend or speak at sentencing. Then, the authors explain how rape survivors' prior involvement in court events, their emotional states, and the support they receive from others leads them to selectively engage in sentencing activities.
Simultaneous measurement of RBC velocity, flux, hematocrit and shear rate in vascular networks

Not all tumor vessels are equal. Tumor-associated vasculature includes immature vessels, regressing vessels, transport vessels undergoing arteriogenesis and peritumor vessels influenced by tumor growth factors. Current techniques for analyzing tumor blood flow do not discriminate between vessel subtypes and only measure average changes from a population of dissimilar vessels. We developed methodologies for simultaneously quantifying blood flow (velocity, flux, hematocrit and shear rate) in extended networks at single-capillary resolution in vivo. Our approach relies on deconvolution of signals produced by labeled red blood cells as they move relative to the scanning laser of a confocal or multiphoton microscope and provides fully resolved three-dimensional flow profiles within vessel networks. Using this methodology, we show that blood velocity profiles are asymmetric near intussusceptive tissue structures in tumors in mice. Furthermore, we show that subpopulations of vessels, classified by functional parameters, exist in and around a tumor and in normal brain tissue.
Invasion of the Inner Ear by Haemophilus influenzae Type b in Experimental Meningitis

Bacterial interstrain variation for cochlear invasion was studied by intraperitoneal inoculation of infant rats with Haemophilus influenzae type b. Eight pairs of CSF isolates from children with or without deafness due to meningitis were injected into half of each litter in separate experiments. At 48 h, quantitative CSF culture results and CSF white blood cell counts were equivalent for the two groups. Organisms within the cochlea were detected in four of eight animals in each group. There was no difference between the deaf and nondeaf isolates in the degree or frequency of inner ear inflammation in formalin-fixed sections. In separate experiments, animals were inoculated with H. influenzae type b and 24 h later treated with ampicillin, or ampicillin plus dexamethasone. At 48 h, although CSF white blood cell counts were significantly reduced in the steroid group, no difference was noted in the degree of cochlear inflammation between the two groups. The ability of H. influenzae type b to invade the inner ear of infant rats does not correlate with the development of sensorineural deafness in children following H. influenzae type b meningitis. Steroid administration does not appear to diminish the inflammatory reaction within the cochlea more than antibiotics alone in this model, but may delay CSF sterilization by ampicillin.
Mapping Polycomb Response Elements at the Drosophila melanogaster giant Locus

Polycomb-group (PcG) proteins are highly conserved epigenetic transcriptional regulators. They are capable of either maintaining the transcriptional silence of target genes through many cell cycles or enabling a dynamic regulation of gene expression in stem cells. In Drosophila melanogaster, recruitment of PcG proteins to targets requires the presence of at least one polycomb response element (PRE). Although the sequence requirements for PREs are not well-defined, the presence of Pho, a PRE-binding PcG protein, is a very good PRE indicator. In this study, we identify two PRE-containing regions at the PcG target gene, giant, one at the promoter, and another approximately 6 kb upstream. PRE-containing fragments, which coincide with localized presence of Pho in chromatin immunoprecipitations, were shown to maintain restricted expression of a lacZ reporter gene in embryos and to cause pairing-sensitive silencing of the mini-white gene in eyes. Our results also reinforce previous observations that although PRE maintenance and pairing-sensitive silencing activities are closely linked, the sequence requirements for these functions are not identical.
A Simple Evolutionary Model for Genome Phylogeny Based on Gene Content

Although the number of completely sequenced genomes is increasing rapidly (for an overview, see http://www.tigr.org), the issue about the universal tree of life vs. lateral gene transfer remains highly controversial (e.g., Woese, 1987; Golding and Gupta, 1995; Jain et al., 1999; Doolittle, 1999a; Huynen et al., 1999; Nelson et al., 1999). This is because phylogenetic trees of individual genes are so highly inconsistent that it makes the inference of universal tree from a sum of gene trees almost impossible.
Sexually Abused Children Suffering Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: Initial Treatment Outcome Findings

This study examined the differential effects of child or non-offending mother participation in a cognitive behavioral intervention designed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other behavioral and emotional difficulties in school-aged sexually abused children. The 100 participating families were randomly assigned to one of three experimental treatment conditions—child only, mother only, or mother and child—or to a community control condition. Pre- and post-treatment evaluation included standardized measurement of children's behavior problems, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms as well as of parenting practices. Two-by-two least-squares analyses of covariance were used to compare outcome measures. Results indicated that mothers assigned to the experimental treatment condition described significant decreases in their children's externalizing behaviors and increases in effective parenting skills; their children reported significant reductions in depression. Children who were assigned to the...
Curriculum tracking and teacher expectations: evidence from discrepant course taking models

In an effort to understand teacher-student relationships much research has investigated how teacher expectations of student performance in the classroom affect achievement growth. However, little research has focused on how teacher expectations of students’ educational attainment are formed. In this paper, we examine how students’ high school track placements affect teacher expectations regarding students’ educational attainment in the NELS data. NELS is a large, nationally representative longitudinal study from the United States of the graduating class of 1992. We focus on students with discrepant track placements to determine how different teachers evaluate the same student. Overall, for the same student, teachers in high track classes have higher college expectations than teachers in lower track classrooms.
Localization and abundance analysis of human lncRNAs at single-cell and single-molecule resolution.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in diverse biological processes. In contrast to extensive genomic annotation of lncRNA transcripts, far fewer have been characterized for subcellular localization and cell-to-cell variability. Addressing this requires systematic, direct visualization of lncRNAs in single cells at single-molecule resolution. We use single-molecule RNA-FISH to systematically quantify and categorize the subcellular localization patterns of a representative set of 61 lncRNAs in three different cell types. Our survey yields high-resolution quantification and stringent validation of the number and spatial positions of these lncRNA, with an mRNA set for comparison. Using this highly quantitative image-based dataset, we observe a variety of subcellular localization patterns, ranging from bright sub-nuclear foci to almost exclusively cytoplasmic localization. We also find that the low abundance of lncRNAs observed from cell population measurements cannot be explained by high expression in a small subset of ‘jackpot’ cells. Additionally, nuclear lncRNA foci dissolve during mitosis and become widely dispersed, suggesting these lncRNAs are not mitotic bookmarking factors. Moreover, we see that divergently transcribed lncRNAs do not always correlate with their cognate mRNA, nor do they have a characteristic localization pattern. Our systematic, high-resolution survey of lncRNA localization reveals aspects of lncRNAs that are similar to mRNAs, such as cell-to-cell variability, but also several distinct properties. These characteristics may correspond to particular functional roles. Our study also provides a quantitative description of lncRNAs at the single-cell level and a universally applicable framework for future study and validation of lncRNAs.
Relative importance of nymphal and adult resource availability for reproductive allocation in Melanoplus sanguinipes (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

A better understanding of the relative effects that nymphal and adult resource availabilities have on reproductive allocation is needed, given the potentially important implications for the prediction of grasshopper population dynamics. I conducted a field experiment to examine the importance of nymphal and adult resource availabilities on reproductive allocation in the grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabricius). Female nymphs were reared on either high or low nymphal resource availability, with watered and ambient-level adult resource treatments. Adult resource treatments were initiated below the carrying capacity, to allow an examination of food limitation effects on reproductive allocation, while minimizing strong density dependent effects. Although nymphs reared with ad libitum resources had higher adult body mass, nymphal resource availability did not affect reproductive allocation or adult survival. Female M. sanguinipes grasshoppers responded to the increased host plant availability in the watered treatment, by increasing reproduction allocation over the course of the experiment. M. sanguinipes females did not reduce vitellogenesis in response to decreased adult resource availability, but completed development of a lower percentage of ovarioles that initiated development. Although resource dynamics in semi-arid grasslands can change rapidly during grasshopper development, there were no direct effects of limited resource availability for developing nymphs that subsequently affected per capita reproduction of adults.
Spring-germinating jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) produces viable spikelets in spring-seeded wheat

Abstract The most common strategy recommended for management of jointed goatgrass infestations is to rotate from winter wheat to a spring crop for several years. A field study was conducted at three locations in 1998 and 1999 to determine the effects of spring seeding date on the ability of jointed goatgrass to flower and produce viable seed in the presence or absence of spring wheat and to determine the effect of jointed goatgrass competition and crop seeding date on spring wheat grain yield. Spring wheat was seeded on four dates at each location in both hand-sown and natural jointed goatgrass infestations. Jointed goatgrass plants from hand-sown spikelets flowered and developed spikelets on all seeding dates except the last; viable seed was produced on the two earliest seeding dates. Jointed goatgrass plant densities from natural infestations were from 1 to 12 plants m−2, and spikelet production ranged from 0 to 480 spikelets m−2. Natural jointed goatgrass infestations produced spikelets containing viab...
Apathy in Frontotemporal Degeneration: Neuroanatomical Evidence of Impaired Goal-directed Behavior.

Background: Apathy, the major manifestation of impaired goal-directed behavior (GDB), is the most common neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with behavioral variant frontotemporal degeneration (bvFTD). The behavioral and biological mechanisms of apathy, however, are not well understood. We hypothesized that GDB has multiple components – including at least initiation, planning and motivation – and that GDB is supported by a network of multiple frontal brain regions. In this study, we examined this hypothesis by evaluating the selective breakdown of GDB in bvFTD, and relating these deficits to grey matter (GM) atrophy and white matter (WM) integrity. Methods: Eighteen apathetic bvFTD participants and 17 healthy controls completed the Philadelphia Apathy Computerized Test (PACT). This test quantifies each of three components of GDB hypothesized to contribute to apathy. We then used regression analyses to relate PACT scores to GM atrophy and reduced white matter (WM) fractional anisotropy (FA) in bvFTD. Results: Compared to controls, bvFTD participants demonstrated significant impairments in each of the three hypothesized components of GDB that contribute to apathy. Regression analyses related each component to disease in specific GM structures and associated WM tracts. Poor initiation thus was related to GM atrophy in anterior cingulate and reduced FA in the cingulum. Planning impairment was related to GM atrophy in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and reduced FA in superior longitudinal fasciculus. Poor motivation was related to GM atrophy in orbitofrontal cortex and reduced FA in uncinate fasciculus. Conclusions: bvFTD patients have difficulty with initiation, planning and motivation components of GDB. These findings are consistent with the hypotheses that GDB encompasses at least three processes, that these are supported by a large-scale neural network within specific portions of the frontal lobe, and that degradation of any one of these prefrontal regions in bvFTD may contribute to apathy.
Especies graminicolas de Bipolaris, Drechslera y Curvularia en la V Región (Chile): aspectos morfológicos y biogeográficos

Mediante cultivos en camara humeda y agar agua, se estudio la presencia y distribucion biogeografica, del genero Curvularia y Helminthosporium "complex ", en 19 gramineas silvestres recolectadas en 20 localidades de la V Region, Chile. En los 88 aislamientos fungicos, se detectaron los generos: Bipolaris (77,2%), Curvularia (12,5%) y Drechslera (10,2%). Bipolaris cynodontis (45,5%) y B. australiensis (27,3%), fueron las especies dominantes, mientras los integrentes de los generos Curvularia ( C.lunata (1, 1%) y C.affinis (1,1%) fueron esporadicas. Las gramineas y localidades con mayor diversidad de especies fueron respectivamente: Sorghum (5) y Zea (3); Curacavi(6 taxa) y Quillota (3 taxa). Se. efectuaron claves. dicotomicas, se compararon algunas caracteristicas morfoflsiologicas de las especies dominantes y se reviso brevemente en la literatura algunas patologias humanas causadas por estas dematiaceas.
Efficient GPU Accelerationfor Integrating Large Thermonuclear Networks in Astrophysics

We demonstrate the systematic implementation of recently-developed fast explicit kinetic integration algorithms on modern graphics processing unit (GPU) accelerators. We take as representative test cases Type Ia supernova explosions with extremely stiff thermonuclear reaction networks having 150–365 isotopic species and 1600–4400 reactions, assumed coupled to hydrodynamics using operator splitting. In such examples we demonstrate the capability to integrate independent thermonuclear networks from ~250–500 hydro zones (assumed to be deployed on CPU cores) in parallel on a single GPU in the same wall clock time that standard implicit methods can integrate the network for a single zone. This two or more orders of magnitude increase in efficiency for solving systems of realistic thermonuclear networks coupled to fluid dynamics implies that important coupled, multiphysics problems in various scientific and technical disciplines that were intractable, or could be simulated only with highly schematic kinetic networks, are now computationally feasible. As examples of such applications I will discuss our ongoing deployment of these new methods for Type Ia supernova explosions in astrophysics and for simulation of the complex atmospheric chemistry entering into weather and climate problems.
Molphological Characteristics of Si3N4 and SiC Raw Powder for Sintering

Morphological characteristics of Si3N4 and SiC powders for sintering were examined. Particle size of the powder was measured by four different measurement methods having different principles. The particles were observed by electron microscope, and their shape was analyzed. The following results were obtained; (1) Si3N4 and SiC powders, which were ground, were irregular-shaped, and the others were needle-shaped. (2) The powder contained needle-shaped particles generally builds up agglomeration, and difference in particle size measured by four types of method was found. (3) Particle size measured by light diffraction and scattering particle counter was the largest, and particle size measured by F. S. S. S. was the second largest. Particle size measured by the sedimentation method was the third, and the specific surface aera diameter measured by B. E. T. was the smallest.
Book Review: Aging, Society, and the Life Course (4th ed.) by Leslie A. Morgan and Suzanne R. Kunkel (2011(, New York, NY: Springer, 353 pp., ISBN: 978-082611937-7, $90.00 (hard cover(

In this textbook, the authors focus on five major themes. The themes consist of stereotyping the aging, the micro/macro distinction in understanding aging as a social phenomenon, social constructio...
Pulmonary Embolism: Improving the Odds

Early diagnosis and institution of therapy can alter the unexpected and unwarranted outcomes of PE.
Rethinking Technology & Creativity in the 21st Century: Empathy through Gaming - Perspective Taking in a Complex World

Subscription Rates, Orders, Inquiries: Please contact the Springer Customer Service Center for the latest rates and information: The Americas (North, South, Central America, and the Caribbean): Springer Journal Fulfillment 233 Spring Street New York, NY 10013-1578, USA TEL: 800-777-4643; 212-460-1500 (outside North America) E-MAIL: journals-ny@springer.com; servicio-ny@springer.com (Central and South America)
The Role of Healthy Lifestyle in the Primordial Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Whereas primary prevention seeks to forestall development of disease in individuals with elevated risk, primordial prevention seeks to preempt the development of risk factors. Health behaviors-characterized as "lifestyle" factors-are key interventional targets in primordial prevention of cardiovascular disease. Appropriate dietary intake, including limiting salt and saturated fat consumption, can reduce the risk of developing hypertension and dyslipidemias. Regular physical activity is associated with lower blood pressure and healthier lipid profiles. Diet and exercise are critical to maintaining weight conducive to cardiovascular health. Behavioral factors such as stress management, sleep duration, portion control, and meal timing may play a role in weight management and offer additional routes of intervention. Any smoking elevates cardiovascular risk. Although lifestyle modification programs can be instrumental in reaching public health goals, maintaining cardiovascular health should not be a matter solely of willpower. Ideally, structural and social forces should make healthy lifestyles the default option.
Techniques for cerebral bypass: Practical laboratory for microvascular anastomosis

The techniques used for microvascular anastomosis are best mastered in the laboratory setting. A variety of techniques for end-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses are described and illustrated. An understanding of these different modalities allows the surgeon to choose the appropriate technique for each clinical setting.
Thoracolumbar Spine Subdural Hematoma in Infant

A thoracolumbar subdural hematoma (SDH) resulting from nonaccidental trauma in a 4-month-old infant is reported from Women and Children’s Hospital, University of Buffalo, NY.
Machine design considerations for the future energy challenge

Motors consume a significant fraction of electricity in the United States and in the world. As part of the International Future Energy Challenge, student teams are endeavoring to improve the efficiency of fractional-horsepower machines. The present work summarizes the motor design and construction process for a 500 W prototype induction machine targeting efficiency above 80%. Analytical and finite-element results are shown
Theoretical investigation of rotationally inelastic collisions of CH(X2Π) with molecular hydrogen

We report calculations of state-to-state cross sections for collision-induced rotational transitions of CH(X2Π) with molecular hydrogen. These calculations employed the diabatic matrix elements of the interaction potential determined by Dagdigian [J. Chem. Phys. 145, 114301 (2016)], which employed the multi-reference configuration-interaction method [MRCISD+Q(Davidson)]. Because of the presence of a deep well on the lower potential energy surface, the scattering calculations were carried out using the quantum statistical method of Manolopoulos and co-workers [Chem. Phys. Lett. 343, 356 (2001)]. The computed cross sections included contributions from direct scattering, as well as from the formation and decay of a collision complex. The magnitude of latter contribution was found to decrease significantly with increasing collision energy. Rotationally energy transfer rate constants were computed for this system since these are required for astrochemical modeling.
Context-Dependent Functions of NANOG Phosphorylation in Pluripotency and Reprogramming

The core pluripotency transcription factor NANOG is critical for embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and somatic cell reprogramming. Although NANOG is phosphorylated at multiple residues, the role of NANOG phosphorylation in ESC self-renewal is incompletely understood, and no information exists regarding its functions during reprogramming. Here we report our findings that NANOG phosphorylation is beneficial, although nonessential, for ESC self-renewal, and that loss of phosphorylation enhances NANOG activity in reprogramming. Mutation of serine 65 in NANOG to alanine (S65A) alone has the most significant impact on increasing NANOG reprogramming capacity. Mechanistically, we find that pluripotency regulators (ESRRB, OCT4, SALL4, DAX1, and TET1) are transcriptionally primed and preferentially associated with NANOG S65A at the protein level due to presumed structural alterations in the N-terminal domain of NANOG. These results demonstrate that a single phosphorylation site serves as a critical interface for controlling context-dependent NANOG functions in pluripotency and reprogramming.
Modeling manufacturing quality constraints for product development

When bringing a new or improved product to market, a design and manufacturing enterprise can speed the process and improve the result by understanding and designing within the manufacturing process used. We propose process characterization modeling and experiments at uncovering their effect upon product functional requirement metrics. In a real industrial design and manufacturing enterprise, however, modeling and experiments are limited to activities that provide direct answers to short term real identified problems. This means that only a continuous improvement approach is practical to construct process constraint models. We demonstrate a methodology to quantify the quality constraints imposed on a product design by its manufacturing process. We start with the sequence of operations transforming the incoming material into the final product, which is diagrammed into a topology of the operational sequence. Performance metrics are then identified which correspond to the customer requirements. Using engineering analysis, a basic model is developed relating known product and material variables to the metric. Production data, either from designed experiments or from natural variation occurring during production, are measured to validate the basic model. Next, each operation in the process topology is analyzed for potential effect upon the model. Modes of impact of each operation upon the metric are conceived, and quantified into the basic model. These modes become either supported or not by the production data. The methodology, therefore, is one of continuously improving the understanding of the process imposed constraints to improve the product. We demonstrate the methodology with a running example, characterizing the process imposed constraints upon a low temperature co-fired ceramic circuit assembly.
The association between dental, general, and mental health status among underserved and vulnerable populations served at health centers in the US

Objectives Vulnerable populations in underserved communities are disproportionately at high risk for multiple medical, dental, and behavioral health conditions. This study aims to: a) examine the occurrence of acute dental needs and b) investigate the association of acute dental needs and self-rated general and mental health status among the adult dentate health center population. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data on adult patients (n = 5,035) from the 2014 Health Center Patient Survey, a nationally representative survey of health center patients. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association of acute dental needs and a) self-rated general health status and b) mental health status. Results Approximately, two thirds of adult dentate heath center patients reported having an acute dental need. After adjusting for confounding factors, not having or having had health insurance that pays for dental care, general health status of fair or poor, and ever having a mental illness were associated with higher odds of having an acute dental need. Conclusions The results highlight the role of health centers in addressing oral health disparities among vulnerable populations and the importance of a team-based multidisciplinary approach to ensuring the integration and coordination of oral health services within a comprehensive primary care delivery system.