cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
kem mutations affect nuclear fusion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have identified mutations in three genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, KEM1, KEM2 and KEM3, that enhance the nuclear fusion defect of kar1-1 yeast during conjugation. The KEM1 and KEM3 genes are located on the left arm of chromosome VII. Kem mutations reduce nuclear fusion whether the kem and the kar1-1 mutations are in the same or in different parents (i.e., in both kem kar1-1 X wild-type and kem X kar 1-1 crosses). kem 1 X kem 1 crosses show a defect in nuclear fusion, but kem 1 X wild-type crosses do not. Mutant kem 1 strains are hypersensitive to benomyl, lose chromosomes at a rate 10-20-fold higher than KEM+ strains, and lose viability upon nitrogen starvation. In addition, kem 1/kem 1 diploids are unable to sporulate. Cells containing a kem 1 null allele grow very poorly, have an elongated rod-shape and are defective in spindle pole body duplication and/or separation. The KEM 1 gene, which is expressed as a 5.5-kb mRNA transcript, contains a 4.6-kb open reading frame encoding a 175-kD protein.
14C2H2- and 14CO2-labeling studies of the de novo synthesis of polypeptides by Nitrosomonas europaea during recovery from acetylene and light inactivation of ammonia monooxygenase.

Incubation of cells of the nitrifying bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea with 14C2H2 results in the covalent attachment of 14C label to a membrane-bound polypeptide of an approximate Mr of 28,000 (Hyman, M.R., and Wood, P.M. (1985) Biochem. J. 227, 719-725). A labeling procedure using 14C2H2 generated from Ba14CO3 has been used to investigate the correlation between the extent of covalent modification of this polypeptide by 14C from 14C2H2 and the level of ammonia oxidizing activity in whole cells. The time-dependent inactivation of ammonia monooxygenase by 14C2H2 resulted in a progressive and saturable incorporation of 14C into a 27-kDa polypeptide. In contrast, the specific, time-dependent and complete inactivation of ammonia monooxygenase by light resulted in concomitant decrease in the ability of cells to incorporate 14C from 14C2H2 into this polypeptide. The 14C2H2 labeling procedure was also used to investigate the recovery of ammonia monooxygenase activity after complete inactivation of pre-existing ammonia monooxygenase by either C2H2 or light. The recovery of ammonia monooxygenase activity was closely correlated with a recovery of ability of cells to incorporate 14C label from 14C2H2 into the 27-kDa polypeptide. This recovery process was energy (NH4+)-dependent and was inhibited by chloramphenicol and rifampicin, implying that de novo protein synthesis was required. Additional polypeptides labeled with 14C from 14CO2 were also identified during recovery from C2H2 or light inactivation of ammonia monooxygenase.
Empathy and Self-Regulation as Mediators Between Parenting and Adolescents’ Prosocial Behavior Toward Strangers, Friends, and Family

The current study examined the role of empathy and self-regulation as mediators between positive parenting (mothering and fathering) and early adolescents' prosocial behavior toward 3 targets (strangers, friends, and family). Data were taken from Time 1 and Time 2 of the Flourishing Families Project, and included reports from 500 families with an early adolescent child (mean age of child at Time 1=11.29). Analyses suggested that predictors of prosocial behavior toward the 3 targets differed, with empathy (as reported by mothers only) and self-regulation mediating the relation between positive parenting and prosocial behavior toward strangers and friends, but not toward family. Positive mothering was the only variable that was significantly related to prosocial behavior toward family. The discussion focuses on the need for continued research examining a relational approach to prosocial development.
Construction of Tn3-Containing Plasmids from Plant-Pathogenic Pseudomonads and an Examination of Their Biological Properties

Indigenous plasmids isolated from Pseudomonas tabaci ATCC 11528(pJP1), Pseudomonas angulata 45(pJP30), and P. tabaci BR2(pBPW1) (M. Obukowicz and P. D. Shaw, J. Bacteriol. 155:438-442, 1983) were labeled with Tn3, and the strains were subsequently cured of their respective plasmids. Plasmid-containing and cured isolates caused plant symptoms that were nearly indistinguishable, and the same amount of tabtoxin was produced by P. tabaci strains ATCC 11528 and BR2.
The change in motor unit firing rates at de-recruitment relative to recruitment is correlated with type I myosin heavy chain isoform content of the vastus lateralis in vivo.

AIM To investigate the change in motor unit (MU) firing rates (FR) at de-recruitment relative to recruitment and the relation to % type I myosin heavy chain isoform content (type I %MHC) of the vastus lateralis (VL) in vivo. METHODS Ten subjects performed a 22-s submaximal isometric trapezoid muscle action that included a linearly increasing, steady force at 50% maximal voluntary contraction, and linearly decreasing segments. Surface electromyographic signals were collected from the VL and were decomposed into constituent MU action potentials trains. A tissue sample from the VL was taken to calculate type I %MHC. The y-intercepts and slopes were calculated for the changes (Δ) in FR at de-recruitment (FRDEREC ) relative to FR at recruitment (FRREC ) vs. FRREC relationship for each subject. Correlations were performed between the y-intercepts and slopes with type I %MHC. RESULTS The majority of MUs had greater FRDEREC than FRREC . The y-intercepts (r = -0.600, P = 0.067) were not significantly correlated, but the slopes (r = -0.793, P = 0.006) were significantly correlated with type I %MHC. CONCLUSION The majority of the motoneuron pool had greater FRDEREC than FRREC , however, individuals with higher type I %MHC had a greater propensity to have MUs with FRREC > FRDEREC as indicated by the slope values. Overall, the contractile properties of the muscle (MHC) could partially explain the differences in MU firing rates at de-recruitment relative to recruitment. Thus, suggesting the fatigability of the muscle influences the alterations in MU firing rates from recruitment to de-recruitment.
A new design metric for unitary space-time codes

Multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) communication systems can have dramatically higher throughput than single-input, single-output systems. Unitary space-time codes for MIMO fading channels have been shown to be optimal under certain conditions when neither the transmitter or receiver has channel state information. Previous work on constructing unitary space-time codes has focused on the diversity product or diversity sum of the unitary space-time code constellation. This paper shows how these min-max design criteria may produce sub-optimal codes in terms of minimizing symbol-error rate (SER). A union bound design metric based on a union bound of pairwise error probabilities is presented, and a bound on its optimal value is derived. Examples suggest this new metric can more accurately distinguish good constellations than the diversity product and diversity sum. The complexity of the union bound design metric is reduced by using recently derived tight bounds, and a desirable e-incremental property of the union bound design metric is demonstrated in an example.
The genomic analysis of lactic acidosis and acidosis response in human cancers.

The tumor microenvironment has a significant impact on tumor development. Two important determinants in this environment are hypoxia and lactic acidosis. Although lactic acidosis has long been recognized as an important factor in cancer, relatively little is known about how cells respond to lactic acidosis and how that response relates to cancer phenotypes. We develop genome-scale gene expression studies to dissect transcriptional responses of primary human mammary epithelial cells to lactic acidosis and hypoxia in vitro and to explore how they are linked to clinical tumor phenotypes in vivo. The resulting experimental signatures of responses to lactic acidosis and hypoxia are evaluated in a heterogeneous set of breast cancer datasets. A strong lactic acidosis response signature identifies a subgroup of low-risk breast cancer patients having distinct metabolic profiles suggestive of a preference for aerobic respiration. The association of lactic acidosis response with good survival outcomes may relate to the role of lactic acidosis in directing energy generation toward aerobic respiration and utilization of other energy sources via inhibition of glycolysis. This “inhibition of glycolysis” phenotype in tumors is likely caused by the repression of glycolysis gene expression and Akt inhibition. Our study presents a genomic evaluation of the prognostic information of a lactic acidosis response independent of the hypoxic response. Our results identify causal roles of lactic acidosis in metabolic reprogramming, and the direct functional consequence of lactic acidosis pathway activity on cellular responses and tumor development. The study also demonstrates the utility of genomic analysis that maps expression-based findings from in vitro experiments to human samples to assess links to in vivo clinical phenotypes.
Food and water intake responses of the domestic fowl to norepinephrine infusion at circumscribed neural sites

The effect on food and water intake of injection of norepinephrine into circumscribed brain sites of the domestic fowl was investigated. Injection of norepinephrine into sites throughout the preoptic area caused reliable increases in food intake. Food intake was also increased by injection of norepinephrine in the ventromedial nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, and medial septal sites. Food intake was decreased by injections near the lateral septal organ and the anterior portion of both the nucleus reticularis superior, pars dorsalis, and the tractus occipitomesencephalicus. Within the preoptic area, water intake was increased at basolateral sites but was inconsistently affected at more medial sites. No consistent trends were noted at sites examined outside the preoptic-hypothalamic area.
Self-consistent modeling of turbulence and transport

We describe an efficient procedure for coupling a turbulent system to a transport equation which evolves the equilibrium fields that drive and are driven by the turbulence. As an example, we apply the procedure to the coupling of turbulence simulations of the two-dimensional Hasegawa-Wakatani equations to a one-dimensional transport equation for the density n. Our coupling scheme uses implicit temporal discretization of the transport equation, rendering it stable for arbitrarily large time steps. This allows the computation of turbulence with self-consistent steady-state equilibrium profiles in a single time step of the transport equations and with a total computational time comparable to that required for the turbulence code alone to reach a statistical steady state with fixed equilibrium profiles. Results are presented for both local and non-local turbulence simulations. In the former, which requires running a separate turbulence simulation for each transport grid cell, the transport flux Γ(x) depends on only local values of n(x) and n'(x); for this case, Γ is expressed using Fick's law, Γ=-Dn', with D > 0 prescribed by the turbulence. In the non-local simulations, Γ(x) depends on the form of n over the entire domain. For such simulations we present two methods for representing Γ that allow for anomalous flux transport, i.e., regions where the flux flows up the local gradient of n.
Studies in optimization—VI The application of Pontryagin's methods to the control of a stirred reactor

Abstract The powerful methods of optimal control developed by Pontryagin are here applied to the stirred tank. These are first described briefly, a consise statement of the necessary theorems being given in the appendix. The importance of their being applied precisely is brought out by considering the time optimal control and the singular case where existence theorems fail is considered with some care. Other criteria of control and the practical implementation of optimal control are discussed.
Adsorbate-catalyzed layer-by-layer metal dissolution in inert electrolyte: Pd(100)-c(2 × 2)-I

Abstract Studies on the corrosion of Pd in inert (halide-free) H2SO4 solution, catalyzed by a single adsorbed layer of iodine, have been extended to a Pd(100) single-crystal electrode that contained an ordered c(2 × 2) adlattice of iodine. Experimental measurements were based upon a combination of linear-sweep voltammetry, potential-step coulometry, low-energy electron diffraction, and Auger electron spectroscopy. As was earlier noted with polycrystalline electrodes, Pd dissolution occurred only when iodine was present on the surface. More significantly, neither the coverage nor the ordered structure of the iodine adlattice was affected by the dissolution process. These observations strongly suggest that the iodine-catalyzed corrosion occurs one layer at a time.
The Effect of riboflavin on the bacterial synthesis of vitamin B12-active material in the rat

Abstract On B 12 -deficient rations that contained levels of the other B vitamins which were much higher than those required for optimal growth, a large proportion of negative control rats grew at a rate nearly equal to that of their B 12 -fed littermates, while the others grew much more slowly. The average growth rate and the proportion of such fast-growing negative controls increased, in general, with increased concentrations of B vitamins in the ration. The feeding, to slow-growing negative controls on a high B vitamin diet, of a single small dose of feces from fast-growing negative controls on the same diet, brought about a markedly increased growth rate; inclusion of sulfasuxidine in the ration delayed this effect for several weeks in practically all cases. Feeding these feces to animals on moderate levels of the B vitamins failed to bring about increased growth. These results indicated bacterial synthesis of B 12 -active material in the intestinal tract. Such synthesis was shown to be due to the high levels of dietary riboflavin. This finding is briefly discussed with regard to recent investigations on the chemical structure of vitamin B 12 and on related biochemical studies.
Rocking motion, trajectory and shape of bubbles rising in small diameter pipes

Abstract The trajectory, rocking motion, and shape of a single air bubble rising in water were investigated utilizing the particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) measurement technique. The three components of the velocity and acceleration vectors of the bubble were obtained by employing a stereoscopic technique. This technique allowed for a better description of rising bubble behavior. Four charged coupled device (CCD) cameras at different view angles acquired the view volume images. Two experimental configurations were employed in this study. In the first setup the bubbles were tracked for a duration of 133.3 ms. The viewing area was 24.6 mm high and 18.6 mm wide, so the bubbles trajectories could be determined. In this configuration, the bubbles rose in a stagnant and a laminar water flow. The average equivalent spherical diameter of the bubbles was 3.6 mm. In the second experimental setup configuration, the bubbles were tracked for 66.7 ms, but the viewing area was reduced to 11.0 mm high and 13.0 mm wide. In addition, a combined shadow particle image velocimetry (SPIV) technique was employed. This technique allowed for an accurate description of the bubble shape. The results indicate that the trajectory of the bubbles was zigzag or helical, and the shape was oblate spheroidal. The period of the cyclic motion and the amplitude decreased as a result of the wall effect. The bubbles rising close to the pipe wall have more rotational behavior than the bubbles flowing through the pipe center. This is a consequence of bubble/wall interaction.
Toxic effects of uranium on Desulfovibrio desulfuricans G20.

The toxic effects of U(VI) were studied using Desulfovibrio desulfuricans G20 in a medium containing bicarbonate or 1,4-piperazinediethane sulfonic acid disodium salt monohydrate (PIPES) buffer (each at 30 mM and pH 7). Uranium(VI) toxicity was dependent on the medium buffer and was observed in terms of longer lag times and, in some cases, no measurable growth. The minimum inhibiting concentration was 140 μM U(VI) in PIPES-buffered medium. This is 36-fold lower than that reported previously for D. desulfuricans. For all cases in which D. desulfuricans G20 grew in the presence of U(VI), the final cell protein yield was equivalent to that of the U(VI)-free control. In 24 h, D. desulfuricans G20 (total cell protein, 40 mg/L) removed 50 μM U(VI) from solution in PIPES buffer, as compared to 96 μM U(VI) in bicarbonate buffer under anaerobic, nongrowth conditions. Even though the solubility of U(VI) was significantly lower in PIPES buffer than in bicarbonate buffer, U(VI) was much more toxic in PIPES buffer than in bicarbonate buffer. Analysis of thin sections of D. desulfuricans G20 treated with 90 μM U(VI) in medium containing PIPES buffer revealed that only a very small fraction of cells had reduced U precipitates in the periplasmic spaces. In the presence of bicarbonate buffer, however, reduced U was observed not only in the periplasm but also in the cytoplasm. Selected-area electron diffraction patterns and crystallographic analysis of transmission-electron microscopic lattice fringe images confirmed the structure of precipitated U in the cell periplasm and cytoplasm as being that of uraninite. These results suggest that U(VI) toxicity and the detoxification mechanisms of D. desulfuricans G20 depend greatly on the chemical forms of U(VI) that are present.
Disturbances in developmental pathways leading to a neurological disorder of genetic origin, "leaner", in mice.

Abstract A linkage relationship between the leaner gene, la, and esterase gene, El, was described. The recombination frequency between these genes was found to be 3.84%. Developmental pathways leading to neurological disorders in the leaner mutant were investigated. It was found that the thymidine uptake by the brain, liver and spleen of the mutant mice was significantly lower than that of their normal sibs. There was a good correlation between the lower thymidine uptake and the reduced number of mitotic figures in the liver and cerebellum. Reduced thymidine uptake was found to occur between day 5 and day 6 of postnatal age; it persisted as long as there was a sufficient amount of DNA synthesis (or cell division). It was shown that there was a faster breakdown of DNA synthesized in the mutants, but that this faster breakdown was an irregular event, occurring in association with the late stage of the affliction. It was pointed out that the faster breakdown of DNA was not the basis for the neurological disorders. A lower uridine and leucine uptake was occasionally observed in the mutant organs at the late stage of affliction. This was pointed out as being associated with the atrophy of the organs. The level of RNA and protein showed a similar tendency. It was shown that a developmental lag in the total nitrogen level of the mutants was not a consistent phenomenon, and that this lag was independent from the behavioral abnormalities. It was shown that the metabolism of RNA, protein, and esterase in the mutant organs was relatively normal during the early stage of affliction in spite of the drastic reduction in the rate of DNA synthesis and cell division.
Two sources of synergism in the reforming ofn-hexane, methylcyclopentane, methylcyclohexane mixtures over composites of basic and acidic zeolites

Pt supported on composites of the basic L zeolite with either H/β or H/USY acidic zeolite are employed in the reforming ofn-hexane, methylcyclopentane, methylcyclohexane and their mixtures. It was found that when mixtures of the above three compounds are used as feeds, the composites provide decreased benzene selectivity and increased conversion and aromatic selectivity in comparison with the conversion and selectivity calculated by weighting those of the individual compounds with their molar fractions in the feed. The synergism caused by the components of the composite in combination with the synergism due to the cooperative reactions of the components of the feed are suggested to be responsible for this behavior. A detailed explanation of the latter synergism is proposed. The balancing of the L zeolite with one of the above two acidic zeolites can provide a selective route to C7 aromatics from hydrocarbon feeds containing C≥6 paraffins.
The face in dialogue: Emmanuel Levinas and Rhetorics of Disruption and Supplication

In his resuscitation of ethics after the experience of the Holocaust, Levinas seeks a form of communication that maintains the integrity of the ethical “first word” or “face” of the Other. As a supplement, this essay seeks communicative remedies to the frequent “overwriting” or “masking” of the Other's face. Specifically, this essay considers how rhetoric can serve ethics by combating the cultural assumptions and stereotypes that can deface or efface the Other. This consideration will yield the formulation of two rhetorics: a rhetoric of disruption that seeks to disrupt such assumptions and stereotypes and a rhetoric of supplication that fosters a communicative environment conducive to such rhetorical disruption.
Homocysteine-induced attenuation of vascular endothelium-dependent hyperalgesia in the rat

We have recently demonstrated a role of the vascular endothelium in peripheral pain mechanism by disrupting endothelial cell function using intravascular administration of octoxynol-9, a non-selective membrane active agent. As an independent test of the role of endothelial cells in pain mechanisms, we evaluated the effect of homocysteine, an agent that damages endothelial cell function. Mechanical stimulus-induced enhancement of endothelin-1 hyperalgesia in the gastrocnemius muscle of the rat was first prevented then enhanced by intravenous administration of homocysteine, but was only inhibited by its precursor, methionine. Both homocysteine and methionine significantly attenuated mechanical hyperalgesia in two models of ergonomic muscle pain, induced by exposure to vibration, and by eccentric exercise, and cutaneous mechanical hyperalgesia in an ischemia-reperfusion injury model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome type I, all previously shown responsive to octoxynol-9. This study provides independent support for a role of the endothelial cell in pain syndromes thought to have a vascular basis, and suggests that substances that are endothelial cell toxins can enhance vascular pain.
Effects of reduced renal mass on tissue lipids and renal injury in hyperlipidemic rats.

Effects of reduced renal mass on tissue lipids ant renal injury in hyperlipidemic rats. Increasing evidence from experimental models of chronic renal failure suggests that abnormalities in lipid metabolism may contribute to progressive renal injury. In the present study, hyperlipidemic obese, and normolipemic lean Zucker rats were subjected to unilateral nephrectomy or sham surgery at eight weeks of age. After 32 weeks, renal injury was greater in obese than in lean rats, and injury was made worse by nephrectomy. Among the major lipid classes, increased renal cortical cholesteryl esters were positively correlated with the degree of renal injury, suggesting that mechanisms analogous to those thought to be important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis may cause renal injury. Among phospholipid fatty acids, the ratio of oleic to linoleic acids (18:1/18:2) was strongly linked to both glomerular (r = 0.83, P
Mechanical Engineering Curriculum Improvement Using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

This paper discusses the alignment between industry needs and the content of a 4 year ME or MET curriculum by using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) principles as a bridge. An initial concept for a device is used as an example throughout the 4 year curriculum, allowing the courses to progressively develop the design from concept through end-of-life by using PLM principles. The four-year curriculum discussed begins with an introduction to PLM, where the steps of a manufacturing process are described, from concept, to 3D design, to analysis, to final product to end of life. This provides the basis for a design concept that will be pursued throughout the curriculum. The four-year curriculum is then presented as a traditional engineering program with a superimposed design problem. The freshman curriculum includes the basic 3D modeling of the parts, while the sophomore classes generate the first prototype parts and beginning analyses. The junior classes progress into more involved stress and thermo/fluid analysis of the part, while the senior classes look into the mass manufacture of the part; it’s interaction with the rest of the system and the systems role in serving society. Students are well prepared for industry, with improved knowledge of design methods, manufacturing processes, life cycle issues and how these different areas can work together to make a successful design. The use of PLM as an over-arching theme brings it into the classroom in a practical hands-on way with minimal impact on the existing class content while improving the delivery by bringing continuity to the problems.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Adolescent behavior: multiple levels of social influence.

Adolescence is a critically important time period characterized by identity development and formation, increased autonomy and peer influence, biological changes, and exposure to new environments and behavior. Our knowledge of this key developmental timeframe has blossomed over the previous three decades with the help of well-designed longitudinal studies and an increased understanding of factors relevant to positive and negative development. Studies have revealed that exposure to a range of risk factors is strongly predictive of current and later psychosocial problems. Although not as well understood, we also know that protective factors can buffer or moderate the effect of these risk factors. Indeed, one variable that has consistently been associated with positive development is an attachment to prosocial role models (Yancey, Siegel, & McDaniel, 2002). To that end, the primary focus of this double issue is on the importance and influence of parents and other adults in reducing adolescent risk behavior and promoting positive youth development. Two studies in this issue focus on adolescent substance use, specifically on the role of parents in preventing or contributing to this behavior. In a sample of at-risk adolescents attending alternative high school, Heddy Clark and colleagues sought to determine whether parental monitoring protected against the use of a range of substances over time. Notably, they found that even among this high-risk sample, adolescents with higher parental monitoring at baseline evidenced lower use of alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, and other hard drugs relative to their adolescent counterparts with less parental monitoring. The authors also observed reduced substance use 2 years after baseline in those with higher parental monitoring. This study illustrates the critical importance of including parental monitoring as a component in drug prevention programs. The findings are consistent with a growing body of research (Lac & Crano, 2009) and lend credibility to the Parents: The Anti-Drug campaign currently being implemented by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Screening for bipolar disorder in a county jail at the time of criminal arrest.

Abstract Objective This study assessed the operating characteristics of the mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ) among offenders arrested and detained at a county jail. Method The MDQ, a brief self-report instrument designed to screen for all subtypes of bipolar disorder (BP I, II and NOS) was voluntarily administered to adult detainees at the Ottawa County Jail in Port Clinton, Ohio. A confirmatory diagnostic evaluation was also performed using the mini-international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI). The MDQ was scored using a standard algorithm requiring endorsement of 7/13 mood items as well as two items that assess whether manic or hypomanic symptoms co-occur and cause moderate to severe functional impairment. In addition to the standard algorithm for scoring the MDQ, modifications were also tested in an attempt to improve overall sensitivity. Results Among 526 jail detainees who completed the MDQ, 37 (7%) screened positive for bipolar disorder. Of 164 detainees who agreed to a research diagnostic evaluation, 32 (19.5%) screened positive on the MDQ, while 55 (33.5%) met criteria for bipolar disorder according to the MINI. When administered to the sample of 164 adult jail detainees, the sensitivity of the MDQ was 0.47 and the specificity was 0.94. The MDQ was significantly better at detecting BP I (0.59) than BP II/NOS (0.19; p = 0.008). Modification of scoring the MDQ improved the sensitivity for detection of BP II from 0.23 to 0.54 with minimal decrease in specificity (0.84). The optimum sensitivity and specificity of the MDQ was achieved by decreasing the item threshold to 3/13 and eliminating the symptom co-occurrence and functional impairment items. Conclusion The MDQ was found to have limited utility as a screening tool for bipolar disorder in a correctional setting, particularly for the BP II subtype.
6He β-decay from a three-body model of the A=6 system

Abstract The rate of 6 He β-decay is computed from 6 He and 6 Li separable-potential three-body wave functions. The value of ft predicted with the wave functions derived from the most complete set of αN and NN interactions is 807±12 s compared to the experimental value of 807±2 s.
Nurse practice environments and outcomes: implications for oncology nursing.

program. Sample: 1,956 RNs, of whom 305 worked in oncology units. Methods: Chi-square tests compared nurse-reported outcomes by work setting, analysis of variance tested practice environment dif- ferences by setting, and logistic regression estimated the effects of practice environment, specialty, and Magnet status on outcomes. Main Research Variables: Practice environments, emotional ex- haustion, job satisfaction, and quality of care. Findings: Oncology nurses had superior outcomes compared with nononcology nurses. Emotional exhaustion was signifi cantly lower among oncology nurses working in Magnet hospitals. Scores on the Collegial Nurse-Physician Relations subscale were highest among on- cology nurses. Outcomes were associated with Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index scores and Magnet status. Oncology nurses with favorable collegial nurse-physician relations were twice as likely to report high-quality care. Conclusions: Oncology nurses benefi t from working in American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet hospitals. Adequate staffi ng and resources are necessary to achieve optimal outcomes. Collegial nurse- physician relations appear to be vital to optimal oncology practice settings. Implications for Nursing: In addition to pursuing American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet recognition, nurse managers should as- sess practice environments and target related interventions to improve job satisfaction and retention. High-priority areas for interventions include ensuring adequate staff and resources, promoting nurse-physi- cian collaboration, and strengthening unit-based leadership.
Tailored Excitation for Frequency Response Measurement Applied to the X-43a Flight Vehicle

An important aspect of any flight research project is assessing aircraft stability and flight control performance. In some programs this assessment is accomplished through the estimation of the in-flight vehicle frequency response. This estimation has traditionally been a lengthy task requiring separate swept sine inputs for each control axis at a constant flight condition. Hypersonic vehicles spend little time at any specific flight condition while they are decelerating. Accordingly, it is difficult to use traditional methods to calculate the vehicle frequency response and stability margins for this class of vehicle. A technique has been previously developed to significantly reduce the duration of the excitation input by tailoring the input to excite only the frequency range of interest. Reductions in test time were achieved by simultaneously applying tailored excitation signals to multiple control loops, allowing a quick estimate of the frequency response of a particular aircraft. This report discusses the flight results obtained from applying a tailored excitation input to the X-43A longitudinal and lateral-directional control loops during the second and third flights. The frequency responses and stability margins obtained from flight data are compared with preflight predictions.
Conditions for a 5-log reduction of Vibrio vulnificus in oysters through high hydrostatic pressure treatment

Abstract Vibrio vulnificus is frequently associated with oysters, and since oysters are typically consumed raw on a half shell, they can pose a threat to public health due to ingestion of this pathogenic marine microorganism. Oysters should be processed to reduce the number of this pathogen. High pressure processing is gaining more and more acceptance among oyster processors due to its ability to shuck oysters while keeping the fresh-like characteristics of oysters. Nine strains of V. vulnificus were tested for their sensitivities to high pressure. The most pressure-resistant strain of V . vulnificus, MLT 403, was selected and used in the subsequent experiments to represent a worst case scenario for evaluation of the processing parameters for inactivation of V. vulnificus in oysters. To evaluate the effect of temperature on pressure inactivation of V. vulnificus , oyster meats were inoculated with V. vulnificus MLT 403 and incubated at room temperature for 24 h. Oyster meats were then blended and treated at 150 MPa for 4 min, and 200 MPa for 1 min. Pressure treatments were carried out at − 2, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 45 °C. Cold temperatures ( 30 °C) substantially increased pressure inactivation of V. vulnificus . For example, a 4-min treatment of 150 MPa at − 2 and 40 °C reduced the counts of V. vulnificus by 4.7 and 2.8 log, respectively, while at 20 °C the same treatment only reduced counts by 0.5 log. Temperatures of − 2 and 1 °C were used to determine the effect of pressure level, temperature, and treatment time on the inactivation of V. vulnificus infected to live oysters through feeding. To achieve a > 5-log reduction in the counts of V. vulnificus in a relatively short treatment time (≤ 4 min), pressure treatment needs to be conducted at pressure levels of ≥ 250 MPa at − 2 or 1 °C.
Post-pass partitioning of signal processing programs

Symmetric multiprocessor systems are increasingly common, not only as high-throughput servers, but as a vehicle for executing a single application in parallel in order to reduce its execution latency. This article presents Pedigree, a compilation tool that employs a new partitioning heuristic based on the program dependence graph (PDG). Pedigree creates overlapping, potentially interdependent threads, each executing on a subset of the SMP processors that matches the thread’s available parallelism. A unified framework is used to build threads from procedures, loop nests, loop iterations, and smaller constructs. Pedigree does not require any parallel language support; it is post-compilation tool that reads in object code. The SDIO Signal and Data Processing Benchmark Suite has been selected as an example of real-time, latency-sensitive code. Its coarse-grained data flow parallelism is naturally exploited by Pedigree to achieve speedups of 1.63×/2.13× (mean/max) and 1.71×/2.41× on two and four processors, respectively. There is roughly a 20% improvement over existing techniques that exploit only data parallelism. By exploiting the unidirectional flow of data for coarse-grained pipelining, the synchronization overhead is typically limited to less than 6% for synchronization latency of 100 cycles, and less than 2% for 10 cycles.
Myostatin Blockade: A New Way to Enhance Skeletal Muscle Repair in Old Age?

Age-related muscle deterioration, called sarcopenia, is characterized by a decline in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and endurance. Sarcopenia is a major health issue in aging humans, because it reduces their capacity to carry out basic activities of daily life and puts the elderly at increased risk of injury.1 Repair of myofibers, the functional blocks of skeletal muscle, is made possible by satellite cells, myogenic stem cells residing beneath the myofiber basal lamina.2 Even without overt muscle trauma, subtle muscle injuries that take place during routine activity raise a continuous demand for myofiber repair throughout life. Although functional satellite cells are present in the muscle throughout life, their performance in vivo is impaired in old age.3,4 This decline in myogenic stem cell function is potentially contributory to the development of sarcopenia. In a new study in this issue of Molecular Therapy, Siriett et al. report that a short-term blockade of myostatin, a member of the transforming growth factor- superfamily, enhances muscle regeneration during sarcopenia in a mouse model.5 On the basis of their findings the authors propose that the antagonism of myostatin has significant therapeutic potential in the alleviation of sarcopenia.
Differential Expression of Members of the N-Formylpeptide Receptor Gene Cluster in Human Phagocytes

Abstract The human genes for two N-formylpeptide phagocyte chemoattractant receptors (gene symbols FPR1 and FPRL1) cross-hybridize with each other and with FPRL2, a human gene of unknown expression and function. The FPR1 product is ∼1000-fold more sensitive than the FPRL1 product to N-formylpeptides. We now report cloning of the first cDNA for FPRL2 and the first description of the RNA distribution in normal human phagocytes for all three genes. FPR1 and FPRL1 are expressed in neutrophils and monocytes. In contrast, FPRL2 RNA is detectable in monocytes but not in neutrophils, and its product could not be activated by N-formylpeptides. Thus, the regulation of FPRL2 gene expression in vivo differs from FPR1 and FPRL1.
The ecology and conservation of the silver-studded blue butterfly Plebejus argus L. on the sandlings of East Anglia, England

Abstract Colonies of the locally rare and declining silver-studded blue butterfly Plebejus argus L. were studied on the Sandlings heathland, Suffolk, in 1985 and 1986. The extent of the Sandlings has been greatly reduced this century and is now very fragmented. Only one large colony was found to remain, representing half the total county population. Areas occupied were small, their protection poor and some are still threatened by development. Colonies are presently isolated and adults were found to be very sedentary in behaviour. The distances now separating heaths must greatly reduce the chances of new colonies being founded. Black ants Lasius sp. were involved in the life cycle from the point of egg hatching. Butterfly densities were (a) closely related to those of L. niger nests and (b) to the cover of bell heather Erica cinerea . Heaths were suitable when in an early stage of development, as a result of burning, disturbance or rabbit grazing, and the butterfly was absent from more vegetated areas or those dominated by ling Calluna vulgaris . The conservation of P. argus requires (a) a programme of monitoring the suitability of remaining heathland; (b) the retention and creation of correct habitat conditions through management; and (c) making correctly planned introductions to suitable sites. Preliminary studies are described.
Detecting concealed knowledge using a novel attentional blink paradigm.

Traditional concealed information paradigms rely on the idea that stimuli that are meaningful to a person (critical items) will draw attentional resources disproportionately, relative to stimuli that are not (irrelevant items), generating detectable differences on a suitable dependent variable (behavioral, psychophysiological, or neural). Here, we introduce a behavioral paradigm that could be used to reveal concealed information by exploiting the link between concealed information and attentional processes more directly. This novel paradigm is based on the attentional blink phenomenon in which detection of a stimulus reduces detection accuracy rates of subsequent target stimuli within a 200–500 ms time window. We hypothesized that a well-known face used as a critical item could capture attentional resources automatically, making it harder to detect the occurrence of a subsequently presented target face. The results confirmed this hypothesis, and showed that concealed knowledge of a famous face could be detected in 9 out of 12 individuals by looking for a relative dip in target detection accuracy after the presentation of a critical item.
The Influence of Capillary Entry-Pressure Representation on CO2 Solubility Trapping☆

Abstract The typical shape of a capillary-pressure curve is either convex (e.g., Brooks-Corey model) or S-shaped (e.g., van Genuchten model). The difference between the two models occurs in the representation of the capillary entry pressure. This difference does not lead to significantly different simulation results when modeling CO2 sequestrations in aquifers without considering CO2 dissolution. However, we observe that the van-Genuchten-type capillary- pressure model accelerates CO2 solubility trapping significantly compared with the Brooks-Corey-type model. For the representative examples we study, the differences can be so large as to have complete dissolution of the CO2 plume versus persistence of over 50% of the plume over a 5000-year period. Most CO2 sequestration simulations in the literature employ one of the two capillary-pressure models, and it is important to recognize that these two representations lead to very different predictions of long-term CO2 sequestration.
Species-specific placental corticotropin releasing hormone messenger RNA and peptide expression

The human placenta is a major site of synthesis of the hypothalamic neuropeptide corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). We have examined placentae of several other species for expression of the CRH gene in this tissue. CRH mRNA was detected in human, gorilla, and rhesus monkey placentae, but not in rat, guinea pig and lemur placentae. A nonhuman primate may therefore be a suitable experimental model for studying placental CRH gene expression in vivo.
The euro revolution and the European Union: monetary and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region

Abstract A study of a coordinated monetary and economic policy for the Asia-Pacific region has long been debated. Institutionalization of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) occurred in 1989. In 1999 APEC membership had risen to 21 sovereign nation-state member economies. Annual meetings of finance ministers and heads of central banks of APEC member economies have been a regular feature, pointing to the fact that a supranational macroeconomic core, well-defined by monetary or fiscal policy guidelines alone could contribute to the success of APEC agenda of intraregional free trade, free flow of investment, and then free flow of human capital. Inauguration of the euro and European Central Bank on January 1, 1999, presents a learning model for economic regionalization in the Asia-Pacific. Hence, we propose to study the economic rationale of institutionalization of the Asia-Pacific Monetary Union with an optimal and transparent agenda for intraregional monetary policy coordination in terms of both supply of aggregate stock of money and determination of the intraregional core rate of interest, supplemented by intraregional fiscal policy coordination, which can and will provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for intraregional free market with free flow of trade, investment and human capital, contributing to the maximization of economic gains for all microeconomic actors—households as well as business corporations—belonging to all intraregional sovereign nation-state macroeconomies. This regional arrangement in the Asia-Pacific work within the framework of global institutions, thus optimally harmonizing regionalism with globalism. I have argued that the core of newly emerging economic regionalization relates to (1) a map-of-the-world view of the region, and (2) an intraregional, multilateral cooperative effort to map an economic region with well-specified micro- and macroeconomic parameters on to a specific geographic region.
Aktaion and a lost ‘Bath of Artemis’*

Aktaion's own hounds devoured him, convinced by Artemis that he was a deer. This grim reversal, the great hunter who dies like a hunted beast, was the strongest element of the mythic tradition associated with the Boiotian hero and inspired numerous scenes in Greek art. Aktaion's Offense, on the other hand, received little iconographic attention before the imperial era, and Greek literature accounted for Artemis' hostility in a variety of ways. The chronology of the extant sources suggests a neat sequence of misdeeds, and the resulting succession of versions is the object of a well-established scholarly consensus. The information which survives is actually too scant and too fragmentary to bear so straightforward a reading, but a critical approach can suggest the outlines of more plausible, if less neat, picture.
The impact of half-duplex relaying on the effective capacity of two-hop communication systems

1 This paper investigates the two-hop communication between a source and a destination with the aid of an intermediate half-duplex relay node. There is no direct link between the source and the destination. Both the source and intermediate relay node are assumed to operate under statistical quality of service (QoS) constraints imposed as limitations on the buffer overflow probabilities. It is further assumed that the nodes send the information at fixed power levels and have perfect channel side information. In this scenario, the maximum constant arrival rates that can be supported by this two-hop link are characterized by finding the effective capacity. Through this analysis, the impact upon the throughput of using half-duplex relays and having buffer constraints at the source and relay nodes is identified.
Two-photon absorption spectroscopy of multisite Gd 3 + in CaF 2

The energy levels of ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ in the $^{6}\mathrm{P}$, $^{6}\mathrm{I}$, and $^{6}\mathrm{D}$ 4${f}^{7}$ configuration in cubic, tetragonal, and cluster sites in ${\mathrm{CaF}}_{2}$ have been excited by two-photon absorption. The relative two-photon intensities and polarization dependence show behavior which is similar to that previously observed for ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$:${\mathrm{LaF}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{2+}$:${\mathrm{CaF}}_{2}$ and which requires higher-order perturbation theory in the virtual intermediate 4${f}^{6}$5d configuration.
Spinal anesthesia: should everyone receive a urinary catheter?: a randomized, prospective study of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Background:The objective of this randomized prospective study was to determine whether a urinary catheter is necessary for all patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia.Methods:Consecutive patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia were randomized to