cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time perturbation theory of systems of Brownian-motion type

Abstract The perturbation theory of the linear Boltzmann or master equation is here carried out with the Fokker-Planck equation as zero-order approximation. The theory is immediately applicable to the following mathematical models of irreversible processed: Rayleigh model of velocity-space diffusion (governing Brownian motion in configuration space), Alkemade diode model of voltage fluctuations, Smoluchowsky model of density fluctuations in a gas, and some others. Perturbation corrections to the Uhlenbeck-Ornstein distribution (the zero-order approximation) are reduced to closed analytic form through exploitation of the fact that the Uhlenbeck-Ornstein distribution is a Gaussian function, plus a theorem involving creation and destruction operators. The coupling constant of the perturbation is the ratio of the mean jump of the evolving variable in an elementary event to the root-mean-square fluctuation of this variable, both evaluated over an equilibrium distribution. Thus relatively to the classic analysis of Uhlenbeck and Ornstein, the corrections show the effect of the discontinuity of the process (or, alternatively, of the nonzero interval between collisions), which must necessarily influence observations as soon as a certain degree of accuracy is reached. Illustrative numerical results are given.
Two general integrals of singular crack tip deformation fields

The Eshelby tensor E has vanishing divergence in a homogeneous elastic material, whereas the invariance of the crack tip J integral suggests, in accord with known solutions, that the product rE will have a finite limit at the tip. Here r is distance from the tip. These considerations are shown to lead to two general integrals of the equations governing singular crack tip deformation fields. Some of their consequences are discussed for analysis of crack tip fields in linear and nonlinear materials.
Innate IFNγ-producing B cells

In a recent paper published in Cell Research, Yan Bao and colleagues characterize a new population of IFNγ-producing innate-like B cells that promotes innate immune responses and contributes to early pathogen control following intracellular bacterial infection.
Computation methods employed in the self-consistent time-dependent, Hartree-Fock calculation for a reactive molecular collision

Abstract A fully self-consistent time-dependent Hartree-Fock calculation of the molecular reactive scattering system, collinear H + +H 2 , has recently been shown to be a viable method for obtaining the reaction probability, charge exchange probability, and translational to vibrational energy transfer. The calculation couples the time-dependent Hartree-Fock equation for the electronic wavefunction, represented by a single Slater determinant, to the classical equations for the motion of the nuclei. This coupling is achieved by computing the force on the nuclei from the variation of the electronic energy at each time step. The nuclei's position and electronic wavefunction are co-propagated in time from the initial asymptotic scattering state until the collision products separate in the exit channel. In this self-consistent calculation one can identify four major parts that must be calculated concurrently. The first of these is the time propagation of the electronic wavefunction. The second is the determination of the forces on the nuclei from the variation of the electronic energy. The third is the solution of Poisson's equation for the electron-electron potential, V e . The fourth is the propagation of the position and velocities of the nuclei according to the classical equations of motion. Each of these parts and their interrelation in the overall calculation is discussed here.
Adjustment of Sexual Assault Survivors: Hardiness and Acceptance Coping in Posttraumatic Growth

This study examined predictors of both positive as well as negative outcomes among a sample of sexual assault survivors (N = 105). Objectives were to (a) determine the presence of perceived posttraumatic growth (PTG) among a sample of female sexual assault survivors, (b) determine whether PTG is associated with reports of post-assault adjustment, and (c) examine the relationship between PTG and factors known to affect post-assault adjustment. Seventy-four percent of survivors reported perceived growth. Regression analyses revealed that PTG was not predictive of post-assault symptomatology, although it was negatively correlated with symptoms of PTSD. Predictors of PTG included the personality disposition of hardiness as well as acceptance coping. Implications and future directions are discussed.
PALEOTEMPERATURE ESTIMATION FROM FISSION TRACK ANALYSIS - A REPLY

We are grateful to Green and Duddy for their Comments, and specifically for drawing attention to the typographical error on page 370 of our original paper, "alpha -particles" should, of course, read "fission particles". We now reply to their Major Points.
LIPIDS OF FISH FILLETS: CHANGES FOLLOWING COOKING BY DIFFERENT METHODS

The effects of cooking by baking, pan frying and deep fat frying on the lipid content and composition of breaded and nonbreaded fillets of lake trout (Salvelinus namacush), white sucker (Catastomus commersonni) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) were determined. Cooking resulted in moisture loss. Breading absorbed significant amounts of frying oil but reduced moisture loss from fillets. Fillets from trout did not absorb lipid material whereas those from sucker and bluegill absorbed significant amounts of oil. The fatty acid composition of trout changed little whereas those of sucker and bluegill, which absorbed frying oil tended to reflect the fatty acid composition of the oil. Changes in the concentration of phospholipids varied with method of cooking and species of fish. There was a significant decrease in cholesterol content of all species following cooking.
Mapping urbanization dynamics at regional and global scales using multi-temporal DMSP/OLS nighttime light data

Urban areas concentrate people, economic activity, and the built environment. As such, urbanization is simultaneously a demographic, economic, and land-use change phenomenon. Historically, the remote sensing community has used optical remote sensing data to map urban areas and the expansion of urban land-cover for individual cities, with little research focused on regional and global scale patterns of urban change. However, recent research indicates that urbanization at regional scales is growing in importance for economics, policy, land use planning, and conservation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand and monitor urbanization dynamics at regional and global scales. Here, we illustrate the use of multi-temporal nighttime light (NTL) data from the U.S Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellites Program/Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) to monitor urban change at regional and global scales. We use independently derived data on population, land use and land cover to test the ability of multi-temporal NTL data to measure regional and global urban growth over time. We apply an iterative unsupervised classification method on multi-temporal NTL data from 1992 to 2008 to map urbanization dynamics in India, China, Japan, and the United States. For two-year intervals between 1992 and 2000, India consistently experienced higher rates of urban growth than China, and both countries exceeded the urban growth rates of the United States and Japan. This is not surprising given that the populations of India and China were growing faster than those of the U.S. and Japan during those periods. For two-year intervals between 2000 and 2008, China experienced higher rates of urban growth than India. Results show that the multi-temporal NTL provides a regional and potentially global measure of the spatial and temporal changes in urbanization dynamics for countries at certain levels of GDP and population-driven growth.
Fluctuation results from PHENIX

The PHENIX Experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has made measurements of event-by-event fluctuations in the net charge, the mean transverse momentum, and the charged particle multiplicity as a function of collision energy, centrality, and transverse momentum in heavy ion collisions. The results of these measurements will be reviewed and discussed.
INQUIRY, CONVERSATION AND THEISTIC BELIEF: WILLIAM JAMES AND RICHARD RORTY GET RELIGION

This essay examines William James' view that pragmatic philosophy allows for theistic belief and compares it to Richard Rorty's argument that theistic belief is fundamentally incompatible with pragmatic philosophy. Theism is permissible for James because it is commensurate with his view of philosophy as inquiry. Theism is impermissible for Rorty because it incommensurate with his view of philosophy as conversation. James' arguments are shown to be too generic in their conception of the God in whom theistic belief may be placed, and Rorty's arguments against the desirability of theistic belief are shown to run afoul of his own philosophical program.
Exploring a School-Aquarium Collaboration: An Intersection of Communities of Practice.

This study examines the development and ongoing activities of a collaboration between an urban elementary school and a nearby aquarium. Although the benefits of such collaborations in support of science education are touted by numerous national organizations, the pathway to creating a successful relationship between these two different institutions, with inherently different cultures, is less well documented. Using the theoretical framework of communities of practice (E. Wenger, 1998), a better understanding of the challenges and successes of this collaboration is presented. In particular, the analysis suggests that participant engagement in both communities (school and aquarium) led to the development of an overlap in these communities of practice. This resulted when common forms of mutual engagement, joint enterprise, and shared repertoire emerged over the course of the project. Consistent with Wenger's framework, boundary objects and brokers could be identified that helped secure such overlap in this particular case. Implications of this theoretical perspective for facilitating the development of such institutional collaborations are also discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed94:95–121, 2010
Agreement Between Parents and Youths on Measures of Antismoking Socialization

Background and Objectives: Despite the current literature on the importance of parental antismoking socialization messages, it is unclear if youths and parents agree on the content and frequency of such messages. This study's purpose is to explore the level of agreement between parents and youths on measures of anti-smoking socialization and to assess whether agreement is associated with parental smoking status and/or parental race/ethnicity. Methods: Data was collected from parent and 9- to 16-year-old youth dyads who presented to the emergency department with a non-urgent complaint. A self-administered questionnaire assessing demographics and five antismoking socialization measures was used. Results: Items that showed statistically significant agreement between parents and youths were frequency of explicit messages about smoking. However, the absolute agreement between the items was poor, at less than 50% for the complete sample. The following items did not show statistically significant agreement betwe...
Spectroscopic analysis of the solid state structures of the arylgallium halides, (C6H5)nGaX3−n (X Cl, Br, I)

Abstract The complete series of arylgallium halides, (C 6 H 5 ) n GaX 3− n , n = 1, 2, for X  chloride, bromide, and the here-to-fore unreported iodides, has been prepared. The IR and Raman spectra, mass spectra, and, where possible, the 69,71 Ga nuclear quadrupole resonance spectra are all consistent with the existence of discrete, halogen-bridged molecular dimers in the solid state for each compound. The dioxane adducts of the chloride series, (C 6 H 5 ) n GaCl 3− n · dioxide were prepared and examined as a further indication of the validity of these structural assignments. In these donor—acceptor adducts the GaCl modes are characteristic of terminal bonds.
An improved method for single fiber tensile test of natural fibers

An improved Single Fiber Tensile Test (SFTT) for the natural fibers was depicted. Natural fibers have irregular shape, and are not uniform along the fiber length and also from one fiber to another. Applying the conventional method, which determine the fiber cross-section by measuring the fiber diameter using optical microscopy, will result in inaccurate properties of the natural fibers with large standard deviation (SD). In the proposed new SFTT method, an accurate cross-section area could be obtained from the Scanning Electron Microscope observation of a flat and clear fractured end surface of carefully selected tensile-tested fibers and calculated using imaging analysis. Applying this new approach, tensile strength of different types of flax fiber, including bast fiber, enzyme-retted and water-retted fiber provided SD of less than 11%, while those of these fibers determined by the conventional approach had SD of over 24%. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of substrate composition and alignment on corneal cell phenotype.

Corneal blindness is a significant problem treated primarily by corneal transplants. Donor tissue supply is low, creating a growing need for an alternative. A tissue-engineered cornea made from patient-derived cells and biopolymer scaffold materials would be widely accessible to all patients and would alleviate the need for donor sources. Previous work in this lab led to a method for electrospinning type I collagen scaffolds for culturing corneal fibroblasts ex vivo that mimics the microenvironment in the native cornea. This electrospun scaffold is composed of small-diameter, aligned collagen fibers. In this study, we investigate the effect of scaffold nanostructure and composition on the phenotype of corneal stromal cells. Rabbit-derived corneal fibroblasts were cultured on aligned and unaligned collagen type I fibers ranging from 50 to 300 nm in diameter and assessed for expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a protein marker upregulated in hazy corneas. In addition, the optical properties of the cell–mat...
Drug Targeting to the Brain

The goal of brain drug targeting technology is the delivery of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), including the human BBB. This is accomplished by re-engineering pharmaceuticals to cross the BBB via specific endogenous transporters localized within the brain capillary endothelium. Certain endogenous peptides, such as insulin or transferrin, undergo receptor-mediated transport (RMT) across the BBB in vivo. In addition, peptidomimetic monoclonal antibodies (MAb) may also cross the BBB via RMT on the endogenous transporters. The MAb may be used as a molecular Trojan horse to ferry across the BBB large molecule pharmaceuticals, including recombinant proteins, antibodies, RNA interference drugs, or non-viral gene medicines. Fusion proteins of the molecular Trojan horse and either neurotrophins or single chain Fv antibodies have been genetically engineered. The fusion proteins retain bi-functional properties, and both bind the BBB receptor, to trigger transport into brain, and bind the cognate receptor inside brain to induce the pharmacologic effect. Trojan horse liposome technology enables the brain targeting of non-viral plasmid DNA. Molecular Trojan horses may be formulated with fusion protein technology, avidin-biotin technology, or Trojan horse liposomes to target to brain virtually any large molecule pharmaceutical.
Proteoglycans in cancer biology, tumour microenvironment and angiogenesis

Proteoglycans, key molecular effectors of cell surface and pericellular microenvironments, perform multiple functions in cancer and angiogenesis by virtue of their polyhedric nature and their ability to interact with both ligands and receptors that regulate neoplastic growth and neovascularization. Some proteoglycans such as perlecan, have pro- and anti-angiogenic activities, whereas other proteoglycans, such as syndecans and glypicans, can also directly affect cancer growth by modulating key signalling pathways. The bioactivity of these proteoglycans is further modulated by several classes of enzymes within the tumour microenvironment: (i) sheddases that cleave transmembrane or cell-associated syndecans and glypicans, (ii) various proteinases that cleave the protein core of pericellular proteoglycans and (iii) heparanases and endosulfatases which modify the structure and bioactivity of various heparan sulphate proteoglycans and their bound growth factors. In contrast, some of the small leucine-rich proteoglycans, such as decorin and lumican, act as tumour repressors by physically antagonizing receptor tyrosine kinases including the epidermal growth factor and the Met receptors or integrin receptors thereby evoking anti-survival and pro-apoptotic pathways. In this review we will critically assess the expanding repertoire of molecular interactions attributed to various proteoglycans and will discuss novel proteoglycan functions modulating cancer progression, invasion and metastasis and how these factors regulate the tumour microenvironment.
Estimation of Distance to a Slanted Flow Barrier From Pressure Transient Test Data

The analytical solution of the wellbore pressure in a reservoir which is located near a slanted fault were derived using the method of images and by applying the principle of superposition to the Kelvin's point source solution. The solutions show that the inclination of the flow barrier causes additional pressure drop beyond what is usually considered in the concept of a single mirror image well. The extra pressure drop causes gradual changes on the slope of semi-log plots of pressure versus time. In many cases the behavior resembles that of wells in completely bounded systems. Using the general solution presented in graphical forms, one may estimate the distance to the fault.
Association between reduced low density lipoprotein oxidation and inhibition of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production in statin-treated subjects.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is essential in atherogenesis. Oxidized lipids regulate MCP-1 expression and release from mononuclear cells. In this study we investigated (1) whether statin therapy reduces lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–stimulated MCP-1 production in human whole-blood samples and (2) the relationships between in vitro low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and MCP-1 production. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 55 healthy nonsmoking adults with moderate hypercholesterolemia who were participating in a randomized double-blind 8-week trial comparing the effects of statin therapy with those of placebo on cytokine production. Samples were analyzed for resistance to copper-mediated LDL oxidation (lag time in minutes), as well as MCP-1– and interleukin-8 (IL-8)–stimulated production. Statin therapy reduced MCP-1 production (mean ± SD) −161 ± 399 pg/mL/mm 3 white cells) compared with 267 ± 985 pg/mL/mm 3 in the placebo group, but changes were not different between active and placebo groups ( P = .13). Statin therapy also increased lag times (median [interquartile range]; 20.5 [7.0–51.2] minutes vs −17.0 [−5.3–16.5] minutes; P = .067 for group difference). Inhibition of MCP-1 production correlated with prolongation of lag time ( r = .46, P = .0056) in statin-treated subjects. Statin therapy reduced MCP-1 production in the whole blood of human subjects and these changes were correlated with improvement in LDL oxidative resistance.
Application of analytical hierarchy process for effective selection of agricultural best management practices

In this study an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used for ranking best management practices (BMPs) in the Saginaw River Watershed based on environmental, economic and social factors. Three spatial targeting methods were used for placement of BMPs on critical source areas (CSAs). The environment factors include sediment, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus reductions at the subbasin level and the watershed outlet. Economic factors were based on total BMP cost, including installation, maintenance, and opportunity costs. Social factors were divided into three favorability rankings (most favorable, moderately favorable, and least favorable) based on area allocated to each BMP. Equal weights (1/3) were considered for the three main factors while calculating the BMP rank by AHP. In this study three scenarios were compared. A comprehensive approach in which environmental, economic, and social aspects are simultaneously considered (Scenario 1) versus more traditional approaches in which both environmental and economic aspects were considered (Scenario 2) or only environmental aspects (sediment, TN, and TP) were considered (Scenario 3). In Scenario 1, only stripcropping (moderately favorable) was selected on all CSAs at the subbasin level, whereas stripcropping (49-69% of CSAs) and residue management (most favorable, 31-51% of CSAs) were selected by AHP based on the watershed outlet and three spatial targeting methods. In Scenario 2, native grass was eliminated by moderately preferable BMPs (stripcropping) both at the subbasin and watershed outlet levels due the lower BMP implementations cost compared to native grass. Finally, in Scenario 3, at subbasin level, the least socially preferable BMP (native grass) was selected in 100% of CSAs due to greater pollution reduction capacity compared to other BMPs. At watershed level, nearly 50% the CSAs selected stripcropping, and the remaining 50% of CSAs selected native grass and residue management equally.
A Theoretical Investigation of Mixing Effects in the Selective Reduction of Nitric Oxide by Ammonia

Abstract The macroscopic transport equations governing the axisymmetric flow, mixing, and reaction of NH3 with high temperature combustion products containing NO and O2 have been solved numerically and compared to published experimental data for the same geometry. The elementary chemical kinetic mechanism used was based on an earlier model developed from plug flow experimental data. The results show generally good agreement between the calculations and experimental data. Spatial distributions of the contributions of individual elementary reactions to the overall reaction and of the contribution of diffusion processes and reaction processes to the structure of the reaction zone were evaluated. Additional model calculations were used to evaluate the effect of the rate of mixing of NH3 with combustion products on NO reduction efficiency. Finite rates of mixing were found to have little effect on the temperature dependence of the NO reduction. However, at high temperature the oxidation to form NO was found to...
Genotypic and environmental effects on the incidence of sexual precocity in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Abstract The relative effects of genotype and initial freshwater rearing on the incidence of sexual precocity in coho salmon males were examined. Eggs from normally maturing females were fertilized with milt from both normal and precociously maturing males (jacks) in a partially nested factorial mating design. Progeny from each of the resulting full- and half-sib families were subsequently reared under two rearing temperature treatments (ambient and 15°C) during part of the hatchery phase of the life cycle. Mean growth of progeny from the jack and normal male-sired groups was equivalent during the majority of the initial freshwater rearing period. Of the 4980 survivors at the termination of the experiment, 175 individuals or 3.75% of the population had matured precociously. These jacks were distributed disproportionately among jack-sired and normal male-sired families, with jack-sired families contributing a significantly higher 4.6 times as many jacks. The incidence of jacks did not appear to be temperature related.
The Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoarray Films on Glass Substrate by Anodic Oxidation Method

In this work, titanium films , 500nm thick, are rf sputtered onto glass substrates held at 500°C. The resulting films are then anodized at a constant potential in an electrolyte using a platinum counter electrode. Ti films were synthesized by RF magnetron sputtering on glass substrates. The anodizaton process resulted in the formation of titania nanoarrays. The samples are annealed at different temperature to induce crystallinity. XRD results indicated that the optimal annealing temperature is 500°C, the film is anastasia phases. Atomic force microscope (AFM) show that the microstructure is nanoporous pillar array. The AFM depth is about 21nm. The roughness average (Ra) of films is about 1~3nm. Then the TiO2 nanoarry film is integrated into DSCs structure, and I-V Characteristic of cell is studied preliminarily.
The differential effects of reinforcement and testosterone on aggressive responding in pigeons: Species typical and aversive aspects of pigeon aggression

Pigeons lowest in their dominance hierarchies were either injected with testosterone, conditioned to attack more dominant birds, or both within an operant chamber. Birds injected with testosterone alone failed to exhibit any increase in aggressive responses against opponents. Those reinforced for attacking opponents showed a marked increase in aggressive behavior. However, the greatest enhancement of attack behavior was found in those birds given a combination of testosterone and conditioning. In addition, there were substantial topographical differences in the fighting behaviors exhibited by the birds exposed to the various treatments. Birds administered a combination of testosterone and conditioning or conditioning alone elicited extreme escape-like behaviors in their opponents. These behaviors were not produced in the opponents of birds injected with testosterone alone or saline. These results are discussed in terms of an interaction between the androgen and learned responses.
Potential Changes to 2004 Green Book's Adjustment Factors for Entrance and Exit Terminals

AASHTO's Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book) notes that acceleration and deceleration lengths should be adjusted on graded ramps. Factors are available in the 2004 Green Book to adjust acceleration lane and deceleration lane lengths for grades of 3% to 6%. The source of the adjustment factors was provided in the 1954 Policies on Geometric Highway Design, in which they first appeared as being based on applying "principles of mechanics to rates of speed change for level grades." Reviews of this and other documents did not reveal a procedure for determining adjustment factors. A potential source for an adjustment factor for entrance terminals is the calculation of the distance needed to accelerate from one speed to another on different grades by means of vehicle performance equations available in the literature. Potential acceleration length adjustment factors were developed and presented in this paper. The 2004 Green Book provides equations to calculate stopping sight distances f...
Yang-Mills theory and uniformization

We define a notion of a stable system of Hodge bundles. A stable system of Hodge bundles has a Hermitian-Yang-Mills metric and, if certain Chern classes vanish, this gives a complex variation of Hodge structure. We use these ideas to obtain a criterion for a variety to be uniformized by a bounded symmetric domain.
Defects in actin-cap formation in Vav-deficient mice implicate an actin requirement for lymphocyte signal transduction

Abstract Background: Antigen-receptor interactions on lymphocytes result in local clustering of actin, receptors and signaling molecules into an asymmetric membrane structure termed a cap. Although actin polymerization is known to be required, the mechanisms underlying cap formation are unclear. We have studied the events underlying cap formation using mice bearing a null mutation in vav ( vav −/− ), a gene that encodes a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor for the GTPase Rac. Results: Lymphocytes from vav −/− mice failed to form T-cell receptor caps following activation and had a defective actin cytoskeleton. The vav −/− T cells were deficient in interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and proliferation, and the peak of Ca 2+ mobilization was reduced although of normal duration. Activation of Jun N-terminal kinase or stress-activated kinase (JNK or SAPK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the induction of the transcription factor NF-ATc1 and egr-1 genes was normal. Despite the reduced Ca 2+ mobilization, translocation of cytoplasmic NF-ATc to the nucleus was normal, reflecting that the lower levels of Ca 2+ in vav −/− cells were still sufficient to activate calcineurin. Treatment of lymphocytes with cytochalasin D, which blocks actin polymerization, inhibited cap formation and produced defects in signaling and IL-2 transcriptional induction in response to antigen-receptor signaling that were nearly identical to those seen in vav −/− cells. In transfection studies, either constitutively active Vav or Rac could complement constitutively active calcineurin to activate NF-AT-dependent transcription. Conclusions: These results indicate that Vav is required for cap formation in lymphocytes. Furthermore, the correlation between cap formation, IL-2 production and proliferation supports the hypothesis that an actin-dependent pathway is a source of specialized growth regulatory signals.
A proven case of materno‐foetal transfusion determined by cytogenetic and DNA analysis

We report a case of materno-foetal transfusion in a phenotypically normal male foetus after death in utero at the 35th week of gestation. We have used cytogenetic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microsatellite analysis to determine the presence of maternal cells in foetal blood collected by intracardiac puncture. In the intracardiac blood sample, maternal cells were estimated to comprise between 5 and 10% of nucleated foetal blood cells. When there is a suspicion of foetal genetic pathology, it is necessary to be aware that the foetal blood karyotype may be misrepresentative, as the analysed blood cells can indeed be of maternal origin.
Invertebrate urease: effects of sulfhydryl reagents and heavy metals on the Otala enzyme

Abstract 1. 1. Four classes of organic sulfhydryl reagents were tested for their effect on Otala urease (EC 3.5.1.5). These included alkylating agents, mercaptide forming agents, oxidizing or disulfide-interchange agents and agents which form addition products with thiols. 2. 2. Although some of these reagents were slightly inhibitory to Otala urease, there was no evidence that this was due to direct modification of a necessary sulfhydryl function. Reagents affecting vicinal sulfhydryl groups were without effect on the enzyme. 3. 3. Certain heavy metal ions were inhibitory to Otala urease but this inhibition was reversed by dilution of the metal-enzyme complex, by removal of the metal by gel filtration, and by short term exposure to metal chelators. 4. 4. These results suggest that metal ion inhibition may not be due to metal sulfide formation but rather, to loose complexing of the metal by a function other than a sulfhydryl. 5. 5. The enzyme was quite sensitive to methylene blue-mediated photooxidation and to diazonium-1H-tetraazole suggesting that a histidyl residue might possibly be involved in its catalytic mechanism.
A Critical Review of Female Performance, Performance Training and Organizational Initiatives Designed to Aid Women in the Work-Role Environment.

The research dealing with female managerial performance has generally been plagued with empirically inconsistent results, anecdotal literature and an inability to develop generalizable theory. A prepositional analysis of the female performance literature is utilized in an effort to provide direction and focus. The paper concludes that methodological problems may be contributing to invalid conclusions concerning female performance, and efforts to improve performance. In addition, it is concluded that organizational initiates designed to aid women have not been significant.
Does information of predators influence general wariness

Antipredator behavior includes several qualitatively distinct activities, but few studies have determined the degree to which these activities are independent. If behaviors are not independent, then the nature of the relationship would illustrate potential performance constraints. We studied crimson rosellas (Platycercus elegans) and first focused on acoustic predator discrimination. We measured time allocation before and after playback of one of three experimental treatments (peregrine falcons—Falco peregrinus, wedge-tailed eagles—Aquila audax, and crimson rosellas) to determine whether or not rosellas discriminated predators from non-predators, and specifically whether or not they discriminated large from small predators. We then focused on the decision to flee. We experimentally approached subjects and measured the distance at which they oriented to us (alert distance) and the distance at which they fled (flight initiation distance; FID). We found that rosellas could distinguish among predators; however, there was no effect on general wariness as measured by FID. These two processes of antipredator behavior may, thus, be independent.
The effect of various peptones on the production of cephalosporin C byPaecilomyces persicinus P-10 M1

A microfermentation procedure was employed to determine the effects of peptones on the growth ofPaecilomycespersicinus P-10 M1 and its synthesis of cephalosporin C. Of the peptones tested only papain digest of soy peptone supported the production of cephalosporin C byP.persicinus P-10 M1.
The Hydrolysis of Urea and the Proficiency of Urease

We present the results of a computational study of the solution phase decomposition of urea, which provides insight into probable reaction pathways for the urease-catalyzed reaction. Calculations, which were used to derive thermodynamic parameters that were further used for a kinetic analysis, have been done at the solvent-corrected MP2/6-311++G** level. Both elimination and hydrolytic pathways have been considered. Elimination is favored for the solution phase reaction, which proceeds by H-bond coordination of a water molecule to the amine nitrogen atoms. The coordination of one water molecule greatly facilitates the reaction by allowing it to proceed through a cyclic six-member transition state. Aspects of the water−urea H-bond interactions have also provided insights into critical aspects of the hydrogen bond pattern in the urease active site. On the basis of a kinetic analysis, we have estimated the proficiency of urease and have predicted that it is the most proficient enzyme identified to date.
Space power-whats old is new again

The nation is presently seeking smaller and faster space missions that cost less. Furthermore, there is pressure to spin off technologies into the commercial sector as well as spin in technologies to the space program. In this environment, ideas that were dismissed in the past have come to the forefront again. This paper discusses high performance photovoltaic devices, solar dynamic systems, new batteries and power management and distribution schemes. Spin offs of power technologies are impacting aeronautical, terrestrial and naval applications as well. It is believed that interactions with terrestrial commercial industries will lead to deeper understanding of how to reduce space costs as well as increasing quality and reliability. >
The effect of marketing regulations on efficiency: LeChatelier versus coordination effects

Government regulations designed to promote social welfare can have unintended consequences on efficiency. According to the LeChatelier Principle, regulations that effectively limit substitution possibilities among inputs will reduce firm and industry-wide efficiency. In imperfectly competitive markets, however, government constraints on a strategic variable can facilitate coordination. An advertising restriction, for example, would improve efficiency if it enables firms to produce the same level of sales with less advertising spending. We use data envelopment analysis to estimate the effect of marketing regulations on efficiency in the U.S. cigarette industry. Unlike previous studies, we do not assume that marketing and production technologies are separable. Our results demonstrate that coordination effects dominate LeChatelier effects. Cigarette producers have benefited from advertising restrictions, a result consistent with the capture theory of regulation.
Inheritance of Immune Polarization Patterns Is Linked to Resistance versus Susceptibility to Cryptococcus neoformans in a Mouse Model

Genetic background variation between inbred strains accounts for different levels of susceptibility to Cryptococcus neoformans in the mouse infection model. To elucidate the inheritance of immunophenotypic traits and their associations with clearance outcomes during cryptococcal infection, we compared C57BL/6, BALB/c, and their first-generation hybrid, CB6F1 (F1), mice. Mice from each group were infected with C. neoformans (10(4) CFU) and analyzed at weekly intervals over a 6-week period. BALB/c mice progressively cleared the cryptococcal infection in the lungs and showed a Th1-skewed immune response: a Th1-shifted cytokine profile, modest lung pathology, and no significant elevation in the systemic immunoglobulin E (IgE) level. In contrast, C57BL/6 mice developed a chronic infection with a Th2-skewed immune response: a Th2-shifted cytokine profile, pulmonary eosinophilia, severe lung pathology, elevated serum IgE, fungemia, and cryptococcal dissemination in the central nervous system. F1 mice demonstrated intermediate resistance to C. neoformans, with a stronger resemblance to the immunophenotype of the resistant (BALB/c) mice. F1 mice also demonstrated enhanced pulmonary recruitment of lymphocytes, especially CD8(+) T cells, in comparison to both parental strains, suggesting positive heterosis. We conclude that the inheritance of traits responsible for early cytokine induction in the infected lungs and dendritic-cell maturation/activation status in draining nodes is responsible for the intermediate immune response polarization and clearance outcome observed initially in the lungs of F1 mice. The enhanced pulmonary lymphocyte recruitment could be responsible for a gradual shutdown of the undesirable Th2 arm of the immune response and subsequently improved anticryptococcal resistance in F1 mice.
Light-induced resetting of a circadian clock is mediated by a rapid increase in frequency transcript

Summary To understand how light entrains circadian clocks, weexamined the effects of light on a gene known to encode a state variable of a circadian oscillator, the frequency ( frq ) gene. frq is rapidly induced by short pulses of visible light; clock resetting is correlated with frq induction and is blocked by drugs that block the synthesis of protein or translatable RNA. The speed and magnitude of frq induction suggest that this may be the initial clock-specific event in light resetting. Light induction overcomes frq negative autoregulation so that frq expression can remain high in constant light. These data explain how a simple unidirectional signal (light and the induction of frq ) may be turned into a bidirectional clock response (time of day-specific advances and delays). This light entrainment model is easily generalized and may be the common mechanism by which the intracellular feedback cycles that comprise circadian clocks are brought into synchrony with external cycles in the real world.
Genetic algorithm wavelet design for signal classification

Biorthogonal wavelets are applied to parse multiaspect transient scattering data in the context of signal classification. A language-based genetic algorithm is used to design wavelet filters that enhance classification performance. The biorthogonal wavelets are implemented via the lifting procedure and the optimization is carried out using a classification-based cost function. Example results are presented for target classification using measured scattering data.
Exotic invasive plants alter thermal regimes: implications for management using a case study of a native ectotherm

Summary Exotic invasive plants can alter ecosystem structure and function, yet there is a paucity of evidence regarding broadly applicable mechanisms. We hypothesized that denser growth patterns characteristic of exotic invasive plants lead to a common effect of reduction and homogenization of environmental temperatures and that these alterations compromise thermal quality of habitat for ectotherms. We quantified thermal regimes within native and exotic plant-dominated habitats, including monocultures of 11 exotic species as well as stratified mixed-exotic habitats in a temperate forest landscape in the eastern US. Exotic plant-dominated habitats exhibited reduced and less variable temperature compared to their native counterparts, with stratified mixed-exotic habitats exhibiting the lowest temperatures overall and exotic shrubs (six species) the lowest as a structural group. Thermal effects were extended beyond the growing season of native vegetation owing to extended leaf phenology of exotic woody species. To demonstrate that these effects can alter environmental cues and adversely impact native species, we used a 4-year radiotelemetry study and laboratory thermal preference trials to relate habitat thermal quality to multiscale resource selection by a native snake, Agkistrodon contortrix. To further test the effect of vegetation structure and the efficacy of targeted management, we removed exotic foliar cover from eight 400 m2 plots. Radio-tagged snakes avoided exotic vegetation at multiple spatial scales. In contrast to previous studies of A. contortrix, snakes exhibited preference for sites composed of higher native vegetation density and height. Response to exotic foliage removal was also rapid – including use of sites during gestation and parturition. Together with other recent studies, our results suggest a direct, non-trophic effect that is common to a broad range of exotic invasive plant species in a variety of ecological contexts. We further offer a mitigation technique that may be implemented when large-scale control or eradication is not cost-effective or ecologically sound.
Evaluating NEXRAD Estimates for the Missouri River Basin: Analysis Using Daily Raingauge Data

This paper presents an evaluation of next generation weather radar (NEXRAD) Stage III and MPE precipitation estimates for the Missouri River Basin River Forecast Center (MBRFC) using daily gauge data from the National Weather Service cooperative network. This gauge network is independent of data used to develop the NEXRAD operational products, and, thus, provides an independent assessment of NEXRAD error characteristics. NEXRAD bias, correlation, and percent detection are mapped across the MBRFC to demonstrate the spatial distribution of NEXRAD errors. In general terms, the NEXRAD estimates perform much better in the southeastern portion of the basin than they do in the central and mountainous areas. Although the overall NEXRAD-gauge statistics appear to be worse than those reported in other published studies, the results of this study show marked improvement in NEXRAD estimates of warm season precipitation over the eight-year study period.
Seasonal and spatial variability of particulate matter of a muddy intertidal flood front

The concentration and composition of suspended particulate matter (SPM) were measured weekly for a period of one year in the flood front waters traversing a muddy tidal flat. SPM concentrations were lowest in the winter when portions of the tidal flat were covered with ice, and biological activity was minimal. In contrast, the summer months had the highest SPM concentrations which reflected increased bottom resuspension. The two main sources of SPM were suspended matter carried in from offshore on the flooding tide and resuspended in situ bottom sediments. The offshore source was characterized by low SPM concentrations, coarse textures, and a high content of protein and chlorophyll ‘a’. Samples taken during resuspension events (storms/showers) had high SPM concentrations, finer textures, and were enriched in dead detrital organic material (phaeophytin). At any one time the SPM was primarily an admixture of these two sources. The highest SPM measurements were taken during storm events, with rainfall seeming to play a dominant physical role in aiding resuspension. SPM concentrations, textures, and compositions collected during the storms closely approximated SPM measurements made over newly dug ‘clam flats’.
Modifications to toxic CUG RNAs induce structural stability, rescue mis-splicing in a myotonic dystrophy cell model and reduce toxicity in a myotonic dystrophy zebrafish model

CUG repeat expansions in the 3' UTR of dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) cause myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). As RNA, these repeats elicit toxicity by sequestering splicing proteins, such as MBNL1, into protein-RNA aggregates. Structural studies demonstrate that CUG repeats can form A-form helices, suggesting that repeat secondary structure could be important in pathogenicity. To evaluate this hypothesis, we utilized structure-stabilizing RNA modifications pseudouridine (Ψ) and 2'-O-methylation to determine if stabilization of CUG helical conformations affected toxicity. CUG repeats modified with Ψ or 2'-O-methyl groups exhibited enhanced structural stability and reduced affinity for MBNL1. Molecular dynamics and X-ray crystallography suggest a potential water-bridging mechanism for Ψ-mediated CUG repeat stabilization. Ψ modification of CUG repeats rescued mis-splicing in a DM1 cell model and prevented CUG repeat toxicity in zebrafish embryos. This study indicates that the structure of toxic RNAs has a significant role in controlling the onset of neuromuscular diseases.
Poultry Nutrition: A Comparative Approach

Abstract Although a variety of scholarly papers and books classify chickens and turkeys as granivores, they are omnivores and do not have the food preferences, digestive anatomy, or nutritional strategies that would classify them as granivores. Their wild relatives consume a very wide variety of food items of both plant and animal origin, and seeds are not often a primary component. Intake of insects by jungle fowl chicks and wild turkey poults exceeds 50% of their diet, and adult females increase their intake of insects at the time of reproduction. In the case of jungle fowl, termites and bamboo mast are preferred foods in the area of Southeast Asia where domestication likely occurred. The nutritional strategy of omnivores is a composite of that of faunivores, frugivores, granivores, and herbivores. Appreciating the nutritional strategy of birds that eat diverse types of foods illuminates the potential capabilities and limitations of generalists, like chickens and turkeys. The marriage of comparative genomics with comparative nutrition is likely to be fertile ground for future advancements in applied poultry nutrition.