cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon footprint and air emissions inventories for US honey production: case studies

The primary purpose of this study is to estimate the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (carbon footprint) and criteria pollutant emissions during honey production and processing for US conditions based on several case studies of different scale beekeeping and processing operations. Commercial beekeeping operations yield two coproducts, honey and pollination services. These two products present an interesting coproduct allocation problem since beekeeping operations cannot be clearly subdivided, pollination services do not have a substitutable product or service, and pollination services cannot be characterized by physical properties for value-based allocation. Thus, a secondary purpose is to identify an appropriate allocation method and to discuss how the choice of allocation strategies influences the outcomes. The commercial honey production supply chain comprises the following two primary steps: raw honey production by beekeepers and honey processing and packaging by processors. A case study approach was used based on detailed operation data provided by several beekeepers and processors from key honey-producing regions in the USA. Process-based life cycle assessment was conducted following the ISO guidelines, and economic allocation was used as a baseline method for coproduct allocation. Life cycle modeling of one complete commercial supply chain (raw honey production, transport to a processer, and processing) shows that total life cycle GHG emissions range from 0.67 to 0.92 kg CO2 equivalent/kg of processed honey; however, outcomes show significant variability. Results show commercial honey production emits more GHGs and criteria pollutants than processing. Truck transport of bees is the dominant contributor of both GHG emissions and criteria pollutants within the life cycle of raw honey production. However, honey processing, which depends on natural gas and electricity, contributes a significant fraction of SO x . These results are based on economic allocation among beekeeping coproducts. In addition to economic allocation, subdivision was applied to beekeeping activities. Because hive management (feed and medication) could not be further subdivided, a bounded range was generated for raw honey production, where the lower and upper bounds represent two extremes where all the environmental burdens associated with hive management were allocated to pollination or honey production. Economic allocation tends to fall near or below the lower bound for the subdivision method. Interestingly, some beekeepers reported that their hive management practices were driven more by demand for pollination services than honey, which seems to be reflected in the coordination of lower-bound subdivision and economic allocation results.
Band-to-Band Tunneling Ballistic Nanowire FET: Circuit-Compatible Device Modeling and Design of Ultra-Low-Power Digital Circuits and Memories

Band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) nanowire FETs have been studied as a possible successor to CMOS FETs. In the literature, it has already been shown that a 1-D p+-i- n+-type semiconductor nanowire governed by a BTBT transport mechanism offers a subthreshold swing lower than the conventional limit of 60 mV/dec while maintaining a reasonable on-state performance. The concept of BTBT nanowire FETs is primitive, and the manufacturing process is nascent. In the absence of a suitable device model and/or a reliable circuit simulator, the evaluation and impact of such novel transistors are difficult to estimate. In this paper, we propose a simple complementary device model for BTBT nanowire FETs suitable for multitransistor circuit simulation and evaluate its performance in the ballistic limit. The device models so developed have been used to simulate a class digital logic circuits and dynamic memories (e.g., DRAM) to analyze their suitability in future very large scale integration design. Circuit level simulations explicitly show that the proposed p+ -i-n+-type BTBT nanowire FETs are well suited for medium throughput (approximately hundreds of kilohertz to a few tens of megahertz) ultra-low-power applications. The standby leakage power in memory and logic circuits has been found to be as low as 10-20 W due to the inherent super cutoff nature of the device. The presence of interconnect parasitics in parallel with intrinsic device capacitance severely limits the performance of digital circuits. The impact of interconnect parasitics on the performance of BTBT nanowire FETs has also been studied.
Inotropic Support for Hemodynamic Decompensation During Acute Myocardial Transplant Rejection

A LLOGENEIC orthotopic heart transplant rejection is common; however, associated acute hemodynamic decompensation at the time of rejection is rare. Improved immunosuppression and increased surveillance by serial endomyocardial biopsies are responsible for decreased mortality rates secondary to rejection.‘,’ However, those patients who do develop hemodynamic instability with rejection require immediate support until reversal of rejection (ie, immunologic rescue) can occur. This report reviews the technique used at the University of Michigan for support of patients with acute hemodynamic decompensation following cardiac rejection.
Multiple hormones regulate angiotensinogen messenger ribonucleic acid levels in a rat hepatoma cell line.

Angiotensinogen is regulated by both hormones and changes in cardiovascular and electrolyte status. We have used the Reuber H35 (H4IIE) rat hepatoma cell line to study the regulation of angiotensinogen mRNA levels by dexamethasone, aldosterone, L-T3, and 17 β-estradiol. Using the Acc I (1097 basepairs) fragment of our angiotensinogen cDNA clone, we have studied, by Northern and slot blot analysis, the accumulation of angiotensinogen mRNA in this cell culture system. Angiotensinogen mRNA of approximately 1800 bases was identified in these cells. It was identical in size to angiotensinogen mRNA from rat liver. Cells grown in medium containing serum depleted of thyroid and steroid hormones for up to 72 h showed a progressive decrease in angiotensinogen mRNA. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in angiotensinogen mRNA. The half-maximal response occurred at 10-9 M dexamethasone, with a maximal response of approximately 4-fold (serum-free conditions). Aldosterone induced a do...
Corn distillers grains versus a blend of protein supplements with or without ruminally protected amino acids for lactating cows.

Abstract In a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4-wk periods, we used 12 multiparous Holstein cows averaging 83 d postpartum to compare corn distillers grains (CDG) versus a blend (BLEND) of other protein sources with CDG (fish meal and soybean meal), and to determine the effectiveness of ruminally protected lysine and methionine (RPLM) in improving the utilization of CDG as a protein supplement for lactating cows. The 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was as follows: CDG diet, CDG diet plus RPLM, BLEND diet, and BLEND diet plus RPLM. All diets contained 30% corn silage, 20% alfalfa hay, and 50% the respective corn-based concentrate mixture. The array of amino acids available for absorption when cows were fed the BLEND diet was more desirable than for the CDG diet according to Milk Protein Score and Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Dry matter intakes were similar among all diets. Milk yields (32.6, 31.7, 32.8, and 32.8kg/d, respectively) were similar for cows fed all diets. Milk fat yields and percentages (3.72, 3.76, 3.67, and 3.63%) were unaffected by diet, but milk protein percentages (3.23, 3.26, 3.25, and 3.26%) tended to be higher when fed RPLM. Concentrations of most protein fractions in milk were similar for all diets, although β -lactoglobulin was increased slightly when cows were fed BLEND diets. Lysine, Met, and Phe were indicated as the most limiting amino acids for all diets according to extraction efficiency and transfer efficiency of amino acid from blood by the mammary gland. Methionine status was apparently improved by RPLM supplementation; Lys status was improved by the BLEND diets. Milk yield and composition when cows were fed CDG were not further improved by feeding blends of protein sources or RPLM; however, such dietary changes improved Lys and Met status of the cows.
Vitamin D levels in Malawian infants from birth to 24 months

We measured longitudinal levels of vitamin D in unsupplemented Malawian infants at 0 (birth), 2, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months of age. Matched maternal plasma and breast milk vitamin D(2) and D(3) levels were also measured at delivery and 2 months postpartum. Vitamin D was measured using isotope-dilution liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. Vitamin D(3) levels in children were 36% of adult levels at birth, 60% of adult levels at age 2 months, and at par with adult levels by 12 months of age. This adult-equivalent level is subsequently maintained through age 24 months and consisted of a 98% molar ratio of vitamin D(3). Vitamin D levels in breast milk were below the limit of detection, 0.1 ng/ml. Breast milk of unsupplemented Malawian mothers is a poor source of vitamin D.
The catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase: prototype for an extended network of communication

The protein kinase catalytic core in essence comprises an extended network of interactions that link distal parts of the molecule to the active site where they facilitate phosphoryl transfer from ATP to protein substrate. This review defines key sequence and structural elements, describes what is currently known about the molecular interactions, and how they are involved in catalysis.
The Caenorhabditis elegans voltage-gated calcium channel subunits UNC-2 and UNC-36 and the calcium-dependent kinase UNC-43/CaMKII regulate neuromuscular junction morphology

Background: The conserved Caenorhabditis elegans proteins NID-1/nidogen and PTP-3A/LAR-RPTP function to efficiently localize the presynaptic scaffold protein SYD-2/α-liprin at active zones. Loss of function in these molecules results in defects in the size, morphology and spacing of neuromuscular junctions. Results: Here we show that the Cav2-like voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) proteins, UNC-2 and UNC-36, and the calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), UNC-43, function to regulate the size and morphology of presynaptic domains in C. elegans. Loss of function in unc-2, unc-36 or unc-43 resulted in slightly larger GABAergic neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), but could suppress the synaptic morphology defects found in nid-1/nidogen or ptp-3/LAR mutants. A gainof-function mutation in unc-43 caused defects similar to those found in nid-1 mutants. Mutations in egl-19, Cav1-like, or cca-1, Cav3-like, α1 subunits, or the second α2/δ subunit, tag-180, did not suppress nid-1, suggesting a specific interaction between unc-2 and the synaptic extracellular matrix (ECM) component nidogen. Using a synaptic vesicle marker in time-lapse microscopy studies, we observed GABAergic motor neurons adding NMJ-like structures during late larval development. The synaptic bouton addition appeared to form in at least two ways: (1) de novo formation, where a cluster of vesicles appeared to coalesce, or (2) when a single punctum became enlarged and then divided to form two discrete fluorescent puncta. In comparison to wild type animals, we found unc-2 mutants exhibited reduced NMJ dynamics, with fewer observed divisions during a similar stage of development. Conclusions: We identified UNC-2/UNC-36 VGCCs and UNC-43/CaMKII as regulators of C. elegans synaptogenesis. UNC-2 has a modest role in synapse formation, but a broader role in regulating dynamic changes in the size and morphology of synapses that occur during organismal development. During the late 4th larval stage (L4), wild type animals exhibit synaptic morphologies that are similar to those found in animals lacking NID-1/PTP-3 adhesion, as well as those with constitutive activation of UNC-43. Genetic evidence indicates that the VGCCs and the NID-1/ PTP-3 adhesion complex provide opposing functions in synaptic development, suggesting that modulation of synaptic adhesion may underlie synapse development in C. elegans.
On the convergence of optimistic policy iteration

We consider a finite-state Markov decision problem and establish the convergence of a special case of optimistic policy iteration that involves Monte Carlo estimation of Q-values, in conjunction with greedy policy selection. We provide convergence results for a number of algorithmic variations, including one that involves temporal difference learning (bootstrapping) instead of Monte Carlo estimation. We also indicate some extensions that either fail or are unlikely to go through.
Is Short-Interval Mammography Necessary After Breast Conservation Surgery and Radiation Treatment in Breast Cancer Patients?

Purpose The optimum timing and frequency of mammography in breast cancer patients after breast-conserving therapy (BCT) are controversial. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends the first posttreatment mammogram 1 year after diagnosis but no earlier than 6 months after completion of radiotherapy. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends annual mammography. Intermountain Healthcare currently follows a more frequent mammography schedule during the first 2 years in BCT patients. This retrospective study was undertaken to determine the cancer yield mammography during the first 2 years after BCT. Methods and Materials 1,435 patients received BCT at Intermountain Healthcare between 2003 and 2007, inclusive. Twenty-three patients had bilateral breast cancer (1,458 total breasts). Patients were followed up for 24 months after diagnosis. The 1- and 2-year mammography yields were determined and compared with those of the general screening population. Results 1,079 breasts had mammography at less than 1 year, and two ipsilateral recurrences (both noninvasive) were identified; 1,219 breasts had mammography during the second year, and nine recurrences (three invasive, six noninvasive) were identified. Of the 11 ipsilateral recurrences during the study, three presented with symptoms and eight were identified by mammography alone. The mammography yield was 1.9 cancers per 1,000 breasts the first year and 4.9 per 1,000 the second year. Conclusions These data demonstrate that the mammography yield during the first 2 years after BCT is not greater than that in the general population, and they support the policy for initiating followup mammography at 1 year after BCT.
Satisfaction with automated telephone disease management calls and its relationship to their use.

PURPOSEthis paper reports the results of an assessment of automated telephone disease management (ATDM) among patients in 2 randomized trials evaluating ATDM as an adjunct to usual care.METHODSDuring the 12-month follow-up interview, 256 low-income adults with diabetes from the intervention groups of 2 randomized trials were asked to respond to questions about their satisfaction with the ATDM process. Variation in satisfaction was examined across groups, and satisfaction reports were correlated with the extent to which patients completed ATDM assessments and used them to report glycemic levels or access educational messages.RESULTSOverall, 85% of patients reported that they were satisfied with the ATDM calls, 82% reported that they would be more satisfied with their health care if such calls were available to patients, and 76% reported that they personally would choose to receive such calls in the future. Most patients reported few difficulties completing ATDM assessments and found the calls to be a usefu...
Working memory as internal attention: Toward an integrative account of internal and external selection processes

Working memory (WM) and attention have been studied as separate cognitive constructs, although it has long been acknowledged that attention plays an important role in controlling the activation, maintenance, and manipulation of representations in WM. WM has, conversely, been thought of as a means of maintaining representations to voluntarily guide perceptual selective attention. It has more recently been observed, however, that the contents of WM can capture visual attention, even when such internally maintained representations are irrelevant, and often disruptive, to the immediate external task. Thus, the precise relationship between WM and attention remains unclear, but it appears that they may bidirectionally impact one another, whether or not internal representations are consistent with the external perceptual goals. This reciprocal relationship seems, further, to be constrained by limited cognitive resources to handle demands in either maintenance or selection. We propose here that the close relationship between WM and attention may be best described as a give-and-take interdependence between attention directed toward either actively maintained internal representations (traditionally considered WM) or external perceptual stimuli (traditionally considered selective attention), underpinned by their shared reliance on a common cognitive resource. Put simply, we argue that WM and attention should no longer be considered as separate systems or concepts, but as competing and influencing one another because they rely on the same limited resource. This framework can offer an explanation for the capture of visual attention by irrelevant WM contents, as well as a straightforward account of the underspecified relationship between WM and attention.
The determinants of moneylender interest rates: Evidence from rural India

This study examines the determinants of moneylender interest rates in rural India in the context of two major developments of the 1960s: (a) the incidence of agricultural technical change in the process popularly denoted by the term ‘Green Revolution’ and (b) the spread of government‐sponsored subsidised credit through rural banks and co‐operative credit agencies. It finds that farmers residing in areas characterised by the use of Green Revolution technology face lower moneylender interest rates. It also finds evidence of the reduction of moneylender monopoly power as a result of increased competition from formal lending agencies. It concludes that informal rural credit markets are sensitive mechanisms which respond to environmental as well as borrower characteristics.
Nicotine Withdrawal Exacerbates Fear Reactivity to CO2-Induced Bodily Sensations Among Smokers

INTRODUCTION: Independent lines of research suggest that smoking increases the prospective risk of panic disorder. Studies that have examined the hypothesized link between nicotine withdrawal and panic have typically employed light smokers or lacked optimal control groups. Our laboratory team previously found, for example, that smokers who abstained from cigarettes for 12 hr demonstrated greater fear reactivity to a CO(2) rebreathing challenge than nonsmokers. However, the absence of a smoking-as-usual group limited our ability to draw conclusions about the potential role of nicotine withdrawal. METHODS: We exposed 27 heavy smokers who abstained from smoking for 12 hr and 27 heavy smokers who smoked as usual to a 5-min CO(2) rebreathing challenge. RESULTS: More intense prechallenge nicotine withdrawal symptoms (regardless of group status) were associated with more severe panicky symptoms and a stronger urge to escape during the challenge, even after we controlled for prechallenge anxiety and daily cigarette use. Unexpectedly, group status did not predict challenge reactivity. CONCLUSION: Smokers who regularly experience intense withdrawal symptoms, regardless of length of smoking abstinence, may be at heightened risk for experiencing panic attacks.
Systemic allergic reactions to ingested antigens

Abstract Fifteen cases of systemic allergic reactions to ingestant antigens are reported. The causative antigens were identified through exhaustive exploration of historical details. These antigens were penicillin, pinto bean, halibut, rice, potato, Brazil nut, shrimp, milk, a cereal mix, garbanzo bean, tangerine, salicylsalicylic acid, and demethylchlortetracycline. The importance of determining the causative antigen is emphasized. Before the cause was determined, 8 patients had recurrent anaphylaxis. These reactions were studied by certain immunologic methods. Cutaneous tests were positive in all patients tested except the salicylsalicylic acid and the demethylchlor-tetracycline reactors. Monkey P-K or human P-K reactions were performed with sera from 9 patients who had positive skin tests. All were positive. Specific release of histamine from leukocytes was detected in 7 of 9 patients studied. These methods are useful for studying immunologic reactions, but they do not establish or confirm a definitive diagnosis of clinically significant food allergy. The clinical and immunological characteristics of the cases are discussed.
Matrix Elements for $D$- and $B$-Mixing from 2+1 Flavor Lattice QCD

C.C. Chang∗ a f , C. Bernard b, C.M. Bouchard c, A.X. El-Khadra a f , E.D. Freeland d, E. Gamiz e, A.S. Kronfeld f , J. Laiho g, R.S. van de Water f aPhysics Department, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA bDepartment of Physics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA cDepartment of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA dLiberal Arts Department, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60603, USA eCAFPE and Departamento de Fisica Teorica y del Cosmos, Universidad de Granada, E-18002 Granada, Spain fTheoretical Physics Department, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory†, Batavia, IL 60510, USA gSUPA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12-8QQ, United Kingdom
Clinical Implications of Measuring Quality-of-Life in Early Stage Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a unique malignancy: it is the most prevalent cancer in men (CA Cancer J Clin 60(5):277–300, 2010), and yet most cases have a relatively indolent course when compared to other malignancies, with most men dying from other causes before becoming symptomatic (Am J Epidemiol 148:775–785, 1998). Because an informed medical decision can only be made with a thorough understanding of the risks and benefits of each management option, an increasingly bright spotlight has been placed on the effects of prostate cancer treatment on patients’ health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL), as every treatment modality for early stage prostate cancer portends distinct HRQOL consequences (JAMA 273:129–135, 1995; J Natl Cancer Inst 92:1582–1592, 2000; N Engl J Med 358:1250–1261, 2008). Prostatectomy carries an increased risk of urinary incontinence, external radiotherapy and brachytherapy can cause bowel toxicity and urinary obstruction or irritation, hormonal therapy affects vitality, and each of these treatments can result in deterioration of sexual function. While the presence of these adverse outcomes can sometimes be self-evident during the course of routine clinical care, objectively quantifying such outcomes can be challenging.
HIV Drug to Aid Melanoma Therapies

The HIV1 protease inhibitor nelfinavir is being investigated as a cancer therapeutic. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Smith et al. (2016) report that nelfinavir suppresses MITF expression induced by MAPK pathway inhibition in melanoma cells and sensitizes melanoma cells with NRAS or BRAF plus NRAS mutations to MEK inhibitors.
CD169-Dependent Cell-Associated HIV-1 Transmission: A Driver of Virus Dissemination

Sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) occurs across mucosal surfaces of the genital and gastrointestinal tracts and accounts for the vast majority of newly acquired infections worldwide. In the absence of an effective vaccine, interventional strategies such as microbicides that target viral attachment and entry into mucosa-resident target cells are particularly attractive and might have the greatest impact on reducing the HIV-1 pandemic. Rational development of microbicides would be greatly aided with a better understanding of several key questions of mucosal HIV-1 transmission, including the molecular mechanism(s) of how HIV-1 traverses mucosal barriers, the type of cells that it initially infects to gain a foothold in the naive host, and how it is disseminated from local sites of infection to draining lymph nodes. In this review, we discuss the role of myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) in cell-associated HIV-1 transmission and in facilitating systemic HIV-1 dissemination. We will evaluate the role of CD169 as a DC-associated HIV-1 attachment factor, investigate the molecular mechanisms by which HIV-1 particles are transferred from DCs to CD4(+) T cells across virological synapses, and provide arguments for inclusion of molecules in microbicides that can effectively target HIV-1 attachment to DCs and DC-mediated virus transfer.
The Genus Sanctanus in North America including the Mexican Species

The Genus Sanctanus was erected by Ball[2][1] in 1932 to include a small group of species formerly placed in Scaphoideus . He cited Scaphoideus sanctus Say as the genotype. In addition he placed fasciatus Osb., cruciatus Osb., orbiculatus Ball, aestaurium DeL. & S., limnicolus Osb., eburneus DeL. and fusconotatus Osb. in the Genus Sanctanus . Later Oman,[3][2] 1934, made a key to the species of the genus in which he included tectus which he described at that time. In 1938 Beamer[4][3] described balli as closely related to sanctus . This previous work included largely North American species. Recently the writers have been studying a large amount of material belonging to this genus, which was collected in Mexico. As a result it has been found that five new species, similarus, pallidens, galbus, apicalis and elongates are closely related to sanctus and balli . One other, elegans , is more closely related to orbiculatus . In the fasciatus group there are apparently five species occurring in Mexico, four of which, virgatus, marginellus, sonorus and dampfi , are apparently new and closely related to fasciatus and cruciatus . In color pattern many of these species could scarcely be distinguished from closely related forms unless the male genital characters are used. In the sanctus group the aedeagus is quite similar in type in several of the species but the character of the style will distinguish them very easily. In the fasciatus group the aedeagus and styles are similar in type but the characters of the plates will separate these into species and the color patterns are of assistance in a few cases. The male genitalia of fusconotatus and aestuarium are very similar and unique. The color pattern of the head will distinguish these species and the vertex in fusconotatus is apparently more produced than in aestuarium . [1]: #fn-1 [2]: #fn-2 [3]: #fn-3
The association of erythroblasts with macrophages promotes erythroid proliferation and maturation: a 30-kD heparin-binding protein is involved in this contact

Although the association of erythroblasts with macrophages has been well documented in the human bone marrow, the function and identification of the intimate contacts occurring between the membranes of these two cell types in the physiology of erythropoiesis is not known. Using in vitro cultures of human peripheral blood derived erythroid progenitors, we have shown the presence of erythroblastic islands consisting of a central macrophage surrounded by a ring of erythroblasts that undergo terminal maturation leading to enucleation. However, when cultures were carried in the absence of intact macrophages, erythroid cells matured to the late erythroblast stage but failed to enucleate. Furthermore, the number of erythroid cells was markedly reduced in macrophage-depleted cultures, suggesting that the erythroblast-macrophage contact promotes proliferation and terminal maturation of erythroid cells leading to their enucleation. To examine the molecule(s) involved in the interaction between erythroblasts and macrophages, we have used a cell attachment assay involving incubation of solubilized surface-labeled erythroblasts with macrophage membrane proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. Erythroblast surface proteins specifically attached to a 30-kD protein from macrophage membranes, whereas no adhesion was seen to the protein standards. An apparently similar protein of 30 kD was also detected on erythroblasts and was shown to mediate erythroblast-erythroblast contact in addition to the erythroblast-macrophage contact. The extraction of plasma membranes with Triton X-100 showed that the 30-kD protein is linked to the membrane skeleton via an integral membrane protein both in erythroblasts and macrophages. Furthermore, our results show that the cell:cell interactions mediated by the 30-kD protein are calcium-independent and could be specifically inhibited by heparin. We conclude that the association of erythroblasts with macrophages promotes erythroid proliferation and maturation leading to erythroblast enucleation and that a 30-kD heparin-binding protein present on the surface of macrophages and erythroblasts is involved in this contact. This protein is capable of binding homotypic and heterotypic cells.
DEGR-factor Xa blocks disseminated intravascular coagulation initiated by Escherichia coli without preventing shock or organ damage

One of the aims of research in the area of thrombosis has been to design an effective anticoagulant that would function in a predictable and direct manner. In evaluating the role of coagulation in sepsis we used factor Xa blocked in the active center with [5-(dimethylamino)1-naphthalenesulfonyl]-glutamylglycylarginyl+ ++ chloromethyl ketone (DEGR-Xa). We infused 1 mg/kg of DEGR-Xa together with LD100 concentrations of Escherichia coli (4 x 10(10) organisms/kg) into five baboons. As controls, we infused E coli alone into five baboons. The inflammatory, coagulant, and cell injury responses to E coli of both the treated and control groups were lethal and were similar in every respect except for the complete inhibition of the consumption of fibrinogen in the DEGR-Xa group. The half life of DEGR-Xa was approximately 10 hours and 2 hours, as determined by isotopic and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. These results for the first time demonstrate that, although coagulation occurs in E coli sepsis, fibrin formation per se did not influence the lethal outcome in this model. These results also show the effectiveness of DEGR-Xa as an anticoagulant and raise the possibility that it could serve as an alternative to anticoagulants currently in use.
Dynamics and stability of micro-cutting operations

Abstract In spite of considerable advances toward the understanding of the mechanics of micro-cutting operations their dynamics and stability that are dominated by the influence of nonlinear effects imposed by the minimum chip thickness and grain size effects and the dominance of ploughing over shearing still remain largely uncharted. Hence, the objective of this paper is to explore the fundamental mechanisms that lead to instabilities in micro-cutting. For dynamic stability analysis, linear stability theory was adopted to model regenerative chatter. The rationale for using linear stability theory is to perform a rigorous parametric study of the major factors that influence stability in light of the nonlinear phenomena that dominate micro-cutting processes. A linearized micro-cutting dynamic force model and a linear structural dynamics model are presented to formulate stability criteria for the different characteristic operating regimes encountered in micro-cutting. It has been shown that the three physical operating regimes, pure ploughing, simultaneous ploughing and shearing and the shearing dominant, govern the micro-cutting process. They are primarily a function of the relationship between the undeformed chip thickness and cutting edge radius and exert different influences on process stability. Based on the linearized cutting dynamics models characterizing these regimes, a generalized approach to dealing with nonlinear force effects was proposed for process stability analysis. The method is applicable for cutting process nonlinearities at all scales if they are present.
Genetic Manipulation of Life Span in Drosophila melanogaster

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some of the techniques available for studying aging in Drosophila melanogaster and describes several experiments that have yielded a substantial increase in the life span of Drosophila . Methods for transgene expression in Drosophila can be classified as either conditional (inducible) or nonconditional (noninducible). Conditional systems require an environmental stimulus such as a heat pulse or a drug to initiate expression of the transgene. The nonconditional systems are generally implemented so that control and experimental groups are taken from two separate crosses. In the tet-on system, the tetracycline derivative doxycycline (DOX) is added to fly food in order to initiate transcription of the gene of interest. The Gene–Switch system is directly analogous to the tet-on system. However, in this case, the progesterone antagonist RU486 is used as the stimulus. The FLP- out system requires a heat pulse as the trigger to cause expression of the gene of interest. FLP- out consists of two constructs. In the first construct, the promoter from the heat shock protein 70 genes ( hsp70 ) is used to drive expression of yeast FLP recombinase. The second construct consists of a transcriptional stop sequence located between the actin5C promoter and the gene of interest.
The impact of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation on springtime dust activity inSyria

Abstract. The increasing trend of aerosol optical depth in the Middle East and a recent severe dust storm in Syria have raised questions as to whether dust storms will increase and promoted investigations on the dust activities driven by the natural climate variability underlying the ongoing human perturbations such as the Syrian civil war. This study examined the influences of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) on dust activities in Syria using an innovative dust optical depth (DOD) dataset derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Deep Blue aerosol products. A significantly negative correlation is found between the Syrian DOD and the PDO in spring from 2003 to 2015. High DOD in spring is associated with lower geopotential height over the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa, accompanied by near-surface anomalous westerly winds over the Mediterranean basin and southerly winds over the eastern Arabian Peninsula. These large-scale patterns promote the formation of the cyclones over the Middle East to trigger dust storms and also facilitate the transport of dust from North Africa, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia to Syria, where the transported dust dominates the seasonal mean DOD in spring. A negative PDO not only creates circulation anomalies favorable to high DOD in Syria but also suppresses precipitation in dust source regions over the eastern and southern Arabian Peninsula and northeastern Africa. On the daily scale, in addition to the favorable large-scale condition associated with a negative PDO, enhanced atmospheric instability in Syria (associated with increased precipitation in Turkey and northern Syria) is also critical for the development of strong springtime dust storms in Syria.
Electromagnetic compatibility design, implementation and test of the SMAP spacecraft to meet stringent L-Band radiated emissions requirements

This paper describes the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements on the NASA SMAP mission, the implementation of EMC best practices at various levels of development in system level cabling harnesses and subsystems packaging, and the testing and results of flight hardware at the subsystem and spacecraft system levels.
Adaptive capacity at the northern front: sockeye salmon behaviourally thermoregulate during novel exposure to warm temperatures

As climate change increases maximal water temperatures, behavioural thermoregulation may be crucial for the persistence of coldwater fishes, such as salmonids. Although myriad studies have documented behavioural thermoregulation in southern populations of salmonids, few if any have explored this phenomenon in northern populations, which are less likely to have an evolutionary history of heat stress, yet are predicted to experience substantial warming. Here, we treated a rare heat wave as a natural experiment to test whether wild sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) at the northern extent of their primary range (60° latitude) can thermoregulate in response to abnormally high thermal conditions. We tagged adult sockeye salmon with temperature loggers as they staged in a lake epilimnion prior to spawning in small cold streams (n = 40 recovered loggers). As lake surface temperatures warmed to physiologically suboptimal levels (15-20°C), sockeye salmon thermoregulated by moving to tributary plumes or the lake metalimnion. A regression of fish body temperature against lake surface temperature indicated that fish moved to cooler waters when the epilimnion temperature exceeded ~12°C. A bioenergetics model suggested that the observed behaviour reduced daily metabolic costs by as much as ~50% during the warmest conditions (18-20°C). These results provide rare evidence of cool-seeking thermoregulation at the poleward extent of a species range, emphasizing the potential ubiquity of maximal temperature constraints and the functional significance of thermal heterogeneity for buffering poikilotherms from climate change.
A fast low noise CMOS charge sensitive preamplifier for column parallel CCD readout

A fast, low noise charge sensitive preamplifier for column parallel CCD readout application is presented. This prototype has been implemented on a commercial CMOS 65nm process. This preamplifier consists of a two stage transconductance amplifier with capacitive feedback to accommodate two gain ranges and a second transconductance amplifier to reset the circuit. An equivalent noise charge of 37 electrons for a 100ns readout cycle time is achieved for a power consumption of 5mW. Novel design techniques used in this circuit will be presented in detail along with measurement results obtained on the prototype.
An MRI-compatible PET insert for whole body studies in rodents at high functional and anatomical resolution

The feasibility of performing high-resolution PET and high-field MRI simultaneously in rodents has been previously demonstrated in small-scale systems capable of imaging the rat brain and mouse. We are nearing completion of a larger scale PET system which will accommodate the whole rat and perform at 9.4 T with &#60;2 mm PET resolution. The PET insert has inner/outer diameters of 13.5/20.6 cm, compact enough to fit within the gradient set of a Varian large-bore 9.4T MRI system while accommodating on the inside a commercial Insight birdcage coil for the rat. The resulting volume capable of simultaneous PET/MRI imaging is 7 cm in diameter and 5 cm axially. The 96 PET detectors are arranged in 4 rings of modular detector blocks, each with an array of 2 × 2 × 14 mm LYSO crystal coupled to a Hamamatsu APD array and read out by the RatCAP ASIC. Data acquisition is divided into 4 sectors, each handled by a local FPGA which communicates via Ethernet to the host PC. Offline data processing software is being developed to bin coincidences and determine physical corrections. Image reconstruction follows a listmode OSEM approach. The design of all hardware components is complete and prototypes of each have been fabricated. System integration is underway and initial performance of the system will be presented.
Identifying the source of reduced performance in 1-stage-grown Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 solar cells

Traps in Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) deposited by listage and 3-stage co-evaporation processes were characterized using conventional deep level transient and optical spectroscopies (DLTS/DLOS) and scanning-DLTS to quantity and map the deep levels associated with the different growth approaches. Two defects were observed at E V + 0.44/0.50 eV and E V + 0.97 eV. The total deep level trap concentration was found to vary primarily due to the E V + 0.97 eV trap, which was ∼4X larger in the 1-stage sample. This large increase correlates with the reduced open circuit voltage and conversion efficiency typically observed in 1-stage co-evaporation grown CIGS, suggesting that controlling the presence and concentration of this level may be important to enable high-efficiency CIGS solar cells using simpler processes.
The challenge of unstated meaning: a study of ESL written recall of narrative prose

This paper uses a schemata-theoretic conception of reading in an assessment of ESL reader recall of unstated levels of meaning in narrative prose. Schemata theory suggests that the skilled reader selects one of a finite number of text schemata to use in the decoding, retention and recall of a particular text, and it has been demonstrated that better knowledge of the schematic structure makes possible better recall. Here, reader recall of two types of unstated meaning in narrative prose is assessed for a group of advanced learners of ESL, who use Chinese as L1. Evidence is presented of poor recall of unstated meaning, concomitant with a lack of knowledge of the requisite schematic structure. It is therefore suggested that formal instruction on the requisite structure will enhance learner recall of unstated meaning.
Increasing solar hosting capacity is the key to sustainability

This paper discusses possible approaches to achieving high levels of PV hosting on the grid, a key requirement for sustainability. There are significant challenges to grid integration of renewable resources, both at the transmission and distribution level. Of particular concern are issues related to dynamic balancing and voltage management without using inordinate amounts of expensive energy storage. For countries such as India, that are seeking to get 150 GW of solar energy on the system over the next decade or two, this is a huge challenge that needs to be addressed. This paper provides some approaches for achieving high levels of renewable energy hosting, particularly solar hosting.
Numerical Modeling of Ice Transport in Channels with River Restoration Structures

Cross vane structures aim to reduce near-bank shear and increase center channel flow intensity to retain flood flow and maintain sediment transport capacity in stream channels. These in-stream structures have been widely applied for river management, but how they interact with the local ice regime is poorly understood. This paper presents a numerical model study of the interaction of cross vane structures with sediment and ice using a two-dimensional coupled river ice-sediment dynamic model. The model was used to simulate a variety of ice and flow conditions to show how cross vanes affect sediment and ice processes. The study showed the design of cross vane structures in cold region rivers should consider the ice effects, especially the increasing potential of ice jam formation and related bed change.
The application of ergonomics in the work environment of general surgeons

Ergonomics, also called human factors engineering, is the study of the behavior and activities of individuals in relation to the working environment and the mechanical and electronic equipment operated by the worker. The function of specialists in ergonomics is to design or to improve the workplace, equipment, and procedures of workers to ensure the safe, healthy, and efficient achievement of personal and organizational goals. Many mental and physical similarities can be found between the work of a surgeon and the jobs of skilled industrial and military personnel. This review addresses the necessity for applying ergonomics in surgical working activities. The materials reviewed here are classified into the following topics in surgical ergonomics: Visualization, manipulation, posture, mental and physical workload, and the operating-room environment. It was concluded that the discipline of ergonomics can enhance our understanding of the way in which surgeons work. As surgeons confront increasingly complex and costly procedures, the need to cut health-care costs deems it necessary to develop a scientific understanding of the mechanics of surgical operations.
Teleological reasoning, not acceptance of evolution, impacts students’ ability to learn natural selection

How acceptance of evolution relates to understanding of evolution remains controversial despite decades of research. It even remains unclear whether cultural/attitudinal factors or cognitive factors have a greater impact on student ability to learn evolutionary biology. This study examined the influence of cultural/attitudinal factors (religiosity, acceptance of evolution, and parents’ attitudes towards evolution) and cognitive factors (teleological reasoning and prior understanding of natural selection) on students’ learning of natural selection over a semester-long undergraduate course in evolutionary medicine. Pre-post course surveys measured cognitive factors, including teleological reasoning and prior understanding of natural selection, and also cultural/attitudinal factors, including acceptance of evolution, parent attitudes towards evolution, and religiosity. We analyzed how these measures influenced increased understanding of natural selection over the semester. After controlling for other related variables, parent attitude towards evolution and religiosity predicted students’ acceptance of evolution, but did not predict students’ learning gains of natural selection over the semester. Conversely, lower levels of teleological reasoning predicted learning gains in understanding natural selection over the course, but did not predict students’ acceptance of evolution. Acceptance of evolution did not predict students’ ability to learn natural selection over a semester in an evolutionary medicine course. However, teleological reasoning did impact students’ ability to learn natural selection.
Bacterial Infections and Skin Cleaning Prior to Injection Among Intravenous Drug Users

In a survey of 1,057 active intravenous drug users in Baltimore, MD, who were recruited through extensive community outreach, 12 reported endocarditis and 113 reported subcutaneous abscesses in the 6 months before being interviewed. Of all the persons surveyed, 556 reported cleaning their skin prior to injection at any time and 173 reported cleaning their skin all the time in the 6 months before the interview. The frequency of subcutaneous abscesses was lower among those who reported skin cleaning all the time; a similar trend was noted for frequency of endocarditis. The relatively simple procedure of encouraging intravenous drug users to clean their skin prior to injection will not eliminate but might reduce the frequency of these serious and expensive infectious complications of intravenous drug use.