cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental determination of equilibrium Fe isotopic fractionation between pyrite and dissolved Fe under hydrothermal conditions

Abstract Fe isotope fractionation between pyrite (FeS 2 ) and dissolved Fe in NaCl- and sulfur-bearing aqueous fluids was determined under hydrothermal conditions (300–350 °C, 500 bars). The data were collected using two different, but complementary, experimental approaches, one involving classical Fe isotope exchange between Fe in pyrite and dissolved Fe in coexisting fluid, while the other involved homogenous precipitation of pyrite in a redox and pH buffered chemical system. Results from these experiments indicate equilibrium Fe isotopic fractionation between pyrite and fluid, Δ 56 Fe Pyr–Fe(aq) , of 0.99 ± 0.29‰ (2 σ ), in 56 Fe/ 54 Fe. The experimentally determined equilibrium pyrite–fluid Fe isotopic fractionation agrees with theoretical and spectrally-based predictions. The second series of experiments were conducted to better constrain the effect of precipitation rate on the temporal evolution of the Fe isotopic composition of pyrite and Fe bearing fluids in dynamic mixing environments, such as hydrothermal vent sites at mid-ocean ridges. Rapid homogenous precipitation of pyrite at 300 and 350 °C indicates that δ 56 Fe of dissolved Fe is significantly greater than pyrite that formed during the earliest stage of the experiment, possibly facilitated by either equilibrium or kinetic isotope effects involving FeS as a reactant during pyrite formation. Subsequent recrystallization of pyrite results in a Fe isotopic fractionation with dissolved Fe that moves towards the experimentally determined equilibrium Fe isotopic fractionation with reaction progress. The experimental data reported here may help to decipher the complex kinetic and thermodynamic processes involved in pyrite formation at deep sea vents, while also providing constraints for the rapidly developing theoretical models used to estimate equilibrium Fe isotope fractionation between pyrite and fluid at elevated temperatures and pressures.
The development of procedures for identifying competitive behavior in children

Abstract This study identified events in the competitive process that could be employed to discriminate between competition and individual, non-social behaviors. When children competed they overtly sought out information on how they were doing vis-a-vis their fellow competitor. In addition, their performance was a function of some competitive contingency: a reward for surpassing another. The procedures developed in this study were designed to manipulate competitive contingencies while observing their effects on task performance and social comparisons. The investigator could thus infer that competition was present when (1) subjects sought out information on how they were doing, as well as how another was doing on comparable tasks during competitive contingencies, and (2) their task performance was a function of the competitive contingency.
Lifecourse socioeconomic circumstances and multimorbidity among older adults

Background: Many older adults manage multiple chronic conditions (i.e. multimorbidity); and many of these chronic conditions share common risk factors such as low socioeconomic status (SES) in adulthood and low SES across the lifecourse. To better capture socioeconomic condition in childhood, recent research in lifecourse epidemiology has broadened the notion of SES to include the experience of specific hardships. In this study we investigate the association among childhood financial hardship, lifetime earnings, and multimorbidity. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 7,305 participants age 50 and older from the 2004 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) who also gave permission for their HRS records to be linked to their Social Security Records in the United States. Zero-inflated Poisson regression models were used to simultaneously model the likelihood of the absence of morbidity and the expected number of chronic conditions. Results: Childhood financial hardship and lifetime earnings were not associated with the absence of morbidity. However, childhood financial hardship was associated with an 8% higher number of chronic conditions; and, an increase in lifetime earnings, operationalized as average annual earnings during young and middle adulthood, was associated with a 5% lower number of chronic conditions reported. We also found a significant interaction between childhood financial hardship and lifetime earnings on multimorbidity. Conclusions: This study shows that childhood financial hardship and lifetime earnings are associated with multimorbidity, but not associated with the absence of morbidity. Lifetime earnings modified the association between childhood financial hardship and multimorbidity suggesting that this association is differentially influential depending on earnings across young and middle adulthood. Further research is needed to elucidate lifecourse socioeconomic pathways associated with the absence of morbidity and the presence of multimorbidity among older adults.
Cloud Computing learning

Cloud Computing is evolving as a key technology for sharing resources. Grid Computing, distributed computing, parallel computing and virtualization technologies define the shape of a new era. Traditional distance learning systems lack reusability, portability and interoperability. This paper sees cloud computing ecosystem as a new opportunity in designing cloud computing educational platforms where learning actors can reuse learning resources handled by cloud educational operating systems. To enhance learning objects portability and interoperability not only cloud computing API standards should be advocated by the key cloud providers but also learning resources standards should be defined by the Open Cloud Computing Education Federation as proposed by this paper.
Enabling an integrated identity from disparate sources

This paper describes the experience of IBM in creating digital identities for internal and external Web users to support social computing. IBM has sought to deploy pervasive personalization and social computing capabilities on its external Web site but finds itself faced with a number of legacy and disconnected user information systems never intended for this use. IBM has implemented a new Web user identity and profile system that draws from these existing master sources using Web services to present uniform and consistent user information to Web applications. It also provides a mechanism for the collection of user opt-in and privacy choices and provides mechanisms that ensure users' privacy choices are respected. This paper describes the motivating business need and presents the solution architecture, followed by a summary of the results, important but unfulfilled requirements, and a brief outlook for the future of profiling.
In Situ NMR

This chapter presents a description of instrumentation specific for in situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments, namely, in situ flow probes and sample preparation devices suitable for magic-angle spinning (MAS) experiments. It reviews some of the literature through mid-1992 on the application of different in situ experimental modes to various catalytic problems. The chapter presents several brief examples of in situ MAS experiments and motivates a section on techniques for assigning resonances in in situ MAS experiments and the types of NMR experiments that are useful in these investigations. That discussion concludes with an example of some of the problems that can be encountered in attempting to reconcile in situ NMR and other types of in situ experiments performed under different conditions. The chapter also illustrates several approaches to the use of NMR to test reaction mechanisms.
Regionalization of percutaneous nephrolithotomy: evidence for the increasing burden of care on tertiary centers.

Purpose: The regionalization of procedures to specialized medical centers has been suggested as a means to improve the quality of care for select high risk procedures. Prior work has demonstrated the spontaneous regionalization of high risk procedures to tertiary centers. Similar concentration of complex, low risk procedures (eg percutaneous nephrolithotomy) to these centers would underscore the increasing burden of care placed on these hospitals.Materials and Methods: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify 12,948 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy for stones between 1988 and 2002. Regionalization was measured based on the 6 structural hospital qualities of teaching status, urban location, bed capacity, hospital throughput (all diagnoses), annual percutaneous nephrolithotomy volume and for-profit status. Logistic regression was used to determine the propensity of percutaneous nephrolithotomy to concentrate to these medical centers.Results: Compared to procedures performed bet...
Dehulling cottonseed and separating kernels and hulls: Comparison of several varieties of seed

The proteinaceous components of cottonseed can be converted into several different forms for use in human food. All of them require nearly complete separation of kernels and hulls. In research on improving separation processes, eight multiton lots of cottonseed were processed through pilot size commercial-type dehulling and kernel-hull separating machinery. The machinery was operated to produce the cleanest separations possible. Each lot of seed was from a different variety of cotton. For six of the lots, seed were delinted to 2 levels of ca. 7.0 and 2.5% residual linters; and separate dehulling runs were made on seed of each level. Weak hulled seeds were the only lots showing any important differences in dehulling characteristics. They produced higher yields of coarse kernels than the other lots. In terms of nearly pure kernels, good results were obtained with all lots. Yields of kernels averaging 90% of the total kernels from each variety were concentrated into a product which contained less than 1.0% hulls. These products could be converted into meals of more than 55% protein and less than 3% crude fiber. With the addition of a specific gravity separator to the process, loose hulls in coarse kernels can be reduced to nearly zero.
Neutrinos from supernova 1987A

Abstract The neutrino detection associated with the recent supernova SN1987A is reexamined in terms of a newtonian cooling model, and the results confronted with the so far fragmentary theoretical simulations of post-explosion cooling. We find a binding energy for the compact remnant of (2.0 ± 0.50) × 1053 erg, a mass 1.1–1.7 M⊙, and an initial cooling temperature of 5.0 ± 0.6 MeV. T extraction of a neutrino mass limit is considered in this framework and found, in agreement with some previous work, to give a slightly superior limit to present terrestrial experiments.
Application of ruthenium red ligand binding of osmium: Scanning electron microscopy of larval tapeworms

Abstract Ruthenium red is shown to be a useful ligand for binding osmium tetroxide to animal tissue in sufficient quantity to eliminate the need for evaporative metal coating for viewing by scanning electron microscope. Best results are obtained when ruthenium red is added at 0.05% concentration to the glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide fixatives as well as to the sodium cacodylate buffer used in all washing steps. Specimens are then dehydrated in ethanol and critical point dried using liquid CO2 attached to aluminum stubs with silver paint and viewed by SEM. Specimens treated in this manner are stable and conductive in the electron beam for up to 1hr direct examination without metal coating at accelerating voltages of 1 to 17kV. No difference is discernible between specimens given two or three treatments of osmium tetroxide with ruthenium red. This technique is superior to evaporative metal coating or sputter coating for showing internal details of cryofractured specimens and irregular surface features.
A dominant lethal study in male rats after repeated exposures to vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride

Male CD rats were exposed 6 hr/day for 5 days/wk to 0, 50, 250, or 1,000 ppm of vinyl chloride or 55 ppm of vinylidene chloride. Starting on week 11 of exposure, these males were mated with untreated females. There was no evidence of either preimplantation loss or postimplanation loss in pregnant females that resulted from these matings. Consequently, it was concluded that these exposures did not produce germinal mutation, as manifested by a dominant lethal effect, in male rats.
A new agromyzid from Iceland: Phytoliriomyza islandica sp. n. (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

A new species of the genus Phytoliriomyza Hendel, P. islandica sp. n., is described and figured on the basis of material from northern Iceland.
Invited Commentary on “Narcissism, Self-Esteem, and Sexual Orientation”

On the one hand, now that the stigma around, and pathologizing of, homosexualities have receded considerably in many but far from all scientific and social circles, it is potentially interesting, r...
Temperature-dependent learning in goldfish: a multi-trial active avoidance situation.

Two experiments examined the rate of acquisition of a conditioned avoidance response in goldfish ( Carassius auratus ) over several days of training (3), temperatures (12.8–24.9°C), and intertrial interval conditions (10–60 sec). In the first experiment ( n = 543) avoidance rate was found to vary positively with temperature and days of training, but not with intertrial interval. But general activity rate also was related to the same variables. Experiment 2 ( n = 270) shows that the acquisition of the conditioned avoidance response in the first experiment cannot be interpreted as a pseudoconditioning effect.
Human surface electrogastrograms: ac and dc measurements.

Both ac and dc abdominal electrical recordings were made on fasted and fed human subjects using a spatial array of 18 cutaneous, biopotential electrodes. Controlled skin puncture minimized cutaneous potentials. Pregelling electrodes minimized drift. The recording sessions were between two and three hours in length. We determined the optimal location for ac recording of a 3 cpm wave at a location on the midline approximately 5 cm below the xiphoid process. Seven cpm waves were also observed in one individual at the same location. The dc values were fed into a Hewlett Packard 1000 computer which interpolated the intermediate values and plotted twodimensional contour plots which were examined visually. The right abdominal surface was typically 1.8 mV more negative than the left for prefeeding. The left abdominal surface was typically 4.6 mV more negative than the right for postfeeding. We propose an electrical model that explains these results during the fasted state.
RNA differences between spherulating and growing microplasmodia of Physarum polycephalum as revealed by sedimentation pattern and DNA-RNA hybridization.

Abstract The pattern of RNA during growth and during spherule formation (spherulation) was investigated in the plasmodia of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum . Spherulation was induced by exposing microplasmodia to 0.5 M mannitol. The RNA pattern was determined by the radioactivity profiles with sucrose density gradients, and by RNA-DNA competition-hybridization experiments. RNA degradation was minimized by extraction with diethyl pyrocarbonate-sodium dodecylsulfate. The radioactivity profiles of RNA extracted from both growing and spherulating microplasmodia after 20 min of labeling showed high specific activity in a fraction heavier than ribosomal RNA, but only the profiles of RNA extracted during spherulation showed high specific activity in the “lighter” region of the gradients. The specific activity of the soluble RNA, extracted at intervals following the induction of spherulation, progressively increased for 3 h, suggesting that the pool of ribonucleotides increased during this period. Actinomycin D inhibited the incorporation of [ 3 H]protein hydrolysate into protein during spherulation but not during growth, thus indicating the necessity of new RNA synthesis during spherulation. Competition-hybridization experiments with RNA extracted from growing and spherulating microplasmodia, and performed both on filters and in liquid, suggested that some classes of RNA were depressed during spherulation and that some new classes were synthesized. It was concluded that transcription plays an important role in the control of spherulation in P. polycephalum .
Crystal Structure of a Transition State Mimic for Tdp1 Assembled from Vanadate, DNA, and a Topoisomerase I-Derived Peptide

Abstract Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (Tdp1) is a member of the phospholipase D superfamily and acts as a DNA repair enzyme that removes stalled topoisomerase I- DNA complexes by hydrolyzing the bond between a tyrosine side chain and a DNA 3′ phosphate. Despite the complexity of the substrate of this phosphodiesterase, vanadate succeeded in linking human Tdp1, a tyrosine-containing peptide, and a single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide into a quaternary complex that mimics the transition state for the first step of the catalytic reaction. The conformation of the bound substrate mimic gives compelling evidence that the topoisomerase I-DNA complex must undergo extensive modification prior to cleavage by Tdp1. The structure also illustrates that the use of vanadate as the central moiety in high-order complexes has the potential to be a general method for capturing protein-substrate interactions for phosphoryl transfer enzymes, even when the substrates are large, complicated, and unusual.
Perceptions of Financial Payment for Research Participation among African-American Drug Users in HIV Studies

BACKGROUND Financial compensation for participating in research is controversial, especially when participants are recruited from economically disadvantaged and/or marginalized populations such as drug users. Little is known about these participants’ own views regarding payment for research participation.
Dosage compensation of X-linked heat-shock puffs in Drosophila pseudoobscura.

Four major puffs are inducible by heat shock in the larval salivary gland chromosomes of D. pseudoobscura. Two of these puffs are present at 23 and 39–40 on the right arm of the X chromosome and two are present at 53 and 58 on chromosome 2. By means of in situ hybridization, residual homologies were demonstrated between the puffs at 23 in D. pseudoobscura and at 63C in D. melanogaster, and between the two chromosome 2 puffs of D. pseudoobscura and 87A and 87C of D. melanogaster. RNA synthesis was monitored as a function of 3H-uridine incorporation in the major heat-induced puffs of D. pseudoobscura and was found to be equivalent in males and females indicating dosage compensation of the two X-linked loci. The evolution of the regulatory controls of these genes is discussed.
Constraints for conformal field theories on the plane: Reviving the conformal bootstrap☆

Abstract We obtain a number of results by reexamining conformal field theory on the plane, using only elementary mathematics in the process. In particular we rederive the constraints on conformal dimensions found by Vafa, using the crossing symmetry of four-point amplitudes; find stronger, inequality versions of these conditions which constrain the magnitude of the conformal dimensions of primary fields which can appear as intermediate states in a given amplitude; and study the conformal bootstrap perturbatively using the power-series expansions for conformal block functions. This latter approach gives constraints of a quite different type, in particular tree-level constraints on the central charge.
A Production Simulation Tool for Systems With Integrated Wind Energy Resources

The rapid increase in wind power capacity over the past decade has resulted from the adoption of policies that encourage the wider use of renewable energy sources in order to reduce CO2 and the dramatic cost reductions due to technology advancements. The high variability in wind speeds poses major difficulties in power system planning and operations, leading to an acute need for practical planning and operations tools to study the effects of the integration of wind resources into the grid. This paper addresses the need in the planning domain through the development of a computationally efficient probabilistic production simulation approach with the capability to quantify the variable effects of systems for varying levels of wind penetration with the uncertainty in the variability/intermittency effects of wind generation at multiple sites together with the other sources of uncertainty explicitly represented. The simulation approach is based on the identification of the prevailing wind regimes in the regions where wind resources are located and the judicious application of conditional probability concepts in incorporating the wind regime representation. The regimes-based approach described in the paper effectively captures both the seasonal and the diurnal variations of renewable resources and their correlation with the load seasonal and diurnal changes. Additionally, the proposed approach explicitly quantifies the impacts of wind on the additional reserve requirements on the controllable resources. The paper illustrates the effectiveness of the approach by its application to large-scale test systems using historical data.
Speculative Activities, Efficiency and Normative Stock Exchange

This study reviews Tag el-Din's (1996) paper and raises the possibilities that his organizational models may create other kinds of inefficiency. Furthermore, using Canadian stock data we extended his study and found that excess speculative activities (bubbles) do not add any information to the stock markets. Consequently, according to our empirical evidence, in light of Tag el-Din's view, to achieve an efficient and stable stock market, a highly regulatory normative stock exchange is needed. In this regard this study proposes that the central bank and the government ensure that the investors in the stock markets have comprehensive knowledge of the stock market mechanism. Furthermore, the study proposes that government levies a tax on short-term horizon investment returns.
Pericardial and Ventricular Pressure

In anesthetized open-chest and closed-chest dogs subjected to plethora and hemorrhage, pressures were measured simultaneously in the right atrium, right and left ventricles, and the pleural and pericardial spaces. It was found that an increase in ventricular end-diastolic pressure above approximately 1 mm. Hg was associated with a rise in pericardial pressure of nearly the same amount. Thus, the practice of defining "effective" ventricular end-diastolic pressure as the difference between the ventricular and intrapleural pressure gives erroneous values when ventricular end-diastolic pressure is greater than a few mm. Hg. The true ventricular transmural pressure is the difference between ventricular end-diastolic and pericardial end-diastolic pressure and has a value of no more than 2 or 3 mm. Hg under all except the most abnormal circumstances. When ventricular end-diastolic pressure is greater than a few mm. Hg, the pericardial pressure at the end of systole is likewise elevated, but to a lesser degree. Thus, when ventricular end-diastolic pressure is elevated, the measured ventricular end-systolic pressure is greater than the pressure developed by ventricular muscular contraction because end-systolic pressure is the algebraic sum of the pressure developed by ventricular muscular contraction and the pressure in the pericardial space. This error in ventricular systolic pressure may be relatively large for the right and small for the left ventricle. Pericardial pressure decreases during ventricular systole, lowers the pressure on the outside of the atria, and thus, tends to draw blood into the right atrium during ventricular systole.
Direct force measurements between carboxylate-modified latex microspheres and glass using atomic force microscopy

Abstract Depths of colloid-surface interaction energy minima have been sometimes utilized for estimation of the force holding a colloid to the surface upon contact. Since this approach assumes that non-contact forces prevail following attachment, a comparison of this approach to direct measurement via atomic force microscopy is warranted. Interaction and adhesion forces between 1.0-μm diameter carboxylate-modified polystyrene latex microspheres and a glass surface were measured directly with an atomic force microscope using the colloidal probe technique. Measurements were conducted as a function of ionic strength in NaCl with and without added MOPS (3-(N-morpholino)-propanesulfonic acid) buffer, at pH 6.8–6.9. Theoretical DLVO force curves were fit to the AFM approach curves by varying the surface potential of the microspheres. The depths of the primary minima of the theoretical DLVO curves fitted to AFM approach curves, were used to estimate adhesion forces according to previously published approaches, and were compared to the pull-off forces measured by AFM. Pull-off forces measured by AFM in both electrolytes were consistently a factor of about 20–30 lower than the pull-off forces estimated from theoretical adhesion forces obtained from DLVO curves. AFM-measured pull-off forces decreased with increasing the ionic strength in both electrolytes, whereas the adhesion forces calculated from DLVO showed either no change or a slight increase with increasing the ionic strength. Possible reasons for these discrepancies include roughness on one or both surfaces, which would presumably reduce the adhesion force via reduced contact area and presence of hydration forces that could reduce adhesion via strong short-range repulsion in the neighborhood of the contact points. These observations demonstrate that DLVO-based approach for determining adhesion force overestimates actual adhesion force, likely because a DLVO-based approach neglects interactions that manifest at very close separation distances and upon contact.
HIV Infection and Hispanic Gay and Bisexual Men

The growing urgency of meeting the underserved needs of Hispanic gay and bisexual men is underscored by the rising number of AIDS cases within thispopulation. For many Hispanic gays and bisexuals the psychosocial aspects relate to how the individual identifies himself as a Hispanic and as a gay or bisexual man. Hispanic gay and bisexual men often live three different lives in three different communities. For the researcher and service provider interested in contributing to the AIDS effort there are several systemic issues thatfunction as barriers. These systemic barriers have hampered efforts directed at gay and bisexual Hispanics. They are maintained by long-standing fears, suspicions, and power paradigms commonly referred to as homophobia, racism, and the internalization of these attitudes by Hispanic gays and bisexuals. This article attemptsto describe the psychosocial reality of Hispanic gay and bisexual men, examines the barriers affecting these men in HIV prevention, research, and service delivery s...
Health Indicators for Mothers and Children in Rural Herat Province, Afghanistan

Introduction: Following years of conflict and neglect, major efforts now are underway to develop health policy and rehabilitate the health facilities in Afghanistan. As part of these efforts, there is a need to better understand the health status and health-seeking behaviors. As part of an effort to assist local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), a household survey of mothers with children under the age of five years was conducted in two rural districts of Herat Province, Karokh and Chesht-e-Sharif. Methods: A two-stage, 30-cluster approach was used for each district. This included 622 mothers of 926 children under the age of five years living in the two districts. Outcome measures included demographic characteristics, antenatal services, immunization coverage, hemoglobin levels of the moth- ers, nutritional status and practices, environmental health indicators, recent illness, and health seeking behaviors. Results: The mean value of ages of the mothers was 27 years with an aver- age parity of 6.1. Less than 5% of mothers ever had attended school. Half of women had lost at least one child before the child reached the age of five years. Under-five-year mortality was estimated at 325. Only 29% of the women had attended an antenatal clinic during their last pregnancy. Virtually all deliveries occurred at home. Only 7.6% of women had received three doses of tetanus toxoid. Less than 9% of the children 12-59 months of age were fully immunized. According to the measurements of mid- upper-arm circumference (MUAC), 11% of children were malnourished. Although breastfeeding almost was universal, greater than one-third of the women did not start breastfeeding until the second day after delivery. Protected water sources and appropriate control of feces were lacking in both districts. In the previous two weeks, 45.7% of children had experi- enced diarrhea, and dysentery had occurred in 10%. Fever had been present in one-quarter of the children. Conclusions: Household health indicators indicate serious maternal and child health concerns in these two districts. Of particular concern is the poor immunization coverage, lack of reproductive health service, and the preva- lence of common childhood illness in these populations. The feeding prac- tices for children and the anemia among mothers also raised concerns. Poor environmental health contributes substantially to childhood illness. Without special emphasis, efforts to rebuild the health sector are likely to reach the household level only late in the process. An aggressive program to integrate community development and promotion of sound health practices is need- ed to improve the health of the Afghanistan people.
Radiative lifetimes in Ni i

New radiative lifetime measurements based on time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence are reported for 57 odd-parity and 9 even-parity levels of Ni i, ranging in energy from 29 000 to 57 000 cm−1. Our lifetimes agree with earlier measurements based on laser-induced fluorescence but are much more extensive than earlier laser measurements. These lifetimes are found to agree with the recent critical compilation of atomic transition probabilities from the U.S. National Bureau of Standards [ J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data17, Suppl. 4 ( 1988)]. These lifetimes are also compared with lifetimes derived from the highly accurate (±0.7%) relative oscillator strengths measured by the Oxford group [ Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.236, 235 ( 1989)]. Our lifetimes provide an improved (±2%) absolute scale for the Oxford measurements.
Cranberry proanthocyanidins have anti-biofilm properties against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Bacteria within a biofilm are phenotypically more resistant to antibiotics, desiccation, and the host immune system, making it an important virulence factor for many microbes. Cranberry juice has long been used to prevent infections of the urinary tract, which are often related to biofilm formation. Recent studies have found that the A-type proanthocyanidins from cranberries have anti-biofilm properties against Escherichia coli. Using crystal violet biofilm staining, resazurin metabolism assays, and confocal imaging, we examined the ability of A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) to disrupt the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We used mass spectrometry to analyze the proteomic effects of PAC treatment. We also performed synergy assays and in vitro and in vivo infections to determine whether PACs, alone and in combination with gentamicin, could contribute to the killing of P. aeruginosa and the survival of cell lines and G. mellonella. Cranberry PACs reduced P. aeruginosa swarming motility. Cranberry PACs significantly disrupted the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa. Proteomics analysis revealed significantly different proteins expressed following PAC treatment. In addition, we found that PACs potentiated the antibiotic activity of gentamicin in an in vivo model of infection using G. mellonella. Results suggest that A-type proanthocyanidins may be a useful therapeutic against the biofilm-mediated infections caused by P. aeruginosa and should be further tested.
Comparison of the Effects of Ketamine and Morphine on Performance of Representative Military Tasks

Abstract Background When providing care under combat or hostile conditions, it may be necessary for a casualty to remain engaged in military tasks after being wounded. Prehospital care under other remote, austere conditions may be similar, whereby an individual may be forced to continue purposeful actions despite traumatic injury. Given the adverse side-effect profile of intramuscular (i.m.) morphine, alternative analgesics and routes of administration are of interest. Ketamine may be of value in this capacity. Objectives To delineate performance decrements in basic soldier tasks comparing the effects of the standard battlefield analgesic (10 mg i.m. morphine) with 25 mg i.m. ketamine. Methods Representative military skills and risk propensity were tested in 48 healthy volunteers without pain stimuli in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Results Overall, participants reported more symptoms associated with ketamine vs. morphine and placebo, chiefly dizziness, poor concentration, and feelings of happiness. Performance decrements on ketamine, when present, manifested as slower performance times rather than procedural errors. Conclusions Participants were more symptomatic with ketamine, yet the soldier skills were largely resistant to performance decrements, suggesting that a trained task skill (autonomous phase) remains somewhat resilient to the drugged state at this dosage. The performance decrements with ketamine may represent the subjects’ adoption of a cautious posture, as suggested by risk propensity testing whereby the subject is aware of impairment, trading speed for preservation of task accuracy. These results will help to inform the casualty care community regarding appropriate use of ketamine as an alternative or opioid-sparing battlefield analgesic.
A novel bioinformatics pipeline for identification and characterization of fusion transcripts in breast cancer and normal cell lines

SnowShoes-FTD, developed for fusion transcript detection in paired-end mRNA-Seq data, employs multiple steps of false positive filtering to nominate fusion transcripts with near 100% confidence. Unique features include: (i) identification of multiple fusion isoforms from two gene partners; (ii) prediction of genomic rearrangements; (iii) identification of exon fusion boundaries; (iv) generation of a 5'-3' fusion spanning sequence for PCR validation; and (v) prediction of the protein sequences, including frame shift and amino acid insertions. We applied SnowShoes-FTD to identify 50 fusion candidates in 22 breast cancer and 9 non-transformed cell lines. Five additional fusion candidates with two isoforms were confirmed. In all, 30 of 55 fusion candidates had in-frame protein products. No fusion transcripts were detected in non-transformed cells. Consideration of the possible functions of a subset of predicted fusion proteins suggests several potentially important functions in transformation, including a possible new mechanism for overexpression of ERBB2 in a HER-positive cell line. The source code of SnowShoes-FTD is provided in two formats: one configured to run on the Sun Grid Engine for parallelization, and the other formatted to run on a single LINUX node. Executables in PERL are available for download from our web site: http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/mayo/research/biostat/stand-alone-packages.cfm.
Significance of the 13 C-caffeine breath test for patients with cirrhosis

Background The 13C-caffeine breath test (CBT) is a non-invasive, quantitative test of liver function which has been shown to correlate inversely to the Child-Pugh score. The aim of the study was to determine the utility of CBT in the assessment of cirrhosis and its correlation to the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Methods Thirty-nine patients, 29 with cirrhosis and 10 with chronic liver disease without cirrhosis, and 8 healthy volunteers were included. Cirrhotic patients were graded according to Child-Pugh and MELD scores. All participants underwent CBT and laboratory tests on the same day. The results of the CBT were expressed as percentages of changes over baseline values (Δ‰) per 100 mg caffeine.
A simple, practical model for reducing alloimmunization in patients with sickle cell disease.

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) form immune alloantibodies more frequently than other transfused populations because red cells (RBCs) from white donors (with a higher incidence of certain Rh, Duffy, Kell, and Kidd blood group antigens) are transfused to black patients often lacking these antigens. We propose a model to reduce alloimmunization in patients with SCD by providing them with blood from only black random donors. Rationale is shown by examining calculations based on the phenotype E–, C–, Fy(a–), K–, and Jk(b–). There is a 7% probability that this phenotype belongs to a white donor, while there is a 93% probability that this phenotype belongs to a black donor. The probability of selecting blood from a black donor identical with the above phenotype for black recipients from an all black population and from a typical urban blood inventory population (90% white, 10% black) is 1/4 and 1/33, respectively. Therefore, an 8-fold greater chance of selecting antigen non-identical blood occurs if blood is obtained from a typical urban donor population as compared to a black population. Based on these calculations, alloimmunization can be reduced prospectively in patients with SCD by meeting their transfusion requirements with blood selected from random black blood donors.
Testing the Effectiveness of Ground-Penetrating Radar at Three Dragoon Forts in Iowa and Wisconsin

Dragoon fortifications of the 1830s through the 1850s are some of the most important historic sites of the Midwest, built for the supervision of the removal of Indians and the arrival of European American settlers. Ground-penetrating radar (Gpr) surveys at three dragoon forts demonstrate that Gpr varies greatly in its ability to detect fort-era features. The forts surveyed were Fort Atkinson in Iowa, Second Fort Crawford in Wisconsin, and Fort Des Moines No. 2 in Iowa. Fort Atkinson contained numerous early historic features detected by extensive Gpr survey and confirmed by excavation. A Gpr survey at Second Fort Crawford revealed features that correspond well with an historic map of the fort. Extensive Gpr survey of Fort Des Moines determined there is little correspondence between expected fort structure locations and Gpr features; archaeological excavation revealed that fort-era deposits are very ephemeral and buried beneath deep layers of later historic fill. Based on these tests, Gpr appears to be well suited for survey of substantial military fortifications, provided the site has not been extensively disturbed or covered by dense layers of later fill.
Correlation of transesophageal ultrasound of the pericardium with computed tomography

ObjectiveIn this study, we assess the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) for pericardial effusion and constrictive pericarditis.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective, institutional review board–approved, and health insurance privacy accountability act comp
Heart failure due to chronic experimental aortic regurgitation.

Previously reported experimental models of aortic regurgitation generally have manifested normal systolic performance and have not developed heart failure [Magid et al. Am. J. Physiol. 263 (Heart C...
MUSCLE FORCE MAGNITUDES IN THE HUMAN LEG FOR ISOMETRIC EXERCISES WITH VARIOUS RESULTANT FORCE DIRECTIONS AND JOINT ANGLES

Using a gradient-based numerical optimization routine, the force magnitudes required of 10 major sagittal plane leg muscles to create a constant magnitude isometric resultant force against a fixed surface at the toe directed anteriorly, posteriorly, superiorly, and inferiorly were quantitatively predicted for three sets of joint angles: a straight leg configuration, with the knee flexed, and with both the hip and knee flexed. Comparisons over the conditions studied for each individual system muscle found that the maximum variation occurred in knee and hip extensor forces (up to two orders of magnitude). Comparisons within the set of active muscles for each studied condition identified dominant muscles and muscle functions. All anteriorly-directed and posteriorly-directed resultants required a small number of muscles with common functions (mainly knee or hip extensors) and large force magnitudes (O(1000N)). In contrast, a large number of muscles, with wide-ranging synergistic and antagonistic functions, acting across multiple joints with relatively small magnitudes (O(100N)) were needed to create the superiorly-directed resultant with flexed hip and knee. With good correlation to experimentally measured trends in the interrelationships between leg joint angles and isometric forces, the systematic muscle force prediction and analysis presented in this work can be used to guide the design of targeted muscle strengthening exercises and study of muscle-specific injury.
Cytochrome b6f Complex at the Heart of Energy Transduction and Redox Signaling

The cytochrome (Cyt) b 6 f complex (plastoquinol–plastocyanin or Cyt c 6 oxidoreductase) lies at the intersection of photosynthetic and respiratory electron transfer pathways in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. It functions in both linear electron flow between the Photosystem II and I reaction centers and cyclic flow around Photosystem I, serving as an efficient coupling site that generates a majority of the proton gradient for ATP synthesis. The Cyt b 6 f complex is related to mitochondrial-bacterial Cyt bc 1 complexes and belongs to a larger family of energy transducing ‘Rieske cytochrome b’ complexes that are widespread among bacterial and archael lineages. In addition to energy conversion, Cyt b 6 f complexes serve as sensors of plastoquinone pool redox status and in signaling both short-term adjustments in photosynthesis and longer-term gene expression events. The past several years have witnessed remarkable advances in understanding of structures and reaction mechanisms. This chapter attempts to convey the excitement of these discoveries and the central role of the Cyt b 6 f complex in energy conversion and environmental responses of photosynthetic organisms. Important advances include: the high-resolution structures of Cyt b 6 f and Cyt bc 1 complexes; evidence for domain movement of the Rieske iron-sulfur protein subunit during catalysis; discovery of a previously undetected c-type heme required for transmembrane electron flow and activity of the plastoquinone-reductase site of Cyt b 6 f complexes; evidence for supercomplex formation in direct cyclic electron flow from Photosystem I to the Cyt b 6 f complex; roles for small subunits and peripherally associated proteins, and evidence for biologically significant intermonomer electron transfer in the dimeric Cyt bc 1-b 6 f complexes. Many intriguing questions remain unanswered. I apologize to those whose contributions were not included or overlooked.
Cold gas efficiency enhancement in a chemical looping combustion system using staged H-2 separation approach

The importance of H2 as a clean source of energy is growing and so is the need to produce it efficiently with low carbon emissions. Chemical looping combustion (CLC) presents an attractive technology to produce H2 and electricity from natural gas with CO2 capture. The potential for this technology to produce clean energy by reducing carbon emissions with minimal cost increment has been a focal point of research in this field. The CLC process developed at The Ohio State University uses an iron based oxygen carrier and a unique counter-current moving bed reactor configuration for gas–solid contact. There exists a thermodynamic limit to the amount of H2 that can be produced in the oxidizer of the CLC system which restricts the steam conversion. There is an approach for surpassing this limit for improving the cold gas efficiency (CGE) of the CLC process by increasing the H2 yield per mole of steam in the oxidizer. In this paper, the use of staged H2 separation as the approach has been presented to increase the H2 production beyond the thermodynamic limits existing for a counter-current moving bed oxidizer in a FeHO system. The ASPEN Plus simulation software has been used to assess the feasibility of using this approach for increasing H2 yield. The effect of using these H2 separation modules on the operating line of the oxidizer has been assessed for all the configurations and compared against the original oxidizer reactor. The H2 separation module configuration giving the highest H2 yield has been analyzed under auto-thermal conditions for calculating the CGE of the entire CLC system. A sensitivity analysis on separation efficiency of the H2 separation module has also been performed to demonstrate the flexibility in the H2 separation technologies that can be applied for staged H2 separation. A maximum CGE of about 79%, which is 7% points higher than the DOE baseline for steam methane reforming (SMR) case and 1.5% points over the original CLC system, was calculated. The results conclude that utilizing a staged H2 separation configuration in the oxidizer can further improve the CGE efficiency of CLC process which makes it even more competitive to the conventional SMR process for H2 production.
Voice from the heart of the arms race

Hans Bethe's dedication to arms control and mutual security is strikingly apparent in this set of remarkable essays on matters nuclear and human. Only brief and informative writings about five physicists and the last two essays, "Energy Production in Stars" (1968) and "How a Supernova Explodes" (1985), concern the life's work in physics that has made Bethe one of the most respected physicists of the century. The rest deal with the nuclear arms race.
Abstract 4786: Cellular localization of PRMT5 correlates with poor recurrent free survival in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

PURPOSE: TNBC is an aggressive disease with limited effective targeted therapies. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is an enzyme that symmetrically methylates arginine residues of both histone and non-histone proteins that regulate cellular growth and drive malignant transformation. PRMT5 is an oncogenic marker for aggressive cancers with limited treatment options like glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and PRMT5 knockdown has been shown to improve survival in a preclinical model of GBM. The expression profile of PRMT5 in TNBC has not been previously evaluated. METHODS: We obtained a clinical database of TNBC patients that correlates to tissue samples collected after resection of the original breast tumor (n = 106). Tissue microarrays (TMA) were stained for PRMT5 and graded based on level of cytoplasmic and nuclear staining. The association of PRMT5 expression with patient overall survival (OS) and recurrent free survival (RFS) was analyzed using a log-rank test. Multivariate COX regression model was used to evaluate PRMT expression level as independent predictor of OS and RFS with histopathologic factors such as lymph node involvement and tumor size. RESULTS: High cytoplasmic levels of PRMT5 in TNBC correlated with improvement in RFS (p = 0.043, CI 0.218-0.976), while showing no correlation with OS. High levels of nuclear PRTM5 did not show a significant correlation with OS or RFS. Patients with tumors showing high nuclear and low cytoplasmic levels of PRMT5 had the worst OS and RFS (p Citation Format: Elaine P. Alexander, Christian T. Earl, Xiaokui Mo, Konstantin Shilo, Robert A. Baiocchi, Maryam B. Lustberg. Cellular localization of PRMT5 correlates with poor recurrent free survival in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4786. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4786