cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A pathogen- and salicylic acid-induced WRKY DNA-binding activity recognizes the elicitor response element of the tobacco class I chitinase gene promoter

Summary Using a simple oligo selection procedure, we have previously identified a tobacco sequence-specific DNA-binding activity, TDBA12, that increases markedly during the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-induced hypersensitive response (HR). Based on the binding specificity and the two cDNA clones isolated, TDBA12 is related to a novel class of DNA-binding factors containing WRKY domains. In the present study, we report that TDBA12 could be induced not only by TMV infection but also by treatment with salicylic acid (SA) or its biologically active analogs capable of inducing pathogenesis-related (PR) genes and enhanced resistance. TDBA12 was sensitive to temperature and the protein dissociating agent sodium deoxycholate, suggesting that it may be a multimeric factor in which protein–protein interaction is important for the enhanced DNA-binding activity. Pre-treatment of nuclear extracts with alkaline phosphatase abolished TDBA12, suggesting that protein phosphorylation is important for its high DNA-binding activity. TDBA12 specifically recognized the elicitor response element of the tobacco class I basic chitinase gene promoter. The increase in the levels of TDBA12 following TMV infection or SA treatment preceded the induced expression of the tobacco chitinase gene. These results strongly suggest that certain WRKY DNA-binding proteins may be activated by enhanced protein phosphorylation and regulate inducible expression of defense-related genes during pathogen- and SA-induced plant defense responses.
Harmonic Mappings Convex in One or Every Direction

Given a convex complex-valued analytic mapping on the open unit disk in ℂ, we construct a family of complex-valued harmonic mappings convex in the direction of the imaginary axis. We also show that adding the condition of direction convexity preserving to the analytic mapping is a necessary and sufficient condition for the harmonic mapping to be convex. Using analytic radial slit mappings, we provide a three parameter family of harmonic mappings convex in the direction of the imaginary axis and show in some cases that as one parameter varies continuously, the mappings vary from being convex in the direction of the imaginary axis to being convex. In so doing, we also provide information on whether or not some analytic mappings are direction convexity preserving. Lastly, we will provide coefficient conditions leading to harmonic mappings which are starlike or convex of order α.
Variable fluorescence of photosystem I particles and its application to the study of the structure and function of photosystem I

Abstract Chlorophyll a fluorescence in Photosystem I (PSI) particles isolated according to the method of Bengis and Nelson [ J. Biol. Chem. 252 , 4564–4569 (1977)]was found to be dependent on the redox state of both P700 and X (an acceptor on the reducing side of PSI). Addition of dithionite plus neutral red to PSI caused an increase in fluorescence intensity and a shift of the main fluorescence peak from 689 to 674 nm. Addition of electron acceptors such as ferredoxin and methyl viologen decreased the fluorescence yield when added to PSI incubated under anaerobic conditions in the presence of excess dichlorophenol indophenol (DCIPH 2 ). The K m for ferredoxin agreed with that determined from direct measurements of ferredoxin reduction, showing that X is a quencher of fluorescence. P700 was also found to be a quencher of fluorescence, since electron donors such as DCIPH 2 , TMPD, and plastocyanin decreased fluorescence with K m 's nearly identical to those observed for P700 + reduction. Chemical modification of PSI (with ethylene diamine + a water-soluble carbodiimide) to make it positively charged increased the fluorescence yield and shifted the 689-nm peak to 674 nm. The K m 's for DCIPH 2 and ferredoxin were decreased. In contrast, modification of PSI with succinic anhydride, which increased the net negative charge, increased the K m for ferredoxin. Salts affected the interaction of methyl viologen with PSI. Both anion and cation selectivity were observed. Limited proteolysis increased the K m for both methyl viologen and ferredoxin, indicating that their binding site on PSI was altered. These results suggest that the binding site for ferredoxin is on either the 70- or the 20-kDa subunit of PSI.
Enhancing cancer control programmatic and research opportunities for African-Americans through technical assistance training.

African-Americans remain severely underrepresented in cancer control program delivery and research. Community-based organizational leaders and minority junior investigators have received little attention as representatives of target populations, or as agents to deliver and evaluate efforts to eliminate cancer health disparities. This paper describes activities of the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer II: Network Project, which has sought to address these issues. Community leaders and junior investigators received technical assistance (TA) and mentoring to develop applications for cancer education and community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects. TA was provided to 35 community leaders and 32 junior investigators. Twenty-nine community leaders won funding through the Community Partners for Cancer Education Program. Three pilot research applications were funded. Technical assistance may improve minority recruitment/retention in CBPR cancer control research and enhance understanding and elimination of cancer health disparities among African-Americans. Cancer 2006. © American Cancer Society.
Effects of Large Freeze-Thaw Cycles on Stiffness and Tensile Strength of Asphalt Concrete

AbstractThis study investigates the stiffness and tensile strength degradation behavior of asphalt concrete (AC) on long-term freeze-thaw (FT) conditioned samples in the laboratory. In the first step, beam samples (363×63×50 mm) are prepared in the laboratory using a kneading compactor and conditioned at different numbers of full-day FT cycles up to 150. The flexural stiffness of control and FT conditioned beam samples are determined using a beam fatigue test apparatus. In the second step, circular (100-mm diameter) samples of 50-mm thickness are prepared using a SuperPave gyratory compactor and conditioned in a FT chamber similar to the beam samples. The indirect tensile strength (ITS) of control and FT conditioned circular samples are determined by indirect tensile strength (IDT) tests at different temperatures. Results show that the flexural stiffness of the FT conditioned samples decreases with FT conditioning, whereas the ITS of AC does not change significantly with FT cycles. It is highly expected ...
Atmospheric oxygen exchange in the Hudson River: Dome measurements and comparison with other natural waters

The measurement of metabolism using diel free-water oxygen techniques requires the estimation of atmospheric oxygen exchanges. We measured such exchange on nine different occasions in the freshwater, tidally-influenced Hudson River estuary using a floating dome technique. We also analyzed previously published data on the exchange of a variety of gases measured in lakes, estuaries, and open ocean waters using a wide variety of techniques. Data were expressed as a “transfer velocity” and normalized to an exchange of oxygen at 20°C. Considered together, these data indicate a significant predictive relationship when the natural log of transfer velocity is regressed with measured wind speed (r2 = 0.55; p = 0.0001). The influence of wind was particularly pronounced in estuaries and in lakes. Data from open-ocean waters showed much less influence of wind, probably because surface turbulence in these deeper waters can be temporally and spatially decoupled from wind. Our Hudson data agreed well with data collected in other systems. In general, data from estuaries—including the Hudson—indicated slightly higher transfer velocities at any given wind speed than do data from lakes (although this difference was less pronounced for our Hudson data than for other estuaries). The difference may result from some interaction of wind and tidal currents, or it may reflect a bias in the dome method of measurements; all of the estuarine data were collected using the dome approach, while the majority of the lake data were determined using an added tracer. If the dome method actually gives a biased, high estimate of oxygen flux, this is in contradiction to previous criticisms of this method that domes may underestimate fluxes by blocking wind at the water surface. We have used the regression of the natural log of transfer velocity versus wind speed developed here to estimate respiration in the Hudson estuary from diel changes in dissolved oxygen. To allow for possible biases in technique and for measurement error, we estimated 95% confidence limits around the regression. Estimates of respiration in the Hudson determined using the upper and lower 95% confidence limits are 30% higher and 12% lower than that determined when using the best-fit regression. An independently-constrained carbon budget for the tidally-influenced, freshwater Hudson River estuary indicates that respiration rates cannot be much higher than our mean estimate as calculated using the linear regression of the gas transfer and wind data to correct for air-water oxygen exchange. Gas transfer in natural systems is difficult to measure and is controlled by many interrelated physical factors. In the absence of extensive, system-specific field studies, the regression presented here should be useful in estimating atmospheric oxygen exchange in other estuarine or riverine ecosystems which are relatively deep and wide.
Reading Instructional Practices of New York State Home Economics Teachers

The goal of this study was to survey and analyze the classroom-reading instructional practices of New York State home economics teachers. The instrument, a list of 14 reading strategies and a 5-point usage scale, was mailed to a random sample of 400 middle school and 400 high school teachers. Frequencies and percentages were computed for 4 content areas: food and nutrition, clothing and textiles, human development, and careers and entrepreneurship. Teachers reported using several reading strategies regularly, including showing how to follow directions; providing questions to be answered; and discussing vocabulary, similarities and differences of ideas in a passage, different interpretations of what was read, and separating fact from opinion. Chisquares, computed for differences between middle school and high school teachers' reported usage, were statistically significant for 1 strategy in food and nutrition (p < .05), 4 in clothing and textiles (p < .001 to < .05), and 7 in human development (p < .001 to < .05).
Experimental Investigation of Single-Phase Flow Pressure Drop Through Rectangular Microchannels

The current work focused on determining the friction factors in five rectangular channels with hydraulic diameters varying from 69.5 to 304.7 μm and with aspect ratios changing from 0.09 to 0.24. The single-channel test sections were carefully designed such that the friction factors could be determined accurately from the experimental data. R134a liquid and vapor were used as the testing fluids. During the experiments, the Reynolds numbers were varied between 112 and 9180. The measured friction factors were compared with the conventional correlations. The results support such a general agreement in the literature that the flow friction in microchannels may be different from the conventional results. However, a more important finding is that when the channel surface roughness was low, even for the smallest channel tested, both the laminar friction factor and the critical Reynolds number approach the conventional values. In the turbulent region, the surface roughness has great effect on the flow friction even for the smoothest channel tested (Ra/Dh = 0.14%).Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Making negatives and plates for printing by electroerosion: I. physical principles

Electroerosion printing involves removal of the aluminum overlayer from selected areas of a black-coated paper. “Direct negatives” as well as “direct plates” for use in offset lithographic printing may also be generated by electroerosion if a clear polymer sheet is used as the substrate instead of paper, and the black base layer is omitted. If such a substrate is metallized and written by electroerosion, the desired direct negative is created in principle since the metal stops transmitted light and the polyester does not. The direct plate is simultaneously created in principle since the aluminum is hydrophilic and the polyester is hydrophobic. Practical realization of these concepts required studies of the physical principles of the processes involved, which led to techniques for avoidance of mechanical scratching of the aluminum film during writing. For this purpose a mechanically hard underlayer was applied to the substrate under the aluminum, while a very thin lubricating overlayer having some electrical conductivity was applied over the aluminum. The underlayer consisted of silica particles in an organic binder, while the overlayer consisted of graphite particles in a binder. Although scratching is less for smooth than for rough underlayers, rough underlayers were preferred because they offered better writing reproducibility. In particular, debris created during writing was scoured away from the styli in rough-underlayer samples. For writing, a two-phase driver was used, in which the first phase provided a high current for Joule heating with consequent breaking of direct local aluminum-stylus contacts, while the second phase provided an arc which removed the remainder of the aluminum under the stylus.
Attractiveness and Legibility of Various Colours when Printed on Cardboard

In Experiment I, blue, black, green, purple, red, orange and yellow letters were tested for legibility and attractiveness on brown and grey cardboard. Legibility and attractiveness were positively correlated. Light, medium and dark shades of blue, black, green and red letters wore studied further in Experiment II using a brown cardboard surface. Legibility and attractiveness again were positively correlated. Light black and rod had poor legibility while medium green and black had high legibility. Blue was the colour voted the most attractive.
The association of subclinical infection with preterm labor: The role of C-reactive protein

The role of subclinical intrauterine infection in preterm labor was evaluated prospectively in 40 patients and appropriate control subjects. The 24 preterm labor patients (60%) with a negative C-reactive protein value responded to tocolysis 95.8% of the time, with a mean delay of delivery of 35.5 days and a mean gestational age of 36.9 weeks. The 16 patients (40%) with a positive C-reactive protein value responded to tocolysis only 37.5% of the time, with a mean delay of delivery of 14.4 days and a mean gestational age of 33.2 weeks. Pathologic evidence of chorioamnionitis was present in 32.9% of 310 preterm deliveries as compared to only 22.3% of 1631 term deliveries. The presence of subclinical infection must be considered in cases of preterm labor, especially among patients for whom tocolytic therapy is unsuccessful.
Intense continuing currents following positive cloud-to-ground lightning associated with red sprites

In July-August, 1996, Stanford University carried out broadband ELF/VLF measurements of the magnetic field radiated by positive cloud-to-ground (CG) discharges associated with Red Sprites. We report these measurements for 17 Sprite associated discharges that occurred during a 15 minute period on August 1, 1996. The current and charge moments for each of the events are deduced, and it is found that, in every case, intense continuing currents of ∼1 ms duration are responsible for most of the positive charge transfer to ground that precedes the appearance of the Sprite. The time delay between the causative positive discharge and the video field in which the Sprite first appeared varied from 0 to 15 ms for the larger events to as much as 100 ms for the smaller events. We suggest that in the smaller events the removal of significant positive charge during this delay interval is accomplished through a horizontal intracloud discharge.
Transport properties of ultrathin Pd films

Abstract Electrical conductivity and I-V characteristics of ultrathin Pd films prepared by thermal evaporation of Pd onto a substrate held at liquid-helium temperature have been measured in situ at low temperatures. It was found that the electrical conductivity decreased with decreasing temperature in an Arrhenius form at high temperatures. As the temperature was lowered, a deviation from the Arrhenius behavior and a distinct kink in the electrical conductivity vs. temperature curve were observed. Nonlinear I-V characteristics were also found. Implications of these experimental findings are discussed.
How good are analyses of oils by GLC

Analyses of the fatty acid composition of 2 methyl ester mixtures and 13 oils, obtained by collaborators from the AOCS Smalley Gas Chromatography Check Program, were treated statistically. The statistical data may be interpreted to indicate groups of analysts who made a good, satisfactory or poor analysis. The data also indicate the relative degree of difficulty of analyzing the various oils. Coconut oil was the most difficult to analyze while safflower oil offered the least difficulty. A comparison of the precision of results employing the thermal conductivity detector and the flame ionization detector shows no difference.
Using five questions to screen for five common mental disorders in primary care: diagnostic accuracy of the Anxiety and Depression Detector.

Abstract Objective Primary care providers are increasingly taking on the role of ad hoc mental health provider. However, before patients in primary care can be treated, they must be identified. This study set out to validate a very brief screening instrument for identifying primary care patients with anxiety and depression. Method Eight hundred one primary care patients completed a questionnaire screening for (1) panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social phobia, or (2) panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depression. Screening was followed by a diagnostic interview. The properties of the questionnaires were examined to identify a small set of items that effectively and efficiently screened for panic disorder, PTSD, social phobia, GAD and depression. Results Five items were selected across the two versions of the questionnaire, comprising the Anxiety and Depression Detector (the ADD). The sensitivities for the items ranged from 0.62 to 1.00, and the specificity values ranged from 0.56 to 0.83. When a “yes” answer to any of the screening questions was used to predict the presence of any diagnosis, sensitivity values were 0.92 to 0.96 and specificity values were 0.57 to 0.82. Sensitivity and specificity values varied little by gender, age or ethnicity. Conclusions The five items of the ADD appear to comprise a useful screening device for anxiety and depressive disorders in primary care settings.
Genetic control for sibling recognition

The ability to distinguish between kin and non-kin is critical to current theories of altruistic behaviour and kin selection1. Hamilton1 predicted that individuals would behave differently towards one another depending on the genetic relatedness between them. When either proximity to or familiarity with kin is a good predictor of relatedness, the mechanism by which favouritism towards kin is accomplished may not require special kin recognition abilities2,3. However, if proximity and familiarity are poor predictors of kinship, favouritism (hence increases in inclusive fitness4) could only be achieved by the differential recognition of kin and non-kin. We have previously shown that Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) tadpoles reared with siblings prefer to associate with siblings over non-siblings5. The present study is the first to report that totally naive individuals (R. cascadae tadpoles) prefer to associate with siblings over non-siblings. Because tadpoles were separated before hatching and reared apart from other individuals, results suggest that the ability of these tadpoles to discriminate between siblings and non-siblings has some innate component.
Sensitivity differences between eggs and larvae of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) to hydrocarbons

Abstract Exposure of embryonic and larval walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma ) to the water-soluble fractions (WSF) of Cook Inlet crude oil during embryonic development caused mortality and a variety of morphological abnormalities. Median WSF concentrations (1·8 ppm) which caused mortality after hatch did not differ significantly from those causing morphological abnormalities (1·6 ppm). Pollock larvae exposed to WSF did not develop abnormalities, but swimming and survival were significantly affected within 4 h of exposure. The LC 50 for larvae dropped from 1·9 ppm on day 4 to 0·9 ppm on day 10. The tissue of developing pollock larvae bioaccumulated significantly more dissolved toluene and naphthalene than those of embryos. Consequently, when exposed to equal concentrations of WSF, larval tissues are exposed to much higher hydrocarbon concentrations than embryonic tissues. On the basis of internal tissue concentrations, larvae were less sensitive than eggs, but the opposite conclusion is reached if external (WSF) concentrations are used for estimation of sensitivity.
Abnormal Mitochondrial Respiration in Failed Human Myocardium

Chronic heart failure (HF) is associated with morphologic abnormalities of cardiac mitochondria including hyperplasia, reduced organelle size and compromised structural integrity. In this study, we examined whether functional abnormalities of mitochondrial respiration are also present in myocardium of patients with advanced HF. Mitochondrial respiration was examined using a Clark electrode in an oxygraph cell containing saponin-skinned muscle bundles obtained from myocardium of failed explanted human hearts due to ischemic (ICM, n=9) or idiopathic dilated (IDC, n=9) cardiomyopathy. Myocardial specimens from five normal donor hearts served as controls (CON). Basal respiratory rate, respiratory rate after addition of the substrates glutamate and malate (V(SUB)), state 3 respiration (after addition of ADP, V(ADP)) and respiration after the addition of atractyloside (V(AT)) were measured in scar-free muscle bundles obtained from the subendocardial (ENDO) and subepicardial (EPI) thirds of the left ventricular (LV) free wall, interventricular septum and right ventricular (RV) free wall. There were no differences in basal and substrate-supported respiration between CON and HF regardless of etiology. V(ADP)was significantly depressed both in ICM and IDC compared to CON in all the regions studied. The respiratory control ratio, V(ADP)/V(AT), was also significantly decreased in HF compared to CON. In both ICM and IDC, V(ADP)was significantly lower in ENDO compared to EPI. The results indicate that mitochondrial respiration is abnormal in the failing human heart. The findings support the concept of low myocardial energy production in HF via oxidative phosphorylation, an abnormality with a potentially impact on global cardiac performance.
Dissolution of plutonium(IV) hydroxide by desferrioxamine siderophores and simple organic chelators.

Plutonium is thought to exist mostly as low soluble plutonium(IV) species in the environment and, therefore, has low potential of becoming mobile. Due to their prevalence and high solution stability constants for Pu(IV), microbial siderophores could significantly affect plutonium solubility and mobility. In this study, the ability of trihydroxamate desferrioxamine siderophores to solubilize Pu(IV) solids was investigated. Both desferrioxamine B and E (DFB and DFE) are far less effective at solubilizing amorphous Pu(IV) hydroxide in neutral solution than are simple chelators, such as EDTA, citrate, and tiron, despite the fact that these chelators have smaller solution stability constants for Pu(IV) than do DFE and DFB. Positively charged, linear DFB is less effective than the neutral cyclic DFE. Hydroxamate siderophores may, in fact, passivate Pu(IV) hydroxide surfaces, thereby inhibiting solubilization by other chelators. PuO2 solubilization under these conditions is far slower than that of Pu(IV) hydroxide.
Class and Race Domination and Transformation in South Africa

South African neo-Marxist scholarship gave class analytic primacy in explaining both material inequality and race domination. I review neo-Marxist theories of class and race domination and transformation and find class necessary but secondary to race in explaining the emergence and demise of the racial order. Specifically, classes created a racialized labor repressive system. More recently, working classes have struggled for social democracy. But class theories inadequately explain the comprehensiveness and resilience of race domination. This ensued from ethnic mobilizations to create a white ethnocracy and cleanse South Africa of other ethnic groups. The apartheid era systematized ethnic cleansing, but cleansing was limited by whites' dependence on cheap black labor. Thus racialized capitalist growth favored white social mobility and black proletarianization. The primacy of race over class is also indicated by the anti-apartheid movements' historic demands for inclusive nationalism and the new regimes' s...
THE EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING ON RABBIT TIBIAL VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM

Cigarette smoking is hazardous for various tissues in human. The cigarette smoke inhalation has been proved to delay bone healing. However, no previous study demonstrates the smoking effect on bony microcirculation. In this study, we investigated the effect of cigarette smoking on tibial vascular endothelium and blood flow by using the bone chamber model. Eighteen adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Group 1: Control, Group 2: 1 week smoking, and Group 3: 6 weeks smoking. All these rabbits were then anesthetized, and their nutrient arteries of tibia were identified and cannulated. We put the tibia into bone chamber after cannulation, perfused with Krebs-Ringer solution (phase 1), and then compared the effect of vasospasm by norepinephrine dose-response curve (NEDRC). Acetylcholine (phase 2) and L-NMMA (phase 3) were also perfused and the NEDRC recorded. Acetylcholine can stimulate the release of nitric oxide and lower the NEDRC. L-NMMA inhibits NO synthesis in vascular endothelium, and hence results in vasoconstriction under various stimuli. Data collection and statistic processing were performed by ANOVA analysis. The NEDRC data in Group 1 (control) was set to be 100%. In phase 1 study, our results showed that 1 week cigarette smoking significantly increased NEDRC in Group 2 (142.5%, p 0.05). Nevertheless, Group 3 tibia showed significant vasospasm even under acetylcholine perfusion. In phase 3 study, L-NMMA perfused data revealed that; Group 3 tibia had the highest NEDRC, i.e. the most severe vasospasm. Based on our study, both short-term and long-term cigarette smoking are hazardous to the bony vascular endothelium. The nitric oxide production significantly attenuated in Group 2 and 3 tibia. However, the adverse effect of smoking seems reversible in short-term (Group 2). Long-term smoking (Group 3) causes irreversible damage to vascular endothelium and muscarinic receptor.
Effect of ethanol on sustained attention in rats

Acute exposure to ethanol produces deficits in sustained attention in humans, but these attentional deficits have not been modeled in animals. In this study, an operant task was used to investigate the effects of low and moderate doses of ethanol on sustained attention in rats. Performance on a two-choice reaction time task over a 1-h session was assessed immediately following administration of ethanol (0.0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg IP). Each rat was required to respond to a light stimulus of variable duration (20, 100, and 500 ms) occurring at one of two locations. Under control and saline conditions, increases in stimulus length systematically increased choice accuracy and decreased reaction time. Ethanol produced a dose-dependent decrease in choice accuracy that interacted with time, with an initial impairment that was stimulus length-dependent followed by a general vigilance decrement. The data demonstrate that ethanol impaired the ability of rats to direct and sustain attention to brief, infrequent stimuli, and provide a model for further investigations into the underlying neurobiological mechanisms for ethanol-induced attentional deficits.
Ascorbate Deficiency Can Limit Violaxanthin De-Epoxidase Activity in Vivo

As a response to high light, plants have evolved non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), mechanisms that lead to the dissipation of excess absorbed light energy as heat, thereby minimizing the formation of dangerous oxygen radicals. One component of NPQ is pH dependent and involves the formation of zeaxanthin from violaxanthin. The enzyme responsible for the conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin is violaxanthin de-epoxidase, which is located in the thylakoid lumen, is activated by low pH, and has been shown to use ascorbate (vitamin C) as its reductant in vitro. To investigate the effect of low ascorbate levels on NPQ in vivo, we measured the induction of NPQ in a vitamin C-deficient mutant of Arabidopsis, vtc2-2 . During exposure to high light (1,500 μmol photons m −2 s −1 ), vtc2-2 plants initially grown in low light (150 μmol photons m −2 s −1 ) showed lower NPQ than the wild type, but the same quantum efficiency of photosystem II. Crosses between vtc2-2 and Arabidopsis ecotype Columbia established that the ascorbate deficiency cosegregated with the NPQ phenotype. The conversion of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin induced by high light was slower in vtc2-2 , and this conversion showed saturation below the wild-type level. Both the NPQ and the pigment phenotype of the mutant could be rescued by feeding ascorbate to leaves, establishing a direct link between ascorbate, zeaxanthin, and NPQ. These experiments suggest that ascorbate availability can limit violaxanthin de-epoxidase activity in vivo, leading to a lower NPQ. The results also demonstrate the interconnectedness of NPQ and antioxidants, both important protection mechanisms in plants.
Asymptotics of hierarchical clustering for growing dimension

Modern day science presents many challenges to data analysts. Advances in data collection provide very large (number of observations and number of dimensions) data sets. In many areas of data analysis an informative task is to find natural separations of data into homogeneous groups, i.e. clusters. In this paper we study the asymptotic behavior of hierarchical clustering in situations where both sample size and dimension grow to infinity. We derive explicit signal vs noise boundaries between different types of clustering behaviors. We also show that the clustering behavior within the boundaries is the same across a wide spectrum of asymptotic settings.
Recent Development of IV-VI Mid-Infrared Photonic Crystal Laser on Silicon

We present our group's recent research progresses of mid-infrared (mid-IR) surface emitting two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal (PC) lasers via MBE-grown IV-VI group semiconductors on silicon substrates. The device design was based on a 2D micron-level honeycomb structure, in which complete photonic bandgaps will form in mid-IR region. For the initial demonstration, two intensive PC modulated mid-IR light emissions were identified under cryogenic temperature range. After theoretical modification, room temperature surface emitting PC coupled mid-IR lasing was observed recently. With further optimization, room temperature surface emitting continuous wave PC laser is envisioned in the near future.
Evolution of virulence: coinfection and propagule production in spore-producing parasites

Background The evolution of within-host growth rates by parasites is expected to depend on a trade-off between propagule production and virulence. The presence of coinfections, however, is thought to alter this trade-off, and hence alter the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) for the parasite. Here I consider a model wherein the number of coinfections that are identical by descent can depend on the parasite's reproductive strategy. Transmission success was treated as being either a negative-linear or a negative-exponential function of the total number of propagules produced by all coinfections.
Morphological, Chemical, and Genetic Diversity of Tropical Marine Cyanobacteria Lyngbya spp. and Symploca spp. (Oscillatoriales)

Although diverse natural products have been isolated from the benthic, filamentous cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula, it is unclear whether this chemical variation can be used to establish taxonomic relationships among disparate collections. We compared morphological characteristics, secondary-metabolite compositions, and partial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences among several collections of L. majuscula Gomont, Lyngbya spp., and Symploca spp. from Guam and the Republic of Palau. The morphological characteristics examined were cell length, cell width, and the presence or absence of a calyptra. Secondary metabolites were analyzed by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. Each collection possessed a distinct cellular morphology that readily distinguished Lyngbya spp. from Symploca spp. Each collection yielded a unique chemotype, but common chemical characteristics were shared among four collections of L. majuscula. A phylogeny based on secondary-metabolite composition supported the reciprocal monophyly of Lyngbya and Symploca but yielded a basal polytomy for Lyngbya. Pairwise sequence divergence among species ranged from 10 to 14% across 605 bp of 16S rDNA, while collections of L. majuscula showed 0 to 1.3% divergence. Although the phylogeny of 16S rDNA sequences strongly supported the reciprocal monophyly of Lyngbya and Symploca as well as the monophyly of Lyngbya bouillonii and L. majuscula, genetic divergence was not correlated with chemical and morphological differences. These data suggest that 16S rDNA sequence analyses do not predict chemical variability among Lyngbya species. Other mechanisms, including higher rates of evolution for biosynthetic genes, horizontal gene transfer, and interactions between different genotypes and environmental conditions, may play important roles in generating qualitative and quantitative chemical variation within and among Lyngbya species.
Delivering complex decision rules to top level managers through decision support systems: a case study in army housing management

Abstract There is a particular allocation problem which is faced by a variety of organizations. Depending on the problem’s specific form, a solution can be achieved through mathematical or heuristic programming. Frequently, however, decision makers are unaware of, and have difficulty in, applying these methodologies, and have difficulty in interpreting and utilizing the results for management. Delivering the required methdologies and algorithms to the affected decision maker in an easy to use decision support system (DSS) can generate considerable economic and management benefits. This paper introduces the general allocation problem and discusses how the problem applies to Army housing management. The article next presents a decision support system that was developed to help officials solve the Army’s housing allocation problem. Finally, the paper describes the value obtained from using the DSS and discusses the implications for operations research theory and management practice. Mathematical or heuristic programming can be used to solve a particular allocation problem, but management may be unaware of, and have difficulty in, applying these methodologies. Decision support systems can alleviate such implementation difficulties by delivering the required methodologies to management in an effective and beneficial manner. A case in point involves the U.S. Department of the Army. This paper introduces the general allocation problem, possible solution methodologies, a general decision support system for delivering the methodologies, and potential benefits from system use. Then, the general theory is applied to Army housing management. After presenting the resulting economic and management benefits, the paper draws some conclusions for operations research theory and management practice.
Use the Duodenum, It’s Right There: A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Biliary Reconstruction Using Either the Jejunum or the Duodenum

Importance This is the largest series to date comparing end-to-side biliary reconstruction for all indications performed using either the duodenum or jejunum and with at least 2-year follow-up. Objective To demonstrate that duodenal anastomoses for biliary reconstruction are at least as safe and effective as Roux-en-Y jejunal anastomoses, with the benefits of operative simplicity and ease of postoperative endoscopic evaluation. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective record review with telephone survey of patients undergoing nonpalliative biliary reconstruction in the hepatopancreatobiliary surgery division of a high-volume tertiary care facility. Interventions Biliary reconstruction via either end-to-side Roux-en-Y jejunal anastomosis or direct duodenal anastomosis. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end points were anastomosis-related complications (leak, cholangitis, bile gastritis, or stricture), and the secondary end points were overall complications, endoscopic or radiologic interventions, readmissions, and death. Results Ninety-six nonpalliative biliary reconstructions were performed between February 1, 2000, and November 23, 2011 for bile duct injury, cholangiocarcinoma, choledochal cysts, or benign strictures; the procedures included 59 duodenal reconstructions and 37 Roux-en-Y jejunal reconstructions. The groups were similar with regard to demographics, operative indications, postoperative length of stay, and mortality rates. However, anastomosis-related complications (leaks, cholangitis, or strictures) were fewer in the duodenal than the jejunal cohort (7 patients [12%] vs 13 [35%]; P = .009). Of patients with stricture, 5 of 9 in the jejunal cohort required percutaneous transhepatic access for management compared with only 1 of 2 in the duodenal cohort. Conclusions and Relevance Duodenal anastomosis is a safe, simple, and often preferable method for biliary reconstruction. This anastomosis can successfully be performed to all levels of the biliary tree with low rates of leak, stricture, cholangitis, and bile gastritis. When anastomotic complications do occur, there is less need for transhepatic intervention because of easier endoscopic access.
Chasing a Dream: The Use of Tax Abatements to Spur Urban Economic Development:

In this paper I develop a systematic framework for assessing the effectiveness of granting tax abatements to encourage urban economic development. This approach focuses upon the abatement's effect upon the firm's decision to invest and the impact of the investment upon the community. Current policy fails to take these considerations into account adequately. I use this framework to evaluate the potential revenue gain to the City of Detroit of offering variable abatement awards, and suggest a set of proposals to improve program performance.
Thickness effect of Al-doped ZnO window layer on damp-heat stability of CuInGaSe 2 solar cells

We investigated the damp heat (DH) stability of CuInGaSe 2 (CIGS) solar cells as a function of thickness of the Al-doped ZnO (AZO) window layer from the “standard” 0.12 μm to a modest 0.50 μm over an underlying 0.10-μm intrinsic ZnO buffer layer. The CIGS cells were prepared with external electrical contact using fine Au wire to the tiny “standard” Ni/Al (0.05 μm/3 μm) metal grid contact pads. Bare cell coupons and sample sets encapsulated in a specially designed, Al-frame test structure with an opening for moisture ingress control using a TPT backsheet were exposed to DH at 85°C and 85% relative humidity, and characterized by current-voltage (I-V), quantum efficiency (QE), and (electrochemical) impedance spectroscopy (ECIS). The results show that bare cells exhibited rapid degradation within 50–100 h, accompanied by film wrinkling and delamination and corrosion of Mo and AlNi grid, regardless of AZO thickness. In contrast, the encapsulated cells did not show film wrinkling, delamination, and Mo corrosion after 168 h DH exposure; but the trend of efficiency degradation rate showed a weak correlation to the AZO thickness.
Job satisfaction and life satisfaction revisited: A longitudinal test of an integrated model

Research indicates that job satisfaction is significantly related to life satisfaction. However, previous studies have not included variables that may confound the relationship. Furthermore, the vast majority of studies have relied on cross-sectional data. I tested a comprehensive model that examined the relationship between job and life satisfaction and a broad personality construct called ‘core self-evaluations’, as well as nonwork satisfaction and environmental variables, using a nationally representative (US), longitudinal data set. Results indicated that core self-evaluations was significantly related to both job satisfaction and life satisfaction over time, and that the relationship between job satisfaction and life satisfaction was not significant after taking into account the effects of core self-evaluations and nonwork satisfaction. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Economic growth & health of poor children in India.

Sir, The prevailing wisdom to improve the health of Indians, as repeatedly emphasized by the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh1, is based on economic growth. Can India rely solely on the trickle-down process of economic growth to improve the health of its population, especially its children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds? India experienced substantial economic growth with an average growth rate of 6.4 per cent between 1992/93 and 2005/062, with approximately a 50 per cent increase in its growth rate. During the same time, the decrease in the prevalence of underweight among children was sluggish with negligible reductions especially in the poorest quintile of household wealth (Fig. 1). At the ecological level, there was no association between per cent increase in per capita income of the state and per cent change in underweight among children in the poorest wealth quintile (Fig. 2). This appears to be in line with a recently published study3 that examined and found no effect of economic growth on the child's risk of being undernourished in data pooled across all wealth quintiles. Fig. 1 Weighted prevalence of underweight among Indian children aged 0 to 36 months by quintiles of household wealth in 1992/93 and 2005/06. Source: Authors’ calculation using data from the Indian National Family Health Surveys of 1992-938 and 2004-05 ... Fig. 2 State level ecological association between per cent increase in state per capita income and per cent change in child underweight prevalence between 1992/93 and 2005/06 among Indian children aged 0 to 36 months in the poorest wealth quintiles. Source: ... As the economist-philosopher Amartya Sen continues to remind us, economic growth is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition to improve population health4. The discussion of the merits of economic growth as a primary policy instrument to improving the health of the poor has to also consider the questions of what type of economic growth is needed, i.e., is the process generating growth ‘inclusive’ involving and benefiting all sections (especially its poorer citizens) of the society; and how are the anticipated increases in public revenue that accrues as a result of economic growth being allocated to different programmes? Existing evidence for an inclusive economic growth5, or for increased public spending on health6, in India is, however, not encouraging. Taken together, the evidence suggests that sole reliance on economic growth as a policy instrument may not be sufficient to reduce the burden of poor health among children from disadvantaged households in India. Simultaneous and direct health investments may be necessary to reduce the high levels of child undernutrition in India, especially given the strong intergenerational effects of poor nutrition in India6.
Unimolecular Reaction of NO2: Overlapping Resonances, Fluctuations, and the Transition State

The unimolecular decomposition of expansion-cooled NO2 at excess energies 0−3000 cm-1 is described with emphasis on the manifestations of overlapping resonances. When NO2 is excited to energies above dissociation threshold, overlapping resonances interfere and give rise to final state-selected spectra which depend on the monitored final state of the NO product. The differences among the spectra diminish with the degree of incoherent superposition (e.g., thermal averaging). In this article, we describe the experimental manifestations of overlapping resonances in the case of barrierless unimolecular reactions and how they relate to transition state theories. We treat the unimolecular reaction of NO2 using resonance scattering theory combined with random matrix formalism and distinguish between the near-threshold region where the transition state is loose and dissociation at higher excess energies where the transition state has tightened significantly. The final state-selected spectra and their dependence on...
Ab initio evidence for the stepwise mechanism of the McLafferty rearrangement of the butanal radical cation

The mechanism of the McLafferty rearrangement of the butanal radical cation to ethylene and vinyl alcohol cation is found, by ab initio calculations, to be stepwise. The results of a previous ab initio study are inconclusive because of symmetry restriction in their geometry optimization.
Building scientific consensus: the importance of dietary fiber

merization and include monosaccharides, disaccharides, polyols, oligosaccharides, starch, and nonstarch polysaccharides. The combination of chemical divisions and functional characteristics will provide greater insight into the role of fiber in nutrition and health. Many scientists resisted the notion that fiber could modify cardiovascular disease risk because fiber is not digested in the small intestine. All other dietary factors that affect cardiovascular disease risk do so after they are absorbed and are in the circulation or in tissues. The indigestible nature of fiber suggests that we need to change our thinking about the role of the gastrointestinal tract in metabolism and health. The viscosity of dietary components can modify the rate and site of nutrient absorption, fermentation of polysaccharides in the large bowel can produce products that affect metabolism, and binding of compounds, such as bile acids, affects the excretion of the compounds. All of these characteristics can modify metabolism in ways that affect disease risk. Finally, recognition of the role of fiber in lowering risk of cardiovascular disease reminds us of the importance of food-based strategies for maintaining health. The meta-analysis conducted by Brown et al indicates that the effect of fiber by itself on plasma cholesterol is likely to be modest. However, when intact foods are considered as the source of fiber, the overall effect on disease risk appears to be greater. Such observations suggest that fiber serves as a marker for diets rich in plant foods, which provide additional benefits for maintaining health. Perhaps future meta-analyses will review the potential for disease risk reduction of foods that provide fiber.