cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the circular dichroism spectrum of proteins using the convex constraint algorithm: A practical guide

Due to the time scale of circular dichroism (CD) measurements, it is theoretically possible to deconvolute such a spectrum if the pure CD spectra differ significantly from one another. In the last decade several methods have been published aiming at obtaining the conformational weights, or percentages (which are the coefficients for a linear combination) of the so-called typical secondary structural elements making up the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Two methods that can be used to determine the secondary structures of proteins are described here. The first method, called LINCOMB, is a simple algorithm based on a least-squares fit with a set of reference spectra representing the known secondary structures and yielding an estimation of weights attributed to alpha-helix, beta-pleated sheet (mainly antiparallel), beta-turns, unordered form, and aromatic/disulfide (or nonpeptide) contributions of the protein being analyzed. This method requires a "template" or reference curve set, which was obtained from the second method. The second method, "convex constraint analysis," is a general deconvolution method for a CD spectra set of any variety of conformational type. The algorithm, based on a set of three constraints, is able to deconvolute a set of CD curves to its common "pure"-component curves and conformational weights. To analyze a single CD spectrum with this method, the spectrum is appended to the data set used as a reference data set. As a way to determine the reliability of the algorithm and provide a guideline to its usage, some applications are presented.
A Case Study in Unethical Transgressive Bioethics: “Letter of Concern from Bioethicists” About the Prenatal Administration of Dexamethasone

On February 3, 2010, a “Letter of Concern from Bioethicists,” organized by fetaldex.org, was sent to report suspected violations of the ethics of human subjects research in the off-label use of dexamethasone during pregnancy by Dr. Maria New. Copies of this letter were submitted to the FDA Office of Pediatric Therapeutics, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office for Human Research Protections, and three universities where Dr. New has held or holds appointments. We provide a critical appraisal of the Letter of Concern and show that it makes false claims, misrepresents scientific publications and websites, fails to meet standards of evidence-based reasoning, makes undocumented claims, treats as settled matters what are, instead, ongoing controversies, offers “mere opinion” as a substitute for argument, and makes contradictory claims. The Letter of Concern is a case study in unethical transgressive bioethics. We call on fetaldex.org to withdraw the letter and for co-signatories to withdraw ...
To Best Rule the Net

Examining technologies and policies, DeNardis considers the politics behind Internet protocols and the many groups vying to influence them.
The effect of lattice and grain boundary diffusion on the redistribution of Xe in metallic nuclear fuels: Implications for the use of ion implantation to study fission-gas-bubble nucleation mechanisms

Abstract A multi-atom gas bubble-nucleation mechanism has been proposed as part of a predictive fission-gas release model for metallic nuclear fuels. Validation of this mechanism requires experimental measurement of fission-gas bubble-size distributions at well-controlled gas concentrations and temperatures. There are advantages to carrying out such a study using ion implantation as the source of gas atoms compared with neutron irradiations. In spite of previous successes using ion implantation to study fission-gas behavior in oxide fuels, there is significant uncertainty about the efficacy of using ion beams for metallic fuel studies. To address the question of the applicability of ion beams in experiments designed to study fission-gas behavior in metallic fuels, we developed and applied an exact model for the redistribution of implanted ions under annealing conditions. The conclusion is that, given the assumptions, the results from implantations at 1 MeV or less may be overwhelmed by the surface effects at all relevant temperatures. Implanting at 10 or 80 MeV can significantly diminish the influence of the surfaces and the steep concentration gradients. At 80 MeV, the location of the peak concentration profile remains stable with annealing time. Thus, it appears that ion implantation can be an appropriate tool to study the size distribution of Xe bubbles in metallic fuels. Of the conditions investigated, the best for the study are to implant at 80 MeV and carry out anneals at 773 K, 873 K, and 973 K for times less than 10,000 s.
T cell rosette formation in primates, pigs, and guinea pigs: The influence of immunosuppressive agents

Abstract Out of 144 combinations of lymphocytes from 8 species and erythrocytes from 18, significant numbers of rosettes were found in only 14 . Human and chimpanzee lymphocytes formed rosettes in the greatest number of combinations (5), pig lymphocytes with 3, and guinea pig lymphocytes with only one erythrocyte (rabbit). In all positive combinations tested, the percentage of rosette-forming cells was highest in the thymus, intermediate with lymph node and peripheral blood lymphocytes, and lowest in the spleen. Using the guinea pig rosette-forming cell as an experimental test for T lymphocytes, the effect of several immunosuppressive drugs on the percentage of lymphocytes that are T cells was measured. Cyclophosphamide injected into guinea pigs increased this percentage the most, cortisone and tilorone increased the percentage of rosette-forming cells slightly, and azathioprine and vinblastine caused no change. After in vitro incubation with the lymphocytes, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and tilorone increased the percentage of rosette-forming cells and vinblastine reduced this percentage.
Exact solutions for a partially asymmetric exclusion model with two species

Abstract We present a partially asymmetric exclusion model with two species. It consists of a one-dimensional lattice with two types of particles hopping with different rates in both directions. Exact solutions are given for some values of the parameters. A phase diagram is constructed. The model is found to show two phases, one of them a phase with a maximal current of the particles.
Attention and the order of items in short-term visual memory.

Subjects first detected a target presented at the left of fixation, and then attempted to report, in order, the first four items (numerals or shapes) in a stream of items presented to the right of fixation. At comparably difficult presentation rates, 10/s for numerals and 5/s for shapes, reports showed a mixture of correctly ordered items with items reported in a direction opposite to their order of presentation. Reports fit a three-parameter attention-gating model (AGM), which assumes that (1) after target detection, an attention gate opens briefly to allow items to enter visual short-term memory (VSTM), and (2) report order is determined by the attention each item receives in VSTM. Items presented either early or late in the stream tend to receive less attention and are thus reported as later than more central items. The fit to the AGM for both numerals and unlabelled shapes provides evidence that reports reflect order in short-term visual (rather than verbal) memory.
Statistical failure analysis of system timing

Techniques are developed that quantify the probability that large computer systems will meet their cycle time objectives. Both approximation techniques and rigorous multivariate statistical techniques are described. A method is developed that enumerates the cycle-limiting paths so that these approaches can be utilized. The results of these techniques enable system designers to ensure that performance and reliability objectives are met.
Knowledge Discovery workflows for the classification of AGNs in multiwavelength spaces: the Blazars case

The development of new AGNs selection techniques based on the massive multi-wavelength datasets that are becoming more and more frequent in astronomy is a crucial task to gather statistically significant samples and shed light on the physical nature of this diverse class of extragalactic sources. Novel characterizations of specific classes of sources from unexplored region of their spectrum and unusual combinations of the observational parameters can translate into new classification criteria. In this innovative data environment, the whole process ranging from the discovery of new patterns to the application of such patters to the selection of new AGNs, has to be tackled using a Knowledge Discovery (KD) workflow. A KD workflows is a combination of different KD methods that automatically extract the more interesting patters from data, reduce the complexity of the dataset and provide astronomers with the simplest possible amount of information to be interpreted. In this talk, I will describe an original KD workflow which, in one of its first applications, has led to the discovery of a previously unknown peculiar pattern followed by blazars in the mid-Infrared color space (the blazars WISE locus), and the development of a new classification criterion based on this pattern and useful to tackle different problems. The comprehensive KD workflow used to derive these results encompasses unsupervised methods for the exploration of the multi-dimensional observable spaces, and supervised method for the training and optimization of classifiers based on the patterns determined in the observable spaces. In particular, I will describe the new methods for the association of unidentified gamma-ray sources and the extraction of candidate blazars from mid-Infrared photometric catalog based on the WISE blazars locus.
Capacitors on organic modules: a new THB failure mode and method of detection

Multi-terminal low inductance capacitors (MTLICs) are used widely throughout the electronics industry to aid with voltage noise suppression and to manage high speed switching currents. They are implemented on system level cards as well as microprocessors and ASICs. MTLIC component dimensions are getting smaller with increased requirements on capacitance/inductance, driving more Ni plates (up to ∼160), thinner dielectrics and therefore resulting in an increased risk for failure in temperature, humidity and bias stressing. Traditionally, MTLICs have been more robust than the modules they are used on - but this may be changing.
Endovascular Exclusion of Saphenous Vein Graft Aneurysms Complicating Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair A Case Report

A 64-year-old man was referred for vascular evaluation before renal transplantation for ischemic nephropathy. In the past he had undergone bilateral renal artery revascularizations using saphenous vein. At the time of transplant evaluation, he was found to have bilateral aneurysms of the saphenous veins used to bypass his renal artery stenoses. He underwent successful endovascular exclusion of the aneurysms with 2 endovascular AneuRx extension cuffs. This case highlights both the versatility of endovascular treatments as well as the importance of a comprehensive vascular examination.
The effects of differential value on the recall of realistic targets.

The effects of differential value upon detection and recall were investigated using a multisymbol visual display. Three groups of 14 subjects each viewed slides containing experimentally varied numbers of different realistic targets drawn from a population of nine possible targets. All subjects were instructed to maximize the value of their reports. One group was told that all targets were of equal value; for another group a different value was assigned to each of the nine targets; and for a third group, three different values were assigned to three sets of three targets each. The results suggested that performance may depend less on the differences in values assigned to targets than on the number and range of different values.
Homeless Men in Alcoholics Anonymous: Barriers to Achieving and Maintaining Sobriety:

An exploratory, qualitative study of homeless, recovering alcoholic men in a Twelve-Step program examines the problems they encounter maintaining sobriety. Using semistructured interviews, the experiences of these men were analyzed in order to learn how they stay sober without a formal place to live. Four kinds of special barriers to sobriety are inferred from their narrative histories: identification with a recovery community, sponsorship, step work, and time constraints. Implications for treatment and directions for future research are discussed.
Structure-function analysis of the Shigella virulence factor IpaB

Infection by the gram-negative bacterium Shigella flexneri results in dysentery, an acute inflammatory disease of the colon. Essential events in the pathogenesis of Shigella infections include bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, escape from the phagosome, and induction of apoptosis in macrophages. The Shigella virulence factor invasion plasmid antigen B (IpaB) is required for all of these processes. Induction of apoptosis is dependent on IpaB binding to the cysteine protease caspase-1 (Casp-1). The activation of this enzyme triggers both apoptosis and release of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta. Several IpaB mutants were generated to correlate function with protein subdomains. We determined that the N-terminal portion of IpaB is necessary for stable expression of IpaB. A putative amphipathic alpha-helical domain preserves the structure of IpaB. We found 10 consecutive residues within the amino terminus of the hydrophobic region that play a critical role in invasion, phagosomal escape, and cytotoxicity. An IpaB mutant carrying a mutation in this region binds to Casp-1 yet is not cytotoxic, even following direct delivery to the macrophage cytoplasm. These results indicate that the association between IpaB and Casp-1 is only a step in the activation of macrophage apoptosis.
On the effects of ASE noise models on turbo code decoder performance In optical fiber transmissions

Summary form only given. Turbo-codes (TC) have been shown to be the most powerful forward error correction (FEC) code achieving near Shannon limit performance. As FEC codes become a practical solution in improving system capacity in fiber communications, the application of TC in fiber transmissions begins to attract research interest. While the Gaussian approximation of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise is widely used in the study of fiber transmission systems, and there exist standard TC for Gaussian channels, we show that the Gaussian approximation underestimates the achievable performance of TC in real fiber transmission systems. To take the full advantage of TC, the more accurate noise statistics and binary asymmetric channel (BAC) model should be used for setting threshold and in the Bahl, Cocke, Jelinek, and Raviv (BCJR) decoding algorithm. In addition, for simplicity, the fiber channel with dominant ASE noise is usually approximated as a binary symmetric channel (BSC). We have shown that the BSC model overestimates the Shannon limit. We show that this approximation also leads to suboptimal threshold settings, and underestimates the performance of punctured TC.
Value of cytology in detecting intestinal metaplasia and associated dysplasia at the gastroesophageal junction

Tissue sampling is essential for detecting intestinal metaplasia in the distal esophagus (Barrett's esophagus), because symptoms and endoscopy are not reliable in making this diagnosis. The utility of cytology in this process is unknown. All adult patients having elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopy over a 6-month period were invited to participate in a prospective study whose aim was to determine the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia in the distal esophagus in an adult population with diverse upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Clinical data and endoscopic findings were recorded. Brush cytology and biopsy specimens were obtained from both sides of the apparent squamocolumnar junction. The cytology specimens were processed routinely, stained with the Papanicolaou technique, and reviewed blinded to the clinical information and the histological findings in the corresponding biopsy specimens. One hundred fifty-five patients (81 women, 74 men; 137 whites, 11 blacks, 7 others; mean age, 52 years) were included. Glandular epithelium/cells were present on both histology and cytology in 147 specimens. Thirty-two patients (22%) showed intestinal metaplasia on histology. Of the cytology specimens from these 32 patients, 6 contained definite goblet cells (19%), 7 probable goblet cells, and 19 no goblet cells. Goblet cells and probable goblet cells were observed on cytology in 7 and 11 additional specimens, respectively. One was from a patient known to have intestinal metaplasia in the esophagus. Follow-up endoscopy with biopsy was performed in two of these latter 18 patients and did not show intestinal metaplasia. One case of high-grade dysplasia, two of low-grade dysplasia, and three indefinite for dysplasia were diagnosed on histology. All three cases of dysplasia were also identified on cytology. The three indefinite cases on histology were considered reactive in two and unremarkable in one on cytology. Low-grade dysplasia was diagnosed on cytology alone on two cases. Follow-up endoscopy with biopsy was performed in one patient, and low-grade dysplasia was found. Cytology using the Papanicolaou stain is not as sensitive and specific as histology for detecting intestinal metaplasia in the distal esophagus. However, it may be at least as useful as tissue sampling in detecting dysplasia.
β-Endorphin withdrawal: a possible cause of premenstrual tension syndrome

Abstract The authors propose that premenstrual tension syndrome (PMS) is the result of β-endorphin withdrawal. Sixteen women were included in this study which measured β-endorphin levels on the 7th and 24th day of each woman's menstrual cycle. A significant decline in β-endorphin levels was noted during the progression of the cycle. The severity of symptoms, however, was inversely proportional to the amount of decline in β-endorphin levels. It is hypothesized that the attenuation of endorphin decline may be a compensatory mechanism to moderate the severity of PMS symptoms.
Toward the establishment of evidence-based practices in group psychotherapy.

(2008). Toward the Establishment of Evidence–Based Practices in Group Psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 58, No. 4, pp. 441-454.
Effect of starvation on secretion of a dispersal pheromone by female german cockroaches

Abstract The effects of starvation on secretion of a dispersal pheromone released or produced by female German cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.) when crowded was investigated. The experiments tested the response of adult males to filter paper conditioned by moderate and high densities of 10-day-old females. Repellency increased with increased density of fed females. Papers conditioned by starved females were not repellent. The results were similar for the two densities tested. Food availability is therefore a major factor in the control of secretion of a dispersal pheromone that females secrete when stressed by crowding. Resume Effet du jeune sur la secretion d'une pheromone de dispersion par les femelles de Blattella germanica L'examen a porte sur l'effet du jeune sur la secretion d'une pheromone de dispersion emise par les femelles de B. germanica, maintenues a forte densite. Les experiences ont juge les reponses des mâles a des papiers filtres impregnes par des femelles de 10 jours maintenues a des densites moyennes et elevees. La repulsion a augmente avec la densite des femelles alimentees; le papier provenant de femelles non-alimentees n'etait pas repulsif. Les resultats etaient tres voisins pour les deux densites. On peut en conclure que la disponibilite en aliments est le principal facteur controlant la secretion et/ou la production d'une pheromone de dispersion, secretee par les femelles genees par une densite elevee.
An extension to the lossless inverse scattering problem and application to spectral approximation

The author proposes an extension to the classical lossless inverse scattering (LIS) problem and points out its potential use in spectral approximation in the areas of signal modelling and model reduction for optimal control. He presents a solution consisting of tree steps, the first of which is the classical LIS-algorithm. The second step is a simple transformation of the data and the last step is an application of the multichannel LIS-algorithm. The algorithm is essentially recursive and thus computationally very attractive. Illustrative examples have been worked out. >
Resource-Use Efficiency in Public Schools: A Study of Connecticut Data

This study combines Data Envelopment Analysis DEA with regression modelling to estimate relative efficiency in the public school districts of Connecticut. Factors affecting achievements are classified as school inputs and other socio-economic factors. DEA is performed with the school inputs only. Efficiency measures obtained from DEA are subsequently related to the socio-economic factors in a regression model with a one-sided disturbance term. The findings suggest that while productivity of school inputs varies considerably across districts this can be ascribed to a large extent to differences in the socio-economic background of the communities served. Variation in managerial efficiency is much less than what is implied by the DEA results.
Buff Brahma, an Autosexing Breed of Chicken

Abstract AUTOSEXING is a term which was originally coined to describe synthetic breeds of chickens which were deliberately developed to enable easy and accurate sexing of day-old, pure-bred chicks by means of a difference in down color and pattern. The first such breed, the Cambar, was developed by Punnett and Pease (1930), but many such breeds have been developed since the Cambar. All of these synthetic autosexing breeds have the sexlinked barring gene (B) as a part of their genetic make-up; as it is the imperfect dominance of this gene that allows for the sex-distinction in these breeds. In all cases, the male chicks with two barring genes (BB) have a much lighter down then do the female chicks with only one barring gene (B−) Several long-established breeds, most of which do not carry the sex-linked barring gene, have been reported as natural autosexing breeds: the Barred Plymouth Rock (Jerome, 1939);…
Inhibition of Bcl-XL Phosphorylation by Tea Polyphenols or Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Is Associated with Prostate Cancer Cell Apoptosis

Prostate cancer cells demonstrate slow growth kinetics and chemoresistance. Tea polyphenols have been shown to exert prostate cancer-preventative effects. Here we report that growth-arrested prostate cancer cells expressed high levels of a hyperphosphorylated Bcl-X(L) in mitochondria. Treatment with tea polyphenols or the major tea component epigallocatechin-3-gallate blocked expression of the hyper-, but not hypophosphorylated Bcl-X(L) in mitochondria, accompanied by cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and apoptosis. Studies using specific inhibitors suggest that tea inhibits p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and the proteasome activities, leading to inhibition of Bcl-X(L) phosphorylation and induction of prostate cancer cell death.
Redrawing the Boundaries of Language Teacher Cognition: Language Teacher Educators' Emotion, Cognition, and Activity.

This article, grounded in a Vygotskian sociocultural perspective, details the self-inquiry of a language teacher educator who examined her emotional dissonance regarding her mediation of the reflection journals of a teacher learner teaching an ESL class during an internship. Data from the teacher learner's reflection journals and the teacher educator's responses were analyzed to characterize the teacher learner's approach to writing the journals and the teacher educator's written responses. The teacher learner was interviewed retrospectively about her conceptualization of and past history with journal writing, her sense, and perezhivanie concerning journal writing. The analysis showed how recognizing the cause of her emotional dissonance and its effect on her mediation enabled the teacher educator to reframe her understanding of the teacher learner as a learner, and it explored the role of reflection journals in the learning-to-teach process. The article calls for a redefinition of language teacher cognition that integrates the interaction of both language teacher learner and teacher educator emotion and cognition activated in and shaped by their interactions in the learning-to-teach experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
“The University Works Because We Do”: On the Determinants of Campus Labor Organizing in the 1990s:

University campuses experienced a surge in protest activity around labor issues during the late 1990s, highlighted by several high-profile graduate employee unionization campaigns. Some scholars and activists attribute these developments to notable changes in the academy, while others note that this wave of activity coincided with revitalization efforts by the broader U.S. labor movement that included reaching out to new constituencies and college students in particular. The authors advance this discussion by analyzing the factors leading to graduate employee union organizing campaigns between 1996 and 2001. They draw from social movement and labor research to suggest how shifts in the nature of academic labor markets, local resources and opportunities for activism, and increased links between organized labor and college campuses influence the timing and location of organizing campaigns. Results from an event history analysis of campaign activity largely support these claims and highlight the importance o...
CatSper and the Relationship of Hyperactivated Motility to Intracellular Calcium and pH Kinetics in Equine Sperm

In vitro fertilization does not occur readily in the horse. This may be related to failure of equine sperm to initiate hyperactivated motility, as treating with procaine to induce hyperactivation increases fertilization rates. In mice, hyperactivated motility requires a sperm-specific pH-gated calcium channel (CatSper); therefore, we investigated this channel in equine sperm. Motility was assessed by computer-assisted sperm motility analysis and changes in intracellular pH and calcium were assessed using fluorescent probes. Increasing intracellular pH induced a rise in intracellular calcium, which was inhibited by the known CatSper blocker mibefradil, supporting the presence of a pH-gated calcium channel, presumably CatSper. Hyperactivation was associated with moderately increased intracellular pH, but appeared inversely related to increases in intracellular calcium. In calcium-deficient medium, high-pH treatment induced motility loss, consistent with influx of sodium through open CatSper channels in the absence of environmental calcium. However, sperm treated with procaine in calcium-deficient medium both maintained motility and underwent hyperactivation, suggesting that procaine did not act via opening of the CatSper channel. CATSPER1 mRNA was identified in equine sperm by PCR, and CATSPER1 protein was localized to the principal piece on immunocytochemistry. Analysis of the predicted equine CATSPER1 protein revealed species-specific differences in structure in the pH-sensor region. We conclude that the CatSper channel is present in equine sperm but that the relationship of hyperactivated motility to calcium influx is weak. Procaine does not appear to act via CatSper in equine sperm, and its initial hyperactivating action is not dependent upon external calcium influx.
TOOTH ERUPTION IN MONODELPHIS DOMESTICA AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR PHYLOGENY AND NATURAL HISTORY

The gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) began tooth eruption at 32 days with the deciduous premolars (dp3 and dP3). All but 5 teeth completed eruption by 56 days, with only p3, m4, P3, M3, and M4 unerupted at that age. Eruption was complete by 134 days with eruption of P3 and M4. We found no significant differences between sexes in tooth eruption timing, but significant differences occurred among litters at some tooth positions. Timing and sequence of tooth eruption differed somewhat as seen in live young versus that seen in a series of skulls of known age. Live juveniles can be placed into a series of 6 age classes based on emergence of teeth through the gingiva, whereas juvenile skeletal material is best placed into age classes based solely on eruption of upper molars. Other systems of age classes used in didelphid marsupials that are based on sequence of eruption of P3 and M4 are not generally applicable because of variation in this sequence. In didelphids delayed eruption of I1 may be functionally related to weaning, whereas weaning and 1st reproduction are not obviously correlated with age class based on molar eruption.
Probabilistic Analysis of Continuously Variable Transmission to Increase Reliability

Renewable energy has surfaced as a power source of interest of the world recently. Wind Energy has been the leading source of renewable energy development for the past several years. The biggest issue with wind energy are wind turbine (WT) drivetrain failures. The gearbox fails after three to seven years of operation while the expected lifetime of the WT is 20 years. The application to the automotive industry inspired the use of continuously variable transmissions (CVT) in a WT. The CVT considered in this study is the Nu-Vinci CVT technology, a Continuously Variable Planetary (CVP) transmission, designed by Fallbrook Technologies. This technology was selected because of its planetary configuration and its ability to transmit larger amounts of torque, which is required for WT applications. The goal of this research was to reduce the Cost of Energy (COE) by increasing the reliability of CVTs in WTs. In this study, two WT systems, one with CVT as the third stage (referred as ‘WT with CVT’) and another with three stage standard gearbox (referred as ‘WT with SG’), are considered. The research question in this study is ‘Does the use of CVTs improve the reliability of drivetrains of WTs?’ To answer this question three specific aims were developed. First, a computational framework had to be developed. Second, a probabilistic dynamic analysis was conducted. Third, a probabilistic analysis on the COE was performed. A computational framework was developed to guide the probabilistic analysis to determine power values and COE. The probability that the generator torque of the WT with CVT will be less than that of the WT with SG is found to be 50.67%. It was also shown that provided the same input speed and torque, the WT with CVT has a slightly higher power generation. In addition, it was shown that there is 54% probability that the WT with CVT will exhibit lower COE than WT with SG. The higher power production is attained while decreasing the COE. From these results, it can be inferred that the reliability of the drivetrain is improved using a CVT.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
CO hydrogenation reactions over titania-supported nickel

Various sources of TiO/sub 2/ have been used to prepare catalytically active species of Ni-TiO/sub 2/ for studies of the reaction mechanisms of CO hydrogenation reactions. The results of the chemisorption studies indicated that the support can alter somewhat the catalytic behavior of certain metals in the methanation reactions. Data for the Ni-TiO/sub 2/ catalyzed hydrogenation reactions do not give a normal distribution plot with respect to carbon number in the products serving as evidence of a chain-growth process modification. These effects cannot be explained by simple polymer kinetics; but they are not unique to the Ni-TiO/sub 2/ catalyst, since they have also been observed with Ru-TiO/sub 2/ catalysts. Some support-metal interaction is evident, but it is not understood at this time. (BLM)
Eddy Current Measurement of Fiber Volume Fraction in Metal Matrix Composites

The objective of this work was to develop an eddy current method for measuring fiber volume fraction in continuous-fiber metal matrix composites. Because an eddy current measurement can be affected by the spatial distribution of fibers as well as the overall fiber density, the measurement method had to be tolerant of possible variations in spatial distribution that might be encountered in practice. For this reason, the work began with the development of models of the effective resistivity tensor for a composite with an arbitrary fiber distribution and the resulting eddy current probe response [1,2]. The intent was to use these models to help design a measurement method and to test the method for ordered and disordered arrangements of fibers.
Generation of a More Immunogenic Measles Vaccine by Increasing Its Hemagglutinin Expression.

ABSTRACT Imported measles virus (MV) outbreaks are maintained by poor vaccine responders and unvaccinated people. A convenient but more immunogenic vaccination strategy would enhance vaccine performance, contributing to measles eradication efforts. We report here the generation of alternative pediatric vaccines against MV with increased expression of the H protein in the background of the current MV vaccine strain. We generated two recombinants: MVvac2-H2, with increased full-length H expression resulting in a 3-fold increase in H incorporation into virions, and MVvac2-Hsol, vectoring a truncated, soluble form of the H protein that is secreted into the supernatants of infected cells. Replication fitness was conserved despite the duplication of the H cistron for both vectors. The modification to the envelope of MVvac2-H2 conferred upon this virus a measurable level of resistance to in vitro neutralization by MV polyclonal immune sera without altering its thermostability. Most interestingly, both recombinant MVs with enhanced H expression were significantly more immunogenic than their parental strain in outbred mice, while MVvac2-H2 additionally proved more immunogenic after a single, human-range dose in genetically modified MV-susceptible mice. IMPORTANCE Measles incidence was reduced drastically following the introduction of attenuated vaccines, but progress toward the eradication of this virus has stalled, and MV still threatens unvaccinated populations. Due to the contributions of primary vaccine failures and too-young-to-be-vaccinated infants to this problem, more immunogenic measles vaccines are highly desirable. We generated two experimental MV vaccines based on a current vaccine9s genome but with enriched production of the H protein, the main MV antigen in provoking immunity. One vaccine incorporated H at higher rates in the viral envelope, and the other secreted a soluble H protein from infected cells. The increased expression of H by these vectors improved neutralizing responses induced in two small-animal models of MV immunogenicity. The enhanced immunogenicity of these vectors, mainly from the MV that incorporates additional H, suggests their value as potential alternative pediatric MV vaccines.
Improved Cladistic Analysis of the Piesmatidae and Consideration of Known Host Plants

This paper presents a cladogram for the four piesmatid (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) genera ( Thaicoris, Mcateella, Miespa, and Piesma ) and for the three subgenera of the last ( Piesma s.s., Afropiesma, and Parapiesma ). The family may have arisen in Gondwana and its most successful genus, Piesma, in Africa. The host plants of 16 species are listed and discussed.
CO2 fixation in the nervous tissue. IV. CO2 fixation and citrate metabolism in lobster nerve.

The specific activity of citric acid of the lobster nerve which was incubated in Ringer-bicarbonate solution containing 14C-bicarbonate was determined. The specific activity of citric acid was higher than that of malic acid by a factor of 2.5. The citric acid obtained from the lobster nerve was degraded with an improved method which is described in this paper. The ratio of the radio-activity of C-6 to C-1 of citric acid was 1∶1. Aspartic acid obtained from the lobster nerve was also degraded, and the ratio of the radioactivity of C4 to C1 was almost 10∶1.
An optimized staining technique for the detection of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria within tissue

Background Bacterial infections are a common clinical problem in both acute and chronic wounds. With growing concerns over antibiotic resistance, treatment of bacterial infections should only occur after positive diagnosis. Currently, diagnosis is delayed due to lengthy culturing methods which may also fail to identify the presence of bacteria. While newer costly bacterial identification methods are being explored, a simple and inexpensive diagnostic tool would aid in immediate and accurate treatments for bacterial infections. Histologically, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Gram stains have been employed, but are far from optimal when analyzing tissue samples due to non-specific staining. The goal of the current study was to develop a modification of the Gram stain that enhances the contrast between bacteria and host tissue.
Lecture 15 Ankylosing Spondylitis

Although it occurs in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis is more likely to be familial, and only 4 percent of patients have positive rheumatoid factors. Whatever its genesis, it is incurable and produces a stiff spine in 10 to 20 years. Aspirin or indomethacin, heat, bed positioning, exercises for range of motion and posture, and deep-breathing exercises can all be used to help the patient.
The impact of seed size and chemical composition on seedling vigor, yield, and fiber quality of cotton in five production environments

Abstract Seed mass and oil content of the quiescent cotton seed are positively associated with seedling vigor. In contrast, seed size has been negatively associated with lint yield due to selection for cultivars with greater lint percent. The current study addressed the hypothesis that planting seed mass and total oil + protein calorie content of the quiescent cotton seed would be strongly predictive of seedling vigor across most field conditions and that the impact of seed traits on yield would be dependent upon yield environment. When considered in each yield environment, seedling vigor was positively associated with seed size and the total oil + protein calorie content per seed in four out five environments tested. Regression analysis of cultivar mean oil + protein kcal content per seed versus seedling vigor across all environments indicated a strong, positive relationship between the two parameters (r2 = 0.65). Although lint percent was positively correlated with lint yield in every environment, planting seed mass and calorie content were not correlated with lint yield in four of the five environments tested or when cultivar means for lint yield and seed characteristics were averaged across all environments. Thus, it is concluded that individual planting seed mass and total energy content for oil + protein are strong predictors of early seedling vigor. Furthermore, selecting commercially available cultivars with characteristics indicative of seedling vigor does not appear to limit lint yield in most environments tested.
Babies at risk. Can the prenatal care initiative be saved

My husband and I named our lovely daughter Faith because of the enormous obstacles we faced in getting her here safe and sound...I almost gave up hope that I would receive any help at all...I called Physicians Referral at least a dozen times, saying, please give me leads to possible people who accept Medicaid. The answer was a flat "nope."...I went to the bookstore and bought a couple of books on how to take care of myself during pregnancy...I am angry that not only every physician I asked refused to see a Medicaid patient, that they would also not refer me to the one facility within a 100 mile radius that did...I began going there (with nurse-midwives at Monroe Maternity Center) in January and I can tell you I received the best treatment, the only drawback was driving an hour and a half one way to receive each prenatal check up... Faith may be the most important person in the world to me. She may be the apple of her daddy's eye, but Tennessee and the majority of the medical community could care less about whether she lives or dies...
Harvard University Forest, Massachusetts, United States of America

The Harvard Forest in Massachusetts serves as Harvard University’s 3,650 ac (1,477 ha) outdoor laboratory and classroom. The original and ongoing mission, the history of research and management since 1907, and a broad conservation vision published in 2005 all guide the current Land Use Master Plan. This university forest has three main land-use zones: Wildland Reserves, Managed Woodlands, and Flexible Research. The current plan guides the siting of research studies, timber harvesting activities, recreational use of the forest, and management responses to forest disturbances.
Evaluation of Four Commercial Composts on Strawberry Plant Productivity and Soil Characteristics in California

Composts can have beneficial effects on strawberry production and these benefits can be dependent on the type of compost used. Four commercial composts were evaluated: cow manure, spent mushroom, y...
Vitamin D supplementation, the metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in obese children.

BACKGROUND Previous studies suggest that vitamin D may play a role in cardiovascular and metabolic health. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the occurrence of oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine whether treatment and correction of vitamin D deficiency in obese children led to changes in their metabolic profile, independent of changes in adiposity. In addition, we aimed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency and oxidative stress are causally related in obese children. METHODS In the retrospective arm, chart review identified 32 obese children who experienced normalization of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency with vitamin D supplementation. We then correlated laboratory and anthropometric data with vitamin D levels. In the prospective arm of the study, urinary 8-isoprostane and hydrogen peroxide were measured before and after correction of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and correlated to vitamin D levels in seven patients. RESULTS In our predominantly Hispanic population of obese children in an urban setting, we demonstrated a cause-effect relationship between vitamin D deficiency and oxidative stress. In contrast, we found no association between vitamin D status, adiposity, and markers of insulin sensitivity, nor any effect of vitamin D treatment on the same parameters. CONCLUSIONS These discordant findings suggest a differential effect of vitamin D on cardiovascular risk factors such as oxidative stress and insulin resistance. To confirm these findings, further prospective studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are warranted.
Incremental decreases in quality-adjusted life years (QALY) associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms for U.S. Adults aged 65 years and older

Quality-adjusted life years (QALY) is a single value index that quantifies the overall burden of disease. It reflects all aspects of heath, including nonfatal illness and mortality outcomes by weighting life-years lived with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores. This study examine the burden of disease due to increasing levels of depressive symptoms by examining the association between the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores and QALY for U.S. adults aged 65 years and older. We ascertained respondents’ HRQOL scores and mortality status from the 2005–2006, 2007–2008, and 2009–2010 cohorts of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with mortality follow-up data through December 31, 2011. This analysis included respondents aged 65 years and older (n = 3,680). We estimated the mean QALY throughout the remaining lifetime according to participants’ depression severity categories: none or minimal (PHQ-9 score 0–4), mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), and moderately severs and severe (15 or higher). We estimated QALY loss due to major depressive disorder (PHQ-9 score 10 or higher) and to mild depression (5–9). The QALY for persons with none/minimal, mild, moderate, and moderately severe/severe depression were 14.0, 7.8, 4.7, and 3.3 years, respectively. Compared to persons without major depressive disorder, persons with major depressive disorder had 8.3 fewer QALY (12.7 vs. 4.4), or a 65% loss. Compared to persons who reported “none” or minimal depressive symptoms, persons who reported mild depressive symptoms had 6.2 fewer QALY (14.0 vs. 7.8), or a 44% loss. The same patterns were noted in demographic and socioeconomic subgroups and according to number of comorbidities. This study not only confirmed the significant burden of disease for major depressive disorder among the U.S. elderly, but also showed an incremental decrease in QALY with an increasing severity of depressive symptoms as well as significant QALY loss due to mild depression. Specifically, individuals with higher (or more impaired) PHQ-9 scores had significantly fewer QALYs and our findings of fewer years of QALY for persons with major depressive disorder and mild depression were not only statistically significant but also clinically important.
Building Brand Love and Gaining the Advocacy You Crave by Communicating Your Library's Value

ABSTRACTFive years ago the Association of College and Research Libraries published “The Value of Academic Libraries” report, spurring academic libraries to action concerning assessment. Communicating library value is especially important when reaching distance learning populations outside the walls of the library. By employing marketing and branding strategies combined with the library's inherent characteristic of compassionate service, the library can use its powers for good to communicate value and gain advocacy for the library. This article discusses one distance learning librarian's experience building campus partnerships by assessing library services, and using assessment to build advocacy for the library within the institutional distance learning community.
Disparities in early mortality among chronic kidney disease patients who transition to peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis with and without catheters

In the original publication, age stratified mortality rates were incorrectly added in Fig. 2. The correct Fig. 2 is given below.