cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Common Step for Changing Cell Shape in Fruiting Body and Starvation-Independent Sporulation of Myxococcus xanthus

Myxococcus xanthus can sporulate in either of two ways: at the end of the program of fruiting body development or after exposure of growing cells to certain reagents such as concentrated glycerol. Fruiting body sporulation requires starvation, while glycerol sporulation requires rapid growth, and since the two types of spores are structurally somewhat different, it has generally been assumed that the two processes are different. However, a Tn5 Lac insertion mutation, Omega7536, has been isolated which simultaneously blocks the development of fruiting body spores as well as glycerol-induced spores. Both sporulation pathways are blocked in the mutant within the process that converts a rod-shaped cell into a spherical spore. The Omega7536 locus is expressed at the time of cell shape change appropriate to each process, early after glycerol induction and late after starvation induction. On the C-signal response pathway, it is possible to identify positions for the normal function of the Omega7536 locus and for the inducing stimulus from glycerol that are unique and consistent with the observations. Although the two sporulation pathways differ in certain respects, it is shown that they share at least one step for changing a rod-shaped cell into a spherical spore.
Antihypertensive drug-induced angioedema causing upper airway obstruction in children.

Abstract Objective Angioedema is a well-described complication arising from the use of antihypertensive agents in the adult population. However, its occurrence and potential for upper airway compromise in pediatrics has only been sporadically reported in the literature. Our objective is to report and review the occurrence of antihypertensive-induced angioedema in the pediatric population and the potential for airway compromise. Methods Charts of 42 patients admitted to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center with the discharge diagnosis of angioedema (ICD-9 code 995.1) from January 2000 to January 2010 were reviewed. Of the 42 charts, 3 cases had angioedema induced by antihypertensive drugs and all 3 resulted in upper airway obstruction. Summary and findings of the data collected from the medical chart review included demographics, chief complaint(s), past medical history, hospital course, antihypertensive drugs used, diagnostic test(s), medical treatment, and time from onset of symptoms to resolution. In addition, a PubMed literature search using the terms angioedema and antihypertensive drugs was performed to review its occurrence in pediatrics. The previous literature case reports were compared to our cases to further characterize and emphasize the clinical features of this occurrence in children and adolescents. Results Despite the well-known occurrence of antihypertensive drug-induced angioedema causing airway obstruction in adults, only 4 case reports have been previously published in children. At our institution, we describe 3 children who developed acute angioedema with upper airway obstruction after the chronic use of antihypertensive medications [2 drugs in the ACE inhibitor class (enalapril and lisinopril), and 1 drug in the calcium channel blocker class (CCB; amlodipine)]. In all 3 cases, the symptoms resolved within 1 week after the antihypertensive agent was discontinued. Conclusion Upper airway obstruction can occur at any age when taking antihypertensive drugs. Particular caution should be applied to ACE inhibitors and CCBs in this regard. With the increasing use of antihypertensive agents in the pediatric population, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of angioedema with upper airway obstruction as a potential lethal adverse effect.
Storage utilization in a memory hierarchy when storage assignment is performed by a hashing algorithm

The utilization of storage is studied in a two-level memory hierarchy. The first storage level, which is the fast store, is divided into a number of storage areas. When an entry is to be filed in the hierarchy, a hashing algorithm will attempt to place the entry into one of these areas. If this particular area is full, then the entry will be placed into the slower second-level store, even though other areas in the first-level store may have space available. Given that N entries have been filed in the entire hierarchy, an expression is derived for the expected number of entries filed in the first-level store. This expression gives a measure of how effectively the first-level store is being used. By means of examples, storage utilization is then studied as a function of the hashing algorithm, the number of storage areas into which the first-level store is divided and the total size of the first-level store.
Endovascular techniques for occlusive vascular disease

Significant refinements in the materials and instrumentation available to endovascular surgeons have contributed to the growing popularity of this treatment modality. Recent reports suggest an acceptable incidence of thromboembolic complications accompanying endovascular interventions when performed by experienced hands. This article outlines the indications, technique, and results of angioplasty and stenting of the extracranial carotid artery and other great vessels.
The Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test and Nitrate Leaching from Corn

The pre-sidedress soil nitrate test (PSNT) is recommended in many states as a best management practice (BMP) for corn (Zea mays L.). A 2-yr study was conducted in Connecticut on a Woodbridge fine sandy loam soil (coarse loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Dystrochrept) to determine NO 3 -N concentrations and losses in soil water from corn managed with three different N fertilization regimes: (i) PRE, 196 kg N ha -1 applied preplant; (ii) PSNT-1, 90 kg N ha -1 applied at preplant and any remaining N needs estimated by the PSNT (0 kg ha -1 in 1995 and 45 kg ha -1 in 1996); and (iii) PSNT-2, no preplant N and all N needs estimated by the PSNT (34 kg ha -1 in 1995 and 123 kg ha -1 in 1996). Percolate was collected with zero-tension pan lysimeters. Flow-weighted NO 3 -N concentrations from the PRE treatment were 22.3 mg L -1 in 1995 and 17.4 mg L -1 in 1996; the PSNT treatments were 0.05) different among N treatments. These findings suggest that a well calibrated soil N test can reduce excess fertilization and the potential for NO 3 contamination of groundwater.
Asymmetric photopotentials from thin polymeric porphyrin films

Thin polymeric porphyrin films have been prepared by interfacial polymerization of a pair of reactive comonomers, one or both of which are derivatized porphyrins. Typical monomer pairs are tetra(p-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) in aqueous base with tetra(p- chlorocarbonylphenyl)porphyrin (TCCPP) in chloroform or dichloromethane, tetra(p- aminophenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) in DMSO with TCCPP in ethyl acetate, and various aliphatic diamines in water with TCCPP in chloroform. Typical film thicknesses are in the range 0.01 - 10 micrometers . The films display a unique chemical asymmetry, in the sense that opposite surfaces of the films show distinctive differences in the concentration and type of functional groups that are present. When placed between semitransparent electrodes and irradiated with either steady-state broad-band light or a pulsed laser, these films develop directional photopotentials, whereby the film surface that was prepared in contact with the TCCPP solution (the acid surface) develops a more negative potential than the opposite (amine or hydroxyl) surface. We consider the directional photopotentials to be a manifestation of the chemical asymmetry of these interfacial films -- that is, photoinduced charge separation involves electron transfer towards the acid surface of the film, which corresponds to the predicted trends of oxidation and reduction potentials of the various porphyrins within the polymer film.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Monitoring of generator instruction following performance

The paper describes the history and experiences of developing a generator instruction following and monitoring process. The economic drivers for its use in a maturing and competitive electricity market are examined together with the statutory and commercial frameworks in which The National Grid Company (NGC), as the transmission system operator must work. An explanation is given of the monitoring principles, procedures in place, indicative results analysed to date and the effect on the industry's performance. In addition the paper explores the opportunities for further development.
PD-L1 Expression in Melanocytic Lesions Does Not Correlate with the BRAF V600E Mutation

PD-L1 expression in melanoma correlates with response to PD-1 pathway-blocking antibodies. Aberrant tumor-cell PD-L1 expression may be oncogene driven and/or induced by IFNγ. Melanomas express PD-L1 in association with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), but the potential contribution of the BRAF V600E mutation (BRAFmut) to induced PD-L1 expression has not been determined. Fifty-two archival melanocytic lesions were assessed for PD-L1 expression, TIL infiltration, and BRAFmut simultaneously. IFNγ-induced PD-L1 expression in cultured melanomas was assessed in parallel according to BRAF status. Melanocyte PD-L1 expression was observed in 40% of specimens, and BRAFmut was observed in 42% of specimens, but no significant concordance was found between these variables. Almost all melanocytes displaying PD-L1 expression were observed to be adjacent to TILs, irrespective of BRAF status. TIL(-) lesions were not more likely to be associated with BRAFmut, when compared with TIL(+) lesions. Baseline expression of PD-L1 by melanoma cell lines was virtually nil, regardless of BRAFmut status, and the intensity of IFN-induced PD-L1 expression in melanoma cell lines likewise did not correlate with BRAF mutational status. PD-L1 expression in melanocytic lesions does not correlate with the BRAFmut. Thus, distinct populations of melanoma patients will likely benefit from BRAF inhibitors versus PD-1 pathway blockade.
Relationship Styles of Self-Focused Autonomy, Other-Focused Connectedness, and Mutuality across Multiple Relationship Contexts

This study examined relationship styles of self-focused autonomy, other-focused connectedness, or mutuality with mothers, fathers, best friends, and romantic partners to determine if styles would be used consistently or would vary across relationships. Participants included 257 college students (M= 21.6 years). Mutuality was the most commonly reported relationship style in all relationship contexts, and no sex differences in style were found. Most participants reported using more than one relationship style across contexts, however, and styles were linked to perceptions of power within relationships: autonomy was associated with dominance, connectedness to subordinance, and mutuality to equality. Autonomy was linked to the worst psychological outcomes with parents (in terms of relationship satisfaction, self-worth, and depression), and mutuality was linked to the best outcomes with romantic partners and best friends. Findings caution against the dichotomization of autonomy and connectedness into bipolar o...
The use of Factorial Forecasting to predict public response

Policies that call for members of the public to change their behavior fail if people don’t change; predictions of whether the requisite changes will take place are needed prior to implementation. I propose to solve the prediction problem with Factorial Forecasting, a version of functional measurement methodology that employs group designs. Aspects of the proposed new policy are factorially manipulated within scenarios, and respondents typical of those whose behavior would need to change are asked to project how they would react. Because it is impractical to validate the projections by seeing if they correspond to what eventually happens, I advocate evaluating validity by invoking a coherence criterion.
Comparative skeletal muscle histopathologic and ultrastructural features in two forms of polysaccharide storage myopathy in horses

Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) has been found in more than 35 different horse breeds through identification of abnormal storage of polysaccharide in muscle biopsies. A dominant mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 gene (GYS1) accounts for a substantial proportion of PSSM cases in at least 17 breeds, including Quarter Horses, but some horses diagnosed with PSSM by muscle histopathologic analysis are negative for the mutation. We hypothesized that a second distinct form of glycogen storage disease exists in GYS1-negative horses with PSSM. The objectives of this study were to compare the histopathologic features, ultrastructure of polysaccharide, signalment, history, and presenting complaints of GYS1-negative Quarter Horses and related breeds with PSSM to those of GYS1-positive horses with PSSM. The total histopathologic score in frozen sections of skeletal muscle stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and amylase-PAS stains from 53 GYS1-negative horses did not differ from that of 52 GYS1-positive horses. Abnormal polysaccharide was fine granular or homogenous in appearance (49/53; 92%), often amylase-sensitive (28/53; 53%), more commonly located under the sarcolemma, and consisting of beta glycogen particles in GYS1-negative horses. However, in GYS1-positive horses, abnormal polysaccharide was usually coarse granular (50/52; 96%), amylase-resistant (51/52; 98%), more commonly cytoplasmic, and consisting of beta glycogen particles or, in some myofibers, filamentous material surrounded by beta glycogen particles. Retrospective analysis found that GYS1-negative horses (n = 43) were younger at presentation (4.9 +/- 0.6 years vs. 6.7 +/- 0.3 years for GYS1-positive horses) and were more likely to be intact males than GYS1-positive horses (n = 160). We concluded that 2 forms of PSSM exist and often have distinctive abnormal polysaccharide. However, because evaluation of the histologic appearance of polysaccharide can be subjective and affected by age, the gold standard for diagnosis of PSSM at present would appear to be testing for the GYS1 mutation followed by evaluating muscle biopsy for characteristic abnormal polysaccharide in those horses that are negative for the mutation.
Use of AVHRR data for studying katabatic winds in Antarctica

Abstract Antarctic research is often difficult to conduct because of the harsh environment, large extent of the continent and remoteness of many areas of interest. Satellite remote sensing is being investigated as a tool for aiding research throughout Antarctica. One application is the detection of katabatic winds and their temperature structure. Presented here is a katabatic event that occurred in July 1984 and was detected in the NOAA-7 polar orbiter thermal data. The study area is over the Transantarctic Mountains and Ross Ice Shelf. Results of the research and image processing analysis done for this case are provided. Intial results show that the satellite data can supply much information about the temperature change that occurs during this adiabatic process. Temperature increases were found to range from 20 to 30 deg k higher than the surrounding area temperatures for Byrd and Skelton glaciers. This was verified from ground information, collected by automatic weather stations, throughout the Ross Ice...
CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRAIN OF LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS VIRUS ENCOUNTERED AS A CONTAMINANT IN TISSUE CULTURES OF RABIES VIRUS

A strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus has been encountered, which grows readily in mouse embryo, serum, Tyrode culture media. Its origin is not definitely known but appears to be either the mouse brain tissue or, more probably, the monkey serum. This strain gives clear cut results on filtration tests through Elford membranes, establishing the size of the virus, according to formula, as 33 to 50 mmicro. The strain shows a high and uniform virulence in W-Swiss mice. This appears to be due in part, at least, to the age and strain of mice employed for passage and titration. The strain has been found to be more virulent in young than in old mice, especially following intraperitoneal inoculation. Finally, the strain, when given as a vaccine intraperitoneally in amounts as small as 160 intracerebral lethal doses, induces an immunity against subsequent intracerebral inoculations of as much as 10,000 lethal doses.
Head Computed Tomography Scans in Trauma Patients With Seizure Disorder: Justifying Routine Use

Hypotheses A majority of trauma patients with known seizure disorder with seizure activity were noncompliant with their medications, normal neurologic examination findings would predict negative results of head computed tomography (CT) scans, and the yield of CT scans would be insufficient to justify their routine use. Design Retrospective consecutive case series. Main Outcome Measures Blood levels of antiepileptic drugs, predictive values and receiver operating characteristic curves of Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and findings on head CT. Setting Urban trauma center. Patients All trauma patients treated between September 1995 and June 2002 with seizure-related illness. Results The diagnosis of seizure identified 356 patients. Most (62%) had preexisting seizure disorder. Of the 101 who had antiepileptic drug levels drawn, 75% of these patients were noncompliant. The negative predictive value of a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 for intracranial abnormalities on CT scans was 90%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses of Glasgow Coma Scale score vs head CT abnormalities for all patients with seizure activity showed the area under the curve was 0.53, indicating poor discriminating ability. Intracranial abnormality was identified in 27% if the seizure resulted from injury and in 11% if the seizure preceded injury ( P = .001). Conclusions Neurologic examination is an unreliable predictor of intracranial injury in patients with seizure disorder. In trauma patients with seizure activity, the yield of CT scans in finding unsuspected intracranial abnormalities justifies its routine use regardless of prior history.
Constrained maximum likelihood solution of linear equations

The total least squares (TLS) is used to solve a set of inconsistent linear equations Ax/spl ap/y when there are errors not only in the observations y but in the modeling matrix A as well. The TLS seeks the least squares perturbation of both y and A that leads to a consistent set of equations. When y and A have a defined structure, we usually want the perturbations to also have this structure. Unfortunately, standard TLS does not generally preserve the perturbation structure, so other methods are required. We examine this problem using a probabilistic framework and derive an approach to determining the most probable set of perturbations, given an a priori perturbation probability density function. While our approach is applicable to both Gaussian and non-Gaussian distributions, we show in the uncorrelated Gaussian case that our method is equivalent to several existing methods. Our approach is therefore more general and can be applied to a wider variety of signal processing problems.
A New Product Growth for Model Consumer Durables

(This article originally appeared in Management Science, January 1969, Volume 15, Number 5, pp. 215-227, published by The Institute of Management Sciences.) A growth model for the timing of initial purchase of new products is developed and tested empirically against data for eleven consumer durables. The basic assumption of the model is that the timing of a consumer's initial purchase is related to the number of previous buyers. A behavioral rationale for the model is offered in terms of innovative and imitative behavior. The model yields good predictions of the sales peak and the timing of the peak when applied to historical data. A long-range forecast is developed for the sales of color television sets.
Do humans really punish altruistically? A closer look

Some researchers have proposed that natural selection has given rise in humans to one or more adaptations for altruistically punishing on behalf of other individuals who have been treated unfairly, even when the punisher has no chance of benefiting via reciprocity or benefits to kin. However, empirical support for the altruistic punishment hypothesis depends on results from experiments that are vulnerable to potentially important experimental artefacts. Here, we searched for evidence of altruistic punishment in an experiment that precluded these artefacts. In so doing, we found that victims of unfairness punished transgressors, whereas witnesses of unfairness did not. Furthermore, witnesses’ emotional reactions to unfairness were characterized by envy of the unfair individual's selfish gains rather than by moralistic anger towards the unfair behaviour. In a second experiment run independently in two separate samples, we found that previous evidence for altruistic punishment plausibly resulted from affective forecasting error—that is, limitations on humans’ abilities to accurately simulate how they would feel in hypothetical situations. Together, these findings suggest that the case for altruistic punishment in humans—a view that has gained increasing attention in the biological and social sciences—has been overstated.
Work in progress - continuous process improvement in attainment of learning objectives

The Interprofessional Projects Program (TPRO) at Illinois Institute of Technology, a private, midsize, Midwestern university, is a project-based experiential learning experience with the learning objectives of [1] strengthening multidisciplinary teamwork skills, [2] improving communication skills, [3] learning project management, and [4] recognizing and practicing ethical behavior. In the last four years we have developed an assessment system for the purposes of measuring achievement of our learning objectives. In this paper we will discuss how we measure learning objectives attainment and the data and conclusions that prompted us to redefine our learning objectives, and completely revise all our measurement instruments after three years of data collection and analysis. This paper is aimed at helping all undergraduate academic programs attain the ABET EC 2000 Criterion 3 Outcomes, the AACSB requirements for business programs and accrediting requirements of agencies such as the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools by explaining the process of establishing and validating, learning objectives assessment systems.
Performance analysis of a large-scale multicast output buffered ATM switch

Chao and Choe (1993) proposed a recursive modular architecture for implementing a large-scale multicast output buffered ATM switch (MOBAS). Four major functions of designing a multicast switch: cell replication, cell routing, cell contention resolution, and cell addressing, are all performed distributedly in the MOBAS, which allows the switch to grow. The architecture of the MOBAS has a regular and uniform structure and, thus, has the advantages of: (1) easy expansion due to the modular structure, (2) high integration density for VLSI implementation, (3) relaxed synchronization for data and clock signals, and (4) building the center switch fabric with a single type of chip. Multicast knockout principle, an extension of generalized knockout principle, is applied to construct the entire switch fabric so as to reduce the hardware complexity (e.g., the number of switch elements and interconnection wires) by almost one order of magnitude. In the present paper, the authors analyze a two-stage MOBAS in its cell loss rate and present some numerical results. They show that a switch that is designed, based on the multicast knockout principle, to meet the performance requirement for unicast calls will also satisfy the performance requirement for multicast calls. >
Comparison of Doppler-derived pressure gradient to that determined at cardiac catheterization in adults with aortic valve stenosis: Implications for management

Abstract Over a 1-year period cardiac catheterization was performed in 58 patients, mean age 66 years, who had elevated aortic blood flow velocity (more than 1.7 m/s) by continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. Doppler echo signals were initially judged acceptable for quantitative analysis in 95% of patients, usually from the apical transducer position. Cardiac catheterization was performed within a mean of 8 days (60% within 1 day) of the Doppler echo study. The aortic valve mean pressure gradients at catheterization ranged from 0 to 93 mm Hg. The linear correlation coefficient (r value) between the mean pressure gradient determined by Doppler echocardiography and catheterization was 0.87. The correlation was maintained in 15 patients with aortic regurgitation (r = 0.91) and in 16 patients with significant coronary artery disease (r = 0.93). In the 16 patients with reduced cardiac output (mean 3.2 liters/min, range 2.2 to 3.9) the correlation was 0.81. A strategy for using the Doppler echo-calculated pressure gradient to manage patients with valvular aortic stenosis (AS) was derived by investigating the relation of the Doppler echo gradient to the aortic valve area in 35 patients with no aortic regurgitation detected at catheterization. All 12 patients with a Doppler echo mean gradient of less than 30 mm Hg had an aortic valve area of more than 0.75 cm2 and all 11 patients with a Doppler echo mean gradient of more than 50 mm Hg had an aortic valve area of less than 0.75 cm2. Nine patients with an aortic valve area less than 0.75 cm2 and 3 patients with an aortic valve area greater than 0.75 cm2 had a Doppler echo mean gradient between 30 and 50 mm Hg. Our data suggest that Doppler echocardiography is useful for distinguishing subgroups of patients with critical (mean gradient more than 50 mm Hg) and noncriticaj (mean gradient less than 30 mm Hg) AS. When the mean gradient is intermediate (30 to 50 mm Hg), additional data are necessary for accurate noninvasive assessment of AS.
Chief executive scanning emphases, environmental dynamism, and manufacturing firm performance

Chief executives must allocate their scarce time for scanning efforts among relevant domains of their firms' external environment and their firms' internal circumstances. We argue that high-performing CEOs vary their relative scanning emphases on different domains according to the level of dynamism they perceive in their external environments. The concepts of dominant logic and sector importance were used to develop predictions about which external domains and which internal domains should receive relatively more or less scanning emphasis in external environments that, overall, are more dynamic or more stable. A field survey of 105 single-business manufacturing firms evaluated CEOs' scanning emphases and firm performance. Results indicated that, for dynamic external environments, relatively more CEO attention to the task sectors of the external environment and to innovation-related internal functions was associated with high performance. In stable external environments, however, simultaneously increased scanning of the general sectors in the external environment and efficiency-related internal functions produced higher performance. These relationships were strongest between relative scanning emphases among domains and sales growth. We discuss the implications of these results for researchers and practitioners. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNS of Flows over Periodic Hills using a Discontinuous-Galerkin Spectral-Element Method

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent compressible flows is performed using a higher-order space-time discontinuous-Galerkin finite-element method. The numerical scheme is validated by performing DNS of the evolution of the Taylor-Green vortex and turbulent flow in a channel. The higher-order method is shown to provide increased accuracy relative to low-order methods at a given number of degrees of freedom. The turbulent flow over a periodic array of hills in a channel is simulated at Reynolds number 10,595 using an 8th-order scheme in space and a 4th-order scheme in time. These results are validated against previous large eddy simulation (LES) results. A preliminary analysis provides insight into how these detailed simulations can be used to improve Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes (RANS) modeling
A Soft-Switching Scheme for an Isolated DC/DC Converter With Pulsating DC Output for a Three-Phase High-Frequency-Link PWM Converter

This paper outlines a soft-switching mechanism based on zero-voltage-zero-current-switching (ZVZCS) principle for the front-end isolated DC/DC converter of an isolated three-phase rectifier-type high-frequency-link bidirectional power converter. In conjunction with a back-end DC/AC converter operating with a novel patent-filed hybrid modulation scheme outlined in , , and that reduces the number of hard-switched commutation per switching cycle, the proposed ZVZCS scheme can lead to less overall switching losses than other conventional switching schemes. The proposed ZVZCS scheme is effective for various load conditions, operates seamlessly with a simple active-clamp circuit, and is suitable for applications where low-voltage dc to high-voltage three-phase ac power conversion is required.
Partner SRLs for improved shift register diagnostics

In LSSD devices, one of the biggest problems encountered today is diagnosing a defective shift register (SR) down to a shift register latch (SRL) boundary. This paper describes a SR configuration that will solve this problem with relatively low overhead. >
Asymptotic Properties of Univariate Sample K-Means Clusters

A random sample of sizeN is divided intok clusters that minimize the within clusters sum of squares locally. Some large sample properties of this k-means clustering method (ask approaches ∞ withN) are obtained. In one dimension, it is established that the sample k-means clusters are such that the within-cluster sums of squares are asymptotically equal, and that the sizes of the cluster intervals are inversely proportional to the one-third power of the underlying density at the midpoints of the intervals. The difficulty involved in generalizing the results to the multivariate case is mentioned.
Factors affecting accumulation and degradation of curdlan, trehalose and glycogen in cultures of Cellulomonas flavigena strain KU (ATCC 53703)

Cellulomonas flavigena strain KU (ATCC 53703) is a cellulolytic, Gram-positive bacterium which produces large quantities of an insoluble exopolysaccharide (EPS) when grown in minimal media with a high carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Earlier studies proved the EPS is structurally identical to the linear β-1,3-glucan known as curdlan and provided evidence that the EPS functions as a carbon and energy reserve compound. We now report that C. flavigena KU also accumulates two intracellular, glucose-storage carbohydrates under conditions of carbon and energy excess. These carbohydrates were partially purified and identified as the disaccharide trehalose and a glycogen/amylopectin-type polysaccharide. A novel method is described for the sequential fractionation and quantitative determination of all three carbohydrates from culture samples. This fractionation protocol was used to examine the effects of C/N ratio and osmolarity on the accumulation of cellular carbohydrates in batch culture. Increasing the C/N of the growth medium caused a significant accumulation of curdlan and glycogen but had a relatively minor effect on accumulation of trehalose. In contrast, trehalose levels increased in response to increasing osmolarity, while curdlan levels declined and glycogen levels were generally unaffected. During starvation for an exogenous source of carbon and energy, only curdlan and glycogen showed substantial degradation within the first 24 h. These results support the conclusion that extracellular curdlan and intracellular glycogen can both serve as short-term reserve compounds for C. flavigena KU and that trehalose appears to accumulate as a compatible solute in response to osmotic stress.
Regulation by plasma lipoproteins of progesterone biosynthesis and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme a reductase activity in cultured human choriocarcinoma cells.

The regulation of both the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase [mevalonate-NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating) EC 1.1.1.34] and the secretion of progesterone by human plasma lipoproteins has been investigated in human choriocarcinoma cells in culture. HMG CoA reductase activity was computed from the rate of formation of [l4C]mevalonolactone from [14C]HMG CoA. The activity of HMG CoA reductase was expressed as nanomoles of mevalonolactone formed/min·mg solubilized cell protein. An inverse relationship was found between the presence of lipoprotein in the culture medium and the activity of HMG CoA reductase in these cells. In cells maintained in the presence of lipoproteinenriched culture medium containing 840 μg cholesterol/ml, the average activity of HMG CoA reductase was 0.25 nmol/min·mg protein. After removal of lipoprotein, the activity of HMG CoA reductase increased to 1.3 nmol/min·mg protein. The average activity of HMG CoA reductase in cells maintained in lipoprote...
Stereochemistry of nucleic acids and their constituents.† IV. Allowed and preferred conformations of nucleosides, nucleoside mono-, di-, tri-, tetraphosphates, nucleic acids and polynucleotides‡

A uniform notation and convention is suggested to describe the torsional angles in nucleic acids and their derivatives. The torsional angle χ, relating the stereochemistry of the base with respect to the sugar, shows more variation for the β-purine glycosides than for the β-pyrimidine glycosides. This variation is attributed to the fact that the β-purine derivatives may form intramolecular O(5′)-H…N(3) hydrogen bonding. The χ values for the α-purine and α-pyrimidine glycosides show preference for the –syn-clinal (or anti) conformation. The mode of puckering of the sugar also influences the χ value. The various possible conformations for the furanose ring are described by the torsional angles τ0 τ1, τ2, τ3, τ4, about the five ring bonds. From an analysis of the torsional angles (ω, ϕ, ψ, ψ′, ϕ′, ω′) about the sugar phosphate bonds in the x-ray structures of the known nucleosides, nucleotides, phosphodiesters, nucleic acids, and related compounds, and from a consideration of molecular models, it is found that the possible conformations for the backbone of helical nucleic acids is strikingly limited. Most importantly, the preferred conformation of the nucleotide unit in poly nucleotides and nucleic acids turns out to be the same as that found for the nucleotide in the crystal structure. It is observed that base “stacking” is a consequence of the restricted backbone conformation. The torsional angles are illustrated in the form of conformational “wheels”. Interrelation between the torsion angles about successive pairs of sugar-phosphate bonds are presented in the form of conformational maps: ω,ϕ; ϕ,ψ; ψ.ψ′; ψ′,ϕ′; ϕ′,ω′; ω′,ω. The ω′,ω map shows the perferred conformations about the inter-nucleotide bonds of right- and left-handed helices and the possible conformations of phosphodiesters. The preferred conformation of the pyrophosphate and triphosphate is that in which the phosphate oxygens display a staggered arrangement when viewed along the P–P axis. A plausible structure and conformation for the ATPM2− backbound complex is presented. This structure differs from that proposed by SzentGyorgi in that the metal (only transition metals are considered here) is not bound to the NH2 nitrogen of adenine, but rather is simultaneously bound to N(7) of the ring and three phosphates (α, β, γ), or N(7) of the ring and two phosphates (β, γ). The remaining metal coordination may be satisfied by solvent–metal or enzyme–metal bonds.
Part 2.6: Responsibility for Self

Part II. Section 6. Responsibility for Self: Meyers criticizes Derek Parfit's arguments against the rationality of temporal neutrality -- in other words, the principle of responsibility to self. She urges that autonomy requires providing for one's future.
The Folded–Winged Wasps of the Bermudas, with Some Preliminary Remarks on Insular Wasp Faunæ

Through the whim of fashion, which affects Science as well as every other human institution, it has come to pass that in biogeographical studies the “ecological” aspect nowadays has the center of interest; while the purely “geographical,” or distributional, method, as exemplified by Wallace's work, is being sadly neglected. To make matters worse, the professional “ecologist” gives undue prominence to the strictly physiological side of the problem, viz . the reaction of the organism to the environment. Other equally important topics of the animal's (or plant's) biology, such as food-habits, reproduction, enemies and parasites, seem hardly worthy of his attention. At the risk of being dismissed as antiquated by the prophets of the day, I am presenting this brief paper in support of the contention that “ecology” alone cannot teach us all the story of the present-day distribution of animals and plants.
Undissociated Dislocations and Intermediate Defects in As+ Ion Damaged Silicon

Undissociated dislocation dipoles and intermediate defects are detected in As+ ion damaged Si using the lattice resolution technique of transmission electron microscopy. The present results are consistent with our proposed dislocation nucleation models.
Competition of Charge- versus Radical-Directed Fragmentation of Gas-Phase Protonated Cysteine Sulfinyl Radicals

The fragmentation behavior of various cysteine sulfinyl ions (intact, N-acetylated, and O-methylated), new members of the gas-phase amino acid radical ion family, was investigated by low-energy col...
Proving Pedoe's Inequality by Complex Number Computation

'2(-a2 ? 12 + c2) + b'2(a2-b2 ? c2) + c'2(a2 + 12 c2)b > 16FF' (1) with equality if and only if the triangles ABC and A'B'C' are similar. Carlitz has verified (1) algebraically in [3] and given a further discussion in [4]. We now present another verification of (1) by complex-number computation. Set the vertex C of triangle ABC on the origin of the complex plane, and denote the other vertices by complex numbers A and B, the same symbols of these vertices for simplification. Deal with triangle A'B'C' similarly. Hence a = IBI, b = IAl, c = IA BI, a' = IB'I, b' = IA'I, c' = IA' B'I. Therefore
Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Sputtered Ceramic Films from Nanoindentation and Wafer Curvature Techniques

TiB2, MoSi2, Si3N4 and Ta4N ceramic films were magnetron sputtered on oxidized Si and Corning 7059 glass substrates at ambient temperature. X-ray diffraction studies indicate that the structure of the films is very different on the two substrates, even though the surface of both substrates is amorphous. The hardness and elastic modulii of the films on oxidized Si are slightly higher than those of the films deposited on Corning glass substrate, even at indentation depths where substrate effects are considered to be negligible. A substantial increase in hardness (5-10 GPa) was observed for TiB2 films, when compared to the properties of bulk stoichiometric TiB2. Stress- temperature diagrams determined from room temperature to 250 C indicate that all the films prepared in this study display a pure elastic behavior in that temperature range.
„The social me“ – ich als Person im Digitalen Unternehmen

Die Transformation zu einem Social Business trifft nicht alle Mitarbeiter in gleichem Mase. Mitarbeiter in regelmasig wiederkehrenden Ablaufen, etwa in der Produktion am Band, sind weniger betroffen als die Wissensarbeiter, die sich andauernd flexibel neuen Herausforderungen stellen mussen. Die zeichnen sich dadurch aus, dass ihre Performance zu einem erheblichen Teil eine Frage von erfolgreichem Selbstmanagement ist und dass die Organisation – von der Arbeitsumfeldgestaltung und damit den Rahmenbedingungen abgesehen – darauf uberhaupt nur geringen Einfluss hat. Deshalb ist das Thema der perfekten Selbstorganisation von Wissensarbeitern, deren Anteil an der Wertschopfung der Unternehmen immer groser wird, von herausragender Bedeutung.
377 INVESTIGATION OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INDUCED BIRTH AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.

Purpose of Study Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder characterized by the core dimensions: social impairment, communication impairment; restrictive interests, and compulsivity. The neuropeptide oxytocin regulates many social behaviors; hence, it has been suggested that it may play a role in the etiology of ASD. In addition, it has also been proposed in previous studies that exposure of a child to Pitocin (a synthetic form of the neuropeptide oxytocin, used for labor induction) during delivery might increase their susceptibility to developing ASD later in development. Methods This study investigated the above hypothesis by examining parent report of labor induction in a population including 82 children diagnosed with ASD participating in the Autism Research Project at the University of California, Irvine, Dept of Pediatrics, and Neurobiology. History of induced birth was obtained from a self-administered questionnaire completed by the mothers of the subjects. We then compared the rate of induced labor to recently published national statistics on induced labor for the entire United States. Results were analyzed by determining the standard incidence ratio (SIR) and 95% confidence limits to determine their significance. Results and Conclusions The study suggests that parents of children with ASD report a history of induced labor more frequently than predicted based on US population rates. Further research will be needed to establish the validity of the birth history information obtained from parents and the true rates for induced labor in comparable unaffected subjects in our research population who do not have ASD.
Presurgical caudal block attenuates stress response in children.

Background Our aim was to determine if the anesthesia technique for pain relief in children affects the stress response after minor surgery. A rise in blood glucose reflects stress-related effects in children who do not receive glucose perioperatively. Methods Twenty-eight children, ages 17-81 mos, undergoing elective urologic procedures, were enrolled. For pain relief, patients received presurgical caudal block (group 1), intravenous narcotics (group 2), or postsurgical caudal block (group 3). Blood samples were analyzed for glucose concentrations immediately after induction of anesthesia at baseline, 15 min after surgical incision (second sample), and 30 min after end of surgery (third sample). Results In group 1 there was no change in glucose concentration in the second or third samples compared to baseline, while in group 3 there were significant increases in those samples, and in group 2 there was a significant increase in the second sample compared to baseline. Children in group 1 required significantly fewer narcotics in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and those in group 2 had significantly longer PACU and hospital durations. Conclusions Presurgical caudal analgesia attenuates the stress response of anesthesia and surgery and decreases postoperative narcotic use while narcotics prolong PACU and discharge times.
Educational Attainment and Gestational Weight Gain among U.S. Mothers

Abstract Background Education is an important social determinant of many health outcomes, but the relationship between educational attainment and the amount of weight gained over the course of a woman's pregnancy (gestational weight gain [GWG]) has not been established clearly. Methods We used data from 1979 through 2010 for women in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979) cohort (n = 6,344 pregnancies from 2,769 women). We used generalized estimating equations to estimate the association between educational attainment and GWG adequacy (as defined by 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines), controlling for diverse social factors from across the life course (e.g., income, wealth, educational aspirations and expectations) and considering effect measure modification by race/ethnicity and prepregnancy overweight status. Results In most cases, women with more education had increased odds of gaining a recommended amount of gestational weight, independent of educational aspirations and educational expectations and relatively robust to sensitivity analyses. This trend manifested itself in a few different ways. Those with less education had higher odds of inadequate GWG than those with more education. Among those who were not overweight before pregnancy, those with less education had higher odds of excessive GWG than college graduates. Among women who were White, those with less than a high school degree had higher odds of excessive GWG than those with more education. Conclusion The relationship between educational attainment and GWG is nuanced and nonlinear.
Asymptotic and Oscillatory Behavior of Dynamic Equations on Time Scales

In this study, the behavior of solutions to certain second-order nonlinear dynamic equations on unbounded time scales are considered. Our objective is to obtain conditions for the existence of solutions of this dynamic equation. Results from the theory of lower and upper solutions for related dynamic equations and results from calculus will be used to reach our goal.
VibroCV: A computer vision-based vibroarthrography platform with possible application to Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Vibroarthrography, a method for interpreting the sounds emitted by a knee during movement, has been studied for several joint disorders since 1902. However, to our knowledge, the usefulness of this method for management of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) has not been investigated. To study joint sounds as a possible new biomarker for pediatric cases of JIA we designed and built VibroCV, a platform to capture vibroarthrograms from four accelerometers; electromyograms (EMG) and inertial measurements from four wireless EMG modules; and joint angles from two Sony Eye cameras and six light-emitting diodes with commercially-available off-the-shelf parts and computer vision via OpenCV. This article explains the design of this turn-key platform in detail, and provides a sample recording captured from a pediatric subject.