cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Division of Labor between SOS and PafBC in Mycobacterial DNA Repair and Mutagenesis

DNA repair systems allow microbes to survive in diverse environments that compromise chromosomal integrity. Pathogens such as M. tuberculosis must contend with the genotoxic host environment, which generates the mutations that underlie antibiotic resistance. Mycobacteria encode the widely distributed SOS pathway, governed by the LexA repressor, but also encode PafBC, a positive regulator of the transcriptional DNA damage response (DDR). Although the transcriptional outputs of these systems have been characterized, their full functional division of labor in survival and mutagenesis is unknown. Here we specifically ablate the PafBC or SOS pathways, alone and in combination, and test their relative contributions to repair. We find that SOS and PafBC have both distinct and overlapping roles that depend on the type of DNA damage. Most notably, we find that quinolone antibiotics and replication fork perturbation are inducers of the PafBC pathway, and that chromosomal mutagenesis is codependent on PafBC and SOS, through shared regulation of the DnaE2/ImuA/B mutasome. These studies define the complex transcriptional regulatory network of the DDR in mycobacteria and provide new insight into the regulatory mechanisms controlling the genesis of antibiotic resistance in M. tuberculosis.
Facilitation for Load Based Energy Savings in Three–phase Squirrel Cage Induction Motors

ABSTRACT Electrical motors use a significant amount of electricity. Increasing the motor efficiency has an impact on the reduction of energy consumption. There have been efforts to increase motor efficiency over the past decade that have led to the development of premium efficiency motors. The motor efficiency decreases under conditions of low load factor. It is important to match the motor power with that required for the application that it serves, as this will increase operational efficiency. Accurate load determination methods, such as input power measurement, are time-consuming and have safety hazards that need to be mitigated. The development of a method that aids the sizing of electric motors that is simple to use, economical, safe, and accurate, is important. This article reports on data collected during fifteen energy assessments conducted at a variety of manufacturing facilities using the motor load monitoring method as well as the stroboscope method. An analysis of the data was conducted to det...
Spanking infants and toddlers: maternal belief and practice

Objective. To describe maternal beliefs and practices of spanking infants and toddlers and the relations between factors affecting these beliefs and practices. Design. Cross-sectional survey. Setting. Site 1 was an inner-city teaching hospital pediatric clinic. Site 2 was a private pediatrician9s office in a nearby suburban neighborhood. Participants. Mothers of children less than 4 years old in the waiting area. Site 1: n = 104; site 2: n = 100. Selection. Systematic sample of convenience. Methods. Mothers were interviewed using a 20-minute structured questionnaire. Measures were constructed to assess beliefs (Cronbach9s α = .90) and practices about spanking and approach to discipline (α > .71). Results. Belief in spanking correlated significantly (P Conclusions. The belief in and practice of spanking are prevalent in disciplining very young children. The context of the spanking affects beliefs and practices. The finding that belief and practice of spanking are highly correlated suggests that belief rather than impulse largely explains spanking of children less than 4 years old. The high correlation between spanking and negative approach toward discipline raises questions about whether negative consequences of spanking are the result of spanking per se, the negative approach toward the child, or both.
THE GURDWARA SIKH KILLINGS

The killings at the Oak Creek Gurdwara in Wisconsin that occurred on 5 August 2012 raised many questions about awareness, the position of Sikhs in American society and the labeling of terrorism wit...
Book Reviews: General, Applied and Theoretical

Mother Wit from the Laughing Barrel: Readings in the Interpretation of Afro-American Folklore. ALAN DUNDES, ed. Rappin' and Stylin' Out: Communication in Urban Black America. THOMAS KOCHMAN, ed.
Liapunov stability analysis of hybrid dynamical systems with multi-elastic domains†

This paper presents a Liapunov stability theory applicable to hybrid systems with multi-elastic domains. The mathematical formulation consists of a simultaneous set of ordinary and partial differential equations. A new stability theorem, particularly suited to such hybrid systems, is introduced. To predict the system stability by means of the theorem, it is necessary to construct a functional k, where k is free of spatial derivatives and bounding the Hamiltonian H from below. The conditions under which the construction of such a functional is possible are shown. As an application of the theory, the attitude stability of an earth-pointing satellite with multi-elastic domains is investigated and closed-form stability criteria derived.
Electrophysiologic properties of intercostal muscle fibers in human neuromuscular diseases.

Electrophysiologic properties of biopsied normal and diseased intercostal muscle fibers were examined using intracellular microelectrode techniques. The resting potentials of all diseased muscle fibers were found to be depolarized. Those from Duchenne dystrophy patients showed the largest depolarization, followed by those from patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy, myotonia congenita, and motor neuron disease. All of the diseased fibers except those from myotonia congenita patients demonstrated an imparied ability to generate action potentials. In the latter fibers, the higher-than-normal membrane resistance was associated with hyperexcitability. When the membrane was hyperpolarized to the normal range, however, action potential characteristics in all fibers were near normal, except in motor neuron disease. All action potentials were blocked by tetrodotoxin. These findings--i.e., that all fibers were capable of generating action potentials when hyperpolarized, and that all action potentials were blocked by tetrodotoxin--suggest the relative intactness, in the disease studied here of the regenerative sodium conductance mechanism.
Threshold Concentrations of Nucleopolyhedrovirus in Soil to Initiate Infections in Heliothis virescens on Cotton Plants

The purpose of the research was to determine threshold concentrations of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) in soil for abiotic transport to cotton plants in the field and under conducive and nonconducive conditions in the greenhouse. Under the assumption that 2% mortality would suffice to initiate foci of infection in Heliothis virescens larvae on the plants, thresholds ranged from 25 to 2,311 viral occlusion bodies (OB)/g soil in the greenhouse. Thresholds generally were smaller for rain on sandy soil and wind on clay soil than for wind on sand or rain on clay. Thresholds generally increased with height of the plant above the soil surface. In field plots, percentage mortality in bioassays of cotton plants was greatest on leaves versus other tissues, and mortality increased with soil dosage and decreased with plant height and over time. Season-long soil-NPV-transport thresholds for 2% plant-bioassay mortality of larvae ranged from 1 OB/g to 7.4 × 108 OB/g soil based on the amounts of NPV applied to the soil at planting time, and they ranged from 8 OB/g to 1.2 × 105 OB/g soil based on bioassays of soil samples collected concurrently with plant samples throughout the growing season. These results should contribute to NPV epizootiology, biological control, and risk assessment through better understanding of viral soil-to-plant transport.
Bringing Managers Back In: Managerial Influences on Workplace Inequality

While great progress has been made in documenting that organizational practices affect workplace inequality, little is known about how managers in particular may shape the careers of the employees ...
Nomenclature at the Zoological Congress

CERTAIN proposals regarding zoological nomenclature, circulated by Dr. Franz Poche, of Vienna, and supported by many zoologists, may be worth discussing in the columns of NATURE. An appeal has been made to zoologists in general, because it has proved difficult to get matters submitted to the Zoological Congress through the Commission on Nomenclature owing to the rule that permitted a single member of the commission to block progress in this direction if he so desired. It is therefore proposed that propositions for the amendment of the existing rules must be submitted to the congress if they have been approved by a majority of the commission. There can be little doubt that this plan will receive the support of the congress, and in the absence of anything better, I have willingly voted for it. It must be acknowledged, however, that the vote of the congress, in open session, may not always represent the best considered opinions. I was present when the proposals of the Commission on Nomenclature were submitted to the Zoological Congress at Boston, and it seemed evident that the time and place were illsuited for the careful consideration of the subject. The commission had, indeed, held a special session during the congress, to which all zoologists were invited, but the attendance was sparse and not very representative.
Spatial patterns of ice storm disturbance on a forested landscape in the Appalachian Mountains, Virginia

Ice storms (major freezing rain events) periodically disturb forests in eastern North America. The damage may vary spatially, especially in complex terrain. This study uses satellite imagery to investigate spatial heterogeneity of forest damage caused by ice storms that affected the Appalachian Mountains, Virginia during 1994. The results display a region-scale (southwest-to-northeast) gradient in damage that apparently corresponds to a gradient in the depth of ice that accumulated during the storms. Damage also varied topographically, particularly by aspect. Damage was most extensive on east-, southeast- and south-facing slopes; at middle elevations; and on slopes of moderate steepness.
Strapped versus unstrapped technique of the prone press-up for measurement of lumbar extension using a tape measure: Differences in magnitude and reliability of measurements

Abstract Bandy WD, Reese NB. Strapped versus unstrapped technique of the prone press-up for measurement of lumbar extension using a tape measure: differences in magnitude and reliability of measurements. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:99–103. Objectives To determine (1) the reliability of the prone press-up to measure lumbar extension using a strap and not using a strap to control pelvic movement in experienced clinicians and students and (2) if a difference exists between the magnitude of lumbar extension range of motion between the strapped and unstrapped condition. Design Prospective study. Setting Academic laboratory. Participants Convenience sample of 63 unimpaired volunteers (mean age ± standard deviation, 25.95±5.75y). Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures Lumbar extension was measured in the prone position by using a tape measure to measure the perpendicular distance of the sternal notch to the support surface while using a strap and not using a strap to control pelvic movement. All measurements were performed independently by 2 groups of examiners (1 experienced group, 1 student group) and repeated to determine intrarater and interrater reliabilities. Results Intrarater and interrater reliability were good or excellent for all methods and all measurement group comparisons (intraclass correlation coefficient range, .82–.91). Additionally, the amount of lumbar extension, as measured by the prone press-up, during the strapped condition was significantly greater than with the unstrapped condition. Conclusion Use of a tape measure while the subject performs a prone press-up appears to be a reliable method for the measurement of lumbar extension. This technique is reliable whether the examiner is experienced or inexperienced and whether or not the subject has the pelvis secured with a strap.
Experimental response of simple gas hybrid bearings for oil-free turbomachinery

Gas film bearings offer unique advantages enabling successful deployment of high-speed microturbomachinery (<0.4 MW). Current applications encompass micropower generators, air cycle machines and turbo expanders. Mechanically complex gas foil bearings are in use; however, their excessive cost and lack of calibrated predictive tools deters their application to mass-produced systems. The present investigation provides experimental results for the rotordynamic performance of a small rotor supported on simple and inexpensive hybrid gas bearings with static and dynamic force characteristics desirable in high-speed turbomachinery. These characteristics are adequate load support, stiffness and damping coefficients, low friction and wear during rotor startup and shutdown, and most importantly, enhanced rotordynamic stability. The test results evidence the paramount effect of feed pressure on early rotor lift-off and substantially higher threshold speeds of rotordynamic instability. Higher supply pressures also determine larger bearing direct stiffnesses, and thus bring an increase in the rotor-bearing system critical speed albeit with a reduction in damping ratio.
Machine vision automates inspection of thick-film hybrids

The function of a machine vision system for inspection is discussed, and its image acquisition and image processing aspects are examined in detail. It is concluded that the image-acquisition system must be optimized for the specific optical characteristics of the circuit substrate in order to obtain a high-contrast image. The image processing section must be able to correctly segment the image into the specific layers. The defect analysis must be able to identify flaws one-tenth the size of the smallest feature of the circuit, while not flagging acceptable anomalies as defects.
The True Nature of the Di-iron(III) γ-Keggin Structure in Water: Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation and Chemistry of an Unsymmetrical Trimer

The complex [γ(1,2)-SiW10{Fe(OH2)}2O38]6- (1) has been reported to catalyze the much sought reductant-free selective O2-based epoxidation of alkenes (Nishiyama, Y.; Nakagawa, Y.; Mizuno, N. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2001, 40, 3639−3641) in chlorocarbon−acetonitrile solution. The challenge of reproducing catalysis by 1 led us to examine this chemistry in detail. In H2O, a desirable solvent for catalysis, 1, does not exist in the proposed organic-medium form in which the two iron atoms are in the binding pocket defined by the equatorial oxygens and, importantly, by two oxygens bound to the central Si heteroatom. Instead, 1 in H2O initially forms an unusual trimer [{Fe2(OH)3(H2O)2}3(γ-SiW10O36)3]15- (2). The X-ray structure of 2 shows that the Fe−OSi bonds are cleaved and new bonds (μ-hydroxo bridges) form between these Fe centers and those of the neighboring [γ(1,2)-SiW10Fe2] units. Structural, physical, and computational evidence indicate that if the bonds between the d-electron center, M (Fe in the case of 1 ...
289 STEM CELL CULTURE AND DIFFERENTIATION IN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES

Advancements in micro and nanotechnology have allowed scientists a powerful platform to study biological systems. Microfluidics is one area of advancement with great promise. Microfluidics deals with the behaviour, specific control, and manipulation of microliter and nanoliter volumes of fluid. The small-scale design of these microfluidic devices permits laminar flow, characterised as parallel streams flowing without disruption between currents. With the introduction of micro-technology and microfluidic platforms for cell culture, stem cell research can be put into a new context. Inside microfluidics, microenvironments can be more precisely controlled and they provide a more in vivo-like environment for the cells to grow and hence can serve as a better way of culturing the cells. In the current study, we examined the influence of microfluidic devices on the development of stem cells. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) were isolated from pigs and seeded in a microfluidic device to differentiate toward adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages using specific differentiation-promoting media (Monaco et al. 2009 Open Tissue Eng. Regen. Med. J. 2, 20–33). Five thousand cells were seeded per channel at a density of 5 000 000 cells mL–1. The microchannel dimensions were 5 mm long, 1 mm wid, and 200 µm deep. Cells were maintained for 14 days and then stained with respective staining dyes: Oil Red O for adipogenesis, Alizarin Red for osteogenesis, and Toluidine Blue for chondrogenesis. Cells differentiated towards adipogenic lineage contained small lipid droplets, which stained red with Oil Red O stain; during osteogenic differentiation, the cells formed large nodules and stained positive for the presence of calcium; and the chondriogenic differentiating cells showed the presence of proteoglycans (blue) when stained with Toluidine Blue. We seeded ADSC in 5 channels for each differentiation lineage, and all channels gave positive staining results. We conclude that microfluidic channels support proliferation and differentiation of ADSC. This system uses small amounts of culture medium, experiments with different culture compositions can be efficiently performed, and culture manipulations can be automated using fluid-handling robotics. Because microfluidics can deal with small number of cells, the characteristics of cellular structure and function and the microenvironment of the stem cells can be understood in a more precise manner. The miniaturization of cell culture platforms allows the observation of cellular behaviour at the scale found in living systems.
On-die power grids: the missing link

Power grids with die-scale dimensions operate in a transient manner that is difficult to predict compared to larger power grids. Given a single excitation and a detailed model one can come to understand the dynamic effects occurring inside the die in terms of localized voltage droop scenarios. However, a major portion of understanding on-die power grids has to do with modeling the current stimulus pre-silicon for design purposes as well as generating a set of activities (via instructions) post-silicon in order to excite the worst case voltage droop. Any chip, especially a microprocessor, contains so many potential state transitions that it is not possible to simulate or enumerate all of them. A spectral-based learning and optimization method can alleviate this problem pre-silicon, while a micro-architectural based test generation scheme can help alleviate the problem post silicon.
Scientific and economic aspects of wood research as we look to the future of wood

As the world's supply of non-renewable resources becomes increasingly critical, wood with its many attributes, but also with some inherent problems, has the opportunity of playing a more and more important role in meeting a wide variety of man's needs. Research and the development and utilization of research findings will be most important in determining how well wood fares in the years ahead. Those involved in the research effort must be aware of the need to select problems which if successful solutions are found can aid wood in better meeting man's needs. Also, there need be the recognition that the solution will only find use, if in addition to the problem being deemed of importance, both technical and economic feasibility to a significant degree can be demonstrated. The industrial rather than the scientific community is the final judge.
Ecological Status of Introduced Brome Grasses (Bromus Spp.) in Desert Vegetation of Southern Nevada

Of the plant species introduced on the Nevada Test site, Nye County, Nevada, Bromus rubens and B. tectorum are well established in the present vegetation mosaic. B. rubens is frequently the dominant winter species in Colegyne (blackbrush) communities at 4,000—5,000 ft. Relative density (or absence) of populations is a site characteristic, as indicated by quantitative data from 18 study sites in Yucca Flat in the Years 1963—65. Like the native species, it occurs in higher densities on disturbed sites of areas where it is already established in the undisturbed vegetation. Its success is in part due to a growth regime and environmental requirements unlike those of the native winter annuals, and perhaps to higher percentage survival to maturity as in the 1963—64 season. It is not aggressive in the region today. B. tectorum is confined to disturbed sites at the higher elevations (5,000—7,500 ft) where vegetation is Artemisi (sagebrush) or Armenisia—Pinyon—Juniper. It is numerically and really increasing with a...
Reconstruction of maximal outerplanar graphs

S. Ulam has conjectured that every graph with three or more points is uniquely determined by its collection of point-deleted subgraphs. This has been proved for various classes of graphs, but progress has generally been confined to very symmetrical graphs and graphs with connectivity zero or one. Although the algorithms used in those cases do not generalize to graphs with higher connectivity, they do employ methods which might be applied more widely. In this paper, maximal outerplanar graphs are reconstructed by an algorithm which exploits their special structure. In fact it is shown that such a graph is determined by its set of non-isomorphic point-deleted subgraphs.
Comparison of neutron activation analysis techniques for the determination of uranium concentrations in geological and environmental materials.

We have described the determination of uranium in environmental, geological, and agricultural specimens by three different non-destructive nuclear methods. The effectiveness, as defined as the lower limits of detection in this work, of quantifying trace levels of bulk uranium in geological samples was evaluated for several common NAA techniques. These techniques include short-lived and medium-lived neutron activation analysis using thermal and epithermal neutrons; these results were compared with an assessment of Compton suppressed gamma-ray counting. A careful evaluation of three major (n,γ) reactions with chlorine, manganese and sodium that could impede determining low levels of uranium due to high Compton continuums was done. The evaluation of Compton suppressed passive gamma counting revealed that uranium concentrations below 50 mg kg(-1) were not adequate to achieve good counting statistics using the (234m)Pa the second daughter product of (238)U.
Using Multiple Surrogates for Minimization of the RMS Error in Meta-Modeling

Surrogate models are commonly used to replace expensive simulations of engineering problems. Frequently, a single surrogate is chosen based on past experience. Previous work has shown that fitting multiple surrogates and picking one based on cross-validation errors (PRESS in particular) is a good strategy, and that cross validation errors may also be used to create a weighted surrogate. In this paper, we discuss whether to use the best PRESS solution or a weighted surrogate when a single surrogate is needed. We propose the minimization of the integrated square error as a way to compute the weights of the weighted average surrogate. We find that it pays to generate a large set of different surrogates and then use PRESS as a criterion for selection. We find that the cross validation error vectors provide an excellent estimate of the RMS errors when the number of data points is high. Hence the use of cross validation errors for choosing a surrogate and for calculating the weights of weighted surrogates becomes more attractive in high dimensions. However, it appears that the potential gains from using weighted surrogates diminish substantially in high dimensions.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Use of the mannich reaction in the synthesis of bispidine

A three-step synthesis of bispidine (1) is described. Mannich condensation of N-benzyl-4-piperidone, formaldehyde, and benzylamine afforded N,N′-dibenzylbispidinone (5), which was reduced under modified Wolff-Kishner conditions to yield N,N′ -dibenzylbispidine (6). Catalytic debenzylation of this compound gave 1.
The challenges of understanding and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health

Former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher alerted the nation to the gross disparities in health that exist in this country and pushed for elimination of disparities as a high-profile objective for the Clinton administration.1 His use of the bully pulpit to alert this nation, viewed by some as having the best health care in the world, that disparities in health care access, treatment, quality of care, and health outcomes exist between Americans from racial and ethnic minority groups and white Americans will influence research and policy in this nation for years to come. Current efforts to address disparities by the Department of Health and Human Services often focus on individual behaviors such as diet, exercise, and tobacco use. However, the evidence about why health disparities exist suggests complicated interactions between national and local health policies, institutional policies and procedures, individual provider behavior, and personal health–related behaviors in the larger context of economic and educational inequalities and opportunities and other social determinants of health. In all likelihood disparities in health between African Americans, Latinos, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other Americans from racial and ethnic minority groups and white Americans will continue to exist unless we as a nation address the root causes of disparities from every dimension.
The ultrastructure of mycoplasma and mycoplasma-like organisms

Abstract The ultrastructural features of mycoplasma and mycoplasma-like organisms seen in thin sections and from negatively stained preparations are briefly reviewed. Some of the recent findings showing the presence of mycoplasma as intracellular structures in certain diseased plant cells are discussed and compared to the morphology of animal mycoplasma organisms.
Pattern formation following 180° rotation of regeneration blastemas in the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum

Forelimbs of larval axolotls were amputated through the distal one-third of the humerus. The resulting palette stage regeneration blastemas were rotated 180° and replaced on the original limb stump. This surgery offset both the anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes of graft and stump. Supernumerary limbs formed at anterior and posterior regions in the graft–host junction. Most supernumerary limbs displayed variable degrees of fusion with the graft. In these fused limbs the half of the supernumeray limb that was adjacent to the graft developed with the palm dorsally (in harmony with the graft), whereas the half of the supernumerary limb that was adjacent to the stump developed with the palm ventrally (in harmony with the stump). Anterior supernumerary limbs that were clearly separated from the graft were of stump handedness. Posterior supernumerary limbs that were clearly separated from the graft were of handedness opposite to the stump. Two types of derotation phenomena are described. These results are discussed in view of several recent theories for pattern regulation in epimorphic fields.
Signaling local non-credibility in an automatic segmentation pipeline

The advancing technology for automatic segmentation of medical images should be accompanied by techniques to inform the user of the local credibility of results. To the extent that this technology produces clinically acceptable segmentations for a significant fraction of cases, there is a risk that the clinician will assume every result is acceptable. In the less frequent case where segmentation fails, we are concerned that unless the user is alerted by the computer, she would still put the result to clinical use. By alerting the user to the location of a likely segmentation failure, we allow her to apply limited validation and editing resources where they are most needed. We propose an automated method to signal suspected non-credible regions of the segmentation, triggered by statistical outliers of the local image match function. We apply this test to m-rep segmentations of the bladder and prostate in CT images using a local image match computed by PCA on regional intensity quantile functions. We validate these results by correlating the non-credible regions with regions that have surface distance greater than 5.5mm to a reference segmentation for the bladder. A 6mm surface distance was used to validate the prostate results. Varying the outlier threshold level produced a receiver operating characteristic with area under the curve of 0.89 for the bladder and 0.92 for the prostate. Based on this preliminary result, our method has been able to predict local segmentation failures and shows potential for validation in an automatic segmentation pipeline.
A Circuit Analog Model for Studying Quantitative Water Relations of Plant Tissues

Using arrays of resistors and capacitors, a lumped circuit analog of plant tissue is developed. The circuit elements of the analog are identified in terms of physiological variables (hydraulic conductivities, water capacities, and cell dimensions) which can be measured in the laboratory. With the aid of a circuit simulation subroutine, the model was solved to predict water potential distributions as a function of position and time in plant tissues of three, six, and nine cells. Results presented for the six-cell case indicate that local equilibrium may or may not occur depending on the actual values of tissue hydraulic conductivities, water capacities, and the rate of change of water potential at the tissue boundaries. However, present measurements and estimates of tissue parameters suggest that local equilibrium is more the rule than the exception. Membrane resistance is an especially important parameter because it serves to isolate the vacuoles from the cell walls in addition to increasing the natural vacuole response time to changes in water potential. The proposed model should be useful in studying water transport processes in roots, stems, and leaves. Nonhomogeneity can be taken into account easily. Nonlinearity (changes in circuit parameter values with potential) which is known to occur in plant tissues could be incorporated also if the required information were available.
The Hybrid Sole Inopsetta ischyra (Teleostei: Pleuronectiformes: Pleuronectidae): Hybrid or Biological Species?

Abstract Since it was first described as a biological species by Jordan and Gilbert in 1880, Inopsetta ischyra has been a disputed taxonomic unit, generally regarded in recent decades as an intergeneric hybrid between English sole Parophrys vetulus and starry flounder Platichthys stellatus, both of which are common in coastal waters of the eastern North Pacific. Here, we investigate this suspected hybridization with molecular genetic and morphological data. Genotyping at four diagnostic allozyme loci clearly demonstrates that I. ischyra is an intergeneric hybrid between English sole and starry flounder; one individual was homozygous at one locus and may have been a backcross with starry flounder. Diagnostic restriction fragment length polymorphisms of a 464-base-pair region of the cytochrome b gene revealed symmetric, two-way directionality of hybridization in which 50% of maternities are assigned to each of the parental species. Principal components analysis of meristic characters demonstrated that I. is...
Electronic Current Transformer Test Method Research

With the extensive use of electronic current transformer, check the original method cannot meet the requirements of electronic current transformer performance testing technology. In 500 kV Jincheng a variable electronic current transformer as the test object, the principle and design characteristics of electronic current transformer, proposes an effective test method, ratio and through field test of low power coils and Rogowski coils 2 coil error, phase error and polarity, verify the validity and accuracy of the method.
DDE transposases: Structural similarity and diversity

DNA transposons are mobile DNA elements that can move from one DNA molecule to another and thereby deliver genetic information into human chromosomes in order to confer a new function or replace a defective gene. This process requires a transposase enzyme. During transposition DD[E/D]-transposases undergo a series of conformational changes. We summarize the structural features of DD[E/D]-transposases for which three-dimensional structures are available and that relate to transposases, which are being developed for use in mammalian cells. Similar to other members of the polynucleotidyl transferase family, the catalytic domains of DD[E/D]-transposases share a common feature: an RNase H-like fold that draws three catalytically active residues, the DDE motif, into close proximity. Beyond this fold, the structures of catalytic domains vary considerably, and the DD[E/D]-transposases display marked structural diversity within their DNA-binding domains. Yet despite such structural variability, essentially the same end result is achieved.
Automated connectivity-based thresholding segmentation of midsagittal brain MR images

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for automated segmentation of midsagittal brain MR images. First, we apply thresholding to obtain binary images. From the binary images, we locate some landmarks. Based on the landmarks and anatomical information, we preprocess the binary images to eliminate small regions and remove the skull, which substantially simplifies the subsequent operations. We perform segmentation in the binary image as much as possible and then return to the gray scale image to solve problematic areas. We propose a new connectivity-based thresholding segmentation to separate brain regions from surrounding tissues. Experiments show promising results.
Effect of chronic losartan potassium treatment on fructose-induced hypertension

Carbohydrate enriched diets have been shown to elevate blood pressure in the rat. The precise mechanism by which carbohydrate feeding elevates blood pressure is not known. We evaluated the role of the renin-angiotensin system in the etiology of fructose-induced hypertension. Losartan potassium, an angiotensin II (AII) Type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, was utilized to assess the blood pressure response to fructose treatment. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups. Rats in the control group were fed regular chow. The other two groups were fed 60% fructose diet for 4 weeks. One of these groups was chronically treated with losartan potassium in drinking water. Throughout the study there was no significant difference in body weight between the three groups. There was a significant increase in blood pressure of fructose-treated rats within one week of treatment which remained elevated for the remainder of the study. Chronic losartan treatment significantly attenuated the rise in blood pressure. Within two weeks both the dipsogenic response and the pressor response to AII demonstrated complete blockage of AII receptors. These results suggest that the renin-angiotensin system plays a role in the development of fructose-induced hypertension.
Prevalence, Characteristics, and Management of Swallowing Disorders following Cerebellopontine Angle Surgery

Objective. To describe swallowing disorders encountered after cerebellopontine angle surgery and to explore variables associated with increased incidence of postoperative dysphagia.Study Design. Case series with chart review.Setting. Single academic medical institution.Subjects and Methods. Chart review of 181 consecutive patients undergoing surgical excision of cerebellopontine angle pathology from January 2008 to December 2010 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Presence and characteristics of dysphagia were determined by review of speech pathologist reports. Other clinical variables were extracted from the electronic medical record, and statistical analyses were applied to determine factors associated with postoperative dysphagia.Results. Immediate postoperative dysphagia was identified in 57 of 181 patients (31%). Oral, oropharyngeal, and pharyngeal deficits accounted for 51%, 37%, and 12% of dysphagic symptoms, respectively. Facial nerve weakness in the immediate postoperative period was noted in 91% of d...
Primary hyperparathyroidism in infancy: A case report

Abstract Primary hyperparathyroidism is a rare disease of childhood. The condition is even rarer in the neonatal and infant stages. The disease, with its main manifestation—hypercalcemia—often is fatal. The authors successfully treated a 2.5-month-old boy who had primary parathyroid hyperplasia. The patient had recurrent pneumonia and failure to thrive. Blood test results showed an abnormally high level of calcium, which was resistant to medical therapy. Further investigations showed high levels of parathyroid hormone. The patient underwent neck exploration, which showed hyperplasia of the all four parathyroid glands. Total parathyroidectomy was performed, with one gland being autotrans-planted to the deltoid muscle. The patient had an immediate hypocalcemic period, followed by normocalcemia. In light of the present case and others in the Literature, the authors recommend total parathyroidectomy followed by autotransplantation of a gland to an accessible muscle.
Comparison of the activity of two chondroitin AC lyases on dermatan sulfate.

Chondroitin sulfates are widely distributed in human and animal tissues and are the main constituents of cartilage’. The two major isomeric chondroitin sulfates, A (ChS-A) and C (ChS-C) are isolated as glycosaminoglycan from the proteoglycans present in tissues’. Structural investigations have shown that ChS-A and ChS-C both are co-polymers of D-glucuronic acid and sulfated 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-pgalactose. ChS-A primarily contains 4-sulfated 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose residues, while ChS-C primarily contains 6-sulfated 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-o-galactose residues. Dermatan sulfate (DS) is a related glycosaminoglycan, often called chondroitin sulfate B (ChS-B), composed of 4-sulfated 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-ogalactose residues. DS differs from ChS-A and ChS-C since its primary uranic acid residue is L-iduronic acid instead of p-glucuronic acid. Despite these structural differences ChS-A, ChS-C, and DS also contain the minor uranic acid C-S epimer (L-iduronic acid in ChS-A and ChS-C and p-glucuronic acid in DS) in their structures. The chondroitin lyases depolymerize the ChS-A, ChS-C, and DS by an elimination mechanism into oligosaccharides containing a A,,,-unsaturated uranic acid residue at the nonreducing end3T4 (Fig. 1). This residue exhibits an absorbance maximum at 232 nm permitting the detection of the oligosaccharide products of the chondroitin lyases using UV spectroscopy. The chondroitin lyases include ABC, AC, B, and C lyases and are microbial enzymes produced by the using ChS or DS as an inducer3*4. Two different chondroitin AC lyases are commercially available. Chondroitin AC lyase I (AC Flavo) is prepared from Fluvobacterium heparinum and chondroitin AC lyase II (AC Arthro) is prepared from Arthrobacter aurescens. F. heparinum also contains a chondroitin B lyase while A. aurescens does not3. Other bacteria also reportedly produce chondroitin AC lyase including:
Simultaneous application of (p, γ) and (p, α) channeling to the detection of light elements in crystals

Abstract Proton induced gamma emission (PIGE) and (p, α)-channeling have been employed simultaneously to study the crystal location of light elements in LiNbO3 and LiF. Concurrent data collection eliminates uncertainties in crystal alignment, beam energy and dose normalization for the various reactions. Utilizing an incident proton energy of 1.03 MeV, the yield from the PIGE-channeling reaction was two orders of magnitude greater than that from the Li(p, α)-channeling reaction. However, Li(p, α)-channeling has better spatial resolution than PIGE-channelihg. We suggest using PIGE-channeling to minimize damage during alignment or for coarse alignment and (p, α)-channeling for better spatial resolution and fine alignment. This technique can also be used to detect and find the lattice location of two constituents of a crystal concurrently.
Responsible negotiation: exploring the forest beyond the tree

Purpose – Exploring responsible negotiation is like discovering the forest beyond the tree. The purpose of this paper is to develop seven steps that might be needed for negotiators to become more responsible. These steps take into account the people at the table, but also those behind and beyond the table, and those needed to sign, ratify and also implement the deal. A broad responsibility should also integrate legal, moral, systemic and environmental constraints, as well as the future of the next generation.Design/methodology/approach – Negotiation techniques may serve any goal, and therefore lead to irresponsible processes and outcomes. A selected review of the literature on negotiation theory is explored, and its current concepts are complemented to integrate responsibility.Findings – In total, seven levels of responsibility can be identified for negotiation: towards oneself, the other, respective principals, implementers, absentees, legal compliance, moral norms and values, and the next generation.Res...
Formation of meteorite hydrocarbons from thermal decomposition of siderite (FeCO3)

Thermal decomposition of siderite has been proposed as a source of magnetite in martian meteorites. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the possibility that this process might also result in abiotic synthesis of organic compounds. Siderite decomposition in the presence of water vapor at 300°C generated a variety of organic products dominated by alkylated and hydroxylated aromatic compounds. The results suggest that formation of magnetite by thermal decomposition of siderite on the precursor rock of the martian meteorite ALH84001 would have been accompanied by formation of organic compounds and may represent a source of extraterrestrial organic matter in the meteorite and on Mars. The results also suggest that thermal decomposition of siderite during metamorphism could account for some of the reduced carbon observed in metasedimentary rocks from the early Earth.
Na-ion transport in borate and germanate glasses and liquids:A 23 Na and 11 B NMR spin-lattice-relaxation study

The temperature dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation times (${\mathrm{T}}_{1}$ ) of $^{23}$ Na and $^{11}$ B nuclides has been studied in a number of Na-borate and -germanate glasses and liquids in order to understand the effects of the type of network, concentration of the modifying cation, and network former-modifier interaction on the transport of Na cations. Our results indicate that at low alkali contents the dynamics of both the network former and the modifier are strongly coupled to the glass transition and mixed alkali effect on spin-lattice relaxation is absent. This can be explained by the lack of any percolation pathway at low alkali concentrations for the long-range diffusion of the Na cations. Eventually, such continuous pathways for diffusion form with increasing Na concentration (${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ O\ensuremath{\geqslant}15\char21{}20 mol %) and a mixed alkali effect becomes observable, indicating decoupling of the dynamics of the network-former and -modifier ions. Simulation of the ${\mathrm{T}}_{1}$ data with a barrier height distribution model also indicates such a transition from homogeneous to percolative transport with increasing ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ O content. These phenomena are less pronounced in germanates than in borates, indicating a stronger coupling between the Na ions and the network in the latter.
Active versus passive management of post-acquired brain injury challenging behaviour: A case study analysis of multiple operant procedures in the treatment of challenging behaviour maintained by negative reinforcement

Primary objective: Operant conditioning interventions are effective in the management of post-acute ABI challenging behaviour. However, when this serves an avoidance or escape function, reinforcement approaches may be ineffective. In this paper the utility of a range of operant-derived ABI interventions is considered specifically with regard to behaviour whose prime function is avoidance or escape from rehabilitation activities.Methods and procedures: Efficacy of three operant interventions was determined by describing a single case study whose aggressive behaviour served an avoidance-escape function. Two interventions comprised variants of differential reinforcement: differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviour (DRI) and differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL). The third intervention comprised situational time out (STO) and sustained verbal prompting.Main outcome: Despite reports of the efficacy of DRI and DRL, neither was beneficial in this case. However, STO and sustained ve...
Age Disparity in Palliative Radiation Therapy Among Patients With Advanced Cancer

Summary Radiation in the palliative setting plays a critical role in reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life in patients with metastatic cancer. This study demonstrates substantial age disparity with palliative radiation therapy that extends beyond age-related differences in patient and tumor characteristics, as well as differences in patient survival. Extra effort should be made to give older patients Purpose/Objective: Palliative radiation therapy represents an important treatment option among patients with advanced cancer, although research shows decreased use among older patients. This study evaluated age-related patterns of palliative radiation use among an elderly Medicare population. Methods and Materials: We identified 63,221 patients with metastatic lung, breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database. Receipt of palliative radiation therapy was extracted from Medicare claims. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis determined residual age-related disparity in the receipt of palliative radiation therapy after controlling for confounding covariates including age-related differences in patient and demographic covariates, length of life, and patient preferences for aggressive cancer therapy. Results: The use of radiation decreased steadily with increasing patient age. Fortytwo percent of patients aged 66 to 69 received palliative radiation therapy. Rates of palliative radiation decreased to 38%, 32%, 24%, and 14% among patients aged 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80 to 84, and over 85, respectively. Multivariate analysis found that
Assimilation for affiliation and contrast for control: complementary self-construals.

People have knowledge about relationships (i.e., relational schemas) that is based on their experiences. Because most people have experience with complementary behavior (interaction partners behaving similarly in terms of affiliation but oppositely in terms of control), they expect complementary behavior in their relationships. Like other beliefs about relationships, expectations of complementarity affect self-construal. The authors provide evidence for complementary self-construal; people assimilate to relevant relationship partners on the affiliation dimension and contrast on the control dimension. Consistent with the proposed role of relationship knowledge in these effects, complementary self-construal was moderated by the familiarity of the target, whether people focused on their relationship with or the appearance of the target, and whether the context was relevant for the interpersonal dimension.