cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oncogenic Kras Expression in Postmitotic Neurons Leads to S100A8-S100A9 Protein Overexpression and Gliosis

Previous studies suggest that up-regulation of Ras signaling in neurons promotes gliosis and astrocytoma formation in a cell nonautonomous manner. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To address this question, we generated compound mice (LSL Kras G12D/+;CamKII-Cre) that express oncogenic Kras from its endogenous locus in postmitotic neurons after birth. These mice developed progressive gliosis, which is associated with hyperactivation of Ras signaling pathways. Microarray analysis identified S100A8 and S100A9 as two secreted molecules that are significantly overexpressed in mutant cortices. In contrast to their usual predominant expression in myeloid cells, we found that overexpression of S100A8 and S100A9 in the mutant cortex is primarily in neurons. This neuronal expression pattern is associated with increased infiltration of microglia in mutant cortex. Moreover, purified S100A8-S100A9 but not S100A8 or S100A9 alone promotes growth of primary astrocytes in vitro through both TLR4 and receptor of advanced glycation end product receptors. In summary, our results identify overexpression of S100A8-S100A9 in neurons as an early step in oncogenic Kras-induced gliosis. These molecules expressed in nonhematopoietic cells may be involved in tumorigenesis at a stage much earlier than what has been reported previously. Background: Hyperactivation of Ras signaling in neurons promotes gliosis and astrocytoma in a cell nonautonomous manner. Results: Neuronal expression of Kras G12D/+ leads to gliosis and overexpression of S100A8-S100A9, which serve as chemoattractants for microglia and growth factors for astrocytes. Conclusion: Overexpression of S100A8-S100A9 in neurons is an early event in Kras G12D-induced gliosis. Significance: S100A8-S100A9 expressed in nonhematopoietic cells may be involved in early stage tumorigenesis.
Small scale energy storage for power fluctuation minimization with spatially diverged PV plants

Large-scale energy storage for photovoltaic (PV) power application is expensive and one of the major concerns. This paper focuses on use of spatially diverged PV plants with small-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) for dispatching PV power to the grid. To achieve this, the output power of diversely located identical (having the same power rating) and small PV plants instead of a big PV plant in a certain area, is integrated. By doing that fluctuation of PV power is reduced considerably. Still there may be small power fluctuation and it may affect the power quality. This small power fluctuation is reduced by small energy storage device. This way the size of the energy storage can be reduced considerably. Practical irradiance data was measured and then PV power was estimated from these irradiance data. After the integration of the output power of diversely located PV plants in common point, still there may be small fluctuation. In order to remove this small fluctuation, a small capacity energy storage system is proposed. The energy storage needed for the diversely located PV system and the equivalent big plant in a particular area are investigated and compared to each other. Also, it is shown that the size of the energy storage required for the diversely located PV system is smaller than that for a big PV plant.
Analysis of digital random numbers generated from serial samples of correlated Gaussian noise (Corresp.)

An analysis of digital random numbers generated from serial samples of Gaussian noise is presented. A methodology is developed for calculating the word probability distribution in terms of the autocorrelation function of the noise. Examples are presented for three and four bit words. A related problem is also considered which concerns the noise autocorrelalion function. Bounds are derived which take into account nonideal effects of the filter used to shape the noise spectrum. An example is given for a modified double-pole bandpass model.
Isogeometric fluid-structure interaction: theory, algorithms, and computations

We present a fully-coupled monolithic formulation of the fluid-structure interaction of an incompressible fluid on a moving domain with a nonlinear hyperelastic solid. The arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian description is utilized for the fluid subdomain and the Lagrangian description is utilized for the solid subdomain. Particular attention is paid to the derivation of various forms of the conservation equations; the conservation properties of the semi-discrete and fully discretized systems; a unified presentation of the generalized-α time integration method for fluid-structure interaction; and the derivation of the tangent matrix, including the calculation of shape derivatives. A NURBS-based isogeometric analysis methodology is used for the spatial discretization and three numerical examples are presented which demonstrate the good behavior of the methodology.
Stability of penalty finite-element methods for nonconforming problems

Penalty methods have been proposed as a viable method for enforcing interelement continuity constraints on nonconforming elements. Particularly for fourth-order problems in which C1-continuity leads to elements of high degree or complex composite elements, the use of penalty methods to enforce the C1-continuity constraint appears promising. In this study we demonstrate equivalence of the finite-element penalty method to a hybrid method and provide a stability analysis which implies that the penalty method is stable only if reduced integration of a certain order is used. Numerical experiments confirm that the penalty method fails if this condition is not met.
C+7 is cyclic: experimental evidence

Abstract Gas-phase ion chromatography experiments with variable injection energies were performed on C + 7 made by laser vaporization of graphite and by collision-induced dissociation of C + 10 and C + 12 . In all cases, the C + 7 cyclic isomer dominates over the linear isomer at lowest injection energies, indicating the cyclic isomer is the most stable form. This result is consistent with ab initio calculations and a kinetic model developed here.
Oxidation and Decarboxylation. A Reaction Sequence for the Study of Aromatic Structural Elements in Pocahontas No. 3 Coal

Oxygen in basic solution has been used to oxidize Pocahontas No. 3 coal to a mixture of aromatic carboxylic acids, and copper(I) oxide in N-methylpyrrolidinone−quinoline has been used to decarboxyl...
THE INFLUENCE OF LANDFORM AND PRECIPITATION PARAMETERS ON FLOOD HYDROGRAPHS

Abstract A laboratory watershed permitted carefully controlled experiments on important factors that affect stream hydrographs. The factors selected for experimental variation are: rainfall intensity, rainfall duration, storm movement, simulated permeability, and antecedent moisture conditions. Systematic changes in the flood hydrographs, brought about by controlled variation in the five factors previously mentioned, are described.
Anchoring at an island to relieve stress

In this issue of Blood , Ulyanova and colleagues present a systematic analysis of the role of β1 integrins in erythropoiesis and demonstrate that α5β1 integrin is a critical requirement for mounting successful stress erythropoiesis.[1][1] Stress erythropoiesis is increasingly recognized as more
The Effect of Invitation Design on Web Survey Response Rates

Web surveys present methodological challenges including lower response rates as compared to other survey methods. The literature on invitations to participate in web surveys builds on previous research suggesting that advance letters are cost-effective means for increasing response rates in mail surveys and interviewer-administered surveys. The efficacy and appropriateness of design elements of invitations to participate in a web survey is not yet well understood. This research reports results of a full-factorial experiment (n = 15,652) of five design elements of web survey invitations-invitation mode, subject line, location of URL link, length of the invitation text, and survey time/effort estimate. There were significant effects of different design elements on response rates. The results suggest that some design elements of invitations may have similar effects across subsets of populations, while others may have different effects on different subsets of potential respondents.
Formal verification of the AAMP5 microprocessor: a case study in the industrial use of formal methods

This paper describes the experiences of Collins Commercial Avionics and SRI International informally specifying and verifying the microcode for the AAMP5 microprocessor with the PVS verification system. This project was conducted to determine if an industrial microprocessor designed for use in real-time embedded systems could be formally specified at the instruction set and register transfer levels and if formal proofs could be used to prove the microcode correct. The paper provides a brief technical overview, but its emphasis is on the lessons learned in using PVS for an example of this size and the implications for using formal methods in an industrial setting.
Jon Klancher, Transfiguring the Arts and Sciences: Knowledge and Cultural Institutions in the Romantic Age and Roderick Tweedy, The God of the Left Hemisphere: Blake, Bolte Taylor, and the Myth of Creation

Review by Robert Mitchell (Duke University) of Jon Klancher, Transfiguring the Arts and Sciences: Knowledge and Cultural Institutions in the Romantic Age . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Pp. 322. £60. ISBN 9781107029101 and Roderick Tweedy, The God of the Left Hemisphere: Blake, Bolte Taylor, and the Myth of Creation . London: Karnac Books, 2013. Pp. 352. £23.89. ISBN 1780491018.
QUANTITATIVE REEVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SHORT- and LONG-TERM REMOVAL OF DESCENDING MODULATORY INPUTS ON THE PYLORIC RHYTHM OF THE CRAB, CANCER BOREALIS

Abstract The crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG) receives descending neuromodulatory inputs from three anterior ganglia: the paired commissural ganglia (CoGs), and the single esophageal ganglion (OG). In this paper, we provide the first detailed and quantitative analyses of the short- and long-term effects of removal of these descending inputs (decentralization) on the pyloric rhythm of the STG. Thirty minutes after decentralization, the mean frequency of the pyloric rhythm dropped from 1.20 Hz in control to 0.52 Hz. Whereas the relative phase of pyloric neuron activity was approximately constant across frequency in the controls, after decentralization this changed markedly. Nine control preparations kept for 5–6 d in vitro maintained pyloric rhythm frequencies close to their initial values. Nineteen decentralized preparations kept for 5–6 d dropped slightly in frequency from those seen at 30 min following decentralization, but then displayed stable activity over 6 d. Bouts of higher frequency activity were intermittently seen in both control and decentralized preparations, but the bouts began earlier and were more frequent in the decentralized preparations. Although the bouts may indicate that the removal of the modulatory inputs triggered changes in neuronal excitability, these changes did not produce obvious long-lasting changes in the frequency of the decentralized preparations.
Psychological pathways from childhood sexual and physical abuse to HIV/sexually transmitted infection outcomes among homeless women: The role of posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder symptoms

This study examines the psychological factors linking childhood abuse and HIV/sexually transmitted infection outcomes among 190 single homeless women in New York City. Participants were assessed for mental health symptoms, sexually transmitted infections, and exposure to childhood sexual and physical abuse. Findings indicate that the relationship between childhood abuse and HIV/sexually transmitted infection diagnoses during adulthood is mediated by a combination of posttraumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder symptoms. Screening single homeless women who report childhood abuse histories for symptoms of both disorders may aid in the identification of individuals particularly vulnerable for HIV infection. Implications for clinical interventions are discussed.
Single-dose pharmacokinetics and genotoxicity of metronidazole in cats

Single-dose pharmacokinetics and genotoxicity of metronidazole in cats were evaluated. Cats received either 5mg/kg metronidazole intravenously, or 20mg/kg metronidazole benzoate (12.4mg/kg metronidazole base) orally in a single dose. Serial plasma samples were collected and assayed for metronidazole using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Genotoxicity was assessed in vitro in feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and a feline T-cell lymphoma line incubated with metronidazole, and in vivo in PBMC collected before, during and 7 days after oral metronidazole, by use of the COMET assay. Systemic absorption of metronidazole was variable (mean=65+/-28%) with a peak of 8.84+/-5.4microg/ml at 3.6+/-2.9h. The terminal half-life was 5.34h from the intravenous dose and 5.16h from the oral dose. Systemic clearance was low (mean=91.57ml/h/kg [1.53ml/kg/min]), and the apparent volume of distribution (steady state) was 0.650+/-0.254l/kg. Genotoxicity was detected at all concentrations of metronidazole in feline PBMC and the T-cell lymphoma line in vitro. Genotoxicity was also observed in PBMC collected from cats after 7 days of oral metronidazole but resolved within 6 days of discontinuing metronidazole.
Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure on the Diffusion of Monomers through Dentin in vitro

In previous work, the diffusion of monomers from composite and bonding resins through dentin was demonstrated in vitro. The monomers triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were identified in samples from the pulp space. In the current study, we examined the effects of two levels of positive hydrostatic pressure on the passage of resin monomers through dentin in vitro from a compositeresin/bonding-resin combination to test the hypothesis that monomer diffusion is prevented by such pressure. An occlusal cavity prepared in the tooth crown was restored with the resins. Distilled water samples from the pulpal space were removed over time and analyzed for monomer content by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Positive pulpal pressure reduced but did not prevent pulpward movement of diluent monomers that leach from bonding agents and from resin composites through dentin in vitro. The degree of reduction of diffusion was greater with TEGDMA than...
Assessment of the methodological quality of systematic reviews published in the urological literature from 1998 to 2008.

Purpose: Well done systematic reviews provide the highest quality evidence for clinical questions of therapeutic effectiveness. We assessed the methodological quality of systematic reviews in the urological literature.Materials and Methods: We systematically investigated all systematic reviews published in 4 major urological journals from 1998 to 2008. Studies were identified using a predefined search strategy in PubMed® and confirmed by a hand search of journal tables of contents. A validated 11-point instrument to assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews was applied by 2 independent reviewers after a pilot testing phase. Disagreements were discussed and resolved by consensus.Results: The systematic literature search identified 217 individual systematic reviews, of which 57 ultimately met study eligibility criteria. Ten (17.5%), 20 (35.1%) and 27 (47.4%) systematic reviews were published in 1998 to 2001, 2002 to 2005 and 2006 to 2008, respectively. Using the measurement tool to assess syst...
Does Micropractice Lead to Macrosatisfaction

Background: Physician quality of work life is a key factor in career choice, satisfaction, and retention. The majority of physicians are currently employed by large health care organizations where physician loss of autonomy is common, yet some physicians have opened micropractices. There have been no previous studies comparing physician satisfaction between employed physicians and micropractice physicians. Methods: A previously validated survey of physician satisfaction was sent to 72 physicians practicing in a residency setting, 111 physicians in community, nonresidency setting, and 42 physicians in a micropractice setting. Results: Physicians in micropractices had the lowest satisfaction with income, but the highest satisfaction with family time and the ability to provide continuity of care. Micropractice physicians rated the overall quality of medical care they provide higher than employed physicians. Micropractice physicians reported a much smaller scope of practice. Conclusions: Overall, physicians in micropractices found more satisfaction in their work at the cost of decreased income and a narrower scope of practice. (J Am Board Fam Med 2013;26:525–528.)
Heavy precipitation associated with elevated thunderstorms formed in a convectively unstable layer aloft

Two case studies in which elevated thunderstorms played an important role in enhancing precipitation totals are discussed. During the period 20–22 February 1993, elevated thunderstorms over Iowa produced a mesoscale band of snow with amounts in excess of 25 cm across north central Iowa. Diagnosis of the environment revealed an elevated layer of convective instability between 700 and 540 hPa above a well-defined frontal zone. Elevated, upright convection resulted from the release of the convective instability as air parcels, ascending isentropically over the frontal zone, reached saturation. A second case, in which heavy rain (greater than 50 mm in 24 h) fell over parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri during the period 27–28 April 1994, is also examined. Once again, elevated thunderstorms resulted from the ascent of an elevated layer of convective instability over a strong baroclinic zone. Positive CAPE values are found by lifting air parcels having the maximum equivalent potential temperature in the lower portion of the troposphere, whereas no available energy is diagnosed for surface parcels. While both cases strongly resemble the climatology of elevated thunderstorms, these case studies suggest that convective instability aloft released by isentropic ascent, rather than frontogenetical forcing in the presence of weak symmetric stability, can result in heavy precipitation. Copyright © 1998 Royal Meteorological Society
HYPERSENSITIVE TO RED AND BLUE 1, a ZZ-type zinc finger protein, regulates phytochrome B-mediated red and cryptochrome-mediated blue light responses.

Plant photoreceptors that regulate photomorphogenic development include red/far-red-light–absorbing phytochromes and blue/UV-A-light–absorbing cryptochromes. We have undertaken a genetic screen to identify additional components downstream of the photoreceptors in Arabidopsis thaliana . We identified a short hypocotyl mutant under red and blue light, hypersensitive to red and blue 1 ( hrb1 ). Mutation in HRB1 also enhances the end-of-day far-red light response, inhibits leaf expansion and petiole elongation, and attenuates the expression of CAB3 and CHS . Double mutant analysis indicates that phyB is epistatic to hrb1 under red light, and cry1 cry2 is epistatic to hrb1 under blue light for both hypocotyl growth and light-regulated gene expression responses. HRB1 localizes to the nucleus and belongs to a protein family of Drought induced 19 (Di19). HRB1 and all other family members contain a ZZ-type zinc finger domain, which in other organisms is implicated in protein–protein interactions between dystrophin and calmodulin and between transcriptional adaptors and activators. HRB1 activity is also required for red and blue light–induced expression of PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 ( PIF4 ). pif4 shows a very similar hypersensitive response as hrb1 to both red light and blue light and is epistatic to hrb1 in control of light-regulated gene expression responses. Thus, the roles of HRB1 and PIF4 together in regulating both red and blue light responses may represent points where red light signaling and blue light signaling intersect.
Efficacy and mode of action of female-equivalent dispensers of pheromone for mating disruption of codling moth

We evaluated the efficacy and mode of action of commercially available female- equivalent dispensers of pheromone for mating disruption of codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera Tortricidae). 2 Scentry fibres, but not Hercon flakes, were consistently as or more effective than Isomate C Plus dispensers when applied by hand at 50 dispensers per tree. 3 Individual Scentry fibres were slightly more attractive to male codling moth than Hercon flakes. 4 Efficacy of aerially applied Scentry fibres was equivalent to that of Isomate dis- pensers in disrupting male codling moth in 4-ha commercial apple plots. 5 Initial deposition and retention of aerially applied fibres were inefficient with ap- proximately 44% formulation loss at application, poor rainfastness and a gradual loss of dispensers from tree canopies after application. 6 Male codling moths were captured in traps baited with lures containing 0.1 mg of pheromone and mated with tethered virgin females that were surrounded by eight fibres placed 30 cm away or 16 fibres placed 45 cm away in untreated plots and plots treated with a background of 50 Isomate dispensers per hectare. 7 A plausible explanation for mating disruption of codling moth by female- equivalent dispensers is competitive attraction without associated habituation and thus improving the effectiveness of these technologies will depend on maximiz- ing the attractiveness of individual dispensers as well as the application density of dispensers per area of crop.
Amine modification of nonporous silica nanoparticles reduces inflammatory response following intratracheal instillation in murine lungs

Amorphous silica nanoparticles (NPs) possess unique material properties that make them ideal for many different applications. However, the impact of these materials on human and environmental health needs to be established. We investigated nonporous silica NPs both bare and modified with amine functional groups (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)) in order to evaluate the effect of surface chemistry on biocompatibility. In vitro data showed there to be little to no cytotoxicity in a human lung cancer epithelial cell line (A549) for bare silica NPs and amine-functionalized NPs using doses based on both mass concentration (below 200μg/mL) and exposed total surface area (below 14m(2)/L). To assess lung inflammation, C57BL/6 mice were administered bare or amine-functionalized silica NPs via intra-tracheal instillation. Two doses (0.1 and 0.5mg NPs/mouse) were tested using the in vivo model. At the higher dose used, bare silica NPs elicited a significantly higher inflammatory response, as evidence by increased neutrophils and total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid compared to amine-functionalized NPs. From this study, we conclude that functionalization of nonporous silica NPs with APTES molecules reduces murine lung inflammation and improves the overall biocompatibility of the nanomaterial.
Bipartite graphs obtained from adjacency matrices or orientations of graphs

If G denotes a graph of order n, then the adjacency matrix of an orientation of G can be thought of as the adjacency matrix of a bipartite graph B( ) of order 2n, where the rows and columns correspond to the bipartition of B( ). For a graph H, let k(H) denote the number of connected components of H. Set m(G) = min{k(B( )): an orientation of G} and M(G) = max{k(B( ): an orientation of G}. R.A. Brualdi et al. [1] introduced these ideas and, among other results, proved that for a connected graph G of order n, m(G)=M(G)=n+1 if and only if G is a tree. We prove an intermediate value theorem for k(B( )) and investigate the minimum and maximum number of edges possible in a graph G of order n for fixed k(B( )). In particular, we treat the case when G is complete, so that is a tournament.
Expression and isotopic labeling of structural domains of the human protein DEK

Abstract The 375 amino acid human protein DEK has been expressed in two functional, structured domains. DEK is an abundant nuclear protein that associates with chromatin and alters its topology by introducing positive supercoiling in DNA, which results in lower replication efficiency. DEK has clinical importance as transfection of the cDNA of the C-terminal region of DEK can partially reverse the abnormal DNA-mutagen sensitivity in fibroblasts derived from ataxia–telangiectasia (A–T) patients, and elevated levels of DEK mRNA are observed in various forms of cancer. Because high-level expression of full-length DEK has proved elusive, we sought an alternative for structural studies that would provide insights on DEK’s function. We have discovered that DEK contains two structured domains and have expressed these domains at a high level in Escherichia coli in M9 minimal media. The N-terminal domain (amino acids 68–226) includes the region responsible for introducing supercoils into DNA, and the C-terminal domain (amino acids 309–375) includes the region that can reverse the abnormal DNA-mutagen sensitivity of A–T cells. 1 H– 15 N correlation nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these two fragments reveal the characteristic signature of folded proteins.
Is apoptosis present in progression to chronic hypertensive heart failure

Abstract Background: Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is believed to occur in hypertension. Isolated myocyte data from spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats, however, suggest that significant myocyte loss does not occur in this model. To investigate this issue further, heart sections from failing and nonfailing SHHF rats were examined by using in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated 2′-deoxyuridine 5′-triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL). Additional hearts were optimally fixed by perfusion with glutaraldehyde and histologically examined for evidence of myocyte damage or loss. Methods and Results: Five Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, 8 failing SHHF rats, and 6 nonfailing SHHF rats were perfusion-fixed with formaldehyde and used for TUNEL assay. Heart sections from each group were also treated with DNase for positive controls. There were no significant differences in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in SD, failing SHHF, and nonfailing SHHF rats. Additionally, extensive screening of 1-μm sections of optimally fixed failing hearts revealed little evidence of myocyte loss or nuclear characteristics suggestive of apoptosis. Conclusion: Apoptosis does not appear to be an important component of myocardial remodeling in SHHF rats during hypertrophy or end-stage heart failure. Examination of myocyte nuclear structure by high-resolution microscopy of optimally fixed tissues is recommended as an alternative approach to study apoptosis.
New results in software model checking and analysis

This introductory article surveys new techniques, supported by automated tools, for the analysis of software to ensure reliability and safety. Special focus is on model checking techniques. The article also introduces the five papers that are enclosed in this special journal volume.
An enhanced approach to real-time pore pressure prediction for optimized pressure management while drilling

In many of today's high cost offshore areas, overpressured zones present significant challenges to optimizing the drilling process. Operators face a number of costly risks, including reduced rate of penetration (ROP); formation damage due to high mud weight; and health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risks associated with loss of well control. Operators commonly rely on logging while drilling (LWD) resistivity data and an overburden gradient to identify overpressured zones. The overburden pressure gradient is usually derived from offset density/acoustic data, seismic velocities, or regional overburden tables adjusted for water depth and air gap. One drawback of using only the resistivity-based approach is that formation resistivity is directly dependent on formation water salinity, not pore pressure. When drilling in close proximity to salt, operators have to take into account what effect this will have on water salinity. In such cases it would be better to use acoustic data due to its insensitivity to salinity changes. However, the real-time data quality of previous generation LWD sonic tools limited their use for pore pressure predictions. However, new LWD instrumentation in acoustic logging and pressure testing improves the reliability of real-time pore pressure predictions and ultimately improves the drilling process and reduces HSE risks. This article reviews a proactive approach for predicting pore pressure based on state-of-the-art LWD acoustic and formation pressure tools, in addition to discussing the application of the seismic data acquired while drilling. In order to drill safely and efficiently, the mud weight or equivalent circulating density (ECD) has to be adjusted to: stabilize wellbore/provide cuttings removal; avoid kicks/shallow flows; avoid lost circulation/fluid losses; avoid additional casing strings; increase rig safety; minimize formation damage; and optimize ROP. The task of managing the ECD becomes more demanding in areas known to have uncertain pressure versus depth trends, such as the Gulf of …
Production of 1-Carbon Units from Glycine Is Extensive in Healthy Men and Women

Glycine undergoes decarboxylation in the glycine cleavage system (GCS) to yield CO2, NH3, and a 1-carbon unit. CO2 also can be generated from the 2-carbon of glycine by 10-formyltetrahydrofolate-dehydrogenase and, after glycine-to-serine conversion by serine hydroxymethyltransferase, from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. To evaluate the relative fates of glycine carbons in CO2 generation in healthy volunteers (3 male, 3 female, aged 21–26 y), primed, constant infusions were conducted using 9.26 μmol·h−1·kg−1 of [1,2-13C]glycine and 1.87 μmol·h−1·kg−1 of [5,5,5-2H3]leucine, followed by an infusion protocol using [1-13C]glycine as the glycine tracer. The time period between the infusion protocols was >6 mo. In vivo rates of whole-body glycine and leucine flux were nearly identical in protocols with [1,2-13C]glycine and [5,5,5-2H3]leucine and with [1-13C]glycine and [5,5,5-2H3]leucine tracers, which showed high reproducibility between the tracer protocols. Using the [1-13C]glycine tracer, breath CO2 data showed a total rate of glycine decarboxylation of 96 ± 8 μmol·h−1·kg−1, which was 22 ± 3% of whole-body glycine flux. In contrast, infusion of [1,2-13C]glycine yielded a glycine-to-CO2 flux of 146 ± 37 μmol·h−1·kg−1 (P = 0.026). By difference, this implies a rate of CO2 formation from the glycine 2-carbon of 51 ± 40 μmol·h−1·kg−1, which accounts for ∼35% of the total CO2 generated in glycine catabolism. These findings also indicate that ∼65% of the CO2 generation from glycine occurs by decarboxylation, primarily from the GCS. Further, these results suggest that the GCS is responsible for the entry of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate into 1-carbon metabolism at a very high rate (∼96 μmol·h−1·kg−1), which is ∼20 times the demand for methyl groups for homocysteine remethylation.
Teaching the Complex Biological Problems of Wild Vertebrate Populations

The complex ecology of wild vertebrate species in ecosystems that man has altered is often misinterpreted through oversimplification. Environmental education must avoid the temptation to suggest perfect answers to complex environmental issues.
Favorable noise uniformity properties of Fourier-based approaches to interpolation in helical CT with implications for 3D visualization

This paper describes and evaluates two new approaches to longitudinal interpolation in single-slice helical CT that represent a step toward the goal of achieving essentially isotropic resolution and noise properties in reconstructed helical CT volumes. Both approaches exploit the fast Fourier transform and the Fourier shift theorem to generate from the helical projection data a set of fan-beam sinograms corresponding to equispaced transverse slices. Slice-by-slice reconstruction is then performed by use of two-dimensional fan-beam algorithms. The first approach, called 360FT, makes use only of the directly measured projection data, but the second approach, called 180FT, exploits the redundancy of fan-beam data acquired over 360/spl deg/ to generate a second set of longitudinal samples at each projection angle and bin. These approaches, and particularly the 180FT approach, have been shown under certain conditions to produce reconstructed volumes with more isotropic resolution and aliasing properties than do existing approaches based on the use of linear interpolation. We present evidence that the approaches also have favorable noise uniformity properties relative to currently used approaches.
Dissolved organic matter and nutrient dynamics of a coastal freshwater forested wetland in Winyah Bay, South Carolina

Seasonally flooded, freshwater cypress-tupelo wetlands, dominated by baldcypress (Taxodium distictum), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), and swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora) are commonly found in coastal regions of the southeastern United States. These wetlands are threatened due to climate change, sea level rise, and coastal urban development. Understanding the natural biogeochemical cycles of nutrients in these forested wetlands as ecosystems services such as carbon sequestration and nitrogen processing can provide important benchmarks to guide conservation plans and restoration goals. In this study, surface water and soil pore water samples were collected weekly from a cypress-tupelo wetland near Winyah Bay, South Carolina and analyzed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), inorganic nitrogen, and phosphate during its flooding period between October 2010 and May 2011. DOC was further characterized by specific ultra-violet absorbance at 254 nm, spectral slope ratio (SR) (ratio of two spectral slopes between 275–295 nm and 350–400 nm), E2/E3 ratio (ratio between A254 and A365), and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix. In addition, litterfall was collected on a monthly basis for a year while the biomass of the detritus layer (i.e., decomposed duff lying on the wetland floor) was determined before and after the flooding period. Results of the field study showed that concentrations of DOC, DON, NH4 +–N, and (NO2 − + NO3 −)–N in the surface water were generally higher during the fall, or peak litterfall season (October to December), than in the spring season (March to May). Highest concentrations of 54.8, 1.48, 0.270, and 0.0205 mg L−1, for DOC, DON, NH4 +–N, and (NO2 − + NO3 −)–N respectively, in surface waters were recorded during October. Lower SUVA, but higher SR and E2/E3 ratios of DOC, were observed at the end of the flooding season comparing to the initial flooding, suggesting the wetland system converts high aromatic and large DOC molecules into smaller and hydrophilic fractions possibly through photochemical oxidation. A similar trend was observed in soil pore water, but the pore water generally had greater and relatively stable concentrations of dissolved nutrients than surface water. No obvious temporal trend in phosphate concentration and total nitrogen to total phosphorus ratio (N:P) were found. Results of the laboratory extraction and mass balance calculation suggested fresh litter was a major source of DOC whereas decomposed duff was the source of dissolved nitrogen in surface water. In summary, the biogeochemistry of this isolated cypress-tupelo wetland is not only driven by the vegetation within the wetland system but also by hydrology and weather conditions such as groundwater table position, precipitation, and temperature.
Diagnosis and clinical presentation of hemoglobin Kirksey

More than 1000 hemoglobin (Hb) variants have been identified. Hb Kirksey, a rare Hb variant involving mutation at codon 94 of α2-globin, is associated with low oxygen affinity. To our knowledge, there is no case report on Hb Kirksey in the literature, and, accordingly, the clinical features of patients with Hb Kirksey are currently unknown. We report here the case of a neonate who presented with asymptomatic low oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry (SpO2 ) just after birth, together with clinical analysis of the sister and cousin. Based on the presentations, Hb Kirksey does not seem to be associated with clinical abnormalities. Discrepancy between SpO2 and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2 ) detected on arterial blood gas analysis provided a clue to the diagnosis. Hb variants should be suspected and arterial blood gases should be measured in pediatric cases of unexplained low SpO2 .
Captopril and ANP: changes in renal hemodynamics, glomerular-ANP receptors and guanylate cyclase activity in rats with heart failure.

To define the renal effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in heart failure, we studied rats with heart failure after coronary artery ligation. The rats received either captopril (2 milligrams drinking water) or placebo for 4 weeks. Glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, filtration fraction, urine volume, urinary sodium excretion and the percent fractional excretion of sodium were measured before and after an infusion of ANP (0.3 microgram/kg/min). To determine whether changes in ANP receptor binding and responsiveness occur in heart failure and after captopril treatment, we performed radioreceptor binding studies and measured guanylate cyclase activity. Atrial natriuretic peptide in sham-operated rats decreased mean arterial pressure from 118 +/- 5 to 95 +/- 5 mm Hg (P less than .001), increased urine volume from 0.06 +/- 0.02 to 0.16 +/- 0.05 ml/min/kg (P less than .05), urinary sodium excretion, 14.2 +/- 3.1 to 41.4 +/- 8.9 mu eq/min/kg (P less than .02), filtration fraction from 0.30 +/- 0.03 to 0.40 +/- 0.4 (P less than .05), and the percent fractional excretion of sodium from 0.84 +/- 0.19 to 2.85 +/- 0.61 (P less than .02). Atrial natriuretic peptide in untreated rats with heart failure produced no significant systemic or renal hemodynamic effects. In rats with heart failure treated with captopril, ANP decreased mean arterial pressure from 93 +/- 4 to 86 +/- 4 mm Hg (P less than .05) and increased hematocrit from 50 +/- 2 to 52 +/- 1 (P less than .001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Resolving Conflicts of Worldviews: LDS Women and Television

While disagreement exists about the impact of television viewing on LDS family life, this research takes an audience-focused approached to the question of "media effects" by examining how a sample of LDS women describe experiences with television in their own words. Three "interpretive communities" reflecting different strategies for resolving television-related conflicts in the home are identified. These diverse perspectives about the role of television in LDS family life provide a useful point of departure for counselors and other professionals seeking to understand the relationship between television viewing and family conflicts.
Toward a Phylogenetic Classification of the Ephemeroptera (Insecta): a Commentary on Systematics

Higher classifications of Ephemeroptera formulated in light of phylogenetic hypotheses have been essentially evolutionary in that they have incorporated paraphyletic taxa. The term “paraphyletic” has had a confused history because systematists have applied it to different concepts; for Ephemeroptera, it has denoted one type of nonpolyphyletic grouping. Such paraphyletic taxa were used so that large degrees of character (presumably adaptive) differentiation could be expressed, but resulting classifications lack any means of consistently expressing such gaps, and their ability to express genealogy is compromised. Phylogenetic classifications are now strongly advocated. Not only can the increasing number of phylogenetic hypotheses based on cladistic analysis be objectively expressed, but many traditional taxa and categories can be conserved by employing sequencing conventions. The philosophy and history of competing classificatory systems are discussed. A phylogenetic methodology is employed when possible in proposed revisions of the higher taxa of Ephemeroptera. New cladistic data are presented and previous data reviewed. Major lineages formerly part of the paraphyletic family Siphlonuridae are classified as families within several higher taxa to express phylogeny and at the same time maintain other traditional family units. Assignment of superfamilies within the new suborder Pisciforma (new infraorder Arenata [Acanthametropodidae, Ametropodidae, Analetrididae, Metretopodidae, Pseudironidae] and new infraorder Imprimata [Ameletidae, Ameletopsidae, Baetidae, Metamoniidae, Rallidentidae, Siphlaenigmatidae, Siphlonuridae]) awaits additional cladistic analysis. Considerable evidence is available, however, for the new suborder Rectracheata (new infraorder Vetulata [Oniscigastridae], new infraorder Lanceolata [Leptophlebioidea, Behningioidea, Ephemeroidea], and infraorder Pannota, new status [Caenoidea, Neoephemeroidea, Baetiscoidea]), and new suborder Setisura (Coloburiscidae, Isonychiidae, Oligoneuriidae, Heptageniidae). A new revision of Ephemeroidea serves as a prima facie example of phylogenetic classification in the order. Changes in Ephemeroidea include the removal of Behningiidae, the addition of the new fossil family Australiphemeridae, incorporation of the former Euthyplociidae and the new fossil subfamily Pristiplociinae in Polymitarcyidae, and the incorporation of Pentageniinae and Palingeniinae (formerly Palingeniidae) and the new subfamily Hexageniinae in Ephemeridae. Derivations are expressed mainly by sequencing of taxa recognized at the subfamily rank. Phylogenetic systematics is shown to have predictive and heuristic value for interpreting comparative biology, inferring adaptive evolution and biogeography, and also to have an important function in paleontological and ecological analyses.
Electronic System for Monitoring Queen Cell Provisioning in Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies

Specially constructed plastic queen cells and electronic circuitry for monitoring queen cell provisioning by honey bees are described. Cells can be monitored within large hives and during night or bad weather, without disrupting normal activities. The system does not affect queen cell acceptance by worker bees or the viability of resultant queens.
Plasmonic activation of gold nanorods for remote stimulation of calcium signaling and protein expression in HEK 293T cells.

Remote activation of specific cells of a heterogeneous population can provide a useful research tool for clinical and therapeutic applications. Here, we demonstrate that photostimulation of gold nanorods (AuNRs) using a tunable near-infrared (NIR) laser at specific longitudinal surface plasmon resonance wavelengths can induce the selective and temporal internalization of calcium in HEK 293T cells. Biotin-PEG-Au nanorods coated with streptavidin Alexa Fluor-633 and biotinylated anti-His antibodies were used to decorate cells genetically modified with His-tagged TRPV1 temperature-sensitive ion channel and AuNRs conjugated to biotinylated RGD peptide were used to decorate integrins in unmodified cells. Plasmonic activation can be stimulated at weak laser power (0.7-4.0 W/cm(2) ) without causing cell damage. Selective activation of TRPV1 channels could be controlled by laser power between 1.0 and 1.5 W/cm(2) . Integrin targeting robustly stimulated calcium signaling due to a dense cellular distribution of nanoparticles. Such an approach represents a functional tool for combinatorial activation of cell signaling in heterogeneous cell populations. Our results suggest that it is possible to induce cell activation via NIR-induced gold nanorod heating through the selective targeting of membrane proteins in unmodified cells to produce calcium signaling and downstream expression of specific genes with significant relevance for both in vitro and therapeutic applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2228-2240. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electric Control Surface Actuator Design Optimization and Allocation for the More Electric Aircraft

This work pertains to the optimization of electric actuators for the primary and secondary flight control surfaces of a More Electric Aircraft. Electrohydrostatic and electromechanical actuators are considered and optimized in accordance with the flight loads and actuator requirements identified in a separate work by the same authors. For the purposes of this work, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft is chosen as a test case. However the methodology is general and can be applied to any existing design or proposed design concept. Once the optimized actuator designs are obtained, the possibility of using both actuator types by allocating them to control surfaces on the basis of reliability requirements is considered.
Salsation: Affective Encounters and the Right to the City

The first thing I notice as I climb the old wooden stairs toward the faint sound of trumpets, congas, and clave growing steadily louder is the heat—it emanates from the warm glow of the restaurant’s entrance and gently caresses my face, then envelops my body like a warm embrace. As I turn the corner and enter the restaurant, the vibrations of base and of rhythmic footsteps reverberate up from the wooden dance floor, entering my body through my heels, traveling up my legs to settle in my gut. I move through the gauntlet of warm smiles, damp hugs, superficial pecks on the cheek, and begin to navigate the precarious dance space of high heel shoes and flailing elbows in search of my first dance partner of the evening. I notice a woman strolling gracefully through the front doors wearing a spicy red dress that might be overdramatic on any other night but seems perfectly appropriate for this setting. A smartly-dressed guy in designer jeans and a black t-shirt, smooth and confident, enters the venue. His eyes find the girl with the magical shoes and he winks at her, approaches, and extends his hand. She gracefully accepts his request by taking his arm and leading him onto the dance floor. They sway together in a close embrace before he leads her to effortlessly execute triple spins, travelling turns, direction changes, and dramatic dips all with confidence, style, and a slight smile. I watch them briefly, engaged in a flawless performance that seems sensual and intimate, yet tinged with a hint of self-importance.
Glimepiride vs glibenclamide in treating type 2 diabetes

AIM: To study the efficacy, adverse reactions of glimepiride in treating type 2 diabetes and its effect on insulin secretion. METHODS: Sixty seven patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups.Thirty three patients(F 15, M 18; age(51± s 4a )of glimepiride group were treated with glimepiride 1 mg, po , qd at early dose and 34 patients(F 16, M 18; age (51±5) a) of glibenclamide group were treated with glibenclamide 2.5 mg, po , qd at early dose. The dose was regulated according to blood glucose. Blood glucose, insulin, and HbA1c were measured before and after 12 wk treatment. RESULTS: After 12 wk treatment in glimepiride group FBG, PBG and HbA1c lowered significantly ((2.5±0.4) mmol·L -1 ,(3.72±0.06) mmol·L -1 ,and (1.57±0.05)%, P 0.01); raised fasting insulin level was not significantly different((0.8+0.4)mU·L -1 , P0.05 );post prandial 2 h insulin level raised significantly ((13.5±2.2)mU·L -1 , P 0.01), these results were similar to those of glibenclamide group( P0.05 ).But in glibenclamide group post prandial 2 h insulin level was significant higher than that in glimpiride group((37±4)mU·L -1 vs (34±4)mU·L -1 , P0.01 ). CONCLUSION: Glimepiride is an effective and safe hypoglycemic agent. Glimepiride has stronger extrapancreatic mechanism of lowering blood glucose than glibenclamide.