cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FACS-Gal: Flow cytometric analysis and sorting of cells expressing reporter gene constructs

In this report, we present a detailed explanation of the FACS-Gal assay. This assay is used to measure the intracellular concentration of β -galactosidase, as expressed by an introduced Escherichia coli lacZ gene. lacZ is commonly used as a reporter gene to measure the activity of particular constructs, i.e., heterologous promoters and enhancers. With FACS-Gal, the activity of a construct can be measured in an individual viable cell. In addition to determining the gene activity distribution within a population, the FACS can be used to measure other cellular parameters and to sort cells on the basis of a specific range of β -galactosidase activity. This makes the reporter construct a nonlethal selectable marker. The biochemistry of the FACS-Gal assay is discussed, with an emphasis on sensitivity. Additionally, the utility of FACS-Gal compared to that of other reporter gene assays is discussed, especially its use as a selectable marker. Finally, we show two examples of how FACS-Gal has been used to answer questions that are unapproachable with standard reporter gene systems. In addition, we provide detailed protocols for the FACS-Gal assay and a sensitive assay for β -galactosidase measurements in bulk cellular lysates.
Persistence of Chromatid Aberrations in the Cells of Solid Mouse Tissues Exposed to 137Cs Gamma Radiation

Abstract Turker, M. A., Schwartz, J. L., Jordan, R., Ponomareva, O. N., Connolly, L., Kasameyer, E., Lasarev, M. and Clepper, L. Persistence of Chromatid Aberrations in the Cells of Solid Mouse Tissues Exposed to 137Cs Gamma Radiation. Radiat. Res. 162, 357–364 (2004). Primary mouse ear and kidney cultures were established for determination of cytogenetic aberrations at short (3 days to 1 month) and long (12–23 months) times after exposure of their right sides to 7.5 Gy of 137Cs γ radiation. In every case, higher levels of aberrations were observed in primary cultures established from the irradiated tissues than in those established from the contralateral tissues. The most common aberrations in the contralateral tissues and those from nonirradiated mice were chromatid and isochromatid breaks and small chromatid fragments. Primary cells from irradiated tissues removed from animals within a month of exposure displayed a variety of unstable chromosome-type aberrations characteristic of recent exposure to ion...
Absolute energy measurement of heavy ion beams using a resonant time-of-flight system

Abstract A resonant time-of-flight measurement system has been put into operation at the ATLAS facility for the determination of the energy of heavy ion beams. The system provides continuous, nondestructive monitoring of the beam energy. The system provides relative energy determination with a precision of ΔE E ⋍ 10 −4 . Absolute energy is determined to an accuracy of 10−3. A variety of beam tests have been performed to study the properties of the system.
Prescription opioid abuse: problems and responses

Prescription opioid abuse and addiction, along with consequences such as overdose death and increasing transition to heroin use, constitute a devastating public health problem in the United States. Increasingly it is clear that overprescription of these medications over the past two decades has been a major upstream driver of the opioid abuse epidemic. This commentary considers the factors that have led to overprescription of opioids by clinicians, discusses recent evidence casting doubt on the efficacy of opioids for treating chronic pain, and describes the ongoing efforts by federal and community stakeholders to address this epidemic-for example, supporting prescription drug monitoring programs and improved clinician training in pain management to help reduce the supply of opioids, increasing dissemination of evidence-based primary prevention programs to reduce demand for opioids, and expanding access to effective opioid agonist therapies and antagonist medications for both treatment and overdose prevention.
Symptomatic occipital lobe epilepsy

Symptomatic occipital lobe epilepsy is increasingly recognized among patients with partial-onset seizures. Although traditional clinical and electroencephalographic criteria had defined occipital lobe epilepsy in the past, new neuroimaging techniques and the recognition of specific syndromes associated with occipital lobe epilepsy have improved the diagnosis and management of these patients. These syndromes include, among others, lesional occipital lobe epilepsy (congenital vs. acquired), MELAS, and epilepsy with bilateral occipital calcifications. The diagnosis of symptomatic occipital lobe epilepsy is improving as functional and structural neuroimaging techniques enable the detection of subtle abnormalities in such patients. This has had a direct impact on the correct classification of patients with benign occipital lobe epilepsy, basilar migraine, and symptomatic occipital lobe epilepsy. The common clinical symptoms, EEG patterns, and neuroimaging findings of these patients are discussed.
ROADWAY VISIBILITY AS A FUNCTION OF LIGHT SOURCE COLOR

The growing use of new roadway light sources has raised questions about the possible superiority of one source over another. The questions concern the particular color characteristics of a source and its effect on visibility. The results of an experiment designed to examine these questions are the subject of this paper.
Mutations in the Primer Grip Region of HIV Reverse Transcriptase Can Increase Replication Fidelity

Mutations in the primer grip region of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT) affect its replication fidelity. The primer grip region (residues 227–235) correctly positions the 3′-ends of primers. Point mutations were created by alanine substitution at positions 224–235. Error frequencies were measured by extension of a dG:dA primer-template mismatch. Mutants E224A, P225A, P226A, L228A, and E233A were approximately equal to the wild type in their ability to extend the mismatch. Mutants F227A, W229A, M230A, G231A, and Y232A extended 40, 66, 54, 72, and 76% less efficiently past a dG:dA mismatch compared with the wild type. We also examined the misinsertion rates of dG, dC, or dA across from a DNA template dA using RT mutants F227A and W229A. Mutant W229A exhibited high fidelity and did not produce a dG:dA or dC:dA mismatch. Interestingly, mutant F227A displayed high fidelity for dG:dA and dC:dA mismatches but low fidelity for dA:dA misinsertions. This indicates that F227A discriminates against particular base substitutions. However, a primer extension assay with three dNTPs showed that F227A generally displays higher fidelity than the wild type RT. Clearly, primer grip mutations can improve or worsen either the overall or base-specific fidelity of HIV-RT. We hypothesize that wild type RT has evolved to a fidelity that allows genetic variation without compromising yield of viable viruses.
Liquidity and Portfolio Choice: A Unified Approach

The authors propose a simple analytical construct for incorporating liquidity into portfolio choice. In cases where investors deploy liquidity to raise a portfolio’s expected utility beyond its original expected utility, the authors attach a shadow asset to tradable assets. In cases where investors deploy liquidity to prevent a portfolio’s expected utility from falling, the authors attach a shadow liability to assets that are not tradable. This construct lets investors determine the optimal allocation to illiquid assets. Alternatively, investors can use this construct to estimate the premium an illiquid asset requires, or the degree to which they must benefit from liquidity in order to justify forgoing investment in illiquid assets. This approach improves on other methods of incorporating liquidity into portfolio choice in four fundamental ways. First, it mirrors what actually occurs within a portfolio. Second, it maps units of liquidity onto units of expected return and risk, so that investors can analyze liquidity within the same context as other portfolio decisions. Third, it distinguishes absolute illiquidity from partial illiquidity and lets investors address these attributes within a single, unifying framework. Fourth, it recognizes that liquidity serves not only to meet demands for capital, but to exploit opportunities as well, thus revealing that investors bear an illiquidity cost to the extent that any fraction of a portfolio is immobile.
Analysis of current multiple sclerosis registries

Background: Patient registries are valuable because they provide data that cannot be captured in any other way. Observations from registry studies are particularly informative if multiple registries confirm similar findings. A selection of multiple sclerosis (MS) registry studies were reviewed, and results and consistency of those studies are presented. Methods: A panel of experts analyzed the study findings of established MS registries and presented their conclusions on the overall results and consistency of those studies. Results: A review of evidence from MS registry studies reveals similar findings with respect to patterns of disability progression, predictors of disability progression, and changes in lifespan. Several registries show that progression after Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 4 occurs at a predictable rate, and once EDSS 4 is reached, subsequent progression rates are similar regardless of the type of MS at onset. Clinicians, payers, and patients need to understand that MS may shorten life expectancy. The mortality data derived from registries reveal higher death rates in patients with MS compared with the general population, indicating that MS is an important public health issue. Conclusions: The key findings in registries should be utilized in conjunction with data from clinical trials to optimize treatment and improve long-term outcomes.
X-Ray and TeV Gamma-Ray Emission from Parallel Electron-Positron or Electron-Proton Beams in BL Lacertae Objects

In this paper we discuss models of the X-ray and TeV γ-ray emission from BL Lac objects based on parallel electron-positron or electron-proton beams that form close to the central black hole, due to the strong electric fields generated by the accretion disk and possibly also by the black hole itself. Fitting the energy spectrum of the BL Lac object Mrk 501, we obtain tight constraints on the beam properties. Launching a sufficiently energetic beam requires rather strong magnetic fields close to the black hole (~100-1000 G). However, the model fits imply that the magnetic field in the emission region is only ~0.02 G. Thus, the particles are accelerated close to the black hole and propagate a considerable distance before instabilities trigger the dissipation of energy through synchrotron and self-Compton emission. We discuss various approaches to generate enough power to drive the jet and, at the same time, to accelerate particles to ~20 TeV energies. Although the parallel beam model has its own problems, it explains some of the long-standing problems that plague models based on Fermi-type particle acceleration, such as the presence of a very high minimum Lorentz factor of accelerated particles. We conclude with a brief discussion of the implications of the model for the difference between the processes of jet formation in BL Lac-type objects and those in quasars.
Excitatory and inhibitory effects of stimulation applied during the postejaculatory interval of the male rat

The male rat's sexual responsiveness to stimuli applied during the postejaculatory interval (PEI) was examined in two experiments. Experiment 1 was a test of the hypothesis that sexual behavior could be facilitated by presenting a novel female to a male during the final, but not the initial portions of the PEI. Although female variation is known to rearouse a sexually sated male, the same manipulations performed either early or late in the PEI, but prior to sexual exhaustion, were without effect. In Expt 2, the responses of male rats to mild electric shocks applied at different points in the PEI were studied. Shocks delivered soon after ejaculation (during the hypothetical absolute refractory period) delayed the resumption of copulation. Stimulation applied later in the PEI (during the relative refractory period) facilitated a resumption of sexual behavior. It was determined that the facilitative consequences of shock are transitory, persisting for a matter of seconds; the inhibitory effects may be evident for several minutes.
Fluid Content and Tenderness of Three Muscles of Beef Cooked to Three Internal Temperatures

SUMMARY The semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and the longissimus dorsi muscles were excised from a Good-grade, and the longissimus dorsi from a Choicegrade, beef carcass, both of known history. Each muscle provided four roasts and samples adjacent to each roast for determination of total moisture in the raw meat and for tube-cooking. The meat was oven-cooked and tube-cooked to internal temperatures of 140, 158, and 176°F (rare, medium, and well-done). When the data were analyzed statistically, no difference in the distribution of fluid in longissimus dorsi was shown between Choice grade and Good grade, nor was there a demonstrable difference between left and right sides in the muscles tested. Total moisture content averaged 69.7, 64.7, and 60.3%, respectively, for 140, 158, and 176°F internal meat temperature, and mean press fluid as determined by the one-minute method, was respectively 54.0, 45.2, and 36.4%. Bound water (not released by pressing but removed by vacuum oven drying) varied little when. related to dry matter in the meat at each stage of cooking: 21–22 g for each 30 g of dry matter at 140, 158, and 176°F. Total fluid content (press fluid plus hound water) was respectively 76.0, 70.5, and 64.1%.
The binding of corroded metallic ions to salivary-type proteins

Employing equilibrium dialysis, the binding ability of nickel, copper, and chromium from the corrosion of Biobond, Sybraloy, and Vitallium dental alloys in an inorganic saliva to glycoprotein, mucin, amylase, and lysozyme is reported. Binding was highest with copper to glycoprotein at 5.0 M Cu/M protein, followed by nickel at 1.2 M Ni/M protein, and by chromium at 0 M Cr/M protein. Tin products did not succumb to dialysis. The binding to all types of proteins exhibited molar ratios of about equal magnitudes except in lysozyme where binding was very low, most likely due to its high isoelectric point. Protein--protein interactions for amylase were higher, which hindered the nickel binding at lower protein concentrations. Peaks in glycoprotein binding vs pH behaviour occurred for copper at pH = 6 and for nickel at pH = 7. For glycoprotein and mucin, binding is taken to occur via the sialic acid carboxylate groups and for amylase via the imidazole groups of the histidine residues. It is thought that in order for copper to bind with the same number of sites as does occur with nickel, ligands of the form CuCl-CuCl2 are generated. The size of hexahydrate ligands of chromium are large which may not permit attachment onto binding sites.
Magnetization reversal in (100) Fe thin films.

The longitudinal and transverse magneto-optical Kerr effects have been used for understanding the magnetization processes in single crystal Fe/GaAs (100) thin films. By using both of these Kerr effects it is possible to concurrently detect two orthgonal in-plane magnetization components. Presented here are Kerr hysteresis curves for magnetic fields directed along the in-plane 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 directions of the Fe films. For the 〈100〉 direction the magnetization curves are square, while for the 〈110〉 unusual overshoots are present in the Kerr hysteresis curves. In order to understand the origin of these curves for the 〈110〉 direction, simulations were done using the Fresnel reflection coefficients for the in-plane Kerr effects and a coherent-rotation model for the magnetization process. There is good agreement between the simulated Kerr hysteresis curves and the experimental data. The overshoots along with the general analyzer dependence of the hysteresis curves are reproduced in the simulations. However, the magnitude of the reversal and saturation fields of the modeled loops cannot be brought into agreement with the data. For applied fields near the 〈110〉 directions, the analysis suggests that the reversal occurs through the nucleation and/or unpinning of 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} domains at two distinct transition fields followed by coherent rotation.
Evidence for electron emission stimulated desorption from negative electron affinity GaAs surfaces

Abstract While desorption from surfaces caused by impinging electrons (electron stimulated desorption) is a well-established effect, electrons to be emitted also may give rise to desorption from an emitting surface (electron-emission stimulated desorption). Evidence for this effect is derived from data on the degradation of electron emission from negative electron affinity GaAs surfaces. The time dependence of the degradation is calculated, and agreement with the observed linear time dependence is found. Using the experimental degradation ata, the desorption cross section for the electron-emission stimulated desorption is obtained as 2 × 10−25 cm2.
Bradykinin: Vascular Relaxant, Cardiac Stimulant

Bradykinin infusion causes an increase in cardiac output in rats whether the autonomic nervous system is blocked or not. After autonomic blockade, bradykinin causes a lesser decrease in the total peripheral resistance but a greater increase in cardiac output, resulting in an elevation of arterial pressure. The increase in cardiac output is caused by a small increase in heart rate and a substantial increase in stroke volume. The fact that these increases are observed after autonomic blockade suggests that bradykinin increases cardiac output by direct stimulation of the heart.
ISO: a critical evaluation of the role of peptides in heat shock/chaperone protein-mediated tumor rejection.

Abstract Heat shock/chaperone protein (HSCP)–peptide complexes can access the cross-priming pathways of antigen presenting cells (APCs), and the gp96-associated peptides can be re-presented on APC MHC class I molecules to elicit CD8+ T cell activation. This immunological circuit is thought to provide the functional basis for HSCP function in tumor immunity. Recent findings identifying a ‘natural adjuvant’ function for HSCPs suggest complementary, or perhaps alternative, mechanisms of HSCP-mediated tumor rejection.
A Brucella melitensis high-temperature-requirement A (htrA) deletion mutant is attenuated in goats and protects against abortion

It has been previously demonstrated that a Brucella melitensis high-temperature-requirement A (htrA) deletion mutant is more susceptible to oxidative killing in vitro than the parental strain and is attenuated in mice. To evaluate the contribution of the B melitensis HtrA protease to virulence in ruminants, the capacity of the B melitensis htrA mutant RWP5 to produce abortion in goats was compared to that of the virulent parental strain 16M. Experimental infection with strain 16M caused abortion in eight of 12 pregnant nannies, while none of the 12 nannies inoculated with RWP5 aborted. Furthermore, intramuscular injection of fetuses in utero with RWP5 led to colonisation of the fetus with subsequent colonisation of the nanny, but no abortion was observed. Nannies vaccinated with RWP5 showed complete protection against abortion when challenged with 16M during the third trimester of pregnancy. However, these animals were not protected from colonisation by 16M. The results presented here clearly indicate that the B melitensis htrA gene product contributes to pathogenesis in goats, but the utility of B melitensis htrA mutants as vaccines in this host appears to be limited.
Differential recall of typical and atypical sentences as a function of retrieval cue

The present study was designed to determine the differential retrieval of typical and atypical sentences given subject, object, or inference cues. Typical sentences were ones in which the predicate expressed an action that was characteristic of the role definition of the subject. Atypical sentences contained predicates that expressed actions not confined to this role definition. Third-graders, sixth-graders, and freshman college students were given lists of typical and atypical sentences followed by a subject, object, or inference cue as the appropriate retrieval cue for recall of the entire sentence. Subject cues were found to be the best retrieval cues and also differentiated the recall of typical and atypical sentences. Atypical sentences, given the subjects as retrieval cues, resulted in better recall than did typical sentences. The findings were interpreted as reflecting the unique encoding of sentences that are atypical.
Measures of visual function and their association with driving modification in older adults.

PURPOSE: Older drivers may place restrictions on their driving by reducing their mileage and avoiding high-risk driving situations in an effort to improve safety. This project identifies what types of visual function loss are associated with subsequent driving modifications. METHODS: Data were used from the baseline and 2-year follow-up rounds of the Salisbury Eye Evaluation project, a cohort study of 2520 older adults. Measures of visual function tested were visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual fields, and glare sensitivity. Driving information was self-reported. Among drivers at baseline who continued to drive at follow-up, multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of incident driving modification by visual function status. RESULTS: Worse baseline scores in acuity, contrast sensitivity, and central and lower peripheral visual fields were individually associated with an increased odds of reduced mileage 2 years later (linear trend P Language: en
Burnett-isochoric coupled data with application to adsorbing gases

Abstract A modification of the method for collecting PVT data proposed by Pope, Chappelear and Kobayashi is suggested in which a high (relative) temperature Burnett isotherm is used as a base and each expansion is followed by isochoric measurements at the lower temperatures. This is an efficient procedure for covering the P(ρ, T) surface with both isochoric and Burnett runs. Furthermore, the Burnett analysis can be reduced to a relatively simple, linear least-squares problem for nonadsorbing fluids. An example is presented to demonstrate the utility of this method to minimize adsorption errors when applied to the collection and reduction of data for adsorbing fluids.
Effects of reinforcement-paired stimuli on general activity

Two experiments were performed to explore the mechanisms responsible for the increase in activity that occurs in response to stimuli which have been paired with reinforcement (SR. The first experiment showed a sharp increase in activity to SR-paired stimuli under conditions in which subjects were not required to perform any instrumental response to obtain the SR. This result seemed to rule out reinforcement of instrumental “food getting” behavior as the mechanism responsible for the learned activity increases. A second experiment used an “omission training” procedure to further explore the mechanisms underlying the activity increase. In this experiment, SR was omitted on those trials on which activity increases were present during the stimulus. In this condition, no increases in activity were observed during the stimulus. There was, however, the characteristic increase in activity in a yoked-control group which received the same number and distribution of stimulus-paired SRs. The results of the second experiment open the possibility that increases in activity to SR -paired stimuli could be due to the adventitious reinforcement of motor behavior rather than the Pavlovian conditioning of a motivational state.
THE RULES OF KILLING AT WAR: AN INQUIRY INTO CLASSICAL SOURCES

Cet article se penche sur l'equilibre entre le fonctionnalisme et le moralisme dans les discours des juristes pre-modernes concernant les regles sur le fait de tuer a la guerre. Pour evaluer correctement le processus juridique des juristes musulmans classiques dans ce domaine, il convient de comparer les discours juridiques sur les guerres internes ou des musulmans combattaient des musulmans et sur les guerres exterieures ou des musulmans combattaient des non-musulmans. De cette facon il est plus facile d'evaluer jusqu'a quel point ces regles etaient fondees sur des notions de culpabilite morale, ou sur des considerations pratiques et fonctionnalistes d'interet.
PARENTS' HETEROSEXISM AND CHILDREN'S ATTITUDES TOWARD PEOPLE WITH AIDS

This research examines how parental heterosexism—negative attitudes toward homosexuals and homosexuality—and other family characteristics relate to the development of children's attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS (PWA). Attention is directed to the overall relationship between parents’ and children's attitudes and to the potential mechanisms through which these linkages are manifested. Based on social learning theories of childhood socialization, a range of mechanisms is considered, focusing on heterosexist attitudes in parents and communication with children about AIDS. Findings indicate that parental attitudes concerning homosexuals influence children's attitudes toward PWA, implying that there can be negative as well as positive consequences of parents’ beliefs on children's attitudes. The possibility of negative parental effects on children's prejudices toward PWA suggests that in-school HIV/AIDS education at younger ages is more important than previously thought.
Digital Scintigraphy: Concepts and Designs

Fundamentals of a 1-D digital camera are reviewed in order to introduce new designs and concepts having broader applications. A digital iterative position analysis procedure accounts for coordinate response interdependencies in a 2-D camera which would otherwise result in image nonlinearities and nonuniformities. Faster position analysis is made possible by a circuit employing buffered analog pulse current integrators which are multiplexed with an analog-to-digital converter. These digital camera designs, along with a digital method of rejecting pulse pileup which is currently under development, are incorporated in the design of a fast high sensitivity stationary single crystal scintillation camera. The design employs fixed z collimation and rotatable slit ? collimation to collect data for single photon computerized tomography applications.
Purification of endogenous modulators of monoamine oxidase from plasma.

Abstract A partial purification of endogenous modulators of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) and MAO-B from human plasma has been achieved through Sephadex, ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. The MAO-A modulator had a molecular weight of about 4,000, was acidic or neutral, and did not contain the carbohydrate moiety mannose. It was thermostable but sensitive to trypsin treatment. It inhibited MAO-A activity in a sonically disrupted mitochondrial preparation prepared from bovine striatum in a dose-dependent manner and altered the kinetic parameters of MAO-A by increasing the Km and decreasing the Vmax. The concentration of the MAO-A modulator was higher than that of the MAO-B modulators, which had molecular weights of about 7,000, 14,000 and > 30,000 respectively. The MAO-B modulators increased the Km for tryptamine without changing the Vmax. These data indicate that human plasma contains peptides that may function as endogenous regulations of platelet MAO. The significance of this finding in relation to psychiatric disorders is discussed.
Needs analysis for developing a virtual-reality NOTES simulator

Introduction and study aim Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is an emerging surgical technique that requires a cautious adoption approach to ensure patient safety. High-fidelity virtual-reality-based simulators allow development of new surgical procedures and tools and train medical personnel without risk to human patients. As part of a project funded by the National Institutes of Health, we are developing the virtual transluminal endoscopic surgery trainer (VTEST™) for this purpose. The objective of this study is to conduct a structured needs analysis to identify the design parameters for such a virtual-reality-based simulator for NOTES.
Actinomycin D: Its Effect on Antibody Formation in vitro

The formation of antibodies to bacteriophage T 2 in vitro was inhibited by 5 X 10 -8 M actinomycin D. This result is consistent with the concept that antibody formation depends upon DNA-dependent RNA synthesis.
Deepening the Analysis: Longitudinal Assessment of a Problem-Centered Mathematics Program

Longitudinal analyses of the mathematical achievement and beliefs of 3 groups of elementary pupils are presented. The groups consist of those students who had received 2 years of problem-centered mathematics instruction, those who had received 1 year, and those who had received textbook instruction. Comparisons are made for the groups using a standardized norm-referenced achievement test from first through fourth grade. Next, student comparisons are made using instruments developed to measure conceptual understanding of arithmetic and beliefs and motivation for learning mathematics. The results of the analyses indicate that after 2 years in problem-centered classes, students have significantly higher achievement on standardized achievement measures, better conceptual understanding, and more task-oriented beliefs for learning mathematics than do those in textbook instruction. In addition, these differences remain after problem-centered students return to classes using textbook instruction. Comparisons of pupils in problem-centered classes for only 1 year reveal that after returning to textbook instruction, these students' mathematical achievement and beliefs are more similar to the textbook group. Also included are exploratory analyses of the pedagogical beliefs held by teachers before and after teaching in problemcentered classes, and those held by teachers in textbook classes. The results of the student and teacher analyses are interpreted in light of research on children's construction of nonstandard algorithms and the nature of classroom environments.
A Biotech Production Facility Contamination Case Study—Minute Mouse Virus

Abstract CONFERENCE PROCEEDING Proceedings of the PDA/FDA Adventitious Viruses in Biologics: Detection and Mitigation Strategies Workshop in Bethesda, MD, USA; December 1-3, 2010 Guest Editors: Arifa Khan (Bethesda, MD), Patricia Hughes (Bethesda, MD) and Michael Wiebe (San Francisco, CA).
Microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract of fish and the potential application of prebiotics and probiotics in finfish aquaculture

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The need for enhanced disease resistance, feed efficiency, and growth performance of cultured organisms is substantial for various sectors of this industry. If growth performance and feed efficiency are increased in commercial aquaculture, then the costs of production are likely to be reduced. Also if more fish are able to resist disease and survive until they are of marketable size, the subsequent cost of medication and overall production costs would be reduced drastically. It has been documented in a number of food animals that gastrointestinal microbiota play important roles in affecting the nutrition and health of the host organism. Thus, various means of altering the intestinal microbiota to achieve favorable effects such as enhancing growth, digestion, immunity, and disease resistance of the host organism have been investigated in various terrestrial livestock as well as in humans. Dietary supplementation of prebiotcs, which are classified as non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by stimulating growth and/or activity of a limited number of health-promoting bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacter spp. in the intestine, while limiting potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and Escherichia coli, have been reported to favorably affect various terrestrial species; however, such information is extremely limited to date for aquatic organisms. Effects of probiotics, defined as live microbial feed supplements, on gastrointestinal microbiota have been studied in some fishes, but the primary application of microbial manipulations in aquaculture has been to alter the composition of the aquatic medium. In general, the gastrointestinal microbiota of fishes including those produced in aquaculture has been poorly characterized, especially the anaerobic microbiota. Therefore, more detailed studies of the microbial community of cultured fish are needed to potentially enhance the effectiveness of prebiotic and probiotic supplementation. This review summarizes and evaluates current knowledge of intestinal microbial ecology of fishes, the various functions of this intestinal microbial community, and the potential for further application of prebiotics and probiotics in aquaculture.
Effect of earthquake duration on structural reliability

Abstract Modern design methodologies rely on accurate estimates of structural reliability indices for code calibration and design. In general, most methodologies do not explicitly account for earthquake duration when calculating reliability indices. This paper presents a summary of a study whose goal was to provide a basic method to better estimate the effect of earthquake duration on structural reliability using (1) an ultimate strength and a (2) low-cycle structural damage-based limit state function. The damage model developed by Park and Ang was coupled with the theory of order statistics all within a Monte Carlo simulation framework in order to estimate the probability of failure for hypothetical groups of structures. Structures were idealized using elasto-plastic oscillators in order to simplify the analysis and make it general enough to compare with future or existing studies. A response database was used to provide randomness beyond the number of time domain simulations initially performed. Existing suites of ground motion time histories were scaled using linear response spectrum scaling for soil conditions using a well-known attenuation relationship. This study is unique in that it allows variation in the peaks of the highly non-linear structural response without actually performing time domain analyses, which are commonly employed in earthquake engineering. A simple measure was introduced and termed the duration effect factor (DEFβ) and is defined as the slope of a best-fit line for multiple reliability indices plotted against duration. The DEFβ could help provide a means for comparison between earthquake duration studies, which has otherwise been difficult.
A practical case of determining the maximum allowed PV plant connection power using different reactive power control concepts

A growing number of distributed generators (DG) in the utility networks is causing more and more problems related to voltage variations in the network and reactive power drawn from the HV network. The so called "traditional" ways of connecting and operating DGs which are prescribed in the national rules of some European countries or in the EN standards are simply not good enough for overcrowded distribution networks. Fixed set reactive power of the DGs or even setting of the DG power factor to 1 are not the solutions to the mentioned problems. In order to achieve a good solution, DG must be able to regulate its reactive power in such a way to help maintain the allowed voltage level in the network at the minimum reactive power drawn from the HV network. The simulation of a practical case of connection of a photovoltaic power plant is made using different reactive power regulation techniques. Network hosting capacity is given for different reactive power regulation concepts.
Determination of oxygen in zirconium by the platinum flux technique

Abstract The platinum flux technique, well established for the determination of oxygen in titanium, was successfully applied to the analysis of zirconium for its oxygen content after a systematic study of the optimum experimental conditions. The extraction of oxygen was complete in 20 min in the temperature range of 1850 to 2100° with a ratio of flux to sample of about 4.5:1 to 8:1. Statistical analysis of the results on a homogeneous sample gave a standard deviation of 0.0038 weight % and a coefficient of variance of 2.9%atalevelof 0.131 weight % of oxygen in zirconium. The recommended experimental conditions are a 0.1-g sample, a 5:1 flux-to-sample ratio, and 20 min extraction at 1900°–1950°.
The flexible executive mindset: how top management should look at tomorrow’s markets

The need for management to better anticipate the future is the urgent message currently being advocated by consultants in strategic market planning. Uses a survey of high‐level managers from Fortune 1,000 corporations to illustrate the advantages of cultivating a flexible mindset concerning environmental trends and their strategic marketing implications. Reviews projected developments in the economy, technology, ecology and the social/political environments that are expected to occur by 2005. Discusses appropriate marketing responses to these trends.
A longitudinal study of risk-glorifying video games and behavioral deviance.

Character-based video games do more than allow one to practice various kinds of behaviors in a virtual environment; they allow one to practice being a different kind of person. As such, we propose that games can alter self-perceptions of personal characteristics, attitudes, and values with broad consequences for behavior. In a multiwave, longitudinal study of adolescents, we examined the extent to which play of mature-rated, risk-glorifying (MRRG) games was associated with increases in alcohol use, cigarette smoking, aggression, delinquency, and risky sex as a consequence of its effects on personality, attitudes, and affiliations indicative of increased tolerance of deviance. Participants were selected with random-digit-dial procedures and followed for 4 years. Data were analyzed with linear mixed modeling to assess change over time and structural equation modeling with latent variables to test hypothesized mediational processes. Among those who play video games, playing MRRG games was associated with increases in all measures of behavioral deviance. Mediational models support the hypothesis that these effects are in part a consequence of the effects of such gameplay on sensation seeking and rebelliousness, attitudes toward deviant behavior in oneself and others, and affiliation with deviant peers. Effects were similar for males and females and were strongest for those who reported heavy play of mature-rated games and games that involved protagonists who represent nonnormative and antisocial values. In sum, the current research supports the perspective that MRRG gameplay can have consequences for deviant behavior broadly defined by affecting the personality, attitudes, and values of the player. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Lung annexin II promotes fusion of isolated lamellar bodies with liposomes.

Abstract The role of annexin II in the secretion of lung surfactant was investigated using isolated lamellar bodies and/or liposomes as the model system for aggregation and fusion. We first compared membrane aggregation mediated by two forms of annexin II, annexin II monomer (Anx IIm) and annexin II tetramer (Anx IIt). Anx Ill required 20-fold less Ca2+ to mediate phosphatidylserine (PS) liposome aggregation compared to Anx IIm. Aggregation of lamellar bodies mediated by Anx IIt was 4-fold greater than that by Anx IIm at 1 mM Ca2+. These results suggest that Anx IIt may be the more active form in vivo. Fusion of lamellar bodies with PS liposomes was promoted by Anx IIt in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal fusion occurring at 10–15 μg/ml of Anx IIt. Fusion was dependent on Ca 2+ and the phospholipid composition of liposomes. While the fusion of lamellar bodies with PS liposomes required 100 μM Ca2+, the fusion with PS/phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (I:3) liposomes required only 10 μM Ca2+. Anx IIt-mediated lamellar body-liposome fusion was enhanced by arachidonic acid, a lung surfactant secretagogue and inhibited by 4.4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS), an inhibitor of lung surfactant secretion. The data suggest that Anx IIt may play a role in the fusion of lamellar bodies with plasma membranes during lung surfactant secretion.
The Department of Defense Space Test Program: Come fly with us

The Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program (STP) was created in 1965 to provide flight opportunities for all DoD research and development activities in an economic and efficient manner. STP predominantly flies payloads that have gone through the Space Experiments Review Board (SERB) process, however the program does have the ability to fly other government-sponsored payloads on a reimbursable basis or as a rideshare opportunity. STP is a small, level-of-effort program that is charged with flying multiple space missions on a shoestring budget. The program is adept at getting the most out of a mission as possible and rarely flies the typical one-spacecraft-per-launch-vehicle mission. The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adaptor (ESPA) was developed and flown under the direction of STP. The same payload interface requirements and environments defined for ESPA are now being applied to other multi-payload adaptors (MPAs) for other launch vehicles. STP is working to fly ESPAs and other MPAs on a wide range of launch vehicles to take maximum advantage of each launch vehicle's capacity. The program also recognizes the increasing demand to fly CubeSats and has committed to flying multiple CubeSats on missions where technically feasible. STP also realizes that expensive expendable launch vehicle (LV) missions are not always practical or realistic. STP has at its disposal an arsenal of tools and techniques to get payloads access to space, be it on a free-flying spacecraft, the International Space Station (ISS), a high altitude balloon, or a sounding rocket. Space access is a challenge and can seem unattainable, but with STP's 40 years of experience it can be achieved.
Variation in behavioral responses of the South American sea lion to tourism disturbance: Implications for tourism management

Due to the highly predictable patterns of occupancy on land, pinnipeds are one of the main marine resources observed by tourists, which, in turn, could strongly perturb their behavior. We analyzed the behavioral responses of the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) to the presence of tourists and its variation according to temporal (2012 vs. 2013 austral summer months), spatial (breeding vs. nonbreeding sites of the colony), and age/sex class (adult males vs. subadult males vs. females) factors, and determined the relationship between the degree of responses by sea lions and the distance of the vessel to the colony, visitation time, and tourist behavior. We recorded 1,232 boat visits during 2012 and 2013. Subadult males were the age/sex class most affected in the breeding site, followed by adult females at the nonbreeding site. More disturbing conduct by tourists, longer visitation time, and vessels closer to the colony caused greater responses by sea lions. The established minimum distance from the colony is not enforced, generating an adverse response by sea lions. We recommend the development of management plans with the local coastal communities to decrease the impact of ecotourism on the species and enhance the sustainability of this industry.
Comparison of interannual intrinsic modes in hemispheric sea ice covers and other geophysical parameters

Recent papers have described 18-year trends and interannual oscillations in the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice extents, areas, and enclosed open water areas based on newly formulated 18.2-year ice concentration time series. They were obtained by fine-tuning the sea ice algorithm tie points individually for each of the four sensors used to acquire the data. In this paper, these analyses are extended to an examination of the intrinsic modes of these time series, obtained by means of empirical mode decomposition, which handles both nonstationary and nonlinear data as found in these time series, unlike filtering techniques based on Fourier analysis. Our analysis centers on periodicities greater than one year. Quasi-biennial and quasi-quadrennial oscillations similar to those observed earlier with a multitaper-filtered Fourier analysis technique were also observed. The intrinsic modes described feature frequency as well as amplitude modulation within their respective frequency bands. The slowest varying mode in the Antarctic sea ice cover has slightly less than a full period during this 18.2-year time period, but the change in sign of its curvature hints at a modal period of about 19 years, with important implications for the trend analyses published earlier.
A refinement of the combination equations for evaporation

Most combination equations for evaporation rely on a linear expansion of the saturation vapor-pressure curve around the air temperature. Because the temperature at the surface may differ from this temperature by several degrees, and because the saturation vapor-pressure curve is nonlinear, this approximation leads to a certain degree of error in those evaporation equations. It is possible, however, to introduce higher-order polynomial approximations for the saturation vapor-pressure curve and to derive a family of explicit equations for evaporation, having any desired degree of accuracy. Under the linear approximation, the new family of equations for evaporation reduces, in particular cases, to the combination equations of H. L. Penman (Natural evaporation from open water, bare soil and grass, Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 193, 120–145, 1948) and of subsequent workers. Comparison of the linear and quadratic approximations leads to a simple approximate expression for the error associated with the linear case. Equations based on the conventional linear approximation consistently underestimate evaporation, sometimes by a substantial amount.
Development of a high frequency (>20 MHz) linear ultrasonic array using fine grain ceramic elements

This study investigates the design tradeoffs involved in the development of a high frequency (35 MHz) 96-element linear array. This array was designed primarily for human eye and skin imaging, and features monolithic elements mechanically diced out of a fine grain high density PZT-5H ceramic. Array elements were spaced with a 50 micron pitch, interconnected via a flexible circuit and matched to the 50 Ohm system electronics via a 75 Ohm transmission line coaxial cable. The final array design was based upon tradeoffs among the level of array encapsulation, suppression of acoustic crosstalk, bandwidth and sensitivity. Several prototype arrays were constructed with promising results. An average center frequency of 34 MHz with a -6 dB bandwidth of at least 45% per element was achieved. The maximum combined electrical and acoustical crosstalk for nearest and next nearest elements was less than -30 dB, and the average -40 dB pulse length was 100 ns.