cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
8-OH-DPAT as a 5-HT7 agonist: phase shifts of the circadian biological clock through increases in cAMP production

Neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the site of the endogenous biological clock in mammals, fire spontaneously, peaking in firing rate near ZT6 or at the midpoint of the light phase in a 12:12 light-dark cycle. In rat hypothalamic slices, tissue incubations with drugs can produce a shift in this daily rhythm, the magnitude of which is dependent upon dose and the time of treatment. Previous work with 8-OH-DPAT had noted its ability to produce a phase advance, an earlier occurrence of the peak in neuronal firing, when applied at ZT6. Activation of 5-HT7 receptors was thought to be responsible for the shift, despite the clear preference of 8-OH-DPAT for 5-HT1A sites in terms of receptor binding affinity. In the present work, the actions of 8-OH-DPAT in SCN slices were confirmed and expanded to include additional dose-response and antagonist treatments. By itself, 8-OH-DPAT produced a concentration-dependent phase advance that was sensitive to co-application with 5-HT7 antagonists (ritanserin, mesulergine, SB-269970), but not to 5-HT1A antagonists (WAY-100,635, UH-301). Assignment of the receptor mechanisms for the antagonists employed was accomplished in experiments measuring binding affinities and the generation of cAMP, the latter monitored in a HEK-293 cell line expressing the r5-HT7 receptor and in tissue derived from rat SCN. The results indicate that the increases observed in cAMP levels are small but appear to be sufficient to produce a pharmacological resetting of the clock pacemaker. By aiding in the identification of the 5-HT receptor subtype responsible for the observed phase shifts and cAMP changes, 8-OH-DPAT represents an important pharmacological tool for 5-HT7 receptor activation, essentially broadening its role as the prototypical 5-HT1A agonist to one combining these two receptor activities.
Social capital is associated with decreased risk of hunger.

This article explores whether social capital—a measure of trust, reciprocity and social networks—is positively associated with household food security, independent of household-level socioeconomic factors. Interviews were conducted in 330 low-income households from Hartford, Connecticut. Social capital was measured using a 7-item Likert scale and was analyzed using household- and community-level scores. Household food security and hunger were measured using the US Household Food Security Module. χ2 tests were used to examine associations between social capital, food security and household demographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used to examine whether household- and community-level social capital decreases the odds of household hunger, and to estimate which household characteristics increase the likelihood of having social capital. Consistent with our hypotheses, social capital, at both the household and community levels, is significantly associated with household food security in these data. Community-level social capital is significantly associated with decreased odds of experiencing hunger (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.47 [95% CI 0.28, 0.81], P<0.01), while controlling for household socioeconomic status. Results show that households with an elderly member are over two and a half times as likely to have high social capital (AOR=2.68 [1.22, 5.87], P<0.01) than are non-elderly households, after controlling for socioeconomic status. Having a household member who participates in a social or civic organization is also significantly associated with having higher levels of social capital. Social capital, particularly in terms of reciprocity among neighbors, contributes to household food security. Households may have similarly limited financial or food resources, but households with higher levels of social capital are less likely to experience hunger.
Autonomous robot software development using simple software components

Developing software to control a sophisticated lane-following, obstacle-avoiding, autonomous robot can be demanding and beyond the capabilities of novice programmers - but it doesn"t have to be. A creative software design utilizing only basic image processing and a little algebra, has been employed to control the LTU-AISSIG autonomous robot - a contestant in the 2004 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC). This paper presents a software design equivalent to that used during the IGVC, but with much of the complexity removed. The result is an autonomous robot software design, that is robust, reliable, and can be implemented by programmers with a limited understanding of image processing. This design provides a solid basis for further work in autonomous robot software, as well as an interesting and achievable robotics project for students.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Conformationally constrained analogues of N-(piperidinyl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4- dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR141716): design, synthesis, computational analysis, and biological evaluations.

Structure−activity relationships (SARs) of 1 (SR141716) have been extensively documented, however, the conformational properties of this class have received less attention. In an attempt to better understand ligand conformations optimal for receptor recognition, we have designed and synthesized a number of derivatives of 1, including a four-carbon-bridged molecule (11), to constrain rotation of the diaryl rings. Computational analysis of 11 indicates a ∼20 kcal/mol energy barrier for rotation of the two aryl rings. NMR studies have determined the energy barrier to be ∼18 kcal/mol and suggested atropisomers could exist. Receptor binding and functional studies with these compounds displayed reduced affinity and potency when compared to 1. This indicates that our structural modifications either constrain the ring systems in a suboptimal orientation for receptor interaction or the introduction of steric bulk leads to disfavored steric interactions with the receptor, and/or the relatively modest alterations in...
POPULATION, EXCHANGE, AND EARLY STATE FORMATION IN SOUTHWESTERN IRAN

Several widely discussed single-variable explanations of the origin of the state are tested using data from Southwestern Iran. These data demonstrate that increasing population or increasing inter-regional trade alone cannot explain the appearance of specialized governments during the fourth millennium B.C. More complex types of explanation are suggested, and methods for testing them are outlined.
SU-D-116-03: Radiation Dose Reduction for High Resolution Spectral Breast CT Using Tensor-Framelet Based Iterative Reconstruction

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of dose reduction using tensor‐framelet based iterative reconstruction (TFIR) method for a dedicated high resolution spectral breast computed tomography (CT). Methods: A simulation study was conducted with a phantom of 14 cm in diameter for a high resolution breast CT system based on an energy‐resolved photon‐counting Si strip detector with 0.1 mm pixel size. The modulation transfer function (MTF) calculated from images reconstructed by TFIR and FBP with simulation data was compared to the measured detector MTF. In the experimental study, a water phantom of 16 mm in diameter with Al wires of various diameters and a polyethylene (PE) plastic phantom of 13 mm in diameter with three water filled holes of 1, 2 and 3 mm were imaged with 1229 projections over 360° during a CT scan. The images were reconstructed by filtered back projection (FBP) and by TFIR with various projection undersampling ratio and the image quality between these two methods was compared. The spatial resolution was evaluated using Al wires of various diameters and the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) was evaluated using the PE phantom. Results: The MTFs calculated from the simulated large phantom images reconstructed by TFIR and FBP are comparable to the measured detector MTF. The spatial resolution was comparable for the images reconstructed by TFIR with 204 projections and by FBP with 614 projections. There was a slight in CNR using TFIR with 204 projections. Conclusion: The radiation dose of a high resolution spectral breast CT system is reduced by 67% by the TFIR technique without any reduction in the image quality. Therefore, TFIR can potentially be used for a high resolution spectral breast CT system to reduce the radiation dose for breast screening.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 and fermented sausages: a review.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 emerged as a foodborne pathogen in 1982 and can cause three major disease syndromes (hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura). Outbreaks caused by E. coli O157:H7 have been linked to ground beef, milk, apple cider, lettuce, radish and alfalfa sprouts, and water. In 1994, an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infection was linked to dry, fermented, pork and beef salami. In response to this first implication of a dry fermented sausage product, the United States Department of Agriculture/Food Safety Inspection Service developed guidelines requiring sausage manufacturers to validate that their processes achieve a five-log reduction of E. coli O157:H7. Various validation studies have shown that E. coli O157:H7 is able to survive in sausages that are fermented and then dried to various moisture-to-protein ratios of 2.3, 1.9, or 1.6:1. Additional thermal processing methods or longer fermentation processes were utilized to achieve 5-log reductions.
‘Récupérez!’ The German Origins of French Wartime Salvage Drives, 1939–1945

This article examines the origins, implementation and results of salvage drives carried out in wartime France from 1939 to 1945. In post-war accounts – including memoirs and local histories of the occupation – these salvage drives were understood simply as wartime frugality, a logical response to wide-spread shortages. Yet a careful study of the records of both the French Ministry of Armaments and Vichy's Service de la Recuperation et de l'Utilisation des Dechets et Vieilles Matieres combined with municipal and departmental sources reveals that these salvage drives were heavily influenced by Nazi German practices. From 1939 to 1940, even though French propaganda had previously ridiculed Nazi German salvage drives as proof of economic weakness, officials at the Ministry of Armaments emulated Nazi Germany by carrying out salvage drives of scrap iron and paper. After the fall of France, this emulation became collaboration. Vichy's salvage efforts were a conjoint Franco-German initiative, organised at the very highest levels of the occupation administration. Drawing on the experience of Nazi German salvage experts, Vichy officials carried out the salvage drives according to German models. Nevertheless, they carefully hid the German origins of the campaign from the chain of departmental prefects, mayors, Chambers of Commerce and youth leaders who organised the local drives and solicited participation by evoking French patriotic sentiment. After the liberation of France in 1944, the French Provisional Government renamed but otherwise maintained the Vichy-created salvage organisations and continued to oversee the collection of scrap iron, paper, rags, glass and bones until 1946. At that point, the government largely relinquished control of the salvage industry.
Cooperativity in Forced Unfolding of Tandem Spectrin Repeats

Force-driven conformational changes provide a broad basis for protein extensibility, and multidomain proteins broaden the possibilities further by allowing for a multiplicity of forcibly extended states. Red cell spectrin is prototypical in being an extensible, multidomain protein widely recognized for its contribution to erythrocyte flexibility. Atomic force microscopy has already shown that single repeats of various spectrin family proteins can be forced to unfold reversibly under extension. Recent structural data indicates, however, that the linker between triple-helical spectrin repeats is often a contiguous helix, thus raising questions as to what the linker contributes and what defines a domain mechanically. We have examined the extensible unfolding of red cell spectrins as monomeric constructs of just two, three, or four repeats from the actin-binding ends of both α- and β-chains, i.e., α18–21 and β1–4 or their subfragments. In addition to single repeat unfolding evident in sawtooth patterns peaked at relatively low forces (<50 pN at 1 nm/ms extension rates), tandem repeat unfolding is also demonstrated in ensemble-scale analyses of thousands of atomic force microscopy contacts. Evidence for extending two chains and loops is provided by force versus length scatterplots which also indicate that tandem repeat unfolding occurs at a significant frequency relative to single repeat unfolding. Cooperativity in forced unfolding of spectrin is also clearly demonstrated by a common force scale for the unfolding of both single and tandem repeats.
Modified and conventional ultrafiltration during pediatric cardiac surgery: clinical outcomes compared.

Objective This prospective study compared clinical outcomes after heart surgery between three groups of infants with congenital heart disease. One group received dilutional conventional ultrafiltration (group D), another received modified ultrafiltration (group M), and a third group received both dilutional conventional and modified ultrafiltration (group B). We hypothesized that group B patients would have the best clinical outcome. Methods Children younger than 1 year undergoing heart surgery for biventricular repair by the same surgeon were randomly allocated to one of the three study groups. Patient management was standardized, and intensive care staff were blinded to group allocation. Primary outcome measure was duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Other outcome measures recorded included total blood products transfused, duration of chest tube in situ, chest tube output, and stays in intensive care and in the hospital. Results Sixty infants completed study protocol. Mean age and weight were as follows: group D (n = 19), 61 days, 4.3 kg; group M (n = 20), 64 days, 4.5 kg; and group B (n = 21), 86 days, 4.4 kg. Preoperative and intraoperative characteristics were similar between groups. Ultrafiltrate volumes obtained were 196 ± 93 mL/kg in group D, 105 ± 33 mL/kg in group M, and 261 ± 113 mL/kg in group B. There were no significant differences between groups for any outcome variable. Technical difficulties prevented completion of modified ultrafiltration in 2 of 41 infants. Conclusion There was no clinical advantage in combining conventional and modified ultrafiltration. Because clinical outcomes were similar across groups, relative risks of the ultrafiltration strategies may influence choice.
The impact of prior distributions for uncontrolled confounding and response bias: A case study of the relation of wire codes and magnetic fields to childhood leukemia

This article examines the potential for misleading inferences from conventional analyses and sensitivity analyses of observational data, and describes some proposed solutions based on specifying prior distributions for uncontrolled sources of bias. The issues are illustrated in a sensitivity analysis of confounding in a study of residential wire code and childhood leukemia and in a pooled analysis of 12 studies of magnetic-field measurements and childhood leukemia. Both analyses have been interpreted as evidence in favor of a causal effect of magnetic fields on leukemia risk. This interpretation is contrasted with results from analyses based on prior distributions for the unidentified bias parameters used in the original sensitivity-analysis model. These analyses indicate that accounting for uncontrolled confounding and response bias under a reasonable prior can substantially alter inferences about the existence of a magnetic-field effect. More generally, analyses with informative priors for unidentified ...
How specific are host-produced kairomones to host-seeking ixodid ticks?

Ixodid ticks respond to host-produced substances (kairomones) that influence the ticks' host-finding behavior. In the laboratory adult blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say, lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum L., and American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) became akinetic on residues rubbed from their principal hosts (deer for the former two species and dogs for the latter). However, arrestment also occurred when adults of these species were tested using the same method bioassay, but with host substances reversed (i.e., I. scapularis and A. americanum against canine substances, and D. variabilis against deer gland substances). Although adult D. variabilis exhibited arrestant responses to deer substances and are often found along trails used by deer, they apparently make little use of deer as hosts. It is unclear whether responding to deer-produced kairomones may have disadvantages for D. variabilis. Until the active components of host-produced arrestment kairomones are isolated, identified and evaluated in behavioral tests, this host-finding strategy remains only partially understood.
A method to account for window birefringence effects on ellipsometry analysis

Accurate knowledge of ellipsometric parameters of material surfaces is important for determination of optical properties of bare surfaces, thickness and refractive index of thin films and for study of transport phenomena in ultra-thin films. In this study an analytical framework, in the context of Fourier coefficients, is presented that allows window birefringence to be incorporated in the analysis of ellipsometric measurements. The method is applied to analysis of data obtained on an amorphous carbon sample in the wavelength range 400-700 nm at temperature 25 degrees C. It is demonstrated that the inferred refractive indices of the sample may be in error by 28% or more when birefringence effects are not included in the analysis. Thus, when ellipsometry is to be used for inference of refractive indices, film thickness and/or transport properties of thin films deposited on solid surfaces, window birefringence effects may not be neglected.
Treatment Incidence and Patterns in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

This study examined the treatment rates and patterns in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Data were collected on 353 nonreferred children and adolescents (mean age 9.5 +/- 3.9 years; range 3-21 years) with ASDs from public schools across Ohio. Parents provided information on the use of psychotropic medicines, vitamins, supplements, and modified diets. They also completed measures of social competence, problem behavior, and adaptive behavior. Results indicated that 46.7% of subjects had taken at least one psychotropic medication in the past year. In addition, 17.3% of subjects had taken some type of specially formulated vitamin or supplement, 15.5% were on a modified diet, 11.9% had some combination of psychotropic medication and an alternative treatment, and 4.8% had taken an anticonvulsant. Logistic regressions indicated that greater age, lower adaptive skills and social competence, and higher levels of problem behavior were associated with greater medication use. This was the first study to focus exclusively on a younger population, to survey patterns of modified diets, and to obtain standardized ratings of social competence, problem behaviors, and adaptive behavior in relation to medication use. The results of this study highlight the need for more research on psychotropic medication in children and adolescents with ASDs.
Studies on ribonucleic acid polymerase with synthetic polyribonucleotides as templates: Effect of oligonucleotides on the reactions

Abstract Synthetic polyribonucleotides serve efficiently as templates for the synthesis of complementary polyribonucleotides ( Krakow and Ochoa, 1963 ; Fox et al. , 1964 ; Stevens and Henry, 1964 ) with highly purified RNA polymerase. Using such well-defined systems, studies have been undertaken to investigate the mechanism of chain initiation by RNA polymerase. The stimulation of reactions involving poly U and poly A by complementary oligonucleotides is reported here. The studies suggest that the stimulation is due to the oligonucleotides acting as chain-initiators.
Microengineering methods for cell-based microarrays and high-throughput drug-screening applications

Screening for effective therapeutic agents from millions of drug candidates is costly, time consuming, and often faces concerns due to the extensive use of animals. To improve cost effectiveness, and to minimize animal testing in pharmaceutical research, in vitro monolayer cell microarrays with multiwell plate assays have been developed. Integration of cell microarrays with microfluidic systems has facilitated automated and controlled component loading, significantly reducing the consumption of the candidate compounds and the target cells. Even though these methods significantly increased the throughput compared to conventional in vitro testing systems and in vivo animal models, the cost associated with these platforms remains prohibitively high. Besides, there is a need for three-dimensional (3D) cell-based drug-screening models which can mimic the in vivo microenvironment and the functionality of the native tissues. Here, we present the state-of-the-art microengineering approaches that can be used to develop 3D cell-based drug-screening assays. We highlight the 3D in vitro cell culture systems with live cell-based arrays, microfluidic cell culture systems, and their application to high-throughput drug screening. We conclude that among the emerging microengineering approaches, bioprinting holds great potential to provide repeatable 3D cell-based constructs with high temporal, spatial control and versatility.
Has the Appellate Body’s Decision in Canada – Renewable Energy / Canada – Feed-in Tariff Program Opened the Door for Production Subsidies?

In Canada – Renewable Energy / Canada – Feed-in Tariff Program (DS412/DS426), the Appellate Body determined that the ‘benefit’ analysis under Article 1.1(b) of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement), in a dispute involving alleged subsidies provided by the Government of Ontario to generators of electricity using wind or solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, should be conducted in separate Ontario markets for wind and solar PV electricity, rather than in the single Ontario market for electricity as a whole. This article argues that the Appellate Body’s determination in this regard was flawed because it was not grounded in a proper interpretation of the treaty term ‘benefit’; instead, it exhibited a bias on the part of the Appellate Body to exempt government support for renewable electricity from the disciplines of the SCM Agreement. However, as a result of the Appellate Body’s decision, it may be permissible for WTO Members to provide trade-distorting subsidies for inefficient production technologies, particularly for commodity products, without fear of repercussions under the SCM Agreement.
Studies on Congestive Circulatory Failure: IV. The Effect of Various Diuretics on the Excretion of Water and Chlorides

Chloride balances were determined in 40 patients suffering from congestive circulatory failure and 6 with normal cardiac function, while diuretics were administered. The effect of digitalis was to increase the renal excretion of chlorides and water about equally; this action was significant in only one-third of the cases. Mercurial diuretics primarily increased the urinary concentration of chlorides in every case except when plasma chlorides were low. A xanthine (theobromine) appeared to exert a greater action on the excretion of water than on chlorides.
On sample size control in sample average approximations for solving smooth stochastic programs

We consider smooth stochastic programs and develop a discrete-time optimal-control problem for adaptively selecting sample sizes in a class of algorithms based on variable sample average approximations (VSAA). The control problem aims to minimize the expected computational cost to obtain a near-optimal solution of a stochastic program and is solved approximately using dynamic programming. The optimal-control problem depends on unknown parameters such as rate of convergence, computational cost per iteration, and sampling error. Hence, we implement the approach within a receding-horizon framework where parameters are estimated and the optimal-control problem is solved repeatedly during the calculations of a VSAA algorithm. The resulting sample-size selection policy consistently produces near-optimal solutions in short computing times as compared to other plausible policies in several numerical examples.
Investigation of the sensitivity of the Mellor–Yamada parametrization to the choice of finite-difference analogs in a numerical three-dimensional model of the operative prediction of currents in the black sea

Within the framework of the Mellor–Yamada approach, we realize a numerical scheme for the calculation of the coefficients of turbulent viscosity and diffusion in the z -system of coordinates for the three-dimensional model of operative prediction of currents in the Black Sea. Some discrete analogs of the equations for turbulent kinetic energy and turbulence macroscale are studied. Their high sensitivity to the choice of finite-difference approximations is demonstrated. On the basis of the comparison of the results of prognostic experiments with the data of observations, we choose the best approximation of the term used to describe the generation pf turbulence energy.
Effects of the Transcription Inhibitor Actinomycin D on Postzygotic Development of Tetrahymena thermophila Conjugants

During Tetrahymena thermophila conjugation, new somatic macronuclei develop from a common zygotic nucleus derived from meiotic products of the germline, and the old parental somatic nucleus is destroyed. The transcription inhibitor actinomycin D disrupts many events of postzygotic conjugation (cycloheximide causes indistinguishable effects). Early treatment causes a block of all postzygotic development, suggesting a transcription requirement for conjugants to pass a checkpoint, allowing entry into postzygotic development. Thereafter, pair separation, resorption of the old macronucleus, and elimination of one of the new micronuclei are blocked if actinomycin D is added at least 1.5 hr before each of these events normally occurs. Treatment just before DNA rearrangements in the developing macronuclei (anlagen) causes aberrant anlage DNA loss, suggesting that this DNA loss may be caused by inhibition of gene expression involved in genome rearrangements. DNA loss, and correlated lethality, appear to require previous gene expression, since actinomycin D added earlier causes cells to arrest in development without anlage DNA loss, and these conjugants can (at some frequency) complete conjugation and make viable progeny once actinomycin D is removed. The old macronucleus already had been inactivated before most actinomycin D treatments were initiated, indicating that the various induced defects we observed are the result of inhibition of postzygotic gene expression, presumably in anlagen. The defects induced by actinomycin D are similar to defects previously observed in conjugants harboring nullisomic germline deficiencies but proficient old macronuclei.
DYNAMICS FOR A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING

This paper presents results on the dynamics of asynchronous irregular cellular automata (as representations of natural information-processing systems). It is an approach to explaining global dynamics from local dynamics without the use of unrealistic intermediate structure (i.e., without synchronization or regular communication). The unrealistic intermediate structure is replaced by the the realistic assumption that local behavior is entropy reducing (an idea of E. Schrodinger). It has been shown that, for systems composed of cells programmed as cyclic finite-state automata, the observed global oscillation can be explained in terms of the structure of attractors in the global state space. The degree of local connectivity (i.e., of communication between cells) is shown here to determine the size of global attractors, and in turn the sharpness of global behavior. However, the primary result here is the extension of these results to systems whose cells are programmed as arbitrary strongly connected automata. Finally, these phenomena are demonstrated by the simulations.
Identification of a brain- and reproductive-organs-specific gene responsive to DNA damage and retinoic acid.

Abstract We have identified and sequenced a new gene from human cells that is responsive to DNA damage and retinoic acid treatment, and it is highly expressed in brain and reproductive organs (BRE). This BRE gene encodes an mRNA of 1.7-1.9 kb, with an open reading frame of 1,149 bp, and gives rise to a deduced polypeptide of 383 amino acid residues. Treatment of fibroblast cell with UV and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide caused more than 90 % and 50 % decreases in BRE mRNA, respectively. Similar decreases in BRE expression were observed in RA-treatment of the brain glioma cell U-251 and the promyelocytic cell HL-60. Decrease in BRE mRNA was also observed in a squamous carcinoma cell, 1483, that showed X-ray resistance and has a more aggressive tumorigenic phenotype, but BRE expression was unchanged in cells after growth inhibition. These data indicate that BRE is a house-keeping gene and it may play a role in homeostatis or in certain pathways of differentiation in cells of neural, epithelial and germ line origins.
On planar-tensile representation of edge debonding in patched panels under pressure

The suitability of representing the debonding behaviour of patched panels under pressure by that of flat panels under in-plane tension is examined. Threshold curves for patched panels subjected to applied (internal) pressure are generated numerically from the corresponding evolution equations and are expressed in terms of the membrane forces within the structure, resulting from the applied pressure. These are then compared with the corresponding curves for tension-loaded patched plates with similar geometries and support conditions.
Performance Evaluation of High Temperature Coatings for Hot Section Turbine Components

501-K34 marine gas turbine engines serve as auxiliary power sources for the U.S. Navy’s DDG-51 Class ships. It is desired that 501-K34 marine gas turbine engines have a mean time between removal of 20K hours. While some engines have approached this goal, others have fallen significantly short. A primary reason for this shortfall is hot corrosion (Type I and Type II) damage in the hot section turbine area due to both intrusion of salts from the marine air and from sulfur in the gas turbine combustion fuels. Previous metallographic examination of several unfailed blades removed from a marine gas turbine engine after 18000 operating hours showed that the coating thickness under the platform and in the curved area of transition between the platform to the blade stem was either very thin, porous, and in a few cases, non-existent on each unfailed blade. Type II hot corrosion was evident at these locations under the platform. Corrosion fatigue cracks initiated at several hot corrosion sites and had advanced through the blade stems to varying degrees. Cracking in a few blades had advanced to the point that blade failure was imminent. The objectives of this paper are to: (1) report the hot corrosion results of alternative high temperature coating systems on Alloy M247 and Alloy 792 for hot section components of the 501-K34 gas turbine engine using a low velocity, atmospheric-pressure burner-rig (LVBR), (2) compare and rank hot corrosion performance of these coatings systems to the baseline coating/substrate system (2) down select the best performing coating systems (in terms of LVBR hot corrosion and thermal cycling resistance) to implement on future hot section components in the 501-K34 engine for the Fleet.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The study of pH-dependent stability shows that the TPLH-mediated hydrogen-bonding network is important for the conformation and stability of human gankyrin.

Ankyrin repeat (AR) proteins possess a distinctive modular and repetitive architecture, and their global folds are maintained by short-range interactions in terms of primary sequence. In this work, we extended our previous study on the highly conserved TPLH tetrapeptide and investigated the impact of a solvent-exposed histidine residue on the pH-dependent stability of gankyrin, providing further insight into the contribution of the TPLH motif to the tertiary fold of AR proteins. Consisting of seven ARs, gankyrin has five histidine residues in TPLH motifs or its variants, all of which adopt a H e2 -tautermeric form and are shielded from solvent. By truncating the C-terminal ankyrin repeat (AR7), we exposed H177 in the 174 TPLH 177 of AR6 (the second C-terminal AR) to aqueous environment. We showed that this truncated gankyrin mutant, namely, Gank 1-201 , was well-folded at a neutral pH with a slightly lower stability with respect to gankyrin wild type (WT). However, unlike gankyrin WT, the stability of Gank 1-201 was markedly decreased together with a loss of conformation at a pH slightly below 6.0. It was rationalized that the protonation of the H177 imidazole ring triggered the disruption of the TPLH-mediated hydrogen-bonding network, which in turn led to the loss of conformation and stability. These results together with the work on Q210H mutant nicely explain that the C-terminal AR7 has a 207 TPLQ 210 variant, and are in support of the notion that a string of TPLH/variant, which may arguably act like a zip lock to the elongated AR proteins via intra-/inter-repeat hydrogen-bonding, is important in maintaining the tertiary fold. Additionally, we made rational mutagenesis to introduce extra surface charge on AR7 of gankyrin and demonstrated that G214E and I219D mutations increased the stability of gankyrin while the function remained intact. Taken together, our results indicate that TPLHmediated hydrogen-bonding network is important for the conformation and stability of human gankyrin, and the C-terminal AR contributes to the conformational stability of gankyrin (AR proteins in general) through shielding this TPLH network from solvent as well as making the surface area more accessible to solvent.
Effects of a Fluency-Building Program on the Reading Performance of Low-Achieving Second and Third Grade Students

This study evaluated the effects of a fluency-based reading program with 15 second and third grade students and 15 matched controls. Gains in oral reading fluency on untrained CBM probes were evaluated using a matched-pairs group-comparison design, whereas immediate and two-day retention gains in oral reading fluency on trained passages were evaluated using an adapted changing criterion design. Increases in WRCM due to training and number of trainings to criterion were also evaluated as a function of pre-training fluency levels. Results showed statistically significant gains on dependent measures for the treatment group, mean increases of two to three grade levels in passages mastered, and an optimal pre-training fluency range of 41-60 WRCM. Implications for fluency-based reading programs are discussed.
Beak condition drives abundance and grooming-mediated competitive asymmetry in a poultry ectoparasite community.

Objective. Ornithonyssus sylviarum (northern fowl mite) and Menacanthus stramineus (chicken body louse) are key poultry pests currently controlled by exclusion or pesticide application. We studied how host beak condition affected their populations over time and how the lice and mites might interact on a host. Methods. Beak-trimmed or beak-intact white leghorn hens were infested initially with either mites or lice and subsequently challenged using the alternate ectoparasite species (reciprocal transfer), while other hens harboured only the initial ectoparasite species. Results. Beak-trimmed hens had far higher ectoparasite numbers relative to beak-intact hens, and the 2 ectoparasites showed evidence of grooming-mediated competitive asymmetry. On beak-trimmed hens, larger numbers of lice quickly nearly completely excluded mites in competition for enemy-free space (lower abdomen), while in the reciprocal transfer mites did not affect louse numbers on beak-trimmed hosts. The 2 ectoparasites co-existed on beak-intact hens, which were better able to defend the lower abdomen habitat by grooming. Conclusion. Lice are somewhat less damaging and much easier to control relative to mites, and might be used to eliminate mites in commercial, beak-trimmed flocks. Beak trimming impairs host grooming and contributes greatly to the high ectoparasite populations seen in commercial flocks. The study adds incentives for poultry breeders to develop more docile hen strains that can be held without beak trimming. This has advantages both to welfare advocates and producers who may no longer need to use insecticides for pest control or be concerned about worker exposure to pesticides.
Comparison of MRSASelect Agar, CHROMagar Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Medium, and Xpert MRSA PCR for Detection of MRSA in Nares: Diagnostic Accuracy for Surveillance Samples with Various Bacterial Densities

Rapid laboratory methods provide optimal support for active surveillance efforts to screen for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Most laboratories struggle to determine the optimal use of resources, considering options to balance cost, speed, and diagnostic accuracy. To assess the performance of common methods, the first comparison of MRSASelect agar (MS) and CHROMagar MRSA (CA), with and without broth enrichment followed by a 24-h subculture to MS, was performed. Results were compared to those of the Xpert MRSA assay. For direct culture methods, the agreement between MS and CA was 98.8%. At 18 h, direct MS identified 93% of all positive samples from direct culture and 84% of those identified by the Xpert MRSA. For Trypticase soy broth-enriched MS culture, incubated overnight and then subcultured for an additional 24 h, the agreement with Xpert MRSA was 96%. The agreement between direct MS and Xpert MRSA was 100% when semiquantitative culture revealed a bacterial density of 2+ or greater; however, discrepancies between culture and Xpert MRSA arose for MRSA bacterial densities of 1+ or less, indicating low density as a common cause of false-negative culture results. Since 1+ or less was established as the most common MRSA carrier state, broth enrichment or PCR may be critical for the identification of all MRSA carriers who may be reservoirs for transmission. In this active-surveillance convenience sample, the use of broth enrichment followed by subculture to MS offered a low-cost but sensitive method for MRSA screening, with performance similar to that of Xpert MRSA PCR.
Pulmonary complications of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary complications challenge the medical management of patients who have sustained aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We assessed the frequency and types of pulmonary complications after aneurysmal SAH and analyzed the impact of pulmonary complications on patient outcome. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all patients with acute SAH treated at our institution between 1990 and 1997. Three hundred five consecutive patients with an aneurysmal hemorrhage source documented by angiography and treated within 7 days of ictus were analyzed. Outcomes at longest follow-up (mean, 16 mo) were measured by use of the Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS: Pulmonary complications were documented in 66 patients (22%). The pulmonary complications were nosocomial pneumonia in 26 patients (9%), congestive heart failure in 23 (8%), aspiration pneumonia in 17 (6%), neurogenic pulmonary edema in 5 (2%), pulmonary embolus in 2 (1%), and other pulmonary disorders in 4 (1%); 11 patients had two pulmonary complications. The incidence of symptomatic vasospasm was greater in patients with pulmonary complications (63%) than in patients without pulmonary complications (31%) (P 0.001), and this association was independent of age and clinical grade at admission (odds ratio, 3.68; P 0.001). Overall clinical outcomes were worse in patients with pulmonary complications (mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 3.3) than in patients without pulmonary complications (mean Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 4.0; P 0.0001), but pulmonary complications were not an independent predictor of worse outcome when adjusted for age and clinical grade at admission (odds ratio, 1.38; P 0.315). CONCLUSION: Patients who experience pulmonary complications after aneurysmal SAH have a higher incidence of symptomatic vasospasm than do patients without pulmonary complications. This most likely reflects both the failure to maintain aggressive hypervolemic and hyperdynamic therapy in patients with pulmonary compromise and the possible precipitation of congestive heart failure by hypervolemic therapy in patients with preexisting delayed ischemic neurological deficit. Although patients with pulmonary complications have worse overall clinical outcomes than do patients without pulmonary complications, this is attributable to older age and worse clinical grades at admission.
Theoretical Perspectives of Male Sexual Abuse: Conceptualization of a Case Study

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the traumatic impact that sexual abuse can have on a young male's development by addressing mediating dispositions that can render a child vulnerable to the effects of sexual abuse. Consideration is given to three different theoretical perspectives that are not exclusive to male victims but shed light on the impact that sexual abuse can have on the development of a young boy. These perspectives include early family relationships and attachment theory, developmental psychopathology, and trauma theory. These theoretical lenses provide a conceptual understanding into why some victims are vulnerable to the effects of sexual abuse. Each theoretical view is applied to a case study of an adolescent male with a history of early trauma and sexual abuse. Clinical implications are discussed.
Hybrids: good for cars and the environment-are they good for the spine too?

COMMENTARY ON: Erkan S, Rivera Y, Wu C, et al. Biomechanical comparison of a two-level Maverick disc replacement with a hybrid one-level disc replacement and one-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Spine J 2009;9:830–835 ( in this issue ).
Nickel(II)-substituted azurin I from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans as characterized by resonance Raman spectroscopy at cryogenic temperature.

Metal-substituted blue copper proteins (cupredoxins) have been successfully used to study the effect of metal-ion identity on their active-site properties, specifically the coordination geometry and metal–ligand bond strengths. In this work, low-temperature (77 K) resonance Raman (RR) spectra of the blue copper protein Alcaligenes xylosoxidans azurin I and its Ni(II) derivative are reported. A detailed analysis of all observed bands is presented and responsiveness to metal substitution is discussed in terms of structural and bonding changes. The native cupric site exhibits a RR spectrum characteristic of a primarily trigonal planar (type 1) coordination geometry, identified by the ν(Cu–S)Cys markers at 373, 399, 409, and 430 cm−1. Replacement of Cu(II) with Ni(II) results in optical and RR spectra that reveal (1) a large hypsochromic shift in the main (Cys)S → M(II) charge-transfer absorption from 622 to 440 nm, (2) greatly reduced metal–thiolate bonding interaction, indicated by substantially lower ν(Ni–S)Cys stretching frequencies, (3) elevation of the cysteine ν(C β –S) stretching, amide III, and ρ s(C β H2) scissors vibrational modes, and (4) primarily four-coordinated, trigonally distorted tetrahedral geometry of the Ni(II) site that is marked by characteristic ν(Ni–S)Cys stretching RR bands at 347, 364, and 391 cm−1. Comparisons of the electronic and vibrational properties between A. xylosoxidans azurin I and its closely structurally related azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa are made and discussed. For cupric azurins, the intensity-weighted average M(II)–S(Cys) stretching frequencies are calculated to be ν(Cu–S)iwa = 406.3 and 407.6 cm−1, respectively. These values decreased to ν(Ni–S)iwa = 359.3 and 365.5 cm−1, respectively, after Ni(II) → Cu(II) exchange, suggesting that the metal–thiolate interactions are similar in the two native proteins but are much less alike in their Ni(II)-substituted forms.
New species of Araceae from Ecuador

Abstract Croat T. B., Joyce M. & Kostelac C. V.: New species of Araceae from Ecuador. — Willdenowia 40: 331–343. — Online ISSN 1868-6397; © 2010 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.40.40212 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) Eight species from Ecuador are described as new to science. Anthurium boekei, A. caldodsonii, A. kajekai, A. lynniae, A. mendietae, A. quinindense, A. werneri and Philodendron misahualiense. Four of these, A. boekei, A. caldodsonii, A. lynniae and A. quinindense, are from the western slopes of the Andes, while the remainder are from the eastern slopes.
A Secure Data Transmission Scheme for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

We propose a secure data transmission scheme that takes advantage of node mobility. The scheme is based on the observation that due to mobility, messages sent at different times are routed through different intermediate nodes. The source divides a message into multiple shares and sends these shares at different times. The destination combines enough shares to recover the original message. Due to mobility, it is high unlikely that an intermediate node is able to collect enough shares. The feasibility of this scheme is analyzed and simulated.
A qualitative investigation of Hispanic construction worker perspectives on factors impacting worksite safety and risk

Background: Hispanic workers have higher rates of injury and death on construction worksites than workers of other ethnicities. Language barriers and cultural differences have been hypothesized as reasons behind the disparate rates. Methods: We conducted two series of focus groups with union and non-union Hispanic construction workers to ask them about their perceptions of the causes for the unequal rates. Spanish transcripts were translated and coded in QSR NVivo software for common themes. Results: Workers reported a difficult work environment characterized by supervisor pressure, competition for jobs and intimidation with regard to raising safety concerns. Language barriers or cultural factors were not strongly represented as causative factors behind the rates. Conclusion: The results of this study have informed the development of an intervention trial that seeks to prevent falls and silica dust exposure by training contractors employing Hispanic construction workers in the elements of safety leadership, including building respect for their Hispanic workers and facilitating their participation in a safety program.
Urinary excretion of probenecid and its metabolites in humans as a function of dose.

Abstract A GLC assay was used to study the excretion of probenecid and its metabolites in the urine of human subjects following oral doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 g. From 75 to 88% of the dose was found in the urine. The major metabolite, probenecid acyl glucuronide, accounted for 34–47% of the dose. Approximately equal amounts (10–15%) of the mono- N -propyl, secondary alcohol, and carboxylic acid metabolites were excreted in the unconjugated form with only traces in the conjugated form. The primary alcohol metabolite was not found in measurable amounts. The terminal half-lives for excretion of all metabolites were in the range of 4–6 hr, were independent of dose, and were limited by their rates of formation. A prolonged time course of excretion of the metabolites, particularly at higher doses, suggests that probenecid, being poorly soluble in water, precipitates from solution in the GI tract, forming a depot of drug from which absorption is dissolution rate limited. The urinary excretion of unchanged probenecid, which accounts for 4–13% of the dose, is dependent on both the pH and flow rate of urine.