cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influenza A virus M2 ion channel protein: a structure-function analysis.

Abstract A structure-function analysis of the influenza A virus M2 ion channel protein was performed. The M2 protein of human influenza virus A/Udorn/72 and mutants containing changes on one face of the putative alpha helix of the M2 transmembrane (TM) domain, several of which lead to amantadine resistance when found in virus, were expressed in oocytes of Xenopus laevis. The membrane currents of oocytes expressing mutant M2 ion channels were measured at both normal and low pH, and the amantadine-resistant mutant containing the change of alanine at residue 30 to threonine was found to have a significantly attenuated low pH activation response. The specific activity of the channel current of the amantadine-resistant mutants was investigated by measuring the membrane current of individual oocytes followed by quantification of the amount of M2 protein expressed in these single oocytes by immunoblotting analysis. The data indicate that changing residues on this face of the putative alpha helix of the M2 TM domain alters properties of the M2 ion channel. Some of the M2 proteins containing changes in the TM domain were found to be modified by addition of an N-linked carbohydrate chain at an asparagine residue that is membrane proximal and which is not modified in the wild-type M2 protein. These N-linked carbohydrate chains were further modified by addition of polylactosaminoglycan. A glycosylated M2 mutant protein (M2 + V, A30T) exhibited an ion channel activity with a voltage-activated, time-dependent kinetic component. Prevention of carbohydrate addition did not affect the altered channel activity. The ability of the M2 protein to tolerate deletions in the TM domain was examined by expressing three mutants (del29-31, del28-31, and del27-31) containing deletions of three, four, and five residues in the TM domain. No ion channel activity was detected from expression of M2 del29-31 and del27-31, whereas expression of M2 del28-31 resulted in an ion channel activity that was activated by hyperpolarization (and not low pH) and was resistant to amantadine block. Examination of the oligomeric form of M2 del28-31 indicated that the oligomer is different from wild-type M2, and the data were consistent with M2 del28-31 forming a pentamer.
Transition metal induced switch of fluorescence and absorption response of a Zn(II)porphyrin–DNA conjugate to cysteine derivatives

We report a supramolecular zinc(II)tetraarylporphyrin–oligothymidine/metal ion system (ZnPorT8/M2+) for dual optical sensing of cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) with a tunable spectroscopic outcome. Transition metal ions (M2+ = Hg2+ or Cu2+) allow the switching of the emission and absorption response of the ZnPorT8/M2+ complex. The ZnPorT8/Hg2+ complex exhibits turn-on fluorescence sensing (fluorescence enhancement), whilst the ZnPorT8/Cu2+ system exhibits turn-off sensing (emission quenching) of Cys and GSH. The ZnPorT8/Hg2+ and ZnPorT8/Cu2+ complexes have an excellent limit of detection (LOD(em)) for Cys (5.95 nM and 11.99 nM, respectively) and GSH (3.34 nM and 13.50 nM, respectively).
HALLOYSITE CLAY NANOTUBES WITH PCM FOR THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE AND EFFICIENCY

There is opportunity to achieve energy savings and increasing energy sustainability through new techniques addressing thermal storage challenges. New materials may be useful to a wide variety of applications including solar thermal as well as building heating and cooling systems. This present work focuses on new thermal storage technology that may be utilized across a wide spectrum of structures. The technology itself relies on implementation of a phase-change insulation material that combines unique characteristics of naturally occurring halloysite clay nanotubes with low-cost eicosane-type waxes. This combination results in a microtube skeleton supported material. This allows for material shape preservation during phase transition heat conversion.Investigations further consider the addition of thermal conductivity enhancement via graphite-based nano particles or tubes. In this manner a unique material is presented that is capable of maintaining shape during wax phase change while exhibiting increase in thermal conductivity. Unlike wax-based phase change material systems that allow the wax to change structure during phase change, the use of halloysite nanotubes also maintains the overall thermal conductivity increase through numerous phase change cycles. Multiple material combinations that vary included percentages of both halloysite and conductivity enhancement are investigated. Thermal conductivity of wax-halloysite-graphite (45/45/10 %) composite showed increased conductivity to 1.35 W/mK. This was nearly 3 times higher than the base wax-halloysite composite. Wax-halloysite-graphite-carbon nanotubes (45/45/5/5 %) composite showed thermal conductivity of 0.83 W/mK while maintaining original shape until 81°C (above the wax melting point).Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Methanol‐induced neural tube defects in mice: Pathogenesis during neurulation

A spectrum of cephalic neural tube defects was observed in near-term (gestation day [GD] 17) mouse fetuses following maternal inhalation of methanol at a high concentration (15,000 ppm) for 6 hr/day during neurulation (GD 7-9). Dysraphism, chiefly exencephaly, occurred in 15% of fetuses, usually in association with reduction or absence of multiple bones in the craniofacial skeleton and ocular anomalies (prematurely open eyelids, cataracts, retinal folds). Measurements of cerebrocortical width in grossly normal, methanol-exposed fetuses revealed significant semiquantitative differences in the thicknesses of the frontal cortex and its constituent layers (neuroepithelium, intermediate cortex/subventricular plate, and cortical layer 1) as well as apparent increases in subventricular plate cellularity relative to controls. Subsequently, the early morphogenesis of these neural changes was investigated in neurulating mouse embryos to define tissue-specific patterns of methanol-induced damage that lead to cephalic axial dysraphism. Following daily 6-hr maternal inhalations of 15,000 ppm methanol during GD 7-8, the cephalic neural fold margins were swollen, blunted, and poorly elevated on GD 8.5 and 9 relative to controls. Histopathology of exposed GD 8.5 embryos revealed microcephaly in association with reductions in the cell density and mitotic index of at least 47% in the cranial mesoderm. The mitotic index in the embryonic neuroepithelium was also reduced by 55%, and groups of neural crest cells were displaced to the neural folds dorsal to the foregut (relative to the more ventral location in the facial regions of control embryos). When examined on GD 9.5 and 10.5, maternal methanol exposure (15,000 ppm for 6 hr/day) during GD 7-9 resulted in stunting, delayed rotation, and microcephaly in over 90% of the affected embryos. Persistent patency of the anterior neuropore and prosencephalic hypoplasia were seen in > 40% and up to 90% of embryos, respectively. Shallow optic vesicles, stunted branchial arches, scoliosis, and hydropericardium were also observed. Many 10.5-day-old embryos were edematous. Occult dysraphism, recognized grossly by abnormally narrow cephalic conformation and histopathologically by the absence of mesoderm in the mesencephalon, was present in at least 21% of methanol-exposed embryos on GD 9.5 and 10.5. Nile blue vital dye staining of methanol-exposed embryos revealed no difference in dye accumulation between control and treated embryos on GD 8.5, 9.0, or 9.5. There were no apparent dysmorphogenic effects in control embryos at any stage of development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Haplotypes of Transcription Factor 7–Like 2 (TCF7L2) Gene and Its Upstream Region Are Associated With Type 2 Diabetes and Age of Onset in Mexican Americans

TCF7L2 acts as both a repressor and transactivator of genes, as directed by the Wnt signaling pathway. Recently, several highly correlated sequence variants located within a haplotype block of the TCF7L2 gene were observed to associate with type 2 diabetes in three Caucasian cohorts. We previously reported linkage of type 2 diabetes in the San Antonio Family Diabetes Study (SAFADS) cohort consisting of extended pedigrees of Mexican Americans to the region of chromosome 10q harboring TCF7L2 . We therefore genotyped 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from nine haplotype blocks across the gene in 545 SAFADS subjects (178 diabetic) to investigate their role in diabetes pathogenesis. We observed nominal association between four SNPs (rs10885390, rs7903146, rs12255372, and rs3814573) in three haplotype blocks and type 2 diabetes, age at diagnosis, and 2-h glucose levels ( P = 0.001–0.055). Furthermore, we identified a common protective haplotype defined by these four SNPs that was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes and age at diagnosis ( P = 4.2 × 10 −5 , relative risk [RR] 0.69; P = 6.7 × 10 −6 , respectively) and a haplotype that confers diabetes risk that contains the rare alleles at SNPs rs10885390 and rs12255372 ( P = 0.02, RR 1.64). These data provide evidence that variation in the TCF7L2 genomic region may affect risk for type 2 diabetes in Mexican Americans, but the attributable risk may be lower than in Caucasian populations.
Computer-based method for calculation of the available energy of proteins.

An aspect of protein nutrition that has not been resolved in a satis factory manner is the utilizable energy equivalence of proteins. The existing methods overestimate the utilizable energy of proteins. A more accurate method of calculating the utilizable energy of proteins is to calculate the moles of adenosine triphosphate formed during the complete oxidation of a given amount of protein. The moles of adenosine triphosphate formed can be calculated from knowledge of the amino acid composition and knowledge of the metabolic pathway for each amino acid. A computer program is described that provides the bookkeeping required for these calculations. The available energy of a protein is calculated in this computer-based method by adjusting the energy value of the protein so that it is equivalent to that of carbohydrates and fats in providing the energy for adenosine triphosphate formation. The computer-based method was used to calculate the available energy of a group of proteins of known amino acid composition. The available energy varied from 3.02 kcal/g for collagen to 3.72 kcal/g for the protein of raw cow's milk. J. Nutr. 105: 200-207, 1975.
Bull groups and relationships among sires in best linear unbiased prediction sire evaluation models.

Abstract Six methods of sire evaluation by best linear unbiased prediction were compared; two included grouping of bulls in addition to relationships among bulls. Groups did not add accuracy as judged by comparisons with modified contemporary comparisons which had significantly more data. Bull relationships alone appeared to be satisfactory, and proofs had smaller variances of errors of prediction than when groups of bulls were included.
INHIBITORS OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS TYPE 1 ZINC FINGERS PREVENT NORMAL PROCESSING OF GAG PRECURSORS AND RESULT IN THE RELEASE OF NONINFECTIOUS VIRUS PARTICLES

The Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa4-His-Xaa4-Cys zinc fingers of retroviral nucleocapsid proteins are prime antiviral targets because of conservation of the Cys and His chelating residues and the absolute requirement of these fingers in both early and late phases of retroviral replication. We previously reported that certain disulfide-substituted benzamides (DIBAs) chemically modify the Cys residues of the fingers, resulting in inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication (W. G. Rice, J. G. Supko, L. Malspeis, R. W. Buckheit, Jr., D. Clanton, M. Bu, L. Graham, C. A. Schaeffer, J. A. Turpin, J. Domagala, R. Gogliotti, J. P. Bader, S. M. Halliday, L. Coren, R. C. Sowder II, L. O. Arthur, and L. E. Henderson, Science 270:1194-1197, 1995). We now examine the consequences of the interaction of DIBAs with the zinc fingers of the HIV-1 p7 nucleocapsid protein and its Pr55gag precursor. In HIV-1-infected U1 cells, DIBAs inhibited the release of infectious virions, and even under conditions in which virion particles were produced, the particles were noninfectious. DIBAs caused abnormal processing of Gag precursors, and the inhibitory effect on processing was not due to inhibition of the HIV-1 protease enzyme or Pr55gag myristoylation. Rather, the defect in processing was due to the formation of intermolecular cross-linkages among the zinc fingers of adjacent Gag molecules, rendering the precursors no longer recognizable by HIV-1 protease. Likewise, DIBAs caused intermolecular cross-linkage among recombinant Pr55gag packaged into pseudovirions, thereby generating modified precursors that were resistant to the action of protease. Thus, DIBAs chemically modified the mutationally intolerant retroviral zinc fingers in infected cells, interrupting protease-mediated maturation of virions and leading ultimately to the production of compromised virions.
Faculty Roles and Student Projects

Student preparing dissertation proposals may benefit from many sorts of interactions with faculty members. Here I consider the different sorts of advice and support that faculty may provide ina variety of different roles and relationships to students.
Play Areas and the ADA Providing Access and Opportunities for All Children

(2002). Play Areas and the ADA Providing Access and Opportunities for All Children. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 73, No. 2, pp. 37-41.
Statistical characterization of active sonar reverberation using extreme value theory

The statistics of reverberation in active sonar are characterized by non-Rayleigh distributed amplitudes in the normalized matched filter output. Unaccounted for, this property can lead to high false-alarm rates in fixed-threshold detectors. A new approach to modeling threshold-crossing statistics based on extreme value theory is proposed, which uses the generalized Pareto distribution as the unique asymptotic model of the tail distribution, valid at large thresholds. Methods of parameter estimation are discussed and applied to active sonar reverberation collected on a hull-mounted sonar system. The statistics of reverberation in active sonar are found to generally have a power-law behavior in the tails with a shape parameter that is persistent in time and bandwidth dependent. The threshold needed for accurate parameter estimation is generally found to be well below that of typical fixed-threshold detectors.
World Literature: The Unbearable Lightness of Thinking Globally

����� 1. Does literature have anything interesting to say about globalization? Is the work of literary critics germane to those analyzing today’s transnational flows of people, ideas, and goods? Many students of globalization, who work primarily in economics, political science, cultural studies, and journalism, would be skeptical of the claim that literary study could address their concerns. Indeed, they would be surprised to learn that Comparative Literature has been championing cosmopolitanism for more than a century, or that it had developed an international perspective on literary relations decades before they had. Comparative Literature, in fact, prefigured today’s transnational consciousness through its attempt to transcend the limits of individual national traditions and to investigate links among them. This makes the current malaise of Comparative Literature baffling. A discipline that promoted polyglossia and comparison for 100 years now finds itself in decline. Rather than emerging as a leading light in an academy so preoccupied with interdisciplinarity and difference, Comparative Literature has lost its glow. Most alarming of all, it has allowed English, Cultural Studies, and Globalization Studies to pursue a scorched-earth policy with respect to foreign languages. The discipline that spearheaded transnationalism in the humanities now finds itself in the rear guard. With some justification, Gayatri Spivak speaks of the death of the discipline. Her book, like so many studies of Comparative Literature today, is written in an elegiac tone. So persuaded are critics of Comparative Literature’s demise that they have resurrected the idea of world literature as a way of analyzing global literary production. To be sure, the proliferation of courses in and anthologies and studies of world literature all seems to indicate the rise of a fresh, more up-to-date approach to the study of the literatures of the globe. But is world literature really that novel? Or is it a case of old software in new computers? Has it learned from the lessons xxxxxxxxxxxx
A noise delivery system for multi-animal multi-level whole body ototoxicity studies.

The Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-D) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force, studied ototoxic effects of JP-8 in rats. NAMRU-D used a multi-chamber whole body exposure facility for up to 96 test animals and 32 control animals at different exposure levels. The objective was to design a noise delivery system that could provide a white noise source one octave band wide, centered at 8 kHz frequency, delivered from outside the exposure chambers. Sound pressure levels were required to be within ±2 dB at all exposure points within each chamber and within ±2 dB over a 6-h run. Electrodynamic shakers were used to produce input noise in exposure chambers by inducing vibration in chamber plenums. Distribution of sound pressure levels across exposure points was controlled within a ±1.5dB prediction interval (α = 0.05) or better. Stability at a central reference point was controlled over 6-h runs within a ±1 dB prediction interval (α = 0.05) or better. The final system allowed NAMRU-D to deliver noise and whole-body aerosol exposures to multiple animals at different levels simultaneously and study the effects that ototoxins may have on hearing loss.
GERD phenotypes from pH-impedance monitoring predict symptomatic outcomes on prospective evaluation.

Background Combinations of reflux parameters (acid exposure time, AET; symptom association probability, SAP) on pH-impedance monitoring describe varying confidence in reflux evidence. We compared outcomes between phenotypes with distinct pre-identified reflux parameters. Methods In this observational cohort study, patients undergoing pH-impedance testing over a 5-year period were phenotyped by strength of reflux evidence as strong (abnormal AET, positive SAP), good (abnormal AET, negative SAP), reflux hypersensitivity (RH, normal AET, positive SAP), and equivocal evidence of reflux, and compared to two historical institutional pH monitoring cohorts. Symptom burden (dominant symptom intensity, DSI; global symptom severity, GSS) was assessed by questionnaire at baseline and on prospective follow-up and compared between phenotypes. Key Results Of 94 patients tested off proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, baseline symptom burden was highest with strong reflux evidence and lowest when equivocal (DSI: p = 0.01; GSS: p = 0.03 across groups). After 3.1 ± 0.2 years follow-up, symptomatic improvement with surgical or medical therapy was highest with strong or good evidence, and lowest when equivocal (DSI: p = 0.008; GSS: p = 0.005 across groups). This was most pronounced for typical symptoms (DSI: p = 0.001; GSS: 0.016 across groups), but not atypical symptoms (DSI: p = 0.6; GSS: p = 0.2). For testing on PPI therapy, only GSS followed a similar trend (GSS: p = 0.057, DSI: p = 0.3). Compared to historical cohorts with pH monitoring alone, equivocal evidence for reflux was partly replaced by RH, especially off PPI (p < 0.0001). Conclusions & Inferences Phenotyping gastroesophageal reflux disease by the strength of reflux evidence on pH-impedance testing off PPI efficiently stratifies symptomatic outcome, especially for typical symptoms, and could be useful in planning management.
The Evolution of Metals as Essential Elements [with special reference to iron and copper]

The past few years have witnessed exciting progress in our understanding of the elements required for the growth and survival of the higher animal. As anticipated, these new discoveries have been exclusively among the trace elements, those elements which in minute quantities are essential for growth and development. As shown in Table I, after the discovery of the requirement for cobalt in 1935, there was a hiatus of about two decades before the essentiality of molybdenum (1953), chromium (1957) and selenium (1959) was confirmed. This was the end of an era in trace element research. From here on a major change in the research technique had to be devised. The animals, their food and their entire environment had to undergo a complete trace element decontamination, using special plastic houses, highly purified diets and filtered air. After a decade of painstaking research, Dr. Klaus Schwarz of the Veterans Administration and others added three new elements to the essential list: fluorine, tin and vanadium. In 1972, Dr. Edith Carlisle, University of California, Los Angeles, proved that silicon also was required for the growth and development of chicks. We now know that at least twenty-five of the 96 elements found on earth are required for some form of life (Figure 1; see also Table III).
In the Name of Population Well-Being: The Case for Public Health Surveillance

Surveillance is the radar of public health. Without tracking, often by name, the incidence and prevalence of both infectious and chronic disease, health officials would be unable to understand where and how to potentially intervene or what resources might be required to protect populations. Surveillance without individual informed consent has been challenged in the name of both bioethics and human rights. In this article we contend that a robust conception of public health not only justifies surveillance but, without disregarding the need to respect individuals, provides an affirmative duty to engage in surveillance. There may be social and political circumstances in which the names of those reported cannot be protected from unwarranted disclosure and misuse for ends that have little to do with protecting the public's health. But while the potential for misuse requires an ongoing, searching scrutiny of disease surveillance, remote or hypothetical threats should not serve to undermine this vital public health activity.
Potential Molecular Targets for Narrow-Spectrum Agents to Combat Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection and Disease

As Mycoplasma pneumoniae macrolide resistance grows and spreads worldwide, it is becoming more important to develop new drugs to prevent infection or limit disease. Because other mycoplasma species have acquired resistance to other classes of antibiotics, it is reasonable to presume that M. pneumoniae can do the same, so switching to commonly used antibiotics like fluoroquinolones will not result in forms of therapy with long-term utility. Moreover, broad-spectrum antibiotics can have serious consequences for the patient, as these drugs may have severe impacts on the natural microbiota of the individual, compromising the health of the patient either short-term or long-term. Therefore, developing narrow-spectrum antibiotics that effectively target only M. pneumoniae and no more than a small portion of the microbiota is likely to yield impactful, positive results that can be used perhaps indefinitely to combat M. pneumoniae. Development of these agents requires a deep understanding of the basic biology of M. pneumoniae, in many areas deeper than what is currently known. In this review we discuss potential targets for new, narrow-spectrum agents and both the positive and negative aspects of selecting these targets, which include toxic molecules, metabolic pathways, and attachment and motility. By gathering this information together, we anticipate that it will be easier for researchers to evaluate topics of priority for study of M. pneumoniae.
Investigation on food poisoning caused by nitrite misuse

[Objective]To investigate and analyze the cause of the food poisoning caused by nitrite misuse in a snack bar,and provide experience for prevention and control of similar public health emergencies.[Methods]Hygiene investigation and epidemiological analysis were applied for survey.The remaining suspect food and vomit were collected for lab examination.[Results] There were 19 cases of the food poisoning,the main clinical symptoms of the patients were dizziness(84.21%),nausea and vomiting(84.21%),cyanosis(73.68%).The median incubation period was 30 minutes.Lab test results showed that the content of nitrite in the remaining food and vomit were 660 mg/kg,680 mg/kg,respectively.The content of nitrite in salt,monosodium glutamate,chicken essence,noodle soup and bone soup were slightly higher than the national standard.[Conclusion]The food poisoning is caused by the misuse of nitrite in snack bar.The supervision of food additives and the diversity of education should be strengthened to improve the awareness of employees of catering trade and prevent the occurrence of similar events.
ANALYSIS OF OZONE CHARACTERISTICS AND TOWARD ESTABLISHING AN OZONE WARNING SYSTEM IN SHANGHAI

Since 2005,Shanghai Meteorological Bureau(SMB) has established a surface ozone monitoring network.In this paper,the ozone concentrations measured at five stations(Xujiahui,Pudong,Baoshan,Jinshan,and Chunmin) between 2006 and 2008 are analyzed and discussed.The result shows that the ozone concentrations are higher in the urban area than in the rural area.In heavy industrial regions,the highest ozone concentrations occur in the petrochemical industrial region(Jinshan station),which are higher than the steel industrial region(Baoshan).Ozone concentrations exceeding the national air quality standard appear from March to November,with the highest number of days in July,followed by August and May.In diurnal ranges,13—15 p.m.is the time for exceeding the national air quality standard(100 ppbv) with the maximum occurrences for the hourly averaged ozone;the time for exceeding the standard(75 ppbv;the US EPA standard) with the maximum occurrences is around 9—10 a.m.for the 8-hourly averaged ozone.Because the ozone standards are established by different agencies(WHO,European Union,the US EPA,and national air quality standard),the numbers of day for exceeding the standards vary with the different standards.For example,the numbers of day are the highest using the WHO standard,followed by the European Union standard,the US EPA standard,and the national air quality standard.In addition,using the 8-hour smoothing method(75 ppbv;the US EPA standard) also increases the numbers of day for exceeding the standard(100 ppbv,the national air quality standard) by about 100%.During the ozone warning practices,it is easier to use the hourly averaged ozone concentrations.However,by considering the exposure effect,the 8-hourly averaged concentrations have more scientific bases for the warning standard with consideration of human’s health.
Analysis on toxin gene and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of cholera of Chongming in 2008

Objective:To study the genetic correlation of cholera strains isolated form cholera epidemic and environment by routine surveillance in 2008 in Chongming,to trace source of infection,provide a basis for predicting infectiongs and making cholera control measures.Methods:Cholera toxin gene waa detected by PCR,and the molecular types of strains were classified by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis(PFGE).Results:CT gene was identified in all 8 strains of O139 vibrio cholera and 8 strains were clustered into 5 PFGE patterns.Conclusion:The 8 strains all were toxigenic and pathogenic.It′s the first time isolated Vibrio cholerae in flies in Chongming.We should strengthen surveillance for flies.Chongming annual occurrence of 08 cases of cholera epidemic of 4 from the perspective of molecular biology analysis of 4 independent distributed epidemic,no relevance.
Bioprospecting Metagenomics for New Glycoside Hydrolases

To efficiently deconstruct recalcitrant plant biomass to fermentable sugars in industrial processes, biocatalysts of higher performance and lower cost are required. The genetic diversity found in the metagenomes of natural microbial biomass decay communities may harbor such enzymes. The aim of this chapter is to describe strategies, based on metagenomic approaches, for the discovery of glycoside hydrolases (GHases) from microbial biomass decay communities, especially those from unknown or never-been-cultivated microorganisms.
Technology tools and the Curie Internet delivery system

We describe CURIE, an information management and delivery system for teachers being developed in the TechTools for Science and Mathematics Learning project. TechTools is a professional development program which emphasizes the use of technological tools in middle and high school science and mathematics classrooms for purposes of enriching the student learning environment and promoting the development of problem solving skills. Teachers receive training in the use of TechTools for data acquisition and analysis, scientific communication and collaboration, and computer modelling and simulation.
Modeling Climate Dynamically.

A dynamical systems approach to energy balance models of climate is presented, focusing on low order, or conceptual, models. Included are global average and latitude-dependent, surface temperature ...
The Law of Housing

An important aspect of the work undertaken by local authorities is that in respect of housing. The law relating to housing is principally contained in the Housing Act 1957, the House Purchase and Housing Act 1959 and the Housing Acts of 1961, 1964, 1969 and 1972. The Housing Finance Act 1972 is also of importance as is the Housing (Amendment) Act 1973.
Biosynthesis, processing, and secretion of parathormone and secretory protein-I.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the biosynthesis, processing, and secretion of parathormone. When the level of ionized calcium in the plasma drops below normal, the parathyroid gland increases its secretion of parathormone (PTH). The hormone stimulates osteoclasts to increase transfer of calcium and phosphate from the bone to the blood, and inhibits osteoblasts to reduce transfer of those ions into bone. It acts on the kidney to increase Ca retention and phosphate excretion and at the same time stimulates hydroxylation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D3] to form l, 25(OH)2D3. The latter—the active form of vitamin D—acts on the intestine to increase Ca absorption. Each of these actions tends to raise the level of ionized Ca of the extracellular fluid and plasma, which feeds back to diminish PTH secretion. The chapter also presents information on another protein of the parathyroid, secretory protein-I (SP-I), that is co-secreted with PTH. PTH in man and in those other species studied comprises of 84 amino acids in a single peptide chain. It contains no carbohydrates or other covalently bound structures.
The Thirst for Righteousness (1909)

Even as we pass by the joy and beauty of youth on the streets without dreaming it is there, so we may hurry past the very presence of August things without recognition. We may easily fail to sense those spiritual realities, which, in every age, have haunted youth and called to him without ceasing.
Varieties of social experience: The religious cultural context of diverse spiritual exemplars.

From cultural developmental and relational developmental systems perspectives, the current study employed an exemplar research design along with qualitative content analysis to gain deeper understanding of how adolescents perceived the social influences on their religious and spiritual development (RSD) among religiously and culturally diverse youth. The sample included interviews of 28 highly spiritual youth aged 12-21 years (M = 17.73 years) from six countries and eight different religious traditions. Analysis revealed that 96% of participants reported multiple relational influences on their RSD and that these persons impacted their religiousness and spirituality through various processes such as teaching and encouragement. Portions of the narrative are presented to reveal how the meaning and influence of these interactions are informed by cultural and religious tradition. The narratives testify to the multifaceted nature of spiritual development and how it is embedded within religious, social, and cultural contexts. Statement of contribution Already known Existing research suggests that adolescent relationships are critical in shaping the religious and spiritual attitudes and practices that youth demonstrate (for reviews, see King & Boyatzis, 2015, Social and Emotional Issues; Mahoney, 2010, Journal of Marriage and Family, 72, 805; Roehlkepartain et al., 2006, The handbook of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence). Parents and peers are significant in shaping adolescents' involvement and beliefs in a religious system (i.e., Denton, 2012, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 5, 42; Desrosiers et al., 2011, Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3, 39; French et al., 2011, Journal of Youth Adolescence, 40, 1623). Other studies have noted the importance of faith communities, mentors, or religious educators (see Schwartz et al., 2006, The handbook of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence; Vaidyanathan, 2011, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 50, 366). However, how these relationships exert influence, on what types of youth, and in what circumstances or cultures is not clear. Current contribution Findings demonstrate that a variety of typical individuals influence spiritual development among highly spiritual youth. Although these influential individuals might fall into common categories (e.g., family, friends, pastors, teachers), their influences are experienced through various processes such as role modeling, teaching, and offering support. These influences take on different meaning in different religious and cultural contexts.
Attributional Chromatics: How Does the Color of Written Communication Affect Interpersonal Perceptions?

This study investigated how the color of written communication influences interpersonal attributions. An experiment was conducted whereby students read a peer’s graded essay that varied according to the color of the ink used by the instructor. Feedback in red, compared with green or black, generally elicited more negative perceptions. Students reading feedback in red experienced greater negative emotion, gave the essay a lower grade, and judged the student-author to be less capable. A mediation model whereby negative emotion intervened between the color manipulation and the assessments made toward the essay, the student, and the instructor was supported. Nonrecursivity between student and instructor characteristics was found. Positive perceptions of student ability reduced perceptions of instructor competence, whereas positive perceptions of instructor competence increased perceptions of student ability.
Nutrition and Nonmotor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

To date, no guidelines exist for the screening, evaluation, and management of nutritional status in PD. Dozens of studies demonstrate an association between diet in adulthood with subsequent risk of developing PD. Individuals with PD are at increased risk of malnutrition due to the increased metabolic demands and disease pathophysiology. Risk of malnutrition is further complicated by anosmia, swallowing difficulties, constipation, and drug-nutrient interactions. An emerging body of evidence suggests that the intestinal tract is affected early in the disease, creating therapeutic opportunities for early intervention. Dietary modification and nutritional supplementation may improve symptoms of constipation, depression, insomnia, dystonia, and help prevent cognitive dysfunction. This review summarizes the state of the science related to nutrition and nonmotor symptoms of PD.
Synthesis and characterization of CeO2 nanoparticles on porous carbon for Li-ion battery

Carbon based materials have long been investigated as anodes for lithium ion batteries. Among these materials, porous carbon holds several advantages such as high stability, high specific surface area, and excellent cycling capability. To further enhance the energy storage performance, ceramic nanomaterials have been combined with carbon based materials as hybrid anodes for enhanced specific capacity. The use of metal oxide ceramic nanomaterials could enhance the surface electrochemical reactivity thus leads to the increasing of capacity retention at higher number of cycles. In this research, we synthesized ceria (CeO2) nano-particles on porous carbon to form inorganic-organic hybrid composites as an anode material for Li-ion battery. The high redox potential of ceria is expected to increase the specific capacity and energy density of the system. The electrochemical performance was determined by a battery analyzer. It is observed that the specific capacity could be improved by 77% using hybrid composites anode. The material morphology, crystal structure, and thermal stability were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA).
Visitor spending effects: assessing and showcasing America's investment in national parks

This paper provides an overview of the evolution, future, and global applicability of the U.S. National Park Service's (NPS) visitor spending effects framework and discusses the methods used to eff...
Mice lacking L-12/15-lipoxygenase show increased mortality during kindling despite demonstrating resistance to epileptogenesis.

Objective Studies have addressed the potential involvement of L-12/15-lipoxygenases (LOs), a polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolizing enzyme, in experimental models of acute stroke and chronic neurodegeneration; however, none to our knowledge has explored its role in epilepsy development. Thus, this study characterizes the cell-specific expression of L-12/15 -LO in the brain and examines its contribution to epileptogenesis. Methods L-12/15-LO messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression and activity were characterized via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. To assess its role in epileptogenesis, L-12/15 -LO-deficient mice and their wild-type littermates were treated with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, ip) every other day for up to 43 days (kindling paradigm). The innate seizure threshold was assessed by the acute PTZ-induced seizure response of naive mice. Results L-12/15 -LO mRNA is expressed in hippocampal and cortical tissue from wild-type C57BL/6 mice. In addition, it is physically and functionally expressed by microglia, neurons, and brain microvessel endothelial cells, but not by astrocytes. Mice deficient in L-12/15 -LO were resistant to PTZ-induced kindling and demonstrated an elevated innate seizure threshold. Despite this, a significant increase in seizure-related mortality was observed during the kindling paradigm in L-12/15 -LO nulls relative to their wild-type littermates. Significance The present study is the first to detail the role of L-12/15-LO in the epileptogenic process. The results suggest that constitutive L-12/15-LO expression contributes to a lower innate set point for PTZ acute seizure generation, translating to higher rates of kindling acquisition. Nevertheless, increased seizure-related deaths in mice lacking activity of L-12/15-LO suggests that its products may influence endogenous mechanisms involved in termination of seizure activity.
Decision Support Tool Improves Real and Perceived Anesthesiology Resident Relief Equity.

BACKGROUND The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education requires monitoring of resident clinical and educational hours but does not require tracking daily work patterns or duty hour equity. Lack of such monitoring may allow for inequity that affects resident morale. No defined system for resident relief of weekday operating room (OR) clinical duties existed at our institution, leaving on-call residents to independently decide daily relief order. We developed an automated decision support tool (DST) to improve equitable decision making for clinical relief and assessed its impact on real and perceived relief equity. METHODS The DST sent a daily e-mail to the senior resident responsible for relief decisions. It contained a prioritized relief list of noncall residents who worked in the OR beyond 5 PM the prior clinical day. We assessed actual relief equity using the number of times a resident worked in the OR past 5:30 PM on 2 consecutive weekdays as our outcome, adjusting for the mean number of open ORs each day between 5:00 PM and 6:59 PM in our main OR areas. We analyzed 14 months of data before implementation and 16 months of data after implementation. We assessed perceived relief equity before and after implementation using a questionnaire. RESULTS After implementing the DST, the percentage of residents held 2 consecutive weekdays over the total of resident days worked decreased from 1.33% to 0.43%. The percentage of residents held beyond 5:30 PM on any given day decreased from 18.09% to 12.64%. Segmented regression analysis indicated that implementation of the DST was associated with a reduction in biweekly time series of residents kept late 2 days in a row, independent of the mean number of ORs in use. Surveyed residents reported the DST aided their ability to make equitable relief decisions (pre 60% versus post 94%; P = .0003). Eighty-five percent of residents strongly agreed that a prioritized relief list based on prior day work hours after 5 PM aided their decision making. After implementation, residents reported fewer instances of working past 5 PM within the past month (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS A DST systematizing the relief process for anesthesiology residents was associated with a lower frequency of residents working beyond 5:30 PM in the OR on 2 consecutive days. The DST improved the perceived ability to make equitable relief decisions by on-call senior residents and residents being relieved. Success with this tool allows for broader applications in resident education, enabling enhanced monitoring of resident experiences and support for OR assignment decisions.
Creation of the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan

In October 2016, the United States announced the release of the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan, which lays out a strategic plan for Federally-funded research and development in AI. As a coleader of the Task Force that developed this plan, I was asked to discuss its creation in an invited presentation at AAAI 2017. This article is based on that presentation, which outlines not only the Plan itself, but also provides insight into its goals and objectives, and background on how the Plan was created.
Patenting genetic products and processes: a TRIPS perspective.

At the heart of the debate over patenting genetic products and processes is the question of whether granting patents on the results of upstream genetic research will promote or undermine the norms of the biological research community and/ or promote or retard the development of downstream commercial products and processes. One way to develop an empirical basis for resolving this question, of course, would be to identify national patent regimes that do and do not provide
The Yin and Yang of entrepreneurship: Gender differences in the importance of communal and agentic characteristics for entrepreneurs' subjective well-being and performance

Abstract This research examines gender differences in the relationships of entrepreneurs' agentic and communal personality characteristics with measures of subjective well-being and new venture performance. Results from a stratified national (USA) random sample of founding CEOs (N = 303) demonstrate the advantages of an agentic characteristic (creativity) for women and a communal characteristic (teamwork) for men, with regard to the respective abilities of such persons to achieve high levels of subjective well-being and new venture performance. These relative advantages for women and men were mediated by perceptions of person-work fit.
Concentrations and Exports of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Watersheds with Varying Densities of Onsite Wastewater Systems

The research goal was to determine if onsite wastewater system (OWS) density had an influence on the concentrations and watershed exports of Escherichia coli and enterococci in urbanizing watersheds. Eight watersheds with OWS densities ranging from 0.77 system ha−1) relative to watersheds with a low (< 0.77 system ha−1) density (E. coli: 204 MPN 100 mL−1 and enterococci: 88 MPN 100 mL−1) and control watersheds (Natural: E. coli: 355 MPN 100 mL−1 and enterococci: 62 MPN 100 mL−1; Sewer: 177 MPN 100 mL−1 and 130 MPN 100 mL−1). Samples collected from watersheds with a high density of OWS had E. coli and enterococci concentrations that exceeded recommended thresholds 88 and 57% of times sampled, respectively. Results show that stream E. coli and enterococci concentrations and exports are influenced by the density of OWS in urbanizing watersheds. Cost share programs to help finance OWS repairs and maintenance are suggested to help improve water quality in watersheds with OWS.
The Effect of Mother-Child Reading Time on Children's Reading Skills: Evidence From Natural Within-Family Variation.

Children's exposure to book reading is thought to be an influential input into positive cognitive development. Yet there is little empirical research identifying whether it is reading time per se, or other factors associated with families who read, such as parental education or children's reading skill, that improves children's achievement. Using data on 4,239 children ages 0-13 of the female respondents of the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, this study applies two different methodologies to identify the causal impact of mother-child reading time on children's achievement scores by controlling for several confounding child and family characteristics. The results show that a 1 SD increase in mother-child reading time increases children's reading achievement by 0.80 SDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]