cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatty acid and amino acid composition of eggs, muscle and midgut glands of freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man), raised in fertilized ponds, unfertilized ponds or fed prepared diets

Fatty acid and amino acid profiles were determined in three tissues (eggs, muscle and midgut glands) from freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man), raised unfed in ponds with no organic fertilization, unfed in ponds with organic fertilization or fed a formulated, pelleted diet. Amino acid profiles of tail muscle and eggs were not treatment-dependent. Comparison of amino acid profiles of the diet with those of tissues of animals fed that diet suggest that dietary levels of arginine, histidine, methionine, and especially lysine may be suboptimal. Fatty acid profiles of the midgut gland, tail muscle, and to a lesser extent, eggs reflected the fatty acid composition of the diet in the fed treatment, the organic fertilizer material in the fertilized treatment and natural food organisms in the unfed treatment. Direct consumption of organic fertilizer particles by the prawns is supported by these data. Selective retention of essential fatty acids appears likely in all three treatments. Comparison of the fatty acid composition of prawn eggs and muscle tissue with that of the pelleted diet indicates that 18: 3(n-3), 20: 5(n-3), and especially 20: 4(n-6) are probably below optimal levels. However, under practical culture conditions, prawn growth may not be significantly reduced because of relatively low dietary requirements and contributions from natural foods in the ponds.
Content of Gossypol in Plants Belonging to Genera Related to Cotton

Analyses were made of seeds and plant parts of 9 species of Cienfuegosia, 4 species of Thespesia, and 1 species of Kokia for content of gossypol and oil. The seeds of Cienfuegosia were nearly free of gossypol; the other plant parts contained much larger quantities. The desirability of a similar condition in cultivated cottons is discussed.
Carbon dioxide and methane in the Arctic atmosphere

Fifty flask air samples were taken during April 1986 from a NOAA WP-3D Orion aircraft which flew missions across a broad region of the Arctic as part of the second Arctic Gas and Aerosol Sampling Program (AGASP II). The samples were subsequently analyzed for both carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The samples were taken in well-defined layers of Arctic haze, in the background troposphere where no haze was detected, and from near the surface to the lower stratosphere. Vertical profiles were specifically measured in the vicinity of Barrow, Alaska to enable comparisons with routine surface measurements made at the NOAA/GMCC observatory. Elevated levels of both methane and carbon dioxide were found in haze layers. For samples taken in the background troposphere we found negative vertical gradients (lower concentrations aloft) for both gases. For the entire data set (including samples collected in the haze layers) we found a strong positive correlation between the methane and carbon dioxide concentrations, with a linear regression slope of 17.5 ppb CH4/ppm CO2, a standard error of 0.6, and a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.95. This correlation between the two gases seen in the aircraft samples was corroborated by in situ surface measurements of these gases made at the Barrow observatory during March and April 1986. We also find a similar relationship between methane and carbon dioxide measured concurrenty for a short period in the moderately polluted urban atmosphere of Boulder, Colorado. We suggest that the strong correlation between methane and carbon dioxide concentrations reflects a common source region for both, with subsequent long-range transport of the polluted air to the Arctic.
Skilled Immigrant Women in the US and the Double Earnings Penalty

Abstract Although a large literature exists on the United States labor market experiences of low-skilled immigrant men, relatively few studies have examined the labor market position of highly skilled immigrant women. The current study explores the issue of labor market discrimination and examines the extent to which highly skilled immigrant women experience an earnings disadvantage as a result of both gender status and nativity status. Relying on data from the 2000 US Decennial Census 5-Percent Integrated Public Use Microdata Sample and using an augmented Oaxaca decomposition technique, this study finds that highly skilled immigrant women do experience a double earnings penalty. In addition, the results suggest that nativity status explains a larger portion of the double earnings penalty than gender status. These findings are important in light of the higher emigration rates for skilled women than for skilled men in regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Oceania.
A cell cycle model for the tachyzoite of Toxoplasma gondii using the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase

Toxoplasma gondii (RH strain) tachyzoites were transfected with a plasmid containing a fusion of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase and the Herpes simplex virus-2 thymidine kinase coding regions and transgenic parasites obtained by chloramphenicol selection. CTK11, a single high expressing clone was isolated based on immunofluorescence and contained approximately five integrated copies of the fusion sequence. Lysates prepared from this clone displayed thymidine kinase activity of 2.9 pmol min(-1) microg(-1) protein, whereas thymidine kinase activity was not detected in lysates from the parental RH strain. Growth of CTK11 tachyzoites was fully inhibited in 5 microM ganciclovir and thymidine and in 2.5 microM 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine. While the inhibitory effects of ganciclovir were lethal, low concentrations of thymidine (10 microM) were largely reversible. Asynchronously growing CTK11 tachyzoites were found to contain major G1 (1 N) and S phase (1 N+) distributions as determined by relative propidium iodide fluorescence and with reference to the haploid (1 N) DNA content of a T. gondii sporozoite population. CTK11 tachyzoites blocked 4 h in 10 microM thymidine exhibited mean fluorescence consistent with a 1 N complement of DNA indicating growth was arrested in G1. Following the removal of excess thymidine, parasites immediately entered S phase, thus confirming the late G1 block. Parasites with a 2 N complement of DNA (G2 + M) first appear at 2 h post-release, while 1 N (G1) parasites re-appear at 3 h suggesting the length of S phase is < or = 2 h and that of G2 + M is < or = 1 h. Within 7 h, parasites had transited G2 + M and much of G1 and re-entered S of the subsequent cell cycle--a time consistent with the doubling of these parasites in culture. Thus, the CTK11 tachyzoite cell cycle is similar to those of higher eukaryotic cells and is characterized by major G1 and S phases and a relatively short G2 + M.
Empirical determination of intermediate-coupling amplitudes and transition rates from spectroscopic data

A simple general method is presented whereby measured spectroscopic energy-level data can be used to empirically construct the eigenvectors of intermediate coupling for an arbitrary configuration. These empirical eigenvectors can be used to elucidate the transition rates into, out of, and among the levels of the configuration by separating the effects of intermediate coupling from the radial transition moment. Predictive applications to the ${\mathit{np}}^{3}$ configurations of the N and P isoelectronic sequences are presented.
Lake Trout: Valuable Native Fauna or Just Grease?

Abstract Twenty four years have passed since the first major stocking of lake trout yearlings was made into Lake Michigan as part of the rehabilitation effort. Significant natural reproduction has not been documented there. Only in Lake Superior, where 90% of some stocks are now from natural reproduction, has there been good progress. Did the fish management agencies fail? Not if the goal of lake trout rehabilitation was in part to stop and reverse the long-run trend toward ecological degradation. Current fisheries enhanced by stocking have revitalized Great Lakes coastal cities and engendered public support for a clean environment. For the next phase, we need to reassess our expectations for the future timelines and be more patient. We need to work not just with anglers, but also with the general public to maintain and increase support for lake trout rehabilitation and a cleaner Great Lakes environment.
Intramyocardial electrical and metabolic activity during hypothermia and potassium cardioplegia.

Abstract Hypothermic potassium cardioplegia is widely used to reduce myocardial metabolism as a means of myocardial protection. To investigate the efficacy of intramyocardial electrical activity as an indicator of myocardial metabolism, 12 dogs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and myocardial oxygen consumption, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (P co 2 ) in the coronary sinus, myocardial temperature, and intramyocardial and surface electrocardiograms were measured. The hearts were fibrillated and cooled to 15°C. In Group 1 (6 dogs), potassium cardioplegia was given at 15°C. In Group 2 (6 dogs), it was given at 25°C. Maximum coronary sinus P co 2 and oxygen consumption occurred at 36°C and gradually decreased, but there was still evidence of metabolic activity and intramyocardial electrical activity at 15°C. When cardioplegia was given at 15°C, all electrical activity ceased and there was a further significant reduction in metabolic activity (coronary sinus P co 2 and oxygen consumption). In Group 2 similar findings were found at 25°C, and there was no further reduction in metabolic activity at 15°C. These data indicate that: (1) myocardial metabolic activity is lowest when there is electrical quiescence as measured with an intramyocardial electrode; (2) potassium arrest and hypothermia are both necessary to achieve electrical quiescence; and (3) in the potassium-arrested heart, lowering temperature from 25° to 15°C does not result in a further reduction of metabolic activity.
Gender and Marital Satisfaction: A Replication with a Sample of Spouses from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

In a subsample of 57 husbands and 120 wives who had participated in a larger study of retention of church members, an effect size of 0.23 was found between gender and marital satisfaction as measur...
Retailing in the Transition Economies of Poland and Romania: A Comparative Analysis

This research compares and contrasts the current state of development in the retailing industry in the transition economies of Poland and Romania. Two issues examined in this research are (a) the process of market reforms and resulting developments in store-based and non-store retailing, including the competition among large multinational retail chains and small local retail stores, and (b) the structure of the retail industry in terms of market share of 17 different categories of retailers within their respective sectors, namely, grocery retailers, specialty retailers, and non-store retailers, and overall growth registered by these retailers in the last 5 years (2004–2009). Managerial implications of the findings in terms of the opportunities and challenges in different categories of retailing business in the two countries are discussed, and directions for future research are identified.
Impaired learning and memory in mature spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract In very old, normotensive rats, a disorganization occurs selectively in the retrosplenial cortex, and a similar disorganization occurs in this area in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at a much earlier age. Since this breakdown compromises a neural circuit involved in learning and memory, this study tests the hypotheses that these functions are disturbed in mature SHR and that they can be prevented or attenuated by long-term, anti-hypertensive therapy. SHR and Sprague Dawley rats (SD) at 3- and 12 months of age, and a group of SHR that had been normotensive from 3 to 12 months of age (CAP-SHR) were trained on an 8 arm radial maze task. Of the 12-month-old groups, SD reached criterion earliest (28 ± 2 days and made the least number of total errors. In comparison, 12-month-old SHR took significantly longer to reach criterion (39 ± 2 days) and made nearly twice as many total errors. CAP-SHR were intermediate between the other two groups (32 ± 2 days). Three-month-old SD learned the task at the same rate as the 12-month-old SD. In contrast, 3-month-old SHR learned the task significantly faster (21 ± 1 days) and with fewer errors than any other group. These data indicate that, in SHR, learning and memory are compromised by 12 months of age, and that anti-hypertensive therapy with captopril partially prevents this decline.
There are Many Alternatives: Margaret Thatcher in the History of Economic Thought

The last twenty-five years of the twentieth century were freighted with important moments for historians of economic thought: the collapse of the Keynesian consensus, the rise (and fall) of monetarism, the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the other Marxist-Leninist states in central and eastern Europe, the rise of neo-liberalism, and arguments over the possible emergence of a “New Economy” following the internet investment boom at the end of the 1990s. Each of these moments will require its own history as we slowly move away from the tumult of the times and begin to weigh them for their own significance. But several of the moments have a common iconic face in Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1979 to 1990. Few other individuals so readily embody the sense of the times. Thatcher's election—a full year and a half before Ronald Reagan's—marks for many people the moment when Keynesian policies finally and irretrievably lost their legitimacy. Likewise, the timing of her election, just two months before Paul Volcker's selection as the chair of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in the United States, also means that for many people Thatcher's is the public face of monetarism's ascendancy. Finally, there is probably no one person whose name is so clearly associated with the rise of free market thinking and neo-liberalism during the end of the twentieth century.
Rheological properties of cement mixes: IV. Effects of superplasticizers on viscosity and yield stress

Abstract The effect of sulfonated naphthalene- and melamine-formaline condensates upon the viscometric properties of cement pastes and slurries has been investigated. Plastic viscosity and yield stress were determined from coaxial cylinder viscometer measurements. These were related to admixture type and concentration, cement type, and to the volume concentration of cement in the mix.
Inhibition of Glucose Oxidation by 6-Deoxy-D-Glucose.∗†

Summary6-Deoxy-D-glucose has been shown to be an inhibitor of glucose oxidation in rat kidney slices, mouse adipose tissue, and rat diaphragm. The raio of 6-DOG to glucose which gave a 50% inhibition of glucose oxidation corresponded to 12:1 in rat kidney slices and rat diaphragm and 4:1 in mouse adipose tissue. The inhibition of glucose oxidation in mouse adipose tissue was shown to be reversible. Experiments using rat diaphragm tissue showed that 6-DOG inhibited uptake of glucose in proportion to decrease in glucose oxidation. Incubation of mouse adipose tissue with 6-DOG uniformly labeled with C14 did not result in formation of measurable amounts of C14O2. It is concluded that this compound is incapable of complete oxidation in this tissue. It is believed that the site of competitive inhibition is either at the cell entry mechanism or at the hexokinase reaction. Thus, the metabolic block produced by 6-DOG should be less complex than that produced by the 2-position modified sugars. The use of 6-DOG may ...
An Empirical Study of Jackknife-Constructed Confidence Regions in Nonlinear Regression

A jack knife procedure for constructing confidence regions in nonlinear regression is examined using Monte Carlo simulation. The jack knife promises to be asymptotically double-edged, being both independent of linearizing approximations to the regression surface and insensitive to specification of the error distribution. For moderate sample sizes the jack knife cannot be trusted in establishing joint confidence regions.
An ultramicro method for the measurement of pepsin

Abstract Hemoglobin labeled with I131 has been found to be a satisfactory substrate for pepsin. It has been used to develop a simple, reproducible, assay for this enzyme far more sensitive than methods used previously. The sensitivity of the method can be altered at will by varying the specific activity of the substrate. The method has been applied to the analysis of solutions of pepsin ranging in concentration from 3 to 750 ng/ml. It is also applicable with slight modifications to the measurement of many other proteolytic enzymes.
Stimuli and subjects in one-tailed tests

It is argued that in many experiments in which two kinds of stimuli are compared, the best statistical test is a one-tailed test across stimuli. This view implies that Clark’s (1973) argument for testing across stimuli and subjects may not apply for some common types of experiments, including his own examples.
Structures in stratified plane mixing layers and the effects of cross-shear

A two-dimensional temporal mixing layer is generated in a stratified tilting tank similar to that used by Thorpe (1968). Extensive flow dynamics visualization is carried out using, for the top and bottom layers, fluids of different densities but of the same index of refraction. The two-dimensional density field is measured with the laser-induced fluorescence technique (LIF). The study examines further the classical problem of the two-dimensional mixing layer and explores the effects of cross-shear on a nominally two-dimensional mixing layer, a situation widespread in complex industrial and natural flows. Cross-shear is another component of shear, in plane with but perpendicular to the main shear of the base flow, generated by tilting the tank around a second axis.
A framework for the design of dependent‐failure algorithms

Dependent failures constitute a real problem in distributed systems. In this paper, we present a framework for the design of distributed algorithms for systems in which failures of processes are not necessarily independent or identically distributed. To derive this framework, we revisit the traditional way of designing distributed algorithms: assuming a threshold t on the number of process failures and determining constraints on process replication of the form All mathematics should have . Under this model, there are several important results in the literature, and we use observations from these results to derive a framework that enables more expressive characterizations of failures, but still captures the essence of previous results. Our framework then has two parts: a characterization of the subsets of processes that can fail in an execution and properties that express constraints on process replication, called replication predicates. After presenting our model to characterize failures, we first consider a class of replication predicates that represent most well-known problems in distributed computing. Second, we extend this set to also include some predicates for problems that have unusual bounds. We argue that, although being unusual, they have important practical implications, such as using fewer replicas. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of a coulometric assay technique to study the variables affecting deuterium loading levels within palladium electrodes

Abstract We report in this paper measurements of hydrogen (H) and deuterium (D) loading stoichiometries in Pd electrodes. We accomplished these analyses using an electrochemical method developed for in situ determination of palladium deuteride stoichiometries. The electrochemical method quantifies the amount of deuterium incorporated into the metal lattice by collecting the charge released during the potential controlled discharge of deuterium loaded Pd electrodes. In addition, ex situ gravimetric analyses were used to confirm electrochemically measured D/Pd atom ratios. Gravimetric analyses were also used in cases where the diameter of the Pd electrode precluded the relatively slow diffusion-limited electrochemical discharge method. A variety of electrolytic factors were studied to determine what conditions, if any, promote the greatest absorption of deuterium into the Pd lattice. We observed loading values of 0.73 ± 0.02 deuterium atoms per Pd lattice atom under all the electrolytic conditions studied in LiOD and D2SO4 solutions. As found in previous studies, H/Pd values were approximately 10% higher than D/Pd values. These measurements of D/Pd stoichiometries indicate that interfacial parameters, current density, pD, charging time and surface purity have negligible effect on the maximum deuterium concentration within Pd electrodes.
Adolescents' Perceived Risk of Dying

Abstract Purpose Although adolescents' expectations are accurate or moderately optimistic for many significant life events, they greatly overestimate their chances of dying soon. We examine here whether adolescents' mortality judgments are correlated with their perceptions of direct threats to their survival. Such sensitivity would indicate the importance of ensuring that adolescents have accurate information about those threats, as well as the psychological support needed to deal with them. Methods Data from two separate studies were used: a national sample of 3,436 14–18-year-old adolescents and a regional sample of 124 seventh graders and 132 ninth graders, 12–16 years old. Participants were asked about their chance of dying in the next year and before age 20, and about the extent of various threats to their physical well-being. Results Adolescents in both samples greatly overestimated their chance of dying. Those mortality estimates were higher for adolescents who reported direct threats (e.g., an unsafe neighborhood). Thus, adolescents were sensitive to the relative size of threats to their survival, but not to the implications for absolute risk levels. Conclusions Contrary to the folk wisdom that adolescents have a unique sense of invulnerability, the individuals studied here reported an exaggerated sense of mortality, which was highest among those reporting greater threats in their lives. Such fears could affect adolescents' short-term well-being and future planning.
Quantitative evaluation of bioturbation rates in deep ocean sediments. II. Comparison of rates determined by 210Pb and 239,240Pu

Abstract Excess 210 Pb was determined in six abyssal cores from the Eastern Atlantic, Hatteras Abyssal Plain, and Puerto Rico Trench. A bioturbation rate for each core was evaluated using the mixing model of Guinasso and Schink. The rates were compared to mixing rates evaluated for the same cores using 239,240 Pu. In all cases, the excess 210 Pb-derived mixing rates were lower than the plutonium-derived mixing rates. 239,240 Pu was also present at greater depths than excess 210 Pb. One possible explanation for these observations is the association of plutonium with particles of greater food value which are bioturbated at faster rates.
Estimation of Random Bending Strain in a Beam from Discrete Vibration Measurements

Abstract A method is presented for using vibration measurements obtained at discrete locations on a randomly excited beam to estimate the power spectral density of bending strain. The technique is intended to be applied using a scanning laser vibrometer to allow a non-contacting measurement of random bending strain over the surface of a structure. The theory behind the measurement method is presented, along with results of numerical simulations. The results indicate that the method is practical and can lead to reliable estimates.
Developing and Automating Time Delay System Stability Analysis of Machinery Systems Using the Matrix Lambert W Function Method

Stability analysis of time delayed (TD) systems is not easy to conduct since the addition of delays within a dynamic model results in irrational system equations. Traditional analysis methods involve adding model approximates representing delays. These approximates make the system equations rational, but can drive stable TD systems to instability as approximate accuracy is improved. A more advanced method would be an invaluable tool for simplifying the stability analysis procedure for TD systems. A new method for analyzing TD system stability without adding TD approximates to the system has been presented by Asl et al. [1, 2]. This method involves using the Lambert W function to obtain analytic solutions for a set of delay differential equations. The research presented in this paper discusses the development and automation of TD system stability analysis for a complex machinery system utilizing this new method, the matrix Lambert W (MLW) function TD stability analysis method.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Aftercare: a patient-centered model of advocacy for relocated mental health patients.

Psychiatric symptoms in the mentally ill elderly are often the result of medical or drug-induced conditions. These conditions and means for their detection are presented in this chapter.
The prediction of molecular geometry. CH4

The current state of one-center calculations is discussed, with emphasis on the problem of predicting the geometry of AHn type systems. The principles considered are applied to CH4+, which is found to be nearly square planar.
Fibrillar Oligomers Nucleate the Oligomerization of Monomeric Amyloid β but Do Not Seed Fibril Formation

Soluble amyloid oligomers are potent neurotoxins that are involved in a wide range of human degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease. In Alzheimer disease, amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers bind to neuronal synapses, inhibit long term potentiation, and induce cell death. Recent evidence indicates that several immunologically distinct structural variants exist as follows: prefibrillar oligomers (PFOs), fibrillar oligomers (FOs), and annular protofibrils. Despite widespread interest, amyloid oligomers are poorly characterized in terms of structural differences and pathological significance. FOs are immunologically related to fibrils because they react with OC, a conformation-dependent, fibril-specific antibody and do not react with antibodies specific for other types of oligomers. However, fibrillar oligomers are much smaller than fibrils. FOs are soluble at 100,000 × g, rich in β-sheet structures, but yet bind weakly to thioflavin T. EPR spectroscopy indicates that FOs display significantly more spin-spin interaction at multiple labeled sites than PFOs and are more structurally similar to fibrils. Atomic force microscopy indicates that FOs are approximately one-half to one-third the height of mature fibrils. We found that Aβ FOs do not seed the formation of thioflavin T-positive fibrils from Aβ monomers but instead seed the formation of FOs from Aβ monomers that are positive for the OC anti-fibril antibody. These results indicate that the lattice of FOs is distinct from the fibril lattice even though the polypeptide chains are organized in an immunologically identical conformation. The FOs resulting from seeded reactions have the same dimensions and morphology as the initial seeds, suggesting that the seeds replicate by growing to a limiting size and then splitting, indicating that their lattice is less stable than fibrils. We suggest that FOs may represent small pieces of single fibril protofilament and that the addition of monomers to the ends of FOs is kinetically more favorable than the assembly of the oligomers into fibrils via sheet stacking interaction. These studies provide novel structural insight into the relationship between fibrils and FOs and suggest that the increased toxicity of FOs may be due to their ability to replicate and the exposure of hydrophobic sheet surfaces that are otherwise obscured by sheet-sheet interactions between protofilaments in a fibril.
The Abuse Dimensions Inventory: Initial Data on a Research Measure of Abuse Severity

Abuse characteristics and severity, although critical constructs in child maltreatment research, have been found to be among the constructs least well measured by existing instruments. Three studies are presented describing the development and testing of an instrument, the Abuse Dimensions Inventory (ADI), designed to address these needs. The first study surveys a national sample of professionals to determine rankings and agreement on rankings for abuse severity across a number of dimensions. Scales on the ADI were constructed based on the results. The second study examines interrater reliability of the instrument based on semistructured interview data. The third study examines the instrument's construct validity by factor analysis. The findings suggest that considerable agreement exists on how professionals rank abuse features in terms of severity and that ADI scales based on these rankings can be reliably coded from interview data. Additionally, the instrument was found to possess a factor structure con...
Localization and characterization of the inhibitory action of ethacrynic acid on glycolysis.

Abstract Ethacrynic acid inhibits glycolysis in intact tissues and in the membrane-free cytoplasmic fraction of cells. A study of the localization of this inhibitory action in the Embden-Meyerhof pathway reveals that ethacrynic acid completely inhibits the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity of the cytoplasm from tumor cells, rat renal cortex and renal medulla. Phosphoglycerate kinase activity is also inhibited, but to a much lesser extent. Optimum inhibitory activity is observed when the inhibitor and enzyme are brought together prior to assay, but preincubation is not essential to demonstrate the interaction. The data strongly suggest that ethacrynic acid inhibits glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase by competing with or displacing NAD at a sulfhydryl site on the enzyme. The demonstration that ethacrynic add interferes with glycolysis and with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation as well as cell membrane adenosine triphosphatase leads to the conclusion that its pharmacological potency may be due to its effect at multiple sites on the cellular level. An important consequence of its action is interference with adenosine triphosphate production, thus restricting energy for sodium transport.
Neuroprotective strategies in a model of chronic glutamate-mediated motor neuron toxicity.

: A dramatic loss of glutamate transport has been observed in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and has been postulated to contribute to the disease. Experimentally, this hypothesis was corroborated by mimicking the chronic loss of glutamate transport in post-natal rat spinal cord organotypic cultures through the use of glutamate transport inhibitors. This system is characterized by a relatively selective slow loss of ventral horn motor neurons resulting from glutamate transport inhibition. In this study, spinal cord organotypic cultures were used to test various drugs to evaluate their neuroprotective properties against this slow glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity. The most potent neuroprotectants were drugs that altered glutamate neurotransmission, including non-NMDA receptor antagonists (GYKI-52466, PD144216, and PD139977) and drugs that could block presynaptic release or synthesis (riluzole and gabapentin). In addition, some antioxidants (U83836E and N-t-butyl-α-phenylnitrone) and inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis (NG-monomethyl-l-arginine acetate) were modestly neuroprotective. The calcium endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid and the calcium release inhibitor dantrolene also provided partial motor neuron protection. However, several antioxidants and calcium channel antagonists had no excitotoxic neuroprotectant activity. This system provides a preclinical screening method for the burgeoning number of drugs postulated for clinical trials in motor neuron disease and a model to evaluate the mechanisms of chronic glutamate toxicity.
Hippocampal expression of murine TNFα results in attenuation of amyloid deposition in vivo

Fibrillar amyloid β (fAβ) peptide is the major component of Aβ plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Inflammatory mediators have previously been proposed to be drivers of Aβ pathology in AD patients by increasing amyloidogenic processing of APP and promoting Aβ accumulation, but recent data have shown that expression of various inflammatory cytokines attenuates Aβ pathology in mouse models. In an effort to further study the role of different inflammatory cytokines on Aβ pathology in vivo, we explored the effect of murine Tumor Necrosis Factor α (mTNFα) in regulating Aβ accumulation. Recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV2/1) mediated expression of mTNFα in the hippocampus of 4 month old APP transgenic TgCRND8 mice resulted in significant reduction in hippocampal Aβ burden. No changes in APP levels or APP processing were observed in either mTNFα expressing APP transgenic mice or in non-transgenic littermates. Analysis of Aβ plaque burden in mTNFα expressing mice showed that even after substantial reduction compared to EGFP expressing age-matched controls, the Aβ plaque burden levels of the former do not decrease to the levels of 4 month old unmanipulated mice. Taken together, our data suggests that proinflammatory cytokine expression induced robust glial activation can attenuate plaque deposition. Whether such an enhanced microglial response actually clears preexisting deposits without causing bystander neurotoxicity remains an open question.
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) for the mitigation of menopausal symptoms: recent developments in clinical safety and efficacy

The purpose of this article is to assess recent data supporting the safety and efficacy of black cohosh products for the mitigation of menopause-related symptoms. Searches of the published literature in Napralert, Cochrane Library and PubMed databases were performed from 2003 to 2006. Information from drug regulatory agencies from five different countries was obtained to evaluate safety. While there are a few contradictory studies, the majority of the clinical trials indicate that extracts of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) improve menopause-related symptoms. However, to date, at least 50 cases of possible hepatotoxicity have been reported. Although previous safety reviews suggest that black cohosh is well tolerated, the increasing numbers of these case reports indicates that further preclinical toxicological evaluations of black cohosh are urgently needed. At this time, it appears prudent to advise menopausal women with underlying liver disease, autoimmune diseases or those taking medications that may impact liver function not to use products containing black cohosh.
dbCAN: a web resource for automated carbohydrate-active enzyme annotation.

Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) are very important to the biotech industry, particularly the emerging biofuel industry because CAZymes are responsible for the synthesis, degradation and modification of all the carbohydrates on Earth. We have developed a web resource, dbCAN (http://csbl.bmb .uga.edu/dbCAN/annotate.php), to provide a capability for automated CAZyme signature domainbased annotation for any given protein data set (e.g. proteins from a newly sequenced genome) submitted to our server. To accomplish this, we have explicitly defined a signature domain for every CAZyme family, derived based on the CDD (conserved domain database) search and literature curation. We have also constructed a hidden Markov model to represent the signature domain of each CAZyme family. These CAZyme family-specific HMMs are our key contribution and the foundation for the automated CAZyme annotation.
Robust Adaptive Tuning of Digitally Controlled Switched-Mode Power Supplies

This paper presents an approach to continuous adaptive tuning of digitally controlled switched-mode power supply (SMPS) feedback loops. Tuning is performed via a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) control loop that adjusts compensator parameters such that crossover frequency and phase margin measured by the digital controller match desired values. A design procedure for the adaptive tuning system is proposed which simplifies the small-signal MIMO design into two independent single-input, single-output (SISO) control loops. The adaptive tuning algorithm is further extended to account for large-signal changes from continuous conduction mode (CCM) to discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and viceversa. Experimental results are given using an 11 V-to-5 V, 45 W, DCM/CCM buck converter as a test-bed.
Relative effects of precipitation variability and warming on tallgrass prairie ecosystem function

Abstract. Precipitation and temperature drive many aspects of terrestrial ecosystem function. Climate change scenarios predict increasing precipitation variability and temperature, and long term experiments are required to evaluate the ecosystem consequences of interannual climate variation, increased growing season (intra-annual) rainfall variability, and warming. We present results from an experiment applying increased growing season rainfall variability and year round warming in native tallgrass prairie. During ten years of study, total growing season rainfall varied 2-fold, and we found ~50–200% interannual variability in plant growth and aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), leaf carbon assimilation (ACO2), and soil CO2 efflux (JCO2) despite only ~40% variation in mean volumetric soil water content (0–15 cm, Θ15). Interannual variation in soil moisture was thus amplified in most measures of ecosystem response. Differences between years in Θ15 explained the greatest portion (14–52%) of the variation in these processes. Experimentally increased intra-annual season rainfall variability doubled the amplitude of intra-annual soil moisture variation and reduced Θ15 by 15%, causing most ecosystem processes to decrease 8–40% in some or all years with increased rainfall variability compared to ambient rainfall timing, suggesting reduced ecosystem rainfall use efficiency. Warming treatments increased soil temperature at 5 cm depth, particularly during spring, fall, and winter. Warming advanced canopy green up in spring, increased winter JCO2, and reduced summer JCO2 and forb ANPP, suggesting that the effects of warming differed in cooler versus warmer parts of the year. We conclude that (1) major ecosystem processes in this grassland may be substantially altered by predicted changes in interannual climate variability, intra-annual rainfall variability, and temperature, (2) interannual climate variation was a larger source of variation in ecosystem function than intra-annual rainfall variability and warming, and (3) effects of increased growing season rainfall variability and warming were small, but ecologically important. The relative effects of these climate drivers are likely to vary for different ecosystem processes and in wetter or drier ecosystems.
A Physiological Basis for Controlling Leafy Spurge on Nebraska Rangeland

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) is a nonnative perennial forb that has invaded rangeland and pasture in the central and northern Great Plains of the United States and Canada. Leafy spurge has been reported in 35 states and all but one Canadian province1 and is a noxious weed in Nebraska and about 20 other states.2 Its invasive nature is promoted by reproduction from seeds and adventitious buds on the crown and roots. It quickly increases in pastures, alters rangeland species composition, and reduces forage production by as much as 75%.3,4 Leafy spurge has been diffi cult to reliably control with herbicides, with most herbicide treatments providing only short-term control.1 Current management strategies include herbicides as part of an integrated pest management program.5 However, few studies have used the physiological status of leafy spurge as an indicator to properly time herbicide applications. The response to herbicides depends largely on the physiological status of the target plant. For herbicides to be effective, the plant must be susceptible to the herbicide, and it must be applied when the plant is most receptive to optimize absorption and translocation to the perennating tissues. Plants are most receptive to herbicides when soluble carbohydrates are being transferred to the perennating organs. The perennating organs in leafy spurge are the pink adventitious buds on the crown, roots, and rhizomes, which will emerge as new shoots in the spring. Most of these buds develop after fl owering, in August and September. Foliar-applied herbicides are translocated through the plant by moving soluble carbohydrates from energy sources (photosynthesizing leaves) to energy sinks. The energy sinks are the growing points of the plant or storage organs such as roots, rhizomes, or active buds. Energy translocation and storage in plants can be determined by measuring the changes in total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentration in the plant material immediately adjacent to and below the plant crown. By measuring the TNC concentration monthly, its trend can be A leafy spurge rhizome exposed in the soil profi le. The pink buds are active and will emerge as new shoots.
Structure of a C-type mannose-binding protein complexed with an oligosaccharide.

C-type (Ca2+-dependent) animal lectins such as mannose-binding proteins mediate many cell-surface carbohydrate-recognition events. The crystal structure at 1.7 A resolution of the carbohydrate-recognition domain of rat mannose-binding protein complexed with an oligomannose asparaginyl-oligosaccharide reveals that Ca2+ forms coordination bonds with the carbohydrate ligand. Carbohydrate specificity is determined by a network of coordination and hydrogen bonds that stabilizes the ternary complex of protein, Ca2+ and sugar. Two branches of the oligosaccharide crosslink neighbouring carbohydrate-recognition domains in the crystal, enabling multivalent binding to a single oligosaccharide chain to be visualized directly.
Nerve commitment in Hydra: I. Role of morphogenetic signals

The kinetics of nerve commitment during head regeneration in Hydra were investigated using a newly developed assay for committed cells. Committed nerve precursors were assayed by their ability to continue nerve differentiation following explanation of small pieces of tissue. Committed nerve precursors appear at the site of regeneration within 6 hr after cutting and increase rapidly. The increase is localized to the site of regeneration and does not occur at proximal sites in the body column of the regenerate. The increase is delayed about 8–12 hr when regeneration occurs at sites lower in the body column. The results show, furthermore, that redistribution of committed precursors does not play a major role in the pattern of nerve differentiation during regeneration. Since the increase in committed nerves coincides with the increase in morphogenetic potential of the regenerating tissue, the results strengthen the idea that morphogenetic signals are involved directly in the control of nerve commitment in Hydra.
Application of Step Stress to Time Dependent Breakdown

A method of speeding up testing by step stressing is described. The mathematic models utilized, the theoretical and experimental results, and application to final failure rate estimates are shown.
Guides for the Wildflower Pilgrim

Every April thousands of “pilgrims” from all over the world flock to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. This region of the country, lavish with colorful flora, richly rewards the nature lover's devotion. Wildflowers can be found almost anywhere, if one knows what to look for and how to look. Field guides provide the keys the nature lover needs to become acquainted with the flora of a particular region. There are currently well over 100 books in print that offer guidance, through illustrations, descriptions, and various methods of identification, in recognizing the most representative wildflowers of every part of the United States. This review will examine 15 of these guides, chosen to exemplify the books available on the wildflowers of major regions.
FALS mutations in Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase destabilize the dimer and increase dimer dissociation propensity: a large-scale thermodynamic analysis.

Mutations in the dimeric enzyme Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) leading to its aggregation are implicated in the toxicity in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). We and others have previously shown that aggregation occurs by a pathway involving dimer dissociation, metal-loss from monomers and multimeric assembly of apo-SOD1 monomers. We postulate that FALS mutations cause enhanced aggregation by affecting one or more steps in the pathway, and computationally test this postulate for 75 known mis-sense FALS mutants of SOD1. Based on an extensive thermodynamic analysis of the stability of apo-dimer and apo-monomer forms of these mutants, we classify the mutations into the following groups: 70 out of 75 mutations in SOD1 lead to (i) decreased dimer stability, and/or (ii) increased dimer dissociation, compared to wild type, and four mutations lead to (iii) decreased monomer stability compared to wild type. Our results suggest that enhanced aggregation of SOD1 in FALS occurs due to an increased population of mutant SOD1 apomonomers compared to wild type. The dissociation of multimeric proteins induced by diverse mutations may be a common theme in several human diseases.
Is life stress more traumatic than traumatic stress

This study explored the definition of a traumatic stressor, as it currently stands in the DSM-IV-TR, and the relationship between this definition and psychological symptomatology. Four hundred and fifty-four college undergraduates completed measures assessing psychopathology and exposure to trauma. Individuals were then divided into two groups, those who reported a traumatic event that was consistent with the DSM Criterion A1 definition and those who reported a traumatic event that was inconsistent with the definition. Surprisingly, the latter group reported significantly greater severity of PTSD symptomatology than those who reported a Criterion A1 PTSD event. In addition, significantly more people in the DSM trauma-incongruent group met criteria for PTSD than those in the DSM trauma-congruent group. Nearly two-thirds of the DSM trauma-incongruent group identified the death or illness of a loved one as their traumatic experience. The results are discussed within the context of the ongoing controversy over PTSD Criterion A1.
Mechanics of a Hybrid Circular Braid with an Elastic Core

A mathematical model based on four modes of operation is developed to predict the tensile response of a hybrid circular braid encompassing an elastic core. Model inputs include parameters characterizing the initial geometric configuration and ma terial properties of the hybrid. Output parameters are forces, strains, modes of operation, and hybrid geometry. The results show that a hybrid braid can display a unique syn ergism when the braid is in contact with the core but not yet locked, since its tensile response exceeds the sum of its components acting alone. While this analysis idealizes braid geometry and excludes explicit treatment of yam crimp, it incorporates primary influences including nonlinear yam tensile response, large deformations, yam failure, and varying hybrid deformation modes.
Non-linear filtering techniques for narrow-band interference rejection in direct sequence spread-spectrum systems

The authors concentrate on the problem of interference rejection for the cases of single and multitone jammers. They propose the use of a conditional nonlinear median filter operating in the transform domain, for the detection and suppression of narrowband signals of sufficient power, without regard to their center frequency, bandwidth, or peak power. It is shown that this approach offers several significant advantages over similar techniques that have been used before. >