cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continuous coculture degradation of selected polychlorinated biphenyl congeners by Acinetobacter spp. in an aerobic reactor system.

A coculture of two Acinetobacter spp. was applied to degrade polychlorinated biphenyls during a 42-day incubation study in a continuous aerobic fixed-bed reactor system, filled with polyurethane foam boards as support for bacterial biofilm development. The reactor was supplied with mineral medium containing 500 ppm sodium benzoate as a growth (primary) substrate, while the incoming airstream was saturated with biphenyl vapors to induce for PCB cometabolism in Acinetobacter sp. strain P6. The chlorobenzoates thus generated from 4,4{prime}-dichlorobiphenyl (4,4{prime}-DCBP), 3,4-dichlorobiphenyl (3,4-DCBP), and 3,3{prime},4,4{prime}-tetrachlorobiphenyl were further metabolized by Acinetobacter sp. strain 4-CB1. The chlorobenzoate metabolites, as well as ring-fission product ({lambda}{sub max} = 442 nm) from the PCB congeners, accounted for the degradation of 63% (2.8 mM) of the 4,4{prime}-DCBP, 100% (0.5 mM) of the 3,4-DCBP, and 32% (0.12 mM) of the 3,3{prime},4,4{prime}-TCBP, the biofilm responded with a concurrent higher release of chlorobenzoates and chloride through cosubstrate utilization.
Observations on the deterioration of glucose-14C.

Abstract 1. 1. The decomposition of several preparations of glucose- 14 C was studied under the following conditions: frozen storage, dry storage, and autoclaving (aerobically, anaerobically, in water, 0.5 N HCl and 0.5 N H 2 SO 4 ). 2. 2. Glucose- 14 C of high specific activity underwent extensive decomposition during storage in the dry state and during autoclaving unless either 0.5 N HCl or sufficient carrier glucose was present during the autoclaving process. 3. 3. Destruction seemed to be dependent, in part at least, upon the presence of an unidentified, non-radioactive, anionic contaminant of the glucose- 14 C.
Library orientation and instruction—1989

The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with orientation to library facilities and services, instruction in the use of information resources, and research and computer skills related to retrieving, using, and evaluating information. This review, the sixteenth to be published in Reference Services Review, includes items in English published in 1989. A few are not annotated because the compiler could not obtain copies of them for this review.
Improvement of machinability of Waspaloy via laser-assisted machining

Waspaloy is a heat-resistant alloy primarily used in aircraft turbine engines, as forged turbine and compressor disk, which is difficult to machine at room temperature due to excessive tool wear and poor surface finish. Laser-assisted machining (LAM) offers the ability to machine such superalloys more efficiently by locally heating and softening the workpiece material prior to material removal and machining with a conventional single-point cutting tool. A transient, three-dimensional heat transfer model is used for modeling LAM of Waspaloy. The thermal model is validated by comparing the temperature predictions and the surface temperature measurements using an infrared camera. The machinability of Waspaloy under varying conditions is evaluated by examining tool wear, cutting forces, and surface finish. With increasing material removal temperature from room temperature to 300–400°C, the benefit of LAM is demonstrated by a 20% decrease in specific cutting energy, a two- to three-fold improvement in surface roughness, and a 50% increase in ceramic tool life over conventional machining.
Functional anion binding sites in dogfish M4 lactate dehydrogenase.

X-ray diffraction data have been collected from dogfish M4 lactate dehydrogenase crystals in which ammonium sulfate had been exchanged by citrate at pH 6.0 and 7.8. Data were also collected from crystals which had been soaked in 0.1 m oxamate, a lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor. The difference electron density maps obtained have been interpreted in terms of two exchangeable anion binding sites, one at the active center and one between two subunits. The active center site is coincident with the substrate binding site in a ternary complex, while the subunit boundary site, which has been observed in several different forms of the enzyme, may be involved in stabilizing the tetramer.
Longitudinal acoustic mode in polymers. VII. Surface structure from swelling studies of freeze‐dried polyethylene single crystals

Raman longitudinal acoustic mode (LAM) spectra have been obtained from freeze-dried polyethylene single-crystal samples swollen in decalin. The changes in ν(LAM) have been studied as a function of molecular weight, temperature of crystallization, and temperature of measurement. These data, together with knowledge of how terminal “defects” influence ν(LAM) of the trans stems, lead to the conclusion that surface folds and cilia are the components responding to the swelling agent. The analysis also shows what the relative effects of these structures are as a function of molecular weight and crystallization temperature. This study indicates that cilia are primarily responsible for the large increases in x-ray long period observed for swollen single-crystal mats.
Immediate renal tumor involution after radiofrequency thermal ablation.

Purpose To retrospectively evaluate solid renal tumor sizes before and after treatment with radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation to assess for immediate changes on cross-sectional imaging. Materials and Methods Medical records were retrospectively reviewed in consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous image-guided RF thermal ablation for solid renal tumors between December 12, 2000, and December 13, 2006. All patients underwent noncontrast computed tomography (CT) immediately before and after RF ablation. Maximum renal tumor diameters were measured before and after ablation. Statistical analysis of tumor sizes before and after ablation and change in tumor sizes was performed with the paired Student t test with confidence intervals calculated. Results Seventy-two renal tumors were treated with RF ablation in 66 patients (42 men, 24 women; mean age, 68.4 years; range, 25–88 y). Mean tumor sizes were 27.5 mm (range, 9.8–64.8 mm; 95% CI, 24.9–30.1 mm) before ablation and 22.1 mm (range, 5.3–67.3 mm; 95% CI, 19.4–24.8 mm) immediately after ablation. An average decrease in renal tumor size of 21% (range, −10% to 50%) was identified, with a mean tumor diameter decrease of 5.4 mm ( P Conclusions Renal tumors decrease in size immediately after treatment with RF thermal ablation. Immediate tumor involution after RF ablation should be anticipated and follow-up imaging studies should ideally be compared to a baseline tumor size measured as soon as possible after ablation.
A community considers a Family Justice Center: perspectives of stakeholders during the early phases of development

Purpose– Family Justice Centers, or “one-stop shops” that enable domestic violence victims to access a range of services at one location, are becoming increasingly common. However, there is a limited body of research examining the outcomes and planning processes of these Centers. The early phases of planning Centers are critical to their initial and ongoing success. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– In total, 15 stakeholders in a community in the early phases of planning a Center were interviewed.Findings– Content analysis procedures were used to identify themes related to participants’ ideas about what the Family Justice Center should look like (e.g. services to include and perceived benefits and challenges for the Center), the steps required for planning it (e.g. identifying the purpose of the Center, getting key people involved, and building collaborations), and desired technologies.Originality/value– This paper is the first known research effort to examine the early phases of development in constructing a Family Justice Center.
Varieties of Neoliberalization: Freeing the Invisible Hand of Free Markets and Extending the Visible Hand of Market Power

Neoliberalism is most commonly regarded as a discourse of state laissezfaire with regard to both domestic and international markets, as well as a normative theory of radically free and competitive markets as conceived by or thodox economists since the devolution of Keynesian neo-classical synthesis. As such, neoliberalism is a preeminent political eco nomic discourse of our time. Moreover, as a discourse that reflects, as well as constitutes, political economic interests, it is a central ide ology of our time. Neoliberalism is an ideological discourse undergoing change. Most recently, this change has been largely devolutionary. In particular, recent scholarship has belied sundry neoliberal claims: for example, claims for a precipitous race to the bottom so far as tax rates and welfare benefits of rich democ racies go (Swank and Steinmo 2002); claims for the developmental superiority of capital ist income growth in the post-1980 era of ne oliberal ascendance relative to the preceding post-WXWII decades of the developmental state (Chang 2002); and claims for the pro growth functions of at least one key Interna tional Financial Institution, the IMF (Vree land, 2002). However, change has been evo lutionary as well, evolutionary both with re spect to our understanding of neoliberal pol icy-making practice and with regard to the content of neoliberal ideology itself (Rodrik 2006). Both Aihwa Ong's Neoliberalism as Exception and Monica Prasad's The Politics of Free Markets contributes to our understand ing of changing neoliberal discourse, Ong to the discourse itself. Anthropologist Ong con tributes to the evolution and mapping of ne oliberalism in practice, in particular to "ne oliberalism" as a pair of previously unarticu lated optimizing technologies for the visible hand of national and transnational political economic management. Sociologist Prasad contributes principally to our understanding of the taxation as both cause and component Neoliberalism as Exception: Mutations in Citizenship and Sovereignty, by Aihwa Ong. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2006. 295pp. $22.95 paper. ISBN: 0822337487.
Hardware---software optimizations of reconfigurable multi-core processors for floating-point computations of large sparse matrices

State-of-the-art field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technologies have provided exciting opportunities to develop more flexible, less expensive, and better performance floating-point computing platforms for embedded systems. To better harness the full power of FPGAs and to bring FPGAs to more system designers, we investigate unique advantages and optimization opportunities in both software and hardware offered by multi-core processors on a programmable chip (MPoPCs). In this paper, we present our hardware customization and software dynamic scheduling solutions for LU factorization of large sparse matrices on in-house developed MPoPCs. Theoretical analysis is provided to guide the design. Implementation results on an Altera Stratix III FPGA for five benchmark matrices of size up to 7,917 × 7,917 are presented. Our hardware customization alone can reduce the execution time by up to 17.22 %. The integrated hardware---software optimization improves the speedup by an average of 60.30 %.
The “Swing Voter” Revisited: Justice Anthony Kennedy and the First Amendment Right of Free Speech

The prevailing definition of a “swing voter” on the Supreme Court, set out in a landmark 1990 article in The Journal of Politics and unchallenged ever since, establishes an unreasonably high standa...
Reduced arylsulfatase B activity of the mutant enzyme protein in Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome.

Summary A mutant arylsulfatase B form is described in skin fibroblasts from a patient with Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome. This mutant enzyme is identical in its electrophoretic mobility and antigenic determinants to arylsulfatase B from normal fibroblasts but has a markedly reduced (15%) specific activity.
Review of systematic investigations of the Rout/Rside ratio in HBT at RHIC

We review the significant difference in the ratio R{sub out}/R{sub side} between experiment and theory in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC. This ratio is expected to be strongly correlated with the pion emission duration. Hydrodynamic models typically calculate a value that approximately equal to 1.5 and moderately dependent on k{sub T} whereas the experiments report a value close to unity and independent of k{sub T}. We review those calculations in which systematic variations in the theoretical assumptions were reported. We find that the scenario of second order phase transition or cross-over has been given insufficient attention, and may play an important role in resolving this discrepancy.
The BBA-MBA Combination: Pierson, Gordon and Howell Revisited

Many prominent MBA programs use the undergraduate degree as a criterion for admission purposes and attach less value to candidates with undergraduate degrees in business. These programs have been influenced by two classic studies on business education: the Gordon and Howell report and the Pierson report. The authors probe the wisdom under which these programs operate and conclude that admission policies should be re-examined. To examine these issues the authors conducted two studies. In one study, 70 on-campus recruiters at a major midwestern university participated in an experiment designed to examine industry attitudes toward alternative undergraduate preparation for MBA students. A second study surveyed recruiting directors of two sets of firms: Fortune 500 companies and on-campus MBA-recruiting companies at a major midwestern university. The investigation indicates a dramatic shift in tile perceptions of tile BBA-MBA combination by employers over the last 20 years. Employers now either have a strong p...
Novel osmotically induced antifungal chitinases and bacterial expression of an active recombinant isoform.

NaCl (428 mM)-adapted tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. var Wisconsin 38) cells accumulate and secrete several antifungal chitinases. The predominant protein secreted to the culture medium was a 29-kD peptide that, based on internal amino acid sequence, was determined to be a class II acidic chitinase with similarity to PR-Q. The four predominant chitinases (T1, T2, T3, and T4) that accumulated intracellularly in 428 mM NaCl-adapted cells were purified. Based on N-terminal sequence analyses, two of these were identified as class I chitinase isoforms, one similar to the N. tomentosiformis (H. Shinshi, J.M. Neuhaus, J. Ryals, F. Meins [1990] Plant Mol Biol 14:357-368) protein (T1) and the other homologous to the N. sylvestris (Y. Fukuda, M. Ohme, H. Shinshi [1991] Plant Mol Biol 16:1-10) protein (T2). The other two proteins (T3 and T4) were determined to be novel chitinases that have sequence similarity with class I chitinases, but each lacks a chitin-binding domain. All four chitinases inhibited Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Trichoderma longibrachiatum hyphal growth in vitro, although the isoforms containing a chitin-binding domain were somewhat more active. Conditions were established for the successful expression of soluble and active bacterial recombinant T2. Expression of soluble recombinant T2 was achieved when isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside induction occurred at 18 degrees C but not at 25 or 37 degrees C. The purified recombinant protein exhibited antifungal activity comparable to a class I chitinase purified from NaCl-adapted tobacco cells.
The Fundamentals of Integrating “the commons”: Application as community tissue or urban implant

Abstract Clarifying the means by which we define and shape the commons, can become the platform from which we can seek to achieve community-scale integration in service to principles of sustainability. This paper presents the formulation of energy-related environmental variables — sun, light, wind and water — in “envelope form” for purposes of modeling alternative integrative patternings of communities as “tissue on the land”. Such modeling yields prototype designs of urban districts, urban blocks and/or individual buildings whose designs capitalize on passive energy manipulation as a “first order” response, thus structuring strategies for the integration of efficient “second order” metabolic systems which together provide the technical base for energy-related resource management.
Studies of rare earth cuprates with structures related to NaCuO2

Abstract Solid solutions with structures based on an orthorhombic “NaCuO2-type” subcell were formed over a wide range of composition in the CaOM2O3CuO systems, where M = Y, Nd, Gd. These structures contain infinite one-dimensional chains of edge-shared square planar cuprate groups crosslinked by the larger cations, which occupy sites in the inter-chain tunnels. Samples with Ca M ≥ 1 have the stoichiometry Ca(2+x)M(2−x)Cu5O10; the maximum solubility range corresponded to x = 0.8, 0.4, and 0.3 for M = Y, Gd, and Nd, respectively. Single phase samples with Ca M were also formed in the Gd and Nd systems; these have the stoichiometry M ( 10 3−y ) Ca ( 3y 2 ) Cu 5 O 10 , with 5 6 ≤ y ≤ 4 3 for Nd and 1.13 ≤ y ≤ 1.33 for Gd. Long-range ordered arrangements of the inter-chain ions lead to the formation of superstructures whose symmetry and periodicity is a sensitive function of the Ca:M3+ ratio and the size of M. In general the superstructures are monoclinic and incommensurate along, and perpendicular to the cuprate chains. The ordering can be described in terms of a periodic displacive modulation of the inter-chain cations from their “ideal,” equally spaced positions. Models based on a simple sinusoidal modulation give excellent agreement with experimental diffraction profiles collected using X rays and electrons.
Synthetic stratigraphy of carbonate platform and basin systems

A forward, numerical model of the carbonate platform and basin depositional system aids in understanding the roles played by different variables in controlling the growth patterns of carbonate platforms, and thus their internal facies architecture. The numerical model simulates the two-dimensional development of a carbonate platform and adjacent basin by successively calculating and depositing discrete sediment budgets generated over short time periods (10/sup 4/ yr), and displaying the results in synthetic cross sections through the carbonate buildup. A series of model experiments shows that the effect of changing the eustatic sea level is largely dependent on the rate of subsidence. In general, sea-level fluctuations tend to restrict progradation of the platform by producing periods of exposure of the platform top that decrease the overall sediment budget available for deposition on the marginal slope. Either increasing the amplitude or decreasing the period of the sea-level cycle also restricts progradation, which suggests that the higher order (short period) sea-level cycles that are evident in the rock record may play an important role in controlling the cross-sectional geometry of carbonate platforms. Forward models such as the one presented here may provide a basis for creating an inverse model that could be used tomore » closely constrain the variables such as sediment production rate, subsidence, and sea-level history that led to the cross-sectional geometry observed in the field or in a seismic section.« less
Police use of force: varying perspectives

Police use of force has been a focal point of research for over half a century. Perhaps the only other police outcome to receive more empirical attention is the arrest decision. This special issue ...
Soft modes and superconductivity in Cl doped cadmium sulphide

We show that adequate superparacurrent is induced by a magnetic field in an insulator provided soft modes can be identified at the edge of a zone, and there is strong unsymmetric electron-phonon coupling. This analysis is relevant to the situation in CdS, where correlation between the occurrence of soft modes and unusual magnetic properties has been discovered. Possibly it also applies to La-Ba-Cu-O, the driving energy coming from the surface interaction between the applied vector potential and an induced magnetization current.
Adrenaline levels in brain stem nuclei and effects of a PNMT inhibitor on spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract The adrenaline content of specific brain stem areas was decreased in young (4 week-old) but not in adult (14 week-old) SHR. Some of these areas also showed increased PNMT activity, indicating a possible enhanced release or metabolism of adrenaline early in the development of the hypertension. Dopamine and noradrenaline levels, on the contrary, were not changed either in young or adult animals. Administration of a PNMT inhibitor to adult SHR resulted in a decrease of the blood pressure in SHR to control levels. These observations support the hypothesis of a participation of adrenergic mechanisms in the development of genetic hypertension, and indicate the possibility for the use of PNMT inhibitors as hypotensive agents.
Improving Teaching and Teachers: A “Generative Dance”?

Working on teaching as a collective practice—understanding it, specifying it, and improving it—is crucially important and too often ignored. But setting up a choice between improving teaching and i...
The effect of dietary walnuts compared to fatty fish on eicosanoids, cytokines, soluble endothelial adhesion molecules and lymphocyte subsets: a randomized, controlled crossover trial ☆

We tested the hypothesis that walnut consumption can exert effects on markers of inflammation and endothelial activation similar to those produced by fish consumption. In a crossover dietary intervention trial, 25 normal to mildly hyperlipidemic men and women were randomly assigned to one of three isoenergetic diets: a walnut diet incorporating 42.5 g of walnuts per 10.1 mJ 6 times per week (1.8% of energy n-3 fat); a fish diet providing 113 g of fatty fish per 10.1 mJ 2 times per week (0.8% of energy n-3 fat), or a control diet (no nuts or fish, 0.4% of energy n-3 fat) for 4 weeks on each diet. Both the walnut and fish diets inhibited circulating concentrations of prostaglandin E metabolite (PGEM) and 11-dehydro thromboxane B2, but demonstrated no effect on blood interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α¯ (TNF-α¯), and C-reactive protein (CRP) or the number of circulating lymphocyte subsets. On the walnut diet the proportion of plasma phospholipid α¯-linolenic acid (ALA) increased 140% and arachidonic acid (AA) decreased 7% compared to both the control and fish diets. The proportion of plasma phospholipid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increased about 200% and 900% respectively on the fish diet relative to either the control or walnut diet. The walnut diet inhibited E-selectin by 12.7% relative to the fish diet, and the fish diet inhibited secretory intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1) by 4.5% relative to the control diet. Both walnuts and fish in commonly consumed amounts may have modest albeit distinct effects on circulating adhesion molecules.
Comparisons of sexual behaviors and STD prevalence among older and younger individuals with HIV infection.

Abstract Knowledge of an HIV-infected individual's sexual behaviors and routine sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) testing greatly facilitates HIV prevention efforts, but current data in older individuals are lacking. This study was developed to compare sexual behaviors and STD prevalence between older HIV-infected individuals and their younger counterparts. We conducted a cross-sectional cohort study of HIV-infected individuals ≥18 years who completed an annual behavioral assessment. A total of 541 individuals completed the assessment. Analyses were performed to examine differences in sexual behaviors and STD prevalence between age groups: younger (18–35 years) (30%), middle-aged (36–49 years) (46%), and older (≥50 years) (24%). Older individuals were most likely to be male and Caucasian with longest time since HIV diagnosis, greatest receipt of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and highest rates of HIV RNA <50 copies/mL (all p<0.001). Reports of recent sexual activity decreased with age, y...
Demographic and cultural predictors of international service worker job satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of demographic and cultural characteristics on the job satisfaction level of international service workers.Design/methodology/approach – The data in this study resulted from a survey of 1,128 service workers from 82 different countries. The employees were recruited from 14 ships of a major cruise line. Multivariant regression analysis was performed to determine the independent effect of four demographic factors and traditional culture on job satisfaction.Findings – The results suggest that work environment, cultural background and demographic characteristics combine in various ways to impact on service‐worker job satisfaction. The findings are discussed in the context of extant research.Research limitations/implications – The limitation of this paper is that the sample drawn from a single industry.Practical implications – Job satisfaction in the context of international service workers is a complex issue that may require investigation within the...
Pseudo-senility: acute and reversible organic brain syndromes.

: The cerebral blood flow in healthy elderly men is not notably different from that in 20-year-old control subjects. Only in the presence of a significant degree of arteriosclerosis is there a decrease in cerebral blood flow. Eventually there is a decrease in cerebral metabolic function associated with a decline in mentation. To explain much of the early mental change in many elderly persons, the environment must be assessed. In an 11-year NIMH study of more than 600 variables, 2 factors proved to be accurate predictors of survival and mortality in the healthy elderly: (a) a new health indicator, viz, the organization of the subject's daily behavior; and (b) the presence or absence of chronic cigarette smoking. Behavior patterns of today's elderly are discussed. Pseudosenility, i.e., acute and potentially reversible mental change, is common in the elderly and may often be overlooked or misdiagnosed. Some causes are: medications, metabolic imbalance, depression, malnutrition, malignancy, hepatic disease, diminished cardiac output, cerebrovascular syndromes, febrile conditions, and chronic lung disease. Chronic, possibly reversible, mental syndromes include the depressions, dementias, deficiency states, and alcoholic encephalopathies. The treatment is outlined.
Links between Adolescents' Closeness to Adoptive Parents and Attachment Style in Young Adulthood

This study examined whether adolescents’ closeness to adoptive parents (APs) predicted attachment styles in close relationships outside their family during young adulthood. In a longitudinal study of domestic infant adoptions, closeness to adoptive mother and adoptive father was assessed in 156 adolescents (M = 15.7 years). Approximately nine years later (M = 25.0 years), closeness to parents was assessed again as well as attachment style in their close relationships. Multilevel modeling was used to predict attachment style in young adulthood from the average and discrepancy of closeness to adolescents’ adoptive mothers and fathers and the change over time in closeness to APs. Less avoidant attachment style was predicted by stronger closeness to both APs during adolescence. Increased closeness to APs over time was related to less anxiety in close relationships. Higher closeness over time to either AP was related to less avoidance and anxiety in close relationships.
Biogenic volatile organic compound emissions (BVOCs). I. Identifications from three continental sites in the U.S.

Vegetation composition and biomass were surveyed for three specific sites in Atlanta, GA; near Rhinelander, WI; and near Hayden, CO. At each research site emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from the dominant vegetation species were sampled by enclosing branches in bag enclosure systems and sampling the equilibrium head space onto multi-stage solid adsorbent cartridges. Analysis was performed using a thermal desorption technique with gas chromatography (GC) separation and mass spectrometry (MS) detection. Identification of BVOCs covering the GC retention index range (stationary phase DB-1) from approximately 400 to 1400 was achieved (volatilities C4-C14).
PQM-1 Complements DAF-16 as a Key Transcriptional Regulator of DAF-2-Mediated Development and Longevity

Reduced insulin/IGF-1-like signaling (IIS) extends C. elegans lifespan by upregulating stress response (class I) and downregulating other (class II) genes through a mechanism that depends on the conserved transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO. By integrating genome-wide mRNA expression responsiveness to DAF-16 with genome-wide in vivo binding data for a compendium of transcription factors, we discovered that PQM-1 is the elusive transcriptional activator that directly controls development (class II) genes by binding to the DAF-16-associated element (DAE). DAF-16 directly regulates class I genes only, through the DAF-16-binding element (DBE). Loss of PQM-1 suppresses daf-2 longevity and further slows development. Surprisingly, the nuclear localization of PQM-1 and DAF-16 is controlled by IIS in opposite ways and was also found to be mutually antagonistic. We observe progressive loss of nuclear PQM-1 with age, explaining declining expression of PQM-1 targets. Together, our data suggest an elegant mechanism for balancing stress response and development.
Structural pairwise comparisons of HLM stability of phenyl derivatives: Introduction of the Pfizer metabolism index (PMI) and metabolism-lipophilicity efficiency (MLE)

Data mining by pairwise comparison of over 150,000 human liver microsome (HLM) intrinsic clearance values stored within the internal Pfizer database has been performed by an automated tool. Systematic probability tables of specific structural changes on the intrinsic clearance of phenyl derivatives have been generated. From these data two new parameters, the Pfizer Metabolism Index (PMI) and Metabolism-Lipophilicity Efficiency (MLE) are introduced for each fragment. The findings are applied to a Topliss style analysis that focuses on metabolic stability.
Emerging roles for phospholipid transfer protein in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism

Purpose of review This review highlights the recent key advances in our understanding of the role of phospholipid transfer protein in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Recent findings The overexpression of human phospholipid transfer protein in mice is associated with an increase in atherosclerosis. This is consistent with earlier studies using mouse models suggesting that phospholipid transfer protein was pro-atherogenic. The presence of phospholipid transfer protein in macrophages and atherosclerotic lesions suggests that it could be either anti-atherogenic by facilitating lipid efflux or pro-atherogenic by facilitating lipid retention. Phospholipid transfer protein may also be a key player in reverse cholesterol transport, as it interacts with the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 and facilitates lipid efflux from peripheral cells. Both the release of chymase, a neutral protease, from mast cells and the oxidation of HDL by hypochlorous acid can impair the function of phospholipid transfer protein in reverse cholesterol transport. Studies of phospholipid transfer protein-mediated phospholipid transfer activity in humans support a role for phospholipid transfer protein in hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, diabetes, inflammation and coronary artery disease, and in the modulation of LDL particle density and size. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that phospholipid transfer protein may play a role in reproductive processes, in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in the central nervous system, and in neurodegenerative disease. Summary Phospholipid transfer protein is emerging as a multifaceted and multifunctional player in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, but much additional work will be required to understand the significance of these recent findings for clinical practice.
Analysis of lung cancer patients enrolled in CTEP (cancer therapy evaluation program)-sponsored phase I trials.

Abstract Introduction A recent review of phase I trials suggests that participation in these trials can be associated with clinical benefit and the rate of drug-related deaths is low. We conducted an analysis of the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP)-sponsored phase I trials to assess the outcomes of lung cancer patients enrolled in phase I trials. Materials and Methods Data from all CTEP-sponsored adult phase I trials conducted between 1997 and 2008 were analyzed. An analysis of demographics, rates of toxicities, and clinical benefit rate among patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and other cancers was conducted. Results Of the 3560 patients enrolled in 136 phase I trials, 301 (8.5%) had NSCLC and 40 (1.1%) had SCLC. The median age of lung cancer patients, at 60 years, was significantly higher than patients with other cancers. The rest of the demographics were similar among the groups. The rate of Grade 3-5 toxicities was higher among NSCLC patients (54% versus 46%). The toxicity-related death rate was ≤ 1% among all groups. The clinical benefit rate and median duration in study of approximately 2 months were similar among all groups of patients. Conclusion An analysis of the CTEP-sponsored phase I trials shows that lung cancer patients enrolled in these trials have a similar incidence of toxicity-related deaths and a similar probability of clinical benefit as patients with other cancers. These data suggest that patients with progressive lung cancer following approved therapies should be considered for phase I trials.
Long-term tillage effects on atrazine and fluometuron sorption in Coastal Plain soils

Conservation tillage (CnT) management practices are known to increase levels of soil organic matter (SOM) in southeastern Coastal Plain soils. Plant residues in CnT systems accumulate at the surface and, with time, will form a layer enriched in SOM. The authors hypothesize that herbicide sorption will be highest in this SOM-enriched zone of CnT systems when compared to sorption at a similar depth in conventional tillage (CT) systems. The objective was to characterize the impact of two different tillage systems, CnT and CT, on sorption of atrazine [6-chloro-N-ethyl-N′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine] and fluometuron [N,N-dimethyl-N′-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl urea] in plots of Norfolk loamy sand (fine-loamy, siliceous thermic Typic Kandiudult). The plots have been under CnT and CT management for 18 yrs. Bulk (0–15 cm) and five equal incremental soil samples to a 15 cm depth were collected from 10 CnT and 10 CT plots, and the atrazine (ATR) and fluometuron (FLMT) sorption coefficients (Kd) were measured using batch equilibration. Significantly higher herbicide Kd values occurred in the CnT 0–3 cm samples, indicating that the highest amount of herbicide sorption occurred in the top few cm of soil. This corresponded to the stratified soil organic carbon (SOC) contents in topsoil of the CnT plots. In addition, analyses of covariance using SOC as the covariant to test for tillage effects indicated complex interactions among SOC, tillage, and depth. Those results confirm that tillage and soil depth will affect SOC contents of a Norfolk loamy sand, which correspondly will influence the magnitude of ATR and FLMT sorption.
Phosphorescence of lyophilized complexes between cyclodextrins andβ-arylpropiophenones

β-Arylpropiophenones do not phosphoresce in homogeneous solution as a result of excited state quenching by the β-aryl group. In the presence of cyclodextrins the parent substrate, β-phenylpropiophenone, shows readily detectable phosphorescence. The complexes show strong phosphorescence after lyophilization to dryness. The phosphorescence intensity of ring-substituted derivatives is strongly dependent upon molecular size and cavity dimensions, suggesting that the β-arylpropiophenones can be used to probe these properties.
Soluble plasma factor in trauma patients following injury alters platelet activation

Abstract We have previously observed striking differences in the percentage of activated platelets identified following injury in two similar trauma populations. When a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to CD61 (glycoprotein Ib-IX) was used to identify platelets, the percentage of activated platelets was higher than when MoAb to CD42a (glycoprotein IIb-IIIa) was used to identify platelets. This discordance is not seen in other non-trauma patient populations. We hypothesized that a plasma component generated by severe injury was responsible for this finding. Fifteen trauma patients, defined as ISS > 9, had blood drawn within 24 hours of injury. Flow cytometry was used to identify platelets via MoAbs to both CD42a and CD61. Activated platelets were identified with the MoAb PAC-1 (binds the active conformation of GPIIb-IIIa). This experiment was then repeated while adding platelet-free plasma from each trauma patient to ABO-matched blood from healthy controls. Lastly, experiments were repeated with the addition of a MoAb that blocks the platelet Fc-gamma receptor, to preclude in-vitro platelet activation (known to occur via this receptor). Platelet activation as expressed by PAC-1 binding was significantly higher when CD61 was used to identify platelets rather than CD42a (p = 0.02, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test). Adding trauma plasma to platelets from healthy controls resulted in the same discordance (p = 0.01). Fc-gamma blockade did not significantly change this discordance. In trauma patients, flow cytometric evaluation of platelet activation is influenced by the MoAb used to identify platelets. Discordance in platelet activation occurred in healthy control with the addition of trauma plasma, and was not fc-gamma dependent. These data suggest the existence of a unique soluble component in the plasma of trauma patients that affects the platelet membrane in the GPIIb-IIIa region.
The incidence of double-yolked eggs in relation to improvement in egg production

The production of double-yolked eggs and its relation to other egg production traits has been summarized over a period of thirty years for a closed flock selected for gains in total egg production.
Stochastic simulations of a synthetic bacteria-yeast ecosystem

The field of synthetic biology has greatly evolved and numerous functions can now be implemented by artificially engineered cells carrying the appropriate genetic information. However, in order for the cells to robustly perform complex or multiple tasks, co-operation between them may be necessary. Therefore, various synthetic biological systems whose functionality requires cell-cell communication are being designed. These systems, microbial consortia, are composed of engineered cells and exhibit a wide range of behaviors. These include yeast cells whose growth is dependent on one another, or bacteria that kill or rescue each other, synchronize, behave as predator-prey ecosystems or invade cancer cells. In this paper, we study a synthetic ecosystem comprising of bacteria and yeast that communicate with and benefit from each other using small diffusible molecules. We explore the behavior of this heterogeneous microbial consortium, composed of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli cells, using stochastic modeling. The stochastic model captures the relevant intra-cellular and inter-cellular interactions taking place in and between the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Integration of well-characterized molecular regulatory elements into these two microbes allows for communication through quorum sensing. A gene controlling growth in yeast is induced by bacteria via chemical signals and vice versa. Interesting dynamics that are common in natural ecosystems, such as obligatory and facultative mutualism, extinction, commensalism and predator-prey like dynamics are observed. We investigate and report on the conditions under which the two species can successfully communicate and rescue each other. This study explores the various behaviors exhibited by the cohabitation of engineered yeast and bacterial cells. The way that the model is built allows for studying the dynamics of any system consisting of two species communicating with one another via chemical signals. Therefore, key information acquired by our model may potentially drive the experimental design of various synthetic heterogeneous ecosystems.
Visiting or house-swapping? Arendt and Jaspers on empathy, enlarged mentality and the space between:

Hannah Arendt has been one of empathy’s most formidable and influential critics among contemporary political theorists. In this article, I suggest that her argument against empathy is no argument at all. The line she draws between empathy and imagination is arbitrary, and imagination cannot – in and by itself – sustain the work of representative thinking, which Arendt assigns to it. With this critique of Arendt, and the introduction of an alternative view of empathy put forth by Karl Jaspers, Arendt’s mentor and friend, I hope to open the way for a reconsideration of the distrust with which empathy is met among many political theorists.
Conditional Random Fields in Speech, Audio, and Language Processing

Conditional random fields (CRFs) are probabilistic sequence models that have been applied in the last decade to a number of applications in audio, speech, and language processing. In this paper, we provide a tutorial overview of CRF technologies, pointing to other resources for more in-depth discussion; in particular, we describe the common linear-chain model as well as a number of common extensions within the CRF family of models. An overview of the mathematical techniques used in training and evaluating these models is also provided, as well as a discussion of the relationships with other probabilistic models. Finally, we survey recent work in speech, audio, and language processing to show how the same CRF technology can be deployed in different scenarios.
Landscape of target:guide homology effects on Cas9-mediated cleavage

To study target sequence specificity, selectivity, and reaction kinetics of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 activity, we challenged libraries of random variant targets with purified Cas9::guide RNA complexes in vitro. Cleavage kinetics were nonlinear, with a burst of initial activity followed by slower sustained cleavage. Consistent with other recent analyses of Cas9 sequence specificity, we observe considerable (albeit incomplete) impairment of cleavage for targets mutated in the PAM sequence or in 'seed' sequences matching the proximal 8 bp of the guide. A second target region requiring close homology was located at the other end of the guide::target duplex (positions 13-18 relative to the PAM). Sequences flanking the guide+PAM region had measurable (albeit modest) effects on cleavage. In addition, the first-base Guanine constraint commonly imposed by gRNA expression systems has little effect on overall cleavage efficiency. Taken together, these studies provide an in vitro understanding of the complexities of Cas9-gRNA interaction and cleavage beyond the general paradigm of site determination based on the 'seed' sequence and PAM.
High-level Aminoglycoside-resistant Enterococcus causing Endocarditis Successfully Treated with a Combination of Ampicillin, Imipenem and Vancomycin

We describe a case of bacterial endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis, which was highly resistant to aminoglycosides. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of ampicillin, imipenem and vancomycin. We believe this to be the first case in the literature to be treated successfully with this combination.
Effects of the components of positive airway pressure on work of breathing during bronchospasm

Partial assist ventilation reduces work of breathing in patients with bronchospasm; however, it is not clear which components of the ventilatory cycle contribute to this process. Theoretically, expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP), by reducing expiratory breaking, may be as important as inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) in reducing work of breathing during acute bronchospasm. We compared the effects of 10 cmH2O of IPAP, EPAP, and continuous positive airwaypressure (CPAP) on inspiratory work of breathing and end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) in a canine model of methacholine-induced bronchospasm. Methacholine infusion increased airway resistance and work of breathing. During bronchospasm IPAP and CPAP reduced work of breathing primarily through reductions in transdiaphragmatic pressure per tidal volume (from 69.4 ± 10.8 cmH2O/l to 45.6 ± 5.9 cmH2O/l and to 36.9 ± 4.6 cmH2O/l, respectively; P < 0.05) and in diaphragmatic pressure–time product (from 306 ± 31 to 268 ± 25 and to 224 ± 23, respectively; P < 0.05). Pleural pressure indices of work of breathing were not reduced by IPAP and CPAP. EPAP significantly increased all pleural and transdiaphragmatic work of breathing indices. CPAP and EPAP similarly increased EELV above control by 93 ± 16 ml and 69 ± 12 ml, respectively. The increase in EELV by IPAP of 48 ± 8 ml (P < 0.01) was significantly less than that by CPAP and EPAP. The reduction in work of breathing during bronchospasm is primarily induced by the IPAP component, and that for the same reduction in work of breathing by CPAP, EELV increases more.
Front and back surface fields for point-contact solar cells

The authors discuss the use of planar dopant diffusions to reduce surface recombination in point-contact solar cells. These noncurrent collecting diffusions can boost the efficiency of point-contact cells significantly for incident intensities below about 5 suns (0.500 W/cm/sup 2/). At these low power levels, the surface recombination is the dominant recombination mechanism. Measured values of the emitter saturation current density, J/sub o/, of phosphorus diffusions at the oxidized silicon surface are presented for a range of surface concentrations and furnace conditions on untexturized