cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TPO based nanocomposites. Part 1. Morphology and mechanical properties

Abstract The relationship between morphology and the mechanical properties of thermoplastic olefin (TPO) materials that are reinforced with organoclay fillers and prepared by melt processing is reported. Nanocomposites based on blends of polypropylene and elastomer and using an organoclay masterbatch were prepared in a twin-screw extruder. Transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering were employed to carry out a detailed particle analysis of the morphology of the dispersed clay and elastomer phases for these nanocomposites. The improvement in mechanical properties, e.g. stiffness enhancement as evaluated by stress–strain analysis and impact strength obtained from notched Izod impact tests, were successfully explained in terms of morphological changes induced by the presence of the clay and elastomer particles. Quantitative analyses of TEM micrographs and AFM images revealed a decrease in the aspect ratio of the clay particles and a reduction in the size of elastomer particles with increasing clay content. In addition, WAXD scans indicated a skin–core effect for the injection molded specimens in terms of both polypropylene crystal orientation and clay filler orientation. This information is essential for the understanding of the mechanism of mechanical property enhancement in nanocomposite materials.
Reproductive endocrinology: Late-onset hypogonadism: evidence for diagnostic criteria.

Various symptoms are typical of severe testosterone deficiency in young men; in aging men, however, these symptoms are nonspecific and overlap with symptoms of other prevalent disorders. A new study offers evidence-based criteria for the identification of late-onset hypogonadism in the general population on the basis of an association between symptoms and a low testosterone level.
The importance of being r: greater oxidative stability of RNA compared with DNA.

Abstract The 2′-hydroxyl group of ribose imparts hydrolytic lability on RNA, which provides a mechanism for numerous biological functions. Recent evidence from chemical cleavage studies shows that this hydroxyl group also stabilizes the sugar moiety in RNA towards oxidation relative to DNA. Is this just because RNA needs to be distinguishable from DNA or does it have other evolutionary significance?
Carrot Dehydration—Optimization Process Studies on the Explosion‐Puffing Process

A carrot dehydration process that includes the unique continuous explosion-puffing system (CEPS) is described. A drying study included moisture distribution throughout a two-stage pilot scale dryer as well as bed temperature during first stage drying. Shrinkage losses of carrots by two dehydration methods were investigated, and volume differences were obtained. Measurements of dried carrot properties such as bulk density, color, nonenzymatic browning, rehydration, and disintegration were used to determine optimum operating pressure, temperature, and feed moisture for CEPS. Response surfaces developed from these properties were used simultaneously to establish a constrained optimum.
The Internal Intensity Ratio of H α and of D α

A Geissler-Wood discharge tube was designed for use as the light source of Hα or Dα line. The tube was cooled in liquid air under low pressure to reveal the fine structure of the spectral lines. Four different separations, 7.6, 7.8, 8.0, and 8.2 mm, were used in the Fabry-Perot interferometer. Ten spectroscopic plates were measured for Hα and ten others for Dα. The internal intensity ratio of Hα and of Dα was found to be 0.808±0.004 and 0.803±0.003, respectively, as compared to the theoretical value of 0.806. This study indicates that the experimental value of the intensity ratio between the two main component groups agrees with the theoretical value when pure hydrogen or pure deuterium gas is used in the discharge tube and the discharge is at its maximum intensity.
Melatonin Enhances Tamoxifen's Ability to Prevent the Reduction in Microsomal Membrane Fluidity Induced by Lipid Peroxidation

The indoleamine melatonin and the synthetic antiestrogenic drug tamoxifen seem to have similar mechanisms in inhibiting the growth of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells. In this study, we compared the ability of these molecules, alone and in combination, in stabilizing microsomal membranes against free radical attack. Hepatic microsomes were obtained from male rats and incubated with or without tamoxifen (50–200 μm), melatonin (1 mm) or both; lipid peroxidation was induced by addition of FeCl3, NADPH and ADP. After oxidative damage, membrane fluidity, measured by fluorescence polarization techniques, decreased whereas malonaldehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxyalkenals (4-HDA) concentrations increased. Incubation of the microsomes with tamoxifen prior to exposure to free radical generating processes inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the increase in membrane rigidity and the rise in MDA+4-HDA levels. When melatonin was added, the efficacy of tamoxifen in preventing membrane rigidity was enhanced. Thus, the IC50s for preventing membrane rigidity and for inhibiting lipid peroxidation obtained for tamoxifen in the presence of melatonin were lower than those obtained with tamoxifen alone. Moreover, tamoxifen (50–200 μm) in the presence of melatonin reduced basal membrane fluidity and MDA+4-HDA levels in microsomes. These synergistic effects of tamoxifen and melatonin in stabilizing biological membranes may be important in protecting membranes from free radical damage.
Do microthermals measure seeing

Microthermals are often used to test for local seeing contributions of sites and inside telescope buildings. There is however a degree of uncertainty in their use. The refractive fluctuations are proportional to the air density fluctuations. But for isobaric changes the fractional air density fluctuations are equal to minus the fractional absolute temperature fluctuations. Whereas for adiabatic changes the fractional density changes are equal to plus 1/(Gamma4) times the absolute temperature fluctuation. The image size contributions are equal to these changes to the 1.2 power. Thus adiabatic changes produce about three times as much image degradation as do isobaric changes. There is a particular susceptibility to adiabatic changes with wave motion affecting seeing in the presence of stable stratification associated with a nocturnal ground thermal inversion. It is recommended that microthermal measures of seeing contribution from sites and telescope facilities should be treated with distrust unless accompanied by simultaneous measurements of pressure fluctuations. In consequence a number of current indicators for the thermal design of large telescopes and their facilities must be considered moot.
Polyamines as predictors of success and failure in cancer chemotherapy.

Summary Polyamines appear to have clinical utility for monitoring cancer therapy. Investigations on the patterns of urinary excretion of polyamines in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy and studies of the tritiated-thymidine labelling index of tumour cells in a subgroup of these patients form the basis for a hypothesis that spermidine can serve as a marker of tumour-cell kill, whereas putrescine appears to reflect the proliferative behaviour or "growth fraction" of the tumour. Although tests of this hypothesis are necessary to establish the predictive value of polyamines for monitoring cancer therapy, it is clear that polyamines may provide important new information on tumour cytokinetic parameters.
A high resolution study of Ar LMM Auger electrons produced by ion bombardment

Ar LMM Auger electron lines produced by H+, He+, O4+, and O5+ bombardment are measured with high instrumental resolution (0.02% FWHM). Individual heavy ion induced Auger satellite lines are resolved. Two strong lines are observed at 221 and 223 eV in the oxygen induced spectra. The ratio of satellite to normal line production is given for each projectile.
RESPIRATORY MECHANICS AND DIFFUSION CAPACITY IN AWAKE, ADULT LLAMAS: CLINICAL APPLICATIONS IN CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE

The purpose of this study was to establish reference values of respiratory mechanics and diffusion capacity in awake llamas for the interpretation and diagnosis of respiratory disease in critically ill camelids. The following procedures were performed in 10 healthy adult llamas (2–9 years; 100–204 kg): Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography and Pneumotachography (RIP) for the assessment of thoraco-abdominal synchrony and airflow obstruction (Hoffman, J Appl Physiol 2001;91: 2767–75), diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) and functional residual capacity (FRC) via helium dilution, esophageal balloon-pneumotachography to determine pulmonary resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn), as well as Monofrequency Forced Oscillatory Mechanics (FOM) (Young, J Appl Physiol 1994;76:2467–72) to establish respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) at the oscillatory frequencies of 1,2,3,5 and 7 Hz. RIP was further performed in 3 camelid patients to determine the cause of respiratory failure. The results of conventional lung mechanics, FOM (1 Hz), DLCO and FRC in healthy llamas are listed in the table below. Rrs at 1 Hz (closest to breathing frequency) was positively correlated with RL (P=.05). The calculated mean resonant frequency was 3.37 (+/−0.68) Hz. RIP results showed a peak difference between plethysmographic flow (V'sum) and nasal flow (V'n) of 2.61 (+/−1.02) during expiration (PEsf), and 2.48 (+/−1.04) during inspiration (PIsf). The area difference between V'sum and V'n was 0.05 (+/−0.14) and 0.05 (+/−.04) during the first 25% of expiration (SFEx) and inspiration (SFIx), respectively. Noninvasive evaluation of respiratory mechanics in clinical patients was essential to establish severity, type and progression of respiratory disease, especially in camelids presenting for upper airway obstruction, pulmonary disease or thoraco-abdominal asynchrony. TV [L] PIF [L/s] PEF [L/s] FRC/ kg [ml/kg] DLCO [ml/min/ mmHg] Cdyn [L/ cmH2O] RL [cmH2O/ L/s] Rrs(1 Hz) [cmH2O/ L/s] Xrs(1 Hz) [cmH2O/ L/s] Mean 0.98 2.13 2.00 39.18 10.70 1.44 1.48 2.40 −1.17 SD 0.28 0.61 0.75 11.45 3.37 0.75 0.57 0.93 0.46
Direct implicit large time-step particle simulation of plasmas

Abstract A recently developed implicit method for solving the set of coupled particle and field equations arising in particle-in-cell plasma simulation is described in detail. This implicit integration scheme is motivated by the desire to study efficiently low-frequency, long-wavelength plasma phenomena using a large time step. In particular, this method allows the use of a time step which is larger than the electron plasma period, when electron plasma oscillations are not of interest, and provides selective damping of the distorted remnant of the electron plasma oscillation. The implicit scheme presented here uses particle data directly without introducing fluid moment equations as an intermediary between the field and particle equations. In an electrostatic model, the essence of our scheme is a linearization of the charge density at the advanced time about an explicit approximate density and the computation of the incremental correction to the charge density that is linear in the advanced field. We are led to an elliptic field equation whose coefficients depend directly on particle data accumulated on the spatial grid in the form of an effective linear susceptibility. Prediction and iterative refinement of the solution of the implicit equations, and spatial difference representations of the equations are given. Residual restrictions on time step are described. It is demonstrated that convergence is superior when spatial diferencing and filtering are done in a consistent manner.
Distribution of simian immunodeficiency virus target cells in vaginal tissues of normal rhesus macaques: implications for virus transmission.

Abstract Most new cases of HIV-1 infection occur as the result of vaginal transmission. Identifying the phenotype and distribution of potential viral target cells in the vagina is important for understanding events in viral transmission and for developing effective prevention strategies. For example, compounds that prevent CD4 or CCR5 binding have been demonstrated recently to prevent vaginal transmission in rhesus macaques, but the expression and distribution of CCR5 has not been examined in the macaque vagina. The objective of this study was to examine the distribution and phenotype of cells and molecules in the vagina of rhesus macaques that may be involved in HIV transmission, including CCR5, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD1a, CD28, CD95, CD123 and HLA-DR. Normal juvenile and adult female rhesus macaques were examined by multicolor immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Although both CD4 and CCR5 were observed in the lamina propria, essentially no CD4 or CCR5 expression was detected within the squamous or keratinized layers of the vaginal epithelium. CCR5 expression was higher in the vaginal lamina propria of mature macaques compared to 1–3-year-old juveniles. The vast majority of CD4+CCR5+ lymphocytes in the vagina had a central memory (CD95+CD28+) phenotype. Numerous CCR5-expressing dendritic cells (CD123+) or macrophages (CD68+) were observed in the lamina propria, but no CCR5, CD4 or DC-SIGN expression was detectable in the epithelium. Thus, the multiple layers of squamous epithelium normally covering the vaginal mucosa may provide an effective barrier against vaginal HIV-1 transmission. Microbicides that block CD4 or CCR5 expression may act within the deeper layers of the vaginal epithelium rather than on the epithelial surface.
The gastrointestinal tract as a vehicle for drug smuggling

Four cases of attempts to smuggle narcotics (marijuana, heroin, and cocaine) by swallowing a large number of drug-filled foreign bodies (condoms and capsules) and hiding them from customs authorities in the gastrointestinal canal during transit are described. This is compared with a psychiatric patient who swallowed 48 Vicks Inhalers®. Drug smuggling by swallowing condoms or capsules containing narcotics is now a worldwide ethical-legal problem. It also is of therapeutic and prognostic importance as this may lead to such emergencies as mechanical obstruction, rupture of the drug-containing foreign bodies, and life-threatening intoxication of the carrier.
Destruction of serotonergic nerve terminals prevents fluoxetine-induced desensitization of hypothalamic 5-HT(1A) receptors.

Abstract Rationale. Selective serotonin (5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine produce a gradual desensitization of hypothalamic post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptor systems. It is assumed that the effects of SSRIs on post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors are mediated by 5-HT reuptake inhibition, leading to an increase of 5-HT in the synapse. However, there is no direct evidence to support this hypothesis. Objectives. The present study determined whether 5-HT1A receptor desensitization was mediated by fluoxetine's effects on serotonergic nerve terminals. Methods. Serotonergic nerve terminals were destroyed by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of the serotonin neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) combined with injection of the norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitor nomifensine. 5,7-DHT-induced loss of serotonergic terminals was confirmed by a 95% reduction in the density of [3H]paroxetine-labeled 5-HT transporters in the hypothalamus and a 97% reduction in the levels of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the cortex. Two weeks after the 5,7-DHT injections, rats were injected daily with fluoxetine (5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline for 14 days. Results. Injections of 10 mg/kg fluoxetine produced a significant decrease in body weight gain. Destruction of serotonergic nerve terminals reduced body weight and potentiated the ability of fluoxetine to further inhibit body weight gain. Increases in plasma levels of adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH, corticotropin), corticosterone, and oxytocin after injection of the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin [(±)8-OH-DPAT] were used as peripheral markers of 5-HT1A receptor function in the hypothalamus. In vehicle-pretreated rats, fluoxetine produced a dose-dependent reduction in the (±)8-OH-DPAT-induced increase in plasma ACTH and oxytocin levels. Destruction of serotonergic nerve terminals blocked the ability of fluoxetine to produce a desensitization in the ACTH, corticosterone, and oxytocin responses to (±)8-OH-DPAT. Conclusions. The ability of fluoxetine to induce a desensitization of hypothalamic post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptor systems is dependent on the integrity of serotonergic nerve terminals in the hypothalamus, while its effect on body weight is not mediated by serotonergic nerve terminals in the hypothalamus.
Distribution of HEOD (dieldrin) in mammals: II. some applications of the preliminary model.

The preliminary model of the lipid-phase pharmacokinetics of dieldrin in mammals is applied to evaluation of the probable role of auto-induction, the effect(s) of growth, and the role of compartmentalization. Realistic simulations and comparison to actual data permit the conclusion to be drawn that induction of its own metabolism plays a relatively minor role in the distribution and level of dieldrin residues. Although some of the effects of growth are reasonably well simulated, the model as constructed does not permit compartmentalization. It was concluded that the model should be revised to include aspects of the as-yet quantitatively unknown intracellular binding and membrane transport within the flow-limited model.
Analyzing parallel program executions using multiple views

Abstract To understand a parallel program's execution we must be able to analyze lots of information describing complex relationships among many processes. Various techniques have been used, from program replay to program animation, but each has limited applicability and the lack of a common foundation precludes an integrated solution. Our approach to parallel program analysis is based on a multiplicity of views of an execution. We use a synchronization trace captured during execution to construct a graph representation of the program's behavior. A user manipulates this representation to create and fine-tune visualizations using an integrated, programmable toolkit. Additional execution details can be recovered as needed using program replay to reconstruct an execution from an existing synchronization trace. We present a framework for describing views of a parallel program's execution, and an analysis methodology that relates a sequence of views to the program development cycle. We then describe our toolkit implementation and explain how users construct visualizations using the toolkit. Finally, we present an extended example to illustrate both our methodology and the power of our programmable toolkit.
Fear conditioning is associated with altered integration of PLC and ERK signaling in the hippocampus

The extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) are proline-directed, serine/threonine kinases that regulate a variety of cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, and plasticity. In the present report, we provide evidence that ERK2 and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PLC)-beta and -gamma isozymes interact in the rat hippocampal formation. We found that anti-PLC-beta1a, -beta2, -beta4, -gamma1 and -gamma2, but not -beta3, immune complexes isolated from rat hippocampal formation postnuclear fractions contain anti-ERK2 immunoreactivity. Further, we show that PLC catalytic activity is associated with anti-ERK2 immunoprecipitates isolated from the hippocampal formation, and that the amount of enzyme activity is significantly increased following fear-conditioned learning. The observed interactions may be mediated by consensus sequences conforming to an ERK2 docking site, termed a D-domain, that we identified in PLC-beta1a, -beta2, -beta4 -gamma1 and -gamma2. Based on these results, we propose that PLC-beta and PLC-gamma isozymes form signaling complexes with ERK2 in rat brain, and these complexes play critical roles in learning and memory, as well as a variety of other neuronal functions.
Cholesterol transfer from small and large unilamellar vesicles

Abstract The rates of transfer of [14C]cholesterol from small and large unilamellar cholesterol/egg yolk phosphatidylcholine vesicles to a common vesicle acceptor were compared at 37°C. The rate of exchange of cholesterol between vesicles of identical cholesterol concentrations (20 mol%) did not differ from the rate of transfer from donor vesicles containing 20 mol% cholesterol to egg yolk PC vesicles. Further, the rate of transfer of [14C]cholesterol from vesicles containing 15 mol% dicetyl phosphate (to confer a negative charge) was not different from the rate of transfer from neutral vesicles. However, the half-time for transfe of [14C]cholesterol from large unilamellar donor vesicles was about 5-times greater (10.2 h, 80 nm diameter) than from small unilamellar vesicles (2.3 h, 23 nm diameter). These data suggest that increased curvature in small unilamellar vesicles reduces cholesterol-nearest neighbor interactions to allow a more rapid transfer of cholesterol into the aqueous phase.
Potato glycoalkaloids: Increases and variations of ratios in aged slices over prolonged storage

Four commercial cultivars of potatoes were maintained under normal storage conditions at 44 F for 34 weeks. Except for a final 10 week interval tubers were withdrawn at 6 week intervals. After slicing, a portion of the slices was immediately analyzed for total glycoalkaloid content. The remaining slices were aged for four days in the dark at room temperature, then similarly analyzed. The total glycoalkaloid content of the aged slices increased dramatically on aging. This increase on aging of slices reached a maximum early in storage then decreased gradually over the storage period. In determining the individual glycoalkaloids, α-solanine and α-chaconine both increased in these slices, but the greatest increase was in the former. Appearing solely in the aged slices of the Kennebec variety, α-and β-solamarine appeared early in the storage period and gradually decreased over the storage period. Analyses of the unaged slices indicated that the glycoalkaloid content and composition of the potato tubers was little affected by storage. Aging of potato sprouts did not change their glycoalkaloid content.
Genetic, environmental and maternal influences on embryonic cardiac rhythms.

Abstract The relative roles of an animal’s genetic constituents and environmental factors in influencing physiological variables such has heart rate have not been extensively investigated. This paper considers how heart rate patterns in the developing animal can be regulated, and how a combination of ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ may interact to produce discrete patterns of heart rate change during development. The concept of the ‘developmental trajectory’ is evoked to generate a conceptual framework for how physiological development can be perturbed by environmental factors. Data are provided from three species showing how ‘clutch-effects’ (the fact that siblings perform physiologically much more similarly than non-siblings) can greatly influence the variance observed when collecting data on heart rate during development. Finally, so-called ‘maternal effects’, which are the influences on embryos of environmental experiences of the parents, are discussed as potentially confounding effects in the study of the genetic basis for physiological patterns of change during development.
Effectiveness of apraclonidine and acetazolamide in preventing postoperative intraocular pressure spikes after extracapsular cataract extraction

We studied the effectiveness of two prophylactic agents in controlling early postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) increases after cataract surgery. Fifty-four nonglaucomatous patients received either topical 1% apraclonidine, one drop before and after surgery, or sustained-release acetazolamide, 500 mg, or no medication at the completion of planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). Mean baseline IOPs were similar among patients randomized to the apraclonidine, acetazolamide, and control groups: 15.29 mm Hg, 15.33 mm Hg, and 14.26 mm Hg, respectively. At 3 hours postoperatively, IOPs were significantly lower in the apraclonidine group (11.13 mm Hg, P = .035), nonsignificantly lower in the acetazolamide group (13.3 mm Hg, P = .17), and significantly increased in the control group (21.32 mm Hg, P = .003). One eye in the apraclonidine group and six in the control group had IOPs greater than 30 mm Hg. At 24 hours, the only statistically significant difference was in the control group, whose mean IOPs remained elevated (21.83 mm Hg, P = .0008). One eye in the apraclonidine group, two in the acetazolamide group, and five in the control group had IOPs greater than 30 mm Hg. We found a significant early IOP reduction with apraclonidine given topically preoperatively and at the completion of planned ECCE.
A Hospital System’s Wellness Program Linked To Health Plan Enrollment Cut Hospitalizations But Not Overall Costs

Many policy makers believe that health status would be improved and health care spending reduced if people managed their health better. This study examined the effectiveness of a program put in place by BJC HealthCare, a hospital system based in St. Louis, Missouri, that tied employees’ eligibility to participate in the system’s most generous health plan with participation in a wellness program. The intervention, which began in 2005, was associated with a 41 percent decrease, relative to a comparison group, in hospitalizations for conditions targeted by the wellness program but with no significant decrease in other hospitalizations. We found reductions in inpatient costs but similar increases in non-inpatient costs. Therefore, we conclude that although the program did cut some hospitalizations, it did not save money for the employer in the short term. This finding underscores that wellness program incentives under the Affordable Care Act are unlikely to greatly reduce health care spending over the short run.
Interdependence and innovation

Abstract This article analyzes the relationships beyond the firm for their effects upon innovation. It is argued that as technology becomes increasingly complex close interfirm cooperation will be needed. In this study, twenty-two innovations were examined particularly focusing on the interaction between the firm and the environment. It was found that there was a significant correlation between innovation success and the firms' use of other firms. The role of government, universities, and outside inventors on innovation within the firm is also discussed.
Volatiles Retention as Influenced by Method of Addition during Extrusion Cooking

Normal corn starch with 15 to 21% (db) moisture content was extrusion-cooked in a twin-screw extruder. Cinnamaldehyde, nonanoic acid, 3-octanone and eugenol, at concentrations of 1 to 5% (w/w), were either premixed with the feed or injected into the barrel. Response surface methodology was used to predict percent initial amount retained. Radial expansion ratios were different when volatile components were premixed with the feed for all components except 3-octanone. Only nonanoic acid influenced (P > F = 0.001) specific mechanical energy values due to the method of addition. Volatile component retention was enhanced when they were injected into the extruder barrel as compared to pre-mixing with the feed.
Escherichia coli YrbH Is a D-Arabinose 5-Phosphate Isomerase

Abstract A gene encoding for arabinose 5-phosphate isomerase (API), which catalyzes the interconversion of d-ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P) and d-arabinose 5-phosphate (A5P), has been identified from the genome of Escherichia coli K-12. API is the first enzyme in the biosynthesis of 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonate (KDO), a sugar moiety located in the lipopolysaccharide layer of most Gram-negative bacteria. The API gene yrbH is located next to the recently identified specific KDO 8-P phosphatase gene, yrbI. The 328-amino acid open reading frame yrbH was cloned, overexpressed, and characterized. The purified recombinant enzyme is a tetramer and is sensitive to inhibition by zinc cations. API has optimal activity at pH 8.4 and catalytic residues with estimated pKa values of 6.55 ± 0.04 and 10.34 ± 0.07. The enzyme is specific for A5P and Ru5P, with apparent Km values of 0.61 ± 0.06 mm for A5P and 0.35 ± 0.08 mm for Ru5P. The apparent kcat in the A5P to Ru5P direction is 157 ± 4 s–1, and in the Ru5P to A5P direction it is 255 ± 16 s–1. The value of Keq (Ru5P/A5P) is 0.50 ± 0.06. Homology searches of the E. coli genome suggest yrbH may be one of multiple genes that encode proteins with API activity.
Signal transduction mechanisms in glial cells.

Growth factor-activated and cell adhesion-mediated signaling plays a crucial role in the development and differentiation of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, the two macroglial cells of the CNS. Guided
Competence vs. Performance and recent approaches to cognitive assessment

The importance of accurate cognitive assessment and its relationship to effective instructional programming are discussed. Traditional methods of test administration are less than optimally sensitive to the cognitive abilities and processes under investigation. A disparity between competence and performance can occur across a variety of populations due to task and situational demands, as well as to motivational and personality factors. Recent approaches aimed at lessening the gap between competence and performance are discussed, along with their strengths and weaknesses.
The home physical activity environment and adolescent BMI, physical activity and TV viewing: Disparities across a diverse sample.

Characteristics of the home and family have been associated with adolescents’ BMI and physical and sedentary activity, but few studies have examined how these characteristics vary across ethnic/ethnic groups. This study explores whether recommendations for activity promotion are equally relevant to different adolescent populations. Participants included 2,374 adolescents and their parent(s), recruited through 20 public schools in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, in 2009–2010. Ethnic/racial groups included African American, Asian (primarily Hmong), East African, Hispanic, Native American, White, and mixed/other race. Linear regression analysis modeled adolescents’ BMI z-scores and physical and sedentary activity based on six measures of the family/home activity environment, adjusted for covariates. Interactions of ethnicity/race and family/home environment were tested. All six family/home environment measures varied significantly across ethnicity/race. Family/home variables were significantly associated with adolescent physical activity and TV viewing in the expected directions, and these relationships were consistent across ethnic/racial groups in two thirds of the models. However, in one third of the cases, these associations were modified by ethnicity/race. For example, home access to a greater number of media devices was significantly associated with more TV viewing (β = .40, p = .015) only among White youth. Health promotion recommendations for adolescent physical activity are largely relevant across ethnic/racial groups. However, given differences found in the family/home environments of adolescents, cultural sensitivity is recommended in discussing these issues, and tailored recommendations may be appropriate for select groups or behaviors. Further mixed methods research is warranted to help identify key messages for specific groups.
The visually evoked potential in twins

Abstract Visually evoked responses were studied in monozygotic and dizygotic twins, triplets and unrelated children age-matched with the monozygotic twins. Scalp leads from occipital and central areas carried EEG activity to an electronic computer (CAT) which was set to sum evoked responses, following 100 flashes of light. The degree of similarity between pairs of evoked response wave patterns were determined by Pearson product-moment correlations for two analysis times, 250 and 400 msec. Intra-twin correlations of the identical twins were significantly higher than those of the other groups. Correlations of non-identical twins and non-twins matched for age were not significantly different. The first 250 msec of the evoked responses recorded from the occipital area consistently yielded the highest correlations. In a number of instances an identical twin's visually evoked response was more like that of his twin sib than like another of his own recorded at a different time.
Sequence variation in the herpes simplex virus U(S)1 ocular virulence determinant.

Purpose. The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) US1 gene encodes host-range and ocular virulence determinants. Mutations in US1 affecting virulence are known in strain OD4, but the genomic variation across several strains is not known. The goal was to determine the degree of sequence variation in the gene from several ocular HSV isolates.
Trends in pan evaporation and actual evapotranspiration across the conterminous U.S.: paradoxical or complementary?

[1] Pan evaporation (ETpan) has decreased at 64% of pans in the conterminous U.S. over the past half-century. Comparing trends in ETpan and water budget-derived actual evapotranspiration (ET*a), we observe the so-called “Pan Evaporation Paradox,” which we confirm is no more than a manifestation of the complementarity between actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and potential evapotranspiration (ETp). Examining trends in the components of ETa—the radiative energy and regional advective budgets—we show that both components must be considered together to explain the relationship between ETpan and ET*a.
Selective refocusing pulses in magic-angle spinning NMR: Characterization and applications to multi-dimensional protein spectroscopy

Abstract Band-selective pulses are frequently used in multi-dimensional NMR in solution, but have been used relatively less often in solid-state NMR applications because of the complications imposed by magic-angle spinning. In this work, we examine the frequency profiles and the refocusing efficiency of several commonly employed selective general rotation π pulses through experiments and numerical simulations. We demonstrate that highly efficient refocusing of transverse magnetization can be achieved, with experiments that agree well with numerical simulations. We also show that the rotational echo is shifted by a half rotor period if a selective pulse is applied over an integer number of rotor periods. Appropriately synchronizing indirect evolution periods with selective pulses ensures proper phasing of cross peaks in 2D spectra. The improved performance of selective pulses in multi-dimensional protein spectroscopy is demonstrated on the 56-residue β1 immunoglobulin binding domain of protein G (GB1).
Identification with Stimuli Moderates Women’s Affective and Testosterone Responses to Self-Chosen Erotica

Sexual thoughts are sufficient to increase testosterone (T) in women, yet erotic films are not. A key confound in past studies is autonomy in stimulus selection: women choose the content of their sexual thoughts but films have been selected by researchers. We hypothesized that self-chosen erotic films, compared to researcher-chosen erotic films, would (1) increase women’s self-reported arousal, enjoyment, and identification with stimuli, and decrease negative affect; and (2) increase T. Participants (N = 116 women) were randomly assigned to a neutral documentary condition or one of three erotic film conditions: high choice (self-chosen erotica from participants’ own sources), moderate choice (self-chosen erotica from films preselected by sexuality researchers), or no choice (researcher-chosen erotica). Participants provided saliva samples for T before and after viewing the film in the privacy of their homes. Compared to researcher-chosen erotica, self-chosen erotica increased self-reported arousal and enjoyment, but also unexpectedly disgust, guilt, and embarrassment. Self-chosen erotica only marginally increased identification with stimuli compared to researcher-chosen erotica. Overall, film condition did not affect T, but individual differences in identification moderated T responses: among women reporting lower levels of identification, the moderate choice condition decreased T compared to the no choice condition, but this difference was not observed among women with higher identification. These results highlight the importance of cognitive/emotional factors like identification for sexually modulated T. However, self-chosen erotica results in more ambivalent rather than unequivocally positive cognitive/emotional responses, perhaps because stigma associated with viewing erotica for women becomes more salient when choosing stimuli.
Studies of Toxicity and Odor Resulting from Hydrogen Sulfide Produced by the Fecal BacteriaInternational Fellowship #I-102

Colonicbacteriaproducelargequantitiesofhydrogensulfide (H2S), a highly toxic compound with a noxious odor. We investigated H2S production in pouchitis and ways to control the production and odor of this gas. Findings were as follows: (1) Pouchitis activity was strongly associated with fecal H2S production, and comparison of pouch contents of ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis subjects showed much greater H2S production in UC. Whether high H2S is a cause or effect of pouchitis remains to be determined; however, high H2S production appears to be a fundamental property of UC feces. (2) H2S production and counts of bacteria that produce H2S were highly
Source characterization of dissolved organic matter in a subtropical mangrove-dominated estuary by fluorescence analysis

Abstract Measurements of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV–visible, fixed wavelength fluorescence, and synchronous fluorescence were performed in an effort to characterize spatial and temporal variability in concentration and source of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in surface waters of the southwest coast of Florida. Concentrations of DOC in the surface water ranged from 318 to 2043 μM and decreased from the upper estuary to the coastal areas, and were not only influenced by source strength but also by the hydrology and geomorphology of the mangrove-dominated southwest Florida estuarine area of Everglades National Park. Mangroves provided a significant input of DOM to the estuarine region. This terrestrially derived DOM underwent conservative mixing in these estuaries, but at salinities ≥30 a clear switch from terrestrial to marine DOM was observed indicating a change in the nature and origin of the dominant DOM. The results show that the dynamics of DOM in these subtropical estuaries are complex and that geomorphologically compartmentalized estuarine subregions can be distinguished based on the optical characteristics of their DOM.
Use of injected helium as a hydrological tracer

Abstract Helium has several characteristics which make it attractive for use as a tracer in hydrological studies. These include its inert nature, relatively high solubility in water (~ 1 %), low molecular diffusion in water, ready availability in commercial quantities, nontoxic nature, and low background atmospheric concentration. The use of helium as a tracer of water movement has become possible through the development of an instrument which takes advantage of the fact that at room temperature helium diffuses through a quartz glass membrane at a rate of three to four orders of magnitude greater than any other gas. This paper describes: (i) a set of experiments undertaken to compare breakthrough of helium with common salt (NaCl) tracer through laboratory sand columns; (ii) a set of groundwater tracing experiments conducted in a basaltic aquifer in Central O'ahur, Hawaii and (iii) two laboratory experiments undertaken to evaluate the applicability of helium instrumentation for the tracing of submerged plu...
Solving the Emotion Paradox: Categorization and the Experience of Emotion

In this article, I introduce an emotion paradox: People believe that they know an emotion when they see it, and as a consequence assume that emotions are discrete events that can be recognized with some degree of accuracy, but scientists have yet to produce a set of clear and consistent criteria for indicating when an emotion is present and when it is not. I propose one solution to this paradox: People experience an emotion when they conceptualize an instance of affective feeling. In this view, the experience of emotion is an act of categorization, guided by embodied knowledge about emotion. The result is a model of emotion experience that has much in common with the social psychological literature on person perception and with literature on embodied conceptual knowledge as it has recently been applied to social psychology.
Muscarinic Receptors and Control of Airway Smooth Muscle

Contraction of airway smooth muscle is mediated by M3 muscarinic receptors on the airway smooth muscle. However, there is no evidence suggesting that hyperresponsiveness results from any alterations in function of these M3 muscarinic receptors. In contrast, there is clearly increased release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in animal models of hyperactivity and in asthma. Release of acetylcholine is controlled by inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors, and it appears that it is these M2 receptors that are dysfunctional in animal models of hyperresponsiveness. Allergen-induced M2 receptor dysfunction is absolutely dependent upon an influx of eosinophils into the airways. Activated eosinophils release major basic protein, which binds to M2 receptors and prevents binding of acetylcholine. Thus, the normal negative feedback control of acetylcholine release is lost, and acetylcholine release is increased. In conclusion, loss of function of inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors on the airway parasympathetic nerves causes vagally mediated bronchoconstriction and hyperresponsiveness following antigen challenge.
Investigations toward multistatic passive radar imaging

Potential for imaging in passive multistatic radar systems is investigated primarily in terms of illuminator type and coherency. A typical set of transmitters in the UHF and VHF bands based upon the local illuminators in the Columbus, Ohio region is presented to constitute a realistic passive imaging environment. A passive radar signal model is then developed and demonstrates one possible processing implementation for imaging across multiple distributed illuminators. From this, the spatial frequency representation of an airborne target traversing a common flight path is presented. This k-space formulation is assessed as a tool for predicting imaging performance, along with potential limitations of the approach for accurately modeling realistic imaging scenarios of multistatic passive radar systems. Finally, simulation results show the -3 dB point target response to be <;1 m for FM transmitters and <;0.2 m for DTV, for the realistic Columbus-based imaging environment.
Impact of Radar Tilt and Ground Clutter on Wind Measurements in Clear Air

Abstract From geometrical considerations, the optimum tilt angle for a meteorological radar at which the best possible vertical resolution results is derived. This optimum angle is a compromise between the effects of beam divergence and range gate spacing. For typical S-band radar parameters, this optimum tilt angle is found to be about 7°. However, wind analyses at this tilt angle were found not to be accurate in practice because of ground clutter contamination, and suboptimal angles need to be used. Most of the ground clutter was found to be sensed in the radar beam sidelobes. The data presented here imply that ground clutter is a serious contaminant at tilt angles as high as 45°. For clear-air wind profiling in the boundary layer, the impact of ground clutter contamination increased as the tilt angle was increased. Data presented from four radars [the Goodland, Kansas, Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D); the University of Oklahoma’s Doppler on Wheels; NCAR’s S-band dual-polarization Dopp...
CARBON STORAGE AND SEQUESTRATION BY URBAN TREES IN THE USA

Based on field data from 10 USA cities and national urban tree cover data, it is estimated that urban trees in the coterminous USA currently store 700 million tonnes of carbon ($14,300 million value) with a gross carbon sequestration rate of 22.8 million tC/yr ($460 rnillion/year). Carbon storage within cities ranges From 1.2 million tC in New York, NY, to 19,300 tC in Jersey City, NJ. Regions with the greatest proportion of urban land are the Northeast (8.5%) and the southeast (7.1%). Urban forests in the north central, northeast, south central and southeast regions of the USA store and sequester the most carbon, with average carbon storage per hectare greatest in southeast, north central, northeast and Pacific northwest regions, respectively. The national average urban forest carbon storage density is 25.1 tC/ha, compared with 53.5 tC/ha in forest stands. These data can be used to help assess the actual and potential role of urban forests in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide, a dominant greenhouse gas.
Analysis of the electrochemistry of hemes with Ems spanning 800 mV

The free energy of heme reduction in different proteins is found to vary over more than 18 kcal/mol. It is a challenge to determine how proteins manage to achieve this enormous range of E(m)s with a single type of redox cofactor. Proteins containing 141 unique hemes of a-, b-, and c-type, with bis-His, His-Met, and aquo-His ligation were calculated using Multi-Conformation Continuum Electrostatics (MCCE). The experimental E(m)s range over 800 mV from -350 mV in cytochrome c(3) to 450 mV in cytochrome c peroxidase (vs. SHE). The quantitative analysis of the factors that modulate heme electrochemistry includes the interactions of the heme with its ligands, the solvent, the protein backbone, and sidechains. MCCE calculated E(m)s are in good agreement with measured values. Using no free parameters the slope of the line comparing calculated and experimental E(m)s is 0.73 (R(2) = 0.90), showing the method accounts for 73% of the observed E(m) range. Adding a +160 mV correction to the His-Met c-type hemes yields a slope of 0.97 (R(2) = 0.93). With the correction 65% of the hemes have an absolute error smaller than 60 mV and 92% are within 120 mV. The overview of heme proteins with known structures and E(m)s shows both the lowest and highest potential hemes are c-type, whereas the b-type hemes are found in the middle E(m) range. In solution, bis-His ligation lowers the E(m) by approximately 205 mV relative to hemes with His-Met ligands. The bis-His, aquo-His, and His-Met ligated b-type hemes all cluster about E(m)s which are approximately 200 mV more positive in protein than in water. In contrast, the low potential bis-His c-type hemes are shifted little from in solution, whereas the high potential His-Met c-type hemes are raised by approximately 300 mV from solution. The analysis shows that no single type of interaction can be identified as the most important in setting heme electrochemistry in proteins. For example, the loss of solvation (reaction field) energy, which raises the E(m), has been suggested to be a major factor in tuning in situ E(m)s. However, the calculated solvation energy vs. experimental E(m) shows a slope of 0.2 and R(2) of 0.5 thus correlates weakly with E(m)s. All other individual interactions show even less correlation with E(m). However the sum of these terms does reproduce the range of observed E(m)s. Therefore, different proteins use different aspects of their structures to modulate the in situ heme electrochemistry. This study also shows that the calculated E(m)s are relatively insensitive to different heme partial charges and to the protein dielectric constant used in the simulation.