cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic imperative for the evolution of a metalloglutathione transferase of the vicinal oxygen chelate superfamily

Abstract A number of glutathione (GSH) transferases are now known in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The enzymes appear to be primarily involved in the metabolism of foreign compounds. At least six distinct classes of soluble GSH transferases have been identified in eukaryotes and named alpha, mu, pi, sigma, theta and kappa. Sequences and the known three-dimensional structures of the soluble enzymes suggest that these proteins share a common ancestry, though the precise details of their evolution remain obscure. A second distinct family of GSH transferases are the microsomal or membrane-bound enzymes that include leukotriene C4 synthase. A third family is represented by a bacterial GSH transferase (FosA) responsible for conferring resistance to the antibiotic fosfomycin, reported some years ago by Suarez and co-workers (Arca et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 34 (1990) 1552–1556). The enzyme is quite specific for fosfomycin, which contains a very stable epoxide moiety. Evidence is presented that FosA is a metalloprotein related to iron- and manganese-dependent dioxygenases and to glyoxalase I. These enzymes are members of a previously unrecognized group of enzymes; the vicinal oxygen chelate superfamily. The mechanistic imperative driving the evolution of FosA and its relatives, which are enzymes catalyzing quite diverse chemical reactions, is proposed to be the electrophilic assistance provided by the metal through chelation of a substrate or intermediate.
Dividing the Labor: Indonesia's Government/Private Early Childhood Education System.

(1988). Dividing the labor: Indonesia's government/private early childhood education system. Early Child Development and Care: Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 33-43.
Robust eigenstructure assignment by a projection method - Applications using multiple optimization criteria

A methodology for robust eigenstructure assignment for multivariable feedback systems is presented. The algorithm is based upon a pole placement technique using projections onto subspaces of admissible eigenvectors. New ideas are introduced to generate target (desired) sets of unitary eigenvectors and determine optimal feasible eigenvectors in a least-square sense. Useful connections are established between the pole-placement by independent modal space control and the method introduced in this paper. A multicriterion optimization algorithm is also presented, which takes efficient advantage of the present eigenstructure assignment method. These developments show significant improvement over an earlier version of this algorithm in both computational cost and accuracy. This optimization process appears to be numerically robust and suitable for high-dimensional multicriterion optimizations; it is especially attractive for computer-aided design of control systems.
Activation of Cardiac Gene Expression by Myocardin, a Transcriptional Cofactor for Serum Response Factor

Serum response factor (SRF) regulates transcription of numerous muscle and growth factor-inducible genes. Because SRF is not muscle specific, it has been postulated to activate muscle genes by recruiting myogenic accessory factors. Using a bioinformatics-based screen for unknown cardiac-specific genes, we identified a novel and highly potent transcription factor, named myocardin, that is expressed in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. Myocardin belongs to the SAP domain family of nuclear proteins and activates cardiac muscle promoters by associating with SRF. Expression of a dominant negative mutant of myocardin in Xenopus embryos interferes with myocardial cell differentiation. Myocardin is the founding member of a class of muscle transcription factors and provides a mechanism whereby SRF can convey myogenic activity to cardiac muscle genes.
The Will to Metaphysics: A Brief Summary

For half a century or so now metaphysics has been subjected to a new kind of attack. New sorts of questions have been asked of it, and new objections raised against it. In particular, two things have tended to dominate this debate: one, that metaphysics is impossible, for the kind of knowledge it is after is in principle unattainable; and, secondly, that the will or desire to attain it is traceable to certain linguistic and psychological causes. The second of these claims has of course a ring about it that is distinctly more modern than the first, but neither of them is, as we have seen, really new. It was Kant, as I have tried to show here, who was the first to argue both of these theses: the first throughout the whole of the Critique, the second in the Transcendental Dialectic.
Fractal-Based Intrinsic Dimension Estimation and Its Application in Dimensionality Reduction

Dimensionality reduction is an important step in knowledge discovery in databases. Intrinsic dimension indicates the number of variables necessary to describe a data set. Two methods, box-counting dimension and correlation dimension, are commonly used for intrinsic dimension estimation. However, the robustness of these two methods has not been rigorously studied. This paper demonstrates that correlation dimension is more robust with respect to data sample size. In addition, instead of using a user selected distance d, we propose a new approach to capture all log-log pairs of a data set to more precisely estimate the correlation dimension. Systematic experiments are conducted to study factors that influence the computation of correlation dimension, including sample size, the number of redundant variables, and the portion of log-log plot used for calculation. Experiments on real-world data sets confirm the effectiveness of intrinsic dimension estimation with our improved method. Furthermore, a new supervised dimensionality reduction method based on intrinsic dimension estimation was introduced and validated.
Individualizing generic decision models using assessments as evidence

Complex decision models in expert systems often depend upon a number of utilities and subjective probabilities for an individual. Although these values can be estimated for entire populations or demographic subgroups, a model should be customized to the individual's specific parameter values. This process can be onerous and inefficient for practical decisions. We propose an interactive approach for incrementally improving our knowledge about a specific individual's parameter values, including utilities and probabilities, given a decision model and a prior joint probability distribution over the parameter values. We define the concept of value of elicitation and use it to determine dynamically the next most informative elicitation for a given individual. We evaluated the approach using an example model and demonstrate that we can improve the decision quality by focusing on those parameter values most material to the decision.
Finite element analysis of two-layer three-coupled microstrip lines on anisotropic substrates

A numerical procedure based on a three-dimensional finite element formulation is presented to evaluate the inductances and the effective dielectric constant on two-layer three-coupled microstrip lines on anisotropic substrates. The finite element is formulated in terms of all three components of the magnetic field H. This formulation does not contain mathematical singularities. The matrix size has been reduced by applying the boundary condition to perfect conductors on the microstrip lines whose normal direction is not coincident with the direction. >
Tensile Impact Tests of AS4/3501-6 and S2/3501-6 Unidirectional Composites and the 3501-6 Epoxy Matrix

Tensile impact testing was performed on both AS4 carbon/3501-6 epoxy and S2 glass/3501-6 epoxy unidirectional composites, and the neat (unreinforced) Hercules 3501-6 epoxy. Static tensile tests were also performed. The impact testing was conducted using an apparatus designed and fabricated specifically for composite materials. Impact test results indicated relatively little influence of varying the impact velocity from static to 5 m/s, a range of practical interest in design.
Trends in Hospital Cost and Revenue, 1994–2005: How Are They Related to HMO Penetration, Concentration, and For-Profit Ownership?

With the introduction and growth of managed care, the sustained high growth in United States health care spending subsided for the first time in the 1990s. More recently, however, health spending has accelerated, coinciding with changing market structure and declining health maintenance organization (HMO) enrollment. The empirical literature has not kept up, with only a few studies that document more recent health cost trends and the factors associated with them. The extensive HMO literature on the effects of HMOs mainly focuses on earlier time periods when enrollment was growing (Miller and Luft 1994, 1997, 2002; Morrisey 2001; Scanlon et al. 2006, for reviews) and generally does not differentiate penetration from other factors such as increased HMO market concentration and growth in for-profit (FP) HMO ownership. Our study explores the relationship between important aspects of HMO market structure and recent trends in hospital cost and revenue growth. We adapt and expand upon multivariate models from the existing HMO penetration literature to include a broader set of market factors that might affect hospital costs and revenues, including measures of HMO penetration, for-profit ownership, HMO market concentration, and hospital market structure.
Analytical model to describe fluorescence spectra of normal and preneoplastic epithelial tissue: comparison with Monte Carlo simulations and clinical measurements

Fluorescence spectroscopy has shown promise for the de- tection of precancerous changes in vivo. The epithelial and stromal layers of tissue have very different optical properties; the albedo is relatively low in the epithelium and approaches one in the stroma. As precancer develops, the optical properties of the epithelium and stroma are altered in markedly different ways: epithelial scattering and fluorescence increase, and stromal scattering and fluorescence de- crease. We present an analytical model of the fluorescence spectrum of a two-layer medium such as epithelial tissue. Our hypothesis is that accounting for the two different tissue layers will provide increased diagnostic information when used to analyze tissue fluorescence spectra measured in vivo. The Beer-Lambert law is used to describe light propagation in the epithelial layer, while light propagation in the highly scattering stromal layer is described with diffusion theory. Pre- dictions of the analytical model are compared to results from Monte Carlo simulations of light propagation under a range of optical prop- erties reported for normal and precancerous epithelial tissue. In all cases, the mean square error between the Monte Carlo simulations and the analytical model are within 15%. Finally, model predictions are compared to fluorescence spectra of normal and precancerous cervical tissue measured in vivo; the lineshape of fluorescence agrees well in both cases, and the decrease in fluorescence intensity from normal to precancerous tissue is correctly predicted to within 5%. Future work will explore the use of this model to extract information about changes in epithelial and stromal optical properties from clini- cal measurements and the diagnostic value of these parameters.
Los riesgos del tabaquismo activo y pasivo

El tabaquismo, en particular el habito del cigarro, es una causa de enfermedad notablemente poderosa. Los componentes toxicos del humo del tabaco se han vinculado al cancer, a las enfermedades del corazon y los pulmones y a los efectos adversos en la reproduccion y el feto. Incluso sufren danos los no fumadores expuestos de manera inadvertida al humo del tabaco. La carga de las enfermedades provocadas por el tabaquismo es inmensa; por ejemplo, a escala mundial en este momento 1 de 10 muertes de adultos tiene que ver con una enfermedad relacionada con el tabaco. Hacia el ano 2030 se espera que el tabaco constituya la mayor causa de muerte en el mundo, al sumar casi 10 millones de muertes al ano (World Bank, 1999). El tabaquismo es una causa mayor de perdidas de vida en las personas de mediana edad. Las numerosas evidencias cientificas respecto del tabaquismo como causa de enfermedad y sus enormes impactos adversos en la salud publica mundial conforman razones suficientes para dar una alta prioridad, y los recursos necesarios, a los programas de control de consumo del tabaco.
Rousseau's General Will: Freedom of a Particular Kind

Had Rousseau not been centrally concerned with freedom, some of the structural features of his political thought would be unaccountable. Above all, the notion of general will would not have become ...
Compiling scientific code for complex memory hierarchies

The trend in high-performance microprocessor design is toward increasing computational power on the chip. At the same time, memory size is increasing but memory speed is not. The result is an imbalance between computation speed and memory speed. This imbalance is leading machine designers to use more complicated memory hierarchies. In turn, programmers are explicitly restructuring codes to perform well on particular memory systems, leading to machine-specific programs. Can we enhance our compiler technology to obviate the need for explicit programming of the memory hierarchy? The paper surveys some recent experiments with compiler techniques designed to address this problem. The results, though only preliminary, show great promise. >
Conservative Social Christianity, the Law, and Personal Morality: Wilbur F. Crafts in Washington

In 1895, Wilbur F. Crafts opened on office in Washington, D.C. and proclaimed himself a Christian lobbyist. Over the next quarter century, until his death in 1922, he mobilized churches and individual Christians to pressure Congress on behalf of bills, some he had written, to limit divorce, to control sexuality, and to restrict or prohibit the use of narcotics and alcohol. He also led an unsuccessful campaign for federal censorship of the movies. Crafts deserves more attention than historians of American religion have paid him. His legislative accomplishments render his career important in itself, but an analysis of his theology and lobbying efforts also helps historians better conceptualize social Christianity and the social gospel.
Problems of Expedited Implementation: The Strategic Petroleum Reserve

At each stage of program implementation – strategic planning, systems design, development of the management control infrastructure, and project execution – different types of expertise are most critical to success. The civil service system, which is oriented toward the hiring of permanent employees, and personnel ceilings, which are often arbitrarily set in the budgeting process, interact to impede the transition from one implementation stage to the next. Cost overruns and long-run schedule slippage may result from attempts to expedite programs by beginning implementation stages in parallel, particularly if compensatory resources are not provided. These problems are illustrated with the history of the implementation of the strategic petroleum reserve program, a key element of US policy for reducing vulnerability to disruptions of the world oil market.
Degradation of polypropylene carbonate through plasmonic heating

We report the thermal degradation of a solid film of polypropylene carbonate, driven by the photothermal effect of gold nanoparticles. We provide characterization of the products of this chemical reaction and use the known activation barrier for this chemical reaction to discuss the temperatures obtained in the film. In addition, we report the efficiency of the reaction as a function of nanoparticle concentration and find nanoparticles to be significantly more effective than an organic dye at driving this reaction.
Minimum State Unsteady Aerodynamic Shape Sensitivities Using Sensitivity of Optimal Solutions to Problem Parameters

parameters involved, including the aerodynamic lag roots. Its solution is unique, and convergence of the solution process, based on standard mathematical programming techniques, allows accurate determination of all unknown variables. An improvement of the math-programming minimum-state fitting is presented here, and it is developed further to include sensitivity analysis for the resulting minimum-state series, free of the nonuniqueness and convergence issues that plagued previous attempts to obtain sensitivities of minimum-state fits. A variable planform double-swept forward wing case is used to demonstrate performance of the fitting technique itself, shape sensitivity calculations, and Taylor-series-based approximations that can be used to replace detailed full-order analysis in the course of multidisciplinary design optimization of flight vehicles. Nomenclature [A0], [A1], [A2] = minimum-state approximation matrices corresponding to aerodynamic stiffness, damping, and inertia, respectively a � 0� , a � 1� , a � 2� = elements of the matrices [A0], [A1], [A2] b = reference semichord length of wing [C] = structural viscous damping matrix c = reference chord length of wing [D], [E] = minimum-state approximation matrices
Patterns of Psychotropic Medication Use Among Older Persons with Developmental Disabilities

While the prevalence of psychotropic drug use among older persons has been widely investigated, use of these agents in older persons with developmental disabilities has received little attention. We found this latter group to be prescribed more polypharmacy, antipsychotic, and antianxiety agents than were younger peers. Those who lived in more restricted residential settings (e.g., in skilled nursing facihties or in rural areas) had higher prevalence rates of antipsychotic drug use. In light of these findings, implications for policymakers are described. Measures to ensure the appropriateness of the prescription should be established. Better monitoring of polypharmacy and drug side effects should be initiated. Active programming should continue throughout the lifespan and training should be conducted for service providers.
Evaluating ovarian reserve: follicle stimulating hormone and oestradiol variability during cycle days 2-5

A prospective measurement of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol between cycle days 2 and 5 was conducted to investigate the intra- and inter-cycle variability in a healthy population of women with regular menstrual intervals. Daily serum samples were obtained from 44 women for a total of 66 cycles on cycle days 2, 3, 4 and 5. FSH concentrations were consistent on all cycle days measured. Oestradiol concentrations on cycle day 2 were not different from cycle day 3, but concentrations on cycle day 4 and cycle day 5 were statistically different from both cycle day 2 and cycle day 3 by analysis of variance (P < or = 0.05). Evaluation of functional ovarian reserved by cycle day 3 FSH measurement has become the standard in most assisted reproductive technology programmes. The recent change in FSH standardization coupled with the inflexibility of cycle day 3 testing has led to a re-evaluation of testing protocols. Cycle day 3 appears to have emerged as a dictum because most ovulation induction protocols are initiated on cycle day 3, 4 or 5. Flexibility of sampling day can be introduced as suggested by these results. The additional information ascertained from oestradiol testing as applied to evaluation of ovarian reserve warrants further investigation.
THE RELATION OF CONTRACTUEE AND TETANY TO EXPERIMENTALLY PRODUCED CALCIUM DEFICIENCY IN CATS, WITH AND WITHOUT LESIONS OF THE CORTICAL MOTOR AREAS*

We noted in an earlier series of experiments (2) that animals which had received sodium bromide daily before or after thyroparathyroidectomy, or during both periods, did not show the same fall of ionized calcium or the same decrease in the calcium phosphorus ratio in the same period of time as untreated animals. Furthermore, the period of survival was greater in the animals which received bromides, with no appearance of tetany. There seemed two possibilities of the mechanism of this protective action of bromides, namely, (1) That the bromide ion has some specific effect upon the calcium, and phosphorus metabolism apart from its action upon the central nervous system, or, (2) That the protective action of the bromide was due to its general cutting down of the motor or other activity of the central nervous system. It seems possible to test these two possibilities experimentally. If one should make some experimental lesion of the central nervous system which would reduce greatly the general motor activity of...
Modes of Transitions: Designing Interactive Products for Harmony and Well-being

Introduction Issues of behavior and social change challenge today’s designers with their complexity and magnitude. The traditional way of working on a single product or an isolated functional problem has lost its sway. Design fields, with influences from cognitive and engineering sciences, respond to these challenges by focusing on motivation and end goals.1 But what if a person has no clear goals or motivations, and she is, instead, in a state of flux? What if the lines between change and status quo are not that clear and well-defined? Although a person’s well-being is likely being challenged while in a state of flux, the way to design resources for her to support herself and navigate this state is not obvious. To understand and act on issues of change, a designerly stance providing an experience-based lens and a deeper insight on human conditions is necessary. This article paves the way to such a stance by introducing a design framework called modes of transitions. This framework provides a more nuanced, and perhaps more comprehensive, understanding of “change” by highlighting the paradox of how the changing and the unchanging reside together. This paradox leads the inquiry to the ways in which the designer can use the modes of transitions framework to analyze issues of change and to synthesize products accordingly. The article concludes by highlighting the significance of the framework in the pursuit of well-being.
RIAS Berlin: A case study of a cold war broadcast operation

When a government operation is given all the money it asks for without question from the Congress, it means either that (a) it would be political suicide to turn them down, (b) that the national security is at stake, (c) that somebody goofed or that the Congress is past its normal adjournment date, or (d) that the operation is doing an outstanding job. When this situation arises several years in a row, and everyone insists that the fourth reason is the correct one, then it must be a very unusual operation. During the 20 years of its existence, RIAS (Radio in the American Sector of Berlin) often smoothly sailed through budget hearings at the same time that its parent State Department was receiving the roughest sort of Congressional treatment. The story of RIAS is a fascinating one, following as it does every twist and turn in the relationships between the USA and the USSR over the problem of Berlin. The techniques employed by this station, and its relationships with its nominal superiors, offer food for th...
Arrantly Absent Atheism in Psychological Science From 2001 to 2012

This study provides a content analysis of the past 12 years (2001-2012) of academic scholarship about atheism and atheist individuals from a social scientific lens in the United States. The content analysis yielded 100 articles across disciplines including psychology, sociology, religious studies, and political science. Although the number of articles about atheism published since 2001 has increased steadily per year (n = 0 in 2001 compared with n = 20 in 2012), the topics discussed in the atheism literature were narrow in scope and involved (a) comparing religious/spiritual (R/S) belief systems to atheism or (b) discussing bias against atheists. In addition, most of the articles were nonempirical (58%). Content analysis data suggest that atheism is an understudied topic in psychological science (31% of the total articles were from psychology), and discourse on atheism is often presented from cognitive and social-psychology perspectives, rather than a counseling psychology lens. Only a handful of the tota...
Understanding the domestic VFR drive market in Florida

The visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market in Florida is a substantial portion of the tourism market. Research suggests that much of the VFR market travels by automobile. In the events following 11th September, 2001, Visit Florida identified drive tourism as the primary segment to invest in. This paper uses Moscardo et al.’s1VFR model to understand better the short-haul domestic VFR drive market. Three segments were identified: travellers whose main purpose was to visit and stay with friends and relatives (AFR), travellers whose main purpose was to visit friends and relatives and stay in commercial accommodation (NAFR) and travellers whose main purpose was not visiting friends and relatives but who stayed with friends and relatives (OAFR). Results suggested that AFRs were the youngest segment and stayed the longest time. NAFRs were the oldest group of the three segments and participated in the smallest number of activities. OAFRs had varying levels of income, stayed almost one week on average, had sl...
Low-Income Multigenerational Households Variation in Family Functioning by Mothers' Age and Race/Ethnicity

This article compares characteristics of families, mothers, and children on the basis of whether their household is multigenerational, using data from Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three-City Study, which samples low-income culturally diverse families. Few differences were found between multigenerational and nonmultigenerational households, although mothers in multigenerational households reported more internalizing behaviors and fewer positive behaviors in their children. However, interactions between household type, mothers' age, and race/ethnicity reveal that all multigenerational households are not alike. Multigenerational households with younger mothers tend to use less effective parenting and have children who are experiencing more problem behaviors. Race/ethnicity further moderates these associations in models predicting mothers' mental health and children's academic achievement. Possible reasons for these differences by mothers' age and race/ethnicity are discussed.
An emitter switched thyristor with base resistance control

An MOS-gated emitter-switched thyristor structure with base resistance control, which combines the best features of both the emitter-switched thyristor (EST) and the base-resistance-controlled thyristor (BRT), is reported. With this structure, it is possible to obtain turn-off (dynamic) current densities above the static latch-up current density of the parasitic thyristor in the EST, while preserving its unique current saturation capability. It has been experimentally demonstrated for 600 V forward blocking devices that the maximum controllable current density under dynamic conditions is a function of both the gate bias and the dimensions of the N/sup +/ floating emitter. Turn-off measurements have demonstrated that the new structure has a maximum controllable current density of over 2.5 times that for the EST structure without base resistance control. >
New Tricks for an Old Dog: Teaching Legal Technology

This paper describes the topics covered in a legal technology and informatics survey course taught at Stanford Law School in Fall of 2012, along with student goals and rationale. The paper was written as an introduction, from the guest editor perspective, on the CA Bar's LPMT Section's publication The Bottom Line, which is behind a pay-wall.
Flash visual evoked potentials in hypomyelinated shiverer mice

The shiverer mouse has a large deletion in the myelin basic protein (MBP) gene and no detectable MBP protein.
Immigration Detention's Unfounded Bed Mandate

This article (1) reviews the history of the immigration bed mandate (or bed quota) from 2009 to present, (2) discusses its inconsistent interpretation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and (3) offers reasons why the bed mandate is both constitutionally questionable and bad policy.
TRANSVERSE BARS IN DUCK, NORTH CAROLINA

In 1985, unusual streaks were first seen in time exposure images of nearshore wave breaking. These features were persistent from image to image and ran perpendicular or oblique to the shoreline. They have been observed both between the shoreline and inner bar and offshore of the inner bar, and have a typical longshore wavelength of -40-130 m, substantially shorter than normal sand bar length scales. Comparison with bathymetric data collected by the CRAB showed the bands to be bathymetric ridges with a relief of 0.3-0.5 m. Both intensity transects as well as geometrically rectified images were used to determine the length scales of the bars. Longshore length scales of offshore bars (mean spacing of 131 m) were typically three times the spacing of trough bars (mean spacing of 41 m). The offshore limit of the visible features in the trough varied from as short as 5 m to a maximum of 35 m. Frequency of occurrence statistics for the bars were determined by viewing Argus data from 1987-1995. Trough bars appeared in the images an average of 62 days/year while offshore bars appeared 41 days/year although there was substantial interannual variability. Offshore bar occurrence is more frequent in the winter, and trough bar occurrence is more frequent in the summer.
Sensorimotor Disturbances in the Aging Rodent

Male rats that were 6, 12, 24, and 30 months of age were examined for sensory and motor functions, using a battery of tests of neurological capacities. An age-related decline in the ability to localize stimuli was observed, particularly in visually elicited forelimb placing. In addition, the old rats had impaired hindlimb reflexes (hindlimb placing and stepping reactions). Rats older than 12 months of age also showed abnormal tone of the forelimbs. These dysfunctions may contribute to the deterioration of complex movement sequences that has been reported in aging rodent species.
Development of the Cyberbullying Experiences Survey

The majority of cyberbullying studies have examined middle and high school students. The purpose of the present study was to develop a multifactor cyberbullying victimization and perpetration survey for use with an emerging adult population. The initial 88-item preliminary survey (44 victimization and 44 perpetration items) was administered to 538 college students (421 females). Exploratory factor analyses revealed four-factor (i.e., malice, public humiliation, unwanted contact, and deception) victimization and perpetration scales. A confirmatory factor analysis was then performed on the Cyberbullying Experiences Survey (CES) factor structure with a separate sample of 638 college students (446 females). Results indicated a final 21-item victimization scale and 20-item perpetration scale consisting of the same four factors. The CES has adequate internal consistency and convergent validity with other measures of cyberbullying and Internet harassment and may provide a promising multifactor method of measurin...
Laboratory tests of bacterial amendments for accelerating oxidation rates of ammonia, nitrite and organic matter in aquaculture pond water

Abstract The effects of 12 bacterial amendments on reducing concentrations of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrite nitrogen (NO2− N) and organic matter in pond waters were evaluated in the laboratory. Concentrations of TAN, NO2− N and organic matter in untreated water (controls) naturally decreased with time during 16 days. No large acceleration in nitrification or organic matter oxidation was observed from using these bacterial amendments. However, minor differences in concentrations of TAN and NO2− N, and rates of dissolved oxygen loss – an indicator of decomposition rate – were found between controls and treatments on some sampling dates. Compared to the controls, the bacterial amendment 5 at the manufacturer's recommended dose resulted in lower TAN concentrations on days 8 and 12, less NO2− N on days 6 and 8 and less oxygen loss on day 1. Water treated with the bacterial amendments 3 and 10 at the recommended doses had slightly lower TAN concentrations on day 0 (soon after initial treatment) and day 16, respectively. The bacterial amendment 11 at the recommended dose lead to lower NO2− N concentration on day 12. Organic matter in water treated with the bacterial amendments 8 and 10 exhibited a greater rate of microbial respiration on day 16. With higher doses or more frequent applications, there was lower (P 0.05) at lowering concentrations of TAN, and NO2− N or oxygen loss rate on any sampling dates. Statement of relevance Bacterial amendments are widely used in aquaculture in efforts to enhance water quality in ponds. This research showed no benefit of bacterial amendments on water quality in laboratory tests and doubts on the effectiveness of bacterial augmentation.
Novel Protease Inhibitors via Computational Redesign of Subtilisin BPN′ Propeptide

The propeptide domain of subtilisin BPN' functions as a molecular chaperone for its cognate protease yet quickly assumes a predominantly unfolded structure following cleavage by the mature protease. In contrast, structural stabilization of the propeptide domain has been proposed to competitively inhibit protease self-cleavage, suggesting the possibility for the generation of novel proteinaceous subtilisin inhibitors. Using a Rosetta fixed backbone design, we have redesigned the subtilisin BPN' propeptide structure to generate synthetic peptide sequences with increased and tunable structural stability. Molecular dynamics simulations provide supporting evidence that the artificial sequences retain structure without its protease cognate unlike the inherently disordered wild-type propeptide. Experimental evaluation of two designer domains by spectroscopic methods verified their structural integrity. Furthermore, the novel propeptide domains were shown to possess significantly enhanced thermostability. Nevertheless, their modest functional performance as protease inhibitors raises doubt that propeptide stability alone is sufficient for effective inhibitor design.
Implementation and Verification of Secure Message Management Mechanism in SCA Radio

SCA Radio based on CORBA component model is generally used to design the components related to traffic,control,signal processing,hardware abstraction and HMI. This distributed processing architecture would result in hard implementation of centralized control on the traffic data within the radio,and thus lead to some safety problems. In order to solve these problems,SCA software architecture and related security architecture are discussed,the message processing procedures for traffic data by SCA components proposed,and the design methods for centralized security management mechanism and location information transferring mechanism for message given in this paper. These methods are implemented,tested and verified by SCA components.
Calibration Model for Apnea-Hypopnea Indices: Impact of Alternative Criteria for Hypopneas.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To characterize the association among apnea-hypopnea indices (AHIs) determined using three common metrics for defining hypopnea, and to develop a model to calibrate between these AHIs. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of Sleep Heart Health Study Data. SETTING Community-based. PARTICIPANTS There were 6,441 men and women age 40 y or older. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS Three separate AHIs have been calculated, using all apneas (defined as a decrease in airflow greater than 90% from baseline for ≥ 10 sec) plus hypopneas (defined as a decrease in airflow or chest wall or abdominal excursion greater than 30% from baseline, but not meeting apnea definitions) associated with either: (1) a 4% or greater fall in oxyhemoglobin saturation-AHI4; (2) a 3% or greater fall in oxyhemoglobin saturation-AHI3; or (3) a 3% or greater fall in oxyhemoglobin saturation or an event-related arousal-AHI3a. Median values were 5.4, 9.7, and 13.4 for AHI4, AHI3, and AHI3a, respectively (P < 0.0001). Penalized spline regression models were used to compare AHI values across the three metrics and to calculate prediction intervals. Comparison of regression models demonstrates divergence in AHI scores among the three methods at low AHI values and gradual convergence at higher levels of AHI. CONCLUSIONS The three methods of scoring hypopneas yielded significantly different estimates of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), although the relative difference is reduced in severe disease. The regression models presented will enable clinicians and researchers to more appropriately compare AHI values obtained using differing metrics for hypopnea.
The impact of light rail on congestion in Denver: A reappraisal

Abstract In a recent analysis, Bhattacharjee and Goetz (2012) assert that the development of a light rail system in the Denver, Colorado metro area resulted in short-term reductions in traffic on some highway routes in Denver, and that it reduced the growth of highway traffic on major highways near the light rail network by 10% age points between 1992 and 2008. We point out several flaws in their analyses and reanalyze their data. We find no credible evidence that development of light rail reduced highway traffic, nor that it reduced the growth of highway traffic. We also show that light rail, by a large margin, carries too few passengers to have the effect that they assert.
Host genetics and environment shape fungal pathogen incidence on a foundation forest tree species, Populus tremuloides

Diseases can markedly alter the ecological and economic value of poplars. To better understand poplar–pathogen interactions, we investigated the independent and interactive effects of tree genotype, soil nutrient limitation, and interspecific competition on incidence of powdery mildew (caused by the fungal obligate pathogen Erysiphe adunca (Wallr.) Fr., 1829) in a foundation tree species, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). We established a common garden of potted aspen saplings, incorporating five tree genotypes, two levels of soil nutrients (low and high), and two levels of competition (with and without grass). We then surveyed natural incidence of powdery mildew and aspen vigor (i.e., growth). Incidence of powdery mildew varied among aspen genotypes, and variance in incidence shifted among environments in which the trees were grown. Added soil nutrients increased powdery mildew incidence on aspen, whereas grass competition had the opposite effect. Interestingly, grass competition either enhan...
Ruled Surface Theory and Incidence Geometry

We survey the applications of ruled surface theory in incidence geometry. We discuss some of the proofs and raise some open questions.
Foundations for the Theory of Least Squares

SUMMARY The Bayesian theory of least squares is founded upon a weaker and more tangible form of prior knowledge than the conventional assumption of normality. The underlying assumption is a form of conditional uniformity on spheres for the "actual errors" in the experiment. This provides a unified theory appropriate for randomization models in the analysis of variance as well as for classical least-squares analysis. 1. INTRODUCTION THE purpose of this paper is to found the Bayesian theory of least squares on the basis of weaker and more tangible forms of prior knowledge than the conventional assumption of normality. This is done in terms of an assumption of conditional uniformity on spheres for the "actual" errors in the experiment. Section 2 illustrates the approach in some of its most pertinent applications, namely to randomization models in the analysis of variance. Section 3 presents a coordinate-free formulation in a unitary vector space, and explores the relationships between conditional uniformity
Seizure Etiology in Down Syndrome

The etiology of seizures in 47 infants, children, and young adults with Down syndrome was examined at The Floating Hospital for Infants and Children, Boston, MA and the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY.
Highly linear four quadrant analog BiCMOS multiplier for /spl plusmn/1.5 V supply operation

A highly linear four-quadrant analog BiCMOS multiplier is presented. It operates with /spl plusmn/1.5 V supplies and with 2 Vp-p input and output signal swings. It is based on the utilization of cross-coupled, voltage-biased differential pairs. Experimental results of a CMOS test chip are presented. They confirm the proposed structure. >
Application of Omics Approaches to Studying Methylotrophs and Methylotroph Comunities.

This review covers some recent advances in application of omics technologies to studying methylotrophs, with special reference to their activities in natural environments. Some of the developments highlighted in this review are the new outlook at the role of the XoxF-type, lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase in natural habitats, new mechanistic details of methane oxidation through the reverse methanogenesis pathway, propensity of 'aerobic' methanotrophs to thrive in hypoxic environments and potential connection of this process to denitrification, and a novel outlook at methane oxidation as a community function.
The Effect of Adverse Childhood Experience on Clinical Diagnosis of a Substance Use Disorder: Results of a Nationally Representative Study

Background: Substance abuse is one of the most common health outcomes associated with adverse childhood experience, and poses a significant public health threat. Objectives: The purpose of this stu...
Using Web-Based Instruction, Brief Workshops, and Remote Consultation to Teach Community-Based Providers a Parent-Mediated Intervention

Parent-mediated interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are highly under-utilized in community settings. A challenge to the dissemination of these programs is that provider training protocols must teach both the intervention techniques, and the parent coaching strategies. The current study assesses the feasibility an innovative multimodal training protocol to teach community-based intervention providers Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers). A total of 30 providers (90% female; 76% Caucasian, 13.3% Multiracial/Other, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.3% Asian/Pacific Islander) participated in Phase 1, and 15 of these participants (80% female; 60% Caucasian, 33.3% multiracial, and 6.6% Hispanic/Latino) participated in Phase 2. In Phase 1, providers completed questionnaires and videotaped interactions before and after a web-based tutorial and interactive workshop focused on intervention techniques. In Phase 2, providers completed questionnaires and videotaped interactions before and after a second interactive workshop focused on parent coaching. Results from Phase 1 indicate that the addition of the workshop resulted in higher ratings of training satisfaction (p < .01), training adequacy (p < .01), and self-efficacy (p < .01) of the intervention techniques. Results from Phase 2 indicate the addition of the second workshop resulted in greater training adequacy of the parent coaching strategies, p < .01. These results suggest that use of this training protocol is a feasible way to increase access to high quality training in evidence-based intervention for providers working with children with ASD in the community; however, larger scale community-based trials of the training protocol are an important next step.
Diseases of Dairy Animals | Non-Infectious Diseases: Acidosis/Laminitis

Ruminal acidosis is the increase in organic acids and lower ruminal pH owing to rapid fermentation of soluble carbohydrates. Laminitis is aseptic inflammation, ischemia, and degeneration of laminae of the hooves. Laminitis may be caused both directly and indirectly by acidosis. Subacute ruminal acidosis is more common than acute acidosis, especially in early lactation, is associated with reduced digestibility and efficiency, and can lead to subsequent diseases. As productive efficiency decreases, the incidence of further diseases such as displaced abomasum may increase. Prevention and treatment include careful analysis of the chemical and physical form of the diet, feed formulation and delivery, feed bunk management, housing, and comfort such as flooring conditions. Stall comfort should be maximized and potential for hoof injuries minimized. Dietary and growth management should optimize, not maximize, the rate of growth and the proper balance of energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper in the replacement heifers. A diet that optimizes consistent feed intake will minimize acidosis and related laminitis. Proper and regular trimming of hoofs also maintains normal hoof function and diminishes injury- and stress-related lameness. Treatment includes buffering ruminal acidosis, cooling the hoof, use of antihistamines and anti-inflammatories, and minimizing further injury.
Pathologic Characteristics, Natural History, and Prognostic Implications of BRAFV600E Mutation in Pediatric Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

The BRAFV600E mutation is the most common genetic aberration in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), found in up to 68% of PTC in adults where it is associated with aggressive features. The incidence of this mutation in pediatric PTC is less frequent, reported as 0%-20% in the past and up to 63% in one recent series. Data suggest the mutation is not associated with an aggressive course in children; however, there are limited numbers of reported case series, so the prognostic implications remain poorly understood. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the histologic characteristics and clinical outcomes of BRAF positive pediatric PTC at a single institution. A 12-year retrospective review of all thyroidectomies performed at a tertiary medical center identified 59 pediatric cases with a surgical pathology diagnosis of PTC. Fifty patients had BRAFV600E mutation analysis data and were selected for further study. BRAFV600E mutations were present in 48% of cases (n = 24) and absent in 52% (n = 26). The molecular characteristics of the BRAF negative cases will further be evaluated in future studies. BRAF positive cases occurred in patients who were on average older than the BRAF negative patients. Classic histology PTC was present in both BRAF positive and negative cases; however, only cases with classic PTC histology were positive for the mutation. No patients died and BRAF mutation was not associated with an increased recurrence rate. Our study supports BRAFV600E is more common in children than previously thought and does not portend a more aggressive clinical course.
Numerical investigation on performance of solar chimney power plant by varying collector slope and chimney diverging angle

Abstract In this study, a parametric three dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of solar chimney power plant was performed to illustrate the effects of collector's slope and chimney diverging angle on performance of Manzanares prototype. Numerical models were incorporated with solar load, DO (discrete ordinates) and RNG k-ɛ turbulence models. Firstly, CFD simulations results were validated by comparing them with the experimental data of Manzanares prototype and then, on the basis of robustness of numerical methods adopted, several numerical simulations were performed on varying collector's slope and chimney diverging angles to improve the performance of solar chimney. Numerical simulations were performed at chimney diverging angle = 1°–3° and at collector slope = 4°, 6°, 8° and 10° sequentially, while all other parameters were kept constant. Based on computed results, it was discovered that both velocity and temperature increases with increasing collector's slope due to enhanced heat transfer and mass flow rate, but simultaneously higher collector slopes also deteriorate the smooth air flow by developing vortices and recirculation of air, which obstructs the air flow and may reduce the overall performance. In addition, chimney diverging angle = 1° raises the velocity from 9.1 m/s to a remarkable value of 11.6 m/s; therefore, this diverging chimney approach is conceived to be a beneficial tool in improving performance of solar chimney power plant.