cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Unusual Oxygen-Sensitive, Iron- and Zinc-Containing Alcohol Dehydrogenase from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus

Hyperthermophiles are a group of microorganisms that grow at temperatures of 90°C and above (1, 61–63). They are found in geothermally heated environments (62), and all but two of them are classified as members of the domain Archaea (71). The majority are anaerobic organisms, and for many of them significant growth is dependent on the reduction of elemental sulfur (S0) to H2S. Various organic compounds or molecular H2 serve as electron donors (1, 9, 56, 58). The organisms differ, however, in their dependence on S0. For example, the growth of Thermococcus strain ES-1 is obligately dependent on S0, and the amount of S0 added to the growth medium has a major effect on the activities of enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), hydrogenase, and formate ferredoxin oxidoreductase (FMOR) (37). Thus, the specific activities of these enzymes are dramatically higher in cells grown under S0 limitation than in S0-sufficient cells (37), while the activities of various other catabolic enzymes are similar in the two cell types. It was therefore postulated that ADH, together with hydrogenase and FMOR, served to dispose of excess reducing equivalents when Thermococcus strain ES-1 is grown under S0 limitation and that S0, presumably via the cellular redox potential, regulated the expression of these enzymes (37). In contrast to Thermococcus strain ES-1, several hyperthermophilic species that are able to reduce S0 also grow well in its absence by a fermentative-type metabolism. One of the best studied of this class is Pyrococcus furiosus, which grows optimally at 100°C. In this case, the addition of S0 stimulates growth by an as yet unknown mechanism (20, 59). If S0 reduction affects the internal redox balance of P. furiosus, and thus the bioenergetics of fermentation, then one might expect that enzymes involved in the disposal of the reducing equivalents generated during fermentation to be affected by the presence of S0. The initial objective of the present study was, therefore, to determine to what extent, if any, the presence of S0 affects the activities of key metabolic enzymes, in particular, ADH, hydrogenase, and FMOR, in P. furiosus. Our results show that there is a fundamental difference in the response to S0 between fermentative-type hyperthermophiles, like P. furiosus, and those that appear to respire S0, such as Thermococcus strain ES-1, with regard to key metabolic enzymes such as ADH, hydrogenase, and FMOR. It was therefore of interest to determine if differences existed in the nature of these enzymes in the two types of organism. Since ADH, but not hydrogenase or FMOR, had been previously purified from Thermococcus strain ES-1 (37), we focused on characterizing the ADH from P. furiosus. We show here the P. furiosus enzyme is part of the same ADH family as that from Thermococcus strain ES-1 but differs in that it contains zinc as well as iron. The proposed physiological role of ADH in P. furiosus is to both dispose of excess reducing equivalents and to detoxify the aldehydes produced by the fermentative pathways.
Angular scatter imaging: clinical results and novel processing

Human tissues exhibit variation in scattering magnitude as the angle between transmission and reception is changed. These angular scatter variations result from intrinsic acoustic properties and sub-resolution structure. We have developed a clinical imaging system that uses the translating apertures algorithm to obtain statistically reliable, local angular scatter measurements. The obtained data can be processed to yield novel images. A significant problem with angular scatter imaging is limited depth of field (DOF). We describe a new method to improve DOF by applying shift variant filters to the data obtained at each angle. We show that this approach is optimal in a minimum sum squared error sense. The filter coefficients used in the technique can be determined via experiment or simulation. Unlike prior methods, this approach does not assume a model for the source of decorrelation, rather it includes all sources of decorrelation implicitly. We present simulation results showing the improvements in DOF obtained using this technique. We present experimental angular scatter data from phantoms and human subjects. In one phantom, designed to mimic microcalcifications in soft tissue, experimental data shows the angular scatter from 500 um glass spheres falling off by 50% over a 20 degree range of interrogation angles. In the same phantom the angular scatter from 50 um sephadex spheres fell off by only 10% over the same range. In the human calf muscle, brightness fell off by 60% over 20 degrees, while tendon brightness dropped by only 20%. Interestingly, the brightest target in the phantom (glass spheres) exhibited the greatest angular scatter variation, while the brightest target in the calf (tendon) exhibited the least angular scatter variation. These results provide compelling evidence that angular scatter properties are uncorrelated to b-mode image brightness.
Analysis of the mechanism of action of non-deletion hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin mutants in transgenic mice

Transgenic mice carrying an (A)gamma gene construct containing a -382 5' truncation of the (A)gamma gene promoter have a phenotype of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) but, when the CACCC box of the -382(A)gamma promoter is deleted, there is no gamma gene expression in the adult mice. We used this system to investigate the mechanism whereby human HPFH mutations result in gamma gene expression in the adult. Introduction of the -198 T-->C HPFH mutation into the CACCC-less (A)gamma gene construct re-established the HPFH phenotype, indicating that this mutation increases promoter strength, most probably by establishing a novel CACCC box sequence in the -198(A)gamma region. The HPFH phenotype was also re-established when the -117 C-->T HPFH mutation was introduced into a -141(A)gamma promoter with a destroyed CACCC box, indicating that this mutation increases gamma promoter strength in the absence of the CACCC motif. The T-->A -175 HPFH mutation failed to re-establish the HPFH phenotype when the CACCC box was deleted, indicating that gamma gene expression in this mutation is CACCC box dependent. These results provide the first in vivo experimental evidence in support of mechanistic heterogeneity of the non-deletion HPFH mutants.
PERCEIVED BEST FRIEND DELINQUENCY MODERATES THE LINK BETWEEN CONTEXTUAL RISK FACTORS AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

The current study evaluated the effects of contextual risk factors (i.e., negative life events and neighborhood problems) and perceived best friend delinquency on child self-reported delinquency. More specifically, the present study extended the literature by evaluating whether best friend delinquency moderated the effects of contextual risk factors on self-reported delinquency in a community-recruited sample of 147 school-aged children (mean age = 8.22 years, standard deviation = 1.99; 54% male). Indeed, perceived best friend delinquency moderated these associations; however, the effect of best friend delinquency depended on the contextual risk factor. Findings and their implications are discussed. C
HYDRAULIC REDISTRIBUTION THROUGH THE ROOT SYSTEMS OF SENESCED PLANTS

Hydraulic redistribution, the movement of water from soil layers of higher water potential to layers of lower water potential through the root systems of plants, has been documented in many taxa worldwide. Hydraulic redistribution is influenced principally by physical properties of roots and soils, and it should occur whenever root systems span soil layers of different water potential. Therefore, hydraulic redistribution should occur through the root systems of plants with aboveground tissue removed or through the root systems of fully senesced plants as long as roots remain intact and hydrated. We examined our hypothesis in field and greenhouse studies with the annual grass Bromus tectorum. We used soil psychrometry to measure soil water potential and performed 2H-labeling exper- iments. In the field, following senescence of B. tectorum, we show substantial changes in soil water potential consistent with both upward and downward movement of water through roots. The amount of water redistributed represents a significant proportion of that which can be stored in the rooted zone. We also experimentally demonstrated upward movement of a 2H label by roots of senesced plants and by roots of plants without aboveground tissues. In the greenhouse, we further demonstrated redistribution by senesced individuals using a 2H label. Hydraulic redistribution through the roots of senesced plants should receive further attention because it may have important ecological consequences for soil water recharge, survival of plants through drought, and agricultural practices.
Hillslopes, rivers, plows, and trucks: mass transport on Earth's surface by natural and technological processes

The surface of the earth is being transformed by a new force in the form of technological systems and processes that move significant quantities of mass large distances. Because movement of mass is perhaps the most basic geomorphic process, and because the continuing rise of technology appears to characterize a new epoch in earth evolution (the Anthropocene), it is of interest to compare technological and natural mass transport mechanisms. A purely dynamical ‘mass-action’ metric, representing the product of mass displaced, distance moved, and mean speed of displacement, is used to compare the transport effectiveness of selected systems. Systems with large mass-action tend to be advective, and systems with small mass-action diffusive. Local environments are conditioned by mass-action through the introduction of transport corridors, such as roads and rivers, which put constraints on mass transport by embedded diffusive systems. Advection also subjects local environments to externally determined time scales, such as the times for delivery of unit mass of water or sediment to a river mouth, and supports the emergence of associated dynamical processes there, for example those of human activity or delta construction, that are too rapid to be sustained by diffusion. Most of the world's mass-action is generated by the motion of fluids of global or continental extent, as in atmospheric circulation or river flow. Technological mass-action exceeds that of all land-based geomorphic systems except rivers. Technological systems with large mass-action tend to be comprised of discrete, self-powered units (e.g. trucks). Discretization of transported mass reflects the different locomotion strategy required for transport of solids on land, compared with the transport requirements of spatially extensive fluids in nature. The principle of maximum entropy production may provide a framework for understanding the emergence of advective, technological mass-transport systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Battery Technologies for Large-Scale Stationary Energy Storage

In recent years, with the deployment of renewable energy sources, advances in electrified transportation, and development in smart grids, the markets for large-scale stationary energy storage have grown rapidly. Electrochemical energy storage methods are strong candidate solutions due to their high energy density, flexibility, and scalability. This review provides an overview of mature and emerging technologies for secondary and redox flow batteries. New developments in the chemistry of secondary and flow batteries as well as regenerative fuel cells are also considered. Advantages and disadvantages of current and prospective electrochemical energy storage options are discussed. The most promising technologies in the short term are high-temperature sodium batteries with β″-alumina electrolyte, lithium-ion batteries, and flow batteries. Regenerative fuel cells and lithium metal batteries with high energy density require further research to become practical.
Antimicrobial resistance: impact on clinical and economic outcomes and the need for new antimicrobials.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is a well-recognized global threat; thus, the development of strong infection control policies coupled with antimicrobial stewardship strategies and new therapies is required to reverse this process. In its 2013 report on antimicrobial resistance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused on this problem while presenting estimated annual rates of infections with antimicrobial-resistant organisms and their related mortality rates. Whereas some resistant pathogens were considered less threatening, others such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were associated with higher mortality rates owing to limited treatment options.Areas covered: An overview of the most common antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, focusing on risk factors for acquisition, clinical and economic outcomes, as well as current treatment options. Strategies to optimize antimicrobial therapy with currently available agents, in addition to newly developed antimicrobials are also discuss...
Very Small Horses: Visualizing Motion at the Nanoscale

The presentation of real-time data and animations can lead to new understanding and, in some cases, misunderstanding, of the phenomena represented. How can fundamental nanoscale structures, properties and responses be represented in data, motion and other forms? What are the keys to understanding, representing and sensing the nanoscale, and how do these differ from our intuition, which is based on our experience with macroscopic phenomena?
A shortest-path graph kernel for estimating gene product semantic similarity.

Background Existing methods for calculating semantic similarity between gene products using the Gene Ontology (GO) often rely on external resources, which are not part of the ontology. Consequently, changes in these external resources like biased term distribution caused by shifting of hot research topics, will affect the calculation of semantic similarity. One way to avoid this problem is to use semantic methods that are "intrinsic" to the ontology, i.e. independent of external knowledge.
A parallel hypercube algorithm for discrete resource allocation problems

It has been suggested that parallel processing helps in the solution of difficult discrete optimization problems, in particular, those problems that exhibit combinatorial search and require large-scale computations. By using a number of processors that are connected, coordinated and operating simultaneously, the solutions to such problems can be obtained much more quickly. The purpose of this paper is to propose an efficient parallel hypercube algorithm for the discrete resource allocation problem (DRAP). A sequential divide-and-conquer algorithm is first proposed. The algorithm is then modified for a parallel hypercube machine by exploiting its inherent parallelism. To allocate N units of discrete resources to n agents using a d-dimensional hypercube of p=2/sup d/ nodes, this parallel algorithm solves the DRAP in O((n/p+log/sub 2/p)N/sup 2/) time. A simulation study is conducted on a 32-node nCUBE/2 hypercube computer to present the experimental results. The speedup factor of the parallel hypercube algorithm is found to be more significant when the number of agents in the DRAP is much greater than the number of processing nodes on the hypercube. Some issues related to load balancing, routing, scalability, and mappings of the parallel hypercube algorithm are also discussed.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Shock Attenuation Using Supersonic Counter Flow Jets

Flow field characteristics of a supersonic turbulent free jet counterflowing to another free-jet were investigated using experimental and computational methods. Velocity and pressure fluctuation measurements data obtained using the PIV and the pressure transducer techniques in a supersonic, M=1.5 jet flow facility were compared to computational results both under the presence of a counter flow and without the counter flow. For this purpose a supersonic nozzle obtained from NASA was manufactured and used. The jet flow was simulated by using the FLUENT software. The optimal mesh geometry was found and e k turbulence model was defined as the best model in comparison to other models available in FLUENT. Consequently, this model was used in the study of counter jet flow to get additional information about the nature of the bow shock attenuation/dispersion phenomena. The conditions for the shock dispersion effect were established.
The Effects of Ethnic Group Culture on Managerial Task Activities

This article addresses a weakness in culture-based organization research by exploring the effects of ethnic group culture on managerial behavior. Using a sample of Philippine commercial bank branch managers, the study found significant differences between ethnic Chinese and ethnic Filipino managers in their use of personal judgment when performing certain marketing tasks. Implications of these findings on managers and organizations are discussed.
Stromal cells participate in the murine esophageal mucosal injury response

We identified α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)- and vimentin-expressing spindle-shaped esophageal mesenchymal cells in the adult and neonate murine esophageal lamina propria. We hypothesized that these esophageal mesenchymal cells express and secrete signaling and inflammatory mediators in response to injury. We established primary cultures of esophageal mesenchymal cells using mechanical and enzymatic digestion. We demonstrate that these primary cultures are nonhematopoietic, nonendothelial, stromal cells with myofibroblast-like features. These cells increase secretion of IL-6 in response to treatment with acidified media and IL-1β. They also increase bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)-4 secretion in response to sonic hedgehog. The location of these cells and their biological functions demonstrate their potential role in regulating esophageal epithelial responses to injury and repair.
Sovereign wealth funds: National security risks in a global free trade environment

The proliferation of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) has resulted in an unstable political, legal, and regulatory environment for this form of foreign direct investment (FDI). This article explains SWF growth over the last half-century; discusses issues surrounding SWF “transparency” and host-country national security risk; reviews the legal and regulatory structures governing FDI in major national economies; examines proposed regulatory approaches to structure the FDI environment; and concludes with a discussion of SWF regulatory policy recommendations addressing corporate governance principles, national security restrictions on equity investment, and investment reciprocity, and suggests recommendations for executives considering engaging an SWF investment partner. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia: effective, long-lasting and safe

ABSTRACT FROM: Trauer JM, Qian MY, Doyle JS, et al . Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med 2015;163:191–204. Numerous well-conducted randomised controlled studies of cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) have demonstrated that it is efficacious in both the immediate post-treatment and long terms in a wide variety of patient populations.1–3 This includes individuals with uncomplicated chronic insomnia1 and those whose chronic insomnia is comorbid with medical or psychiatric disorders.2 ,3 Truaer and colleagues have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to collect all the relevant evidence about CBT-I and quantify its overall effects. The data were obtained from searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library …
Excess Liquidity against Predation

We consider precautionary liquidity holding as counter-strategy for the entrant to protect himself from predation. Threat of predation, even if avoided in equilibrium, affects the financial contract to raise precautionary liquidity and the equilibrium outcome in the product market competition. When the incumbent's strategy is unverifiable, the entrant with small start-up capital cannot raise large enough precautionary liquidity; consequently, he shrinks his business so as to avoid predation. Predation evolves in the model only as perturbation from equilibrium strategy. We provide the revelation principle for a sequential equilibrium to select a sensible outcome by imposing robustness to such perturbation.
Human amniotic fluid: a source of stem cells for possible therapeutic use

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the capacity for differentiation. Amniotic fluid cells have emerged only recently as a possible source of stem cells for clinical purposes. There are no ethical or sampling constraints for the use of amniocentesis as a standard clinical procedure for obtaining an abundant supply of amniotic fluid cells. Amniotic fluid cells of human origin proliferate rapidly and are multipotent with the potential for expansion in vitro to multiple cell lines. Tissue engineering technologies that use amniotic fluid cells are being explored. Amniotic fluid cells may be of clinical benefit for fetal therapies, degenerative disease, and regenerative medicine applications. We present a comprehensive review of the evolution of human amniotic fluid cells as a possible modality for therapeutic use.
Left Atrial Area and Right Ventricle Dimensions in Non-gated Axial Chest CT can Differentiate Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease from Other Causes

Abstract Background It is unknown whether axial non-gated CT can distinguish World Health Organization Group 2 pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease) from non-Group 2 pulmonary hypertension. Objective The study was performed to identity imaging parameters in non-gated chest CT that differentiate Group 2 from non-Group 2 pulmonary hypertension. Methods Among 158 patients who underwent right heart catheterization for evaluation of pulmonary hypertension, 112 had sufficient data and chest CT for review. Invasive hemodynamic data and numerous variables obtained from axial CT images (maximum diameters of main, right, left pulmonary arteries, ascending aorta, main pulmonary artery to ascending aorta diameter ratio, right atrial diameter, left atrial area and right ventricular size) were collected. CT variables were validated against hemodynamic data to identify parameters that would allow to differentiate pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease (Group 2) from non-Group 2 pulmonary hypertension. Results Based on right heart catheterization data, we identified 53 patients with Group 2 pulmonary hypertension, 50 patients with non-Group 2 pulmonary hypertension, and 9 subjects with no pulmonary hypertension. In patients with a dilated pulmonary artery (n = 84), the ROC curve for left atrial area (area under the ROC curve 0.76 ± 0.06) independently distinguished patients with Group 2 pulmonary hypertension (n = 42) from patients with non-Group 2 pulmonary hypertension (n = 42). A dilated left atrium (>20 mm 2 ) in combination with a normal right ventriuclar size had a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 94% for Group 2 pulmonary hypertension. Conclusions In patients with a dilated pulmonary artery on chest CT, left atrial area and right ventricular dimensions may aid to diagnose pulmonary hypertension and to distinguish underlying cardiac disease from other causes.
Effects of antecedent prolonged exercise on subsequent counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia.

In the present study the hypothesis tested was that prior exercise may blunt counterregulatory responses to subsequent hypoglycemia. Healthy subjects [15 females (f)/15 males (m), age 27 ± 1 yr, bo...
Porous Silicon Electrical Biosensors

The highly sensitive surface of porous silicon (PSi) and the possibility to measure changes in its electrical properties can be used for electrical biosensor applications. The sensing scenario can be extended from the well-characterized organic solvents and pH sensors to detection of biological processes involving the presence of charged molecules. We have investigated the change in electrical properties (capacitance and conductance) of macroporous silicon layers upon exposure to organic solvents and water. Evaluation of our sensor to detect a biological event was done by addressing DNA hybridization. As opposed to the previous work published in this field, in our devices the electrical contact is made on the crystalline silicon (c-Si) substrate. This allows a complete exposure of the surface to the sensing species and reduces the generation of ionic currents through the porous silicon matrix. We will report results of a complete characterization of our device including response speed, selectivity and sensitivity.
The Catholic Lay Movement in Peru: 1867-1959*

The dramatic changes in the Latin American church since the Second Vatican Council have taken many observers by surprise. In search of an explanation for these changes, much recent scholarship has devoted itself to analyzing the changing political climate, the influx of foreign religious personnel, the creation of radical priests' groups, the impact of Vatican II itself and the episcopal assemblies of Medellin and Puebla and, of course, the varying currents of liberation theology. In contrast, the tendency has been to overlook pre-Vatican II history. The pre-conciliar Peruvian church in particular has been characterized as tradition-bound, obscurantist or subservient to the upper classes. One author writing in the early seventies stated: “The intimacy between the church and the Peruvian upper class has been an unvarying characteristic of colonial, post-independence and modern eras in Peru.”
The Manner of Sperm Entry in Various Marine Ova

THIS paper is a record of observations on insemination in five species ot marine forms, Arbaciapunctulata (sea urchin), Woods Hole, Mass., Paracmtrotus (Strongylocattrottu) tividus (sea urchin), Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eckmaractumu parma (sanddollar), Mt Desert Island and Woods Hole, Cerebratubu lacteus (nemertine), Mt Desert Island and Woods Hole, and Nereis timbata (annelid), Woods Hole. The observations on all except the European species were made at different times during several summers.
Tracking of Human Motion Based on Adaptive Foreground Segmentation and Particle Filter

An approach to the tracking of trajectories of 3-D human motion from image sequence based on adaptive foreground segmentation and particle filter is proposed in this paper. First, the Gaussian model for image pixel is presented. Based on this, the adaptive segmentation of human body is finished using the information of difference image and the prior distribution of pixel density. Then, the tracking model under perspective imaging for body plane is established. Due to the fact that image function is nonlinear and the distribution of the noise in images is unknown, the particle filter based tacking is used. Finally, the 3-D trajectory of body plane is obtained. Experimental results show that 3-D trajectory of body plane can be effectively tracked, and the tracking results of particle filter is better than that of extended Kalman filter for this human motion tracking problem.
315 RENAL LESIONS IN A RAT MODEL OF METABOLIC SYNDROME ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DECREASED RENAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHESIS.

Albuminuria and renal disease are considered integral components of metabolic syndrome, although the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are unclear. We tested the hypothesis that alterations of renal NO metabolism may play a role in renal manifestations of this syndrome by examining young ZSF rats (Charles River Labs) from 8 to 24 weeks (n = 6) for renal disease and renal NO metabolism. Body weights and arterial blood pressures (using tail cuff plethysmography) were recorded weekly. Serum was collected for glucose, lipid profile, creatinine, and NOx (nitrites and nitrates) measurements and 24-hour urine was collected in metabolic cages for measurement of creatinine, protein, 8-OHdG, an indicator of mitochondrial oxidative stress, and NOx (NO metabolites) at the beginning and the end of the study. The rats were euthanized at the end of study, kidneys harvested and sections examined for histopathology, and tissue homogenates examined for protein expression of NOS isoforms. By the 24th week, the rats displayed full-blown metabolic syndrome and overt proteinuria (534 6 54 mg/kg/d) with modest renal failure (1.67 6 0.2 at 24 wks vs 0.77 6 0.19 mg/dL at 8 wks, p
Research on the Productivity Improvement of Sunshine N+1 Flexible Production Line

Sunshine N+1 Flexible Production Line is a self-designed and manufactured highly automatised assembling and welding line, integrating mechanical,electronic and hydraulic technology. This paper introduces the main technical innovations in detail.
Relationship between dyslipidemia and peritoneal dialysis catheter enwrapped by omentum

Objective To investigate the relationship between dyslipidemia and peritoneal dialysis catheter being enwrapped by omentum in peritoneal dialysis patients. Methods Fifteen patients with enwrapped catheters after placement of the catheter for peritoneal dialysis were enrolled in this study, and 30 patients without this complication were used as the controls. Blood lipid levels were compared between the patients and controls. The incidence of enwrapped catheters was also compared between the patients with dyslipidemia and those with normal lipid levels. Results Patients complicated with enwrapped catheters were found to have higher serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins as well as lower serum level of apolipoprotein A1 than those without this complication. Conclusion Dyslipidemia is related to the enwrapping of peritoneal dialysis catheter by omentum, and is probably one of the risk factors for this complication.
From impulse to action among military personnel hospitalized for suicide risk: alcohol consumption and the reported transition from suicidal thought to behavior.

Abstract Objective Alcohol use is associated with unplanned or impulsive suicide attempts. Although unplanned suicide attempts assume a rapid transition for suicidal impulse to action, many studies do not quantify the time elapsed from suicidal impulse to action. The current study was designed to clarify how alcohol use facilitates the transition from suicidal impulse to action among U.S. Army personnel. We hypothesized that alcohol consumption during the 24 h preceding a suicide attempt would be associated with significantly faster transition from suicidal impulse to action but would be unrelated to medical lethality. Method A total of 119 active duty U.S. Army Soldiers who made a total of 175 suicide attempts during military service, 121 of which occurred during the preceding year, completed clinician-administered structured interviews focused on psychiatric diagnosis and the contextual characteristics of their suicide attempts. Results Alcohol use during the 24 h prior to a suicide attempt was associated with significantly faster transition from suicidal impulse to action. Among suicide attempts in the past year, lethality significantly increased as the length of time since the last alcoholic drink increased. Drug use during the 24 h prior to a suicide attempt was unrelated to speed of transition or attempt lethality. Conclusions Soldiers acted upon their suicidal impulses more quickly when they had been drinking on the day of their suicide attempts. This rapid transition may contribute to the selection of less lethal suicide methods during periods of active drinking as compared to methods selected after the discontinuation of alcohol consumption.
Islam and Christianity in Medieval Anatolia

The papers that make up this volume are products of a workshop held at the Koc University Research Center for Anatolian Civilization in Istanbul in September 2013, on the theme of ‘the reception of...
Assaying chromatin sirtuins.

Most of the sirtuins’ nuclear substrates indentified so far are histones or other chromatin-associated proteins and, thus, it is of special relevance the development of good biochemical techniques to analyze the biology of these proteins in the context of chromatin. Here, we describe several of the chromatin-based techniques to identify sirtuins’ substrates, including a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) protocol, an acid-extraction protocol, and a nucleosomal immunoprecipitation protocol to analyze putative sirtuin chromatin interactors.
An Arginine-Rich Loop is Critical for the Modulation of the Water Permeability of Aquaporin 0

Aquaporin 0 (AQP0), the major intrinsic protein of the eye lens, plays a vital role in maintaining lens clarity by facilitating water transport. AQP0 reduces its osmotic water permeability (Pf) in response to increases in the external calcium concentration, an effect that is mediated through an interaction with calmodulin (CaM). Calcium sensitivity of AQP0 Pf is further modified by serine phosphorylation. Despite recent structural characterization of the AQP0-CaM complex, the mechanism used by CaM to modulate AQP0 remains poorly understood. We employed a combination of Brownian and molecular dynamics simulations to identify the critical features of the AQP0-CaM interaction. Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations suggest that serine phosphorylation of AQP0 does not significantly reduce CaM-binding to the whole AQP0 protein, in contrast to the experimental observation that phosphorylation does significantly reduce binding to C-terminus AQP0 peptides. Comparative MD simulation studies show that AQP0 phosphorylation changes contacts between AQP0 and CaM, particularly at a small arginine-rich loop on the AQP0 cytosolic face. This charged loop allosterically couples CaM to the second constriction site residues of AQP0 through an interaction with R156. Additionally, we observe that R153 increases the size of the pore opening through an interaction with the Y149 hydroxyl group, which is necessary for maintaining high permeability states of AQP0. Experimental and simulation data support the notion that serine phosphorylation of AQP0 changes the calcium sensitivity of Pf by modifying CaM contacts with the cytosolic arginine-rich loop rather than by inhibiting CaM-binding.
The Bateson Building, Sacramento, California, 1977–81, and the Design of a New Age State

The Bateson Building, Sacramento, California, 1977–81, and the Design of a New Age State explores an origin of architectural sustainability in the 1970s California governmental programs of Governor Jerry Brown and the circle around Brown and his consultant Stewart Brand, a countercultural entrepreneur. Focusing on the Bateson Building, designed by State Architect Sim Van der Ryn and his team to be the world9s first large energy-saving, climate-modulating building, Simon Sadler traces the ambition of the first Brown administration to reinvent the state as a unified ecology founded on New Age principles, notably those drawn from the second-order cybernetics of anthropologist Gregory Bateson, who served as an adviser to the governor. Drawing on archival and published sources from government, environmental policy, cybernetics, and architecture, Sadler recounts an ambitious ecological agenda that included the new Office of Appropriate Technology, a projected space program, and a water atlas for the state of California. Sadler argues for a reconsideration of the history of sustainable and postmodern architecture alike.
Radar observations of density gradients, electric fields, and plasma irregularities near polar cap patches in the context of the gradient-drift instability†

We present observations of plasma density gradients, electric fields, and small-scale plasma irregularities near a polar cap patch made by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network radar at Rankin Inlet (RKN) and the northern face of Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar (RISN-N). RKN echo power and occurrence are analyzed in the context of gradient-drift instability (GDI) theory, with a particular focus on the previously uninvestigated 2D dependencies on wave propagation, electric field, and gradient vectors, with the latter two quantities evaluated directly from RISR-N measurements. It is shown that higher gradient and electric field components along the wavevector generally lead to the higher observed echo occurrence, which is consistent with the expected higher GDI growth rate, but the relationship with echo power is far less straight forward. The RKN echo power increases monotonically as the predicted linear growth rate approaches zero from negative values, but does not continue this trend into positive growth rate values, in contrast with GDI predictions. The observed greater consistency of echo occurrence with GDI predictions suggests that GDI operating in the linear regime can control basic plasma structuring, but measured echo strength may be affected by other processes and factors, such as multi-step or nonlinear processes or a shear-driven instability.
Pharmaceutical sector in Yemen

Not available. Janaki Medical College Journal of Medical Sciences (2016) Vol. 4 (2): 53-55
Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Guidance on Social Media Use: A Policy Analysis:

Given vocational rehabilitation’s (VR) substantial role in workforce development, it follows that agencies would encourage and support consumers using the most current job-seeking methods, includin...
Monthly Paleostreamflow Reconstruction from Annual Tree-Ring Chronologies

Abstract Paleoclimate reconstructions are increasingly used to characterize annual climate variability prior to the instrumental record, to improve estimates of climate extremes, and to provide a baseline for climate-change projections. To date, paleoclimate records have seen limited engineering use to estimate hydrologic risks because water systems models and managers usually require streamflow input at the monthly scale. This study explores the hypothesis that monthly streamflows can be adequately modeled by statistically decomposing annual flow reconstructions. To test this hypothesis, a multiple linear regression model for monthly streamflow reconstruction is presented that expands the set of predictors to include annual streamflow reconstructions, reconstructions of global circulation, and potential differences among regional tree-ring chronologies related to tree species and geographic location. This approach is used to reconstruct 600 years of monthly streamflows at two sites on the Bear and Logan rivers in northern Utah. Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiencies remain above zero (0.26–0.60) for all months except April and Pearson’s correlation coefficients (R) are 0.94 and 0.88 for the Bear and Logan rivers, respectively, confirming that the model can adequately reproduce monthly flows during the reference period (10/1942 to 9/2015). Incorporating a flexible transition between the previous and concurrent annual reconstructed flows was the most important factor for model skill. Expanding the model to include global climate indices and regional tree-ring chronologies produced smaller, but still significant improvements in model fit. The model presented here is the only approach currently available to reconstruct monthly streamflows directly from tree-ring chronologies and climate reconstructions, rather than using resampling of the observed record. With reasonable estimates of monthly flow that extend back in time many centuries, water managers can challenge systems models with a larger range of natural variability in drought and pluvial events and better evaluate extreme events with recurrence intervals longer than the observed record. Establishing this natural baseline is critical when estimating future hydrologic risks under conditions of a non-stationary climate.
Identifying Dispositions That Matter: Reaching for Consensus Using a Delphi Study

ABSTRACTThis article describes how one institution used the Delphi technique to identify and operationalize key professional dispositions to be addressed in its teacher education program. Participants included teacher educators, methods course instructors, and school administrators. Data collection occurred in three phases, with the results of each phase informing the next one. Consensus was achieved regarding nine dispositions: Responsive, Challenging, Reflective, Ethical, Scholarly, Caring, Student-Centered, Fair, and Resourceful. Three categories represent the nine dispositions: Professional, Relational, and Intellectual dispositions. These categories also correspond with the university values of Integrity, Inclusiveness, and Inquiry. Each of the dispositions was matched with Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium standards, and rubrics were developed that identified the behaviors associated with each disposition. This study demonstrates how universities can respond proactively and profes...
A heuristic method for optimal energy management of DC microgrid

This paper proposes a sufficient method for the optimal operation and management of DC microgrids (MGs) in the presence of renewable energy sources (RESs), storage devices, and DC loads. The DC MG concept can not only exploit the distinguished features of DC distribution systems for feeding DC loads without the presence of AC-DC converters but also provide convenient connections for DC distributed generations (DGs) and storage devices for a more efficient, reliable, and low-cost operation of MGs. In order to build a robust approach for the DC MGs energy management, a powerful optimizer that relies on the crow search algorithm (CSA) is developed to obtain the optimal solution. Moreover, a two-stage modification approach is illustrated to avoid being trapped in the local minima of the optimization algorithm and to enhance the search capability of CSA. The feasibility and performance of the proposed method in DC MG applications are evaluated in three different scenarios using a notional test system. The results are compared with others optimization algorithms and corroborates the advantage of the CSA technique.
A framework for speech enhancement using extreme learning machines

Neural networks have been widely applied in the enhancement of speech degraded by additive noise. In this paper, we study a mask-based speech enhancement framework employing the extreme learning machine (ELM). Experimental results show the proposed framework is extremely effective in suppressing additive noise when trained with small datasets. It is superior to a leading minimum mean-square error (MMSE) algorithm in both matched and mismatched noise conditions with just one hour of training data and performs consistently over a wide range of training conditions. In addition, the mask-based ELM approach is shown to be more effective than the spectral mapping approach.
High-Irradiance Stress in Higher Plants and Interaction with other Stress Factors

Exposure of leaves to light levels in excess of what can be utilized in photosynthesis often results in a decline in photosynthetic activity (1). This high-light effect is especially evident after return of the leaf to a low light level as a reduction in the photon yield of photosynthetic O2 evolution or CO2 uptake. In common usage the term photoinhibition includes any sustained reduction in photosynthetic activity induced by excessive light, irrespective of mechanistic considerations, but does not include transient reductions that are rapidly reversible and likely to reflect short-term regulation. In my talk today I will attempt to distinguish between two kinds of high-light-induced reduction in the efficiency of photochemistry of PSII: 1) an increase in the rate constant for dissipation of excitation energy in the antenna and 2) a decrease in the rate constant for the photochemistry of PSII which is likely to be caused by damage to the PSII reaction centers.
Forgiveness and reconciliation: The differing perspectives of psychologists and Christian theologians.

Among psychologists, forgiveness and reconciliation are typically viewed as separate constructs. This distinction is often adaptive, making it possible for a person to forgive a deceased offender o...
Reflexology, schizokinesis and autokinesis

A resume of the history and concepts culminating in the work of Pavlov shows that there has been a gradual and slow elaboration toward a science of behavior. The past work has been oriented since the time of Locke increasingly toward the external environment. Pavlov’s theories, however, were directed toward forceswithin the nervous system. Further work from the Pavlovian Laboratories at Johns Hopkins and the V.A. (and elsewhere) indicate that the various physiological systems do not always work harmoniously, but that there is often a split in function (Schizokinesis)—changes occurring over a period of time—which do not seem to be referable to the external environment but to elaborations occurringwithin the organism (Autokinesis). These may tend toward improvement of function or, on the other hand, toward deterioration. The time has come when the progressive changes and the interrelationships of active fociwithin the organism should be considered as well as the reactivity of the individual toward the external environment.
Control theoretical concepts for synthetic and systems biology

Summary Control theory, a branch of engineering devoted to the analysis and design of robust systems through feedback control, has been instrumental for many technological applications. It has been proposed that control theory is also a productive framework to analyze biological systems and advance their engineering. Examples confirming this perspective include the design of schemes of biomolecular sequestration to implement integral negative feedback for perfect disturbance rejection and the discovery of control theoretic trade-offs between stability and performance in the glycolytic pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we briefly review some concepts and tools from classical feedback control theory that have been invoked in the study of biological systems and argue for the need to develop new control concepts specifically tailored to biology.
Power System Planning: Emerging Practices Suitable for Evaluating the Impact of High-Penetration Photovoltaics

This report explores the impact of high-penetration renewable generation on electric power system planning methodologies and outlines how these methodologies are evolving to enable effective integration of variable-output renewable generation sources.
Comparison of breast cancer risk in women with and without systemic lupus erythematosus in a Medicare population

Studies have suggested a decreased breast cancer risk in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, these studies enrolled younger patients identified primarily from lupus clinics. We compared the 5-year incidence of breast cancer among women with and without a diagnosis of SLE in a large population-based study of Medicare beneficiaries. We used a 20 % sample to create a cohort of 3,670,138 women from 2006 Medicare claims data with and without SLE at baseline. The study had 80 % power to detect whether the 5-year breast cancer incidence in the SLE cohort was 13 % higher or lower than the non-SLE cohort. Of the 18,423 women with SLE, 21 % were African American and 53 % were ≥65 years. The absolute age-adjusted risk for breast cancer in women with SLE was 2.23 (95 % CI 1.94–2.55) and 2.14 (95 % CI 1.96–2.34) in controls per 100 women. The overall absolute age and race adjusted incidence rate was 1.04 (95 % CI 0.90–1.21). Among women with SLE from “Others” (Hispanic, Native American, and/or Asian), the age-adjusted risk for breast cancer was 2.44 per 100 women (95 % CI 1.07–2.18), and age-adjusted incidence rate was 1.52 (95 % CI 1.07–2.18). In contrast to prior clinic-based studies, this population-based cohort study showed that the risk of breast cancer in women with SLE was not lower than in women without SLE. Women with SLE should follow routine breast cancer screening recommendations for their age group to avoid delay in diagnosis, because the presence of SLE may affect selection of early breast cancer therapies.