cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Have it your way: how polymorphic, injected kinases and pseudokinases enable Toxoplasma to subvert host defenses.

As with many intracellular infectious agents, the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii has a quiver of effectors that it uses to co-opt host cell functions. These are injected during invasion and intersect several host pathways key to the immune response, such as STAT signaling and immunity-related GTPases (IRGs or p47 GTPases). Among the effectors so far identified, several are from a paralogous family of protein kinases and pseudokinases that are injected into the host cell from the apical secretory organelles known as rhoptries. These so-called ROP kinases are polymorphic and account for much of the difference in virulence, at least in mouse infections, found with different strains of Toxoplasma. How these ROPs were found and the current state of knowledge on what each does is presented in this brief review.
Divisible Load Scheduling and Markov Chain Models

In this paper, the equivalence between various divisible load-scheduling policies and continuous time Markov chains is demonstrated. This provides a basic unification of both data parallel divisible load scheduling and Markov chain models for the first time in 16 years of research. Such equivalence is demonstrated for divisible scheduling on linear daisy chains and single and two level tree networks.
Temporal discrimination in brain-damaged patients

Abstract This study of the ability of brain-damaged patients to discriminate between very short temporal durations (0.4–1.0 sec) showed that a significant proportion (33 per cent) of the patients performed defectively (i.e. below the distribution of a comparable control group). The patients showed more severe defect in discriminating visual durations than in the discrimination of auditory durations. Auditory durations were discriminated more accurately by both brain-damaged and control subjects. Crossmodal discriminations (sound vs. light) posed no greater difficulty than visual discriminations. Performance level under the condition of a relatively long intrapair interval (12 sec) was not lower than under a shorter interval (1.5 sec) in either group of subjects. However, there were indications that the 1.5 sec interval was not the optimal intrapair interval for performance in the brain-damaged group. The performances of both groups of subjects reflected the “position of the standard stimulus” effect found in an earlier study. Patients with lesions of the left hemisphere performed somewhat more poorly than those with right hemisphere lesions but the observed difference was not statistically significant.
Impression management messages and reactions to organizational reward allocations: The mediating influence of fairness and responsibility

In this scenario‐based experiment we examined the relationships among impression management messages, evaluations of reward allocations (fairness and responsibility) and reactions to rewards (anger, approval of manager and overall job satisfaction). The results suggest that impression management messages directly influence fairness and responsibility, and indirectly influence anger and approval. Specifically, justifications and enhancements increased evaluations of fairness, excuses decreased attributions of responsibility for unfair rewards, and entitling accounts increased attributions of responsibility for fair rewards. Also, justifications and enhancements indirectly decreased anger, increased approval, and increased job satisfaction through the mediating influence of fairness. Excuses and entitling accounts indirectly decreased anger and increased approval through the mediating influence of responsibility.
The Relation of In Vivo and In Vitro Tocopherol Supplementation to Stability of Fowl Fat

Abstract The quality of rendered leaf fat from mature breeder fowl which contained varying amounts of tocopherol due to in vivo dietary supplementation or due to direct in vitro addition was investigated. Treatments were dietary supplementation with d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate at levels of 0, 0.025, 0.050, 0.075 and 0.100% (0 to 1360 I.U./kg. feed) for 3 weeks pre-slaughter and in vitro d-alpha-tocopherol addition of 0, 10.74, 21.48, 32.22 and 42.96 μg./ml. of rendered fat (0 to 6.4 I.U./100 ml. fat) of fowl fed 3 weeks on a diet containing no tocopherol supplementation. Parameters used to estimate fat quality included AOM stability time, free fatty acid content, initial peroxide value, and moisture and volatile matter content. Tocopherol content of the rendered fat was also determined. Fat tocopherol content was found to be significantly related to AOM stability time (r = 0.93, P
Examining the effect of work-home conflict on work-related stress among correctional officers

The purpose of this study was to explore two questions: (1) What is the contribution of work-home conflict to work-related stress among correctional officers? and (2) What role does gender play in understanding the contribution of work-home conflict to work-related stress among correctional officers? The findings supported the prediction that work-home conflict is an important contributor to work-related stress for females. The analysis, though tentative, also suggested that males experience work-home conflict but experience its effect at home, rather than work.
The wealth effect: A contemporary update to the age of affluence

Abstract At the end of World War II there was a great interest in estimation of reconversion prospects for the United States economy. A main question was: Would be the United States return to the conditions of the Great Depression of the 1930s or maintain a high level of employment and grow without inflation? Franco Modigliani and James Duesenberry independently proposed dynamic versions of the macroeconomic consumption function, and A.C. Pigou had recently suggested that the consumption function should include a term for real cash balances, a wealth effect which was relevant, given the accumulation of liquid assets during the austere consumer environment of the War. Also, from the original discussions of the mathematical models of the Keynesian system, there was consideration about the effects of the distribution of income on aggregate consumer spending. Those various lines of thought were discussed in a memorial conference for Franco Modigliani at the New School University in 2005. The present paper was on the memorial program, and examines the statistical content of the questions about reconversion prospects in the mid 1940s. It also extend the analysis through the rest of the 20th Century, with consideration of the macrodynamics of the early postwar period into the age of affluent consumer.
Sheltered Instruction for Students with Learning Disabilities Who Have Limited English Proficiency

Makes the core curriculum accessible to students with limited English proficiency through the use of a content-driven instructional method
Impact of cardiovascular outcomes on the development and approval of medications for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

All medications currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus are indicated to improve glycemic control. Since 1995, FDA has used HbA1c as the primary basis for approval of these therapies because a reduction in blood glucose lessens the symptoms of hyperglycemia and lowering of HbA1c has been shown to reduce the risk for some of the chronic complications of diabetes. Despite evidence of clinical benefit with therapies that reduce HbA1c, concerns have been raised that some diabetes medications may increase cardiovascular risk in a patient population that is already vulnerable to cardiovascular disease. Therefore, FDA convened a public advisory committee meeting to discuss the role of cardiovascular assessment in the pre-approval and post-approval settings for medications developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. After considering the advisory panel’s recommendations and other data, FDA published a guidance document requesting evidence showing that new treatments for type 2 diabetes do not result in an unacceptable increase in cardiovascular risk. This review article begins by summarizing the events leading up to publication of this guidance. Subsequent sections discuss the guidance itself as well as general considerations for implementing the new cardiovascular recommendations. The new approach to developing medications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes will lead to evaluation in patients more representative of those who will use these therapies, if approved, and will help healthcare providers make informed decisions when choosing a medication within the growing treatment armamentarium for type 2 diabetes.
Business Language Studies in the United States: On Nomenclature, Context, Theory, and Method

Although it has existed for many decades in the national curriculum of U.S. higher education, the study of languages for business purposes has lacked a more serviceable and academically communal name-a more rigorous toponymic identity-by which to identify itself as a theory-based field of scholarship. The intention here is to propose for consideration a name modification for an existing field and provide some reflections regarding its evolution, theory, and method. In keeping with the rise of interdisciplines in other 'studies' programs, business language's empirically definable domain of inquiry, pedagogy, and curriculum development should more appropriately be known as Business Language Studies (BLS). Further consideration of intrinsic theory is strongly encouraged to complement the extensive work already done in extrinsic and applied BLS, given that the development of methods and methodology has far outstripped theoretical considerations per se, the latter of which are now warranted to anchor the field more adequately in U.S. higher education. It is time for greater attention to be focused on the articulation of a broader, more systematic, theory-based BLS research agenda that breaks new ground and provides additional insights into the decisive roles of language and culture in a highly competitive global economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
A Discrete Method for Parameter Identification in Linear Systems with Transport Lags

Linear dynamical systems with transport lags are characterized by linear differential-difference equations. The task of identifying unknown parameters in such systems from the input-output data is difficult due to mathematical complications associated with differentialdifference equations. This paper presents a method which solves the identification problem. The method is digitally oriented and shows how a continuous-time system can be identified by discrete techniques. The solution is based on Kalman's least square method. The identification procedure essentially involves two steps: 1) discretizing the continuous system via finite difference approximation, and 2) estimating the parameters through the identification of the resulting discrete model. Experimental results have verified the validity of the proposed method.
Gastroesophageal reflux: practical management of a common, challenging disorder.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) occurs in 2 distinct forms that differ in pathophysiology, clinical presentation, natural history, and therapy: mild GER (with no or minimal esophagitis) and classic, severe reflux (at risk for erosive esophagitis). A minority of subjects (<20%) have the classic, potentially severe pattern of GER caused by reduced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and prolonged acid reflux, particularly at night, but also during the day. Evaluation and management must be catered to patients with this pattern of reflux. In contrast, symptoms in mild reflux (the majority) often occur during the day after meals in an upright posture (upright reflux); resting LES pressure is usually normal (reflux episodes are related to transient relaxation of the LES) and little reflux occurs at night. Acid reflux, which occurs mostly during the day, overlaps with the normal range and esophagitis is rare; however, symptoms can be distressing. Optimal management is controversial because no outcome trials have been conducted to address management in primary care settings. However, clinical clues can help differentiate mild and severe reflux and guide management decisions. This article provides a detailed approach to current management of GER syndromes.
Influence of thigmic stress or chlormequat chloride on tomato morphology and elemental uptake

Abstract Root dry weight and leaf number were not affected by thigmic stress or chlormequat chloride. Shoot dry weight, shoot:root dry weight ratio, shoot height, leaf area, and root surface area were decreased by both thigmic stress and chlormequat chloride. However, root length was decreased and root radius increased only by chlormequat chloride. Total element uptake was decreased by both thigmic stress and chlormequat chloride. In the shoot and root, N was not affected, P was increased in the shoots, K decreased in the shoots but increased in the roots, and Mg decreased in the roots as a result of thigmic stress and chlormequat chloride. Whereas, Ca was decreased in the roots and Mg increased in the shoots by chlormequat chloride. The uptake of N, P, Ca, or Mg was not affected by thigmic stress or chlormequat chloride, however, K uptake per root surface area decreased. Thigmic stress decreased K in both the upper and lower stem but did not affect leaf concentration of K. However, chlormequat chloride d...
Multifunctional ECM proteins in bone and teeth

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of all tissues and organs is a highly organized and complex structure unique to the specific organ type. The ECM contains structural and functional proteins that define cellular function, organization, behavior and ultimately organ characteristics and function. The ECM was initially thought to contain only a specific set of secretory proteins. However, our group and several other groups have shown that the ECM contains functional proteins that have been previously defined as solely intracellular. In the present review, we have focused on the ECM of mineralized tissues namely bone and dentin. We provide here, a brief review of some non-classical ECM proteins that have been shown to possess both intra and extracellular roles in the formation of these mineralized matrices.
124: Preoperative risk assessment for right ventricular failure following implantation of a left ventricular assist device

Purpose: There are epidemics of both heart failure and obesity in the United States. Outcomes and weight loss after ventricular assist device (VAD) in the obese population has not been well described. Methods and Materials: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed for all patients who received ventricular support at our institution from 1/1/00 until 9/15/06. Results: A total of 142 VADs were implanted. Patients were grouped into non-obese (BMI 30 kg/m2, n 96) and obese (BMI 30 kg/m2, n 46) at the time of VAD. There were no significant differences between the groups in baseline characteristics (age 52 years, male 78%, white 92%, ischemic cardiomyopathy 47%), need for biventricular support (36%), mean support time on VAD (130 days) or intention-to-treat (bridge to transplant in 73%, destination 8%). Survival to transplant or recovery was not different between the nonobese and obese: 70% for all devices, 72% LVAD alone, and 67% with BiVAD. For those who survived 30 days, at the time of death, transplant or device wean there were no significant differences in mean weight change (non-obese: -3.7 pounds v. obese: -5.6 pounds, p 0.74), the proportions of patients who lost any weight (50%) or who lost 20 pounds (21%), see Figure. Despite counseling to the contrary, many obese patients actually gained weight during VAD support.
The δ2 glutamate receptor: 10 years later

The orphan glutamate receptor delta2 (GluRdelta2) is predominantly expressed in Purkinje cells and plays a crucial role in cerebellar functions: mice that lack the GluRdelta2 gene display ataxia and impaired synaptic plasticity. However, when expressed alone or with other glutamate receptors, GluRdelta2 does not form functional glutamate-gated ion channels nor does it bind to glutamate analogs. Therefore, the mechanisms by which GluRdelta2 participates in cerebellar functions have been elusive. Studies of mutant mice such as lurcher, hotfoot, and GluRdelta2 knockout mice have provided clues to the structure and function of GluRdelta2. GluRdelta2 has a channel pore similar to that of other glutamate receptors; the channel is functional at least when the lurcher mutation is present. GluRdelta2 must be transported to the Purkinje cell surface to function; the absence of surface GluRdelta2 causes the ataxic phenotype of hotfoot mice. In GluRdelta2-null mice, the presence of naked spines not innervated by parallel fibers may influence the sustained innervation of mutant Purkinje cells by multiple climbing fibers. From these results, several hypotheses about mechanisms by which GluRdelta2 functions are proposed in this article. Further characterization of GluRdelta2's functions will provide key insights into normal and abnormal cerebellar functions.
Removing Sequential Bottlenecks in Analysis of Next-Generation Sequencing Data

Throughput from sequencing instruments has been increasing in an unprecedented speed, leading to an explosion of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, and challenges in storing, managing, and analyzing these datasets. Parallelism is the key in handling large-scale data, and some progress has been made in parallelizing important steps, like sequence alignment. However, other major steps continue to be sequential, limiting the ability to handle massive datasets. In this paper, we focus on parallelizing algorithms from two areas. The first is efficient data format conversion among a wide variety of sequence data formats, which is important for cross-utilization of different analysis modules. The second is statistical analysis. Our parallelization sequence data format converter allows sequence datasets in BAM/SAM format to be converted into multiple formats, including SAM/BAM, BED, FASTA, FASTQ, BEDGRAPH, JSON, and YAML, using both shared memory and distributed memory parallelism. The converter currently comprises three instances: SAM format converter, BAM format converter and preprocessing-optimized SAM format converter. Additionally, our converter can also support partial format conversion, to perform format conversion only on a specified chromosome region. The statistical analysis module includes parallelized non-local means (NL-means) algorithm and false discovery rate (FDR) computation. Through extensive evaluation, we demonstrate high scalability of our framework.
Effect of Pollution of Air with Ozone on Flavor of Spray-Dried Milks

Abstract In an investigation of seasonal variations in the flavor quality of milk powders manufactured in the Dairy Products Laboratory, we conducted a series of experiments in which low-heat, spray-dried milks were manufactured during a period of low background levels of ozone. The effect of ozone on the flavor of dried milks was ascertained by manufacturing, in each experiment, powders both with and without addition of ozone to the dryer air, and subsequently evaluating their flavor by a trained taste panel. Levels of ozone reported by others as occurring in the atmosphere of the Washington area during the warm weather months were sufficient to lower substantially the flavor score of dried milks. Skimmilk powders manufactured in air containing 32 ppb (parts per billion) ozone averaged 1.7 flavor points (on a ten-point scale) lower than those manufactured under a background level of 2 ppb. Under the same conditions, whole milk powders averaged 2.9 points lower than the control powders. Foaming heightened the damaging effect of ozone on flavor quality. Raising the ozone level from 32 to 52 ppb produced little or no further effect on the flavor of whole milk powder and only a questionable effect on the flavor of skimmilk powder.
Unwed mothers and household reputation in a Spanish Galician community

In the coastal Galician community of Ezaro, villagers evaluate households headed by unwed mothers in apparently contradictory ways. This article seeks to explain that phenomenon by examining villagers' complex and flexible concepts of the household and of gender roles. While the high incidence of illegitimacy in coastal Galicia is distinctive, this case points out the general importance of considering alternative household ideals and, moreover, illustrates the fact that, in southern Europe at least, female reputation is not entirely dependent on women's relational ties with men. [household, gender, illegitimacy, Spain, cultural complexity]
Magnetoglow: A New Geophysical Resource

Evidence has been found that the earth is immersed in a large volume of glowing helium ions. This ionic glow, at 304 angstroms, is similar to the geocoronal hydrogen glow in that it extends to very high altitudes, but it is unique in that it is largely confined to the closed field line portion of the magnetosphere. Because of its magnetic containment, this ionic radiation is called the "magnetoglow." Observations of the magnetoglow from inside and outside the magnetospheric cavity promise to provide a valuable means of studying the structural dynamics of the magnetosphere.
Performance evaluation of elastoviscoplastic concrete model

In this study we examine the dynamic strength enhancement and the regularization properties of viscoplasticity with regard to strain softening in tension. To this end we extend the elastoplastic concrete model by Kang and Willam to the viscoplastic Duvaut-Lions overstress formulation. Our main focus is (1) the difference of dynamic strength increase in tension, compression, and shear when only a single viscosity parameter is introduced in the form of the relaxation time, and (2) the regularization of localized failure when we compare elastoviscoplastic with elastoplastic strain softening. Thereby, it is understood that the brittle/ductile modes of failure in tension, compression, and shear depend not only on the loading path, but also on the loading rate at high-speed impact.
Effect of therapeutic ultrasound on acoustically sensitive microcapsules

In the area of therapeutic ultrasound activated drug delivery, difficulties exist in designing a carrier that responds to ultrasound for triggering and imaging but also provides adequate treatment potential. In this paper, we report on a novel acoustically sensitive microcapsule reservoir that can be activated with therapeutic ultrasound for payload release and can be potentially tracked using imaging. It is being designed for increased longevity and is not planned for the circulation. Here, we describe its unique formulation and demonstrate effects of therapeutic ultrasound on it at 1MHz using a combined optical-acoustic setup on a microscope. We see membrane bulging and damage for small and large capsules with both continuous and pulsed ultrasound. We also show some preliminary work on understanding the mechanism behind these effects. The reservoirs show potential for future ultrasound activated release and imaging while being patent in form and function over several weeks.
Protection of cultured chinese hamster ovary cells by the aminothiol WR-255591 from the lethal and DNA-damaging effects of fast neutrons

Abstract We examined the radioprotective effect of the aminothiol WR-255591 on cultured aerated Chinese hamster ovary cells irradiated with cyclotron-generated fast neutrons. The effects of a 30 min pretreatment with 6 mM WR-255591 on the induction of DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) and double-strand breaks (DSBs) were measured using alkaline (pH 12.1) and neutral (pH 7.0) filter elution, respectively. Molecular protection factors (PFs) calculated from these data were compared with the PF measured using the biological endpoint of cell survival. WR-255591 afforded significant protection against cell killing by neutrons (PF = 1.36) although protection was less efficient than against cell killing by γ-rays (PF = 2.30). Whereas for γ-rays, the PFs were in the order survival ≥ DSB induction ⪢ SSB induction, the magnitude of the modification of the induction of both SSBs (PF = 1.38) and DSBs (PF = 1.38) after neutron irradiation was the same as that of cell killing.
The application of miniplex primer sets in the analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains.

A new set of multiplexed PCR primers has been applied to the analysis of human skeletal remains to determine their efficacy in analyzing degraded DNA. These primer sets, known as Miniplexes, produce shorter amplicons (50-280base pairs (bp)) than standard short tandem repeat (STR) kits, but still utilize the 13 CODIS STR loci, providing results that are searchable on national DNA databases. In this study, a set of 31 different human remains were exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, extracted, and amplified with commercial and Miniplex DNA typing kits. The amplification efficiency of the Miniplex sets was then compared with the Promega PowerPlex s 16 system. Sixty-four percent of the samples generated full profiles when amplified with the Miniplexes, while only 16% of the samples generated full profiles with the Pow- erplex s 16 kit. Complete profiles were obtained for 11 of the 12 Miniplex loci with amplicon sizes less than 200bp. These data suggest smaller PCR amplicons may provide a useful alternative to mitochondrial DNA for anthropological and forensic analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains.
Bulky Trialkylsilyl Acetylenes in the Cadiot−Chodkiewicz Cross-Coupling Reaction

Bulky trialkylsilyl-protected alkynes such as triethylsilyl (TES), tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBS), and triisopropylsilyl (TIPS) acetylenes underwent the Cadiot-Chodkiewicz cross-coupling reaction with different bromoalkynes to form a variety of synthetically useful unsymmetrical diynes in good yields. The diyne alcohol 10 was transformed regio- and stereoselectively into enynes by hydrotelluration, carbometalation, and reduction reactions.
Predicting which children are at risk for ependymoma relapse.

Ependymomas account for 6–12% of all pediatric intracranial tumors. Despite complete resection and radiation, about 50% of patients relapse and have subsequent dismal prognoses. As no clinical findings reliably forecast tumor recurrence, we sought to determine if gene expression profiling could be used to distinguish patients at high risk for relapse at initial diagnosis, and thereby make them candidates for innovative treatments at an early stage. We extracted RNA from 13 ependymoma specimens: 7 from patients who experienced tumor recurrence, and 6 from patients who have not recurred. RNA was applied to Affymetrix HG-U133 plus 2.0 microarray chips, and microarrays were analyzed with GeneSpring 7.0 and Prediction Analysis of Microarrays (PAM) software. The 3-gene subset of PLEK (pleckstrin), NF-κB2 (nuclear factor kappa beta-2), and LOC374491 (TPTE and PTEN homologous inositol phosphatase pseudogene) was identified as the minimal subset capable of accurately distinguishing tumors according to recurrence. In summary, gene expression profiling may be valuable, perhaps in combination with clinical findings identified in some studies, for identifying children at high risk for ependymoma relapse.
Intermolecular interaction studies of winter flounder antifreeze protein reveal the existence of thermally accessible binding state.

The physical nature underlying intermolecular interactions between two rod-like winter flounder antifreeze protein (AFP) molecules and their implication for the mechanism of antifreeze function are examined in this work using molecular dynamics simulations, augmented with free energy calculations employing a continuum solvation model. The energetics for different modes of interactions of two AFP molecules is examined in both vacuum and aqueous phases along with the water distribution in the region encapsulated by two antiparallel AFP backbones. The results show that in a vacuum two AFP molecules intrinsically attract each other in the antiparallel fashion, where their complementary charge side chains face each other directly. In the aqueous environment, this attraction is counteracted by both screening and entropic effects. Therefore, two nearly energetically degenerate states, an aggregated state and a dissociated state, result as a new aspect of intermolecular interaction in the paradigm for the mechanism of action of AFP. The relevance of these findings to the mechanism of function of freezing inhibition in the context of our work on Antarctic cod antifreeze glycoprotein (Nguyen et al., Biophysical Journal, 2002, Vol. 82, pp. 2892-2905) is discussed. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) global aerosol optical depth validation based on 2 years of coincident Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) observations

Performance of the Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) early postlaunch aerosol optical thickness (AOT) retrieval algorithm is assessed quantitatively over land and ocean by comparison with a 2-year measurement record of globally distributed AERONET Sun photometers. There are sufficient coincident observations to stratify the data set by season and expected aerosol type. In addition to reporting uncertainty envelopes, we identify trends and outliers, and investigate their likely causes, with the aim of refining algorithm performance. Overall, about 2/3 of the MISR-retrieved AOT values fall within [0.05 or 20% x AOT] of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). More than a third are within [0.03 or 10% x AOT]. Correlation coefficients are highest for maritime stations (approx.0.9), and lowest for dusty sites (more than approx.0.7). Retrieved spectral slopes closely match Sun photometer values for Biomass burning and continental aerosol types. Detailed comparisons suggest that adding to the algorithm climatology more absorbing spherical particles, more realistic dust analogs, and a richer selection of multimodal aerosol mixtures would reduce the remaining discrepancies for MISR retrievals over land; in addition, refining instrument low-light-level calibration could reduce or eliminate a small but systematic offset in maritime AOT values. On the basis of cases for which current particle models are representative, a second-generation MISR aerosol retrieval algorithm incorporating these improvements could provide AOT accuracy unprecedented for a spaceborne technique.
Pigment cell differentiation in the fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis. I. Structural, chemical, and physical aspects of the adult pigment pattern.

Wild-collected adults of Bombina orientalis are bright green dorsally and red to red-orange ventrally. As a prelude to an analysis of the differentiation of pigment cells in developing B. orientalis, we describe structural and chemical aspects of the fully differentiated pigment pattern of the “normal” adult. Structurally, differences between dorsal green and ventral red skin are summarized as follows: (1) Dorsal green skin contains a “typical” dermal chromatophore unit comprised of melanophores, iridophores, and xanthophores. Red skin contains predominantly carotenoid-containing xanthophores (erythrophores), and skin from black spot areas contains only melanophores. (2) In ventral red skin, there is also a thin layer of deep-lying iridophores that presumably are not involved in the observed color pattern. (3) Xanthophores of red and green skin are morphologically distinguishable from each other. Dorsal skin xanthophores contain both pterinosomes and carotenoid vesicles; ventral skin xanthophores contain only carotenoid vesicles. Carotenoid vesicles in dorsal xanthophores are much larger but less electron dense than comparable structures in ventral xanthophores. The presence of carotenes in ventral skin accounts for the bright red-orange color of the belly of this frog. Similar pigments are also present in green skin, but in smaller quantities and in conjunction with both colored (yellow) and colorless pteridines. From spectral data obtained for xanthophore pigments and structural data obtained from the size and arrangement of reflecting platelets in the iridophore layer, we attempt to explain the phenomenon of observed green color in B. orientalis.
High-flux Thin-film Nanofibrous Composite Ultrafiltration Membranes Containing Cellulose Barrier Layer

A novel class of thin-film nanofibrous composite (TFNC) membrane consisting of a cellulose barrier layer, a nanofibrous mid-layer scaffold, and a melt-blown non-woven substrate was successfully fabricated and tested as an ultrafiltration (UF) filter to separate an emulsified oil and water mixture, a model bilge water for on-board ship bilge water purification. Two ionic liquids: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, were chosen as the solvent to dissolve cellulose under mild conditions. The regenerated cellulose barrier layer exhibited less crystallinity (determined by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, WAXD) than the original cotton linter pulps, but good thermal stability (determined by thermal gravimetric analysis, TGA). The morphology, water permeation, and mechanical stability of the chosen TFNC membranes were thoroughly investigated. The results indicated that the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous scaffold was partially imbedded in the cellulose barrier layer, which enhanced the mechanical strength of the top barrier layer. The permeation flux of the cellulose-based TFNC membrane was significantly higher (e.g. 10×) than comparable commercial UF membranes (PAN10 and PAN400, Sepro) with similar rejection ratios for separation of oil/water emulsions. The molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of TFNC membranes with cellulose barrier layer was evaluated using dextran feed solutions. The rejection was found to be higher than 90% with a dextran molecular weight of 2000 KDa, implying that the nominal pore size of the membrane was less than ∼50 nm. High permeation flux was also observed in the filtration of an emulsified oil/water mixture as well as of a sodium alginate aqueous solution, while high rejection ratio (above 99.5%) was maintained after prolonged operation. A variation of the barrier layer thickness could dramatically affect the permeation flux and the rejection ratio of the TFNC membranes, while different sources of cellulose, ionic liquids, and non-woven supports did not. As ionic liquids can be recycled and reused without obvious decomposition, the chosen method also demonstrates a benign pathway to fabricate the cellulose barrier layer for other types of membranes.
A chloride transport model for identifying sequential bioreactive systems of chlorinated solvents

Chlorinated solvents, such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), are often biodegraded to produce daughter species under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. During the biodegradation, chloride is produced in groundwater as a byproduct. For this reason, chloride concentrations in contaminant plumes are elevated relative to background concentrations. Because of the neutral chemical behavior of chloride, it can be treated as an indicator to identify the sources of contaminants and to estimate biodegradation rates of chlorinated solvents. However, chloride is produced from multiple reactions in the PCE/TCE reaction chain. The partial differential equation of chloride transport, which is coupled with four reactants, can only be solved numerically. In this paper, we use singular value decomposition (SVD) to decouple the coupled partial differential equations into independent subsystems. Then, we derive the analytical solution of chloride transport and use it, in turn, as a handy tool to quantify biodegradation of chlorinated solvents.
Division-of-amplitude photopolarimeter based on conical diffraction from a metallic grating

A new photopolarimeter that employs polarization-dependent conical diffraction of light by a metallic grating for the simultaneous measurement of the four Stokes parameters of light is described.
Asking next-of-kin of recently deceased cancer patients to take part in research: 11 of 20 surveyed found it a positive experience.

Commentary on: Koffman J , Higginson IJ, Hall S, et al . Bereaved relatives’ views about participating in cancer research. Palliat Med 2012; 26 :379–83. In 2008, the Department of Health in England called for a better understanding of bereaved relatives’ views of end-of-life care. However, ethical concerns exist regarding whether the vulnerable population of bereaved relatives should be involved as research study participants. With little research evidence addressing this ethical debate, Koffman and colleagues explored the appropriateness and acceptability of an end-of-life-care …
Fault Detection and Just-in-Time Maintenance in Adjustable-Speed Drives

With growing electrification in transportation systems and widespread adoption of renewable energy systems, there is a growing need for the development of high-efficiency motor/generator drives that can perform well under a wide range of operating conditions with a high degree of robustness and fault tolerance. In this article, different components of the drive have been explored and some of the potential causes of failure have been identified. Furthermore, some configurations that can be used for increasing fault tolerance of the drive have been presented and some common approaches used for this purpose have been discussed. Keywords: adjustable-speed drives; fault detection
Copper-related blood indexes in kidney dialysis patients

Previous work has suggested that kidney hemodialysis patients could be at risk for either moderate copper deficiency or copper toxicity. The present study examined copper-related blood indexes in subjects undergoing hemodialysis treatments with membranes that are not copper-based, in subjects undergoing chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and in control subjects. Both dialysis groups had low plasma copper and ceruloplasmin activities. This occurred despite high plasma interleukin 6 concentrations, a situation that usually elevates plasma ceruloplasmin and copper values. CAPD and hemodialysis subjects had low ratios of ceruloplasmin activity to immunoreactive protein, and low ratios of plasma copper to ceruloplasmin protein. Both are signs of copper deficiency. In contrast, copper-containing erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were high in hemodialysis subjects and showed a nonsignificant trend toward high values in CAPD subjects. Blood mononuclear cell copper contents were highly variable within each group, and there were no significant differences between groups. In conclusion, ceruloplasmin-related indexes in kidney dialysis patients not dialyzed with copper-based membranes suggested a tendency toward moderate copper deficiency. However, this contention could not be confirmed by erythrocyte SOD activity or mononuclear cell copper measurements.
Toward an acentive social constructionism

Abstract The Discursive Mind by Rom Harre and Grant Gillett Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1994, 160 pages
Probabilistic Anomaly Detection in Dynamic Systems

This paper describes probabilistic methods for novelty detection when using pattern recognition methods for fault monitoring of dynamic systems. The problem of novelty detection is particularly acute when prior knowledge and training data only allow one to construct an incomplete classification model. Allowance must be made in model design so that the classifier will be robust to data generated by classes not included in the training phase. For diagnosis applications one practical approach is to construct both an input density model and a discriminative class model. Using Bayes' rule and prior estimates of the relative likelihood of data of known and unknown origin the resulting classification equations are straightforward. The paper describes the application of this method in the context of hidden Markov models for online fault monitoring of large ground antennas for spacecraft tracking, with particular application to the detection of transient behaviour of unknown origin.
Exposure to predation generates personality in threespined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus).

A perplexing new question that has emerged from the recent surge of interest in behavioural syndromes or animal personalities is – why do individual animals behave consistently when behavioural flexibility is advantageous? If individuals have a tendency to be generally aggressive, then a relatively aggressive individual might be overly aggressive towards offspring, mates or even predators. Despite these costs, studies in several taxa have shown that individuals that are more aggressive are also relatively bold. However, the behavioural correlation is not universal; even within a species, population comparisons have shown that boldness and aggressiveness are correlated in populations of sticklebacks that are under strong predation pressure, but not in low predation populations. Here, we provide the first demonstration that an environmental factor can induce a correlation between boldness and aggressiveness. Boldness under predation risk and aggressiveness towards a conspecific were measured before and after sticklebacks were exposed to predation by trout, which predated half the sticklebacks. Exposure to predation generated the boldness–aggressiveness behavioural correlation. The behavioural correlation was produced by both selection by predators and behavioural plasticity. These results support the hypothesis that certain correlations between behaviours might be adaptive in some environments.
Chondrosarcomas of the skull base and temporal bone.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical presentation and outcomes of treatment for patients with chondrosarcomas involving the skull base and temporal bone. Study design: Retrospective review. Setting: Tertiary medical centre. Patients: Cases of histologically confirmed chondrosarcoma involving the skull base and temporal bones. Intervention: Surgery. Main outcome measures: Demographic features of presenting patients; presenting symptoms and signs; surgical approach employed; use of post-operative radiation therapy; histological grade of tumour; and interval of post-operative follow up. Results: Twelve patients were identified with chondrosarcomas involving the skull base, with post-operative follow up ranging from three to 33 years. The average age at presentation was 42 years. The most common presenting symptoms were diplopia, decreased visual acuity and headaches. Five of the 12 patients required multiple surgical procedures. Conclusions: Patients with chondrosarcoma involving the skull base and temporal bone may present in a variety of ways. Surgical resection, even subtotal, in combination with radiation therapy, can often provide good tumour control over many years for these rare tumours.
Pseudochromis lugubris and P. tonozukai, two new dottyback fish species from the Indo-Australian Archipelago (Perciformes: Pseudochromidae: Pseudochrominae)

Pseudochromis lugubris is described from seven specimens, 38.4 65.9 mm SL, from southeastern New Guinea. It is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays III,26 27; anal-fin rays III,14; scales in lateral series 48 50; circumpeduncular scales 20; and caudal fin truncate to emarginate, sometimes weakly trifurcate. Pseudochromis tonozukai is described from two specimens, 62.6 65.9 mm SL, from Weh Island, northern Sumatra, Indonesia. It is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays III,25; anal-fin rays III,14 15; scales in lateral series 34 36; caudal fin rhomboid to trifurcate; and upper part of pectoral fin without small dark spot.
Substrate specificity, kinetic properties and inhibition by fumonisin B1 of ceramide synthase isoforms from Arabidopsis.

Ceramide makes up the acyl-backbone of sphingolipids and plays a central role in determining the function of these essential membrane lipids. In Arabidopsis, the varied chemical composition of ceramide is determined by the specificity of three different isoforms of ceramide synthase, denoted LAG one homologue 1, -2 and -3 (LOH1, LOH2 and LOH3), for a range of long-chain base (LCB) and acyl-CoA substrates. The contribution of each of these isoforms to the synthesis of ceramide was investigated by in vitro ceramide synthase assays. The plant LCB phytosphingosine was efficiently used by the LOH1 and LOH3 isoforms, with LOH1 having the lowest Km for the LCB substrate of the three isoforms. In contrast, sphinganine was used efficiently only by the LOH2 isoform. Acyl-CoA specificity was also distinguished between the three isoforms with LOH2 almost completely specific for palmitoyl-CoA whereas the LOH1 isoform showed greatest activity with lignoceroyl- and hexacosanoyl-CoAs. Interestingly, unsaturated acyl-CoAs were not used efficiently by any isoform whereas unsaturated LCB substrates were preferred by LOH2 and 3. Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a general inhibitor of ceramide synthases but LOH1 was found to have a much lower Ki than the other isoforms pointing towards the origin of FB1 sensitivity in plants. Overall, the data suggest distinct roles and modes of regulation for each of the ceramide synthases in Arabidopsis sphingolipid metabolism.
Cortisol and stimulus-induced arousal level differentially impact memory for items and backgrounds

Most studies examine the effects of stress on memory for visual information test memory for entire scenes. However, arousal levels may differentially influence memory for backgrounds as opposed to items. Participants encoded scenes that included a negative-high-arousal, negative-moderate-arousal, or neutral item on a neutral background. After a 30-minute (Experiment 1) or 48-hour delay (Experiment 2), participants underwent a stressor or control task while heart rate was recorded. A recognition memory task was then given with items and backgrounds presented separately. High-arousal images had a greater detriment in background memory than moderate-arousal images. Further, though there was evidence that change in cortisol level at retrieval was associated with impaired memory for items, it was not associated with detriments in background memory. Increased heart rate was associated with impaired memory for both items and backgrounds. This suggests that the level of sympathetic and cortisol reactivity differentially affects memory for items and backgrounds.
The association between soya consumption and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations in the Adventist Health Study-2

Objective Consumers may choose soya foods as healthful alternatives to animal products, but concern has arisen that eating large amounts of soya may adversely affect thyroid function. The present study aimed to examine the association between soya food consumption and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in North American churchgoers belonging to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination that encourages vegetarianism. Design Participants completed six repeated 24 h dietary recalls within a 6-month period. Soya protein and soya isoflavone intakes were estimated, and their relationships to TSH concentrations measured at the end of 6 months were calculated using logistic regression analyses. Setting Calibration sub-study of the Adventist Health Study-2. Subjects Women (n 548) and men (n 295) who were not taking thyroid medications. Results In men, age and urinary iodine concentrations were associated with high serum TSH concentrations (>5 mIU/l), while among women White ethnicity was associated with high TSH. In multivariate models adjusted for age, ethnicity and urinary iodine, soya isoflavone and protein intakes were not associated with high TSH in men. In women higher soya isoflavone consumption was associated with higher TSH, with an adjusted odds ratio (highest v. lowest quintile) of 4·17 (95 % CI 1·73, 10·06). Likewise, women with high consumption of soya protein (midpoint of highest quintile, 11 g/d) v. low consumption (midpoint of lowest quintile, 0 g/d) carried increased odds of high TSH (OR=2·69; 95 % CI 1·34, 5·30). Conclusions In women high consumption of soya was associated with elevated TSH concentrations. No associations between soya intake and TSH were found in men.