cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Specialized mismatch repair function of Glu339 in the Phe-X-Glu motif of yeast Msh6.

Abstract The major eukaryotic mismatch repair (MMR) pathway requires Msh2–Msh6, which, like Escherichia coli MutS, binds to and participates in repair of the two most common replication errors, single base–base and single base insertion–deletion mismatches. For both types of mismatches, the side chain of E. coli Glu38 in a conserved Phe-X-Glu motif interacts with a mismatched base. The Oɛ of Glu38 forms a hydrogen bond with either the N7 of purines or the N3 of pyrimidines. We show here that changing E. coli Glu38 to alanine results in nearly complete loss of repair of both single base–base and single base deletion mismatches. In contrast, a yeast strain with alanine replacing homologous Glu339 in Msh6 has nearly normal repair for insertion–deletion and most base–base mismatches, but is defective in repairing base–base mismatches characteristic of oxidative stress, e.g. 8-oxo-G·A mismatches. The results suggest that bacterial MutS and yeast Msh2–Msh6 differ in how they recognize and/or process replication errors involving undamaged bases, and that Glu339 in Msh6 may have a specialized role in repairing mismatches containing oxidized bases.
Antitumor agents. 233.1 Lantalucratins A-F, new cytotoxic naphthoquinones from Lantana involucrata

In a continuing study to isolate novel antitumor agents from rainforest plants, three new isopropenylfurano-beta-naphthoquinones, designated lantalucratins A (1), B (2), and C (3), and three new isoprenyl-alpha-naphthoquinones, designated lantalucratins D (4), E (5), and F (6), were isolated from Lantana involucrata. Their structures were determined on the basis of NMR and X-ray crystallographic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activities against various human tumor cell lines, including drug-resistant variants, with IC50 values of 1.0-4.9 microM.
Plains Tectonism on Venus: Inferences from Canali Longitudinal Profiles

Canali-type channels on Venus show inverted profile segments; that is, large portions of the channels trend uphill. The original gradients for these channels were not horizontal, but must have progressively trended downhill. Therefore, undulation patterns imposed on the profiles have to be the result of tectonism occurring since channel formation. This implies that some of the uppermost geological units of the plains, which are coincident with canali, experienced significant postemplacement tectonic deformation. The pattern of deformation is hierarchical. Within observational limits, at least two scales of deformation are indicated. The longer scale deformation (thousands of kilometers) corresponds to large-scale basins; the shorter scale deformation (hundreds of kilometers) corresponds to ridge belts or to small-scale domes/basins. The latter features, at scales up to a few hundred kilometers, extensively deform some plain areas. Although not appearing in the topographic profiles because of resolution limitations, deformation scales of tens of kilometers or less, which mostly reflect wrinkle ridges, also overlap the longer deformation scales. The channels probably formed relatively quickly in comparison to the time scale of deformation. Canali formation is closely related to the genesis of plains, and canali profile deformation reflects tectonic processes operating at multiple scales. The lower limit rates of large-scale tectonic warping are comparable to epeirogenetic deformation rates for Earth's intraplate continental interiors.
cAMP activation of CF-affected Cl- conductance in both cell membranes of an absorptive epithelium.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by abnormal epithelial Cl− conductance (GCl). In vitro studies that have shown that cAMP regulation is an intrinsic property of the CF-affected GCl(CF-GCl) have been carried out previously on cultured secretory cells and on nonepithelial cells. Even though GCl in absorption is defective in CF, a clear demonstration of cAMP regulation of CF-GCl in a purely absorptive tissue is lacking. We studied the cAMP regulation of CF-GCl in the microperfused intact human reabsorptive sweat duct. About 40% of the ducts responded to cAMP (responsive) while the remainder of the ducts did not. In responsive ducts, cAMP-elevating agents: β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (IPR), CPT-cAMP, forskolin, theophylline or IBMX increased G tby about 2.3-fold (n = no. of ducts = 8). Removal of media Cl−, but not amiloride pretreatment (in the lumen), abolished the cAMP response, indicating exclusive activation of GCl. cAMP activated both apical and basolateral GCl. cAMP hyperpolarized gluconate: Cl− (lumen: bath) transepithelial bionic potentials (ΔV t=−20.3±5.2 mV, mean ±se, n=9) and transepithelial 3 ∶ 1 luminal NaCl dilution diffusion potentials (ΔV t=−8.8±2.9 mV, n=5). cAMP activated basolateral GCl as indicated by increased bi-ionic (gluconate: Cl−, bath: lumen) diffusion potentials (by about 12 mV). The voltage divider ratio in symmetric NaCl solutions increased by 60%. Compared to responsive ducts, nonresponsive ducts were characterized by smaller spontaneous transepithelial potentials in symmetrical Ringer's solution (V t=−6.9±0.8 mV, n=24, nonresponsive vs. −19.4±1.8 mV, n=22, responsive ducts) but larger bi-ionic potentials (−94±6 mV, n=35, nonresponsive vs. −65±5 mV, n=17, responsive ducts) and dilution diffusion potentials (−40±5 mV, n=11, nonresponsive vs. −29±3 mV, n=7, responsive ducts). These results are consistent with an inherently (prestimulus) maximal activation of GCl in nonresponsive ducts and submaximal activation of GCl in responsive ducts. We conclude that cAMP activates CF-G Cl which is expressed and abnormal in both apical and basal membranes of this absorptive epithelium in CF.
Perspective on hormone therapy 10 years after the WHI

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) hormone trials are among the most influential and debated research studies in women's health in recent medical history. This year (2013) marked the 10th anniversary of the publication of the WHI results and this past decade has been nothing less than revolutionary. We have witnessed a transformative evolution in our understanding of, and in the practice of, menopause management and herein summarize the strides the field has traversed over the past 10 years.
Immunoreactivity for prostate‐specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase in adenocarcinoma of the prostate: Relation to progression following radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND. Although, in general, immunoperoxidase staining for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PSAP) cannot distinguish between benign and malignant prostatic epithelium, immunoreactivity of these antigens may be helpful in predicting prognosis of prostate cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intensity and extent of immunoperoxidase staining for PSA and PSAP as a prognostic tool in prostate adenocarcinomas. METHODS. We studied radical prostatectomy specimens from 68 patients with the following stages: organ-confined, 34.3%; focal capsular penetration, 38.8%; established capsular penetration, 25.3%; and seminal vesicle invasion, 1.6%. Ninety-one percent of cases were Gleason score 5-7. The mean follow-up for those men without progression was 8.9 years, compared to 3.5 years for those with progression. Progression was defined as an elevated postoperative serum PSA level (>0.2 ng/ml). Intensity of PSA and PSAP staining was recorded and based on a scale of 0-3 (0, no staining; 1, weak; 2, moderate; 3, intense). Extent was quantitated on a scale of 0-4 (0, 0-5% staining; 1, 6-35%; 2, 36-65%; 3, 65-95%; 4, 95-100%). A score (0-12) was computed by multiplying intensity and extent of the stain in the tumor area. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Intensity and extent of PSA and PSAP immunoreactivity did not predict progression in adenocarcinomas of the prostate following radical prostatectomy.
SECRETORY IgA AGAINST ENTEROTOXINS IN BREAST-MILK

Abstract A pool of colostrum from Guatemalan mothers (Guatemalan colostrum) obtained 2-4 days post partum inhibited the induced fluid accumulation in rabbit ileal loops when incubated with Vibrio cholerœ or Escherichia coli enterotoxin. There was a linear relationship between the quantity of colostrum used and the protection achieved. Pools of Guatemalan breast-milk obtained 15-30 days post partum and North American breast-milk had the same effect when tested with E. coli and V. cholerœ enterotoxins, respectively. The antitoxic activity of a given pool correlated with its IgA content but not with the concentration of IgG or IgM. Guatemalan colostrum globulins were precipitated by ammonium sulphate. The globulins were filtered through a 'Biogel A5' column and fractions obtained. When tested in rabbit ileal loops the antienterotoxin activity in these fractions closely paralleled their IgA but not their detectable IgG or IgM content. We hypothesise that IgA antibody to enterotoxin, present in breast-milk of normal mothers, is probably a manifestation of natural immunity. The passive transfer of these antibodies to the infant may explain why breast-milk prevents E. coli diarrhœa in the neonate.
New insights into erectile dysfunction: a practical approach

Abstract Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common sexual problem in men, after premature ejaculation, affecting up to 30 million in the United States. In a society in which sexuality is widely promoted, ED impacts on feelings of self-worth and self-confidence and may impair the quality of life of affected men and their partners. Damage to personal relationships can ensue; and the anger, depression, and anxiety engendered spill over into all aspects of life. Patients are often embarrassed or reluctant to discuss the matter with their primary care practitioners. Unfortunately, many physicians fail to take the opportunity to promote open discussion of sexual dysfunction. They too, may avoid the topic through personal embarrassment. Since the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference on Impotence in 1992, the inadequate level of public and professional understanding of ED has begun to be addressed. As a first step in breaking down the communication barriers between patients and practitioners, it is important that physicians have a thorough understanding of the wide variety of conditions associated with ED and how the different risk factors for ED may be readily identified. This review addresses the diagnosis of ED and identifies diagnostic tests that can be used by primary care physicians to determine the patients most at risk and the treatments most suited to meet the patients' and their partners' goal for therapy.
The diel cycle in the integrated particle load in the equatorial Pacific: A comparison with primary production

As part of the U.S. JGOFS EqPac process study beam c profiles were obtained during two time-series occupations of the equator at 14o"W ('IT008 and lTO12). CTD/transmissometer profiles were routinely performed three times a day, roughly at dawn, noon, and just prior to sunset. Additionally, 'die1 experiment' days of intensive profiling (every 3 h) were conducted twice during lTUO8 and three times during TTO12. The beam attenuation profiles clearly show a die1 cycle, with morning lows and evening highs. Transforming the beam c data into suspended particle concentration, and then integrating the particle load to the 1% and 0.1% light depths for each day yields the die1 change in the particle load. Apart from changes in scattering and effective cross section, the die1 change in the integrated particle load (IPL) represents the cycling of mass into and out of the small particle pool. The daytime increase in the integrated particle load (AIPL, defined as the IPL from the evening profile minus the IPL from the morning profile) was converted to carbon units by assuming a 0.4 particulate organic carbon (POC) to particulate matter concentration (PMC) ratio. Our estimate of the net daily POC increase to the 1% light level averaged over the TlBO8 cruise was 26 mmol C m -' day-' (n = 7, SD = 7) and 41 mmol m -' day-' (n = 15, SD = 13) for TTo12. The integration of the 0.1% light level was 29 mmol mm2 day-i during 'lTOO8, and 41 mmol mm2 day-' for lTO12. As the optical method in situ includes the effects of growth, respiration, mixing, settling, grazing and aggregation, our data are not directly comparable to 14C uptake-based primary production measurements. Rather, the difference between the optical estimates of the change in the particle pool and primary production estimates can be ascribed to removal processes in sifu, primarily grazing and aggregation.
An Exploration of How Asian Americans Respond on the Personality Assessment Inventory

This preliminary study investigated the role of Asian American (AA) ethnicity on Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991) scores. Nonclinical college-aged AAs and a comparison group of European American (EA) students were recruited for the present study. The authors hypothesized that AA examinees’ scores on the PAI would reflect traditional Asian values, such as modesty, abasement, “saving face,” keeping private matters within the family, somatization, anxiety, formal interpersonal styles, and impulse-control. The results suggest nonclinical AAs respond differently on the PAI when compared with nonclinical EAs (i.e., significantly higher on the Paranoia, Anxiety, Anxiety-Related Disorders clinical scales). They also scored significantly different from EAs on validity and interpersonal scales (i.e., higher NIM and lower WRM scales, respectively). Whereas the AA sample size was too small to examine the effects of acculturation on PAI responding, descriptives on acculturation and enculturation levels were generated. This study provided a number of interesting findings and offers various hypotheses about AA personality. Future follow-up studies using larger sample sizes are needed to elucidate these preliminary results.
TFAS (a tophat for all species): design and computer optimization of a new electrostatic analyzer

TFAS (tophat for all species) is discussed. It is a 360 degrees field-of-view electrostatic analyzer that can process particles of either charge simultaneously. The TFAS analyzer resembles two tophat analyzers placed hat to hat, but with the tophat plates removed and the tophat region shared in common by both analyzers. In the tophat region, deflection is by parallel plates, one with potential +V and the other with potential -V. A collimator allows particles to enter this parallel plate region and the particles are then deflected into the spherical deflection region of the analyzer. The TFAS has characteristics comparable to the spherical tophat analyzer. A mathematical analysis is presented showing the optimal dimensions selection for the TFAS analyzer, given a particular tophat angle. Raytracing simulations have been performed. Design curves showing various analyzer characteristics as a function of tophat angle are presented. The design curves are compared to similar curves already in the literature for the spherical tophat analyzer. Differences between the TFAS analyzer and the spherical tophat analyzer are summarized. >
A neural network approach to category validation of Android applications

Permission structure of Android applications introduces security vulnerabilities which can be readily exploited by third-party applications. We address certain exploitability aspects by means of neural networks, effective classification techniques capable of verifying the application categories. We devise a novel methodology to verify an application category by machine-learning the application permissions and estimating likelihoods of the extant categories. The performance of our classifier is optimized through the joint minimization of false positive and negative rates. Applying our modus operandi to 1,700 popular third-party Android applications and malwares, a major portion of the category declarations were judged truthfully. This manifests effectiveness of neural network decision engines in validating Android application categories.
Using Negative Binomial Regression Analysis to Predict Software Faults: A Study of Apache Ant

Negative binomial regression has been proposed as an approach to predicting fault-prone software modules. However, little work has been reported to study the strength, weakness, and applicability of this method. In this paper, we present a deep study to investigate the effectiveness of using negative binomial regression to predict fault-prone software modules under two different conditions, self- assessment and forward assessment. The performance of negative binomial regression model is also compared with another popular fault prediction model—binary logistic regression method. The study is performed on six versions of an open-source objected-oriented project, Apache Ant. The study shows (1) the performance of forward assessment is better than or at least as same as the performance of self-assessment; (2) in predicting fault-prone modules, negative binomial regression model could not outperform binary logistic regression model; and (3) negative binomial regression is effective in predicting multiple errors in one module.
A real‐time multichannel room simulator

A room simulator has been developed as part of a project involving virtual acoustic environments. The system is similar to auditorium simulators for home use. The simulated reverberant field is rendered using four to six loudspeakers evenly spaced around the perimeter of a listening area. Listeners are not constrained to any particular orientation, although best results are obtained near the center of the space. The simulation is driven from a simple description of the desired room and the location of the sound source. The system accepts monophonic input sound and renders the simulated reverberant field in real time. Early echo generation is based on the source image model, which determines a finite impulse response filter per output channel. Diffuse reverberant field generation is accomplished using infinite impulse response reverberators based on nested and cascaded allpass filters. The system is implemented using Motorola 56001 digital signal processors, one per output channel. The talk will discuss implementation, design tradeoffs, and results.
Comparison of bend loss in terahertz waveguide and optical fiber

This work draws an analogy between optical fibers and Sommerfeld wires because of their similar geometries. The weak guidance approximation for single-mode fibers is also shown to apply to Sommerfeld wires. Results pertaining to bending loss in optical fiber are adapted and applied to Sommerfeld wires, predicting a method by which bending loss in Sommerfeld wires could be reduced.
College Students' Attitudes Toward Mental Illness: An Examination of the Stigma Process1

Undergraduate students (96 female, 72 male) read 3 scenarios depicting either male or female characters with symptoms of depression, alcohol abuse, and common stress. Participants then completed measures assessing their attitudes about the character in the scenarios, as well as their level of social dominance orientation, empathy, adherence to traditional gender roles, and familiarity with mental illness. As predicted, participants who labeled the target mentally ill were more likely to view the target as dangerous. This, in turn, led to an increased desire for social distance. In contrast, empathy, although associated with increased likelihood of labeling, was associated with decreased desire for social distance. Implications of the results for reducing the social stigma of mental illness are discussed.
Survival Benefit of Primary Deceased Donor Transplantation With High-KDPI Kidneys

The Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) has been introduced as an aid to evaluating deceased donor kidney offers, but the relative benefit of high-KDPI kidney transplantation (KT) versus the clinical alternative (remaining on the waitlist until receipt of a lower KDPI kidney) remains unknown. Using time-dependent Cox regression, we evaluated the mortality risk associated with high-KDPI KT (KDPI 71-80, 81-90 or 91-100) versus a conservative, lower KDPI approach (remain on waitlist until receipt of KT with KDPI 0-70, 0-80 or 0-90) in first-time adult registrants, adjusting for candidate characteristics. High-KDPI KT was associated with increased short-term but decreased long-term mortality risk. Recipients of KDPI 71-80 KT, KDPI 81-90 KT and KDPI 91-100 KT reached a "break-even point" of cumulative survival at 7.7, 18.0 and 19.8 months post-KT, respectively, and had a survival benefit thereafter. Cumulative survival at 5 years was better in all three high-KDPI groups than the conservative approach (p 50 years and patients at centers with median wait time ≥33 months. Recipients of high-KDPI KT can enjoy better long-term survival; a high-KDPI score does not automatically constitute a reason to reject a deceased donor kidney.
Movement, Toxicity, and Persistence of Imidacloprid in Seedling Tabasco Pepper Infested with Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Application of imidacloprid to the soil in which Tabasco pepper, Capsicum frutescens L., seedlings were growing was highly effective against the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In just 48 h after the soil drench, aphid numbers on treated plants declined from 292.1 to 33.0 per plant, a reduction of 89%. By 72 and 96 h after the application, the reductions were 97 and 100%, respectively. Reductions in green peach aphid numbers also indicated that imidacloprid readily moved throughout the Tabasco pepper plant. Although, initial green peach aphid reductions at 24 and 48 h after imidacloprid application to soil, were greater on the lower leaves than on the upper leaves, by 72 h toxicity was high throughout the plant. At 48 h, overall green peach aphid reduction on seedlings grown in wet soil was significantly higher than that on plants growing in the drier soil. Regardless of soil moisture or leaf location, no live green peach aphids were detected on treated seedlings after 96 h. After the initial uptake period, toxicity to green peach aphid remained high for 5 wk. Under Tabasco pepper production conditions in Central America, the greatest need for aphid management is just after transplanting. Imidacloprid soil drenches before transplanting should offer the Tabasco pepper producer an extended period of aphid-free production.
The synthesis of the carbonyl‐14C analog of zatosetron maleate, a potent, long‐acting, orally effective 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist

Endo-5-chloro-2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-N-(8-methyl-8 -azabicyclo-[3.2.1.]-oct-3-yl-7-benzofurancarboxamide-[carbonyl-14C] (Z)-2-butenedioate (zatosetron-[14C] maleate, 1), has been prepared from 5-chloro-7-bromo-2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran (5) in four radiochemical steps with the reaction of 5 with K14CN/CuCN as the key step. The synthesis of 5 from 2-bromo-4-chlorophenol is also outlined.
How to die in America

take a plane to Santa Fe or Seattle makes no difference keep going till the money runs out then use the credit card you can only fly to a big city the small towns aren't on the schedule soon they'll all be suburbs of Chicago As this country hardens into concrete, Los Angeles, New York, and New Orleans grow together at the center. Center of what? This state, without a nation. Without memory Only capital went west until there was no place else to go. Neither horizontal nor vertical destination nowhere
On Khovanov's cobordism theory for SU3 knot homology

We reconsider the link homology theory defined by Knovanov in [9] and generalized by Mackaay and Vaz in [15]. With some slight modifications, we describe the theory as a map from the planar algebra of tangles to a planar algebra of complexes of "cobordisms with seams" (actually, a "canopolis"), making it local in the sense of Bar-Natan's local theory of [2]. We show that this "seamed cobordism canopolis" decategorifies to give precisely what you had both hope for and expect: Kuperberg's spider defined in [14]. We conjecture an answer to an even more interesting question about the decategorification of the Karoubi envelope of our cobordism theory. Finally, we describe how the theory is actually completely computable, and give a detailed calculation of the homology of the (2,n) torus knots.
A randomized, controlled comparison of cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed on the floor and on a moving ambulance stretcher.

Background. Recent studies have demonstrated that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of poor quality is associated with worsened outcomes. Objective. To compare the quality of CPR delivered on the floor with the quality of CPR delivered on a moving stretcher. The authors hypothesized that CPR performed on the floor would be superior to that performed on a moving stretcher. Methods. A randomized, crossover experimental design was used. Subjects included emergency medical technician students, paramedic students, andemergency medicine residents. Two-member teams were randomly assigned to perform two-rescuer CPR on a manikin either on the floor or on a moving stretcher. After a 5-minute rest, the teams performed CPR under the opposite condition. Compression andventilation data were collected using a recording resuscitation manikin. Dependent variables were compression depth, compression rate per minute, percentage of correct chest compressions, tidal volume, andpercentage of correct ventilations. Data were c...
Placental laterality may be a random event and not the result of inherent uterine artery pathology

Objective: To determine whether placental laterality and discordant uterine artery impedance during pregnancy is a random event or the result of uterine artery pathology.Methods: We identified 50 patients with unilateral placenta and pathologic uterine artery impedance during their current pregnancy and enrolled them in the study. Thirty-three of these patients met the inclusion criteria and returned during the first 10 days of their third normal menstrual cycle after delivery. We examined the pelvic anatomy to rule out any pelvic pathology and then used color and pulsed wave duplex Doppler to identify the uterine artery in the immediate vicinity of the paracervical area at the level of the isthmus. We obtained the uterine artery resistance index (RI) from each uterine artery. We performed statistical analysis by means of t-test.Results: The uterine artery ipsilateral to the placenta exhibited significantly lower impedance than the contralateral in the pregnant state. When the placenta was right, the valu...
Serum lipoprotein levels in takotsubo cardiomyopathy vs. myocardial infarction.

Background: In the setting of myocardial infarction (MI) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS), current guidelines recommend early and aggressive lipid lowering therapy with statins, irrespective of the baseline lipoprotein levels. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) patients have a clinical presentation similar to myocardial infarction and thus receive early and aggressive statin therapy during their initial hospitalization. However, the pathology of TCM is not atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and hence we assumed the lipid profiles in TCM would be healthier than coronary artery disease patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, we assessed fasting serum lipoprotein levels of ten TCM patients and compared them with forty, age and sex-matched myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Results: Comparing serum lipoprotein levels of TCM with MI group, there was no significant difference in mean total cholesterol between the two groups (174.5 mg/dL vs. 197.6 mg/dL, p = 0.12). However, in the TCM group, mean HDL-C was significantly higher (66.87 mg/dL vs. 36.5 mg/dL, p = 0.008), the mean LDL-C was significantly lower (89.7 mg/dL vs. 128.9 mg/dL, p = 0.0002), and mean triglycerides was also significantly lower (65.2 mg/dL vs. 166.8 mg/dL, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: In this study, TCM patients in comparison to MI patients had significantly higher levels of HDL-C, lower levels of LDL-C levels and triglycerides. The lipid profiles in TCM were consistent with the underlying pathology of non-atherosclerotic, non-obstructive coronary artery disease. As lipoproteins in most TCM patients were within the optimal range, we recommend an individual assessment of lipid profiles along with their coronary heart disease risk factors for considering long term lipid-lowering therapy. A finding of hyperalphalipoproteinemia or hypotriglyceridemia in 40% of TCM patients is novel but this association needs to be confirmed in future studies with larger sample sizes. These findings may provide clues in understanding the pathogenesis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Enhanced Thermostability of Arabidopsis Rubisco Activase Improves Photosynthesis and Growth Rates under Moderate Heat Stress

Plant photosynthesis declines when the temperature exceeds its optimum range. Recent evidence indicates that the reduction in photosynthesis is linked to ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) deactivation due to the inhibition of Rubisco activase (RCA) under moderately elevated temperatures. To test the hypothesis that thermostable RCA can improve photosynthesis under elevated temperatures, we used gene shuffling technology to generate several Arabidopsis thaliana RCA1 (short isoform) variants exhibiting improved thermostability. Wild-type RCA1 and selected thermostable RCA1 variants were introduced into an Arabidopsis RCA deletion (Δrca) line. In a long-term growth test at either constant 26°C or daily 4-h 30°C exposure, the transgenic lines with the thermostable RCA1 variants exhibited higher photosynthetic rates, improved development patterns, higher biomass, and increased seed yields compared with the lines expressing wild-type RCA1 and a slight improvement compared with untransformed Arabidopsis plants. These results provide clear evidence that RCA is a major limiting factor in plant photosynthesis under moderately elevated temperatures and a potential target for genetic manipulation to improve crop plants productivity under heat stress conditions.
Women at the Podium: ACNP Strives to Reach Speaker Gender Equality at the Annual Meeting

In the 2015 annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), 70% of plenary speakers and nearly 40% of speakers for the competitively chosen Panels and Study Groups will be women. At the same time, attendees’ ratings of the scientific quality of the meeting has increased and ACNP remains a vibrant meeting where invitations to attend are highly sought after. Here we describe the steps that were taken to increase speaker gender equality at the meeting and provide suggestions for further improving participation in the future.
Characteristics of commuting and non-commuting rural-dwelling nurses in eastern Washington

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore characteristics of rural-dwelling nurses who may or may not commute for work to an urban area. Rural communities often face a lack of healthcare provider access, including lack of access to registered nurses. With 40% of hospitals and other healthcare facilities located in rural areas, there is a critical need to obtain information about rural nurse workforce issues. Limited research has been conducted on RNs who commute to work in urban areas. To extend this research and provide more information about rural commuting nurses, a pilot study was completed in three rural counties in Washington State. Methods: A convenience sample of 72 rural-dwelling nurses was recruited through email and mail invitation. Survey data were collected using Qualtrics software. Descriptive statistics were used to determine general characteristics. Chi-square analysis was used to compare respondents who commute to those who do not. Results: Differences noted between the commuting and non-commuting nurses included non-commuters being more likely to be dissatisfied overall with their primary facility, current base salary, and salary range for their position than commuters. There were no nurses in advanced practice in the non-commuting group. Conclusions: This pilot study supports the need for further research with larger samples and in more rural counties of eastern Washington to better assess needs and characteristics of both commuting and non-commuting nurses. This information can assist rural healthcare employers to develop and implement the most effective strategies to keep the rural nurse workforce in the community.
Special quasiordered structures: Role of short-range order in the semiconductor alloy ( GaN ) 1 − x ( ZnO ) x

This paper studies short-range order (SRO) in the semiconductor alloy ${(\mathrm{GaN})}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{(\mathrm{ZnO})}_{x}$. Monte Carlo simulations performed on a density functional theory (DFT)-based cluster expansion model show that the heterovalent alloys exhibit strong SRO because of the energetic preference for the valence-matched nearest-neighbor Ga-N and Zn-O pairs. To represent the SRO-related structural correlations, we introduce the concept of special quasiordered structure (SQoS). Subsequent DFT calculations reveal the dramatic influence of SRO on the atomic, electronic, and vibrational properties of the ${(\mathrm{GaN})}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{(\mathrm{ZnO})}_{x}$ alloy. Due to the enhanced statistical presence of the energetically unfavored Zn-N bonds with the strong $\mathrm{Zn}3d\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{N}2p$ repulsion, the disordered alloys exhibit much larger lattice bowing and band-gap reduction than those of the short-range ordered alloys. Lattice vibrational entropy tilts the alloy toward less SRO.
Abstract 253: Vibrational Photoacoustic Imaging of Lipid in Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Atherosclerosis

Vibrational Photoacoustic Tomography (VPAT) is a novel imaging modality that uses pulsed laser light to generate an acoustic signal, making it ideal to obtain structural and compositional information. These characteristics allow detection of lipid distribution in diseased aortae by overlaying ultrasound (40 MHz transducer) and VPAT lipid signal (Fig. 1A). We used VPAT to test the hypothesis that arterial remodeling of suprarenal AAAs cause less lipid accumulation in the false lumen compared to other regions prone to atherosclerosis. To induce AAAs, osmotic minipumps were subcutaneously implanted in the backs of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (n=4; 25±4.7 weeks old) to deliver 1000 ng/kg/min angiotensin II for 28 days. Aortae were imaged in situ, 21 days after AAA diagnosis, using VPAT at 1100 nm for blood (Fig. 1B) and 1210 nm for lipid (Fig. 1C) in a long-axis view. We quantified lipid and blood signal in the false lumen and the aortic wall proximal and distal to the AAAs. We observed a two-fold increase in lipid signal distal to the AAA (p 0.05), likely due to atherosclerosis in these regions (AAA: 34.1±8.4 AU; distal: 68.5±19.4 AU; proximal: 56.7±9.7 AU). Blood signal was relatively constant along the vessel (AAA: 43.5±17.4 AU; distal: 40.2±28.2 AU; proximal: 27.8±17 AU). The aortae of these animals are prone to atherosclerosis, consistent with VPAT images and previous histological data. Interestingly, our findings show that while blood signal did not vary with location, lipid signal was reduced in the false lumen of these dissecting AAAs compared to other regions. These results suggest that VPAT may be useful to quantify atherosclerosis development, a disease becoming more prevalent with the current increase in obesity and diabetes.
Beliefs about bilingualism, bilingual education, and dual language development of early childhood preservice teachers raised in a Prop 227 environment

ABSTRACTDespite the well-documented benefits of bilingualism, current educational practices in the United States reflect the deeply held belief that because the United States is an English speaking country, English should be the language of instruction. This belief was codified into law in California via the1998 passage of Proposition 227, which banned bilingual education. The number of young dual language learners has continued to grow, however, and the need to work with these children is a reality that preservice teachers will face despite restrictive language policy mandates. Given the well-established relationship between teacher beliefs and practices, the purpose of this exploratory study was to use survey techniques to explore the beliefs about bilingualism, bilingual education, and dual language development of university students who attended public school in a Proposition 227 context. Findings indicate that despite favorable views on bilingualism and bilingual education and knowledge of dual langu...
A SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME INDUCED IN POULTS AND CHICKS FED DIETS CONTAINING FUSARIUM FUJIKUROI WITH KNOWN CONCENTRATIONS OF MONILIFORMIN

A sudden death syndrome was induced in chicks and poults fed diets containing Fusarium fujikuroi, formulated to contain 0-330 mg/kg moniliformin (M) with or without the maximum recommended therapeutic concentration of monensin. Lesions of monensin toxicosis were not observed. Clinical signs were referable to cardiac dysfunction (sudden death, dyspnea, cyanosis, depression). Poults and chicks dying early in the study had no gross lesions or had lesions of right ventricular dilation. Treated poults and chicks dying late in the study or euthanatized at termination of the study had lesions of bilateral myocardial hypertrophy, usually concentric. Absolute heart weights and relative heart weights, expressed as a percentage of body weight, were significantly greater in treated birds than controls (P 0.05) than those in controls (controls, 0.28 +/- 0.08 mmol/liter; exposed 0.38 +/- 0.11-0.55 +/- 0.13 mmol/liter). Poults ingesting 80-330 mg/kg M had significantly greater serum pyruvate concentrations than controls (controls 0.33 +/- 0.09 mmol/liter; exposed 0.43 +/- 0.13-1.00 +/- 0.006 mmol/liter). The Vetronics System was used to evaluate electrocardiographic alterations in a limited number of chicks and poults surviving to the end of the feeding trial. Electrocardiographic alterations in poults and chicks fed diets containing > or = 40 mg/kg and > or = 160 mg/kg M, respectively, were consistent with ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial injury, and hypoxia. Electrocardiographic alterations were more striking in poults than in chicks. Altered myocardial metabolism due to M toxicosis, in conjunction with the unusual susceptibility of domestic poultry to altered cardiac metabolism, is believed to be the cause of the organ-specific lesions in these birds. These findings suggest that cardiac injury with subsequent alterations in cardiac electrical conductance may be a cause of the sudden deaths observed in poultry chronically intoxicated with dietary M.
Frederick Winslow Taylor Revisited

Examines the work of Frederick Winslow Taylor in management science. Career background of Taylor; Insight into Taylor's works; His concern for financial rewards.
O22.3 Texting Improves Notification of Sexually Transmitted Infection Results After Emergency Department Visits

Background Failure to communicate sexually transmitted infection (STI) results to emergency department (ED) patients is a barrier to appropriate STI treatment. We aimed to improve the proportion of female adolescent ED patients who are notified of positive STI tests (gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, or trichomoniasis) using mobile phone calls and texting. Methods A randomised intervention among 14–21 year-old females using a 2X3 factorial design with replication to improve patient notification, defined as the proportion of STI-positive females notified within 7 days of STI testing. We evaluated six combinations of two factors: (1) method of notification (call, text message, or call + text message) and (2) provision of an STI information card with or without an ED phone number to obtain test results. Covariates for logistic regression included age, empiric STI treatment, days until first contact and documentation of a confidential/mobile phone number. Results Of 386 patients, 51% were 18–21 years, 35% were 16–17 years and 14% were 14–15 years old. Successful notification was significantly greater for call + text message vs. call only (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4 – 6.7). There was no significant interaction between card and method of notification. Texting only or type of STI information card was not significantly associated with patient notification. Documenting a confidential phone number was independently associated with successful notification (OR 3.3, 95% CI: 1.6–6.9). In total, 94% of those with a documented confidential phone number who received call + text message were notified of their positive STI results within 7 days of their ED visit. Conclusions A combination of call + text messaging improved our ability to successfully notify adolescent women of their positive STI results after an ED visit. Documentation of a confidential phone number is also an important strategy to notify adolescent women of their STI results.
Learning small-size DNN with output-distribution-based criteria.

Deep neural network (DNN) obtains significant accuracy improvements on many speech recognition tasks and its power comes from the deep and wide network structure with a very large number of parameters. It becomes challenging when we deploy DNN on devices which have limited computational and storage resources. The common practice is to train a DNN with a small number of hidden nodes and a small senone set using the standard training process, leading to significant accuracy loss. In this study, we propose to better address these issues by utilizing the DNN output distribution. To learn a DNN with small number of hidden nodes, we minimize the Kullback–Leibler divergence between the output distributions of the small-size DNN and a standard large-size DNN by utilizing a large number of un-transcribed data. For better senone set generation, we cluster the senones in the large set into a small one by directly relating the clustering process to DNN parameters, as opposed to decoupling the senone generation and DNN training process in the standard training. Evaluated on a short message dictation task, the proposed two methods get 5.08% and 1.33% relative word error rate reduction from the standard training method, respectively.
Chased by the Double Bind: Intersectionality and the Disciplining of Lolo Jones

ABSTRACTJere Longman’s controversial 2012 New York Times article criticizing track star and U.S. Olympian Lolo Jones, which reached more than 30 million readers, contributes to the hegemonic ideologies that deride female athletes through double binds. Yet due to Jones’s gender, race, class, and sexuality, traditional double binds do not offer an adequate framework. Employing an intersectional approach that counters a tendency to highlight the experiences of privileged White women, I articulate the binds of feminine/athlete, poor/hustler, and virginal/exotic to complicate feminist communication scholars’ notion of the double bind and address interlocking, inseparable oppressions. Highlighting the significance of nuanced double binds that bridge feminist criticism and critical sport study, I consider the potential for feminist analysis to respond to the bias and backlash experienced by celebrity sportswomen.
A new non-coastal record for the Pine Woods Littersnake, Rhadinaea flavilata Cope, 1871 (Squamata: Colubridae), in Russell County, Alabama, USA

We found a single specimen of Rhadinaea flavilata in Russell County, Alabama, in an area composed of primarily pine plantation habitat. This record is 200 km north of the currently recognized range of this species in Alabama and may represent an undiscovered population separated from the typical coastal plain range of this species.
Shell form in the biconvex articulate Brachiopoda; a geometric analysis

Using a geometric model of shell morphology, it is demonstrated that biconvex brachiopods occupy only a small region of the potential geometric space available to organisms with planispiral exoskeletons composed of two articulated valves. Measurements taken for a sample of 324 genera of the articulate orders Pentamerida, Rhynchonellida, Spiriferida, and Terebratulida were analyzed using a simple geometric model of shell form and ontogeny. The frequency distribution of brachiopod shell morphologies exhibited by the four orders represents the biological optimization of the spatial relationships between area and volume. Biconvex brachiopods develop shells which are designed to minimize shell surface area while maximizing internal shell volume. The means by which optimization is achieved is related directly to the effects of increase in absolute size during ontogeny. The boundaries upon shell geometries utilizable by biconvex brachiopods are determined by (1) limitations of articulation, and (2) limitations of surface and volume.
Status and design of two-phase liquid-Xenon compton-imaging detector

PIXeY (Particle Identification in Xenon at Yale) is an R&D detector that uses xenon in gas-phase, liquid-phase, or two-phase mode. It features drift and proportional electric field regions set with 92%-transparent wire grids, highly reflective Teflon walls, and 14 high-quantum-efficiency PMTs (Hamamatsu R8778) to record both initial scintillation light (S1) and proportional scintillation light (S2) from the drifting of charge in the proportional region. It promises energy resolution and gamma/neutron discrimination that are competitive with previous systems. Recently, PIXeY has run stably for 12 weeks and the first data have been collected. Initial results are presented, along with planned design modifications that will transform PIXeY into a Compton imager. Crossed wires with 3-mm spacing will be used to record interaction locations. A preamp to read out each wire is also being designed to fulfill space and noise constraints. Finally, in order to precisely know the energy from each gamma-ray interaction, the scintillation light from each interaction must be distinguished from that due to others. Simulation is used to determine the optimal optical segmentation of the active volume using thin Teflon walls.
Modeling molecular mechanisms in the axon

Axons are living systems that display highly dynamic changes in stiffness, viscosity, and internal stress. However, the mechanistic origin of these phenomenological properties remains elusive. Here we establish a computational mechanics model that interprets cellular-level characteristics as emergent properties from molecular-level events. We create an axon model of discrete microtubules, which are connected to neighboring microtubules via discrete crosslinking mechanisms that obey a set of simple rules. We explore two types of mechanisms: passive and active crosslinking. Our passive and active simulations suggest that the stiffness and viscosity of the axon increase linearly with the crosslink density, and that both are highly sensitive to the crosslink detachment and reattachment times. Our model explains how active crosslinking with dynein motors generates internal stresses and actively drives axon elongation. We anticipate that our model will allow us to probe a wide variety of molecular phenomena--both in isolation and in interaction--to explore emergent cellular-level features under physiological and pathological conditions.