cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxidatively generated damage to DNA at 5-methylcytosine mispairs

Oxidatively generated damage to DNA has been implicated as causing mutations that lead to aging and disease. The one-electron oxidation of normal DNA leads to formation of a nucleobase radical cation that hops through the DNA until it is trapped irreversibly, primarily by reaction at guanine. It has been observed that 5-methylcytosine (Cm) is a mutational “hot-spot”. However, Cm in a Watson–Crick base pair with G is not especially susceptible to oxidatively induced damage. Radical cation hopping is inhibited in duplexes that contain C–A or C–T mispairs, but no reaction is detected at cytosine. In contrast, we find that the one-electron oxidation of DNA that contains Cm–A or Cm–T mispairs results primarily in reaction at Cm even in the presence of GG steps. The reaction at Cm is attributed to proton coupled electron transfer, which provides a relatively low activation barrier path for reaction at 5-methylcytosine. This enhanced reactivity of Cm in mispairs may contribute to the formation of mutational hot spots at Cm.
Electron microscopy of chondromucoprotein and the products of its digestion with hyaluronidase and papain.

WHEN chondroitin sulphuric acid is extracted from cartilage in dilute salt solutions, it is always bound to protein1–3. The complex chondromucoprotein has a molecular weight of more than one million, whereas the polysaccharide portion chondroitin sulphuric acid (CSA) has a molecular weight of about 50,000 (refs. 3 and 4). The presently conceived model is that in which the protein forms a core to which chondroitin sulphuric acid is covalently bound at many points, by glycosidic linkage through the hydroxyl group on serine4,5.
The influence of sex and sex role orientation on sexual coercion

One hundred female and 77 male college students completed a questionnaire in which they indicated whether they had ever used physical or verbal coercive strategies to initiate sexual behavior with a partner, or had ever engaged in sexual behavior in response to a partner's coercive initiatives. Results showed that males are far more likely than females to initiate coerced sexual behavior and females are more likely to be victimized. In addition, masculine persons reported using coercive strategies more than other sex role orientation types. However, this was due principally to the fact that males were masculine types much more frequently than females. Therefore, sex (that is, being male or female) seems a more critical factor in determining, initiating, or responding to sexual coercion than sex role orientation.
Anisoplanatic short-exposure imaging in turbulence

A conventional approach to short-exposure imaging through the turbulent atmosphere is generalized to imaging of nonisoplanatic objects. A new approximate formula for a short-exposure modulation transfer function is obtained, based on the path-integral representation of the field in a random medium. This formula is free of some of the drawbacks of previous approximations and describes the influence of diffraction effects and medium fluctuation distribution along the propagation path. Results of computation of short-exposure structure functions and short-exposure modulation transfer functions are presented.
Superconductivity with Europium

Abstract EuIr 2 becomes superconducting at 0.2 K. Arc melting this compound raises T c to 2.6 K, in an apparently different and unidentified structure. These are the first superconductors containing Eu.
Not All Politics are Local: Exploring the Role of Meetings and Events Coordinators in the Political Arena

The conventions and meetings market is now generating over $300 billion annually in the United States (News, Press Releases & Events, Eventective, 2008). This industry is comprised of conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings, social functions, and political events, among others. Political events comprise a significant portion of the meetings and events market, yet this sector garners little attention within the hospitality industry or the public. Detailed exploration of the topic through qualitative research will serve to combat that problem by disseminating information about the topic. The outcome of this project consists of the identification of attributes unique to political event coordination and an evaluation of the skill set necessary for political event management as it differs from that required of other event divisions.
Partial pressure of oxygen in brain and peripheral nerve during damaging electrical stimulation

Abstract The studies were performed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the neural damage which may occur during prolonged electrical stimulation of either brain tissue or peripheral nerve. The partial pressure of oxygen ( p O 2 ) was measured in the sciatic nerve and the cerebral cortex of adult cats before and during direct, local electrical stimulation of these neural tissues, using stimulus parameters capable of inducing neural injury. p O 2 was monitored by the polarographic method, employing a platinum microelectrode inserted into the tissue adjacent to or beneath the stimulating electrode. In the sciatic nerve there was no marked change in intrafascicular p O 2 in three cats upon initiation of the electrical stimulation. In a fourth animal intraneural p O 2 increased briefly upon intitiation of the stimulation. In no case did the intrafascicular compartment of nerves become significantly hypoxic. In the cerebral cortex, the start of stimulation was accompanied by a significant increase (approximately 12–15 Torr) in intracortical p O 2 beneath the stimulating electrode, and p O 2 remained at or above the pre-stimulus value for the duration of the stimulation. These results show that extracellular hypoxia is unlikely to be a significant factor in the neural injury induced in brain or peripheral nerve by prolonged electrical stimulation.
Approximate initial data for binary black holes

We construct approximate analytical solutions to the constraint equations of general relativity for binary black holes of arbitrary mass ratio in quasicircular orbit. We adopt the puncture method to solve the constraint equations in the transverse-traceless decomposition and consider perturbations of Schwarzschild black holes caused by boosts and the presence of a binary companion. A superposition of these two perturbations then yields approximate, but fully analytic binary black hole initial data that are accurate to first order in the inverse of the binary separation and the square of the black holes' momenta.
Predicting Success in a Minority Engineering Program

The purpose of this study was to investigate two frequently used selection variables, high school grade point average (GPA) and ACT composite test score, as predictors of success in the Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs) minority engineering program (MEP) at The University of Akron. Data from 48 minority students who participated in the MEP were used in the analysis. The only significant predictor of graduation with an engineering degree was high school GPA. Both high school GPA and ACT scores were significantly correlated with undergraduate GPA. Although they could not be statistically analyzed, both the completion of the first calculus course and number of hours attending mandatory study halls were critical to success in the IDEAs program.
Resource view theory analysis of SAP as a source of competitive advantage for firms

This paper uses resource view theory to determine the means by which SAP technology could provide a sustainable competitive advantage to firms which have successfully implemented the SAP system. Resource view theory suggests that resources which are durable, not easily replicable, and imperfectly mobile can be effectively leveraged by the firm in order to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage over its competitors.The analysis which is presented in this paper suggests that the effective implementation of the SAP system by a firm requires not only an acquisition of a high level of technical expertise, but a change in organizational culture from one which rewards individual brilliance to one which encourages project teams. This will create an environment in which the success of any individual in his job is critically dependent on the skills possessed by the other team members. This will render the human component of the SAP resource imperfectly mobile and increase the capability of the firm to leverage this resource in order to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.A second prescription which emerges from the analysis is that it is preferable to modify the business processes of the organization to fit the capabilities provided by the SAP system, rather than modify the SAP system to fit the reengineered business processes of the organization.
Composting gin trash reduces waste disposal and pollution problems

Abstract Composting is one method for treating wastes generated from cotton gin processing. Here the effects of different mixtures of cotton gin waste and chicken manure on processing time arid compost quality were measured/ A 3:1 (gin trash to chicken manure ratio) produced the finest particles, the most uniform compost, and the most desirable product among the three ratios that were studied. Moisture content was maintained at about 50 wt% and the piles were aerated by turning once every 15 days. The finished piles were about 50% of their original weights after 100 days of composting.
Rotavirus in infant-toddler day care centers: epidemiology relevant to disease control strategies

A 15-month prospective longitudinal study of diarrhea and rotavirus (RV) infection was conducted concurrently in infants and toddlers in day care centers (DCCs) and in a large pediatric clinic in Houston. The mean number of children in the DCCs was 223; the diarrhea rate during the first 12 months was 2.62 episodes per child-year. Rotavirus accounted for approximately 10% of the total episodes of diarrhea in the pediatric clinic and DCC populations, but 50% during the winter months. The occurrence of RV in the DCCs paralleled that seen in the pediatric clinic. The annual rate of RV infection in DCCs was 0.55 episodes per child-year, with diarrhea occurring in only 40% of the episodes (0.22 episodes per child-year). There were 45 diarrhea outbreaks in DCCs, for a mean of 3.8 per center per year; nine of these outbreaks were associated with RV. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of RNA genome patterns of RV strains from eight of these outbreaks showed that in seven outbreaks a single strain was identified in children in that DCC, whereas multiple strains were identified simultaneously in the community. The age distributions of symptomatic and asymptomatic RV infections in DCC study children were not significantly different. In symptomatic RV-infected children in DCCs, 42% had RV identified in stool specimens within 2 days before diarrhea occurred. Thirty-eight DCC children had more than one episode of RV infection, but only five had two symptomatic RV infections. Diarrhea caused by RV is common in children in DCCs, often occurs in outbreaks due to the same strain, and parallels disease in the community; asymptomatic RV infection is also common in children in DCCs.
Adsorption of poly‐4‐vinylpyridine onto glass surfaces

Some data on the adsorption of poly-4-vinylpyridine on a glass surface are presented. The results on the un-ionized polymer are characteristic of the adsorption of organic polymers; the adsorption isotherm has a flat top and the amount adsorbed depends on the solvent used. The adsorption of ionized poly-4-vinylpyridine decreases with increasing ionization and increases with increasing ionic strength. The effect of increased ionic strength is presumably associated with the greater tendency of an ionized polymer to coil in the presence of excess salt. These results tend to confirm the general hypothesis that the coiling of a polymer molecule at a liquid–solid interface reflects the tendency of the polymer to coil in solution.
Comparison of the ionized shock layer about two-and three-dimensional blunt shapes at hypersonic speeds

Abstract A comparative study of the ionized shock layer about simple two and three dimensional blunt shapes has been conducted at a Mach number of 15 and an altitude of 100,000 ft. Various shock layer profiles of the aerodynamic and thermodynamic flow quantities and electron densities are given for the inviscid and viscous regions of the flow. It is seen that the largest electron concentrations are present at the blunt nose of the configurations. Both the shock layer thicknesses and electron densities for the two dimensional bodies are greater than for the three dimensional bodies. The Gravalos numerical method was used to determine the inviscid flow results. The non-linearities in the variations of the resulting flow quantities makes it difficult to predict these results accurately by use of simple approximate methods.
Electrochemical characterization of polyacetylene ionomers and polyelectrolyte-mediated electrochemistry toward interfaces between dissimilarly doped conjugated polymers.

The electrochemical characterization of thin films of the ionically functionalized polyacetylene analogues poly(tetramethylammonium 2-cyclooctatetraenylethanesulfonate) (PA) and poly[(2-cyclooctate...
The separate and combined effects of harmonic structure, phase, and FM on female preferences in the barking treefrog (Hyla gratiosa).

In natural advertisement calls of the barking treefrog, Hyla gratiosa, a small amount of incoherent frequency modulation (FM) is present. Incoherency in the FM of a call creates inharmonicity and phase changes between its frequency components. In this study, the combined and separate effects of the harmonic structure, phase spectrum, and FM of an advertisement call on female choice were tested. The harmonic structure of a call can have a direct effect on female preference; females showed a significant preference for static-inharmonic calls over static-harmonic calls. Neither differences in phase or FM alone conferred a preference in two choice tests. However, when FM is present in both calls it does influence female preference for harmonic structure -namely harmonic calls become preferable to inharmonic calls. This reversal of female preference for inharmonicity in a call by the presence of FM suggests that call parameters may interact, and thereby effect mate choice.
A new etchant for revealing defect structures in aluminium

Abstract The characteristics of a new etchant for dislocation sub-structures in aluminium are described, and compared with those of Lacombe and Beaujard's reagent. Differences between the two etchants are clarified by means of dissolution experiments with single crystal spheres. It is shown that hydrogen peroxide present in the new etchant results in a dissolution rate which is only weakly dependent on crystallographic orientation. The etchant reveals detailed dislocation sub-structures in aluminium without the need for special annealing treatments, but it is not capable of etching ‘clean’ dislocations. The number of etch-pits on single crystals produced by the strain-anneal method is of the right magnitude.
Angiostatin's partners.

I am writing to comment on Marcia Barinaga's article “A surprising partner for angiostatin” (News of the Week, 19 Mar. p. [1831][1]). She describes a paper by Tammy Moser and her collaborators (“Angiostatin binds ATP synthase on the surface of human endothelial cells”) ([1][2]) that
Velocity-Diameter Relationships of the Microcirculation

An analytical expression for the relationship between velocity (and blood flow) and diameter for vessels in the microcirculatory range up to 900 mum diameter is presented. Both the arterial and venous systems are considered. The analytical expression for these relationships has been derived from computer analysis of data obtained from individual measurements reported in the literature. Computer analysis shows that blood velocity is a nearly linear function of diameter of blood vessels for the arteriolar tree. The relationship for blood flow as a function of diameter is Q = 108d3.101 for arteries, arterioles and capillaries in the diameter range 5 to 900 mum and for the venous system in the range 5 to 115 mum is Q = 334d2.388 where Q is in mum3 per second and d is in mum. Comparison of the results of this study for the arterial system to the Hagen-Poiseuille Law reveals close agreement, if correction is made for geometric factors of blood vessels and for the variation of viscosity with diameter for blood.
Computer modeling of the membrane interaction of FYVE domains

Abstract FYVE domains are membrane targeting domains that are found in proteins involved in endosomal trafficking and signal transduction pathways. Most FYVE domains bind specifically to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P), a lipid that resides mainly in endosomal membranes. Though the specific interactions between FYVE domains and the headgroup of PI(3)P have been well characterized, principally through structural studies, the available experimental structures suggest several different models for FYVE/membrane association. Thus, the manner in which FYVE domains adsorb to the membrane surface remains to be elucidated. Towards this end, recent experiments have shown that FYVE domains bind PI(3)P in the context of phospholipid bilayers and that hydrophobic residues on a conserved loop are able to penetrate the membrane interface in a PI(3)P-dependent manner. Here, the finite difference Poisson–Boltzmann (FDPB) method has been used to calculate the energetic interactions of FYVE domains with phospholipid membranes. Based on the computational analysis, it is found that (1) recruitment to membranes is facilitated by non-specific electrostatic interactions that occur between basic residues on the domains and acidic phospholipids in the membrane, (2) the energetic analysis can quantitatively differentiate among the modes of membrane association proposed by the experimentally determined structures, (3) FDPB calculations predict energetically feasible models for the membrane-associated states of FYVE domains, (4) these models are consistent with the observation that conserved hydrophobic residues insert into the membrane interface, and (5) the calculations provide a molecular model for the hydrophobic partitioning: binding of PI(3)P significantly neutralizes positive potential in the region of the hydrophobic residues, which acts as an “electrostatic switch” by reducing the energetic barrier for membrane penetration. Finally, the computational results are extended to FYVE domains of unknown structure through the construction of high quality homology models for human FYVE sequences.
Market protocols in ERCOT and their effect on wind generation

Abstract Integrating wind generation into power systems and wholesale electricity markets presents unique challenges due to the characteristics of wind power, including its limited dispatchability, variability in generation, difficulty in forecasting resource availability, and the geographic location of wind resources. Texas has had to deal with many of these issues beginning in 2002 when it restructured its electricity industry and introduced aggressive renewable portfolio standards that helped spur major investments in wind generation. In this paper we discuss the issues that have arisen in designing market protocols that take account of these special characteristics of wind generation and survey the regulatory and market rules that have been developed in Texas. We discuss the perverse incentives some of the rules gave wind generators to overschedule generation in order to receive balancing energy payments, and steps that have been taken to mitigate those incentive effects. Finally, we discuss more recent steps taken by the market operator and regulators to ensure transmission capacity is available for new wind generators that are expected to come online in the future.
Vaccination with mRNAs encoding tumor-associated antigens and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor efficiently primes CTL responses, but is insufficient to overcome tolerance to a model tumor/self antigen

Immunization of mice with dendritic cells transfected ex vivo with tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-encoding mRNA primes cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that mediate tumor rejection. Here we investigated whether direct injection of TAA mRNA, encapsulated in cationic liposomes, could function similarly as cancer immunotherapy. Intradermal and intravenous injection of ovalbumin (OVA) mRNA generated specific CTL activity and inhibited the growth of OVA-expressing tumors. Vaccination studies with DNA have demonstrated that co-administration of antigen (Ag)- and cytokine-encoding plasmids potentiate the T cell response; in analogous fashion, the inclusion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mRNA enhanced OVA-specific cytotoxicity. The ability of this GM-CSF-augmented mRNA vaccine to treat an established spontaneous tumor was evaluated in the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) mouse, using the SV40 large T Ag (TAg) as a model tumor/self Ag. Repeated vaccination elicited vigorous TAg-specific CTL activity in nontransgenic mice, but tumor-bearing TRAMP mice remained tolerant. Adoptive transfer of naive splenocytes into TRAMP mice prior to the first vaccination restored TAg reactivity, and slowed tumor progression. The data from this study suggests that vaccination with TAA mRNA is a simple and effective means of priming antitumor CTL, and that immunogenicity of the vaccine can be augmented by co-delivery of GM-CSF mRNA. Nonetheless, limitations of such vaccines in overcoming tolerance to tumor/self Ag may mandate prior or simultaneous reconstitution of the autoreactive T cell repertoire for this form of immunization to be effective.
Effect of [dl]-α-tocopherol on FeCl2-induced lipid peroxidation in rat amygdala

Abstract Peroxidative injury of neural membrane lipids can be initiated by iron-containing blood products, chelated ferrous or ferric ions, and low valence iron in aqueous solution. Lipid peroxidation was measured following focal injection of 3 μl of 100 mM FeCl2 into rat amygdala. Acute parenteral administration of [dl]-α-tocopherol as the alcohol limited the quantity of peroxidation products generated. These data suggest a potential role for α-tocopherol administration in limiting brain injury responses.
Binary matroids without prisms, prism duals, and cubes

Abstract In this paper we determine completely the class of binary matroids with no minors isomorphic to the cycle matroid of the prism graph M * ( K 5 e ), its dual M ( K 5 e ), and the binary affine cube AG (3,2).
Chiral synthesis via organoboranes. 31. A simple synthesis of enantiomerically pure (Z)- and (E)-Alkenes, (Z)-RCHCHR* and (E)-RCHCHR*

Abstract The monoisopinocampheylorganylboranes, IpcR*BH, readily available in purities ⩾99% ee by the asymmetric hydroboration of alkenes with monoisopinocampheylborane, IpcBH 2 , are easily transformed into enantiomerically pure ( ⩾99% ce ) (Z)- and ( E )-alkenes. The generality of the procedure was demonstrated by synthesizing four each (Z)- and ( E )-alkenes. This new procedure makes the enantiomerically pure compounds readily available and contributes another stage to the completion of our goal of providing a truly general asymmetric synthesis of pure enantiomers.
Towards a Robust Feature-Based Watermarking Scheme

This paper presents a feature-based watermarking scheme which is robust to geometric and common image processing attacks. The improved Harris corner detector is used to find the robust feature points, which correspond to high corner responses and survive various attacks. The watermark is embedded in the Fourier frequency domain of the disk area centered at each feature point to ensure the resilience to the local attacks and common image processing. The image normalization method is adopted to determine the possible rotation for reducing synchronization errors between the embedded and extracted watermarks. The watermark detection decision is based on the number of matched disks in terms of the number of matched bits between the recovered and embedded watermarks in embedding blocks. Experimental results demonstrate that our scheme is more robust to geometric and common image processing attacks than the peer feature-point-based approaches.
Perspectives on the context‐dependency of stream community responses to contaminants

Summary Natural variation in the structure and function of aquatic communities along environmental or spatiotemporal gradients can influence how systems respond to biotic and abiotic disturbances. Although these context-dependent responses are a well-established element of basic ecology, they have received little attention from an ecotoxicological perspective. As the scope of freshwater bioassessment expands from single catchments to broad-scale, regional surveys, it has become apparent that community responses to contaminants can vary significantly among locations. This variability is generally considered a nuisance and an impediment to recognising ecological patterns; however, natural spatiotemporal variation in communities also provides opportunities to test hypotheses about context-dependent responses to contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. This study presents three examples of context-dependent responses of benthic stream communities to contaminants. We show how longitudinal variation in community composition, the development of tolerance to contaminants and exposure to multiple stressors influence the historical context of a community and hence may determine community responses to contaminants. Aquatic ecotoxicologists have made significant progress identifying abiotic factors that influence contaminant bioavailability and toxicity. A similar effort could be undertaken to identify specific ecological factors (e.g. community composition, natural disturbance regimes and life-history characteristics) that contribute to variation in susceptibility of communities to contaminants. Understanding the nature of context-dependent responses and the mechanisms responsible for variation among communities should be a key element of ecological risk assessment and a research priority in ecotoxicology.
γδ T-cell function in pathogenesis of cerebral malaria in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA

Mice depleted of γδ T cells by monoclonal antibody treatment and infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA did not develop cerebral malaria (CM). In striking contrast, δ0/0 mice infected with P. berghei developed CM despite their γδ T-cell deficiency. γδ T cells appear to be essential for the pathogenesis of CM in mice having experienced normal ontogeny but not in mice genetically deprived of γδ T cells from the beginning of life.
Dealing with Threats to Internal Validity That Randomization Does not Rule Out

Cook and Campbell (1979) identify five threats to internal validity that they claim cannot be controlled by using control group designs with random assignment of subjects. In this article, I suggest a design in which the control group subjects are given an alternate treatment that they perceive as equally desirable and that is similar in duration and procedures to the experimental treatment but that is concerned with dependent variables that are unrelated to the experimental treatment. I suggest that this design rules out or reduces all five internal validity threats, and I discuss the reasons supporting my opinion.
Suppression of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced epidermal hyperplasia and inflammation by the dehydroepiandrosterone analog 16α-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one and its reversal by NADPH liposomes

Dehydroepiandrosterone and related steroids produce cancer-preventive and other potentially important therapeutic effects in laboratory animals. These steroids are potent uncompetitive inhibitors of mammalian glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the first enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway. Inhibition of this pathway could have profound effects on the supply of 5-carbon sugars required for nucleic acid synthesis as well as on the availability of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and the cellular redox state. NADPH is a source of reducing equivalents for the production of oxygen free radicals, which act as intermediate messengers stimulating mitogenesis and up-regulating the inflammatory response. Using a mixture of NADPH and cationic liposomes to facilitate uptake of the normally impenetrable dinucleotide, we found that intradermal injections of NADPH-liposomes reversed the anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperplastic effects of the dehydroepiandrosterone analog, 16α-fluoro-5-androsten-17-one, in mouse skin treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, whereas similar treatment had no apparent effect on the anti-hyperplastic and anti-inflammatory effect of corticosterone.
Shotgun metagenomic analysis of metabolic diversity and microbial community structure in experimental vernal pools subjected to nitrate pulse

Human activities have greatly increased nitrogen (N) levels in natural habitats through atmospheric N deposition and nutrient leaching, which can have large effects on N cycling and other ecosystem processes. Because of the significant role microorganisms play in N cycling, high inputs of nitrogenous compounds, such as nitrate (NO3-), into natural ecosystems could have cascading effects on microbial community structure and the metabolic processes that microbes perform. To investigate the multiple effects of NO3- pollution on microbial communities, we created two shotgun metagenomes from vernal pool microcosms that were either enriched with a solution of 10 mg NO3--N (+NO3-) or received distilled water as a control (−N). After only 20 hours of exposure to NO3-, the initial microbial community had shifted toward one containing a higher proportional abundance of stress tolerance and fermentation environmental gene tags (EGTs). Surprisingly, we found no changes to N metabolism EGTs, even though large shifts in denitrification rates were seen between the +NO3- and –N microcosms. Thus, in the absence of NO3- addition, it is plausible that the microbes used other respiratory pathways for energy. Respiratory pathways involving iron may have been particularly important in our –N microcosms, since iron acquisition EGTs were proportionally higher in the –N metagenome. Additionally, we noted a proportional increase in Acidobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria EGTs in response to NO3- addition. These community shifts in were not evident with TRFLP, suggesting that metagenomic analyses may detect fine-scale changes not possible with community profiling techniques. Our results suggest that the vernal pool microbial communities profiled here may rely on their metabolic plasticity for growth and survival when certain resources are limiting. The creation of these metagenomes also highlights how little is known about the effects of NO3- pollution on microbial communities, and the relationship between community stability and function in response to disturbance.
Some Implications of Training Psychiatric Nurses in Family Therapy

Psychiatric nurses were included in family therapy training, but few of them applied their new skills in their work settings. A seeming paradox was the lack of support given these trainees by the nursing administration. The situation became understandable when analyzed as a “family” problem; the nurses being members of the larger social system comprising the psychiatry department. Strategies were accordingly adopted to modify aspects of the system, and this facilitated more positive contributions by nurses as family therapists.
Simulation and statistical education

Discrete event simulation has benefited from statistical analysis but the reverse is not true. Recent advances in computer technology and software development have made it possible to have PC's running specialized simulation languages readily available. The paper discusses how discrete event simulation, developed via specialized simulation languages (e.g., GPSS), can become a useful class resource to teach and motivate statistics students. In addition, simulation helps to present, more effectively, interdisciplinary case studies, to increase group learning and to relieve students and instructors from statistical drudgery. Examples of such GPSS simulation are developed.
Growth and Dielectric Behavior of Nb 2 O 5 (1-X):XTiO 2 Single Crystals

This paper reports recent progress in growing Nb 2 O 5 (1 m x):xTiO 2 , x = 0.05, 0.08, 0.11 single crystal using the laser heated pedestal growth (LHPG) technique. The growth conditions such as molten zone temperature, the seed and feed pulling rate were adjusted for each composition. XRD was performed to study their crystal structures. Temperature dependence of dielectric constant and loss tangent were measured over broad frequency range (1 KHz-1 MHz). The pure Nb 2 O 5 single crystal was also grown and was measured the dielectric properties to be the reference data. All three compositions exhibit the dielectric relaxation type. The relaxation mechanism of dielectric loss analyzed by Arrhenius law and Vogel-Fucher relation has been demonstrated in the single crystal at composition x = 0.05.
Making Sense of Subordinate Feedback for Leadership Development: Confounding Effects of Job Role and Organizational Rewards

Many leadership development programs assume that m anagers utilize feedback from subordinates to prepare a personal improvement agenda. Encouraging the use of such feedback assumes that (a) raters ...
Synchronization of three-phase converters and virtual microgrid implementation utilizing the Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop concept

This paper addresses the timely issues of synchronization and application of three-phase power converters connected in parallel utilizing the Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop concept. Without proper synchronization, distinguishing the currents circulating between the converters are unclear. The paper centers on control methodology for achieving precise phase synchronization for equal load sharing, with minimum current circulation between the paralleled power converter modules, and robust dynamic system control under different transient conditions. One of the possible applications for the configuration presented in this paper is the conceptual virtual microgrid, which utilizes the reactive power compensation ability of the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM). The microgrid behavior and load dynamics are simulated with a real-time digital simulator which generates appropriate control commands to a power electronics based voltage amplifier interfaced via a cascaded LC-LC type filter to a variable speed drive (VSD). This is necessary as reactive power control is a critical consideration in improving the power quality of power systems. To compensate for reactive power, the STATCOM controller will be developed and integrated into the proposed virtual microgrid system. This concept provides a solution for de-risking these costs as it utilizes the PHIL concept in conjunction with high-fidelity microgrid model and detailed load dynamics. Selected experimental results on two, 25-kVA and 15-kVA, converters in parallel are presented.
The location of highly repetitious DNA in the somatic chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster.

In situ hybridization of Drosophila melanogaster somatic chromosomes has been used to demonstrate the near exact correspondence between the location of highly repetitious DNA and classically defined constitutive heterochromatin. The Y chromosome, in particular, is heavily labeled even by cRNA transcribed from female (XX) DNA templates (i.e., DNA from female Drosophila with 2 Xs and 2 sets of autosomes). This observation confirms earlier reports that the Y chromosome contains repeated DNA sequences that are shared by other chromosomes. In grain counting experiments the Y chromosome shows significantly heavier label than any other chromosome when hybridized with cRNA from XY DNA templates (i.e., DNA from male Drosophila with 1 X and 1 Y plus 2 sets of autosomes). However, the preferential labeling of the Y is abolished if the cRNA is derived from XX DNA. We interpret these results as indicating the presence of a class of Y chromosome specific repeated DNA in D. melanogaster. The relative inefficiency of the X chromosome in binding cRNA from XY and XYY DNA templates, coupled with its ability to bind XX derived cRNA, may also indicate the presence of an X chromosome specific repeated DNA.
Performance analysis for multicarrier DS/SSMA in frequency-selective fading channels

Multicarrier direct-sequence spread-spectrum multiple-access (MC/DS/SSMA) systems in frequency-selective fading channels are investigated. A consistent channel model is used for each system. First, the tapped delay line (TDL) channel model with uniformly spaced, uncorrelated taps is investigated to model a complex Gaussian, wide-sense stationary, uncorrelated scattering channel. An approximate average bit error rate expression is obtained for the receiver with RAKE fingers on each subcarrier branch, whose outputs are combined according to the maximum signal-to-noise ratio criterion. Various system configurations are examined for the same TDL channel model, data rate, total system bandwidth and excess bandwidth of the chip waveform.
Abstract 164: The Role of IEX-1 in Venous Stenosis Formation Associated With Arteriovenous Fistula Used for Hemodialysis

Purpose: The majority of patients with end stage renal disease who require hemodialysis use a arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for their vascular access. However, only 40% of AVFs are clinically usable after 1 year. Arteriovenous fistulas fail because of venous neointimal hyperplasia (VNH) that develops in the proximal outflow vein. The immediate early gene, IEX-1 (IER-3), is increased in response to shear stress and hypoxia and both factors contribute to VNH. IEX-1 expression was increased in stenotic venous stenoses removed from patients with hemodialysis vascular access compared to controls. We hypothesized that reducing the expression of IEX-1 using a knockout mouse model with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and AVFs would have decreased VNH compared to wild type (WT) mice. Methods: CKD was induced by performing a nephrectomy. Four weeks later, an AVF was placed to connect the carotid artery to ipsilateral jugular vein. The mice were sacrificed 3 and 28 days after fistula creation and outflow veins were harvested for gene expression and histomorphometric analyses. Results: By day 3, the average gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) was significantly lower in the IEX-1 KO vs. WT mice (average reduction: 40%, P<0.05). At day 28, the average lumen vessel area was increased significantly (average increase: 133%, P<0.05, IEX-1 KO vs. WT, respectively) while the average area of the neointima was significantly decreased (average reduction: 20%, IEX-1 KO vs. WT, respectively). Accompanied with this, there was a significant decrease in α-SMA staining and Ki-67 proliferation while the average TUNEL staining was significantly increased (all P<0.05, IEX-1 KO vs. WT). Finally, there was a significant decrease in the average staining intensity for VEGF-A and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the KO vs. WT mice (both, P<0.05). Conclusion: A reduction in IEX-1 gene expression results in positive vascular remodeling accompanied with a reduction in proliferation and α-SMA density mediated through a VEGF-A/MMP-9 pathway. Taken collectively, these findings indicate that reducing IEX-1 expression is protective for VNH formation and provide a rationale for use of anti-IEX-1 therapies aimed at prolonging AVF function.
A retrovirus that expresses v-abl and c-myc oncogenes rapidly induces plasmacytomas

ABL-MYC, a murine retrovirus that encodes the v-abl and c-myc oncogenes, was constructed from Abelson murine leukemia virus (A-MuLV) in order to assess the biological consequences of co-expression of these genes in lymphoid cells. When inoculated into mice this retrovirus induced plasmacytomas in up to 100% of infected mice and less frequently induced pre-B lymphomas. Both tumor types contained genome-length proviruses in one or a few chromosomal locations, were mono- or oligoclonal as judged by immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and had unrearranged endogenous c-myc loci. The type of tumor induced depended upon the age and strain of mouse, and whether helper virus was present in the inoculated virus pool. ABL-MYC induced plasmacytomas with or without helper virus, with or without pretreatment of the mice with pristane, and in strains of mice resistant to pristane-induced plasmacytomas. Pristane treatment prior to ABL-MYC infection shortened the latent period of plasmacytomagenesis and produced mostly IgM-secreting tumors rather than IgA-secreting tumors, which predominantly arose in the absence of pristane. Control viruses for ABL-MYC with either a deletion in v-abl or a frameshift mutation in c-myc caused predominantly monocyte/macrophage tumors and pre-B-cell lymphomas respectively. Histopathological analysis of ABL-MYC-infected mice showed foci of transformed plasma cells as early as 14 days after infection. These results indicate that v-abl and c-myc act synergistically to transform mature B cells with high efficiency.
Synthesis and NMR Characterization of Copolymers of α-Fluorostyrene with Methyl Acrylate

Polymers of α-halostyrenes are unstable because they contain labile halogen atoms which are readily lost as hydrogen halide1. Although a few studies on the synthesis and applications of homopolymers and copolymers of α-chlorostyrene2–10, α-bromostyrene11,12 and α-fluorostyrene 13–16 have been reported, no systematic studies on the copolymerization behavior of these monomers or on the microstructures of their polymers are known. Most of these studies have dealt with homopolymerization of α-halostyrenes in emulsion or in suspension or with copolymerizations (mostly graft) involving very small molar percentages of α-halostyrene.
Variable Pyrethroid Susceptibility Among the Sweet Corn-Infesting Ulidiidae (Diptera) in Florida and New Baseline Susceptibilities

Florida sweet corn is intensively treated to prevent infestation from the corn-infesting picture-winged fly complex (hereafter referred to as silk flies, Diptera: Ulidiidae). Previous bioassays performed on Euxesta stigmatias Loew demonstrated some pyrethroids performed weakly, while others were more efficacious and with longer-lasting residual activity. Since the last published bioassays, new active ingredients have been made available, other species in the complex discovered, and label restrictions increased for some products. For these reasons, topical bioassays were performed on the three most common species to assess insecticide efficacy of current commercial products labeled for either silk fly or fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) control. Bioassays were conducted using formulated product mixed in water and applied using a Generation III Research Spray Booth. The median lethal concentration ratio (LC50) of beta-cyfluthrin with and without the pyrethroid synergist piperonyl butoxide was investigated. Acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, carbaryl, and flubendiamide did not result in high mortality to any species tested. Euxesta eluta Loew was susceptible to all other insecticides tested, and exhibited the lowest LC50 to beta-cyfluthrin. Both Chaetopsis massyla Walker and E. stigmatias recovered from several pyrethroid treatments. Euxesta stigmatias also had the highest beta-cyfluthrin LC50, and piperonyl butoxide restored beta-cyfluthrin efficacy and lowered the LC50s of all three species.
Investigation on Current Situation of Nasal Occupational Diseases among 248 Workers Exposed to Chromium

[Objective]To understand the occupational hazards status of nasal damage among workers exposed to chromium in township electroplating industry,provide the scientific basis for making intervention measures.[Methods]The basic situation of 27 electroplating industries was investigated,the concentration of chromium in the air of workplace was sampled and detected,and nasal damage of workers exposed to chromium was tested.[Results]85.61% of chromium plating posts was equipped with ventilation devices on the groove side,but the use rate was low.The dosage of F-53 foam adsorbent was insufficient.The mechanical automation lines of chromium plating accounted for 36.0%.The concentration of chromium in the air of workplace exceeded the limit value for 12.93%,the maximum was 0.56 mg/m3,which was 10 times as high as the limit value.Among 248 workers who accepted the nasal examination,there were 6 cases of nasal septum mucosa erosion and 6 cases of perforation in nasal septum cartilage,the detection rate was 4.84%.[Conclusion]The occupational hazards of chromium operation in township electroplating industry were serious,which have been directly cause damage to health of workers.The local government departments should pay high attention to this situation,actively take the comprehensive control measures,and establish the long-term management mechanism,so as to control the chromium occupational hazards.
Tunable bandpass-bandstop filter cascade for VHF applications

A lumped-element bandpass-bandstop filter cascade with the capability of independently allocating its poles and zeros is demonstrated with commercially available components. The filter cascade consists of 14 tunable resonators to form advanced filtering functions. Eight resonators implement a reconfigurable fourth-order band-pass filter with tunable resonant-couplings, while the remaining six are used to form three second-order absorptive band-stop filters to create deep isolation levels. The filter cascade can be continuously tuned from 100 to 255MHz with high isolation (70dB at 5% away from the pass-band edge). Resonant coupling structures act as intrinsic switches to achieve reconfigurable signal routing. Therefore, switchless multi-band filter bank operation is also achieved.
Theories of the Firm Through Duality

A production model is typically specified as a set of feasible inputoutput vectors measured in physical quantities. Alternative representations of this technology set include the input and output distance functions. On the other hand, economic models of the firm are expressed in terms of economic variables such as prices, costs, revenues, and profits. Depending on the behavioral assumptions chosen, these models also deal with certain optimal choices of inputs and/or outputs.