cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental effects on D-xylose fermentation bySchizosaccharomyces pombe

Many efforts have been made to convert D-xylose to ethanol. Studies include a search in nature for xylose-fermenting yeasts; mutagenesis of xylose-utilized yeasts such asPachysolen trannophilus (1),Candida sp. (2), and gene transformation of well-characterized strongly fermenting yeasts to introduce a xylose utilization pathway (3,4). Most yeast that are capable of D-xylose catabolism, use two enzymes for D-xylose conversion to D-xylulose (5). Xylose reductase couples NADPH to reduce D-xylose to xylitol, which is then oxidized to D-xylulose by xylitol dehydrogenase and NAD+. Once D-xylulose is formed, this intermediate flows through Pentoshunt and cooperates with glycolytic pathway to produce ethanol. However, the regulation of cofactor such as NADPH or NAD+ in the yeast cells often causes an inefficient D-xylose metabolism (6). This limitation can be overcome by introducing a xylose isomerase gene into the yeast cells for direct, cofactor-free conversion of D-xylose to D-xylulose, then it results in a high ethanol production from D-xylose fermentation. Previously, we reported the production of ethanol from D-xylose by the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe transformed with the xylose isomerase plasmid (3,7). The genetically modifiedS. pombe has the same physiological behaviors and morphology as that of the nongenetically modified one (unpublished data). Furthermore, the subsequent integration of the plasmid into the chromosomal DNA of the hostS. pombe has been verified by using the dot blot and southern blot techniques (8). The expressed xylose isomerase has shown activity by a technique of nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (8). In this study, the effects of environmental conditions on direct D-xylose fermentation by this yeast were described.
The effects of acute cocaine administration on the DOI-induced head-twitch response in reserpinized mice.

Abstract Previously it was shown that acute cocaine administration dose dependently reduces the 5-HT2-receptor-mediated DOI [(±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane]-induced head-twitch response (HTR) in mice via indirect stimulation of the inhibitory adrenergic α2- and serotonergic 5-HT1A receptors. In addition, the inhibitory capacity of cocaine was enhanced fourfold in mice with 5-HT2-receptor supersensitivity induced by a single injection of DOI 48 h prior to experimentation. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the inhibitory capacity of cocaine in reserpinized mice. A single injection of reserpine 48 h prior to DOI administration caused supersensitivity in the DOI-induced HTR. Two reserpine injections did not further enhance this supersensitivity effect. Once reserpinized 5-HT2-receptor supersensitive animals were less responsive to the inhibitory effects of cocaine on the DOI-induced behavior than were the mice, as reported previously, that were made supersensitive by DOI pretreatment. The inhibitory capacity of cocaine was further attenuated when mice were reserpinized twice prior to determination of its effects on the DOI-induced behavior. Taken together with previously published data, the present investigation lends further support for the importance of endogenous levels of 5-HT and norepinephrine on the ability of cocaine to attenuate the DOI-induced HTR.
Gradient based centralized optimal Volt/Var control strategy for smart distribution system

With the development of enabling power electronic devices, such as the solid state transformer (SST) [1], the concept of a novel future renewable electric energy delivery and management system [2] is raised. The Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) system is a smart distribution system that can accommodate distributed renewable energy, distributed energy storage devices, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), As the complexity of the power system increases, the need for a sophisticated power system operation and control method is becoming a critical issue. The new devices shouldn't disturb normal system operations, and the capabilities of these devices should help support the customer needs and enhance system performance. Therefore, this paper develops a centralized Volt/Var control strategy to minimize power system losses while maintaining voltage profiles within acceptable limits.
Synthesis and characterization of hexa-n-propylcyclotriphosphazene

Abstract Dynamic vacuum thermolysis of (CH3)3SiN = P(n-Pr)2(OPh) yielded hexa-n-propylcyclotriphosphazene, [N = P(n-Pr)2]3. It was found that pure [N = P(n-Pr)2]3is insoluble in most solvents, however, [N = P(n-Pr)2]3 can be crystallized directly from the crude reaction mixture using hot hexanes. The molecular structure of hexa-n-propylcyclotriphosphazene has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and multinuclear NMR studies.
Diffraction at the Brandenburg G(r)ate. Symposium on the optical analysis of biomolecular machines.

The Optical Analysis of Biomolecular Machines meeting was held between 13 and 16 July 2006 at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, Germany, and was organized by C. Cardoso and C. Cremer ![][1] This meeting was attended by 160 cell biologists, biophysicists and imaging experts. The goal was to assess the current status of spatial resolution in optical microscopy in both fixed and living cells, with the idea that this cast of experts might not only accurately describe, and therefore define, the state of the art, but might also put their heads together and devise a quantum leap in the technology. It was an excellent meeting on the first score, and, although not as successful in achieving the broader second goal, a potentially historic agenda for a new era of optical microscopy had come into view by the time the meeting drew to a close. The plenary lecture by R. Kornberg (Stanford, CA, USA) on the atomic resolution of the transcriptome set a high standard for what was to follow. X‐rays do not have the same energy as the light that cell biologists use, but the implication was there nonetheless: this resolution is where one needs to be. Specifically, Kornberg discussed eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (pol II) and its numerous accessory factors, which are assembled into a machine with a mass of around 3 MDa. His biochemical results revealed details of nucleosome displacement on the upstream activator sequence of most pol‐II‐transcribed genes. Furthermore, his structural analysis indicates how a clamp‐like portion of the machine interacts with the DNA transcription bubble and an 8–9 base‐pair DNA–nascent RNA hybrid region. Other key findings from the surface representation of the structure are that: the DNA helix is energetically enforced onto the polymerase surface by the TATA‐box‐binding factor; transcription factor TFIIB directs … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
A MODEL FOR LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT IN A POST‐SOVIET CENTRAL ASIAN TRANSITIONAL ECONOMY

The research presented explores the logistics management of European and North American manufacturing companies operating in the unique environment of the post-Soviet Central Asian transitional economy of Kazakhstan. Combining three alternating phases of quantitative and qualitative analysis, the research identifies the challenges logistics managers face in their efforts to distribute their companies' products into and within Kazakhstan. Then, using cross-case analysis on a series of eleven case studies of European and North American manufacturing companies operating in Kazakhstan, the article concludes with a grounded theoretical model of logistics management for European and North American companies in Kazakhstan. The model highlights the unexpectedly divergent paths taken by companies from two different industry categories.
The acute toxicity of tri‐n‐butyltin glycocholate

The oral acute toxicity for tri-n-butyltin glycocholate (TBT-GA), a newly synthesized organotin steroid, was determined using Long Evans rats. The compound was suspended in corn oil and adminstered by gavage using standard techniques. Unlike tri-n-butyltin taurocholate, which exhibited two different toxicities, one for the tri-n-butyltin moiety and one for the taurocholic acid moiety, the TBT-GA exhibited a single toxicity, that of the whole molecule. The LD50 value was 213 mg kg−1 (0.274 mmol kg), which on a millimolar basis is similar to that observed for other tri-n-butyltin compounds. The dead rats exhibited distended stomachs, enlarged ceca, and lesions in the intestinal tract. The actual cause of death could not be positively identified. Animals that survived more than three days also exhibited time- and dose-related atrophy of the thymus gland. With 36% more male than female rats succumbing to TBT-GA, the chemical appears to be more toxic towards male than female rats.
Fourier transform of spherical Laguerre Gaussian functions and its application in molecular integrals

The Fourier transform of the spherical Laguerre Gaussian-type function (LGTF), L(αr2)rlYlm(r)e, was derived. Applying the Fourier transform convolution theorem, the basic two-center integrals over the general two-electron irregular solid harmonic operator, YLM(r12)/r (which becomes Coulomb repulsion, spin–other-orbit interaction or spin–spin interaction when L=0, 1, or 2, respectively) as well as the overlap were evaluated analytically. These basic integral results generate the two-electron integrals of the Coulomb type, hybrid type, and exchange type as well as that of three- and four-center. The formulas obtained, which are general for electronic wave functions of unrestricted quantum numbers n, l, and m, are expressed explicitly in terms of nuclear spherical LGTFs of internuclear geometrical variables. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 73: 265–273, 1999
Logotherapy as a pastoral tool.

The Nazi holocaust of a quarter century ago seemed to have as many victims as survivors. Fortunately for the world of psychology, there was, among the latter, a young Viennese psychiatrist of Jewish parentage named Viktor Frankl. In the time that has elapsed since the end of Nazism the name of Frankl has risen to the forefront among those who are attempting to provide us with some guidelines for understanding human behavior. Frankl's work, unlike much of that of his predecessors, leaves open a door for dialogue between the behavioral sciences and theology. This means the opening of some avenues of communication between those whose daily work involves helping people to understand the meaning of their everday behav ior (the psychologist and psychiatrist) and those whose daily work involves helping people to see their everyday behavior in terms of its ultimate signifi cance (the pastor). This communication represents a significant break through in the relation between two major academic disciplines and, in the final analysis, between the practitioners of each discipline. The history of dialogue between the two has been plagued with periods of nondialogue. Practitioners in each area have, more often than not, been reluctant to engage in any significant communication. The zenith periods of Watsonian behaviorism and Adlerian individual psychology seemed to leave little open ground for those in religion to plant any seeds of dialogue. The ostensibly antireligious posture of Freudian psychoanalysis seemed to have served only to widen the gap. However, in the early 1950s, with the publication of Viktor Frankl's works, the climate appeared to be changing. For the first time in decades, in the theories of existential analysis, or more popularly logotherapy, religion ists envisioned an opportunity for meaningful interchange with those who shared with them the distinction of being part of what are traditionally termed the helping professions. Logotherapy did not violate any religious presuppositions. Unlike behaviorism, it did not assume a mechanistic posture on the subject of behavior and motivation. Unlike Adlerian psychology, it did not assume the basic drive in man to be one to power. Unlike the Freudian school, it did not consider religious experience and practice to be a type of neurotic aberration.
Technology assessment in the coronary artery surgery study

The majority of the 26 technology assessment articles from the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) follow the original purpose of the registry and evaluate the therapeutic capabilities of coronary artery bypass graft surgery. However, these registry data have also been used to identify risk factors for cardiovascular disease, to test diagnostic technologies, and to evaluate technological processes. Consideration of quality of life issues and the availability of cost data provide valuable additions to the continued use of the CASS for technology assessment.
Microstructure of subretinal drusenoid deposits revealed by adaptive optics imaging

Subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), a recently recognized lesion associated with progression of age-related macular degeneration, were imaged with adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO) and optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT). AO-SLO revealed a distinct en face structure of stage 3 SDD, showing a hyporeflective annulus surrounded reflective core packed with hyperreflective dots bearing a superficial similarity to the photoreceptors in the unaffected retina. However, AO-OCT suggested that the speckled appearance over the SDD rendered by AO-SLO was the lesion material itself, rather than photoreceptors. AO-OCT assists proper interpretation and understanding of the SDD structure and the lesions’ impact on surrounding photoreceptors produced by AO-SLO and vice versa.
Clinical decision support for personalized medicine: an opportunity for pharmacist-physician collaboration.

Pharmacogenomics has significant potential to improve the efficacy and safety of medication therapy, but it requires new expertise and adds a new layer of complexity for all healthcare professionals. Pharmacists and pharmacy management systems can play a leading role in providing clinical decision support for the use and interpretation of pharmacogenomic tests. To serve this role effectively, pharmacists will need to expand their expertise in the emerging field of clinical pharmacogenomics. Pharmacy-based clinical programs can expedite the use of pharmacogenomic testing, help physicians interpret the test results and identify future medication risks associated with the patient’s phenotype. Over time, some of these functions can be embedded in clinical decision support systems as part of the broader automation of the healthcare system.
Estimating landscape pattern metrics from a sample of land cover

Although landscape pattern metrics can be computed directly from wall-to-wall land-cover maps, statistical sampling offers a practical alternative when complete coverage land-cover information is unavailable. Partitioning a region into spatial units and then selecting a subset (sample) of these units introduces artificial patch edge and patch truncation effects that may lead to biased sample-based estimators of landscape pattern metrics. The bias and variance of sample-based estimators of status and change in landscape pattern metrics were evaluated for four 120-km × 120-km test regions with land cover provided by the 1992 and 2001 National Land-Cover Data of the United States. Bias was generally small for both the estimators of status and estimators of change in landscape pattern, but exceptions to this favorable result exist and it is advisable to assess bias for the specific metrics and region of interest in any given application. A 10-km × 10-km sample block generally yielded larger biases but smaller variances for the estimators relative to a 20-km × 20-km sample block. Stratified random sampling improved precision of the estimators relative to simple random sampling. The methodology developed to determine properties of sample-based estimators can be readily extended to evaluate other landscape pattern metrics, regions, and sample block sizes.
The Implicit Refutation of Critias

Abstract At Charmides 163, Critias attempts to extricate himself from refutation by proposing a Prodicean distinction between praxis and poiēsis. I argue that this distinction leads him further into contradictions.
The Unproven Utility of Preoperative Urinalysis: Clinical Use

• We investigated the utility, ie, relevance to clinical outcome, of routine preoperative urinalysis with a retrospective study of 200 clean-wound, orthopedic, nonprosthetic knee procedures. Physicians primarily order a preoperative urinalysis to detect infection, because of the purported relationship between remote infection and surgical wound infection. We found that preoperative urinalysis is uniformly ordered, with a high prevalence of abnormal results (15%) but a low physician-response rate (29%). Wound infection was rare, but there was no difference in frequency of wound infection between patients with normal and abnormal results of urinalysis. We conclude that the utility of routine preoperative urinalysis is unproven. Current practice does not agree with the rationale for ordering this test, nor does published literature support it. Although data are inadequate to fully define the appropriate use of preoperative urinalysis, we suggest clinical recommendations and avenues for further research. ( Arch Intern Med 1988;148:1370-1373)
Practice Makes Pretty Good: Assessment of Primary Literature Reading Abilities across Multiple Large-Enrollment Biology Laboratory Courses

Primary literature is essential for scientific communication and is commonly utilized in undergraduate biology education. Despite this, there is often little time spent training our students how to critically analyze a paper. To address this, we introduced a primary literature module in multiple upper-division laboratory courses. In this module, instructors conduct classroom discussions that dissect a paper as researchers do. While previous work has identified classroom interventions that improve primary literature comprehension within a single course, our goal was to determine whether including a scientific paper module in our classes could produce long-term benefits. On the basis of performance in an assessment exam, we found that our module resulted in longitudinal gains, including increased comprehension and critical-thinking abilities in subsequent lab courses. These learning gains were specific to courses utilizing our module, as no longitudinal gains were seen in students who had taken other upper-division labs that lacked extensive primary literature discussion. In addition, we assessed whether performance on our assessment correlated with a variety of factors, including grade point average, course performance, research background, and self-reported confidence in understanding of the article. Furthermore, all of the study conclusions are independent of biology disciplines, as we observe similar trends within each course.
Characterization of Escherichia coli UmuC Active-Site Loops Identifies Variants That Confer UV Hypersensitivity

ABSTRACT DNA is constantly exposed to chemical and environmental mutagens, causing lesions that can stall replication. In order to deal with DNA damage and other stresses, Escherichia coli utilizes the SOS response, which regulates the expression of at least 57 genes, including umuDC. The gene products of umuDC, UmuC and the cleaved form of UmuD, UmuD′, form the specialized E. coli Y-family DNA polymerase UmuD′2C, or polymerase V (Pol V). Y-family DNA polymerases are characterized by their specialized ability to copy damaged DNA in a process known as translesion synthesis (TLS) and by their low fidelity on undamaged DNA templates. Y-family polymerases exhibit various specificities for different types of DNA damage. Pol V carries out TLS to bypass abasic sites and thymine-thymine dimers resulting from UV radiation. Using alanine-scanning mutagenesis, we probed the roles of two active-site loops composed of residues 31 to 38 and 50 to 54 in Pol V activity by assaying the function of single-alanine variants in UV-induced mutagenesis and for their ability to confer resistance to UV radiation. We find that mutations of the N-terminal residues of loop 1, N32, N33, and D34, confer hypersensitivity to UV radiation and to 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide and significantly reduce Pol V-dependent UV-induced mutagenesis. Furthermore, mutating residues 32, 33, or 34 diminishes Pol V-dependent inhibition of recombination, suggesting that these mutations may disrupt an interaction of UmuC with RecA, which could also contribute to the UV hypersensitivity of cells expressing these variants.
Comprehensive Identification of Cell Cycle–regulated Genes of the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by Microarray Hybridization

We sought to create a comprehensive catalog of yeast genes whose transcript levels vary periodically within the cell cycle. To this end, we used DNA microarrays and samples from yeast cultures sync...
Characterization of amino acid side chain losses in electron capture dissociation.

We have used electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry to characterize amino acid side chain losses observed during electron capture dissociation (ECD) of ten 7- to 14-mer peptides. Side-chain cleavages were observed for arginine, histidine, asparagine or glutamine, methionine, and lysine residues. All peptides containing an arginine, histidine, asparagine or glutamine showed the losses associated with that residue. Methionine side-chain loss was observed for doubly-protonated bombesin. Lysine side-chain loss was observed for triply-protonated dynorphin A fragment 1–13 but not for the doubly-protonated ion. The proximity of arginine to a methoxy C-terminal group significantly enhances the extent of side-chain fragmentation. Fragment ions associated with side-chain losses were comparable in abundance to those resulting from backbone cleavage in all cases. In the ECD spectrum of one peptide, the major product was due to fragmentation within an arginine side chain. Our results suggest that cleavages within side chains should be taken into account in analysis of ECD mass spectral data. Losses from arginine, histidine, and asparigine/glutamine can be used to ascertain their presence, as in the analysis of unknown peptides, particularly those with non-linear structures.
Using Delphi Surveying Techniques to Gather Input from Non-Academics for Development of a Modern Dairy Manufacturing Curriculum

The current face of the dairy manufacturing industry has changed from its traditional conception. Industry emphasis is moving away from traditional dairy products, such as fluid milk, ice cream, and butter, and moving toward yogurts, dairy beverages, and value-added products incorporating ingredients derived from milk and whey. However, many undergraduate dairy curricula still focus on production of fluid milk and traditional dairy products. In addition, despite the significant production of dairy products in the northwestern United States, there are few universities in the Pacific Northwest that offer courses in dairy products or manufacturing. Washington State Univ. and the Univ. of Idaho have developed a dairy manufacturing option to address these issues. To ensure that the curriculum was in alignment with current industry needs, dairy experts in the Pacific Northwest were asked to provide feedback on the proposed curriculum using a modified Delphi survey. Top industry concerns and desired knowledge and skills in new hires were identified. Survey participants emphasized the importance of including new processing technologies, waste management concepts, sustainability principles, engineering skills, and novel dairy products/ingredients in curriculum coverage. The results of the survey were used to modify the proposed curriculum to more closely address dairy industry needs. Alignment between industry needs and university curricula is vital to promote continued growth, development, and innovation in any industry; universities must be aware of changing needs in industry and modify curricula when necessary to address industry challenges.
Third‐generation amphiphilic conetworks. III. Permeabilities and mechanical properties

While two of our earlier papers on poly(dimethyl acryl amide)/polymethylhydrosiloxane/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMAAm/PMHS/PDMS) amphiphilic conetworks concerned synthesis and biological properties, respectively, the present contribution focuses on oxygen and insulin permeabilities, and select mechanical properties. We show that by increasing the PDMAAm content from 20 to 60% (i.e., by decreasing the hydrophobic content from 80 to 40%), oxygen permeabilities decrease from ∼240 to ∼130 barrers. Evidently, oxygen permeability is a function of the sum of the oxyphilic components, PDMS + PMHS, in the conetworks. In contrast, insulin permeability is a function of the hydrophilic component, and reaches a desirable 1.5 × 10−7 cm2/s at 61% PDMAAm. We also studied the permeabilities of glucose, dextran, and albumin through a PDMAAm61/PMHS6/PDMS33 membrane and found, unsurprisingly, that the permeability of these molecules follows their hydrodynamic radii, and we project that the permeability of IgG is infinitesimally low. Tensile strengths and ultimate elongations of water-swollen membranes are also a function of conetwork composition: by increasing the PDMAAm content from 30 to 60%, strengths decrease from 1.6 to 1.2 MPa, and elongations from ∼60 to ∼40%. Overall, the permeabilities and the mechanical properties of these membranes are appropriate for implantation and, specifically, for immunoisolation of living tissue. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4276–4283, 2007
Rps5-Rps16 communication is essential for efficient translation initiation in yeast S. cerevisiae

Conserved ribosomal proteins frequently harbor additional segments in eukaryotes not found in bacteria, which could facilitate eukaryotic-specific reactions in the initiation phase of protein synthesis. Here we provide evidence showing that truncation of the N-terminal domain (NTD) of yeast Rps5 (absent in bacterial ortholog S7) impairs translation initiation, cell growth and induction of GCN4 mRNA translation in a manner suggesting incomplete assembly of 48S preinitiation complexes (PICs) at upstream AUG codons in GCN4 mRNA. Rps5 mutations evoke accumulation of factors on native 40S subunits normally released on conversion of 48S PICs to 80S initiation complexes (ICs) and this abnormality and related phenotypes are mitigated by the SUI5 variant of eIF5. Remarkably, similar effects are observed by substitution of Lys45 in the Rps5-NTD, involved in contact with Rps16, and by eliminating the last two residues of the C-terminal tail (CTT) of Rps16, believed to contact initiator tRNA base-paired to AUG in the P site. We propose that Rps5-NTD-Rps16-NTD interaction modulates Rps16-CTT association with Met-tRNAiMet to promote a functional 48S PIC.
The Child as Democratic Citizen

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) justifiably emphasizes welfare over participation rights of children for two reasons. First, children are by nature an at-risk population. Second, democratic citizenship rights require a minimal bundle of cognitive and emotional capacity—which may be called “political maturity”—that children, again by nature, lack. However, the CRC goes too far in prioritizing welfare over participation, again for two reasons. First, millions of children have their basic welfare needs met, and second, participation would be useful in cultivating the very political maturity that citizens need. In this article, the author argues that participatory institutions should be designed to further the interests of children, cultivate their political maturity, and mitigate the harm that giving power to the politically immature might cause. The author discusses three institutional designs that might achieve this result (fractional voting, national electoral constituencies...
FROM CELL TO CAGESIDE : AUTONOMIC INFLUENCES ON CARDIAC RHYTHMS IN THE DOG

The autonomic nervous system is pivotal in the characteristics of normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms. Some of the unique features (pronounced sinus arrhythmia and wandering pacemaker) of the canine electrocardiogram can be explained by the influence of parasympathetic tone. Perturbations that enhance the sympathetic nervous system can also potentiate arrhythmias, or counteract antiarrhythmic action. Moreover, disorders of the innervation to the heart may actually cause some life-threatening arrhythmias. This article reviews the interactions of the autonomic nervous system and cardiac rhythms as they pertain to the normal dog, as well as to specific arrhythmias in the boxer and German shepherd dog. Emphasis is placed on relating information from electrophysiological investigations to the clinical arena, thus demonstrating the value of linking the basic and clinical sciences as one medicine: knowledge from cell to cageside.
Maintenance of Ecosystem Nitrogen Limitation by Ephemeral Forest Disturbance: An Assessment using MODIS, Hyperion, and Landsat ETM+

Ephemeral disturbances, such as non-lethal insect defoliations and crown damage from meteorological events, can significantly affect the delivery of ecosystem services by helping maintain nitrogen (N) limitation in temperate forest ecosystems. However, the impacts of these disturbances are difficult to observe across the broad-scales at which they affect ecosystem function. Using remotely sensed measures and field data, we find support for the hypothesis that ephemeral disturbances help maintain landscape-wide ecosystem N limitation. Specifically, a phenology-based defoliation index derived from daily MODIS satellite imagery predicts three ecosystem responses from oak-dominated forested watersheds: elevated stream water N export (R(exp 2) = 0.48), decreased foliar N (R(exp 2) = 0.69, assessed with Hyperion imagery), and reduced vegetation growth vigor (R(exp 2) = 0.49, assessed with Landsat ETM+ imagery). The results indicate that ephemeral disturbances and other forest stressors may sustain N limitation by reducing the ability of trees to compete for--and retain--soil available N.
Vapor‐liquid equilibria at high pressures: Calculation of critical temperatures, volumes, and pressures of nonpolar mixtures

An analysis of critical data for a larger number of binary mixtures of normal fluids shows that the critical temperature and the critical volume can each be expressed as quadratic functions of the surface fraction. Each of these functions requires one adjustable parameter characteristic of the binary pair; for any family of chemical components, these parameters, upon suitable reduction, follow definite trends. It was shown that the surface fraction gives much better correlation than any other size-weighted variable. For the critical pressure, however, no quadratic function was adequate. To calculate critical pressures, the correlations for critical temperature and critical volume were used in conjunction with a slightly altered version of the Redlich-Kwong equation. Generalizations to systems containing more than two components follow without additional assumptions. The methods presented in this paper provide good estimates for critical constants of multicomponent mixtures. These are particularly useful for analyzing and correlating vapor-liquid equilibria in the critical region.
Detection of Chronic Wasting Disease Prions in Salivary, Urinary, and Intestinal Tissues of Deer: Potential Mechanisms of Prion Shedding and Transmission

Efficient horizontal transmission is a signature trait of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids. Infectious prions shed into excreta appear to play a key role in this facile transmission, as has been demonstrated by bioassays of cervid and transgenic species and serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA). However, the source(s) of infectious prions in these body fluids has yet to be identified. In the present study, we analyzed tissues proximate to saliva, urine, and fecal production by sPMCA in an attempt to elucidate this unique aspect of CWD pathogenesis. Oropharyngeal, urogenital, and gastrointestinal tissues along with blood and obex from CWD-exposed cervids (comprising 27 animals and >350 individual samples) were analyzed and scored based on the apparent relative CWD burden. PrPCWD-generating activity was detected in a range of tissues and was highest in the salivary gland, urinary bladder, and distal intestinal tract. In the same assays, blood from the same animals and unseeded normal brain homogenate controls (n = 116 of 117) remained negative. The PrP-converting activity in peripheral tissues varied from 10−11- to 100-fold of that found in brain of the same animal. Deer with highest levels of PrPCWD amplification in the brain had higher and more widely disseminated prion amplification in excretory tissues. Interestingly, PrPCWD was not demonstrable in these excretory tissues by conventional Western blotting, suggesting a low prion burden or the presence of protease-sensitive infectious prions destroyed by harsh proteolytic treatments. These findings offer unique insights into the transmission of CWD in particular and prion infection and trafficking overall.
Evaluating a Media Campaign That Targeted PTSD After Hurricane Katrina

This study evaluates a media campaign that targeted posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Evaluation data come from telephone survey interviews of African Americans (N = 968), who were the target audience of the media campaign. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression indicates over-time improvements in campaign attention, PTSD beliefs, and PTSD preventive behaviors, whereas PTSD remained constant. Structural equation modeling offers support for a multistep model in which campaign attention influences PTSD beliefs, which influence PTSD preventive behaviors, which, in turn, influence PTSD. There is one across-step path from campaign attention directly to PTSD preventive behaviors. These two sets of findings signify the media campaign's positive role in influencing beliefs and preventive behaviors. Although PTSD remained unchanged, the improvements in PTSD beliefs and preventive behaviors may have been a means to subsequent abatement in PTSD.
The Essential Cofactor TRRAP Recruits the Histone Acetyltransferase hGCN5 to c-Myc

The c-Myc protein functions as a transcription factor to facilitate oncogenic transformation; however, the biochemical and genetic pathways leading to transformation remain undefined. We demonstrate here that the recently described c-Myc cofactor TRRAP recruits histone acetylase activity, which is catalyzed by the human GCN5 protein. Since c-Myc function is inhibited by recruitment of histone deacetylase activity through Mad family proteins, these opposing biochemical activities are likely to be responsible for the antagonistic biological effects of c-Myc and Mad on target genes and ultimately on cellular transformation.
Control model learning for whole-body mobile manipulation

The ability to discover the effects of actions and apply this knowledge during goal-oriented action selection is a fundamental requirement of embodied intelligent agents. In our ongoing work, we hope to demonstrate the utility of learned control models for whole-body mobile manipulation. In this short paper we discuss preliminary work on learning a forward model of the dynamics of a balancing robot exploring simple arm movements. This model is then used to construct whole-body control strategies for regulating state variables using arm motion.
Mesenchymal stem cell function on hybrid organic/inorganic microparticles in vitro.

The aim of this study was to investigate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) function on novel type hybrid organic/inorganic microparticles (MPs) for application to bone regeneration. The MPs were based on chitosan (CS) and consisted of inorganic components, such as dibasic calcium phosphate (CaHPO4) or calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The MPs were crosslinked using tripolyphosphate. Four types of hybrid MPs were fabricated: CS; CS–10% CaHPO4; CS–20% CaHPO4; and CS–10% CaCO3. The MSCs were attached to all the types of MPs at day 1 and started to spread and proliferate further by days 2 and 7, as analysed by fluorescence microcopy. Cell proliferation was measured at days 7, 14, 21 and 28 by counting the cells attached on the MPs. The number of proliferated cells increased significantly for all types of MPs as time increased. MSC differentiation was analysed using osteoblast (OB) phenotype markers, including alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), collagen I (COLLI) and osteocalcin (OCN) at days 7, 14, 21 and 28, using quantitative real-time PCR. The normalized mRNA expression of ALP for all MPs was observed only at day 7. The normalized mRNA expression of COLLI and OCN was significantly increased for all types of hybrid MPs at each time point compared to the control samples. Collectively, our results proved that hybrid organic/inorganic MPs were non-cytotoxic and supported MSC attachment, spreading, proliferation and differentiation into the OB phenotype. These hybrid MPs have great potential for application as bone-void fillers or bone tissue engineering scaffolds in bone regeneration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mitigation of motion artifacts in CBCT of lung tumors based on tracked tumor motion during CBCT acquisition.

An algorithm capable of mitigating respiratory motion blurring artifacts in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) lung tumor images based on the motion of the tumor during the CBCT scan is developed. The tumor motion trajectory and probability density function (PDF) are reconstructed from the acquired CBCT projection images using a recently developed algorithm Lewis et al (2010 Phys. Med. Biol. 55 2505–22). Assuming that the effects of motion blurring can be represented by convolution of the static lung (or tumor) anatomy with the motion PDF, a cost function is defined, consisting of a data fidelity term and a total variation regularization term. Deconvolution is performed through iterative minimization of this cost function. The algorithm was tested on digital respiratory phantom, physical respiratory phantom and patient data. A clear qualitative improvement is evident in the deblurred images as compared to the motion-blurred images for all cases. Line profiles show that the tumor boundaries are more accurately and clearly represented in the deblurred images. The normalized root-mean-squared error between the images used as ground truth and the motion-blurred images are 0.29, 0.12 and 0.30 in the digital phantom, physical phantom and patient data, respectively. Deblurring reduces the corresponding values to 0.13, 0.07 and 0.19. Application of a −700 HU threshold to the digital phantom results in tumor dimension measurements along the superior–inferior axis of 2.8, 1.8 and 1.9 cm in the motion-blurred, ground truth and deblurred images, respectively. Corresponding values for the physical phantom are 3.4, 2.7 and 2.7 cm. A threshold of −500 HU applied to the patient case gives measurements of 3.1, 1.6 and 1.7 cm along the SI axis in the CBCT, 4DCT and deblurred images, respectively. This technique could provide more accurate information about a lung tumor's size and shape on the day of treatment.
Accuracy performance of star trackers - a tutorial

An autonomous star tracker is an avionics instrument used to provide the absolute 3-axis attitude of a spacecraft utilizing star observations. It consists of an electronic camera and associated processing electronics. The processor has the capability to perform star identification utilizing an internal star catalog stored in firmware and to calculate the attitude quaternion autonomously. Relevant parameters and characteristics of an autonomous star tracker are discussed in detail.
γδ T Cells Play a Protective Role in Chikungunya Virus-Induced Disease

ABSTRACT Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an alphavirus responsible for causing epidemic outbreaks of polyarthralgia in humans. Because CHIKV is initially introduced via the skin, where γδ T cells are prevalent, we evaluated the response of these cells to CHIKV infection. CHIKV infection led to a significant increase in γδ T cells in the infected foot and draining lymph node that was associated with the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in C57BL/6J mice. γδ T cell −/− mice demonstrated exacerbated CHIKV disease characterized by less weight gain and greater foot swelling than occurred in wild-type mice, as well as a transient increase in monocytes and altered cytokine/chemokine expression in the foot. Histologically, γδ T cell −/− mice had increased inflammation-mediated oxidative damage in the ipsilateral foot and ankle joint compared to wild-type mice which was independent of differences in CHIKV replication. These results suggest that γδ T cells play a protective role in limiting the CHIKV-induced inflammatory response and subsequent tissue and joint damage. IMPORTANCE Recent epidemics, including the 2004 to 2007 outbreak and the spread of CHIKV to naive populations in the Caribbean and Central and South America with resultant cases imported into the United States, have highlighted the capacity of CHIKV to cause explosive epidemics where the virus can spread to millions of people and rapidly move into new areas. These studies identified γδ T cells as important to both recruitment of key inflammatory cell populations and dampening the tissue injury due to oxidative stress. Given the importance of these cells in the early response to CHIKV, this information may inform the development of CHIKV vaccines and therapeutics.
Cortisol feedback regulation of pulsatile ACTH secretion in fetal sheep during late gestation.

In fetal sheep, plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations increase during late gestation to surge within 72 h of birth (approximately 146 days gestation). To determine t...
Mesoscale wide-bandwidth linear magnetic actuators : an LDRD final report.

As MEMS transducers are scaled up in size, the threshold is quickly crossed to where magnetoquasistatic (MQS) transducers are superior for force production compared to electroquasistatic (EQS) transducers. Considerable progress has been made increasing the force output of MEMS EQS transducers, but progress with MEMS MQS transducers has been more modest. A key reason for this has been the difficulty implementing efficient lithographically-fabricated magnetic coil structures. The contribution of this study is a planar multilayer polyphase coil architecture which provides for the lithographic implementation of efficient stator windings suitable for linear magnetic machines. A millimeter-scale linear actuator with complex stator windings was fabricated using this architecture. The stators of the actuator were fabricated using a BCB/Cu process, which does not require replanarization of the wafer between layers. The prototype stator was limited to thin copper layers (3 {micro}m) due to the use of evaporated metal at the time of fabrication. Two layers of metal were implemented in the prototype, but the winding architecture naturally supports additional metal layer pairs. It was found in laboratory tests that the windings can support very high current densities of 4 x 10{sup 9}A/m{sup 2} without damage. Force production normal to the stator was calculatedmore » to be 0.54 N/A. For thin stators such as this one, force production increases approximately linearly with the thickness of the windings and a six-layer stator fabricated using a newly implemented electroplated BCB/Cu process (six layers of 15 {micro}m thick metal) is projected to produce approximately 8.8 N/A.« less
An Investigation of the Relationships Among Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Participation and Ethical Judgment and Decision Making

The Pathways Commission ( http://www.pathwayscommission.org , 2012) calls on accounting educators to develop students’ skills in ethical judgment and decision making, but there is uncertainty about how best to accomplish this task. We test if participation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs is positively associated with students’ ethical judgment and decision making. Using a questionnaire administered to students participating in VITA and students not participating in VITA at seven universities, we form multiple measures of students’ ethical judgment and students’ ethical decision making. Regression analyses reveal that VITA participation is positively and significantly associated with ethical judgment and, in certain cases, is also positively and significantly associated with ethical decision making, even after controlling for other determinants including completion of ethics courses. We conclude that VITA programs can be effective educational interventions to promote ethical development in students. Our study adds to the growing literature on positive student outcomes associated with VITA participation, provides empirical evidence to support the tenets of situated learning and service-learning theories, and contributes to the development of effective ethics education.
Epidemiological analysis of different types of hepatitis B in Tianjin( 2005-2014)

Objective To explore the epidemic characteristics of different types of hepatitis B and its trend. Methods Descriptive method was applied,the data of the time,area and distribution of the cases and its trend from 2005 to 2014 were analyzed. Results Cumulative number of hepatitis B cases was 34 910( average morbidity rate,28. 59 /105),including 3 453 acute cases and 25 603 chronic cases. The morbidity rates were 2. 83 /105 and 20. 96 /105respectively( χ2= 16 887. 420,P 0. 001). Both acute and chronic hepatitis B incidence rates showed a downward trend. However,the incidence of the 30 ~ 39 age group remained high,the morbidity of male was higher than that of female,and the incidence of the 6 central districts was the lowest in the city. Acute cases showed no seasonal trend,while the chronic cases showed a downward trend. Conclusion On the whole,the control of hepatitis B in Tianjin City has achieved better results.
Clinical Observation of the Effect of Small Incision Medical Biological Glue filling Sealing Treatment for Anal Fistula

Objective To study the curative effect of small incision minimally invasive medical biological glue filling sealing treatment for anal fistula operation.Methods Randomized controlled design method was used.40 patients with anal fistula were selected for the treatment group 20 cases and the control group 20 cases.The treatment group was treated with small incision minimally invasive surgical treatment of biological glue filling sealing,but the control group was treated with conventional incision hangs line art therapy.The curative effects of two groups were compared and studied.Results The curative effect of treatment group was obviously higher than that of control group.The course of treatment group was 11-23 days,an average of 16.3 days.The course of control group was 14-36 days,average 28.6 days.Compared with the control group,the average cure time of treatment group was significantly shortened(9.0±2.1 days)(P 0.05).Index number of VAS pain in the treatment group was 2.8,and that in the control group was 3.7(P 0.05).Conclusion The protective effect of small incision minimally invasive medical biological glue filling sealing treatment for anal fistula operation on the structure and function of the anus rectum was remarkably superior to the traditional method,with high cure rate,shorter wound healing time,anal less tissue damage,and the advantages of small scar area,l ess pain,and without postoperative anal stricture,fecal incontinence and other sequel.The small incision minimally invasive medical biological glue filling sealing treatment for anal fistula operation had satisfactory curative effect on the treatment and protection of the anal function.