cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The polarity protein PAR-3 and TIAM1 cooperate in dendritic spine morphogenesis

PAR-3 (partitioning-defective gene 3) is essential for cell polarization in many contexts, including axon specification. However, polarity proteins have not been implicated in later steps of neuronal differentiation, such as dendritic spine morphogenesis. Here, we show that PAR-3 is necessary for normal spine development in primary hippocampal neurons. Depletion of PAR-3 causes the formation of multiple filopodia- and lamellipodia-like dendritic protrusions - a phenotype similar to neurons expressing activated Rac. PAR-3 regulates spine formation by binding the Rac guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) TIAM1, and spatially restricting it to dendritic spines. Thus, a balance of PAR-3 and TIAM1 is essential to modulate Rac-GTP levels and to allow spine morphogenesis.
Incentive policy in Chinese collective agriculture - a comment

Abstract In the May issue of FOOD POLICY, Gek-boo Ng presented an interesting analysis of incentive policies in the Chinese system of collective agriculture,1 in order to assess their impact on agricultural development in the People's Republic of China. The topic is of extreme importance to other developing countries seeking to emulate China's success in eliminating rural poverty. Ng's paper is well documented and highly informative. However, due to the fragmentary nature of the available data, and to limitations in Ng's analytical framework, the analysis seems to provide only limited support for his general conclusion that the incentive policies he examines have played an important role in China's agricultural development. The conclusion may eventually be warranted, but at present it seems somewhat premature.
Size dependence of cell cycle parameters for lung metastases from b16 melanoma

Data presented show that the cell cycle time of the lung metastases from a B16 melanoma tumor growing in the foot pad of C57 BL/6J mice increases as the size of the metastases increases. This increased cell phase durations of the small metastases being closer to those of the primary tumor. The growth fractions of the primary tumor and of the lung metastases of different sizes are analyzed.
High powers of random elements of compact Lie groups

If a random unitary matrix \(U\) is raised to a sufficiently high power, its eigenvalues are exactly distributed as independent, uniform phases. We prove this result, and apply it to give exact asymptotics of the variance of the number of eigenvalues of \(U\) falling in a given arc, as the dimension of \(U\) tends to infinity. The independence result, it turns out, extends to arbitrary representations of arbitrary compact Lie groups. We state and prove this more general theorem, paying special attention to the compact classical groups and to wreath products. This paper is excerpted from the author's doctoral thesis, [9].
Molecular genomic approaches to infectious diseases in resource-limited settings.

Josefina Coloma and Eva Harris discuss advances in genomics in resource-limited settings and argue that access to training and capacity building in bioinformatics and data mining will be crucial for the future
Receptor capping in platelet membranes

Analyse de la redistribution et du regroupement des recepteurs en relation avec l'agregation des thrombocytes
H-mode pedestal characteristics in ITER shape discharges on DIII-D

Abstract Characteristics of the H-mode pedestal are studied in Type I ELM discharges with ITER cross-sectional shape and aspect ratio. The scaling of the width of the edge steep gradient region, δ , which is most consistent with the data are with the normalized edge pressure, ( β PED POL ) 0.4 . Fits of δ to a function of temperature, such as ρ POL , are ruled out in divertor pumping experiments. The edge pressure gradient is found to scale as would be expected from infinite n ballooning mode theory; however, the value of the pressure gradient exceeds the calculated first stable limit by more than a factor of 2 in some discharges. This high edge pressure gradient is consistent with access to the second stable regime for ideal ballooning for surfaces near the edge. In lower q discharges, including discharges at the ITER value of q , edge second stability requires significant edge current density. Transport simulations give edge bootstrap current of sufficient magnitude to open second stable access in these discharges. Ideal kink analysis using current density profiles including edge bootstrap current indicate that before the ELM these discharges may be unstable to low n , edge localized modes.
Robust intrusion tolerance in information systems

Intrusions exploit vulnerabilities and introduce external disturbances into information systems to compromise security attributes of information systems such as availability, integrity, and confidentiality. Intrusions into information systems cause faults of software and hardware components in information systems, which then lead to errors and failures of system performance. Intrusion tolerance requires information systems to function correctly in a timely manner even under impact of intrusions. In this paper, we discuss causes, chain effects and barriers of intrusions into information systems, and reveal roles that various information security techniques play in intrusion tolerance. We present two robust intrusion tolerance methods through fault masking: Taguchi’s robust method for system configuration and sharing of resources via an information infrastructure for redundancy.
Determination of Bran Contamination in Wheat Flours Using Ash Content, Color, and Bran Speck Counts

ABSTRACT A fast new method based on image analysis, ScanPro Speck Expert (SPX), to determine the bran contamination in wheat flour was studied and compared with existing methods (air-oven, ash, and color measurements) using an Agtron color meter and a Minolta chromameter. Twenty-one hard red winter wheat flour samples with ash contents of 0.30–0.58% were collected from the Kansas State University pilot mill and used for this study. Intrinsic variability in the flour sample because of randomness of bran speck orientation and distribution in the sample holder could result in variation in the speck count. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses showed that estimation of flour ash content from the SPX results (R2 = 0.91) would be more accurate than the results from color measurements (R2 = 0.66 [Agtron color meter] and 0.74 [L*]). The added capability of SPX image analyzer to not only count the number of bran specks but also to measure their areas probably increases the accuracy of determining the bran...
Neonatal seizure detection using multichannel display of envelope trend

We aimed to determine whether analysis of EEG envelope trend aids bedside detection of neonatal seizures. Five neonatal EEGs with multiple seizures were used to determine optimal trend parameters for seizure detection. Using these parameters, envelope trends were generated on eight additional EEGs, evaluated by experienced and inexperienced users, and compared to traditional EEG interpretation. Seizures were best detected using envelope trend of 2-6 Hz activity over 20-s epochs. Experienced and inexperienced users identified 88% and 55% of prolonged seizures, respectively, 40% and 6% of brief seizures, and 20% and 0% of slowly evolving seizures. All users identified less than two false positives per hour. Thus, an experienced envelope trend user accurately identified longer seizures but did not identify brief or slowly evolving seizures. Less experienced users were less accurate. Trending may be a useful tool for seizure detection in some neonates.
Incorporation of [I-14C]glucosamine into mucopolysaccharides of rat connective tissue

1. 1. Incorporation of [I-14C]glucosamine into acid mucopolysaccharides was studied in connective tissue formed in stainless steel wire mesh cylinders implanted subcutaneously into adult rats. Liver, serum, and the fluids found within cylinders were also investigated. 2. 2. High levels of non-dialyzable radioactivity were observed in tissue when labelled glucosamine was injected directly into the area of connective tissue proliferation within cylinders. 3. 3. Incorporation of [I-14C]glucosamine into connective tissue was not adversely affected by removal of the animal's liver; only a small amount of radioactivity was found in serum proteins of these animals. 4. 4. Incorporation of glucosamine by connective tissue slices was demonstrated by studies in vitro. 5. 5. Mucopolysaccharides with high specific radioactivity, prepared from connective tissue labelled in vivo or in vitro, had staining characteristics and electrophoretic mobility of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate. Glucosamine and galactosamine, isolated from connective tissue, were found to be radioactive. It may be concluded that glucosamine can be directly incorporated into mucopolysaccharides at the site of connective tissue formation.
Eutrophication and cyanobacteria blooms in run-of-river impoundments in North Carolina, U.S.A.

Abstract We compared monthly data taken during the dry summer growing season of 2002 in 11 potable water supply reservoirs (19–85 years old based on year filled) within the North Carolina Piedmont, including measures of watershed land use, watershed area, reservoir morphometry (depth, surface area, volume), suspended solids (SS), nutrient concentrations (total nitrogen, TN; total Kjeldahl nitrogen, TKN; nitrate + nitrite, NO3− + NO2−; total phosphorus, TP; total organic carbon), phytoplankton chlorophyll a (chla) concentrations, cyanobacteria assemblages, and microcystin concentrations from monthly data taken during the dry summer 2002 growing season. The reservoirs were considered collectively or as two subgroups by age as “mod.” (moderate age, 19–40 years post-fill, n = 5) and “old” (74–85 yr post-fill, n = 6). The run-of-river impoundments were meso-/eutrophic and turbid (means 25–125 μg TP/L, 410–1,800 μg TN/L, 3–70 μg chla/L and 5.7–41.9 mg SS/L). Under drought conditions in these turbid systems, the...
Substorm electron injections: Geosynchronous observations and test particle simulations

We investigate electron acceleration and the flux increases associated with energetic electron injections on the basis of geosynchronous observations and test-electron orbits in the dynamic fields of a three-dimensional MHD simulation of neutral line formation and dipolarization in the magnetotail. This complements an earlier investigation of test protons [Birn et al., 1997b]. In the present paper we consider equatorial orbits only, using the gyrocenter drift approximation. It turns out that this approximation is valid for electrons prior to and during the flux rises observed in the near tail region of the model at all energies considered (∼ 100 eV to 1 MeV). The test particle model reproduces major observed characteristics: a fast flux rise, comparable to that of the ions, and the existence of five categories of dispersionless events, typical for observations at different local times. They consist of dispersionless injections of ions or electrons without accompanying injections of the other species, delayed electron injections and delayed ion injections, and simultaneous two-species injections. As postulated from observations [Birn et al., 1997a], these categories can be attributed to a dawn-dusk displacement of the ion and electron injection boundaries in combination with an earthward motion or expansion. The simulated electron injection region extends farther toward dusk at lower energies (say, below 40 keV) than at higher energies. This explains the existence of observed energetic ion injections that are accompanied by electron flux increases at the lower energies but not by an energetic electron injection at energies above 50 keV. The simulated distributions show that flux increases are limited in energy, as observed. The reason for this limitation and for the differences between the injection regions at different energies is the localization in the dawn-dusk direction of the tail collapse and the associated cross-tail electric field, in combination with a difference in the relative importance of E × B drift and gradient drifts at different energies. The results demonstrate that the collapsing field region earthward of the neutral line appears to be more significant than the neutral line itself for the acceleration of electrons, particularly for the initial rise of the fluxes and the injection boundary. This is similar to the result obtained for test ions [Birn et al., 1997b].
Potential role of transgenesis in dairy production and related areas

Abstract Historical programs for genetic improvement of dairy cattle are discussed in the context of new genetic technologies resulting in a heterozygous gain of function. Concepts are outlined pointing to the importance of breaking the well established genetic correlation between fat content and protein content of milk to provide flexibility in the dairy industry. The concept of value added genetics is introduced and the economic competitiveness of the mammary glands of livestock are considered in relationship to mammalian cell culture and bacterial fermentation technology.
Aqueous Electrodeposition and Mechanism of Iron Group-Vanadium Ternary Alloys

Composition of ternary CoFeV deposits can be varied and tailored by control of the [Fe]/[Fe + Co] solution molar ratios and solution pH. Near 2V Permendur compositions were obtained with Bs of 2.35T and Bs of 2.39T for DC and PC deposits, respectively. Annealing deposits in vacuum at 820oC for 2 hours increased Br to equivalent 2V Permunder. X-ray diffraction patterns show microstructures of mixed HCP, FCC and BCC planes, depending on deposit composition. Co-rich deposits had HCP preferred orientation but as Fe content increases HCP plane disappeared and Fe BCC plane became the preferred orientation. Surface morphology changed from a needle-like structure in Co-rich deposits to nodular appearance with increasing Fe content. A hydrogen atom mechanism for the reduction of the oxovanadium, Co(II) and Fe(II) within the heterodinuclear and heterotrinuclear biscitrate complexes is proposed. This mechanism is also applicable to aqueous electrodeposition of IG-Mo and IG-W alloys.
satellite techniques for observing the temperature structure of the atmosphere

Abstract The importance of global atmospheric temperature soundings determined from satellite radiometric measurements has long been recognized by the scientific community. Several remote sounding techniques have been proposed for determining the thermal structure of the atmosphere. This paper reviews the physical concepts of various satellite sounding methods showing empirical results to demonstrate their viability.
Readjustment potentials in industrial energy efficiency and structure

Abstract With the availability of input-output data for 1977, it is possible to analyze the short run effects of the 1974 energy price increase as well as other factors on the energy efficiency of the industries of the economy. Such an analysis is conducted here using a number of measures derived through the energy input-output model. Attention is focused on patterns of energy use, changes in energy intensities through time, and the factors which underlie these changes. A specific measure of the degree to which energy substitution is attributable to changes in direct and indirect energy requirements is developed and estimated. Results show that large changes in the economy's overall industrial energy requirements are not observed between 1963 and 1977. However, for individual fuels large changes in intensity values are not at all uncommon among industries.
Mechanisms of immobilization of nuclear waste elements by cement minerals, cement and mortar

The mechanisms of immobilization of nuclear waste elements such as Cs, Sr, Ba, U, La and Nd (the latter two simulating Am and Cm) by three cement minerals, one cement and one mortar were investigated. Cement minerals did not immobilize Cs or Sr or Ba in the absence of CO2 but immobilized 62 to 91% of the added Cs and all of the added Sr by forming carbonates when CO2 was bubbled through the cement mineral suspensions. The elements La, Nd and U reacted significantly with various cement minerals, cement and mortar and precipitated as hydroxides. For example, C3S★ mineral immobilized 92, 73 and 99.2 of the added La, Nd and U respectively. Reaction of cement with U resulted in the formation of basic calcium uranyl silicate hydrate or uranophane under simulated repository conditions. These results suggest that cements serve as not only physical barriers but also act as chemical barriers for the migration of especially U and transuranic elements of nuclear waste.
The state-of-the-art in chemoprevention of skin cancer.

Abstract The incidence of skin cancer (both melanoma and non-melanoma) continues to grow at an alarming rate. Our chemoprevention strategies include the development of novel agents evaluated by (1) preclinical mechanistic studies in models of ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin carcinogenesis; (2) clinical studies of immunohistochemical surrogate endpoint biomarkers in high-risk patients; and (3) randomised, placebo-controlled phase I, II and III clinical chemoprevention trials. Recent clinical results validate this development model. Molecular targets of chemopreventive strategies for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers include the ras and activator protein-1 (AP-1) signal transduction pathways. A transgenic murine melanoma model has been developed for evaluating potential agents in vivo . Agents at various stages of study include the green tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the limonene derivative perillyl alcohol, the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), selenium, retinoids and salicylates. New chemopreventive agents that can be used to complement sunscreens may result in decreased incidence, morbidity and mortality of skin cancer.
IGFC Response to Initial Fuel Cell Load for Various Syngas Compositions

The system response to an initial electric load of the fuel cell during the startup of a direct-fired fuel cell turbine power system was studied using the Hybrid Performance (Hyper) project hardware-based simulation facility at the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory for a range of input fuel compositions. The facility was brought to a steady condition at a temperature deemed adequate to minimize stress on the fuel cell during the initial load transient. A 1D distributed fuel cell model operating in real-time was used to produce individual cell transient temperature profiles during the course of the load change. The process was conducted with humidified hydrogen, and then repeated with various syngas compositions representative of different gasifier technologies. The results provide insight into control strategy requirements for mitigation of expected fuel cell failure modes relevant to available gasifier technology.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Sense versus nonsense in DNA diagnostics.

An approach for detecting chain-termination mutations could prove tremendously useful in developing diagnostics for human disease.
A Family of Designs for Aspirated Compressors

The performance of compressors can be enhanced by the judicious removal of the viscous boundary layer fluid from the flow path. Removal of the boundary layer fluid just prior to or in a region of rapid pressure rise, either at shock impingement or more generally at the point of rapid pressure rise on the suction surface of the blade, can give significant increases in the diffusion and therefore increase the work done per stage for a given blade speed. It also provides a thermodynamic benefit by removing the high-entropy fluid from the flow path. Design studies have been done using quasi 3-D viscous and 3-D Euler computational tools on a family of fan stages of varying tip speed that lake advantage of such viscous fluid removal. One stage in this family is a low tip speed fan stage designed to produce a pressure ratio of 1.5 at a tip speed of 700 ft/sec. Fan noise reductions resulting from the decrease in tangential Mach number, without sacrificing total pressure ratio, could make this design attractive for the fan of medium-bypass ratio engines. Another stage in the family would produce a total pressure ratio of 2.0 at a tip speed of 1000 ft/sec and could be very attractive as a fan stage on a lower bypass ratio engine or as a first stage of a low speed core compressor. The final stage in the family would achieve a pressure ratio of more than 3.0 at a tip speed of 1500 ft/sec and could be very attractive as a first stage of a core compressor, or as a fan for a military engine. A design for the suction passages to deal with the fluid removal has been completed for an experimental version of the 1.5 pressure ratio design. A tip shroud allows bleeding of the tip surface boundary layer from the rotor, and carries the fluid removed from the blade surfaces through the tip. One of these stages will be tested in the MIT Blowdown Compressor, serving a dual purpose: as a validation of the computational design process and as a test of the concept of aspirated compressors.Copyright © 1998 by ASME
Glutathione Conjugates Recognize the Rossmann Fold of Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase

Abstract Leukotriene (LT) C4 and other glutathione conjugates are synthesized intracellularly and then move to the plasma membrane for export. The intracellular proteins that bind these molecules and the significance of these interactions are poorly understood. To identify the binding sites of membrane-associated proteins that recognize these molecules, we utilized photoaffinity probes to label the inner leaflet of erythrocytes. The predominant molecule labeled withS-(p-nitrobenzyl)glutathione-[125I]4-azidosalicylic acid (PNBG-[125I]ASA) or LTC4-[125I]4-azidosalicylic acid (LTC4-[125I]ASA) was 38 kDa. The protein was labeled with PNBG-[125I]ASA, electroblotted to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes, digested in situ with lysyl endopeptidase, and two radiolabeled peptides isolated by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography. These contained an identity of 7/11 with amino acids 119–129, and 11/11 with amino acids 67–77 of human liver glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), respectively. Photoaffinity labeling with PNBG-[125I]ASA was blocked completely by 100 μm ATP and greater than 50% with 100 μm NAD+. LTC4-[125I]ASA binding to the NAD+site was confirmed by V8 protease digestion of purified GAPDH labeled with LTC4-[125I]ASA or PNBG-[125I]ASA, with both labels localized to the 6.8-kDa N-terminal fragment. Photoaffinity labeling of HL-60 cells with LTC4-125I-ASA identified GAPDH as the predominant cytoplasmic binding protein in these cells. These data indicate that GAPDH is a membrane-associated and cytoplasmic protein which binds glutathione conjugates including LTC4.
Functional pituitary adenoma recurrence after surgical resection.

ituitary adenoma is the third most commonly diagnosed primary brain tumor after meningioma and glioma. PituiP tary adenomas account for 14.1% of all primary intracranial neoplasms (4). Surgical resection is the preferred primary treatment for many pituitary adenomas. Up to one third of surgically resected tumors will recur, usually in the first 5 years after surgery (8). The indications for and preferred methods of treating recurrent pituitary adenomas vary with type of tumor. Either nonfunctional pituitary adenomas or functional (endocrinologically active) pituitary adenomas (FPA) may cause symptoms of mass effect at recurrence requiring treatment. The latter may need treatment for symptomatic elevated serum hormone levels regardless of tumor size, which may require further treatment. Predicting which pituitary tumors are more likely to recur is of extreme clinical importance in guiding the intensity of clinical, radiologic, and hormonal follow-up and the need for adjuvant therapy after surgical resection.
Strategies for Improving Attendance at Medical Grand Rounds at an Academic Medical Center

Objective To evaluate, in this before-and-after study, the results of 5 strategies for improving attendance at medical grand rounds at a tertiary care academic medical center. Methods The strategies included (1) using electronic card readers to improve understanding of attendance patterns, (2) conducting yearly needs assessment surveys, (3) developing sessions of topical interest, (4) increasing formal participation by residents and faculty researchers, and (5) enhancing publicity. Attendance at medical grand rounds by Mayo Clinic faculty, fellows, residents, and others was measured by card readers between 1998 and 2001. Results After implementation of the 5 strategies, the mean ± SD attendance (as measured by card readers) at medical grand rounds increased 39% from 99.0±24.6 persons in 1998 to 137.4±25.2 persons in 2001 (P Conclusion An organized effort can improve attendance at medical grand rounds at an academic medical center.
Less Steroids Make Bigger Flies

Kirst King-Jones and Carl S. Thummel It has long been known that animal growth is achieved primarily during juvenile stages and terminates after sexual maturation. In their Perspective, [King-Jones and Thummel][1] discuss how the findings of [ Colombani et al. ][2] in this issue provide important new insights into how this coordination of growth and maturation is achieved through steroid and insulin signaling pathways. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/310/5748/630 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/310/5748/667
Audiology: Remediating Boundary Issues: Triangulation and Self-Care

Abstract Audiologists fill multiple roles in the lives of their clients. The audiologist is the limited-time caretaker of the client's loved one, the knowledgeable expert about speech and hearing, ...
Selecting neighbors in random field models for color images

We derive a criterion for the selection of random field models for color images. Models are defined in terms of sets of neighbors that characterize interactions within and between bands of a color image. A Bayesian approach is used to select from a set of models the model which maximizes the posterior probability of the model given the image data. For efficiency, maximum likelihood parameter estimates are computed in the frequency domain. The selection of appropriate random field models is particularly important for color images because of the large number of possible within-band and between-band interactions. We demonstrate the usefulness of the method for designing image models for unsupervised color image segmentation. >
How Does One Cut a Triangle? II

In Chapter 3, we compiled an impressive tool box. Will it enable us to complete the solution of Grand Problem I? There is one way to find out―try and see.
Enhanced Background Rejection in Thick Tissue with Differential-Aberration Two-Photon Microscopy

When a two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) microscope is used to image deep inside tissue, out-of-focus background can arise from both ballistic and nonballistic excitation. We propose a solution to largely reject TPEF background in thick tissue. Our technique is based on differential-aberration imaging with a deformable mirror. By introducing extraneous aberrations in the excitation beam path, we preferentially quench in-focus TPEF signal while leaving out-of-focus TPEF background largely unchanged. A simple subtraction of an aberrated, from an unaberrated, TPEF image then removes background while preserving signal. Our differential aberration (DA) technique is simple, robust, and can readily be implemented with standard TPEF microscopes with essentially no loss in temporal resolution when using a line-by-line DA protocol. We analyze the performance of various induced aberration patterns, and demonstrate the effectiveness of DA-TPEF by imaging GFP-labeled sensory neurons in a mouse olfactory bulb and CA1 pyramidal cells in a hippocampus slice.
The neural basis of sustained and transient attentional control in young adults with ADHD

Differences in neural activation during performance on an attentionally demanding Stroop task were examined between 23 young adults with ADHD carefully selected to not be co-morbid for other psychiatric disorders and 23 matched controls. A hybrid blocked/single-trial design allowed for examination of more sustained vs. more transient aspects of attentional control. Our results indicated neural dysregulation across a wide range of brain regions including those involved in overall arousal, top-down attentional control, response selection, and inhibition. Furthermore, this dysregulation was most notable in lateral regions of DLPFC for sustained attentional control and in medial areas for transient aspects of attentional control. Because of the careful selection and matching of our two groups, these results provide strong evidence that the neural systems of attentional control are dysregulated in young adults with ADHD and are similar to dysregulations seen in children and adolescents with ADHD.
Consequentialism, teleology, and the new friendship critique

: A powerful objection to impersonal moral theories states that they cannot accommodate the good of friendship. This paper focuses on the problem as it applies to consequentialism and addresses the recent criticism that even the most sophisticated forms of consequentialism are incompatible with genuine friendship. I argue that this objection fails since those who pose this challenge either seriously oversimplify consequentialism's theory of value, misunderstand its theory of practical reason, or put too much weight on the good of friendship itself. I conclude by assessing a contemporary consequentialist response in order to suggest a workable conception of consequentialist friendship.
Prothrombin activation on the activated platelet surface optimizes expression of procoagulant activity.

Effective hemostasis relies on the timely formation of α-thrombin via prothrombinase, a Ca2+-dependent complex of factors Va and Xa assembled on the activated platelet surface, which cleaves prothrombin at Arg271 and Arg320. Whereas initial cleavage at Arg271 generates the inactive intermediate prethrombin-2, initial cleavage at Arg320 generates the enzymatically active intermediate meizothrombin. To determine which of these intermediates is formed when prothrombin is processed on the activated platelet surface, the cleavage of prothrombin, and prothrombin mutants lacking either one of the cleavage sites, was monitored on the surface of either thrombin- or collagen-activated platelets. Regardless of the agonist used, prothrombin was initially cleaved at Arg271 generating prethrombin-2, with α-thrombin formation quickly after via cleavage at Arg320. The pathway used was independent of the source of factor Va (plasma- or platelet-derived) and was unaffected by soluble components of the platelet releasate. When both cleavage sites are presented within the same substrate molecule, Arg271 effectively competes against Arg320 (with an apparent IC50 = 0.3μM), such that more than 90% to 95% of the initial cleavage occurs at Arg271. We hypothesize that use of the prethrombin-2 pathway serves to optimize the procoagulant activity expressed by activated platelets, by limiting the anticoagulant functions of the alternate intermediate, meizothrombin.
Identification and characterization of two subpopulations of Encephalitozoon intestinalis.

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular protozoa that have been shown to be pathogenic to most living creatures. The development of in vitro cell culture propagation methods has provided researchers with large numbers of spores and facilitated the study of these organisms. Here, we describe heterogeneity within cell culture-propagated Encephalitozoon intestinalis suspensions. Flow cytometer histograms depicting the log side scatter and forward-angle light scatter of spores from nine suspensions produced over 12 months consistently showed two populations differing in size. The suspensions were composed primarily of the smaller-spore subpopulation (76.4% ± 5.1%). The presence of two subpopulations was confirmed by microscopic examination and image analysis (P < 0.001). Small subpopulation spores were noninfectious in rabbit kidney (RK13) cell culture infectivity assays, while the large spores were infectious when inocula included ≥25 spores. The small spores stained brilliantly with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated monoclonal antibody against Encephalitozoon genus spore wall antigen, while the large spores stained poorly. There was no difference in staining intensities using commercial (MicroSporFA) and experimental polyclonal antibodies. Vital-dye (DAPI [4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole], propidium iodide, or SYTOX Green) staining showed the spores of the small subpopulation to be permeable to all vital dyes tested, while spores of the large subpopulation were not permeable in the absence of ethanol pretreatment. PCR using primers directed to the 16S rRNA or β-tubulin genes and subsequent sequence analysis confirmed both subpopulations as E. intestinalis. Our data suggest that existing cell culture propagation methods produce two types of spores differing in infectivity, and the presence of these noninfective spores in purified spore suspensions should be considered when designing disinfection and drug treatment studies.
THE PERCEPTIONS OF LOWER INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS IN INDIANA ABOUT WORKING IN THE LODGING AND FOODSERVICE INDUSTRIES

The greatest challenge since the 1990s for the lodging and foodservice industries has been labor shortage. The mature population is a viable target in looking for qualified employees for the lodging and foodservice industries. The purpose of the study was to better understand the perceptions of work in lodging and foodservice held by senior citizens. The relationship between the perceptions of senior citizens about working in the lodging and foodservice industries and their demographics such as gender, race, age, level of education, annual income, employment status and health conditions were identified. Surveys were sent to two organizations that worked closely with seniors in Indiana. Data from 110 useable surveys were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, factor analysis and multiple comparisons. Overall, participants preferred part-time work with regular hours. They also enjoyed interaction with customers and coworkers. However, they perceived that it is stressful to work in the lodging and foodservice industries. Furthermore, the respondents did not believe there are job opportunities for them. The following three factors were extracted from factor analysis: (1) ease of finding jobs, (2) stress in the workplace, and (3) time and money issues related to work. Participants who were retired and not seeking jobs viewed the ease of finding jobs significantly different from others with various employment status. As their age increased, they tended to prefer part-time work and regular shifts. The difference became significant between those who were above 80 years of age and those who were younger.
Seasonal response of Noctua pronuba Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to traps in Washington State

Abstract. Noctua pronuba Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the yellow underwing moth, was recently introduced into western North America. Blacklight traps at multiple sites in eastern Washington State indicate two broad periods of moth flight. A spring flight was evident in May and June, and a late season flight was evident from late August into October. Noctua pronuba moths were captured also in traps baited with acetic acid plus 3-methyl-1-butanol, but not in traps baited with acetic acid or 3-methyl-1-butanol alone. This chemical combination is thought to be a feeding attractant for many noctuid moths and may be useful for monitoring N. pronuba. The seasonal pattern of moths captured in traps baited with this chemical lure was similar to the pattern seen with blacklight traps.
Fictions of Time: On Aging, Teaching, and Mining: Response

Listening to these papers last November—each part of a different session and hence oriented to a different conversation—my attention was caught by a striking convergence of interests around fictions of time. In the fascinating accounts given by Andrea Charise, Tobias Wilson-Bates, and Elizabeth Carolyn Miller of, respectively, George Lewes’s The Physiology of Common Life (1859–60), Charles Kingsley’s fairy story The Water-Babies (1862–63), and William Morris’s lectures on design and his utopian romance News from Nowhere (1890), we find Lewes, Kingsley, and Morris struggling with related doubts about the continuing march of time. Their doubts concerned Victorian models of time’s progress that assumed temporally governed, apparently natural balances between growth and decay, development and decline. As these three papers show, the works of Lewes, Kingsley, and Morris expose such models to be dangerous fictions. By bringing these papers together, I hope to put not only their authors but also their subjects into conversation with each other (and with the rest of us) around an unexpectedly timely topic. In what Charise calls Lewes’s “impossible” geologically-inflected account of aging (377), what Wilson-Bates identifies as Kingsley’s exposure of the “logic of standardization” in mass education (393), and what Miller terms Morris’s prescient, eco-socialist condemnation of exhaustive mining (extraction capitalism), we discover, I think, how pertinacious is the hold of the invisible hand of time. (I apologize in advance to the three authors of the papers you’ve just read: in my comments I have somewhat displaced
Community mobilization and its application to youth violence prevention.

Abstract In addressing health and social issues, there has been a shift since the 1990s to approaches that focus more on making comprehensive community-based changes to affect individual behavior. This article provides an overview of community mobilization to engage community members in the process of addressing social and health issues, discusses current models, and provides a case study. The balance of the article looks at other efforts reported in this supplement, and the ways in which they have used community mobilization as a viable strategy for preventing youth violence.
Testing alternative mechanisms of evolutionary divergence in an African rain forest passerine bird

Models of speciation in African rain forests have stressed either the role of isolation or ecological gradients. Here we contrast patterns of morphological and genetic divergence in parapatric and allopatric populations of the Little Greenbul, Andropadus virens, within different and similar habitats. We sampled 263 individuals from 18 sites and four different habitat types in Upper and Lower Guinea. We show that despite relatively high rates of gene flow among populations, A. virens has undergone significant morphological divergence across the savanna–forest ecotone and mountain–forest boundaries. These data support a central component of the divergence-with-gene-flow model of speciation by suggesting that despite large amounts of gene flow, selection is sufficiently intense to cause morphological divergence. Despite evidence of isolation based on neutral genetic markers, we find little evidence of morphological divergence in fitness-related traits between hypothesized refugial areas. Although genetic evidence suggests populations in Upper and Lower Guinea have been isolated for over 2 million years, morphological divergence appears to be driven more by habitat differences than geographic isolation and suggests that selection in parapatry may be more important than geographic isolation in causing adaptive divergence in morphology.
BSA treatment to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose in lignin containing substrates

Cellulase and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were added to Avicel cellulose and solids containing 56% cellulose and 28% lignin from dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment of corn stover. Little BSA was adsorbed on Avicel cellulose, while pretreated corn stover solids adsorbed considerable amounts of this protein. On the other hand, cellulase was highly adsorbed on both substrates. Adding a 1% concentration of BSA to dilute acid pretreated corn stover prior to enzyme addition at 15 FPU/g cellulose enhanced filter paper activity in solution by about a factor of 2 and beta-glucosidase activity in solution by about a factor of 14. Overall, these results suggested that BSA treatment reduced adsorption of cellulase and particularly beta-glucosidase on lignin. Of particular note, BSA treatment of pretreated corn stover solids prior to enzymatic hydrolysis increased 72 h glucose yields from about 82% to about 92% at a cellulase loading of 15 FPU/g cellulose or achieved about the same yield at a loading of 7.5 FPU/g cellulose. Similar improvements were also observed for enzymatic hydrolysis of ammonia fiber explosion (AFEX) pretreated corn stover and Douglas fir treated by SO(2) steam explosion and for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of BSA pretreated corn stover. In addition, BSA treatment prior to hydrolysis reduced the need for beta-glucosidase supplementation of SSF. The results are consistent with non-specific competitive, irreversible adsorption of BSA on lignin and identify promising strategies to reduce enzyme requirements for cellulose hydrolysis.
The Comprehension of Metaphorical Uses of English by Deaf Children

Researchers and educators of the deaf often suggest that deaf children have a particular problem in understanding metaphorical uses of natural language. This paper reports two experiments whose res...
Dense Oxide Membranes for Oxygen Separation and Methane Conversion

Methane conversion to synthesis gas in membrane reactors that use dense mixed electronic-ionic conducting membranes for oxygen separation has received much recent attention. The oxygen flux achievable in these reactors depends on a combination of the bulk diffusion rate for oxygen transport and the surface reaction rate for oxygen activation and either recombination or reaction with methane. Here we compare recent oxygen permeation data for tubular membranes of La0.5Sr0.5Fe0.8Ga0.2O3-δ with our previous results for SrCO0.8Fe0.2O3-δ, SrFeCO0.5O3.25-δ. The pressure dependence of the oxygen permeation flux has been measured at different temperatures and used to determine the relative importance of bulk and surface kinetics for these oxides.
Analysis of partial sequences of genes coding for 16S rRNA of actinomycetes isolated from Casuarina equisetifolia nodules in Mexico.

Filamentous bacteria isolated from surface-sterilized nodules of Casuarina equisetifolia trees in Mexico were capable of reducing acetylene, a diagnostic test for nitrogenase, but were unable to nodulate their host. Analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences suggests that the Mexican isolates are not Frankia strains but members of a novel clade.
An Extinction Bar to Patentability

Biodiversity possesses significant economic value, not least as a source of natural biochemicals discovered through bioprospecting. However, human activities are currently destroying biodiversity at a rapid rate, along with a rich source of natural biochemicals. Stemming this destruction requires novel conservation instruments, and the enablement requirement of patent law can be harnessed to provide one. The enablement requirement presents a significant hurdle to the patentability of biotechnological inventions, including those involving natural biochemicals. However, applying the logic of Ex parte Rinehart (Bd. Pat. App. Int. 1985), a case involving the patentability of natural biochemicals derived from a marine organism called a tunicate, a patent applicant should be able to satisfy the enablement requirement for patenting natural biochemical inventions by disclosing in a patent application specific kinds of useful information about an invention. Notably, source organisms of natural biochemicals could themselves be considered in situ deposits in satisfaction of the enablement requirement in exchange for provision by patent applicants of detailed information regarding the specific location, habitat, geographic range, and phylogenetic relationships of the source organisms. The information thus generated would enhance the public storehouse of knowledge, providing detailed information useful to biologists, conservationists, and future inventors. In addition, the in situ deposit could create an 'extinction bar' to patentability and enforceability because disappearance of the source organism would lead to loss of patent rights. This extinction bar would provide a new incentive for conservation of biodiversity because the economic interests of both patent applicant and source country would be aligned to ensure the survival of any source species upon whose survival monopoly profits rested. No modification of current patent law would be required, only proper application of existing, though as yet unrealized, patent law.
Is the number of documented diabetes process-of-care indicators associated with cardiometabolic risk factor levels, patient satisfaction, or self-rated quality of diabetes care? The Translating Research into Action for Diabetes (TRIAD) study.

OBJECTIVE —Simple process-of-care indicators are commonly recommended to assess and compare quality of diabetes care across health plans. We sought to determine whether variation in the number of simple diabetes processes of care across provider groups is associated with variation in other quality indicators, including cardiometabolic risk factor levels, patient satisfaction with care, or patient-rated quality of care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —We used cross-sectional survey and chart audit data for 8,733 patients with diabetes who received care from 68 provider groups nested in 10 health plans that participated in the Translating Research Into Action for Diabetes study. Analyses using hierarchical regression models assessed associations of the mean number of seven simple process measures with each of the following: HbA 1c (A1C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), HDL and LDL cholesterol levels, patient satisfaction with care, and patient-rated quality of care. RESULTS —After adjusting for case-mix differences across groups and plans, an average of one additional documented process of care for each patient in a group or plan was associated with significantly lower mean LDL cholesterol levels (−4.51 mg/dl [95% CI 1.46–7.58]) but not with A1C, SBP, or HDL cholesterol levels. The number of care processes documented was associated with patient satisfaction measures and self-rated quality of diabetes care. CONCLUSIONS —Variation in the number of simple process-of-care indicators across provider groups or health plans is associated with differences in patient-centered measures of quality, but assessment of the quality of cardiometabolic risk factor control will require more advanced clinical performance indicators.
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Travel Push and Pull Factors: United Kingdom vs. Japan

Abstract Tourism marketers are confronted with the dilemma of whether standardization or the tailoring of services, products and marketing programs for specific markets is more effective and efficient. It remains to be addressed in tourism research whether travelers from varying cultural backgrounds seek different travel benefits and have different preferences for travel products and services, and to what extent they are similar in their travel behaviors. This research study used national household travel surveys conducted by the Canadian Tourism Commission and U.S. Tourism Industries for a cross-cultural comparison of two different countries, the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Japan. Results showed that travelers from these two countries had different travel motives and benefit-seeking patterns. From a marketing perspective, the branding and positioning of a destination for U.K. and Japanese long-haul travel markets will be more effective if the destination marketing organization (DMO) projects different imag...