cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Democracy, Participation, and Life Satisfaction*

Objectives. We examine whether democracy, political participation, and differing systems of democracy influence individual levels of subjective well-being. Methods. We use individual data on life satisfaction and characteristics related to satisfaction for approximately 46 countries. We estimate ordered probit models with country and time dummy variables and cluster-adjusted robust standard errors. Results. Democracy is positively correlated with individual levels of well-being. The opportunity to participate in the political process and whether the democracy is parliamentary or presidential are related to individual well-being. Conclusions. Democratic institutions influence subjective well-being. The well-being of individuals with minority political views decreases in parliamentary systems.
Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Peanut Paste Stored at Different Temperatures

When peanut paste was stored at 30, 40 and 50 o C for up to 1 yr, that held at 30 o C for 161 days had minimal deteriorative changes. At 50 o C, the primary deterioration was increased browning, oxidized and cardboard flavors, and oil separation. Regression analysis indicated that ratings for chroma, cooked peanut, cardboard, and oxidized flavors were responsible for >50% of the variation in response. When a detectable oxidized flavor was used as the indicator of storage deterioration, peanut paste had a predicted shelf life of 152 days at 30 o C; 98 days at 40 o C; and 96 days at 50 o C
ASCORBIC ACID RETENTION OF BROCCOLI HELD ON A REFRIGERATED SALAD BAR

Reduced ascorbic acid (RAA) was analyzed in raw broccoli florets held at two different locations from the cooling source of a commercial salad bar unit. The temperatures of the broccoli were 13±2°C and 22±2°C respectively. To simulate the salad bar environment, broccoli samples were placed on the salad bar unit for 8 h, refrigerated (4°C) for 16 h and returned to the unit for 2 h. RAA was analyzed at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24 and 26 h. The value for percent RAA retention calculated on a dry weight basis was significantly decreased (p≤0.05) in the 22°C treatment at 8 h storage on the salad bar. The 8 h RAA retention values were 94.8±3.2% at 13°C and 88.9±7.1% at 22°C. There were no significant treatment differences observed at other time periods. There were no significant treatment differences in moisture content or RAA content.
Practical considerations in development of a parallel SKYHI general circulation model

Abstract We have developed a parallel version of the SKYHI atmospheric general circulation model. The new parallel model has been designed for shared and distributed memory machines that support data parallel, message passing or worksharing programming paradigms. The newly developed model has a framework that makes the code easier to understand, maintain, and modify, increasing the model's flexibility and scientific productivity. Numerous model changes are described (code design, programming models, language choice, data decomposition, communications, table lookups, memory management, and i/o) that were necessary to develop the model. The performance and verification of the model is described on several systems including a shared-memory machine with high-level worksharing and a distributed-memory system with a data parallel programming paradigm.
Histone acetylation influences both gene expression and development of Xenopus laevis.

Abstract We examine the potential role of histone hyperacetylation in gene activation daring Xenopus development using Trichostatin A, (TSA), a specific inhibitor of histone deacetylase. We find that TSA is very effective in inducing both core histone hyperacetylation and histone H1° gene expression in a Xenopus somatic cell line. In contrast, TSA does not induce histone hyperacetylation or histone H1° transcription in Xenopus oocytes. Histone hyperacetylation is developmentally regulated during Xenopus embryogenesis; hyperacetylated histones first accumulate early in gastrulation. The capacity of TSA to induce histone H1° gene expression correlates with the induction of histone hyperacetylation. Concentrations of TSA sufficient to induce histone hyperacetylation in Xenopus embryos delay gastrulation and cause diminished midtrunk and posterior formation, suggesting defects in mesoderm formation. Although the constitutive hyperacetylation of the histones does not prevent either the cell division or differentiation sufficient for early morphogenesis it has a role in establishing stable states of differential gene activity during gastrulation.
Radio frequency (RF) trap for confinement of ion plasmas in antimatter propulsion systems using rotating wall electric fields

Perturbations associated with a rotating wall electric field enable the confinement of ions for periods approaching weeks. This steady state confinement is a result of a radio frequency manipulation of the ions. Using state-of-the-art techniques it is shown that radio frequency energy can produce useable manipulation of the ion cloud (matter or antimatter) for use in containment experiments. The current research focuses on the improvement of confinement systems capable of containing and transporting antimatter.
Competing ion decomposition channels in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization.

[PhCH2PPh3] + . Common MALDI matrixes [R-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), 3,5-dimethoxy-4hydroxycinnamic acid (sinapinic acid, SA), and 2,5-dihydroxycinnamic acid (DHB)] were studied with nitrogen laser (4 ns pulse length) and mode-locked 3 × ω Nd:YAG laser (22 ps pulse length) excitation. Despite the higher fluence required to initiate fragmentation, BTP ions indicated lower internal energy transfer with the picosecond laser in all three matrixes. These differences can be rationalized in terms of phase explosion induced by the nanosecond laser vs a stress-confinement-driven desorption mechanism for the picosecond laser. For the two ion production channels of the BTP thermometer ion, breaking a single bond can result in the formation of benzyl/tropylium ions, F1, or triphenylphosphine ions, F2. In SA and DHB, as well as in CHCA at low fluence levels, the efficiency of these channels (expressed by the branching ratio IF1/IF2 )i s moderately in favor of producing tropylium ions, 1 < IF1/IF2 < 6. As the laser fluence is increased, for CHCA, there is a dramatic shift in favor of the tropylium ion production, with IF1/IF2 ≈ 30 for the nanosecond and the picosecond laser, respectively. This change is correlated with the sudden increase in the BTP internal energies in CHCA in the same laser fluence range. The large changes observed in internal energy deposition for CHCA with laser fluence can account for its ability to induce fragmentation in peptides more readily than SA and DHB.
Interactions of Phosphors in Glucose Glasses for Solid-Matrix Phosphorescence

Quenching of the room-temperature solid-matrix phosphorescence (SMP), near-infrared spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and a polarity probe were used to study interactions of heterocyclic aromatic amines in glucose glasses prepared using crystalline glucose and a glucose melt. A near-infrared spectrometry method was developed to determine the wt % moisture in the glucose glasses. The wt % moisture of the glucose glasses was then related to phosphorescence intensities and lifetime ratios of the heterocyclic aromatic amines. A modified form of the Stern–Volmer equation was used to describe the changes in phosphorescence intensity and lifetime ratios. In other experiments, the glass transition temperatures of the glucose glasses were determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The glass transition temperatures were then correlated to the SMP of the heterocyclic aromatic amines in the glucose glasses. Lastly, the micro-environmental polarities of the glucose glasses were studied using a polarity probe. From these results a model was developed that described the effects of several parameters on the glucose glass matrices. For example, water was able to diffuse through channels in the glucose glasses and cause dynamic quenching of the phosphorescence. Also, the hydrogen bonding network in the glucose glasses was disrupted by water. This resulted in matrix quenching of the phosphorescence signals.
Infantile cortical hyperostosis of the ribs (Caffey's disease) without mandibular involvement.

Infantile cortical hyperostosis (ICH), or Caffey's disease, first reported by Caffey and Silverman in 1945, is a benign condition characterized radiographically by corticoperiosteal thickening of bone with subperiosteal new bone formation. Sites of occurrence vary, with the mandible being involved in 75%–80% of cases. The following is a case report of ICH limited to four contiguous ribs with no evidence of mandibular involvement.
Per2 Mutation Recapitulates the Vascular Phenotype of Diabetes in the Retina and Bone Marrow

In this study, we assessed whether Per2 clock gene-mutant mice exhibit a vascular phenotype similar to diabetes. Per2 (B6.129-Per2(tm1Drw)/J) or wild-type control mice 4 and 12 months of age were used. To evaluate diabetes-like phenotype in Per2 mutant mice, retina was quantified for mRNA expression, and degree of diabetic retinopathy was evaluated. Bone marrow neuropathy was studied by staining femurs for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neurofilament 200 (NF-200). The rate of proliferation and quantification of bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPCs) was performed, and a threefold decrease in proliferation and 50% reduction in nitric oxide levels were observed in Per2 mutant mice. TH-positive nerve processes and NF-200 staining were reduced in Per2 mutant mice. Both retinal protein and mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase were decreased by twofold. Other endothelial function genes (VEGFR2, VEGFR1) were downregulated (1.5-2-fold) in Per2 mutant retinas, whereas there was an upregulation of profibrotic pathway mediated by transforming growth factor-β1. Our studies suggest that Per2 mutant mice recapitulate key aspects of diabetes without the metabolic abnormalities, including retinal vascular damage, neuronal loss in the bone marrow, and diminished BMPC function.
Role of chronic catheterization in the development of bladder cancer in patients with spinal cord injury

Abstract Objectives. Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and chronic indwelling catheters are known to be at increased risk of bladder malignancy. “Decatheterization” by clean intermittent catheterization, external condom catheterization, or spontaneous voiding is thought to reduce the risk by decreasing the chronic mucosal irritation and rate of infection. We examined two Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) data bases to test this theory. Methods. A population-based retrospective analysis of invasive treatments for carcinoma of the bladder in all DVA hospitals was conducted using computerized inpatient files from fiscal years 1988 to 1992. Results. One hundred thirty patients with bladder malignancy were identified from a pool of 33,565 patients with SCI (0.39%). All 130 patients underwent either radical cystectomy (n = 63, 48%) or transurethral resection of bladder tumor (n = 67, 52%). The 30-day perioperative mortality and overall 5-year survival rates were 2 (1.5%) and 49 (38%) of 130, respectively. Of the 130 patients analyzed, 42 (32%) had adequate data available regarding tumor pathologic findings and method of bladder management for analysis. The average age at diagnosis was 57.3 years. The histologic finding was transitional cell carcinoma in 23 (55%), squamous cell carcinoma in 14 (33%), and adenocarcinoma in 4 (10%) of 42. Bladder management was an indwelling urethral catheter in 18 (43%), suprapubic catheter in 8 (19%), clean intermittent catheterization in 8 (19%), and condom catheter in 6 (14%) of 42 patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was more common in patients with indwelling urethral catheters and suprapubic tubes (11 of 26, 42%) than in those using clean intermittent catheterization, condom catheterization, or spontaneous voiding (3 of 16, 19%). Conclusions. Bladder cancer was diagnosed in approximately 0.39% of this large SCI population during a 5-year period. Most cancers (55%) were transitional cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinoma was more common in patients with SCI and indwelling catheters than those without chronic catheterization. These data continue to suggest that avoidance of indwelling catheters, when feasible, is the preferred method of bladder management in patients with SCI.
Self-Described Traits, Values, and Moods Associated with Individualism and Collectivism Testing I-C Theory in an Individualistic (U.S.) and a Collectivistic (Philippine) Culture

The authors tested individualism-collectivism (I-C) theory by comparing self-described traits, values, and moods of students in individualistic (U.S., n = 660) and collectivistic (Philippine, n = 656) cultures and in students within these cultures varying in individualism and collectivism. They also examined the cross-cultural generalizability of factor dimensions derived with Hui’s I-C measure. U.S. and Philippine students’ selfdescriptions of their personality traits, valued traits, general values, and moods generally differed in ways predicted by I-C theory. However, in comparing individualistic and collectivistic students within the two cultures, the U.S. results conformed more consistently to I-C theory than did the Philippine results. The cross-cultural comparability of the I-C factor dimensions was fair at best.
PGP: parallel prokaryotic proteogenomics pipeline for MPI clusters, high-throughput batch clusters and multicore workstations

Summary: We present the first public release of our proteogenomic annotation pipeline. We have previously used our original unreleased implementation to improve the annotation of 46 diverse prokaryotic genomes by discovering novel genes, post-translational modifications and correcting the erroneous annotations by analyzing proteomic mass-spectrometry data. This public version has been redesigned to run in a wide range of parallel Linux computing environments and provided with the automated configuration, build and testing facilities for easy deployment and portability. Availability and implementation: Source code is freely available from https://bitbucket.org/andreyto/proteogenomics under GPL license. It is implemented in Python and C++. It bundles the Makeflow engine to execute the workflows. Contact: gro.ivcj@ihctvota
Did the northeastern Gulf of Mexico become greener after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

[1] Assessment of direct and indirect impacts of oil and dispersants on the marine ecosystem in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (NEGOM) from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (April – July 2010) requires sustained observations over multiple years. Here, using satellite measurements, numerical circulation models, and other environmental data, we present some initial results on observed biological changes at the base of the food web. MODIS fluorescence line height (FLH, a proxy for phytoplankton biomass) shows two interesting anomalies. The first is statistically significant (>1 mg m−3 of chlorophyll-a anomaly), in an area exceeding 11,000 km2 in the NEGOM during August 2010, about 3 weeks after the oil well was capped. FLH values in this area are higher (i.e., water is greener) than in any August since 2002, and higher than ever since 2002 in an area of ∼3,000 km2. Analyses of ocean circulation and other environmental data suggest that this anomaly may be attributed to the oil spill. The second is a spatially coherent FLH anomaly during December 2010 and January 2011, extending from Mobile Bay to the Florida Keys (mainly between 30 and 100-m isobaths). This anomaly appears to have resulted from unusually strong upwelling and mixing events during late fall. Available data are insufficient to support or reject a hypothesis that the subsurface oil may have contributed to the enhanced biomass during December 2010 and January 2011.
The Digestive System

Smith barely suggested the full spectrum of digestive disorders to which humankind is subject. Despite his piety, erudition, and insight into the workings of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the Reverend may be best remembered for his rhyming recipe for salad dressing. Here are the first few lines
Indentation properties of young and old osteons.

The purpose of this study was to quantify differences in indentation modulus and microhardness between labeled osteons identified by epifluorescent microscopy and neighboring unlabeled osteons. In microradiographs and backscattered images, newly formed osteons appear more radiolucent (darker) than older osteons. This is ascribed to incomplete mineralization of the osteon. However, the mechanical properties of these young osteons are unknown. Nine femoral cross-sectional specimens were obtained from five skeletally mature dogs. Prior to death, the dogs received a pair of calcein bone labels. Labeled osteons were identified under an epiflourescent microscope. Bone specimens were transferred to a nanoindenter specimen holder, and the previous identified labeled osteons were located. Labeled (n = 102) and unlabeled (n = 101) osteons were examined by instrumented indentation testing. Indents were made to a depth of 500 nm at a loading rate of 10 nm/second. There were significant differences in the indentation modulus (P < 0.001) of labeled (10.02 ± 3.61 gigapascal (GPa), mean ± standard deviation) and unlabeled (15.11 ± 3.72 GPa) osteons. Similar differences existed in microhardness measurements. Newly formed osteons had lower modulus (34%) and hardness (41%) than older osteons found in femoral cross sections. These data provide information on the indentation moduli of osteons during an early phase of mineralization compared to osteons that have completed mineralization.
Noise behavior of Schottky barrier gate field-effect transistors at microwave frequencies

The noise behavior of a Schottky barrier gate field-effect transistor is investigated by the use of the noise equivalent circuit. The influence of the carrier velocity saturation is estimated. The noise parameters are calculated by taking into account the influence of parasitic resistances. Measured and calculated noise parameters show good agreement in the frequency range 2-8 GHz.
The sugar, biomass and biofuel potential of temperate by tropical maize hybrids

The demand for biofuels has created a market for feedstocks to meet future energy requirements. Temperate 9 tropical maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids, which combine high biomass and fermentable stalk sugars, have yet to be considered as a biomass feedstock. Our objective was to evaluate biological potential, genetic variability and impact of nitrogen (N) on biomass, stalk sugar, and biofuel potential of temperate 9 tropical maize (TTM) hybrids. Twelve TTM hybrids, two grain and silage hybrids were grown in 2008, followed in 2009 by seven earshoot-bagged TTM hybrids. In both years, they were grown with and without supplemental N (202 kg ha 1 )i n Champaign, IL. Plants were sampled for total and partitioned biomass, and analyzed for concentration and content of sugar. The TTM hybrids were 40% taller, exhibited later reproductive maturity, greater flowering asynchrony, and remained green longer. All hybrids responded to supplemental N by producing more biomass and grain, a lower percent of biomass partitioned to stalk and leaf, whereas TTM also had a decreased concentration of sugar. Total average biomass yields were 24 Mg ha 1 for both the TTM and grain hybrids. However, TTM partitioned 50% more biomass to the stalk and produced 50% more sugar, and had less than half the grain of the commercial hybrids, indicating grain production and sugar accumulation are inversely related. When grain formation was prevented by earshoot bagging, TTM hybrids produced, without supplemental N fertilizer, an average of 4024 kg ha 1 of sugar, which was three- to four-fold greater than the non earshoot-bagged TTM and ear removed hybrid. Calculated estimates for ethanol production, considering the potential from sugar, stover and grain, indicate TTM can yield nearly the amount of ethanol per hectare as modern grain hybrids, but with a decreased requirement for supplemental fertilizer N.
Investigation of Seed Treatments for Management of Bacterial Leaf Spot of Lettuce.

ABSTRACT Chemical seed treatments were evaluated for efficacy of disinfestation of lettuce seed that had been inoculated with Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians. Three concentrations of each chemical were evaluated by treating seed lots for 5 or 15 min. In addition, the effects of each seed treatment on seed germination and early plant growth were examined by observing seed germination rates. Bacteria were not detected when seed were treated with 3 or 5% hydrogen peroxide for 5 or 15 min. Treatment of seed with 0.52% sodium hypochlorite was relatively ineffective at 5 and 15 min. When sodium hypochlorite was used at a 1% concentration for 15 min, the level of bacterial infestation was reduced to 2%. Suspensions of copper hydroxide plus mancozeb also reduced seedborne inoculum to ≤2%. Treatment of seed with copper hydroxide alone, benzoyl peroxide, or calcium peroxide did not reduce seed infestation levels significantly. Seed germination rates were 90% or greater for the majority of seed treatments tested ...
Binding between components of the tubercle bacillus and humoral antibodies.

Studies were undertaken to find a substance or substances for use in primary binding types of tests to detect humoral antibodies in rabbits and monkeys exposed to the tubercle bacillus that would distinguish between strains of mycobacteria. The antigen employed was a component of the 5159 strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that was obtained following sonification, ultracentrifugation, electrophoresis, and elution from a preparative polyacrylamide column. When the antigen was labeled with 131I, specific binding was observed in sera from immunized rabbits and BCG-protected rhesus monkeys by the radio-gel electrophoresis and ammonium sulfate tests. This component was partially characterized, and its major antigenic determinants were associated with anionic mucopolysaccharides. Electrophoretically at pH 8.3 it migrated anodally to albumin, its molecular weight was between 9,000 and 12,000, and it was soluble in 50% saturated ammonium sulfate. Binding to antibody was destroyed after treatment with Pronase, but not after DNase or RNase. Inhibition of the reaction, as measured by the ammonium sulfate test, between the 131I-labeled component and antisera from rabbits that had been immunized with sonicated 5159 organisms, was studied. These experiments demonstrated a capacity to define subtle similarities and differences among different mycobacteria and mycobacterial components. Some microorganisms not clearly related to mycobacteria also partially inhibited this reaction, suggesting that they shared antigenic groups with the component derived from 5159 organisms. The studies described suggested the advisability of using direct primary tests and purified components of mycobacteria to differentiate further the antigenic groups between individual pathogenic mycobacteria and between pathogenic and nonpathogenic organisms.
Observations and Levy statistics in interstellar scattering

Levy flights are similar to random walks, but are dominated by rare, large events rather than the accumulation of many steps. Levy flights are not subject to the Central Limit Theorem because the distribution of steps has no second moment; they converge to Levy-stable distributions, which have power-law tails and are stable in form under convolution with themselves. A variety of physical models can produce Levy flights. For such models, the distribution of differences in refractive index has no convergent moments, so that propagation of waves through such a medium is difficult to treat with traditional theoretical methods. Calculations show that Levy flights may help to understand some surprising aspects of radio-wave scattering in the interstellar plasma, including the scaling of broadening time τ with dispersion measure DM, the shape of scatter-broadened images, and the impulse-response function for temporal broadening of narrow pulses.
Jesus and cultural values: Family life as an example

'Family values' is a set of traditional images that most cultures collect, images drawn mostly from an idealized picture of family life in the recent past. For Christians, the popular image of Jesus gets included: the Holy Family as a nuclear family unit, Jesus blessing children, Jesus as advocate of traditional family life. A closer reading of both contemporary family life and the Gospels reveals that things are not what they seem. Contemporary family life in Western societies is structured quite differently than the ideal. Jesus' family life was spent in a peasant village surrounded by relatives and neighbors, with little privacy and strong social pressure towards conformity. The gospel records indicate that he did not conform, and paid the price: rejection and misunderstanding by his extended family. The Synoptic Gospels consistently ponray not only an estrangement between Jesus and his family, but Jesus' encouragement of his disciples to break family ties in favor of the surrogate family of the circle of disciples. In a culture in which kinship loyalty was essential, this message caused deep problems for early Christians which the authors of the household codes of Ephesians, Colossians, the Pastoral Epistles, and 1 Peter tried to alleviate.
Global spatial deconvolution of Lunar Prospector Th abundances

[1] We have completed the first global spatial deconvolution analysis of planetary gamma-ray data for lunar Th abundances as measured by the Lunar Prospector Gamma-ray Spectrometer. We tested two different spatial deconvolution techniques – Jansson's method and the Pixon method – and determined that the Pixon method provides superior performance. The final deconvolved map results in a spatial resolution improvement of a factor of 1.5–2. The newly deconvolved data allow us to clearly delineate nearside Th enhancements and depressions, validate enhanced Th abundances associated with specific lunar red spots, and reveal new details of the Th distribution at the Aristarchus plateau.
A Perspective on the Development of Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A tandem mass spectrometer involves two stages of mass analysis (MS1 and MS2) separated in time or space by a mass or charge-changing reaction, most often ion dissociation. The MS2 mass spectrum of the reaction products can provide a variety of information about the ions selected by MS1. Early MS/MS instruments were based on magnetic and electric sector mass analyzers with collisional dissociation energies in the kV range. Later MS/MS instruments used two quadrupole mass analyzers separated by an radio frequency-only quadrupole reaction chamber. Efficient low-energy fragmentation, coupled with inexpensive analyzers, brought `triple quadrupole' MS/MS into wide-spread adoption. Improvements in the instrumentation, including adaptation to emerging ionization technologies and wider areas of application, have ensured its continued popularity.
Politics, Ideology, and Society After Stalin

Reexaminations of diverse aspects of the Khrushchev regime—the denunciation of Stalin's cult of personality, postwar society, agrarian policy, and the state-supported antireligion campaign—reveal a mix of ideology, genuine desire for change, intraparty politics, and enduring habits that shed light on the contradictory nature and incompleteness of reforms during the Thaw.
Effect of Severity of Early Protein Restriction on Large Turkey Toms.1. Performance Characteristics and Leg Weakness

The effect of early protein (Pr) nutrition on compensatory growth and leg weakness of turkey toms was studied. Four levels of dietary Pr [100, 80, 70, or 60% of National Research Council (NRC) recommendations in 1984] were fed ad libitum in isocaloric diets from 1 to 6 wk of age. Subsequently, the four treatment groups were fed a common diet within age periods according to NRC (1984) Pr levels. As the level of Pr decreased, body weight at 6 wk decreased (2.23, 1.94, 1.63, and 1.39 kg, respectively, P less than .005) and 1 to 6-wk feed:grain ratios increased. Weight gains from 6 to 20 wk of age were the same for all treatment groups. Thus, a significant carry-over effect of Pr on body weight was still evident at 20 wk of age (15.5, 15.2, 14.9, and 14.5 kg, respectively, P less than .005). Feed consumption decreased linearly through 16 wk of age as Pr decreased. Feed:gain ratios from 6 to 20 wk of age decreased (3.25, 3.20, 3.14, and 3.13, respectively, P less than .05), and Pr consumption:gain ratios from 1 to 20 wk decreased (.596, .551, .546, and .543, respectively, P less than .005) as the level of Pr decreased. However, the cumulative feed:gain ratio from 1 to 20 wk of age was not affected by Pr. The 60 or 70% level of dietary Pr resulted in 60% fewer toms with severe leg weakness at 18 wk of age than the 100% level of dietary Pr. Toms have limited ability for compensatory weight gain within the realimentation time allowed, regardless of the level of Pr fed from 1 to 6 wk. However, significant savings in dietary Pr and reduced leg weakness may be economically beneficial when Pr is restricted to 70% of the 1984 NRC recommendations during early growth.
Changes in MicroRNA Expression During Maturation of the Bovine Corpus Luteum: Regulation of Luteal Cell Proliferation and Function by MicroRNA-34a

The corpus luteum (CL) develops from the remnants of the ovulatory follicle and produces progesterone, required for maintenance of pregnancy in mammals. The differentiation of granulosal and thecal cells into luteal cells is accompanied by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of cells. As the CL matures, growth ceases and in ruminants, the tissue acquires the ability to undergo regression in response to prostaglandin F2alpha. The regulators of this transition are poorly understood. MicroRNA, which are posttranscriptional regulators of tissue development and function, are expressed in the CL. However, the pattern of their expression and their function during the transition from developing to functional CL is not known. The objectives of this study were to profile the expression of miRNA in developing versus mature bovine CL and determine effects of miRNA on bovine luteal cell survival and function. Knockdown of Drosha in midcycle (MC) luteal cells decreased progesterone and increased luteal cell apoptosis in the presence or absence of proinflammatory cytokines. Microarray analysis demonstrated that a greater number of miRNA were expressed in MC compared to D4 CL. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) predicted that D4-specific miRNA regulate pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, while MC-specific miRNA regulate pathways related to cell cycle and apoptosis signaling. Both predictions are consistent with a switch in the CL from a growing phase to a maintenance phase. One of the MC specific miRNA, miR-34a, was selected for further analysis. Increased concentrations of miR-34a in MC luteal cells resulted in decreased luteal cell proliferation, increased progesterone production, and inhibition of Notch1 and YY1 translation, but had no effect on luteal cell apoptosis. In conclusion, these data support a role for miRNA in general, and miR-34a in particular, in luteal formation and function.
Turbine Blade Fatigue Crack Growth

This paper presents an approach that has not previously been applied to predict power plant component fatigue failure. While many computer tools and procedures do exist for life prediction, recent experience shows that those methods often lack needed precision. In addition detailed knowledge of the material fracture mechanics properties and of the component load history, including the sequence of events. For complex load applications the sequence of events has been shown to be significant. For these applications Linear Damage Models (Minors Rule) are inadequate. A case where the accuracy of existing methods was found to be insufficient involved a steam power plant. Fatigue cracks were observed in the blade root area of 10% of the L-0 row turbine blades. The cracked blades were removed and replaced with new blades. The question to be answered was how safe are the reinstalled blades that had no visible damage. A successful solution was obtained by integrating NASA technology with STI experience in the analysis of steam and gas turbine blades. This led to the development of a proprietary, advanced life prediction computer code that: • incorporates contributions from both HCF and LCF to calculate crack growth, • treats the actual sequence in which all HCF and LCF loading has been applied, and • initiates the crack growth process from the microscopic inclusions and flaws. Complete analysis included comprehensive material tests, performed at a qualified material-testing laboratory. Test specimens were created from actual components, which had been subjected to over 30 years of service. Realizing that fatigue testing data variations can be relatively large, results from Life Cycle showed solid agreement with both short-term (105 to 106 cycles) material tests and with long-term (∼160×109 cycles) operation under high strain steady load and low strain cyclic load conditions.© 2004 ASME
Was There Private Property in Muscovite Russia

In a recent article in the Slavic Review, George G. Weickhardt undertook to demonstrate that Russia "gradually developed a concept of private property for land which more or less approached that of the English 'fee simple' and that the only significant limitations on individual property in [pre-Petrine] Russia were in favor of the clan rather than the state" (665). This thesis runs counter to virtually the entire historical literature in Russian as well as foreign languages.
1571 Risks Factors for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Acquisition in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

Background MRSA is a significant problem in ICUs. Data on risks for acquiring MRSA while in PICU are minimal. Methods Children Results There were 2861 admissions. Mean age 6.7 yrs (median 4.7); 1444 (50.5%) male. 2632 (92%) of 2861 either had a known history of MRSA or an admission surveillance test and were included in the analysis. 415 (15.8%) were MRSA affected; 264 had known history of MRSA, 132 were MRSA+ on admission and 19 became affected while in PICU (18 colonized & 1 infected). 14 (77.8%) of 18 colonized were identified on weekly surveillance, 4 (22.2%) had a positive non-surveillance culture.19 children who became MRSA affected were further analyzed. There was no significant difference in gender or ethnicity between the two groups. MRSA affected were younger (3.68 vs 6.79 yrs, p=0.03). Mean Hospital length of stay (LOS) prior to PICU admission was longer in the MRSA affected group (2.3 vs 0.6 days, p=0.04). Systemic steroids (p=0.009), mechanical ventilation (p=0.001) and a central venous catheter (CVC) (p=0.001) were all higher in the MRSA affected group; surgery & antibiotic use were not. Mean LOS in the PICU was 4.3 days, Mean LOS in the PICU before becoming MRSA affected was 18 days. Conclusions Longer hospital stay prior to PICU admission, steroid use, mechanical ventilation and CVC were associated with becoming MRSA affected.
Investigation of Salmonella food poisoning using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

Objective:To apply pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE)to investigating trace infection sources and genotype of Salmonella strains isolated from food poisoning.Methods:Salmonella strains were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with restriction enzyme Xbal.The similarity coefficient of PFGE patterns were calculated using Band based/Dice assay.Results:PFGE patterns of strains from the same outbreak of food poisoning were identical.Through Band based/Dice assay the similarity coefficient is more than or equal to 0.96.The PFGE pattern of strain isolated from cake store was different from that of strain isolated from certain institute.Conclusion:The food poisoning is induced by the cutting tool and butter in cake shop.Then the food poisoning was induced by Beijing chicken roll in a certain institute.The above results indicated that two strains isolated from two institutes may be having the same source.PFGE is a stabile,reliable assay having high resolution ability for trace infection sources.PFGE plays important roles for investigating trace infection sources in Salmonella food poisoning.
SURVEY ON THE BACTERICIDAL EFECT OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CHLORINE DISINFECTANT PRODUCTS

Objective To observe the bactericidal effect of commercially available chlorine disinfectant products in order to provide the basis for market supervision.Methods Suspension quantitative germicidal test was used to test bactericidal effect of random sampling of different types of chlorine disinfectant.Results The killing logarithm values of 14 kinds of Staphylococcus aureus in the suspension exposed to chlorine disinfectants were 5.00 in 16 kinds of chlorine disinfectants;the killing logarithm values of the other two copies of the products were 4.03 and 3.58 respectively.Conclusion The qualified rate of commercially available chlorine disinfectant is 87.50%.The lowest concentration and shortest reaction time of the chlorine disinfectant provided by the manufacturers have great differences,so users should pay attention to them.
Li2S Film Formation on Lithium Anode Surface of Li–S batteries

The precipitation of lithium sulfide (Li2S) on the Li metal anode surface adversely impacts the performance of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. In this study, a first-principles approach including density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations is employed to theoretically elucidate the Li2S/Li metal surface interactions and the nucleation and growth of a Li2S film on the anode surface due to long-chain polysulfide decomposition during battery operation. DFT analyses of the energetic properties and electronic structures demonstrate that a single molecule adsorption on Li surface releases energy forming chemical bonds between the S atoms and Li atoms from the anode surface. Reaction pathways of the Li2S film formation on Li metal surfaces are investigated based on DFT calculations. It is found that a distorted Li2S (111) plane forms on a Li(110) surface and a perfect Li2S (111) plane forms on a Li(111) surface. The total energy of the system decreases along the reaction ...
17 Predicting lateral ankle sprain in adolescent and collegiate athletes using functional tests

Background Limited work suggests effective lateral ankle sprain (LAS) prediction with the star excursion balance test (SEBT) and Functional Movement Screen (FMS), but with small data sets using many different demographics. The utility of these tests needs to be confirmed in larger data sets. Objective Establish LAS risk identification across multiple sport types using the SEBT and FMS. Design Prospective cohort. Setting Clinical. Patients (or participants) 1168 male and female high school and collegiate football, basketball, soccer or volleyball athletes. Interventions Prior to beginning competitive seasons, participants completed the anterior (ANT), postero-medial (PM) and postero-lateral (PL) directions of the SEBT, normalised to leg length. An average composite (COMP) of the three normalised reaches also was calculated. Additionally, a modified FMS using the deep squat, lunge, hurdle-step and straight leg raise tests was assessed. Main outcome measurements Certified athletic trainers recorded lower extremity injuries. As only LAS were examined, other lower extremity injury cases were removed, creating LAS (n = 157) and non-injured (n = 935) groups. Group differences of the whole sample, then within each sport, were compared using independent t-tests. For risk prediction, ROC curves were employed to create odds ratios for each dependent variable for the whole sample, and within each sport. Results For the whole sample and for football, ANT and COMP scores were significantly lower in the LAS group (p Conclusions The ANT test shows the most promise for LAS risk identification in athletes, especially football players. Continued work is needed to determine the most appropriate screening tool for LAS risk in specific groups of athletes.
Human iNKT Cells Promote Protective Inflammation by Inducing Oscillating Purinergic Signaling in Monocyte-Derived DCs.

Summary Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are innate T lymphocytes that promote host defense against a variety of microbial pathogens. Whether microbial ligands are required for their protective effects remains unclear. Here, we show that iNKT cells stimulate human-monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to produce inflammatory mediators in a manner that does not require the presence of microbial compounds. Interleukin 2 (IL-2)-exposed iNKT cells selectively induced repeated cytoplasmic Ca 2+ fluxes in DCs that were dependent on signaling by the P2X 7 purinergic receptor and mediated by ATP released during iNKT-DC interactions. Exposure to iNKT cells led to DC cyclooxygenase 2 ( PTGS2 ) gene transcription, and release of PGE 2 that was associated with vascular permeabilization in vivo. Additionally, soluble factors were released that induced neutrophil recruitment and activation and enhanced control of Candida albicans . These results suggest that sterile interactions between iNKT cells and monocyte-derived DCs lead to the production of non-redundant inflammatory mediators that promote neutrophil responses.
Ruth J. Kilchenmann,Die Kurzgeschichte. Formen und Entwicklung: Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 1967. Pp. 218

(1968). Ruth J. Kilchenmann, Die Kurzgeschichte. Formen und Entwicklung. The Germanic Review: Literature, Culture, Theory: Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 218-219.
[Cardiac] Pressure's on for thirsty trout.

![Graphic][1] Because it is much saltier than their body fluids, the ocean is a very dehydrating environment for fishes. Species that can survive in both freshwater and saltwater, such as trout and salmon, must therefore undergo significant physiological changes when transitioning to seawater
Representative systems and policy punctuations

ABSTRACTThis article examines how the characteristics of political institutions impact the extensiveness of budget punctuations. We develop a theory based on an adaptive systems framework from policy process studies of budgeting, and posit that institutional factors that impede democratic responsiveness lead to inefficiencies that cause policy changes to become more punctuated. Based on previous research on policy responsiveness, we hypothesize that national budgets become more punctuated with increases in federalism, electoral proportionality and executive dominance. We test our theory using Eurostat and International Monetary Fund (COFOG) budget data from 24 countries over the period 1996–2011. Our results strongly support the proposition that more federalized systems produce more budget punctuations, but provide only weak support for the propositions that proportional systems and those with dominant executives do so. The general proposition that institutions can impede the efficient processing of infor...
Exploiting Non-Volatility for Information Processing

The emergence of non-volatile (NV) technologies provides an opportunity to overcome limitations of CMOS (e.g., the growth of leakage power), while simultaneously providing a degree of non-volatility to the processor. Spintronic NV technologies are of particular interest due to their high integration density, low device count, radiation hardness, and non-volatility when compared to CMOS. Quantifying the impact of spintronic NV technologies at the architecture/application levels introduces a unique challenge as the granularity of technology integration can vary significantly (i.e., from heterogeneous architectures with NV cache/memory and CMOS-based logic, to completely NV architectures). In this work, we explore three classes of NV processors (NVPs) and define metrics for quantifying their respective energy savings. As case studies, we evaluate the impact of NV technologies for both an energy harvesting non-pipelined processor and a general purpose processor executing scientific applications under varying degrees of parallelism.
Statistical Measures to Quantify Similarity between Molecular Dynamics Simulation Trajectories

Molecular dynamics simulation is commonly employed to explore protein dynamics. Despite the disparate timescales between functional mechanisms and molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories, functional differences are often inferred from differences in conformational ensembles between two proteins in structure-function studies that investigate the effect of mutations. A common measure to quantify differences in dynamics is the root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) about the average position of residues defined by Cα-atoms. Using six MD trajectories describing three native/mutant pairs of beta-lactamase, we make comparisons with additional measures that include Jensen-Shannon, modifications of Kullback-Leibler divergence, and local p-values from 1-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. These additional measures require knowing a probability density function, which we estimate by using a nonparametric maximum entropy method that quantifies rare events well. The same measures are applied to distance fluctuations between Cα-atom pairs. Results from several implementations for quantitative comparison of a pair of MD trajectories are made based on fluctuations for on-residue and residue-residue local dynamics. We conclude that there is almost always a statistically significant difference between pairs of 100 ns all-atom simulations on moderate-sized proteins as evident from extraordinarily low p-values.
Brain Corticosteroid Receptor Function in Response to Psychosocial Stressors

A fundamental question in the neuroendocrinology of stress and adaptation is how stress mediators that are crucial for resilience and health can change into harmful signals enhancing vulnerability to disease. To address this question, we focus in the rodent on corticosterone as the end product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which coordinates the behavioural and physiological response to stressors. The action of corticosterone ismediated bymineralocorticoid (MR)and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) that are abundantly expressed in neurons of the limbic hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex. The receptors are transcription factors regulating gene transcription but recently – much to our surprise – these nuclear receptors also were discovered tomediate rapid, non-genomic action on glutamate transmission.MR participates in initial stress reactions important for appraisal and coping processes, whereas management of the later adaptive phase primarily depends on GR. Gene variants of MR and GR have been identified. Moreover, the expression of MR and GR shows enduring epigenetic changes in response to early life experience. Both gene variants and the altered expression of MR and GR have lasting consequences for stress responsiveness, cognitive performance and emotional arousal in later life. In conclusion, an imbalance in stress mediators caused by genetic factors and early life experience is a characteristic feature of a phenotype vulnerable for later life stressors. This concept calls for recovery of the MR/GR balance as a therapeutic strategy to promote the resilience that is still present in the diseased brain.