cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The crystal structure of [Cu(HAPH)]ClO4·1.6H2O and the cleavage of DNA by analogs of the metal binding core of bleomycin

Abstract An X-ray diffraction study of [Cu(HAPH)](ClO4)· 1.61H2O was carried out. The structure of [Cu(C17- H20N7)](ClO4)·1.61H2O was determined for a monoclinic crystal in C2/c with cell constants a= 25.6516(21), b=8.0478(7), c=23.624(17) A, β= 118.114(5)° and Z=8. The structure was refined to R=0.064 for 2897 unique observed reflections. The Cu(HAPH)+ cation is a distorted square pyramid with the CuII center 0.062 A above the least-squares plane defined by pyridine (N1), amine (N18), deprotonated amide (N9) and imidazole (N13) donors of HAPH; CuII is displaced toward imidazole (N22). The imidazole (N22) adjacent to the secondary amine serves as the axial donor of the square pyramid. CuN distances are as follows: CuN1, 1.952(5); CuN18, 2.124(5); CuN9, 2.013(5); CuN13, 1.998(5); CuN22, 2.167(6) A. The in-plane imidazole ring experiences a greater perturbation in the bond between the coordinated N and the ‘C4’ carbon compared to the axial imidazole. A 450 base pair restriction fragment of plasmid pT181 DNA and superhelical plasmid pT181 DNA were treated with FeII(HAPH), FeII(SAPH-3), FeII- (AMPHIS), Fe(edta)2− and FeII(BLM). FeII(BLM) cutting of linear DNA was c. ten-fold greater than FeII(HAPH). The small molecule systems follow the reactivity order FeII(HAPH) (4X)>FeII(AMPHIS); FeII(HAPH) (200X)>FeII(SAPH-3) or Fe(edta)2−. A lack of DNA cleavage fragments derived from cuts at positions 3′ to cytidine bases was noted Cutting of superhelical plasmid DNA into linear plasmid DNA and further fragmentation was shown to be concentration dependent for FeII(HAPH).
Extreme quantum entanglement in a superposition of macroscopically distinct states

A Bell inequality is derived for a state of n spin-1/2 particles which superposes two macroscopically distinct states. Quantum mechanics violates this inequality by an amount that grows exponentially with n.
Response to Selection for Reduced Grass Tetany Potential in Crested Wheatgrass

Grass tetany (hypomagnesemia) has caused substantial economic losses in ruminant animals grazing crested wheatgrass (Agropyron spp.) and other cool-season (C3) grasses. This malady is most prevalent in early lactating animals grazing forage that is deficient in Mg, Ca, and carbohydrates and with high levels of K. The K/(Ca + Mg) ratio expressed as moles of charge is often used to estimate the grass tetany potential of forage samples. Previous studies have shown that heritable variation exists in crested wheatgrass populations for traits associated with grass tetany, and research was conducted to determine the genetic response to selection for these traits. Selections were made during 1985 from two crested wheatgrass breeding populations in Utah ('I-28' and 'Hycrest') based on a reduced grass tetany potential (RTP) index, which incorporates the K/(Ca + Mg) ratio along with concentrations of Ca, Mg, and K. Mean values for the K/(Ca + Mg) were reduced by 5% in I-28 and 11% in Hycrest after one cycle of selection. Narrow-sense heritability values based on actual genetic advance and parent-progeny regression ranged from 0.62 to 0.82 in analyses of data combined across two sampling dates and two years (1988 and 1989). Genetic response to selection on the basis of RTP index was closely associated with the K/(Ca + Mg) ratio and concentrations of Ca and Mg but not with levels of K. Correlations between the K/(Ca + Mg) ratio and crude protein content and digestibility suggested that selection for RTP would likely be accompanied by improved forage quality in the Hycrest breeding population.
Color atlas: eczema

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing skin disorder often presenting in infancy and early childhood and characterized by an age-dependent distribution. Lesions may be acute, subacute, or chronic. The cardinal feature of atopic dermatitis is pruritus, and many of the lesions of atopic dermatitis result from rubbing and scratching persuant to this symptom. Patients with atopic dermatitis have alterations in cutaneous immunity and barrier function that may cause them to be more susceptible to skin infection including viruses, certain bacteria and dermatophytic fungi. Should smallpox vaccination be reinstituted in the U.S., patients with eczema or household contacts of patients with eczema should not be vaccinated because of the risk of eczema vaccinatum.
Defensive Responding on the MMPI-2 in Pre-Surgical Candidates

The MMPI-2 is frequently used for a variety of pre-surgical evaluations that can have life changing consequences for the patient being examined. While it intuitively makes sense that a proportion of examinees will attempt to downplay distress in order to avoid any perceived questions about their surgical candidacy, this hypothesis has received scant research attention. This study cluster analyzed the MMPI-2 L, F, & K validity scales for 890 pre-surgical candidates. Depending on the standard utilized, between one-third and two-thirds of our sample displayed some degree of defensive responding. These results suggest that traditional markers of test validity may need to be adjusted in populations with high base rates for defensiveness. The difficulty in ascribing personality characteristics based on validity scale scores and directions for further research are also discussed.
No man is an island: disentangling multilevel effects in health services research

An extensive literature has established the impact of socioeconomic status on health outcomes.1 Across a wide range of conditions, poorer individuals face barriers in access to healthcare and suffer worse outcomes of that care. However, individuals do not exist in a vacuum; experiences and behaviours are shaped by the contexts in which people live, work and seek healthcare.2 Financially disadvantaged patients may have worse outcomes as a result of riskier health behaviours, a higher burden of chronic disease, lower levels of education or other individual characteristics. At the same time, aspects of context such as the quality of the healthcare system can further compound these disadvantages. Poorer patients may receive care from lower quality providers or at overburdened clinics with limited care coordination. Thus, we do not know if poor patients experience lower health status primarily because of individual disadvantages and risks, or if contextual factors also play a large role in adverse outcomes. In this issue of the journal, Lofqvist et al 3 try to disentangle the potential explanations for the worse outcomes experienced by financially disadvantaged patients. The specific aspect of healthcare they explore is avoidable hospitalisations. For common chronic illnesses such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension and heart failure, effective ambulatory care should reduce the frequency of hospitalisation.4 Using income and hospitalisation data from 43 city districts and municipalities in Stockholm, Sweden, Lofqvist et al 3 found that residence in the lowest income areas was associated with 29% higher odds of avoidable hospitalisation for these and other ambulatory care sensitive conditions. They then examined the extent to which this finding is explained by individual-level versus area-level characteristics. The authors proposed that low-income patients may have an increased risk of avoidable hospitalisation via a number of pathways including lower baseline health, limited …
Pontryagin density in Yang's R gauge

A simple and computationally useful expression for the Pontryagin density in Yang's $R$ gauge for self-dual SU(2) gauge fields is exhibited.
Determinants of Minor League Baseball Attendance

Like Major League Baseball (MLB), minor league baseball attendance may be influenced by the quality of the team. We use a data set encompassing all A, AA, and AAA minor league teams from 1992 to 2006 and find a positive relationship between a minor league team’s winning percentage and attendance. We also find evidence that minor and MLB are substitutes as increased ticket prices for the nearest MLB team lead to higher minor league attendance if that team is within 100 miles. Similarly, we find that during the MLB strike, minor league attendance increased. Finally, we find that a local or regional MLB team’s winning percentage only has a positive impact on minor league attendance when they are affiliated clubs.
Aortic collagenase activity as affected by laparotomy, cecal resection, aortic mobilization, and aortotomy in rats

Abstract Recent biochemical evidence that aneurysm formation may be related to higher activated collagenase levels within aneurysmal aortic walls in association with reports of asymptomatic aneurysm rupture after laparotomy has led to speculation that operative trauma unrelated to direct aortic injury may increase the chance of aneurysm rupture by inducing collagenase activation within the aortic wall. The purpose of this study was to determine whether aortic collagenase can be activated by distant operative trauma and the kinetics of activation after injury. Ninety-six rats were divided into four groups: group 1—laparotomy alone; group 2—cecal resection; group 3—aortic mobilization; and group 4—aortotomy and repair. Animals within each group were sacrificed 1, 3, and 6 hours and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days after surgery. The abdominal aortas were removed and assayed for collagenase activity by incubation with and digestion of tritium-labeled collagen. Collagenase activity was significantly elevated up to 6 hours after direct aortic injury (p
Robust estimation of a maneuvering target from multiple unmanned air vehicles' measurements

When multiple UAVs collaborate to track a maneuvering target, their position measurement sensors are sometimes corrupted by noise biases (e.g. sensor drifting). In this case, the zero-mean noise assumption of the Kalman filter is therefore violated and the desired optimal estimate will not be guaranteed. In this paper, an H-infinity filter is utilized to estimate the position of the maneuvering target to compensate for non-zero-mean noise. Furthermore, the constrained H-infinity filter is shown to be superior to the Kalman filter.
Studies in target-based treatment

In this issue, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics inaugurates a new feature—The Cutting Edge: Spotlight on Clinical Response—whose objective is the rapid publication of breaking discoveries regarding target- or mechanism-based clinical responses in cancer. Targeted molecules are poised to alter the landscape of clinical cancer treatment. For example, because they can distinguish cancer cells from their normal counterparts, agents such as imatinib mesylate, a Bcr-Abl and Kit kinase inhibitor, can result in remarkable responses with minimal host toxicity in patients suffering from diseases characterized by abnormalities in the targeted kinases. Indeed, studies of imatinib mesylate in early-stage chronic myelogenous leukemia, whose hallmark is the aberrant Bcr-Abl, show response rates of more than 90%. Furthermore, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a notoriously chemotherapy-refractory sarcoma, characterized by activating Kit kinase mutations, can show dramatic metabolic responses within days after initiation of treatment. With the wealth of new knowledge in this field, and numerous novel targeted molecules entering clinical trials, the above examples are likely to represent the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, in this issue, a paper by Senzer et al. documents, for the first time, successful use of adenoviral p53 therapy to treat a tumor in a patient with Li Fraumeni Syndrome, a hereditary cancer syndrome caused by the mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Some of the features of this response, such as the early disappearance of metabolic activity on fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography scans, are reminiscent of those of GIST responses to imatinib. These findings have important implications for patients with this syndrome, who are prone to develop numerous tumors and often succumb at a young age. In addition, because mutations in p53 are one of the more common aberrations in cancer in general, identification of these mutations and exploration of this approach is warranted in patients with sporadic cancers. In summary, the era of “molecular cancer therapeutics” has begun. Even so, results in the laboratory and in animals often do not translate into salutary effects in patients. However, when they do, it is important that the information be made quickly available to the investigative community. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics believes that providing a forum for the rapid dissemination of cutting-edge findings of successful, albeit early, clinical research should stimulate further study and will ultimately benefit patients with cancer.
Self-Assembled Organic Monolayer Films on Underpotentially Deposited Metal Layers

This paper describes a new family of organized molecular assemblies that are produced by the spontaneous adsorption of alkanethiols onto gold surfaces that have been modified by the underpotential deposition of copper or silver. The system has the flexibility associated with the formation of self-assembled monolayers by the adsorption of thiols onto gold with the advantage of improved stability. The use of these systems as modified electrodes is also addressed.
Wavelength dependence of optical tweezer trapping forces on dye-doped polystyrene microspheres

We present an experimental and numerical study of the wavelength dependence, near resonance, of the optical tweezer trap stiffness on three different dye-doped 1 μm polystyrene spheres with peak absorptions at λ=625, 775, and 840 nm. Experimentally, an increase in the trap stiffness of ~35% on the red side of resonance was observed for the dye-doped spheres relative to polystyrene spheres without dye. Numerical simulations for spheres of different sizes, between 20 nm and 1 μm, and for absorption strengths corresponding to peak extinction coefficient values between 0.0027 and 0.081 were also conducted. Numerical results showed a maximum increase in the trap stiffness of ~35%, which is consistent with experimental results.
Influence of Scholarships on STEM Teachers: Cluster Analysis and Characteristics.

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers' perceptions about the influence of scholarship on their decision to teach and to teach in a high-needs school were examined using cluster analysis. Three hundred and four STEM scholars, who were currently teaching, and who received funding from 45 institutions located throughout the United States responded to this national survey that was part of a larger cross-sectional program evaluation. Three disparate clusters were identified: less committed to becoming a teacher and teaching in a high-needs school, highly committed to becoming a teacher but not to teaching in a high-needs school, and highly committed to becoming a teacher and teaching in a high-needs school. Furthermore, the results indicated that the recipient's race and the time when the scholar learned about the scholarship were related to cluster membership. These results can be used to target STEM majors who may be influenced by scholarships to enter teaching and to teach in high-needs schools.
The Effects of International Joint Ventures on Shareholder Wealth

The purposes of this study are to measure the wealth effects of international joint ventures on the U.S. firms' shareholders and to determine whether these effects are related to the economics status of the partner's home country. The results indicate that overall investor reactions to joint ventures with foreign firms are negative and that only joint ventures with firms from lesser developed countries have nonnegative effects on shareholders' wealth. These findings are in contrast with previous reports of positive stock price reactions to both dimestic and international joint ventures.
A National Survey of Pre-Service Preparation for Collaboration:

The degree to which special educators serve in a meaningful collaborative capacity in inclusive classrooms has come under scrutiny, and hence, the quality of collaboration training afforded requires examination.This article describes the results of a survey conducted with 53 undergraduate pre-service special education training programs representing 25 states. The survey examined (a) the manner in which collaboration training for special education majors is structured according to content and field experience requirements, (b) the degree to which general education students at each institution are incorporated, (c) faculty perceptions related to the quality of collaboration in public schools, and (d) perceived differences between special and general education faculty in terms of the importance of collaboration training. Results suggest that many of the concerns related to collaboration in public schools are paralleled by, and perhaps attributable to, those between special and general education in college an...
Monitoring the recovery of smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, using standardized relative indices of abundance

The US population of smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, is currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. An important component of monitoring the recovery of this species is establishing long-term baseline trends in abundance. In the absence of scientific survey data, assessing and monitoring the status of some marine species has required the utilization of fishery-dependent data. Using voluntary dockside interviews of sport fishers collected in Everglades National Park, a standardized index of abundance was created for smalltooth sawfish using the delta method. The index was developed as the product of separate generalized linear models of the proportion of positive trips and the positive catch rates on successful trips. Development of the final model included testing factors that were expected to influence the catch of smalltooth sawfish. The final model assumed a binomial distribution for the proportion of positive trips and a lognormal distribution for positive catch rates. Year was significant as a main effect in the binomial model whereas year and skill level of the fishing party were significant in the lognormal model. The relative abundance index shows a small increase in abundance at an average rate of about 5% per year since 1989. These results indicate that the population of smalltooth sawfish in Everglades National Park has at least stabilized and may be increasing. However, additional data and analyses from multiple sources are required before definitive conclusions on the recovery of smalltooth sawfish can be established.
Differences in Parent and Teacher Ratings of Preschool Problem Behavior in a National Sample The Significance of Gender and SES

Previous research has demonstrated that informant disagreement is common with the use of rating scales to assess problem behavior in school-age populations. However, much less is known about this p...
Inheritance of glyphosate resistance in rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) from California

Abstract Glyphosate resistance was found in a rigid ryegrass population in northern California. A sample of the resistant plants were collected and grown under greenhouse conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate glyphosate resistance in the progeny of the collected plants by recurrent selection, obtain the homozygous resistant and sensitive lines to establish dose-response curves, and to determine the inheritance of glyphosate resistance in rigid ryegrass. Diverse levels of resistance were observed in the first generation with survival of 89, 59, 45, and 9% from glyphosate at 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x respectively, where x = 1.12 kg ha−1 isopropylamine salt of glyphosate. Clones of plants that died from 1x were allowed to produce seed and were further subjected to recurrent selection to generate the most sensitive plants (S lines), which died from 0.125x glyphosate. The most resistant plants (R lines) were generated from the survivors receiving 8x glyphosate. The ratio between I50 rates for the gl...
Dinosaurian and mammalian predators compared

Theropod dinosaurs were, and mammalian carnivores are, the top predators within their respective communities. Beyond that, they seem distinct, differing markedly in body form and ancestry. Nevertheless, some of the same processes that shape mammalian predators and their communities likely were important to dinosaurian predators as well. To explore this, we compared the predatory adaptations of theropod dinosaurs and mammalian carnivores, focusing primarily on aspects of their feeding morphology (skulls, jaws, and teeth). We also examined suites of sympatric species (i.e., ecological guilds) of predatory theropods and mammals, emphasizing species richness and the distribution of body sizes within guilds. The morphological comparisons indicate reduced trophic diversity among theropods relative to carnivorans, as most or all theropods with teeth appear to have been hypercarnivorous. There are no clear analogs of felids, canids, and hyaenids among theropods. Interestingly, theropods parallel canids more so than felids in cranial proportions, and all theropods appear to have had weaker jaws than carnivorans. Given the apparent trophic similarity of theropods and their large body sizes, it was surprising to find that species richness of theropod guilds was as great as or exceeded that observed among mammalian carnivore guilds. Separation by body size appears to be slightly greater among sympatric theropods than carnivorans, but the magnitude of size difference between species is not constant in either group. We suggest that, as in modern carnivoran guilds, smaller theropod species might have adapted to the threats posed by much larger species (e.g., tyrannosaurs) by hunting in groups, feeding rapidly, and avoiding encounters whenever possible. This would have favored improved hunting skills and associated adaptations such as agility, speed, intelligence, and increased sensory awareness.
The effects of marijuana extract and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol on luteal function in the rhesus monkey * †

The effects of marijuana extract (ME) and ∆ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on corpus luteum function were studied in the rhesus monkey by the use of in vivo and in vitro techniques. THC (2.5mg/kg) or vehicle (3% Tween 80 in saline) was administered by an intramuscular injection to rhesus monkeys on day 20, 21, or 22 of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone (P) levels were measured at 6-hour intervals for the first 24hours after treatment. THC caused a significant decrease in P levels during this 24-hour period. This decrease was reversed by the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at 6hours after THC administration. When THC was administered 2hours after heG, it failed to inhibit the expected rise in serum P levels caused by hCG. Direct effects of the drugs on P production were studied with the use of dispersed luteal cells obtained from monkeys on day 21 or 22 of the menstrual cycle. Neither ME nor THC had any effect on basal P production in these in vitro studies. These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of THC on P levels during the luteal phase are not mediated by a direct effect of the drug on ovarian steroid production.
Mindfulness-Based Therapies

Mindfulness meditation has been described as a useful adjunct to behavioral and medical interventions in the effective management of a range of psychological symptoms, including emotional responses to stress, anxiety, depression, and disruptive behavior. Mindfulness approaches can be taught to children, adolescents, and their parents to help reduce negative emotional reactions that result from and/or exacerbate psychiatric difficulties and exposure to stressors. This focus may be particularly relevant for African American youth and their families who have an increased risk for exposure to chronic stress and unique stressors associated with social-contextual considerations. Moreover, mindfulness parenting techniques can augment traditional behavioral approaches to improve children’s behavior through specific forms of mindful parent–child interactions. A growing body of empirical studies and clinical experience suggest that the incorporation of mindfulness meditation will enable clinicians to more effectively treat youth and their families in coping optimally with a range of challenging symptoms. This chapter provides a description of mindfulness approaches, theoretical mechanisms of action, literature review, a sample script for a beginning mindfulness exercise, and case studies.
Japanese Beetle Damage to Soybeans and Corn

Since 1953, more than 300,000 acres of farm land in Newton and Benton Counties, Indiana, and adjacent Iroquois County, Illinois, have become infested by the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman. Habits of the insect in this area have differed from those of the urban infestations found in the Eastern States and in the 52 cities and towns scattered over Indiana. In Newton County most larvae have been found in soils of soybean fields and cornfields, while the preferred food of beetles has been the foliage of smartweeds and soybeans. Trapping and field counting of beetles on soybeans during the past 6 years showed that high populations were present in 1957, 1961, and 1962. The highest population found was an estimated 37,000 beetles per acre. Losses to soybeans from beetle feeding were difficult to estimate, but in most years less than 1% of the foliage was destroyed. One severely infested field in 1962 showed feeding on 90% of the leaflets and a loss in yield of 20%. Heavily infested cornfields showed beetle feeding on 50 to 90% of the silks, but at harvest only 15 to 25% of the ears had a reduced set of kernels from incomplete pollination. Yield reductions in these fields were about 10 bu. per acre. No damage to soybean and corn roots from larval feeding was observed. Egg hatching started in late July, and young larvae were present from August until the next May. About half the hibernating larvae were in the third larval instar. Counts made in April indicated that first-instar larvae survived some winters and that the remaining population was equally divided between second- and third-instar larvae. The same fields have comprised the area with the heavy beetle and grub populations during the 6 years, and this area contains less than 1,000 acres. No apparent differences were noted in the crops or soil types in the heavily infested and lightly infested areas. The soils are heavy, wet, and poorly drained and have pH values in the range of 6.2 to 7.0.
Abstract LB-391: HDAC6 is a dual enzyme with deacetylase and E3 ligase activities for MSH2 degradation

MSH2 is a key DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein that functions as an MSH2/MSH6 heterodimer (MutSa) in repairing errors after DNA replication as well as sensing certain types of DNA damage. It is believed that reduction of MutSα attenuates recognition of DNA adducts which renders a declined cell cycle arrest and apoptosis upon DNA damage and subsequently leads to chemotolerance. However, the mechanisms of down-regulation of MutSa are largely unknown. Here we show that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is co-purified with MutSa in HeLa nuclear extracts. Interestingly, we have found that HDAC6 itself serves as a ubiquitin E3 ligase to promote MSH2 polyubiquitination which renders MSH2 degradation by proteasome pathway. Intriguingly, HDAC6 prefers to target MSH2 monomer over MutSa for ubiquitination and degradation. Mechanistically, HDAC6 E3 ligase activity primarily resides in the N-terminal region encompassing the previously identified deacetylase domain 1 (DAC1) whereas its deacetylase activity resides in the deacetylase domain 2 (DAC2). We also showed that HDAC6 E3 ligase activity towards acetylated MSH2 is facilitated by its deacetylase activity in vivo. MSH2 lysine 249 and 892 can be either acetylated or ubiqutinated in vivo. These data suggest that HDAC6 sequentially deacetylates and ubiquitinates MSH2 via its DAC2 and DAC1 domains to target MSH2 degradation in vivo. Moreover, cells lacking or depleted of HDAC6 exhibit elevated levels of MSH2 due to impaired ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation and subsequently prolonged half-life, compared with control cells. In agreement with this, HDAC6 knockout cells display higher MMR activity compared with wild type cells. Importantly, absence or reduction of HDAC6 leads to an increased cellular sensitivity to 6-TG and MNNG, whose DNA lesions were recognized by MutSa, suggesting that HDAC6 governs MSH2-dependent cytotoxicity induced by 6-TG or MNNG. Overall, our results identified a novel ubiquitin E3 ligase activity of HDAC6 and revealed that HDAC6 plays an important role in response to genotoxic stress. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-391. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-391
Application timing and concentration of abscisic acid affect the quality of ‘Redglobe’ grapes

SummaryThe plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA), the concentration of which increases in grape berry skins at the onset of maturation (veraison), appears to be involved in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation. Preliminary tests suggested that exogenous applications of ABA could improve grape berry colour, but its high cost precluded the development of commercial applications. Recently, a lower-cost ABA production method was developed, which led to the evaluation of different concentrations of ABA, applied at or around veraison, on the quality of ‘Redglobe’ grapes. In two of three years of tests, several ABA treatments enhanced the anthocyanin content of grape skins. ABA, applied at approx. 300 mg l–1 at veraison, may be required to reliably increase pigmentation, and improve the colour of ‘Redglobe’ grapes. Although the total anthocyanin content was increased by ABA treatment, anthocyanin composition was not affected. Applications of ABA had few effects on fruit size or composition, although they did c...
Design of the Software of the Master Console in Loading Trial System of Landing Gear Based on LabWindows/CVI

According to the real-time,complexity and multitask trait of the landing gear electro-hydraulic load trial,the hardware and software of the master console were introduced and the software of master console was designed based on LabWindows/CVI.The application shows that this system is easy to manipulate and can achieve the stable and exact control.This console achieves the real-time and credible measurement of the system.
Optimal control with learned local models: Application to dexterous manipulation

We describe a method for learning dexterous manipulation skills with a pneumatically-actuated tendon-driven 24-DoF hand. The method combines iteratively refitted time-varying linear models with trajectory optimization, and can be seen as an instance of model-based reinforcement learning or as adaptive optimal control. Its appeal lies in the ability to handle challenging problems with surprisingly little data. We show that we can achieve sample-efficient learning of tasks that involve intermittent contact dynamics and under-actuation. Furthermore, we can control the hand directly at the level of the pneumatic valves, without the use of a prior model that describes the relationship between valve commands and joint torques. We compare results from learning in simulation and on the physical system. Even though the learned policies are local, they are able to control the system in the face of substantial variability in initial state.
Model simulations of flood and debris flow timing in steep catchments after wildfire

Debris flows are a typical hazard on steep slopes after wildfire, but unlike debris flows that mobilize from landslides, most postwildfire debris flows are generated from water runoff. The majority of existing debris flow modeling has focused on landslide-triggered debris flows. In this study we explore the potential for using process-based rainfall-runoff models to simulate the timing of water flow and runoff-generated debris flows in recently burned areas. Two different spatially distributed hydrologic models with differing levels of complexity were used: the full shallow water equations and the kinematic wave approximation. Model parameter values were calibrated in two different watersheds, spanning two orders of magnitude in drainage area. These watersheds were affected by the 2009 Station Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains, CA, USA. Input data for the numerical models were constrained by time series of soil moisture, flow stage, and rainfall collected at field sites, as well as high-resolution lidar-derived digital elevation models. The calibrated parameters were used to model a third watershed in the burn area, and the results show a good match with observed timing of flow peaks. The calibrated roughness parameter (Manning's n) was generally higher when using the kinematic wave approximation relative to the shallow water equations, and decreased with increasing spatial scale. The calibrated effective watershed hydraulic conductivity was low for both models, even for storms occurring several months after the fire, suggesting that wildfire-induced changes to soil-water infiltration were retained throughout that time. Overall, the two model simulations were quite similar suggesting that a kinematic wave model, which is simpler and more computationally efficient, is a suitable approach for predicting flood and debris flow timing in steep, burned watersheds.
Comparison of Gene Expression Signature Using Rank Based Statistical Inference

To understand the unique characteristics of biological state or phenotype, such as disease or cellular homeostasis, it is of vital importance to analyze the behavior of global gene expression. In the field of transcriptomics, gene expression patterns under the corresponding phenotypic state could be used as a proxy to determine the physiological and chemical response from the cellular system of an organism. Studying these kinds of patterns helps us to unveil the response of molecular machinery of cell, and predict regulation of a particular metabolic pathway. To understand the biological implication of these gene expression signatures is still an open question. In the present work, we are studying the behaviour of gene expression signatures of 22 knock down (perturbed) genes involved in secretory pathways, in distinct human cancer cell lines at different time scales, with the help of rank based statistical approach. The aim of our work is to compare the consequence of these gene perturbations at the transcriptional level, independently from the specific cell line effects, and categorize these perturbations to understand the inter connected network with in these perturbed genes and their shared influence on the regulation of sectretory pathway. To achieve this goal, we compared the gene expression signatures with respect to each perturbation per cell lines, using three different approaches implying non parametric rank based statistics. In the first approach, we generated prototype rank lists (PRLs) from gene expression data from given perturbation experiments, and calculated distance between expression signatures using pattern matching similarity based on kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic. In second approach, we implemented rank-rank hyper-geometric overlap maps (RRHO) for the identification of statistically significant overlapping genes between gene-expression signatures with respect to 22 genes perturbation experiments. Finally, we carried out gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) on the previously obtained PRLs for the respective perturbations, and identify statistically significant KEGG pathways for which expression signatures of these 22 pertubations are enriched. Based on the comparative study of gene expression signature, 22 pertubations are clustered into 4 groups. Our results show that the transcriptional response with respect to each perturbation does not have an independent behavior, but perturbations with in each cluster share a common transcriptional response. Sister perturbations in each cluster have a cumulative role in shaping up the behaviour of cellular system.
μEMA: Microinteraction-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) using a smartwatch

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) is a method of in situ data collection for assessment of behaviors, states, and contexts. Questions are prompted during everyday life using an individual's mobile device, thereby reducing recall bias and increasing validity over other self-report methods such as retrospective recall. We describe a microinteraction-based EMA method ("micro" EMA, or μEMA) using smartwatches, where all EMA questions can be answered with a quick glance and a tap -- nearly as quickly as checking the time on a watch. A between-subjects, 4-week pilot study was conducted where μEMA on a smartwatch (n=19) was compared with EMA on a phone (n=14). Despite an =8 times increase in the number of interruptions, μEMA had a significantly higher compliance rate, completion rate, and first prompt response rate, and μEMA was perceived as less distracting. The temporal density of data collection possible with μEMA could prove useful in ubiquitous computing studies.
Stereospecific synthesis of Z- and E-1 alkoxy-1,3-butadienes

Abstract A stereospecific, highly efficient, generally applicable synthesis of Z - and E -1-alkoxy-1,3-butadienes involving dehydrative decarboxylations of 4,5-unsaturated-2-alkoxy-3-hydroxy-carboxylic acids is described.
Analytical and multiphysial-numerical models for plasma-waves in double and multiple channel HEMTs

We explore the possibilities of plasma-wave devics using multiple channel HEMT (high electron mobility transistor) structures. The multiple channel HEMTs are studied using rigorous analytical methods and full-wave-hydrodynamic numerical models. Using the electromagnetic field profiles and hydrodynamic conductivity, we first derive dispersion relations for the plasma-wave propagation within double channel systems. Further, using the numerical solutions, we extend the study to multiple (>2) channel systems. Results for specific applications of resonant and non-resonant plasma-wave devices are then discussed.
Should I guess

ABSTRACTFormula scoring, or the use of a correction (or penalty) for guessing, has been commonly practiced on standardized tests for almost 100 years. The correction deducts a portion of the question’s point value for an incorrect response, with no points awarded or deducted for an omitted response. The optimal response strategy is dependent on the student’s risk attitude and is thus difficult to identify and convey, as discussed. This study uses survey data to examine the advice that has been provided (often at some cost) to students facing a test with a correction. The impact of some of this advice as well as explanations for its persistence is discussed. In so doing, the study does provide support for the apparent ongoing abandonment of this scoring practice.
Trade-Offs in Trade: Examining the Impacts of Interstate Cooperation under Alternative Clean Power Plan Compliance Scenarios

The EPA’s recently finalized Clean Power Plan (CPP) establishes several pathways for compliance, including category-specific rate standards, state rate standards, and state mass targets. For each compliance pathway, states are allowed to cooperate in order to reduce compliance costs. While cooperation through trade will unambiguously lower total compliance costs, at the state level it can either lower costs for both states, or for one at the expense of the other. Moreover, the impacts of cooperation on total emissions are ambiguous in the context of rate policy. In this paper, we develop a simple two-state electricity model to illustrate the potential implications of cooperation for state costs and total emissions within each compliance pathway. For the category-specific rate standards, we show that cooperation typically, though not always, lowerscosts in both states. However, it can also result in increased CO2 emissions, an outcome that becomes increasingly likely as renewable energy costs diverge across the states. For the state rate standards, the CPP requires cooperating states to blend their state-specific rates into a single weighted-average rate. We demonstrate two counteracting effects of cooperation faced by the state with the more lenient standard: a “trade effect” that lowers state costs through a shared compliance credit market, and an “averaging effect” that raises state costs for one state through the adoption of a more stringent standard. For the state mass targets, we show that for a cap-and-trade policy with auctioned allowances, lump-sum rebating back to the states on the basis of their initial caps will benefit both states.
Is Subdissociative Ketamine As Safe and Effective As Morphine for Pain Management in the Emergency Department

: Review of recent evidence with translation to practice for the advanced practice nurse (APN) role is presented using a case study module for "Intravenous Subdissociative-Dose Ketamine Versus Morphine for Analgesia in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial." This prospective, randomized controlled inquiry enrolled 90 patients into 2 groups (ketamine vs. morphine) for patients seeking care in an emergency department with acute pain. Data regarding pain scores were collected at baseline, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Study subjects reporting persistent pain could receive rescue analgesia with fentanyl. Initial pain scores for the subjects in each of the groups were comparable (ketamine: 8.6; morphine: 8.5). Pain management for the 2 groups revealed similar average doses (ketamine: 21.8 mg; morphine: 7.7 mg). Although subjects in both groups reported reduction in pain scores at 15 and 30 min, no clinical significance was found. Subjects experienced greater pain relief (pain score = 0) in the ketamine group at 15 min (percentage difference 31%; 95% confidence interval [13, 49]), yet this was not sustained at the 30-min interval. There were no serious or life-threatening adverse effects in either group. This study highlights the important role of the APN in providing quality care, communication about pain management, and related follow-up care.
Mapping three-dimensional near-field responses with reconstruction scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy

Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) enables mapping of nanoscale field distributions in two dimensions. However, the standard s-SNOM technique lacks direct resolving ability along the vertical direction, therefore unable to provide full three-dimensional near-field responses. Here, we develop a reconstruction technique that enables s-SNOM to collect a three-dimensional response cube of near-field interaction. The technique also allows a new operational mode of s-SNOM based on the characteristic decay range of near-field interactions. As a demonstration, the bound near-field at the sides of a polaritonic boron nitride nanotube is revealed through the collection of the near-field response cube. The graphene boundary and discontinuities are revealed by the near-field decay range mapping. The reconstruction s-SNOM technique extends the capability of s-SNOM and is generally applicable for a wide range of nanoscale characterizations that are suitable for s-SNOM, such as characterizat...
Is There Balance? Mexican Medical Practitioners’ Work- Life Experiences And Emotion Management On The U.S.- Mexico Border

The purpose of this study is to analyze medical doctors’ work-life experiences and emotional management while practicing on the U.S.-Mexico. They have varying experiences and there is a constant shift of doctors attempting to manage work and personal lives; they must learn how to cope with the emotions that derive from their profession and the added pressures of practicing medicine with precaution due to the ongoing drug war in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Additionally, doctors on the border treat patients from both Mexico and the U.S. There are significant pressures and tensions involved in practicing medicine, and this is even more relevant when working on the border region. This is why this study is relevant and important. Through qualitative methodology, I acquired the experiences of Mexican doctors on the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo border. Through a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews, doctors described the difficulties they encountered when dealing with emotions at work, which gave deeper meaning to their statements. Kidnappings, muggings, and extortions put significant constraints on doctors’ occupational lives. Doctors modify their work practices, work schedules, and other daily routines, which intersect with their work and personal lives. Doctors also displayed resilience to continue practicing on the border regardless of the violence. Doctors in my study experience Clark’s (2000) border theory, developed to fill in the gaps causing criticism of other work and family theories and work-life mechanisms (Clark, 2000). In addition to the border theory (Clark, 2000) the role theory (Kahn et al. 1964) also describes my participants’ multiple role amalgamation. This theory proposes workers, in this case, doctors, are involved in varying life roles such as employee or family member amongst other roles that sometimes are incompatible (Greenhaus & Beutell, 1985).
Desiderata of Storage Devices

Typical requirements on cost, capacity, and performance of today"s magnetic storage devices and industry trends in these attributes are given. Scaling components, devices, and materials is shown to be a key factor in further improvement, Challenges to continued scaling are reviewed, particularly as they relate to magnetic nano-structures, materials, and characterization techniques.
Lymph node metastases in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: predictors of disease recurrence and survival.

Few studies have simultaneously assessed the prognostic value of the multiple classification systems for lymph node (LN) metastases in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In 600 patients with resected PDAC, we examined the association of LN parameters (AJCC 7th and 8th editions, LN ratio (LNR), and log odds of metastatic LN (LODDS)) with pattern of recurrence and patient survival using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression, respectively. Regression models adjusted for age, sex, margin status, tumour grade, and perioperative therapy. Lymph node metastases classified by AJCC 7th and 8th editions, LNR, and LODDS were associated with worse disease free-survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (all Ptrend<0.01). American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition effectively predicted DFS and OS, while minimising model complexity. Lymph node metastases had weaker prognostic value in patients with positive margins and distal resections (both Pinteraction<0.03). Lymph node metastases by AJCC 7th and 8th editions did not predict the likelihood of local disease as the first site of recurrence. American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition LN classification is an effective and practical tool to predict outcomes in patients with resected PDAC. However, the prognostic value of LN metastases is attenuated in patients with positive resection margins and distal pancreatectomies.