cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloning, overexpression, and biochemical characterization of the catalytic domain of MutY

Proteolysis of MutY with trypsin indicated that this DNA mismatch repair enzyme could exist as two modules and that the N-terminal domain (Met1-Lys225), designated as p26, could serve as the catalytic domain [Manuel et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 16218-16226]. In this study, the p26 domain has been cloned, overproduced, and purified to homogeneity. Synthetic DNA duplexes containing mismatches, generated with regular bases and nucleotide analogs containing altered functional groups, have been used to characterize the substrate specificity and mismatch repair efficiency of p26. In general, p26 recognized and cleaved most of the substrates which were catalyzed by the intact protein. However, p26 displayed enhanced specificity for DNA containing an inosine. guanine mismatch, and the specificity constant (Kcat/Km) was 2-fold higher. The truncated MutY was able to cleave DNA containing an abasic site with equal efficiency. Dissociation constants (Kd) were obtained for p26 on noncleavable DNA substrates containing a tetrahydrofuran (abasic site analog) or a reduced abasic site. p26 bound these substrates with high specificity, and the Kd values were 3-fold higher when compared to the intact MutY. p26 contains both DNA glycosylase and AP lyase activities, and we provide evidence for a reaction mechanism that proceeds through an imino intermediate. Thus, we have shown for the first time that deletion of 125 amino acids at the C-terminus of MutY generates a stable catalytic domain which retains the functional identity of the intact protein.
An Approach for Robust Design of Reactive Power Metal Mixtures Based on Non-deterministic Micro-scale Shock Simulation

In this paper, we propose a method for the robust design of materials involving processes that are computationally intensive and selectively random. The material system considered is a reactive particle metal mixture (RPMM) composed of aluminum and iron oxide (Al+Fe2O3). Shock simulations of discrete energetic particle mixtures are performed to predict the system’s mechanical and thermal behavior that will be used by a designer of the mixture to achieve robust micro-scale reaction initiation. The method used to predict the behavior of the material system is the robust concept exploration method with error margin index (RCEM-EMI). An error margin index is a mathematical construct indicating the location of mean system performance and the spread of this performance considering both variability in design variables and models of the system. Variability in responses of a model may be due to system variation that cannot be easily parameterized in terms of noise factors. Furthermore, lack of data, due to the cost of simulations and experiments, leads to uncertain parameters in empirical models. System response variability and parameter uncertainty in an empirical model are estimated in a computationally efficient manner to formulate the error margin indices, which are then leveraged to search for ranged sets of design specifications. Finally, the RCEM-EMI is illustrated for designing a RPMM.
REAL SPACE RENORMALIZATION GROUP THEORY OF THE PERCOLATION MODEL

A cluster expansion renormalization group method in real space is-developed to determine the critical properties of the percolation model. In contrast to previous renormalization group approaches, this method considers the cluster size distribution (free energy) rather than the site or bond probability distribution (coupling constants) and satisfies the basic renormalization group requirement of free energy conservation. In the construction of the renormalization group transformation, new couplings are generated which alter the topological structure of the clusters and which must be introduced in the original system. Predicted values of the critical exponents appear to converge to presumed exact values as higher orders in the expansion are considered. The method can in principle be extended to different lattice structures, as well as to different dimensions of space.
Interactions of triply phosphorylated human β-casein : monomer characterization and hydrodynamic studies of self-association

Abstract The triply phosphorylated form of human β-casein comprises about 15% of that fraction and is thus a significant component about midway between the two extremes of zero and five phosphoryls. Its partial specific volume, v, of 0.74 ± 0.01 and absorbancy, E1cm, 280nm1%, of 6.2 ± 0.2 are almost identical to the other human β-caseins. Equilibrium dialysis gave an average of 3.1 ± 0.4 major Ca2+ binding sites at 37 °C with Kdiss = 8.6 × 10−4 m . Sedimentation and viscosity at low temperatures or in 3.3 m urea suggested a prolate ellipsoidal monomer with 1.4 g H2O/g protein, 10 nm in length and 1.4 nm in width. The concentrated charge of the phosphoryls may be near one end of the ellipsoid, allowing the molecules to align with the flow in the viscometer at low concentration but, due to intermolecular electrostatic interactions, not when concentration is high. This would provide a reason for the heretofore unexplained curvature in the plots of reduced viscosity, ηred, vs β-casein protein concentration. Self-association increased with temperature. At 37 °C in low salt buffer, s20,w was 16 S, which increased to about 33 S as ionic strength, I, was increased to 0.2 and above. At the same time, ηred in low salt buffer decreased from about 22 ml/ g at 4 °C to a constant value of about 5 ml/g above 23 °C. A similar value for ηred at 37 °C, which was almost independent of protein concentration, was obtained at I > 0.25, giving an extrapolated intrinsic viscosity value of [η] = 4.0 ml/g. Using this value and assuming a spherical aggregate, calculations suggest a radius of 9 nm with about 48 monomers and 0.86 g H2O/g protein.
Control of cardiac muscle cell division.

Division and proliferation of the terminally differentiated ventricular heart muscle cell in the adult mammal is not activated after injury such as that caused by a myocardial infarction. We do not understand how mitosis is irreversibly blocked in these myocytes during early development. Mammalian cardiac muscle, unlike skeletal muscle, cannot regenerate. Knowledge of the mechanisms that control the cardiac myocyte cell cycle would allow us to design reagents or procedures to initiate repair or regeneration of the adult myocardium following injury. Ideally, we would like to be able to revert cardiac muscle cells in intact heart muscle to the biochemical state they were in during early fetal growth when they were actively dividing and proliferating. This article briefly reviews what is currently known about the mechanism which so tightly suppresses the mitotic activity of these highly differentiated cells.
Concerning the thermal stability of potassium ozonide

Abstract An investigation of the characteristics of the thermal decomposition of potassium ozonide has been performed. Discrepancies in the open literature concerning the presence of an induction period preceding the active decomposition of potassium ozonide have been resolved. Under extremely dry conditions, the induction period is observed, the length of which is dependent upon the temperature to which the sample is exposed. Studies have also confirmed that at temperatures of 0° and below the rate of decomposition of potassium superoxide is sufficiently slow so as to make the long term storage of these materials practical. The heat of decomposition of potassium ozonide was determined to be 3.2 Kcal/mole in the temperature range from 325 to 373°K using differential scanning calorimetric techniques.
Estrogen and NGF synergistically protect terminally differentiated, ERα‐transfected PC12 cells from apoptosis

The potential cytoprotective effects of the gonadal steroid estrogen, acting via its receptor (ER) on target neurons, are of considerable interest in aging, disease, and trauma. In this study, we examined the effects of estrogen on a prototypical neuronal-like cell, namely, nerve growth factor (NGF) differentiated PC12 cells when these cells are placed into an apoptosis-inducing environment. A clonal line of PC12 cells stably transfected to express full-length rat ERα mRNA and protein (PCER cells), as well as control cells (vector DNA transfected: PCCON cells), were differentiated into neurite bearing cells by 14 days of NGF treatment. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry for ERα revealed that terminally differentiated PCER cells continue to show robust ER mRNA and protein expression after differentiation. PCCON cells do not express ERα either before or after NGF-induced differentiation. After differentiation, serum and NGF withdrawal from wild type PC12 cells is well known to induce cell death via apoptotic mechanisms. We challenged differentiated PCER and PCCON cells with serum-free media and assessed the effects of various treatments on cell survival and apoptosis using trypan blue staining and quantitative TUNEL staining. When differentiated PCER cells were treated with 17β-estradiol (E2) plus NGF during a 2-day serum-free media challenge, cell survival was significantly greater, and the apoptotic index was significantly lower, than when PCER cells were treated with NGF only during the challenge. No additional improvement in cell survival, and no further reduction in apoptosis, was observed in non-ER expressing cells (PCCON) by E2 plus NGF treatment over that obtained by NGF alone. The effects of E2 on the expression of several apoptosis-related genes in this system were also examined. We found that E2 treatment of differentiated PCER cells in serum-free media increased the levels of Bcl-XL mRNA and reduced the levels of BAD mRNA relative to those in vehicle-treated PCER cells, and also relative to those in PCCON cells. Thus, estrogen's protective effects on PCER cells appear to, at least partly, involve a modulation of apoptosis-regulating genes. J. Neurosci. Res. 56:471–481, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The self‐assembly of collagen molecules

The aggregation of native acid-soluble collagen (N-ASC) and of pronase-treated acid soluble collagen (P-ASC) was examined in solution under conditions which varied from those of minimum collagen-collagen interaction to those leading to incipient fiber formation. Molecular weights and weight distributions were determined in the analytical ultracentrifuge using the Yphantis high speed sedimentation equilibrium and Aarchiblad approach-to-equilibrim techniques. The aggregation was pH and ionic strength dependent in each case. Under conditions of minimum aggregation (low pH, low ionic strength), N-ASC showed the presence of permant aggregates. At higher pH and ionic strength, a higher fraction of aggregate was formed but these were of the same charcter and molecular weight as the permanent aggregates. The aggregates were of a single molecular size, with a weight of 1.5 × 106 daltons, compared with a monomer collagen weight of 3.1 × 105 daltons. The P-ASC formed aggregates also but to a much lower extent and the maximum aggregate size corresponded to dimers in molecular weight. These data show the major importance of molecular end-regions in collagen aggregation to form native type fibers and, by virtue of the discrete size of the N-ASC aggregates, support the microfibrillar hypothesis for the assembly of collagen fibrills.
FEN1 Ensures Telomere Stability by Facilitating Replication Fork Re-initiation

Telomeres are terminal repetitive DNA sequences whose stability requires the coordinated actions of telomere-binding proteins and the DNA replication and repair machinery. Recently, we demonstrated that the DNA replication and repair protein Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) is required for replication of lagging strand telomeres. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that FEN1 is required for efficient re-initiation of stalled replication forks. At the telomere, we find that FEN1 depletion results in replicative stress as evidenced by fragile telomere expression and sister telomere loss. We show that FEN1 participation in Okazaki fragment processing is not required for efficient telomere replication. Instead we find that FEN1 gap endonuclease activity, which processes DNA structures resembling stalled replication forks, and the FEN1 interaction with the RecQ helicases are vital for telomere stability. Finally, we find that FEN1 depletion neither impacts cell cycle progression nor in vitro DNA replication through non-telomeric sequences. Our finding that FEN1 is required for efficient replication fork re-initiation strongly suggests that the fragile telomere expression and sister telomere losses observed upon FEN1 depletion are the direct result of replication fork collapse. Together, these findings suggest that other nucleases compensate for FEN1 loss throughout the genome during DNA replication but fail to do so at the telomere. We propose that FEN1 maintains stable telomeres by facilitating replication through the G-rich lagging strand telomere, thereby ensuring high fidelity telomere replication.
Technical efficiency in texas nursing facilities: A stochastic production frontier approach

A rapidly aging U. S. population is straining the resources available for long term care and increasing the urgency of efficient operations in nursing homes. The scope for productivity improvements can be examined by estimating a stochastic frontier production function. We apply the methods of maximum likelihood and quantile regression to a panel of Texas nursing facilities and infer that the average productivity shortfall due to avoidable technical inefficiency is at least 8 percent and perhaps as large as 20 percent. Non-profit facilities are notably less productive than comparable facilities operated for profit, and the industry has constant returns to scale.
Tools for a Time and Place: Phased Leadership Strategies to Institutionalize a Diversity Agenda

This study examines college presidents who have successfully institutionalized diversity measures on their campuses, focusing on their strategies. The study focus was: Do campuses at different stages of institutionalization in their diversity agendas use different strategies? If so, why? And how do different strategies help move the campus toward institutionalizing a diversity agenda? It identifies institutions at three different levels of institutionalization and describes their distinctive strategies for each phase. The article argues that college presidents need to acknowledge the importance of understanding the institutional phase before implementing any activities or plans.
A Two-Fluid Model for Reacting Turbulent Two-Phase Flows

A reacting two-fluid model, based on the solution of separate transport equations for reacting gas-liquid two-phase flow, is presented. New time-mean transport equations for two-phase mixture fraction f and its variance g are derived. The new two-fluid transport equations for f and g are useful for two-phase reacting flows in which phases strongly interact. They are applicable to both submerged and nonsubmerged combustion. A pdf approach to the reaction process is adopted. The mixture fraction pdf assumes the shape of a beta function while the instantaneous thermochemical properties are computed from an equilibrium model
Stability of a system of interacting cracks

Abstract In the absence of crack branching, a system of straight cracks may interact and their growth regime may become unstable in the sense that some cracks may grow faster at a certain critical state, or even snap into a longer length, while other cracks may stop growing, or even snap closed.When the crack extension involves Modes I, II, and III, and the fracture criterion is defined by a critical value for the total energy release rate, necessary and sufficient conditions are developed for both the stability of a given regime, and for unstable crack growth.
Nursing assistants' perceptions of their ability to provide continence care.

More than 50% of all elderly nursing home residents suffer from urinary incontinence (UI). Although effective urinary continence programs exist, successful implementation continues to be a problem. This qualitative study involved seven focus groups of three to seven nursing assistants each (total n = 31) to examine their perceptions about factors that either promote or inhibit continence care. Better cooperation and increased communication emerged as factors that would improve teamwork and decrease workload. This article includes quotes from individual nursing assistants and a discussion of the factors most commonly identified as promoting or inhibiting care. Nursing assistants are valuable members of the health care team. Knowing their perceptions should allow professional nurses and facility administrators to develop continence programs that better meet the needs of both the nursing assistants who implement them and the residents for whom they care. (Geriatr Nurs 2002;23:76-81)
Buyer Brokers: Do They Make a Difference? Their Influence on Selling Price and Search Duration

This study focuses on the role of buyer brokers in the home-buying process by examining the effects of brokerage representation on home selling prices and search duration. The results of this study indicate that real estate brokers, no matter the type, have no independent effect on home prices. The principal effect of broker intermediation is a reduction in buyer search time, compared to for-sale-by-owner transactions. The most important finding, however, is that buyer agents are more effective at reducing search time for their clients than more traditional seller agents or non-agent facilitators.
Simulations of nanoindentation in a thin amorphous metal film

Nanoindentation was simulated in a two dimensional model metallic glass thin film using molecular dynamics. Strain localization was observed in simulations where the system was sufficiently structurally relaxed prior to deformation. Indentation simulations utilized an atomic indenter that adhered to the surface or a frictionless indenter. Boundary conditions were varied to constrain the film or allow the film to relax in-plane to examine the effect on shear band formation. The most constrained system, i.e. that with the atomic indenter and the constrained boundaries exhibited the highest hardness.
Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay Detection of Mumps-Specific Antibody-Secreting B Cells as an Alternative Method of Laboratory Diagnosis

Although high measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage has been successful in dramatically reducing mumps disease in the United States, mumps (re)infections occasionally occur in individuals who have been either previously vaccinated or naturally infected. Standard diagnostics that detect virus or virus-specific antibody are dependable for confirming primary mumps infection in immunologically naive persons, but these methods perform inconsistently for individuals with prior immune exposure. We hypothesized that detection of activated mumps-specific antibody-secreting B cells (ASCs) by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay could be used as a more reliable diagnostic. To test this, a time course of virus-specific ASC responses was measured by ELISPOT assay following MMR vaccination of 16 previously vaccinated or naturally exposed adult volunteers. Mumps-specific ASCs were detectable in 68% of these individuals at some point during the first 3 weeks following revaccination. In addition, mumps-specific ASCs were detected in 7/7 previously vaccinated individuals who recently had been infected as part of a confirmed mumps outbreak. These data suggest that ELISPOT detection of mumps-specific ASCs has the potential for use as an alternative method of diagnosis when suspect cases cannot be confirmed by detection of IgM or virus. In addition, it was determined that mumps-specific memory B cells are detected at a much lower frequency than measles- or rubella-specific cells, suggesting that mumps infection may not generate robust B-cell memory.
Management of Recurrent Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumor of the Ovary

Abstract Background. Juvenile granulosa cell tumors of the ovary are a rare form of neoplasm that makes up less than 5% of ovarian tumors in childhood and adolescence. About 90% are diagnosed in stage I with a favorable prognosis. More advanced stages (FIGO stages II–IV) have a poor prognosis. Case. A patient was initially diagnosed at age 17 with FIGO stage IIIC disease and treated with a right salpingo-oophorectomy, debulking, and staging followed by six cycles of carboplatin and etoposide chemotherapy. Tumor recurrence in the liver and adjacent to the spleen occurred 13 months after completion of primary therapy. Aggressive surgical removal of tumor followed by six cycles of bleomycin and taxol as salvage chemotherapy resulted in 44 months of disease-free survival. On November 27, 2000, she had a cesarean delivery of a 2335-g normal male due to a breech presentation. Exploration revealed no evidence of tumor. Conclusion. This is the second case report of a patient with advanced juvenile granulosa cell tumor to become pregnant after apparently successful chemotherapy. These results are encouraging, but the best treatment for extensive and recurrent disease has yet to be determined.
Regulation of caspase-3 and -9 activation in oxidant stress to RTE by forkhead transcription factors, Bcl-2 proteins, and MAP kinases.

Cytotoxicity to renal tubular epithelial cells (RTE) is dependent on the relative response of cell survival and cell death signals triggered by the injury. Forkhead transcription factors, Bcl-2 fam...
The Effect of Community Gardens on Neighboring Property Values

∗∗∗ Cities across the United States that have considerable vacant land are debating whether to foster community gardens on that land, while cities with land shortages are debating when to replace gardens with other uses. Meanwhile, many cities are looking for new ways to finance green spaces. Little empirical evidence about the neighborhood impacts of community gardens is available, however, to inform the debate or to help cities design financing schemes. This article estimates the impact of community gardens on neighborhood property values, using rich data for New York City and a difference-in-difference specification of a hedonic regression model. We find that gardens have significant positive effects, especially in the poorest neighborhoods. Higher-quality gardens have the greatest positive impact.
Comparing integrate-and-fire models estimated using intracellular and extracellular data

We have recently developed a maximum-likelihood (ML) method for estimating integrate-and-fire-based stimulus encoding models that can be used even when only extracellular spike train data is available. Here we derive the ML estimator given the full intracellular voltage trace and apply both the extracellular-only and intracellular method to responses recorded in vitro, allowing a direct comparison of the model fits within a unified statistical framework. Both models are able to capture the behavior of these cells under dynamic stimulus conditions to a high degree of temporal precision, although we observe significant differences in the stochastic behavior of the two models.
Online Open-Book Testing in Face-to-Face Classes

An increasing number of instructors are turning to online testing for students enrolled in face-to-face classes. Online tests have several advantages over classroom exams, but online testing also creates additional opportunities for students to turn to other resources in an unmonitored testing environment. One strategy to deal with this potential problem is to deliberately change the exam policy to allow students access to the textbook and notes while taking their quizzes. In the present study, quiz data from three semesters of a biological psychology class were used to investigate the effect of open-book quizzing on academic performance. As expected, students performed better on open-book quizzes that were primarily factual in nature, but the effect was only temporary. Results from this study and others provide a foundation for making recommendations regarding online open-book testing in face-to-face courses.
Thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogels with cell-releasing behavior.

Abstract Poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels become more hydrophobic when they reversibly switch from a water-swollen to a deswollen state above the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT, ∼33 °C) which has been used to modulate cell adhesion. In the current work, we prepared novel thermoresponsive nanocomposite hydrogels comprised of a PNIPAAm hydrogel matrix and polysiloxane colloidal nanoparticles (∼220 nm average diameter) via in situ photopolymerization of aqueous solutions of NIPAAm monomer, N,N′ -methylenebisacrylamide (BIS, crosslinker), photoinitiator and polysiloxane nanoparticles (0.5–2.0 wt% based on solution weight) at ∼7 °C. The VPTT of the nanocomposite hydrogels is not altered versus the pure PNIPAAm hydrogel. Dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests revealed that higher nanoparticle content generally produced improved hydrogel mechanical properties. Surfaces of nanocomposite hydrogels became increasingly more hydrophobic at all temperatures between 10 and 40 °C as the amount of hydrophobic polysiloxane nanoparticles was increased. When cooled from 37 to 25 °C, mouse smooth muscle precursor cells (10T1/2) were effectively detached from nanocomposite hydrogel surfaces. The utility of photopatterning to create surface micropillars comprised of nanocomposite hydrogels was demonstrated.
A novel cytosolic regulator, Pianissimo, is required for chemoattractant receptor and G protein-mediated activation of the 12 transmembrane domain adenylyl cyclase in Dictyostelium.

Genetic analysis was applied to identify novel genes involved in G protein-linked pathways controlling development. Using restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI), we have identified a new gene, Pianissimo (PiaA), involved in cAMP signaling in Dictyostelium discoideum. PiaA encodes a 130-kD cytosolic protein required for chemoattractant receptor and G protein-mediated activation of the 12 transmembrane domain adenylyl cyclase. In piaA ˛ null mutants, neither chemoattractant stimulation of intact cells nor GTPgS treatment of lysates activates the enzyme; constitutive expression of PiaA reverses these defects. Cytosols of wild-type cells that contain Pia protein reconstitute the GTPgS stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in piaA ˛ lysates, indicating that Pia is directly involved in the activation. Pia and CRAC, a previously identified cytosolic regulator, are both essential for activation of the enzyme as lysates of crac ˛ piaA ˛ double mutants require both proteins for reconstitution. Homologs of PiaA are found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccaromyces pombe; disruption of the S. cerevisiae homolog results in lethality. We propose that homologs of Pia and similar modes of regulation of these ubiquitous G protein-linked pathways are likely to exist in higher eukaryotes.
Physicochemical property trends of marketed prodrugs

Many prodrug reviews describe specific examples of the successful application of prodrug technology to produce blockbuster drugs, such as simvastatin, omeprazole, acyclovir and enalapril. These reviews are helpful to understand the previous success stories and case histories of prodrug technology. The aim of the current review seeks to more clearly define quantitative trends in the changes in the physicochemical property parameters between the successful prodrug and the active parent molecule. This information can serve to guide medicinal chemists toward more successful pharmaceutical prodrugs in the future.
Do investments in research and development translate to sales

Many emphasise vital importance of investing in research and development (R&D) in order to develop key competencies. However, recent events in 2009 showed us even giant firms listed among the top R&D spenders can suffer serious consequences caused by economic downturn. This paper investigates significance of R&D efforts over business growth overtime based on the data gathered from companies listed as top R&D spenders between years 2001 and 2006. Annual R&D expenditure and annual R&D expenditure per employee metrics have been used as indicators of R&D efforts where as annual sales revenue data has been used for measuring business growth. Implications of this study provide insights about the relationship between building and exploiting technological capabilities. For instance, findings show that business growth is not a function of an individual organisation’s R&D investments only, but a function of its relative amount of investments compared to its competitors. It has also been observed that relationship between R&D efforts and business growth in different industries cannot be generalised due to each one having unique dynamics. However, same generalisation has been found to exist among different regions, although each of them has different research policies.
Redundant robot control utilizing an imaginary robot model

The concept and theory of an imaginary robot model with applications to the design of redundant robot control systems are presented. This model offers quite an effective way for simplifying nonlinear feedback while preserving the already linearized system equation. A redundant robot main-frame having three revolute joints plus a prismatic joint is used to illustrate the design procedure based on the imaginary robot model. A double-PD control law and a learning control law are explored and discussed. >
Enabling High Throughput and Virtualization for Traffic Classification on FPGA

As an important network management task, Internet traffic classification requires high throughput. Virtualization is a technique sharing the same piece of hardware for multiple users. We present a high-throughput and virtualized architecture for online traffic classification. To explore massive parallelism, we provide a conversion from a decision-tree into a compact rule set table, we employ modular processing elements and map the table to a 2-dimensional pipelined architecture. To support hardware virtualization, we develop a novel dynamic update mechanism, it requires small resource overhead and has little impact on the overall throughput. To evaluate the performance of this architecture, we implement an online traffic classification engine on a state-of-the-art FPGA. Post place-and-route results show that, our classification engine achieves 5-fold throughput compared with existing dynamically up datable online traffic classification engines on FPGA.
Interactive effects of high temperature and elevated carbon dioxide concentration on cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

Limitations in carbohydrate supplies have been implicated as a factor responsible for reproductive failure under heat stress. Heat stress affects two stages of reproductive development in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], and genotypes are available with tolerance and sensitivity to heat during these different stages. The objectives of this study were to determine the responses of these cowpea lines to ambient and elevated [CO2], under heat stress and optimal temperature, and test whether differences in carbohydrate supplies due to genotypes, CO2 enrichment and heat stress are associated with differences in sensitivity to heat during reproductive development. Plants were grown in reach-in growth chambers and subjected to day/night temperatures of either 33/20 or 33/30°C, and [CO2] levels of either 350 or 700 μmol mol-1. Under intermediate night temperature (33/20°C), all lines set substantial numbers of pods. Under high night temperature (33/30°C) with either ambient or elevated [CO2], one heat-sensitive line produced no flowers and the other set no pods, whereas the heat-tolerant line abundantly set pods. High night temperature reduced the overall carbohydrate content of the plants, especially peduncle sugars, and caused decreases in photosynthetic rates. The high pod set of the heat-tolerant line, under high night temperature, was associated with higher levels of sugars in peduncles compared with the heat-sensitive lines. The heat-tolerant line accumulated substantial shoot biomass, exhibited less accumulation of starch in leaves, and possibly had less down-regulation of photosynthesis in response to CO2 enrichment and heat stress than the heat-sensitive lines. Elevated [CO2] resulted in higher overall carbohydrate levels in heat-sensitive lines (starch in leaves, stems and peduncles), but it did not increase their heat tolerance with respect to flower production or pod set. Heat-induced damage to floral buds and anthers in the sensitive lines was associated with low sugars levels in peduncles, indicating that heat had greater effects on assimilate demand than on leaf assimilate supply. The heat-tolerant line was the most responsive genotype to elevated [CO2] with respect to pod production under either high or intermediate temperatures.
Sisters in arms: myeloid and tubular epithelial cells shape renal innate immunity.

The importance of innate immunity for survival is underscored by its presence at almost every level of the evolutionary tree of life. The task of “danger” recognition by the innate immune system is carried out by a broad class of pattern recognition receptors. These receptors are expressed in both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells such as renal epithelial cells. Upon activation, pattern recognition receptors induce essentially two types of defensive responses: inflammation and phagocytosis. In this review, we highlight evidence that renal epithelial cells are endowed with such defensive capabilities and as such fully participate in renal innate immune responses.
The Writing of the Kingdom: Thirty‐Seven Aphorisms Towards an Eschatology of the Text

Starting from the question of the identities—in a given text—of author and reader, subsumed under the broader (Hegelian and post-Hegelian) question of “self” and “other” in exteriority, this essay attempts a theological response in three critical moments: the first follows the transcendental tradition of Western thought from the (Cartesian) turn towards transcendental subjectivity to the collapse of the dialectics of subjectivity in “postmodern” thought; the second moves the problem of exteriority from the realm of recognition that of promise and expectation (eschatology); and the third formulates a Trinitarian ontology of distance that accommodates this eschatology.
Modeling the combination of motion, stereo, and vergence angle cues to visual depth

Three models of visual cue combination were simulated: a weak fusion model, a modified weak model, and a strong model. Their relative strengths and weaknesses are evaluated on the basis of their pe...
Evaluation of a prior authorization policy on compliance with VA pharmacy benefits management services recommendations for antipsychotic selection

Abstract Introduction: A previous study at Veterans Affairs (VA) Eastern Colorado Health Care System revealed low rates of compliance with VA Pharmacy Benefits Management Services recommendations for antipsychotic selection in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. As a result, formulary restrictions of second-line antipsychotics were implemented. Since April 2013, new starts of second-line antipsychotic agents require a prior authorization drug review. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of the prior authorization process on compliance with the VA criteria for prescribing aripiprazole, olanzapine, and ziprasidone. The primary objective was to compare compliance rates with VA antipsychotic selection criteria preimplementation and postimplementation of the prior authorization drug review policy. Methods: Single center, retrospective chart review of patients receiving aripiprazole, olanzapine, and ziprasidone. A report of all patients receiving a prescription for the above 3 agent...
On Why the Flipped Classroom Model May Be the Optimum for Heat Transfer Education

Much has been made of recent news that the field of heat transfer has fewer teaching professors now than in years past. It remains a challenging field for many college students who then tend to go into other engineering applications. But this trend can be reversed by utilizing modern educational tools in a flipped class model that takes advantage of and optimizes both online delivery in concert with classroom activities. Specifically, the flipped classroom model allows for the use of graphical visualization of heat transfer (a phenomena that for the most part is outside our visual spectrum) in an online format and active learning exercises that engage students in the classroom. This paper will explain how both sides of this educational equation may be the optimal method for heat transfer content delivery.© 2013 ASME
Ferroelectric Thin Films of Bi-Containing Layered Perovskites

Ferroelectric thin films of Bi-containing layered perovskites such as Bi4Ti3O12, PbBi2Nb2O9 and SrBi2Nb2O9 have been processed by metal-organic decomposition (MOD) method. Films with random or c-orientation have been obtained via different heat treatment. Nucleation control has been identified as the mechanism for the texture evolution in these films. A strong polarization anisotropy has been observed which corresponds to the layered polarization in the crystal structure. The fatigue test results show that Ti seems to be a common species that exists in fatigue-prone ferroelectrics.
Aryl−Oxazoline Chelates of First-Row Transition Metals: Structures of {κ-C,N-(o-C6H4)CMe2(COCH2CMe2N)}FeCl(py) and [(κ-C,N-(o-C6H4)CMe2(COCH2CMe2N)}Cr(μ-Cl)]2‡

Aryl−oxazoline synthons have been explored for the preparation of strong-field first-row transition metal chelate species. With 4,4-dimethyl-2-phenyloxazoline (HPhOx), no CH bond activations afforded complexation, and aside from Zn(κ-C,N-4,4-Me2-2-(o-C6H4)oxazoline)2 (Zn(PhOx)2), aryl-coupling reactions were noted with 4,4-dimethyl-2-(2-lithiophenyl)oxazoline (LiPhOx) and MX2; [κ-N,N-{4,4-Me2-(2-o-C6H4)-2-oxazoline}2]CoCl2 (1-Co) was structurally characterized. Metalations with 4,4-dimethyl-2-benzyloxazoline (PhCH2Ox) were prone to deprotonation, as exemplified by (Me2N)3Ti(η-N-(4,4-dimethyl-(2-CHPh)oxazoline)) (2) and bis-N,N′-(4,4-dimethyl-(2-pyridylmethylyl)oxazoline)Fe (3). Oxidative addition of 4,4-dimethyl-2-(2-bromophenylpropan-2-yl)oxazoline (BrPhCMe2Ox) to Ni(COD)2 provided [{κ-C,N-(o-C6H4)CMe2(COCH2CMe2N)}Ni]2(μ-Br)2 (42). With 4,4-dimethyl-2-(2-lithiophenylpropan-2-yl)oxazoline (LiPhCMe2Ox), salt (FeBr2) metathesis proved uncompetitive with oxazoline ring-opening, as exhibited by [{κ-N,O-C6H4CM...
Local release from affinity-based polymers increases urethral concentration of the stem cell chemokine CCL7 in rats

The protein chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7) is significantly over-expressed in urethral and vaginal tissues immediately following vaginal distention in a rat model of stress urinary incontinence. Further evidence, in this scenario and other clinical scenarios, indicates CCL7 stimulates stem cell homing for regenerative repair. This CCL7 gradient is likely absent or compromised in the natural repair process of women who continue to suffer from SUI into advanced age. We evaluated the feasibility of locally providing this missing CCL7 gradient by means of an affinity-based implantable polymer. To engineer these polymers we screened the affinity of different proteoglycans, to use them as CCL7-binding hosts. We found heparin to be the strongest binding host for CCL7 with a 0.323 nM dissociation constant. Our experimental approach indicates conjugation of heparin to a polymer backbone (using either bovine serum albumin or poly (ethylene glycol) as the base polymer) can be used as a delivery system capable of providing sustained concentrations of CCL7 in a therapeutically useful range up to a month in vitro. With this approach we are able to detect, after polymer implantation, significant increase in CCL7 in the urethral tissue directly surrounding the polymer implants with only trace amounts of human CCL7 present in the blood of the animals. Whole animal serial sectioning shows evidence of retention of locally injected human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) only in animals with sustained CCL7 delivery, 2 weeks after affinity-polymers were implanted.
Design of a Parameter Collection Interface Circuit in Vacuum Breaker Mechanical Property Testing Systems

Parameter collection interface circuit of vacuum circuit breaker is a vital important electrical interface.A kind of interface circuit design method was brought forward.Based on this design,interface circuit can transfer the interested mechanical parameter into electrical signal,which is convenient for not only system collection but also system processing.
Countervailing Power and Quality Innovation of the Manufacturer

We build a three stage dynamic game model to study the mechanism of the effect of countervailing power on upstream quality innovation. The results show that,when the leader retailer has countervailing power,the enhancement of its countervailing power inhibits the incentives of the quality innovation of manufacturer,which reduces the market equilibrium price,and increases the output,while the retailers' sales change in non-monotonic curves. In addition,with the countervailing power enhanced,the consumer welfare increases at a certain stage and then decreases. Finally,the study proves that wholesale prices of retailers have "waterbed effect"under a certain condition.
Making Methods “Hot”: Using RateMyProfessors.com in the Undergraduate Research Course

ABSTRACTUndergraduate research methods can be a “dreaded course” for students. Indeed, research indicates that the research course is perceived as unapproachable and boring. Instructors must lessen both anxiety for and resistance to the content for improved learning outcomes, and familiar, engaging media platforms may be employed in the classroom to this purpose. This quick fix describes how to make foundational concepts in data and measurement more appealing to undergraduates through a discussion of RateMyProfessors.com.
Leadership Competency Development: A Higher Education Responsibility

Moving from why, how, and what, this chapter closes with a focus on how we know the outcomes of leadership education. This final chapter provides an overview of leadership competency development as a critical component of higher education.
Establishing the Heat-Preservation Process For Aseptically-Packaged Low-Acid Food Containing Large Particulates, Sterilized in a Continuous Heat-Hold-Cool System

"Aseptic" is the shorthand name for the food production system where product moves in continuous flow through a heat-hold-cool thermal process and is then filled into a sterile package. The package is sterilized, filled, and sealed in a sterile environment. Today, both acid and low-acid homogeneous liquid foods are produced by aseptic systems; low-acid foods that contain particulates in a liquid vehicle may be produced soon. The principles for establishing a heat preservation process for low-acid foods that contain particles larger than 5 mm in diameter and are to be sterilized continuously in a heat-hold-cool system are described. Only product sterilization, which is just one part of the aseptic system, is addressed. The term "heat-hold-cool" identifies the system used to achieve microbial control of the product.
GPU accelerated scalable parallel decoding of LDPC codes

This paper proposes a flexible low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoder which leverages graphic processor units (GPU) to provide high decoding throughput. LDPC codes are widely adopted by the new emerging standards for wireless communication systems and storage applications due to their near-capacity error correcting performance. To achieve high decoding throughput on GPU, we leverage the parallelism embedded in the check-node computation and variable-node computation and propose a parallel strategy of partitioning the decoding jobs among multi-processors in GPU. In addition, we propose a scalable multi-codeword decoding scheme to fully utilize the computation resources of GPU. Furthermore, we developed a novel adaptive performance-tuning method to make our decoder implementation more flexible and scalable. The experimental results show that our LDPC decoder is scalable and flexible, and the adaptive performance-tuning method can deliver the peak performance based on the GPU architecture.
Positive Expiratory Pressure for the Treatment of Acute Asthma Exacerbations: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of brief, single administration of positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy in reducing clinical severity and need for additional second-line therapies and hospitalization in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute asthma. Study design This was a prospective randomized controlled trial of children 2-18 years of age presenting to a tertiary-care academic pediatric ED with moderate-to-severe asthma exacerbations from December 2014 to June 2016. Children who continued to have moderate asthma severity after completion of initial therapies (albuterol/ipratropium bromide and corticosteroids) were randomized to receive PEP therapy or standard of care. The primary outcome was change in pulmonary asthma score before and after intervention, as assessed by a blinded physician. Secondary outcomes included need for additional therapies, ED length of stay, and disposition. Results A total of 52 patients were randomized to receive either PEP (n = 26) or standard therapy (n = 26). Study groups were similar in demographics and baseline characteristics. There was no significant difference in primary outcome between groups with a mean change in Pulmonary Asthma Score of 0.92 (±1.2) in the PEP group and 0.40 (±1.2) in the standard group (P = .12). There also was no significant difference in need for additional therapies, ED length of stay, and disposition. Mild, self-resolving side effects were observed in 3 subjects receiving PEP therapy. Conclusion Single, brief, administration of PEP therapy after completion of first-line therapies does not improve clinical severity in children presenting to the ED with acute asthma. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT02494076 .
The School Principal and Student Learning Capacity

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define student learning capacity and to examine the role of the school principal in nurturing it. Method: The study used cross-sectional data from 3,175 students in 70 schools located in a metropolitan area of a Southwestern city. We tested three hypotheses by following a conventional modeling building process in HLM 7.0: Hypothesis 1—Principal Support for Student Psychological Needs (PSSPN) is related to school differences in student-perceived autonomy-support; Hypothesis 2—PSSPN is related to school differences in student-perceived competence-support; Hypothesis 3—Student-perceived need-support mediates the relationship between PSSPN and grit. Results: Evidence aligns with our initial theorizing about student learning capacity and principal support for student psychological needs. Student-perceived need-support, as a social characteristic of capacity, manifests itself through teacher–student interactions in the learning process. Need-supporting interactions vari...