cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Restoration, reconciliation, and reconnecting with nature nearby

Abstract Biotic homogenization is in many ways a function of spatial and temporal scale. Another aspect of this phenomenon that perhaps receives somewhat less attention is related to “the scale of human experience”, particularly in the way that people view homogenization. Here, I examine the relationship between scale and efforts to reverse the loss of native species using two case studies in the Midwestern U.S. Both of these are focused on the restoration of prairie, one in a rapidly urbanizing area and one in a rural context. At a large reserve in a rural area, it is possible to restore prairie at a scale that is sufficient to accommodate populations of grassland obligate birds. This is an unrealistic goal, however, for small reserves in the midst of suburban development and rapidly escalating land prices. Small reserves in this context may be suitable for taxa with smaller habitat requirements, but also have a vital role in reversing biotic homogenization by enabling people to experience nature directly. Not only does this improve their quality of life, but may also foster support for efforts to maintain biodiversity in more remote locations. Thus, the goals of conservation and ecological restoration at various points on the land-use gradient are somewhat different but complementary and inter-related. Conservation scientists have an obvious role in the restoration and management of large reserves, but they also have an important part to play in restoring and maintaining elements of biodiversity in cities and suburbs.
Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) Use Posture to Assess Level of Threat From Snakes

Once prey animals have detected predators, they must make decisions about how to respond based on a cost-benefit analysis of their risk level. The threat sensitivity hypothesis predicts that prey animals match their response to the level of risk, with high-risk predator encounters eliciting stronger evasive responses than low-risk encounters. Primates are known prey of snakes, yet they vary their responses toward snakes. We predicted that primates match their response to the threat level from snakes by assessing posture, with striking postures indicating greater risk than coiled postures and coiled postures indicating greater risk than extended sinusoidal postures. We tested this prediction in a series of experimental trials in which captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were exposed to snake models in those postures. Results supported the predictions: macaques responded more strongly to a snake model in a striking posture than in a coiled posture and more to a snake model in a coiled posture than to an extended sinusoidal snake model. We also examined responses of macaques to a partially exposed snake model to mimic the condition of incomplete information, as snakes are often occluded by vegetation. The occluded snake model evoked a response comparable to that of the striking snake. These findings support the threat sensitivity hypothesis. Rhesus macaques use the posture of snakes as a cue in threat assessment, responding more intensely as threat increases, and they also behave as if risk is elevated when their information about snakes is incomplete.
Energy Balance: A New Role for PPARα

Abstract The nuclear receptor PPARα has been implicated in lipid and glucose homeostasis, although high affinity endogenous ligands have been elusive. The lipid oleylethanolamide has now been shown to be a true natural ligand for PPARα, and to participate in the regulation of food intake and body weight.
Elemental mapping of heterogeneous catalysts by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy

A new technique for characterizing the distribution of elements on the nanometer scale over large areas is described for heterogeneous catalyst research. The method exploits recent developments in electron microscopy involving energy-filtered imaging and digital image recording. The new approach allows relatively large regions to be characterized in reasonable times. The technique is employed to study the elemental distribution in a NiCuCr catalyst.
Estimate of nucleotide diversity in dogs with a pool-and-sequence method

Nucleotide diversity (π), the average number of base differences per site for two homologous sequences randomly selected from a population, is an important parameter used to understand the structure and history of populations. It is also important for determining the feasibility of developing a genetic map for a species from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Nucleotide diversity has never been estimated for dogs. Segments of twelve canine genes from ten diverse dog breeds were examined for nucleotide variation by using a pool-and-sequence method. We identified three SNPs in the coding regions (2501 bp) and 11 SNPs in the introns (2953 bp). Each of these putative SNPs was tested by restriction enzyme analysis, and all were verified. Six additional SNPs were identified in a single SINE contained in one gene. Using these data, canine sequence diversity across breeds was estimated to be 0.001 and 0.0004 in intronic and coding regions, respectively, with SNPs spaced every 400 bp on average. Discovery of useful SNPs in 7 of the 12 genes suggests that construction of a canine SNP-based map can be accomplished with current technology. Thirteen polymorphic SNPs were also found in 5847 bp in the cat, horse, ox, and pig, by using four of the same genes from which canine nucleotide diversity was estimated. These results suggest that these species may have similar amounts of nucleotide diversity.
Optimizing aspects of pedestrian traffic in building designs

In this work, we investigate aspects of building design that can be optimized. Architectural features that we explore include pillar placement in simple corridors, doorway placement in buildings, and agent placement for information dispersement in an evacuation. The metrics utilized are tuned to the specific scenarios we study, which include continuous flow pedestrian movement and building evacuation. We use Multidimensional Direct Search (MDS) optimization with an extreme barrier criteria to find optimal placements while enforcing building constraints.
Conformational substates of horse heart cytochrome c exhibit different thermal unfolding of the heme cavity.

The charge transfer (CT) band at 695 nm in the spectrum of ferri-cytochrome c is highly asymmetric, indicating conformational heterogeneity due to the coexistence of different conformational substates. We have measured the respective band profile of horse heart ferri-cytochrome c as a function of temperature between 283 K (10 °C) and 333 K (60 °C) and found that the well-known decrease of the absorptivity is wavenumber-dependent and exhibits a biphasic behavior. This indicates that the underlying conformational substates differ in their thermodynamic stability with respect to the structural changes associated with the disappearance of the 695 nm band, which eventually (at high temperatures) involves the replacement of M80 by a nearby lysine residue. Our data further indicates that the thermal unfolding process involves two structurally different intermediate states.
Optimizing luminescent solar concentrator design

Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSCs) use fluorescent materials and light guides to convert direct and diffuse sunlight into concentrated wavelength-shifted light that produces electrical power in small photovoltaic (PV) cells with the goal of significantly reducing the cost of solar energy utilization. In this paper we present an optimization analysis based on the implementation of a genetic algorithm (GA) subroutine to a numerical ray-tracing Monte Carlo model of an LSC, SIMSOLAR-P. The initial use of the GA implementation in SIMSOLAR-P is to find the optimal parameters of a hypothetical “perfect luminescent material” that obeys the Kennard Stepanov (K-S) thermodynamic relationship between emission and absorption. The optimization balances the efficiency losses in the wavelength shift and PV conversion with the efficiency losses due to re-scattering of light out of the collector. The theoretical limits of efficiency are provided for one, two and three layer configurations; the results show that a single layer configuration is far from optimal and adding a second layer in the LSC with wavelength shifted material in the near infrared region significantly increases the power output, while the gain in power by adding a third layer is relatively small. The results of this study provide a theoretical upper limit to the performance of an LSC and give guidance for the properties required for luminescent materials, such as quantum nanocrystals, to operate efficiently in planar LSC configurations.
Enzymatic Cyclization of Dioxidosqualene to Heterocyclic Triterpenes

Oxidosqualene cyclases normally produce triterpenes from 2,3-(S)-oxidosqualene (OS) but also can cyclize its minor companion (3S,22S)-2,3:22,23-dioxidosqualene (DOS). We explored DOS cyclization in plant triterpene synthesis using a recombinant lupeol synthase (LUP1) heterologously expressed in yeast. Incubation of LUP1 with 3S,22S-DOS gave epoxydammaranes epimeric at C20 and a 17,24-epoxybaccharane in a 4:2:3 ratio. The products reflected a new mechanistic paradigm for DOS cyclization. The structures were determined by NMR and GC-MS, and recent errors in the epoxydammarane literature were rectified. Some DOS metabolites are likely candidates for regulating triterpenoid biosynthesis, while others may be precursors of saponin aglycones. Our in vivo experiments in yeast generated substantial amounts of DOS metabolites in a single enzymatic step, suggesting a seminal role for the DOS shunt pathway in the evolution of saponin synthesis. Quantum mechanical calculations revealed oxonium ion intermediates, whose reactivity altered the usual mechanistic patterns of triterpene synthesis. Further analysis indicated that the side chain of the epoxydammarenyl cation intermediate is in an extended conformation. The overall results establish new roles for DOS in triterpene synthesis and exemplify how organisms can increase the diversity of secondary metabolites without constructing new enzymes.
Design and development of energy efficient retrofit LED fixture for solar powered home lighting system

The advances that have taken place in solid state lighting technology made white LED light sources suitable for general lighting application. They are very capable of being used to make excellent general lighting with sources that can replace many of the traditional lighting technologies in use today because of the fact that LED system offers high system efficacy, desired color temperature and long life. This paper presents the design of white LED array pattern as a light source using RELUX lighting software which can replace the 12w CFL used in solar powered home lighting systems. Analysis shows that 12w CFL can be replaced by 9w LED fixture without compromising for quality and quantity aspects of lighting. The design of LED array pattern and the power management topology employed to embed with LED source to prototype as a fixture is discussed. The simulated photometric characteristic is validated for the developed prototype. Simple comparison reveals that 3w of power saving per fixture is achieved thus showing the capability of LEDs as an energy efficient light source.
Validation of NAA data for a background soils characterization project

Background soils from areas around the United States Department of Energy facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee were characterized as part of an environmental restoration project. The data obtained in this project were validated using guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Contract Laboratory Program (CLP), when EPA methods were used. However, there are no final EPA guidelines for validation of data obtained using radiochemical analytical methods, so procedures for validation had to be developed. This paper will describe the validation guidelines that were developed for neutron activation analysis (NAA) data and discuss the regulatory basis for them.
Coping in middle childhood: Relations to competence, Type A behavior, monitoring, blunting, and locus of control.

The roles that social competence, Type A behavior, monitoring, blunting, and locus of control play in coping with everyday stressors was investigated. Forty-eight 2nd and 52 5th graders were interviewed individually 3 times over an 8-week period to assess perceptions of everyday stressors and associated coping behaviors. Teachers rated social competence and Type A behavior; the remaining predictors were self-reported at the start of the study. Results of multivariate analyses of variance revealed that except for Type A behavior, coping was associated with the predictors. Strongest associations were found for social competence, which was related to greater use of avoidant actions and cognitive avoidance and less use of problem behavior. The predictors were unassociated with ratings of coping efficacy. Research on coping among adults is several decades old, yet the investigation of children's coping is still in its infancy. Research on specific coping behaviors that children exhibit in stressful situations is particularly rare. By specific coping behaviors, I mean cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage specific demands that have been appraised as stressful (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). As noted by Lazarus and Folkman, this definition (a) stresses that coping is a process and, as a result, that one must examine what people actually do in certain situations; (b) implies that coping is a conscious, effortful response to a psychologically stressful situation; (c) permits coping to include anything a person does or thinks, regardless of how well or badly it works; and (d) avoids equating coping with mastery. Specific coping behaviors are distinguishable from coping
Engineering and social inequalities in modern world literature: of disembodied forces and provocative intrusions

While the material consequences of engineering projects figure prominently in modern world literature, individual engineers are hard to find. Despite the centrality of engineering knowledge and technologies in creating the very conditions of possibility for wide-ranging personal and collective dramas explored by literary artists, the task of imagining and depicting engineers' personal biographies, sociopolitical allegiances, emotional states, decision-making processes, or specific material actions has appealed to very few. Surveying the work of some of the most accomplished authors of the Caribbean, West Africa, South America, and South Asia, this article outlines dominant patterns in postwar representations of engineering as a disembodied, unreflective, almost inhuman force that has spurred or exacerbated social inequalities across the global south. It then examines more sympathetic, alternative countercurrents in the literary imagination that cast the engineer as a potential ally in more open, participa...
Hindered rotation and structure in μ-Allylbis(η-Cyclopentadienyldicarbonyliron) cations

Abstract Studies of four μ-allylbis(η-cyclopentadienyldicarbonyliron) cations by IR and variable temperature 1H and 13C NMR indicate unsymmetrical hybrid structures. Rotation about the CC bonds of the μ-allyl moiety requires about 12 kcal (ΔG‡ ); interconversion of nonequivalent iron groups was not frozen out at −90°C.
A scanning electron microscope study of cell adhesion and spreading in vitro.

Abstract Using normal diploid WI-38 cells, the changes in cell morphology during adhesion and flattening on to the glass surface in vitro were studied with a scanning electron microscope. The trypsinized cells were spherical to ovoid in shape with ‘bleb’-like vesicles on the surface. The process of cell adhesion and spreading consisted of four events: 1. 1. attachment of cells at point of contact with the substratum; 2. 2. centrifugal growth of filopodia; 3. 3. cytoplasmic webbing; 4. 4. flattening of the central mass. The filopodial tips were spherical in shape with a diameter of about 800−1 600 A and were very close to the theoretical calculations of Pethica [18]. A probable mechanism responsible for the morphological events during cell adhesion is discussed.
Strategies for sustaining the edge in offshore outsourcing of services: the case of India

Purpose – Offshore outsourcing offers competitive advantages when goods and services are produced economically and with acceptable or superior quality by suppliers located outside a firm's home country. The purpose of this paper is to focus on India as a destination for offshore outsourcing of services and the challenges it faces in maintaining its leadership in this area. The paper discusses the growth of services outsourcing and the economic and environmental forces that have contributed to the outsourcing of high-end services, also known as knowledge process outsourcing (KPO). Design/methodology/approach – This article surveys the literature of offshore outsourcing and identifies strategic drivers and options that can help India to grow and consolidate its position as an exporter of services and build long-term competitive advantages in its relationships with global partners. To understand why nations gain competitive advantage in certain industries, Porter's “diamond” model is utilized as a broad fram...
Infrared and DFT Investigations of the XC⋮ReX3 and HC⋮ReX3 Complexes: Jahn−Teller Distortion and the Methylidyne C−X(H) Stretching Absorptions

The XC[triple bond]ReX3 complexes (X = F, Cl) are produced by CX(4) reaction with laser-ablated Re atoms, following oxidative C-X insertion and alpha-halogen migration in favor of the carbon-metal triple bond and are identified through the observation of characteristic absorptions in the argon matrix infrared spectra and comparison with vibrational frequencies calculated by density functional theory. The methylidyne C-F and C-Cl stretching absorptions are observed near 1584 and 1328 cm-1, and the C-H stretching modes for HC[triple bond]ReX3 at 3104 and 3097 cm(-1), respectively, which are substantially higher than the precursor stretching modes and in agreement with the general trend that higher s-orbital character in carbon hybridization leads to a higher stretching frequency. The Jahn-Teller effect in the doublet-state XC[triple bond]ReX3 and HC[triple bond]ReX3 complexes gives rise to distorted structures with Cs symmetry and two equivalent longer Re-X bonds and one slightly shorter Re-X bond.
Impact of a Teen Weekend on the Social Support Needs of Adolescents With Cancer

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the psychosocial stressors of a cancer diagnosis because of the unique expectations of their developmental stage. Their developing autonomy and self-image place them at increased risk for negative outcomes related to cancer diagnosis. One response to the developmental and supportive care needs of adolescents with cancer (AYA) was the development of a teen weekend, named Teenapalooza by participants, which was intended to provide a social outlet for AYA to spend time with other AYA. Teens engaged in activities together and spent the night at a centrally located venue supervised by trained medical and child life staff. It became apparent to staff that Teenapalooza was providing more than fun and an opportunity to spend time with other AYA to participants. However, the mechanisms of support were poorly understood. A convenience sample of 9 prior Teenapalooza participants, aged 14 to 17 years, participated in qualitative interviews to better understand these mechanis...
Quantitative semiautomated colorimetric determination of thyroid (iodine) in thyroid tablets

A faster, simpler, more sensitive, and semiautomated method was developed for the analysis of thyroid in individual thyroid tablets and composite samples. The sample is combusted in a Schoniger flask in an oxygen atmosphere, and the liberated iodine is trapped in a dilute sodium hydroxide solution. The solution is acidified with sulfuric acid (1:1), and the iodine is determined colorimetrically using a suitable spectrophotometer equipped with an automated analyzer. The proposed methodology was applied to tablets containing 32.4–324 mg of thyroid. Recoveries ranged from 90.0 to 125.0% of the amount of iodine added as potassium iodide. The proposed method is sensitive to 2.5 ng of iodine/ml.
PacBio-LITS: a large-insert targeted sequencing method for characterization of human disease-associated chromosomal structural variations

Generation of long (>5 Kb) DNA sequencing reads provides an approach for interrogation of complex regions in the human genome. Currently, large-insert whole genome sequencing (WGS) technologies from Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) enable analysis of chromosomal structural variations (SVs), but the cost to achieve the required sequence coverage across the entire human genome is high. We developed a method (termed PacBio-LITS) that combines oligonucleotide-based DNA target-capture enrichment technologies with PacBio large-insert library preparation to facilitate SV studies at specific chromosomal regions. PacBio-LITS provides deep sequence coverage at the specified sites at substantially reduced cost compared with PacBio WGS. The efficacy of PacBio-LITS is illustrated by delineating the breakpoint junctions of low copy repeat (LCR)-associated complex structural rearrangements on chr17p11.2 in patients diagnosed with Potocki–Lupski syndrome (PTLS; MIM#610883). We successfully identified previously determined breakpoint junctions in three PTLS cases, and also were able to discover novel junctions in repetitive sequences, including LCR-mediated breakpoints. The new information has enabled us to propose mechanisms for formation of these structural variants. The new method leverages the cost efficiency of targeted capture-sequencing as well as the mappability and scaffolding capabilities of long sequencing reads generated by the PacBio platform. It is therefore suitable for studying complex SVs, especially those involving LCRs, inversions, and the generation of chimeric Alu elements at the breakpoints. Other genomic research applications, such as haplotype phasing and small insertion and deletion validation could also benefit from this technology.
Family communication and the sexual behavior and attitudes of college students

Ninety-five college students and both of their parents completed questionnaires that measured sexual attitudes, sexual behavior, general family communication, and parent-child communication about sex. Generally, parents and children from high sexual communication families had sexual attitudes that were significantly correlated whereas those from low sexual communication families did not, although this relationship was not apparent for fathers and daughters. The quality of family communication seemed unrelated to the extent of family sexual discussions, although the parents' reports on the quality of general family communication was significantly related to sexual inexperience, particularly for males. Contraceptive use for females was significantly related to the extent of parent-child communication about sex reported by the student. General family communication as well as parent-child discussion about sex both seem important factors in the study of family impact on sexuality.
FUNCTIONALS FOR DISCONTINUOUS TRIAL FUNCTION FLUX SYNTHESIS.

Abstract It is shown that the functionals originally used in variational flux synthesis with continuous trial functions, can also be used with discontinuous functions, provided they are modified so as to yield physically meaningful stationarity conditions at the discontinuity interfaces. It is furthermore demonstrated that various functionals proposed in the past for such use are equivalent, without any among them having any added validity. Some mathematical difficulties that had been attributed to the use of discontinuous trial functions are clarified and shown to have been the result of inappropriate calculational methods.
Evaluation of adhesion of some metallic coatings on a depleted U-0.75Ti alloy

Abstract The adhesion, soundness and comparative quality of various coatings on a depleted uranium (DU-0.75Ti) alloy were evaluated with a CSEM Revetest automatic scratch tester. These coatings, namely aluminum, magnesium, zinc, titanium, Al-Zn, Al-Mg, TiN and Al/TiN, were deposited by a cathodic arc plasma physical vapor deposition process. During scratch testing the acoustic emission signal intensity, the frictional force and the friction coefficient were plotted vs. load. Scratch test results were correlated with coating microstructure characteristics as determined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Al-Zn and Al-Mg coatings exhibit higher cohesive and adhesive (critical) loads and appear to be the best sacrificial coating materials for DU-0.75Ti.
Mooring Motion Corrections Revisited

Abstract Several schemes are offered for the correction of temperature and velocity in the thermocline for mooring motion. They require measurements from at least two instruments spanning the thermocline and assume that the temporal variation of temperature (a proxy for density) results primarily from the vertical displacement of a fixed profile whose only degree of freedom is its pressure offset. Using two instruments in the thermocline from a mooring (the “GUSTO” mooring) in the Gulf Stream, the procedure is tested against a third on the same mooring.
Some Techniques of State Assignment for Synchronous Sequential Machines

This paper is an extension of the work of Hartmanis and Stearns on sequential machine state assignments with reduced dependence. In Section II the critical partition pairs of transition-incomplete sequential machines are defined, and methods are given for computing them. Section III pursues certain combinatorial problems associated with the construction of assignments with reduced dependence, once the critical partition pairs are known. The algorithms derived in this paper provide the nucleus of a systematic procedure for the construction of economical state assignments.
A case study of cooperation in a commission‐based organization

Cooperation‐competition theory and contagion theories are applied in a relatively untapped milieu, the commission‐only organization. The current study analyzed a real estate business in which cooperation is manifested through descriptions of individual and organizational issues, yet data reveal that workers operate independently. The results of this case suggest that scholars and practitioners in alternately structured businesses take heed when testing and applying theories and practice that have only been analyzed in more traditional organizational settings (e.g., hierarchical, top‐down management).
HPLC determination of chlorate metabolism in bovine ruminal fluid

Salmonella and Escherichia coli are two bacteria that are important causes of human and animal disease worldwide. Chlorate is converted in the cell to chlorite, which is lethal to these bacteria. An HPLC procedure was developed for the rapid analysis of chlorate (ClO(3)(-)), nitrate (NO(3)(-)), and nitrite (NO(2)(-)) ions in bovine ruminal fluid samples. Standard curves for chlorite, nitrite, nitrate, and chlorate were well defined linear curves with R(2) values of 0.99846, 0.99106, 0.99854, and 0.99138, respectively. Concentrations of chlorite could not be accurately determined in bovine ruminal fluid because chlorite reacts with or binds a component(s) or is reduced to chloride in bovine ruminal fluid resulting in low chlorite measurements. A standard curve ranging from 25 to 150 ppm ClO(3)(-) ion was used to measure chlorate fortified into ruminal fluid. The concentration of chlorate was more rapidly lowered (P < 0.01) under anaerobic compared to aerobic incubation conditions. Chlorate alone or chlorate supplemented with the reductants sodium lactate or glycerol were bactericidal in anaerobic incubations. In anaerobic culture, the addition of sodium formate to chlorate-fortified ruminal fluid appeared to decrease chlorate concentrations; however, formate also appeared to moderate the bactericidal effect of chlorate against E. coli. Addition of the reductants, glycerol or lactate, to chlorate-fortified ruminal fluid did not increase the killing of E. coli at 24 h, but may be useful when the reducing equivalents are limiting as in waste holding reservoirs or composting systems required for intense animal production.
Relation between birth weight and weight and height at the age of 2 in children born preterm.

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate associations between fetal growth and weight at 2 years in infants born preterm using a customized approach for birth weight. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter trial that included a 2-year follow-up of children born prematurely. Customized birth weight percentiles were calculated using the Gardosi model for a U.S. population, and the relation between customized percentile and weight and height at 2 years (adjusted for gender using z-score) was determined using regression analysis and by comparing z-scores for children with birth weight Results Weight z-score at 2 years was significantly lower in the p p p p R 2 = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Conclusion Customized birth weight percentile is a minor determinant of weight at 2 years among children born preterm.
Hyperfine field calculations: Search for muon stopping sites in Fe3O4

Muon Spin Rotation (μSR) results for magnetite (Fe3O4) are analyzed and discussed. At room temperature, a μSR signal is observed due to the presence of an internal magnetic field (Bint) at the muon site. External transverse field measurements show that Bint is parallel to the magnetic spin direction, the direction in zero applied field. Calculations of the hyperfine field to pinpoint muon stopping sites in magnetite show that the local field contains supertransfer (covalent) and dipolar field contributions. The implanted muons appear to stop at sites structurally similar to those reported for hematite (α-Fe3O4), where muon-oxygen bond formation was strongly indicated.
Steady-state thermal-solutal diffusion in a float zone

A model for a float zone in a thin vertical sheet is used to study the formation of the zone configuration for both pure and binary systems of Si and GeGa. Equations describing the steady two-dimensional diffusion of solute in the melt and diffusion of heat in the feed material and the product crystal are presented. The material properties, asymptotic solutions for the temperature and concentration profiles, and melting, solidifying, and melt/gas interfacial shapes are determined in the small aspect ratio limit.
Maize Biomass Yield and Composition for Biofuels

With the world oil reserves projected to be depleted in about 40 years at the current pace of use, emphasis has shifted to alternative sources of liquid fuel. Currently, ethanol produced from approximately 20% of corn (Zea mays L.) grain in the United States contributes approximately 3.5% of the volume and 2.5% of the energy equivalent of annual gasoline consumption. Cellulosic biomass has the potential to contribute substantially to the biofuels pool. Corn is the single-largest source of crop residue in the United States. An unaltered cell wall is recalcitrant to hydrolytic enzymes required for the conversion of its polysaccharide fraction into simple sugars before fermentation. Attempts at lowering lignin to increase stover digestibility are generally accompanied by a reduction in biomass. The complexity of the cellulose synthase system poses a challenge in increasing its activity through biotechnological means. Exploitation of natural variation may thus be a more productive route to increase the stover cellulose content. In comparison, the objective of reducing or altering hemicellulose for improved ethanol production as well as digestibility of the grain by monogastric animals may be relatively easier to accomplish through transgenic means. Availability of molecular tools for many of the steps in cell wall biosynthesis and modification has opened the heretofore inaccessible biotechnological avenues to alter the wall composition and perhaps structure for increased ethanol production.
APPLICATION OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS TO THE REACTIVE EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS OF TOXIC HEAVY METALS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL MATRICES–SYSTEM OPTIMISATION

The extraction of Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ utilising supercritical fluid carbon dioxide containing dissolved organophosphorus reagents is shown to be feasible. Using the solubility parameter concept and investigation of a variety of physical parameters favourable extraction conditions of 60 °C and 400 atm pressure were determined. Cyanex 302 was found to be the most favourable ligand in terms of stability and ability to complex a range of metal ions. A soil containing substantial amounts of Pb2+ and Cd2+ was studied using SFE and the technique was found to reduce the levels of leachable metal ions to near US EPA regulatory levels.
Ultrasound Assessment of Bilateral Symmetry in Dorsal Lisfranc Ligament

Bilateral symmetry of the ligaments is a common assumption used as an intrasubject control for clinical diagnosis. The present study investigated the bilateral symmetry of the dorsal Lisfranc ligament (dLL) using ultrasound. Data were acquired from 50 asymptomatic subjects in a seated position at a loaded calf raise machine equipped with a force plate. The testing conditions included low, medium, and high stress at 0° and 15° abducted foot positions. Images of the dLL were captured and measured using a 10.0-MHz ultrasound transducer and custom written MATLAB software, respectively. The data were analyzed using paired t tests to compare the bilateral measurements of the dLL length under all test conditions. The bilateral pooled dLL length was 7.01 ± 1.38 mm and showed a moderate correlation with the foot length and width. No bilateral differences were found in the dLL length under any of the stress loads in the abducted position or under the medium and high stress load in the rectus position. However, the low stress load rectus position demonstrated a significant bilateral difference in the dLL length (p = .005). The smallest bilateral difference was observed at the 15° abducted position under medium stress (measurement error mean -0.062 mm). Our data suggest that the contralateral dLL length can be used as an intrasubject control for clinical purposes. However, we recommend that the dLL length measurements should be taken in weightbearing position with the foot in the abducted position under medium stress (bilateral stance), reducing potential strain-induced asymmetry.
Activity-dependent facilitation of Synaptojanin and synaptic vesicle recycling by the Minibrain kinase

Phosphorylation has emerged as a crucial regulatory mechanism in the nervous system to integrate the dynamic signalling required for proper synaptic development, function and plasticity, particularly during changes in neuronal activity. Here we present evidence that Minibrain (Mnb; also known as Dyrk1A), a serine/threonine kinase implicated in autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome, is required presynaptically for normal synaptic growth and rapid synaptic vesicle endocytosis at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We find that Mnb-dependent phosphorylation of Synaptojanin (Synj) is required, in vivo, for complex endocytic protein interactions and to enhance Synj activity. Neuronal stimulation drives Mnb mobilization to endocytic zones and triggers Mnb-dependent phosphorylation of Synj. Our data identify Mnb as a synaptic kinase that promotes efficient synaptic vesicle recycling by dynamically calibrating Synj function at the Drosophila NMJ, and in turn endocytic capacity, to adapt to conditions of high synaptic activity.
Umami taste of seafoods

Abstract This article is a review on research of “Umami Taste”. The umami tastes of glutamates (salts of L‐glutamic acid), inosinates (salts of 5'‐inosinic acid) and guanylates (salts of 5'‐guanylic acid) were discovered in 1908, 1912 and 1960 respectively. The vigorous studies (1) in physiology, psychology and food chemistry in past few decades proved that umami taste was a basic taste independent from the four basic tastes of sweetness, saltiness, sourness and bitterness and that there was the unique synergistic effect between the umami substances of glutamate and 5'‐nucleotides. This effect realized the enhancement on not only umami taste but also the overall palatability of foods. In particular, it was clarified that umami substances were widely distributed in seafoods such as sea urchin, abalone, crab, scallop, shrimp and lobster and contributed to constituting the tastes of the seafoods in cooperation with other substances as free amino acids of glycine, alanine, arginine, methionine, valine and pro...
Rationale and design of a clinical trial investigating resistance training as an aid to smoking cessation in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disease among adults, and there is evidence that smokers with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at an increased risk for accelerated disease conversion and progression toward disability. Recent research has shown resistance training (i.e., weight training) to be beneficial for smoking cessation in the general population; however, no study has examined the use of resistance training as an aid to cessation in those with MS. Methods: After receiving brief smoking cessation counseling and the nicotine patch, smokers with relapsing–remitting MS will be randomized into a Resistance Training (RT) or Contact Control (CC) group. Participants in the RT group will attend a 60-minute resistance training session twice weekly for eight weeks, while participants in the CC will attend a 30-minute health education control session twice weekly for eight weeks. Measurements will be taken at baseline, weekly during the intervention, at the end of the eight-week study period, and at a one-month follow-up. The primary outcome will be smoking cessation, indicated by a 7-day abstinence, and verified by biochemical assay (i.e., carbon monoxide breath test). Secondary outcomes will include other smoking-related variables (e.g., nicotine withdrawal symptoms), multiple sclerosis-related factors (e.g., fatigue), and physical assessments (e.g., muscular strength). Discussion: The results from this study will lay the foundation for subsequent tests of the intervention in smokers with MS, with the long-term goal of providing specific recommendations and guidelines for smoking cessation that can be integrated into the clinical care of persons with MS.
Raman Spectroscopic Study of Casein Structure

Abstract The secondary structure of caseins was investigated with resolution-enhanced laser Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectra in the 1580 to 1720cm −1 region were obtained from the following lyophilized proteins: 1) α s1 -casein, 2) β -casein, 3) a natural mixture of bovine whole casein, and 4) micelles of the natural mixture in the presence of Ca 2+ ions. In addition, β -casein was also investigated in D 2 O solution. The spectra obtained were Fourier deconvolved and curve fitted with Gaussian components. The results suggest that both α s1 and β -casein have around 10% helical structure, around 20% β -structure, and from 20 to 35% turns. The turns are clearly distinguishable from the moiety usually called undefined, random, or structureless. Freeze-dried micelles in the presence of Ca 2+ ions and submicelles in the presence of K + ions appear to contain an increased amount of turns and of β -structure as compared with the α s1 - and β -caseins. The increase in turns is at the expense of the amount of undefined structure. All conformational designations here are based on spectroscopic assignments derived from crystallized proteins with well characterized structures. These designations thus have a more qualitative, descriptive meaning for caseins than for other milk proteins, such as α -lactalbumin or β -lactoglobulin.
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF IRON STATUS ON LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN LUPUS AND NON-LUPUS STRAINS OF MICE

Abstract The MRL/MPJ-lpr/lpr (MRL) mouse is a model of human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and develops autoimmunity accompanied by lymphadenopathy and accumulation of cells bearing CD3+L3T4-Lyt2-markers. Since iron status was previously shown to alter disease manifestation in these mice, the effect of iron status on lymphocyte subsets was studied. Weanling female MRL mice were divided into four groups (n=9–10) and fed purified diets containing varying levels of iron: 4 mg/kg diet-severely deficient (SD); 35 mg/kg diet-iron-adequate controls (C); and 250 mg/kg diet-iron supplemented (IS). A fourth group was fed C diet in amounts eaten by the SD group-pair-fed controls (PF). C3H/Hej (C3H) mice were fed the same diets and served as non-SLE controls. At 18 weeks of age, both MRL and C3H SD mice were anemic; however, MRL SD mice were significantly more anemic as reflected in lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Spleen and lymph node weights were lowest in MRL SD and PF mice, and spleen cell number was significantly reduced in SD mice. Iron deficiency in C3H mice resulted in reduced percentages of total T lymphocytes, T helper/inducer and T suppressor/cytotoxic, and B lymphocytes. The T helper/T suppressor cell ratio was not affected. The percentage of B cells was also reduced in C3H IS mice compared to C mice. In MRL mice, iron status had no effect on the percentages of T cells, T helper cells, or B cells, nor the estimated percentage of cells expressing the double negative (CD3+L3T4-Lyt 2-) phenotype. T supressor/cytotoxic cells were significantly higher in the lymph nodes of SD MRL mice. No statistical differences were found in the T helper/T suppressor ratio. This study has demonstrated differential effects of iron status on lymphocyte subsets of SLE and non-SLE strains of mice. Altered disease manifestation by iron status in MRL-lpr mice is not related to reductions in T and B lymphocytes or the CD3+L3T4- Lyt 2-population
Effects of Cadmium on Bone: Anin VivoModel for the Early Response

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) exposure induces bone resorption in vitro and in vivo that can lead to low bone mass and increased incidence of fracture. We have developed an animal model for following the early skeletal response to Cd. A low-calcium (but not calcium-deficient) diet is used to increase gastrointestinal absorption of calcium so that the endogenous fecal calcium excretion is essentially the total fecal calcium excretion. The bone response is followed by quantitation of stable fecal calcium and does not require a radioactive label. After mice were adjusted to a low-calcium diet, Cd was administered by a single gavage and fecal calcium was monitored to determine the magnitude of the calcium release from bone. Fecal calcium excretion (μg Ca/hr; mean ± SE) remained at the background level for 8 hr (13.6 ± 1.8, n = 18) but increased during the 8- to 24-hr and 24- to 56-hr collection periods (43.8 ± 6.8, n = 12; 50.75 ± 3.7, n = 6, respectively). The bone response was transient and dropped to nearly background levels during the 56- to 104-hr collection period. Blood calcium levels were normal throughout the time course. Bone resorption occurred at Cd levels of 7.9 ± 0.7 μg/liter blood (mean ± SE, n = 6), which is in the range of occupational exposure levels. The transient nature of the bone response contrasted to the slow but continuing rise observed in blood Cd levels. These results suggest that a threshold level of Cd is required for a bone response but that chronic levels of Cd in blood do not necessarily indicate the occurrence of continuous active bone resorption. This model can be used to probe early gene changes (prior to the bone response) that may be occurring in response to Cd exposure.
Effects of body size and resource availability on dispersal in a native and a non-native estuarine snail.

Abstract I manipulated snail densities of two coexisting species of salt marsh snail, Cerithidea californica Haldeman (native) and Batillaria attramentaria Sowerby (non-indigenous) to investigate how resource levels set by intraspecific competition may influence dispersal rates. I used two distinct size classes of the snails (mature and immature) to determine if the effects of competition on dispersal differed between developmental stages of a consumer. Dispersal attempts were measured within enclosure pens by counting snails climbing the sides of the enclosure. The influence of snail density per se and resource levels (which were set by snail densities) on dispersal rates were separated by comparing responses of snails to density before and after resources became depleted. For large snails of both species, dispersal increased as resource levels decreased, supporting the hypothesis that competition influences dispersal rates. Small snails of both species, in contrast, always dispersed at relatively higher rates than larger individuals, but were not influenced by variation in resource levels. This result corroborates other studies that have shown reduced competition in these species at smaller size, and suggests that another mechanism, such as genetically coded behavior to disperse when young, influences their behavior. Previous experiments demonstrated Batillaria’s superior resource conversion efficiency; therefore, I had hypothesized that for any given resource level, Cerithidea would disperse more, because it was more affected by resource availability. Adult Batillaria , however, responded more sensitively to resource levels (i.e., dispersed more at any given resource level) than Cerithidea . This counter-intuitive result illustrates the potential importance of genetic limitations on behavioral responses available to a species. Constraints on behavioral responses may have been accentuated since Batillaria is a non-indigenous species whose evolved behavioral responses are not necessarily adapted to its present, non-native environment.
Kinetic studies of magnetic latex particles' self-assembly under applied magnetic field

Abstract The applied field and concentration dependence of growth of the magnetic latex particles was traced by microscopy and small angle light scattering methods. Magnetic latex particles, diameter 0.8 μm and ion oxide contents 68%, have been studied at the solution concentration 0.05–0.2 wt% and magnetic field strength 3–24 gauss. When the magnetic field was applied, the particles make the linear alignments and growth-release occurs through reversible processes. The cluster formation is experimentally investigated under the low magnetic field strength where the aggregation is not disrupted by the side-by-side interaction between the linear clusters. The cluster size growth mechanism and the rate of cluster formation was compared by two different techniques, microscope and small angle light scattering (SALS). Good agreement was obtained between the two methods, and 〈 s ( t )〉 = s (0)[1 + ( t /τ) 1.0 ] was observed during the initial stage of growth, where 〈 s(t) 〉 is a cluster size distribution function, s (0) is the initial size of the particle, t is time, and τ is the characteristic time. Then the Clusters are saturated and time dependent increment of the Clusters slows down.
Endocervical glandular atypia: A “new” problem for the cytologist

New patterns of cellular presentation on cervical smears have become more frequent since the introduction of new sampling devices which provide increased material from the upper portions of the endocervical canal. The normal histologic variability of the endocervical canal, as well as the presence of tubal metaplasia, infectious and inflammatory reactions, squamous lesions involving endocervical glands, and true endocervical neoplastic lesions in these areas, have presented the cytologist with a variety of cellular appearances which may cause difficulties in differential diagnosis. Recognition of these entities, their cytologic manifestations and the effects of increased high endocervical sampling, will allow the cytologist to begin the process of gaining the experience necessary to assess these new cellular patterns. A potential management protocol for patient follow-up is presented which will allow the user to investigate such cases in an efficient and cost effective manner.