cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Extraction Temperature and Preservation Method on Functionality of Soy Protein

The effects of extraction temperature and preservation method on the functional properties of soy protein isolate (SPI) were determined. Four extraction temperatures (25, 40, 60, and 80 °C) were used to produce SPI and yields of solids and protein contents were determined. Three preservation methods were also tested (spray-drying, freeze-drying, and freezing–thawing) and compared to fresh (undried) samples for each extraction temperature. No differences in yields of solids and protein were observed among SPIs extracted at 25, 40, and 60 °C; however, SPI extracted at 80 °C yielded significantly less solids and protein. Extraction temperature significantly affected SPI functionality. As extraction temperature increased, solubility and emulsification capacity decreased; surface hydrophobicities, emulsification activities and stabilities, and dynamic viscosities increased; and foaming properties improved. Preservation method also significantly affected SPI functionality. Drying method did not affect the denaturation enthalpies of SPIs, but spray-dried SPIs had higher solubilities, surface hydrophobicities, and emulsification stabilities, and lower viscosities, emulsification activities and rates of foaming than freeze-dried SPI exhibited. Emulsification and foaming capacities and foaming stabilities were similar for both methods of drying. There was significant interaction between extraction temperature and preservation method for all functional properties except emulsification capacity.
Anatomy of a shore face ridge system, False Cape, Virginia

Abstract The Middle Atlantic Shelf of North America is a broad sand plain, characterized by a subdued ridge and swale topography. Some ridges extend into or merge with the shore face. Three such ridges at False Cape, Virginia, trending southwest, have second order ridges on their flanks. Systematic asymmetry of secondary ridge crests away from major troughs, toward major ridges, indicates that the ridges are maintained by coast-parallel currents forming a pattern of helicoidal flow cells. Median diameters decrease to the southwest along the ridge system. In addition, grain size varies with topography. Troughs tend to be floored with a primary lag deposit of coarse, pebbly sand. Wave-winnowed crests consist of a secondary lag deposit of well-sorted, medium- to fine-grained sand. Flanks are fine- to very fine-grained sand winnowed out of the crests. Vibracores and pinger probe records reveal a three-fold stratigraphy. A basal unit consists of clayey fine-grained sand of probable Late Sangamon-Early Wisconsin age. An intermediate unit of relatively watery mud has yielded a radiocarbon date of 25,700 ± 800. The uppermost unit is the modern sand sheet into which the ridges are molded. The innermost ridge and trough appear to be actively forming in response to southtrending coastal “currents,” and the shelf tide during tropical and extra-tropical storms. The ridges appear to be moving westward, but it is not clear whether their longterm movement is more or less rapid than the rate at which the beach is retrograding. In any case, Bruun coastal retreat appears to be occurring, with sea floor aggradation at the expense of the adjacent shore face. In this manner the retreating coast is generating a shelf “relict” sand blanket with a ridge and swale topography. Coastal sediment movement has a southward component for fine sand through the ridge system, and may have, for coarser sand, a return north along the beach, by littoral drift. The ridge system may be moving south in response to headward erosion of the troughs.
Assessment of a bovine co-culture, scaffold-free method for growing meniscus-shaped constructs

Using a self-assembly (SA), scaffoldless method, five high-density co-cultures with varied ratios of meniscal fibrochondrocytes (MFCs) and articular chondrocytes (ACs) were seeded into novel meniscus-specific, ring-shaped agarose wells. The following ratios of MFCs to ACs were used: 0% MFC, 25% MFC, 50% MFC, 75% MFC, and 100% MFC. Over 4 weeks, all ratios of cells self-assembled into three-dimensional constructs with varying mechanobiological and morphological properties. All groups stained for collagen II (Col II), and all groups except the 0% MFC group stained for collagen I (Col I). It was found that the tensile modulus was proportional to the percentage of MFCs employed. The 100% MFC group yielded the greatest mechanical stiffness with 432.2 +/- 47 kPa tensile modulus and an ultimate tensile strength of 23.7 +/- 2.4 kPa. On gross inspection, the 50% MFC constructs were the most similar to our idealized meniscus shape, our primary criterion. A second experiment was performed to examine the anisotropy of constructs as well as to directly compare the scaffoldless, SA method with a poly-glycolic acid (PGA) scaffold-based construct. When compared to PGA constructs, the SA groups were 2-4 times stiffer and stronger in tension. Further, at 8 weeks, SA groups exhibited circumferential fiber bundles similar to native tissue. When pulled in the circumferential direction, the SA group had significantly higher tensile modulus (226 +/- 76 kPa) than when pulled in the radial direction (67 +/- 32 kPa). The PGA constructs had neither a directional collagen fiber orientation nor differences in mechanical properties in the radial or circumferential direction. It is suggested that the geometric constraint imposed by the ring-shaped, nonadhesive mold guides collagen fibril directionality and, thus, alters mechanical properties. Co-culturing ACs and MFCs in this manner appears to be a promising new method for tissue engineering fibrocartilaginous tissues exhibiting a spectrum of mechanical and biomechanical properties.
Laser double resonance measurements of the quenching rates of Br (2P12) with H2O, D2O, HDO, and O2

Abstract Quenching rate constants for spin—orbit excited Br* atoms ( 2 P 1 2 with H 2 O, D 2 O, HDO, and O 2 are measured at 300 K using a two-laser pump—probe technique. The rate constants and ± 1 σ error bars for the water species are: H 2 O, (5.1± 0.3) × 10 −11 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 ; HDO, (1.9±0.4) × 10 −11 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 ; D 2 O, (2.2±0.4) × 10 −12 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 . The relative rates for the water species are in qualitative agreement with models for electronic-to-vibrational energy transfer based upon dipolequadrupole coupling. Quenching of Br* by oxygen is found to be extremely inefficient (1.5 +0.4 −1.5 ) × 10 −15 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 , which is in disagreement with previously reported results by four orders of magnitude.
Sustained factor VIII expression after in utero gene therapy

Abstract Objective. FVIII deficiency is an excellent gene therapy model because it is a single gene defect with a broad therapeutic window. One 5% correction of FVIII levels can prevent spontaneous bleeding episodes, and a number of experimental animal models exist. Current gene therapy approaches are limited by immune reaction to the gene product and viral proteins, and the need for multiple administrations. In this study, we investigate whether in utero administration of AAV or lentiviral vectors containing the Factor VIII gene would overcome these obstacles and allow sustained expression. Methods. AAV and lentiviral vectors containing a canine Factor VIII construct with an upstream liver-specific promoter were generated. Fourteen-day gestation fetuses of Factor VIII deficient mice were injected intraperitoneally or intravenously with AAV2/8 serotype vector or VSV-g pseudotyped lentiviral vector. Canine Factor VIII levels in plasma have now been assessed at monthly intervals up to 8 months after in utero treatment. FVIII levels are expressed as the percentage of canine plasma Factor VIII activity in knockout mouse serum. Results. In utero injections with AAV and lentiviral constructs resulted in 33 and 68% survival rates to weaning, respectively, with the differences related to known technical issues. Approximately 45% (5/11) of mice injected with the AAV vector had greater than 1% FVIII at 4 weeks, with a mean of 3.8 ± 2.0%. These levels remained stable for up to 8 months after injection. In addition 53% (9/17) of mice given the lentiviral construct showed FVIII levels greater than 1% with a mean of 1.0 ± 0.1%, with levels remaining stable for 6 months. Conclusions. In utero gene delivery of Factor VIII of AAV or Lentiviral vectors results in durable, postnatal plasma levels of Factor VIII protein in a murine model of Hemophilia A. Further optimization of dosage, titer, route of administration (intravenous versus intraperitoneal), and viral constructs are being investigated to achieve higher levels of expression. However, the sustained expression demonstrated in this study supports the promise of prenatal gene transfer.
Influence of age and cold stress on plasma catecholamine levels in rats

Abstract We measured arterial plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) in pentobarbital-anesthetized 3- and 24-month-old male F344 rats in basal (control) conditions and following acute cold exposure (6 h at 4°C). Basal levels of circulating NE and E were also determined in 3- and 24-month-old Sprague-Dawley animals. Basal NE did not change between 3 and 24 months of age in either strain of rat, whereas older animals of both strains had significantly higher basal plasma E concentrations compared to younger counterparts. Cold exposure increased plasma NE ∼ 100 pg·ml −1 above respective basal levels in 3- and 24-month-old F344 rats, suggesting no age-related differences in sympathethic nervous system reactivity to cold stress. Plasma E in young cold-stressed F344 animals was elevated ∼ 336 pg·ml −1 (287%) over basal levels, and ∼ 370 pg·ml −1 (155%) over basal levels in older animals, resulting in cold-induced circulating E concentrations of 515 ± 90 pg·ml −1 , and 1040 ± 122 pg·ml −1 in 3- and 24 monthold animals, respectively. Thus, arterial plasma E concentration in older rats is significantly elevated, both in basal conditions and in response to acute cold stress, suggesting enhanced adrenal medullary activity with advancing age.
Antiracist Education in Theory and Practice: A Critical Assessment.

“Antiracist Education in Theory and Practice: A Critical Assessment” As a set of pedagogical, curricular, and organizational strategies, antiracist education claims to be the most progressive way today to understand race relations. Constructed from whiteness studies and the critique of colorblindness, its foundational core is located in approximately 160 papers published in peer-reviewed journals in the past 15 years-identified through a comprehensive search of Academic Premier Search, EBSCOMegaFile, Education Abstracts, JSTOR, and SOCIndex. A critical assessment of these papers concludes that antiracist education is not a sociologically grounded, empirically based account of the significance of race in American society. Rather, it is a morally based educational reform movement that embodies the confessional and redemptive modes common in evangelical Protestantism. Inherently problematic, whether or not antiracist education achieves broader acceptance is open to debate.
Novel electrical characterization for advanced CMOS gate dielectrics

This paper reviews the following electrical characterization techniques for measuring the microscopic bonding structures, impurities, and electrically active defects in advanced CMOS gate stacks: 1) inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS), 2) lateral profiling of threshold voltages, interface-trap density, and oxide charge density distributions along the channel of an MOSFET, and 3) pulse agitated substrate hot electron injection (PASHEI) technique for measuring trapping effects in the gate dielectric at low and modest gate voltages.
Informing Design of a Command and Control Decision Support Interface through an Abstraction Hierarchy

The abstraction hierarchy can be used as a work domain analysis tool that provides a structured representation of a physical system under human supervisory control, and it aids in understanding complex human-machine interactions. The means-end relationships represented in the abstraction hierarchy provides a framework for highlighting areas that require knowledge-based reasoning through mapping processes and functions. These same abstract mappings can provide tangible insight into interface design relationships. We provide an example of using the abstraction hierarchy for this purpose in the development of a decision support tool for a military command and control interface. Allowing the abstraction hierarchy to inform interface design provides both an abstract and physical representation of system functional properties, which is especially critical in conceptualizing and designing an interface for a complex, time-pressured command and control domain.
In or out of the black hole? Fin de siecle federal republic of Yugoslavia

(1998). In or out of the black hole? Fin de siecle federal republic of Yugoslavia. The International Spectator: Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 15-27.
What Happened to The Porn in Pornography? Rétif, Regulating Prostitution, and The History of Dirty Books

(2006). What Happened to The Porn in Pornography? Retif, Regulating Prostitution, and The History of Dirty Books. Symposium: A Quarterly Journal in Modern Literatures: Vol. 60, No. 3, pp. 189-204.
Accuracy of Different Temperature Devices in the Postpartum Population

ABSTRACT Objectives To determine if different temperature monitoring devices routinely used in postpartum mothers and newborns provide similar temperatures and to compare the rectal and axillary routes for temperature monitoring in newborns. Design A method comparison design with randomization of the temperature device sequence was used to evaluate the level of agreement between the 3 different types of thermometers used. Setting A Level 3 (high risk) postpartum unit with 6,200 deliveries per year in a 450-bed, not-for-profit hospital in the Pacific Northwest. Participants A convenience sample of 36 mothers and 36 newborns were studied during a 96 hours postpartum period. Method Comparison of 3 different temperature devices (2 different electronic temperatures devices and a disposable temperature device) in mothers and newborns; comparison of different routes for temperature measurement in newborns (rectal, axillary). Results Statistically significant differences were found between the rectal and axillary temperatures obtained with the same electronic temperature device in newborns. In mothers, there was a statistically significant difference in oral temperatures obtained with the disposable temperature device and 1 of the electronic thermometers. Conclusions The statistically significant temperature differences between the axillary and rectal routes in newborns using the same temperature device emphasize that axillary temperatures are not similar to rectal temperatures in newborns.
Near-IR Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Archaerhodopsin 3: Effects of Transmembrane Potential

Archaerhodopsin 3 (AR3) is a light driven proton pump from Halorubrum sodomense that has been used as a genetically targetable neuronal silencer and an effective fluorescent sensor of transmembrane potential. Unlike the more extensively studied bacteriorhodopsin (BR) from Halobacterium salinarum, AR3 readily incorporates into the plasma membrane of both E. coli and mammalian cells. Here, we used near-IR resonance Raman confocal microscopy to study the effects of pH and membrane potential on the AR3 retinal chromophore structure. Measurements were performed both on AR3 reconstituted into E. coli polar lipids and in vivo in E. coli expressing AR3 in the absence and presence of a negative transmembrane potential. The retinal chromophore structure of AR3 is in an all-trans configuration almost identical to BR over the entire pH range from 3 to 11. Small changes are detected in the retinal ethylenic stretching frequency and Schiff Base (SB) hydrogen bonding strength relative to BR which may be related to a dif...
Steiner Symmetrization is Continuous in W1,p

We study the continuity, smoothing, and convergence properties of Steiner symmetrization in higher space dimensions. Our main result is that Steiner symmetrization is continuous in W 1, p $ (1 \leq p < \infty) $ in all dimensions. This implies that spherical symmetrization cannot be approximated in W 1, p by sequences of Steiner symmetrizations. We also give a quantitative version of the standard energy inequalities for spherical symmetrization.
On the large deformation and localization behavior of an epoxy resin under multiaxial stress states

Abstract The paper describes a series of experiments that were conducted in order to examine the response of a cross linked epoxy resin. A variety of stress states were considered by conducting experiments under uniaxial tension, plane strain compression, simple shear and combinations of tension or compression and shear (biaxial). Strain rate effects were considered in the simple shear experiments and displacement measurements using geometric moire were made in order to follow the onset and propagation of shear bands under simple shear and compression on shear. Some birefringence measurements were also made. Localization in the form of shear bands occurred under the tensile, simple shear and the biaxial stress states but not under plane strain compression. The shear bands in simple shear and compression and shear grew quickly along the specimen gage length and then broadened, and detailed strain distributions were determined as a function of load level. The birefringence became constant in regions where shear banding had occurred. The onset of shear banding was delayed by higher strain rates and compressive stresses but was promoted by tensile stresses. The lack of a limit load in the plane strain compression response indicates that the epoxy considered here does not strain soften and that the response obtained is the true material one.
Let's talk: Intercultural dialogue on sexual orientation in global health

SocMed, a U.S. based non-profit, advocates for and implements curricula founded on the study of social medicine for health professional students through immersion courses in Uganda and Haiti. Built upon the principles of praxis, the personal, and partnership, the innovative curriculum involves both local and international medical and nursing students to create a transformative educational environment.
Importance of tyrosine phosphorylation in angiotensin II type 1 receptor signaling.

Abstract Angiotensin II is the major effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system. In addition to its vasoconstrictor activity, angiotensin II stimulates smooth muscle cell growth in arterial h...
Material memoria, totalitarismo y la Transición española: recuperando a Valente y Tàpies (para un posible futuro)

Este articulo re-examina la relevancia de la obra del poeta Jose Angel Valente dentro del contexto historico de la Transicion a la democracia en Espana, centrandose en su concepcion de la palabra poetica desarrollada en su obra Material memoria. En esta obra, Valente, bajo la influencia de las pinturas matericas de Antoni Tapies, concibe el evento poetico como un espacio material en el que poder articular creativamente lo que define a traves del concepto de “memoria interiorizada.” Mediante un estudio detallado de las principales implicaciones criticas y teoricas de la poetica de Valente que emergen en Material memoria, el articulo sugiere que la obra de Valente durante este periodo historico es fundamental para un analisis revisionista de las condiciones culturales totalitarias de la dictadura franquista que determinan la transicion a la democracia, y consecuentemente los fundamentos socio-culturales de la epoca democratica en Espana.
“Long” and “short” range electronic effects in the bonding of CO and H2 on CuNi alloy☆

Abstract The thermal desorption data of CO from the CuNi alloys cannot be explained by a local binding site picture alone. The CO activation energy of desorption from a Ni binding site decreases linearly with increased surface Cu concentration indicating the presence of a ligand (long range electronic) effect. In contrast, the H2 activation energy of desorption is constant with alloy composition.
Acetylcholine receptor-aggregating factor is similar to molecules concentrated at neuromuscular junctions

The basal lamina in the synaptic cleft of the vertebrate skeletal neuromuscular junction contains molecules that direct the formation of synaptic specializations in regenerating axons and muscle fibres1–4. We have undertaken a series of experiments aimed at identifying and characterizing the molecules responsible for the formation of one of these specializations, the aggregates of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in the muscle fibre plasma membrane. We began by preparing an insoluble, basal lamina-containing fraction from Torpedo californica electric organ, a tissue which has a far higher concentration of cholinergic synapses than muscle, and showing that this fraction caused AChRs on cultured chick myotubes to aggregate5–7. A critical step is learning whether or not the electric organ factor is similar to the receptor-aggregating molecule in the basal lamina at the neuromuscular junction. The importance of this problem is emphasized by reports that clearly non-physiological agents, such as positively charged latex beads8, can cause AChR aggregation on cultured muscle cells. We have already shown that Torpedo muscle contains an AChR-aggregating factor similar to that of electric organ, although in much lower amounts6. Here we demonstrate, using monoclonal antibodies, that the AChR-aggregating factor in our extracts of electric organ is, in fact, antigenically related to molecules concentrated in the synaptic cleft at the neuromuscular junction.
Percentage points of the statistics for testing hypotheses on mean vectors of multivariate normal distributions with missing observations

A problem of testing of hypotheses on the mean vector of a multivariate normal distribution with unknown and positive definite covariance matrix is considered when a sample with a special, though not unusual, pattern of missing observations from that population is available. The approximate percentage points of the test statistic are obtained and their accuracy has been checked by comparing them with some exact percentage points which are calculated for complete samples and some special incomplete samples. The approximate percentage points are in good agreement with exact percentage points. The above work is extended to the problem of testing the hypothesis of equality of two mean vectors of two multivariate normal distributions with the same, unknown covariance matrix
Oxidative versus conjugative biotransformation of temazepam

Twenty-four healthy volunteers, aged 21-59 years, received single 30 mg oral doses of the benzodiazepine hypnotic temazepam. Levels of intact temazepam were determined in multiple plasma samples drawn during 48 h after dosage. Intact temazepam, its direct glucuronide conjugate, and the conjugate of its demethylated (oxidized) metabolite oxazepam were measured in two consecutive 24-h urine collections. Mean kinetic variables for temazepam in plasma were: peak plasma level (Cmax), 873 ng ml-1; time of peak, 1.36 h after dosage; volume of distribution, 0.961 kg-1; elimination half-life 9.9 h; clearance, 1.16 ml min-1 kg-1. Volume of distribution increased significantly with body weight (r = 0.67, p less than 0.001), and Cmax decreased with weight (r = -0.58, p less than 0.01). Only 0.2 per cent of the dose was excreted as intact temazepam, and negligible amounts as intact oxazepam. However, 39 per cent of the dose was recovered as temazepam glucuronide, and oxazepam glucuronide accounted for another 4.7 per cent of the dose. The remainder was not accounted for. Thus, a significant fraction of temazepam clearance occurs by direct glucuronide conjugation, with the conjugate temazepam glucuronide excreted in urine. A much smaller fraction undergoes parallel oxidation to form oxazepam, which is subsequently conjugated to oxazepam glucuronide and excreted in urine.
Phase II Study of Sorafenib and Bortezomib for First-Line Treatment of Metastatic or Unresectable Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND Sorafenib is an orally active multikinase inhibitor, and bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor that affects multiple signaling pathways. Sorafenib has clinical activity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), whereas bortezomib has demonstrated activity against RCC cell lines in vitro, with in vitro studies showing synergism between the two agents in the induction of apoptosis in neoplastic cell lines. In this phase II study, we explored the efficacy and toxicity of this regimen. METHODS Adult patients with cytologically confirmed clear cell RCC with no prior chemotherapy, Zubrod performance status of 0-1, serum creatinine <1.5 mg/dL, and normal liver function tests were treated with sorafenib 200 mg orally b.i.d. with bortezomib 1 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 21 days. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was median progression-free survival (PFS) of at least 70 weeks. RESULTS Seventeen patients were enrolled between April 2011 and January 2013. Median age was 62 years (range: 44-75 years). Four of 17 patients had known brain metastasis on enrollment. Median number of cycles was 4 (range: 1 to ≥45). No patient had complete response, 1 had partial response, 12 had stable disease, and 4 had progressive disease (response rate of 6%; 95% confidence interval: 0%-29%) with treatment. Median PFS was 13.7 weeks, and median overall survival was 110 weeks. The study was halted for futility. CONCLUSION The combination of sorafenib and bortezomib was well tolerated; however, response rate and PFS were comparable to sorafenib monotherapy. This regimen is not recommended for further development.
The Best of Times, the Worst of Times Exploring Dual Perspectives of "Coming Out" in the Workplace

The present article explores the complexities of sexual orientation disclosure in the workplace and attempts to identify factors that may facilitate positive or exacerbate negative disclosure experiences from the perspectives of gay and lesbian employees (Study 1) and heterosexual coworkers (Study 2). Content analyses of narrative descriptions of “coming out” experiences suggest that the supportiveness of the climate of an organization may be more critical than timing or method of disclosure for gay and lesbian individuals. Reports from heterosexual individuals, however, suggest that timing of disclosure is meaningful over and above their own attitudes toward homosexuality and the organization’s climate. These results indicate that both situational and contextual characteristics influence disclosure encounters and that disclosers’ and recipients’ experiences may differ in the extent to which they are influenced by each of these factors.
Fullerene‐Derivatized Amino Acids: Synthesis, Characterization, Antioxidant Properties, and Solid‐Phase Peptide Synthesis

A series of [60]fullerene-substituted phenylalanine (Baa) and lysine derivatives have been prepared by the condensation of 1,2-(4'-oxocyclohexano)fullerene with the appropriately protected (4-amino)phenylalanine and lysine, respectively. Conversion of the imine to the corresponding amine is achieved by di-acid catalyzed hydroboration. The reduction of the imine is not accompanied by hydroboration of the fullerene cage. The [70]fullerene phenylalanine derivative has also been prepared as have the di-amino acid derivatives. The compounds were characterized by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy allowed the observation of diastereomers. Fullerene-substituted peptides may be synthesized on relatively large scale by solid-phase peptide synthesis. The presence of the C 60 -substituted amino acid in a peptide has a significant effect on the secondary structures and self-assembly properties of peptides as compared to the native peptide. The antioxidant assay of Baa and a Baa-derived anionic peptide was determined to be significantly more potent than Trolox.
Modeling the Summertime Climate of Southwest Asia: The Role of Land Surface Processes in Shaping the Climate of Semiarid Regions

AbstractPresented is a study on the role of land surface processes in determining the summertime climate over the semiarid region of southwest Asia. In this region, a warm surface air temperature bias of 3.5°C is simulated in the summer by using the standard configuration of Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3). Biases are also simulated in surface albedo (underestimation), shortwave incident radiation (overestimation), and vapor pressure (underestimation). Based on satellite measurements documented in NASA’s surface radiation budget (SRB) dataset, a correction in surface albedo by 4% is introduced in RegCM3 to match the observed SRB data. Increasing albedo values results in a nearly 1°C cooling over the region. In addition, by incorporating RegCM3’s dust module and including subgrid variability for surface wind, shortwave incident radiation bias originally of about 45 W m−2 is reduced by 30 W m−2. As a result, the reduction of shortwave incident radiation cools the surface by 0.6°C. Finally, includi...
Ground-water is the Ultimate Source of the Salt Creek Pupfish Habitat, Death Valley, U.S.A.

We report δ18O and δD stable isotope compositions of water collected at several sites in northern Death Valley, including the Salt Creek pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus M.) habitat in Mesquite Flat basin. Various theories exist concerning the source of water for Salt Creek, including snowmelt and precipitation, as well as contribution from ground-water. A comparison of Death Valley waters to the Global Meteoric Water Line indicated that none of the rain or snow samples are reasonable candidates for habitat source water; however, all of the ground-water sampled could serve as the source water for the progressively evaporating pupfish habitat sites.
Structural network analysis of biological networks for assessment of potential disease model organisms

Potential model organisms may be identified through the study of disease pathways.A graph mining technique can identify "fingerprints" from disease pathways.Potential model organism relevance can be determined based on these fingerprints.Non-obvious model organisms may be identified using graph mining techniques. Model organisms provide opportunities to design research experiments focused on disease-related processes (e.g., using genetically engineered populations that produce phenotypes of interest). For some diseases, there may be non-obvious model organisms that can help in the study of underlying disease factors. In this study, an approach is presented that leverages knowledge about human diseases and associated biological interactions networks to identify potential model organisms for a given disease category. The approach starts with the identification of functional and interaction patterns of diseases within genetic pathways. Next, these characteristic patterns are matched to interaction networks of candidate model organisms to identify similar subsystems that have characteristic patterns for diseases of interest. The quality of a candidate model organism is then determined by the degree to which the identified subsystems match genetic pathways from validated knowledge. The results of this study suggest that non-obvious model organisms may be identified through the proposed approach.
Contributions of Child’s Physiology and Maternal Behavior to Children’s Trajectories of Temperamental Reactivity

Trajectories of children’s temperamental reactivity (negative affectivity and surgency) were examined in a community sample of 370 children across the ages of 4 to 7 using Hierarchical Linear Modeling. Children’s physiological reactivity (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA), physiological regulation (?RSA), and maternal parenting behavior were included as predictors of children’s trajectories of temperamental reactivity. Results indicated that negative affectivity and surgency decreased from 4 to 7 years of age, however within-person changes in negative affectivity were dependent on levels of baseline RSA and not age. Increases in negative affectivity were also predicted by higher levels of earlier maternal controlling behavior. Decreases in surgency were predicted by higher levels of ?RSA during mother-child interaction tasks and positive parenting behavior. Baseline RSA and maternal controlling parenting also accounted for interindividual differences in children’s negative affectivity at age 7, while gender and children’s baseline RSA accounted for interindividual differences in children’s surgency at age 7. Overall, these results provide further evidence that parenting behavior and children’s RSA influence the changes that occur in children’s temperamental reactivity.
All My Children The Consequences of Sibling Group Characteristics on the Marital Happiness of Young Mothers

In this research, we investigate how children shape maternal marital happiness. The findings reveal that the otherwise negative effects of sibship size are altered by the gender composition of the sibling group. Having sons tends to reduce the negative impact of sibling group size. Solving for main effects in the interactions that include sibship size by the gender composition of the sibling group, we find that having all sons affords the most beneficial consequences for marital happiness. The daughter-only groups have nonsignificant effects, and the mixed-gender sibships have the most deleterious influence on maternal marital happiness. Within a subsample of mixed-gender sibships only, we further find that mothers who have more boys than girls are more likely to report higher marital gratification. Generally speaking, our research demonstrates the need to examine both main and interaction effects of family structure on marital happiness.
Abstract T MP73: Effect of Hospital Factors on Individual-Level Early Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders in Ischemic Stroke

Background: Race-ethnic (R/E) minorities are less likely to have Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders than non-Hispanic whites. Since race and ethnicity cluster by hospital, institutional factors may contribute to this variability in DNR orders. We investigated the influence of hospital-level proportion of R/E minorities on R/E differences in individual-level DNR decisions. Methods: Cases of ischemic stroke were identified from the California State Inpatient Database (age >=50, 2005-2011, ICD-9 codes 433.x1, 434.x1, 436 in primary position). Hospitals were classified by the proportion of R/E minority (Black or Hispanic) patients seen at each institution (reported as quartiles). Individual-level early DNR orders (within 24 hours) were reported by individual-level race-ethnicity (White, Asian, Hispanic, or Black), stratified by hospital-level proportion of R/E minority (Black or Hispanic) patients using multilevel logistic regression with a random hospital intercept. Results: A total of 259,953 cases of ischemic stroke across 370 hospitals were included (Mean age 74, Female 53%, White 59%, Black 8.8%, Hispanic 17%, Asian 8.9%, Others 6.0%). There was variability in the proportion of R/E minority patients seen at the hospital level (Black: range 0-82%, median 2.3%; Hispanic: range 0-96%, median 12.2%). Increasing hospital-level proportion of minority patients seen was associated with less use of DNR orders across all R/E groups. Similar effects were seen when stratified by hospital-level quartile of Black (Figure “A”) or Hispanic (Figure “B”) patients (p<0.001 for both). White patients with ischemic stroke admitted to hospitals that cared for more minority patients used early DNR orders at a frequency similar to R/E minorities. Conclusions: The probability of an early DNR order after ischemic stroke is due not only to different treatment patterns across R/E groups, but also to differential treatment patterns at hospitals that care for more R/E minorities. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Communicating Health Information to Urban Mexican Americans: Sources of Health Information

Data from a six-week hypertension campaign aimed at urban Mexican Americans were analyzed to document how they receive their health information and to identify the communication channels most likely to reach different segments of the Mexican-American community. The nine sources of information examined were doctor, nurse, pharmacist, family, friends, radio, newspaper, television, and magazine. The most common source of health information reported was doctor, followed by television, newspapers, magazines, family, and radio. Interview language (Spanish or English) was a significant predictor of the amount of health information received from all nine sources. Sex, family income, education, and age also were shown to affect the amount of health information received from various sources. Profiles of respondents most likely to use each source of health information are presented and implications for health educators are discussed.
Comparison of observed biochemical recurrence-free survival in patients with low PSA values undergoing radical prostatectomy and predictions of preoperative nomogram.

Objectives A preoperative nomogram is an effective tool for assessing the risk of disease progression after radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. To better understand the performance of nomograms for patients with a low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, we examined whether patients with a PSA level Methods A cohort of 6130 patients from 2 referral centers was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate the recurrence-free probabilities stratified by PSA group ( Results Of 6130 patients, 399 (6.5%) had a PSA level 2.5 ng/mL developed recurrence (total 607/6130). With adjustment for the preoperative nomogram probability, no significant difference was found in recurrence by PSA grouping (hazard ratio 0.78 for PSA Conclusions Patients with a low PSA comprise a small proportion of those treated, and most have palpable disease. Patients with especially low PSA values (≤0.5 ng/mL) have a high rate of nonorgan-confined disease. We saw no evidence that patients with low PSA levels have worse outcomes, after the stage and grade were taken into account.
Tricks of Memory

Remembering an episode from even the recent past may involve a blend of fiction and fact. We discuss a straightforward laboratory paradigm that is proving useful in the study of false memories of simple episodes. In this paradigm, subjects study lists of 15 related words (bed, rest, awake …) that are all related to a critical word that is not presented (sleep). Later, subjects recall and recognize the critical missing word with about the same probability that they remember words from the list. This memory illusion is resistant to people's attempts to avoid it. We argue that similar memory errors are commonplace and are a natural outcome of an intelligent cognitive system, which makes inferences about incoming information. Therefore, memory illusions, like perceptual illusions, are a consequence of normal human information processing and offer a window for examining basic cognitive processes.
A 32 × 32 optical phased array using polysilicon sub-wavelength high-contrast-grating mirrors

We report on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-actuated 32 × 32 optical phased arrays (OPAs) with high fill-factors and microsecond response time. To reduce the mirror weight and temperature-dependent curvature, we use high-contrast-grating (HCG) mirrors comprising a single layer of sub-wavelength polysilicon gratings with 400 nm thickness, 1250 nm pitch, and 570 nm grating bar width. The mirror has a broad reflection band and a peak reflectivity of 99.9% at 1550 nm wavelength. With 20 × 20 μm2 pixels and 2 μm, the OPA has a total aperture of 702 × 702 μm2 and a fill factor of 85%. The OPA is electrostatically controlled by voltage and has a total field of view of ± 2°, an instantaneous field of view (beam width) of 0.14°, and a response time of 3.8 μs. The latter agrees well with the mechanical resonance frequency of the HCG mirror (0.42 MHz).
A Bayesian Parametric Test for Multichannel Adaptive Signal Detection in Nonhomogeneous Environments

This paper considers the problem of knowledge-aided space-time adaptive processing (STAP) in nonhomogeneous environments, where the covariance matrices of the training and test signals are assumed random and different from each other. A Bayesian detector is proposed by incorporating some a priori knowledge of the disturbance covariance matrices, and exploring their inherent block-Toeplitz structure. Specifically, the block-Toeplitz structure of the covariance matrix allows us to model the training signals as a multichannel auto-regressive (AR) process. The resulting detector is referred to as the Bayesian parametric adaptive matched filter (B-PAMF) which, compared with nonparametric Bayesian detectors, entails a lower training requirement and alleviates the computational complexity. Numerical results show that the proposed B-PAMF detector outperforms the standard PAMF test in nonhomogeneous environments.
Optimum Cooperation of the Cooperative Coding Scheme for Frequency Division Half-Duplex Relay Channels

This paper analyzes the effects of the level of cooperation (LOC) on the performance of a practical cooperative coding scheme for frequency division half-duplex relay links in general wireless ad-hoc networks. The end-to-end bit error probability (BEP) and the corresponding optimum LOG minimizing the end-to-end BEP are investigated for specific realizations using a family of rate compatible punctured convolutional (RCPC) codes. This paper shows that the BEP of the cooperative coding scheme depends on the LOC and there exists an optimum LOC for every specific realization. Further, it is shown that more than a certain level of cooperation is required to achieve possible cooperative gains in practical signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regions, and increasing LOC does not effect much on the BEP performance for sufficiently large LOCs
Thresholds and Plateaus in the Hodgkin-Huxley Nerve Equations

ABS TR ncT Phase space methods and an analog computer are used to analyze the Hodgkin-Huxley non-linear differential equations for the squid giant axon membrane. V is the membrane potential, m the Na + activation, h the Na + inactivation, and n the K + activation. V and m change rapidly, relative to h and n. The (11, m) phase plane of a reduced system of equations, with h and n held constant at their resting values, has three singular points: a stable resting point, a threshold saddle point, and a stable excited point. When h and n are allowed to vary, recovery and refractoriness result from the movement with subsequent disappearance of the threshold and excited points. Multiplying the time constant of n by 100 or more, and that of h by one-third, reproduces the experimental plateau action potentials obtained with tetraethylammonium by Tasaki and Hagiwara, including the phenomena of abolition and of refractoriness of the plateau duration. The equations have, transiently, two stable states, as found in the real axon by these authors. Since the theoretical membrane conductance curves differ significantly from the experimental ones, further experimental analysis of ionic currents with tetraethylammonium is needed to decide whether the Hodgkin-Huxley model can be generalized to explain these experiments completely.
Digestion of sand-laden manure slurry in an upflow anaerobic solids removal (UASR) digester

Studies on the performance of a laboratory scale upflow anaerobic solids removal (UASR) digester were carried out using sand-laden cow manure slurries having total solids (TS) concentration as 50 and 100 g/l. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) was maintained as 32.4 days, which resulted in the volatile solids (VS) loading rates of 1 and 1.64 g/l d. The UASR system was designed to remove sand from the manure slurry, while anaerobically digesting biodegradable solids inside a single reactor. To enhance the contact of microorganisms and substrate, the liquor from the top of the digester was recirculated through the bed of settled solids at its bottom. Volatile solids reduction through this process was observed to be 62% and 68% in the case of feed slurries having TS concentration as 50 and 100 g/l (referred in the text as 5% and 10% feed slurries), respectively. The methane production rates were observed to be 0.22 and 0.38 l/l d, while methane yield was 0.21 and 0.27 l CH4/g VS loaded, for 5% and 10% feed slurries, respectively. This indicates that the increase in the VS loading had a positive impact on methane production rate and methane yield. It would be of interest to study the performance of a UASR digester at higher solids loadings and with longer solids retention times. Nonetheless, the presented study showed that sand-laden manure slurries can be successfully digested in a UASR digester producing methane energy equivalent to 4 kW h per m3 of digester volume per day.
Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of soluble proteins in human eosinophils

The effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), calcium ionophore (A23187), opsonized zymosan (OZ), and N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-Met-Leu-Phe) on protein phosphorylation was examined in purified eosinophils (eos) isolated from human peripheral blood. Eos were prelabeled with [32P]orthophosphate, stimulated with several activating agents for varying periods of time. The soluble proteins were then analyzed by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and autoradiography. In resting eos, there was phosphorylation of endogenous soluble proteins with molecular weights of 12, 16, 21, 40, and 66 kilodaltons (kDa). PMA, a potent activator of oxidative metabolism, induced phosphorylation of 19-, 40-, and 67-kDa proteins. A23187, a strong degranulating stimulus, caused phosphorylation of 40-, 53-, and 67-kDa proteins. OZ, a relatively weak stimulus for eos function, caused phosphorylation of 30–34-, 59-, 67-, and 93-kDa proteins. In addition, all the above stimuli caused a time-dependent dephosphorylation of 21-kDa protein. In contrast, f-Met-Leu-Phe caused neither phosphorylatiop of new proteins nor dephosphorylation of preexisting eos proteins. These findings demonstrate that selected stimuli affect phosphorylation of soluble eos protein. These results also suggest that phosphorylation of specific proteins in eos is an intermediary step in external stimulus-induced cell activation, which may involve many different cell functions.
Undergraduate research participation and STEM graduate degree aspirations among students of color

The importance of undergraduate research experiences and the extent to which engagement in such activities influences underrepresented minority students' graduate degree aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields is the focus of this chapter.
Tissue specificity of Drosophila P element transposition is regulated at the level of mRNA splicing

We show that the germline specificity of P element transposition is controlled at the level of mRNA splicing and not at the level of transcription. In the major P element RNA transcript, isolated from somatic cells, the first three open reading frames are joined by the removal of two introns. Using in vitro mutagenesis and genetic analysis we demonstrate the existence of a third intron whose removal is required for transposase production. We propose that this intron is only removed in the germline and that its removal is the sole basis for the germline restriction of P element transposition.