cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the mechanism of erythroid cell sensitivity to chloramphenicol: Studies on mitochondria isolated from erythroid and myeloid tumors

Abstract Erythroleukemia mitochondria (E. Mito) and chloroma mitochondria (C. Mito) were isolated from tumors grown in their hosts, DBA/2J mice and Long-Evans rats, respectively. Oxypolarographic tests showed respiratory control and ADP/O ratios typical for well-coupled mitochondria. Therapeutic concentration of chloramphenicol (CAP) had no effect on the energy transfer of those mitochondria. l -[14C]leucine incorporation into protein was comparable in both types of mitochondria. Although the incorporation at 15 min appeared higher in C. Mito, at 60 min it became similar to that in E. Mito. When CAP was used at the therapeutic concentration of 20 μg/ml about 80% inhibition was observed in both mitochondria. The exogenous amino acid mixture added to the medium was an important determinant in both the rate of leucine incorporation as well as the sensitivity to CAP. Thus, if no amino acids were added the incorporation was reduced to 18–25%. Under these conditions, however E. Mito were significantly more sensitive to the same concentration of CAP than C. Mito. The results suggest that mitochondrial amino acid pool may be involved in the greater sensitivity of erythroid precursors to CAP.
Introduction to focus issue: youth and pedagogies of possibility

To ponder pedagogy is to ponder possibility. It is what Maxine Greene (1988) has long advocated in her dialectic of freedom – to imagine a different world, to seek alternatives for a more humane so...
Novice LISP errors: undetected losses of information from working memory

Four experiments study the errors students make using LISP functions. The first two experiments show that frequency of errors is increased by increasing the complexity of irrelevant aspects of the problem. The experiments also show that the distribution of errors is largely random and that subjects' errors seem to result from slips rather than from misconceptions. Experiment 3 shows that subjects' errors tend to involve loss of parentheses in answers when the resulting errors are well-formed LISP expressions. Experiment 4 asks subjects, who knew no LISP, to judge the reasonableness of the answers to various LISP function calls. Subjects could detect many errors on the basis of general criteria of what a reasonable answer should look like. On the basis of these four experiments, we conclude that errors occur when there is a loss of information in the working memory representation of the problem and when the resulting answer still looks reasonable.
An analysis of the effectiveness of analogy use in college‐level biochemistry textbooks

Science instructors and textbook authors often use analogies to help their students use information they already understand to develop an understanding of new concepts. This study reports the results of an analysis of the use of analogies in eight biochemistry textbooks, which included textbooks written for one-semester survey biochemistry courses for non-majors; two-semester courses for chemistry or biochemistry majors; and biochemistry courses for medical school students. We present an analysis of how analogies are used and presented in biochemistry textbooks, and we compare the use of analogies in biochemistry textbooks to the use of analogies in other science textbooks. We also compare the use of analogies in biochemistry textbooks with the factors known to promote spontaneous transfer of attributes and relations from analog concept to target concept. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 1040–1060, 2006
Does Humeral Lengthening With a Monolateral Frame Improve Function

Background Humeral lengthening by distraction osteogenesis historically has relied on bulky circular external fixators. Advances in fixator technology have allowed for the use of monolateral frames. However, it is unclear whether and to what degree function is improved after humeral lengthening.
Subcellular Localization of Membrane‐Bound Aryl‐Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase and NAD(P)H‐Dependent Reductase Activities in Mouse Liver

The subcellular distribution of aryl-hydrocarbon hydroxylase, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, NADH:cytochrome c reductase, and NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase activities in mouse liver was studied using the biochemical membrane markers microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, and plasma membrane 5′-nucleotidase. The rate of appearance of activity of 3-methylcholanthrene-induced aryl-hydrocarbon hydroxylase in the microsomes of C57BL/6N mice is more than twice as rapid as that in the nuclear envelope. The nuclear fraction contains less than 1% of the total cellular activities of the hydroxylase and all three reductases. All detectable basal activity of aryl-hydrocarbon hydroxylase in the nuclear fraction of control CS7BL/6N and DBA/2N and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated DBA/2N mice and all detectable activities of NADPH:cytochrome c, NADH: cytochrome c, and NADH:catochrome b5 reductase in the nuclear fraction of control and 3-methylcholanthrene-treated C57BL/6N and DBA/2N mice can be completely accounted for by the degree of microsomal fragment contamination (as assessed by the microsomal marker glucose-6-phosphatase). These data raise doubts about certain previous reports of ‘nuclear’ enzyme activities in which microsomal contamination was not taken into account. However, there is more induced activity of aryl-hydrocarbon hydroxylase in the nuclear fraction of 3-methylcholanthrene-treated C57BL/6N mice than can be accounted for by the degree of microsomal membrane contribution. The murine Ah locus is known to regulate the induction by certain polycyclic aromatic chemicals of numerous drug-metabolizing enzyme activities such as aryl-hydrocarbon hydroxylase associated with cytochrome P1-450. The expression of 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible hydroxylase in nuclear membranes, like that in microsomal membranes, thus appears to be controlled by the Ah regulatory gene.
Surgery in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Surgery in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) was abandoned in the late 1960s but is currently being cautiously reassessed, after the Armed Forces Asymptomatic Pulmonary Nodule Study demonstrated an unexpectedly prolonged 5-year survival (36%) with surgery. Subsequent prospective studies have reported five-year survival following resection in 22 to 83% of patients with Stage I disease and in 0 to 50% of patients with Stages II and III disease. Ten percent of patients with SCLC may be amenable to this approach. Additional patients may become candidates for resection following intensive combination chemotherapy. The optimal postoperative management remains unsettled. Combination chemotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation is recommended following complete resection. Postoperative thoracic irradiation may benefit patients with pathologically involved mediastinal nodes. Correlation of clinical response with our new understanding of the molecular biology of SCLC may further improve our approach to this disease.
Methylene malonamide. I. Synthesis and reactivity of the monomer

The first confirmed synthesis of methylene malonamide (MeMal) is reported. This monomer was prepared by the thermal elimination or fluoride-ion-initiated elimination of trimethylsilyl chloride from α-chloro-α(trimethylsilyl-2-methyl) malonamide. Spectral data for the monomer are given. MeMal has been shown to be unstable in a variety of protic organic solvents, including water and alcohols, thus giving the appropriate (α-methyl) substituted malonamides. MeMal is stable in most aprotic solvents.
A refined aquatic ecological risk assessment for a pyrethroid insecticide used for adult mosquito management.

The use of pyrethroid insecticides has increased substantially throughout the world over the past few decades as the use of organophorous, carbamate, and organochlorine insecticides is being phased out. Pyrethroids are the most common class of insecticides for ultralow-volume (ULV) aerosol applications used to manage high densities of adult mosquitoes. Pyrethroids are highly toxic to nontarget organisms such as certain aquatic organisms, and there have been concerns about the effect of applications of ULV insecticides on these organisms. To address the uncertainties associated with the risks of ULV applications and the contradictory findings of other ecological risk assessments, the authors performed a probabilistic aquatic ecological risk assessment for permethrin using actual environmental deposition on surfaces to estimate permethrin concentrations in water. The present study is the first ecological risk assessment for pyrethroids to quantitatively integrate the reduction in bioavailability resulting from the presence of dissolved organic matter. As part of the risk assessment, the authors incorporated a species sensitivity distribution to take into account the differences in toxicity for different species. The 95th percentile estimated concentration would result in less than 0.0001% of the potentially affected fraction of species reaching the lethal concentration that kills 50% of a population. The results of the present study are supported by the weight of evidence that pyrethroids applied by ground-based ULV equipment will not result in deleterious effects on aquatic organisms. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:948–953. © 2013 SETAC
Viscosity of molten milk chocolate with lactose from spray-dried whole-milk powders

Dry whole-milk powders containing 0, 30, 50 and 70% nominal lactose prepared by spray-drying alone, or followed by post-drying crystallization, were incorporated into milk chocolate to give 0–50% substitution of lactose for sucrose. Increasing the concentration of amorphous lactose from spray-dried powders in the chocolates decreased viscosity, increased particle size of refined chocolate mass, and lowered the concentration of surface-active agents at which a minimum in Casson yield value was observed. Increasing the concentration of crystalline lactose from milk powders in the chocolates increased viscosity, decreased particle size, and increased the concentration of surface-active agents at which a minimum in Casson yield value was observed. Conditions which affect lactose crystallinity in milk powders, such as improper storage and handling prior to use in chocolate production, could be responsible for variations in chocolate viscosity noted sometimes by processors.
Intraperitoneal cisplatin and paclitaxel versus intravenous carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy for Stage III ovarian cancer: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Abstract Objective. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intraperitoneal cisplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy as front-line treatment for patients with Stage III epithelial ovarian cancer following optimal primary cytoreductive surgery. Methods. Based on Gynecologic Oncology Group protocols #172 and #158, a decision analysis model was created to compare two treatment strategies for patients with optimal residual disease Stage III ovarian cancer: (1) inpatient intravenous paclitaxel (24 h) and intraperitoneal cisplatin plus outpatient intraperitoneal paclitaxel chemotherapy (IP/IV), and (2) outpatient intravenous paclitaxel (3 h) and carboplatin chemotherapy (IV/IV). The cost-effectiveness of each strategy was evaluated from the perspective of society. Results. Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that the strategy of IP/IV chemotherapy had an overall cost per patient of $39,861 and effectiveness of 5.16 QALYs compared to $18,822 and 4.59 QALYs for IV/IV chemotherapy. The IP/IV chemotherapy strategy was associated with an additional 0.56 QALYs at an incremental cost of $21,039. The incremental C/E ratio for IP/IV chemotherapy was $37,454/QALY. Inpatient treatment accounted for 43.2% of the cost of IP/IV chemotherapy. Sensitivity analysis testing confirmed the robustness of the model. Conclusions. In this model, IP/IV chemotherapy was associated with a modest extension in quality-adjusted survival time but was also more costly than IV/IV chemotherapy. On balance, the IP/IV strategy can be considered a good healthcare value. However, these data also suggest that efforts to reduce the cost of IP/IV chemotherapy, such as through development of an ambulatory regimen with equivalent therapeutic efficacy but an improved toxicity profile, would improve the overall value of this adjuvant treatment program.
The care and management of the child with muscular dystrophy.

SUMMARY The partf of the paediatrician in the care and management of the child with muscular dysti ophy is initially one of diagnosing the disorder and informing the parents, and later of involvement in the long-term psychological and social consequences for the child and the family. The author discusses the problems which are likely to arise in the initial stages of counselling and treatment, and those which may present as the child grows older. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Behandlung und Fursorge bei Kindern mit Muskeldystrophie Der Anteil des Kinderarztes an der Behandlung und Fursorge bei Kindern mit Muskeldystrophie beschrankt sich anfangs darauf die Erkrankung zu diagnostizieren und die Eltern davon in Kenntnis zu setzen, spater wahrend des Krankheitsverlaufes umfast sie die psychologischen und sozialen Probleme des Kindes und der Eltern. Der Autor zahlt die Probleme auf, die sich mit Wahrscheinlichkeit am Anfang der Behandlung und Beratung ergeben und die, die sich ergeben konnen, wenn das Kind alter wird. RESUMEN Cuidados del nino con distrofia muscular El papel del pediatra en el cuidado del nino con distrofia muscular consiste inicialmente en diagnosticar la enfermedad e informar a los padres, y mas tarde queda incluido en las consecuencias psicologicas y sociales a largo plazo para el nino y su familia. El autor discute los problemas que con mayor frecuencia aparecen en las etapas iniciales de consejo y tratamiento y aquellos que pueden presentarse cuando el nino se hace mayor.
Association of β1 integrin with protein kinase activity in large detergent resistant complexes

Abstract Integrins play a critical role in cell adhesion and mediate cell signaling. This report identifies the association of serine protein kinase activity with the β1 integrin by immunoprecipitation and phosphoamino acid analysis techniques. Reprecipitation techniques suggested that the serine kinase activity was not a member of the protein kinase C family. By gel filtration, most of the protein kinase activity associated with β1 integrin as well as most of the cell-surface β1 integrin was present in large detergent resistant complexes. These results suggest that serine protein kinase activity associated with the β1 integrin may play a role in signaling via the β1 integrin.
Approaching biomarker discovery through genomics.

The promise of genomic medicine lies in the ability to identify those factors that modify risk of disease at the individual level and, once identified, to be able to provide a personalized treatment or intervention to ablate the disease process. This concept is based upon a number of assumptions and current limitations that genomic science has yet to address. Critical to the development of personalized medicine is the determination of the genetic and epidemiologic cause of complex human disease, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and stroke. The risk factors that predispose an individual to any one of these disorders may not be unique, and the genomic profiles may be similar. Increasing the complexity of understanding the pathogenesis of these disorders is the growing recognition that the genetic risk factors likely interact not only with each other but also with poorly understood environmental factors. Ultimately, the prediction of an individual’s risk for any disorder will be determined by their genotype and their environmental exposures; however, in the absence of a defined genomic fingerprint, a subset of confirmed genetic risk factors can be used to help define biomarkers of disease. Clinically validated biomarkers can then serve as surrogates for the combined effects of genotype and environment and provide insights into disease pathogenesis.
Amorphous-Si1−xSnx:H by sputter assisted plasma CVD☆

Amorphous Si1−xSnx:H films were deposited by Sputter Assisted Plasma CVD (SAP-CVD) which used glow discharge to decompose silane gas and to sputter a solid tin target simultaneously. Resulting films contain tin as 0<x<0.5 analysed by Auger spectroscopy. Dark conductivity changes from 5×10−10 (ohm-cm)−1 to 1.0 (ohm-cm)−1 as 0<x<0.5. Optical band gap decreases monotonically from 1.8 eV to 0.2 eV, as x increases from 0 to 0.5.
Protein-predominant meals inhibit the development of gastric tachyarrhythmia, nausea and the symptoms of motion sickness.

Summary Background : Meal ingestion has been suggested to reduce susceptibility to the development of gastric tachyarrhythmia, the abnormal activity of the stomach that frequently accompanies nausea. Aim : To determine the types of meal that are most effective in preventing the development of gastric tachyarrhythmia, nausea and the symptoms of motion sickness provoked by a rotating optokinetic drum. Method : Participants received a carbohydrate beverage, a protein-predominant beverage or nothing immediately before exposure to the rotating drum. Subjective symptoms of motion sickness and electrogastrograms were collected during a 6-min baseline period and a subsequent 16-min drum rotation period. Results : Subjective symptoms of motion sickness scores were significantly more severe during the no-meal condition than during either the protein or carbohydrate condition. Central, peripheral and, to some extent, gastrointestinal symptoms were more severe during the carbohydrate condition than during the protein condition. Gastric tachyarrhythmia increased significantly less from baseline to drum rotation during both the protein and carbohydrate conditions than during the no-meal condition. Conclusions : Liquid protein-predominant meals were most effective in suppressing both the development of gastric tachyarrhythmia and the entire spectrum of motion sickness symptoms, including nausea.
The reactions of ω-iodoalkynes with nickel tetracarbonyl-potassium t-butoxide

Abstract The reactions of ω-iodoalkynes n-C4H9CC(CH2)nI (n = 3, 4, 5) with Ni(CO)4-KO-t-Bu have been studied. The n = 3 and n = 5 compounds yield the esters n-C4H9CC(CH2)nCO2-t-Bu as the major products whereas the n = 4 system yields a mixture of the cyclic esters t-butyl-2-(1-cyclopentenyl)hexanoate and t-butyl-2-cyclopentylidenehexanoate in good yield.
Channel Adjustments to Dams in the Connecticut River Basin: Implications for Forested Mesic Watersheds

Through an analysis of at-a-station channel and reach-averaged fluvial properties, we document the stream channel, riparian, and hydraulic adjustments associated with six dams in the Upper Connecticut River basin. For the reach-scale geomorphic analysis, we measured channel planform properties of five tributaries and one mainstem section using geographic information systems of available aerial photographs that pre- and postdate the dams. For the at-a-station morphological adjustments, we used field-measured U.S. Geological Survey stream gauge data of channel hydraulic geometry and discharge. Width, mean depth, cross-sectional area, mean velocity, roughness, and bed elevation were assessed for changes subsequent to dam closure while the reach-scale metrics, sinuosity, and wetted perimeter width, were measured by aerial photography. Corresponding to relatively minor changes in the frequency and magnitude of channel-maintaining flows, we observed no significant differences between pre- and postdam channel mo...
Preparation of (aryl α-l-idopyranosid)uronic acids*

Abstract The earlier preparation of cyclohexylammonium (phenyl α - l -idopyranosid)-uronate has been improved, and (4-methylumbelliferyl α - l -idopyranosid)uronic acid ( 14 ), a more sensitive substrate for α - l -iduronidase, has been synthesized by an analogous route. Zinc chloride-catalyzed condensation of 4-methylumbelliferone with 1,2,3,4,6-penta- O -acetyl- α - l -idopyranose (4) in 1,2-ethanediol diacetate gave crystalline 4-methylumbelliferyl 2,3,4,6-tetra- O -acetyl- α - l -idopyranoside (7). O -Deacetylation and catalytic oxidation gave 14 , characterized as a cyclohexylammonium salt. The starting material 4 was prepared, in 21 % yield from l -glucose, by conversion of the intermediate 1,2,3,4,6-penta- O -acetyl- β - l -glucopyranose to 2,3,4,6-tetra- O -acetyl- β - l -glucopyranosyl chloride and acetoxonium ion rearrangement, as described for the D-series.
Registration Error Analysis Between Dissimilar Sensors

An approach is presented to estimate and minimize registration error between an optical or infrared imaging sensor and a nonimaging radar in a coboresighted multi-sensor object acquisition system. Previous efforts have been concentrated on analyzing the registration error between the sensed image and the reference image or between the same type of sensor signals. In this paper, models are developed for the centroid estimation error of an object from each sensor and for the registration error. The mean-square registration error is defined as a function of the sensor parameters and characteristics of the imaging sensor and the centroid uncertainty and pointing error of a monopulse radar. The optimal calibration range is estimated in terms of the sensor parameters and calibration object dimension.
A many-body stochastic approach to rotational motions in liquids : complex decay times in highly viscous fluids

Abstract A two-body Smoluchowski equation, including a solute molecule and a collective solvent mode, is developed for studying reorientational dynamics in complex fluids. Multiexponential decay correlation functions for first- and second-rank observables are computed. They exhibit bifurcation and other properties related to typical observations on glassy and supercooled liquids.
Study Glial Cell Heterogeneity Influence on Axon Growth Using a New Coculture Method

In the central nervous system of all mammals, severed axons after injury are unable to regenerate to their original targets and functional recovery is very poor 1. The failure of axon regeneration is a combined result of several factors including the hostile glial cell environment, inhibitory myelin related molecules and decreased intrinsic neuron regenerative capacity 2. Astrocytes are the most predominant glial cell type in central nervous system and play important role in axon functions under physiology and pathology conditions 3. Contrast to the homologous oligodendrocytes, astrocytes are a heterogeneous cell population composed by different astrocyte subpopulations with diverse morphologies and gene expression 4. The functional significance of this heterogeneity, such as their influences on axon growth, is largely unknown. To study the glial cell, especially the function of astrocyte heterogeneity in neuron behavior, we established a new method by co-culturing high purified dorsal root ganglia neurons with glial cells obtained from the rat cortex. By this technique, we were able to directly compare neuron adhesion and axon growth on different astrocytes subpopulations under the same condition. In this report, we give the detailed protocol of this method for astrocytes isolation and culture, dorsal root ganglia neurons isolation and purification, and the co-culture of DRG neurons with astrocytes. This method could also be extended to other brain regions to study cellular or regional specific interaction between neurons and glial cells.
Source apportionment of pollutants and flows of combined sewer wastewater.

Abstract To reduce the combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and improve surface water quality in the Greater Milwaukee area, construction of a 19.5-mile (31.4 km) inline storage system (ISS) was completed in 1994 to capture and convey sanitary sewage and stormwater for treatment. However, one to six overflows per year still occur. Chemical mass balance (CMB) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) modeling was done in order to find origins of flows and pollutants in CSOs. Based on overflow events from 2000 to 2006 (CMB) and 2004 to 2006 (PMF), we found that between 27% and 56% of the total overflow is from sanitary sewage and most of the remaining from stormwater with possible minor contribution (⩽8%) from groundwater. Most total suspended solids and metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Hg, and Zn) are from stormwater, while sanitary sewage carries large contributions (⩾28%) of BOD 5 , NH 3 , and total phosphorus. The fraction of NH 3 is especially high, i.e., ⩾58%. Implications for a possible future sewer separation in combined sewer areas into separate sanitary and storm sewers are discussed.
In situ X-ray absorption fine structure and optical reflectance studies of electrodeposited nickel hydrous oxide films in alkaline electrolytes

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and optical reflectance spectroscopy (RS) have been used to examine in situ electronic and structural aspects of nickel hydrous oxide, α-Ni(OH)2(hyd), electro...
Common polymorphisms and somatic mutations in human base excision repair genes in ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether the human APEX and OGG1 genes, encoding proteins important in base excision repair (BER) of DNA, contain nucleotide sequence polymorphisms or are mutated somatically in tumors from women diagnosed with ovarian or endometrial cancer. Based upon the analysis of germline DNA from 83 individuals, 63 with ovarian cancer and 20 with endometrial cancer, we found two missense polymorphisms in APEX (Q51H and D148E) and two missense (A3P and S326C) and one intronic (Exon 5–15 bp) polymorphism in OGG1. The frequencies of the various alleles (in the ovarian and endometrial cancer patients combined) were 4.8% for 51-His and 56.2% for 148-Glu in APEX, and 1.0% for 3-Pro and 20.0% for 326-Cys in OGG1. Somatic mutations in APEX (P112L, W188X and R237C) were identified in three of 20 endometrial tumors, but no mutations were identified in APEX in 43 ovarian tumors, or in OGG1 at either tumor site. Given the crucial role of the APEX and OGG1 proteins in BER of oxidative DNA damage, the identified polymorphisms are good candidates for genetic epidemiologic studies of cancer susceptibility, while the finding that three of 20 (15%) endometrial tumors have somatic mutations in APEX suggests that inactivation of the BER pathway is important for the development of endometrial cancer in at least a subset of cases.
Nitrogen dioxide exposure and airway responsiveness in individuals with asthma

AbstractControlled human exposure studies evaluating the effect of inhaled nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on the inherent responsiveness of the airways to challenge by broncho-constricting agents have had mixed results. In general, existing meta-analyses show statistically significant effects of NO2 on the airway responsiveness of individuals with asthma. However, no meta-analysis has provided a comprehensive assessment of the clinical relevance of changes in airway responsiveness, the potential for methodological biases in the original papers, and the distribution of responses. This paper provides analyses showing that a statistically significant fraction (i.e. 70% of individuals with asthma exposed to NO2 at rest) experience increases in airway responsiveness following 30-min exposures to NO2 in the range of 200 to 300 ppb and following 60-min exposures to 100 ppb. The distribution of changes in airway responsiveness is log-normally distributed with a median change of 0.75 (provocative dose following NO2 divide...
Compensatory neoplasia: Chronic erythrocytosis and neuroblastic tumors

There are a large number of exogenous biological and chemical substances with known neoplastic or carcinogenic potential. However, it has also been postulated that external stimuli can influence the body's internal milieu, and thereby induce compensatory excessive growth of cells in the form of hyperplasia or neoplasia. In a recent study, we observed a strong association between chronic hypoxic states and the occurrence of peripheral neuroblastic tumors, a relatively uncommon group of neural neoplasms. In this report we review those findings and formulate an hypothesis to explain why conditions which lead to chronic erythrocytosis may also cause compensatory neoplasia of neural tissues.
Effect of climate change on field crop production in California’s Central Valley

Climate change under various emission scenarios is highly uncertain but is expected to affect agricultural crop production in the 21st century. However, we know very little about future changes in specific cropping systems under climate change in California’s Central Valley. Biogeochemical models are a useful tool to predict yields as it integrates crop growth, nutrient dynamics, hydrology, management and climate. For this study, we used DAYCENT to simulate changes in yield under A2 (medium-high) and B1 (low) emission scenarios. In total, 18 climate change predictions for the two scenarios were considered by applying different climate models and downscaling methods. The following crops were selected: alfalfa (hay), cotton, maize, winter wheat, tomato, and rice. Sunflower was also selected because it is commonly included in rotations with the other crops. By comparing the 11-year moving averages for the period 1956 to 2094, changes in yield were highly variable depending on the climate change scenarios across times. Furthermore, yield variance for the crops increased toward the end of the century due to the various degrees of climate model sensitivity. This shows that future climate, suggested by each of the emission scenarios, has a broad range of impacts on crop yields. Nevertheless, there was a general agreement in trends of yield changes. Under both A2 and B1, average modeled cotton, sunflower, and wheat yields decreased by approximately 2% to 9% by 2050 compared to the 2009 average yields. The other crops showed apparently no decreases in yield for the period 2010–2050. In comparison, all crop yields except for alfalfa significantly declined by 2094 under A2, but less under B1. Under A2, yields decreased in the following order: cotton (25%) > sunflower (24%) > wheat (14%) > rice (10%) > tomato and maize (9%). Under A2 compared to B1, the crop yield further decreased by a range of 2% (alfalfa) to 17% (cotton) by 2094, with more variation in yield change in the southern counties than the northern counties. The CO2 fertilization effects were predicted to potentially offset these yield declines (>30%) but may be overestimated. Our results suggest that climate change will decrease California crop yields in the long-term, except for alfalfa, unless greenhouse gas emissions and resulting climate change is curbed and/or adaptation of new management practices and improved cultivars occurs.
Proof-of-Concept Combined Shrouded Wind Turbine and Compressed Air Energy Storage System

As the push for renewable energy sources continues, one significant drawback over fossil fuels is that they are not reliable. Wind is not guaranteed at all times, and the sun does not always shine. Moreover, the demand for electricity is variable due to daily and seasonal swings in power draw from the grid. Conventional power plants can increase or reduce production to meet seasonal demand, but usually cannot meet daily fluctuations. Therefore, power plants must maintain a relatively high level of electrical generation capacity throughout the day even if the current demand is low. A prime place to focus upon electrical demand fluctuations and the unreliability of the renewable sources is at the location of the changes in demand. Homes often sit vacant throughout the day and draw little power from the grid. When residents return in the late afternoon and evening, a sudden increase in demand occurs. To address this increase in demand at a local level, a small-scale proof-of-concept shrouded wind turbine (SWT) and compressed air energy storage (CAES) system was designed, built, and tested for an undergraduate capstone design project. The concept is that a small SWT charges the CAES system and when the residents return, the energy stored within the CAES system is released lessening the demand on the main electrical grid. The SWT was investigated due to the theorized increase in efficiency that the shroud provides by accelerating the air beyond ambient velocity at the location of the turbine blades. The CAES system consisted of a three-stage compressor that filled a high-pressure scuba tank. This air was then released in a controlled manner in order to operate an air motor coupled to an alternator that generated electricity. Testing of the SWT found that the prototype was too small to power the compressors for the CAES; however, the concept of the SWT was shown to hold true. Experiments using the CAES system demonstrated significant losses, but it did generate electricity. The small-scale prototype did reveal that the idea of focusing on the source of the power fluctuations is a viable option. As a result, by using many small power production and storage devices, the overall daily swings in demand for electricity can be corrected to levels that current power plants can meet.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Multi-modal communications in underwater sensor networks using depth adjustment

Acoustic communication typically dominates the power usage in underwater sensor networks. As networks underwater have very limited recharging capabilities, this challenges the network's ability to communicate collected data. To balance these conflicting needs, we utilize a sensor network platform with underwater acoustic communication, surface level radio communication, and a depth adjustment system to switch between them. Nodes determine if they should surface to communicate by approximating the network energy usage and data latency given the data transmission size. For a given path, we develop and examine a set of algorithms to select the nodes to rise to communicate the data via radio across the network while taking energy usage into account. We perform a preliminary analysis of the methods and show that for typical networks greedy approaches are nearly as good as centralized approaches, yet require minimal communication overhead and only local information.
The Timing and Magnitude of Retail Store Markdowns: Evidence from Weekends and Holidays

We examine daily prices of eight goods at seventeen retail stores collected in Ann Arbor, Michigan, over a four-month period from November 1 to February 28. We focus on weekly and seasonal price patterns, and on the frequency of price markdowns or "sales." There were frequent markdowns in the intensive shopping period prior to Christmas, and a tendency for such sales to occur on weekends. We interpret these findings as evidence that a significant number of markdowns are timed to occur when shopping intensity is exogenously high. We complement the imperfect information-based motives for sales in the literature by contributing an additional element based on the role of bulk shopping and increasing returns in the shopping technology.
Fatty acid synthesis in chick embryonic heart and liver during development

Abstract Fatty acid synthesis by subcellular fractions of heart and liver of chick embryos at varying stages of development has been studied. Fatty acid synthetase activity is associated with the embryonic heart at early stages of development, as suggested by substrate requirement, Schmidt decarboxylation of synthesized fatty acids and gas liquid chromatographic identification of the products as palmitic and stearic acids. The fatty acid synthetase activity decreases in heart cytosol with age of the embryo and is absent in the newly hatched chick and in older chicken. The acetyl CoA carboxylase activity is negligible in embryonic and adult chicken heart. The fatty acid synthetase activity in liver is low, but measurable during the entire embryonic development. The activity increases by about three-fold on hatching and thereafter in fed, newly hatched chicks by about 35-fold, over the basal embryonic activity. The acetyl and malonyl transacylase activities in the heart and liver cytosols during development followed closely the fatty acid synthetase activities in heart and liver, respectively. A non-coordinate induction of fatty acid synthetase and acetyl CoA carboxylase activities in liver was observed during development. The microsomal chain elongation in liver and heart followed the pattern of fatty acid synthetase activity in liver and heart, respectively. The mitochondrial chain elongation in embryonic heart is initially low and increases with age; while this activity in liver is higher in early stages of embryonic development than in the older embryos and the chicks. Measurement of lipogenesis from acetate-1-14C by liver and heart slices from chick embryos and newly hatched chicks support the conclusions reached in the studies with the subcellular fractions. The results obtained indicate that the major system of fatty acid synthesis in embryonic and adult heart is the mitochondrial chain elongation. In embryonic liver, fatty acid synthesis proceeds by chain elongation, while the de novo system is the major contributor to the lipogenic capacity of the liver after hatching.
Landscape Heterogeneity and Disturbance Interactions in a Subalpine Watershed in Northern Colorado, USA

Abstract Three major disturbances affect subalpine forests in the Rocky Mountains: blowdown, insect outbreaks, and fire. These disturbances may influence one another temporally and spatially, creating a mosaic of disturbance patches. In 1997, a severe windstorm blew down trees on over 10,000 ha of subalpine forest in northern Colorado. Did previous disturbances influence the spatial pattern of blowdown in a representative part of the blowdown in the Middle Fork Elk River watershed? Dendrochronological evidence and a geographic information system were used to reconstruct the disturbance history, and the relationship between disturbance history (i.e., patch age) and the 1997 blowdown was examined. The fire regime varies temporally and spatially, with an area-weighted mean fire interval/fire rotation of 108 to 195 years. Stand-replacing fires appear to have had the most impact on the fire regime, but evidence of non-stand-replacing fires was also found. South-facing, lower-elevation slopes were the settings ...
The preparation, physical properties and infra-red spectra of several new organophosphonates

BS>The preparation, physical properties, and irfrared spectra of several new organophosphonates STA (GO)GPO(OH) ! are reported. Cryoscopic molecular weights in benzene show that these compounds are dimeric, and irfrared studies of this association in carbon tetrachloride show no free OH absorption in the 3 mu region. The stronger hydrogen bonding in the organophosphorus compounds of the type STA(GO)/sub 2/PO(OH)!, STA(GO)PO(OH)/sub 2/!, STAGPO(OH)/sub 2/!, STA(G'O)GPO(OH)!, STAG/sub 2/PO(OH)!, and STAGHPO(OH)! as contrasted to the weaker bonding in monocarboxylic acids is discussed. (auth)
Maturity and its impact on new product development project performance

The Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model (CMM) has popularized the concept of process maturity. Software organizations use the CMM to assess their current capabilities and plan for further improvements. The purpose of this paper is to generalize the concept of maturity beyond the software engineering domain and determine the impact of maturity on project performance in new product development. In this paper we define the construct of maturity as the degree to which a process is defined, managed, measured, and continuously improved. We employ survey methodology to operationalize the construct, and a sample of 39 new product development programs is used to test the proposition that increased maturity leads to better project results, as measured by project cost and timeliness. We also test a number of environmental factors as moderators of this relationship. Results confirm a positive relationship between maturity and project success.
Social interactions alter proinflammatory cytokine gene expression and behavior following endotoxin administration

Abstract Sick animals display a constellation of behaviors, including anhedonia, anorexia, and reduced social interactions. Acute infection eliminates female mating behavior, but fails to attenuate mating behavior in male rats. These results have been attributed to the different reproductive strategies and parental investment of the two sexes. Males putatively suppress the symptoms of infection in order to “deceive” females into mating. We sought to investigate the mechanisms responsible for this suppression. Adult male CD-1 mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; a component of bacterial cell walls; 400 μg/kg), then paired 2 h later with a receptive female or juvenile male or remained isolated. Blood samples and brains of the males were collected 3 h post-LPS; hypothalamic interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) gene expression was measured using RT-PCR. Contrary to our prediction, exposure to a female increased hypothalamic IL-1 and TNFα gene expression. LPS treatment significantly decreased testosterone and increased corticosterone secretions. Social interactions altered absolute corticosterone concentrations in saline-injected animals only. In order to determine whether increased production of hypothalamic cytokines reflected increased severity of sickness responses, body temperature was monitored in a second group of mice implanted with telemetric transmitters. Body mass, food intake, and consumption of sweetened condensed milk (a highly favored food) were also monitored in these mice for 72 h post-injection. LPS injections reduced milk intake, an effect that was modulated by social interactions; however, fever was unaltered relative to isolated animals. These results suggest that social interactions can adjust behavioral responses to infection although the ultimate cause of this adjustment remains unspecified.
Neutrophil-mediated vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction in low-flow perfusion-reperfused cat coronary artery.

We investigated the interaction between activated cat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and coronary vascular endothelial cells in vitro. It was shown that 1) 90 minutes of low-flow perfusion without reperfusion had no deleterious effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation, whereas 90 minutes of low-flow perfusion and 20 minutes of reperfusion with a blood cell-free solution induced a 20-25% endothelial dysfunction; 2) activated PMNs produced endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in coronary artery rings isolated from cat hearts undergoing 90 minutes of low-flow perfusion and 20 minutes of reperfusion with a blood cell-free Krebs-Henseleit solution; 3) addition of the superoxide free radical scavenger, superoxide dismutase (150 micrograms/ml), or an antibody directed against CD18 of PMN adherence glycoprotein complex (MAbR15.7, 20 micrograms/ml) attenuated PMN-induced vasoconstriction significantly, but addition of a hydroxyl radical scavenger [N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, 150 micrograms/ml], a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, or a lipoxygenase inhibitor had no protective effect; 4) exposure of rings to a superoxide radical-generating system (i.e., xanthine and xanthine oxidase) produced significant vasoconstriction that was similar to that observed with activated PMNs and was inhibited by superoxide dismutase; and 5) activated PMNs produced a marked coronary endothelial dysfunction characterized by a decreased response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine and A23187. Addition of either superoxide dismutase or MAbR15.7 protected against endothelial dysfunction. These results indicate that activated PMNs produce significant vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction in coronary arteries isolated from low-flow perfusion-reperfused hearts. These effects appear to be mediated primarily by superoxide radicals generated by activated PMNs that either inactivate or inhibit the synthesis and release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. We conclude that activated PMNs are able to induce endothelial dysfunction by releasing free radicals and possibly other substances.
Decision Making of Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Concerning Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Hungary

A qualitative interview methodology was used to investigate the perspectives of 10 Hungarian parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) concerning their decision-making processes undertaken to make communication intervention decisions for their children. Six themes were identified from the data: (a) sources of information, (b) interventions to support communication, (c) intervention outcomes, (d) reasons for adding or discontinuing interventions, (e) desired interventions, and (f) decision-making processes. Parents in Hungary used a variety of sources to find information about communication interventions and had differing expectations of these interventions. They expressed a variety of reasons for adding or discontinuing communication interventions. Additional results are discussed as they relate to the themes and with reference to published literature. Limitations to this research are presented, and several priorities for further research directions are offered.
Docosahexaenoic acid: A natural powerful adjuvant that improves efficacy for anticancer treatment with no adverse effects

Epidemiological studies have linked fish oil consumption to a decreased incidence of cancer. The anticancer effects of fish oil are mostly attributed to its content of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, DHA, because of its unique effect of altering membrane composition, is often regarded as the major omega-3 fatty acid involved in anticancer activity. Although use of DHA as an anticancer drug to prevent or treat human cancer in clinical settings has not yet been well established, recent studies suggest that DHA can be very effective as an adjuvant with other anticancer agents. In this article, we present studies that show the role of DHA in improving anticancer drug efficacy. Several in vitro and animal studies suggest that combining DHA with other anticancer agents often improves efficacy of anticancer drugs and also reduces therapy-associated side effects. Incorporation of DHA in cellular membranes improves drug uptake, whereas increased lipid peroxidation is another mechanism for DHA-mediated enhanced efficacy of anticancer drugs. In addition, several intracellular targets including cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor kappa B, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, mitogen-activated protein kinase, AKT, and BCL-2/BAX are found to play an important role in DHA-mediated additive or synergistic interaction with anticancer drugs. The data suggest that DHA is a safe, natural compound that can greatly improve the anticancer properties of anticancer drugs. Use of DHA with anticancer treatments provides an avenue to therapeutic improvement that involves less risk or side effects for patients and reduced regulatory burden for implementation.